Worship and Learn — First Congregational Church of Wilmette

Faith Community

FCCW is a faith community that seeks to be accessible to all, from the front door to the communion table. No matter where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.

Worship is our most elemental and formative work, renewing us, challenging us and creating space for the rituals that mark the seasons of our lives.

Coming together on Sundays is about the desire to be together, not a demand to believe correctly.

Sunday service begins at 10:00 a.m. and lasts about an hour.

Can't make it to the sanctuary? Join Our Live Stream

Church is where the people are! We worship both in our sanctuary and at home. If you're joining us remotely, consider creating a home altar using elements personal to you such as cloth, flowers, photos, shells or candles.

Live Stream — YouTube embed goes here

FCCW offers open communion the first Sunday of each month. ALL are welcome at the table.

Special Services Throughout the Year

Advent & Christmas Eve Services

Hanging of the Greens

Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Easter

All Saints Remembrance

Interfaith Blessing of the Animals

Pentecost

Children at Worship

Children are encouraged to join their parents in the pews. An usher is happy to provide an activity bag to help keep kids engaged.

We can also provide childcare in the Creation Room from 9:50 – 11:00 if you let our church administrator know by Friday at 3:00 prior to Sunday service.

Volunteer Liturgists

We invite congregational members to serve as volunteer liturgists during worship. These liturgists may read scripture, lead the call to worship, lead prayer, or assist the pastor in other ways during Sunday worship.

Opportunities for Spiritual Enrichment

In addition to weekly worship, our goal is to provide more personal ways to continue exploring the history of our faith and how we can make that relevant to some of today's most challenging societal questions.

This is typically done in smaller group settings and often created as an Advent or Lenten special study series.

Occasionally, we will also try to explore issues surrounding faith that have caught the public's attention in an especially notable way.

Recent examples include discussions about Christian Nationalism and ecumenical activities with other faith communities.

Special enrichment services include:

✓ Wisdom walks in nature
✓ Sound bath meditation
✓ Women's retreat

Our Music

We have a rich tradition of music at FCCW. Whether you sing, ring or simply have an appreciation for the arts, there is a place for you in our music ministry.

Sanctuary Choir

The volunteer choir offers musical leadership during September through May, performing diverse styles with singers of varying abilities and backgrounds. New members are welcomed. Rehearsals occur Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. before worship.

Special Music

Ensembles of church members, friends and guest musicians often provide special music ranging from the traditional showcasing of hymns and other sacred music to the more contemporary sounds of barbershop quartets, jazz trios, American bluegrass and pop-influenced folk songs.

Organ

The church installed its first pipe organ in 1916 ($7,500), replaced in 1959 ($27,000). In 1998, a Rogers 950 organ was installed ($60,000)—a comprehensive 3-manual instrument with 76 stops in custom oak console.

Sound Sanctuary Series

November 2024 launched this inaugural performance featuring members Jeanne T. Arrigo and Jim O'Donnell. The basement was transformed for live music on Sunday afternoons to "open our church doors to the wider community" and feature local artists.

Plan a Visit

All Are Welcome

Worship at FCCW nourishes both your mind and your soul.

FCCW is an open and affirming congregation which means we make a public covenant of welcome into the full life and ministry to persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Come as you are. Our love for one another and our community is what holds us together.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do services begin?

Services begin at 10 a.m. on Sundays and last approximately one hour.

What denomination is FCCW?

FCCW belongs to the UCC (United Church of Christ), a socially liberal mainline Protestant church formed in 1957.

Where do I park?

The sanctuary entrance is at the corner of Wilmette Avenue, Lake, and 11th Street. An elevator-accessible side entrance is available. Free street parking and a public lot at 747 11th Street are available on Sunday mornings.

What should I wear?

Anything that makes you feel comfortable!

Can I bring children?

The church encourages children in worship with activity options. Childcare in the Sunday school room requires advance notice by Friday at 3 p.m.

What about communion?

Celebrated on the first Sunday of each month. The church offers "an open communion table" welcoming all ages, regardless of baptism or church membership.

What happens during the service?

Services include prayers, hymns, choir music, scripture reading, sermons, and a "Joys and Concerns" segment where community members share requests. Coffee hour follows in Pilgrim Hall.

Contact Information

📞 847-251-6660

✉ 1stchurch@fccw.org

📍 1125 Wilmette Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091

🕐 Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Music Ministry

Join Our Music Ministry

Whether you're a vocalist, instrumentalist, or someone who wants to explore — we'd love to hear from you. Fill out the form and Katherine Hughes, our Director of Music Ministry, will be in touch.