OUR MINISTRIES

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MINISTRIES OF FIRST CHURCH

OVERVIEW

Ministry at First Church exists to help us carry out our mission to love God, connect to others, and serve our local and global communities. On this page you can see our primary ministry initiatives and follow the links to learn more. If you are looking for more info, feel free to contact a staff member in the ministry area that interests you.

WORSHIP

Our worship services offer a great deal of ministry opportunities for musicians, vocalists, sound and visual tech, and more. Follow the link to learn more about what we do and how you can be involved.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WORSHIP

CHILDREN

We have children’s programming and events designed to engage our children in faith-based learning through music, storytelling, and age appropriate activities. No matter the age of your children, we have something for them. Visit our Children’s Ministry page to get started.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CHILDRENS MINISTRIES

STUDENTS

Our youth groups (middle school and high school) meet on Sunday mornings led by Pastor Cesar and are focused on developing spirituality that is both practical and authentic. They also are involved in retreats, outings, and serving opportunities. This is a great place for teens in the church to connect with one another. Learn more on our youth page.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR STUDENT MINISTIRES

SMALL GROUPS

Adult ministry happens in small groups. We offer Bible and book studies, support groups, men’s and women’s groups and some groups based around age and stage of life. Many will find a place to belong. Browse our groups on the small groups page.

JOIN A SMALL GROUP

CARING

The Caring Ministries of First Church are intended to focus the general loving care we have toward one another in areas of particular concern, pain, or need. Besides pastoral care and counseling available through our appointed pastors, First Church provides specific groups to deal with grief, with the loss of a child, and with recovery from substance abuse. Stephen Ministers are also available to come alongside as peer support during seasons of unwelcome change or planned life transitions. In addition, we are connected through an active and intentional network of prayer on behalf of one another.

LEARN ABOUT CARING MINISTRIES

STEPHEN MINISTERS

Stephen Ministry is a network of First Church members with particular gifts of compassion, listening skills, and encouragement who serve as caregivers for those going through challenging transitions or longer difficult seasons of life. Each Stephen Minister has received 50 hours of training and continues in a monthly peer accountability team. This is one way we seek to fulfill the expectation to love one another in a practical and deliberate way.

LEARN ABOUT STEPHEN MINISTRIES

WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONNECTING WITH YOU

First Church is committed to ministry to the whole family. We want to help you grow and strengthen your relationship with God and each other by walking the faith journey together. Our ministries exist as a tool to help your family experience God and find a place to belong.

NEXT UPCOMING EVENT

VBS 2023: Pets Unleashed!

EVENT DETAIL

Faith Promise Commitment 2022

“Lord, how much would you give through me that would not provide to me if I am committed to pass it along through the local church for your mission?”

In faith, I am asking for God to provide through me, beyond the support of our local congregation, expressly for outreach and mission ministries, additional financial resources.

My Faith Promise for 2022: *

Enter the dollar amount you wish to give for 2022 (this is not a payment)

Name(s): *

Email *

If you'd like more information or to be contacted about serving with one of our partners, check the corresponding box(es) below.

Men's House-Building Project with ASP
Refuge for Women - support and home care for exploited women
Coventry School - after school tutoring program for elementary students
Habitat For Humanity - home building in Crystal Lake (no experience needed)
Food Ministries - food trucks on Fridays and occasional Saturdays
First Church Quilters - sewing blankets for babies in the NICU
First Church Youth Ministries - retreats and short-term mission trips
Buddy Break - respite care for families with special needs children

Worship & Event Waiver

“The more TIME you spend and the closer in SPACE you are to any infected people the higher your risk. Interacting with more PEOPLE raises your risk, and the indoor PLACES are riskier than outdoors.” Dr. William Miller, epidemiologist at Ohio State Univ.

With the above advice in mind, this First Church Waiver will help to ensure the health & safety of all who gather for First Church events.

Are you currently experiencing, or have you recently experienced any of the following symptoms: fever of 100.4 or greater, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle aches, headache (not attributed to a chronic condition such as a migraine), new loss of taste or change in taste or smell, or any other symptoms of illness? *

Have you been confirmed positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days? *

Have you been in close contact with anyone who has been confirmed positive for COVID-19 within the past 14 days? *

Have you been in close contact with anyone who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 but is yet to be confirmed within the past 14 days? *

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, or if you have traveled out of the country or anywhere by air or have been in a large group setting in the last 14 days, for the protection of others, please wait 14 days before you join this group.

COVID-19 is highly contagious and is known to spread mainly from person-to-person contact. By attending group meetings at First Church of Crystal Lake, you agree to abide by the procedures established by the church to protect attendees and staff, including wearing a mask & social distancing. You agree that you voluntarily assume the risk that you and/or your family may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19 at the church and you waive any liability against the church and any other parties. You also acknowledge that for all future events/meetings that you attend, you will self-check the above questions & recommendations and follow the guidelines.

Name *

First

Last

Signature *

Email *

Phone *

Date *

Parent Name

First

Last

Parent Signature (If participant is under age 18)

Date

Phone

OUR MINISTRIES

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MINISTRIES OF FIRST CHURCH

OVERVIEW

WORSHIP

CHILDREN

STUDENTS

SMALL GROUPS

CARING

STEPHEN MINISTERS

WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONNECTING WITH YOU

NEXT UPCOMING EVENT

VBS 2023: Pets Unleashed!

Buddy Break Day At Camp

Day At Camp (Buddy Break)

Summer Sunday Mornings

Holy Week At First Church

We’re Already Thinking About VBS

“Lord, how much would you give through me that would not provide to me if I am committed to pass it along through the local church for your mission?”

Christmas Eve Welcome Card

Online Worship Welcome Card

CONTACT US

OUR MINISTRIES

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MINISTRIES OF FIRST CHURCH

OVERVIEW

WORSHIP

CHILDREN

STUDENTS

SMALL GROUPS

CARING

STEPHEN MINISTERS

WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONNECTING WITH YOU

NEXT UPCOMING EVENT