Ministries

Youth Faith Formation at FCCLG is where young hearts and minds are inspired to grow in faith. Our programs foster spiritual development through interactive learning, meaningful relationships, and joyful experiences that reflect God’s love. Whether it’s Sunday School, family events, or hands-on service projects, we provide a safe and nurturing environment where children can explore their beliefs and form lasting friendships. Confirmation is the process of the baptized/ dedicated one taking on the responsibility for their own faith journey. Confirmation is offered every two years for students in 7th-9th grade. It consists of two parts, a confirmation class and the act of confirmation. This is a special time for the youth of FCCLG to grow in their Christian faith, discover a deeper relationship with God, and to strengthen friendships with their peers in the confirmation class.  Discover how your family can connect with our welcoming faith community.

The Membership Team works to greet and welcome ALL visitors to our church. We’re happy to answer your questions and help you make meaningful connections. You are welcome here!

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The Ministry of Missions is charged with disbursing funds to charitable organizations. Careful thought goes into selecting the organizations. Missions believes that our obligations extend beyond the walls of the church and, therefore, we support the direct social services of our church as well as local, national, and international charities that serve vulnerable and marginalized communities. We support the UCC through Our Church’s Wider Mission, and in 2024 we allocated funds to 17 charitable organizations.

Hello, we are the Ministry of Nurture. We are the party people! Our mission is to welcome church members and guests through hospitality and fellowship. We host coffee hour after worship each Sunday, serve Easter breakfast, arrange for our annual church picnic on Kick Off Sunday, and cook a full Thanksgiving style dinner we call Harvest Home. We also host memorial receptions for church members we have lost. Other receptions celebrate events such as minister retirements and other milestones in our church life . We can’t wait to welcome you to our next progressive dinner or ice cream social. See you soon!

The Social Justice group seeks to bring our faith’s emphasis on justice to the world outside the four walls of our church through effective action. Activities include advocating for just public policies and educating ourselves and the larger community about current social justice issues. The group meets monthly in person at FCCLG.

The Stewardship Committee’s work is not just about financial donations during the pledge drive in the Fall! It makes an effort to encourage the church community to use their talents, time and treasure to make a difference not only locally, but globally.

The Ministry of Worship has a core group of volunteers that helps with worship services throughout the year. Activities include ushering, preparing the sanctuary for weekly worship, preparing communion monthly and decorating the sanctuary seasonally. The team members also support the pastor and music director for special services. Volunteers are always welcome to help with any of the Ministry’s activities.

Chancel Choir: 

This primarily volunteer SATB ensemble is open to all singers, high-school age and up. The choir helps lead worship most Sundays, September thru May. Choir repertoire is highly varied including great works of the last 400 years, spirituals, jazz, gospel, hymn arrangements and modern a cappella music. At least twice per year the choir sings with orchestra for our “Choral Sermons” and concerts augmented by excellent professional singers. New choir members are offered two free voice lessons with Ryan Cox. Rehearsals are Thursdays, 7:00-8:45pm. 

Carillon Handbell Choir: 

Using our 5-octave set of bells and hand chimes, the bell choir joyfully rings every few weeks in worship. The ensemble welcomes musicians in high school and up. Previous ringing experience is not required; however, basic music reading is helpful (counting is the big thing!). The director and experienced ringers are happy to teach technique to new ringers. Regular ringers or those who would like to sub in from time to time are always welcome. Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 7:30-9pm. 

Youth Music: 

This is where a lifetime love of something starts. Singing and playing instruments in an encouraging environment with some faith formation – that’s what youth music is all about. Rehearsals are on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Children in K-8 sing and play percussion instruments until noon. 4th-8th graders continue ringing handbells or singing more advanced music until 12:30. The youth ensembles participate in worship several times per year including an Advent musical and occasional collaboration with the Chancel Choir and Carillon Handbell Choir. 

Music Lessons for All: 

First Congregational Church is also home to the First Conservatory of La Grange. Since 1995, First Conservatory has provided expert musical instruction in a nurturing environment. Our teachers are active performers who occasionally play for FCCLG services and concerts. We offer private lessons on many band and orchestral instruments, piano, guitar, voice, harp and organ. New students of all ages and abilities are welcome at any time. 

For more information about the Music Conservatory please visit their website. 

The Saturday Meals Program (SMP) started in February of 2000 with a simple mission: feed people good food.  Now, every Saturday, we serve a hot meal, for lunch, starting at 11:00am and provide an additional take home sack meal.

SMP observes the following schedule, every Saturday:

• 9:00am – doors open
• 11:00am – 12:15pm – lunch is served
• 12:30pm – doors close

* Free legal aid is available on the second Saturday of each month, from 9:00-10:00am.

It takes a whole community to make the Saturday Meals Program a success.  If you would like to support this community-wide, ecumenical ministry through financial or in-kind donations, please contact our volunteer coordinator.​​​

​All year long, we have volunteers from around the western suburbs: girl/boy scout troops, confirmation classes, clubs, church groups, and families join us to serve the La Grange community.    If you, your family, or an organization you work with would like to volunteer with us — serving food, cooking, washing dishes, and talking with our guests — please contact our volunteer coordinator.​

Click here to donate to Saturday Meals Program