I'm New
Welcome To First Christian Church! We know how it can feel walking into a church and having no idea what it is like, so we would like to answer a few common questions.
There are various adult studies at 9:00am followed by Coffee and Conversation at 10:00am.
Our Sunday worship begins at 10:30am, but come early and enjoy meeting new people or catching up with friends. Our service is about an hour in length.
Our worship is a blend of informal and formal moments. The service includes a variety of musical styles including praise songs, old Gospel, grand hymns of praise, etc.
Worship is designed to bring us closer to God. You are welcome to join in worship if you like, but if you are not comfortable with this, simply listen with an open mind and heart.
We celebrate Communion every week as a regular practice; the pastor and other leaders share in serving Communion. All who are followers of Jesus Christ are welcome to partake of communion as it is passed within the pews.
We do not recite a creed during worship, but we often pray the Lord’s Prayer in unison.
The weekly message is designed to emphasize the connection between God’s Word as recorded in the Bible and how it applies to our daily lives.
The Offering is given by members and friends as an act of worship to our giving God. Our guests and visitors should not feel obligated to give.
Hearing assist devices are available at the sound booth in the back of the sanctuary.
The style of dress is relaxed and varied. Some people come in suits and dresses while others dress in jeans and sandals. It’s important to remember that God looks at the soul, not at the clothes.
Infants and toddlers are welcome to come to the Nursery where our nursery workers provide age-appropriate activities. Our nursery workers are quite compassionate and patient with children and have passed background checks.
Children in preschool and kindergarten are encouraged to leave worship after the children’s message to attend an age appropriate Bible lesson.
Children in 1st through 8th grades are encouraged to leave after the children’s message for a more in depth – but still age appropriate – Bible lesson.
We have a large parking lot close to the church with some reserved handicap parking spaces as well as some reserved spaces for visitors. There is a covered drive up area were passengers may get out. There is covered walkway to the building with no steps. It is a bit of an incline if pushing a wheelchair but someone is always close by the door to help. Just Ask.
There is additional printed information in the lobby as well as an information table highlighting all the events happening at the church in the near future.
Our History
History of First Christian Church of Peoria 1845 to Present
The City of Peoria and First Christian Church were both organized in 1845. The twelve people that gathered together in worship in those days, would have had no idea that during the next 170 years, their ministry would eventually birth six other congregations in and around the Peoria area and begin a Christian Movement that would span over a century and a half. First Christian Church has always focused on spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout the Peoria area, and has been a community leader. We have had 5 homes on 4 locations. We moved to our present location in 1974.
We also honor the heritage of Christian unity by staying together in covenant as a witness to the world that even when we disagree we can still make room, welcoming all to the table as Christ has welcomed us.
We are an Open and Affirming congregation, professing that all people are God’s children and deserve full inclusion in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments of marriage, communion, baptism, and ordination, responsibilities, and blessing of participation in our congregation. With open hearts, open minds, and open doors, we invite anyone who seeks God’s amazing grace to join our church family. (A full history of First Christian Church is available at the church office)