First Christian Church of Independence

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Great is Thy Faithfulness: 175 years

Join us in 2010 as we celebrate 175 years of prayer, worship and service to God and our community. All are welcome.

The Examiner wrote a nice feature story about the church and its history. Read the story.

Several special events are planned for the year. Download calendar. 

We are located on the historic Independence Square. The congregation was founded in 1835 is part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
 
News Update
 
Our church collected $695 to support Haiti relief efforts by the Week of Compassion. Donations are still be accepted. Learn what is being done.
 
Follow us online
Many church members are online. Learn what is going on at church and what church members are thinking and doing. Follow us on Twitter or Facebook.
 
What is our faith?
 
Watch the video A Movement for Wholeness to learn about the beliefs and practices of t
he Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as told by its members.
 
 
The video explains the denomination's statement of faith and its priorities of witness and work.
 

First Christian Church welcomes you to experience our community of faith as we seek God and strive to live in faithfulness.

 

Great is our faithfulness as we mark the 175th year of our congregational life and service to our community and the larger world.

 

 

NEW DECADE, NEW YEAR (Special Sermon Series: Jan. 17 - Feb. 14)


Rev. Amy Lignitz Harken preaches a special sermon series "New Decade, New Year" based on scriptures from the Book of James. Amy says:

It's not only a new year, but it's a new decade! Many people use these calendar-turnings as opportunities to make significant improvements in their lives ... Among the most powerful writings for daily Christian living is the letter of James, who urged readers to live up to their faith commitments and professions.

Message from Rev. Amy Lignitz Harken

 

 “In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone.” In the Bleak Midwinter, 1872

 

“We saw your sign, and wanted to come,” said the young mother on Christmas Eve, as she pulled off her gloves and straightened the clothes of one of her three young boys. She said she lives nearby, and was so glad that First Christian hadn’t cancelled services. The boys (all of whom have names from the Bible) were among those kids to help Liz Evans place the Baby Jesus in the manger, and talk about that holy night. If we’re ever in search of a good reason not to cancel our planned services, we might bring to mind those little boys. Read the rest

 

Worship Services

The church worships every Sunday.
 
8:30 a.m. - Early Church Service
9:30 a.m. - Sunday School
10:45 a.m. - Church Service
 
Where to find us
Click the map to open an interactive map in a new window.
The church is located off the Independence Square.
 
125 S. Pleasant
Indep, Mo. 64050
 
 
 
 
 
Phone: (816) 252-6100
Fax: (816) 252-6101
Prayer Phone: (816) 252-4477
 

Serving God and the community

 

The Examiner featured "Tabitha's Closet" - the clothes closet that First Christian Church has operated for several years and recently expanded in order to serve more families. Read the story

 

The number of families seeking clothing as increased dramatically as economic conditions in the community have worsened.

 

I Stand: A Miraculous journey from paralysis to praise

 

Church member Pam Morgan's new book "I Stand" recounts who journey of faith following a new fatal car accident.

 

Pam and her husband Phil have a musical ministry traveling the country sharing the deep Christian faith and believes. Learn more.

 

Read Chapter One.

 

 

Palestine Missionary Baptist Church

 

We wish our friends at Palestine Missionary Baptist Church success as they move into a new church home after spending a year meeting at First Christian.

 

Pastor Raymond Taylor offered a glowing "A Tribute to a Church." Read the tribute.

 

Make a Joyful Noise

 

The church has a wonderful organ and many talented musicians who have played it over the years.

 

Listen to organist Thom Greathouse perform the hymn "For All the Saints" on the church organ.

 

 

 

Minister has essay published

 

An essay by Rev. Amy Lignitz Harken is included in a new book that marks an important anniversary in the life of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

 

Amy’s essay, “Things We Surely Believe,” is part of the book One Church: A Bicentennial Celebration of Thomas Campbell’s Declaration & Address

 

The book published by the Disciples of Christ Historical Society.

 

A copy is available in the church library or can be ordered for $10 by calling the church office. 

 

Church youth win poetry award

 

Kristyn Bagley, a church member and Chrisman high school student, won a denominational award for her poem "Waking Up Anew." Read the poem.

 

The poem appears in the June issue of DisciplesWorld and highlights the spirtuality of young people. The editor comments:


"The (entries) reveal that young people not only experience God at a very deep level, but that they can also be witnesses of faith for the rest of us."