First Congregational Community Church has stood at 10780 Third Street in Roscoe, Illinois, since 1843, making it one of the longest-continuing congregations in the stateline area north of Rockford. The same brick church building has hosted Sunday worship for nearly two centuries, and the congregation still describes itself as a warm and loving spiritual family open to all people, regardless of where they are on their spiritual journey.
Beyond Sunday morning worship, First Congregational lives out its calling through a community garden, a free clothes closet, a monthly seniors' luncheon, a women's circle, a men's breakfast club, a chair yoga class, a children's ministry, and a year-round partnership with the Mission School of Hope in Cameroon. The congregation gathers each Sunday at 10:00 a.m. for Family Worship, with sermons that work through extended book studies such as Max Lucado's "Experiencing the Heart of Jesus."
A Family Worship Service Every Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
The weekly gathering is called Family Worship, and it begins at 10:00 a.m. each Sunday morning in the sanctuary. The service is designed to be intergenerational, with the nursery and Sunday School programs running alongside worship.
Visitors can park in the lot behind the church building or in the side lot on Broad Street. Accessible parking is available at the front of the building for those who need it. After the service on the second and third Sundays of each month, coffee is served, giving newcomers a natural moment to meet members of the congregation.
Sermons are recorded and posted to the church's YouTube channel, where a library of past messages is available for viewing at any time. Recorded messages are also linked from the church's resources.
Children's Ministry: Nursery Through Fifth Grade
Children have a place set aside for them during the 10:00 a.m. service. A nursery is available for infants and toddlers ages 0 to 2, and a Sunday School program welcomes children from preschool through fifth grade every Sunday morning during worship.
The children's ministry is built around three commitments: giving kids a place to have fun, build friendships, and learn about God; teaching lessons grounded in scripture; and creating opportunities for children to serve the local community. Lessons and activities are led by adult volunteers from the congregation.
Pastor Lisa Abb and the Staff Team
Rev. Lisa Abb has served as Senior Pastor of First Congregational Community Church since October 2012, having joined the congregation in 2010 as Assistant Pastor. A lifelong resident of the Illinois-Wisconsin stateline area, Lisa is a graduate of Hononegah High School and earned her B.S. in Religion from Liberty University. She and her husband Hank have been married since 1993, have three grown daughters and six grandchildren, and are devoted Milwaukee Brewers fans. Pastor Lisa writes a monthly column called "Little Things from Lisa," which pairs personal reflection with scripture and prayer.
The staff and leadership team includes Karen Gothard as Church Treasurer, Patty LaDue as Church Clerk, Doneta Miller as Director of Music, and Diane Wheeler as Financial Secretary. Six Deacons serve the congregation: Marcie Ball, Alicia Bolar, Mike Jahnke, Wendy Mathieu, Bill Melton, and Misty Melton.
The Choir and the Sanctuary
The choir rehearses every Tuesday evening at 5:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary. The group describes itself as friendly and informal, and its goal is to make a joyful noise to the Lord. Singers are welcome to join even if they cannot make every rehearsal. Instrumentalists of any skill level are also invited to share their gifts with the music program. Anyone interested in singing or playing can reach Director of Music Doneta Miller through the church office.
Monday Bible Study
An open Bible study group meets at the church every Monday at 1:00 p.m. for about an hour. The group discusses the previous Sunday's sermon and questions raised by its topic. The format is conversational and open to anyone, with the stated goal of enriching one another's lives and growing together in faith.
Women's Circle and Chair Yoga
From March through November, the Women's Circle meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month. The group gives women in the congregation a regular time of fellowship, prayer, and shared study.
On Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m., the lower-level fellowship area hosts a community Chair Yoga class. Sessions cost $10 each, and the class is open to the wider Roscoe community as well as church members. It is a relaxed and welcoming way for neighbors to step into the church building without needing to attend a service.
The Retirees and Wannabes Men's Group
All men of the church and community are invited to the Retirees and Wannabes men's group, which meets at 11:30 a.m. on the first Wednesday of every month at Sophia's Restaurant in Roscoe. The group combines food, fellowship, and conversation.
JOY Fellowship: A Monthly Luncheon for Seniors
On the third Wednesday of each month at noon, the church hosts JOY Fellowship, a free home-cooked lunch for seniors followed by bingo and prizes. The luncheon is open to seniors in the wider community, and volunteers from the congregation help serve and host. JOY Fellowship is one of the church's most established outreach ministries and is listed as a Mission of the Month partner.
The Community Clothes Closet
The Community Clothes Closet is a free clothing ministry that serves individuals and families throughout the Roscoe area. Clothing for all ages is provided at no cost, with no requirements. The closet is open by personal appointment; those needing clothing can reach the church by phone at 815-623-2348 or by email to arrange a time to visit. The ministry is part of the church's larger Mission of the Month program.
The Community Garden and the Rockton Food Pantry
In 2014, First Congregational broke ground on a community garden on its property. Each spring, summer, and fall, volunteers plant seasonal vegetables, and the harvest is picked, gathered, and donated weekly to the Rockton Food Pantry. The garden is open to the wider community, both for those who want to help with planting and harvesting, and for those who simply want to enjoy a green space. The project reflects a particular concern for food-insecure neighbors who often receive primarily processed and packaged goods; the goal is to provide fresh vegetables for healthy meals and to introduce children to the benefits of fresh produce.
Mission of the Month: Local and Global Partners
Each month, the congregation dedicates its giving and volunteer energy to a specific Mission of the Month, rotating among several partner organizations. Local missions include Carpenter's Place, Rock House Kids, Rockford Rescue Mission, Back the Blue 815, the Rockton Food Pantry, the church's own Community Garden (spring, summer, and fall harvests), the Clothing Giveaway, and JOY Fellowship (the monthly seniors' luncheon).
The global partner is the Mission School of Hope in Cameroon, Africa. First Congregational has maintained a long-standing relationship with the school, which has grown from two small shacks into a fully operational campus with classrooms, dormitories for teachers, running water, a clinic, and a brand-new program issuing birth certificates to children born in the area. Several students from the school have gone on to attend college.
Preaching Through "Experiencing the Heart of Jesus"
Pastor Lisa's current preaching series walks through Max Lucado's book "Experiencing the Heart of Jesus." The year-long study focuses on the character of Jesus and how to walk with him so closely that believers begin to imitate him. Sermon recordings are posted to the church's YouTube channel.
What to Expect as a Visitor
There is no dress code; members arrive in a wide range of clothing, from casual to dressy. There is no requirement to bring anything other than yourself.
Accessible parking is available at the front of the building. Visitors and newcomers are warmly invited to stop by on Sunday mornings before, during, or after the service, or to call ahead at 815-623-2348 with any questions.
Giving and Supporting the Church
Online giving is available through the church's Zeffy giving portal, where members and friends can make one-time or recurring gifts. In-person gifts of cash or check are received during Sunday morning worship. Gifts can also be mailed to the church at 10780 3rd Street, Roscoe, IL 61073, made payable to First Congregational Community Church. The church holds that tithing is an act of worship and trust, recognizing that all gifts come from God.
First Congregational Community Church continues to live out its 1843 calling to serve Christ, the local community, and the world from its long-standing home on Third Street in Roscoe.