Being Church

When someone says, “Come to church with me,” we may get a mental picture of going into a building called a “church.”  What if instead of a building, we thought of “church” as people, both individually and collectively, living the way of Jesus at work, at home, and at play?

Working Together

We think we’re called to “be the church” and not just “go to church.”  That’s why at First Christian we’re looking for ways of living out the compassionate way of Jesus every day.

The gospels are full of stories about Jesus out in his community–talking to people, healing people’s brokenness, feeding hungry folks and welcoming those who had been excluded.

We know we don’t have all the answers and we can’t address every major societal problems on our own, so we partner with others to help make a difference.  And when someone has a passion for a situation or issue, we work at being a supportive place where others can join in and help out.

Everyone has a calling

We’re not just being church when we work on projects together, we believe each one of us is being the church wherever we are.  We try to live an authentic faith at work, in our neighborhoods, in our daily lives, wherever we find ourselves.

You may see us volunteering in schools, at the Food Bank, in English as a Second Language groups, with other churches, or with Habitat for Humanity.  We may not be wearing a name tag that says, “I’m part of First Christian Church of Puyallup,” but that’s OK.  We hope God’s vision of compassion and reconciliation gets the credit… not us.

Hunger Work

• Puyallup Food Bank
• Pierce County Hunger Walk
• Bread for the World

Homelessness Issues

• Freezing Nights – Friday nights at FCC Puyallup (November-March) – 7 pm to 7 am
  Click here for volunteer forms.
          *Puyallup’s Freezing Nights sheltering ministry has been suspended due to COVID
• The Hangout  See New Hope Resource Center
• New Hope Resource Center – Puyallup’s homeless drop-in center
• Helping Hand House – Family homeless shelter & transitional housing
• Homeward Bound Puyallup – Oversight for community-based programs such as Open Hearth & Freezing Nights

Others we’ve partnered with and support

Over recent years we’ve partnered with and supported many local groups and far-reaching ministries:

• 2 Overseas Platoons
• 30 Hour Famine
• Associated Ministries
• Brigadoon Service Dogs
• Centennial Missions throughout our 100th year (2005)
• Charity: Water
• Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
• Church World Service
• Churches Together for Oso Relief Northwest
• Communities in Schools of Puyallup
• Disciples Mission Fund
• Earth Ministry
• EarthShare WA
• FCC Puyallup Blessing Box (Food Bank)
• Friends & Servants (helping at-risk youth)
• Global Ministries
• Good Samaritan Hospital Wee Gowns
• Green Chalice Congregation Certification Program
• Gwinwood Camp
• Holiday Giving Tree & Thanksgiving Baskets
• Local Nursing Homes
• Local Schools (Backpack program; tutoring)
• Love, Inc.
• NW Christian University
• NW Regional Youth
• NW Region of the Christian Church (DoC)
• Paint Tacoma-Pierce Beautiful (photos)
• Pastor’s Discretionary Fund
• Puyallup Food Bank
• Puyallup Ministerial Association Summer Lunch Program
• Salvation Army
• Souper Bowl of Caring
• Tacoma Rescue Mission
• Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
• Week of Compassion
• World Vision
• Yakama Christian Mission

…and more!

On The Way

The first folks that followed Christ became known as people of The Way.  They lived out their faith in their everyday lives–

praying and worshiping God together,
studying together,
eating together,
and sharing what they had with one another.
(Read Acts 2:42-47 and Pastor Nancy’s reflections on this passage of Scripture here).

Somewhere along The Way, things changed.  What it meant to be a Christian shifted.  It became less about following Jesus and more about saying yes to a lot of propositions about Jesus (and God, and human beings, and the world–you get the idea).

We’re trying to reclaim that idea of being people of The Way.  It’s part of our church’s history.  The people who formed our church tradition wanted to free people from strict adherence to creedal statements about God and instead create a place where each person can discover what it means to follow Christ in their own lives today.

Following Jesus is exciting–a little risky–but an adventure of a lifetime…

Join the adventure…

Faith Formation at FCC Puyallup

“Goal: To honor and nurture the spiritual lives of individuals, wherever they are in their faith journeys, by engaging in meaningful worship, cultivating a communal life of prayer, creating a learning environment, and committing to share our experiences.”

Forming our faith happens no matter what.  Guiding and fostering ways for that trans-formation to blossom is where FCC’s Faith Formation leadership shines, offering a broad palette of opportunities – creating that learning environment – for growth and community.  The Disciples way is to open the conversation, provide the space and resources, and then to listen, explore, and discern.  Challenging ourselves or finding a comfortable fit, we know that our faith journeys never really end.

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*Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our regular schedule has changed and some of our programs are on hiatus or have moved to Zoom.  

*On sabbatical
Pub Theology – Summer Sundays
Asking the hard – and easy – questions, we learn from each other’s experiences and beliefs.  This drop-in group is in a public setting with the hopes of a casual atmosphere setting the tone for good conversation and good food.  We always welcome new voices and actively listen with respect for all views.

Children Worship and Wonder (Room 10/Library) – Sundays during Worship
An innovative method of faith formation for childhood and beyond. Hands-on props and elements of worship allow children and adults to experience faith-building storytelling and imaginative wondering.  Learn more

Children’s Worship Area – Our Worship services are child-friendly with a special area in the sanctuary offering hands-on play experiences for children of all ages. Based on the Godly Play learning method, activities are designed to help kids explore their faith through story, gain religious language, and enhance their spiritual experience though wonder and play, all while worshiping with the congregation as a whole.

*On summer vacation
Sunday Learning Circle (Room 16) – Sundays at 9:30 am
Lively discussion and study for adults

*Moved to Zoom
Back Row Broads (BRB)  (Parlor) – Wednesdays at 10 am
Women building relationships and studying together.

Stretching Toward Sunday (STS) – A weekly devotional reflecting on lectionary scriptures.  Request weekly emails here, print copies available on request.

Faith Formation Speakers Series – A variety of presenters bring an array of topics to the forefront. Always free and open to the community.  (Subscribe to email updates.)

Book Club  – Times may vary; check our calendar to be sure you don’t miss it!
A casual group of readers meeting for conversation and fun, discussing a new book each month.

Seasonal and special studies are offered throughout the year