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First-Plymouth Congregational UCC
Lincoln
NE
68502-1661
- United Church of Christ churches in Lincoln, NE
- United Church of Christ churches in Nebraska
- United Church of Christ churches in United States
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- All churches in Lincoln, NE
Who we are
First-Plymouth strives to blend tradition and innovation, the historical and the contemporary. Our worship services have a quality that echoes through the ages and yet, speaks to the present and points to the future. Our religious life is shaped by five guiding principles: We are Christian, Open-minded, Spiritual, Evolving and Diverse. First-Plymouth Congregational Church is part of the United Church of Christ.
WE ARE CHRISTIAN
"Christian" means we perceive in Jesus the divine qualities of love, peace, joy, and justice. It does not mean we think Jesus is the only path to God.
"Christian" means we eagerly explore the Bible for its spiritual wisdom contained in symbol, metaphor, and history. It does not mean a literal or heavy-handed approach that uses the Bible to prove we are right or righteous.
WE ARE OPEN-MINDED
"Open-minded" means we understand faith as a quest, not a clutched certainty. "Open-minded" flies above the tired distinction between conservative and liberal, and does not refer to one’s specific beliefs, but how one relates to those beliefs. It means we do not assume a defensive posture, but rather enter appreciatively into different points of view with the expectation of learning and growing.
WE ARE SPIRITUAL
"Spiritual" means we believe God is a spirit of love that can be felt and known by each one of us. It means Christianity is as much about the heart as the head, as much about the body as the mind.
"Spiritual" means not merely hoping for a better world or pining after justice, but rolling up one’s sleeves and starting to feed the hungry, care for the sick and anguished, house the homeless and advocate for a more just society.
WE ARE EVOLVING
"Evolving" means rather than resisting change or innovation, we eagerly experiment with new ways of being faithful and new understandings. We strive to be rooted but not stuck.
WE ARE DIVERSE
"Diverse" means we celebrate the differences among us such as sexual orientation, ethnicity, class, mental abilities, physical capabilities, personalities, and backgrounds.
"Diverse" means we trust that these differences inform and strengthen community. A diverse spiritual community welcomes conventional believers, curious agnostics, and questioning skeptics.
And, finally, "diverse" means you are free to seek your own guiding principles in our midst. These principles are not a creed to which one must ascribe. Rather, they are one attempt to describe the spirit and nature of our congregation.
– Jim Keck, Senior Minister, First-Plymouth Church
WE ARE CHRISTIAN
"Christian" means we perceive in Jesus the divine qualities of love, peace, joy, and justice. It does not mean we think Jesus is the only path to God.
"Christian" means we eagerly explore the Bible for its spiritual wisdom contained in symbol, metaphor, and history. It does not mean a literal or heavy-handed approach that uses the Bible to prove we are right or righteous.
WE ARE OPEN-MINDED
"Open-minded" means we understand faith as a quest, not a clutched certainty. "Open-minded" flies above the tired distinction between conservative and liberal, and does not refer to one’s specific beliefs, but how one relates to those beliefs. It means we do not assume a defensive posture, but rather enter appreciatively into different points of view with the expectation of learning and growing.
WE ARE SPIRITUAL
"Spiritual" means we believe God is a spirit of love that can be felt and known by each one of us. It means Christianity is as much about the heart as the head, as much about the body as the mind.
"Spiritual" means not merely hoping for a better world or pining after justice, but rolling up one’s sleeves and starting to feed the hungry, care for the sick and anguished, house the homeless and advocate for a more just society.
WE ARE EVOLVING
"Evolving" means rather than resisting change or innovation, we eagerly experiment with new ways of being faithful and new understandings. We strive to be rooted but not stuck.
WE ARE DIVERSE
"Diverse" means we celebrate the differences among us such as sexual orientation, ethnicity, class, mental abilities, physical capabilities, personalities, and backgrounds.
"Diverse" means we trust that these differences inform and strengthen community. A diverse spiritual community welcomes conventional believers, curious agnostics, and questioning skeptics.
And, finally, "diverse" means you are free to seek your own guiding principles in our midst. These principles are not a creed to which one must ascribe. Rather, they are one attempt to describe the spirit and nature of our congregation.
– Jim Keck, Senior Minister, First-Plymouth Church
Location of worship / Church Address
2000 D St
Lincoln,
NE
68502-1661
United States
Phone: (402) 476-7565
Fax: (402) 476-8402
Download First-Plymouth Congregational UCC vCard
Church Pastor
Rev. Dr. Jim Keck
Senior Minister
2000 D St
Lincoln,
NE
68502-1661
United States
Phone: (402) 476-7565
Fax: (402) 476-8402
Download Senior Minister Rev. Dr. Jim Keck vCard with Bio
Quote of the Day
Jeremiah 29:13
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Denomination
United Church of Christ
United Church of Christ churches in Lincoln, Nebraska, United States
United Church of Christ churches in Nebraska, United States
United Church of Christ churches in United States
All churches in Lincoln, NE
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Social Media
First-Plymouth Congregational UCC Lincoln on Vimeo
Leadership
Leader Name:
Rev. Dr. Jim Keck
Leader Position:
Senior Minister
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Leader Address:
Tel:
Fax:
(402) 476-8402
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Leader Bio:
Jim, born in Des Moines, Iowa, started heading west for undergraduate study at the University of Colorado, Boulder and graduate study in Berkeley. He received his Doctorate of Ministry from Andover Newton Seminary and was ordained in the United Church of Christ in 1990.
In 1993, after serving churches in Berkeley and Corona Del Mar, California, he became the Sr. Minister of the West Concord Union Church, in Massachusetts. In 1999 he became the Sr. Minister at the Congregational Church of San Mateo, California. He also served as an adjunct faculty member at Pacific School of Religion; as president of the Peninsula Clergy Network which links 400 clergy with other area civic leaders; and as a board member of the Mission Hospice of San Mateo County. He has also served as a guest lecturer at Tufts University, Andover Newton Theological School, American Baptist School and Pacific School of Religion, as well as a keynote speaker for numerous denominational events.
When Jim is not at church he loves to play golf, basketball, handball, tennis, or just about any sport.
In 1993, after serving churches in Berkeley and Corona Del Mar, California, he became the Sr. Minister of the West Concord Union Church, in Massachusetts. In 1999 he became the Sr. Minister at the Congregational Church of San Mateo, California. He also served as an adjunct faculty member at Pacific School of Religion; as president of the Peninsula Clergy Network which links 400 clergy with other area civic leaders; and as a board member of the Mission Hospice of San Mateo County. He has also served as a guest lecturer at Tufts University, Andover Newton Theological School, American Baptist School and Pacific School of Religion, as well as a keynote speaker for numerous denominational events.
When Jim is not at church he loves to play golf, basketball, handball, tennis, or just about any sport.
Other Church Leaders:
Rev. Patrick Messer, Associate Minister
Rev. Hollie Schmidt, Minister of Children, Youth & Families
Rev. Jim Miller, Minister of Pastoral Care & Visitation
KJ Langlais, Pastor of Congregational Care
Rev. Hollie Schmidt, Minister of Children, Youth & Families
Rev. Jim Miller, Minister of Pastoral Care & Visitation
KJ Langlais, Pastor of Congregational Care
Rev. Dr. Jim Keck on Social Media:
First-Plymouth Congregational UCC Leadership Photos
Administration
Admin Name:
Lana Gates
Admin Position:
Office Administrator
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Telephone:
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(402) 476-8402
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Mailing Address
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First-Plymouth Congregational UCC Lincoln Service Times
Service Times last updated on the 6th of October, 2019
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First-Plymouth Congregational UCC Photo Gallery
First-Plymouth Congregational UCC History
First-Plymouth Congregational Church is a merger of two congregations. On the morning of Sunday, August 19, 1866, First Congregational Church was organized in what was then known as Lancaster, Nebraska. It was and is the first church congregation to be organized in the town. One year later, the name of the town was changed to Lincoln.
In 1869, the congregation completed its first building, a 25 by 40 foot structure at 13th and L Streets, where the Cornhusker Hotel is now located. The congregation grew and prospered along with the city.
In 1887, First Congregational Church was instrumental in organizing Plymouth Congregational Church. Its location was 17th and A Streets. It grew quickly. The two congregations merged in 1923 and chose the name First-Plymouth Congregational Church. It used the Plymouth building. In the meantime, First Congregational Church in 1890 sent out another colony of 45 members to form Vine Congregational Church.
Soon after the merger in 1923, First-Plymouth Congregational Church, having a membership of 1,073, divided almost equally between the two previous congregations, decided to build a new building at the site of 20th and D Streets. The plans were completed in 1929, and construction began in 1930. The new building was dedicated on April 5, 1931.
In 1962, the congregation began planning for a major addition to the building and in 1965 the congregation voted to proceed. The chapel and east wing of the building were added, along with the renovation of the main worship area and a new pipe organ.
In 1988 the two kitchens in the church were renovated, the east courtyard wall was replaced with a memorial garden and columbarium, the carillon was restored and expanded and a fully equipped television studio was built. The congregation then began its extensive television ministry.
In 1991, the congregation began planning for another major building expansion. A three level wing of 16,000 square feet was built and connected to the northwest end of the parish hall. With a new, wide, beautiful entrance on 20th street, an elevator, and specially designed restrooms, the church building became more accessible. The new addition provided additional classrooms, more offices, and much needed space for our extensive music ministry. Additional parking, lighting all around the building, and landscaping were included in the project. The new addition was dedicated on January 16, 1994.
In 1996, the congregation proceeded with its long range plan for a new Schoenstein Pipe Organ. It is really two organs, one in the balcony and one in the chancel. The chancel was also redesigned to provide more space for the choir and musical ensembles.
An additional parking lot was added in 1997 at the corner of 21st and E Streets. First-Plymouth Congregational Church UCC continues to grow and expand its multiple ministries.
First-Plymouth Congregational Church historical video: https://vimeo.com/188546227
In 1869, the congregation completed its first building, a 25 by 40 foot structure at 13th and L Streets, where the Cornhusker Hotel is now located. The congregation grew and prospered along with the city.
In 1887, First Congregational Church was instrumental in organizing Plymouth Congregational Church. Its location was 17th and A Streets. It grew quickly. The two congregations merged in 1923 and chose the name First-Plymouth Congregational Church. It used the Plymouth building. In the meantime, First Congregational Church in 1890 sent out another colony of 45 members to form Vine Congregational Church.
Soon after the merger in 1923, First-Plymouth Congregational Church, having a membership of 1,073, divided almost equally between the two previous congregations, decided to build a new building at the site of 20th and D Streets. The plans were completed in 1929, and construction began in 1930. The new building was dedicated on April 5, 1931.
In 1962, the congregation began planning for a major addition to the building and in 1965 the congregation voted to proceed. The chapel and east wing of the building were added, along with the renovation of the main worship area and a new pipe organ.
In 1988 the two kitchens in the church were renovated, the east courtyard wall was replaced with a memorial garden and columbarium, the carillon was restored and expanded and a fully equipped television studio was built. The congregation then began its extensive television ministry.
In 1991, the congregation began planning for another major building expansion. A three level wing of 16,000 square feet was built and connected to the northwest end of the parish hall. With a new, wide, beautiful entrance on 20th street, an elevator, and specially designed restrooms, the church building became more accessible. The new addition provided additional classrooms, more offices, and much needed space for our extensive music ministry. Additional parking, lighting all around the building, and landscaping were included in the project. The new addition was dedicated on January 16, 1994.
In 1996, the congregation proceeded with its long range plan for a new Schoenstein Pipe Organ. It is really two organs, one in the balcony and one in the chancel. The chancel was also redesigned to provide more space for the choir and musical ensembles.
An additional parking lot was added in 1997 at the corner of 21st and E Streets. First-Plymouth Congregational Church UCC continues to grow and expand its multiple ministries.
First-Plymouth Congregational Church historical video: https://vimeo.com/188546227
First-Plymouth Congregational UCC Historical Photos
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