Serve.

It is Our Calling at First Church

Serving Our Community

The vision of First Church of Lombard’s outreach is to be servants in the service of the whole human family. Guided by the model of Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we aspire to listen to and for people’s needs outside the congregation and to help meet basic human needs through our own programs and by supporting the work of partner agencies.

Community Table

A weekly meal to all in our community.

Wider Church

Supports ministries seeking social justice and informs people of opportunities to serve others outside of the congregation.

Adult Mission Trips

National & International adult mission trips.

Amos Project

Social justice ministry.

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MINISTRY GUIDE

Community Table

At First Church, we have made it part of our mission to become compassionate, effective ministers, striving to be supportive of and caring for those in need. One of our outreach ministries is the Community Table. The program offers a meal to anyone in the community, targeting those in need of sustenance and company. The free Wednesday evening meal is shared in a safe environment, prepared by caring people, served in an atmosphere of love and friendship.

It takes many hands to make it happen: food prep, cooks, servers, clean-up, shoppers, and organizers. We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help. Contact the church office at bcastillo@firstchurchoflombard.org to be put in touch with our volunteer coordinator! We invite all to join us every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at 5:30 PM for the Community Table! Menu will be posted on the doors of First Church the week of serving and the Community Table voicemail- extension 7.

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Wider Church Volunteer Opportunities

First Church of Lombard offers many ways for people to get involved in its teams, ministries, and related activities. In addition, the following are website links with information about some of the volunteering opportunities available with organizations in our local community.

DuPage Pads
https://dupagepads.org/volunteer/

Love, INC
https://love-cc.org/get-involved/

Northern Illinois Food Bank
https://solvehungertoday.org/how-to-help/volunteer/

The Outreach House
https://www.theoutreachhouse.org/get-involved

Teen Parent Connection
https://teenparentconnection.org/get-involved/current-needs/

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The Amos Project

The 8th century BC Hebrew prophet Amos wrote, “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” The Amos Project is First Church’s social justice ministry. Believing that it is vital to give food to the hungry, provide shelter for the homeless, and care for people who are mentally ill, Amos Project believes that it is just as important to address the social systems and structures that cause hunger, homelessness, and conditions that leave the mentally ill without social services. In other words, charity is important, but so is justice.

The mission of Amos Project states: “Trusting God’s promise of courage in the struggle for justice and peace, we will work together as Christians to build relationships, educate, and take action in our community and beyond.”

Amos Project and First Church work closely with DuPage United, an “organization of organizations,” adding our church’s voice to that of other churches, mosques, and synagogues to make meaningful social change in DuPage County. Activities include meetings with elected officials, educational events, and actions designed to bring “people power” to bear on systems and structures that stand in the way of God’s coming reign of peace and justice on earth. DuPage United’s website is www.dupageunited.org.

Join the Amos Project Facebook group for updates https://www.facebook.com/groups/AmosProjectFCL.

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Adult Mission Trips

First Church has hosted annual Adult Mission Trips, with 12–20 participants each year for the past 15 years. Every other year, volunteers travel to Costa Rica to help build houses for families in need, partnering with Mercy Homes Ministries (MHM). Since 2008, MHM has built over 250 houses across Costa Rica—including San Jose and Nosara—and provides them free of charge to recipients. The July 2024 group completed two houses. The photos show the group and one of the completed houses. To see a video of the house-building projects, go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM_ys6vuwQw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5Nhz0GxoMk

In addition to trips to Costa Rica, volunteers also travel within the United States to assist families whose homes have suffered damage from natural disasters. Projects have included repairs in Florida, South Carolina, and Kentucky, focusing on homes affected by tornadoes, floods, and storms. The photo features the team that visited Eastern Kentucky in August 2025 to repair houses impacted by severe flooding.