We believe the Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, to be the only inspired, inerrant, infallible, authoritative Word of God written.

We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We believe in the deity of Christ, in his virgin birth, in his sinless life, in his miracles, in his vicarious and atoning death through his shed blood, in his bodily resurrection, in his Ascension to the right hand of the Father, and his personal return in power and glory.

We believe that for salvation of lost and sinful man regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.

We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by Whose indwelling power and fullness the Christian is enabled to live a godly life in the present evil world.

We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.

We believe in the spiritual unity of all believers in Christ.

“And they were continually devoting themselves to the Apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

 Acts 2:42

At First Congregational Church, we want to be “continually devoted” to the same activities that the New Testament Church has been practicing from the beginning.

If you are looking for a church home where you can grow spiritually in the teachings of Jesus and His Apostles, worship in Spirit and Truth, enjoy the loving fellowship of other committed Christians, and express your God-given gifts, please consider First Congregational Church of Cresco.

Wherever God leads you, we invite you to join us whenever you can.

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• Sunday Worship Service begins at 10:30 am. Feel free to wear a mask if you so choose. If you prefer to continue to worship at home, we pray that the resources we provide will be edifying and worshipful.

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” – James 1:2-4

Dear Friends,

This text is one that every Christian would be wise to commit to memory. I refer to it in preaching, teaching, counseling and personal application as frequently as any other verses of the Bible. It is unsurpassed in its value for someone who is facing one of the inevitable, ‘many colored’ trials James wrote about.

Almost every word is loaded with meaning and worthy of study and meditation, but for the sake of time allow me to point out two important truths about trials . . .

1. Trials are Purposeful.

When we are bearing the weight of grief, loss, disappointment, loneliness, anxiety, depression, etc., we are tempted to think that our trials are random, unfortunate circumstances which function solely to spoil our fun or ruin our lives. However, the reality is that God orchestrates these events to accomplish His work in us. If we are unbelievers or have drifted from a close, personal walk with Christ, God uses pain and suffering to draw us to Himself.

For disciples of Jesus, trials are often the means by which God transforms us into the image of Jesus. Therefore . . .

2. Trials are Profitable

Far from merely being uncomfortable situations to be escaped from or delivered out of, trials test our faith as fire purges the impurities from precious metals. This purification process produces ‘endurance’ (literally the ability to ‘remain-under’ the difficulty), and this endurance results in our Christ-like, God-trusting spiritual maturity.

In order to allow God to redeem the seemingly unattractive, unwanted, inconvenient affairs that you will encounter, and turn them into sources of joy, I encourage you to read, memorize, study, meditate upon and apply this precious passage. Through it, God will equip you to expect, embrace, endure and even enjoy the struggles we all face during our stay upon this earth. Give it a try – you will not be disappointed!

May God bless you richly,

As you follow Jesus closely,

Pastor Tim Sir

From Rochester, Minnesota, go south on Highway 63 until you get to Highway 9. Turn east (left) on Highway 9 to Cresco.

From Waterloo, Iowa, go north on Highway 63 until you get to Highway 9 turn east (right) on Highway 9 to Cresco.

From Decorah, Iowa, follow Highway 9 west until you enter Cresco.

Entering Cresco, Iowa on Highway 9, turn north on Elm Street. This will be the first stop light if you are entering Cresco from the east (right turn) or the second stop light if you’re entering Cresco from the west (left turn).

Proceed north on Elm Street through the business district four blocks. At the stop sign, turn east (right turn) on third avenue. The church is located at the end of that block on the north side (left side) of the street.