This candlelight service will be led by our minster, The Rev. Tom Rosiello, and our lay minsters and musicians. We will tell the story of Jesus' final days focusing on the Passover meal that he shared with his disciples and what this ritual of "breaking bread together" means to us today. In this service we honor our history and celebrate our Christian roots while reaching beyond to the broader message of community and the ministry of humble service. We will be using the historic communion silver form both the First Parish of Stow and the Universalist Church of South Acton in the service. Whether your religious background is Christian or not, please join us for this beautiful service.
Past Services
Sunday, April 13th, 2014
PALM SUNDAY
This is Palm Sunday on the Christian calendar, a day when many churches focus on the meaning of Jesus' life. Emerson once said of Jesus, "What a distortion (does) his doctrine and memory suffer." This morning we will look beyond the distortion and focus on the man, Jesus, the Jewish teacher, zealot, prophet, and reformer. We will look at how the lessons Jesus taught and the way he lived his life are an important part of our present day UU principles and faith tradition. We will ask the question, "If Jesus were alive today, would he be a Unitarian Universalist?"
Sunday, April 6th, 2014
A CELEBRATION OF PASSOVER
The Passover Story recounts the long oppression of the Hebrew people and their struggle for freedom. This struggle still goes on for many in our world. In these days leading up to Passover, we will examine the meaning of that rich story and how it applies to our world today. Both services will include traditional Passover music and songs of freedom. Worship will be led by The Rev. Tom Rosiello, Sanghee Kim pianist/organist and Our Choirs under the direction of Mike Pfitzer.
Sunday, March 30th, 2014
God is a very controversial topic. For some, the mere mention of the word raises their blood pressure, while for others it brings serenity and peace. Some take great comfort in a loving father image while others have rejected the idea of an old man with a white beard controlling every move we make like pawns on a chess board. Has the "concept of God" outgrown its usefulness or is worth holding onto? Throughout the centuries the definition of God has always reflected the society of that time's understanding of the world. Are there other ways to view this theological concept that fit within our natural-scientific view of the world? Rather than ask the dead-end question, "Do you believe in God?" we will invite you to explore how you might define the god you do believe in. Our worship will be led by Rev. Tom Rosiello and will include a wonderful children's story called, "What is God?"
Sunday, March 23rd, 2014
We are all travelers on a journey. At times we are pilgrims on a long march. Today's sermon is not about reaching the goal but reflecting on the journey. On that journey there are mileposts to mark our progress. At our 9 AM service we will celebrate one of the those mile posts in our children's lives as we recognize those who have completed our "First Chalice Program" This week is also a milestone in our minister's life and he will include some reflections in his sermon on turning 60.
Sunday, March 16th, 2014
Often we come to best know ourselves from the interactions we have with others. This morning we will explore the important role of community in our faith tradition, and particularly in this church, and how that can lead us to discover new things about ourselves. At both services we will welcome new members and we will have a child dedication ceremony at the 11 AM service. There will be lots of joy and music with our Adult Choir singing a wonderful setting by Ysaye Barnwell of the poem On Children by Kahil Gibran. This will be a great Sunday for those new to Unitarian Universalism to learn more about us as well as a celebration of the depth and strength of this community. A newcomers coffee hour will follow both services. Worship will be led by our minister, Tom Rosiello.
Thursday, March 13th, 2014
VESPERS SERVICE
In a quiet candle lit setting we will share music and readings of Spring, There will be a time for silent meditation and the opportunity to share your feelings on the approaching season, as well as reading a favorite poem about Spring. This 45 minute service is a great way to end the day. Please join us.
Sunday, March 9th, 2014
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS ~ SET CLOCKS FORWARD ONE HOUR!
We come to church because it is a training ground for our mission: repair of the world. We come to learn to recognize hells on earth wherever we encounter them, and to love wastefully until they are summarily destroyed.
Our guest minister this morning is The Rev. Robin Bartlett, a recently ordained UU minister and longtime UU religious educator. She has served our denominational headquarters, the Massachusetts Bay District, and UU congregations in Boston, Milton, Brookline, Lexington and Sherborn. Robin is a life-long UU, and the mother of three beautiful children: Cecilia, 7, Eloisa, 3, and Isaac, 5 months. Robin lives in Boston with her kids and her husband, Andy.
The Rev. Tom Rosiello will be spending time this morning with our children and youth visiting our religious education classes.
Sunday, March 2nd, 2014
URBAN MINISTRY SUNDAY
This morning our worship will focus on our Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry. Our guest preacher will be a member of the Urban Ministry Staff, The Rev. Roger Peltier. He will preach a sermon entitled, "Love Made Visible" exploring what we mean when we say, "Love is the spirit of this church…" We will ask what exactly are we called to do? Perhaps some of the lessons of our shared ministry reveal an answer. At both services FPC jazz musicians will join pianist/organist, Sanghee Kim, and Music Director, Mike Pfitzer, in leading us in song. The Adult Choir will be singing, “Let Justice Roll Down" by Moses Hogan at the 11 AM service.
The Rev. Roger Peltier serves the UU Urban Ministry in the Office of Congregational and Volunteer Engagement. A popular preacher, Rev. Roger has served Florida's largest congregation in Sarasota, as well as the Mass Bay churches in Framingham, Grafton and Upton. He lives with his spouse, John Hickey, in Providence, RI.
Sunday, February 23rd, 2014
This morning we will explore what has been called by author Michelle Alexander, "The New Jim Crow." It comes in a new form but its message and effects are very similar to the racial class system we thought we shed many years ago. We will explore how this has been, at least in part, created by a criminal justice system that incarcerates one out of every three black men and the crisis that has precipitated in communities of color. The Rev. Tom Rosiello will preach and lead worship. At the 11 AM service, our Choir will sing an anthem from the larger work, The Peacemakers by Karl Jenkins, which they will perform as part of a 200 voice choir in Mechanics Hall in Worcester on March 30. “Let There Be Justice for All” is music set to the words of the late Nelson Mandela.
