Ancient scripture makes it a law to observe the Sabbath, but modern society is moving further and further away from doing so. Good farmers know that every seven years the field should lie fallow in order to get the best crops in future years. On this last Sunday before our minister begins taking some sabbatical time, we will explore the importance of taking time for rest and renewal in our lives.
Past Services
Sunday, January 4th, 2015
In the Epiphany story, as told in the Gospel of Matthew, the magi are guided by a star on their journey through foreign lands to the place where Jesus was born. This Sunday we will explore what this ancient story of following a star could mean to us today. Do you have the equivalent of a star that guides you on your journey, always pointing you in the right direction? What happens when we lose track of our star? Our worship will include Robert Frost's famous poem, "Choose Something Like a Star" read at the 9 AM service and sung in a beautiful setting by Randall Thompson at 11 AM. The Rev. Tom Rosiello will lead worship. Mike Pfitzer and Sanghee Kim will be back providing the music.
Sunday, December 28th, 2014
This Sunday we will gather informally in the community room and together reflect upon what is so necessary to do before we embrace the new, which is letting go of the old. Out with the Old! In with the New! The Rev. Tom Rosiello will lead the worship service.
Wednesday, December 24th, 2014
December 24, Christmas Eve
4 PM Family Service
"Nativity in a Trunk"
Led by our minister, Tom Rosiello and our DRE, Michele Cote, this service will be oriented towards our children. We will have lots of them participating as we act out the Christmas Story and create a Christmas Tableau. Our Junior Choir and Youth Choir will be performing, and there will be familiar carols for all to sing. We will conclude this service with the traditional candle-lighting ceremony.
December 24, Christmas Eve
9 PM Traditional Christmas Eve Service
Led by our minister, Tom Rosiello, this service will feature traditional Christmas carols and anthems, the reading of the story of the birth of Jesus from the Christian Gospels, and a candle-lighting ceremony. It will be a quieter and more traditional service than the 4 PM service, with beautiful music provided by the Adult Choir, under the direction of Mike Pfitzer, organist/pianist Sanghee Kim, and talented guest musicians. An extended prelude of Christmas music will begin at 8:45 PM. Be sure to come early!
Sunday, December 21st, 2014
At 9 AM , "Keeping Christmas Well"
At the end of Unitarian Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," he writes of the transformed Scrooge, " It was always said the he knew how to keep Christmas well", if any man alive possessed the knowledge. Well the mummers are setting up for the 11 Am service we will gather in the Community room around the Christmas tree with Carols playing on the piano and reed organ for this service we will share excerpts from Dickens's famous story and focus on what it means to "keep Christmas well."
At 11 AM, "Celebrating the Solstice with Our Annual Mummers Play!"
We will dispel the darkness of the season with lively music and the presentation of our Annual Mummer’s Play under the direction of Pat Sorn. This is a great family service with lots of children participating. Worship will be led by Minister Tom Rosiello, Director of Religious Education, Michelle Coté, Music Director, Mike Pfitzer and Organist/Pianist, Sanghee Kim.
Sunday, December 14th, 2014
This very special Candlelight Vesper service will include a beautiful string orchestra prelude, the great Advent Cantata by J. S Bach, Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme sung by the First Parish Adult Choir with guest soloists and accompanied by a string orchestra and organ. The service will also include wonderful Hanukkah Choral Music, hymns from both traditions, and a reflection on the common message of this Season. This musical service is our holiday gift to the greater community. Please let people in the community know about it and bring your friends and neighbors. The music will be under the direction of Mike Pfitzer with Malcolm Halliday, organist and The Rev.Tom Rosiello leading worship.
Sunday, December 14th, 2014
HANUKKAH SUNDAY
The Hanukkah story is one of hope, courage, and faith in the most difficult of times. It is a story of taking action even when our rational mind might be telling us not to do so. We will tell the ancient Hanukkah story and consider what lessons it has for our 21st century lives. Mike Pfitzer and Sanghee Kim will provide music of this season.
Sunday, December 7th, 2014
ADVENT SUNDAY
Advent is a cry to wake up to the situation at hand. It asks us to see clearly the way things are and then respond to the question, "With what we know of the situation, how do we respond?" In the past few months several cases have forced us to awaken to the situation of young black men and their relationship to the police in many communities. Like the Christian journey, the path of racial equality is a long one. We will look at Ferguson Missouri and other troubling events in the past year and bring the teachings of our faith tradition to them. Our worship will be led by the Rev. Tom Rosiello with our musicians offering beautiful music of the Advent Season.
Sunday, November 30th, 2014
ONLY ONE SERVICE AT 11 AM
Guest preacher Hillary Collins-Gilpatrick, Intern Minister at the Fallon Church in Lexington, MA will be leading worship.
Tuesday, November 18th, 2014
Vesper Service
This is the time of year when we focus on the bounty of our lives. It can be so easy to take for granted all that we have. This evening we will reflect upon the blessing of our lives. Vespers is a candlelight service of readings, sharing, music, and silence .
You are invited to bring a poem or reading about gratitude to share with others. music will be provided by FPC Jazz Band Members Trish Woods, piano, Roy Miller, vibraphone, Chuck Woods, snare brushes, Mike McKendrie, clarinet. Please join us.
