We live in a world that is anything but peaceful.  Senseless acts of violence at home put fear in our hearts and wars rage on the world stage.  Our 6th Unitarian Universalist principle calls us to  "affirm and promote the goal of world community with peace liberty and justice for all."   Worship will be led by our minister, Tom Rosiello, and there will be songs and anthems of peace from many times and places. At 11 AM our Adult choir will sing the beautiful anthem, "How Lovely are the Messengers" by Felix Mendelssohn. 

We are part of the free church tradition which means your beliefs are not dictated by the words of a creed written centuries ago but rather are the product of you own searching for the truth. How do we do that searching responsibly and where might that search lead? The Rev. Tom Rosiello will preach the sermon. There will be beautiful music at both services with our Adult Choir singing an African Welcome Song and the anthem "The Road Home" based on a lovely old folk tune.

"Acceptance of One another and encouragement to spiritual growth" (3rd principle)

 One of the least true statements I hear about FPC is that we are "a like-minded group of people." Although we share many values we do not all believe alike, act alike, live alike or love alike. There is beauty in our diversity but sometimes we forget that the person next to us is different  from us. Perhaps different in what they believe or how they live or in their sexual orientation or gender identification. The challenge of our third principle is to accept and respect people as they and support people on their individual journey. The Rev. Tom Rosiello will lead worship and preach the sermon. One of the least true statements I hear about FPC is that we are "a like-minded group of people." Although we share many values we do not all believe alike, act alike, live alike or love alike.There is beauty in our diversity but sometimes we forget that the person next to us is different  from us. Perhaps different in what they believe or how they live or in their sexual orientation or gender identification. The challenge of our third principle is to accept and respect people as they and support people on their individual journey. The Rev. Tom Rosiello will lead worship and preach the sermon.

On this Ingathering Sunday we will be pulling out all the stops literally (it will be the first time our restored pipe organ is played in Worship) to welcome folks back as well as those with us for the first time. The call will be to "Come, Come , whoever you are" and be part of this inclusive community of love, faith, and justice. Our sermon message will focus on the first of our seven Unitarian Universalist Principles: The Inherent worth and dignity of every person. Many religions teach that human beings are inherently sinful and unworthy but in our tradition we recognize just the opposite, that every individual is worthy of respect and has dignity. Yet at times, we all probably consider someone or some group to be of less worth and dignity. The struggle for the equal dignity and worth for all continues in our society as the events of this from our Supreme Court’s DOMA and part of the Voting Rights Act as well as the startling verdict the Trayvon Martin case demonstrate. The Rev. Tom Rosiello will preach the sermon and lead worship assisted by youth and adult worship associates and lay ministers. Our children will be introduced to their first Sunday of Religious Education by Michelle Cote, Director of Religious Education. Music will be led by Mike Pfitzer, Director, and Sanhgee Kim, Organist/Pianist and our Adult Choir will be singing at the 11 AM Service. Please join us!