In this intergenerational service we will celebrate our planet earth and focus on the care and attention we need to give to her. The services will include participants of all ages and there will be singing of Native American chants as well as other hymns and songs of the earth. Our FPC Drummers will enrich the service with their talent and our Adult Choir will sing an excerpt from "Misa Gaia" at the 11 AM service.
Past Services
Thursday, April 18th, 2013
The First Parish Church of Stow & Acton
will host a vigil service of candle lighting, sharing, meditation and prayer honoring those in the Boston Marathon. This will be an opportunity for people to come together and share their fears,
their pain and their hopes.
All are welcome
Please let friends and neighbors know.
Sunday, April 14th, 2013
Many of us strive for perfection, and we admire those who seem to achieve it. We get angry at ourselves when we don't get things exactly right. Of course, doing a good job is important, but there is a serious downside to perfectionism. It can lead you away from enjoying your life, and even be dangerous to your health. Some characterize perfectionism as the addiction of our time. This morning, Rev. Rosiello will focus on this learned behavior and suggest how we might approach life differently, taking the time to find some of the blessings in our imperfection. The worship service will include readings, a story for all ages, familiar hymns and songs, the sharing of joys and concerns and a time of reflection and prayer.
Sunday, April 7th, 2013
As Unitarian Universalists we have the freedom to believe as our mind and conscience dictates and are not required to conform to a standard set of beliefs or creed.
Therefore, there is a rich diversity of beliefs in our congregation. This morning at both services some of those beliefs will be shared. At the 9 AM service, in place of a sermon, three of our adults will share theirs by completing the statement ,"This I Believe…” At the 11 AM service 5 of our youth who are completing the Coming of Age Program will share their personal Credos. Our worship will be led by the Rev Tom Rosiello.
We will also recognize the youth who are completing the “Our Whole Lives” program.
The youth credos start at exactly 21 minutes into the recording.
Sunday, March 31st, 2013
EASTER SUNDAY
We will explore the ancient resurrection story focusing on what it might mean to have "An Easter Faith" even within the context of our varied theological tradition. After a special Easter message our children will leave for the "Great Easter Egg Hunt." Both services will be filled with great Easter music in a variety of styles and will conclude with an invitation to join the choir in singing the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah. It will be a wonderfully uplifting morning. Treat yourself to the experience and bring a friend.
Thursday, March 28th, 2013
This candlelight service will be led by our minster, The Rev. Tom Rosiello, and our lay minsters. Music will be provided by Mike Pfitzer, Sanghee Kim and members of our choir. We will tell the story of Jesus's 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.
Sunday, March 24th, 2013
5 PM
Whatever your religious background please join us for this family friendly Seder service and potluck Passover dinner. We will gather around tables, retell the ancient story of the Hebrews people flight from the slavery of Egypt to freedom. We will sing the songs and eat the symbolic foods. Everyone is asked to bring something for the meal. Simple recipes are available when you sign up and, if cooking is not your thing, there are items you can purchase to bring, such as grape juice or matzah. Pease sign up and pick up a recipe either at coffee hour after Sunday worship or by contacting the church office at 978 897 8149 or office@fpc-stow-acton.org.
Sunday, March 24th, 2013
Today is Palm Sunday on the Christian Calendar and the Jewish calendar will officially mark the beginning of Passover tomorrow. These are both days of great significance in their respective traditions. In both traditions they are observed with stories of the worst of times and the best of times. The worst and the best are embraced together and so it is in our own life and times. Sometimes it is in the difficult times that a blessing not otherwise possible comes. Sometimes there is joy and suffering together in our lives. With the help of beautiful music from both traditions we will explore the words with which Unitarian Charles Dickens opened, “A Tale of Two Cities” It is the worst of times. It is the best of times."
Sunday, March 17th, 2013
What a great time this is in the history of our church! Energy is high, we are growing in numbers and deepening spiritually. From religious education to music, our programs are full of vitality and meeting the needs of our community. We have just restored our historic church building and are about to move ahead on the construction of a new connector building that will add needed space and make us both more handicapped accessible and more child friendly. All of this is due to your generosity. So this morning, as we bring this year’s Stewardship campaign to a close, we are going to celebrate and look to the future of PFC. If you have not yet made your pledge, there will be an opportunity to do so in the service. FPC Jazz Musicians will join Sanghee Kim to lead our hymns and at the 11 AM service our choir will be conducted by Julian Grabarek, one of our own very talented teens.
Sunday, March 10th, 2013
DAY LIGHT SAVINGS! spring forward
part of our OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND
Unitarian Universalism has a long rich history. It has roots in the Judeo-Christian heritage, the radical reformation and the Enlightenment. It is a central part to US history. Six US Presidents and most of the great American writers and social reformers of the 19th century were Unitarians. In the 20th century, it has taken an active role in the civil rights, gay rights and environmental movements. Unitarian Universalism has no creed, and welcomes and respects those of all theological perspectives who wish to part of a community of shared values, mutual support, and service to others. In a world where different religious beliefs often lead to conflict, Unitarian Universalists recognize that they are enriched in their search for truth and meaning by many sources and traditions.
This would be a great Sunday for anyone who might be interested in Unitarian Universalism to attend. Spread the word and invite a friend! At the 11 Am service our choir will be singing the anthem, “We Are" by Ysaye Barnwell and "All Lifted Up" from the Cantata "Sources" which is about the places from which we derive our Unitarian Universalist heritage. At both the services there will be great singing of both traditional and contemporary hymns as well as instrumental music.
