We will focus the passage of the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke where it says that "there was no room for Mary and Joseph at the Inn." When we tell that part of the story at the early service on Christmas Eve, one of our children plays the role of the Inn Keeper and holds up a big sign saying "No Room." This morning we are going to examine how often we, at least figuratively, do the same. We will explore the ways we as individuals and as a society fail to make room for certain people.
Past Services
Sunday, December 9th, 2012
This morning adults, youth and older children will participate in telling the ancient story of Hanukkah as well as how it is celebrated today. The service will include traditional Hanukkah music and a sermon preached by The Rev. Tom Rosiello based on the Hanukkah story entitled "Inextinguishable Hope."
Sunday, December 2nd, 2012
ADVENT SUNDAY
At this time of the year we are bombarded with messages asking us "Are we ready for Christmas?" Those messages are asking questions like, “Have you finished your shopping or decorated the house?” The Season of Advent is all about a different kind of being ready, being ready in a spiritual sense. This morning we will explore if we are ready forsomething wonderful to come into our lives. Our services will feature beautiful music of the Advent season.
Sunday, November 25th, 2012
ONE SERVICE ONLY
Today we will introduce a series of services which will focus on the symbol of light in many different religious traditions. This will be a service of stories and songs about holidays of light that occur in different religions of the World at this time of the year. It will be led jointly by Michelle Cote, our Director of Religious Education and Mike Pfitzer, our Music Director.
Sunday, November 18th, 2012
Together as an inter-generational community we will give thanks. We will sing traditional Thanksgiving hymns and be treated to a bounty of beautiful music from our FPC choirs and Musicians of all Ages. The service will be led by our minister Tom Rosiello assisted by our music team, and director of religious education and our student minister, as well as children and youth. The service will include the traditional ritual of breaking and sharing of great bread that will be baked for us by the junior youth group.
Please bring non-perishable food and toiletries to the service which will be donated to the Stow Food Pantry.
Sunday, November 11th, 2012
With the passing of George McGovern, a true war hero and a strong opponent to the Vietnam war, we are reminded of the tension that has existed and still exists between veterans and many in our society. We will explore our attitudes towards veterans and how we as a nation treat those who have served our nation, especially those who have sustained serious injury. We will also together in spoken words and song honor those who served our country in the military and at the same time pray what is said to be the prayer of every veteran, a prayer to end all war.
Thursday, November 8th, 2012
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 blessings of our lives. Vespers is a candle light service of readings, music, and silence. It is the perfect way to end a busy day. You are invited to bring a poem or reading about gratitude to share with others. Jonathan and Evan Daisy will join other FPC musicians for this Vespers service.
Sunday, November 4th, 2012
**DAYLIGHT SAVINGS~Fall Back
New Member Sunday
On Wednesday November 7, (assuming the election is not so close that it takes weeks to determine the winner), about one half of the country will wake to discover their candidate won the election and the other almost half of the country will learn their candidate lost. We will look back at the process and forward to where we go from here. We will ask ourselves, regardless of who won the election, what can we learn from it? This Sunday there will be an opportunity in our service to join the church. At both services the sermon will be delivered by the Rev. Tom Rosiello and the anthem will be Somos el Barco, a beautiful song that reminds us all of our oneness and interdependence.
Sunday, October 28th, 2012
ALL SOULS DAY SERVICE
With inspiring music from our choirs, soloists and instrumentalists, we will remember those loved ones we have lost, especially those who died in the last year. With words and music we will bring them close again. Everyone is invited to bring a photo or memento of a deceased loved one to help us create our beautiful "All Souls Day Altar of Remembrance." At the end of the service we will plant daffodils in front of the church which will rise up in the spring reminding us of how the loved ones who have died live on with us in spirit. If you would like to donate some daffodil bulbs in memory of a loved one please contact the office a 978 897 8149 for more information.
Sunday, October 21st, 2012
Gathered as a community of love and compassion we will explore the difficult question on which we will be asked to vote in the upcoming election. Ballot question 2 asks us to vote for or against legalizing physician assisted suicide or what proponents of the bill call "death with dignity.” This is a very complex end of life issue that raises many serious moral and ethical questions and we will try to look at all sides of the issue. The sermon will delivered by the Rev Tom Rosiello.
