These words come from a text by hymn writer, Ruth Duck. In this service we will share them in a beautiful musical setting, and share our thoughts on this time of winter. This season of cold and darkness is also the season of candles, fire and increasing light. You are invited to bring a poem or short reading about the season to share.  Music will be provided by Mike Pfitzer and Sangee Kim, and will include piano, organ, and vocal solos. This is the perfect opportunity to pause and refresh your spirit in the midst of the hectic holiday season. Vespers is a monthly service of readings, sharing, candle-lighting, music and silence.  Please join us. 

Thirty years have passed since AIDS was first diagnosed. Millions have died and entire communities have been devastated. Both research and treatment have been challenged by racism and homophobia. AIDS has challenged our love and caused many to abandon hope. But this is a time of renewed hope for the treatment and cure of the disease. This Sunday we will share the journey of this disease, beginning with its devastating effect on American gay men in the 1980's and moving to its present impact on other communities. We will look at how it has changed the world and changed all of us as well.  We will remember those we lost to the disease, celebrate the lives of those living well with the disease, and pray for ways to continue to bring the treatments and possible cures for the disease to the poor of the world, who still go untreated. This is a service about hope, compassion and hard lessons learned.  It will be lead by our minister, Tom Rosiello. Music will include “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers, the beautiful Zulu Chant “Senzeni Na” and hymns of hope and compassion. 

Sunday, November 20 at 9 AM and 11 AM

This Intergenerational Celebration of Thanksgiving will be led by our minister, Tom Rosiello and our Director of Religious Education, Michelle Cote with help from many members of the congregation of all ages.  Mike Pfitzer, our music director and Sanghee Kim, our pianist/organist are preparing  “a bounty” of music for both services. At 9 AM the Children’s Choir, under the direction of Pat Sorn, and the FPC Singers will be featured, at 11 AM our Youth and Adult Choirs will be singing, and at both services we will all join together in singing traditional Thanksgiving hymns. The morning message will focus on how we give thanks for our many blessings.  The services will conclude with the traditional ritual of breaking and sharing bread. The bread will be baked for us by our junior youth group. Please bring nonperishable food items and toiletries, which will be collected during the service for the Stow Food Pantry.

This morning’s sermon by the Rev. Tom Rosiello will explore what is happening in our nation and what we can bring to the discussion from our religious tradition. We will look at the “Occupy Wall Street Movement” spreading across the nation and the growing disparity between the rich and the poor in this country.  Can we move beyond the “us against them” attitude, and the inability and unwillingness to compromise in our political system? What is happening in our nation, and how should we respond?

There will be an opportunity during this morning’s service for folks to join the church.  If you have been attending FPC for a while, and are ready to become a member or have any questions about membership, please contact Nancy Grimes, our Membership Development Coordinator, at 978 897 8149.