First Congregational-Christian Church

Due to the timing and severity of the predicted winter storm, we will not gather for worship tomorrow, January 7th. 

If you’d like to observe Epiphany Sunday at home, you can light a candle and read the scriptures for the day Isaiah 60:1-6 and Matthew 2:1-12 (find them online here). 

For prayerful pondering as you read the text from Matthew:
Name and give thanks for a moment of wonder.
Resolve to offer your gift this year in a particular way.
Name a companion on the journey and give thanks for their support.

Turn on you favorite Christmas carols one more time.  Offer a prayer for those who are in need of God’s hope, light and peace.

art by Lauren Wright Pittman

If you would like to choose a Star Word for 2024, you can pick one up at church next week or use this random word generator to choose one now. 

Advent Worship Series – Those Who Dream

Join us every Sunday at 9;30 as we move through Advent with Those Who Dream. What does it look like to live as those who dream? The prophets, the psalmists, John the Baptist, Mary, Elizabeth, Joseph, the shepherds and the Magi—they were all dreamers. They received, discovered, and responded to God’s dreams for the world. This Advent, we step into the mystery and awe of God’s dreams and pray they shape our reality. Each week we will light the Advent candles and enjoy Advent hymns and special music from the choir, the Community Orchestra and the handbell choir. This worship series includes resources from A Sanctifed Art. 

Our Advent season begins on November 26th.  Join us after worship for a potluck brunch and Advent crafts, and pick up an Advent devotional filled with poetry, art, and reflections on Those Who Dream. 

Open Sanctuary – Wednesdays in December

If you are seeking some quiet space to pray and breathe in December, our sanctuary will be open on Wednesdays from noon-6pm for quiet prayer and reflection.  Coloring prayers, prayer shawls, devotional books and Bibles will be available for your use.  Pastor Kelli will also be in the building if you’d like someone to sit and pray with you. 

Concerts and Mission Project 

As part of our continuing conversations about what it means to be an Open and Affirming church in 2023, we are reading and discussing The Savvy Ally by Jeannie Gainsburg.

The Savvy Ally is a vital resource for anyone who want to support and advocate for the LGBTQ+ people in their lives and help make the world a safer, more inclusive place.
This informative, encouraging, and easy-to-understand guidebook will jump-start even the most tentative ally.

Starting on October 24, we will gather on Tuesday morning at 10:30 for a discussion of each section of the book. 

October 24—Part 1: Becoming Knowledgeable Allies
October 31—Part 2: Building Skills for Respectful Conversations
November 7—Part 3: Taking Action to Create Inclusive Spaces
November 14—Part 4: Allying Responsibly

We will not have worship in the sanctuary on July 2, 2023.   Pastor Kelli will be traveling to Indianapolis to attend the General Synod meeting of the United Church of Christ to serve as the delegate for the Cumberland Association. 

Here are some other ways you observe a time of worship:

• Worship with our friends at Gray Congregational Church (worship at 10am ) or North Yarmouth Congregational Church (worship at 9:30am in the sanctuary or on-line on their YouTube page)
• Watch the recording of our Music Sunday worship service. 
• Faith in Action – call or write to a friend, make a donation to an organization that is working for justice (after you learn a bit more about their work), pick up some extra food for the Food Pantry (we could especially use snack food like granola bars) or supplies for our summer care kits.  Remember St. Teresa’s of Avila’s prayer – “Christ has no body now but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world.”

Please keep all of the delegates to General Synod in your prayers as they attend to the work and witness of the wider church. 

You can join us for worship via ZOOM every Sunday at 9:30am.  Send us an e-mail or a message through the “Contact Us page, and we’ll be happy to send you the link. 

And, mark you calendars – the Village Coffee House returns on April 15th!

Join us at 3:00pm for KindKIDS Music.  Donations will be accepted at the door.

KindKids Music is a dynamic duo with original music, puppets, and a highly interactive performance that shares tools for emotional resilience, fosters kindness, and encourages wellness all while having FUN!

Join us at 7:00pm for music by Jim Gallant.  Tickets will be $10 at the door.

Mix a little Americana, Blues, Folk, Bluegrass and Rockabilly with some great original music and you have the music of the Jim Gallant Band. Jim is a well-known New Gloucester musician and always a favorite at the Coffeehouse.

The events of Christ’s Passion, which take place during the last week of Jesus’ life, often don’t receive enough time in our worship and study. These stories are important to our faith journey and our identity as followers of Jesus. And yet we often move too quickly from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday with little time to take in the dramatic story of that last week. Throughout the six weeks of Lent we will “freeze-frame” moments in Holy Week so we might put ourselves in the picture, thereby “Entering the Passion of Jesus.” How might taking a closer look at the ancient story open us to deeper conviction for our role in its ongoing message?

Each Sunday we will use scripture, story telling, and art to put ourselves into the Holy Week story.  Click the links below to see the artwork. 

February 26 – The Parade

Scripture – Matthew 21:1-11       Art – “Entry Into the City” by John Swanson

March 5 – The Temple

Scripture – Mark 11:15-19          Art – “Cleansing of the Temple” by Pieter Artsen 

March 12 – The Teaching

Scripture – Matthew 22:15-22    Art – “The Tribute Money” by James Tissot 

March 19 – The First Dinner

Scripture Mark 14:3-9                 Art – “Mary Anoints Jesus’ Feet” by Anonymous

March 26 – The Last Supper

Scripture – John 13:1-16             Art – “Washing the Disciples Feet” by David Paynter

April 2 – The Garden

Scripture – Mark 14:32-52            Art – “Christ on Gethsemane” by JESUS MAFA 

This worship series is adapted from materials written by the Worship Design Studio.

Bible Study

Want to dig deeper into these stories?  Join us for Bible Study every Wednesday in March from 4:30-5:30pm. 

Lent At Home Devotional

We have copies of “Henri Matisse and the Colors of Lent” available in the church office.  It uses the art of Henri Matisse to explore the themes of Lent.  If you want quick links to all of the paintings referenced in the devotional click here.  And if you would like a version of this devotional that you can access on your phone/tablet, contact the church office. Thanks to The Salt Project for producing this beautiful resource. 

It’s time for the annual meeting!  All members of the First Congregational Christian Church of New Gloucester are encourage to attend the meeting on January 22.  Meeting will be held in the Vestry after worship.  We will be approving a 2023 budget and recognizing the new search committee. 

There will also be a budget workshop on January 15 after worship for those who wish to take a deeper look at the 2023 budget.