Sundays At FCC!

Information For Worship Service

Worship Service is Now Officially Back in the Sanctuay.

December 12, 10:30am

We will continue wearing masks and maintain physical distancing. Please join us.

The service will also be live streamed.

Click here for the bulletin.

Child care is available.

FCC Parking Lot: The Plymouth St. driveway is permanently closed. Enter from The Crescent. Please drive slowly, our new driveway is next to the playground.

There will be no coffee hour this season.

* You can make a "Sunday Offering"

or "Sustaining Gift" HERE

The Spirituality and Worship ministry team is an important part of FCC.  We provide inspiration and planning for the worship services as well as hands on set-up, preparation and maintenance of the chancel throughout the year.  On December 12 we will be having our first meeting since COVID kept us apart.  And it's right in time for the busy Christmas season!

In this meeting we will specifically be addressing the needs for setting up the Sanctuary for Christmas Eve, "De-Hanging the Greens" on Jan 2 and looking to someone to lead chancel set up each Sunday. 

ALL ARE WELCOME.  Please join us in the Sanctuary immediately after worship on Sunday, Dec. 12.  If you have any questions about the work of the ministry, please contact our Chairperson, Rev. Heather Cherrey at revcherrey@optonline.net. 

Underground Church is a unique and dynamic gathering that combines the intimacy of Jesus' early community with creative and inventive worship experiences.  In the warmth and safety of community we explore the scriptures, live out the questions through discussion,  and share innovative rituals that bring us closer to each other and to our still-speaking God.  Together we create the unity of spirit that helps us find God's presence in the messy and beautiful experience of living today.  

Wednesday, December 1
11am-1pm, Labyrinth Walk in the Sanctuary
 
Sunday, December 5
10:30am, Second  Sunday in Advent Worship
 
Wednesday, December 8
11am-1pm, Labyrinth Walk in the Sanctuary

Sunday, December 12
10:30am, Third Sunday in Advent Worship
Children’s Christmas Pageant

Wednesday, December 15
11am-1pm, Labyrinth Walk in the Sanctuary
 
Saturday, December 18
5 pm Underground Church, in the Sanctuary
 
Sunday, December 19
10:30am, Fourth Sunday in Advent Worship
 
Tuesday, December 21,  
7:30pm, “Longest Night” Service of blessing and healing

Wednesday, December 22
11am-1pm, Labyrinth Walk in the Sanctuary

Sometimes the Christmas season is not always merry.
Christmas is a time of joy and celebration. Yet for many of us the holiday season brings a sense of sadness as well. Separation from loved ones through distance or death, personal illness, difficult memories, loneliness, or financial stress can make this "season of light" a time of darkness.

At 7:30pm on Tuesday, December 21, the longest night of the year, we will offer a special worship service to acknowledge the difficult emotions of the season and offer a place for blessing and comfort. There will be a contemplative service of readings and music, a time to pray individually with our pastors, receive an anointing with oil, and an opportunity to walk the labyrinth.

You are not alone. Join us to find a moment of comfort and hope.  All are welcome.

We will wear masks and maintain physical distancing.

Christmas  Eve At FCC

5pm Family Service of
Story and Song

&

8pm Candlelight Service with Holy Communion

On Christmas Eve we will welcome the light of Christ with two special services!   We'll share the story of Jesus' birth and God's entrance into our lives in word, song, and sharing of the light. 

5pm Family Service of Story and Song
We'll share the story from the gospel of Luke (2:1-20), sing carols, have a special time for the children, light our candles and go forth with the joy of Christmas resounding in our hearts!
A joyous way to welcome Christmas!

8pm Candlelight Service with Holy Communion
We'll welcome the wonder of God's love through a contemplative service of scripture and reflection, Holy Communion and the sharing the light of Christ.
Our communion table is an open table -- all are welcome to join in the feast God sets before us.

There will be no worship service on Christmas Day at FCC.

Labyrinth Walks

Weekly: Wednesdays 11am-1pm in the Sanctuary

Take your soul for a walk on the labyrinth.  We are pleased to offer labyrinth walks each Wednesday in the mid-day as a chance to connect with your soul in our beautiful sanctuary. 

Social distancing will be observed with one walker at a time on the labyrinth and specially designated pews for prayer and meditation. We look forward to welcoming you back.

The labyrinth is an ancient spiritual tool , a mode of “walking prayer” that invites us to go deeper in our walk with God.  Our labyrinth, modeled on one in Chartes Cathedral in France, sits as the center of our Sanctuary, a constant metaphor for our spiritual lives.  Just like the labyrinth, our lives are not linear, but filled with twists and turns.  Sometimes we make great progress, and other times we feel we are going backwards.  But if we trust in the path we will find ourselves in the center -- the heart of God.

All are welcome to take their souls out for a healing walk... no experience necessary!  Check out this lovely write up on Baristanet from the Spring 2014.

Watch this video to find out more about walking the labyrinth. If you’ve never done so come out one Wednesday evening and give it a try. It is a wonderful way to nourish your soul and spend some quiet time in prayer or meditation.

Slow Motion Adult Bible Study Via Zoom:

Mondays at 7:30pm

Our method is to take our time and dig deeply into Scripture, bringing in cultural, historical, theological, and linguistic backgrounds and resources. We utilize Queries (questions posed for consideration and opening, not to garner answers) and cross-referencing. (There are occasional dives down theological or linguistic rabbit holes.) Participants are encouraged to have their favorite translation of the Bible with them.

Click HERE to join!  Meeting ID: 874 8676 2412
Passcode: 985645   Phone only? Dial 646 558 8656 

Our study will be led by Rev. Jack Cuffari. First Congregational Church UCC of Haworth (which Rev. Jack serves as interim pastor) and First Congregational Church of Montclair members will combine into one class.    Email Rev. Jack with any questions:  jack@cuffari.com.