Bible Study will return in the New Year ....stay tuned for details!

Special Christmas Season FCC Book Club selection:

Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”

December 12, 7pm

Join us to explore a classic holiday tale as we prepare our hearts for the season!

We will gather on Wednesday, December 12 at 7pm

at the home of Michael Magdalenski (RSVP for address)

We are planning a pot luck and Christmas cookie swap so if you’d like to contribute please just let Michael know.   The book is available for free on e-readers, but if you would like a hard copy, Michael can provide one.  His email is Michael.magdalenski@gmail.com

Join us next Sunday December 16 for a special Christmas Around the World Children’s Pageant, during worship!

Underground Church, Saturday December 15, 4pm

(Please RSVP to Julie)

During our Saturday evening gatherings, the Underground Church travels back to our earliest Christian roots.  We seek to recapture the excitement and community of Jesus' early followers through worship that is simple yet profound, communal yet personal, comforting yet inspiring.  We live the questions much as Jesus' friends did as they sought ways to transform the world through the simple acts of a shared and loving community.

We will gather at the home of Deb and Julie Matz-Rees at 4pm.  Please RSVP to Julie at juliemarie.matz@gmail.com and join us in the transformative power of opening hearts to the Holy Spirit and to each other. 
 
Need a ride?  "The Underground Church  Express" will meet you in the FCC parking lot and drive you to our meeting place, and drive you back after our gathering!  Just be in the parking lot behind the church at 3:30PM and a member of the Underground Church family will be there to greet you. 

Longest Night Service, December 21, 8pm

Christmas is a time of joy and celebration. Yet for many of us the holiday season brings a sense of sadness and grief as well. Separation from loved ones through distance or death, loss of a relationship, personal illness, loneliness, or financial stress can make this “season of light” a time of darkness.

 On Friday evening, December 21, we will offer a special service to acknowledge the difficult emotions of the season and offer a place for blessing and reconciliation.  There will be a contemplative service of readings and beautiful music, a time to pray individually with our pastors, receive an anointing with oil, and an opportunity to walk the  labyrinth.  All are welcome to find comfort and hope.

Special Music Sunday Worship Service
Sunday, December 23, 10:30am

Join us to celebrate Mary's song with a wonderful Sunday of special music!  Our fabulous FCC choir will present a contemporary "Magnificat" by composer, Mark Hayes.  We will have guest instrumentalists, beautiful voices, and an inspiring score.  All made possible by the Monsees' Music Fund. Welcome Christmas week in a truly magnificent way!

Christmas Eve  at  First Congregational Church, December 24, 2018

5pm and 10pm

5pm Family Service of Story and Song
A joyous service which shares the good news of Christmas for children (and grown-up children) of all ages!   We conclude with a group-sing of the Hallelujah Chorus!
 
10pm Candlelight Service with Holy Communion
A contemplative service of lessons and carols to reflect upon the  miracle of Christmas.   Our communion table is an open table  —  everyone present is welcome to join in the feast of love which God sets before us.

You're Invited to FCC's Annual Christmas Open House  Saturday December 22, 2-6pm!

John & Ann Ralosky and Nancy & Luis Pi-Sunyer invite you to their homes for the  9th Annual First

Congregational Church Christmas Open House
145 & 149 Watchung Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07042

Join us for an afternoon in Montclair's oldest continuous home (built in 1723!) for a time of treats both sweet and savory, mulled wine, egg nog and a generous helping of holiday cheer! 

Once a year our two families take down the dividing wall in this historic house and combine our two homes together, welcoming all our friends from FCC. 

We'll provide entrees, beverages and sweets, but we'd love for you to add to the feast!  If you are able, please bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert.  If you can just bring yourself, that's gift enough, too!

Please RSVP to Rena Majeed at FCC (admin@fccmtc.com or 973-744-4856) so we know you are coming!

Our Weekly Labyrinth Walk is on Wednesdays 6-8pm in the Sanctuary

(Closed Christmas week)

Come take your soul for a healing walk ...with a wonderful group of " labyrinth keepers" to guide you and answer your questions.

If you’ve never walked the labyrinth come out and give it a try. It is a wonderful way to nourish your soul and spend some quiet time in prayer or meditation, or just some quiet time.

The labyrinth is open from 6 to 8 pm every Wednesday evening  except for Thanksgiving eve and the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Each week two dedicated “Labyrinth Keepers” are present to help you get started or to answer your questions.

Go to our "Worship/Walk the labyrinth" tab to learn more and to see a video on the labyrinth. Hope to see you soon.