We are “pulling out all the stops” for Association Sunday to celebrate the importance of being part of the Association of Unitarian Universalist churches. Our Jazz band, drummers, and choirs will fill the service with exciting music. Worship will be led by the Rev. Tom Rosiello with special guest preacher, the Rev. John Crestwell, a member of the UUA President’s Advisory Council. His sermon is entitled “Why I am a Unitarian Universalist.” He will share an inspiring story of how his faith saved his life. This year all the proceeds raised on Association Sunday will go to support professional education and development for ministers, religious educators and musicians. There will be a special collection taken up for this purpose.
Recordings of Past Services
Video recordings of our Sunday services are available on our YouTube channel. Click on icon below to visit.
We also have a collection of audio recordings of selected Sunday 11:00AM services. To hear a service simply click on the red side of the audio player of the one you would like to hear. Alternatively, you can click on the .mp3 link to download the service to your computer or mobile device.
Note: Due to limitations with FPC's current audio system, the sound quality for most musical segments was very poor. As such, many of these pieces have not been included. We are working on upgrading the system so that the complete services can be heard. Also, for reasons of privacy, the "Joys and Concerns" segments have been excluded.
Should you have difficulty playing these recordings please contact: webadmin@fpc-stow-acton.org
Sunday, October 23rd, 2011
Sunday, October 16th, 2011
October is our Urban Ministry month. Please see page 9 in this newsletter to learn about all the ways you can be part of that ministry. This morning, in a rousing worship service, we will look beyond the confines of FPC and celebrate our connection to the UU Urban Ministry. Our guest preacher will be Sam Williams Chief Operating Officer for the Urban Ministry. Sam will share with us the wonderful work that we as a congregation help to accomplish.
Sunday, October 2nd, 2011
This morning we will draw on the Jewish High Holy Days for our inspiration. Much of our music will be from the Jewish tradition and our youth will be performing their own adaptation of the Biblical story of Jonah and the Ninevites. The Rev. Tom Rosiello will preach a sermon entitled "Letting Go" based on the Yom Kippur teaching that once a year we need to take stock of our lives and find ways to "let go" of past hurts, wrongs, and even our guilt of not doing what we ought to have done. Sometimes forgiveness can be the most difficult thing asked of us. Sometimes, because of the magnitude of the wrong committed, it doesn't feel just or right to forgive. Even forgiving ourselves is no easy task. This morning we will focus on the importance of this practice of "letting go" of rancor, hurt, and disappointment so that we can begin our lives anew.
Sunday, September 25th, 2011
In the Words of the Prophet Amos: "Let Justice Roll Down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream." This morning we will draw on the teachings of the prophets of many ages and faiths who emphasized that it was justice and righteousness that is at the heart of true religion. We will explore together the ways we at First Parish are involved in the work of justice, and how we might take that to the next step. Our choirs will be singing and drummers playing the message of justice. Our service will be led by the Rev. Tom Rosiello, with assistance from our Director of Religious Education Michelle Cote, our children and youth, members of our Social Justice Task Force, and of course, our great musicians!
Sunday, September 18th, 2011
When the Dali Lama was once asked to describe his religion, he quickly responded "My Religion is very simple. My religion is kindness." Teachings of kindness and compassion are at the heart of every major world religion, but translating this teaching into practice is quite another thing. We will explore what it could mean to live a religion of kindness. This service will also serve as an introduction to a new program being offered this year and led by Rev. Rosiello called "12 Steps to a Compassionate Life," based on Karen Armstrong's recent book by that title. The children's message will focus on the parable of the Good Samaritan. Our service will be full of music and readings about the religion of kindness from various traditions. This would be an excellent service for a visitor to experience the breadth of Unitarian Universalism. FPC members are encouraged to bring a neighbor or a friend to the service.
Sunday, September 11th, 2011
This Sunday we open wide the doors of the church to welcome all to the beginning of our new church year.To paraphrase our opening hymn: "We will gather in the spirit, harvest the power of community and with our lives kindle one flame."
In this service we will be reminded of the importance of liberal religious community. The Rev. Tom Rosiello will lead the service which will include remembrances of those who lost their lives in September 11, 2001 and prayers for peace in our world. He will deliver a sermon entitled, "Ten Year Later." There will be a special interactive message for our children at the beginning of the service after which they will leave to begin this year’s religious education program. Music at both services will be provided by our two new musicians, Music Director , Mike Pfitzer and pianist/organist, Sanghee Kim. They will be joined by our Adult Choir at the 11 AM service.