On this Valentine's Day our focus will not be on romantic love for a partner, but on love for our neighbors. "Love Your Neighbor as Yourself" is one of the two primary commandments in Christian Scripture. The very same words appear in the Hebrew Bible book of Leviticus and the theme is reflection in most religious traditions. Inherent in this commandment is the idea expressed in our principles that every human being has the same worth and dignity and we are called to treat all our neighbors with the same love and compassion we want for ourselves. Loving your neighbor as yourself means that you proclaim that their life matters as much as yours. On this Sunday when we hang our black lives matter banner in front of our church we explore what it means to truly love your neighbor as yourself.
Past Services
Sunday, February 7th, 2016
"It is in Giving that We Receive" The Spiritual Practice of Generosity
This morning we are going to pull out all the stops in a celebration of your generosity. Choirs, youth singers, drummers, and jazz musicians will all contribute to the festive atmosphere. Our ministers Tom and Ilene will be joined by Members of the Stewardship Committee who will share with you all that your generosity makes and can make possible. The sermon will explore generosity as an important spiritual practice in all our lives.
Sunday, January 31st, 2016
Today we focus on our first principle, affirming the inherent worth and dignity of every person as we explore what that means in the context of children with special needs. Joining Tom and Ilene in leading this worship service will be parents, counselors, and teachers of children with special needs. Together we will learn about the blessings and the challenges these children present. As a church we serve many children with special needs, and our hope is that we will continue to grow in how we meet the needs of these children.
Sunday, January 24th, 2016
This morning we will celebrate the Jewish holiday of Tu B' Shevat, which is, "The New Year for Trees." It is the time in Israel when the new buds appear on the trees and also a time when the age of a tree is calculated and new trees are planted. In the midst of our New England winter our Intern Minister, Ilene Gillispie, and our Minister, Tom Rosiello, will reflect on the meaning they each draw from this holiday. Join us on this day of trees, new beginnings, and some early thoughts of Spring.
Sunday, January 17th, 2016
This service will celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr., whose legacy has great relevance for us today as our country undergoes, yet again, racialized tensions throughout every level of society. In this service, we will sing spirituals and reflect together on King's message of the unity of all humanity. Intern Minister, Ilene Gillispie, will be preaching, and will be assisted with worship by the wonderful First Parish Church Jazz Band.
Sunday, January 10th, 2016
Reverend Eliza Blanchard will focus on what it means to declutter the soul. As we curate what we hold tightly to, we’ll explore ways in which clearing out our spirits’ basements, and attics can transform us. Reverend Eliza Blanchard graduated from Harvard Divinity School (where she met Rev. Tom) in 2004, served the U.U. Society of Grafton and Upton for five years, and now offers spiritual direction and pet loss support as an affiliate of The First Parish in Brookline, U.U.
Sunday, January 3rd, 2016
Join us for an intergenerational service observing the holiday of Epiphany, honoring the special day on which the three kings arrived to bring gifts to the newborn Jesus. Director of Religious Education, Michelle Cote, and Intern Minister, Ilene Gillispie, will co-preach about the gifts we each bring to the world, and the epiphanies we have that can change our lives (just as the lives of the kings were changed upon meeting the baby Jesus). This service will include beloved hymns like, We Three Kings, and will also involve movement and sharing to be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Sunday, December 27th, 2015
This Sunday we will gather informally in the community room and together reflect upon what is so necessary to do before we embrace the new which is, letting go of the old. Out with the Old! In with the New! The Rev. Tom Rosiello will lead the worship service.
Thursday, December 24th, 2015
4 PM Family Service
"Nativity in a Trunk"
Led by our minister, Tom Rosiello, Intern Minister, Ilene Gillispie, and our DRE, Michele Cote, this service will be oriented towards our children. We will have lots of them participating as we act out the Christmas Story and create a Christmas Tableau. Our Junior Choir and Youth Singers will be performing, and there will be familiar carols for all to sing. We will conclude this service with the traditional candle-lighting ceremony.
9 PM Traditional Christmas Eve Service
Led by our minister, Tom Rosiello and Our Inter Minister, Ilene Gillispie this service will feature traditional Christmas carols and anthems, the reading of the story of the birth of Jesus from the Christian Gospels, and a candle-lighting ceremony. It will be a quieter and more traditional service than the 4 PM service, with beautiful music provided by the Adult Choir, under the direction of Mike Pfitzer, organist/pianist Sanghee Kim, and talented guest musicians. An extended prelude of Christmas music will begin at 8:45 PM. Please come early.
Sunday, December 20th, 2015
9 AM in the Community Room
Join us around the Christmas tree for traditional holiday stories and lovely music of the season. Our storytellers will be Ann Sadler, Rev. Tom Rosiello and Intern Minister, Ilene Gillispie. We will sing some familiar carols and be treated to holiday music performed by Mike Pftzer and Sanghee Kim.
11 AM in the Sanctuary
Celebrating the Solstice with Our Annual Mummers Play!
We will dispel the darkness of the season with lively music and the presentation of our Annual Mummer’s Play under the direction of Pat Sorn. This is a great family service with lots of children participating. Worship will be led by Minister Tom Rosiello, Intern Minister, Ilene Gillispie, Director of Religious Education, Michelle Coté, Music Director, Mike Pfitzer and Organist/Pianist, Sanghee Kim.
