Past Services

Thursday, March 28th, 2013

This candlelight service will be led by our minster, The Rev. Tom Rosiello, and our lay minsters. Music will be provided by Mike Pfitzer, Sanghee Kim and members of our choir.  We will tell the story of Jesus's final days focusing on the Passover meal that he shared with his disciples and what this ritual of "breaking bread together" means to us today.    In this service we honor our history and celebrate our Christian roots while reaching beyond to the broader message of community and the ministry of humble service.  We will be using the historic communion silver form both the First Parish of Stow and the Universalist Church of South Acton in the service.   Whether your religious background is Christian or not, please join us for this beautiful service.

 

 

Sunday, March 24th, 2013

5 PM

Whatever your religious background please join us for this family friendly Seder service and potluck Passover dinner.  We will gather around tables, retell the ancient story of the Hebrews people flight from the slavery of Egypt to freedom. We will sing the songs and eat the symbolic foods. Everyone is asked to bring something for the meal. Simple recipes are available when you sign up and, if cooking is not your thing, there are items you can purchase to bring,  such as grape juice or matzah. Pease sign up and pick up a recipe either at coffee hour after Sunday worship or by contacting the church office at 978 897 8149 or office@fpc-stow-acton.org.

 

 

 

Sunday, March 24th, 2013

Today is Palm Sunday on the Christian Calendar and the Jewish calendar will officially mark the beginning of Passover tomorrow. These are both days of great significance in their respective traditions. In both traditions they are observed with stories of the worst of times and the best of times.  The worst and the best are embraced together and so it is in our own life and times. Sometimes it is in the difficult times that a blessing not otherwise possible comes.  Sometimes there is joy and suffering together in our lives.  With the help of beautiful music from both traditions we will explore the words with which Unitarian Charles Dickens opened, “A Tale of Two Cities” It is the worst of times. It is the best of times."

 

 

Sunday, March 17th, 2013

What a great time this is in the history of our church! Energy is high, we are growing in numbers and deepening spiritually.  From religious education to music, our programs are full of vitality and meeting the needs of our community.  We have just restored our historic church building and are about to move ahead on the construction of a new connector building that will add needed space and make us both more handicapped accessible and more child friendly.   All of this is due to your generosity. So this morning, as we bring this year’s Stewardship campaign to a close, we are going to celebrate and look to the future of PFC.  If you have not yet made your pledge, there will be an opportunity to do so in the service.  FPC Jazz Musicians will join Sanghee Kim to lead our hymns and at the 11 AM service our choir will be conducted by Julian Grabarek, one of our own very talented teens.  

 

 

Sunday, March 10th, 2013

DAY LIGHT SAVINGS! spring forward
part of our OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND

Unitarian Universalism has a long rich history.  It has roots in the Judeo-Christian heritage, the radical reformation and the Enlightenment.  It is a central part to US history. Six US Presidents and most of the great American writers and social reformers of the 19th century were Unitarians. In the 20th century, it has taken an active role in the civil rights, gay rights and environmental movements. Unitarian Universalism has no creed, and welcomes and respects those of all theological perspectives who wish to part of a community of shared values, mutual support, and service to others.  In a world where different religious beliefs often lead to conflict, Unitarian Universalists recognize that they are enriched in their search for truth and meaning by many sources and traditions. 

This would be a great Sunday for anyone who might be interested in Unitarian Universalism to attend.  Spread the word and invite a friend! At the 11 Am service our choir will be singing the anthem, “We Are" by Ysaye Barnwell and "All Lifted Up" from the Cantata "Sources" which is about the places from which we derive our Unitarian Universalist heritage. At both the services there will be great singing of both traditional and contemporary hymns as well as instrumental music.

Sunday, March 3rd, 2013

You have heard the expression before, but it really does "take a village" (all of us)  to create and sustain our wonderful program for children and youth.  This morning will  focus on the  many different opportunities, large and quite small, to serve in that program and the joy and satisfaction many who do, take away.  The service will include an intergenerational skit with an invitation to "follow the yellow brick road," not to OZ, but to the exciting world of RE at First Parish.  Worship will be led by Rev. Tom Rosiello and DRE, Michelle Cote, with help from the RE committee, teachers, children and youth.  Music will be provided by our Youth and Adult Choirs under Mike Pfitzer's direction, Lisa Martino, Sanghee Kim and others.

Sunday, February 24th, 2013

Weather Update: We WILL be having church this morning!
Lunar New Year Celebration
TEA CEREMONY IN FELLOWSHIP HALL FROM 10 - 10:45 AM (between the services)

With authentic Chinese music played on traditional instruments and songs by our children, and with the help of our own wonderful dragon, we will welcome in the new year. Chinese culture places great emphasis on respect for their elders. The sermon, delivered by our minister, Tom Rosiello, will examine how we treat our elders. A Chinese tea ceremony where all can participate will be held in Fellowship Hall between the services. Please bring a few coins to be placed in special red envelopes to give to the children serving tea and also a couple of oranges to exchange. If you go to the 11 AM Service plan to come early. The Tea Ceremony will begin right after the first service at 10 AM in Fellowship Hall and will end at 10:45 so you can get to the second service.

Sunday, February 17th, 2013

During this week of Valentine's Day, we will examine what it really means to love your neighbor. We are called to "stand on the side of love" in relation to so many pressing issues of our time. Among the issues we will look at is how we fail to treat the strangers in our midst with love and compassion.  At both services our Children's Message will be based on the life of Saint Valentine and our music will include a beautiful arrangement of "The Gift of Love" by Hal Hobson. Worship will be led by our Minister, Tom Rosiello. The Adult Choir will be singing at the 11 AM service and FPC singers will be singing at the 9 am service.

Sunday, February 10th, 2013

Lunar New Year Celebration
TEA CEREMONY IN FELLOWSHIP HALL FROM 10 - 10:45 AM (between the services)

With authentic Chinese music played on traditional instruments and songs by our children, and with the help of our own wonderful dragon, we will welcome in the new year. Chinese culture places great emphasis on respect for their elders. The sermon, delivered by our minister, Tom Rosiello, will examine how we treat our elders. A Chinese tea ceremony where all can participate will be held in Fellowship Hall between the services.  Please bring a few coins to be placed in special red envelopes to give to the children serving tea and also a couple of oranges to exchange. If you go to the 11 AM Service plan to come early. The Tea Ceremony will begin right after the first service at 10 AM in Fellowship Hall and will end at 10:45 so you can get to the second service.  

Sunday, February 3rd, 2013

Our Minister Tom Rosiello will back after a month's sabbatical and we will be pulling out all the stops for inspiring services that will be rich with music, child dedications and an important message. Where we end up depends upon how high we set our sights. So often we can accomplish far more than we thought we could by keeping our sights set on the prize.  Our Adult Choir will sing Randall Thompson’s wonderful setting of  Robert Frost’s poem, “Choose Something Like A Star” at the 11 AM Service and some of our FPC jazz musicians will be playing at both services.

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