Christmas Eve at First Congregational Church of Reading

This year’s in-person and online Candlelight Service will begin at 5:30 PM in the Sanctuary. Masks must be worn in the church at all times, regardless of vaccination status.

Join us on Zoom or on Facebook Live online. If you’re feeling sick at all or have symptoms, we ask that you join us online for the health and safety of all.

If you don’t already receive our weekly emails, and you’d like to receive the Zoom link for the Christmas Eve service, please email office@churchofreading.org to request to be added.

If you’re planning on attending in-person, you’re invited to Join us as we celebrate Christmas Eve with caroling outdoors on the Woburn Street steps from 4:45 – 5:30 PM (come for the whole time, or just come early for a carol or two before you arrive to worship!) …

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Blue Christmas

Tuesday, December 21, at 7 PM

Each third Tuesday of the month we hold a special “Pressing Pause” service of quiet reflection and meditation. This month, the service will focus on the theme of “The Longest Night” or “Blue Christmas.” December 21st marks the longest night of the year, when the sun sets the earliest and rises the latest in the northern hemisphere. For those who aren’t able to be “jolly” in this season, it can be especially lonely and difficult. If you are grieving, depressed, anxious, lonely, heartbroken, or just fed up with the pandemic, you might find this meditative space helpful.

The Sanctuary will be open with contemplative live piano music and candlelight from 6:30 to 7 PM

From 7 to 7:30 PM there will be a brief service of meditation on the theme of Blue Christmas.

You’re invited to come in, light a candle, listen to the music, and press pause, whether that’s for 10 minutes, 30 minutes, or the whole hour. …

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