What’s Coming Up in January Worship

Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day

10 AM at Old South Church UMC

Jan. 8 – Epiphany Sunday

10 AM Brunch Church downstairs

Food Pantry Collection Sunday

Jan. 15 – MLK Jr Weekend

10 AM in the Sanctuary

Sunday School Activity Sunday; Card Ministry & Zoom Fellowship after church

Jan. 22 – Stewardship Season

10 AM in the Sanctuary

Recognition & celebration of birthdays & anniversaries during worship

Jan. 29 – Stewardship Season

10 AM in the Sanctuary…

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Christmas at First Congregational Church

You’re invited to join us in celebrating the Christmas Season! Here’s what’s going on:

  • December 18, 2022 – Pageant & Orchestra Sunday celebrating the 4th Sunday of Advent at 10 AM in the sanctuary and online on Zoom & Facebook
  • December 20, 2022 Winter Solstice Pressing Pause Meditation – In the busiest weeks of the year, come and “press pause” for 5 minutes or a whole hour. Each 3rd Tuesday of the month we open the sanctuary with quiet music, candlelight, and space to just sit and be in quiet from 6:30-7 PM. Following that time, a guided meditation is offered with a different theme each month from 7-7:30 PM
  • December 24, 2022 – Christmas Eve services (see below) in the sanctuary and online on Zoom & Facebook
  • December 25, 2022 – 10 AM Christmas Day service with carol sing, choir, children’s story, poetry. All are welcome to wear a tacky Christmas sweater or Christmas pajamas to church! Members of Old South UMC are invited to join us for worship this Sunday in the sanctuary and online on Zoom & Facebook
  • January 1, 2022 – We’re invited to celebrate a New Year’s Day service at Old South UMC (6 Salem St., Reading, MA) at 10 AM. No services at FCCR.
  • January 8, 2022 Epiphany Sunday Brunch Church – Brunch Church returns after its long pandemic hiatus! We celebrate worship together over brunch downstairs, joining together at a table instead of a pew. Bring a potluck brunch item or come and enjoy. We’ll celebrate the arrival of the Wise Ones who followed the star.

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News for Church Families

We know that it’s tough for families to make plans, and busy schedules often mean coming to church is difficult. To make it easier, you can always guarantee the following:

  • No matter what, every Sunday there is a children’s message on the steps! The activity corner is stocked with toys, books, puzzles, and craft supplies. Most weeks, there will be an activity for you as well.
  • Every third Sunday of the month, Melissa has a special activity planned. If you’re planning on coming to church any week of the month, the third Sunday is the one to plan for. We’re sharing two upcoming activities below — check them out!

Coming in December

Sunday, December 4:  After church there is a Thanksgiving Dinner — yes, it’s after Thanksgiving and it will be in the middle of the day but that doesn’t stop us from giving thanks for our community! Come for a meal, fellowship, and get caught up with church friends.

Sunday, December 18: Is our annual “Pick-Up Pageant”. The idea of this is no matter what age you are there is a role (and a costume!) for you! This year there’s an original script called “Entertaining Angels” with a few speaking roles (great for middle and high school youth) which you may want to read in advance. If you’re interested in a speaking role, contact Rev. Emelia. Otherwise, come to church this Sunday to grab a costume and be in the show! 

Saturday, December 24: We’re bringing back caroling on the steps at 4:30 PM before the Christmas Eve service at 5 PM.

Christmas Day is a Sunday this year, so we’ll have pajamas, cocoa, and carols at 10 AM if you want to come to church after opening presents!

Coming in January

Sunday, January 8: We are bringing back Brunch Church! That’s right, pancakes during church! Its also Epiphany Sunday when you get a Star Word for the year.

Saturday, January 14: Mark your calendar for the Reading Cares MLK Jr. Day of Service Saturday where we’ll have community service projects for every skill and every age available. This year it will be hybrid, so even if you can’t come in-person, there will be projects you can do at home over a period of a few weeks. 

Sunday, January 15: Will be a third-Sunday with a special Sunday School activity.…

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Advent Collections

Can you believe that we are already in Advent? In fact, December 4th is the second and final Sunday to donate gifts and other items to the City Mission Society’s Christmas Shops.

Our collection schedule is as follows: 

We will have our usual collection boxes inside the church. The main box will sit outside the doorway to the Music Room. The box for coats will be outside the Chapel. All CMS Christmas Shop items should be in the collection box by December 4, which allows time for sorting and distribution to organizations partnering with CMS.

The Mission Ministry thanks you in advance for your generosity!

City Mission Society Wish List (All Items must be NEW)

This year, in addition to clothing and toys, there is an increased need for household items. The following list includes high-need items marked with an asterisk *.

Toys/Games/Books:

  • Infant and Toddler Toys
    • Dolls of diverse ethnicities* 
  • Children’s Toys
  • Teen Games and Activities* 
  • Children’s Books
    • Books featuring people of color*
  • Teen Books
  • Sports Equipment
  • Art Supplies
  • Gifts for Adults*
  • Backpacks, Purses, Wallets

Clothing:

  • Children’s Clothing – All Sizes
  • Teen Clothing – All Sizes*
  • Adult Clothing – All Sizes, including Professional/Work Attire*
  • Hats
  • Mittens/Gloves
  • Scarves
  • Underwear for all Ages/Sizes*

Household Supplies: (Must Be NEW)

  • Bedding
  • Towels
  • Cleaning Supplies
  • Tableware
  • Dishes
  • Pots & Pans
  • Blender
  • Mixing bowls
  • Household Gifts
  • Toiletries
  • Blankets

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Drive-By Drop-Off Pantry Collection!

You probably don’t have to be told that filling a grocery cart is more
demanding on your wallet these days. Many of us groan, but have the
wherewithal to still make our purchases. It is not so for everyone.

On SATURDAY, NOV. 19 TH FROM 10 A.M. UNTIL NOON, cheery
people stationed on Sanborn Street will welcome your donations to this
collection. We will be sharing items with both the Reading Food Pantry and a food pantry in Lawrence. Our local pantry is currently serving 125 households. The Lawrence pantry provides food to over 1000 families a week. The need is great.

  • Instant coffee (regular and decaf)
  • Swiss Miss hot chocolate
  • Tea
  • Canned fruit
  • Goya products
  • 2 pound bags of flour
  • 2 pound boxes of granulated sugar
  • Granola or protein bars
  • Cookies (especially chocolate chip)
  • Crackers
  • Popcorn
  • Mayonnaise
  • Tissues
  • Paper Towels
  • Toilet Paper

Members at the church will be bringing their own donations to church on Sunday, November 20th,Thanksgiving Sunday. Thank you for your help!…

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It’s THIS SUNDAY!

On Sunday at 3PM Rev. Emelia will be officially installed as our settled pastor, and it will be a day of great joy for all. In keeping with the “paraments” we’ll use (church-ese for hangings) that are red, we’re encouraging everyone to try to wear something RED. However, if red is not your color, we hope you’ll be there nonetheless. We’re hoping for a grand turnout!…

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Pantry Collections – November 19th and 20th

Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are food-centric times. Our tables are full, but it is not so for everyone. On Saturday, November 19th, from 10 am to noon, we’ll be sponsoring a community pantry collection on Sanborn Street, and the next day, Sunday, the 20th we’ll be collecting pantry items at our worship service.

Items from each of these collections will be shared between the Reading Food Pantry and Neighbors in Need in Lawrence. Below is a list of items that would be helpful.

  • Instant coffee (regular and decaf)
  • Swiss Miss hot chocolate
  • Tea
  • Canned fruit
  • Goya products
  • 2 pound bags of flour
  • 2 pound boxes of granulated sugar
  • Granola or protein bars
  • Cookies (especially chocolate chip)
  • Crackers
  • Popcorn
  • Mayonnaise
  • Tissues
  • Paper Towels
  • Toilet Paper

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