First Congregational Church in Bristol
An Open and Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ
On Sunday, December 17, the children of the Church School Choir and the members of the Adult Choir joined their talents to give us a rousing choral presentation of Clement Clarke Moore’s “A Visit from Saint Nicholas,” better known as “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
Following this special worship service, the congregation joined in a Fellowship Potluck luncheon. Members brought delicious dishes and the Fellowship Committee and Deacons cooked up a feast which was enjoyed by everyone.
Come and join us for an evening of entertainment and inspiration. The movie is set in the 1970s and tells the story of a charismatic street preacher who challenges a pastor of a dying traditional church and his congregation to their very core. What unfolds is a counterculture movement that becomes the greatest spiritual awakening in American history.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to watch this inspiring movie with your friends and family. We hope to see you there!
To the strains of the joyful Community String Project musicians, FCC Bristol parishioners and many members of the greater Bristol community gathered after church on Sunday, December 10 to share their love and help others through the annual Alternative Christmas event. By making donations to 8 area nonprofits either as Christmas gifts or in honor of a loved one, scores of attendees took this opportunity to support their favorite charitable causes while sending a message of love to dear ones.
Once again the year rolls around to the joyful anticipation of Christ’s birth. The crew gathers on the first Saturday of Advent, pulling out the boxes of ornaments, garlands, bows and candles. Setting up the Christmas tree, placing evergreens and candles in each window, hanging the garlands and bows from the Choir loft and the balconies, fixing the wreaths on the doors and the memorial tablets. But, best of all, setting up the welcoming Nativity scene in the Narthex. The little lamb is the most eager and comes right up to the manger.
The sanctuary windows on the south facade of the church have all been restored and installed. Check them out. They look like new!
The wood framing, which was so dry and had virtually no paint, was reinvigorated through New Outlooks’ amazing preservation process. The glass, which took quite a while to access, now fits perfectly. Each pane was custom cut to ensure the most airtight fit. We are so pleased with the “new” old windows.
We are grateful for all of the support that has been given by church members, by the Champlin Foundation, the Felicia Fund, and the Fidelity Charitable-Flanagan Fund. This support has funded the major portion of the window preservation effort. After the New Year, the Capital Campaign Committee will be planning out and starting the funding effort to complete the preservation of the sanctuary’s North and West facade windows.
Bring a dish for the Potluck luncheon after worship. Enter into the Joy of Christmas as our children bring us a message of Hope for the days ahead during their worship presentation.
More Christmas cookie choices than ever. Come early, before they run out.
Support your favorites or as many as you can.
So many people! So many crafts! So much food! So much fun! FCC Bristol’s 94th Harvest Moon Bazaar was busy all day on November 18 with people dropping in to search out holiday food and gifts.
The biggest Silent Auction ever. Vendors galore with a great diversity of products. Hats, mittens, scarves and shawls hand-knitted by the church’s Prayer Shawl Ministry. Attic Treasures donated by church members. A Bake Sale offering pies, cakes, cookies and other yummy goodies. Plants and holiday arrangements. Tea and Tarts for those with small appetites. Lobster rolls, chili, sandwiches and desserts for those with larger appetites. And last but not least, Santa and our new minister, the Rev. Dr. Nancy Hamlin Soukup were there with our trusty photographer Ron and his sidekick Bob.
See you all again at the Cookie Walk in December!