Support your favorites or as many as you can.
Making it easy to help others at Christmas
Stewardship Sunday — November 13, 2023
This year’s Stewardship theme is “Because of You, Our Church Changes Lives.” It speaks directly to the transformational power of God’s Love when it is put into practice by the people of God. As we welcome a new pastor, it feels like a new beginning. Perhaps this is an opportunity to dream some new dreams, have some new visions of how our church might change more lives if we are able to more fully embrace the power of God’s love.
“Stewardship” is often approached as a duty to care. Might it not also be tied to the joy we feel when we see that through our efforts and our giving we are able to lessen isolation, lighten people’s burdens, bring comfort, bring greater justice and equality, care for the planet?
By accepting each person as a child of God, by helping each to receive God’s love through our hospitality and meeting each other’s needs, OUR CHURCH CHANGES LIVES. Because of you, lives are transformed – and the life that will be most transformed will be your own.
God’s loving Kingdom is possible on Earth. We ask you to prayerfully make a pledge toward the church’s 2024 budget with a vision to the future. Kindly bring your pledge card to church on Stewardship Sunday, November 13, 2022 or drop it off at the Church Office.
Come to the Bazaar!
Come to the FCC Craft Fair – July 1st
Dozens of area crafters, delicious food, summer plants — all for sale at the FCC Bristol Annual Craft Fair. Stop by and cruise the crafters’ tents to find the perfect gift or decorating accent. Then relax in the shade with a cool drink and a scrumptious hamburger or hot dog. SEE YOU THERE!
Join Us on June 4 for Children’s Day and Picnic
COME TO THE COFFEE HOUSE ON APRIL 22
Bristol’s Stone Church Coffee House at the First Congregational Church welcomes the New-Hampshire based folk band, The Heather Pierson Trio, on Saturday, April 22nd.
Based in New Hampshire’s Mount Washington Valley, Heather Pierson is a pianist, singer/songwriter, and nationally touring performer whose inspiring live performances and growing catalog of releases delve into Americana, blues, New Orleans jazz, vocal chants, instrumental piano, and folk. Best known for her ease at the piano and her bell-tone vocals, Heather’s songs and musicianship embody joy, honesty, playfulness, and a desire to share from the heart.
Heather (lead vocals, piano, acoustic guitar, tenor banjo, ukulele, melodica) is an award winning singer/songwriter, classically trained jazz pianist, and performer. Heather’s wise-beyond-her-years songwriting, bell-tone voice, and world-class chops have catapulted her into the national spotlight.
The Heather Pierson Trio, with Shawn Nadeau on bass and harmony vocals and Craig Bryan on drums, percussion, and harmony vocals, performs a rich variety of Heather’s original songs and unique re-workings of familiar classics.
Together, these seemingly disparate voices draw on their respective experiences of the American musical voice – jazz, blues, folk – to create a unique and memorable experience.
Bristol’s Stone Coffee House is an affordable, family-oriented, handicap-accessible musical venue. Doors open at 6:45PM and the show starts at 7:30PM. Seating is limited and reservations are recommended. Light refreshments will be available.
Further Discussion on “BIG IDEAS for FCC”
Bring a dish to the Potluck Supper and add your 2 cents to the ongoing discussion of our Vision for FCC. All ideas are welcome. Come even if you didn’t attend the first “Ideas” Potluck. You can enter the discussion at any point!
Wear Your Play Clothes to Church on 4/23/2023
Plan to join the party as we all lend a hand in doing a Spring Cleanup of the church grounds and help out some friends after worship service on Sunday, April 23.
Star Island UCC Youth & Family Conferences July 30 th -August 6 th , 2023
UCC Bristol youth learned about an exciting summer opportunity during our March 12th Children’s Sermon. Star Island offers the best in seaside fun for children of all ages, attending on their own or with family. Star Island, off the New Hampshire coast, is home to a retreat center with a faithful community of summer attendees. All are invited to join in at the beautiful and emotionally accepting, beloved Star Island community for fun, relaxation, bonfires, lime rickeys, games, softball, swimming, and making life-long friends! Jen Johnson, who has attended for many years with her children, will gladly answer questions.
The Star Gathering YOUTH Conference is for youth entering 9th grade through newly graduated high school seniors. It focuses on relationship-building, renewal, and spiritual growth for up to twenty vacationing high school students. Its culture centers on faith-building and exploration, rather than traditional bible camp studies, and emphasizes having fun.
This year’s theme is Love – How do we show our love language to others? How do we receive love from others? How do we express our love if we disagree? Regarding relationships with ourselves, our peers, siblings, parents, to God, and to the world at large.
Fees for the Youth Conference are $774 for room and board plus $150 conference fee. For financial aid information, please email SG1registrar@stargathering.org. (Conferees typically bring extra money for the snack bar and gift shop.) Further details and online registration can be found here, https://starisland.org/program/sg1youth/.
The Star Island FAMILY Conference program will focus on celebrating and nurturing the vision of Beloved Community. Through art, music, conversation, reflection, and fun we will create a more inclusive and intentional community, to help spread more empathy and understanding in the world. During chapel, we will explore various stories in the gospels where Jesus encounters people in ways that were unexpected or where the script gets flipped. The Theme Speaker will be Rev. JaQuan Beacham from Yale Divinity School and the Minister of the Week will be Rev. Anna Flowers from United Church in Walpole, MA.
Relax and build community in program while the children have their own chapel and program in the morning, and then rejoin them for some intergenerational activities or island exploration in the afternoon. Don’t miss the Rutledge Marine Lab or the Talent Show! Fees for adults start at $1169 for room and board plus $150 conference fee. For financial aid information, please email SG1registrar@stargathering.org. (Conferees typically bring extra money for the snack bar and gift shop.) Further details and online registration can be found here, https://starisland.org/program/sg1/.
Lent & Easter Services at First Congregational Church
Welcome to the First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Bristol, located at 300 High Street. Wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!
March 5th Second Sunday in Lent
Worship 10:00am;
March 12th Third Sunday in Lent
Worship 10:00am;
March 19th Fourth Sunday on Lent
Worship 10:00am,
One Great Hour of Sharing Offering;
March 26th Fifth Sunday in Lent
Worship 10:00am;
April 2nd Palm Sunday Celebration
Worship 10:00am;
April 6th Maundy Thursday
Worship 7:00pm;
April 7th Good Friday
Labyrinth Walk,
Open noon-3pm and 5pm – 7pm;
April 9th EASTER
Sunrise Worship at Colt State Park 6:15am
and Intergenerational Easter Worship 10:00am.
Officiating all worship will be Rev. Deborah Tate Breault
We are an open and affirming congregation and believe that God is still speaking.