What to expect on Sunday morning?

What do I wear?

We are an informal group. We like the slogan, “Come as you are”. That means we don’t care how you dress. Some folks do like to get dressed up but many come in whatever is comfortable to them. No judgements here! And isn’t that the point. We join together as a body for many reasons, but to judge your fashion sense is not one of them.

Where do I park?

You can park anywhere along the front of the church or in our two parking lots behind the building. The larger of the two lots is accessed by a driveway on Prospect Street. Parking is shown in the image to the right, highlighted in yellow. Click on the image to see a larger image or for directions click here

Which door do I use?

Whether you enter the front church doors (nearest to the rotary, shown in this image), or the breezeway entrance (behind the church); we hope you will be greeted by our Sunday morning hosts or other members and will receive a program of the day’s worship service and upcoming events. If you enter from the breezeway, (behind the church), you can head down the stairs near the TV screen and meander your way through the long hallway, where you will eventually pop up at the other end near stairs that take you into the sanctuary. Its a crazy journey, but being 200 years old and subject to many renovations and additions will do that!

What time do I need to be there and what time does the service end?

Our worship service begins at 10:00 a.m. and lasts about an hour. This includes a practical Bible-based sermon, hymns to sing, prayers and responses to read together from the printed program, and time to share prayer concerns. This service includes an interactive children’s sermon from the Pastor.  After the children’s sermon, children can leave together to attend our Sunday school program (Sunday School is held from Sept-June) for kids (primary – junior high) or they can return to sit with the adults, if they prefer.

Sunday morning Schedule

10:00 am Worship
10:15 am Sunday School Ages Kindergarten – 8th grade (except during summer months)
11:00 am Coffee Fellowship

Where do I sit?

You can sit anywhere in the sanctuary. No reserved seats here! Our worship space is a characteristically plain ‘New England style’ and comfortable. The space seats about 200 people and there is a balcony, too.

If you have an infant or toddler and need a break from the sanctuary during the service, we provide a live stream of the service in our Nursery / toddler room (back downstairs, and across from the Sunday School room). Stop in our Sunday school room and one of the teachers will be happy to turn on the live stream in the toddler room so you can watch and listen to the service from there, while your little one plays.

What about Communion?

We celebrate the Lord’s Supper (Communion, Eucharist) the first Sunday of the month and all are welcome to participate. During our program year, we serve the bread and grape juice in the pews from trays. During the summer months and on special occasions, Communion is served by Intinction, where the congregation is invited to come forward to take bread and dip it into the cup of grape juice, and then immediately consume the elements of the Lord’s Supper.

After Church

If able, you can also join us after worship in the Fellowship Hall/Community room, for a time of coffee, refreshments, punch and cookies. Fellowship Hall is on the first floor, near the breezeway.There are a variety of brochures by both entrances that explain the programs and ministries that are most important to us at First Congregational Church. We also have newsletters, devotional magazines, and children’s material, too. Please help yourself. We welcome anyone who would like to join in any of our missions and groups.