# First Congregational Church

> The Church On The Rotary


## Posts

- [11/1/23](https://churchontherotary.org/11-1-23/): THE EXTRAORDINARY ORDINARINESS OF BEING A SAINT If you are reading this today, you know that Halloween has come and gone. The jack-o-lantern that I brought to worship last Sunday is still smiling on our front step where it greeted trick-or-treaters last night. The bowl by our front door is still half-full of tempting mini […]
- [10/25/23](https://churchontherotary.org/10-25-23/): “THE UNFINISHED CHURCH” If you’ve ever been to Bermuda, you probably spent most of your time on its beaches. Maybe you went for the golf since it has more courses per square mile than anywhere else in the world. But you may not have visited The Unfinished Church. It’s located within the UNESCO World Heritage […]
- [10/18/23](https://churchontherotary.org/10-18-23/): BRIGHT SHOOTS OF EVERLASTINGNESS Back in August, I decided that one corner of my lawn could benefit from an autumn overseeding. I scuffed up the soil and pulled out debris that might interfere with germination. I raked the seed lightly into the soil and spread some fertilizer over it. Then I started watering it daily. […]
- [10/11/23](https://churchontherotary.org/10-11-23/): SPIRALS OF VIOLENCE AND RETRIBUTION Like many of you, I have been horrified by the escalating war between Hamas and Israel. There are moments when the degree to which our world is awash in violence leaves me overwhelmed with despair and fear: Hamas and Israel; Ukraine and Russia; civil wars and coups across a wide […]
- [10/4/23](https://churchontherotary.org/10-4-23/): ON A WING AND A PRAYER I recently finished reading Robert L. Harris’ memoir, Returning Light. Harris was the warden on Skellig Michael for over 30 years. Skellig Michael is a craggy rock that rises steeply 715 feet out of the Atlantic Ocean seven miles off the southwest coast of Ireland. Skellig Michael was inhabited […]
- [Social Media](https://churchontherotary.org/social-media/): You can find our official Facebook page by opening facebook and then search for “churchontherotary” or by clicking the following Link: https://www.facebook.com/churchontherotary/ This site is kept up to date with live-streamed services, church events, news, and other related information.  You can also follow our YouTube channel “@churchontherotary” by clicking on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/@churchontherotary   […]
- [Weekly Wednesday Message](https://churchontherotary.org/spotlight/): Newsletter of the Week October 21, 2020 Dear Friends:  This fall I’ve been very grateful to the beautiful orange maple tree I can see from the windows of the master bedroom.  It lights up at sunrise, stays brilliant even on the cloudy days, and is backlit by the setting sun.  I’m so glad it’s hung […]
- [Worship](https://churchontherotary.org/spotlight2/): Join us in the sanctuary or watch us live Sundays at 10am by clicking on our public Facebook page livestream link here: http://www.facebook.com/churchontherotary/
- [CE Easter Workshop](https://churchontherotary.org/spotlight3/):  We are marching right into March!  I cannot believe how fast this year is moving along.  I have a couple of things to remind people about so here we go!  I will be sending out some reminders to the youth and children of our church about the following events that are coming up and also […]
- [July 1, 2026 newsletter](https://churchontherotary.org/july-1-2026-newsletter/): 7.1.2026-WEB-News.pdf        
- [Newsletter for June 17](https://churchontherotary.org/newsletter-for-june-17/): 6.17.2026-WEB-News.pdf        
- [Newsletter for June 10](https://churchontherotary.org/newsletter-for-june-10/): 6.10.2026-WEB-News.pdf        
- [June 3, 2026 Newsletter](https://churchontherotary.org/june-3-2026-newsletter/): 6.3.2026-WEB-News.pdf        
- [May 27, 2026 Newsletter](https://churchontherotary.org/may-27-2026-newsletter/): 5.27.2026-WEB-News.pdf        
- [5-Minute Church Explainer: May 24, 2026](https://churchontherotary.org/5-minute-church-explainer-may-24-2026/)
- [Newsletter for May 13, 2026](https://churchontherotary.org/newsletter-for-may-13-2026/): 5.13.2026-WEB-News.pdf        
- [May 6, 2026 Newsletter](https://churchontherotary.org/may-6-2026-newsletter/): 5.6.2026-WEB-News.pdf        
- [April 29, 2026 newsletter](https://churchontherotary.org/april-29-2026-newsletter/): 4.29.2026-WEB-News.pdf        
- [April 26, 2026 Sermon Explainer](https://churchontherotary.org/gates-shepherds-april-26-2026-sermon-explainer/): Click on the image below to open our short 2-minute summary of Pastor Thomas Hawkins sermon of April 26, “Gates and Shepherds”
- [April 22, 2026 Newsletter](https://churchontherotary.org/april-22-2026-newsletter/): 4.22.2026-WEB-News.pdf        
- [April 15,2026 Newsletter](https://churchontherotary.org/april-152026-newsletter/): 4.15.2026-WEB-News.pdf        
- [April 8 2026 Newsletter](https://churchontherotary.org/april-8-2026-newsletter/): 4.8.2026-WEB-News.pdf        
- [April 1, 2026 Newsletter](https://churchontherotary.org/april-1-2026-newsletter/): 4.1.2026-WEB-News.pdf        
- [March 25, 2026 Newsletter](https://churchontherotary.org/march-25-2026-newsletter/): 3.25.2026-WEB-News.pdf        
- [March 18, 2026 Newsletter](https://churchontherotary.org/march-18-2026-newsletter/): 3.18.2026-WEB-News.pdf        
- [March 11 Newsletter](https://churchontherotary.org/march-11-newsletter/): 3.11.2026-WEB-News.pdf        
- [March 4, 2026 Newsletter](https://churchontherotary.org/march-4-2026-newsletter/): 3.4.2026-WEB-News.pdf        
- [newsletter for February 25 2026](https://churchontherotary.org/newsletter-for-february-25-2026/): 2.25.2026-WEB-News.pdf        
- [Newsletter for February 18, 2026](https://churchontherotary.org/newsletter-for-february-18-2026/): 2.18.2026-WEB-News.pdf        
- [Newsletter for February 11, 2026 attached](https://churchontherotary.org/newsletter-for-february-11-2026-attached/): 2.11.2026-WEB-News.pdf        
- [Newsletter February 4, 2026](https://churchontherotary.org/newsletter-february-4-2026/): 2.4.2026-WEB-News.pdf        
- [January 21, 2026 Newsletter](https://churchontherotary.org/january-21-2026-newsletter/): 1.21.2026-WEB-News.pdf        
- [Adult Winter Book study](https://churchontherotary.org/adult-winter-book-study/): Sign up for either the in-person or the on-line sessions HERE “FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS” – Winter Adult Study We are living through a time unlike any that recent generations have experienced: explosions of anger and resistance in places like Iran where 1,000s of protesters have been murdered by their government; barbaric violence […]
- [newsletter January 14, 2026](https://churchontherotary.org/newsletter-january-14-2026/): 1.14.2026-WEB-News.pdf        
- [Newsletter for January 7, 2026](https://churchontherotary.org/newsletter-for-january-7-2026/): 1.7.2026-WEB-News.pdf        
- [Newsletter for December 31, 2025](https://churchontherotary.org/newsletter-for-december-31-2025/): 12.31.2025-WEB-News.pdf        
- [Newsletter December 17, 2025](https://churchontherotary.org/newsletter-december-17-2025/): 12.17.2025-WEB-News.pdf        
- [Newsletter December 10, 2025](https://churchontherotary.org/newsletter-december-10-2025/): 12.10.2025-WEB-News.pdf        
- [newsletter for December 3](https://churchontherotary.org/newsletter-for-12-3/): 12.3.2025-WEB-News.pdf        
- [Nov. 30: 5-minute Church summary: Advent Hope](https://churchontherotary.org/nov-30-5-minute-church-summary-advent-hope/)
- [11.26.2025 Newsletter](https://churchontherotary.org/11-26-2025-newsletter/): 11.26.2025-WEB-News.pdf    
- [Nov. 23: 5-minute Church summary: Pressed but not Crushed](https://churchontherotary.org/nov-23-5-minute-church-summary-pressed-but-not-crushed/): Watch the 5 minute summary below: The Surprising Truth About Thankfulness: It’s Not About Being Happy In the White Mountains of New Hampshire, a tourist attraction called Polar Caves guides visitors through granite passageways formed at the end of the last ice age. Some of these crevices have names that perfectly capture the feeling of […]
- [November 19, 2025 Newsletter](https://churchontherotary.org/november-19-2025-newsletter/): 11.19.2025-WEB-News.pdf        
- [5-Minute Church - November 16, 2025: The Country of One](https://churchontherotary.org/november-16-2025-sermon-summary-the-country-of-one/): Are You Living in a Country of One? The Surprising Truth About Modern Loneliness Click on the Video below to play it Are You Living in a Country of One? The Surprising Truth About Modern Loneliness Have you ever felt profoundly disconnected, even when you were surrounded by people? It’s a quiet, gnawing feeling of […]
- [November 12 newsletter](https://churchontherotary.org/november-12-newsletter/): 11.12.2025-WEB-News.pdf        
- [Nov 5 2025 Newsletter](https://churchontherotary.org/11-5-20205-newsletter/): 11.5.2025-WEB-News.pdf        
- [Newsletter for October 29](https://churchontherotary.org/newsletter-for-october-29/): 10.29.2025-WEB-News.pdf        
- [newsletter October 22](https://churchontherotary.org/newsletter-october-22/): 10.22.2025-WEB-News.pdf        
- [10/19/25 - The Persistent widow-sermon review](https://churchontherotary.org/10-19-25-the-persistent-widow-sermon-review/): https://churchontherotary.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/The_Persistent_Widow.mp4
- [An Attitude of Gratitude: Taken from the sermon 10/12/25](https://churchontherotary.org/134385-2/): https://churchontherotary.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/The_Gratitude_Effect.mp4
- [October  15 newsletter](https://churchontherotary.org/october-15-newsletter/): 10.15.2025-WEB-News.pdf        
- [E-News 10-8-2025](https://churchontherotary.org/newsletter/): 10.8.2025-WEB-News.pdf        
- [E -news October 1, 2025](https://churchontherotary.org/e-news-october-1-2025/): 10.1.2025-WEB-News.pdf        
- [September 24, 2025 Newsletter](https://churchontherotary.org/september-24-2025-newsletter/): 9.24.2025-WEB-News.pdf        
- [September 10 Weekly NEWS](https://churchontherotary.org/september-10-weekly-news/): 9.10.2025-WEB-News.pdf        
- [News for September 3, 2025](https://churchontherotary.org/news-for-september-3-2025/): 9.3.2025-WEB-News.pdf  
- [August 20, 2025 Newsletter](https://churchontherotary.org/august-20-2025-newsletter/): 8.20.2025-WEB-News.pdf  
- [Newsletter for July 23, 2025](https://churchontherotary.org/newsletter-for-july-23-2025/): 6.23.2025-WEB-News.pdf  
- [Weekly Newsletter July 9, 2025](https://churchontherotary.org/weekly-newsletter-july-9-2025/): The latest News at First Cong. Church WEEKLY NEWS July 9, 2025 First Congregational Church Newsletter East Longmeadow, MA FROM THE DEACONS – Pulpit Supply This Sunday July 13, Rev. Craig Cowing will lead us in worship service.  We are delighted to welcome Pastor Elva Merry as our bridge minister.  She began with us on July […]
- [Can you help plan our annual food pantry event?](https://churchontherotary.org/can-you-help-plan-our-annual-food-pantry-event/): Please email deancjohnson@gmail.com if you can help! Thank you, Dean          
- [Sunday Worship Service for June 15, 2025](https://churchontherotary.org/sunday-worship-service-for-june-15-2025/): 10 am Worship Welcome to the worship of the First Congregational Church of East Longmeadow United Church of Christ   We are gathering in the sanctuary for worship on Trinity Sunday. Returning to lead us in worship is guest minister, Rev. Rob Donaldson. We welcome you to decide if you want to wear a mask inside […]
- [June 11 newsletter](https://churchontherotary.org/june-11-newsletter-test/):   6.11.2025-WEB-News.pdf
- [Sunday Worship Service for June 8, 2025](https://churchontherotary.org/sunday-worship-service-for-june-8-2025/): 10 am Worship & Children's Sunday Welcome to the worship of the First Congregational Church of East Longmeadow United Church of Christ   We are gathering in the sanctuary for worship on Pentecost Sunday. Returning to lead worship is guest minister, Rev. Elva Merry. We welcome you to decide if you want to wear a mask […]
- [Weekly Newsletter 6/4/25](https://churchontherotary.org/weekly-newsletter-from-mailchimp-6-4-25/): WEEKLY NEWS June 4, 2025 First Congregational Church Newsletter East Longmeadow, MA FROM THE CHURCH OFFICE Note this Sunday June 8, Rev. Elva Merry returns to lead us in worship service. SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS June 8th will mark the end of our Sunday School year for 2024-2025. Although it will be the last class of […]
- [Feb 5, 2025](https://churchontherotary.org/feb-5-2025/): LOOKING AHEAD in February We will hold the annual First Congregational Church Financial Meeting on February 23, immediately following Sunday’s service. Please plan to join us as we talk about the financial status from 2024, trends and highlights and present the 2025 budget for a vote by the congregation. SUNDAY WORSHIP in the sanctuary or livestream link: […]
- [2/19/25](https://churchontherotary.org/2-19-25/): Inviting YOU to a Book Discussion during Lent! Yesterday, I officiated at a Memorial Service for a woman I had never met. Following the service, there was a reception for the friends of the woman, who had no biological family present to celebrate her life, or to mourn her passing. The woman had been supported, […]
- [1/15/25](https://churchontherotary.org/1-15-25/): Reflection “Let the children come to me; do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.” (Mark 10:14) Jesus was teaching in the land of Judea, beyond the Jordan River. Large crowds had followed him there from Galilee. Some Pharisees had approached Jesus, trying to trick him […]
- [1/2/25](https://churchontherotary.org/1-2-25/): Weekly Reflection “We three kings of Orient are; Bearing gifts we traverse afar, Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star…O star of wonder, star of light, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light…” So goes the first verse and chorus of the familiar carol, “We […]
- [11/27/24](https://churchontherotary.org/11-27-24/): Weekly Reflection “Bless the LORD, O my soul,and all that is within me,bless his holy name.Bless the LORD, O my soul,and do not forget all his benefits—“(Psalm 103:1-2) Psalm 103 is a Psalm of thanksgiving for God’s goodness. “Bless” is one of the characteristic terms for expressing gratitude to God. We bless God whenever we […]
- [11/14/24](https://churchontherotary.org/11-14-24/): Weekly Reflection Dear Friends,“You Can’t Out-Give God!” That’s what a friend of mine’s Father always told him, from the time he was a little boy, and trying to decide how much of his allowance he should put in the offering plate at church – to the day he breathed his last breath on this earth […]
- [11/10/24](https://churchontherotary.org/11-10-24/): Weekly Reflection Dear Friends, On the day after every Presidential election, Pastors find themselves in a challenging position. Such is the nature of our nation’s current political system, that in the days and weeks immediately following the tallying of votes, about half of our populace feels a mixture of relief, hope, and perhaps even joy […]
- [10/24/24](https://churchontherotary.org/10-24-24/): Weekly Reflection Dear Friends, I always find it interesting when something I’ve been thinking about related to the lectionary scripture readings for the week, dovetails with a conversation I have with someone in the church. I sense the movement of God’s Spirit in those special times. This morning provided such a time. I had been […]
- [9/18/24](https://churchontherotary.org/9-18-24/): Our last Sunday with you will be October 6 A year ago last August, I received a phone call from East Longmeadow asking if I’d be interested in serving as a three-month Bridge Pastor beginning in October, 2023. The Deacons wanted some continuity between early October when their pastor was retiring and Christmas/Epiphany season. I […]
- [9/11/24](https://churchontherotary.org/9-11-24/): MIGRATING TO WHERE DEEP SPEAKS TO DEEP I saw a huge flock of birds swooping and soaring over a field this week. They were undoubtedly gathering to make their annual migration somewhere south for the winter. Preparing for their long flight, they were gobbling up all the grain left behind after the farmer had finished […]
- [9/4/24](https://churchontherotary.org/9-4-24/): IN SYNC WITH A DEEPER RHYTHM As I was finishing dinner last night, I realized the sun had already set by the time I put down my fork and knife. A few weeks ago, the sun was still shining long after we finished dinner. Not so much now. Yesterday, the sun set at 7:22 p.m. […]
- [8/21/24](https://churchontherotary.org/8-21-24/): PLAYING WITH FALSEHOOD AND FORFEITING THE RIGHT TO TRUTH Dag Hammarskjold was a Swedish economist and diplomat who served as the second Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1953 until his death in a 1961 plane crash while trying to resolve the Congo Crisis. Hammarskjold is remembered for his efforts to ease tensions between Israelis […]
- [8/7/24](https://churchontherotary.org/8-7-24/): BREAD AND THE BREAD OF LIFE “Bread,” the Croatian essayist Predrag Matvejević writes, is “the condition of peace and the cause of war, the promise of hope and the reason for despair.” Bread, he observes, is older than writing itself. No one knows when some Neolithic household first gathered wild grains, crushed them, and accidentally […]
- [7/24/24](https://churchontherotary.org/7-24-24/): A TASTE SWEETER THAN HONEYCOMB We have a large patch of English thyme just beyond the porch where Jan and I have our morning coffee. It forms the border of a path that curves between two of our flower beds. For the past few weeks, bees have been swarming over this patch of thyme as […]
- [7/10/24](https://churchontherotary.org/7-10-24/): GOD AND GARDENS Francis Bacon was not only Lord Chancellor of England under King James I, but in 1625 wrote the essay Of Gardens. He begins, “God Almighty first planted a garden,” and then he writes, “indeed, it is the purest of human pleasures; it is the greatest refreshment to the spirits of man; without […]
- [6/26/24](https://churchontherotary.org/6-26-24/): THERE AND BACK AGAIN It was good to be home last Thursday and to be with everyone at Saturday’s Food Truck fundraiser as well as in Sunday’s worship. I had a wonderful time walking a large section of the North Wales Pilgrimage Path along the Llyn Peninsula in Wales from Bangor to Aberdaron – a […]
- [6/5/24](https://churchontherotary.org/6-5-24/): LIVING WITH THE RHYTHM OF LIGHT AND DARK Earlier this week, our neighbors needed a ride to Bradley to catch a flight to visit their new grandbaby in California and his proud parents. Since they were planning an extended stay, they didn’t want to leave their car in a parking lot for such a long […]
- [5/29/24](https://churchontherotary.org/5-29-24/): CATCHING THE WIND OF THE SPIRIT “Rounds of fierce storms swept over Texas and the southern Plains on Tuesday,” the news report began, “uprooting trees, overturning semi-trucks, damaging buildings and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses.” Over the past few weeks, headlines have announced similar stories. One Tuesday morning media […]
- [5/22/24](https://churchontherotary.org/5-22-24/): ADD SOME SALT TO SWEETEN LIFE I was doing some baking this week and wondered why all the sweet, sugary concoctions that I was making included salt as one of the ingredients. I remembered, too, how my grandmother usually added a little salt to the coffee grounds before she brewed a pot. The salt, she […]
- [5/15/24](https://churchontherotary.org/5-15-24/): PENTECOST AND FIRE AWARENESS One of humankind’s first and greatest achievements was mastering fire, learning to control and harness potentially destructive power for human good. Almost all the technological innovations upon which our lives depend rely on the mastery of fire. When we turn on our ovens, we are relying on human technology for controlling […]
- [5/8/24](https://churchontherotary.org/5-8-24/): UP, UP, AND AWAY On Sunday, 12 May, we observe the feast of the Ascension that celebrates the end of Jesus’ resurrection appearances and his ascending to heaven. Ascension itself is this Thursday and not on a Sunday. It always falls 40 days after Easter, which typically means Ascension Day itself is on a Thursday. […]
- [5/1/24](https://churchontherotary.org/5-1-24/): SOMETHING THERE IS THAT DOESN’T LOVE A WALL I’ve used the mild days this week to pick up winter’s debris around our yard and to mend some of the damage caused by snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. Doing so brought to mind one of Robert Frost’s best-known poems. In “Mending Wall,” he describes how he […]
- [4/24/24](https://churchontherotary.org/4-24-24/): LOVE AND THE HARROWING OF HELL If you notice our worship bulletin’s headings thus far in April, they all describe the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Sunday of Easter. Easter is not just one particular Sunday. It is a whole season of the church year that begins on Easter Day and concludes 50 days later with […]
- [4/10/24](https://churchontherotary.org/4-10-24/): DOES EAST LONGMEADOW NEED A HOG REEVE? This week I couldn’t resist reading a story in the Boston Globe that had the headline – “Pork and politics: Towns offer sweet twist on swine tradition.” How could you not want to read a story with a headline like that! Apparently at least two towns in New […]
- [4/3/24](https://churchontherotary.org/4-3-24/): THE IMPORTANCE OF ATTEMPTING SMALL THINGS FOR GOD On January 5, Alaska Airline’s flight 1282 was forced to make an emergency landing after a panel blew off the plane, endangering the lives of everyone on board. Preliminary reports attribute the near disaster to a failure to install a few panel bolts. How many bolts must […]
- [3/27/24](https://churchontherotary.org/3-27-24/): EASTER AND THE LILY CRUCIFIX They are everywhere. In the supermarket. In big box stores. In churches and the most modest flower shop. I can usually smell them before I see them. What am I talking about? Easter lilies. We’ll see and smell them in our sanctuary on Easter morning. But why have these glorious, […]
- [3/20/24](https://churchontherotary.org/3-20-24/): THE ROCK-SOLID TRUTH OF HOLY WEEK Since their discovery by a mining prospector in the early 1900s, visitors to Racetrack Playa in Death Valley, California, have been fascinated by what are dubbed its sailing stones. The rocks at Racetrack Playa seem to move on their own during the nighttime hours, leaving a track or trail […]
- [3/13/24](https://churchontherotary.org/3-13-24/): GOLDFINCH FEATHERS AND EASTER JOY I read in the news that a bird watcher named Peter Kaestner has recently achieved the nearly impossible task of having identified 10,000 of the International Ornithologist Congress’ 10,770 worldwide bird species. His 10,000th bird sighting was an Orange-Tufted Spiderhunter that he saw near the seaport town of Bislig, Philippines. […]
- [3/6/24](https://churchontherotary.org/3-6-82/): SNAKES ON A POLE Southeast of the ancient Greek city of Corinth is a large archeological site at Epidaurus: The great Temple of Asclepius, the god of healing. As early as the 4th century BCE, Greeks travelled to this temple to find a cure for sick bodies and souls. The sprawling temple complex was a […]
- [2/28/24](https://churchontherotary.org/2-28-24/): LEEKS, DAFFODILS, AND THE CROSS This Friday, March 1, has particular significance if you are Welsh – March 1 is St. David’s Day; and St. David, who died sometime between 569 and 600 CE, is to Wales as St. Patrick is to Ireland. There will be parades in honor of Wale’s patron saint in cities […]
- [2/21/24](https://churchontherotary.org/2-21-24/): ‘What Shall I DO For Lent’ Or ‘Who Shall I BE For Lent? Easter comes very early this year. It is the last Sunday of March. We’ll be waving palm branches by mid- March. An early Easter means an equally early Lent. Ash Wednesday falling on Valentine’s Day may therefore have caught some of us […]
- [2/14/24](https://churchontherotary.org/2-14-24/): Love as a Way of Being – Thoughts on Valentine’s Day Back in 1847, Boston pharmacist Oliver Chase invented a machine that made apothecary lozenges. He sold these lozenges for sore throat relief. But the same machine could just as easily stamp out small pieces of candy. Candy made with Chase’s machine turned out to […]
- [2/7/24](https://churchontherotary.org/2-7-24/): SEEING THE LIGHT WITH UNVEILED FACES Lenticular printing. It’s also called a “flicker picture” or a “wiggle picture.” I saw it recently on a cookie box in the grocery store. The back of the box was imprinted with an image of a cookie that changed shape and color when you looked at the box from […]
- [1/31/24](https://churchontherotary.org/1-31-24/): OF GROUNDHOGS AND SAINTS This Friday an annual ritual will unfold in northwest Pennsylvania. Crowds will assemble in the Punxsutawney to consult a large rodent who will determine if we will have six more weeks of winter or can anticipate an early spring. A member of the marmot family, “Punxsutawney Phil” is what most of […]
- [1/24/24](https://churchontherotary.org/1-24-24/): WHAT’S IN A NAME In mid-November, Jan and I filled our birdfeeders and carefully positioned them outside the double-window near our kitchen table. We enjoy watching chickadees, juncos, woodpeckers and other birds pecking at seed encrusted suet and eating from our tube feeders. With the past few weeks’ extreme cold and snow, the birds have […]
- [1/17/24](https://churchontherotary.org/1-17-24/): WINTER REMINDS US OF THE RISKS OF SLIPPING AND TRIPPING Our weather forecasters have added to their recent forecasts words like “polar vortex” and “snowquake” alongside their usual references to falling snow, sleet, or mixed precipitation. The same forecasters could just as easily include predictions of “falling bodies.” According to one source, over 42,500 people […]
- [1/10/24](https://churchontherotary.org/1-10-24/): OUR DAYS ARE SHEETS OF PARCHMENT Last Friday evening, the local news media were working themselves and us into a panic over the approaching snowstorm. As it turned out, the panic was justified. It was a big storm after all! So instead of a busy Sunday, I found myself settling into a morning with nothing […]
- [1/3/24](https://churchontherotary.org/1-3-24/): STEERING BY STARLIGHT This Sunday we celebrate Epiphany, which concludes the twelve days of the Christmas season with the Magi’s visit to Bethlehem. At the center of their story is a star – the star that guides them to the Christ Child. It’s not surprising that the Magi travel by the guidance of a star. […]
- [12/20/23](https://churchontherotary.org/12-20-23/): BETHLEHEM AND THE THINGS THAT MAKE FOR PEACE As we approach Christmas, Bethlehem features prominently in our scriptures and carols. We encounter Bethlehem in everything from “O Little Town of Bethlehem” to Micah 5:2 whose prophecy announces, “But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall […]
- [12/13/23](https://churchontherotary.org/12-13-23/): NEED TO ADD SOME CHRISTMAS CHEER TO YOUR SEASON? Be sure to join us this Sunday for worship. We’ll be singing lots of your favorite carols and our children and youth will offer the message of Christmas in a pageant you won’t want to miss. WHAT BLEAK MID-WINTER MAKES VISIBLE The last leaves have finally […]
- [12/6/23](https://churchontherotary.org/12-6-23/): O HEAR THE ANGEL VOICES Every December we receive a few Christmas letters from some of our clergy colleagues. This week I received a few of these letters that were tucked inside Christmas cards. Two featured Renaissance paintings of the Annunciation in which Mary and the Angel Gabriel are face-to-face as if in a conversation. […]
- [11/29/23](https://churchontherotary.org/11-29-23/): WAITING AND WATCHING Ever since our son Robert was hit in a crosswalk by a car that failed to stop for the flashing pedestrian crossing signal, I have been especially cautious at intersections. Not just when driving but especially when on foot. I pay a lot of attention to the traffic light’s orange hand raised […]
- [11/22/23](https://churchontherotary.org/11-22-23/): NOVEMBER’S QUIET PROMISE Once our Thanksgiving’s celebrations come to an end, most of us turn the page on November. All eyes focus on December. While we’re still eating leftover turkey sandwiches, outdoor holiday lights are being strung on rooftops. Brightly lit trees are popping up in every window. Crews are busily erecting Menorahs and Nativity […]
- [11/15/23](https://churchontherotary.org/11-15-23/): THE ROOT OF JOY IS GRATEFULNESS “The root of joy is gratefulness,” writes Benedictine monk David Steindl-Rast, “It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.” I’ve always found this a helpful way to understand how gratitude and thankfulness work in our lives. More typically, we reverse this relationship. […]
- [11/8/23](https://churchontherotary.org/11-8-23/): YOU’VE GOT TALENT! In August, Jan and I travelled to Hanover NH to have lunch with our son Robert who was leading a workshop at Dartmouth College. I cannot resist a used bookshop; and Hanover had one: Left Bank Books. Browsing its shelves, I did not find any startling discoveries; but I did come home […]

## Pages

- [Job Application](https://churchontherotary.org/job-application/)
- [Adult Book Study](https://churchontherotary.org/adult-book-study/): “Spirituality Types Workshop” – March 15th ~ 12:20 pm after worship service Psychologists tell us that we all have different “information processing” styles. Some of us take in information by hearing it. Others process information through reading it. Still others; by using visual methods like diagras, pictures, listening or graphs. Educators are taught that different […]
- [Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ's](https://churchontherotary.org/faq/): Question: I am new. Do you have any information for first time visitors? Answer: See the following information about coming to Sunday morning worship: https://churchontherotary.org/new-visitors/ Question: What does it mean to be a Congregational Church? Answer: See the following page that explains what we are about and our history: https://churchontherotary.org/about-us/history/ Question: Is the church a […]
- [Volunteer request](https://churchontherotary.org/printable-and-online-forms/volunteer-request/)
- [My account](https://churchontherotary.org/my-account/)
- [Checkout](https://churchontherotary.org/checkout/)
- [Cart](https://churchontherotary.org/cart/)
- [Shop](https://churchontherotary.org/shop/)
- [History](https://churchontherotary.org/about-us/history/): What does it mean to be a Congregational Protestant? Today, we work together as a small group/church, living our faith and spirituality through our shared good works and missions, to the best of our abilities. The Congregational Church originated in 16th-century England as part of the Puritan movement seeking to reform the Church of England. The […]
- [Rental](https://churchontherotary.org/rental/): First Congregational Church Room Rental options See the Room Rental policy agreement for details about renting our facility for your next function
- [Craft Fair](https://churchontherotary.org/craft-fair/): Christmas Collection Craft Fair The Annual Craft fair is a “Juried” Craft. It is held every November. 3 Floors of the church and outdoors, all with crafters! Raffle baskets by Sandy! Tillies jams were legendary Always a variety of vendors!
- [Sunday School Registration Form](https://churchontherotary.org/activities/christian-education/sunday-school-registration-form/): Sunday School Registration Form Use the form below to register your child for our Sunday School program. Our program begins in September and ends in June. Children join their parents for worship from approximately 10:00 – 10:15, then they are released to join the other students down to the classroom on the ground floor.
- [Christmas Tree Lighting](https://churchontherotary.org/christmas-tree-lighting/): The congregation assists with the Annual “Tree Lighting” in the Center. Usually held on the first Friday evening in December and begins at 6:00 pm. The tree is lit around 6:30, followed by a visit by Santa and cookies and cocoa in the church hall. The event attracks hundreds of people from the area for […]
- [Wednesday Workgroup team](https://churchontherotary.org/wednesday-workgroup-team/): The team consists of members who meeting weekly on Wednesday mornings to do general maintenance on the church property. Projects are varied but are mostly tasks basic tasks like painting, cleaning, moving chairs and tables for the “functions of the week”. Painting is a frequent project. As you can image there is plenty of work […]
- [Garden Team](https://churchontherotary.org/garden-team/): Garden & Grounds Team The Garden’s Team gathers weekly during the growing season to ensure that the flowers, shrubs and grounds of the Church property, look beautiful. The team also recruits members and friends of the church to hold an annual “Spring Plant Fair” fundraiser for the church. This important fundraiser helps generate the money […]
- [News](https://churchontherotary.org/news/)
- [Our Weekly Newsletters](https://churchontherotary.org/weekly-newsletters/): Our Weekly Newsletters – in date order
- [Worship Live Stream](https://churchontherotary.org/test-iframe-embed/): You can view our 10:00 am Sunday live stream at these links: www.facebook.com/churchontherotary www.youtube.com/@churchontherotary/live
- [Live Service & Sermon Archive](https://churchontherotary.org/live-and-recorded-sermons/): View our 10:00 am Sunday morning live stream at the links below: On Youtube:  www.youtube.com/@churchontherotary/live On Facebook: www.facebook.com/churchontherotary Short on Time? View a library of previously recorded worship services – Check out the following playlists. Below is one of our short “1-Minute Church Videos for you to try! We are the big white “church on […]
- [Donations](https://churchontherotary.org/printable-and-online-forms/donations/): Questions? – Contact our church office and we will get back asap. Call 413-525-4121
- [Calendar - Agenda view](https://churchontherotary.org/calendar-agenda/): Click on any item to see the details Click here for monthly view
- [Calendar -Monthly View](https://churchontherotary.org/calendar-monthly/): First Congregation Church – Online Calendar of Events Click on any event to see all the details Click here to switch to the list view
- [Photos](https://churchontherotary.org/photos/): Photo Gallery (Click on photos to enlarge them) * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name
- [Youth Group](https://churchontherotary.org/activities/youth-group/): Youth Group 2025- 2026 (Last Update: 1/16/26) Staffed by a ministry team of adults,  the youth meet monthly to work on mission service projects, share in fun activities, and take seasonal trips as an expression of fellowship and faith. Register your child through the form at the bottom of this page. January 11, 2026 – […]
- [Stewardship](https://churchontherotary.org/printable-and-online-forms/stewardship/): Stewardship Estimate of Giving – Pledge card This is the online version of our pledge card To declare your contribution amount, just fill out our easy online form below.
- [Sunday School Registration](https://churchontherotary.org/printable-and-online-forms/sunday-school-registration/)
- [Directions](https://churchontherotary.org/directions/): For detailed directions please use the interactive map below   Parking 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. We also have parking privileges at the First Niagara Bank and […]
- [Contact Us](https://churchontherotary.org/about-us/contact-us/): Contact Info Mailing Address:7 Somers RdEast Longmeadow, MA 01028-2993 Call Us: 1 (413)-525-4121 E-Mail Us: office@churchontherotary.org pastor@churchontherotary.org music@churchontherotary.org Office Hours:Monday through Thursday:9 am – 3 pmFriday:9 am – noon Summer Office hours are reduced to: Tues, Wed, & Thurs. 9 am – 12 pm Click to view a Map Use our contact form below for […]
- [About Us](https://churchontherotary.org/about-us/): “Know that you are welcome here” First Congregational Church is a fellowship of approximately 200 members. Most of us live in the East Longmeadow. MA area and surrounding communities. Our ages range from newborns to almost 100 years old, everyone is welcome here. There is diversity in our personalities, but we are all commonly rooted […]
- [New Here?](https://churchontherotary.org/new-visitors/): 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 […]
- [Ceremonies / Events](https://churchontherotary.org/activities/ceremonies-events/): Baptisms Baptism is an act of thanksgiving, an expression of gratitude for the gifts of life. It is recognition of the sacred mystery of God’s grace which is at the center of life. Baptism is a sacrament of the Christian Church given to us by Jesus’ own example. As such it is understood to be […]
- [Music](https://churchontherotary.org/activities/music/): Worship Music at First Congregation is traditional and sacred We have an job opening for a permanent part-time Church Musician. We are also looking for fill-in Pianists or Organists that can play music during our worship service on Sunday Mornings from 10-11am, until we fill the permanent part-time position. You can learn more or apply […]
- [Christian Education](https://churchontherotary.org/activities/christian-education/): Christian Education programs Note about Summer hours – From June to September there is no Sunday School or Youth Group. Our programs start up again in September Sunday School Our Church is always eager to welcome new young people into our Sunday School.  Children join the adults during the beginning of our worship service and […]
- [Missions & Outreach](https://churchontherotary.org/activities/mission-outreach/): John 13:34-35  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Loaves and Fishes (Open Pantry) –  On the 4th Saturday of each month, a team of church members, (we have 4 […]
- [Printable / Online Forms](https://churchontherotary.org/printable-and-online-forms/): Online Forms: Click on the form name below to fill out our easy online forms. Stewardship – “Estimate of Giving” Click on the link above for the Stewardship Estimate of Giving / Pledge card This is the online version of our pledge card To declare your contribution amount, just fill out our easy online form […]
- [Groups & Ministries](https://churchontherotary.org/activities/): How some of us put our faith in action and how you too can get involved Worship Services are held on Sunday morning from 10-11:00 am. Click here to see a sample worship bulletin. From September to June the children can attend a Sunday School program that runs ~ 10:15 – 11:00am. Click here to […]
- [Home](https://churchontherotary.org/): Welcome  “We the First Congregational Church of East Longmeadow, U.C.C., in response to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, strive to be a welcoming community. As an Open and Affirming Church, we accept all people into our faith community, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, physical and mental abilities, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or gender identity […]

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