This Week in Worship

Sunday, September 2, 2018
Worship at 9:30 am in the Children’s Church

Minister

Rev. Lisa Ward

We are gearing up for our full service worship year. Please find this inviting note from Tim Steele:

MUSICAL NOTES FROM TIM

Over the past four years as your musical director it has been my pleasure to coordinate music and musicians to enhance the worship experience at First Parish. I love it whenever someone in the congregation shares their musical talent on a Sunday morning, and I know that members of the congregation share my enthusiasm and appreciation. If any of you are musically inclined and have a desire to participate in our music program, now would be a perfect time to get involved.

One way is to join the Meetinghouse Choir, which generally sings three Sundays a month during worship and rehearses on those Sundays from 8:45-10:00 (no audition necessary, no attendance requirement). Another way is to sing or play an instrument as a soloist or as part of a small ensemble at some point during a morning service. I am always happy to help you to find those opportunities in ways that best fit the worship theme of the service as well as helping you to prepare those pieces for worship if you wish it.

This year we will also be posting a list of the monthly worship themes on the music bulletin board by the library. There will be an envelope posted next to it. As a member of the congregation you are invited to leave your suggestions for any particular piece of music you would like to hear during worship that fits one of these themes. I will do my best to program those pieces whenever possible. Or if you have any other type of thought or idea pertaining to music at First Parish you are happily encouraged to drop that into the envelope as well, or, as always, to talk directly to me with your idea. I am very interested in hearing your thoughts and suggestions, and the music committee, with Patirica Ostrem as chair (dojoko@aol.com), will also be involved in finding ways to make your ideas come to life.

Much of the music planning for the upcoming year is happening now. If you are interested in singing or playing a piece during worship now is the best time to let me know (you can email me at eliztim95@gmail.com). It’s easiest to schedule your piece and to also find the ideal fit with the worship themes if we can plan ahead. I hope many of you will consider becoming more involved in our music-making this year. Your musical talents and gifts are always welcome, so don’t be afraid to let me know if you wish to share them, whether or not you have done so in the past. I look forward to working with you all on an exciting new year of music and worship!

Your music director, Tim

This upcoming Sunday 9:30am in the Children’s Church

*September 2 – Robert Johnson – “Finding God in Buddhism?”

First Parish member and practicing Buddhist — Robert Johnson — explores the theological aspects of Buddhism.

This is our last Sunday in the Children’s Church. Services resume in the Meetinghouse on Sunday, September 9th, at 10:30am.

Thank you to volunteer preachers, teachers and the Worship Committee for upholding the summer worship program!

Religious Exploration

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Laurel Whitehouse, Director of Religious Exploration

Religious exploration programming for children will resume on September 9 with our multigenerational ingathering worship service. Remember to come at 9 am for the Pancake Breakfast!

There will be a Children’s Church service on September 16, and religious exploration classes will begin on September 23. This year the overall theme will be Source #3: Wisdom from the World’s Religions.

Sunday, September 9th at 9:00 am

Pancake Breakfast before the Ingathering Service!

The youth of First Parish will help us kick off the congregational year with a great breakfast before our first regular fall worship service. Please come and reconnect with one another while munching delicious pancakes and bacon! No cost to attend! Breakfast begins at 9:00am in the Parish Hall. Please note that the hospitality committee will not be hosting refreshments after this Sunday’s service.

Events, News and Announcements

Yoga is cancelled on Monday, September 3rd, 2018 due to the Labor Day holiday.

Labor Day

The church office will be closed on September 3, 2018 in observance of Labor Day.

STAY CONNECTED

Follow First Parish on Facebook and get updates, poems, announcements and more. You’ll be glad you did!

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Monday – Thursday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Other times by appointment

MINISTER OFFICE HOURS

Tuesday – Thursday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Other times by appointment

The Church office is closed on Fridays

Sundays through mid June

• Worship, 10:30 am in the Meetinghouse
• Choir Rehearsal (most Sundays) at 8:45 am
• Silent Prayer & Meditation, 9:00am in the Children’s Church

EVERY THURSDAY

Silent Prayer & Meditation, 7:00 pm in the Children’s Church (Note new time)

SIGN UP GENIUS (formerly known as the Planner)

The link to SignUp Genius is:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090d44aca728a02-sunday1

You can sign up for one our our Sunday volunteer positions.