Leicester First Congregational Church

Blog

  • Lenten Bible Study

    The Passion Narratives, Exploration of all Four Gospels
    All are welcome to join us for our 6-session Lenten Bible Study

     

    Session 1: Jesus’ anticipation of his crucifixion and resurrection

    The ride into Jerusalem

    Driving out money changers / cleansing of the Temple

    Session 2: Betrayal by religious authorities and Judas

    Passover meal

    Betrayal by Peter

    Session 3: In the Garden

    Arrest

    Judas’ end

    Session 4: Trial of Jesus

    Pontias Pilate

    Via Dolorosa (the way of sorrow, the route to Golgotha/Calvary)

    Session 5: The Crucifixion

    Jesus’ Death

    Burial

    Session 6: Empty Tomb

    Reappearances

    Groups meet on:

    Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. from 2/17-3/31 in the Pastor’s study (except 3/10),
    and on
    Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. from 2/22-3/29 at the home of a group member.

    All are welcome to attend any one, several, or all sessions. If you are unable to attend either group but are interested in the readings, please contact Pastor Doreen Oughton at 508-892-3274 or pastorfccleicester@verizon.net and she will e-mail them to you. But they are much richer in communal discussion, so join us if possible.

  • Family Sunday – Feb 7, 2010

    Family Sunday was another successful, fun day for our church family.  A delicious potluck dinner was topped off with Brave’s birthday cake.

    Brave's Birthday (Rev Oughton & Brave

    With a large assortment of games to choose from, several groups settled into playing. Apples to Apples was a popular choice. One of the most intense though was a game of Jenga played by Len & Judy Ivel, Ron & Cindy LaPointe and Carol Mulrain. The tower reached an incredible height of 30 levels before toppling. Click here MOV06758 to see who was the big loser.

    Apples to Apples - Ben & Jim C.

  • Children’s Christmas Pagaent

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    Spread the News!
    The Children’s Christmas Pageant was wonderful!
    Click Here to check out pictures of the Pageant
    Click Here to see the pictures of everyone getting ready for the Pagaent.


  • Christmas Eve Services

    Two worship services on Christmas Eve


    The 4 P.M. service will be joyful and family friendly celebration.

    The 11 P.M. service will be full of candle light, music and the beauty of the season.


    Warmest wishes for a wonderful Christmas Day


  • The Strawberry Hill Fair

    The Strawberry Hill Fair

    Nov 14, 2009
    9 to 2

    Start your Christmas shopping at the Strawberry Hill Fair! It is getting bigger and better every year. In addition to all the traditional items, we have 10 vendors this year. The Pampered Chef will be back, there will be jewelry, original Christmas stockings, birdhouses, and much, much more. The knitting room is full of great hand made items.
    DSC00705
    Flower Hat by BrielleTake a chance on our great raffle baskets and donations from local merchants. Bid on a great find in the Silent Auction. Check out the Christmas Room for decorations. Take a break and have lunch in Russell Hall. Tell all your friends. It is a great way to get into the Christmas spirit.

  • Sunday School Begins

    Childen's Sunday June 2009Registration: Sept 13, 2009  10 AM

    Classes begin: Sept 20, 2009  10 AM/ followed by a Lunch with Pastor Doreen.

    This year the children will be building an A.R.K.! The children will be learning about our theme- Acts of Random Kindness.  We will play fun games, make cool crafts and learn how the simple act of being kind can make such a difference to someone.

    We are expecting that this year there will be more family involvement in the Sunday School.  Coordinators will work with family members of the students to see how they can participate.  Perhaps you would like to come share about the ways you have shown kindness or others have been kind to you.  There will be mentors available for family members or anyone who is interested in teaching a few classes, or you can participate as a guest/helper.

    Jesus said, “Let the children come to me.”  We all have a part in opening up the path to Jesus for the children in our church family.  It will be a blessing for you and for them.

  • Picnic at Stiles Lake – Aug 23

    Come and share a fun afternoon at the lake.  Spend a few hours visiting with Doreen and Quentin and your church family.

    Date: Sunday, August 23rd (RAIN DATE…….SUN, AUG 30th)

    Time: Following Coffee Hour 12:30 PM ’til ???

    Please bring:

    · Swimsuits, towels, swim shoes (for tender feet), lifejackets for the children

    · Something to share:  salad, dessert, casserole, veggies, fruit, etc.

    (Hamburgers and Hot Dogs will be provided)

    Please let Cindy know when you have decided what you would like to bring (for menu planning) and about how many might be coming.  For directions or if you have questions call Cindy & Ron at  508-885-9875.

  • FCC Calls Rev Doreen Oughton

    On June 28, 2009, the First Congregational Church unanimously voted to call Rev. Doreen Oughton to be our settled pastor.  She has accepted our call.  Both the church and Doreen feel a sense of joy and excitement as we begin our journey together.  The search committee was given many thanks for their unwavering commitment to finding the right candidate. Doreen will officially begin on Aug 3rd.

    Rev. Doreen Oughton

  • Search Committee – Important News Update to the Members of the Church

    More than a year and a half ago, members of this Church entrusted the Search Committe with the responsibility of prayerfully selecting a candidate for your approval.  Your requirements were that this candidate was an effective speaker, energetic, creative, have a positive and youthful outlook and obviously possess a strong religious belief.  We have looked at profiles in excess of 70 candidates.  We have conducted numerous interviews and have arranged to hear others preach.  We have selected Doreen Cullen Oughton as the candidate we feel meets all your requirements to be the minister of the First Congregational Church of Leicester.  Doreen will be with us on Sunday June 28th to conduct our church service and meet with the members of the Church.  Following the church service you will be asked to vote on the recommendation that Doreen become our new pastor. We ask that you take part in this exciting moment in our ministry and we believe that you will share with us the excitement we felt when we interviewed and listened to her.

    Thank you for placing your trust in us,

    Search Committe Memebers:

    Ron LaPointe, Jim Cathcart, Len Ivel, Marie Feeney, Ann Mulrain, Debbie Arsenault, Jackie Henderseon and Rhiannon Oris

  • Feb 25th – Ash Wednesday Service- 7 PM

    Ash Wednesday, the seventh Wednesday before Easter Sunday, is the first day of the Season of Lent. Its name comes from the ancient practice of placing ashes on worshippers’ heads or foreheads as a sign of humility before God, a symbol of mourning and sorrow at the death that sin brings into the world. It not only prefigures the mourning at the death of Jesus, but also places the worshipper in a position to realize the consequences of sin. Ash Wednesday is a somber day of reflection on what needs to change in our lives if we are to be fully Christian.

    In the early church, ashes were not offered to everyone but were only used to mark the forehead of worshippers who had made public confession of sin and sought to be restored to the fellowship of the community at the Easter celebration. However, over the years others began to show their humility and identification with the penitents by asking that they, too, be marked as sinners. Finally, the imposition of ashes was extended to the whole congregation in services similar to those that are now observed in many Christian churches on Ash Wednesday. Ashes became symbolic of that attitude of penitence reflected in the Lord’s prayer: “forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us” (Luke 11:4, NRSV).