advent – We are the First Congregational Church in Winchester

Join Us for Hanging of the Greens Worship (November 30, 2025)

Sarah Marino — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 17:20:30 +0000

Hanging of the Greens
November 30, 10:00 AM

Lighting of the 1st Advent candle, the candle of Hope

At Advent, we enter into a 4-week season of waiting and preparing for Christ’s coming at Christmas. It’s a season of evergreens and wreaths, of lights and colors, of gifts and sacred story. Join us on Sunday for our annual Hanging of The Greens worship service at 10 AM in the sanctuary and online and learn about these traditions in an interactive festive family service for all.

Download the Bulletin Here: HOtG Bulletin for 11-30-25.docx (1)

Once Upon a Time – Join Us for a Family Advent Storytelling Series

Sarah Marino — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 13:59:04 +0000

In collaboration with Sparkle Stories and How to Story, First Congregational Church presents live storytelling with master storyteller, David Sewell McCann.

The goal with this magical storytelling event is to build original holiday stories of light, stillness and community that we can all use to care for each other this advent season.

The stories will be collaborative.

They will be spontaneous.

They will sometimes involve music, sometimes ritual and sometimes movement.

Participation is always optional.

All ages welcome.

Join us live or online for one or all the evenings!

Get Tickets Here

Wednesday, November 29th
5:00 – 6:00 PM

Form a collaborative story about the nature of light and its important place in festivals like Advent, Hanukkah, Solstice, and Christmas.

Wednesday, December 6th
5:00 – 6:00 PM

As a gathered community, we welcome in forms of quiet and stillness into our storytelling and weave stories out of what emerges. The story will be followed by a quiet walk outside with candles.

Wednesday, December 13th
5:00 – 6:00 PM

Our final gathering includes musicians and vocalists as we find narrative in music and spontaneously create an advent story out of images, sounds, feelings and all of our voices. Concludes with singing together in candlelight.

David Sewell McCann has written and told over 1400 original stories for Sparkle Stories and now trains faculties, leaders and change-makers how to be effective and authentic storytellers at How to Story.

Join us for Worship & Communion This Sunday at 10 am in the Sanctuary (Dec 5, 2021)

Sarah Marino — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 18:36:54 +0000

Lighting of the 2nd Advent candle, the candle of Peace

This Sunday is the second one in Advent. The Carter family will be lighting the second advent candle, the candle of peace. The scripture is familiar to many – the voice of one crying in the wilderness – the enigmatic John the Baptist. As the first Sunday of the month, we will also celebrate Communion. Stepping Stones will have Communion as a sacred way to start their time together. The choir continues to find joyous and safe ways to lead worship. We will sing a couple of familiar Advent hymns. We begin at 10:00. As always, we hope you will join us either in person (dress warmly) or through the live stream.

Join Us for the Hanging Of the Greens Worship Service in the Sanctuary at 10 am

Sarah Marino — Wed, 24 Nov 2021 17:22:54 +0000

It’s the first Sunday of Advent and we hope you’ll join us at 10 am in the sanctuary or on live-stream for the Hanging of the Greens! The sanctuary will be donned with greens and poinsettias, the youth will help us reflect upon the meaning of many of our Christmas traditions, and we’ll sing carols together. Rev. Will will reflect on what we are waiting for at Advent and together we’ll ring in this new sacred season.

Download the Worship Bulletin Here: HOtG Bulletin for 11-28-21

Join Us for Worship & Communion on Sunday at 10 am (Dec. 6, 2020)

Sarah Marino — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 16:49:56 +0000

Join us for our Second-Sunday-of-Advent-Communion-Service-on-Zoom at 10am on Sunday morning. The Wilson family will light our Advent Wreath from their home, Rev. Will will be leading us from the sanctuary, we’ll share the sacrament of communion, spend some time in prayer together and sing a couple of favorite Advent hymns as we reflect on John the prophet calling in the wilderness “prepare ye the way of the Lord”! Don’t forget to set up your own personal worship space with bread and fruit of the vine for communion.

Women’s Advent Gathering

Sarah Marino — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 18:11:34 +0000

JOY… delivered!

A virtual Women’s Advent Gathering

Abundance of Ribbons by Bernard Hoyes

All church women are invited to our Annual Gathering and Reflection as we discover the JOY of Advent.

Sisters, mothers, daughters, trans and non-binary individuals and friends – near and far – are welcome to join us for a brief respite during this busy season.

Monday, December 7, 2020
7:00pm to 7:45pm
on Zoom

RSVP by Sign-up Genius by November 25th required for each attendee to receive a special delivery.

Consider a donation to support Big Sisters, Boston via Venmo

If you have a problem registering online, email your name, address and phone number to Sarah Marino at first.congregational@verizon.net.
Those who register by Wednesday, 11/26 will receive a front porch delivery.

For mail in donation to Big Sisters, Boston, make your check out to FCCW and send to the church office, 21 Church St Winchester MA 01890.