ascension – We are the First Congregational Church in Winchester

Join us for Ascension Sunday Worship at 10 am (May 17, 2026)

Sarah Marino — Fri, 15 May 2026 16:26:51 +0000

This Week in Worship

This Sunday, we will consider our lectionary readings, Psalm 68:1-10 and Acts 1:6-14, and meditate upon the Ascension of Jesus. What is the theological significance of Jesus’s return to God? How can we apply the themes of the Ascension to our own spiritual lives? And… Where did his body go, anyways? Prayers, music, Scripture, fellowship – all in the worship of our Creator God. We hope you can join us for worship in the Sanctuary or online.

Download the Bulletin Here: OOW 05-17-26.docx

Join Us for Worship This Sunday at 10 am in the Sanctuary or Online (May 29, 2022)

Sarah Marino — Fri, 27 May 2022 17:23:52 +0000

On this Memorial Day weekend we are going to have a focus in our worship service on trauma and healing, acknowledging the trauma of war and those who endure it, but also on other traumas in our lives. What does the Christian story have to say to us about trauma in our lives and the world? We’ll read one of the Acts passages together that reveals the traumatic beginnings of the church and how it emerged. We hope you’ll join us at 10am online or in the sanctuary.

Download the Bulletin Here: Seventh Sunday Bulletin 5_29_22

Ascension Thursday

Sarah Marino — Thu, 26 May 2022 19:00:36 +0000

On the liturgical calendar today is Ascension Day. It’s been 40 days since Easter and today we celebrate Jesus “ascending” to heaven as he tells his disciples to wait for him. He says that he will send the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, to grant them power to carry on his mission of healing, reconciliation, and love in the world. We celebrate that moment – the coming of His Holy Spirit – 10 days later on Pentecost Sunday, this year on June 5th. With all the stories of pain and trauma in the world around us, it is important to recite and rehearse this story again and again remembering where true power resides and where the true ending of the story lies… in peace not violence, mercy not cruelty, union not division.

Join Us online for Worship This Sunday at 10 am (May 24, 2020)

Sarah Marino — Fri, 22 May 2020 15:59:45 +0000

This Sunday’s worship will not contain the elements of surprise and suspense that last Sunday’s did. (Zoom was having problems and we ended up worshiping at 2:00 pm) It will be prerecorded and contain familiar elements. Hymns and prayers – familiar yes, but accomplished with the help of many hands – one set is Jeffrey’s on the organ. It is Ascension Sunday. The sermon, though, will be based on the 17th chapter of John – Jesus praying for his disciples in anticipation of his not being with them for much longer. A highlight will be our Postlude which is “I know my redeemer liveth” from Handel’s Messiah and sung by Susan Navien. We hope you will join us at 10:00 am.