News & Announcements
Holy Week at First Church Amherst
During Holy Week, all the hopes and prayers of Lent are fulfilled–even as Jesus is sentenced to death on a cross. We have several special services to help open our hearts to the sacredness of the journey and the fullness of and hope of new life. We would love to see you at one or all of them.
Our building is fully accessible–from the parking lot behind the building, via a ramp and a lift to the main floor, and through the front door of the building on Main Street. As always, no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, we affirm you for all you are, and you are welcome to all aspects of church life.
Here’s our Holy Week schedule:
Palm/Passion Sunday, March 25: Worship with communion, Sunday School and nursery at 10:30 a.m.
Maundy Thursday, March 29:
Service of Foot-washing: 5:15 p.m.
Simple Supper: 6 p.m.
Service of Tenebrae: 7 p.m.
Good Friday, March 30: Ecumenical Community Service at noon
Easter Sunday, April 1: Worship with Communion, Choir, Balloons, Sunday School, nursery, and lots of joy at 10:30. An egg hunt for children follows the service.
Annual Meeting Postponed
After careful consideration of the weather conditions and predicted conditions in different areas, we have decided to postpone our Annual Meeting. We had a great meeting planned for this evening, but safety comes first! After worship on Sunday, we’ll have a very brief business meeting in the Sanctuary to elect a new moderator, other officers, the Elected Leadership Team, and Investment Ministry Team. The new ELT will meet for the first time next week and then set a new date for the rest of the Annual Meeting Agenda. Be safe out there, and we’ll see you Sunday!
Ash Wednesday: Out of the Dust
We hope to see you on February 14, Ash Wednesday, when we will offer three different opportunities to receive the forgiveness, humility, redemption, and hope symbolized by the sign of ashes.
At noon, you may receive the mark of ashes in a personal way in the Chapel.
From 1 to 2 o’clock, Pastor Vicki Kemper will offer Ashes to Go at the Black Sheep.
And at 7 o’clock, we’ll have a lovely Ash Wednesday service in the Sanctuary.
All blessings of the season to you!
Lent: Sanctuary of the Heart
Here’s a sense of what how we’ll be living into the holy season of Lent at First Church Amherst. We’ll be focusing on spiritual practices and other things that ground us in faith and root us in love–and what it means to nurture a sanctuary of the heart. We would love to share the season with you!
“In a state of true believers, On streets called us and them, It’s gonna take some time, ’Til the world feels safe again”.
—Singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer, “Sanctuary”
What makes you feel safe? Where do you find refuge? In what spiritual practices and promises do you find grounding and renewal? The season of Lent encourages us to slow down and take stock, to get right with God, to root ourselves in what is life-giving, and to let ourselves be transformed by love. As we continue to be changed by our experience of offering sanctuary to Lucio Perez, let us find shelter, hope, and new life in the heart of the Holy. May all the blessings of Lent be yours!
Celebration: We’ve Widened Our Welcome!
First Congregational Church in Amherst, a 279-year-old congregation that meets in a 150-year-old building, will celebrate another milestone on Sunday, January 7: the completion of a major project to make the large stone building more accessible and welcoming to all.
Open House Today!
After buying gifts at Amherst’s “Pack a Sack” shopping day, come by to have them wrapped–for free!–while you sip hot chocolate. Even if you’re not buying a thing, drop by the church to check out our newly renovated spaces and, from noon to 1, hear the fabulous First Church Choir sing songs of the season. Tours, festive feelings, and more from noon to 4 o’clock. Hope to see you!
Holiday Cheer
Valley Festival Brass 28th Annual Concert, Sunday, December 10,2017, 6 pm, donations benefit the Amherst Survival Center
