News & Announcements
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
Cranberry Fair
Come one, come all to the 38th Annual Cranberry Fair, this Saturday, November 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to being a fun community event, the fair is a bargain-lover’s dream. You’ll find clothing, books, household goods, toys, children’s books, homemade jellies and jams, and a silent auction–all at insanely low prices. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or checking off names on your Christmas list, you don’t want to miss this great event.
Hope to see you there!
