Enjoy our November 23 10:00 am Thanksgiving Sunday worship and our Interfaith Thanksgiving service online!
- publications97
- Nov 21, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 24, 2025
November 23, 2025 - 10:00 am worship
Preacher: Kate VanDerzee-Glidden
Director of Music Ministries: Dr. Angela Salcedo
Music: 8:00 + 10:00 a.m. Chris Hart, tenor
10:00 a.m. Chancel and Cantate Choirs; Jubilate Ringers; Peggy Hartman, Bell Choirs Director and piano
Dear Friends,
Every evening I sing a blessing to my kids before they go to bed. It's the one that my mom sang to me when I was a child. When I was a kid, I found comfort in the words, simple tune and my mother's voice, and I hope my children do as well.
Sometimes traditions – things we do daily, weekly or yearly – provide comfort and continuity when life feels out of control and overwhelming. We can be consumed by our own lives and what's going on in the world – ongoing violence and war, hatred and injustice aimed at marginalized people, the sadness of mental health and addiction struggles, the political division, the tragedy of children going to bed hungry every night, and the list goes on. I find it is often our simple rituals that bring us peace and hope, especially in turbulent times.
Rituals like singing a blessing to my children and going to church to worship God and be in fellowship with others soothe my soul and remind me of God's constant presence and love.
We invite you to worship with us this Sunday as we celebrate and reflect on this Thanksgiving season. Please join us at 8:00 a.m. in the Micah Chapel or at 10:00 a.m. in the Meetinghouse or online.
The bulletin, large print bulletin and announcement slides are available on our website. You can watch any of our livestreamed or recorded services on our YouTube channel.
We have other church traditions that bring hope and connection. On Sunday, bring your FROZEN TURKEY, eat with us at the MULTICULTURAL POTLUCK DINNER and then worship with us at the INTERFAITH THANKSGIVING SERVICE.
May we all look for the simple blessings in our lives and give thanks for them. I’m grateful to be on the journey with you.
Love,
Kate
Please support our Thanksgiving Offering! This year all proceeds will go to Back Bay Mission, Connecticut Foodshare and Manchester Area Conference of Churches (MACC). Let us continue responding generously to God's call by working, dreaming, loving, sharing and being the church together.
Our First Church family of faith enjoys worshipping together, and we hope you will join us! Our worship services are at 8:00 am in the Micah Chapel, 10:00 am in the Meetinghouse and livestreamed at 10:00 am (and are also available for viewing later).
