Originally from Great Britain and now based in Colorado Springs, Simon Jacobs has served at Christ’s College (Cambridge), Salisbury Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and Grace & St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. A gifted performer and improviser, he’s played at Westminster Cathedral, Washington National Cathedral, and the Aspen Music Festival. Learn more on his website. The Sawyer Memorial Organ Concert, founded in 2012 in memory of our former Director of Music, Jane Sawyer, honors her legacy through exceptional organ artistry. Join us on Friday, Nov. 21.

Each Christmas season the Longmont Symphony Orchestra and Boulder Ballet present The “Gentle” Nutcracker, a sensory-friendly abridged version of Tchaikovsky’s beloved ballet especially for our neurodiverse community, their family members, and caretakers. The lights remain softly lit and attendees can move around freely, making joyful noise, as we perform. We are gratefully seeking volunteer ushers for this year’s performance! Sign up now. Performance date is Saturday, 12/6 at Vance Brand Civic Auditorium, Skyline High School, Longmont.

This Sunday we will be receiving a special Thanksgiving offering in support of Community Food Share of Boulder to help families who are experiencing food insecurity in these uncertain days. Community Food Share is one of our community partners, a food bank fighting hunger in Boulder and Broomfield Counties. They provide access to fresh, nutritious food through our programs and local partners like our soup kitchen. Read more about their mission and how they work to ensure all of our neighbors have access to the food they need.

Inside you’ll find the season’s unfolding story – Advent events, Music Sunday, the Alternative Gift Market, our Christmas Eve Pageant and Candlelight Services, Epiphany Brunch Church, The Narrative Project, and a study series ahead of the MacKenzie Lecture with Erica Chenoweth. Pick up a copy in the narthex or read it online here.

The McMane Arts Ministry presents an Advent Art Brunch Series – an imaginative journey of art and spirit with Waverly Matthews. Through the lens of a mysterious Renaissance nativity, we’ll explore how the Christmas story calls us to notice the Christ child within. Join Waverly for an encounter with the beauty, mystery, and meaning of this sacred season. A light brunch will be served.

Support the Memorial Flower Fund with donations in your loved one’s name. The Fund provides poinsettias for Sundays in Advent as well as flowers for the chancel on other Sundays, and potted plants at Easter. The minimum suggested donation is $20. Names of those being remembered or honored this Advent will be printed in the bulletin on Music Sunday, December 14. The deadline to receive donations is Wednesday, December 10. Click here to give or put a memo for Flower Fund on your check.

Pick up an Advent kit in the Sanctuary Narthex to celebrate at home. Included are materials for you to make your own advent wreath and daily devotional cards.

What Do You Fear? Insisting on Hope this Advent: A Devotional Daily art, poetry, and reflections invite you into the Scriptures of Advent and Christmas. A special e-reader edition is available now here. Print copies will be available just in time for the beginning of Advent

on November 30.

Advent Photo a Day 2025 Facebook Group, Join now

Deepen your Advent engagement by joining the Advent Photo a Day 2025 Facebook group. We’ll follow a calendar of daily word prompts which connect to our Advent Devotional. Participants then post a photo or short video (one they have taken or have found) that connects to or reflects your experience with the daily word. Join the group here. Moderated by Phil Braudaway-Bauman.

Join us for our 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service and bring the story of Christmas to life in our intergenerational pageant! Children, youth, adults, and whole families are encouraged to participate. Rehearsal will be held on December 21 after the 10:30 a.m. worship service. Don’t miss this chance to share the joy and wonder of the season—sign up today!

This Advent marks our 31st year supporting Alternative Gifts International (AGI), with over $212,000 given. Shop the Alternative Gift Market during coffee hours in the Link to “gift” support for global causes. AGI funds clean water, food security, and education – small gifts make big change. Also featured: Noor El-Salam for refugee children in Lebanon, Kenya Education Foundation, and local partner Mindful Works with handcrafted gifts that empower lives.

We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Jeff Bogart. Jeff died this past Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at Frasier Meadows. He was a member of First Congregational since 1976 and was a member of the Congregational Bells and the Chancel Choir. Arrangements are being made for a gathering to be held at First Congregational Church in the coming weeks.

At this time of Thanksgiving, Burke and Vivian Burbank want to send a big THANK YOU! to their friends at First Congregational Church. Please read their message here. 

Are you new to First Congregational Church and hoping to get more connected? Join us after the 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday, December 7, in the Heritage Room for coffee and conversation. You’ll have a chance to meet some of our ministers and leaders, ask questions, and learn about the many ways you can participate in our life together, including joining us as a member.

Let’s kick off December with a Christmas Party! All youth grades 6-12 are invited for a night of cheery fun including improv games, a white elephant gift exchange, and a pasta bar. All youth are invited to bring a small gift (under $20) for the gift exchange and to be ready for a night of goofiness and laughter! See you there!

What better way to kick off Jingle Mingle than being a part of Boulder’s Lights of December Parade! All ages are invited to join as we walk in the parade, spreading wintery cheer and inviting people to Jingle Mingle. Bring something delicious to share for a potluck dinner at 4, then we'll don costumes and get ready to join the parade beginning at 6 p.m.

Click here to register. Contact Lianna Campos with any questions.

4:00 p.m. |Sanctuary

Family Worship with Pageant and Congregational Strings

7:00 p.m. |Sanctuary and on YouTube

Candlelight Worship with Chancel Choir and Congregational Bells

9:00 p.m. |Sanctuary and on YouTube

Candlelight Worship with Brass Ensemble

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