Being the Church Together!

On Thanksgiving Sunday, we worshipped, collected turkeys and donations for Connecticut Foodshare (donations accepted online), enjoyed food + fellowship at our multicultural potluck dinner and hosted the community Interfaith Thanksgiving service (available online)!

Worshipping together...

Two services at 8:00 (Micah Chapel) and 10:00 a.m. (Meetinghouse). Childcare available. Church School during the 10:00 a.m. service.

Sunday, November 30, First Sunday of Advent

Preacher: Nicole Struth

Music: 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. Ginger Kousen, soprano; 10:00 a.m. Chancel Choir

Sunday, December 7, Second Sunday of Advent and Holy Communion

Preacher: Kate VanDerzee-Glidden

Music: 8:00 a.m. Chris Hart, tenor; 10:00 a.m. Cherub and Chancel Choirs

Wednesday, December 10, A Quiet Christmas Service

7:00 p.m. Micah Chapel

All are invited to this special service, during which you may find a quiet and holy oasis in the midst of the Christmas rush. It is a service especially designed for those for whom this holiday season has perhaps taken on a more poignant mood, because of a loved one’s death, an illness or some other life change. After the service, our Mental Health Ministry team members will host fellowship time in the front room of the Micah Chapel. Childcare available.



Our 10:00 a.m. services are livestreamed and are also available for viewing later on our YouTube channel. Please let an usher know if you would like a large print bulletin, large print hymnal or a hearing device to use during the worship service. Large print bulletins are available on our website home page. We offer accessible and limited mobility parking.

If you would like to enjoy our November 23 Thanksgiving Sunday 10:00 a.m. worship service online, just click below!

This week...

We have lots of Giving Tree tags left for gifts to benefit children through Glastonbury Human Services, MACC and Covenant to Care! Stop by the office during the week or in Schultz Hall on Sunday to pick up a tag! All gifts are due back unwrapped with tags by December 7. For more information, please contact Cheryl Zebold at czebold@msn.com.

The Board of Christian Service offers SERRV products for sale during common fellowship on Sundays through December 14. SERRV promotes the social and economic progress of people in developing regions. For more info, please contact Susan Lambert at sjlambert22@gmail.com.

We want this month's donation to be the BIGGEST we've ever given to the Horace Bushnell Children’s Food Pantry. They are seeking non-perishable dry goods such as peanut butter and jelly, beef stew, stuffing, cornbread mix and other items. Donations can be dropped off in the back lobby, the Narthex or the new basket in Micah Chapel. If you have questions, please contact Susan Lambert at sjlambert22@gmail.com.

Advent Calendars are for sale after worship on Sundays in Schultz Hall. Purchases of the chocolate or sticker calendars support the Church School Mission Project! Contact Kelsey Beach if you have questions at kelsey@glastonburyfirst.org.

The office will be closed on Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving.

Next week and more...

Faith + Friends, a biweekly playgroup for children and their families, meets December 3 and alternating Wednesdays from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. on the church playground. Contact Kelsey Beach for more information at kelsey@glastonburyfirst.org.

Join us for our Advent Bible Study on Thursdays, December 4, 11 and 18 at 2:00 pm in the Parlor. Steve Pozzato, Coordinator of Partnerships, Outreach, and Fellowship, will lead an exploration of the Advent season with themes and scriptures accompanied by questions meant for contemplation. You can sign up online or contact Steve at steve@glastonburyfirst.org.

Save the date for the annual Cookie Walk and Christmas Fair on December 6! Calling all cookie bakers! You can sign up online or at the Board of Music table on Sundays to bake cookies for this event in support of our Music Program.

Hike with First Church Outside on Sunday, December 7, at 1:00 p.m. at Risley Park, Vernon (3 miles, moderate). Our hike will take us around Risley Pond, through mixed growth forest and up to a ridge overlooking the Hop River Rail Trail. We will meet at the parking lot at 366 Lake Street, Vernon. For more information, please contact John DiTomasso at 860-806-0309

Ongoing Collections...

Hats, mittens and socks (sizes 5-6) are needed to keep the Fred D. Wish Museum School kindergarten students warm this winter when they are out playing in the snow. We are also collecting new underwear (sizes 4-6), as requested by the school nurses to give as needed. Please put your donations in the collection boxes in the Narthex or the back lobby by December 14. Please contact Sally Riddell at sally.m.riddell@gmail.com with any questions.

Carol’s Closet paper pantry serves those who are struggling, and supplies are needed – especially toilet paper (four-packs or individually wrapped rolls), paper towels (individually wrapped rolls), tissues, bar soap (individually wrapped or two-pack) and shampoo (standard size). Please place items in the Carol’s Closet box in the back lobby of the church. Contact Judi Barber with questions at jjbarber0623@gmail.com or 860-836-5374.

Give to our Thanksgiving Offering

Even when war, injustice, division, sadness and struggle surround us, we are called by God to compassion and hope all over the world. Sometimes we do this by caring for a loved one, reaching out to a neighbor or supporting a stranger. Sometimes it means we give of our time to a worthy cause, and other times it entails giving of our means to organizations that are making the world a more just, peaceful and loving place. Thank you for another year of giving generously to our Thanksgiving offering and these amazing organizations: Back Bay Mission, Connecticut Foodshare and Manchester Area Conference of Churches (MACC). Your Thanksgiving offering contribution can be sent to the church office, put in the offering plate Sunday mornings or you can give online. If you are writing a check, please make it out to First Church with the memo line, Thanksgiving offering.

Office updates...

Our 2026 Stewardship Campaign is in progress! When we each do our part, our church blossoms with faith, hope and love. Bee a blessing today — make your pledge! You can pledge online, return your pledge letter in the offering plate on Sunday, drop it off or mail it to the church office! If you have questions, please contact Rebecca Fleahman in the church office at rebeccafleahman@glastonburyfirst.org. Thank you!

Please be alert for email and text scams: Our pastors and staff would never reach out to you via email or text to ask for help buying gift cards or send you other requests for personal assistance.

First Church of Christ,

Congregational, UCC

2183 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033

www.glastonburyfirst.org, 860.633.4641

We are an open, welcoming and affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ.