Joseph Haydn’s "Missa Cellensis in C"+ Picnic Next Week

Thursday, June 4, 2026

Cantata Sunday, June 7, 2026

Featuring Joseph Haydn’s Missa Cellensis in C, HOB. XXII:8 “Mariazellermesse”

Beth Welty, violin; Edward Wu, violin; Noralee Walker, viola; Harel Gietheim, cello; Susan K. Navien; Amy Dancz; Peter Owens; Steven Lauterwasser, soloists

Sunday, June 7, 10:00 am

Please join us on Sunday, June 7 at 10:00 am. for First Congregational Church’s annual Cantata Sunday – where the choir, orchestra, and soloists offer a major work during the worship service. This Sunday we will be streaming on YouTube as usual (encourage your distant family and friends to join us!) but we will be screen-free in the sanctuary.

About Joseph Haydn and Missa Cellensis in C.

The Missa Cellensis, Hob. XXII:8, is a Mass in C major composed by Joseph Haydn in 1782, renowned as one of his most vibrant sacred choral works from the Classical period. Also known as the “Mariazeller Messe,” it takes its title from the pilgrimage site of Mariazell (Latinized as Cella) in Styria, Austria, a major pilgrimage destination honoring the Virgin Mary that Haydn himself visited in his youth. Scored for four vocal soloists (SATB), mixed chorus (SATB), and orchestra, the mass exemplifies Haydn’s mastery of festive, resplendent scoring in the Austrian church music tradition....read more about how this mass unfolds

Faith Formation Ministry

Children & Youth

Stepping Stones will be learning about the Great Commission and how Jesus wants us to share God’s love and kindness with everyone whether they live next door to you or across an ocean.

Maggie will be away on a spiritual retreat June 5-7th but our dedicated Stepping Stones teachers will be there!

Junior Forum (5 PM) and Forum (7 PM) will resume our programming this Sunday.

Worship Arts Ministry

Ripley Presents: Building Bridges

Pride Exhibit, 5/31-6/14

Visit the exhibit in Ripley Chapel now through Sunday, June 14. Weekday visiting hours are 9 AM - 3 PM, with extended hours on Thursday, June 11 for PRIDEfest. Sunday hours are 9 AM - 12 PM...read more about this powerful exhibit here.

"Summer Preachin' Had Me a Blast..." 🎶🎶

It's almost that time of year again when we, the clergy of the church, hand over the reigns of the pulpit to you in the pews. Summer worship services in Ripley Chapel begin June 28th and each summer we have a wonderful slate of lay preachers from around the congregation who share their reflections on the Word of God. It's a wonderful opportunity to engage scripture deeply, to pull together thoughts on faith and your spiritual journey and to share in the worship leadership of the church. Rev. Will and Rev. Maeve are happy to support the effort in any way. Please consider preaching this summer and sign up here for a Sunday that works for you.

Fun in the Sun

Annual Summer Church Picnic

Dear Fellow Congregants, the annual Summer Picnic is just around the corner on June 14^th,and the Justice Ministry want to make it another delicious celebration this year. We are hoping that some of you would be willing to help contribute to the feast; we have the basics covered, but we’d love it if you would be help fill in the gaps with snacks, drinks and yummy desserts.

Please signup here to bring more scrumptiousness to Picnic Day.

We hope to see you there, bring blankets and a good appetite.

-Your friends from the Justice Ministry.

HEALTH & WELLNESS MINISTRY

Church Bike Ride on Saturday, June 20!

Please join us for a Church Bike Ride on Saturday, June 20, at 1:00 PM. We'll meet at Michelle & Rich Crawford's house in East Arlington at 1:00 and bike to Lexington Center via the Minuteman Bike Path. Once in Lexington Center, we'll take a break, re-group, and then bike back to the starting point, so that's about 11 miles round-trip.

All ages and abilities are welcome. We'll have that stop in Lexington Center where we'll re-group, so you may go at whatever pace feels comfortable to you!

The Crawfords live at 85 Lake Street, Unit 2, in Arlington, but their driveway entrance is on Lakehill Avenue and there's plenty of free parking on that street so, if you're driving over, please park there - just off Lake Street.

There's a couple of Blue Bike stations nearby if you'd like to rent a bike for the ride.

Last but not least, we'll be serving a special treat made by Karen Lauterwasser for all who complete the ride! If that isn't incentive to join, I don't know what is!

Sponsor a Chair

We’re inviting members of our congregation to help us create a warm and welcoming space by sponsoring a new Adirondack chair for the front lawn of the church. Our current ones are beginning to fade and blow around in the wind and the chairs we are looking to purchase are heavier, more durable and have brighter colors. (We thank Anne Hoenicke and Peter Woolford for sharing their chairs and this idea with us over these last few years!). These chairs are more than just a place to sit—they represent rest, connection, and our shared commitment to welcoming all with joy.

As an open and affirming congregation, we celebrate and include people of all identities and life journeys into the full life and ministry of our church. This commitment to radical hospitality is lived out not only in worship, but in the everyday spaces we create together.

Whether neighbors stopping to chat, families gathering after services, or passersby taking a quiet moment, these chairs are a simple, visible sign to all who pass by that there is a place for them at FCCW.

Join us in creating a space of welcome, connection, and belonging for all by sponsoring a $220 chair or buddying up with a friend to sponsor a chair.

Justice Ministry

Repair Café

Saturday, June 20 , 2026

9:00 AM-12:00 PM in Chidley Hall

Signups are open for our next Repair Café on June 20 starting at 9 am in Chidley Hall.

sewing & knitting repairs
knives or scissors sharpening
electronics and lamp repair
furniture fixing
We also repair childrens toys including stuffies

Sign-up Here for a Repair

Ministry Team

Prayer List

Please keep these people in your prayers. If you have someone to add to the list, we invite you to contact Rev. Will or Rev. Maeve.

Jody Collins Skinner and family, at the death of her father Thomas Logan Mcfarlane.

Jake Jaquith, Nancy Kneiss's father, for healing from a stroke.

Hilde Kahl, Tom's mother, for healing after a fall.

The Shanahan family (Katie, Alec, Liam, and Logan) as they adjust to Logan’s diagnosis of Angelman Syndrome - for support and wisdom around tests and care.

Healing prayers for Craig MacInnes, as he recovers from a fall, and his wife, Jeanette.

Julianne Zimmerman's friend, Jennifer, for healing from cancer.

Andrea, friend of Karen Roberts, that her cancer treatment will be successful.

The Ryan family and Bob, who is recovering from a successful heart surgery.

Karen, Caroline Lafferty's aunt, for strength and healing in the face of a cancer diagnosis.

Katie Shanahan’s father, for strength and healing through cancer treatment.

Ana, who is suffering emotional and economic distress, for comfort and sustenance.

Healing and strength for Kim Farina's mother, as she battles cancer.

Ellie Chita's son-in-law, Miguel, as he undergoes chemotherapy.

Peggy Wargelin, for peace amidst family chaos.

Healing and strength for Ron Taylor, who has been recovering from a stroke.

Don, Drew Holman's step-father, for healing.