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Worship

Sunday, November 30, 2025

at 10:30 AM

"The Grace of Animal Movement"


11:30-12:15 - Celtic Christian Advent Discussion



The Good Shepherd, 1917

Henry Ossawa Tanner

Oil on canvas

25 1/2 × 32 in.

Crystal Bridges Museum



Henry Ossawa Tanner studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts before moving to France, where he found some measure of freedom from racism. He was the first internationally acclaimed African American artist. His biblical paintings, in particular, were very popular.  

Dial by your location


• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

• +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

• +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)


Meeting ID: 898 5728 4935

Passcode: 120786

Attendance Last Week

Sunday, November 23


In-Person: 10

Zoom: 2

YouTube: 11 views after 24 hours

Weather: 34° and cloudy

Blue Christmas Service

Monday December 1 at 2:30 PM

(In-Person and on Zoom)

Rest on the Flight into Egypt

By Luc Olivier Merson (French, 1846–1920)

1879

Sometimes the holiday season can feel overwhelming. Whether or not this is the case for you, we invite you to join us for our Blue Christmas service—a gentle, reflective time of music, prayer, and comfort. Come find a quiet space for peace, healing, and shared hope.

Join instructions

https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/86270999317/invitations?signature=iJsNz2kXVmW0Dxrpqi88joicVK584MVMVT4qV3PcDps

2025 Advent & Christmas Activities and Services

[We are following the Celtic Christian tradition of 40 days of Advent this year, which makes for 2 additional Advent Sundays]

 

Sunday, November 30th

10:30-11:30 am - Third Advent (Hope)

11:30-12:15 - Celtic Christian Advent Discussion

 

MONDAY, December 1st

2:30-3:30 pm - Blue Christmas Service

 

Sunday, December 7th

9:30-10:30 am - Greening the Chapel

10:30-11:30 am - Fourth Advent (Peace) with Communion

11:30-12:15 - Celtic Christian Advent Discussion

 

Sunday, December 14th

10:30-11:30 am - Fifth Advent (Joy) & Hanging of the Chrismons

11:30-12:15 - Celtic Christian Advent Discussion (?)

 

Sunday, December 21st

2:30-4:30 pm - Jazz Sanctuary; Sixth Advent (Love)

 

Wednesday, December 24th

6-7pm - Candlelight Christmas Eve Service (Christ)

 

Sunday, December 28th

10:30-11:30 am Worship service with Christmas Hymn Sing

 

Sunday, January 4th

10:30-11:30 am Epiphany worship service with Communion

11:30 Coffee hour

Circle Gatherings

Prayers for the Nation

Join Rev. Reneé Rouse as she guides participants through group prayers for our nation and the world. These sessions take place on Zoom every Wednesday from 1:00-2:00 PM.


Join on Zoom


Dial in by phone:

• +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

• +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)


Meeting ID: 811 7129 7350

Passcode: 475344

Racial Justice Steering Team


This coming program year (Sept-May), the Racial Justice steering team is reading Black Portsmouth: Three Centuries of African-American Heritage by Mark Sammons and Valerie Cummingham, a comprehensive history of the Black community in Portsmouth from 1648 until the early 21st century. We’ll be reading and discussing this book, in addition to taking action to learn more about those of African descent in New Hampshire, and we invite you to join us! You can purchase the book at Gibson’s Bookstore (look in the “Local Authors” section), order through blackheritagetrailnh.org, or through Amazon.com.


The next meeting will take place on January21st on Zoom

from 2:30-4:00 PM.

Dial by your location

• +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington

• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

• +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)


Meeting ID: 853 7898 6356

Passcode: 596356

OUTREACH

Ministry of Outreach


Kid Kits And Clean Up Buckets

We need bags for the Kid Kits. While you have your sewing machines out for your Christmas projects, take time to sew a   bag or two. Directions can be found at CWS School Kits or on the bulletin board in front of the chapel.

Please continue to take sticky notes for the items needed to fill clean up buckets.


Crop Walk 

It's not too late to turn in money for crop walk. A final total will be given when all the money is in.

 

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe has been having rains daily the past two weeks. The Wall Street Journal reported that parts of Africa are experiencing cholera due to the rains.

 

Neighbors In Need 

We have received $20 for NIN. $135 for Strengthen the Church and $90 for Zimbabwe.  Thank you.

 

Salvation Army Christmas Angels

Please take an "angel" from the bulletin board and return the requested items unwrapped by Dec. 10.

 

Heifer International

Need help finding the perfect gift, Heifer International has the answer. Buy the gift that will make a long-lasting impact. Buy a share of a goat, heifer or sheep. Buy a flock of chickens or some honeybees. Sara Nichols has catalogues and cards if anyone is interested.

 

The Christmas Fund

The Christmas fund has been caring for active and retired clergy for over 100 years providing emergency grants, supplementation of small annuities and health premiums and Christmas thank you gift checks each December to our lower income retirees. Please give generously.

 

Christmas Eve offering

It has become a tradition to donate the money received on Christmas Eve to Family Promise. Let's continue this tradition and contribute to a good cause.

 

Did you miss worship last week?

Worship Assistant Schedule

Would you like to be a worship assistant? Please email Pastor Emilia.


Sara Nichols (Sunday, November 30th)


Rev. Renee' Rouse (Sunday, December 7th)


Phil Kimball (Sunday, December 14th)


Jazz Sanctuary - December 21st (No Reader)


Annie Papinsick (Sunday, December 28th)


Jim Wildman (Sunday, January 4th)


Eleanor Kimball (Sunday, January 11th)


Jazz Sanctuary - January 18th (No Reader)


Sheila Swenson (Sunday, January 25th)




December Birthdays



  Arthur Swenson Jr. – 12/6

 

 

 

                            


(If you would like your birthday listed, please email

Kathy at secretary@concordsfirstchurch.org)


PRAYER CONCERNS & PASTORAL CARE



If you would like your name included in the weekly prayer list, please contact our church administrator, Kathy secretary@concordsfirstchurch.org


We invite you to keep these people in your prayers this week:

Carol Hovey - Healing

Matt Wildman - Healing

Jim J - Healing

Family & Friends of Howard "BJ" Steinberg - Peace

Family of Carol Emery - Peace

Kellie Heath - Healing

Family of Franklin Richardson Rouse - Peace


No one from First Congregational Church will ever contact you by email, text, or any other type of message to ask you to purchase gift cards on our behalf. If you receive a message asking for a "favor," or that you do something "discreetly," please give us a call right away.


Copies of our church directory are available in the church office. Please stop by in person during office hours if you need one.

Staff Information

Jock's Bebe


Kathy's Reagan

Emilia's Scarlett

 FIRST CHURCH OFFICE HOURS:


Mondays & Thursdays 7:15 am-12:15 pm at 79 Clinton St

Tuesday 7:00 am - 12:00 pm online/phone

Wednesdays 11:30 am-2:30pm online/phone


Please call before coming in to speak to a staff member in person as they may be out running an errand!


CONTACT INFORMATION:

Church Office Number - (603) 225-5491

Emilia Halstead - pastor@concordsfirstchurch.org

Kathy Akerman - secretary@concordsfirstchurch.org

Jock Irvine - technology@concordsfirstchurch.org




Click here if you need a reimbursement form.