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Thursday, May 28, 2026

This Week in Worship


Now that we have celebrated the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, we gather into one our concept of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, or Lover, Beloved and the Spirit of Love, and celebrate Trinity Sunday. This Sunday we are also lifting up and honoring our Open and Affirming commitment as a church that receives LGBTQ+ folks as full and valued members of our religious community in recognition of Pride month. Our scriptures will center on the wisdom literature of Proverbs 8 and the Great Commission from Matthew 28. 

The Outdoor Church in Cambridge

Sandwiches & Walkers Needed

Sunday, May 31st, 2026 at 2 pm


We are looking for sandwich makers and a couple walkers for Outdoor Church on Sunday afternoon May 31st. We meet at Harvard Epworth Methodist Church (1555 Mass Ave) at 2pm on Sunday afternoon, deliver sandwiches to the homeless in Harvard Square and Central Square and are usually done by 5pm. Making the sandwiches is a fun family service project and delivering them is a great father-daughter, mother-son (or any combination of a couple people) activity. Rev. Loughlin needs 1 or 2 walkers at most. Please signup here to make sandwiches or walk. 


Outdoor Church

Faith Formation Ministry

Children & Youth


Stepping Stones Stuffy Sunday!  Bring your favorite stuffed animal to church and we’ll share what we do at church with our stuffed friends. Please no talking stuffies.


Junior Forum (5 PM) will talk about how we can rely on God during times of change and transition. 


Forum (7 PM) will visit the BUILDING BRIDGES exhibit in Ripley Chapel and have a post-art walk discussion.


Worship Arts Ministry

"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. 

building bridges present

Ripley Presents: Building Bridges

Pride Exhibit, 5/31-6/14


Visit the exhibit in Ripley Chapel between Sunday, May 31 and 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 exhibit here.

Special Music Sunday 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 Special Music Sunday – where the choir, orchestra, and soloists offer a major work during the worship service.

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

PERSONNEL MINISTRY

Congregation 360 Minister Survey


The Personnel Ministry is pleased to invite the entire congregation to participate in our Congregation 360 Minister Survey. This survey is an important opportunity for us to hear directly from you about the ministry and leadership of our pastors, Will and Maeve, and our other two Ministers, Jane and Maggie. The Personnel Ministry reviews the performance of our Ministers every year, but every few years we also seek feedback from the entire congregation to provide a more comprehensive review process....read more about this here

Survey QR Code

The survey can be accessed using the link here: https://forms.gle/vGbBLHRNYtMqeHDaA

or by using the QR code provided here: 


-Christian Ehrbar

Personnel Ministry Chair

Chancel Flowers


Would you care to donate flowers in memory or in honor of a loved one or to celebrate a special date? Each Sunday, the Chancel area is beautifully decorated with a floral offering, reminding us of the glory of God's creation and of God's abundant provision for us all.

After the service, the flowers are used to create small arrangements to deliver to members in need.

If you'd like to donate flowers for one of the dates below, please contact Sarah in the office.

 

June 7, 2026

June 21, 2026 -Father's Day

November 29, 2026

December 20, 2026

December 27, 2026


Ministry Team

Meet The Clicker


He is simple, easy to use and awaiting you! Please consider signing up for a Sunday to advance the slides during our worship service. We need someone for this Sunday.

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.


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

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

Prayers of comfort for John, beloved friend of the Kneiss and Jaquith families, as he enters his final days after a long battle with illness.

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.

Sarah’s husband, Ryan, for strength and healing during occupational therapy rehab.

Family and friends of Suzie Zimmerman, Julianne’s mother, in their grief.

Family and friends of Hannah Lafferty, in their grief. 

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.

Julia’s sister, Anne as she battles Stage 4 cancer. 

Karen Roberts, for healing after surgery.

Kevin Kattwinkel, Susan K. Navien's brother, for healing from oral cancer.

Pat and his family, friends of the Keelers, for comfort and healing.

Arthur Cobb for living with Parkinson's and Lucy Sanders for bipolar management. 

Vanessa, newly diagnosed with previously unrecognized MS, for healing.

Tricia Marino, Pam McPherson's cousin, recovering from back surgery.

Claire Joyce, for healing.

Healing and recovery for Michelle Millben’s mother. 

Jennifer, daughter of Barbara and Bob Davis, in her cancer treatments. 

Cooper Sayre, for his left side to continue to rewire, and for ongoing faith and perseverance. 

Kathy Ciolino, friend of Linda Alexander, in recovery from an aneurysm bleed.

Healing and comfort for Bruce Lauterwasser's Aunt Joan and her daughter Babs.

Glenn McPherson, Tony McPherson’s brother, as he awaits a kidney transplant.

Helpful Links

 
 

Wider Community Events

abc
pridefest
porchfest
 

Last Week in Worship

Pentecost Sunday May 24, 2026

Sermon: "Some Kiss👄!"  @ 9:30 Podcast

 

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