Worship, Sundays at 10:00 am
No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.
Hanging of the Greens – Sunday, Nov. 30, after worship
Join your First Congregational family as we decorate our home for the holy seasons of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany! Join us after worship on the First Sunday of Advent, November 30th, to deck the halls.
Women’s Fellowship Christmas Lunch – Thursday, Dec. 4 | 12 PM
Join Women’s Fellowship for their annual Christmas Lunch at the Venue. Spouses are welcome to attend. Sign up ahead of time. The cost is $35 per person.
Christmas Pageant – Sunday, Dec. 14, during worship
Join us for our annual Christmas Pageant during worship. Stay after worship for cookies and a hot cocoa bar.
Women’s Fellowship Spaghetti Dinner| 3rd Thursday of the Month, 4:30 – 6:30 PM – Fellowship Hall
Our Women’s Fellowship Spaghetti Dinners will resume on Thursday, September 18th, from 4:30-6:30 PM. Mark your calendars now and plan to join your church family for dinner. Plan to join us the 3rd Thursday of every month.
Christmas Concert – Sunday, Dec. 21, during worship
Be sure to attend worship on December 21st, at 10 AM to hear our Choir Christmas Concert. It’s our musical Christmas gift to the congregation, and it’s sure to put you in the Christmas spirit.
Blue Christmas Service- Sunday, Dec. 21, 4:00 PM
Blue Christmas. During the holidays, so many of us may suffer for all kinds of reasons. The magnitude of our weary world weighs on our hearts and minds. We wrestle with chronic pain, broken relationships, shattered dreams, fragile faith, and unexpected losses. Our grief and sorrow feel particularly acute when compared to the festivity and joy everyone else seems to be feeling. First Congregational Church of Tallmadge, in response to these realities, will offer a “Blue Christmas” service (also sometimes called the Longest Night service).
This contemplative service will allow for space to reflect on our grief and longing during this season. Soothing scriptures and subdued hymn singing will allow us to hear the Christmas story while not being forced to sing “Joy to the World” when our hearts are hurting. Our Blue Christmas service will be held on Sunday, Dec. 21st (the Longest Night) at 4:00 PM.
Christmas Eve Services – Wednesday, Dec. 24th | 4:30 PM and 7:00 PM
The 4:30pm Christmas Eve service is entitled, “A Night of Journey and Joy.” We are envisioning this as a Bethlehem marketplace. We want to try and capture the chaos and expectant joy of the tiny Judean town that witnessed first hand the birth of Jesus. We will begin at 4:30 in the Fellowship Hall. Come and visit our “Bethlehem market stalls.” There you will find a craft stall for a make-it-and-take-it holiday craft. There will be music and carol singing. There will be a refreshment stall where you can have cocoa and cookies. We will have tables and chairs for conversation as well.
There will be the traditional Lessons and Carols service at 7:00pm as well. At this service we will hear the story again, and this service will feature our musicians, including the yearly visit of our cellist and harpist.
Whichever service you choose to attend, we hope you will find it to be a meaningful experience.
All Church Retreat- Saturday, Jan. 10, 8 AM – 7 PM, Loyola Retreat House
Over the centuries, Jesus has been many things to many people. Our collective thoughts are perhaps shaped by years of Sunday School, Bible Study, and private devotion. It seems increasingly, however, like Jesus is being “bent” to accommodate theological schemes that may not be in line with who Jesus was and what he actually taught. This year’s retreat will focus on discovering who this person is that we profess to follow.
We’ll study the Historical Jesus, the Teachings of Jesus and what it means to be a “Christian.” The distinction between calling yourself a Christian and actually being a follower of Jesus is crucial. At the retreat we will also explore what it truly means to follow Jesus, rather than merely holding the title of Christian.
We are planning a fantastic time to engage in community-building, hands-on activities, games, worship, study the bible, and spend quality time in small groups. Sign-ups begin on Sunday, November 23, before/after church in the Atrium. Registration deadline is December 14. The cost for the one-day retreat, which includes all meals and retreat materials, is $60.00 per person.
Roots and Wings – Thanksgiving Crafts | Sunday, January 18 and February 15 @ 4:30 PM
Roots and Wings is a new fellowship group for grandparents and grandchildren to grow in faith and friendship together. This is open to all children, but our activities will be geared for elementary-aged grandchildren. If your child wants to come and doesn’t have a local grandparent, we can find an adoptive grandparent that would like to participate. The next meeting will be: The next few meetings will be on the THIRD SUNDAY instead of the second Sunday of the month due to scheduling… January 18 and February 15.
First Congregational Church of Tallmadge 