Pastor Rick’s Message: Feb 2012

“Be the change you want to see in the world” is a quote from Mahatma Gandhi that has become very popular in the church and in our society. Through the season of Lent this year we will try to embody the sentiment of this quote as we seek to Change the World; Change Ourselves. Jesus clearly wanted to introduce change to his world as he proclaimed the Kingdom of God was at hand. But he worked by changing the lives and the worldview of his disciples who could then contagiously extend that change to others.

During this season of Lent we will explore the challenges of Jesus’ teaching for our lives. In accepting this work to improve the character of our own lives we hope to discover the world of promise where we experience both abundant life and signs of the Kingdom of God.

We can become overwhelmed at the prospect of continually improving ourselves. But I challenge you to take the limited time of these 40 days of Lent to improve your life and your discipleship. Take advantage of both our Tuesday evening series and our Sunday morning worship as special opportunities for your growth.

Pastor Rick’s Message: Jan 2012

As the year comes to an end and I reflect back on the past year, I realize that at this time last year I was wrapping up my ministry in Southington and beginning here in Willimantic. It has been a very good year from me. The welcome given to Karen and I has been wonderful and we love our new church home.

High points for me include our Adult Lenten Study, Vacation Bible School with the children and the Mission Trip to New York City with the youth. The introduction of a second worship service with the creation of the band has been very exciting. All of these have allowed me to come to know many people in the congregation and required others to help with leadership. I am truly grateful for the leadership I have found in Willimantic. I have discovered members stepped up to lead during the interim period and have continued to offer their able skills and talents as I have begun my ministry.

So I have been able to enjoy other areas of ministry more by observation. Puppet ministry; the Interfaith Sewing Group; church dinners; and the brass concert are run so beautifully that I feel like more of a cheer leader for the efforts involved.

As we transition to the New Year, it is a time to rededicate ourselves to growing in faith and to serving. With so many talented leaders, I look forward to the year ahead as I celebrate this past year.

Christmas Services

Our church services will be combine for the Holiday Season. We hope you will join us!
Christmas Eve Service – 7pm
Christmas Day Service – 10am
New Years Day Service – 10am

Pastor Rick’s Installation Service Pictures

Pastor Rick’s Message: Dec 2011

Thanksgiving is over and we have entered the pressured time to get ready for Christmas. Homes and trees to be decorated; gifts to be purchased and wrapped; baking to be done; parties and events crowding our calendar.

Hopefully, you will find meaningful experiences of God and God’s love in the midst of your preparations and activities. I invite you to worship each Sunday to bring meaning to your life and to better prepare you to see God’s presence. Advent kicked off on Sunday November 27 with a visit from the Angel Gabriel, in the form of a giant puppet, bringing Good News and lighting the first candle in our Advent Wreath. Other special guests will be lighting up the wreath and service in weeks to come.

Special events in December include our puppet show, Orpah’s story on December 4th, presented by our very own Four Corner Puppets. On December 11th, we will meet at the church at 6 p.m. to go Christmas Caroling. Our first stop will be the Card Home and then we will travel to the homes of special church members, singing our way around town before returning to the church for refreshments.

Christmas Eve promises to be special with worship at 7 p.m. featuring organ, choir, worship band and candlelight. We celebrate not only coming into our lives but becoming “One of Us.”

Don’t just rush through the holiday. Join us to find special meaning this Christmas.

New Contemporary Service!

Holiday Fair Nov. 19

Come join us for our Holiday Fair on Nov. 19th, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Crafts, Baked Goods, Jewelry, Collectibles, Wreaths and Centerpieces, Silent Auction, Raffle, Kids Boutique, Thrift Shop, Santa Shop for Kids, Picture with Santa! New Vendors!
Luncheon served from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Pastor Rick’s Message: Nov 2011

November is often thought of as the month of Thanksgiving. That is true with multiple opportunities this month.

We begin with the service of installation for me and First Church at 4 p.m. on November 6. We celebrate the work of God’s Spirit and the Search Committee providing me with the opportunity to serve in ministry in Willimantic. The worship service, called by the Windham Association installs me as the settled Senior Minister at First Congregational Church of Willimantic, affirming the call agreement that I and the congregation signed last year. I am excited for this celebration and I hope as many members as possible will be present for this service.

On the 13th of November, we have Pledge Sunday, the culmination of our stewardship program. As we make our commitments to the church we celebrate our experience of God’s love in our lives and the love we have for the church. I have witnessed the great love for the church in our cottage meetings and that provides the basis for our commitment and support of this church. This act is an act of Thanksgiving for our faith heritage.

We celebrate the national day of Thanksgiving on November 20. The holiday brings out a great spirit of celebration for our congregation and for the community as we also share the interfaith Thanksgiving service. It is important to share this celebration in community particularly during the difficult economic times that we are experiencing.

I am thankful for these celebrations in November and I hope you will join me.

UNICEF

Help our church reach it’s goal in our annual UNICEF program!
Learn more at http://inside.unicefusa.org/goto/Fccwillimantic

Pastor Rick’s Message: Oct 2011

I have been thrilled with the beginning of the program year since Rally Day. There have been so many members resuming their faithful roles and others stepping up to new roles. September is always good because it marks the return of the choir to its usual leadership in worship. You don’t realize how much you have missed them until they return and worship just seems so much more beautiful. We are fortunate to have such a wonderful choir.
With church school resuming, our Christian Education committee and our church school teachers have really stepped up to provide Church School during two worship services. I really appreciate their dedication to our children.
The new contemporary worship service has far exceeded my expectations. John Hinckley has done a wonderful job forming our worship band. We have active members taking on new positions and we have members returning to become involved. Members are staffing the projection system and the video camera. We have members and new people playing instruments in the band and singing in the band. Opportunities for people to be involved in worship and the church have increased dramatically. The commitment of so many helping with leadership demonstrates that worship really is the work of the people.
The Deacons have done their service with more frequent communion. Our greeters and ushers complete the picture. What a great beginning to the program year. So many involved that I can’t name them because I would surely leave someone out. But thanks to each of you for giving leadership to provide wonderful worship opportunities to the people of Willimantic and the surrounding area.
May we continue to experience the grace of God and to offer it generously to all.