Team First Church Stratford is participating in the 2024 CROP Hunger Walk on Sunday, May 5. CROP Hunger Walks raise funds to support the global mission of Church World Service, a faith-based organization that works to end hunger and poverty. Twenty-five percent of the funds raised will support hunger relief organizations in the greater Bridgeport area.

All are welcome to walk! An adult must accompany children under 12. The regular walking route is 2.14 miles, but a 1.2 mile route is also available. On the day of the walk, participants are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for nOURish Bridgeport.

To join or support Team First Church Stratford, please visit bit.ly/CROPWalk2024. Lynne Pert will also collect cash and check contributions through May 5. If donating by check, please include the PIN 840005322 on the memo line. Thank you for your support of this important mission.

First Church Stratford holds a “Red Bag” food drive the first Sunday of each month. Our next collection is Sunday, April 7, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the church parking lot. Please bring non-perishable food items, toiletries and/or pet food. Local pantries are empty and in dire need of restocking. Thank you for your continued support of this important mission.

Join us on Zoom on Monday, April 29, for the final session of a Community Book Discussion series on 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘞𝘦 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘉𝘺: 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘏𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘚𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘞𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘌𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘏𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢, led by author Donald Burnes.

𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘞𝘦 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘉𝘺 provides a deeply humanizing look that will change our understanding of our neighbors, poverty and homelessness. Believing we can make inroads in resolving homelessness and poverty in our community, the multipart discussion series is open to all, even if they have not yet read the book. Everyone is welcome to attend the discussion.

To receive the Zoom link, please email socialjusticeatfcc@gmail.com. Free copies of the book are available at Stratford Library (while supplies last). This discussion series is sponsored by a partnership between First Congregational Church of Stratford, Stratford CARE and Stratford Library.

Our Contemporary Worship team will lead worship one Sunday each month! Join us on April 28 at 10 AM for an uplifting and powerful morning of music and scripture. The service will also be available on Zoom (for those on our email list) and Facebook Live.

Join us on Zoom on Monday, April 22, for the continuation of a Community Book Discussion series on 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘞𝘦 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘉𝘺: 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘏𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘚𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘞𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘌𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘏𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢, led by author Donald Burnes.

𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘞𝘦 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘉𝘺 provides a deeply humanizing look that will change our understanding of our neighbors, poverty and homelessness. Believing we can make inroads in resolving homelessness and poverty in our community, the multipart discussion series is open to all, even if they have not yet read the book.

The final Monday evening Zoom session is at 6:30 PM on April 29. Each session will delve into relevant topics from the book. Everyone is welcome to attend all, a few or just one of the discussions.

To receive the Zoom link, please email socialjusticeatfcc@gmail.com. Free copies of the book are available at Stratford Library (while supplies last). This discussion series is sponsored by a partnership between First Congregational Church of Stratford, Stratford CARE and Stratford Library.

Join us for a Youth Sunday service on Sunday, April 21. Our Sunday School students and their teachers will lead our 10 AM worship service.

Join us on Zoom on Monday, April 15, for the continuation of a Community Book Discussion series on 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘞𝘦 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘉𝘺: 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘏𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘚𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘞𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘌𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘏𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢, led by author Donald Burnes.

𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘞𝘦 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘉𝘺 provides a deeply humanizing look that will change our understanding of our neighbors, poverty and homelessness. Believing we can make inroads in resolving homelessness and poverty in our community, the multipart discussion series is open to all, even if they have not yet read the book.

The remaining three Monday evening sessions (all on Zoom) are at 6:30 PM on April 15, 22 and 29. Each session will delve into relevant topics from the book. Everyone is welcome to attend all, a few or just one of the discussions.

To receive the Zoom link, please email socialjusticeatfcc@gmail.com. Free copies of the book are available at Stratford Library (while supplies last). This discussion series is sponsored by a partnership between First Congregational Church of Stratford, Stratford CARE and Stratford Library.

First Church Stratford holds a “Red Bag” food drive the first Sunday of each month. Our next collection is Sunday, April 7, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the church parking lot. Please bring non-perishable food items, toiletries and/or pet food. Local pantries are empty and in dire need of restocking. Thank you for your continued support of this important mission.

Join us on Sunday, March 31 at 10 AM for our traditional Easter Sunday service. This joyous worship service includes scripture and festive music, concluding with the singing of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah. The service will also be available on Zoom (for those on our email list) and Facebook Live.

Our annual Easter Sunrise Service is at 6:30 AM on Sunday, March 31. The service will be held at Boothe Park in Stratford. Join us for a beautiful start to your Easter worship!

Join us for an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30. The event begins at 11 AM in the church parking lot and on the church grounds. The Easter Bunny will be making an appearance, so there should be plenty of chances for photos. Please bring a basket or bag to hold your eggs as you collect them!

Join us on Thursday, March 28 for our Maundy Thursday service. The service will be held in the sanctuary at 7:30 PM. Online worship will also take place at 7:30 PM on Zoom (for those on our email list) and Facebook Live.

The Women’s Service League will hold a Palm Sunday bake sale on Sunday, March 24. The sale will take place in Upper Packard Hall immediately following the church service. Requested baked goods are various kinds of fruit and nut breads, including banana bread, nut rolls or cranberry bread. Please wrap the bread in clear plastic wrap, attach a label describing the bread type and indicate whether or not it contains nuts. You can also bring the bread to the Women’s Service League meeting on Saturday, March 23 (10 AM to 12 PM), or drop it off before the church service on March 24.

Proceeds of the bake sale will help fund the WSL’s church improvement projects. To sign up to bake or to ask any questions, please visit the Women's Service League table in Upper Packard Hall during fellowship hour on March 3, 10 or 17. Thank you for your contributions!

Join us on March 24 for our Palm Sunday service. During our 10 AM morning worship, our Chancel and Festival Choirs will present a Palm Sunday Cantata, featuring works by Dan Forrest, Craig Courtney and Elaine Hagenberg. The service will also include scripture and hymns, including the annual singing of “The Palms.” Please join us as we celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

First Church Stratford will host Community Lenten Dinners on Fridays in Lent. The dinners will be held from 5 to 7:30 PM on the following Fridays: March 1, March 8, March 15 and March 22. The three course meal includes a choice of soup or salad; a main course of salmon, shrimp scampi, fish and chips, crab cakes or vegetarian lasagna; and a dessert. The cost is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and $5 for kids. All are welcome!

Volunteers are needed to help with prep, baking, cooking, serving, setting up and cleaning up. Sign up here to volunteer. For questions, please contact Amy Elias at msamyelias@yahoo.com or (917) 557-0245.

First Church Stratford will present weekly mini Lenten concerts, featuring pianist and organist Dr. Joe Utterback. The concerts will be held in the church sanctuary, 2301 Main Street, Stratford. The final concert is at 3 PM on Wednesday, March 20. There is no admission fee. Please join us!

Join us on Zoom this Monday, March 18, for the start of a Community Book Discussion series on 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘞𝘦 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘉𝘺: 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘏𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘚𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘞𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘌𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘏𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢, led by author Donald Burnes.

𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘞𝘦 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘉𝘺 provides a deeply humanizing look that will change our understanding of our neighbors, poverty and homelessness. Believing we can make inroads in resolving homelessness and poverty in our community, the multipart discussion series is open to all, even if they have not yet read the book.

The first session on Monday, March 18, beginning at 6:30 PM, will feature an author talk on Zoom. The next four Monday evening sessions (all on Zoom) are at 6:30 PM on March 25, April 15, April 22 and April 29. Each session will delve into relevant topics from the book. Everyone is welcome to attend all, a few or just one of the discussions.

To receive the Zoom link, please email socialjusticeatfcc@gmail.com. Free copies of the book are available at Stratford Library (while supplies last). This discussion series is sponsored by a partnership between First Congregational Church of Stratford, Stratford CARE and Stratford Library.

First Church Stratford's Board of Christian Education is selling corned beef sandwiches. The sandwiches are on rye bread and include mustard and sauerkraut on the side. The cost per sandwich is $7 for adults and $6 for seniors. Sandwiches will be ready for pickup in Upper Packard Hall after church on Sunday, March 17.

To place an order, please visit the BOCE table during Fellowship Coffee Hour on Sunday, March 3 or 10. For any questions, please contact Amy Elias at (917) 557-0246 or msamyelias@yahoo.com. If you would prefer to not sign up online, please call or email Amy. Orders must be received by Friday, March 15.

All proceeds will benefit the Silver Lake Scholarship Fund, which helps send church youth to summer camp at Silver Lake. Thank you for your support!

First Church Stratford will host Community Lenten Dinners on Fridays in Lent. The dinners will be held from 5 to 7:30 PM on the following Fridays: March 1, March 8, March 15 and March 22. The three course meal includes a choice of soup or salad; a main course of salmon, shrimp scampi, fish and chips, crab cakes or vegetarian lasagna; and a dessert. The cost is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and $5 for kids. All are welcome!

Volunteers are needed to help with prep, baking, cooking, serving, setting up and cleaning up. Sign up here to volunteer. For questions, please contact Amy Elias at msamyelias@yahoo.com or (917) 557-0245.

First Church Stratford will present weekly mini Lenten concerts, featuring pianist and organist Dr. Joe Utterback. The concerts will be held in the church sanctuary, 2301 Main Street, Stratford. The penultimate concert is at 3 PM on Wednesday, March 13. The final concert is at 3 PM on Wednesday, March 20. There is no admission fee. Please join us!

On March 10, during our Sunday service, we will collect the One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering. OGHS is one of four special mission offerings of the United Church of Christ. This Lenten Offering benefits the refugee, disaster and development ministries of the UCC within Wider Church Ministries.

Offering envelopes will be placed in the bulletins on March 19. Please make checks payable to First Congregational Church and write OGHS in the memo section.

Donations are also accepted through UCC’s Mobile Giving/Text-to-Give. Text the letters OGHS to short code 41444.

Thank you for your continued generosity!

Join us for Scout Sunday on March 10. During our 10 AM service, Boy Scouts from Troop 71 will lead our worship service. Current and former Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are especially encouraged to attend this annual celebration of scouting.

First Church Stratford will host Community Lenten Dinners on Fridays in Lent. The dinners will be held from 5 to 7:30 PM on the following Fridays: March 1, March 8, March 15 and March 22. The three course meal includes a choice of soup or salad; a main course of salmon, shrimp scampi, fish and chips, crab cakes or vegetarian lasagna; and a dessert. The cost is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and $5 for kids. All are welcome!

Volunteers are needed to help with prep, baking, cooking, serving, setting up and cleaning up. Sign up here to volunteer. For questions, please contact Amy Elias at msamyelias@yahoo.com or (917) 557-0245.

First Church Stratford will present weekly mini Lenten concerts, featuring pianist and organist Dr. Joe Utterback. The concerts will be held in the church sanctuary, 2301 Main Street, Stratford. The next concert is at 3 PM on Wednesday, March 6. Additional concerts are at 3 PM on Wednesday, March 13 and 20. There is no admission fee. Please join us!

First Church Stratford holds a “Red Bag” food drive the first Sunday of each month. Our next collection is Sunday, March 3, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the church parking lot. Please bring non-perishable food items, toiletries and/or pet food. Local pantries are empty and in dire need of restocking. Thank you for your continued support of this important mission.

First Church Stratford will host Community Lenten Dinners on Fridays in Lent. The dinners will be held from 5 to 7:30 PM on the following Fridays: March 1, March 8, March 15 and March 22. The three course meal includes a choice of soup or salad; a main course of salmon, shrimp scampi, fish and chips, crab cakes or vegetarian lasagna; and a dessert. The cost is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and $5 for kids. All are welcome!

Volunteers are needed to help with prep, baking, cooking, serving, setting up and cleaning up. Sign up here to volunteer. For questions, please contact Amy Elias at msamyelias@yahoo.com or (917) 557-0245.

First Church Stratford will present weekly mini Lenten concerts, featuring pianist and organist Dr. Joe Utterback. The concerts will be held in the church sanctuary, 2301 Main Street, Stratford. The first concert is at 3 PM on Wednesday, February 28. Additional concerts are at 3 PM on Wednesday, March 6, 13 and 20. There is no admission fee. Please join us!

Fat Sunday is back! Our New Orleans style jazz worship service returns on Sunday, February 11, at 10 AM. Fat Sunday is a variation on Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras), which is the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of the Lenten season. The service will feature festive music from the Vintage Brass Ensemble. The service will be held in the church sanctuary, 2301 Main Street, Stratford. All are welcome!

Help the BOCE fill the shelves of the South End Community Food Pantry by donating cans of soup on Super Bowl Sunday (February 11th). We will place soup pots at the church doors that morning for you to leave cans of soup (or cash if you prefer) so we can work toward fighting hunger. Thank you for your support!

The Music Department will hold a Valentine Potluck Dinner on Saturday, February 10, at 5:00 PM in Lower Packard Hall. The cost is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for children, with a maximum of $15 per family. Please bring either a main dish, a side dish or a dessert to share. All proceeds benefit the Special Music Fund.

If you would like to be a part of the musical entertainment, please contact Allison or Dr. Joe. A sheet for talent sign up will also be on the door of the Music Room.

Reservations can still be made by contacting Sue Romatzick. We hope to see you there!