Worship With Us

During July and August we meet in our air-conditioned Music Chapel at 9:30 a.m. From September 13th through June our worship services begin at 10:00 a.m. in our Sanctuary. We invite you to worship with us. Everyone is welcome, no matter where you are on your faith journey.  

From September through June, if you are unable to attend church services, you may view the service live on Bedford Religious Access Channel 10 Comcast, Channel 40 Verizon, or see a tape of the service on Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m. You may also borrow videotapes or DVDs from our church library.

Worship Services

Worship Services begin at 10:00 a.m. through June in the Sanctuary.
We normally have communion on the first Sunday of the month.

Sunday morning Thanksgiving worship will celebrate with special music and reminders of our heritage.
At 3:00 p.m. we will also host the annual Bedford Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. Mike Rosenberg will give the message. If you can help the deacons with some goodies for post-worship refreshment that afternoon, please speak to Dotty Blake.

November 29th - The First Sunday of Advent
Advent is the first “season” in the Christian year. The four Sundays leading up to Christmas, with the accompaniment of Advent wreath candle lighting, are a time of waiting, remembering the waiting that led to the birth of Jesus. Originally the weeks of Advent focused on the Second Coming of Christ, the “end time,” so the Advent lectionary (the cycle of readings followed by many Christian churches) includes many passages from the prophets and even some end-time references by Jesus, and there is also the figure of John the Baptist, calling people to repent: to turn their lives around.

Our emphasis is on the waiting for the First Coming, the birth of Jesus, Light for the World. In these days that are hard for so many, the message of Advent and Christmas is a deeply needed message of hope – and of practical action.

Second Sunday of Advent - December 6th - “Just Who Do You Think You Are?”
Malachi 3:1-4 Philippians 1:3-11 Luke 3:1-6
As we continue in the season of Advent, we will light the second candle of our Advent wreath and also share in communion. Mindful of health concerns in this season, we want to remind everyone that our deacons use appropriate kitchen precautions when preparing the communion elements, and that they and the pastor also cleanse their hands just before the sacrament in worship. We have done this for years, but we are particularly aware of people’s concerns during this flu season.
Between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. our church will be the final stop on the Bedford Chamber of Commerce Holiday Homes Tour; we will provide light refreshments, and the Yuletide Treasures Room will be open. See article on page 9.
At 5:00 p.m. we will hold our church family Christmas Party with musical presentation by our children’s and youth choirs.

Third Sunday of Advent December 13th “Someone to Rejoice Over Us”
Zephaniah 3:14-20 Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3:7-18
While the liturgical color for Advent is either blue or violet, on the third Sunday of Advent the candle is pink, to celebrate the joy, the heightened sense of anticipation, at the coming of Christ. Bring new, unwrapped gifts for City Mission Society this Sunday morning! The CMS Christmas Shops provide a place for clients of City Mission Society in Boston to “shop” for free for their families. A treasured tradition here at first Church, this offering of gifts makes a real difference for many people of all ages in the city. In the afternoon some of our youth and adults will volunteer as sorters at the collection center in the First Congregational Church UCC in Winchester. After worship: The Post-Fair Sale! A chance to support First Church, do some Christmas shopping, and add to CMS gifts.

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 20th
“Did Mary Know?” - Christmas Pageant

Christmas Eve, December 24th
+ + + NOTE CHANGE IN TIME!! + + +
Living Crèche 8:15-10:15 p.m. (in front of the meeting house)
4:00 p.m. Children’s Service - Especially for young children, but open to all!
9:00 p.m. Candlelight Service
( Handbell Concert one-half hour before the evening service)

First Sunday After Christmas - December 27th
Lay-led Christmas-Themed Service
No child care or classes, so our volunteers may enjoy being with their families.

Our Sunday services from Homecoming Sunday in September through June are broadcast live on Channels 10 (Channel 40 if you have Verizon), Bedford Community Access Television (Bedford TV). In addition to a live cablecast of our Sunday service at 10:00 a.m., Channel 10 plays the tape of the our service on Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m. Also check their bulletin board for special services or events. You may also borrow video tapes of our services from our church library. More recent services are now also on DVDs for borrowing.