Please take special note that the Christmas Eve service will be held at 9 pm, not 8 pm as indicated in the printed edition.
With the continued increase in COVID-19 cases, we are requiring masks in our church building. Our newsletter, the Weekly Witness, will include any changes to these regulations. To sign up for our newsletter, contact the church office at office@fcsuffield.org, or visit our Website homepage www.firstchurchsuffield.org. Our services are always available on our YouTube page, 10 a.m. each Sunday.
First Church is excited to be in the Advent Season! We look forward to the Christmas season as we continue to embrace our year of A Future with Hope with our Advent theme: Hope & Light for the World!
You are invited to swing into the holiday season by joining your fellow members and friends of First Church with our online auction, with all proceeds supporting Suffield Community Aid Fuel Bank. Online bidding will begin on Friday, December 3, at noon. The auction will conclude on Thursday night, December 9, at 7 p.m. at First Church. Join us for glad tidings and cheer as the high bidders are revealed. You may attend this night either in person or via zoom. A zoom link will be sent out closer to the December 9 date to anyone who requests it. The auction is open to both men and women. Keep that in mind when you are thinking about something to donate, or perhaps who you might have on your shopping list when bidding at the auction. Information for the Online Auction, donations, links and more are available through First Church office@fcsuffield.org.
Our collection for newborn baby items will begin soon. Each year we have a Mission Sunday service, Mary’s Baby Shower, where our congregation puts together bags of donated items for newborns and new mothers in need at Baystate Medical Center Neonatal Care Unit. Diapers, wipes, pacifiers, baby hats, baby wash, baby shampoo, baby lotion, heavy (fleece) sleepers size 0-3 months (not newborn sized) are all welcome for the collection. Contact First Church for drop-off dates to help support this sweet and important mission service.
For some people, the approaching Christmas holiday does not bring with it joy and happiness. Individuals and families may be facing their first holiday season after the death of a loved one or the loss of a job, divorce or other losses we experience throughout our lives. First Church of Christ, other area churches, Heritage Funeral Home, Nicholson & Carmon Funeral Home, and Masonic Hospice will host a Longest Night Christmas service on Tuesday, December 21 at 7 p.m., in person in the sanctuary or on YouTube. This ecumenical service will include many of the aspects of a regular Christmas service but will have a quieter tone. Each family is invited to light a candle at home in remembrance of their loved one during the service. The service will include a time of remembrance for those we have lost over the past year(s). Names of loved ones will be included in the service. For more information, or to add a name to be lifted up during the service, please contact the church office.
First Church has two Christmas Eve services each year. All are welcome to join us! This year, we are excited to have our Family Christmas Eve service at 5 p.m. at Roaring Acres Alpacas, 685 Hale Street, Suffield, Connecticut. Join us for this special and unique outdoor Christmas Eve Service. A special service like this is the perfect thing to get right into the Christmas spirit. Bundle up and we will see you there as we celebrate the birth of Jesus together.
Our Lessons & Carols service will be held in our Sanctuary at 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve. This more traditional Christmas Eve service is open to all to attend. Please note the service is at 9 p.m.. This change was requested after the paper was printed. Come and celebrate the hope, peace, joy and love that come with the birth of our Savior. Contact the church office with any questions.
Our Sunday morning worship service on December 26 will be available on YouTube.
Please note that our Church Office will be closed on December 24 and 25, as well as December 31 and January 1.
Our Second Mile Offering for the month of December will support the Veterans of the Cross.
We continue to offer different Faith Circle opportunities each Thursday this year: reflection, hiking, reading, and walking. Jesus longs for us to not just be part of the church, but to be passionate about the church, its people and its mission. Contact office@fcsuffield.org to sign up or learn more information on our Faith Circles during the months of December and January.
Rev. Diann continues to offer Wednesday morning Bible Study at 10 a.m. each week via Zoom. Contact the church to join the study group.
Our Blessing Box has been utilized quite often since its installment! Our Blessing Box is located right in front of First Church on High St and is open to our neighbors and community members to take what you need; leave what you can. We encourage our community to donate what they can to the Blessing Box. Help us to keep the box stocked and support those in need.
First Church hosts numerous support groups in our building for their meetings. We ask that anyone entering First Church wear a mask. We have various support groups through Narcotics Anonymous, Families Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous available at First Church. Contact us for the full list of meetings.
If you have further questions, please call the church office and leave a message. Our staff and Minister are ready to assist you or provide information as needed.
God bless and stay safe!