We Have Cautiously Begun the Reopening of Worship:
SUNDAY MAY 31
A highly-modified Sunday worship will resume at 9:30 a.m. on Pentecost Sunday, May 31, 2020. 
Pentecost marks the "birthday" of the Christian Church when we celebrate the power of the Holy Spirit coming to Jesus' followers and uniting them in their shared faith.  What a significant day for us to to begin Phase 1 of our return to worship.
The leadership of the church have agreed on a set of guidelines that conform to federal, state and municipal rules and guidelines.
  You can download the guidelines here.
Please also download the letter from Pastor Doug regarding these cautious first steps towards worshiping together.  The return to worship while this terrible disease is still raging is a personal decision and everyone must decide what is right for you, individually.  No one should feel that they have to choose between feeling safe or coming to worship!
Here is Pastor Doug's letter

 The leadership of the church fully endorse the common-sense policies outlined in these two documents.  
Policies require every person at worship to wear face masks.  Also, except for immediate families sitting together, all worshipers must  maintain proper social distancing during, while entering, and while leaving worship.  To facilitate this, we have blocked off some pews to help us space ourselves safely.   Current guidelines during this first phase of reopening prohibit any fellowship time ("coffee hour") after service and we are  suspending the passing of the peace and Communion.
We must also suspend singing in worship.  This is mandated because the tiny droplets that spread the disease are spread particularly forcefully by singing.
As always, please take care of yourself, please pray for those people who have this disease, and please pray for the safety of the many selfless health care workers who risk their own well-being to be there for other.

AT A GLANCE, WE ARE...

CHRISTIAN: Rooted in the tradition of the Reformation.  We believe in God’s  unwavering love and forgiveness.  And we know this about God from the way that Jesus lived, taught, and died.
CONGREGATIONAL:  A church governed democratically by its members.
ACCEPTING: A faith committed to intellectual and spiritual honesty where freedom of individual conscience is highly valued.
UNIFYING: A community where those from different backgrounds may find UNITY in Jesus Christ.
PRACTICAL:  Committed to putting faith into practice.  Connecting faith with living everyday life.
FRIENDLY & WELCOMING: We mean it from our hearts when we say that everybody is welcome in this church.

“The worshiping family at the First Congregational Church at Lunds Corner extends a heartfelt welcome to you. You are welcome here if you are married, or if you are single...
                       for we will partner with you.
You are welcome here if you are a parent, or the child of one...
                     for we will be a family to you.
You are welcome here if you know what you believe,  and you are welcome if you have no idea what to believe...
                     for we will share our faith.
You are welcome here if your people are from this place, or from far away...
               for our God is both here and everywhere.
You are welcome here if you are a saint, or a sinner...
               for God knows we are all of us both.
Come as you are and join us for worship on Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

Rev. Douglas Stivison, Pastor
Sunday Morning:  Worship Celebration -  9:30 A.M.
Sunday Morning:  Sunday School - 9:45 A.M.
Communion:  First Sunday of the Month 
(Fellowship Hour following the service)

The First Congregational Church
2195 Acushnet Avenue
New Bedford, MA 02745 
 508-995-3714

The first church established in New Bedford in 1696. Celebrating three centuries of ministry to our community.

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