First Congregational Church of Bethel

First Congregational Church of Bethel A family-friendly faith community with a passion for feeding the body, mind and spirit of our community and the world. All rights reserved.

We are members of the United Church of Christ, a progressive denomination with a commitment to service, education, peace-making Vision Statement

As a people of God, we seek to create an environment within the church which will encourage the use of Gods gifts by nurturing and supporting individuals, small groups and the Church itself to bring effective ministry to specific human hurts and hopes in

our Christian family, our local communities and beyond. All Music is used with permission:
Permission to reprint, podcast, and/or stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE with license -726593. CCLI Copyright License # 21295156, Streaming License # 21295163

The Magi are on the Move & they have arrived.Let us Greet the Christ Child with all our hearts and share that Love all t...
01/06/2025

The Magi are on the Move & they have arrived.
Let us Greet the Christ Child with all our hearts and share that Love all the year long.

“God calls the Magi home by another road, and their choice to heed the call opens space for Jesus’ ministry within the c...
01/06/2025

“God calls the Magi home by another road, and their choice to heed the call opens space for Jesus’ ministry within the community, which will demonstrate the power of steadfast love. Shortly thereafter, God calls Mary and Joseph to journey to another land, to protect the Messiah until they are safe to return home. What parallels do we see in our own systems, and in our own lives?

In this text, the Magi are dreaming my dreams. The imperial power threatens to kill the long-awaited Messiah. These kinds of threats exist in our own lives too. The Magi seek another way home. I dream of the winding road that is God’s call. The road isn’t straight. Can you see your next bend?”

—from the artist’s statement for “Star of Bethlehem” by Hannah Garrity, inspired by Matthew 2:1-12 |

All our best laid plans can shatter,Leaving us to mourn the lossOf the future we imaginedAnd feel like our life is on pa...
01/05/2025

All our best laid plans can shatter,
Leaving us to mourn the loss
Of the future we imagined
And feel like our life is on pause.
At the edge the Spirit’s waiting
There to ferry us across,
And the road winds ever on.

—from “The Road Winds Ever On” by Rev. Anna Strickland |

“Like the Magi, we are often called to take unexpected paths and find new ways. Every journey carries risks and revelati...
01/04/2025

“Like the Magi, we are often called to take unexpected paths and find new ways. Every journey carries risks and revelations, but God actively carves paths in the wilderness, guiding us through uncharted territories with the promise of making all things new.

Each movement forward in faith brings us closer to where we truly belong. This perspective empowers us to face the uncertainties of our journey with courage, knowing God is with us in the detours.”

—Kayla Craig () |

You ask me—was the road ever straight and narrow,or was that all a lie?But then you crest the mountain,and I don’t hear ...
01/03/2025

You ask me—was the road ever straight and narrow,
or was that all a lie?
But then you crest the mountain,
and I don’t hear from you for a while,
because God was growing
in the lilac field
on the other side of the hill.
God was scattered
among the pebbles
of the road you never planned to take.
Isn’t it amazing, you say,
there are a million roads home
and God walks every single one of them.

—from “Field Notes” by Rev. Sarah Speed |

Life often unfolds in ways that surprise us, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Have you felt God's presence when y...
01/02/2025

Life often unfolds in ways that surprise us, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Have you felt God's presence when your life took an unexpected turn? |

The Magi are on the Move.Blessings on a New Year. May your journey to Christ and follow him in the year ahead.
01/01/2025

The Magi are on the Move.
Blessings on a New Year.
May your journey to Christ and follow him in the year ahead.

“This quilt square collage shows the ripple effect of joy dancing throughout all creation.In this image, I wanted the la...
01/01/2025

“This quilt square collage shows the ripple effect of joy dancing throughout all creation.

In this image, I wanted the landscape to feel refracted, perhaps like a prism, or even a broken mirror. The land rejoices despite forces that try to break it. The horizon expands into all directions. There is no east or west, north or south—the arms of creation reach into the cosmos. In between stars and moons, fruit trees bear their harvest and clap their hands.

In many ways, this piece is a song of praise as well as a song of resistance. Creation cannot be quieted. If praise is not on your lips this day, do not fear, for we can trust that all of creation is dancing on our behalf.”

—from the artist’s statement for “Let All Creation Dance” by Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity, inspired by Luke 2:10, Matthew 2:10, Isaiah 9:2-3, Psalm 148,
Psalm 126:1-3, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, and Isaiah 55:12-13 |

When deep fatigue has settledInto your very bones,Let strength come from the memoriesOf all the joy you’ve known.Let joy...
12/31/2024

When deep fatigue has settled
Into your very bones,
Let strength come from the memories
Of all the joy you’ve known.
Let joy be your companion;
Let laughter ring out everywhere!
Let joy be your companion,
For joy’s a gift from God.

—from “Let Joy Be Your Companion” by Rev. Anna Strickland |

“As refreshing and unexpected as snowflakes caught on our tongues, laughter doesn't just lighten our spirits; it invites...
12/30/2024

“As refreshing and unexpected as snowflakes caught on our tongues, laughter doesn't just lighten our spirits; it invites us to see the world through a lens of divine playfulness.

Happiness is fleeting, but joy is a deep-seated feeling that comes from something bigger than ourselves. Joy remains even in the face of adversity, reminding us of the hope and love that surrounds us at all times and in all circumstances. Joy is a sacred invitation to lessen our self-seriousness and remember that the God of all things often subverts our notions of what is holy.”

—Kayla Craig () |

Address

46 Main Street
Bethel, CT
06801

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 12pm
Wednesday 9am - 12pm
Friday 9am - 12pm
Sunday 8am - 1pm

Telephone

+12037431877

Website

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Vision Statement As a people of God, we seek to create an environment within the church which will encourage the use of Gods gifts by nurturing and supporting individuals, small groups and the Church itself to bring effective ministry to specific human hurts and hopes in our Christian family, our local communities and beyond.