Jazz Sanctuary First Church/Third Sunday

05/11/2026

On Sunday, May 17 at 2:30 PM in Hannah Hall at First Congregational Church, 79 Clinton St. in Concord, Jazz Sanctuary will explore "Imagination - The Jazz of Head and Heart," with wisdom from both poet and phIlosopher John O'Donahue and Hebrew Scripture to explore this theme. AND some very cool jazz and pop tunes will be played by THe Jazz Sanctuary House Band and sung by Pastor Emilia Halstead. One of the wonderful things about Jazz Sanctuary through the years is that it's a space for both reflection (head) and music (heart), and, when the Holy Spirit is given full access to our imaginations, there is a remarkable and delightful integration of the two. Come help us find that "sweet spot" with the Holy Spirit this Sunday afternoon - and bring some friends!!

11/18/2025

https://www.youtube.com/live/GQzhrwpmTc8?si=BR7ooatJhqRcbQ_1
Good Morning! In case you missed Sunday’s Jazz Sanctuary that contained all Beatles music, here is the “uncut” (no video editing or sound mixing) version - enjoy! Blessings on your day today!

The Restless Beauty of the Beatles

02/04/2025

It's Mardi Gras time again at Jazz Sanctuary, y'all!! On Sunday, February 16 at 2:30 PM at 79 Clinton St. in Concord, "A Heart of Flesh - New Orleans Mardi Gras" will happen - be there for the music, second line, fellowship, food, and fun - all under the umbrella of grace and joy!

The title of this year's celebration borrows from the prophet Ezekiel who declared that God had in store a "heart of flesh" for the Israelites to replace their hearts of stone. As February is Black History Month, this is an opportune time to consider the roots of "Carnival" or Mardi "Gras in New Orleans where enslaved people were able to gather on Sundays in "Congo Square" to sustain themselves with the music, dancing, and community of Africa that still lived within them. The music from those times became jazz, blues, spirituals, and so much more - America's only indigenous art form! A friend of mine once said "New Orleans is the heart of America - sadly though, America doesn't know it!" We want to work on receiving a "heart of flesh" on February 16!

We are delighted to welcome a new member to the Jazz Sanctuary House Band - Rev. Renee' Rouse, vocalist and prophetic voice extraordinaire! She will join Vocalist and Pastor Emilia Halstead in singing Mardi Gras favorites and in exploring how a sense of "belonging in and to music" can strengthen us for the struggle in challenging times. We also welcome Musical Guests David Dustin on trombone and Sue Howard on keyboard to join in the fun with Ed Raczka on drums, Jock Irvine on bass, Joey Placenti on sax, and Tim Wildman on trumpet.

This is always well attended and SUPER FUN - bring some friends and join us in person or on Facebook Live at ConcordsFirstChurch. We'll you there.

10/15/2024

This Sunday, October 20 at 2:30 PM in Hannah Hall at First Congregational Church, 79 Clinton St. in Concord, Jazz Sanctuary will present "The Jazz of Changing Perspectives." While every season has its own version of changing perspectives, in New England it is truly the fall that brings about changes seemingly every single day with kaleidoscopic colors and the emergence of landscape previously obscured by foliage.

Jazz Sanctuary is choosing this particular time of year to ask some deeper questions about changing perspectives: Beauty can change your perspective; life in the Spirit can change your perspective; the changing seasons (especially the colors of fall) can change your perspective; learning from a different culture (like the cultures of indigenous peoples) can change your perspective. When was the last time or an important time you had your perspective change?

We are delighted to be delving into these questions with Pastor Emilia Halstead who returns from her three month sabbatical to join the Jazz Sanctuary House Band in singing some wide-ranging selections like "Autumn Leaves," "Lean on Me," and "I Want Jesus to Go with Me."

As always, there is no admission fee for Jazz Sanctuary and, as we like to say in the United Church of Christ, "wherever you are AND BECAUSE OF WHO YOU ARE on your life's journey, you are welcome here!" Bring some friends, and we'll see you in person or on the Concords First Church page this Sunday at 2:30 PM!

08/02/2024

In a recent article, Motwon's first Director of Artists and Repertoire, William "Mickey" Stevenson, said, "Motown was God's game plan, and we all bought into it." When the catastrophic unrest in the summer of 1967 happened in Detroit, Motown was already a hugely successful black-owned business in downtown Detroit with over 400 employees. The music they were making was overnight, more than ever, music of the streets AND music that was heard, then craved in white spaces. Black and white musicians played the music together, and increasingly black and white young people heard the music together. Sam Cooke's words were coming true, "Change is Gonna Come!"

On Sunday, August 18 at 2:30 PM Jazz Sanctuary will present:

"R-E-S-P-E-C-T - A Mowtown Jazz Sanctuary"

Vocalists Mary Fagan and Renee Rouse will be joined by Greg Mostovoy, Joey Placenti, and Tim Wildman on horns; Charles Pouliot on guitar; Jock Irvine on bass; and Ed Raczka on drums in some rousing arrangements by Jock Irvine of tunes like "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" and "Papa Was a Rolling Stone."

The Jazz Worship Experience that follows the opening Music Set will include a Conversational Time between Renee Rouse and Tim Wildman that focuses on the American racial apartheid of the mid 20th Century and all of our memories of those times - as well as our reflections on these times!

There is no admission fee to Jazz Sanctuary and, as always "wherever you are and BECAUSE OF WHO YOUR ARE on your life's journey, you are welcome here!"

We gather at First Congregational Church in Concord, 79 Clinton St. in Hannah Hall OR on Facebook Live at ConcordsFirst Church.

SEE YOU ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 18 AT 2:30 PM!!!

07/10/2024

"Rest for the Weary" on July 21 at 2:30 in Hannah Hall at First Congregational?Wesley United Methodist Churches, 79 Clinton St. in Concord begins with the story of Jesus and his disciples trying their darnedest to "get away!" The music, prayers, readings, and conversation that follows will explore ways we all seek deeper levels of rest and awareness in the summer months.

Music will reflect the laid back feelings of summer with songs like "Dock of the Bay" and "Summertime" with the Jazz Sanctuary House Band stalwarts of Joey, Eddie, Jock, and Tim providing the cool vibes. This should be an excellent way to settle into the middle of summer musically and spiritually! Come join us - wherever you and and BECAUSE OF WHO YOU ARE you are most welcome here!! As always, there is no admission fee - bring some friends - the experience of community is as awesome as the music and liturgy!!

01/29/2024

If you need a little hope and encouragement today, take in this beautiful little video featuring our closing hymn from yesterday’s First Church service.

This song is to the words of Isaiah 35. The prophet speaks about renewal and hope. The words promise comfort and strength to face the challenges of life. Thi...

11/28/2023

Here’s a fun and informative interview with The Rev. Bill Carter, jazz pianist, composer, and unofficial “godfather” of jazz worship - worth hearing ahead of next week’s December 7 concert to benefit Family Promise at Wesley Church.

In this video we interview jazz worship legend, Bill Carter. Bill is a Presbyterian minister and jazz pianist who's been mixing jazz music and worship for ov...

10/07/2023

Jazz Sanctuary brings Germany to Concord for a celebration of polka music on Sunday, October 15 at 2:30 PM. The Jazz Sanctuary House Band, joined by special guest, Sue Berlenbach on accordion, will perform German band favorites such as "The Pennsylvania Polka," "Fuchsgraben Polka," and "Beer Barrel Polka." A graduate of The Crane School of Music in Potsdam, NH, Ms. Berlenbach has been a music educator in NH for three decades and serves as Music Director at Concord's South Congregational Church.

The gathering begins with a Music Set at 2:30 followed by the informal Jazz Worship Experience at 3:00 with more music interspersed. The theme is "Okboberfest - The Jazz of Cordiality," as the annual Bavarian festival is characterized by the German word "gemutlichkeit," which means "a state or feeling of warmth, friendliness, good cheer, and belonging."

Jazz Sanctuary is a ministry of First Congregational Church which nests in Wesley United Methodist Church at 79 Clinton St. in Concord. As always, Jazz Sanctuary is free and open to all wherever you are and BECAUSE OF WHO YOU ARE on your life's journey. Bring some friends - this will be a wonderful celebration! (Please note that alcoholic beverages are not allowed on church property.)