First Congregational Church in Norwood

05/19/2026

If you're looking for a prime location to watch this year's Memorial Day parade, we invite you to join us on the front lawn of the First Congregational Church located at the corner of Walpole and Winter Streets in Norwood. We'll begin gathering around 9 a.m. on Monday, May 25, with FREE coffee, lemonade and snacks. All you need to bring are lawn chairs or a blanket to sit on. There will be a voluntary collection for the New England Center and Home for Veterans (http://www.nechv.org/) for those who would like to make a donation.

There's plenty of parking in the lot behind the church that can be accessed from Bond Street. Please be aware that Winter Street will be closed to traffic starting around 9:30 a.m.

05/06/2026

There is a an opportunity to make mom's day by hosting Fellowship this Sunday! Please contact Teri.

04/27/2026

On Sunday, April 26, as part of a Sunday School project, children from the First Congregational Church in Norwood came together to clean up the Bond Street Tot Lot in honor of Earth Day. 🌎

Grateful for their hard work and care for our community. Small hands making a big difference!

04/19/2026

Pastor Michele’s Trip to Chile – Community Talk

You’re invited to join us for a special presentation by Rev. Michele Bagby Allan of the First Congregational Church in Norwood. Pastor Michele recently traveled to Chile as part of a delegation from the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ, and she’ll be sharing stories, reflections, and photos from her journey.

Sunday, April 26
11:30 a.m.
Pingree Hall, 100 Winter Street, Norwood

Her talk will include insights from the trip, meaningful experiences she encountered, and an overview of the ongoing partnership between the Southern New England Conference UCC and the Pentecostal Church in Chile.

Light snacks will be provided—come learn, connect, and be inspired!

Please RSVP to the church office at 781-762-3320 if you plan to attend.

04/12/2026

04/05/2026

“The good news is alive in the world. Do not be afraid. Go back to Galilee. Go back to Galilee where it all started. Go back to Galilee and celebrate like we did at the beginning when we were not afraid, when these words of liberation had not yet drawn the trappings of imperial ex*****on.

Here in this artwork, the crowd is celebrating. Figures are dancing and dancing and dancing. Doves fly among the dancers, breaking borders, Holy Spirit. This throng is in the vacant space of the empty cross.… Around the dancing figures in Galilee, patterns of doves disperse outward. The good news, the euaggelion, is alive in the world.”

—from the artist’s statement for “Meet Me in Galilee” by Hannah Garrity |

04/01/2026

“Judas betrays Jesus, and his emancipatory mission, with a kiss that signals to the authorities: he is the one you seek! … In the chaos of the moment, forgetting the nonviolence Jesus has modeled, his disciples ready their weapons. One even swings his sword and cuts off the ear of an arresting official. Immediately, Jesus reminds his people that they fight with words, ideas, and vision. To press the point, he touches the wounded officer and heals him. The power of God that Jesus represents shows care even for the oppressor—even as Jesus uses God’s power to overturn systems of oppression.

Dying on the cross, Jesus reinforces his message of nonviolent resistance in the most heartbreaking of ways. As the authorities crucify him for proclaiming and prosecuting the hope of liberation for all God’s people, Jesus asks God to forgive them. To the end, he fights them by loving them.

Our calling is to go and do likewise. Fight: Consistently. Defiantly. Furiously. Nonviolently. Whenever and wherever we encounter brokenness, injustice, and oppression. To do otherwise is to betray everything for which he lived and died.”

—Rev. Dr. Brian Blount, from his commentary on Luke 22:47–23:46 |

Art: "Revealed Through Nonviolence” by Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman |

03/31/2026

You can trade in love
for a bag of coins.
And even then,
even still,
even now,
Jesus will love you enough to
wash your feet.
If you hear nothing else in the gospel,
hear this.

—excerpt from the poem “If You Hear Nothing Else, Then Hear This” by Rev. Sarah A. Speed

Art: "Flow" by Carmelle Beaugelin Caldwell () |

03/30/2026

God of inspiration, when I look around, there are so many people modeling a better way. The leaders working to care for their people, even when it’s less profitable. The children speaking out in halls of power to advocate for a brighter future. The everyday people bringing truckloads of donations after a disaster. God, let me be part of this crowd. Let their light ignite my own actions so I might be a light for others, too. With conviction I pray, amen.

—prayer by Rev. Sarah A. Speed |

03/28/2026

Holy God, you walk with me in the places where life feels uncertain. When my thoughts are tangled or the path ahead feels unclear, steady my spirit. Anchor me in the things that matter most to you—justice that restores, mercy that softens, and faithfulness that keeps me near your heart. Lead me in your way, so that my choices bear witness to your love. Amen.

—prayer by Rev. Sarah A. Speed |