10/29/2026
November 2026 at First Church in Sterling
A Letter from Pastor Robin
“The only dream worth having is to dream that you will live while you are alive, and die only when you are dead. To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never to forget.” ― Arundhati Roy
Dear Beloved,
This November, we will be pursuing beauty to its lair: the saints who live in our memories, the animals who share our homes, a couple celebrating ten years of marriage, and neighbors gathering around a pot of soup. By the end of the month, we will begin making room for a baby whose birth still changes the world.
We begin with All Souls Sunday, bringing photographs of our beloved dead to the altar. Some of us arrive carrying fresh grief. Others bring a loss that has become a familiar companion over many years. Together, we make room for the names, stories, tears, and laughter that come with loving people whose hands we can no longer hold. At the Communion table, we remember that we still belong to one another, and that we should live while we are alive, and die only when we are dead.
The following week, our sanctuary will fill with creatures who teach us something about love every day. Expect some holy chaos! Then we will celebrate Marie Gina and Salnave’s tenth wedding anniversary with a religious marriage ceremony during worship and Haitian food afterward. Their family has become part of our church family, and it is a joy to gather around them in celebration.
On Thanksgiving Sunday, we will share our Stone Soup tradition, remembering what becomes possible when each of us brings something to the pot. And then Advent begins, inviting us to make room for what God is growing—even when it arrives in a form we did not expect.
Our year’s theme, Sowing the Seeds of Community, takes shape in these ordinary, holy acts. We remember someone’s name. We welcome a family. We share food. We bring what we have and trust that someone else has something to bring, too.
If you are grieving, grateful, weary, hopeful, or some complicated combination of all four, there is room for you here. Come with your memories, your beloved creatures, your appetite, and your expectation that God might surprise us.
I look forward to sharing this November with you.
I love you. God loves you. God loves everyone else, too.
Pastor Robin
November Worship Services
Sunday, November 1, 2026 — All Souls Sunday
Annual All Souls Communion Service
Rev. Robin Bartlett preaching
We gather for our annual reminder that while our saints have gone home to live with God, they are still with us. Join us for a moving and beautiful service of remembrance and Communion. Bring a photograph of your beloved dead to place on the altar.
Join us for our final book group on “The Amen Effect” by Sharon Brous at 11:30 am in the Houghton Room.
Sunday, November 8, 2026 — Blessing of the Animals
Rev. Robin Bartlett preaching
Calling all creatures of our God and King! Bring your scaly, feathery, furry, fluffy, slippery best friend to church for a blessing. For animals who aren’t quite church-ready, bring a photograph. We bless stuffed animals, too! You never know whom you might meet at First Church in Sterling.
All are welcome—and we really mean that. First Church is an open and affirming congregation. We welcome believers, nonbelievers, questioners, questioning believers, and people of all ages, races, nationalities, abilities, sexualities, and gender expressions, from every town, city, state, and country. And on November 8, we welcome all animals, too!
Join us afterward for the Common Good Alliance Forum at 11:30 am - 3:00 First Church Parish Hall
Join us for a potluck and to learn how to talk to your family BEFORE the holidays!
Summary
The Family and Politics workshop teaches participants how to preserve family bonds while staying true to their values and political beliefs. Although the focus is on family relationships, you can use these strategies with any loved one. You’ll have some fun in this workshop – it won’t be all serious. After all, we all come from quirky families.
Goals
- Insight into why family differences over politics are uniquely challenging
- Recognition of common roles that family members play in political conversations
- Strategies and skills for handling family political differences in a constructive way
Who Can Attend
The Family and Politics workshop is open to everyone who struggles over political differences with a loved one.
What to Expect
You will learn about the family dynamics of political differences, apply them to your family, and learn and practice effective communication skills with difficult family members.
Sunday, November 15, 2026 — A Celebration of Marriage and Community
"The Greatest of These is Love"
Pastor DeShay Freemyer-Jackson preaching
And Rev. Robin Bartlett officiating the wedding of Marie Gina and Salnave Joseph
We have been so fortunate to befriend Marie Gina, Salnave, Janaina, and Barashael Joseph over these past two years. During that time, their family has secured housing and found new jobs, new schools, tutoring, and ESL classes. Their beautiful children are thriving, and we are blessed to have them as part of our congregation.
Marie Gina and Salnave were married in a civil ceremony in Haiti. To celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary, they would like to have a religious marriage ceremony in our church, surrounded by our congregation!
Immediately following worship, they will host a reception featuring food they will prepare from their Haitian culture. All are welcome! Come dressed to celebrate our friendship and their beautiful marriage.
November 22, 2026 — Thanksgiving Sunday
Stone Soup Sunday
Rev. Robin Bartlett preaching
Join us for our traditional Stone Soup Sunday celebration as we give thanks for the gifts we share and the community we create together. Bring cornbread to share and nonperishable food for the Wachusett Food Pantry.
November 29, 2026 — First Sunday of Advent
“Making Room for the Unexpected”
Rev. Robin Bartlett preaching
We begin our Advent series, Making Room: Preparing for What God Is Growing, with an invitation to make room for the unexpected. Join us as we enter this season of hope and anticipation, opening our hearts to the surprising ways God comes among us.
See you in church!
Pastor Robin
Rev. Robin Bartlett
Senior Pastor
The First Church in Sterling, MA
www.fcsterling.org
Gathered in the spirit of Jesus; committed to creating heaven on earth.
