Church Schedule

First Congregational Church service Sunday at 10:00 am (9:30 am July-Aug)
Taiwanese Christian Church service Sunday at 1:30 pm
Overcomers Tabernacle Church service Sunday at 11:00 am
Assurance Christian Ministries service Saturday at 6:00 pm

Mercy Touch Luncheon
 
Nov. 20, 2022

Attended by 34 parishioners.  A review of the Mercy Touch Mission's current status was followed by a video, and then a delicious dinner of Kate's chicken with stuffing and gravy, green beans, rolls and butter, beverages and an assortment of homemade desserts.

Polar Express Outing
 
Nov. 19, 2022

FCC Youth activity on the Essex Steam Train

Josh Santiago Eagle Scout Award
Oct. 29, 2022

Meriden Backpack EXPO
Aug. 19, 2022

The Annual Meriden Backpack EXPO was held at the Meriden Green on Fri. Aug. 19, 2022. Our church has supported this mission for over 15 years and this year contributed $2315 to the event which provided school supplies to over 800 needy school children with both new backpacks as well as school supplies in the packs. Our church contributions came from the Diaconate, the Christian Outreach Committee and from numerous individual parishioners. Many thanks to all who donated.

Ukrainian Refugee Relief Mission
 
March 7, 2022

On Friday March 4th, WFSB Channel 3 in Hartford announced its partnership with the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee, Inc. through its 3Cares program, to promote the collection of needed supplies for Ukrainian refugees fleeing their country in the face of the current Russian attack. The Christian Outreach Committee of the First Congregational Church of Meriden quickly formulated a plan to participate in this project which was presented to the congregation during the worship service Sunday, March 6th. Through immediate financial support, requested supplies were secured and transported to the Ukrainian National Home in Hartford on Monday, March 7th. First Church is a church of mission and service, and we are pleased to have provided 3876 diapers, 5200 baby wipes, and 552 maxi pads, as well as toothbrushes and toothpaste, baby blankets, new flannel shirts and various other items. Volunteers at the Ukrainian National Home sorted, packed and transported all donated items to New Jersey where they were scheduled to be flown to Warsaw, Poland and moved to the Ukrainian - Poland border for distribution to refugees there.

Mitten Tree
 
December 25, 2021

Mitten tree at FCC. The following items were donated by members and delivered on Jan. 11 to the Meriden Health Dept. through our "Helping the Homeless Among Us" program: 33 hats, 34 pairs of gloves, and 74 pairs of socks. We also delivered 100 similar items which had been donated by the Ball Headz at a memorial service held on the Meriden Green. Thank you to all who participated!

Christmas Pageant
 
December 24, 2021


Click on photo for short video

15th Annual Food Pantry Drive
March 22, 2020

The 15th Annual Food Pantry Drive, organized by the Christian Outreach Committee, was completed on Sunday March 22. An estimated 2000-3000 lbs. of non-perishable food was transported the following day by several parishioners with trucks and delivered to the Meriden Soup Kitchen, First Baptist Church, 460 Broad St., Meriden the following morning. Volunteers at the MSK then sorted the food and placed it on appropriate shelves. Many thanks to parishioners of First Church, staff and families from the First Congregational Preschool, Overcomers Tabernacle and the Taiwanese Christian Church. And special thanks to Pastor Clarence Hayes who personally collected a large percent of this food.

Back-To-School Bookbag EXPO - Aug. 21, 2018

The 15th Annual Bookbag EXPO took place on Aug. 21, 2018 from 10 am-12 noon at the Meriden Green. Hundreds and hundreds of new book bags filled with school supplies were distributed to Meriden's neediest children for the upcoming school year. First Congregational Church of Meriden, through its Christian Outreach Committee, was one of the major financial sponsors of this event. Each year our church partners with Center Congregational Church to be sure there is funding to make this event a success.

Celebrate Music Concert - June 20, 2018

A marvelous Celebrate Music concert was held at the First Congregational Church of Meriden on June 10, 2018. This concert was dedicated to two recently deceased congregation members who were active in the Music program: Frank Scharmer and Jan Sibley. The performance showcased the church’s Austin organ which was built in 1928 and installed in 1929 on the 200th anniversary of the church’s founding. The concert showcased the extraordinary talents of Barbara Mase, the FCC Music Director, as she performed an array of challenging pieces on the organ and the Steinway piano. The program began with a 10-minute video, created by FCC member Marcus Hamilton, illustrating the inner workings of the 3-story organ chamber. Both the FCC chancel choir and the FCC handbell choir also performed numerous selections, conducted by Ms. Mase. The 102 audience members frequently broke into applause, sometimes while standing. A reception in Smith Hall followed this remarkable concert.

114th Annual May Breakfast - May 5, 2018

The 114th Annual May Breakfast was held at the First Congregational Church of Meriden on Sat. May 5, 2018 from 7:00-11:00 am. A total of 177 paying guests attended and enjoyed a breakfast that included pancakes, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, fruit cup and cut grapefruit, orange and cranberry juices, blueberry and cinnamon muffins along with hot rolls, and coffee, tea and milk. In addition, guests had the opportunity to purchase plants and home-made baked goods, participate in 15 teacup auction baskets, and attend an outside tag sale (run by the Christian Education Committee) at the front of the church. And a door prize, containing $100 in gift certificates to local restaurants, went to one lucky winner. It was a great event with a significant increase in attendance from last year. Our thanks to those who attended and to all the volunteers who made it happen.

Easter Service and Easter Egg Hunt - April 1, 2018


Easter lilies

Congregation

Children's Choir

Taiwanese Christian Church Choir

Congregation

Reception

Ready for Easter Egg Hunt

Got some!

Me too!

Looking for the prizes

FCC 13th Annual Food Drive - March 25, 2018

The First Congregational Church of Meriden 13th Annual Food Drive was held on March 25, 2018 to benefit the Meriden Soup Kitchen. In addition to our parishioners, donors included the Assurance Christian Ministries, the Taiwanese Christian Church and the First Congregational Preschool, all of whom share space in our building. Donors had previously been given a list of food items most needed by the Soup Kitchen. The collected food was all placed in the chancel during the March 25 service and following worship service was weighed and then delivered to the Meriden Soup Kitchen the next day. A total of 2398 lbs. of non-perishable food was collected, exceeding the previous record, set in 2017, of 2053 lbs. A very special thanks to Pastor Clarence Hayes of Assurance Christian Ministries who personally collected well over 1000 lbs. of the total. Our thanks to all who donated to help feed the hungry in Meriden.

Christmas Pageant - Dec. 24, 2017


FCC Youth Choir performing during the Christmas Pageant
For additional photos, click here