November 16
8:30 – Chapel Service
10:00 a.m. – Sanctuary Worship. Elsa Peters will give the message. Sunday School classes through the eighth grade, with nursery and toddler care.

November 23
8:30 – Chapel Service 10:00 a.m. – Sanctuary Worship Sunday school for all ages through eighth grade. Fellowship time follows in Wright Pavilion. John McCall will give the message at both services. Food ingathering: join us in filling the chancel with items suitable for Thanksgiving baskets and the food pantry.

THE BLUE PLACE: Join us for worship on Monday Nights during Advent. Click here to learn more about this worship opportunity for all.

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The Discovery Center is a weekday preschool for 3, 4, and 5 year olds. Originally a privately-owned preschool using church facilities, since 1998 it has been a ministry of the First Congregational Church, open to all children without regard to church affiliation.

The mission of the Discovery Center is to provide a preschool program that will nurture a child's individuality, creativity, and spirituality. A theme-based curriculum paired with child-centered, hands-on learning experiences and a supportive environment serves to develop confident, creative and compassionate thinkers and doers.

The Discovery Center serves approximately 48 families from the communities of South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough and Portland. The school offers a two day morning program for three year olds, a three day morning program for 4 year olds, and a three half-day program for older four and five year olds, called The Explorers' program. Students of the school reflect the diversity of our surrounding neighborhoods.

The school strives to provide a loving and nurturing first school experience for children, focusing on socialization and developmentally appropriate readiness skills. An equally important goal of the school is serving as a ministry of The First Congregational Church. The school strives to accomplish this in a variety of ways.

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Pilgrims Digging Holes in the Ground

A sermon by Elsa A. Peters, Associate Minister

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There are many other ways to get involved in our faith community. You may donate your time, your talents or your hope for our world. These possibilities are listed by age, but there are always new opportunities that have not been updated on the website. If you are looking for the perfect opportunity to match your gifts, please call or email .

Explore Your Faith
We offer a variety of opportunities for children, teens and adults to explore their faith. Navigate the opportunities for Children, Youth, Adults and Seniors to find what you are looking for. And for adults, please also see the Adult Faith Enrichment Programs page for the latest information about courses, groups and events for adult members, friends and visitors to the church. If you are looking for still more information, check out the Resource Center.

Serve Your Neighbor
On the first Saturday of each month, 5:30 - 7:00 in Portland, volunteers from our congregation serve about 200 meals at the Wayside Evening Soup Kitchen. Most needed are table servers. Contact or to get more information and to volunteer.

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Opportunies for Faith Formation

BEACH CHAIR THEOLOGY

Summer Doesn’t Have To End! Though school is starting again and Labor Day has arrived, summer can continue with the blessed opportunity to bask in the light of God’s Word. Join us for Beach Chair Theology in the fall on Wednesdays September 10 (Genesis 1), September 24 (Genesis 2), and October 8 (Genesis 3) at 7:30 a.m.

Come and join us for these morning study opportunities at Bug Light Park (beneath the trees near the ship skeleton). Or if that’s too early for you, mark your calendars for Leisurely Lectionary every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. starting October 14.

INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL OF MARK

This study is a four-session introduction to the Gospel of Mark offered by our Senior Pastor John McCall on Mondays September 20, September 27, November 3 and November 10. The participants are encouraged to read the Gospel outside of the sessions. The materials probe questions raised by the Gospel and encourage participants not just to study the Gospel but also to reflect on what the Gospel means to them.

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