Greetings and welcome to the website of the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ in Bristol, CT.  The First Congregational Church has served the city of Bristol since 1747.  Located on historic Federal Hill, FCC seeks to share the love and joy of Jesus Christ with all people.  Whether you are a life long Christian looking for a new church home or someone who is interested in exploring your faith journey and attending a church for the first time, we invite you to come and be a part of our community.   We hope the following information helps you to feel more comfortable as you anticipate attending worship or another church activity.   Where is the First Congregational Church? We are located on Federal Hill at 31 Maple Street, across from the town green, just a few blocks from Route 6 or Main Street. Many people in town think of us as the “pretty white church on the top on the hill, whose tower shines at night”.   How do I get into the building for worship, and where do I go from there? There is plenty of parking in our parking lot, which can be accessed from either Maple Street or Prospect Place.  Parking is also available around the town green and on Prospect Place.  Sidewalks will lead you to the three big blue front doors of the sanctuary where a greeter will be present to welcome you, help you make a nametag, and give you a bulletin that contains the order of the service of worship and announcements.  Large print bulletins are also available.  If you’ve parked in the parking lot, you may prefer to enter through the red brick Parish House, via the concrete steps to the right of the playground.  If you enter that way, please go up three steps, and stop to make yourself a name tag.  Then continue down the hallway and take a right.  An usher will be present to welcome you and give you a bulletin.   For those who would like or need to avoid steps, the front of the sanctuary has a wheelchair ramp.  Handicap parking is available in the parking lot, along the fence that surrounds the playground and an accessible entrance for the sanctuary is located to the left of the playground.  Inside that door is an elevator for access to the chapel and auditorium on the second floor.  If you wish to gain access to the sanctuary, please climb the two steps and take a right down the hallway.  An usher will be present to give you a worship bulletin and assist you with the elevator to the sanctuary. We plan to have hearing assist devices soon.   Ushers in the Parish House and the narthex (front of the sanctuary) will be glad to assist you in finding bathrooms, the nursery, and other facilities you might need.  Please feel free to ask them for help.   Click here for a map of the building.   What kind of church is the First Congregational Church? The First Congregational Church is a welcoming and warm community of faithful Christians. FCC is associated with the United Church of Christ (UCC). To find out more about the United Church of Christ, go to www.ucc.org.   Does FCC have a dress code? Any modest attire is appropriate for worship. Traditionally, people dressed up for worship, but a more relaxed “business casual” style has become popular. Most chose to dress respectfully, yet comfortably.   What time is the church worship service? We worship at 10am every Sunday.  If the weather is inclement and you are unsure if worship will be canceled, please visit our website www.firstchurchbristolct.org or watch WFSB.   What is a church worship service like? Worship includes opportunities for everyone to sing and pray together.  There are also readings from the Bible and a sermon that will encourage you to think about what you believe and how you will live out your Christian faith in the world.  The Adult choir sings weekly during worship.  On special occasions, our hand bell players, junior choir, and cherub choir share their talents during worship.   Children of all ages attend the beginning of the worship service and are invited to hear a children's story before being dismissed for Church School.   We celebrate two sacraments:  Holy Communion and Baptism.   On the 1st Sunday of every month, Christmas Eve, & Maundy Thursday, we celebrate Communion.  Everyone is welcome to participate in Communion, no matter their age or member status.  We receive Communion while seated in our pews, while Deacons serve first the bread and then the grape juice.  We pass the tray half way down the pew, and then when it is on its way back toward the deacon, we take the bread or the cup. Please hold the tray for your neighbor while they serve themselves.  We eat the bread upon receiving it to acknowledge our individuality before God.  As a sign of our unity in Christ, we wait until all have been served the cup of the new covenant and then we share in drinking the cup together.   Once a month, we celebrate baptism.  Baptisms happen on Sunday morning during worship because the entire church community pledges to help raise the baptized person in the Christian faith.   We usually baptize small children, but anyone can be baptized.  You do not need to be a member of the church to be baptized here.   What if I have children? During the service of worship, we offer nursery care for infants and toddlers as well as church school for children ages 3 through 12th grade.  We know that as a parent you need be sure that your children are in a SAFE environment, so our entire Sunday school program complies with the “Safe Church” guidelines and requirements.  Caregivers in the nursery will notify you if your baby needs you by activating a silent vibrating device that they will lend you. We also know that your children are looking for a FUN place to learn.  Our Christian Education committee is in the process of visioning a new model for our church school and remodeling our nursery and church school classrooms.   What does the First Congregational Church believe?  We, the congregation of the First Congregational Church UCC of Bristol, CT, welcome everyone.  We affirm the dignity and worth of every person by declaring ourselves Open and Affirming.  With God’s grace, we strive to include all persons without regard to race, ethnic or socio-economic background, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, physical or mental challenges, or age.  We cherish the richness that this diversity brings to us, individually and as a congregation.  Our acceptance of each other embodies our commitment to unity with God and each other in Christ.  We welcome all to share in the life, leadership, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities and blessings of full participation in our congregation.   We covenant with one another to seek and respond to the Word and the Will of God.  We purpose to walk together in the ways of the Lord, made known and to be made known to us.  We hold it to be the mission of the Church to witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ in all the world, while worshipping God, and striving for truth, justice, and peace.  As did those before us, we depend on the Holy Spirit to lead and empower us.  We pray for the coming of the realm of God, and we look with faith toward the triumph of righteousness and eternal life.   Will I be comfortable in your church if I am not much of a church goer?  Will I understand what is happening in worship if I have never attended a Christian worship service before? We are sure that you will be both physically and emotionally comfortable in our church. Our sanctuary was refurbished in 1997 for our 250th anniversary so we have nice soft cushions on our 177+ year old pews, and air conditioning for the summer months. But even more importantly, we assure you that there will be friendly people eager to help you in any way. They will be happy to help you find your way around the church building or help you get involved in the life of our church.  The members of our church come from a wide variety of faith backgrounds and religious experiences.  They understand what it is like to be new and exploring our Christian faith.  For that reason, we work to make our church bulletin very clear and easy to understand. Everything is printed there for you (how we say the Lord’s Prayer, when we stand, and the words to choral responses.) We hope that you will also attend the time of fellowship after the worship service for an opportunity to have a cup of coffee or tea and to get to know others in our congregation.   Do you teach the Bible? Yes! We take the Bible very seriously, but we do not take it literally. Scripture is the foundation of all our preaching, teaching and learning.   What other activities might I get involved with at FCC? The First Congregational Church has learning and fellowship opportunities for children, youth, and adults.  In addition to church school during the school year, we offer a week long Vacation Bible school for children 4 years old to those who have just completed the 4th grade.  Youth in grades 6 to 12 from any school district are invited to attend Youth Group on Sunday nights from 6-8pm.  Adults have many opportunities to get involved in learning, social, and service ministries.  You can find a list of opportunities under “About Us”, “Our Committees and Ministries”.  Please also check out our calendar for upcoming events.   Do I have to audition to join the choir? No, if you love to sing, we’d love to have you join us! If you have questions, please speak to any member of the choir or to Scott Lamlein, our Director of Music. The adult choir practices every Thursday night during the school year from 7:30 – 9:00 in the auditorium.   How is the Century Nursery School connected to the First Congregational Church? Century Nursery School was begun by the members of the First Congregational Church over fifty years ago.  Still, a ministry of the church, CNS is a separately incorporated non-profit, State of Connecticut licensed school for 3 and 4 year old children.  It is both non-denominational and non-profit - keeping our focus on care and education rather than differences and revenues.  Since 1953, Century Nursery School has provided high quality preschool education for children in Bristol and surrounding towns.  Please see their website www.centurynurseryschool.org for more information.   Who do I contact if I still have questions? Please contact any member of our staff.  You will find information about them and a link to email them under “About Us”, “Our Staff”.   home | our church | christian ed & fellowship | music | calendar | contact us | log in Copyright 2003-09. First Congregational Church. Bristol, Connecticut.