Annual Events
Homecoming
This is a great fall gathering, held in mid-September, where people who have been scattered for the summer return to the church. After the 10 am service, an annual Homecoming Picnic is held on the front lawn or Auditorium where people reunite and reconnect with each other.
World Communion Sunday
In October we celebrate the many worldwide ways to have communion. The variety of breads is great!
Pastor Appreciation Day
In October we give special recognition to our hard working, talented and caring Pastors.
Laity Sunday
The chair of the Church Council gives the sermon and other members of the Council do readings, etc.
Trunk or Treat
This pre-Halloween event has become a favorite for families to do safe and fun trick-or-treating in our parking lot seeing car trunks cleverly decorated and getting candy at each.
All Saints Day
This event is on the first Sunday in November.
H.O.M.E. Holiday Craft Fair
The people from Maine sell their jams and crafts on Harvest Sunday and the Saturday before.
Harvest Sunday
Harvest Sunday takes place on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. It is a festival service in which we celebrate and give thanks for the bountiful gifts of God. During the service we receive a special offering including gifts of canned foods to be given to an outreach program the church sponsors in Maine as well as Neighbor to Neighbor, a local food pantry.
Christmas Tree and Wreath Sale
For two weekends after Thanksgiving, the Outreach Committee hosts the annual Christmas Tree and Wreath Sale. Over 500 trees and 300 wreaths are sold to benefit our community partners. Over 100 volunteers provide support for the sale.
This is a great fall gathering, held in mid-September, where people who have been scattered for the summer return to the church. After the 10 am service, an annual Homecoming Picnic is held on the front lawn or Auditorium where people reunite and reconnect with each other.
World Communion Sunday
In October we celebrate the many worldwide ways to have communion. The variety of breads is great!
Pastor Appreciation Day
In October we give special recognition to our hard working, talented and caring Pastors.
Laity Sunday
The chair of the Church Council gives the sermon and other members of the Council do readings, etc.
Trunk or Treat
This pre-Halloween event has become a favorite for families to do safe and fun trick-or-treating in our parking lot seeing car trunks cleverly decorated and getting candy at each.
All Saints Day
This event is on the first Sunday in November.
H.O.M.E. Holiday Craft Fair
The people from Maine sell their jams and crafts on Harvest Sunday and the Saturday before.
Harvest Sunday
Harvest Sunday takes place on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. It is a festival service in which we celebrate and give thanks for the bountiful gifts of God. During the service we receive a special offering including gifts of canned foods to be given to an outreach program the church sponsors in Maine as well as Neighbor to Neighbor, a local food pantry.
Christmas Tree and Wreath Sale
For two weekends after Thanksgiving, the Outreach Committee hosts the annual Christmas Tree and Wreath Sale. Over 500 trees and 300 wreaths are sold to benefit our community partners. Over 100 volunteers provide support for the sale.
Handel’s Messiah
This wonderful concert is on the second Saturday in December.
Christmas Party
This party for our members is held in mid December in the colorfully decorated Meetinghouse.
Advent and Christmas
Advent is a season in the Christian calendar that anticipates the birth of Christ. During this time, advent candles are lit by members of the congregation as we prepare for the coming of God in the person of Jesus. On Christmas Eve, there are four services. They all have offerings of gifts* and/or money for needy children and youth that people place under a tree in the Narthex. (* Books, toys or clothing, wrapped or unwrapped.) We will bring them to local non-profit organizations.
This wonderful concert is on the second Saturday in December.
Christmas Party
This party for our members is held in mid December in the colorfully decorated Meetinghouse.
Advent and Christmas
Advent is a season in the Christian calendar that anticipates the birth of Christ. During this time, advent candles are lit by members of the congregation as we prepare for the coming of God in the person of Jesus. On Christmas Eve, there are four services. They all have offerings of gifts* and/or money for needy children and youth that people place under a tree in the Narthex. (* Books, toys or clothing, wrapped or unwrapped.) We will bring them to local non-profit organizations.
Christmas Eve
- At 10 am, there is a Children’s Service designed for younger children and their families, with a live nativity pageant.
- At 3 pm, there is a Family Service with “Once in Royal David’s City” pageant and Children’s Choir.
- At 6 pm, there is a Festival Carol Service with Brass Ensemble and Chancel Choir.
- At 9 pm, there is a beautiful Candlelight Service with Communion and Youth/Alumni Choir, and harp.
- There is no service on Christmas Day unless it falls on a Sunday.
February Friendsgiving
This is a group of get-togethers at member homes through all February to eat, drink and socialize to escape the winter blahs!
Souper Bowl Sunday
The Women's Fellowship sponsors a fund-raising homemade soup sale on the day of the annual Super Bowl football game in February.
Women's Day
This is a new event and tradition in March celebrates all that women do to keep households, the Church and the country going!
Holy Week and Easter
Rise Against Hunger
This meal-packing event in May is a tradition begun a few years ago and is very popular. We pack 20,000 meals to support Rise Against Hunger’s simple vision of a world without hunger.
Music Sunday
Music Sunday, our annual worship/celebration marking the end of the choir season, takes place mid-May every year. Our choirs, often with guest soloists and instrumentalists, create an unforgettable worship experience. After the service, we serve strawberries and whipped cream in the Memory Garden.
Confirmation Sunday
Held on the third Sunday in May, confirmands are made full members of our church during this worship service.
Celebration Sunday
Church School Recognition Sunday, held in early June, is a service in which the church acknowledges the participation of the children and teachers in the Church School. Third graders receive Bibles during the service.
Annual Meeting
This meeting follows the service on the last or next to last Sunday in June. Presenters give talks to summarize the major Church achievements of the fiscal year, July 1 - June 30. A large Annual Report is also given out to our members with full details of the happenings of the year.
Open and Affirming Sunday
This special service is at the end of June to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
Heritage Sunday and Founders’ Day
On this Sunday we honor members who have been a part of the church for 50 years or more. The same day, the Founders’ Day service is held on the Sunday closest to Founders’ Day in Greenwich which is July 18, the day when the church was chartered in 1665. It is a service of celebration of the rich history of our church and the community.
This is a group of get-togethers at member homes through all February to eat, drink and socialize to escape the winter blahs!
Souper Bowl Sunday
The Women's Fellowship sponsors a fund-raising homemade soup sale on the day of the annual Super Bowl football game in February.
Women's Day
This is a new event and tradition in March celebrates all that women do to keep households, the Church and the country going!
Holy Week and Easter
- On Ash Wednesday morning we hold Ashes to Go, where our pastors bless you and place ashes on your forehead on the side driveway while you remain in your car.
- A Palm Sunday Service is held at 10 am the Sunday before Easter.
- On Maundy Thursday, people gather for a special dinner at 6 pm in the Auditorium followed by a Tenebrae Service in the Sanctuary at 7:00 pm.
- On Good Friday, there is a Service of Readings and Music, sung by the Chancel Choir, beginning at 7:30 pm.
- Also on Good Friday, at noon, the senior high young people carry a cross to Greenwich Point for use during the Sunrise Service on Easter morning.
- We hold an Easter Sunrise Service at Greenwich Point beginning just before sunrise.
- There are two Easter Services held in the Meetinghouse on Easter Sunday, one at 9 am and one at 11 am.
Rise Against Hunger
This meal-packing event in May is a tradition begun a few years ago and is very popular. We pack 20,000 meals to support Rise Against Hunger’s simple vision of a world without hunger.
Music Sunday
Music Sunday, our annual worship/celebration marking the end of the choir season, takes place mid-May every year. Our choirs, often with guest soloists and instrumentalists, create an unforgettable worship experience. After the service, we serve strawberries and whipped cream in the Memory Garden.
Confirmation Sunday
Held on the third Sunday in May, confirmands are made full members of our church during this worship service.
Celebration Sunday
Church School Recognition Sunday, held in early June, is a service in which the church acknowledges the participation of the children and teachers in the Church School. Third graders receive Bibles during the service.
Annual Meeting
This meeting follows the service on the last or next to last Sunday in June. Presenters give talks to summarize the major Church achievements of the fiscal year, July 1 - June 30. A large Annual Report is also given out to our members with full details of the happenings of the year.
Open and Affirming Sunday
This special service is at the end of June to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
Heritage Sunday and Founders’ Day
On this Sunday we honor members who have been a part of the church for 50 years or more. The same day, the Founders’ Day service is held on the Sunday closest to Founders’ Day in Greenwich which is July 18, the day when the church was chartered in 1665. It is a service of celebration of the rich history of our church and the community.