First Congregational Church of Wakefield UCC

Dining With Friends
2025-01-22 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
Dining with Friends
The Men’s Fellowship Group is coordinating another dinner party. We would love it if you could join us, everyone is welcome. This time we are planning to go to the Lodge at Moose Mountain Recreation. We have reservations for 6:00 pm, on January 15th. George Ackerman is coordinating the event, so you need to call to let him know that you plan on attending. The Lodge will have their full menu, but they are requesting that you select your meal choice ahead of time. The full menu can be found here
Menu Page 1 – img005
Menu Page 2 – img006
It would be most convenient if you let George know your food choice at the time you reserve your space, or it can be done at a later time. However, space is limited, so plan on attending. Check out the menu and contact George. He will call you in early January if you haven’t already given him your selection. If you want opinions about the food choices, the guys have pretty much tried everything on the menu, so just ask one of them.
If we have snow on the ground, you can come early and do a little tubing to build up your appetites. They hope to have the rope tow open when and if we get snow this year. If you want to watch folks slide, the bar will be open at that time too.
Peace,
George Ackerman 603 651 6331

Lenten Faith Formation - Weekly on Tuesdays
2025-03-05 12:00 - 2025-06-03 13:00
Please consider joining us as we walk through Lent using the SALT Lenten Study – Lift Up Your Voice: Singing through Lent and Easter. A description follows:

All of creation,” wrote St. Hildegard of Bingen, “is a song of praise to God” – a swirling symphony all around us.
So for this year’s 40-day Lenten journey, why not take the Christian musical treasury as your guide, classic hymns and sacred songs bringing together big ideas and beautiful melodies?
In this devotional, each week, reflections on biblical texts and beloved music inspire practices you can try yourself, with your family or friends, or with your congregation. As the days lengthen, the birds will sing – and so will we, joining in with creation’s symphony of sorrow and joy, death and new life. Lift up your voice!

This study will start on March 4th (the day before Ash Wednesday). We meet every Tuesday at noon as a hybrid class (both in-person and on zoom). We will use the time to discuss the readings for that week, along with listening (and perhaps even singing!) some of the songs that are presented in this study.

Our class will run for an hour (or so) and will be followed by a sharing of thoughts on the Stillspeaking Lenten Devotional – Into the Deep.

As Mary Luti writes in the introduction, “God inhabits the depths of life, love, loss, ecstasy, and pain, God dwells in the profundities of prayer, in sighs too deep for words. God loves the deep.”
What courage, what faith, what reckoning, what wonder might find us as we go deep into God’s depths this Lent?

If you’re interested in joining us on this Lenten path, please reach out to Julie Kessler (julielouisekessler@gmail.com or 603-871-8066)

Adult Faith Formation - Weekly on Tuesdays
2025-06-17 12:00 - 2025-06-24 13:00
Beginning Tuesday, June 3rd, we will start a new class based on the poetry of Mary Oliver using the SALT devotional entitled: Summer Days. This class will consist of four sessions taking us through June. Description follows:

… summertime taps into the deep, ancient practice of rest and restoration, echoing the joyful, sacred rhythms of sabbath.
Mary Oliver’s poetry can help us connect with this dimension of the season, savoring its delights, valuing its treasures, and reveling in what she calls summer’s “luminous sprawl of gifts.” Think of that sprawl as a sabbath for the year as a whole: not the resurrections of spring or the harvests of autumn, but the joyful, restful moments in between. Moments we all are made for.

At each of the four steps, you’ll find a gentle rhythm to guide you: the lighting of a candle, a passage from Scripture to pair with poems in Oliver’s Devotions, a short prayer, and a song or two. Each step also includes a bouquet of “daily practices” to try, activities to help deepen your experience of the poems, the biblical passages, and the wider world they call us to love.

You will be supplied with a Summer Days booklet and copies of the poems being used. Just let Julie Kessler know if you’re interested in participating – or if you want copies even if you can’t join us. (603-871-8066 or julielouisekessler@gmail.com)

Class meets every Tuesday at 12:00 in the Parish Helper room. We also have a Zoom option if you’d prefer to participate remotely.

Yard Sale
2025-08-23 08:00 - 13:00
Annual Yard Sale – August 23, 2025 – 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Members of the local community who may wish to join us with a table for their yard sale items may contact Margie Galabrun (balchlaker@gmail.com) for information.
Come for the bargains! Come for the food! Come for the fun!

Bake Sale Bliss – Homemade sweet treats!
Grilled Burgers & Dogs – Served with a smile!
Cool Stuff Boutique – Unique finds you won’t see anywhere else.
Clothing Deals – Stylish steals for all ages.
Household Items & More – Bargains you just can’t resist!
Shop. Eat. Smile. Repeat.

Celebration Sunday
2025-09-07 11:00 - 13:00
***Update –Celebration will be held in the Fellowship Hall due to inclement weather.**

Clothing, Soft Goods and More Collection
2025-09-13 10:00 - 2025-09-28 12:00
It’s Collection Time!
Drop off your bagged and boxed donations at the church. Various times – see info below. Clothing of all kinds, soft household items such as bedding, towels, etc. regardless of condition are also acceptable. And shoes, purses. Also now collecting boxed books, CDs and DVDs. Please bag your items in plastic bags and securely tie them. (13-gallon kitchen bags work very well.)
Donation drop off days and times are:

Quilt Raffle
2025-11-02 10:00 - 2025-11-15 13:00
The Parish Helpers annual raffle is a queen sized quilt pieced by Parish Helpers. It is called “Summer on the Pond” and is a beautiful mix of blues, greens and purple.
Tickets for the raffle are $5 each or 3 for $10 and can be purchased from any Parish Helper or at the Harvest Fair on November 15. The winner will be drawn at the end of the Fair.

Harvest Fair
2025-11-15 09:00 - 13:00 | FCCW, Wakefield Rd, Sanbornville , NH, United States
The Harvest Fair will be held on November 15 th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. You will find crafters selling handmade items, Pies and Baked Goods, Gift Baskets, Jewelry, and Cookie Walk. Don’t miss the Penny Sale featuring many local business gift certificates! Something for everyone – a great opportunity to do some holiday shopping and support the church and its missions at the same time!

Lunch will be offered beginning at 11 a.m.

Also, come and see the Parish Helper’s queen size raffle quilt and get your tickets for a chance to win. The winning ticket will be drawn at the end of the Fair. Tickets are only $5 each or 3 for $10.

For more information, contact the church at 603-522-3189.

Candlelight Service
2025-12-24 18:00 - 19:00
All are welcome to join us for our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on December 24th. FCCW is at 2718 Wakefield Road, across the street from the Wakefield Inn. We will also offer Zoom/ Facebook worship and you can find the links at our website homepage.

Souper Bowl Soup Sale
2026-02-07 11:00 - 13:00 | FCCW, Wakefield Rd, Sanbornville , NH, United States
Souper Bowl Soup Sale – 2026
Back by popular demand! Our Souper Bowl Soup Sale!
We are once again offering a wide variety of soup for take out! Soups must be pre-ordered and pre-paid and will be available for pickup at the church on Feb. 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Snow Date is Feb. 8, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) Local home delivery can be arranged.
Choose from a wide selection of soups (see below) at a cost of $5 per 16-oz. container. Call Julie at 603-871-8066 or email her at julielouisekessler@gmail.com to place your order. Payment can be made by check made out to FCCW and mailed to FCCW Assistant Treasurer at 2718 Wakefield Road, Wakefield, NH 03872 or dropped in the mailbox attached to the church by the side entrance. You can also pay online through our website by going to http://www.fccwakefieldnh.org and look for the “Donate Button” on our homepage (on drop down menu – choose “Soup”.)
Consider donating a homemade soup to someone in need. Just let us know and we will arrange to deliver it.
There are limited quantities on some varieties, so act now! Deadline to order is February 2. For the complete list of soups with ingredients listed
go to: 2026 Soups
#1 Mixed Bean Soup with Kielbasa
#2 Black Eyed Peas and Sweet Potato
#3 Chicken pot pie soup
#4 Turkey & 4 Bean Chili
#5 Texas Chili
#6 Italian Wedding Soup
#7 Pea Soup w/ Ham
#8 Potato Cheddar Soup w/ Ham
#9 Country Chicken Chowder
#10 Sausage Stew w/ Spinach
#11 Stuffed Pepper Soup
#12 Stuffed Pepper Soup
#13 Baked Potato Soup
#14 Harvest Sweet Potato Soup
#15 Clam Chowder
#16 Chicken Noodle
#17 Meat Lover’s Chili
Vegetarian Options:
#1V Broccoli, Cauliflower Cheddar
#2V Butternut Squash Soup
#3V Carrot Ginger Soup
#4V Pea Soup
#5V Pumpkin Mushroom Soup
#6V Egg Drop Soup

Banjos, Bones and Ballards
2026-02-12 13:00 - 15:00
This program is possible through a grant from the NH Humanities and is free and open to the public.
The Parish Helpers of the First Congregational Church of Wakefield, UCC are pleased to present the program, “Banjos, Bones, and Ballards” on Thursday, February 12, at 1 p.m. at the church at 2718 Wakefield Road, (across from the Wakefield Inn), Wakefield, NH.
Traditional songs, rich in local history and a sense of place, present the latest news from the distant past. They help us to interpret present-day life with an understanding of the working people who built our country. Tavern songs, banjo tunes, 18th century New England hymns, sailor songs, and humorous stories about traditional singers and their songs highlight this informative program by Jeff Warner.
Jeff connects 21st century audiences with the music and everyday lives of 19th century people. He is a Folklorist and Community Scholar for the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and a former State Arts Council Fellow. He has toured nationally for the Smithsonian Institution and has recorded for Flying Fish, Rounder Records, and other labels. Jeff is a founder of the Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival.
For more information, please contact the church at 602-522-3189 or churchoffice@fccwakefieldnh.org.

Prayer Shawl Ministry - 3rd Tuesday
2026-02-17 10:00 - 23:30
Wakefield Community Prayer Shawl Ministry was started in 2010 and follows the model of Shawl Ministry started by Janet Bristow and Victoria Galo in 1998. We meet monthly to make shawls, bless completed shawls and share prayer concerns. The shawls are distributed to people celebrating joys or struggling with illness and loss.
The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets on the fourth Thursday of the month from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Parish Helpers Room.
All are welcome! You need not be a member of the church to participate!

NEW! Evening Bible Study - 1st and 3rd Thursdays
2026-03-19 17:30 - 2026-04-23 18:30
Bible Study, led by our pastor, Rev. Dr. James L. Mills (Rev), will begin on January 22 at 5:30 p.m. and then going forward will meet on the first and third Thursday of each month.
The group will be using the book “Harper Collins Study Bible”.

The meetings will be at the church but may be via Zoom if the weather necessitates. You can sign up in advance, or just attend! For more information, contact Rev or Andrea at the church office at 603-522-3189.

Treasure Shop Open Wed. and Sat.
2026-05-23 09:00 - 2026-10-10 12:00
The Treasure Shop is open this season on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. until October 12 at the Old Town Hall, 2695 Wakefield Road in Wakefield, NH. It is located in the historic village of Wakefield Corner which is also home to the Wakefield Library, and the Wakefield Inn, and the First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ.
The Old Town Hall was built in 1837 and was used as the town hall until 1895 when the current town hall was built. The building was then leased to the Ladies Social Circle (now the Parish Helpers) of the First Congregational Church and it has been leased to them ever since. For many years it was used as a meeting place for the women’s group and for dinners, fairs, and events for the church and the town. In 1963, the Parish Helpers began having a Treasure Sale on Wednesday afternoons. Thus, the Treasure Shop came into existence. It has changed somewhat over the past 50+ years. They no longer sell clothing, and they don’t sell larger items, but they have just about everything else. You can find fine china and toys. Small appliances and yarn! There’s a large selection of used books, and there are curtains, jewelry, hardware and more! Something for everyone!
The Treasure Shop is the primary fundraiser for the Parish Helpers. From its beginning in 1857, the Parish Helpers has been contributing to the First Congregational Church which it calls home. Over the course of the last 160 years, the Parish Helpers has expanded its philanthropies and now donates to many other local and global charities as well.
Stop by this summer and see what treasures await you at the Treasure Shop! For more information about the First Congregational Church or the Parish Helpers, visit www.fccwakefieldnh.org or our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/FirstCongregationalChurchofWakefieldUCC/

Service Auction
2026-06-13 18:00 - 20:00
The FCCW Service Auction will be held on June 13 at 6:00 p.m. Grab dinner before you come, and we will have dessert waiting for you. You will soon receive an email with a list of auction items and minimum starting bids, so you can decide what you would like to bid on. If you are unable to attend in person, please contact Nancy Dee before June 13 at nancy.dee2018@gmail.com. Let her know which item(s) you want to bid on and your maximum bid. Any advance bid will serve as the opening bid. If no one bids higher, you win. If another advance bid for the same item is higher, you will receive a call and have the option to increase your bid. There will be no calls during the auction.
View list of servics being auctioned: https://www.fccwakefieldnh.org/…/SERVICE-AUCTION-ITEMS…

Pancake Breakfast and Gold Fundraiser
2026-06-20 08:00 - 11:00
Pancake Breakfast 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Delicious pancakes your way — pumpkin, blueberry, chocolate chip, gluten free, and original —
served with eggs, sausages, muffins, coffee, tea and juice.
Adults $9.00
Kids $6.00
Kids 4 and under eat free!
All proceeds support humanitarian shipping container for Zimbabwe.

Caregivers Support Group - Every 1st and 3rd Monday
2026-07-06 09:30 - 2026-09-07 11:00
Caregiver Self Care Support Group meets on the first and third Monday of every month from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the Parish Helpers Room. This group gathers to talk about the uniqueness of care giving (every circumstance is different). The focus is more about taking care of yourself in order to better care for a loved one. The sessions are free and open to the public. Support and resource materials are available. No need to register. Just come. You do not have to be caring for a loved one at home. We know that care happens in many ways – up close and at a distance. Sessions are confidential.
A Zoom option is available. Contact facilitator at: carollundgren94@gmail.com for Zoom Link.

Chair Yoga - Weekly on Wednesdays
2026-07-08 10:00 - 2026-10-07 11:00

Kids' Music Camp
2026-07-20 09:00 - 2026-07-24 12:00
Summer Music Camp – July 20 to July 24 – 9 a.m. to noon.
Come to the First Congregational Church of Wakefield Kid’s Music Camp for Grades 1 & up! There will be Music Training, Crafts, Games, Songs, Snacks and FUN! NO CHARGE.
Scan for registration:

Questions – Please email churchoffice@fccwakefieldnh.org or call the office at 603-522-3189.

Village Fair
2026-08-08 09:00 - 13:00 | FCCW, Wakefield Rd, Sanbornville , NH, United States
The Parish Helpers’ Village Fair and Cookie Walk will be held on Saturday, August 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Wakefield NH, United Church of Christ. Come by and enjoy the famous Cookie Walk – choose your own selection from a huge variety of homemade cookies. There will also be a Pie Sale, Crafts, Vendors, Jewelry, and much more! Early-bird coffee and sweets will be available at 9 a.m. or you may want to take a break from shopping and have a relaxing lunch starting at 11 a.m.
While you are in Wakefield Corner, be sure to visit the Treasure Shop which is located across the street from the church in the historic Old Town Hall. The Treasure Shop is run by the Parish Helpers and is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 noon throughout the summer. You never know what treasures you will find there! The Fair, Cookie Walk, Quilt Raffle and the Treasure Shop are fundraisers for the Parish Helpers and proceeds support the Parish Helpers’ good works for the church and community.
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Adult Faith Formation - Weekly on Tuesdays
2026-09-08 12:00 - 2026-11-17 13:00
Faith Formation classes meet regularly on Tuesdays at Noon – typically in the Parish Helpers Room. Our gatherings are hybrid – in-person at church with a Zoom option. Note that a decision may be made to do a Zoom-only class if weather is a concern.

Lenten Faith Formation

Please consider joining us as we walk through Lent using the devotional: Hymns of Easter A description follows:
The “Hymns of Easter” is a heart-warming devotional inspired by some of history’s most cherished Easter hymns. Experience a fresh perspective on the hymns you’ve sung your whole life now set to personal reflections in this 40-day devotional journey.
The hymns include the Hallelujah Chorus, Christ the Lord is Risen Today, He Lives, The Old Rugged Cross, Blessed Assurance, How Great Thou Art, and Amazing Grace. You’ll also discover intriguing stories and thought-provoking details like who wrote the hymn; what was going on in their life that perhaps inspired it; and how God has used this hymn throughout time to draw people closer to Him.
This study will start on February 17 (the day before Ash Wednesday). We meet every Tuesday at noon as a hybrid class (both in-person and on zoom). We will use the time to discuss the readings for that week, along with listening (and perhaps even singing!) the featured hymn for that week.
Our class will run for an hour (or so) and will be followed by a sharing of thoughts on the Still Speaking Lenten Devotional – Outgrow.
If you’re interested in joining us on this Lenten path, please reach out to Julie Kessler at 603-871-8066 or
julielouisekessler@gmail.com

Ukulele Club - 2nd and 4th Tuesdays
2026-09-08 18:00 - 2027-03-09 19:30
