Upcoming Services

A Service of Tenebrae and Good Friday Communion 

Coordinated by Rev. Annie Gonzalez Milliken with Rev. John Gibbons and our Adult Choir

Led by our Ministers, Music Director and our Choir, this service is a night of stark beauty in the darkness. Tenebrae is Latin for shadows and tells the story of the increasing isolation of Jesus and of all those who suffer. Tenebrae is a service of mourning, of remembering the loss, grief and suffering of this old world. Though in our worship we often counter the litany of suffering with stories of love and joy, Tenebrae is a time to be with your broken heart, be in community, be a part of all that is. Held on Good Friday, this service will touch upon Tenebrae and Good Friday themes.

Join us for a candle-lit night of readings, music and the rare opportunity to use our church’s communion silver, borrowed back from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

The adult choir will sing excerpts from Mendelssohn’s “Elijah.”  The First Parish Quartet (Carol Krusemark, Laura Kalb, Buffie Groves and Larry Herz) will also be singing and Carol Krusemark will sing Barber’s haunting “The Crucifixion.”  Carol Epple – flute, Elizabeth Connors – clarinet and Nathan Kimball – cello will be joining Steve Sussman on piano and Robert Noble on organ to accompany the music during the service.  Combining tradition with a touch of unconventionality, this will be a service of shadows and deep reflection.

at 9am:                       “Hope in the Dark” – Traditional Easter  Service
           Revs. John Gibbons & Annie Gonzalez Milliken preaching, with music by our Adult Choir

at 11am:          “Love Never Dies: An All-Ages Celebration of Holidays of Rebirth and Renewal”
coordinated by Deborah Weiner, with our ministers and Youth Choirs

Our Annual Easter Egg Hunt will follow the 11am service outside on the Common. Bring a basket or bag to collect some treasures! We will also be collecting canned food for those who do not have enough to nourish them, please bring donations of food to First Parish this week.

“L’Chaim, To Life! To the Connections We Make in Life!
And Ultimately, You’re Dead, Now What?”

Barry Low, guest speaker and accordionist

Beloved former music director at Bedford High School, Barry has just participated in BHS’s stellar rendition of Fiddler on the Roof.  He’ll talk, play, and describe what it all means to him.