Summer Services
In July and August FCU offers the following opportunities to be together on Sunday morning at 10 AM. Our regular Sunday morning worship service resumes the first Sunday after Labor Day at 10 AM in the Sanctuary
Joint Summer Service
Traditionally, on a Sunday morning in early August, First Church Unitarian joins several local UU congregations (including Harvard, Stow/Acton, Lancaster, and more) for our annual joint summer service. Normally there is a “pick-up” choir and refreshments are served after the service. The congregation hosting the service rotates among the three churches. This service is an opportunity to celebrate our UU heritage and renew friendships.
Special Services During the Regular Church Year
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
The Sunday evening before Thanksgiving, the Baptist, Catholic, Latter Day Saints, Congregational and Unitarian Universalist churches of Littleton present a joint interfaith service. Co-led by clergy and lay leaders, the service features reflections by lay representatives on a common theme. Hosting the service rotates annually among the churches.
Yule Service
The Yule service continues an ancient celebration at the Winter Solstice. On the longest night, as winter begins, the light is reborn—and so are life and love and the promise of returning spring. This is an intergenerational service open to all ages.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
The Candlelight Service features the Ceremony of Light, in which the sanctuary is darkened and each person holding a candle passes the flame until the entire sanctuary is again filled with light. This service also includes readings and carols sung by the congregation and choirs. There is also a Time for All Ages at this multigenerational service.
Remembrance Sunday
In a beautiful and moving ceremony at the first Sunday service in January, we remember relatives and friends who have died during the past year, and we celebrate births, adoptions, and dedications of children. As we speak the names of loved ones who are gone or those who have come into our lives, we light candles in sconces around the church.
Maundy Thursday
This service, with deep roots in the Christian tradition, commemorates the Last Supper celebrated by Jesus prior to his crucifixion. Held the Thursday evening before Easter, it is the one service of the year in which communion is presented.
The Passover Seder
Unitarian Universalism draws heavily on the Judeo-Christian traditions of this country. The Passover Seder is an opportunity to honor one of the most important festivals from our Jewish heritage. The Seder is a ritual dinner that celebrated the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt. We tell the story by reading the Haggadah, we share a meal of Passover dishes from around the world and we have fun! The Seder is a high participatory event for everyone in the church. We have a great collection of recipes and readings and welcome new additions.
Easter Sunrise Service
At 6:00 a.m. on Easter Sunday, we gather with other members of Littleton’s First Baptist Church and Congregational Church for a joint sunrise service.
Recognition Sunday
About twice a year, new members are formally welcomed into the church family. In this ceremony new members receive a certificate of membership.
Religious Education Sunday
During this service, the children are recognized for their accomplishments in the Sunday School and their teachers are honored for their service.
