First Church to Celebrate ‘Patriotic Sunday’

first-congregational-church-window

The First Congregational Church in Old Greenwich will present a special “Patriotic Sunday” service at 10 a.m. on July 1, anticipating the Fourth of July holiday.

“Following the tradition we have established in recent years, on this Sunday before Independence Day we will be singing and talking about what the American revolution meant to our forebears and what the American story means to us today,” said Chris Hartwell, Chair of the Community Relations Committee at First Church. “The entire service will be a joyous affirmation of the values that we strive to uphold as Americans.”

Music Director Craig Symons will lead the congregation and visitors in a series of well-known patriotic hymns, including America the Beautiful, My Country ‘Tis of Thee and the Battle Hymn of the Republic, all accompanied by a five-piece brass ensemble. The Summer Choir will perform stirring versions of Irving Berlin’s God Bless America and Oscar Peterson’s Hymn to Freedom, and the music program will be capped off by Stars and Stripes Forever, complete with the brass ensemble and long-time member Mary Fike playing the famous piccolo line.

Associate Pastor Avery Manchester will preach on the topic, “Help Us to Pledge and to Pray.”

“We want to extend a special invitation to all who may be visiting in our community for the holiday weekend to join us in this celebration,” said Hartwell. “Children are always welcome in the Meetinghouse, but child care is also available if needed, and refreshments will be served outside in the Memory Garden following the service. Patriotic dress is optional for this Sunday in particular, and summer casual dress is always appropriate at First Church.”

First Congregational Church is located at 108 Sound Beach Ave. For more information, visit fccog.org

Related Posts
Loading...