First Church Stratford will present weekly mini Lenten concerts, featuring pianist and organist Dr. Joe Utterback. The concerts will be held in the church sanctuary, 2301 Main Street, Stratford. The second concert is at 3 PM on Wednesday, March 11. The final concert is at 3 PM on Wednesday, March 18. There is no admission fee. Please join us!

First Church Stratford will host Community Lenten Dinners on Fridays in Lent. The dinners will be held from 4:30 to 7 PM on the following Fridays: February 20, February 27, March 6, March 13, March 20 and March 27. The three course meal includes a choice of soup or salad; a main course of shrimp scampi, fish and chips, crab cakes or a fisherman’s bake; and a dessert. A vegetarian option is also available. The cost is $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and $5 for kids. All are welcome!

First Church Stratford will present weekly mini Lenten concerts, featuring pianist and organist Dr. Joe Utterback. The concerts will be held in the church sanctuary, 2301 Main Street, Stratford. The first concert is at 3 PM on Wednesday, March 4. Additional concerts are at 3 PM on Wednesday, March 11 and 18. There is no admission fee. Please join us!

First Church Stratford holds a “Red Bag” food drive the first Sunday of each month. Our next collection is Sunday, March 1, from 11 AM to 12 PM in the church parking lot. Please bring non-perishable food items, toiletries and/or pet food. Local pantries are empty and in dire need of restocking. Thank you for your continued support of this important mission.

First Church Stratford will host Community Lenten Dinners on Fridays in Lent. The dinners will be held from 4:30 to 7 PM on the following Fridays: February 20, February 27, March 6, March 13, March 20 and March 27. The three course meal includes a choice of soup or salad; a main course of shrimp scampi, fish and chips, crab cakes or a fisherman’s bake; and a dessert. A vegetarian option is also available. The cost is $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and $5 for kids. All are welcome!

First Church Stratford will host Community Lenten Dinners on Fridays in Lent. The dinners will be held from 4:30 to 7 PM on the following Fridays: February 20, February 27, March 6, March 13, March 20 and March 27. The three course meal includes a choice of soup or salad; a main course of shrimp scampi, fish and chips, crab cakes or a fisherman’s bake; and a dessert. A vegetarian option is also available. The cost is $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and $5 for kids. All are welcome!

The Board of Benevolence will hold a Sunday Sheets collection the third Sunday of each month. New or slightly used bedding is accepted (new pillows only). On February 15, please bring in twin sheets and pillowcases. Please place donations on the altar before the service begins. Thank you for your support!

Join us for Scout Sunday on February 8. During our 10 AM service, Boy Scouts from Troop 71 will lead our worship service. Current and former Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are especially encouraged to attend this annual celebration of scouting.

The Music Department will hold a Valentine Potluck Dinner on Saturday, February 7, at 5:00 PM in Lower Packard Hall. The cost is $7 per person, with a maximum of $15 per family. Please bring either a main dish, a side dish or a dessert to share. All proceeds benefit the Special Music Fund.

If you would like to be a part of the musical entertainment, please contact Allison. A sheet for talent sign up will also be on the door of the Music Room. We hope to see you there!

🎉 Join Us for a Night of Fun at the Bridgeport Islanders! 🏒

Mark your calendars for Sunday, February 1st at 5 PM!

Get ready for an evening full of excitement and family fun as the BOCE hosts another fantastic night at the Total Mortgage Arena to see the Bridgeport Islanders! This is the perfect way to enjoy a thrilling game together.

🎈 What to Expect:
Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Bring the whole family and your friends for an unforgettable experience!
Special Performance: Cheer on our friend Evie Owens as she dances with her team from Project Dance Center during 2nd intermission!

📍 Where: Total Mortgage Arena, 600 Main Street, Bridgeport

⏰ When: Sunday, February 1st, at 5 PM

🎟️ To purchase tickets, use the link below or scan the QR code from your phone! Jacqui Owens will also be in UPH after service on January 18, 25, and February 1st to assist you.

https://www.gofevo.com/event/Firstcongregational2

Don't miss out on this thrilling game and a chance to show your support! Grab your tickets now and get ready for a night to remember!

See you at the game! 🥳

First Church Stratford holds a “Red Bag” food drive the first Sunday of each month. Our next collection is Sunday, February 1, from 11 AM to 12 PM in the church parking lot. Please bring non-perishable food items, toiletries and/or pet food. Local pantries are empty and in dire need of restocking. Thank you for your continued support of this important mission.

The 386th Annual Meeting of the First Congregational Church of Stratford, Connecticut, United Church of Christ, will be held online on Sunday, January 25, 2026, following a brief worship service. During the meeting, church members will review 2025 activities and annual reports; elect officers, board and committee members to new terms; adopt a 2026 budget; and transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting.

First Church Stratford holds a “Red Bag” food drive the first Sunday of each month. Our next collection is Sunday, January 4, from 11 AM to 12 PM in the church parking lot. Please bring non-perishable food items, toiletries and/or pet food. Local pantries are empty and in dire need of restocking. Thank you for your continued support of this important mission.

Join us on Tuesday, December 24 at 10 PM for our Traditional Candlelight Service. This beautiful worship service includes readings and carols, concluding with the singing of “Silent Night” by candle’s glow. The service will also be available on Zoom (for those on our email list) and Facebook Live.

Join us for Christmas at First Church Stratford! Our celebration continues with our Contemporary Worship Service at 4 PM on Wednesday, December 24. The Contemporary Worship team will lead this uplifting and powerful afternoon of music and scripture. The service will also be available on Zoom (for those on our email list) and Facebook Live.

Our Sunday School students will present a Christmas Pageant during our worship service on Sunday, December 21. Please join us for a retelling of the Christmas story, complete with costumes, carols and audiovisual elements.

Join us on December 21 as our Chancel and Festival Choirs present their annual Christmas Cantata. Come and enjoy the beautiful sounds of the Christmas season!

First Church Stratford holds a “Red Bag” food drive the first Sunday of each month. Our next collection is Sunday, December 7, from 11 AM to 12 PM in the church parking lot. Please bring non-perishable food items, toiletries and/or pet food. Local pantries are empty and in dire need of restocking. Thank you for your continued support of this important mission.

First Church Stratford will present weekly mini Advent concerts, featuring pianist and organist Dr. Joe Utterback. The concerts will be held in the church sanctuary, 2301 Main Street, Stratford. The first concert is at 3 PM on Wednesday, December 3. Additional concerts are on Wednesday, December 10 and 17. There is no admission fee. Come and enjoy the wonderful music of the season!

Join us for Stewardship Sunday on November 23! During our 10 AM service, we will collect pledge cards for Rooted in Love, our 2026 Stewardship Campaign. Pledge cards and donations can be placed in the Steward Ship. Checks may also be dropped off in the church’s mail slot by the Church Street door. In addition, bank EFT forms can be filled out and mailed to the church. Please return your pledge card even if you use EFT. Remember that, if circumstances dictate, a pledge can be adjusted up or down by calling the church.

Thank you for your generosity and support!

Our Festival Choir will sing with the Chancel Choir on All Saints' Sunday; Fat Sunday; Palm Sunday; Easter; and Pentecost. The choir will also participate in our annual Christmas Cantata. Participants will attend rehearsals beginning two weeks before each service.

Singers who wish to sing in the Christmas Cantata (December 21) are asked to attend rehearsals on November 20, December 4, December 11 and December 18. Rehearsals start at 7 PM. Please join us!

The Board of Benevolence will hold a Sunday Sheets collection the third Sunday of each month. New or slightly used bedding is accepted (new pillows only). On November 16, please bring in twin sheets and pillowcases. Please place donations on the altar before the service begins. Thank you for your support!

Stratford Homelessness Taskforce invites you to attend our Community Conversation on Housing and Homelessness on Wednesday, November 12th from 5:30PM to 7:00PM. Join us at 5:00 for refreshments and conversation. The event will be held at First Congregational Church, 2301 Main Street, Stratford. Parking is in the rear of the church and the entrance is on Church Street.

So we can plan refreshments, please RSVP at http://bit.ly/47925Ba. Stratford residents and leaders will learn about ongoing efforts from a few speakers and work together to share ways we can all help make Stratford a community where everyone has a place to live and food to eat!

Stratford Homelessness Taskforce is a group of neighbors, community leaders, faith groups, and local organizations that strives to make Stratford a town where everyone can thrive!

This event is supported by The Housing Collective.

A special meeting of the First Congregational Church of Stratford, Connecticut, United Church of Christ will be held Sunday, November 9, 2025, following worship service in the sanctuary to vote to elect a new settled pastor. Paper ballots will be handed out. Only officially registered church members may vote! Online voting is also available to registered members who attend services on Zoom.

First Church Stratford holds a “Red Bag” food drive the first Sunday of each month. Our next collection is Sunday, November 2, from 11 AM to 12 PM in the church parking lot. Please bring non-perishable food items, toiletries and/or pet food. Local pantries are empty and in dire need of restocking. Thank you for your continued support of this important mission.

Join us for our annual tag sale on Saturday, November 1, from 9 AM to 3 PM. Items for purchase include holiday décor; toys and games; china and glasses; linens; kitchenware; garden tools; decorative bathroom items; pictures; lamps; books, both for children and adults; and CDs and DVDs. Please help support this wonderful event!

Our Contemporary Worship team will lead worship one Sunday each month! Join us on October 26 at 10 AM for an uplifting and powerful morning of music and scripture. The service will also be available on Zoom (for those on our email list) and Facebook Live.

The Women’s Service League is hosting a Pumpkin Potluck supper on Saturday, October 25, beginning at 5 PM. The supper will be held in Lower Packard Hall and includes musical entertainment by Jacqui Owens and Eric Nyquist. The cost is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $5 for children ages 12 and up. Children under 12 are free.

To sign up to attend, please visit the WSL table during fellowship hour after worship on October 19. Please bring food items in disposable (aluminum) dishes, if possible, for easy clean-up.

First Church Stratford's Rose Window Concert Series kicks off on Sunday, October 19, with a Broadway Favorites concert. Performers include Galen Donovan, Emma Gulick, Elliott McEvoy, Emma Moran and Nick Stanford. The concert is at 3 PM in the sanctuary; there is no admission charge. Join us for a great afternoon of music, including songs from The Great Gatsby, The Last Five Years and Hadestown.