Special services tune the church to sacred time as well as the changing seasons. They help us tell the story of our faith, and remind us of God’s constant presence and blessing in the midst of life. The liturgical year guides us through the spiritual rhythm of faith tradition through the calendar year. First Church observes the traditional Christian special services below:
All Saints
Advent and Christmas
Festival of Epiphany
Ash Wednesday
Palm Sunday
Good Friday
Easter
Pentecost
Services Unique to the First Church Community
Explore our photo gallery of First Church in Cambridge Worship Traditions!
Regathering Sunday
On the second Sunday of September, as we begin a new program year together, we gather again in covenant and community, giving thanks for the life of our congregation.
Healing Sundays
Four Sundays a year, we take time in worship to pray for health and wholeness, and to receive a sign of God’s healing love, such as soothing oil and the laying on of hands.
Blessing of the Animals
Each year we open our doors for a Blessing of the Animals, inviting cats, dogs, birds and other creatures to join us in worship (and often raise up their voices with us in “song”!). Photos and toys of animals who can’t join us in person are also welcomed for blessing.
Feeding Sunday
Once a year, we remember the prevalence of hunger in our world, share stories of feeding from the gospels, and celebrate our feeding ministries by making bag lunches for the Outdoor Church.
Juneteenth
In this special service every June, we lift up the themes of freedom and liberation, commemorating the abolition of slavery. The service usually features a reading of names and a commemoration of all the enslaved persons associated with First Church over the years and a litany of repentance.
Seasons of Peace and Justice
With so many demands on our attention when it comes to matters of peace and justice, First Church has established a Peace and Justice calendar to help focus our related learning and worship. Consider it a compliment to our liturgical calendar, complete with feast days!
- September and October Racial Justice and Equality
- November and December Immigration and Sanctuary
- January and February Housing and Homelessness
- March and April Climate Crisis and Creation Care
- May and June LGBTQ and Gender Justice