Leicester Tree Lighting

14th Annual Tree Lighting & Caroling

Leicester Town Common. [map]

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 6:00 PM

Lighting of the tree on the Leicester Common followed by refreshments and a Christmas Carol sing along inside the First Congregational Church.

Sponsored by the Leicester Historical Society, Bandstand Committee and the Leicester First Congregational Church
update: view pictures from this event! click here

Dedication of New Organ – Nov 21, 2010

Rejoice! The Lord is King from Deborah Arsenault on Vimeo.

Our organist and choir director, Robert Shauris, put together a wonderful program for the dedication of our new Roger’s organ. Guest organist was Erik Johnson accompanied by trumpeters Kenneth and Kenny McCane and on timpani, Nick Narcisi. It was a thrill to hear the combined choirs of the First Congregational Churches of Sutton and Leicester. After the service, everyone was invited to continue this celebration by joining for a collation prepared by the Woman’s Association of the congregation. If you missed it, you missed a special event.

Organ Dedication

Rodger’s Allegiant 688 organ

This Sunday November 21at 4:00pm, the First Congregational Church of Leicester will be having a Dedication Service for our new Organ. Playing will be guest Organist Erik Johnson, the Musical Director of the First Congregational Church of Sutton, MA. Also, their Senior Choir will join ours for some beautiful music.

After there is a food and fellowship gathering downstairs in Russell Hall. All are welcome and encouraged to come!

Anthem – Let Me Live For You by Carl Fritsche

Singers of all types and experience were asked to join the choir on Nov 7, 2010 for our first Pick Up Choir.  Bob Shauris is our organist.  Below is a small sample of the anthem sung that day.  It was recorded on a small personal camera from the audience – not a professional recording.  But they sounded great and hope you enjoy this segment. (Ken – apologies for cutting your picture out of the video – you sounded great – I didn’t realize I had done that)

Let Me Live for You – Pick Up Choir Nov 7, 2010 from Deborah Arsenault on Vimeo.

Strawberry Hill Fair – Another Success

Lots of food, raffles and homemade items made for another successful fair

Click on picture to see more pictures from the Fair

Another happy raffle winner - Judy Avoglia

Strawberry Hill Fair

The Strawberry Hill Fair

Nov 13, 2009
9 to 2

Strawberry
Start your Christmas shopping at the

Strawberry Hill Fair!

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Take a chance on our great raffle baskets and donations from local merchants. Bid on a great find in the Silent Auction.DSC00705

Happy Raffle Winner - Charlene

Check out the Christmas Room for decorations.

Christmas Stockings

The knitting room is full of great hand made items.

Fair goers enjoy a lunch break

Take a break and have lunch in Russell Hall.  Tell all of your friends. It is a great way to get into the Christmas Spirit.

Lots of News

There has been so much happening in the church that I have not been able to keep up with the posts. Here are some highlights. To see more pictures, click on the picture of the event in this post and it will take you to the photo gallery.

Doreen & Quentin's Wedding July 24, 2010

Our own Rev Doreen Oughton and Quentin Lewis got married in a beautiful ceremony this past July. Many of the parishioners were able to attend. Everyone said they had a wonderful time. Congratulations Doreen and Quentin.

Harvest Fair Sept 18, 2010 - Cindy, Jackie & Debbie @ Apple Crisp stand

The Harvest Fair was another huge success. We were a little worried when Cindy was in the hospital the week before. Actually, we were in a panic. She does all the planning and organizing for the apple crisp we sell at the fair. But she rallied and was home in time to lead us to another both profitable and fun day. We sold 34 pans of apple crisp. Ron and Quentin sold popcorn and soda. Lenny directed traffic and Bob Kelly ran back and forth with hot pans of apple crisp that Deb E. and Carol M were baking in the church. An added table was the Busy Fingers. Bonnalee volunteered to put out a table of the knitted goods that we sell at the Church Fair. The hats were going as fast as the apple crisp!

Baptism of Collin Edward Burtt

Collin Edward Burtt was baptized on Sunday, September 26, 2010. His parents are Craig and Mandy. Collin is Marie Frascolla’s great grandson. The godparents are Amber and Jamie. Rev. Doreen Oughton performed the ceremony with the help of Deacon Ann Orsi.

Carol Mulrain in good form at the Spare Me Bowling event Sept 26,10

Spare Me Bowling – held at the Auburn Ten Pins was another huge success. This was the first time we held a bowling fundraiser; everyone was asking when we are going to hold the next one. We raised over $500 and all we did was have a good time. It was good to get together for an activity outside of the church. In addition to our members there were a lot of people from outside the church filling all 20 lanes that AMF Bowling had donated. We want to thank them for their generosity. Everyone there was so nice.

Church Picnic Wedding!

Newlyweds - Marie and Paul Gravina Aug 28, 2010

The annual church picnic at the LaPointe’s house was extra special this year. Marie Feeney and Paul Gravina got married! Standing under an arch overlooking Stiles Lake, Rev Doreen Oughton performed a beautiful wedding ceremony as Marie and Paul exchanged vows. Most of the members were able to attend and everyone agreed that it was a perfect day.

Champagne Toast for Marie and Paul

A champagne toast was given to for the new married couple; wishing them many more years of wedded bliss.

Marie and Paul cutting the cake

There was then the traditional cutting of the wedding cake (Christine Cathcart made the cake).

Gifts

Cindy LaPointe presented them with a gift that included a very fun reading with different products being opened to finish the sentences. The church picnic then continued with lots of food and boat rides around the lake. It was a magical day. Congratulations Paul and Marie.

For more pictures of the wedding and the church picnic CLICK HERE

Judy Ivel Presented Appreciation Award

Judy Ivel - Appreciation Award for Concerts on the Common

Our own Judy Ivel was presented with an award in appreciation for all her hard work and dedication in bringing Leicester their summer Concerts on the Common.

CLICK HERE to read the completer article in TheDailyLeicester.com

Concerts on the Common

Hot Dog Stand Crew

Concerts on the Common are fun nights for the whole family. Every week is a different style of music by very professional entertainers. Our church is having another successful year selling hotdogs, popcorn, soda and a variety of wonderful homemade desserts. If you want to help, just come on down. Most of all – support the music.