Upcoming Events
Photo by Aaron Langlois
Advent Bible Study: Names for the Messiah
Beginning on Thursday, Nov. 20, we will offer a 4-week Bible Study: 11/20, 12/4, 12/11 and 12/18. The text we’ll study is Walter Brueggemann’s Names for the Messiah: An Advent Study. This is a short book with manageable chapters and reflection questions for each chapter. Those questions will be our guide for each week. You should read the short chapter and review the reflection questions before each meeting. Additionally, I invite you to bring any questions that you may have regarding the reading or the season of Advent.
Harvest & Holly Fair
Start your holiday shopping! Pick up some pie or baked goods for your Thanksgiving dinner! Stop by for a delicious lunch of chili dogs or stew!
The Hanging of the Greens
The Hanging of the Greens service. Let’s celebrate the start of the Advent Season and the symbols of Christmas!
Advent Bible Study: Names for the Messiah (Week 2)
Beginning on Thursday, Nov. 20, we will offer a 4-week Bible Study: 11/20, 12/4, 12/11 and 12/18. The text we’ll study is Walter Brueggemann’s Names for the Messiah: An Advent Study. This is a short book with manageable chapters and reflection questions for each chapter. Those questions will be our guide for each week. You should read the short chapter and review the reflection questions before each meeting. Additionally, I invite you to bring any questions that you may have regarding the reading or the season of Advent.
Advent Bible Study: Names for the Messiah (Week 3)
Beginning on Thursday, Nov. 20, we will offer a 4-week Bible Study: 11/20, 12/4, 12/11 and 12/18. The text we’ll study is Walter Brueggemann’s Names for the Messiah: An Advent Study. This is a short book with manageable chapters and reflection questions for each chapter. Those questions will be our guide for each week. You should read the short chapter and review the reflection questions before each meeting. Additionally, I invite you to bring any questions that you may have regarding the reading or the season of Advent.
29th Annual Festival of Lessons & Carols
The annual Festival of Lessons & Carols is planned for December 14, 2025. We have selected the cantata, Rise Up! A New Light A-Comin’, by Lloyd Larson & Pamela Martin. Please consider joining the choir or orchestra for this special event! We rehearse on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30, starting October 22.
Advent Bible Study: Names for the Messiah (Week 4)
Beginning on Thursday, Nov. 20, we will offer a 4-week Bible Study: 11/20, 12/4, 12/11 and 12/18. The text we’ll study is Walter Brueggemann’s Names for the Messiah: An Advent Study. This is a short book with manageable chapters and reflection questions for each chapter. Those questions will be our guide for each week. You should read the short chapter and review the reflection questions before each meeting. Additionally, I invite you to bring any questions that you may have regarding the reading or the season of Advent.
Sunday School Christmas Pageant
Our children’s joyful enactment of the birth of Christ!
Fall Bible Study, Peace: Wk. 6
Week 6: Who among us feels like the bombardment of negative news and divisive energy is just too much? We all seem to be looking for a way to center ourselves and calm our minds. Peace, as something within ourselves and as something tangible in the world, can sometimes seem elusive. With our 6-week study of Peace: Christian Living in a Violent World by Mary Farr, we are going to: see what the Bible and Jesus say about peace, explore peace as a state of being, and what we can do about peace in the community and the world.
All Saints Sunday
Join us for a remembrance service for all those who have passed away.
PIE MAKING
On Saturday, November 1st at 8:00 a.m. we’ll be making apple pies! These pies are sold at our Harvest & Holly Fair (Nov. 22) and through the holiday season. We are looking for helpers and donations of apples and pre-made pie crust. Please sign up on the sheet in Fellowship Hall.
Fall Bible Study, Peace: Wk. 5
Week 5: Who among us feels like the bombardment of negative news and divisive energy is just too much? We all seem to be looking for a way to center ourselves and calm our minds. Peace, as something within ourselves and as something tangible in the world, can sometimes seem elusive. With our 6-week study of Peace: Christian Living in a Violent World by Mary Farr, we are going to: see what the Bible and Jesus say about peace, explore peace as a state of being, and what we can do about peace in the community and the world.
Fall Bible Study, Peace: Wk. 4
Week 4: Who among us feels like the bombardment of negative news and divisive energy is just too much? We all seem to be looking for a way to center ourselves and calm our minds. Peace, as something within ourselves and as something tangible in the world, can sometimes seem elusive. With our 6-week study of Peace: Christian Living in a Violent World by Mary Farr, we are going to: see what the Bible and Jesus say about peace, explore peace as a state of being, and what we can do about peace in the community and the world.
COMMUNITY BREAKFAST
Our next community breakfast will take place on Saturday, October 18, from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. The usual delicious breakfast foods will be served. Donations will benefit the Rutland and Barre Food Pantries.
Fall Bible Study, Peace: Wk. 3
Week 3: Who among us feels like the bombardment of negative news and divisive energy is just too much? We all seem to be looking for a way to center ourselves and calm our minds. Peace, as something within ourselves and as something tangible in the world, can sometimes seem elusive. With our 6-week study of Peace: Christian Living in a Violent World by Mary Farr, we are going to: see what the Bible and Jesus say about peace, explore peace as a state of being, and what we can do about peace in the community and the world.
Fall Bible Study, Peace: Wk. 2
Week 2: Who among us feels like the bombardment of negative news and divisive energy is just too much? We all seem to be looking for a way to center ourselves and calm our minds. Peace, as something within ourselves and as something tangible in the world, can sometimes seem elusive. With our 6-week study of Peace: Christian Living in a Violent World by Mary Farr, we are going to: see what the Bible and Jesus say about peace, explore peace as a state of being, and what we can do about peace in the community and the world.
Fall Bible Study, Peace
Who among us feels like the bombardment of negative news and divisive energy is just too much? We all seem to be looking for a way to center ourselves and calm our minds. Peace, as something within ourselves and as something tangible in the world, can sometimes seem elusive. With our 6-week study of Peace: Christian Living in a Violent World by Mary Farr, we are going to: see what the Bible and Jesus say about peace, explore peace as a state of being, and what we can do about peace in the community and the world.
RALLY SUNDAY!
RALLY SUNDAY! Sunday School begins with a small worship service followed by a craft and activity relating to the Bible story presented in the worship service.
Town-Wide Yard Sale
The church will once again participate in the Town-Wide Yard Sale on August 23. If you have items to add to the sale, please drop them off on the table to the left of the door in Fellowship Hall. Thanks!
G.A.B.B. Golf Tournament
It’s time to register for the GABB Golf Tournament, sponsored by the Oakham Congregational Church!
The GABB Tournament was originally started in 1995 as the Bob Tyck Memorial Golf Tournament. In its early years it helped a family in need, but over the years became a tournament to benefit local charities. After a 3-year pandemic pause, the tournament is back again, now renamed in honor of Gretchen Nahkala, Art Gray, and Bob Lajoie, who were always present and instrumental to the great success of the original Bob Tyck Tournament.
Registration is $100 per person (or $90 per person before 7/25/25). Complete the registration form on our NEWS page and mail it to Dawn Thistle, Oakham Congregational Church, 4 Coldbrook Rd., Unit 12, Oakham, MA 01068.
We’ll see you on the course!
MINISTERS & MEMBERS RECEPTION
On Tuesday, July 29 at 4 pm, there will be a reception and opening of the exhibition, Sacred Rebellion, at the Congregational Library & Archives in Boston. Come learn about the role of the Congregational Church in the Revolutionary War and American independence. Pastor Carissa is willing to coordinate transportation, but please let her know by July 20 so that we can RSVP!
Dinner with Dismas
Have you ever wondered what goes on at the Dismas Family Farm on Lincoln Road? Join us at the church on Wednesday, May 14, at 6:00 PM for a pot luck supper to find out. The men of Dismas have been invited, and they are happy to talk about the farm – the animals, the vegetables they have planted, the farmers’ markets where they sell their produce and the Dismas program more generally. Please join us and, if you are able, bring a hot dish, salad, or dessert to share. There is a sign-up sheet in Fellowship Hall or call Gail Pryce at 508-886-4095 for more information.
May Community Breakfast
Our next community breakfast will be held on May 10th, from 8:00 to 9:30. We will be serving pancakes, eggs, sausage, berries, orange juice, coffee and tea. There is no charge for our breakfasts. You may, if you wish, make a donation that helps support worthy causes and our church expenses. This month’s donations will benefit the Rutland and Barre Food Pantries. Please join us!
EASTER SUNDAY!
Christ is Risen! Please come join us for this joyful family service. Wear your Easter bonnet—or come as you are! All are welcome.
Easter Sunrise Service
Alleluia! Christ is Risen! Join us on the hillside behind the church as we watch the sunrise and praise God with a brief Easter service. Stay and join us for a hearty breakfast in Fellowship Hall—all the good stuff: scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausage, fruit and coffee!
Maundy Thursday Service
Please join us for our Tenebrae Maundy Thursday Service. In this communion service our Deacons read the passion scriptures, extinguishing a candle after each one, until the sanctuary is left in darkness and silence. This is probably the most solemn and moving service of the year.
Palm Sunday
Hosanna, loud hosanna! We celebrate Jesus’ ride through Jerusalem and his coming Passion on this Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. As we do each year, palms will be distributed.
Lenten Book Study, Week 6
Original Blessing by Danielle Shroyer
Week Six: Living Into Blessing
Read: Section V, Living Into Blessing
Scripture for reflection: Philippians 2:12-13, Romans 6:11-14, Matthew 10:16
Lenten Book Study, Week 5
Original Blessing by Danielle Shroyer
Week Five: Rediscovering Jesus
Read: Section IV, Rediscovering Jesus
Scripture for reflection: Psalm 38, Romans 5:5
Lenten Book Study, Week 4
Original Blessing by Danielle Shroyer
Week Four: Rethinking Sin
Read: Section III, Rethinking Sin
Scripture for reflection: Genesis 4, Deuteronomy 30, Matthew 5:43-45
Lenten Book Study, Week 3
Original Blessing by Danielle Shroyer
Week Three: Revisiting the Garden
Read: Section II: Revisiting the Garden
Scripture for reflection: Genesis 2 and 3, Isaiah 61
Annual Church Meeting
All members are encouraged to come and participate in this important component of congregational governance. Copies of the 2024 Annual Report will be available for your review at each entrance.
March Community Breakfast
Our next breakfast will take place on Saturday, March 8th from 8:00 to 9:30 A.M. On the menu will be pancakes, eggs, sausage, strawberries, orange juice, coffee and tea. There is no charge for our breakfasts. You may, if you wish, make a donation that helps support worthy causes and our church expenses. This month’s donations will benefit flood victims in Kentucky.
Lenten Book Study
In Original Blessing, Danielle Shroyer takes readers through an overview of the historical development of the doctrine, pointing out important missteps and overcalculations, and providing alternative ways to approach often-used Scriptures. Throughout, she brings the primary claims of original sin to their untenable (and unbiblical) conclusions.
In Original Blessing, she shows not only how we got this doctrine wrong, but how we can put sin back in its rightful place: in a broader context of redemption and the blessing of humanity’s creation in the image of God. --Amazon
Ash Wednesday Service
Please join us for this solemn, Taizé-influenced evening service. Let us all begin the season of Lent humbly and in a right spirit.
February Community Breakfast
Our February breakfast will take place on Saturday, February 8th from 8:00 to 9:30 A.M. On the menu will be pancakes, eggs, sausage, strawberries, orange juice, coffee and tea. There is no charge for our breakfasts. You may, if you wish, make a donation that helps support worthy causes and our church expenses. February’s donations will support the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches’ 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE RELIEF FUND. Please join us!