About First Parish of Bolton
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The First Parish of Bolton has worked to make God’s love visible and real in the communities it serves since 1741. We cherish diversity and offer a progressive Christian perspective even as we honor important traditions and maintain a sense of continuity with the past. We are committed to the care of one another and the world we share.
Worship at The First Parish of Bolton feels both traditional and relaxed and is always engaging.
Our Worship Services offer the opportunity to reflect on our own thoughts and experiences while guided by beautiful music, readings and reflections that comfort, challenge and inspire us to make a difference in our own lives and in the world.
A typical Sunday morning worship service could include:
Words of welcome
Lighting a chalice, a symbol of our faith
Music, most often led by our organist, in the form of preludes, hymns and anthems from many different traditions
Time to share joys and concerns of the congregation
Meditations and prayers
Readings, ancient or contemporary
A children’s message
A sermon given by our minister, a guest speaker or a member of the congregation
An offering, “to give to you what is already yours,” to support the church and our many outreach activities
A benediction and “Quaker Parting” — we shake the hand of the person next to us as a sign that worship is ended and as a symbol of community
All are welcome to stay after worship every week to enjoy conversation, coffee, and other fare in Davis Hall.
Communion, the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, is observed on the first Sunday of each month. All are invited to participate. The bread (gluten-free) and “wine” (white grape juice in individual cups) are passed among the congregation.
Throughout the year, our worship incorporates holiday celebrations, plays and pageants, and baptisms. There are special services at Christmas and Easter, usually enlivened by guest musicians. The sounds of jazz, rock, and even African drumming have been heard in worship. On “Mardi Gras” Sunday, we even throw beads from the balcony, ala Bourbon Street! Each summer, we travel to Old Sturbridge Village to have a traditional Quaker service in the old Bolton Quaker meeting house.
Parents or caregivers with restless children are free to sit in the Randall Parlor, adjacent to Davis Hall, which serves as a quiet place to listen to the service. We periodically offer learning and activity programs for children during the later part of the Sunday service.
