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But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him… ~Genesis 39:20-21 Four times in Genesis 39 we are reminded that God was with Joseph. But that didn’t make Joseph’s life easier.  In fact, one might argue the opposite. Maybe “the Lord was with him” was never a promise that things would go well.  But if God was with Joseph when he was falsely accused and thrown into prison, what difference did God's presence actually make?  And what difference does it make for us?  Join us Sunday as we wrestle with that question and discover what Joseph’s story might mean for our own

“I thank my God for every remembrance of you,” ~Philippians 1:3 One thing I’ve learned is that no two years will ever look quite the same. There have been seasons of challenge and uncertainty, seasons of change, and seasons of growth and possibility that I never could have anticipated when I first arrived at First Congregational Church of Southington six years ago. From my first day until now, I have prayed continually for this congregation. I am so grateful for the ways God has been present in the work with us and I am excited for many more years of ministry together ahead! This Sunday, I’ll share six things I’ve learned in six years at FCC Southington. More than anything, it will be an opportunity to give thanks and to trust, as Paul did, that the God who began a good work among us is not finished yet.

“When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” ~Genesis 9:16 Imagine a small green frog named Kermit, sitting in a swamp on a lily pad with a tiny banjo.  He begins to strum some simple chords…   Why are there so many songs about rainbows, And what’s on the other side. Rainbows are visions, but only illusions And rainbows have nothing to hide. So we’ve been told and some choose to believe it. I know their wrong, wait and see. Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection, The lovers, the dreamers, and me. I love that song.  I think of it every time I see a rainbow.  Rainbows are beautiful and meaningful, but they only show up after a storm.   As we gather to celebrate Rally Day on Sunday, I don’t need to tell you that we are living amid many storms. Yet there is a rainbow in the sky, a reminder that all will be OK—it’s not OK yet, but all will be OK. The colors of the rainbow represent diversity amid unity, as in our church, and Rally Day will be another opportunity to celebrate that. In our diversity, all will be OK. I look forward to seeing you there.

The Lord lives! Blessed be my rock, and exalted be my God, the rock of my salvation… ~2 Samuel 22:47 Since returning from sabbatical last week, I have heard wonderful things about the summer worship series, The Gospel According to…  While I have cherished the rest and rejuvenation sabbatical has provided, I'm sorry I missed the fun and meaning of the creative worship services you experienced over the summer. Before I left in May, I thought it would be fun to conclude the summer worship series by offering you a playlist of a sabbatical.  But then, on my second day back, we all learned of the death of Dolly Parton. I can’t remember not knowing about Dolly Parton.  I also grew up in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, 150 miles east of Dolly’s childhood home in Sevierville, Tennessee.  What I always cherished about her is the inclusivity of her spirit.  Mountain people, especially mountain Baptist people like Dolly and me, can be pretty guarded around those who are different, but not Dolly.  In her song Family, she sings,  Some are preachers, some are gay Some are addicts, drunks, and strays But not a one is turned away when it's family… And it seems to me that is the kind of family that we at FCC strive to be.  We might use different language, but the sentiment is right—not one is turned away.  So, this Sunday's playlist turned out to have just one artist on it.  And it turns out the scripture I chose last May was already waiting for her—King David's own song in 2 Samuel 22.  David’s song opens by calling God “my rock, my fortress, my deliverer” and closes with “The LORD lives!”  It is a life set to music, naming what got you through—and that's not just Dolly's gift—it's in the Bible, too.  So, this Sunday, come for one final installment of the summer worship series, The Gospel According to Dolly Parton.

“Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.” — Romans 5:1-2 Calling all Swifties! And even if you can’t name all of Taylor Swift’s eras, you are invited too! This Sunday we bring our summer worship series to a close with The Gospel According to Taylor Swift. For twenty years, Taylor has been singing about growing up—love and heartbreak, change and uncertainty, and learning to embrace the person you are becoming. Our focus song, “State of Grace,” offers a perfect connection to Paul’s reminder that grace isn’t something we have to earn. God’s grace is freely given. Our music team has paired some beautiful traditional hymns to sing and we’ll enjoy some instrumental versions of Taylor Swift songs. Bring out your friendship bracelets and together we’ll celebrate all the different versions of ourselves we have been along the way. Join us as we remember: through every chapter and every change, God’s grace is with us!

Grammy award winning singer and songwriter, Neil Diamond has been writing and performing his music for over 50 years.  He has sold more than 130 million albums worldwide, composed movie soundtracks, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.  Despite a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, in May of this year he released a new album, Wild At Heart.  Diamond’s songs appeal to his fans as much for their themes as for their melodies, lyrics, or his guitar renditions.  He sings of relationships, faith, and feelings - from joy to loneliness to love. Neil Diamond’s song, “I am … I said” expresses a young man’s feelings of being lost and lonely. This Sunday, we will reflect on how this song applies to the feelings of the young son in the Parable of the Prodigal Son and the feelings of being lost, of loneliness, joy and love present in Diamond’s music and the parable. So I invite you to join us as we listen to the music of Neil Diamond and consider his music, the relationships in the parable, God, and the message for us today.

“Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.” Deuteronomy 6:6–7 Every generation hopes to leave something meaningful with the generation that follows. In Deuteronomy, the Israelites are preparing to enter the Promised Land, and Moses encourages them to keep their relationship with God alive not only through worship, but through the everyday rhythms of family and community life. This Sunday, as we continue our The Gospel According to… summer worship series, we’ll explore the music of Mumford & Sons and the story of lead singer Marcus Mumford, whose childhood was deeply shaped by his parents’ faith and leadership in the church. Now a parent himself, Marcus continues to wrestle through music with questions of faith, family, grace, and what we pass from one generation to the next. Together, we’ll consider how the lives we live today can help shape the faith, compassion, and hope of those who follow us.

"So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead." James 2:17 Bob Marley's music has endured for generations, but his legacy is about much more than reggae. Songs like One Love gave voice to a longing for peace, justice, and reconciliation in a deeply divided world. This Sunday, we'll explore how Marley's life and music intersect with James' challenge that faith is meant to be lived, not just believed. What does it mean to use whatever influence we've been given—whether it's a stage, a classroom, a neighborhood, or a church—to make a difference in the lives of others? Join us as we continue our The Gospel According to... summer worship series and discover how God's call to love our neighbors is always more than words. It is a faith that becomes visible through compassion, service, and the ways we choose to live each day.

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ This Sunday we will celebrate our partnership with Fundación Sor Dominga Bocca (FSDB) in Guayaquil, Ecuador. At the beginning of this year we hoped to be in Ecuador right now. Unfortunately, due to global unrest and high airfare, a trip was not feasible this year.  But the girls at FSDB are never far from the minds of those who have visited previously. Dan Gabree will share a reflection from his experience visiting for the first time last summer.  I remember when I was new to the church I didn’t understand this partnership. I might have thought…Why does a church in Southington, CT care so much about a home for girls in Guayaquil, Ecuador? Once I visited for the first time, everything changed. I learned more about the depth of relationship between our church and the foundation, the long standing connections and friendships formed over nearly 20 years.  If this Sunday will be your first time learning about this partnership, you are in for a treat! The smiles and laughter of the girls is contagious.  If it is your 20th time hearing about this partnership, I’m sure you will come away with a new reminder about the way our church lives out our faith.  Come to learn, be inspired, and grow together in faith!

This Sunday, our worship service will be led by the youth of FCC, as they share stories and reflections from their week of service in Providence, Rhode Island. Throughout the week, our youth have been putting their faith into action through hands-on service, building relationships, and discovering the many ways God is present in moments of compassion and community. Grounded in Colossians 3:12–17, we'll reflect on what it means to "clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience," and how these qualities come alive through serving others. Join us for this meaningful service as we celebrate the experiences of our youth, hear how God has been at work in and through them, and consider how we, too, are called to live out Christ's love in our everyday lives.