Tewksbury Congregational Church

Our Church Life

Christian Education

General

Registration for Sunday School is on-going with tuition free classes for youth ages three through high school. Classes run for approximately an hour and begin with a Biblical story presented in video form and are followed by crafts, projects and lively activities.

Highlights of the Christian Education Program include:

  • The Tewksbury Congregational Church Sunday School Program is staffed by dedicated and caring individuals. All staff members have had criminal record checks (CORIs).

  • Sunday School is held at the same time as adult worship

  • Mission trips for youth in grade 6 and higher are offered for an opportunity to help others, see other parts of our country, and deepen their faith.

  • Connections to other families happen throughout the school year through pool parties, Advent and Lenten craft workshops, service projects and other fun filled events that youth enjoy.

  • All youth are welcome regardless of religious background.

Curriculum

In Sunday School, classes from PreK through 6th grade will use the curriculum, Kids 252 published by Orange. While each week is different, the hour of learning contains reading a Biblically based story presented in video format followed by discussion and activities that reinforce the lesson. Such activities could include songs, science experiments, arts and crafts, and active games and always involves laughter, movement and interaction with peers of similar age and interests.

Youth & Family Fellowship

One of the strengths of our church is that we involve our students in worship and acknowledge them as important members of our church family. It is in the context of these relationships that faith is nurtured. Families are warmly invited to participate in programs designed to provide fun, fellowship, and learning. We are serious about serving Jr. & Sr. High students, providing them with faith-based experiences and cultivating relationships that encourage a life of love, obedience, and service. We’re committed to strengthening the foundation that will enrich the lives of our students as they grow into mature Christian adults.

  • Family Events: Throughout the year, TCC offers family-focused events including pool parties, movies, game nights, and others.

  • Youth Fellowship Groups: We have had various types of youth fellowship groups over the years. Currently we have a group focused on Youth Dicipleship that are providing service to their Church and Community. Their service and path of dicipleship will culminate with a mission trip to West Virginia during the Summer of 2020

  • Small Groups: In addition to the youth fellowship groups, we have youth choirs and other groups that ecourage our young people to gather together outside of Sunday School

Missions

At TCC, we love to help others. Whether it be serving dinner at the Lowell Transitional Living Center or sorting donations at the Tewksbury Food Pantry, you will often find our red t-shirt brigade lending a helping hand. Our Missions Committee tries its best to create volunteer opportunities that suit every age and ability level, while scheduling daytime, evening, and weekend projects that could fit into any busy person's agenda.

Upcoming service projects are advertised on Facebook and are also announced in Faith Notes, inside the weekly worship service order. The Helping Hands bulletin board, located in Fellowship Hall (where Coffee Hour is served), is where you will find the official sign-up sheets, although you are always welcome to contact the church office or the project coordinator to register directly. More hands make lighter work, and we find that working together in service to others is a gift unto itself.

Mission Trips

Nothing can quite compare to a Mission Trip experience, when you leave the comforts of your everyday life and transplant yourself for a brief time into the reality of someone far less fortunate. It is in those moments of simple service that a wellspring of gratitude and compassion rise up within you and change the very core of your being.

For the past several years, TCC has created opportunities for our members to participate in organized group Mission Trips to Mexico, West Virginia, and Native America Reservations in South Dakota. The response has been phenomenal, with 15-25 parishioners traveling each time, and with Prayer Partner support at home. Additionally, TCC has supported self-initiated Mission Trips to Louisiana, Guatemala, and Zimbabwe; places that have special significance to our members.

To ease the financial hardship of funding this kind of experience, TCC offers a Mission Trip Stipend. Members and their dependent children can be reimbursed 10% of the eligible costs (program fees, transportation, accommodations, food, immunizations) with a cap of $100 per person per calendar year. It's just our way of saying: "Go. Serve. Learn. Teach. Be." Your spiritual and emotional growth is important to us, too.

Music

Our Music Director oversees the music program and directs the adult vocal choir and supports the youth choirs.

Four ensembles regularly participate in the services, including adult and youth vocal groups, as well as adult and youth bell choirs. Depending on interest level, we have also supported contemporary music ensembles and additional youth and adult groups.

Ed Henderson serves as our Handbell Director. The Jubellation Ringers (Junior Bell choir) takes students from fourth grade and up to learn how to read music and lead the congregation in pieces of bell music.

The Carillon Ringers (Adult Bell Choir). This program builds musical skills and hand bell ringing techniques to create pieces from solemn to joyful for English Handbells.

Need Help?

Prayer Requests

When you need help, call on God through prayer. You can visit our Prayer Group, which gathers weekly. You can also add your request to the Monthly Prayer List by contacting the office, using the "Bill of Prayer" in the pews on Sunday morning, or by filling out a prayer request form. If it is more of a private matter, then you're also more then welcome to call the church office and speak with the Pastor.

Adult Education

Our members and friends have regular access to opportunities to grow in their faith journey. There is a weekly Men's Bible study that allows attendees to join as they are able.
Throughout the year, our Deacons, the Pastor, and other members will lead short term Bible studies, book readings, and other activities.

Adult Fellowship

We at TCC recognize the importance in connections of all kinds, particularly those outside of Sunday worship. We strive to provide as many opportunities as possible.

Women's Fellowship

Every woman yearns for friends who will walk with her through life’s joys and sorrows. We are ready to join you on that journey. Our Bible studies, fellowships, support groups, and service projects will help you develop deeper relationships with Jesus Christ and other women. At TCC there are a number of Connecting Points for Women:

  • Ladies Aid: Welcomes all women of the church, meeting in the afternoon regularly each month. Programs vary with guest speakers, service projects and luncheons.

  • Friendship Circle: Meets monthly on a weekday morning. The group provides Christian fellowship with a program that alternates Bible study, service projects, etc. and joining Holiday Friends for craft projects.

  • Holiday Friends: This group meets at night the each month (and also works with Friendship Circle). Various craft work is done, primarily to contribute to TCC’s annual Christmas Fair.

Men's Fellowship

Every day, the world bombards men with mixed messages about success, relationships, and happiness. Now, more than ever, it takes grit to be the kind of men God wants us to be. We are here to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you as we pursue God’s design for manhood. We have a number of Connecting Points for Men:

  • Men's Bible study meets weekly on a weekday evening.

  • Annual Jack Hall Memorial Golf Outing: Each summer, a number of the men from our church travel to Vermont for a weekend of golf and fellowship.

Special Events at TCC

General Room Rental:

Tewksbury Congregational Church has rooms available for rent for your next special event, whether it is a birthday party, anniversary party, rehearsal dinner, bridal shower or wedding reception.

There are specific fees and regulations associated with the use of those facilities. Completed facility rental forms are forwarded to the Board of Trustees for review.

Weddings:

Your wedding is a sacred celebration. Your plans for the service should reflect that fact and also align with the beliefs and worship practices of Tewksbury Congregational Church (TCC). Careful planning will ensure that your wedding is meaningful to you, your family, and friends.

Our pastor and musicians are available to help lead the service. Rooms are also available for receptions afterward.

When scheduling weddings, TCC gives priority to church members and their children. A church member, in this case, is someone who has participated regularly at TCC activities for at least three months prior to the wedding date.

Funerals:

Funerals at Tewksbury Congregational Church glorify God, honor the person who has passed away, and offer hope to all, regardless of their circumstances. The pastor, musicians, and staff come alongside family and friends who have lost loved ones and show them compassion, comfort, and encouragement. Our pastor and musicians are available to help lead the service. Rooms are also available for receptions afterward.
Contact the Church Office with any questions regarding your potential event at TCC.

For any and all questions, please reach out to the Church Office

by email or phone (978-851-9411)