Published in the November 8, 2019 edition.

WAKEFIELD — Sunday, Nov. 10, the First Parish Congregational Church of Wakefield will celebrate its 375th Anniversary. Pastor John Dale will lead the church’s traditional service at 9:30 a.m. and its contemporary service at 11 a.m. Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dr. Richard Weisenbach and Pat Weisenbach will be among the honored guests. All are welcome to attend and celebrate God’s faithful and abundant blessings to First Parish. Also on that day, new church members will be recognized and welcomed.

Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes will be available Sunday. This is a great opportunity to shop with children or grandkids for a child who may have never received a Christmas gift. Can you even imagine that? The filled boxes need to be returned to the church by Sunday, November 24. Samaritans Purse will ship boxes to children in over 100 countries. Suggestions for things to be bought for the shoeboxes will be available.

The church’s Holiday Fair will happen Friday night, November 22, and Saturday, November 23. Food, gift baskets, crafts, a whole room full of yard sale type items – there will be something for everyone. All proceeds will go to the church’s operating budget.

First Parish’s annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be offered free on Sunday, November 24, to those in need, to the elderly and to those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy with family or friends a turkey and all-the-fixings dinner. Welcoming volunteers will prepare and serve the meal at 2 p.m. in the downstairs dining room.

And then on Tuesday night, November 26, at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary, Wakefield’s Interfaith Community Thanksgiving Service will be offered. A joint choir made up of members from several Wakefield church choirs will be singing. All are welcome to come and give thanks.

For additional information, call the church office at 781-245-1539 or visit the church’s website at www.fpccwakefield.org.