Serve

Serving People, Serving God

As a people of faith, we are on a journey.

Jesus invites us to follow, to become disciples—learners and lovers of his way of love and justice. And if we accept that invitation our lives will never be the same.

We serve in many roles, many places, many ways. Along the way we learn that all people have needs and all people have gifts. We share our gifts—our talents, our skills, the things we geek out about—with each other and form partnerships with our neighbors for the common good.

What makes you come alive? Take a look below and let us know how you feel called to contribute!


Make Music

The music program is a vital part of our church life. Our Adult Choir and Junior Choir lead us in making a joyful noise during worship and guest instrumentalists—be they our own youth or performers from the community—refresh us with their musical gifts. The Music Ministry supports the program by purchasing music; maintaining the pianos, organs, and sound system; and planning choir-specific activities and community outreach—most recently an invitational Christmastime concert with other distinguished choirs at Carnegie Hall!

DIRECTOR: Tim Jenkins

  • Sing a variety of anthems—from stand-up-and-clap to the most beautifully somber
  • Sing most Sundays from September–June, plus Christmas Eve and Maundy Thursday during Holy Week in the spring
  • Rehearse Thursdays in the sanctuary 7:00-8:30 PM and immediately before services
  • Soloists and small groups always welcome
  • Participate in other church events that call for music

No musical experience necessary! You are invited to join anytime throughout the church year.

DIRECTOR: April Goss-Baker
ACCOMPANIST: George Bowman

  • Lots of fun for participants and listeners!
  • Sing when ready—about once a month
  • Rehearse Sunday mornings in the chapel immediately following services

No musical experience necessary! Children of all ages welcome.

Care for Each Other

I was a stranger and you welcomed me”—it’s the unofficial motto of our congregation. We know—because we’ve experienced it ourselves—that being greeted with warmth and curiosity can help folks feel a sense of acceptance and belonging. We intend to welcome each person in the fullness of their particular identities and experiences into the life of our congregation.

To make our intentions of extravagant welcome real, we practice treating welcome as an active verb. Our ushers lead the way in this effort—though, really, all who are already at home in our congregation are called to this ministry. That can mean extending a smile and a greeting, offering to guide newcomers to where they need to go, supporting Coffee Hour as needed, and wearing name tags to make it easier for folks to learn each other’s names.

Lay Shepherds serve to maintain connection to the homebound members of our church family. The ministry team meets monthly to identify needs in the community and to coordinate efforts to address those needs. Lay Shepherds then minister by visiting in person, sending cards, and making provisions for casseroles, rides, and other support. If you feel called to serve in this capacity, or would like to know more about this way we “bear one another’s burdens” and joys (Galatians 6:2), email our office manager at communications@fccbillerica.org or call (978)663-8433.

Deacons are leaders tasked with the spiritual care and worship life of the parish. Deacons are especially mindful of welcoming the stranger and folks in need of spiritual guidance and encouragement. They visit and help people who are in want, troubled, sick, homebound, or faced with emergencies. Through the Deacons’ Fund underwritten by the congregation, Deacons see to the needs of those in their care. The Lay Shepherds assist the Deacons with care of folks who are homebound and delivering meals to folks in need.

In addition, the Deacons support the pastor in the conduct of worship and by administering the sacraments. Deacons are people with servant hearts who reach out in Christian love, making God’s love visible.

Office Angels

Can you fold bulletins in record time? Stuff envelopes with gusto? Look no further!

The ministry of effective administration—administry, if you will—helps keep our community connected and sustain life-changing programs. Our Office Angels support our admin needs on an as-needed basis and offer a hearty hello to folks who come by the office midweek. You might find the Angels working on:

  • collating mailings for the Stewardship Ministry, working on invitations to public officials concerning a wide range of community activities sponsored by the Billerica Interfaith Association
  • preparing materials for Sunday School to support the Director of Christian Education
  • putting weekly bulletins and announcements together
  • distributing incoming mail
  • sending out welcoming communication to new visitors and new residents in town
  • fielding building rental inquiries
  • giving tours of our beautiful church building

Care for Our Neighbors

We are deeply involved in the community life of Billerica. Our building serves as a hub for community gatherings and events. It is not uncommon for the school social workers, town officials or staff from the Boys and Girls Club to reach out to us for assistance. We encourage the five AA meetings at our church and offer fellowship. Other groups with whom we share space include:

If you are an individual or a family in need of food, please stop in. A family in our congregation stewards the pantry, ensuring it’s consistently stocked with basic nonperishables and some toiletries. We also invite our congregation to donate regularly—on the first Sunday of each month—in support of the pantry. If you are interested in running a food drive for our pantry, please email our office manager at communications@fccbillerica.org or call (978)663-8433.

Leaders in our congregation are founding members of the Billerica Community Pantry (BCP), a community-based 501(c)(3) organization staffed solely by volunteers. BCP runs on a “just-in-time” model and stakeholders work together to provide assistance in fresh food and other nonperishable goods to our elderly folks, veterans, and families.

Currently BCP has a once-a-month distribution. If you’re interested in receiving, donating, or volunteering please email billericapantry@gmail.com or call (978)357-7560 and leave a message.

Folks in our Outreach Ministry have served children at the Greater Billerica Boys and Girls Club and folks who are food-insecure at the Lowell Transitional Living Center. Click below to learn more or get involved.

Care for Creation

On a weekly basis, our Go Green Task Force helps recycle paper and cardboard, along with plastic, glass, and metal containers. Folks—individuals, couples, and families—volunteer to serve one month each year as we help care for God’s Earth. We often use our church announcements to share new ideas on how to recycle, reduce, and reuse, both at church and in our homes.

Share Resources

The main goal of our Outreach Ministry is to assist those battling hunger and injustice. We research various charities and make careful decisions on how to use the gifts donated by our congregation to maximize impact. During the year we provide meals and serve at the Lowell Transitional Living Center; visit and worship with The Outdoor Church in Cambridge, bringing them supplies of socks and homemade sandwiches; and organize the Alternative Christmas Market as well as other special projects.

Many of us have a passion for helping those in need and we welcome new people to the Outreach committee at any time. Bring your ideas and help to make a difference! Email our office manager at communications@fccbillerica.org or call (978)663-8433 to be put in touch.