Church events
Sunderland – First Congregational Church of Sunderland, 91 S. Main St., Serendipity Shop is open on Saturdays, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with items for sale at bargain prices.
Weekly Sunday church service is offered at 11 a.m. in-person or on Zoom. Email scc1717@wordpress.com or visit the church on Facebook for more information.
Weekly schedule
Holyoke – St. Peter’s Lutheran Church weekly schedule, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. Worship and Sunday School, Facebook Live Worship Service; Monday, 10:30 a.m. a.m. Bible Study; Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Prayers with Pastor, Facebook Live; Thursday, 7 p.m. Worship at church. The church is located at 34 Jarvis Ave.
Drive through collections
Springfield – Foster Memorial Church, UCC, will hold their monthly outreach “Drive-Through Collection of Food Donations” on Saturday, May 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the church’s back parking lot. They will be collecting non-perishable food for the Emergency Food Cupboard of the Open Pantry. All donations are appreciated. The church is located at 1791 Wilbraham Road in the Sixteen Acres section.
Springfield Symphony Chorus concert
Holyoke – The Springfield Symphony Chorus will give its annual spring concert, this year titled “All Things Spring!” on Saturday, May 10, 4 p.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 34 Jarvis Avenue. All proceeds from the event will benefit The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.
Tickets are $10, cash only, and are only available at the door. Doors open at 3:15 p.m. The Chorus will perform eclectic choral works based on themes of “All Things Spring!
Heirloom Plants at Garden Sale
East Longmeadow – The First Congregational Church at 7 Somers Road is having a plant sale on May 10 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. There will be a selection of heirloom plants from the church gardens for sale. From the gardens of church members and friends, there will also be a variety of plants, trees, shrubs, herbs, flowering vines, ground covers and perennials for sale. Some herb pots and specialty items will be available for Mother’s Day gifts. In the gazebo there will be free coffee and a bake sale. Inside the church there will be a garden-related tag sale, a paperback book sale and a used jewelry sale. Come and enjoy looking at the flowers and find something for your own garden. Stay and have lunch while you are here.
End of Life Issues Presentation
Holyoke – On Tuesday, May 13 at 6 p.m., Our Lady of the Cross Church will have a presentation on “End of Life Issues”. A panel of speakers consisting of a funeral home director, an attorney, a hospice worker and a cemetery employee will each give a short presentation. Each speaker will answer questions after. This informative presentation will take place at Saint John Paul II Social Center, 67 St. Kolbe Dr. in Holyoke. There is no cost to attend and all are welcome. For questions, please call 413-532-5661.
Catholic Women’s Club Banquet
West Springfield – The Catholic Women’s Club of Agawam will hold their annual May banquet at the Storrowtown Tavern in West Springfield. It will be held on Thursday, May 15, and begins at 6 p.m. with fruit/cheese platter and veggie & dip platter. The buffet dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. The menu consist of salad, bread and butter, mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, chicken francaise, Yankee pot roast, broiled scrod, tea, and coffee with a dessert ice cream puff to complete the meal. Open seating will be used. The price is $36, and checks should be made out to the Catholic Women’s Club or C.W.C and sent to Paula Raiche, 181 Leonard St., Agawam, MA 01001 by May 7. Checks may also be put in the basket at weekend Masses. No refunds will be made. The club’s monthly and yearly meetings will be held after the dinner.
Local Church Musician Celebrates 65 Years
Amherst – Dick Matteson, minister of music at First Church Amherst, is celebrating 65 years as a church musician. The milestone will be recognized at an informal celebration concert on Saturday, May 17 at 2 p.m. at First Church Amherst, 165 Main Street. Featuring music for organ, piano, choir and audience participation. Matteson played the organ for the first time at age 12 in his home church in Cohasset, MA. A graduate of Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford, he served a number of churches in the Greater Hartford area for 40 years before moving to Western Mass. During the past 19 years in Western Mass, he served Old First Church, Springfield, Mittineague Congregational Church, West Springfield and for the past 17 years has been minister of music at First Church Amherst.
Other musicians participating are pianists Linda Smith, Anne Stanek and Gail Weirick and organist Rebecca Matteson. Donations at the door will support the music program at First Church Amherst. The church is accessible from Main Street and from the parking lot behind the church off of Spring Street. For more information, contact the church at (413)253-3456.
The Journey of the Chosen program
Southwick – Our Lady of the Lake Parish at 224 Sheep Pasture Road, is pleased to have Cecile Fragoso share her experience as a cast member of the television series “The Chosen.” The presentation will be held in our Marian Hall with refreshments at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21. This presentation is free to everyone but if you could bring a donation for the Food Pantry, it would be greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, please call Deb Briancesco at 413-786-9131.
Veterans brunch
Westfield – UCC Second Congregation Church, 487 Western Ave. presents a Veterans Brunch on Sunday, May 25, following the 10 a.m. church service. Menu consist of omelet folds, breakfast potatoes, ham and sausage, yogurt/fruit, and homemade muffins. Coffee, tea, and milk will be available. Cost is $15 per person, veterans are free. RSVP by Tuesday, May 20 by calling 413-568-7557. Hot food provided by Pottery Cellar.
Church bus trip
Springfield – Saint Catherine of Siena presents Woosox vs Scranton, on Friday, July 18. 6:45 p.m. game, with fireworks immediately after the game. Cost is $79.and Includes covered seats by the third baseline, bus and driver’s tip, plus a $5 credit on food or the store. Call Betty at 413-896-8801.
Church events
Springfield – South Congregational Church, an open and affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ in downtown Springfield, invites everyone to its regular worship services, Sundays at 10 a.m. in person at 45 Maple Street in Springfield or on Zoom. Find the Zoom link and more information about us on our website at www.sococh.org. Childcare is also available. The Bible Study group on Zoom will now take place on Mondays at 7 p.m. (use the Zoom worship link) — whether you are new to bible study or have a lifetime of experience, you are welcome. Other programs include regular knitting and quilting circles as well as an upcoming Lenten Book Group. In addition to church services and events, South is particularly engaged in the downtown community, and many public programs are offered in their spaces. If you’d like to know more, receive our weekly email newsletter, or have any questions, please email admin@sococh.org or call (413) 732-0117. Find them on Facebook or Instagram.
Vendor Wanted
Ludlow – St Elizabeth Parish, Hubbard Street, is seeking vendors for St Nick’s Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 15. An 8’ table is supplied, and the cost is $40. To request an application or additional questions, please call Pat at 413-531-6997
Church events
Wilbraham – Wilbraham United Church at 500 Main St., welcomes the community to Sunday morning services at 10 a.m. On the first Sunday of every month communion is served with bread and grape juice. Following all Sunday services, there is a Friendship gathering in the Fellowship Hall. Coffee, and other refreshments are served and all are welcomed. Wilbraham United is a merged congregation of the Congregational and Methodist Societies. They celebrate as both a congregation that recognizes the traditions and values of both the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist denominations. Wilbraham United Church is a place where someone from any walk of life can feel comfortable. They are committed to service and sharing their space for the good of the community and to the glory of God. The church is especially welcoming to children, who are gladly received in the worship service. There are church school classes for children who wish to attend for ages 3 through 13 during the worship service time. The church is handicapped accessible with a large parking lot in the rear. For any questions contact the church administrator at 413-596-2511 ext. 100 or email admin@wilbrahamunitedchurch.org.
Sunday service hours
Holyoke – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 485 Appleton St. Sunday service hours are as follows: 8 a.m.-Holy Eucharist with no music; 10 a.m.-Holy Eucharist with music; 5 p.m. service in Spanish with music. All are welcome.
Additional adoration times
Agawam – St. John the Evangelist Church, 833 Main St. will offer weekly adoration ceremonies on Wednesdays between noon and 5:30 p.m. The Holy Mass takes place at 6 p.m.
Free weekly Veterans lunch
Holyoke – Community Roots Neighborhood Services offers a free hot lunch for Veterans and their adult immediate family (Parents or spouse). The lunches are every Thursday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 485 Appleton St. Questions? Email Gina Nelson at crnsholyoke@gmail.com.
Church service hours
Springfield – Christ Church Cathedral, 35 Chestnut St., Weekly Sunday service hours are as follows: 8 a.m.-Holy Eucharist with no music; 10 a.m.-Holy Eucharist with music; 12:15 p.m.- service in Spanish with music. A healing service is held at the church on the first Sunday of each month.
