Sunday Worship
Live Stream Here
Weekly Sermon
What to Expect
WORSHIP is for everyone at First Parish Church. We're a multi-generational group who welcome people from all different backgrounds. Our church is accessible with a ramp and hearing assistance devices. We have cooling AC in the warmer months and abundant heat in the cooler months!
PARKING is available on the street as well as in front of, adjacent to, and behind the church. (It's one-way, so please enter from York Street to the right of the church, by Town Hall). Parking is also available across the street in the Museums of Old York parking lot on Lindsay Road. Handicapped parking is available.
HOW TO DRESS is up to you. Please wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. You'll see some people wearing jackets and ties and others in jeans and t-shirts.
CHILDREN are always welcome to stay in church for the Sunday service. We do have nursery rooms downstairs if your family has need of them at any point.
SUNDAY SCHOOL is for children ages 4 through grade 8. Youth usually stay with their families in church until after the Message for All Ages at which time they are escorted to Sunday School. (You are free to accompany them and return to worship.) After worship, you can collect your children in the nursery or Fellowship Hall.
MUSIC is exceptional at First Parish. Our choirs sing September-June and we have wonderful soloists during the summer months.
Our Ministers
Rev. Eric Dupee
Music
Director of Music Ministries, Wendell Scott Purrington
Director of Music Ministries, Wendell Scott Purrington is organist and choir director, has been involved in church music since he began singing in children's choir at age eight and playing the church organ a few years later. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education (voice) from Boston Conservatory, and a Master of Music (choral conducting) from New England Conservatory. He was the choral director for the Portsmouth , NH school district for 36 years, was musical director for six summers at the Prescott Park Arts festival, and has served as guest conductor for several festival choruses in New England. He has directed the Seacoast Community Chorus for over 25 years, and is the co-director of the Fourth street Jazz Choir in Dover, NH At First Parish, Wendell oversees the music program and conducts the sanctuary choir, men's ensemble, and handbell choir. He also coaches and accompanies the women's ensemble. He finds a strong connection between music and worship which helps to link our hearts, minds, souls, and spirits to God through a wide variety of musical offerings.
"When in our music God is glorified, it is as if the whole creation cried: Alleluia!"
Music Associate, Terrie Ilaria
Music Associate, Terrie Ilaria grew up in Lexington, MA and is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of the Hartt College of Music. She taught piano, voice, special needs music and musical theater classes and accompanied recitals and concerts at music/arts schools in New York City, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Maine. Terrie has been teaching piano and voice at her Steinway Music Studio since 1998 and has worked extensively as music director in area theaters. She lives in Kittery, sings in the Seacoast Community Chorus and has been the First Parish Music Associate for five years. Terrie is an essential part of the Music Ministries team.
The Sanctuary Choir
The Sanctuary Choir provides musical leadership and inspiration that is vital to our worship services. Choral music selections vary from the classics to gospel and contemporary pieces. There are two rehearsal times available to choir members: Thursdays at 7:00 pm or Sundays at 5:00 pm. There are no auditions for the Sanctuary Choir, an ensemble of choral artists who love to learn, sing, and praise God. Just come to a rehearsal! It's an exciting ministry that you're welcome to join.
The Women’s Ensemble
The Women’s Ensemble at First Parish Church is known by the name “Sweet Spirit.” The group performs regularly as part of worship services, and provides a wide variety of music selections for special events: the Christmas in the Village concert, Gospel music Sunday, and the annual concert with Dover (NH) First Parish Church.
The First Parish Handbell Choir
The First Parish Handbell Choir is an adult ensemble of eager musicians which plays regularly for worship and concerts. We are blessed with a
3-octave set of Schulmerich handbells. Learning new skills and performing glorious music make being a member of First Parish handbells a rewarding and meaningful way to praise God.
