In-person worship is on hold again, sadly, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We look forward to welcoming you back into our sanctuary to worship in-person, as soon as it is safe!

Black Lives Matter at FCC (click to read more)
Welcome!
I’m Reverend Dominic Taranowski and I’d like to welcome you to the First Congregational Church in Melrose, United Church of Christ. A lot of churches say “come as you are,” but we really mean it. It doesn’t matter your age or your background or your story: you are welcome here. We’re an intergenerational church with something for everyone: from our vibrant worship service on Sunday morning, to our Sunday school program, to our mission work, to our public advocacy presence. We’re always about the work of faith formation and discipleship.
We strive to create a deeper relationship with God but also an outward expression of that faith in the wider world. The church provides opportunities for both of those. You can renew and strengthen your relationship with God and also find ways to live out that faith on a daily basis. We are a casual, committed, progressive church and we welcome you here.
See you in church!
Join us weekly at 10 am for worship
Join us in-person Sundays at 10 am as we live stream on YouTube page https://www.youtube.com/c/FCCMelrose, or view our live on MMTV (local channel 3) at 10 — rebroadcast again at 6 pm. Links to view individual services may also be found on our website, here.
News
You can find us on YouTube at:
https://worship.fccmelrose.org/Feb-28-2021

On Sundays, we are also broadcast live on MMTV (channel 3) and rebroadcast at 6 pm.
The (New Century Hymnal) hymn #s this week will be: 205 “Forty Days and Forty Nights” v1&2, 446 “Jesus, Still Lead on” v1&2, and 211 “Lord Jesus, Who Through Forty Days” v1&3.
We hope our members can join us after worship for our annual Winter Congregational Meeting at 11.
Watch for a separate email with a link to the 11AM Winter Congregational Meeting being held on Zoom, which all members may join immediately upon the conclusion of the worship service, around 10:45AM.
If you don’t receive the link or need assistance, call Lisa Oosterman at 781-608-7073 or send an email to accounting@fccmelrose.org. A computer connection is not needed to listen and participate. We will also provide you with a phone number and access code to dial in via your telephone if you don’t have access to a computer.
During this pandemic, and given the restrictions for large gatherings set forth by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Board of Deacons recognizes the difficulties associated with conducting a traditional winter meeting of our church. Among the obstacles we would encounter are ensuring a quorum, recording motions and votes, ensuring the timely and equitable distribution of information, and making the meeting available to all members regardless of their access to a virtual meeting.
Therefore, at its meeting held on January 26, 2021, the Board of Deacons, acting on behalf of the congregation, has reviewed, approved, and adopted a budget for 2021.
We will hold a Virtual Meeting of the Members of First Congregational Church in Melrose, UCC, on Sunday February 28, 2021 at 11AM to hear and respond to the following reports:
- The Clerk’s report for Calendar Year 2020
- The report of Invested Funds for Calendar Year 2020
- The report of Operating Income and Expenses for Calendar Year 2020
- The Budget for Calendar Year 2021 approved by the Board of Deacons
All reports for the Winter Congregational Meeting are available through the Church Office. Please call or email the Church Office if you would like a copy of these reports ahead of the meeting.
This meeting is open to all members of the church, and your attendance and participation are encouraged! Watch for a separate email with a link to the 11AM Winter Congregational Meeting being held on Zoom, which you may join immediately upon the conclusion of the worship service, around 10:45AM. Join the meeting before 11AM and bring your coffee!
If you don’t receive the link or need assistance, call Lisa Oosterman at 781-608-7073 or send an email to accounting@fccmelrose.org. A computer connection is not needed to listen and participate. We will also provide you with a phone number and access code to dial in via your telephone if you don’t have access to a computer.
Rev. Dominic’s weekly article
Click here to see ALL of Rev. Dominic’s weekly articles (present & past)
Audio and VIDEO Updates
Here’s a great way to check in: Reverend Dominic is posting regular updates to connect with the congregation. You can find these under the “AUDIO & VIDEO MESSAGES” tab at the top menu on any of our website pages.
Mariko’s music recordings
Want to experience our music ministry from home? Please go to the tab “WORSHIP AND MUSIC” at the top menu to listen to recordings made by our music director, Mariko Matsumura. You can view Videos posted on our private friends-and-members Facebook page, the Virtual Narthex of First Congregational Church in Melrose UCC. You are invited to join us on our public Facebook page, located at www.facebook.com/FCCMelrose.
In depth review
Church blogger George Parks recently attended our congregation and had this to say: “This is a warm, active, community church, that provides space for personal growth and contemplation, as well as advocacy for the greater good of the community. Melrose and the surrounding communities are very lucky to have FCC of Melrose contributing to the greater good.” Read his review here.