ABOUT US
Linfield Church can be traced as far back as 1862 with the gift of land from Jefferson March. This was the seed of our growth. The actual building of the chapel took place during the summer of 1878 under the name Limerick Station Union Chapel. Then, on July 6, 1891, the church was incorporated as the Linfield Reformed Church, reflecting the change in name of the town. We remained the Reformed Church until June 1934, when the Reformed and Evangelical churches merged. This union remained in effect for 23 years until, in June of 1957, the Evangelical and Reformed Church merged with the Congregational Christian Church to become what is now known as the United Church of Christ. The church building has grown to accommodate an expanding congregation. These changes included a church school extension in 1940 to house a growing Sunday School. In 1958 the sanctuary was expanded, and Christian Education rooms were added. The illuminated steeple and large stained-glass window were part of this expansion project. In 1969 a two-story addition was completed to provide additional educational space, replacing the "church house" which was torn down. We take pride in maintaining the church property with improvement projects on a yearly basis.
OUR FAITH
Drawn together by the Holy Spirit, we are a distinct and diverse community of Christians that come together as one church, joining faith and action. In covenant with the church in all its settings, we serve God in the co-creation of a just and sustainable world as made manifest in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
"That they may all be one."
John 17:21
OUR COMMUNITY
We are a small faith community with BIG hearts. Our welcoming and faithful congregation has embarked on a journey to minister within the community and ourselves. The members of Linfield UCC are a community of followers of Jesus Christ. We seek growth in our faith through worship, mission, education, fellowship, and loving service to others.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PASTOR
Sometimes people ask me how I come up with sermon ideas. Truthfully? I stare at the lectionary, pace around, do everything and anything but sermon prep, and then squint until I see a theme. (Highly theological.) But the truth is, no matter how prepared I try to be (even the days I pull all the theological books off of my bookshelves), God has a funny habit of showing up in ways I didn’t plan for. Remember the last series? 70’s and 80’s pop and rock music in church; just another way the Holy Spirit decided to turn a nostalgic tune into a sacred moment.
Jesus told parables using sheep and coins and seeds. Paul preached from jail cells. The Holy Spirit descended like fire. It’s clear: the gospel isn’t confined to neat categories. It can speak through anything.
Which got me wondering: what if the congregation chose the sermon theme? What if you picked a random word—any word at all—and I had to weave it into a sermon, along with whatever scripture is assigned that week?
Well, wonder no more. This September, we’re launching a sermon series called Sermons by Surprise. Starting in August, there will be a basket on the back table. Your job is to write down any word, or as many as, you like—serious or silly, thoughtful or totally out-there. “Hope.” “Bubble gum.” “Justice.” “Velcro.” Anything! At the end of August, we’ll draw one word from Linfield UCC’s basket and one from First UCC’s. And I’ll preach the next Sunday with both of those words included. Somehow.
Will I regret this idea? Almost certainly. Will it be fun, Spirit-led, and a delightful practice in divine improvisation? I sure hope so.
With joy,
Pastor Caroline