A New Birth of Freedom: America at 250 — Beautiful. Broken. Beloved. Becoming.
WESTON, CT — As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Norfield Congregational Church invites the community to participate in a timely and thoughtful four-week sermon series exploring what freedom, faith, hope, and responsibility mean in this historic moment.
Beginning Sunday, July 5, 2026, Senior Minister Rev. Dr. Bernard R. Wilson will lead the series, “A New Birth of Freedom: America at 250 — Beautiful. Broken. Beloved. Becoming.” Through scripture, reflection, and honest conversation, the series will examine how people of faith can engage the nation's milestone with gratitude, humility, courage, and hope.
“This is not a partisan series,” notes Rev. Wilson. “It is a Gospel series. We are not gathering around a flag, but around Christ's table. Our goal is to explore what faithful citizenship and Christian hope look like in a complex and changing world.”
The preaching series will be complemented by special musical offerings by Dr. David H. Connell, Director of Music and Worship Arts.American composers and hymns writers from across our history will be featured.
The four-part series includes:
July 5 — REMEMBER
Prisoners of Hope
Is honest love strong enough to tell the truth?
The series opens with an invitation to reflect on America's blessings and shortcomings, embracing a hope that is deeper than nostalgia and grounded in God's promises.
July 12 — PLANT
What Kind of Soil Will We Be?
Is freedom a finished monument—or a seed entrusted to us?
This message explores the responsibility of cultivating a future rooted in justice, compassion, and faithfulness.
July 19 — BELOVED
Surely God Is in This Place
Can grace still wash ashore when the world is groaning?
In addition to the 10:00am worship service in the Sanctuary, a special beach service will be held at 8:30 a.m. at Compo Beach in Westport, celebrating God's presence in creation and community.
July 26 — RISE
Give Us a Listening Heart
What wisdom will guide the next 250 years?
The series concludes with a call to deeper listening, discernment, and hope for generations yet to come.
Throughout the month, worshipers will be invited to wrestle with questions of national identity, faith, stewardship, and belonging while remaining centered in the Gospel's vision of reconciliation and hope.
Norfield Congregational Church welcomes people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and political perspectives to join the conversation."We believe there is room in this conversation for faithful gratitude, honest questions, and the hope of a new birth of freedom," Rev. Wilson said. "Come curious."
Worship Information
Sundays at 10:00 a.m.
Norfield Congregational Church
64 Norfield Road
Weston, CT 06883
203.227.7886
www.norfield.org
About Norfield Congregational Church
Founded in 1757, Norfield Congregational Church is an open and welcoming congregation of the United Church of Christ in Weston, Connecticut. Through worship, service, spiritual formation, and community engagement, Norfield seeks to share God's love and inspire faithful living in an ever-changing world.