



Jason Fairbanks - Pastor
Two years ago, Jason Fairbanks "came home" to First Congregational Church of Lake Worth after spending the past three years serving First Congregational Church of Fort Pierce as pastor. For the previous nine years. Jason participated in the life and ministry of First Congregational Church of Lake Worth as a member.
His mission is to invite as many people as possible into a life-changing relationship with a God of love who accepts them as they are and wants them to become everything they were created to be.
He lives in Palm Springs with his wife, Trish, and son, Emerson. You can find podcasts of his past sermons as well as his thoughts on faith, culture, and church at his blog, Progressing in Faith.

Theatrically, he’s performed Off-Broadway in New York City, as well as regionally in California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Locally he has appeared at Caldwell Theatre Company, FAU Festival Rep, GableStage, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, New Theatre, Palm Beach Dramaworks and Take Heed Theater Company.
He’s appeared on TV in “All My Children” and “The View,” and in the movies “Drop Dead Gorgeous” and "Bumping Off Burt". Bruce has twice been a cover model for the Palm Beach Post, as the Barefoot Mailman and as the Go Guy. He also voiced a character for the animated holiday special, "The Littlest Light On The Christmas Tree".
In addition to acting and singing, Bruce is an accomplished pianist and musical director. See more about Bruce at www.brucelinser.com.

Carol Lewis, M.S., L.M.F.T. - Director of Christian Education and Youth Leader
Carol Lewis has been a member of First Congregational Church of Lake Worth for 21 years and has served on the staff as Christian Education Director and Youth Leader for 11 years. She has a B.S. in Education from Illinois State University and a M.S. in Family Relations from Northern Illinois University. Carol taught third grade and high school English in Illinois before her career as a marriage & family therapist.
Carol supervises the Sunday School program, provides teacher training, organizes holiday parties and special events for families, presents the Children's Lesson during the worship service on Sunday mornings, develops adult education classes and has initiated a small group ministry. She is the liaison with the Florida Conference for getting our children and families involved in summer camp programs and life-long education events. Carol is responsible for running an annual Vacation Bible School. She also is reorganizing our church library to make it more user-friendly.

In 1912 the town of Lake Worth established its first Post Office and completed construction on a one-room school house. Their next priority was a place of religious worship.
On November 25, 1912, families from the community gathered at the school. At least six denominations were represented, including Reverend McQuarrie, a Congregational minister, from Miami. It was decided that a non-denominational approach was needed and they subsequently adopted the name Union Church.
On February 5, 1913, Rev. A.H. Shipman was called on to be the first pastor. For almost a year the congregation met in the one-room schoolhouse, and then on August 1913 worship services were moved to the newly completed "Clubhouse," the site of the present City Hall.
After many sacrifices, in February 1919 the Union Church complete its new sanctuary on the northeast corner or 2nd Avenue South and Federal Highway.In April 1921 the Union Church became affiliated with the Congregational Conference. The congregation grew and the building was enlarged in 1925. In 1926 the first pipe organ in Lake Worth was installed in the new church. Pilgrim Hall was added in the 1930's. In 1946, a new Church constitution adopted the name First Congregational Church of Lake Worth . Under ministers such as Rev. Lillian Fulton, D.D., who had the longest tenure as minister (1924-1939), the church grew. In addition to having the longest tenure, Dr. Fulton was also the first female minister and the first to attain a Doctorate of Divinity degree.
To provide adequate facilities for the children and future generations, the First Congregational Church moved to its present location on North K Street. Dedication services conducted by Rev. H. A. Studebaker were held in November 1958.
The church bell located on the east side of the sanctuary originally hung in the bell tower of the first church on 2nd Ave. The bell would be rung signaling the beginning and end of the church services and upon special occasions. The bell was brought from the old church and placed at its present location when the new sanctuary was built.
The current wooden cross on the back wall of the sanctuary measures 18' tall with a 6' cross arm. In the 1980's this cross replaced a glass-block cross embedded in the wall.


Located in the back of the sanctuary is the echo organ, donated to the church in 1992 by the Willet family. In 2002 the organ was dedicated to Robert Hebbel in recognition for his 20 year of musical talent and service as organist for our church.
The Baldwin piano is a nine-foot grand piano. Donated in 1990 by several members, the Baldwin is the choice of America's foremost pianists, conductors, and composers. The instrument's responsiveness and glorious tone make it a joy to play and inspiration to hear.

Ministers
Throughout the years the First Congregational Church of Lake Worth has been privileged by the service of the following ministers:
1912 - 1923 Rev.A. H. Shipman
1924 - 1939 Dr. Lillian B. Fulton
1939 - 1942 Rev. Russell T. Loesch
1942 - 1945 Rev. Louis Schulz
1945 - 1947 Rev. Herbert Graetz
1948 - 1960 Rev. H. A. Studebaker
1961 - 1964 Rev. Alastair C. Sellars
1965 - 1976 Dr. Joseph Q. Mayne
1977 - 1986 Dr. John Button
1987 - 1995 Rev. Bruce Sylvester
1997 - 2002 Rev. Gary Fairbanks
2003 - 2007 Dr. Charles Mory
2007-present Pastor Jason Fairbanks
On the foundation stones of faith, prayer, and service, the First Congregational Church remains "a church to which generations yet unborn will turn to for inspiration."
"But lay up for yourself treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your Heart be also." Matthew 6:20-21