Church notes

Yard sale today at Greek church

A giant yard sale will be held today from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church on Harris Street in Newburyport. The event will feature frames, antiques, Corning Ware, Christmas items, old cookbooks, Newburyport items and more, all reasonably priced.

Italian Dinner at Salisbury church

Rosanna’s Italian Gravy prepared by the Tantaro Family of Newburyport will be serving pasta with meatballs at the East Parish United Methodist Church in Salisbury today from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The price for adults is $8 and children, $5. Also being served will be homemade ricotta pie and brownie a la mode for dessert.

Spiritual entrance into Christmas season

The public is invited to “ring in” the Christmas season at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 7 Harris St., Newburyport, tomorrow at 4 p.m. (snow date: Sunday, Dec. 9) for an Orthodox Service of Lessons and Carols. Inspired by the Anglican Service and based on the Orthodox Service of the Royal Hours of Christmas Eve, the service celebrates God’s greatest gift of all through psalms, hymns and scripture readings and singing some traditional carols. The service also features special hymns sung by the choir. After the service everyone is invited to a festive reception sponsored by the choir. The event is free and open to the public. For information, call the church office at 978-465-5757.

‘A Different Kind of Christmas’ in Merrimac

“A Different Kind of Christmas” sermon series begins tomorrow at 11 a.m. at Merrimacport United Methodist Church, 39 High St. (corner of River Road) in Merrimac. Pastor is the Rev. Gwyneth Arrison. For more information, call 978-346-8989 or go to www.MerrimacportUMC.org.

Gifts on the first Sunday in Advent

Tomorrow at the First Religious Society, 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport, at 10:30 a.m., this first Sunday in the Christian season of Advent, the Rev. Harold Babcock will present a sermon about gifts; more specifically, the most important gift: not your presents, but your presence with your friends and loved ones. In this pre-holiday season, caught up in the frenzy of gift-giving, it is good to remember that people are the greatest gifts.

Talk on prayer at library Tuesday

Can healing prayer be scientific and bring a consistent, reliable result? Kevin Graunke, a full-time prayer-based healer using the Christian Science system of healing, will explain how prayer itself can in fact be a certain, effective healing method in a talk titled: “Christian Science Healing: Praying with Certainty.” This one-hour talk will take place at the Newburyport Public Library on Tuesday at 7:30 pm. All are welcome.

Congregation Ahavas Achim events

Congregation Ahavas Achim, 531/2 Washington St., Newburyport, offers the following services and events:

Shabbat services every Saturday morning at 9.

Dec. 5: Adult Education with Rabbi Avi Poupko, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 8: First night of Hanukkah

Dec. 9: Hanukkah breakfast, 10 a.m., info and tickets at https://ahavas-achim.ticketbud.com/chanukah-breakfast

Stay tuned for details about the outdoor menorah being erected this year in Market Square.

Meditation retreat offered

The Insight Meditation Center of Newburyport will offer a meditation retreat for beginners titled “The Mindful Moment.” The retreat is designed for anyone interested in Insight Meditation (Vipassana). Vipassana is a simple practice that steadies the mind by grounding attention in the present moment; it originated in the Buddhist tradition more than 2,500 years ago. Sunday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Cost: $37. For registration and details, visit www.imcnewburyport.org.

‘Together at Christmas’ in Amesbury

The music ministry of Main Street Congregational Church, UCC, 145 Main St., Amesbury, will present “Together at Christmas,” with special guests Voices of Distinction, on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 4 p.m. Danny Smith will direct. For advance tickets, call 978-388-0982. All seats $10 at the door.

Nepalese couple to tell their story

The next meeting of Immigration Matters Study Group will be on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the lower level classrooms of the First Religious Society, Unitarian-Universalist, 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport. The guest speakers are Narab Adhikari, former secretary-general of the Bhutan National Congress, a political party in Bhutan, and his wife Dhan.

In the 1990s, hundreds of thousands of ethnic Nepalese were violently and suddenly expelled from Bhutan because of ethnic cleansing, after having lived there for many generations. Since then, they have been forced to live in UN refugee camps in Nepal. The Adhikaris, who arrived here one year ago, will explain the sad and fascinating story of what has happened to their people, as well as their own personal stories of escape and exodus.

Christmas Eve service, pageant at Market St. Baptist

The Market Street Baptist Church will hold their Christmas Eve Family Candlelight Service & Pageant on Monday, Dec. 24, at the church on 37 Market St., Amesbury. The Nativity Story is presented in pageant form along with hymns of celebration of Christ’s birth and is suitable for all ages. All are welcome from 5 to 6 p.m. in the sanctuary, which is accessible by elevator.

‘Wednesdays at

the Well’ at

Pilgrim Church

Pilgrim Congregational Church, 27 Church St., Merrimac, holds a weekly “Wednesdays at the Well” adult gathering on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. The series includes education, discussion and fellowship. The group is currently watching and discussing “The Jesus Lifestyle” to more deeply understand how Jesus’ teachings apply to ones’ lives. All are welcome. For more information, call the church office at 978-346-8400.

Women of Faith and Centering Prayer at St. James

St. James Episcopal church in Amesbury offers a Women of Faith Bible Study Group every other Wednesday through May 22. The Women of Faith has a round-table discussion of the various stories in the Bible that are read. All are welcome to participate. Meeting dates are noted on the church calendar, which can be found on the website www.stjamesamesbury.org.

Also offered is Centering Prayer, a meditative practice based on the work of the Rev. Thomas Keating, who believes that silence is “God’s first language.” Centering Prayer is made available upon request. For further information on Women of Faith or Centering Prayer, call the office at 978-388-0030 or check the website at www.stjamesamesbury.org.

Mass schedule changes for Holy Redeemer Parish

Holy Redeemer Parish in both Merrimac and West Newbury has changed its church service schedule.

This weekend, Mass will be said at St. Ann Parish at 300 Main St. in West Newbury on Sundays at 10:15 a.m. At the Church of the Nativity, 4 Green St. in Merrimac, Mass will be said on Saturdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays at 8 a.m.

The 4 p.m. Mass on Saturdays switches every six weeks between the two churches.

The daily Mass schedule is Wednesdays at 9 a.m. at Church of the Nativity in Merrimac and Thursday and Friday at 9 a.m. at St. Ann in West Newbury.

Helping those in need

Hugh Doyle Resource Center Collaborative Meeting is a monthly gathering of leaders and representatives of social service agencies and religious organizations in the area. It meets the first Wednesday of each month to share ideas on how to help those in need in Greater Newburyport. Interested? Contact Ingrid Cyros at 978-465-1688 or go to www.hughdoyle.org.

Thrift shop in Rowley

Fellowship Thrift Shop located in lower hall of First Congregational Church of Rowley, 175 Main St., Rowley, has new hours.

The shop is open Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., weather permitting.

Check out daily half-price sales and the special tag sale the first Saturday of each month. When the shop is open, it accepts donations of gently used clothing and household items, but no electronics, books or toys.

Reflections on the Life of the Spirit

The Baha’is of Amesbury will host the study group Reflections on the Life of the Spirit every Friday evening at 7 at the Powow Community Building. For more information, call Cara Smoley at 978-388-4987.

Belleville Church thrift shop

The Belleville Church thrift shop at 300 High St., Newburyport, is open. Hours are Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

Volunteer opportunity

Looking for a way for your business, church group, club, organization or yourself to give back to the community? The Salvation Army, 40 Water St., offers the following:

Community meal served every Thursday. Each week a different group of six to 12 people prepares and serves the meal to about 80 people. Time required is two to four hours, including preparation, serving and cleanup. Call 978-465-0883, ext. 10, for more information.

Centering prayer at St. James

St. James Episcopal Church in Amesbury offers centering prayer as one of its Saturday alternative services. Centering, or contemplative prayer, is a meditation practice based on the work of the Rev. Thomas Keating, who believes that silence is “God’s first language.” St. James will continue to offer a twice-weekly opportunity for centering prayer in the meditation chapel. Those interested in participating or learning more should call St. James at 978-388-0030 or check the website, www.stjamesamesbury.org.

Compassionate Friends

The Compassionate Friends of Greater Newburyport Chapter meet every fourth Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Parish Center, St. James Chapel Room, corner of Green and High streets, Newburyport. The meetings are for parents who have lost children and grandparents who have lost grandchildren. For more information, call 978-388-1514.

Tuesday meal at Immaculate Conception

The Immaculate Conception Church offers a free hot dinner every Tuesday at 5 p.m. in the Parish Center, 42 Green St., Newburyport. Call 978-462-2724 for more information.

The Friendship Table

For all who enjoy good food and fellowship, the Friendship Table serves meals Thursdays beginning at 5 p.m. at the Salvation Army, 40 Water St., Newburyport. Volunteers are also needed. For more information, call 978-465-0883.

Our Neighbors’ Table

Free meals are served every Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. at Our Neighbors’ Table, Main Street Congregational Church, 145 Main St., Amesbury. All are welcome. Our Neighbors’ Table also offers the following food pantries: Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to noon every Saturday, open to residents of Amesbury and South Hampton; last Saturday of the month: open to residents of Amesbury, South Hampton, Merrimac, Salisbury, Newburyport, Newbury, West Newbury, Groveland, Byfield, Boxford, Rowley and Georgetown.

St. Basil’s Kitchen

The Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, Harris and Park streets, Newburyport, offers free luncheons Mondays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the church hall. All those hungry for food and companionship are welcome. For more information or to volunteer services, call 978-465-5757.

Among Friends

Among Friends is the mission of St. Paul’s Church to provide nutritious, hot, home-cooked meals. Lunch is served every Tuesday and Friday at 11:30 a.m. in St. Paul’s Hall, 166 High St., Newburyport. Evening Among Friends serves home-cooked meals every Monday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. All are welcome. Donations of food items, supplies and services are needed; call 465-5351.

Seabrook Community Table

Every Monday Seabrook Community Table serves free meals at the Church of Christ at 867 Lafayette Road (beside the dance studio) from 5 to 6 p.m. Every Tuesday and Wednesday, meals are served at the Trinity Parish House (beside the Seabrook Post Office) from 5 to 6 p.m. Meals are offered to residents of surrounding communities as well as Seabrook residents. For more information or to volunteer, contact Joyce Addison, 603-474-9608.

Seabrook food pantry

The Seabrook Church of Christ Food Pantry is open every Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m. to all who live on the Seacoast. The church is on Lafayette Road, Seabrook, 603-474-2660.

Community Food Pantry in Byfield

The Community Food Pantry located at Community United Methodist Church, 11 Central St., Byfield, is open to residents of Byfield and Newbury every Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. In addition, a free community meal will be offered every second and fourth Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. All are welcome.

For more details, contact the Community Food Pantry at CFPByfield@gmail.com or by phone at 978-255-0135.

If you have an item for Church Notes, contact Merrily Buchs at mbuchs@newburyportnews.com, 978-462-6666, ext. 3248.

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