Church notes

Events at Congregation Ahavas Achim

The following are planned at Congregation Ahavas Achim, corner of Washington and Olive streets, Newburyport:

Visit: www.ahavas-achim.org for more information or call 978-462-2461.

Today, 9/10 a.m., services led by Rabbi Avi Poupko/Youth Shabbat.

Wednesday, 6 p.m., Purim extravaganza! All-you-can-eat kosher Chinese food buffet, costume contest — prize for winning is an IPAD2, Zach Fields Drum Studio with a special Purim performance, balloon making insanity, Megillah reading and more. Adults, $18, and kids, $12.

Saturday, March 10, 9 a.m., Junior Congregation

Saturday, March 17, 9 a.m., Services led by Rabbi Avi Poupko

Friday, March 23, 6 p.m., Community Friday Night Dinner

Saturday, March 24, 9 a.m., Services led by Rabbi Avi Poupko

'Resurrection' at IC today

"Resurrection," a cantata by Bryan Jeffrey Leech, is the inspirational story of Simon Peter and the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. The performance leads the audience on an unforgettable spiritual journey as St. Peter, facing his own martyrdom, recalls his and the disciples' experience with Christ. In moving song, Peter shows the anguish for his denial of Christ and the joy that comes with the Resurrection and Christ's forgiveness. Secure with the love of the Resurrected Christ, Peter and the cast come to the realization that there is nothing that cannot be faced. The cantata will be today at 7:30 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church in Newburyport. All are welcome. Admission is free, although a free-will offering will be taken up at the end of the performance.

Merrimacport church back home

The Merrimacport United Methodist Church is again worshiping at the church building after being at the Senior Center for the winter months. Worship is Sundays at 11 a.m. The church is located at 39 High St., the corner of High Street and River Road in Merrimac. FMI www.merrimacportumc.org or 978-346-8818.

Lenten events at St. Paul's Church

Two Lenten events are being offered at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 166 High St., Newburyport.

Sunday Morning Adult Forum, 9:15 a.m. in the church library. Members of the Outreach Committee will lead a study of the book "I Am That Child: Changing Hearts and Changing the World" by the Rev. Elizabeth Geitz, which chronicles her global partnership trip to an orphanage in Cameroon. This four-week series begins tomorrow. Books can be purchased through the church office. All are welcome!

Sunday Inquirer's Group, Sundays, March 4, 11, 18, 25, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the church library. All are are invited to attend this series of meetings that will cover the theology, worship and structures of Anglicanism, the Episcopal Church in the U.S. and some St. Paul's history. A light lunch will be offered.

Talk on immigration Wednesday

The next Immigration Matters study group will be held on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the First Religious Society on Pleasant Street in Newburyport. The featured speaker will be Deborah Krisko, the senior immigration services officer for the U.S. Customs and Immigration Services field office in Lawrence. She will be explaining the rules, regulations and process of becoming a U.S. citizen for people born in foreign countries. She will answer any immigration questions.

Bean supper in Groveland March 10

A bean supper will be served Saturday, March 10, 5 to 7 p.m., at St. James Episcopal Church, 119 Washington St., Groveland. Adults are $7, children under 12 are $3. For more information, call 978 373-1270.

Intro to meditation classes offered

The Insight Meditation Center of Newburyport will offer a six-week class entitled "The Mindful Moment: an Introduction to Insight Meditation." The class is designed for anyone interested in learning 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. Class begins Thursday, March 15, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and will last six weeks. For registration information and fees, visit www.imcnewburyport.org.

Understanding others through worship

A presentation on Christian Science will be given by Norm Bleichman on Wednesday, March 14, 7 p.m., at the Newburyport Public Library. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Bleichman is a Christian Science practitioner and member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship. For more than 20 years he has been producing media for various departments at the Christian Science Mother Church, Boston. There will be a presentation and discussion about the foundations of the Christian Science belief system based on the Bible and its explanation in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, and other writings by its founder Mary Baker Eddy.

For more information, call the Rev. Helen Murgida at 978-500-3196.

Corned Beef Dinner at Holy Family

There will be a Corned Beef Dinner held at Holy Family Parish Hall on March 17, 4 to 6 p.m. The meal includes red and gray corned beef, cabbage, potato, carrots, turnip, fresh baked soda bread, beverage, and dessert. Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for children under 12, and children under age 6 eat free. For more information, call Alan LaBranche at 603-362-5549.

Healing service at Holy Family March 19

World respected healer, Father Albert MacPherson, OSA, will celebrate a Mass and healing service at Holy Family Parish, Amesbury, on Monday, March 19, at 7 p.m. MacPherson, an Augustinian priest, began his full-time healing ministry in 1983 and continues to minister to those in need in all corners of the world. Thousands of people have been helped through his ministry and everyone is invited.

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 Janet Hawkes 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 (six to 12 people) prepares and serves the meal to about 80 people. Time: Three to four hours, including preparation, serving and cleanup. Call Maj. Kathryn Purvis at 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: Saturday Food Pantry: 9:30 a.m.-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. Merrimac Mobile Pantry: first and third Saturday of each month, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Merrimac Senior Center, 100 East Main St., Merrimac. Open to Merrimac residents only.

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 -6 p.m. Every Tuesday and Wednesday, meals are served at the Trinity Parish House (beside the Seabrook Post Office) from 5-6 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.

• • •

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

Local News

Search Results

Discussion

Church notes

Site Map

Contact Us