Church notes

Amesbury Days Prayer Service tomorrow

The Amesbury Clergy Association will be holding the Annual Amesbury Days Prayer Service tomorrow at 5 p.m. at the Rocky Hill Meeting House, Elm Street, Amesbury. This service will be held in the oldest house of worship in Amesbury. This service will be in thanksgiving for the many blessings that Amesbury has received over the many years since our ancestors gathered in Rocky Hill Meeting House. All are invited to attend.

Blessing of the Animals tomorrow

All Saints' Episcopal Church, 895 Main St., West Newbury, will hold a summer Blessing of the Animals at the end of tomorrow's service. The time of the regular service of Holy Eucharist is 9:30 a.m. and the Blessing will commence about 10:15-10:30. Animals brought into the church during the service should be appropriately supervised (caged, etc.). For more information, contact Vicar Starr Anderson at 978-352-2147.

First Congregational Society services

Tomorrow, 10:45 a.m. at The First Congregational Society (Unitarian), Hampton Falls, N.H.,..the Rev. Deborah Knowlton, pastor, First Congregational Church of Hampton, N.H., will speak. Prior to taking on the UU chaplainship, the Rev. Barz had been parish minister in Saco, Maine, and Amesbury, Arlington, Boston, Lancaster and Newton..The church is on Route 88, just past Applecrest Farms. Parking is in the rear of the building.

Sacred Harp singing tomorrow

Participatory a cappella shape-note singing from The Sacred Harp will be held tomorrow from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at First Parish Church, 20 High Road, Newbury. Admission is free; no musical experience required. Singing School will be led by Chris Noren.

The group will sing four-part a cappella harmony from The Sacred Harp, a shape-note tune book first published in Georgia in 1844. The Sacred Harp tradition dates back to 18th century New England, and is likely the oldest "home-grown" musical tradition in the United States. The music is an eclectic mixture of early New England hymns and "fuging-tunes" and Southern camp-meeting songs. For more information, contact Noren at noren@neb.com.

Church fundraiser at Flatbread Pizza

Flatbread Pizza will hold a fundraiser for the Main Street Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, on Tuesday between 5 and 9 p.m. The church will get a portion of profits on all food (eat-in and takeout) purchased between 5 and 9 p.m. that evening. As an added treat, MSCC musicians will provide musical entertainment in the Millyard that evening. Funds raised will help support mission efforts like Camp Sunshine, Our Neighbors' Table, the Emmaus House and other community programs.

Summer Celebration Dinner, Worship Wednesday

The public is welcome to join Community United Methodist Church, 6 Central St., Byfield, on Wednesday evenings for Summer Celebration Dinner and Worship for all ages. The program began last week and will continue throughout the summer. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. and is provided by the congregation. The Celebration Service begins at approximately 6:45 p.m. and is an informal, energetic worship experience filled with upbeat music in a contemporary style, and a learning time appropriate for people of all ages.

VBS at Byfield Parish in July

Byfield Parish Church invites children to their Vacation Bible School, July 14-18, 9 a.m. to noon. This is for children in pre-K (aged 4 and up) to children who finished the fifth grade this year. Contact Brendan Gould at 978-352-2022 to register or for more information.

Vacation Bible Camp in August

East Parish United Methodist Church, in cooperation with other local churches, will present Vacation Bible Camp 2008. Surfin' Through the Scriptures will be held Aug. 18-22 with worship Aug. 24. The camp will be held at The Center, Wethersfield Street, Rowley. Tuition is $80, which includes transportation, daily snack, and T-shirt. Camp is open to children entering grades one through six. Counselor-in-training and junior staff positions are available for students in grades seven through 12. Camp bus leaves from the East Parish Church in Salisbury Square at 7:40 a.m. and returns to the church at 2:45 p.m. For an application, call LeAnne Plummer at 978-465-8940.

Patriot's Sunday July 6 at Groveland church

On July 6, Colonel Bailey's 2nd Massachusetts Regiment (a few of its 80 members) will participate in the 9 a.m. service at Groveland Congregational Church, 4 King St., to help commemorate the patriotic birth of the nation. Members of the regiment will help with the service, lead patriotic hymns and prayer. Capt. Ron Barry will also read from the Declaration of Independence on the front steps of the church, and the church's historic Paul Revere Bell will be rung.

Col. Bailey's Regiment represents the Revolutionary War time period when our country was born. Each of these re-enactors make their own clothes and can explain how life was in the late 18th century.

VBS in July at Old South Church

Old South Church invites all children to ride the wave of God's love at summer Vacation Bible School, "Beach Party: Surfin' Through the Scriptures." The fun begins on Monday, July 21, and ends on Friday, July 25, 9 a.m. to noon. This program is a celebration of God's love and a chance for children to learn new Beach Be-Attitudes. Each lesson will be supported with Bible stories, science activities, songs, crafts, games and snacks. Old South Church is at 29 Federal St., Newburyport. For more information, call the church office at 978-465-9666.

VBS in August at Pilgrim Congregational

Pilgrim Congregational Church in Merrimac invites children to "Power Lab," where they'll discover Jesus' miraculous power! This VBS program begins on Monday, Aug. 11, and continues through Friday, Aug. 15, from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost is $25 for the week. For more information and to register, call Renee Lundy at 978-346-8398.

Environmental Camp

First Parish Church, 20 High Road, Newbury, is sponsoring a three-day environmental camp, Stewards of Earth and Spirit Seas Camp, Tuesday, Aug. 19, to Thursday, Aug. 21, 9 a.m. to noon. The camp will be led by environmentalist Don Sineti and will explore dolphins and whales through journals and marine life collections. For children in the fifth through eighth grade. Cost is $200. Registration ends May 30. To register, call the First Parish Church at 978-465-5597 or visit www.firstparishofnewbury.org.

'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 p.m. at the Powow Community Building. For more information, call Cara Smoley at 978-388-4987.

Midweek service at First United Methodist

An alternate service time is now available at First United Methodist Church of Amesbury, 140 Main St. On Thursday evenings at 7, a more casual service is held in the Fellowship Hall. Led by the lay leader, there are hymns, readings, prayers and a time of reflection.

Knitting group at Hope Church

Knit One, Pray Too meets the first Monday of each month at Hope Community Church, 11 Hale St., Newburyport, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and is about knitting, mentoring, praying and sharing. Come for the knitting and the fellowship. Appropriate for ages 10 and up. If interested, call Pat McGowan at 978-388-4451.

Historic talks celebrate Belleville's bicentennial

During Belleville Congregational Church's bicentennial year, historic talks about the ministers and their times of service are given every second and fourth Sunday during the church service. Those Sundays are also Bonnet Sundays. Women of the church have made facsimiles of bonnets worn in the early 1800s and will be wearing them throughout the year.

Coffee hours have been hosted at the first parsonage, the home of Belleville's first minister (1808-1836) the Rev. Miltimore, and at the current parsonage built in 1849, home of the Rev. Fiske, a long-time minister from 1847 to 1903 and home of the current minister, Ross Varney.

The public is welcome to share in Belleville's bicentennial year. Services at the Newburyport church, 300 High St., are at 10 a.m.

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 Major Kathryn Purvis at 978-465-0883, ext. 10, for more information.

Tuesday morning meditation

All are welcome every Tuesday at 7 a.m. for a half hour of meditation in the form of Episcopal Morning Prayer at All Saints Episcopal Church, 895 Main St., West Newbury.

Update on empty medicine bottles

Atria Merrimack Place thanks participants in the Empty Medicine Bottle campaign by dropping off empty medicine bottles for Partners in Development to distribute. Atria Merrimack Place is no longer accepting bottles; however, you may drop off bottles at the Newburyport Council on Aging, located at 40 Water St.

Centering prayer at St. James

St. James Episcopal Church in Amesbury offers centering prayer as one of its Saturday alternative services. Centering prayer, 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 Web site, www.stjamesamesbury.net.

Compassionate Friends meet

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. For more information, call 978-388-1514.

Prayer service at 5 a.m.

An early morning prayer worship service is held daily at 5 a.m. at Market Street Baptist Church, 37 Market St., Amesbury. This service is nondenominational and open to all.

Volunteer directory

The First Religious Society has published a booklet called "People Helping People" — a directory of volunteer opportunities in the Newburyport area. For a copy, e-mail the church office at frsuuadmin@netway.com or call 978-465-0602.

The Friendship Table

For all who enjoy good food and fellowship, the Friendship Table serves meals on 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, Amesbury. Food pantry is open from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. For more information or to volunteer, call 978-388-4863. Donations of food and money are always welcome.

St. Basil's Kitchen

The Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, Harris and Park streets, Newburyport, offers free luncheons on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 1 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 food pantry

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

Local News

Search Results

Discussion

Site Map

Contact Us