Church notes

Immaculate Conception Christmas services

Immaculate Conception Church in Newburyport will hold multiple services on Christmas Eve and two on Christmas Day. On Dec. 24, there will be 4 p.m. services in both the church and auditorium, 6 p.m. in the church and at midnight in the church. On Dec. 25, services will be at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. in the church.

Cookie Walk in Merrimac today

A Cookie Walk will be held today, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Senior Center, 100 East Main St., Merrimac. The Cookie Walk is sponsored by United Methodist Women of Merrimacport United Methodist Church.

Cost is $5 per pound of cookies, with proceeds to be used for missions.

Raffle raising funds for nonprofits

St. James Episcopal Church, Amesbury, is selling raffle tickets for a time share at the Silver Lake Resort in Kissimmee, Fla. All proceeds from this raffle will be used for outreach ministry with registered nonprofits. This time share is good for one week in 2010, subject to availability.

The accommodation has two bedrooms, sleeps six and is only two miles from Disney World. Only 200 tickets will be sold at $25 per ticket.

The drawing is scheduled for Dec. 27, immediately following the 10 a.m. service at the church. For more information on the Silver Lake Resort, check the Web site at wwwsilverlakeresort.com. If interested in purchasing a ticket, call St. James' office at 978-388-0030.

Boston Community Choir tonight

The Boston Community Choir will be in concert today at 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Church, 94 Andover St., Georgetown. Doors will open at 6 p.m. This is a family-oriented event with beautiful music and audience participation.

Tickets are $10, children 12 and under are free. To purchase tickets, contact Pat Salach, 978-225-8186. Tickets will also be available at the door. For more information, directions or to buy tickets online, go to www.northshorecm.org. Proceeds will benefit North Shore Christian Ministries Inc. and St. Mary's Parish, Georgetown/Rowley.

Hope Family Christmas takes place tonight

Hope Community Church is hosting a Hope Family Christmas today at 5 p.m. This is an event for all ages and includes a Holiday Sing-along with Bill McGowan and Bob Manseau, children's story time, the Hope Bell Choir, free hayrides with Iron Moon Farm and festive food. Admission charge is one canned good to help the Pettengill House. The church is located at 11 Hale St., Newburyport. For more information, contact the church at 978-463-HOPE or visit www.hope-community-church.com.

Food drive at First Religious Society

As employment and the economy continue to falter, the number of Newburyport families and seniors who are struggling with hunger continues to climb. Items most needed by local food pantries include peanut butter, jelly, rice, spaghetti sauce, boxed potatoes, coffee, crackers, cereal, canned soups and canned meats (Spam, chicken, deviled ham, tuna).

Contributions can be placed on the table in the vestibule of the First Religious Society, 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport, on Sundays and delivered to the church office on weekdays. Donations are also accepted.

Christmas Eve service at Hope Community

Hope Community Church will hold its traditional Candelight Christmas Eve service at 6 p.m. The service includes carols, special music, candles and hot mulled cider afterwards. All ages welcome to this service at 11 Hale St., Newburyport.

Christmas Eve services in Merrimacport

Merrimacport United Methodist Church, River Road and High Street, will offer three services on Christmas Eve: 4 p.m., special children's service with children's band; 7 p.m., children's sermon, as well as a service of scripture and song; 11 p.m., service with scripture, song and communion.

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.

Sports at Hope Community Church

Join us during the week for a great time of recreation in the Hope gym with one of the following sports: co-ed volleyball on Monday nights from 7 to 9; Men's pickup basketball on Tuesday nights from 7 to 9; Christian karate on Thursday nights from 6 to 8. Hope Community Church is located at 11 Hale St., Newburyport.

Monthly Healing Service at Holy Family Parish

Holy Family Parish of Amesbury announces that Father Albert MacPherson. O.S.A., will be holding a Healing Service at St. Joseph Church on the third Tuesday of the month. The Healing Service will be preceded by Holy Mass at 7 p.m.

Monthly bean supper in Newbury

The First Parish Church of Newbury on High Road holds a monthly bean supper on the third Saturday of every month. The menu is the same each month: a variety of beans, ham, hot dogs, cole slaw, rolls, desserts, rolls and beverage. It is served from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The price is $8 for adults and $5 for children, with a $20 maximum for a family.

Insight Meditation Center of Newburyport

The Insight Meditation Center of Newburyport offers a variety of meditation opportunities including: daily sittings, practice groups, retreats and workshops. Located in a rural setting close to Interstate 95 and downtown Newburyport, the center provides an ideal environment for the practice of Insight Meditation (Vipassana). Originated in the Buddhist tradition more than 2,500 years ago, Vipassana is a simple practice that steadies the mind by grounding attention in the present moment. For the most current schedule information, visit www.imcnewburyport.org or call 978-499-0325.

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.

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.

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 a 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 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 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.

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.

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 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, 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 to10:30 a.m., Pilgrim Congregational Church, 27 Church 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 on 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 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.

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