Church notes

May 30, 2009 03:55 am

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Yard sale to benefit mission trip today

A yard sale will be held today from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Community United Methodist Church, 11 Central St., Byfield. All proceeds will support the Maine Mission Trip Ministry of Community United Methodist Church, Byfield, and All-Saints Anglican Church, Amesbury. More than 40 youth and adults from both congregations and the community work with the home-repair and life-building ministry of the Maine Sea Coast Mission, serving children, youth and families in coastal and island communities from midcoast to Downeast Maine. For more information, contact Community United Methodist Church, Byfield, www.cumcbyfield.org, 978-465-5946, community@cumcbyfield.org.

Pilgrim Church book and bake sale today

The Pilgrim Congregational Church at 27 Church Street in Merrimac will host a book and bake sale today from 8 a.m. to noon, featuring adults' and children's books, games and puzzles, DVDs and CDs, videos and audiotapes. Coffee and baked goods will be available for purchase.

Golden Days of TV program

Tomorrow, Holy Family Parish in Amesbury will be presenting "The Golden Days of Television" with WBZ radio personality Mel Simons. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door and includes lunch. Lunch served at noon with Simons' presentation around 1. For tickets and information, call Holy Family Parish at 978-388-0330.

Immaculate Conception Parish Liturgy

Starting tomorrow, the 11:30 a.m. Liturgy will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Also, the last 5:30 p.m. Liturgy was celebrated on Sunday, May 24. These changes will remain in effect through Labor Day weekend.

Golf tournament June 6

The Ezekiel Rogers Golf Tournament will be held June 6 at Carriage Pines Country Club, 235 Dodge Road, Rowley. Shotgun start: 7 a.m., followed by barbecue and silent auction. Eighteen holes of golf with cart, $125. All proceeds will support the First Congregational Church of Rowley. For more information, call 978-948-3993 or e-mail golf@FirstChurchRowley.org.

Day of Reflection for Women

Created in God's Image — Day of Reflection for Women will be presented by the Daughters of St. Paul, Holy Family Parish Hall, 5 Sparhawk St., Amesbury, on Saturday, June 13, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Themes include the Trinity's Unconditional Love, Who I am in God? Mass will be at 9 a.m., followed by coffee at 9:30 and the program 10. The Daughters of St. Paul will bring a selection of related titles on the themes covered in the workshop for those who wish additional readings. Contact Chris Moore at adultfaith@hfamesbury.com or 978-388-0330. A free-will offering will be taken.

Strawberry Festival June 20

Merrimacport United Methodist Church will hold a Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 20, at Carey Park, River Road, Merrimac. Food tent will include lobster-roll plate, chicken-salad plate, strawberry shortcake, beverages, hot dogs and popcorn. There will also be a book table, white elephant table, face painting and music.

Strawberry and lobster fest June 26

The Main Street Congregational Church, member of the United Church of Christ, will host its annual Strawberry Festival on Friday, June 26, between 4 and 7:30 p.m. on the front lawn at 145 Main St. Live music begins at 3:30 p.m., and there will be kids' games and a raffle, in addition to a menu of chowder, lobster rolls, strawberry shortcake, hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, drinks and chips. Take-out lunch service will be available and delivered between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to businesses interested in purchasing a lobster-roll lunch for their employees. For more information, contact Joanne Sheehan at jmsheehan10@comcast.net.

For more information about the Strawberry Festival, contact Jane Church at j.ansaldo@comcast.net. For more information about Main Street Congregational Church, contact Rev. Joan MacPherson at 978/388-0982 or visit www.main-street-church.org.

Vacation Bible School at Hope Community

Hope Community Church's next Vacation Bible School adventure, Crocodile Dock, will be held July 13 to 17. It's for children who are age 5 to those entering fifth grade. Cost is $35 for the first child, $25 for each additional sibling. Volunteer all five days and get one child free. Plus: KiD Counselors in training program for sixth- and seventh-graders.

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.

Vacation Bible School at Old South Church

Old South Church invites all children ages 5 to 10 to go to the edge this summer for Vacation Bible School. Camp E.D.G.E.: Experience & Discover God Everywhere is an extreme adventure camp taking kids on Bible treks to experience and discover God everywhere, every day. The fun begins on Monday, July 20, and ends Friday, July 25, and takes place from 9 a.m. to noon at Old South Church, 29 Federal St., Newburyport. Each Bible trek is supported with science activities, songs, crafts, games and snacks. For more information, call the church office at 978-465-9666 or visit the church's Web site at www.oldsouthnbpt.org.

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.

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 every third Tuesday of the month. The Healing Service will be preceded by Holy Mass at 7 p.m.\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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Eco Services at First Parish

Join the First Parish Church, 20 High Road, Newbury, at the Chapel Under the Trees for a weekly Eco service Saturdays at 4 p.m., all weather, year-round. Around the fire, the group prays for awareness and renewal and opening to transformation by the Holy Spirit. Participants are free to read a poem or tell a story or sing or play instruments. Dress warmly.

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 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: 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.

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, Amesbury. The 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.

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.