Yard, bake sale today
The First Baptist Church of Newton, N.H., will hold a yard and bake sale today from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Vestry, under the trees at 2 N. Main St. (Route 108), to benefit the church. Lunch will be served..For more information, call Pastor Peter A. Perkins, 603-394-8007.
Fun Fridays at Salvation Army
Fun Friday at The Salvation Army, 40 Water St., Newburyport, Aug. 1, 8, 15. 1-4 p.m. for kids age 6-12. Gym, snacks, crafts, Bible story. Fun Friday is a free program but registration is required and space is limited. For more information or to register, call Maj. Kathryn Purvis at 978-465-0883, ext. 10.
Pancake breakfast Aug. 2
The First Baptist Church of Newton, N.H., will hold a pancake breakfast in the Toste Christian Education Building at 2 N. Main St. (Route 108), on Saturday, Aug. 2, from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Breakfast includes pancakes, eggs, bacon, coffee, milk and orange juice. Adults, $5. Children under 12 years, $2.50. For more information, call Pastor Peter A. Perkins, 603-394-8007. .
Gospel singer Aug. 7 at Assembly of God
Noted gospel singer Jonathan Martin will appear in concert at the Newburyport Assembly of God Church, 13 Hale St., Newburyport, on Thursday, Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. No tickets required. A free-will offering will be taken. Martin has appeared at Carnegie Hall, the White House, The 700 Club, Gaither Homecoming Series and on Trinity Broadcasting Network. He is well known for singing with his sisters, the award-winning trio, The Martins. For further information, contact the church at 978-462-9833.
'Trash to treasures' sale Aug. 9
The Union Church, 350 Main St., Amesbury, is having a "trash to treasures" sale on Saturday, Aug. 9 from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. There will be children's toys, housewares, tools, furniture and much more. The church will also be offering coffee and bagels and a luncheon menu. All proceeds go to the Union Congregational Church Renovation Project.
Greek Food Festival this weekend
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Harris Street, Newburyport, will host its annual Greek Food Festival today and tomorrow. Hours are today, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and tomorrow, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is indoors, air-conditioned, and held rain or shine. Homemade Greek entrees such as gyros, lamb shanks, moussaka, chicken, lamb and pork kabobs, keftethes (meatballs), spinach pie, pastichio, Greek salad, plaki (fish), Greek pastries and more will be served. Free admission.
Organ concert to benefit Pettengill House
The second annual Summer Organ Concert will be held at Central Congregational Church, 14 Titcomb St., Newburyport today at 7:30 p.m. Featuring local organists Frances Burmeister, Michael Hamill, Robert Littlefield and Barbara Owen, the concert will include classical favorites, opera transcriptions and more. A free-will offering will be collected to support the work of Pettengill House. The church is accessible to all.
BEADS co-founder to speak
Debbie Rooney, co-founder of BEADS for Education, will give the sermon at the Belleville Congregational Church, 300 High St., Newburyport, tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. Her topic will be "This is God's Plan — Changing Lives One Girl at a Time." She will be accompanied by Agnes and Patrick Papaititi, the chosen leader of 8,000 Maasai warriors and a women's rights activist. BEADS sponsors more than 300 Kenyan girls who are guaranteed school fees through college. There are more than 20 sponsors in the Newburyport area.
First Congregational Society services
Tomorrow, 10:45 a.m. at The First Congregational Society (Unitarian), Hampton Falls, N.H., the speaker will be the Rev. Susan Thomas of Lynn, Unitarian Universalist intern..The church is on Route 88, just past Applecrest Farms. Parking is in the rear of the building.
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 will continue throughout the summer. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. and is provided by the congregation. The 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 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.
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 to 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.
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 continue in the fall
Church services at Belleville Congregational Church, 300 High St., Newburyport, will be held at 9:30 throughout the summer. Bonnet and Dress Sundays will resume in the fall, as will the historic talks about past ministers who served at Belleville, which is celebrating its 200-year ministry.
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.
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. 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.
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 on the Seacoast. The church is on Lafayette Road, Seabrook, 603-474-2660.
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