Church notes

December 20, 2008 03:34 am

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Service of Lessons and Carols

A service inspired by the Anglican tradition and based on the Orthodox Service of the Royal Hours; a celebration with psalms, hymns, readings and carols to prepare for Christmas will be held tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 7 Harris St., Newburyport. All are welcome; a basket will be available for voluntary contributions for fuel assistance for Lazarus House in Lawrence.

Community Service of Light on Longest Night

The public is welcome to join Community United Methodist Church, 11 Central St., Byfield, tomorrow (the longest night of the year) at 6 p.m. for a special Service of Light. The Service of Light will feature candle-lighting, music by the Praise Band, God's special promise of peace in Jesus Christ and prayers for healing. This worship experience is designed to help people focus on the true meaning of God's gift of Jesus Christ at Christmas. People of all ages and faith experience are welcome.

83rd Annual Christmas Candlelight Service

Tomorrow at 7:15 p.m. will be the 83rd Annual Christmas Candlelight Service at the First Religious Society, Unitarian Universalist, 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport. The service includes choirs, readings and familiar carols. Youth Choirs director Claudia Keyian is directing the music, with guest soloist Jayne West.

Christmas Eve services

All Saints' Episcopal Church, 895 Main St., West Newbury: Christmas Eve service, 7:30 p.m., with the Right Rev. Thomas Shaw, bishop of Massachusetts, as the celebrant for the candlelight service of Holy Eucharist. Carol singing before the service at 6:45 p.m.

Belleville Congregational Church, 300 High St., Newburyport: Christmas Eve Family Service, 7 p.m., with traditional readings with carols and the circling of the sanctuary for a candlelight rendition of "Silent Night."

Community United Methodist Church, 11 Central St., Byfield: Children's "Do It Yourself" Christmas Pageant, 5:30 p.m., featuring carols, candle lighting and an interactive telling of the Nativity story. The Nativity Open House is from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. The Traditional Christmas Eve Service begins at 7:30 p.m. with a special time for children, Christmas carols, candle lighting and Holy Communion.

First Religious Society, Unitarian Universalist, 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport: Annual Christmas Eve Service with a story, traditional carols and readings, special music and candle lighting. A freewill offering will be taken to support the church's Unitarian Partner Church in Ujszekely in the Transylvanian region of Romania.

Holy Family Parish, corner of School and Sparhawk streets, Amesbury: Masses at 4 p.m. (upstairs and downstairs), 6 p.m. (upstairs), 9 p.m. (upstairs). Mass on Christmas Day will be at 10 a.m. (upstairs).

Market Street Baptist Church, 37 Market St., Amesbury: Christmas Eve Family Service, 5 p.m.

Merrimacport United Methodist Church, River Road and High Street: 4 p.m., Family Christmas Eve service with children sharing music as well as "The Legend of the Candy Cane." 11 p.m., Traditional Christmas Eve service with scriptures, readings, a meditation, Holy Communion and the lighting of candles.

Pilgrim Congregational Church, 27 Church St., Merrimac: Family Service, 7 p.m.; Traditional Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols, 11 p.m.

St. Paul's Church, 166 High St., Newburyport: Holy Eucharist with Paper Bag Pageant, 4 p.m.; Music Program, 9 p.m., Holy Eucharist, 9:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist on Christmas Day at 9 a.m.

Union Congregational Church, 350 Main St., Amesbury: Christmas Eve Worship Service, 7 p.m.

West Newbury Congregational Church, 308 Main St., West Newbury: Family Service, 4:30 p.m.; Candlelight Service, 7 p.m.

Blue Christmas Service

A Blue Christmas Service will be held Sunday, Dec. 28, at 4 p.m. at Holy Family Parish, corner of School and Sparhawk streets, Amesbury. This service is to pray with and for those who find this season difficult.

New Year's Eve Sacred Circle Dance

The seventh annual New Year's Eve Sacred Circle Dance with Ellen Kennedy and musical intuitive Deirdre Drennen will be held from 9 p.m. to midnight at the Belleville Church Hall (side entrance), corner of High & Chapel streets, Newburyport. Refreshments provided by The Dragonfly Bakers, members of the Odonata Eco Village. Welcome the New Year in with dance, song, ritual and meditation. No experience needed; each dance is taught. $15 reservation requested.

Hot Soup Meal at Union Congregational

On the last Sunday of every month, September through April, there will be a Hot Soup Meal with Our Neighbors' Table from 4-6 p.m. at Union Congregational Church, 350 Main St., Amesbury.

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.

Film to be shown first at Unity

Unity on the River is hosting an exclusive, pre-release showing of Dr. Wayne Dyer's newest film, "Ambition to Meaning, Finding Your Life's Purpose." In the film directed by Michael Goorjian, Dyer explores the spiritual journey from ambition to meaning. The movie will be shown prior to its official Jan. 13 release at Unity on the River at 58 Macy St., (Route 110) in Amesbury, on Saturday, Jan. 3, and Saturday, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 4, at 1 p.m. Cost is $10. For more information, call 978-834-7830, visit www.unityontheriver.org, or e-mail info@unityontheriver.org.

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.

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.

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.

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.