Mid-coast area churches are planning special services leading into Christmas. Among them are the following:
Maine Street Baptist Church, Brunswick
BRUNSWICK — The public is invited to attend a special presentation of “The Christmas Story” at Maine Street Baptist Church on Sunday, Dec. 23, at 10:30 a.m.
The public is also invited to a special Christmas Eve service of music and art on Monday, Dec. 24, at 6 p.m.
Maine Street Baptist is located at 323 Upper Maine St. across from Parkview Adventist Medical Center. For more information, call 725-7303.
Elim Community Church, Bath
BATH — Elim Community Church on Washington Street will be holding a community Children’s Christmas Pageant on Sunday at 6 p.m.
Following there will be snacks and drinks. For more information, contact the church office at 443-2663.
Brunswick United Methodist Church
BRUNSWICK — The United Methodist Church of Brunswick’s choir will be performing a Christmas Concert on Sunday at 6:30 p.m.
The annual concert, sponsored by the UMCB’s United Methodist Women, features the Bell Choir, The Praise Team: In Good Faith, and special solos.
Admission to the concert is a paper goods product such as paper towels, napkins, personal hygiene paper goods for women, disposable diapers, toilet paper, Depends type undies for men and women, etc. The paper goods products will benefit those in the Tedford Housing’s emergency shelters.
Following the concert will be Christmastime fellowship with eats and treats, featuring mulled cider.
The United Methodist Church is located on 320 Church Road at Raymond Road. For more information, contact the church office at 725-2185 or via the website at umcbrunswick.org.
Blue Christmas service
BRUNSWICK — For many, the holidays are a time when they are reminded of personal losses or hardships past and present. This difficult time can foster feelings of loneliness, depression and anxiety.
In effort to comfort those feeling down during the holiday season, Mid Coast Senior Health Center will host a holiday service open for all to attend. The Blue Christmas Service, officiated by the Rev. Gordon Cook, chaplain for Mid Coast Hospital, will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 19, at 3 p.m. in the Community Room, 58 Baribeau Drive.
The Blue Christmas Service is a spiritual service with some religious components, which offers participants an opportunity to come together, offering support and comfort.
For more information, call Amy C. Berube at 721-1278.
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Lisbon
LISBON — On Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m., St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church will host a Kids Only Christmas Shop that will feature free gifts (or some for $1 and under) that children can give to someone they love.
In between shopping, enjoy a free Christmas concert and sing-along that begins at 2 p.m. Free desserts, coffee and hot cocoa will be provided.
“Kids want to give as well as receive. We’re going to make that possible for children in our community,” said Susan Peck, youth director.
St. Matthew’s is located on the hill off Route 196. For more information, visit www.StMatthewsLisbon.org.
Bath United Methodist Church
BATH — The Bath United Methodist Church, 340 Oak Grove Ave., will be hosting several special holiday worship services this month, including one on Saturday at 4 p.m.
There will be special music, scripture readings and carol singing followed by refreshments.
On Sunday, Dec. 16, the church will host “Bethlehem Inn Christmas Pageant and Brunch” at 10:15 a.m.
The “you are there” Christmas pageant is set in the dining room of the Bethlehem Inn on the night of Jesus’ birth. Bethlehem Inn guests will join the innkeeper and his family for a joyous and free brunch. Inn guests, servants and the nearby stable animals will also enjoy seasonal carols and fellowship.
The church will be having two worship services on Christmas Eve, Monday, Dec. 24.
The first, at 4 p.m., will be a family friendly worship service. A traditional candlelight service begins at 11 p.m.
The church is located at 340 Oak Grove Ave. Everyone is invited to attend any service.
For information, contact the church office at 443-4707.
All Saints Parish
BRUNSWICK — The Light is ON for You is an initiative of the Roman Catholic Church that highlights the importance of receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation (penance/confession), the source of God’s mercy and healing love, in the life of Catholics.
The Diocese of Portland makes the practice more available by opening the doors of their churches in hopes that every Catholic, especially those who have been away from the church or confessional, will accept this special invitation to experience God’s mercy and forgiveness in the sacrament of reconciliation in preparation for Christmas.
Local churches in the Midcoast region from All Saints Parish will be joining other Roman Catholic churches throughout the diocese in making the sacrament available to all those who wish to the receive God’s healing power.
Locally, two All Saints Parish churches will be open from 6 to 7 p.m. for the sacrament on Monday, Dec. 17, at St. John the Baptist Church, 35 Pleasant St., Brunswick; and Wednesday, Dec. 19, at St. Mary Church, 144 Lincoln St., Bath.
The sacrament will also be available at the regularly scheduled time of 3 to 3:45 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 22, at St. John the Baptist Church, and St. Mary Church, or by making an appointment with the priest.
First Parish Church, Brunswick
BRUNSWICK — On Thursday at 12:10 p.m., organist Ray Cornils will present a 45- minute concert of Christmas music at First Parish Church, UCC.
He will include settings of engaging and enjoyable holiday music by J. S. Bach, Denis Bedard, Richard Purvis, Keith Chapman, Richard Ellsasser and Adolphe Adam in this annual Christmas program.
The concert is open to the public. There is a $5 suggested donation at the door. Students and children are free. First Parish is located on Maine Street at Bath Road (next to Bowdoin College) in Brunswick. For more information, call 729-7331.
South Freeport Congregational Church
FREEPORT — South Freeport Congregational Church, 98 South Freeport Road, will celebrate the season with special Christmas Eve services at 7 and 10 p.m.
Each service will include the singing of traditional hymns, special music, candle lighting, stories and scriptures that remind all of Jesus’ birth. This year’s Christmas Eve collections will be split between the Center for Grieving Children and the Port Teen Center (at Freeport Community Services).
For more information, call 865-4012 or visit www.southfreeportchurch.com.
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