A number of Mid-coast congregations are planning special services and observances during December. Among them:
Dresden-Richmond United Methodist Church
RICHMOND — On Thursday, Dec. 22, there will be a Blue Christmas service at 7 p.m. The service is designed for everyone for whom the Christmas season brings sadness.
On Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, there will be a traditional candlelighting service at the church at 7 p.m. The community will celebrate the birth of the Christ child in song and scripture.
On Christmas, Sunday, Dec. 25, the 10 a.m. worship service will be an opportunity to sing Christmas carols.
On Saturday, Dec. 31, there will be a Watch Night Service at 5 p. m. to renew the covenant as God’s people.
Popham Chapel
PHIPPSBURG — “ Follow the stars down Route 209 to the coastal village of Popham Beach to celebrate Christmas Eve away from the hustle and bustle,” begins a news release from the chapel.
An old fashioned candlelighting service with carols, readings and the music of Richard Hankinson begins at 5 p.m., and will be officiated by Jan Murray and William Racine.
A reception will follow at the Chapel House next door with warm beverages and homemade goodies.
The Dec. 24 chapel service is interdenominational. For more information, call 389- 2303.
Phippsburg Congregational Church
PHIPPSBURG — Four special services are planned leading up to Christmas at Phippsburg Congregational Church ( UCC), beginning with a Blue Christmas Service on Thursday, at 4 p.m.
The church is located at 10 Church Lane.
A Family Christmas Eve Service is planned Saturday, Dec. 24, at 7 p.m. A communion service will be planned later that night, at 11 p.m.
Worship and carol singing is planned at 10 a. m. on Christmas Day, during the 10 a.m. service.
For more information, visit www.phippsburgucc.org or call 389-1767.
Maine Street Baptist Church
BRUNSWICK — A special Christmas Eve service of music, readings, art and testimonies will be held on Dec. 24, at 6 p.m. at Maine Street Baptist Church. There will be only one service on Christmas Day, at 10:30 a.m.
Maine Street Baptist is located at 323 Upper Maine St., across from Parkview Adventist Medical Center. For more information, call 725-7303.
Berean Baptist Church
BRUNSWICK — A Christmas Family Film Night is planned at Berean Baptist Church on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
Families will be able to see a Christmas film from the VeggieTales series. “The Little Drummer Boy” tells the story of a lonely child who finds the true meaning of Christmas when he stumbles upon the birth of the baby Jesus. “ Hearts of children will be warmed as this story of hope, love and forgiveness unfolds,” states a news release from the church.
The movie is free. For information, call 725-2648.
Cundy’s Harbor Community Church
HARPSWELL — Cundy’s Harbor Community Church has a busy day planned Sunday.
At 10 a.m. The Lighthouse Jubilees will perform a public concert of Christmas songs and carols.
Later that day, at 3 p.m., the church will host its children’s Christmas pageant: “A Living Christmas Card.” The children will retell the Christmas story and will offer a lively performance, according to a news release.
South Freeport Church
FREEPORT — South Freeport Church has planned two Christmas Eve services, at 7 p.m. 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.
The 7 p.m. service will feature a children’s story and be more focused on the younger family. A collection will be taken during the 7 p. m. to benefit Oasis Health Network Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides the full spectrum of free, quality health care services with dignity, confidentiality, respect and equal access to people of limited means living in the Brunswick and Freeport areas.
The 10 p.m. service offering will be given to the Grace- Street Ministries, a street ministry in Portland that ministers to the homeless and the marginalized.
On Christmas morning, the South Freeport Church will hold a casual worship service at 9:30 a.m.
The church is located at 98 South Freeport Road. For more information, call 865- 4012 or visit www.southfreeportchurch.com.
Day’s Ferry Congregational Church
WOOLWICH — Day’s Ferry Congregational Church will hold its annual Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols on Saturday, Dec. 24, at 7 p.m., led by the Rev. Alan Baughcum.
The service will feature soloist Lauren Haven and other special music performed by members of the congregation.
The church is located at 50 Old Stage Road. For more information, call 443-4401 or email daysferrycc@gmail.com.
Elim Community Church
BATH — On Sunday, from 5 to 6 p. m., the Elim Drama Company will perform an original adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s beloved Christmas classic, “Where Love Is, God Is,” at Elim Community Church, 1184 Washington St.
A carol sing- along, children’s nativity, and refreshments will be part of this special service. For more information, call 443-2663.
Caroling on the Mall
BRUNSWICK — A classic Christmas Carol Sing is planned on the Brunswick Mall at 7:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.
Singing of traditional will last about 15 minutes. Lyrics will be provided, but singers should bring a flashlight. For every person who comes to sing carols, All Saints Parish will donate $1 to Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program.
For more information, call Sheila Murphy at 725-1488.
Corliss Street Baptist
BATH — The Rev. Andrew Sullivan, pastor of Corliss Street Baptist Church, has announced a special service on Sunday at 11 a.m.
According to a news release, the children are preparing a very special Sunday School Christmas program titled “Happy Birthday, Jesus.” It was written by Kim Mitzo Thompson and Karen Mitzo Hildebrand, and illustrated by Tara Larsen Chang with music arranged by Hal Wright. The children are enjoying learning several new songs.
Following church, there will be a potluck luncheon with birthday cake and ice cream in honor of Jesus’ birthday.
On Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24, there will be a special service at 7 p.m.
The choir will be presenting “Silent, Holy Night,” a 20- minute mini-musical created by Sue C. Smith and Johnathan Crumpton. There will be congregational carol singing ending with a candlelight service.
Special guest Donna Smith will again perform her “much-loved” rendition of “O Holy Night.”
The church is located at 396 Middle St.
Neighborhood Faith Community
BATH — The Neighborhood Café will hold its second annual Christmas party from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. today at 150 Congress Ave.
The party will include a Christmas dinner and music from the Corliss Street Baptist Church children’s choir. Admission is free and everyone is welcome to join.
For more information on the Christmas party, Neighborhood Café or for ways to get involved, email Ian Magrath at cafe. neighborhood@gmail.com, or call the Neighborhood Faith Community, Bath United Church of Christ, at 443-2187.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
BRUNSWICK — St. Paul’s Episcopal Church will offer the public a chance to walk an Advent Spiral from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Advent Spirals are an ancient tradition in Europe, where walking the spiral pathway is used as a meditative way to slow down and center oneself, as well as to remember the Light of Christ that illuminates the dark days of winter.
Unlike labyrinths, which are usually constructed out of durable materials such as marble, brickwork, or even painted canvas, Advent Spirals are laid out on the ground using evergreen boughs and candles to delineate the path.
A candle is placed at the center of the spiral; people walking the spiral carry an unlit candle on their inward path, then light their small taper from the large Christ candle at the center before they retrace their steps out of the spiral.
The spiral will be held open-house style from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. People are welcome to come for as little or as much time as they wish. For more information about the spiral, call 725-5342.
LifeChurch
BATH — The congregation will hold a Christmas Eve service at 45 Floral St.
A live Nativity will take place from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. A candlelight service is scheduled to run from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, call 233-5520.
Bath United Methodist Church
BATH — The United Methodist Church at 340 Oak Grove Ave. invites the greater Bath area community friends and neighbors to attend the Bethlehem Inn Christmas Pageant and Brunch on Sunday, 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. The inn guests, servants and the nearby stable animals will also enjoy seasonal carols and fellowship, according to the news release.
It’s an opportunity to “witness the birth of Jesus anew,” the release states.
Although reservations are not required, community members and neighbors can reserve a place in the Bethlehem Inn dining room by phoning 443-4707.
Mid-Coast Presbyterian Church
TOPSHAM — Mid- Coast Presbyterian Church has planned a number of special services and events throughout December in celebration of Christmas.
On Saturday, at 7 p.m., Mid- Coast Presbyterian Church will host a concert of TEN Saxophones in Symphony playing Christmas favorites with a community sing at the conclusion. Offerings of canned or dry goods are requested in an effort to replenish the shelves of the Mid-Coast Hunger Prevention Program.
The church will hold a special service, “ Courage for Christmas,” on Sunday, at 5 p.m. The service is a different approach to the upcoming holy days, according to a news release.
“Not everyone is happy during this season. Some people face challenges from grief, depression, loss of work, ill health or dysfunctional family relationships,” the release states. “Whatever is challenging one’s ability to join the festivities of the season, this service welcomes all and will be ‘come as you are,’ planned, and as participatory as desired by each individual. We offer this service to renew hope and to give people more courage to face the days before and after Christmas.”
A Candlelight Christmas Eve Service of Lessons & Carols with bells will take place on Dec. 24 at 5 p.m. There will be special music as well as choral music and plenty of singing with the congregation. A special story for children will be read by “Miss Shirley” with a coloring book at the end. All are encouraged to bring bells to ring as the congregation celebrates together.
A special Sunday service of worship is planned on Christmas Day at 11 a. m. to celebrate the birth of Jesus the Christ with a party.
Finally, there’ll be an Epiphany children’s pageant on Jan. 8, the Sunday following Epiphany. There’ll be an opportunity to meet the characters who went to the manger and hear their stories about how they got there. Worship begins at 10:10 a.m. and the pageant will be offered during that service.
The church is fully accessible. For more information, email church@mcpcmaine.net or call 729-3193.
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