AUBURN — St. Michael’s Church and High Street Congregational Church are joining together for a Seder meal celebration. Rabbi Sruli Dresner of Temple Beth-El of Auburn will also be participating.
The traditional Seder is a religious ritual and tradition. The two churches will host a Seder meal, which will be served at 6:30 p.m. on Maundy Thursday, April 13, at the High Street Church, 106 Pleasant St.
The churches will use a formal religious text known as the Haggadah as a guide for the meal. The Haggadah is read throughout the Seder; it includes information about why certain steps are taken and also lays out the actions and process that should be taken during the meal.
The ceremonial meal is open to the public.
After the ceremony, there will be a service at St. Michael’s Church, at 78 Pleasant St. starting at 7:30 p.m. This service will include washing of the feet and stripping of the altar.
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FARMINGTON — The Farmington Baptist Church, 194 Whittier Road, will host an Easter event at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 15.
The church will share the story of Easter while the children paint a memorable picture to take home.
An Easter egg hunt will follow for children through grade six.
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FARMINGTON — The Easter Sunday service at Fairbanks Union Church at 9 a.m. Sunday, April 16, at 583 Fairbanks Road will be interpreted in American sign language by Sherry Walrath.
The Rev. Doug Walrath will be preaching.
Refreshments will be served after the service.
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FARMINGTON — The Farmington Area Ecumenical Ministry Easter sunrise service will be held as the sun appears over the hills Sunday, April 16, at the intersection of Mohawk Drive and Voter Hill Road.
Civil twilight will be at 5:24 a.m. As the light begins to change, worshippers will move toward the 5:55 a.m. sunrise.
Those attending should dress appropriately. The service will be held no matter the weather condition.
Following the service, all are invited for coffee served on site, at the home of Fred and Denise Brittain.
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FARMINGTON — Henderson Memorial Baptist Church, 110 Academy St., has announced its Holy Week events in which the community is welcome to participate.
Palm Sunday: 9:30 a.m. Sunday, April 9. The service will recall Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem.
Communion service: 7 p.m. Thursday, April 13. The Communion service will remember the night Jesus celebrated Passover with this disciples and the meaning given to the ancient symbols of bread and wine. The service concludes with Tenebrae, during which readers tell the story of what happened to Jesus after the Last Supper. With each reading another candle is extinguished to symbolize the light going out of the world.
Good Friday: Noon to 1 p.m. Friday, April 14. Henderson Baptist Church will host the Community Good Friday service, sponsored by Farmington Area Ecumenical Ministry. A series of short, dramatic readings will be offered by representatives from FAEM churches.
Easter dawn service: 5:55 a.m. Sunday, April 16, on Voter Hill. The service is sponsored by FAEM and will be led by members of the FAEM churches. On this, the 40th anniversary of the Easter dawn service, people will gather to celebrate the empty tomb and Jesus’s resurrection from the dead. The service is followed by hot coffee indoors, and all are welcome.
Easter breakfast: 8:30 a.m. Sunday, April 16. Henderson Baptist Church and Summit Faith Community will share in an Easter breakfast. This is one event the two churches offer together as “two churches under one roof.” Donations for the breakfast will replenish the Matthew 25 Fund that supplies security deposits for families graduating from the Western Maine Homeless Outreach Shelter in Farmington.
Celebrate the resurrection service: 9:30 a.m. Sunday, April 16.
Summit faith service: 10:40 a.m. Sunday, April 16.
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HARTFORD — The Hartford Community Church Easter service will be held at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, April 16, at the Hartford Town Hall on Route 140 with the neighborhood breakfast to follow.
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LISBON FALLS — Lisbon United Methodist Church, 14 School St., will conduct special services during Holy Week:
Palm Sunday: 9:30 a.m. Sunday, April 9. Service will begin with a children’s processional of palms.
Maundy Thursday: 7 p.m. Thursday, April 13. Service will feature an open communion table to all attendees celebrating the Last Supper.
Good Friday: Noon to 3 p.m. Friday, April 14. The church will hold a vigil.
Easter: 8:30 a.m. Sunday, April 16. Breakfast will be served until 9:15 a.m. followed by a celebration service at 9:30 a.m. An Easter egg hunt for the children will take place following the service.
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LISBON FALLS — Lisbon Falls Church of the Nazarene will celebrate Easter with an Easter breakfast from 9 to 10 a.m. Sunday, April 16, at 184 Main St., followed by an Easter service at 11 a.m., which will include celebration through music and readings presented by Bruce and Sharon Marshall.
Everyone is welcome.
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LIVERMORE — North Livermore Baptist Church, 619 Federal Road, has announced its Holy Week events.
Maundy Thursday service: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 13.
Easter sunrise service: 6 a.m. Sunday, April 16. Breakfast will follow.
Easter service: 10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 16.
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NEW SHARON — Mt. View Baptist Church will celebrate Easter with the following services:
Good Friday service: 6 p.m. Friday, April 14.
Easter sunrise service: 6 a.m. Sunday, April 16, ¼-mile north of the New Vineyard Post Office, rain or shine.
Easter breakfast: Breakfast will follow the sunrise service.
Worship services are held from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Sundays on Church Street.
FMI: 207-778-6766, 207-491-8004.
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PARIS — The Palm Sunday service on April 9, at the First Universalist Church on Pine Street, will be led by Silver Moore-Leamon.
The title of the 10 a.m. sermon is “What If Jesus Said No?”
Music is under the direction of Donna Hurd. Coffee and fellowship will follow the worship service, and all are welcome.
Childcare is available, and the church is handicapped-accessible.
The First Universalist Church of South Paris welcomes and celebrates all beliefs.
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RUMFORD — The Rumford Baptist Church will be hosting a meal and a movie family night at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at 112 Washington St., one block up the hill from the library.
After a spaghetti dinner, the church will show “The Story of Jesus through the eyes of Children.”
The cost of the event is free, although there will be an offering.
FMI: 207-507 1066.
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SUMNER — The Rev. Howard MacMullen has announced the schedule of Holy Week services at the Congregational Church of East Sumner, UCC, at 50 Main St.
Palm Sunday: 9 am. Sunday, April 9.
Maundy Thursday: 7 p.m. Thursday, April 13.
Good Friday: 7 p.m. Friday, April 14.
Easter sunrise: 7 a.m. Sunday, April 16. Breakfast will follow at 8 a.m.
Easter: 9 a.m. Sunday, April 16.
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WATERFORD — Waterford Congregational Church has announced its services for Easter week. All are welcome.
Palm Sunday Service: 9:30 a.m. Sunday, April 9.
Maundy Thursday Tenenbrae service: 7 p.m. Thursday, April 13. The service will be held with North Waterford Congregational Church.
Easter morning sunrise service: 6 a.m. Sunday, April 16, at Town Beach, Keoka Lake. The service will be held with Harrison and North Waterford churches, followed by breakfast at the Wilkins House next door to the Waterford Congregational Church.
Easter Sunday service: 9:30 a.m. Sunday, April 16, with the Rev. Petra Smyth officiating.
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WAYNE — Wayne Community Church has announced its Easter observances at 22 Old Winthrop Road:
Palm Sunday: 9:30 a.m. Sunday, April 9. The choir will sing, and palms will be shared with all.
Good Friday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, April 14. The sanctuary will be open for prayer or meditation.
Easter sunrise service: 7 a.m. Sunday, April 16, at 30 Pond Road. This is an informal service overlooking Pocasset Lake that will include songs by local musicians and a short message celebrating the miracle of Easter.
Easter breakfast: 7:30 a.m. Sunday, April 16, at the church Fellowship Hall.
Easter service: 9:30 a.m. Sunday, April 16. The service will include the choir singing the Hallelujah Chorus, Easter flowers will adorn the sanctuary, and there will be activities children.
FMI: 207-685-3505.
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WILTON — Pilgrim Commandery No. 19 Knights Templar will hold its annual Easter service and breakfast at the Farmington/Wilton Masonic Hall, on the Bryant Road.
The service will be at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, April 16, at 7:30. All Sir Knights and Master Masons are invited to attend, along with their sons and grandsons.
Donations will be accepted for the breakfast.
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WILTON — The following are Holy Week services at First Congregational Church in Wilton:
Palm Sunday: 9:30 a.m. Sunday, April 9. The special service will have the distribution of palms.
Maundy Thursday: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 13. There will be a light meal and a service around a common table.
Good Friday services: Noon and 7 p.m. Friday, April 14. There will be a service at Henderson Memorial Baptist Church at noon, in Farmington, and a service in Wilton at St. Lukes, at 7 p.m.
Easter: 5:55 a.m. Sunday, April 16. The sunrise service on Orchard Drive will be followed by an Easter breakfast at the church and then a special Easter service in the sanctuary.
The Easter Sunday Service, at Fairbanks Union Church on April 16, will be interpreted in American Sign Language by Sherry Walrath.
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