Churches

Episcopal

NORWAY — Christ Episcopal Church, 35 Paris Street, Norway announces its Holy Week schedule.

Maundy Thursday, April 5

6 p.m. - Holy Eucharist followed by Silent Vigil and private devotions until 9 p.m. At this service, they remember the Last Supper of Our Lord and his command to “Do this in remembrance of me.” After the post communion prayer of thanksgiving, the reserved Sacrament is carried to the Altar of Repose in silence.

The priest returns to the altar and the altar is stripped while the congregation says Psalm 22. The Altar of Repose represents the garden of Gethsemane where Jesus went to pray before his arrest. Jesus asked his disciples to wait and pray with him, but they were unable to stay awake. That is why they have the Silent Vigil until 9 p.m.

Good Friday, April 6

6 p.m. - Good Friday Liturgy. At this solemn service they focus on the passion of Christ and the Way of the Cross. Prayers are said, and the reserved Sacrament is consumed. The people enter and leave in silence.

Saturday, April 7

6 p.m. - The Great Vigil and First Mass of Easter, in the Guild Room at the Church. The service begins in silence, the New Fire is kindled, and they recall the story of the Jewish people with readings and prayers. They then renew their Baptismal Covenant and celebrate the first Mass of Easter.

Easter Sunday, April 8

The Feast of the Resurrection, 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist – With great joy they celebrate the Feast of the Resurrection. Welcome happy morning!

Grace Fellowship

OXFORD — A "Son"-rise service will be held Easter morning at 6 a.m. at Grace Fellowship Church on Poplar St. in Oxford. Immediately following the service, a free hot breakfast will be served.

The menu will consist of scrambled eggs, bacon, home fries, pancakes with fresh maple syrup, juice and coffee. Adult Sunday school will be held at 9:15 a.m., with regular service at 10:15 a.m. For further information, contact Pastor Lloyd Waterhouse at 674-2156, or Pastor Richard Parsons at 539-9064.

Unitarian

NORWAY — The Norway Unitarian Universalist Church has services every Sunday at 11 a.m. Visitors are always welcome. Child care is provided.

April 8 - Cynthia Reedy - Easter Sunday “A Promise Kept”

Cynthia is a teacher at Hebron Academy, life-long UU and frequent speaker at church. She lives with her husband Brad in Norway; her three children have recently left the nest.

April 15 - Jim Douglass

James Douglas is a native of Maine currently residing in the Oxford Hills with his wife, two dogs and cat. He earned a Master of Education in counseling from the University of Maine, and has worked in various human services fields for 30 years. He is a recorded minister in the Religious Society of Friends (Quaker) and served as pastor of Durham Friends Meeting for eight years. He is currently the Community Grief Specialist for a local home health and hospice organization.

April 22 - Charlotte Nolan - Earth Day “There is One Tribe”

Charlotte is a published writer and poet, as well as a former advocate for victims of domestic violence in Cumberland County. She regularly writes and speaks about domestic violence, inequality and other forms of social injustice. She lives in Bridgton with her husband Tom, and two old dogs. She is a member of the First Congregational Church, UCC, in Bridgton.

April 29 - Jennifer Wixson "A Frost Pocket of Goodness"

About the mythical town of Sovereign, ME (pop. 1,048) where the killing frost comes just in time to “squench” all budding attempts at narrow mindedness and mean-spiritedness.

Jennifer is a 2001 graduate of Bangor Theological Seminary and regular speaker at the Norway UU Church.

May 6 - Kate Braestrup - topic to be announced.

Kate is a UU Minister, chaplain for the Maine Warden Service and celebrated author of the bestseller “Here if You Need Me.” Her most recent book is called “Beginner’s Grace.”

“There is no false piety here, nor is there much heady analysis either. Instead, there is an exquisitely informative, seductive, largely autobiographical but no holds barred, frank presentation of one chaplain’s own engagement with prayer.” - Phyllis Tickle, author of The Great Emergence.

Kate will also be speaking at the Norway Library on May 5 at 7 p.m.

Music will be provided by the choir, directed and accompanied by Heather Pierson. Coffee and refreshments will follow. Please join in.

Congregational

NORTH WATERFORD — On April 5, Maundy Thursday, a light supper and service will be held at the church at 6 p.m. On April 8, an Easter Sunrise Service will be held at Keoka Beach at 6 a.m. followed by breakfast at the church. An Easter family service will be held at 10 a.m.

HARRISON — On April 5, a Maundy Thursday service of Tenebrae will be held at 7 p.m.

On April 8, an Easter Sunrise Service will be held at Keoka Lake with Waterford and N. Waterford UCC churches at 6 a.m. Easter worship with special trumpet music will be held at the church at 10 a.m.

Baptist

WEST PARIS — There is a correction for the West Paris Baptist Church Easter Sunday sunrise service. At 6 a.m. the service will be held at the North Paris Federated Church on Morse Hill Road, not at the Littlehale farm as stated previously.

The breakfast will be at the West Paris Baptist Church at 8:30 a.m. and the regular Sunday service will be at 9:45 a.m. with fellowship to follow.

The food pantry will be open April 4, from 12 to 2 p.m.