Christmas services

Baptist

HEBRON — Hebron Community Baptist Church will hold its Christmas Eve Service at 6 p.m. on December 24.

PARIS — A Christmas Candlelight service will be held on Sunday, December 23, at 6 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Paris Hill. The Reverend Mary Beth Caffey, pastor of the church, wanted to be sure that everyone from the community knows that they are welcome to attend

"We might be an old, historic church building, but we want to start a new tradition this year," Caffey said. “We will be having this family candlelight service for all ages on the Sunday night before Christmas starting this year.”

The pastor does want participants to know that "real" candles will not be used due to the age of the church building. Fire would be a very strong concern, but they also want a service that is safe for the very youngest in families.

Still the candlelight of the more modern candles will give the light and ambiance of this very special event in the life of the church and community. Christmas carols and Scripture readings will share the true meaning of Christmas with families and neighbors.

There is no charge and no offering will be taken. This service is a gift of the church to the community. The building is handicap accessible.

After the service a reception will be held in the Cummings Hall downstairs for all those who attend. Hot chocolate and cookies will be available for everyone, especially the children.

For more information, please feel free to contact Reverend Caffey at 754-7970. In case of a weather cancellation, please refer to http://www.wcsh6.com.

OTISFIELD — The Reverend Genise Stern announces the Christmas Eve service at East Otisfield Free Baptist Church will be held at 7 p.m. The church is located at 231 Rayville Road, off Route 121, in Otisfield.

Music will be provided by an expanded choir, directed by Priscilla Delehanty. They now have cushions in the pews. Come test them out! Deacons holding a basket will collect a free-will offering as people leave after the service.

This money will be used to help area people in need.

Congregational

NORWAY — Second Congregational Church will share the excitement of Christmas Eve at two different services at the church located at 205 Main St. The first service, held at 6 p.m. is a family service of lessons and carols as they light the final Advent candle.

The late service has been moved to 11 p.m. and they will celebrate the candlelight service with scripture and song. All are welcome to join in celebrating the holiest of nights in a beautiful stained glass sanctuary decorated for the season with greens and poinsettias.

Visit www.seconch.com or call the church at 743-2290 for information on upcoming events.

WATERFORD — The Waterford Congregational Church, located on Plummer Hill in Waterford Flat, invites the community to its Christmas Eve Family Service at 5 p.m. on December 24.

The Reverend Anita White will lead the service, which will retell the Christmas story interspersed with carol singing and choir presentations. The service will end with a candlelight singing of "Silent Night."

Methodist

PARIS — The congregation and Pastor Anna-Jean Alexander, along with Ministry Team Member Rick Jackson, invite you to join in at Deering Memorial United Methodist Church on Christmas eve for the candlelight service at 7 p.m. Come and enjoy the beauty of the season with this very special service.

On Christmas morning the Church will be hosting a free community breakfast. Please don’t spend Christmas alone; come and join in. Anyone interested in coming and helping out at the breakfast is more than welcome, the more the merrier! The breakfast is from 8 to 10 a.m.

The Church is located on the corner of Main and Church Streets in South Paris and is accessible. Regular worship service and Sunday School is at 10 a.m.; all are welcome to come and join in. Please feel free to come as you are, they are a casual group.

Universalist

WEST PARIS — On December 24, at 6 p.m. the First Universalist Church of West Paris will hold a candlelight celebration. The service will include singing hymns; special music by musicians Jim Burke, Jeremiah Goodwin and Brian Dunham; storytelling and a candlelight recessional. All are welcome to attend.

In place of the traditional offering, the church will be accepting donations of nonperishable food or money for the West Paris food pantry.

Seventh Day Adventist

HARRISON — The Harrison Seventh Day Adventist Church, located at 2 Naples Rd., invites the public to an evening of fun and fellowship.

Meet at the Church on Friday, December 21 at 5:30 p.m. for Christmas Caroling in the Village, then return to the fellowship room for holiday refreshments.

On Saturday, Dec. 22 at 4 p.m. there will be a vespers program, which will include The Christmas Story, and a social time to follow. All are welcome. Please join in.

For more information, please call Sue at 583-2560 or Coreen at 693-4047.