Annual Christmas program in Auburn

AUBURN — The West Auburn Congregational Church will hold its annual Christmas program at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20.

The event will be the nativity and a festival of lessons and carols. The Rev. John Williams has designed the format, and several members of the congregation are helping. This is a multigeneration pageant, beginning with a live baby in the manger and including toddlers, school-age children, mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends of the families.

A special addition will be a trio of musicians made up of Terry Sweat, Diane Maddix and Jeanine Loubier. They will sing “Mary, Did You Know” and “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”

The West Auburn Congregational Church is located at 811 West Auburn Road. Everyone is welcome.

Service of Nine Lessons and Carols

LEWISTON — Holy Family Church will give the service of Nine Lessons and Carols at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22. 

The sermon will tell the story of the promise and coming of the Messiah, as told in nine short Bible readings from the prophetic books and the Gospels, interspersed with the singing of Advent carols, hymns and choir music.

The music will be provided by the Saint Cecilia Schola Cantorum, the Magnificat Girl’s Choir and the Prince of Peace Parish Hand Bell Choir.

Candlelight service in Minot

MINOT — The Minot United Methodist Church will hold a candlelight service on Christmas Eve at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, at the corner of Minot Avenue and Empire Road.

Phillips Christmas Eve service

PHILLIPS — Phillips Community Church Christmas Eve service of carols and Scripture will be held at 5p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 24.

The Rev. Susan Tierney will lead the service, and all are invited.

Christmas Eve service in Rumford

RUMFORD — A Christmas Eve service will be held at the Rumford United Methodist Church at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, at 455 Linnell St.

Candlelight and communion will be included. All are welcome.

Christmas Eve service in Farmington

FARMINGTON — A Christmas Eve candlelight service of readings and carols will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, at 110 Academy St.

The service will be offered by Henderson Memorial Baptist and Summit Faith Churches.

An anthem “What Child Is This?” will be sung by the choir and readers from both churches will tell the Christmas story through Scriptures and prayers. There will be plenty of Christmas carols for the whole congregation to sing. During the congregational candle-lighting, “Silent Night” will be accompanied by Greg Hazard and Daniel Woodward on guitar. The service will close with the singing of the traditional “Joy to the World,” blending into the more contemporary version called “Unspeakable Joy.” 

A special offering will be received for the Western Maine Homeless Outreach shelter.

Sunday After Christmas service

MINOT — The historic Minot Center Congregational Church will hold the annual Sunday After Christmas candlelight service at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27.

The church will be warmed with the old wood stoves, and hot chocolate and cookies will be available following the service. Special music will feature Wayne Bridgham and Christie Paul.

Each year the church continues this annual event, which helps to maintain the historic building.

All are invited.