PARIS — First Congregational Church, 17 East Main St., is welcoming old friends and new to World Communion Sunday at 10 a.m. Oct. 6.

According to Rev. Don Mayberry, pastor at First Congregational Church, “guests are always welcome, but each year we like to extend a special invitation to join us in Worship. We felt combing Friends Day with World Communion Sunday was an obvious thing to do.”

World Communion Sunday is a celebration observed by several Christian denominations, taking place on the first Sunday of every October that promotes Christian unity and ecumenical cooperation.

“Wanting to be in fellowship with other churches working together for the common good in the Jesus way of life seemed like the perfect time to invite neighbors to join us,” said Mayberry. Regarding communion he added, “at First Congregational Church we consider the bread and cup as symbolic reminders of the wholeness and hopeful new beginnings that God intends for us. These are gifts we are given with the hope we would share them freely. Everyone who wishes to partake is welcome to do so.”

First Congregational Church holds Sunday worship and Sunday school at 10 a.m. The church meets in the Christian tradition with an open-minded and welcoming spirit. In addition to Sunday services the church offers Bible study on Tuesday nights at 5:30 and Wednesday mornings at 9:30 as well as a grief and cancer support group on Thursday afternoons at 3. The church also offers youth and family programming under the leadership of Cynthia Riley.

For more information about the church and related activities, visit www.southpariscongregational.com or on Facebook at South Paris Congregational Church of South Paris, Maine. Sunday services are broadcast live on AM 1450 in South Paris and AM 1240 in Rumford. The church is handicap accessible.