Editor’s note: Please contact individual places of worship for information about specific religious services during the holidays.

Saturday

Walk Through Bethlehem, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, recreation of the city of Bethlehem as it might have been on the night of Jesus’ birth with merchants, townspeople, artisans and live animals and more than 80 costumed cast members. Chestnut Street Baptist Church, 29 Chestnut St., Camden.

Sunday

Advent Service of Lessons and Carols, 10 a.m., with the Bell, Chancel and Children’s choirs. Woodfords Church, 202 Woodford St., Portland.

“Hanging of the Greens: Where Did the Symbols of Christmas Come From?” 10 a.m. service. Raymond Village Community Church, 27 Main St., Raymond.

Advertisement

Mass of joy and thanksgiving, 10:30 a.m., celebrated by Bishop Robert P. Deeley in recognition of the completion of repairs to the church’s bell tower. Sacred Heart/St. Dominic Parish, Sherman and Mellen streets, Portland. The bells will toll as donors’ names are read starting at 10:15 a.m.

Connected Catholics of Maine, 1 p.m., Christmas luncheon and Yankee Swap at Falmouth Country Club, 1 Congressional Drive, Falmouth. Order from the menu. A short business meeting will follow.

Service of Lessons and Carols, 3 p.m., St. Augustine of Canterbury Anglican Church, at the Grange building, 168 North St., Saco.

Choral Evensong, 4 p.m., with Albert Melton, Randall Mullin and the Cathedral Choir. St. Luke’s Cathedral, 143 State St., Portland.

Candlelight concert, 4 p.m., in conjunction with Christmas Prelude activities. First Congregational Church, 141 North St., Kennebunkport. A $10 donation is suggested to benefit the church’s fund for local community needs.

Festival of St. Lucia, 4 to 6 p.m., with International Marketplace. A concert by Centennial Brass Band begins at 3:30 p.m. St. Ansgar Lutheran Church, 515 Woodford St., Portland.

Advertisement

Monday

St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble, 7 p.m., a capella quartet from Russia. Suggested donation is $10, or $7 for seniors and children, or what is affordable. Christ Church, 6 Dane St., Kennebunk, For more information, visit christchurchkennebunk.org or call 985-4494.

Tuesday

Labyrinth Walk, open from noon to 8 p.m., First Parish Church, 9 Cleaveland St., Brunswick. For details, visit firstparish.net or call 729-7331.

Wednesday

Service of Comfort and Rest, 6:30 p.m., fourth annual service especially for those who are grieving or alone. Offered by Gorham Ecumenical Council and held at Cressey Road United Methodist Church, 81 Cressey Road, Gorham.

Advertisement

Thursday

Phoenix Chorale, 7 to 9 p.m., a new community chorus welcomes participants. Rehearsals are held weekly at Portland Friends Meeting House, 1837 Forest Ave., Portland.

St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble, 7 p.m., holiday concert by the quartet from Russia. Offering taken. Lovell United Church of Christ, 1174 Main St., Lovell. Call 925-1207 for more information.

Friday

Festival of Lessons and Carols, 7 p.m., with Scripture readings, prayer, carols and music. Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Cumberland Avenue, Portland.

“Joyous Sounds for a Sacred Season,” 7 p.m., with the University of Southern Maine Chamber Singers. Sacred Heart Church, 326 Main St., Yarmouth. An offering will benefit the Preble Street Teen Center and Florence House in Portland.

Dec. 13

“Be Good to Yourself: Coping with Suffering, Loss and Grief During the Holidays,” 2 to 4 p.m., with Carol Schoneberg-Robinson from Hospice of Southern Maine. Held at St. Ignatius Gym-Cafeteria, 25 Riverside Ave., Sanford. Event is free. To register, contact Diana L’Heureux at didi1961us@metrocast.net or call 608-2581.

Items for the religion calendar must be submitted in writing before noon Monday to be considered for publication the following Saturday. Mail to: Religion Calendar, Portland Press Herald, P.O. Box 1460, Portland, ME 04104; or email to: religion@pressherald.com.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.