The New England Festival of Thanksgiving will take place at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, 122 Ash St., Lewiston, Sunday, Oct. 5 at 6 p.m. The event will be a celebration of the 10th anniversary of basilica status. Several musicians are expected to perform, including organist Mark Thallander, who will provide music during the Sunday morning worship services.

A free car wash and free hot dogs will be offered at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 15 Smith Lane, Saco, on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. No donations are accepted; the event is offered as a way for the church members to give back to the community.

St. Augustine Anglican Church, now located at the Saco Grange, 168 North St., Saco, will host a Blessing of the Animals Service on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 3 p.m. The service is hosted in October in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, a 12th century deacon who is globally recognized and revered as the patron saint of animals and the environment. People are invited to bring all varieties of pets for the service, which will last about 30 minutes. Fr. Kevin LaMarre, a Benedictine monk, will conduct the service, assisted by Rev. Deacon Al Ryan. Families of all faiths are invited to attend and are welcome to bring animal companions, leashed, crated or otherwise secured. All donations made will be used to benefit the Benedictine animal rescue project in Raymond. The project cares for animals, both large and small, that need special care. For information, contact The Rev. Deacon Al Ryan at 229-8700.

Southern Maine Church of Christ will host a gospel meeting with evangelist Brent Newton of Jefferson City, Missouri beginning Sunday, Sept. 21 through Wednesday, Sept. 24. Lesson titles are as follows: Sunday, 10:30 a.m. “What Do We Learn From Ephesus?”; Sunday, 6 p.m. “Do Little Things Matter?”; Monday, 7 p.m. “How Well Do We Hear?”; Tuesday, 7 p.m. “Growing or Decaying?”; and Wednesday, 7 p.m. “Yearning For Heaven?” Previously located in Arundel, the church is now located at 159 Alfred Road, the Masonic hall in West Kennebunk. The mailing address is P.O. Box 344, West Kennebunk, ME 04094. Regular Sunday assembly time is 10:30 a.m. for worship, preceded by 9:30 a.m. Bible classes for all ages. Bible study is also offered at 6 p.m. On Wednesdays, Bible study is offered at 7 p.m. for all ages. Visit www.sm-cc.org or call 229-4174 for more information.

A service of comfort, healing and hope will be offered at First Parish Congregational Church, U.C.C. at the corner of Beach and Main streets in Saco on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. Participants will light candles and all are welcome to this half-hour service.

Congregation Etz Chaim, 68 Bacon St., Biddeford, announces its services for the fall and the high holidays of Hebrew Year 5775:

Rosh Hashanah

Wednesday, Sept 24: 6:30 p.m., evening service

Thursday, Sept. 25, 9:15 a.m. service; Hineini at 11:15 a.m.; Tashlich to follow service at 12:30 p.m.; evening service at 6:30 p.m.

On Friday, Sept. 26, a service will be offered at 9:15 a.m. There will be no evening service. 

Yom Kippur

Friday, Oct. 3: Kol Nidre at 6:15 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 4: 9:15 a.m. service; Yizkor (memorial service) at 11 a.m.; afternoon service at 4:30 p.m. A community “break fast” will follow the services at 6:15 p.m.

A special Shabbat Shuvah service will be offered Saturday, Sept. 27 beginning at 9:30 a.m. and a special Sunday School with holiday activities for younger children and their families will take place Sunday, Sept 28, 10 a.m. to noon, with challah, apples and honey included.

Everyone is welcome, no tickets required. Donations are always appreciated. Visit www.etzchaimme.org for more information.

Good Shepherd Parish announces a change in Mass times for the fall: As of Sunday, Sept. 20, Saturday Masses will be offered at 4 p.m. at Most Holy Trinity, Saco; St. Joseph, Biddeford; and St. Margaret, Old Orchard Beach. A 4:30 p.m. Mass will be offered at St. Philip in Lyman and a 5:30 p.m. Mass will be at St. Brendan, Biddeford Pool. Sunday Masses will be at 8 a.m. in French at St. Joseph, Biddeford; 8:30 a.m. at St. Margaret, Old Orchard Beach and Most Holy Trinity, Saco; 9 a.m. at St. Philip, Lyman; 10:30 a.m. at Most Holy Trinity, Saco and St. Margaret, Old Orchard Beach; and 11 a.m. at St. Joseph, Biddeford. The 9:30 a.m. Mass at St. Brendan has been removed.

Kennebunk Baptist Church, 77 Maine St., Kennebunk, announces its fall/winter/spring schedule: Adult Bible fellowship, 9:30 a.m., coffee hour, 10 a.m., service, 11 a.m. All are welcome. Call 985-5921 for more information.