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RANGELEY – The Church of the Good Shepherd is celebrating 100 years of service and worship.
The Centennial Celebrations kick off at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 22, with a festive worship service featuring a hymn written for the occasion: “The Shepherd’s Arms,”with lyrics by the Rev. Thom Rock, and music by music director Robert Ludwig.
The service is open to all.
The theme of the year-long jubilee is: The Shepherd’s Arms – Celebrating 100 Years of Reaching Out in Love.
Other monthly special events are also planned. Upcoming ones include:
Wednesday, Sept. 15, at 6 p.m., a historical service featuring the liturgy and music of 1921, with a presentation by Gary Priest to follow in the undercroft.
Sunday, Oct. 3, at 1 p.m., a blessing of the animals.
Tuesday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m., community requiem Mass for all the faithful departed.
Sunday, Dec. 19, at 4 p.m., holiday carol sing with Robert Ludwig.
Fridays, Jan. 7, 14 and Feb. 4, 18, at 4 p.m., candlelight evensong with collection to benefit local charities.
Good Shepherd traces its roots to a group of area women who gathered in each other’s homes, eventually forming an Episcopal Guild in 1920. Within 12 months, they had raised enough money to buy a plot of land on Lake Street. A stable was moved to the site and converted to the first church building. In August 1921. The building was dedicated by Bishop Benjamin Brewster. The expanding congregation eventually outgrew that building and in 1964 the building at 2614 Main St. was completed.
Through the years, several ministers have lead the parish. Rock was called to be the church’s rector last fall.
“It is due to our forebears’ remarkable faith, determination, and perseverance that we have the privilege of worshiping together today,” Rock said. “We are their dreams come true.”
As well as regular Sunday worship, the church carries out community outreach, such as the Thrift Shoppe, hosting holiday meals, an Ecumenical Food Pantry and providing annual student scholarships. In addition, the church offers its building to many nonprofit groups as a meeting and function hall.
More events will be planned and scheduled for spring and summer 2022. For more information, visit www.goodshepherdrangeley.org.
