BRIDGTON — The First Congregational Church of Bridgton’s theme for Lent, which begins March 6 and runs through Easter on April 21, is “Lessons from the Wilderness,” and will include several services and events throughout the weeks.
The church’s worship services, which are at 10 a.m., Sunday, will include wilderness stories from the Bible, as well as from the woods of Maine and beyond. Those attending “will wonder together what these wilderness experiences teach us about our faith, our lives and our God,” the church said in a news release.
In addition to sermons by pastor the Rev. Emily C. Goodnow, worship services will include wilderness stories told by Roger Lowell and JoAnne Dille.. On April 7, Kate Braestrup, the chaplain to the Maine Warden Service, will lead the service.
Throughout Lent the church will also hold a series of evening and weekend activities. They range from an all-church coss-country ski on March 10 to an evening service of prayers and music, “Songs from the Wilderness,” at 6 p.m. on March 14.
For the full Lenten schedule, including worship themes and evening events, visit www.fccbridgton.org, or visit the church office any weekday between 9 a.m. and noon to ask for a copy.
The First Congregational Church of Bridgton-UCC is at 33 South High St., and Sunday worship service child care is available.
LENT SCHEDULE
Sunday worship themes through Lent are:
March 10: Entering the Wilderness, with a wilderness story told by Roger Lowell
March 17: Fear and the Woods, with a wilderness story told by JoAnne Diller
March 24: God as our Rescuer: the story of a rescue on the Jewell Trail on Mount Washington.
March 31: What the Woods Teach Us
April 7: Kate Braestrup, chaplain for the Maine Warden’s service, will lead worsphi.
Other special events are:
Sunday, March 3: Mardi Gras Pancake Feast after 10:00 a.m. worship; the Youth Group meets to prepare ashes for Ash Wednesday.
Wednesday, March 6, Ash Wednesday Service, 6 p.m. A simple service of scripture, poetry, music, and ashes in the sanctuary, followed by a candlelit snow labyrinth.
Sunday, March 10, cross-country ski, 1 p.m. Sunday, March 10, at Lowell’s Field, 253 Chadbourne Hill Road, a guided ski event for all abilities.
Thursday, March 14, “Songs from the Wilderness,” 6 p.m. A simple service of scripture, hymns, and poems about wilderness.
Wednesday, March 20, 6:30 p.m. Campfire & Stories, a gathering arond a fire pit for communion with cookies and cocoa, and Bob Strauss shares his favorite campfire stories.
Tuesday, March 26, 6:30 p.m., Discussion & Dessert in preparation for Kate Braestrup’s visit, a gathering to discuss a chapter of her book. The chapter can be emailed to those participating.
Friday, April 5, 5:30 p.m., First Friday Game Night — all ages welcome for a simple dinner and evening of board games.
Wednesday, April 10, Storytelling Dinner — participants share favorite wilderness stories over a dinner cooked by Price Hutchins.
