Whether or not you attend any type of religious services, you are invited to, and certainly will appreciate, “A Service of Lessons and Carols” to be sung at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, at the Dennysville Meetinghouse.

Ann Carter of Charlotte wrote that for many people in the area, the holiday season “really begins, for them” with this annual candlelight service.

The festival choir opens the service “with their traditional ‘Adam Lay Ybounden’ after which all join in singing ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’ as the choir processes to their places,” Carter explained.

The lessons, beginning with the prophecy of the Messiah in the Old Testament “are read by various members of the church community, young and old,” she added, “and are then reflected in carols sung by the choir and, sometimes, also the congregation.”

Choirmaster Colin Windhorst requested choir members to provide lists of their favorite songs, some of which “haven’t been sung by the group for a number of years,” Carter wrote.

Among them is the only new piece, “Christmas Carol,” by Charles Ives, which several members “had heard and wanted to sing for some years” but couldn’t until this year, when the music was finally found, Carter wrote.

Organist Laurel Storm, who will play before and after the service, will accompany the choir for many of the carols and will lead the congregation in several familiar ones.

Carter also wants you to know the Meetinghouse is beautifully decorated for the holidays.

Finally, “weather permitting,” she wrote, the celebration will “end with a bagpiper, outside, playing carols, as folks head off to their homes.”

Add a few large, soft, beautiful snowflakes just starting to fall as you step out the Meetinghouse door, and you have a picture-perfect, Down East holiday evening.

James Varner, president of the Greater Bangor Area NAACP, is hoping for a large turnout for what his organization believes is the largest Kwanzaa Celebration and Ceremony in Maine.

That program is 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 120 Park St. in Bangor.

Co-sponsored by the UU Society of Bangor and the University of Maine Human Rights Coalition, the event is free and everyone is welcome.

The evening offers people the opportunity to learn about this African-American cultural tradition that is rooted in Africa but is not religious.

Kwanzaa begins Sunday, Dec. 26, and runs through Saturday, Jan 1.

Varner’s invitation explains the seven principles of Kwanzaa: Umoja, unity; Kujichaguila, self-determination; Ugima, collective work and responsibility; Ujamaa, cooperative economics; Nia, purpose; Kuumba, creativity; and Imani, faith.

Each principle is celebrated on one of the seven days.

Guests are asked to bring donations for those who are starving in the African Sudan, and checks for that purpose can be made out to CARE, which the press release explains has a large food and medical program specifically targeted to save lives in that drought-stricken country.

The event includes music, soul food and African cultural displays.

For more information, call Varner at 827-4493.

It’s time, once again, for the American Red Cross annual Christmas Blood Drive, which is from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, at the ARC Blood Donor Center, 900B Hammond St. in Bangor.

While you are giving the gift of life, members of Bangor’s John Bapst Memorial High School Key Club will wrap your holiday gifts.

You can purchase raffle tickets for University of Maine winter athletic events and a shirt and stick autographed by the UMaine men’s hockey team, and you get to enjoy free pizza.

Judy Sullivan, donor representative of the center, reminds you that “the holiday weeks are an extremely challenging time for blood collections,” since we are all so busy with family, friends and holiday travel.

That is why those who can are asked “to come forward and help us make sure we have an adequate blood supply for those in need,” she stressed.

For more information about donating blood, call the center at 941-2900.

The Hampden Academy Music Association and local rock bands invite students of all ages to the Rock Extravaganza Benefit Concert 5-9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, at Hampden Academy.

Hail Caesar, Burning Valhala, Third Floor View, Almost Home and special guest, HEADSTART, will entertain you for just $7 per person.

Tickets are available at the door and doors open just before 5 p.m.

Young people are urged to attend and support HAMA and local rock bands.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.