Churches to mark start of Advent

Christians around the world will mark the beginning of the Advent season this weekend. Celebrated the four Sundays before Christmas Day, Advent anticipates Jesus Christ’s birth as well as his Second Coming.

The following events are scheduled:

. The annual Advent Service of Lessons and Carols will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 225 French St., Bangor. The Advent tea will be held after the service.

The service is a candlelight celebration adapted from the century-old tradition established at King’s College in Cambridge, England. That service is broadcast worldwide including over the Maine Public Radio Network.

The service includes readings from the Old and New Testaments, traditional Anglican prayers and responses, and congregational carols related to the Advent season and the birth of Jesus.

The St. John’s Parish Choir, directed by Travis LaCombe, will perform at the service.

For information, call 947-0156.

. During the Advent season, “Christmas from the Backside” will be offered at Belfast United Methodist Church, 23 Mill Lane, beginning Sunday.

The study program, written by J. Ellsworth Kalas, is designed to open up new insights into the familiar story by entering it through the eyes of a minor or unsympathetic character. The study materials include contemporary illustrations and personal experiences.

Kalas, a professor of preaching at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky., is a popular author, speaker and preacher.

The three-part series will be held at 9 a.m., during adult Sunday school on Dec. 2, 9 and 16. It also will be held at 10:30 a.m. Mondays, Dec. 3, 10 and 17. There is a $10 fee for materials.

For information, call 338-5575.

. Advent will mark a change in the times and dates of services at Our Lady of the Snows and St. Agnes Catholic parishes.

Masses will be at 4 p.m. Saturdays at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Dover-Foxcroft and at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Pittsfield. Mass will be celebrated at 6 p.m. Saturdays at St. Anne Catholic Church in Dexter.

Sunday Masses will be celebrated at 8:30 a.m. at St. Agnes’ in Pittsfield, at 9 a.m. at St. Thomas’ in Dover-Foxcroft and at 11 a.m. at Sts. Francis and Paul Catholic Church in Milo.

For more information, call 564-2842 or visit the Web site at www.ourladayofthe

snowsme.org.

. The Hanging of the Greens worship service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at Frankfort Congregational Church on Route 1 in the village.

The service will explore and explain what Advent symbols mean and include Scripture and seasonal songs. Refreshments will be served after the service.

For information, call 223-5762.

. The annual Living Christmas Tree concerts will be held at these times and dates at Thomaston Baptist Church, 212 Main St.: 4 p.m. Saturday; 6 p.m. Sunday; and 7 p.m. Monday.

The ecumenical choir, under the direction of Robert Wyllie, is made up of more than 40 voices. This Advent, it will perform “The Heart of Christmas,” a cantata by Mike Speck.

Child care will be provided.

For information, call 354-6706.