Friday, December 14, 2012

Christmas Services 2012














Christmas Eve service is at 7PM. This will be a family service with an extended children's sermon. There will also be a quieter, Christmas morning service at 9AM. 

Come celebrate our Lord's birth at St. Ansgar.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Benefit Concert to End Malaria Sat, 12/15 7PM


Christmas Recital
to benefit the


featuring
Heather Connolly, soprano
As Seen on Good Day Maine
Saturday, December 15
7:00 PM



Come and enjoy the music of the season as Heather performs some of our favorite Christmas compositions.

Heather Connolly is a young coloratura soprano who is rapidly claiming her place among the most important emerging singers of our day. A gifted singer and actress, Ms. Connolly is internationally recognized for her work in opera, concert and recital.

A freewill offering to benefit the ELCA Malaria Campaign will be taken during the concert.

Joint Children's Christmas Pageant Sun, 12/16











Our Children's Christmas Pageant features the children of St. Ansgar and of the Sudanese congregation that worships here on Sunday afternoons. A simple nativity play, traditional Christmas carols, and a hot dog and birthday cake lunch after service. This is always one of the most cherished Sundays of the year. Don't miss it.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Thinking About Getting Married at St. Ansgar?

 

As a Reconciling in Christ congregation of the ELCA, we welcome and celebrate weddings of heterosexual and same-gender couples. The wedding requirements, preparation, and celebration (with or without Eucharist) are essentially the same for everyone.

The pastor at St. Ansgar would be honored to witness your marriage on behalf of the church and the State of Maine. To plan a wedding at St. Ansgar, please contact Pastor Maria Anderson at prmaria@saintansgar.org.

St. Lucia Festival on Sun, 12/9 at 4PM










 

This year St. Ansgar will hold its St. Lucia Festival on Sunday, December 9th at 4PM.The event is free and open to the public.

What is the St. Lucia Festival? It is a Swedish Christian tradition that dates from the 14th century. According to the old Julian calendar, December 13th was the longest night of the year, and thus marked the first step toward spring, with its promise of light and sunshine. It is on this date that the people of Sweden celebrate the Lucia Festival. Christian legend has it that the Romans betrayed Lucia. Later, Vikings impressed by her faith, are said to have brought her legend to Scandinavia from Sicily, where she is the patron saint of fishermen.

Every year at Saint Ansgar, the St. Lucia legend is told. Authentic Swedish carols are sung, a young woman from the congregation is crowned the "Queen of Light, " and traditional Scandinavian refreshments are served. Come and enjoy one of our favorite Christmas traditions.