Join us for Christmas Services!

St. Ansgar will celebrate Christmas with two services:

On Christmas Eve at 7:00 p.m. we will have the family Christmas service with Holy Communion.  There will be a special Christmas message for the children, along with some amazing brass, violin, organ, and vocal music. ASL for the deaf and hearing impaired will be offered at this service.


On Christmas morning, we have another communion service at 9:00 a.m. This service is much quieter than the Christmas Eve service. Some people prefer the informal and contemplative nature of this service.

On Sunday, December 29th, join us at our regular 10:00 a.m. worship time for a festival of Lessons and Carols with Holy Communion.

On Sunday, January 5th, join us once again at 10:00 a.m. for an intergenerational Christmas pageant to tell the story of our Savior's birth and the arrival of the three wise men.

Come Join us for a Special Holiday Concert!

A Holiday Concert will be held on Saturday, December 14, at 7:00 PM.  Heather Connolly and Pastor Ellen, along with some friends, will be presenting this concert at St. Ansgar Lutheran Church to benefit the Portland Community Free Clinic.

The Portland Community Free Clinic provides much needed healthcare to low income workers throughout the greater Portland area.  Serving the working poor, the Clinic cares for approximately 600 patients in 1600 encounters per year, providing health services to people who would not otherwise be able to receive sufficient healthcare.  High quality care is provided by 100 plus volunteer physicians and nurses. 

Over the past 10 months Pastor Ellen and other volunteers, have been working to create an organization that will help provide sustainable and ongoing funding for the work of the Clinic. The Friends of the Portland Community Free Clinic became an incorporated organization this past summer.  Proceeds from the Holiday Concert on December 14 will be used to provide health care for many.

Advent is here!

The season of Advent is here! This is a time to remind ourselves of the anticipated coming of the Lord while we remember his first coming at Christmas.

In addition to our regular Sunday worship for Advent, we have lots of things planned for the whole family:

The Scandinavian Weekend is on December 7 and 8. On Saturday the 7th, we will have our annual fair from 10:00 to 2:00 with traditional Scandinavian gifts and baked goods, plus our legendary haddock chowder.


On Sunday, December 8th, we will crown our St. Lucia at 4:00 p.m. The crowning is followed by a reception with lots of goodies and an opportunity to once again browse the Scandinavian marketplace for wonderful holiday gifts ideas.

On Sunday, December 15th at 10:00 a.m. worship, we will be holding our Christmas Pageant. This year, our pageant is multi-generational!

We will have two Christmas services, one at 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve (a family service), and a slightly quieter service at 9:00 a.m. on Christmas Day.

On Sunday, December 29th, we will have Lessons and Carols at 10:00 a.m.

Come and join us for worship Sundays at 10:00 AM during the school year and  9:00 AM during the summer. Following the service is Coffee and Conversation. All are invited to enjoy the fellowship and tasty treats.

During the school year our Sunday School program for children under confirmation age is incorporated into worship time. On the first Sunday of the month, the liturgy is youth focused and families are encouraged to worship together. On other Sundays families start the worship together and children are called to the front for a blessing with their teachers. Then the Sunday School leaves worship for their lessons. Children and teachers come back at the Passing of the Peace. This way children receive the liturgical message in a way that is meaningful for them and parents can worship worry free. In addition, there is a cry room where parents can still view the service while their babies and toddlers get a play break.

For information about confirmation classes, please contact Pastor Bill.
 

Holiday Evening Services:
Ash Wednesday 7PM
Joint Lenten Services Wednesdays Throughout Lent (Call church for details.)
Maundy Thursday 7PM
Good Friday 7PM
Christmas Eve Family Service 7PM

Summer Worship Schedule

St. Ansgar is now on our summer worship schedule. This Sunday and all Sundays during the summer months, worship will begin at 9:00 AM. Come out and worship in the cool of the morning, enjoy coffee and conversation, and head out for your summer Sunday plans in peace. Are you from out of town? We love visitors! Please join us.

Seafarer's Friend

This Sunday, we welcomed Rev. Loring Carpenter, Executive Director of Seafarer's Friend, a Christian mission to those who serve on ships. In conjunction with this celebration, St. Ansgar made a donation to the ministry from the proceeds of a fundraiser to hang a new ship in our sanctuary back in 2012.

Rev. Carpenter's sermon begins with his wearing a hard-hat (thus, the laughs). It ends with a presentation of the check.

A wonderful sermon on caring. Enjoy! Here is the link to the sermon: Pr. Loring's Sermon

Here is the Seafarer's Friend web link: http://www.seafarersfriend.org/

Soren

One year ago, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the Sanctuary at St. Ansgar. Soren Christensen, chair of the building committee of 1962, welcomed us into the church with the following words:

"Sisters and brothers: With gratitude for the building of St. Ansgar, we are gathered to celebrate fifty years of the worship of almighty God and the building up of the body of Christ in this place. For a half century, it has been a place for the gathering of the people of God, a place for proclaiming the gospel through word and sacrament, a place for bringing life and hope to us and to this community. Peace be to this house, and to all who enter here."




About one hour ago, Soren left this earthly existence. He spent 93 years preparing for today. As we gather in this earthly sanctuary, we believe that he now joins us in the Communion of Saints. Thanks be to God.

Today's guest preacher...

Dr. Jennifer Hockenbery Dragseth preached on the Trinity today. This was the conclusion of a wonderful weekend spent examining Soren Kierkegaard's works on the occasion of his 200th birthday.

Here is the link to the sermon podcast: Dr. Hockenbery's Sermon

Celebrate Kierkegaard's 200th Birthday with us!

Seducers 
         Thinkers
                   Believers.


May 24-26, 2013



What can Kierkegaard teach us today?
How to seduce someone, have a happy
marriage, and challenge all of our
preconceptions about our values.
Come celebrate the life and thought of the
“Father of Existentialism.”

All events are FREE.

Schedule of events:


Friday, May 24
7:00pm – The Seventh Seal
The Ingmar Bergman film set in Sweden during the Black Death.
With free popcorn!

Dr. Jennifer Hockenbery Dragseth

Saturday, May 25
10:30am – Coffee and welcome
11:00am – Presentation, Dr. Jennifer Hockenbery Dragseth
12:00pm – Lunch (RSVP to sk@saintansgar or 774-8740)
1:00pm – Panel Response and Discussion


Sunday, May 26
10:00 – Worship, Dr. Hockenbery-Dragseth, guest preacher
Attendees are invited to return for the celebration of the Eucharist.
Coffee and conversation follow in the church hall.

Tom Chittick's "Temple Talk" about the Kierkegaard celebration

Tom Chittick, retired ELCA pastor, is a member of St. Ansgar. He serves as chair of the Evangelism Committee. In this brief Talk, he describes our upcoming Kierkegaard event and talks about why you definitely do not want to miss it!

Here is the link to the talk: Tom Chittick's podcast on Kierkegaard

Easter Egg Hunt on Sat, 3/30 at 9:30 AM

St. Ansgar is planning an Easter Egg Hunt for all children elementary age and younger. There will be eggs to dye, crafts to complete, and of course, lots of eggs to hunt for! There's always plenty so bring friends. Middle school and high school age youth are encouraged to attend to help the younger ones. We'll need lots of goodies for all those plastic eggs, so feel free to leave bags of candy in the donation basket in the fellowship hall. Happy hunting everyone!

Lutheran World Relief Baskets of Promise Lenten Appeal

During the forty days of Lent, we are called to walk together with Christ and reflect on the self-giving love of his death on the Cross. As we take this extraordinary journey, we remember the "least of these" whom Christ calls us to serve. This Lent, all who are part of the St. Ansgar community are invited to join us as we collect supplies for Lutheran World Relief's Baskets of Promise Lenten Appeal. Our congregation has chosen to assembled Personal Care Kits. These supplies provide basic hygiene tools to our brothers and sisters in need around the world. Each Sunday during Lent, we will collect a different item that we will use to assemble Personal Care Kits. These kits will give people around the world tools to stay healthy in life's most challenging situations. 

Following worship on Palm Sunday, March 24th, we will provide a soup luncheon and join the Sewing Group as they show us how to assemble the kits. Here is a list of items we ask you to bring on each Sunday in Lent.  Please note that with the winter weather and busy schedules, this is a loose guideline. As long as we have items in time for Palm Sunday, your donation will be put to good use. Don't let the worry of being "off schedule" deter you from making a donation.

2/17 - Bars of Soap (4 to 5 oz, any brand in original wrapping)

2/24- Bath Towels (new, light weight, maximum 52" x 27", dark color)

3/3 - Toothbrushes (adult size in original packaging)

3/10 - Combs

3/17- Nail Clippers (metal, attached file optional)

3/24 (Palm Sunday)- Bars of Soap (4 to 5 oz, any brand in original wrapping)

Holy Week 2013

Please join us for Holy Week and Easter Sunday.

Maundy Thursday (March 28th) 
Seder (Potluck) at 5:30 PM 

The Passover Seder is the meal which God commanded the Jewish people to celebrate annually in remembrance of their release from slavery. Bring a dish to pass and join us as we experience a tradition that was so much a part of Jesus' life experience

Holy Communion Service at 7:00 PM

Good Friday (March 29th)  
Veneration of the Cross and Prayers at 7:00 PM

On the evening of this day we call "Good," be present as we journey with Jesus to the cross.  Come and discover a love that is unmeasured, a love that transforms our lives and the very world in which we live.


All of this leads up to Easter Sunday on March 31st at 10:00AM. St. Ansgar's Easter Worship is festive and joyous. Everyone is invited to ring bells and add a flower to our traditional floral cross. Also, consider beginning your morning with a breakfast served by our very own church council. Proceeds fund camperships to Calumet for St. Ansgar youth. Serving begins at 9AM. Happy Easter everyone!

Soren Kierkegaard Lenten Bible Study 4PM Sundays

Our Sunday Lenten Bible Study focused on Soren Kierkegaard will finally meet in person on this sunny Sunday afternoon at 4PM. It will continue at this same time through Lent. All St. Ansgar members and friends are invited. No previous experience with Kierkegaard is necessary.

For a fantastic introduction, check out Pastor Bill's You Tube video.

Emmaus Lutheran in Falmouth to Host Lenten Suppers and Services

Every Lent, Greater Portland area Lutherans gather on Wednesdays for a soup supper and joint service. This year Emmaus Lutheran in Falmouth is hosting. Supper begins at 6PM. Evening prayer is at 7PM. All are welcome. St. Ansgar members are asked to provide dessert for the soup supper on March 20th.

Ash Wednesday 2/13

     

St. Ansgar invites you to stop by for your ashes from 12-2PM. We are also holding a service of the Word and imposition of ashes at 7:00PM.

Bring a Friend, Make a Friend this Sunday, 2/17

This Sunday, 2/17, St. Ansgar is hosting a special luncheon honoring friendship. St. Ansgar members are encouraged to bring a friend. If you've never visited St. Ansgar, this Sunday is surely a lovely time to check us out.Bring a friend or make a friend this Sunday at St. Ansgar!

 

St. Ansgar Lutheran Church

and

Integrity Maine

Invite you to share our joy

as we celebrate

The opening of marriage to all in Maine

Brief Vespers Service

Reception to follow

Champagne, wedding cake,

Hearty hors d’oeuvres

Saturday, January 26, 2013

6:00 pm

RSVP encouraged

rebeccaburns@saintansgar.org

St. Ansgar Lutheran Church

515 Woodford Street

Portland, ME