Worship Services

Centre Street Church is a richly blessed group of progressive Christians who love God, our neighbors, and each other, and we are excited about where God is leading us.

Our Worship Planning Team, deacons, musicians, and worship speakers all work together to create worship services that are thought-provoking, Spirit filled, justice oriented, and relevant to the challenges and opportunities of the twenty-first century. Our diverse group of worship speakers are all followers of Jesus, but we come from a wide range of spiritual backgrounds and practices.

At Centre Street, as members of the priesthood of all believers, we're all called to employ our spiritual gifts in ministering to others and to participate as equals in worship, each with direct access to God. This was true of the New Testament church over two thousand years ago, and it's still true today. Instead of one pastor, we have fifty!

Upcoming services

This fall, we return to the Worship Design Studio for Come to the Table, a six-week worship series that explores and celebrates the nature and depth of communion to which Jesus calls us. Click HERE to learn more.

Oct. 6 — Join us at the Table of Grace! Jeri will share a table story, Laurel will give a synopsis of "Jesus's Final Test of Discipleship" from The False White Gospel, the Chancel Choir will sing a gorgeous anthem, and also helping with this service will be Bonnie, Ernie, Linda, Lori, and Sharon.

Oct. 13 — Come to the Table of Joy as we celebrate World Communion Sunday! We'll hear a very special choral anthem, Christina will share her table story, and Sarina will provide a synopsis of "Peacemakers, Not Conflict Makers" from The False White Gospel. Assisting with this service will be Gene, Jeri, Sarah, Betsy, and Laurel.

Oct. 20 — Our guest speaker will be Rev. Nick Davis, and Centre Street's Handbell Ensemble will play an arrangement of "Angels Watching Over Me." We'll share Holy Communion at this service, and our readers will be Maria and Gene.

Oct. 27 — Zoom Church!

Monthly schedule

On the first three Sundays of each month, worship services are held in the sanctuary and livestreamed on Zoom.

On most fourth Sundays, services are held exclusively on Zoom and the church sanctuary remains closed.

On the occasional fifth Sunday, we don't hold a formal worship service. Instead, we visit other churches, worship online, or spend time with the holy in our own individual ways.

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What to expect at a Centre Street service

Sunday services begin at 10:00.
Worship service bulletins and Zoom links are emailed to newsletter subscribers on Saturday mornings.
The sanctuary is fully accessible by elevator, with handicap parking adjacent to the building on both sides.
Our kids' corner at the back of the sanctuary is available for children.
Large-print bulletins are available at the door.
You'll find the offering plate at the back of the sanctuary, or you can contribute to our shared ministry online at Tithely.
Everyone is welcome to join in Holy Communion. Everyone means everyone.
After the service, stop by the vestry for Coffee Fellowship.
If you encounter problems on Zoom, please let our Tech Team know. They're there to help!

Speakers
To read recent messages from Centre Street's lay speakers, click on the titles below.

Laurel Robinson, a deacon, serves on Church Council and participates in the Chancel Choir and Handbell Choir. Laurel earned a Master of Arts degree in writing and editing at UNC-Greensboro and moved to Maine in 1997. A Centre Streeter since 2003, Laurel is a professional copyeditor. She and Cindy Huggins were married at Centre Street in 2014.

Cynthia Huggins leads Centre Street's music program and Worship Planning Team. A proud Southerner who grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Cindy holds degrees in music, religious studies, and English. Now retired from a career in higher education, including serving as president of UMaine Machias, Cindy has been a Centre Streeter since 2003.

Lynne Gibson lives in Machiasport and works for the Department of Health and Human Services. A Centre Streeter since 1998, she participates in the Chancel Choir, Women's Ensemble, and Handbell Choir. Currently serving as clerk, financial secretary, and Council member, Lynne is president of the Board for the Machias Area Food Pantry.

Sarina Brooks, a deacon, serves on Church Council and participates in the Chancel Choir and Women's Ensemble. She's also a Member in Discernment in the Sunrise Association and a student in the Pathways Theological Education Program. A professional therapist, Sarina is licensed as Centre Street's Director of Pastoral Care and leads the Care Team.

Ernie Atkinson is an avid bike rider and a long-time member of the Chancel Choir. Ernie moved to Maine in 1993 for an internship involving Atlantic salmon, and he's been working to restore this magnificent creature ever since. Ernie and his wife Bonnie, our church pianist, are the proud parents of two wonderful young men.

Bonnie Beiswenger, who moved to Dennysville in 2019, worked as a therapeutic recreation specialist and later a teaching assistant in special education before retiring. A volunteer for the Machias Area Food Pantry, Bonnie serves on Church Council and sings in the Chancel Choir. She also enjoys playing piano, hammered dulcimer, and guitar.

Ellen Farnsworth directs the Machias Wild Blueberry Festival, chairs the Trustees, and participates in the Chancel Choir and Handbell Choir. Ellen moved to Maine in 1976 and has worked as a Family Visitor for Maine Families for 25 years. She and husband Don enjoy spending time with their blended family of seven children and seven grandchildren.

Joyce Kryszak is a veteran journalist whose work as a public radio reporter and producer for NPR affiliate WBFO in Buffalo earned her an Edward R. Murrow Regional Award and Associated Press awards for reporting on government, social justice, cultural affairs, and the environment. She also reported for the national desk of NPR, Voice of America, and others.

Ed Mosel and wife Carol are long-time summer residents of Bog Lake in Northfield, and they've been attending Centre Street, where Ed sings in the Chancel Choir, since 1988. A retired business executive, Ed serves as treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Machias Area Food Pantry and on the Board of Reell Precision Manufacturing in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Rev. Art Nelson and Laurel, his wife, have been summer residents of Downeast Maine—and two of Centre Street's strongest supporters—for many years. Now making their home in Northbrook, Illinois, Art and Laurel grace us with their presence occasionally at worship services, thanks to the magic of Zoom. We were especially blessed to have Art as our Zoom guest preacher on April 23, 2023. To watch Art's message, "Emmaus Sightings," click HERE!

In 1945, the United Nations founded World Food Day, now celebrated annually in over 150 countries. In October of 2023, Ken Warner, co-director of the Machias Area Food Pantry, shared his perspective on the growing food insecurity in our local area and how our pantry is responding to the need. Lynne Gibson, president of the MAFP's Board of Directors, reflected on the story of Jesus feeding 5,000 people with two fish and five loaves of bread, challenging us to reconsider the words of Jesus to his disciples, "You give them something to eat." To listen to Ken and Lynne, click HERE.