Christmas church happenings in Lincoln

First Parish in Lincoln

The First Parish in Lincoln (FPL) will present Handel’s Messiah on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 3 p.m. in the Parish House Auditorium (14 Bedford Rd). Experience the magic of Handel’s holiday classic performed by world-class artists including Ian Watson (conductor/harpsichord), Guy Fishman, Aisslinn Nosky and more, plus the Lincoln Baroque Players and Chorus. Seating is limited and is first come, first seated; doors open at 2:30 p.m. Suggested donation is $30, but any amount is appreciated. For more information, contact Mary Briggs at maryhbriggs@gmail.com.

The FPL’s Handbell Choir will present its annual holiday concert on Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Parish House Auditorium. The concert is free and all are welcome. During the holiday season, the Handbell Choir also takes to the road. They will present the following concerts at senior living residences:

• Thursday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. — Benchmark Senior Living at Waltham Crossings, 125 Smith St., Waltham
• Thursday, Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. — Newbury Court, 100 Newbury Court, Concord

The First Parish will celebrate a Winter Solstice service marking the longest night of the year on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Parish House. This day has been celebrated in many cultures and religious traditions for centuries, and FPL’s service will incorporate elements from polytheistic and earth-based traditions and center on the themes of darkness and light.

St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Episcopal Church

From now through Christmas Eve, St. Anne’s will offer additional prayer services. Monday through Friday, Morning Prayer will be offered in the side chapel from 9:15-9:45 a.m. On Tuesdays, Contemplative Prayer will be offered in the Spiritual Room from 11:30 a.m. to noon. On Wednesdays, Silent Meditation will be held in the Spiritual Room from 5:30-6:30 p.m. On Sundays, St. Anne’s has three standard services: Holy Eucharist at 8 a.m., Holy Eucharist with Choir at 10 a.m. and Still Your Soul, a rotating series of contemporary services, at 5 p.m.

On Sunday, Dec. 18, at 5:00 p.m., St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Episcopal Church will offer Christmas Lessons and Carols. This is a festive, celebration modeled on the famous Anglican service of Nine Lessons and Carols held in King’s College, Cambridge, using traditional language, favorite congregational carols and glorious anthems sung by the choir. A festive reception will follow.

On Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24, St. Anne’s will offer three worship services: Family Holy Eucharist with Pageant at 3 p.m., and Holy Eucharist with Choir at 5:30 and 10 p.m. On Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, St. Anne’s will celebrate a service of Holy Eucharist at 9 a.m.