Help Holy Cross help others

Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kennebunk organizes a number of projects throughout the year to help those in need. On the first Saturday of the month, a free bean supper takes place from 4 to 6 p.m., including homemade desserts and live entertainment, for anyone in the community.

On Saturday, June 27, there will also be a free supper of barbecued hot dogs and hamburgers, open to all, at 5:15 p.m., immediately following the informal worship service.

Try a relaxed worship service with great, up-beat music at 4:30 p.m. There is a modern band with drums, saxophone, and keyboard, as well as projected lyrics for singable, enjoyable songs. No need to dress up if you’re coming from the beach – jeans and sandals are fine. There’s no prayer book or paper bulletin to fuss with either, as the whole service is projected. 

The annual Blueberry Festival is Aug. 8 with all of the proceeds going to world and local hunger causes. Backpacks and school supplies are donated to Caring Unlimited. Walk for the York County Shelters and provide gifts for their residents at Christmas. Hats, mittens, and socks are made or collected for shelters and the homeless. 

There are two Sunday services with full Lutheran liturgy and friendly people. The 8 a.m. service features 20th-century music accompanied by guitar and piano. For the summertime the most traditional service, with organ accompaniment, is at 9:45 a.m., before the day gets too hot, leaving plenty of time for summer fun.

Holy Cross, the only Lutheran Church in York County, welcomes all who care to strengthen their faith, whatever their background, including those with no church background at all. The church is located at the corner of Storer and Lord Streets in downtown Kennebunk, about midway between the roundabout and Main Street, with two parking lots. For more information, call the church office at 985-4803.

Green theme for 

reading program

Green at Graves is the theme of this year’s six-week summer reading program at Graves Library in Kennebunkport.

Registration begins at 9 a.m., Saturday, June 20 and continues all summer. Be an environmentalist. Be an artist. Play Bingo. Meet a forester. Cook outdoors. Be a scientist.

Challenge reading skills, have fun and make a difference in the community. All ages are invited to participate. For more information, call Graves Library at 967-2778.

Treasure Island: Everybody’s reading it this summer

In July, the Kennebunk Free Library is running a “One Book, One Community” program. During that time, the library will attempt to bring the community together through the power of literature by encouraging everyone in the area to participate in a month-long celebration and exploration of Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island.”

The library seeks local businesses and organizations interested in taking part in the festivities in any number of ways such as sponsoring or hosting a discussion group for employees or developing themed dishes or drinks. Simply advertising the program to employees and customers would also be appreciated. The kick-off event for the Community Read takes place at 6:30 p.m., June 25. Colin Woodard, author of “The Republic of Pirates” and “The Lobster Coast,” will speak at the library. Other activities, including book discussion groups, a movie series and an evening with Bob Webb, a musician who specializes in sea shanties, will follow throughout the month of July.

For more information about this program or any others, call 985-2173.

Community Harvest dinner

Community Harvest is a small, local non-profit organization based in Kennebunk with the mission to meet the needs of neighbors through food, fellowship and financial assistance. One of the ways the organization does this is through Harvest Cafe, a monthly complimentary dinner for the community on the third Thursday of the month at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kennebunk. Organizers remind local folks that they are always welcome at Harvest Cafe to eat and socialize. The next Harvest dinner is at 5:30 p.m., June 18.