“Have you ever misplaced your phone — which is on vibrate of course — and then asked someone to call it? We get really still and really quiet. Our ears perk up in all directions in order to be ready to hear that little buzz. It is a quieting down and high alert all at the same time.”

With those words, Rev. Peter Ilgenfritz introduced the focus of the seven sermons he has planned for the Lenten period at the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor. He explained, “This Lent we will quiet things down and heighten our attention to the ‘still, small voice’ of God and our own True Self. Listening through prayer, as well as meditation on holy texts, is an ancient Lenten practice.”

Rev. Peter invites everyone to “come and rest, come and listen.” Services begin at 10 on Sunday mornings and last about one hour, after which all are welcomed for light refreshments and conversation in the church’s Fellowship Hall.

March 1 Holy Communion:"Finding Your Life: Listening Deeply" Luke 1: 9-15

March 8: "Finding Your Breath: Listening to Our Bodies" Romans 8: 26-30: 38-39

March 15: "Finding a Word: Listening to the Texts" Proverbs 1: 20-23

March 22: One Great Hour of Sharing "Finding Your Power: Listening for Healing" Mark 5: 24-34

March 29: "Finding Your Mystic: Listening Beyond the Voices" Romans 12: 2-12

April 5: Palm Sunday Holy Communion "Finding Your Purpose: Listening to Your Heart" Matthew 26: 36-46

The seventh sermon of the series will be presented on Maundy Thursday, April 9. Its title is “Hearing the Still, Small Voice: Finding Your Own,” and the biblical reference is John 17-19. The schedule and venues for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter services will be announced in a subsequent issue of the Register.