As sabbath ends tonight, Jews begin one of the most joyous holidays, Purim.
Purim honors Persian Jews' salvation from Haman, who tried to kill them in 356 before the common era. The word Purim literally means "lots" because Haman chose the day to kill Jews by holding a lottery.
Purim is celebrated by reading the megillah, or the scroll of Esther, where the story is found in the Torah. Every time Haman's name is mentioned during the reading, congregants stomp their feet and use noisemakers called greggars to drown his name.
Purim starts after sundown today and continues until Monday.
List of Purim services
Congregation Beth Israel, 305 S. Main St., Andover: Megillah reading, service and celebration tonight at 6:30 p.m. Adult celebration "CBI Got Talent" cabaret night follows the family celebration. Cost is $10.
Purim carnival Sunday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with games, prizes, lunch and auction.
Etz Hayim, 1 Hood Road, Derry, N.H.: Party, featuring the telling of the Purim story, songs and food Sunday, 4 to 6 p.m.
Temple Emanuel, 7 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover: "Megillah Masquerade and Martinis," is tonight, 8 to 11 p.m. The adult celebration features music, food and martinis. The person wearing the best costume receives a gift certificate to Yella Restaurant in Andover. Family service with reading and treats for children Sunday, 10:30 a.m. Winners of the best costumes will get a gift certificate to Andover Bookstore. Participants are asked to bring a box of macaroni and cheese for the Merrimack Valley Food Bank. Purim carnival with games, face painting, prizes and food is Sunday, 1 p.m.
Temple Emanu-El, 514 Main St., Haverhill: Purim festival today at 7 p.m. Purim carnival is Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Seder service in Andover
ANDOVER — The story of the Jews' exodus from Egypt will be told from Miriam's perspective March 7, at Temple Emmanuel, 7 Haggetts Pond Road, from 4 to 8 p.m.
Rabbi Karen Landy, spiritual leader of Havurat Shalom in Andover, leads the Seder, Rhea Simon Skoler will provide musical accompaniment.
The word Passover comes from the act of being "passed over," when the plague of the death of the firstborn came into Egypt.
On the first and second nights of the festival, Jews have a Seder meal, featuring symbolic items — a roasted shank bone representing the paschal sacrifice at the temple and a roasted hard-boiled egg, commemorating a holiday offering made at the same time. There are also bitter herbs, for the bitterness of the slaves' lives; a mixture of fruit, nuts and wine called "haroset," to represent the mortar the Israelites used when making bricks for the Pharaoh's buildings; and a vegetable, such as celery or parsley, which will be dipped into salt water symbolizing the tears the slaves shed. Salt water or vinegar for dipping is placed alongside all other items.
Religion listings
Ballard Vale United, 25 Clark Road, Andover: Women Lenten Study Sundays, until March 28. Breakfast is at 8:30 a.m. with study from 9 to 10:15 a.m. The group will use the book "Food & Faith" by Wendy Whiteside. Cost, $7.
Centerpoint Community, 101 School St., Salem, N.H.: Women's Bible study on the book of Revelation is Thursdays through March 25, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The group will also watch and discuss the DVD series "The Inheritance."
Christ Church, 25 Central St., Andover: Book discussion, "The Economy of Grace," by Kathryn Tanner, Fridays during Lent, noon to 1:30 p.m.
Congregation Beth Israel, 17 Boutwell Road, Andover: Rabbi Edward Friedman leads several adult education courses: Talmud class, March 7, 9:30 to 10:20; introduction to the prayer book, 10:30 to 11:20 a.m.
Corpus Christi, 35 Essex St., Lawrence: A morning reflection with the Rev. Richard O'Brien on, "Jesus and You: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow," March 6, 9:15 to 12:15. Cost, $10. Register by Monday by calling the parish office at 978-685-1711.
First Church Congregational, 26 Pleasant St., Methuen: Lenten adult education "The Open Door, A Journey to the True Self" by Joyce Rupp, Tuesdays to March 23, 7 to 9 p.m.
Haverhill Presbyterian, Carleton St., Haverhill: Members play the roles of Peter, John, Mary Magdalene, the chief priests as well as lawyers and bailiffs during "The People v. Judas Iscariot" about the punishment phase of his trial Sundays to March 21 at 7 p.m.
Havurat Shalom, meets at Christ Church, 25 Central St., Andover: Beatles sabbath service March 5, 6 p.m.
Holy Angels of St. Luke the Evangelist, 8 Atkinson Depot Road, Plaistow, N.H.: Series on the life of St. John Marie Vianney, patron saint of all priests Thursdays until March 4, 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.
Mary Queen of Peace, 200 Lawrence St., Salem, N.H.: Liturgy of the Word for children Sundays at the 10 a.m. Mass during Lent. Penance service for members of Mary Queen of Peace and St. Joseph on Sunday, 2:30 p.m. Lenten mission: "Paying Attention to Our Talents," with the Rev. William Ibach on March 1 to 4, following the 7 p.m. Mass. Stations of the Cross and soup, Wednesdays at noon through Lent.
New Creation Healing Center, 80 Route 125, Kingston, N.H.: Dr. Mary Pearson leads a Lenten bible study titled "Get Out of That Pit!" on Tuesdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
New England Bible, 60 Chandler Road, Andover: Women's Bible study on the book of Revelation on March 25, 10 a.m. to noon. They will also watch and discuss the DVD series, "The Inheritance."
Newton Junction Baptist, 18 W. Main St., Newton Junction, N.H.: Healing service, March 14, 2 p.m.
North Parish, Academy Road, North Andover: Class for people interested in joining the Unitarian Universalist Church is March 3, 10 and 17.
Presentation of Mary, 209 Lawrence St., Methuen: Retreat based on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius and Blessed Ann Marie Rivier, begins March 1, 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. at Ste. Clair Residence.
Redeemer Lutheran, 163 E. Haverhill St., Lawrence: Lenten services March 3 and 10, 7 p.m.
Religious Society of Friends, Forest Street Union Church, 15 Forest St., Methuen: Quaker meetings is Sunday at 2 p.m. for information and directions call 978-397-6340 or visit www.lawrence-andover-quakers.org.
Rolling Ridge Conference Center, 660 Great Pond Road, North Andover: The Rev. James Todd leads interfaith Lenten service Wednesday at noon. Luncheon follows, sponsored by Communities Together.
Sacred Hearts, 165 S. Main St., Bradford: The marriage course, a Christian based program beginning March 12, 7 to 9:30 p.m., and every Friday through May 7. Cost, $20 per week.
St. Anne, 26 Emerson Ave., Hampstead, N.H.: "Disciples in Mission," Scripture study and discussion using the upcoming Sundays gospel readings, Tuesdays through March 30, 10 a.m. or 7:30 p.m. Registration, $6.
St. Augustine, 34 Essex St., Andover: Concert featuring a sample of music suitable for weddings in the Catholic church March 7, 7 p.m.
St. Christopher Episcopal, 187 East Road, Hampstead, N.H.: Bible study on the Gospel of Luke is Sundays, following the 10:15 a.m. service.
St. Kathryn, 4 Dracut Road, Hudson, N.H.: Lenten Mission titled, "Staying God-centered in a Me-centered culture." led by the Franciscan Friars of the Primitive Observance, March 8 to 10, with Mass and talk at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.
The parish is also hosting a "Confess-A-Thon" on March 6, 8, 9, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; March 7; noon to 9 p.m. and March 10, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
St. James Episcopal, 119 Washington St., Groveland: Healing service, March 14, 9:30 a.m. Celtic prayer service, March 17, 7 p.m.
St. Joseph, 33 Main St., Salem, N.H.: Lenten mission: "Paying Attention to Our Talents," with the Rev. William Ibach March 1 to 4, following the 7:15 a.m. Mass.
St. Jude, 435 Mammoth Road, Londonderry, N.H.: "A Quick Journey through the Bible," Lenten study began Feb. 23, from 7 to 9 p.m. Cost, $20.
St. Lucy, 254 Merrimack St., Methuen: "Journey" is the theme of a Lenten supper series March 12 and March 26 at 6 p.m.
St. Mark the Evangelist, 1 South Road, Londonderry, N.H.: Members of the Women of Mary lead first Saturday devotions March 6 at 7 a.m., with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Rosary. Mass is at 8 a.m., followed by a Lenten pot-luck breakfast. Jane Leonard speaks about "Lenten Practices." Scripture studies on the psalms Wednesdays through March 24, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
St. Matthew United Methodist, Main Street, Sandown, N.H.: First Monday - Sandown, a non-denominational support and prayer group for men and teenage boys meets Monday, 6:30 p.m. with a pizza buffet and dessert. Program follows with music by St. Matthew's' Praise Band, bible study and discussion.
St. Michael, 196 Main St., North Andover: Sixth-grade students host the Mass on March 7, noon. Parish mission focusing on God's love for his people and the meaning of the Mass, March 7 to 9, 7 to 9 p.m. The mission is led by singer and storyteller Vallimar Jansen and liturgical composer Tom Kendzia.
St. Robert Bellarmine, 198 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover: Lenten mission: "Paying Attention to Our Talents," with the Rev. William Ibach on March 1 to 4, following the 7 p.m. Mass.
St. Theresa, 22 Plymouth St., Methuen: Jesse Manibusan leads a Lenten evening of reflection and song Tuesday, 7 p.m. Manibusan is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and comedian. Cost, $10. Luncheon and speaker series: Mary Jo Kriz discusses stewardship March 8, noon to 2 p.m.
Temple Emanuel, 7 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover: Sabbath service for toddlers March 5, 5:30 p.m. Fourth-grade family sabbath eve service is at 7 p.m.
Temple Emanu-El, 514 Main St., Haverhill: Rabbi Louis Rieser of Etz Hayim Synagogue of Derry, N.H., speaks on his book, "The Hillel Narratives: What the Tales of the First Rabbi Can Teach Us About Judaism," today at noon.
Trinity Episcopal, 26 White St., Haverhill: The Rev. Jane Bearden discusses the 1979 Book of Common Prayer used in the episcopal church Sunday and March 21, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on the other Sundays, she discusses stories from Luke using an African bible.
Unitarian Universalist, Kenoza Avenue, Haverhill: Bible study on "The Bible: Trouble and Blessings" is a discussion on the scriptures and its relevance to contemporary issues March 2 and 16, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Introduction to the church, its history and theology by the Rev. Frank Clarkson on March 7 and 14, 9 to 10:15 a.m.
West Parish, 129 Reservation Road, Andover: Church hosts two musical concerts to support the Youth Mission Trip to the Pine Ridge Native American Reservation in South Dakota. The first concert is Sunday at 3 p.m. with Jazz artists Carolyn Wilkins and John Voigt. On March 21, Merrimack Valley Woodwind Quintet performs at 3 p.m. Video series on "The Gospel According to Rob and Laura Petrie," is March 5, 12 and 19, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Participants watch an episode from the original "Dick Van Dyke Show" followed by discussion with Bible references.
