Central United Methodist Church

Central United Methodist Church, 1501 Mass., will begin offering “The Alternative,” a contemporary worship service, at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. The new service will feature upbeat, contemporary music and messages relevant to young people.

Gen-Xer’s is a young adult group that meets at 9 p.m. Wednesdays at the church. Participants explore the places in which faith and everyday problems intersect. For more information, call Brian at 865-5477.

Safe Landing is an eight-week divorce recovery group that will begin meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 20 at the church. For more information, call Kevin at 843-7066.

Corpus Christi Catholic Church

Coffee and doughnuts will be available after both Sunday Masses at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 6001 W. 15th St.

Free blood pressure checks will also be available after both Masses.

First Christian Church

The DivorceCare Ministry of First Christian Church, 1000 Ky., is offering an educational session on the effects of divorce on children and strategies for shared parenting.

The program provides expert information on positive single parenting, introducing children to new relationships and blending families.

The “Kids Care” presentation is free and open to the public. It includes videos and small-group discussions. It will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon Jan. 25 at the church.

Written materials will be provided, and a light lunch will be served.

Call 841-4232 by Jan. 22 for reservations.

Child care is available at a minimal cost.

First Presbyterian Church

The Rev. Emily Whitehurst, associate pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 2415 Clinton Parkway, will preach Sunday on “Remembering Our Baptism, Renewing Our Vows.”

The congregation will also celebrate the installation of its officers for the class of 2005.

New officers are: elders Linda Burton, Joan Golden, John Hughes, Bernice King, Bob Longino, Linda Watts and youth elder, Christina Dunkin; deacons Ken Beal, Carol Hester, Linda Longino, Christina Schlosser, Diana Schoneweiss and youth deacon Courtney Longino; and trustees Phil Foster, Mike Grose, Jon Heeb and Patty Schlosser.

Several new adult classes are starting.

Worship services will be held at 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, visit the church’s Web site at www.firstpreslawrence.org. or call 843-4171.

First United Methodist Church

The Senior High Youth Ministry of First United Methodist Church, 946 Vt., will join with four other churches to provide a Community Dinner for Lawrence’s downtown community.

The dinner will be from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in First United Methodist’s Fellowship Hall.

Other churches participating in the event are First Christian Church, 1000 Ky.; Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vt.; and Immanuel Lutheran Church & University Student Center, 15th and Iowa streets.

Spaghetti and meat sauce, salad, bread and dessert will be provided.

For more information, or to sign up to help, call Kent Ely at 841-7500.

A Protection of Children and Youth Training will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday in Room 203 at First Methodist.

The training, which is mandatory for anyone working with children or youth in the United Methodist Church, is for the protection of both children/youth and adults.

Anyone is eligible to attend, but a reservation is needed. Call the church office at 841-7500 to reserve a spot.

Mustard Seed Christian Fellowship

The Sisters of Mustard Seed Christian Fellowship, 700 Wakarusa Drive, will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday for a “Clutter Auction.” For more information, contact Linda Dodson at 841-4424 or Lynette Miller at 842-3652.

The Prophetic Ministry Meeting will be at 4 p.m. Sunday.

There will be a 2002 final income and expense review and 2003 budget presentation at 5 p.m. Sunday.

The Women of Titus II will meet at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Child care will be provided.

Plymouth Congregational Church

Classes for those interested in joining Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vt., will be offered from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Heritage Room. Child care will be provided. To sign up for the classes, call the church office at 843-3220.

The Revs. Peter Luckey and Lew Hinshaw will continue a series of sermons on the Ten Commandments.

Redeemer Lutheran Church

The Rev. J.W. Watson will install the officers and board members for 2003 at the 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Sunday services at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2700 Lawrence Ave.

The Redeemer Youth Group will have its annual chili feed at noon Sunday. A freewill offering will be collected to support upcoming youth activities.

St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church

Religious education classes for children and adults resume Sunday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1234 Ky. Classes will be held from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

The adult class begins a series on reform in the Catholic Church, “Our History, Our Future.”

The confirmation class meets at 6 p.m. in the parish hall and Life Teen Night in Simon Parish Center.

The Christmas season ends Sunday with evening prayer at 6:30 p.m. at the church. After the prayer, the Christmas decorations will be removed, and the church will prepare for Winter Ordinary Time.

A new inquiry series will being Monday for those interested in learning more about Catholicism. The inquiry session will be held at 7 p.m. in the living room of Simon Parish Center. For more information, call 842-9935.

Catholics who are away from the practice of their faith and want to return to church are invited to attend the ReMembering Church meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the small chapel near the church’s north entrance.

This group helps returning Catholics feel comfortable and welcome. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.

For more information, call 749-3027.

Trinity Episcopal Church

The Rev. Joe Alford from Canterbury House will be the preacher at the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday services at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1011 Vt.

The adult forum, which begins at 9:30 a.m., will be a discussion of Headquarters and other volunteer opportunities in Lawrence.

The nursery opens at 9:30 a.m. for children 3 and under. Christian education classes for all ages begin at 9:30 a.m.

Unitarian Fellowship of Lawrence

Unitarian Fellowship of Lawrence, 1263 N. 1100 Road, will hold its spiritual service from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Sunday.

Ellen Sward will present “Journey Across Tibet,” a slide lecture and commentary on a journey to Mt. Kailas and across Tibet to Lhasa, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

West Side Presbyterian Church

“What Jesus Gives Us With Baptism” will be the sermon topic of the Rev. Jay Gideon as the congregation celebrates the first week of Epiphany at the 11 a.m. Sunday worship service at West Side Presbyterian Church, 1024 Kasold Drive.

The choir will sing “Come and Sing Praises” by Chapman and Massanari as the Psalm response.

A potluck luncheon will be held after the worship service. Then the church will hold its annual meeting, part II, in which the final program and budget for 2003 will be presented and new officers elected.