Religion briefs

American Orthodox Church

Herb Ham, an authority on the American Orthodox Church, will discuss the historical development of the New Testament and the New Testament Church at 2 p.m. Oct. 4 in Washburn Room B in the Memorial Union at Washburn University in Topeka.

His talk, “Did the Bible Fall from Heaven?” is open to the public.

Ham is administrator of St. Elijah’s Antiochian Orthodox Church in Oklahoma City. He is a professor of history at the University of Central Oklahoma and also teaches catechumen and theological courses at St. Elijah’s.

He is also the co-author of “The American Orthodox Church: A History of its Beginnings.”

The event is sponsored by the Orthodox Christian Fellowship of Topeka, a registered student organization at Washburn.

For more information, call (785) 235-3298.

Calvary Temple Assembly of God

Sunday is the last opportunity for members of Calvary Temple Assembly of God, 606 W. 29th St. Terrace, to celebrate their heritage this month.

Members are encouraged to wear clothing that represents their cultural heritage, or to bring items for display.

A potluck supper will be at 6:30 p.m. Sunday in the fellowship hall.

Clinton Parkway Assembly of God

The Rev. Steve Swanson of Chi Alpha College Ministries will share his vision for the ministry at the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship services at Clinton Parkway Assembly of God, 3200 Clinton Parkway.

Youth discipleship class, led by the Rev. Luke Weese and the youth sponsors, will be at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

An exercise class for those with Parkinson’s Disease and their caregivers is held at 1 p.m. Wednesdays in the activity center. It is free and open to the public.

For more information, call the church at 843-7189.

Corpus Christi Catholic Church

The Corpus Christi Council of the Knights of Columbus will serve breakfast after the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses on the third Sunday of each month at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 6001 W. 15th St.

The menu will include pancakes, sausage, biscuits and gravy, coffee, orange juice and milk.

A suggested donation of $5 per person is requested. This week’s proceeds will go to support a youth club trip and the church’s seminarian.

First Baptist Church

College Sunday will be during the 10:45 a.m. Sunday worship service at First Baptist Church, 1330 Kasold Drive.

The church’s college students will use their gifts of service to lead and guide the congregation during worship. Theme of the service will be “Servant Leadership.”

Special music will include the church’s college bell group, the Rock Chalk Ringers.

First Christian Church

Thin Within, a new weight-loss support group, meets from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays in Room 317 at First Christian Church, 1000 Ky. For more information, call Trisha Johnson at 832-9330.

Women’s Bible study, “The Power of a Praying Wife,” meets from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays in the Prayer Room. For more information, call Gretchen Reed at 542-2105.

The church is offering its Divorce Care program for the sixth year. It is a special, weekly seminar and support group for people who are separated or divorced.

A Divorce Care group begins Sunday. It will meet from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sundays in Room 322. Childcare can be provided, if arranged in advance.

For more information, call the church office at 843-0679.

Pie with the Pastor will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday in the fellowship hall. This is an opportunity for visitors and new members of First Christian Church to learn more about the congregation.

First Church of the Nazarene

The third annual Classic Car and Hot Rod Show and Swap Meet will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 4 at Lawrence First Church of the Nazarene, 1470 N. 1000 Road.

The event is in conjunction with the church’s third annual homemade chicken-and-noodle dinner, which will be from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The events are open to the public.

Trophies will be given during the car show in the following categories: best in show, under 30, stock, people’s choice, getting started, custom, import sport and best paint.

For more information, call 843-3940.

First Presbyterian Church

A rummage sale will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 4 at First Presbyterian Church, 3415 Clinton Parkway.

Items will include: clothing for all ages, toys, shoes, books, craft items, sewing supplies, electronics, home decor, household items and small appliances.

A half-price sale will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 4. A bag sale will follow at 11 a.m.

Proceeds will benefit Presbyterian Women mission projects.

First United Methodist Church

The 300th birthday of John Wesley will be celebrated during all three Sunday worship services at First United Methodist Church, 946 Vt.

Worship will feature special hymns, anthems and readings with the chancel choir singing in each service. Readings will focus on the spiritual emphasis of Wesley and the United Methodist Church: grace, faith, love and holiness of heart and life.

The annual Roundup for Hunger Kits for Christ and the Trinity Food Pantry Drive begin this week. Bring food donations to the gathering area of the church. Lists of supplies needed for the kits are available at the information desk.

A new class, Living with Loss, begins at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the old library. Neva Merriman will facilitate this group, which is designed for those who are grieving the death of a loved one.

The health ministries council is sponsoring the administering of flu shots Oct. 5 for $20. Shots will be given outside Room 203.

For more information, call 841-7500.

Indian Hills Church of God

Indian Hills Church of God, Louisiana and 29th St. Terrace, will celebrate its 30th anniversary Oct. 4-5. The theme of the celebration is “Pressing Toward the Future.”

On Oct. 4, there will be an open house from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and contemporary worship time at 6:30 p.m.

A film, “Heaven to Earth,” a history of the Church of God movement, will be shown at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 5. There will also be a “Sonshine & Company” puppet show for children.

The Rev. Peter Smith will be guest speaker at the 10:45 a.m. Oct. 5 worship service. A potluck dinner will follow.

A service of praise and worship will be at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 5, followed by a candlelight service based on the theme “Pressing Toward Our Future.” The Rev. Bill Kimbel will speak.

Ninth Street Baptist Church

A program on Christian commitment will be at 8 a.m. today at Ninth Street Baptist Church’s Christian Outreach Center, 901 Tenn.

A program on Christian singleness will be at 5 p.m. today at the church.

Guest facilitator is the Rev. Manuel Scott, Jr., of Los Angeles.

Plymouth Congregational Church

An inaugural evening of song and praise will be from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vt. Casual attire encouraged.

Plymouth Church will be host to the fall meeting of the Eastern Association of the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference Sunday afternoon.

Classical guitarist Robert Bluestone will be the guest musician at the Gathering of Grace service at 11:15 a.m. Oct. 5.

Redeemer Lutheran Church

The youth group of Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2700 Lawrence Ave., will meet for a cookout at 5:30 p.m. today at Amanda Fredrickson’s house.

The seniors group will meet at 5:30 p.m. today.

During the Berean Christian Study Hour at 9:45 a.m. Sunday, Barbara LeClerq will speak about her experiences from her recent Lutheran Hour Mission trip to Israel.

St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church

Parishioner nurses and physicians will conduct a free blood pressure screening after weekend Masses in the church hall of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1234 Ky.

The annual blessing for pets, in observance of the Feast of St. Francis, patron of animals, will be at 3:30 p.m. Friday on the grassy area south of the St. John school building.

The 8 a.m. Oct. 4 liturgy will be in honor of St. Francis.

St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church

The annual progressive dinner of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 5700 W. Sixth St., will be today.

The church’s children will lead a special presentation on the theme “God Feeds Us” at the 9 a.m. Sunday service, open the 10:45 a.m. service with song and movement and welcome volunteer firefighters at the 5:30 p.m. service. Junior and senior high school groups start their new program after the 5:30 p.m. service.

St. Theresa Catholic Church

St. Theresa Catholic Church of Perry will hold its annual bazaar Oct. 5.

A dinner of turkey and ham will be served from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Adult meals cost $6, and children’s meals are $3. Carryout dinners are available. The event will feature a silent auction, fancy work, baked goods, a cake walk, bingo and children’s games.

Raffle tickets to win a television, quilt, barbecue grill and cash prizes will be sold. A verbal auction and the raffle drawing will be at 3:30 p.m.

Trinity Episcopal Church

Receptions will be after the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday services to celebrate the first anniversary of the Rev. Jonathon Jensen at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1011 Vt.

A three-part series on feminist theology begins from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 4 in the chapel at 1027 Vt.

It will be led by the Rev. Judy Long O’Neal, pastor of Centenary United Methodist Church. The series is sponsored by the interfaith ministry, Martha & Mary’s Way.

The series will continue Oct. 11 and 18. Call 843-6166 to register.

Unitarian Fellowship of Lawrence

Steve Jansen will present a program, “More on the History of Unitarians in Early Lawrence,” from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Fellowship of Lawrence, 1263 N. 1100 Road.

Lawrence Unitarians will bring together a group of teachers, students and parents of students from the former Pleasant Valley School at 6 p.m. Oct. 5 to share the history of the fellowship’s building.

The event will feature speakers, a question-and-answer session, dessert and informal discussion. Speakers will be Ted Kennedy, Martha Parker, Charlene Winter and Tensie Oldfather.

Others who are part of the Pleasant Valley School history are welcome to attend.

West Side Presbyterian Church

The annual congregational meeting for election of elders and deacons for 2004, and approval of next year’s proposed budget, will be after a noon potluck lunch Sunday at West Side Presbyterian Church, 1204 Kasold Drive.

Following the congregational meeting, the 2003 stewardship campaign committee will outline plans for this year’s theme of “Ready to Share.”

Group meetings are scheduled for Nov. 9-10 and 12, with pledges to be dedicated at worship services Nov. 23.