Centenary United Methodist Church

The Rev. Judy Long O’Neal will begin a six-part sermon series Sunday titled “Honestly, Would You Have Followed Him?” at Centenary United Methodist Church, 245 N. Fourth St.

The first in the series is “Out of Place and Time.” These six sermons will be delivered Sunday; Aug. 15, 22, 29; and Sept. 5 and 12.

O’Neal’s series stems from her interest in authentic interfaith dialogue and consequent challenge to search for the person Jesus, the first-century Jewish rabbi. The series will reflect works and perspectives of Marcus Borg, Hans Kung, Amy-Jill Levine and other New Testament scholars.

During August, worship at Centenary begins at 10 a.m. Sunday. Beginning Sept. 5, worship starts at 10:50 a.m. Sunday.

For more information, contact the church at 843-1756.

Evangelism

Evangelist Melvin Shorter Jr., of Tulsa, Okla., will teach and preach the word of God at 7 p.m. today and Sunday in the Naismith “A” ballroom at Marriott SpringHill Suites, 1 Riverfront Plaza, Sixth and New Hampshire streets.

First Presbyterian Church

The Rev. Raymond J. Fancher, interim pastor at First Presbyterian Church, 2415 Clinton Parkway, will give a sermon about leadership at both Sunday worship services. The congregation will also celebrate the ordination of two elders in the church.

First Presbyterian will be “Celebrating Our Story” in a variety of ways during 9 a.m. Sunday school hour Aug. 15, 22 and 29. Congregation will look at the church’s history and how it has connected with Kansas University and the Lawrence community.

Worship is at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Fellowship is at 10 a.m. Sunday.

First United Methodist Church

First United Methodist Church will have “Worship on Wednesday” from 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the church’s west campus at the southwest corner of the junction of U.S. Highway 40 and Kansas Highway 10.

This is an informal time of worship in an outdoor setting. Bring insect repellent and a lawn chair.

Lawrence Evangelical Friends Church

Lawrence Evangelical Friends Church, 1601 N.H., is raising money for an elevator.

The church will have a meatloaf dinner at 5:30 p.m. today. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for children. There will also be a crafts sale, and the Rev. Cloyce and Patsy Thornton will give a concert at 7 p.m.

Patsy Thornton plays the keyboard. Cloyce Thornton plays steel guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, banjo, violin, trumpet and harmonica.

The community is welcome to attend the dinner, craft sale and concert.

Lawrence Wesleyan Church

Jesse Ryals, a summer intern from Houghton College in Houghton, N.Y., will deliver a message on “Dry Bones” from Ezekiel 37 in the 8:30 a.m. Sunday service at Lawrence Wesleyan Church, 3705 Clinton Parkway.

Children of the Lawrence community who attend “SonGames 2004” vacation Bible school will give a special performance during the 10:45 a.m.. Sunday service.

For more information, call the church at 841-5446.

Redeemer Lutheran Church

Lay minister Gary Niehoff will preach at 9 a.m. Sunday at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2700 Lawrence Ave.

Bible class and Sunday school begin at 10:15 a.m.

The sewing group meets at 1 p.m. Wednesday to continue working on quilts for Lutheran World Relief.

For more information, call the church at 843-8181.

St. James AME Church

“Coming Back Together in the Name of Jesus” is the theme of the 139th anniversary celebration of St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church, Seventh and Elm streets.

The Rev. Verdell Taylor, pastor of St. Luke AME Church, 900 N.Y., will bring the message during the 3:30 p.m. Sunday program. Members, friends and guests are asked to wear attire from the 1860s era.

There will be a fish-fry fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 14 at St. James AME Church. Meal will feature a fish filet, spaghetti, coleslaw and a dessert. Dinners will cost $7. Meals will be available for dine in, carryout and delivery.

Pastor and First Lady Appreciation Day will be Aug. 29. The 11 a.m. worship service will pay tribute to first lady Cynthia Gray, who is president of the Pearl S. Gray Women’s Missionary Society.

The 3:30 p.m. worship service that day will celebrate four years of ministry by the Rev. Gregory R. Gray, pastor of St. James. The Rev. Edward Walzer of New Bethel AME Church of Kansas City, Kan., will bring the message.

St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church

Special clips from the movie “Toy Story” will accompany a sermon by the Rev. Darrel Proffitt on the topic “You Are Important Because You Belong to God” at the 7:45 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sunday worship services at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 5700 W. Sixth St.

Children who attended the church’s vacation Bible school, “Construction Inc.,” will have a special presentation of “Kids Under Construction” at the 9 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sunday services at the church.

For more information, contact the church at 865-5777.

Trinity Episcopal Church

A.J. Madl, son of Maley and John Wilkins, will present the adult forum at 9:30 a.m. Sunday in the parish hall of Trinity Episcopal Church, 1011 Vt.

He recently returned from Africa, where he worked with Trinity Episcopal’s former youth director Zane Wilemon on the Kenya Project.

The Rev. Jonathon Jensen will preach and celebrate at both Sunday worship services. Soprano Lynda Canaday will be the soloist at the 10:30 a.m. service. She will sing “Laudate Dominum” by Mozart.

For more details, call the church at 843-6166.

Trinity Lutheran Church

A benefit garage sale will be from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 14 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1245 N.H.

Proceeds from the sale will go to the Strategic Learning Center, a low- or no-cost tutoring site at the church, as well as various outreach children’s projects in the church and community.

A communion coffee will be at 10 a.m. Monday in the chapel. People who need a ride to the service should call the church office at 843-4150.

Women’s book study continues at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the parsonage. Participants will look at the Rev. Rick Warren’s book, “The Purpose Driven Life.”

Trinity Lutheran youth will gather Aug. 14 for the “Big Gig ’04” at Clinton Lake. Senior high youth will also have a “Hang Out Night” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church. For more information, contact youth directors Adam Boxberger and D.J. Whetter at the church.

Sewing/work day will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, with a potluck meal served at noon. Women of the church will work on quilts, which are sent overseas through Lutheran World Relief.

Unitarian Fellowship of Lawrence

The Unitarian Fellowship of Lawrence, 1263 N. 1100 Road, will have a fellowship walk and brunch starting at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 15 at the Kansas River bridges.

For more information, call the fellowship at 842-3339.

West Side Presbyterian Church

“Blurred Vision” will be the sermon topic Sunday given by the Rev. Bill Woodard, new senior pastor of West Side Presbyterian Church, 1024 Kasold Drive.

Children’s choir will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Bell choir will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Thursday is the church’s turn to serve at the Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen.

Volunteers are asked to contact Bernita Perry or Marci Stanwix if they can supply ice-cream freezers, cakes, cookies or toppings for the ice-cream social at 4 p.m. Aug. 22. The event is being planned to officially welcome Bill and Claudia Woodard.