Briefly

Vincentian Marian Youth event to be held Sept. 9

The next Vincentian Marian Youth Encounter will feature the annual outdoor Mass at the grotto and fall hayride Sept. 9. Praise and worship music will start the night off with music starting at 5:45 p.m. at the grotto. Following Mass, the youths will load the hay wagons for a ride through downtown Perryville, Mo., with food and fun. Vincentian Marian Youth events are geared toward teens and young adults, but all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend. Bring a blanket or chair.

Old McKendree Day set for Sept. 23

Old McKendree Day will be celebrated at 3 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Old McKendree chapel east of Jackson on Bainbridge Road. The guest preacher will be the Rev. Dr. David Kerr of Salem-in-Ladue United Methodist Church in St. Louis. Kerr grew up in Kennett, Mo. Before becoming pastor at Salem-in-Ladue he served at the General Board of Discipleship in the area of preaching and evangelism ministries. Bring chairs for this service.

First Baptist Church has new sermon series

The first sermon in the new Sermon series, "RE," from Pastor Mike Shupert will be heard Sunday at the First Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau and will be called 'Recalibrate [your life]' Matthew 11:28-30. College Bible study with Tyler Tankersley will be at 6:30 p.m. Sept 8. The church office will be closed Labor Day.

New study group begins at St. Paul UMC

St. Paul United Methodist Church in Commerce, Mo., is starting a new study group to compare and contrast Christianity with five other world religions. It will be an interactive class beginning Sunday, and will be held every Sunday after 9 a.m. worship, beginning around 10:20 a.m. Everyone is welcome at worship as well as the study group. Participants are not required to attend every session; the sessions will last throughout the fall. The curriculum, "Christianity and World Religions: Wrestling with Questions People Ask," is written by renowned author and pastor Adam Hamilton. This study group is open to anyone interested in learning about the differences and diversity in the world, looking closely at Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism and Christianity. It will be an interactive class, employing video resources. Hamilton was named the Distinguished Evangelist of the United Methodist Church.

Bethany Baptist plans annual family days

As part of Bethany Baptist church's Annual Family Days celebration, Bethany Baptist has announced Robert Ellison will participate in the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. worship services Sept. 9. Retired from the U.S. Air Force, where he was superintendent and vocalist for the Air Force Band, Robert appeared as guest soloist with the St. Louis Symphony, the Bob Coleman Legacy Band, Pittsburgh Symphony and has sung productions of "Showboat," "Two Gentlemen of Verona" and "Godspell." Charlotte Hart will join Robert for the praise concert. Family Days begins Sept. 8 and will include games for children, a horseshoe-throwing contest, Cape Girardeau's DARE car, a Cape Girardeau fire engine, food, fellowship, relaxation and inspiration for all ages.

Centenary offers course in planning finances

Financial Peace University (FPU), the 13-week program taught by Dave Ramsey, is beginning at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 10 in Cape Girardeau at Centenary United Methodist Church. Contact Kim Swartz at 334-8206 or 2gracelyn@charter.net for more information or to register. This program teaches families and individuals how to handle money through common-sense principles and small group accountability. FPU is available for churches, companies, military bases, financial literacy programs, Spanish-speaking organizations and community groups. After each lesson the group meets to help each other plan budgets, discuss successes and temptations, and help each other beat debt and build wealth. Dave Ramsey is a personal money management expert, a national radio personality and author of "The Total Money Makeover."

Calendar

Today

St. Padre Pio Franciscan Fraternity will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the pastoral care conference room at Saint Francis Medical Center.

Gospel singing at 7 p.m. at Shiloh Baptist Church at Villa Ridge, Ill. featuring the Gloryroad Travelers of Mounds, Ill.

Sunday

First Presbyterian Church of Cape Girardeau will begin its winter schedule: Church school at 9:30 a.m. followed by coffee in the parlor; morning worship at 10:45 a.m.

Thursday

Healing prayer at the Prayer Room of the Heartland, 7 to 9 p.m., 1923 N. Kingshighway.

-- From staff reports

Please submit items for church briefs and calendar by noon Thursday preceding Saturday publication.