Briefly

Saint Francis to celebrate feast day

To raise the awareness of social justice in the community and to honor the life of St. Francis of Assisi, Saint Francis Medical Center will again host the Feast Day of St. Francis on Sunday at the Saint Francis Conference Center on the Medical Center campus from 1 to 5 p.m. All are welcome at this free event, and refreshments will be served. The Notre Dame Regional High School Concert Choir will perform before and during Mass, which begins at 1:30 p.m. At 3 p.m., the guest speakers will begin their addresses. This year will feature Jason Grubbs, student minister from Minor Baptist Church in Sikeston, Mo.; the Rev. Grant F.C. Gillard from First Presbyterian Church in Jackson; and Sister M. Jessica Swedzinski of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary in Madison, Wis. The Rev. Thomas Kiefer will be chief celebrant, the Rev. Patrick Nwokoye will perform the homily and Monsignor Richard Rowling will give the closing prayer. For any questions or to confirm attendance, please Carol McCarty at 331-5146.

Activities planned at First Baptist in Cape

First Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau is beginning a new sermon series from Pastor Mike Shupert titled "Stories [what[']s yours?]." This week's sermon is "Brush with Greatness," Mark 6:1-6. Wednesday activities planned for 6:15 p.m. are: Adult Bible Study: The Book of Luke with Dr. Ron Winstead; Youth Bible Study with Tyler Tankersley; "Kid's Club" for children in kindergarten through sixth grade with Whitney Thomason; and "Parenting Video Study" with Mike and Brenda Shupert. Call 335-6006 to register. The church office will be closed Monday for Columbus Day.

Harmony Church to hold Old Fashion Day Oct. 14

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Harmony Church will have an "Old Fashion Day" Oct. 14, with Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. and worship service at 10:30 a.m. Guest speaker will be Ed Fenton of Marthaville, La. A covered-dish dinner, horse rides and afternoon games for children will follow the morning services. There will be no evening service. Harmony Church is six miles east of Marble Hill on Highway 34. Everyone is welcome.

Gospel gathering to be held in Jackson

The choir of Jackson First General Baptist Church, 1506 S. Farmington Road in Jackson, invites the public to a "Gospel gathering" beginning at 4 p.m. Oct. 14. with an all-you-can-eat ham and bean dinner in the fellowship hall, followed by a singing at 6 p.m. Proceeds from the the dinner will benefit the Churches Harvest Day offering. Children younger than 5 will be given free hot dogs.

Harmony Church in revival this month

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Harmony Church will be in revival Oct. 15 through 17 with guest speaker Ed Fenton of Marthaville, La. Services will begin each night at 7 p.m. Harmony is six miles east of Marble Hill on Highway 34. Everyone is welcome.

Christian Women's Luncheon set for Monday

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Christian Women will meet for lunch at 11:30 a.m. Monday at Sikeston First Family, 416 Greer St. in Sikeston. The guest speaker will be Pam Ellis of Marble Hill, Mo. Ellis is a Bible teacher and has a healing ministry. Lunch will be catered by Trisha's; contact Cathy Cullins at 573-471-5817 for lunch reservations. Contact Mary Myers at 573-471-7966 for more information about CWL and the ministry of World View Awareness. Visit online at www.farmersruralrestoration.com.

Gospel group to sing at Bloomfield church

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- The Lesters of St. Louis will perform at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at the First General Baptist Church, 501 Christian Drive in Bloomfield.

'Spiritual Makeover' theme for Ladies' Day

Tiffany Gaines will be the featured speaker for Ladies' Day at Cape Church of Christ, 328 S. West End Blvd., from 8:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Oct. 27. The theme is "A Spiritual Makeover." Make reservations by calling 335-7336.

VMA Youth Encounter to be held Oct. 14

The next Vincentian Marian Youth Encounter will be at 6 p.m., Oct. 14 beginning with a five-minute Faith Alive, followed by a Mass featuring contemporary Christian music. The Rev. Milton Ryan, new associate pastor at St. Vincent de Paul in Perryville, Mo., will celebrate Mass. Food and fellowship will follow at the church in Perryville.

Apologetix will play concert in Fruitland

Apologetix will add a concert venue to its list of fall concerts. The Christian parody band will be performing live at Wesley United Methodist Church of Fruitland on Friday. The concert will begin at 8 p.m., and the doors will open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.apologetix.com or at the church Web site, www.wesleyumcfruitland.com. Wesley United Methodist Church is off Highway 177 at 142 Carnation Lane. Call Kim Mitchell at 243-2811 for more information.

Calendar

Today

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

Sunday

Thirtieth annual homecoming of Trinity Methodist Church and Cemetery Association, "The Little German Church," on the church grounds three miles west of Delta, 2 to 4 p.m.

Homecoming at Randles General Baptist Church, 10:30 a.m., with music by Janie Brown and the Chestnut Mountain Gang.

Homecoming at Unity Baptist Church in Unity, Ill. Potluck at noon; singing at 1 p.m. featuring the Gloryroad Travelers.

Cuban dinner at noon at First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau, sponsored by the three Presbyterian churches of Cape and Jackson, to support Good Shepherd Reformed Church in Matanzas, Cuba.

The Jerry Ford Ensemble will perform sacred and spiritual music during evening worship at First Baptist Church in Charleston, Mo., 6 p.m.

Monday

Christian Women's Club will meet at 11 a.m. at the Elks Lodge in Cape Girardeau. Call 243-2548 to reserve lunch.

-- From staff reports

Please submit items for briefs and calendar by noon Thursday for publication the following Saturday.