Briefly

Churches get ready for vacation Bible schools

• Trinity Assembly of God, on Highway 3 in Olive Branch, Ill., will host its annual vacation Bible school from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. This year's theme is "Power Lab — Discovering Jesus' Miraculous Power." All area children from kindergarten age through sixth grade are welcome to attend. For more information, call 618-776-5677. Bus transportation will be available.
• Vacation Bible school will be from 6 to 8:15 p.m. July 20 through 24 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1820 Perryville Road. The theme is "God's Big Backyard," and the focus is service — ways to serve family, friends, neighbors, community and Jesus. The evening will include Bible study time, crafts, games, snacks and singing. Families are encouraged to attend; it is open to all ages.

Liberty Congregational Methodist gets new pastor

MARQUAND, Mo. — Liberty Congregational Methodist Church, Bollinger County Road 858, welcomes its new pastor, the Rev. Jamie Hovis, and his family. Hovis came to Liberty as an associate pastor four years ago. The Rev. Kirby Grindstaff had served as pastor for 17 years. Upon his retirement, the church selected Hovis to fill the vacancy. Hovis sang with the Gipson Family in the early 1990s and has hosted "The Bluegrass Gospel Show" on local radio stations for 19 years. He has served as the master of ceremonies for the Bollinger County Relay for Life since its beginning in 2003 and is the chairman for the Missouri Annual Conference of Congregational Methodists. He also owns and operates his own business. Hovis and his wife Anita have three children, Aaron, 13, Alyssa, 9, and Abigail, 4, and reside in the Marquand area. Sunday school begins at 9:30 a.m., morning worship at 10:30 a.m., Sunday evening worship at 6 p.m. and Wednesday Bible study and youth activities at 7 p.m.

Several music services planned in the region

• Shiloh Baptist Church in Villa Ridge, Ill., will present the Gloryroad Travelers of Mounds, Ill. at 7 p.m. today.
• The Bridges, a group from Evansville, Ind., will be in concert at Father's Arms Fellowship, 1400 Main St. in Scott City, at 10 a.m. Sunday. A fried chicken potluck will follow the service; the church will supply the chicken and members are asked to bring side dishes.
• The New Beginning Quartet will provide music for the 8 a.m. heritage worship service on Sunday and the 9 a.m. Abundant Grace Worship Service at Grace United Methodist Church at Broadway and Caruthers Avenue.
• A gospel concert will be at 6:30 p.m. July 19 at the Malden Community Center featuring the Dove Brothers Quartet of Bradenboro, N.C., the Link Family from Lebanon, Mo., and the Rivermen from Malden, Mo. Tickets are available at the door and at the Overturf Health Mart in Malden, Bernie, Mo., and Dexter, Mo., Paul's Christian Bookstore in Sikeston, Mo., the 23rd Psalm in Kennett, Mo., Jerry's Restaurant in Marble Hill, Mo., Ellis Batteries in Cape Girardeau and A and Auto Salvage in Poplar Bluff, Mo.
• Amazing Praise will be at the Church of Jesus Christ, 72 County Road 316 in Jackson, at 7 p.m. today; a barbecue dinner will be at 5.

— From staff reports

Activities at First Baptist Church

Sunday Bible study at First Baptist Church is at 9:30 a.m. and worship service at 10:45 a.m. Sermon series for July is "Catch the Wave." Pastor Mike Shupert's message this week is an overview of the series titled "Catch the Wave." Wednesday night Bible study (Luke chapter 16) with Dr. Ron Winstead is at 6:15 p.m.

"Pizza With the Pastor" is at noon July 13. It's an hourlong introduction to First Baptist Church led by pastor and staff. Pizza and drinks are free, and the event is open to new members and everyone interested in finding out more about the church.

Events at Red Star Baptist church

Sunday school begins at 9:30 a.m. at Red Star Baptist Church, with worship at 10:40 a.m. and 6 p.m. Bible study will be at 2 p.m. Monday and prayer meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

— From staff reports