First Presbyterian Church changes worship times

First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau will change its worship schedule for the summer months. Sunday school will be at 9 a.m. and worship at 10 a.m. through the last Sunday in August.

Zion Methodists planning vacation Bible school

Zion United Methodist Church will host the "Son Harvest County Fair" as a vacation Bible school June 23 to 27. The sessions will be from 6 to 8 p.m. each evening at the church. The theme will be based on the fruits of the spirit.

For information, phone the church at 243-8025.

Vacation Bible school comes to Perkins church

Perkins Baptist Church in Perkins, Mo., will hold vacation Bible school for all ages, from children through adult, beginning Sunday. The classes will run through Friday.

The children's theme is "The Great Kingdom Caper" and begins with a parade at 5:30 p.m. Sunday. There will be a hot dog meal and a presentation by Scott Bumgardeaner of the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Sessions continue from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. Monday through Friday at the church. A drawing for bicycles -- one for a girl and one for a boy -- will be held on Friday.

Evangelical Cape church welcomes new pastor

Evangelical United Church of Christ welcomes its new pastor, the Rev. Randy Heckman, to the congregation.

Heckman began working with the church June 1 but will preach his first sermon Sunday. He last served eight years as pastor of the United Church of Christ in Millstadt, Ill.

Heckman is a graduate of Eden Theological Seminary and has been a minister for 23 years. He also is a graduate of Indianapolis University, formerly Indiana Central College, and served four years in the U.S. Air Force.

He has served churches in Missouri and Illinois, including helping to start a mission congregation in west St. Louis County. He also served on denomination committees for evangelism, stewardship and social action.

Heckman said the Cape Girardeau church's strength is its friendliness. "They want to care for one another," he said.

During the search process, that friendliness impressed Heckman, he said. The church has been without a full-time pastor for almost two years.

Heckman knows that he and the church have much work to do, building relationships and learning to trust one another. But he's excited about the challenge. "We have to think beyond ourselves," he said. "We're here to serve God and the community."

Heckman and his wife, Kathy, have two sons, Matthew and Ryan.

Methodist churches make worship changes

Two area United Methodist churches will share a pastor beginning June 29.

The Rev. Janet Hopkins will serve both Third Street United Methodist Church and Hobbs Chapel United Methodist Church.

To accommodate the staff changes, worship service at Hobbs Chapel will be at 9 a.m., followed by Sunday school at 10:15 a.m., starting June 29.

Conference for faith groups planned

Mission Missouri of Sikeston, Mo., and Committed Caring Faith Communities (CFFC) are joining together to host a free miniconference about substance abuse for clergy, lay faith leaders, and congregation members.

The conference will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 24 at First Baptist Church, 1101 N. Main St., in Sikeston. The theme is "When neighbors in need come knocking at the church door."

The conference includes workshops on basic information about substance abude, how to address alcohol and other drug abuse. The conference is designed to help educate churches about the need for help and the resources available.

Registration deadline is June 15. For information, call Mission Missouri at (573) 472-4141 or CCFC at (314) 951-1033.

Summer Bible studies begin at Cape park

The summer Bible studies of Stonecroft Ministries will begin Wednesday.

The studies will be each Wednesday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and will be held at Cape County Park South. The study will be about knowing God's will, based on the book of Ruth. A second study will be offered on Tuesday afternoons at Linda Blankenship's home for anyone who cannot make the morning session. For information about either study, call Jane Boren at 243-1225 or Dee Maupin at 243-5023.

Vacation Bible school held in Jackson

New Bethel Baptist Church in Jackson, just east of Pocahontas, will hold its vacation Bible school from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Family night will be celebrated at 7 p.m. Friday.

Children from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade are eligible to attend. For transportation, call John Rhodes, pastor at 833-6894 or 833-6523.

-- From staff reports