Religion briefs 10/9/04

Children's ministry party at Wesley United church

Wesley United Methodist Church in Fruitland will hold a Kid's Zone Party from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 17. Children ages 4 to 11 are invited to attend and are encouraged to wear costumes for a contest. Master illusionist D.J. Edwards will be the special guest. For more information, call Pastor Kevin at 243-5948.

Gordonville church earns excellence honor

Zion United Methodist Church in Gordonville has received a "Church of Excellence" award for its exceptional ministry programs. The award is presented by the Leadership Institute of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. Zion was one of three churches to receive the honor, which was the first of its kind. Other churches honored were Hamilton Chapel UMC in Parsons, Kan., and First United Methodist Church in Sedalia, Mo. The award recognizes the church for its efforts in recent years to reach its community with the story of Jesus Christ. The church also received five complimentary registrations to next year's leadership conference and a $1,000 gift certificate to Cokesbury, the Methodist Church's publishing house.

Blodgett church welcome evangelist Jim McNeil

First Baptist Church of Blodgett, Mo., will feature evangelist Jim McNeil and the "Walking Bible" Operation Andrew Crusade Oct. 16 to 19. Service will be at 6 p.m. Oct. 16, with a free fish fry dinner. Sunday worship services are at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Oct. 17. Weeknight services are at 7 p.m.

Hundreds of Scouts join Ten Commandments hike

About 400 Scouts from throughout Southeast Missouri are expected to participate in a Ten Commandments hike today. Hikers will be divided into groups of about 100, and groups will be assigned staggered start times. During the five-mile hike, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts will visit 10 churches to hear about each of the commandments. More than 250 hikers took part in last year's events. The hike is a chance to reinforce the "Duty to God" oath made by the Boy Scouts and the promise to "Serve God" by the Girl Scouts, Scouting officials say. The hike begins at First Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff, Mo., at 8 a.m.

Fall rally at St. Andrew to include workshop

St. Andrew Lutheran Church will hold a fall rally Oct. 19 at 9 a.m. for Lutheran Women in Mission in the Cape Girardeau zone. The theme for the rally is "Serve the Lord with gladness" and will include a mini Servant Event workshop. Saxony Lutheran High School also will receive a special grant during the rally.

-- From staff reports

Calendar

Today

First Presbyterian Church in Jackson will kick off its "40 Days of Purpose" campaign at 6:30 p.m. Another kick-off celebration will be held a 4 p.m. Sunday. For information, call the church office at 243-4265 or coordinator Dawn Pourney at 243-1042.

Dinner-dance auction and benefit for Jamaican Christian Medical Mission team is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. at Arena Building. Dinner is at 6 p.m.; dance is from 7 to 11 p.m. Tickets are available by calling 335-5611 or 334-7894 during the day and 334-3454 after 5 p.m.

Sunday

Mission festival is scheduled at 10 a.m. at St. John's United Church of Christ near Fruitland. Speaker is Sheldon Culver, an associate conference minister with the United Church of Christ. A covered dish dinner will follow.

Revival is scheduled at Lighthouse Bible Baptist Church with evangelist Cliff Bennett. Service is at 10 and 11 a.m. and again at 6 p.m. Special music will be presented and nursery care is provided for children. Services continue Monday through Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Hobbs Chapel and Third Street United Methodist churches will hold "church in the park" at 11 a.m. at Cape County Park South, shelter No. 20. A potluck lunch will be served at noon and a gospel singing is set for 1:30 p.m.

Renovation and dedication of First Presbyterian Church in downtown Cape Girardeau, with worship at 10:45 a.m., followed by a congregational dinner. A cornerstone ceremony will be at 1:15 p.m., followed by an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Roy and Terri Poole, Christian musicians, will be in concert at 6 p.m. at the Cape Girardeau Church of God. A freewill offering will be collected.

Monday

Christian Women's luncheon is scheduled at Port Cape Girardeau at 11 a.m. Speaker is Jean Hoffman.

Revival is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. at the foot of the Bald Knob cross in Alto Pass, Ill. Services will be held each night through Friday. Speakers include the Revs. Brian Morrison, Kenneth Mixen, Danny Miller, Billy Carter and Bill Vandergraph.

Tuesday

United Methodist Men at Centenary Church will meet at 5 p.m. for a dinner in the Family Life Center. Program is by A.J. Henderschott with the Missouri Department of Conservation. A devotion will be lead by Bob Garrett.

-- From staff reports