Religion briefs 2/22/03

Good Shepherd church marks 35th anniversary

Members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau celebrated the congregation's 35th anniversary during worship last week. The Rev. Ron Meyr, a Cape Girardeau native who was raised in the church, was the featured speaker. He is now senior pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Viera, Fla.

Good Shepherd was chartered as a congregation in 1968 and has been served by only four ministers in its history. The current pastor, Barry Pfanstiel, has served the church since 1994.

The church has offered a consistent and steady ministry in its history, Pfanstiel said. "We are large enough to offer pretty much the full array of ministry, but still small enough to offer people individual care and support."

A renovation and addition were built at the church in 2000. The building program continues today as the church plans to renovate its sanctuary and fellowship areas.

Benton church to mark second anniversary

The Christian Mission in Benton, Mo., will mark its second anniversary during an 11 a.m. worship service Sunday.

The Rev. William and Loretta Marshall are pastors. A luncheon will be served after the service.

Since the church was founded two years ago, it has grown from four members to an attendance of 60 each week.

New pastor to be installed at Westminster

The Rev. Joel Hebert will be installed as pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church during a special service at 4 p.m. Sunday. The installation will be conducted by the Prebytery of Giddings-Lovejoy.

Hebert is the fifth pastor to serve Westminster. He is a graduate of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and Sterling College. He served as pastor of Mountain Top Larger Parish in Clearfield County, Pa., and also as interim associate pastor of State College Presbyterian College Church in State College, Pa.

Church Women United elect new officers

A new slate of officers has been elected for Church Women United, an ecumenical group in the region. Officers are Joyce King, president; Barbara Yallaly, vice president; Marge Janssen, recording secretary; Helen Lohmeier, corresponding treasurer; and Mary Busch, treasurer.

The group meets on the first Friday of each month at churches in the community. The next gathering will be at 9 a.m. March 7 for World Day of Prayer at Christ Episcopal Church. A 1 p.m. service will be held at Immaculate Conception Church in Jackson. Child care will be provided during both services. The theme is "Holy Spirit, Fill Us!" and is written by women from Lebanon, a nation in the Middle East.

Cape Bible Chapel hosts Dr. George W. Murray

Dr. George W. Murray, President of Columbia International University in South Carolina, will be the guest speaker at an upcoming Missions Conference at Cape Bible Chapel. The conference title is "Jesus: Life for the world."

The conference will be held March 2 through 5. Services will be from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. on March 2 and at 7 p.m. March 3 to 5. A nursery will be provided for children up to age 3.

Murray is a graduate of Columbia International University and Trinity International University. He is a missionary, teacher, preacher, writer and evangelist. He and his wife, Annette, served as church planters in Italy for 13 years.

For more information, call the church office at 334-5948.

Two churches offer study on Methodism

In honor of the 300th anniversary of John Wesley's birth, two area churches will offer a study on Methodists.

Wesley is the founder of the Methodist movement.

Benton United Methodist Church in Benton and Trinity United Methodist Church in Oran will sponsor a six-week study called "Meet the Methodists."

The study will be offered each Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m. March 12 through April 16 at Trinity church in Oran. A second session will be from on Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. March 12 through April 16.

Topics for this six-week study include Methodist history, Methodist beliefs and the organization of mission activities.

For more information contact the Rev. Karen Taylor at 545-3673.

'Becoming Contagious Christian' seminar

Fruitland Community Church is host for a satellite seminar March 1 on "Becoming a Contagious Christian," a best-selling book by Bill Hybels. The seminar is $20 and includes a book and lunch. The event is from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the church.

In the seminar, participants will learn how to start spiritual conversations and build relationships with non-Christians. The satellite seminar will be led by Mark Mittelberg of Willow Creek Association located in suburban Chicago and Lee Strobel of Saddleback Church, which is in California.

For information, call the church at 204-0724.

Delta church to be host for gospel singing

The Church of God of Prophecy in Delta will host a gospel singing with the McAtees at 6:30 p.m. March 2.

-- From staff reports