Religion briefs 6/5/04

Gordonville church holds groundbreaking event

Zion United Methodist Church in Gordonville recently held a groundbreaking service for its new building. The church has continued to grow for the past six years and the new construction will help accommodate that growth. Zion United Methodist Church was built in 1876. A second worship service was added in 2003 to accommodate the growing membership. The new building will house Sunday school space, a lobby and offices, nursery, choir room and fellowship area. The existing education building will be used for children's and youth Sunday school and youth fellowship space. Several church members, from building committee members to the youngest and oldest in the congregation, were invited to shovel dirt.

Summer Splash planned at Hanover Lutheran

Hanover Lutheran Church will begin the summer season with a "Summer Splash" event June 13. Sunday school classes are at 9 a.m., followed by worship at 10 a.m. The event ends at 3 p.m. There will be a water slide, sand castle building, pizza and snow cones. For information, call Tabitha Reece at 651-3056.

Vacation Bible school at Zion Methodist Church

Zion United Methodist Church in Gordonville will hold "Lava Lava Island" vacation Bible school from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. A light supper is served at 5:30 p.m. There will be games, crafts, Bible adventure stories and treats. For information, phone Opal Shanks at 243-5815, Mary Gray at 243-7092 or Kristin Miller at 243-4130.

Fruitland church to hold homecoming weekend

St. John's United Church of Christ in Fruitland will hold its annual homecoming weekend June 13 with a carry-in dinner following the 10 a.m. worship service. A gospel singing and other entertainment is planned at 1 p.m. The church was organized in 1877 as German Evangelical Lutheran St. John's Church, and meetings were held in the pastor's home until a building was built in 1922.

Youths to begin summer classes at coffee house

Youths from First Baptist Church, Evangelical United Church of Christ and other downtown congregations are invited to a Bible study at 9:30 a.m. Sundays at Grace Cafe. The new study, "Deeper," will begin this week.

Reception held in Oran to honor priest

A newly ordained priest in the Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese was honored with a reception recently at Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Oran. The Rev. Jarek Skrzypek was honored by the parish since he spent time there last summer. Skrzypek is a native of Poland who came to the United States for seminary training. He has not yet received an assignment from the bishop.

First Baptist Church to offer children's camp

First Baptist Church is taking registration for its Adventure Camp July 12 to 16. The day camp will be from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is open to children from kindergarten through sixth grade. There is a cost, but discounts are available for families with more than two children enrolled. The camp will be lead by church volunteers and students from William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo. For information, call 335-6006.

-- From staff reports