Religion briefs 8/30

Apple Creek church to hold homecoming

St. Joseph parish in Apple Creek will hold its annual homecoming and dinner today. A meal will be served from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Noon Worship to meet in Cape Tuesday

The First Tuesday Noon Worship group will meet Tuesday at Freedom Rock to pray for students and schools. The informal gathering meets from noon to 1 p.m. for prayer in the community.

New priest comes to St. Vincent's parish

The Rev. Derek Swanson, a native of Sharon Springs, Kan., has recently joined the staff at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Cape Girardeau.

Swanson attended Kennrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis and was ordained in June.

New pastor gets ready for Hanover Lutheran

The Rev. Daniel Hackney is the new pastor at Hanover Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau. He will be installed during a service at 3 p.m. Sunday at the church.

Hackney previously served as founding pastor of Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Palm Bay, Fla., as well as churches in Corinth, Miss., and Orlando, Fla.

He served as a vicar at Trinity Lutheran Church from 1995 to 1996.

He is currently pursuing a doctorate of ministry degree from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, with an emphasis on developing leaders within the church.

Hackney said coming to Cape Girardeau was "like coming back home" though the area has changed and grown since he was here last. He's already run into familiar faces at the grocery store, he said.

Hackney comes to the church at a time of growth. Hanover is outgrowing its current facilities at Perryville Road and will begin a building program soon. There are no specific details planned for the new construction but the church knows it needs additional space, he said.

Hackney and his wife, Carole, have a son, Daniel, and are expecting another child in mid-September.

Welcome event planned at campus ministry

The Wesley House at Southeast Missouri State University will hold a welcome-back barbecue for students at 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Special guest is musician Jennifer Noble.

Church begins Awana Bible club for children

Cape Bible Chapel will begin its Awana program for children ages 4 through sixth grade on Sept. 7.

The weekly club meeting will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sundays from September through April. The meetings include Bible memory, games and lessons.

Awana is a nondenominational ministry for children and youth with clubs in more than 110 countries.

To learn more about Awana, contact the church at 334-5948 or call 243-3496.

Gospel group to perform in Ullin on Sept. 13

The Gabriels will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Leona Brust Civic Center in Ullin, Ill. The concert is part of activities for Cache River Days in Ullin Park.

A gospel concert will be held from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at the park. Performances by groups like Pickin' Pennies, New Harmony, St. John Praise and Worship and Sharon Wilson are planned.

Both events are free.

Biker Sunday coming to Sandusky church

Sandusky, Ill., Community Church will hold a Biker Sunday service at 2 p.m. Sept. 14. Special guests will be the Blood Bought Bikers motorcycle group. All motorcyclists and enthusiasts are welcome.

There will be a luncheon and bike display before the service.

For information, call (618) 747-2006 or 747-2526.

Bethany Baptist to hold Family Day Sept. 6

Bethany Baptist Church is sponsoring a Family Day event from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 6 at the church.

Activities include carnival games and prizes for children, a cookout luncheon, music provided by local talent and a ice-cream churning contest that starts at 4 p.m.

Music groups will perform at 1, 3, 5 and 6:30 p.m., with the main concert at 7 p.m.

The Capaha Antique Car Club will have a display, along with the "Bethany Boys" race car show.

Cape Methodist women to meet on Tuesday

The United Methodist Women of Centenary Church will meet Tuesday at noon for a luncheon. The Rev. Dr. Clayton Smith and Mona Copeland will speak about the Volunteers in Mission trip to Nicaragua.

Hill of Peace reunion slated for Sept. 14

Former members of Peace Lutheran Church in Friedenberg, Mo., will gather at 3 p.m. Sept. 14 for a reunion.

The church, known today as "Hill of Peace," is preserved as a reminder of the German heritage of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. A reunion service is held each year for descendants of the area's settlers, former students of the parish school and church members.

The service includes a guest speaker and refreshments. Speaker is the Rev. Edward F. Melchior, who served as minister of homebound for the Peace congregation in Lemay. He serves as a vacancy pastor for Crosstown and Farrar congregations as well.

For information about the service or directions, contact Curt Wills at 547-6713 or the Concordia Historical Institute at (314) 505-7900.

Perryville church ready to dedicate school

Immanuel Lutheran Church in Perryville will dedicate its new school building during a service at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 7. The church already operates a school but has constructed new classroom space.

Cape church plans homecoming weekend

Maple United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau is planning a homecoming weekend Sept. 6 and 7. All members, former members, former pastors and friends are invited to the services.

Activities include an open house and tour of the church, parsonage and Sunday school building, with tours beginning at 1 p.m. Sept. 6. At 2 p.m., there will be a video presentation of the church's past activities and an historical display.

There will be a "youth rally" for the church from 6 to 7 p.m.

Sunday worship at 10:45 a.m. will include recognition of past and present ministers, led by the Rev. Jim Cooper, pastor.

A memorial service to honor past ministers also is planned.

For more information, call the church office at 335-6890.

Groundbreaking takes place at Jackson church

First Assembly of God Church in Jackson recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for new construction along Old Toll Road.

The church plans to relocate to the new site soon.

Attending the service were church members, deacons and members of the building committee. The Rev. Gerald Penn, executive presbyter, conducted the service along with pastor Dean Heady.

-- From staff reports