Religion calendar

Today

The Light, a youth group at First Christian Church, 2411 Abbey Road, will hold a benefit yard sale at 7 a.m. at the church. Proceeds from the sale help pay for the group's work trip in the summer.

Hobbs Chapel United Methodist Women will hold a fall bazaar from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church.

Sunday

Kickoff for new Sunday school season at 9 a.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church, ELCA. There are programs for children, youths and adults. Worship will follow at 10 a.m. with a meal afterward to welcome the Rev. Peter Ruptrecht, interim minister. The church offers open communion and casual dress. For information, e-mail stmark@ igateway.net.

Weekend family services at 11 a.m. at the Lutheran Chapel of Hope on the Southeast Missouri State University campus. Communion will be celebrated. A meal will be provided after the service. Students and their parents are invited to attend. The regular 5 p.m. service will not be held in lieu of the morning worship.

Homecoming service at Free Trinity Pentecostal Church in Randles, Mo. Meal will be served at 12:30 p.m., and the Howell Family will sing at 2 p.m.

Old McKendree Day celebration at 3 p.m. on the grounds at Old McKendree Chapel. Speaker is the Rev. Dr. Stephen Breon, district superintendent in Southeast Missouri for the United Methodist Church. The outdoor service commemorates the 195th anniversary of the chapel's founding and the 185th year of the construction of the log building. Special music and refreshments will be provided; in case of rain the service will be held inside the chapel.

Reunion service at 3 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Friedenberg, Mo. Speaker is the Rev. Dr. Martin R. Noland, director of Concordia Historical Institute, which has maintained the property since the congregation disbanded in 1980.

Broadcast seminar with author Lee Strobel to discuss science and religion and his book "The Case for a Creator." Broadcast airs from 5 to 7 p.m. at Fruitland Community Church. Event is free and open to the public.

Potluck picnic at 5:30 p.m. at the new location for First Baptist Church, corner of Lexington Avenue and Cape Rock Drive. There will be no evening services at the church.

Upcoming

The handbell choirs of New McKendree United Methodist and Immaculate Conception Catholic churches in Jackson will join together for a 4 p.m. concert Oct. 3 at New McKendree. The concert is part of a nationwide effort to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers. A free-will offering will be collected and divided between the two choirs.

Pastor and Leadership Conference at Christ Church of the Heartland Thursday and Friday. The conference theme is "Reaching new heights in ministry." Event begins at 6 p.m. Thursday and will be held from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday. For registration cost and information, phone Christ Church at 334-7726.

-- From staff reports