Women s groups to mark World Day of Prayer

3/1/2008
FROM BLADE STAFF AND NEWS SERVICES

God s Wisdom Provides New Understanding is the theme for the 2008 World Day of Prayer, a global initiative organized by women in more than 170 countries that will be observed Friday.

Prayers follow the sun s path around the world, and this year the service was written by women of Guyana, South America.

Locally, Church Women United of Toledo is sponsoring a worship program and tea at 1 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 4441 Monroe St. Tickets are $2; to register or for information, call the Rev. Carolyn Eyre, president of Church Women United, 419-475-5539.

In Genoa, Church Women United will observe World Day of Prayer at St. John s United Church of Christ, 1213 Washington St., from 9:30 a.m. until noon. Women of all Christian traditions and denominations are welcome.

Christian choir, orchestrato perform 2 Exaltation shows

The Christian Festival Choir and Orchestra will present their annual Exaltation concert at 3 p.m. tomorrow and 7 p.m. March 8 in the Performing Arts Center of Maumee High School, 1147 Saco St., east of Key Street.

The concerts will feature traditional hymns, contemporary gospel songs, and modern praise and worship music performed by musicians and singers from numerous churches throughout northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.

The choir and orchestra were founded by Roger Bradley and made their debut in 1982. The groups performed until 1987, then took a break for several years until resuming the concerts in 1996.

Tickets, available at Lifeway Christian Bookstore on Talamadge Road and the Good News Christian Bookstore on Woodville Road, range from $10 to $14. Boxes will be set up at the concerts for donated food items to benefit the Seagate Food Bank.

Further information is available online at www.toledoexaltation.org.

Vineyard Church to presentAlpha Course at coffee shop

The Alpha Course, a free course designed to help people explore spirituality from a Christian perspective, will be offered from 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. starting Tuesday and continuing every Tuesday through May 27 at the Daily Grind Coffee Shop, 7723 Airport Hwy., Suite E., Holland in Apple Blossom Square.

The course, being presented by Vineyard Church of Toledo, will be taught in a casual setting and include dinner, a video, and discussion. Guests may make donations toward the cost of a meal.

Information and registration is available by calling Vineyard, 419-866-5999 or online at www.vineyardtoledo.org.

Zoar Lutheran plans eventto combat poverty, hunger

Zoar Lutheran Church will hold a ONE Lutheran Sunday tomorrow to raise awareness and funds to alleviate poverty and hunger and to support health care, education, and gender equality worldwide.

The event will include an offering of letters to congressional representatives, a topical sermon by the Rev. Tim Philabaum, a Bible study, and a Hunger Brunch in which some people will receive a hot meal of bacon and eggs while others will receive cold cereal to illustrate the differences between rich and poor nations.

Worship services are at 6 p.m. today and 7:15, 8:30, and 11 a.m. Sunday. Information: 419-874-4346.

Bands, speakers scheduledat Acquire the Fire in Detroit

Acquire the Fire, a youth event featuring speakers, music, and more, will be held Friday and March 8 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

Speakers will include the Rev. Ron Luce, Phil Joel, and Mike Guzzardo, and performing artists will include Superchic(k), Nevertheless, Kristal Meyers, and Unhindered.

Tickets range from $57 to $67 and registration is available by calling 1-888-778-FIRE(3473) or online at www.acquirethefire.com.

Theological conferenceto focus on End of Days

How Long, O Lord? Three Views on the End of Days, will be the topic of the 2008 Toledo Reformed Theological Conference, to be held March 14 and 15 at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 4207 West Laskey Rd.

Speakers include Richard Gaffin, Jr., a professor at Westminster Theological Seminary, on The Case for Amillennialism ; Kenneth Gentry, Jr., of GoodBirth Ministries, on Post-Millennialism, and Don Kistler, founder of Soli Deo Gloria Ministries, on Eternal Hill.

Christian recording artist Steve Camp will serve as worship leader.

The conference is sponsored by the Assembly of Christian Churches. Registration information is available by calling 800-474-3477, or online at www.trtconferences.com.

Christian Scientists elect 2 new Readers

Dolores Muller and Renee deValpine have been elected the First and Second Readers at First Church of Christ Scientist in Maumee.

Readers must be active members of the church and serious students of the Bible and science and health, according to spokesman Chuck Stocking.

The church, located at Dudley and Elizabeth streets in Maumee, holds services at 11 a.m. Sundays. Testimony meetings are at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays.