Religion briefs

By MICHELLE JONES, Times Correspondent
Published November 10, 2007

Holiday

The Baha'is of Pasco County West, which meets in a strip mall behind Buddy Freddie's Restaurant at 1136 U.S. 19, will have a meeting of the minds at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17. They will hear and discuss the Baha'i perspective on "Military Service, Morality and the Draft." The guest speaker is Roger Coe, a Vietnam veteran, conscientious objector and scholar of world religions. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. Call 813 383-6613.

Community United Methodist Church, 3214 U.S. 19, offers small group meetings beginning at 9:45 a.m. each Sunday. A pancake breakfast is set from 8 to 10:30 a.m. today in the church fellowship hall. Blueberry or plain pancakes will be available for $2.50. Call (727) 937-3268.

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 4843 Mile Stretch Drive, offers a breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday for World Youth Day. Cost is $3.50 and proceeds go to the World Youth Day Pilgrims and their trip to Australia in 2008. A teddy bear drive is being held at the church through Dec. 17. Scott Johnson of Boy Scout Troop 46 is conducting this for his Eagle Scout Project. Call (727) 938-1974.

Holiday Free Methodist Church, 5015 Darlington Road, offers a Sunday morning service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday school, for all ages, is at 9:15 a.m. and Sunday evening service is at 6 p.m. The pastor is the Rev. Richard Keep. Call (727) 937-9375.

Community United Methodist Church, 3214 U.S. 19, offers Sunday services at 11 a.m. Small group meetings are at 9:30 a.m. Sundays and at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays. A group on Becoming a Contagious Christian meets at 10:30 a.m. Fridays. Call (727) 937-3268.

Holiday United Church of Christ, 4826 Bartelt Road, will have a service of worship at 10:30 a.m. on Stewardship Sunday with coffee fellowship at 10 a.m. The Rev. Drew Willard's sermon will be "The Promise of Eternal Life." An Adult Bible study is at 9 a.m. Call (727) 937-1520.

Hudson

Immaculate Conception Old Roman Catholic Church, 8531 Bolton Ave., has its annual yard sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. There are three organs for sale: an Allen church organ, a Wurlitzer 2 rank Spinet and a Hammond draw bar. There are three computer monitors and one desk top computer in addition to keyboards and other computer items. Donuts and coffee will be available during the morning hours and hot dogs, chips and soft drinks later in the morning. Call (727) 819-3788.

Grace Bible Church, 9403 Scot St., will have Tom Ammons present a "Chalk Talk" at 6 p.m. Sunday. Ammons creates pictures as he tells a story to his audience. Whoever brings the most visitors will keep the picture he draws. On Nov. 18, the Hungarian Brass and Eric Murphy from Hungary will be ministering at the annual Harvest Sunday service at 10:50 a.m. A free covered dish dinner in the Family Life Center will be held after the service. The church also offers a free Thanksgiving dinner at noon Nov. 22 which is open to anyone in the community. Call (727) 863-2747 to reserve a place.

Faith United Methodist Church, 12128 State Road 52, offers bargains and other articles for sale including Christmas items at the church's Second Chance Thrift Shop. Hours are 10 to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Call (727) 856-5000.

St. Mark's Presbyterian Church, 7922 State Road 52, offers Worship services at 8:15 and 10:30 a.m. Sundays. Call (727) 863-5646.

St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 15801 U.S. 19, welcomes Bishop Dabney Smith on Sunday at the 10 a.m. service. This is St. Martin's Day and there will be a baptism, confirmation and Holy Communion during the service and a reception tea after the service. There is another service at 8 a.m. on Sunday and on Friday there is a service at 11 a.m. Visit the Web site at stmartinshudsonfl.org or call (727) 863-8560.

Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, 12321 Canton Ave., offers a contemporary Music and Majesty service at 6 tonight. On Sunday, services are at 8:30 and 11 a.m. The pastor of the church is the Rev. Kent Fuqua. Call (727) 863-6446.

Land O'Lakes

Christian Social Services, 5514 Land O'Lakes Blvd., is having its 20th Share the Season campaign by providing Thanksgiving baskets to less fortunate neighbors. A donation of $25 will provide everything from turkey to pumpkin pie. Call (813) 995-0088 or send tax exempt donations to P.O. Box 783, Land O'Lakes, FL 34639.

Lutz

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 20735 Leonard Road, offers Worship services at 8, 9:15 and 10:30 a.m. Sundays. Visit the church Web site at holytrinitylutz.com or call (813) 949-7173.

New Port Richey

Asbury United Methodist Church, 4204 Thys Road, offers a Family, Friends and Neighbors Sunday beginning at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 18 with a free pancake and sausage breakfast prepared by the Asbury Flippers. After breakfast, at 10:30 a.m., is the worship service with special music led by Pastor Lin Osborn. Call (727) 376-6218.

King of Glory Lutheran Church, 4820 Floramar Ter., will host a joint worship service with five other West Pasco Lutheran churches at 10 a.m. Nov. 18. Members will car pool from their churches to King of Glory for this service. The worship will be divided among the six pastors, the usher and greeters will be from all the churches as well as the musicians, organists, pianists and choir. After the service lunch will be served in the Fellowship Hall. The other churches are Joyful Spirit, First Lutheran, All Saints Lutheran, Immanuel Lutheran and King of Kings. The five visiting churches will not have services that Sunday. Call (727) 849-1513.

Love is for Eternity Ministries (L.I.F.E), 7511 Little Road, Bldg. C, offers Christian recovery, growth and support groups each week. There are groups for alcoholics, an Alanon group, Biblical 12-step groups for all addictions and a parents' support group. Call (727) 847-0222 for times and dates or visit the Website at loveisforeternity.com.

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 8310 Old County Road 54, offers an Art and Book Festival from 2 to 6 p.m. today and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. There will be original oils, watercolor and acrylic paintings, portraits, miniature sculptures form artist Timothy P. Schmalza and books by Deacon Mel Dunphy. The paintings include acrylic landscapes by Father Greg Andrews. Call (727) 372-8600.

Faith Lutheran Church, 5443 Sunset Road, offers worship services at 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. Sunday school and Bible classes are at 9:30 a.m. The Ladies Guild Annual Rummage Sale is from 8 to 4 p.m. Tuesday. Call (727) 849-4418.

The Presbyterian Church of Seven Springs, 4651 Little Road, provides yarn for people who would like to knit prayer squares for the troops. The knitters will meet from 9:30 a.m. to noon today. The 3-inch by 3-inch squares will be sent to the men and women to carry in their pockets to let them know there are people at home praying for them. Bring #11 needles to work with. Visit the church Web site at tpcoss.org or call (727) 372-7203.

Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4125 U.S. 19, offers a hymn sing at 10:15 a.m. Sunday with regular worship service at 10:30 a.m. D. Paul Richards' sermon will be "But if Not." Coffee fellowship is at 9 a.m. Thursdays with Bible study at 10 a.m. Call (727) 849-4905.

River of Praise Church, 5320 Palmetto Road, offers a series of sermons, by Pastor Ron Peeples beginning this Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on "The Voice of Thanksgiving." There is nursery and children's church during the service. Visit the Web site at riverofpraisechurch.com or call (727) 849-2762.

First Church of the Nazarene, 5342 Avery Road, offers Sunday school at 9:45 a.m., morning worship is at 10:45 and evening worship is at 6 each Sunday. The church has a Wednesday service at 7 p.m. Call (727) 849-3998.

Covenant Christian Church, 6814 Indiana Ave., will have the conclusion of the three part a sermon by Pastor Bob Panariello on "Thy Kingdom Come" at 10 a.m. Sunday. There is a Wednesday service at 7:30 p.m. The church offers men's ministry at 9 a.m. Saturdays and women's ministry at 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month. There is prayer from 7 to 8 p.m. each Friday. Call (727) 842-4566.

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 5326 Charles St., offers the Holy Eucharist at 5:30 p.m. each Saturday and services are at 7:30, 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday with nursery available at the 9 and 11 a.m. services. Church school is at 9 a.m. A healing service is at 10 a.m. each Thursday with a Bible study afterward. The Rev. Raymond E. Dage also conducts a Bible study at 7 p.m. Thursdays. Feast Day of St. Andrew, the Apostle will be celebrated with the Holy Eucharist at 10 a.m. Nov. 30. Call (727) 849-4330.

Joyful Spirit Lutheran Church, 8812 Old County Road 54, offers contemporary services at 8 and 9:15 a.m. and a traditional service at 11:15 a.m. each Sunday. The Rev. Jerry Nordsiek is the pastor of the church. Call (727) 376-0919.

Calvary Chapel Worship Center, 6825 Trouble Creek Road, offers worship services at 8:10, 8:45 and 11:15 a.m. Sundays. The pastor is the Rev. Bill Strayer. There is a Thursday evening service at 7 p.m. Visit the Web site at ccwc.org for times and days of other ministry services, or call (727) 376-7733.

Odessa

Spirit of Life Unitarian Universalists, 18412 Burrell Road, offers a service at 11 a.m. each Sunday with a coffee discussion group at 10 a.m. Children's activities and childcare also begin at 10 a.m. Call (813) 792-1622.

Port Richey

Congregation Beth Tefillah, a conservative synagogue, that meets at the Jewish Community Center of West Pasco, 9841 Scenic Drive, offers adult education classes at 11 a.m. Mondays through Dec. 10. On Monday, there will be a board meeting and on Nov. 19 a membership meeting and elections are scheduled. Shabbat services are at 8 p.m. each Friday and at 9:30 a.m. Saturdays. Call (727) 847-3814.

Hadassah will meet at the Sun Trust Bank, 8701 U.S. 19 in Port Richey at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Dr. Susan Friedman will speak on the topic of Jewish Genetics and Breast-Ovarian Cancer. She, in collaboration with the Moffitt Cancer Institute, has produced a DVD on the subject and copies will be distributed at the meeting. A vegetarian luncheon, catered by Michael of LaFonata, will be served and the cost is $18. Reservations are required by calling (727) 848-1902. Proceeds will be donated to the Hadassah Medical Organization.

First Presbyterian Church, 7540 Ridge Road, will show the movie The Christmas Box on an 80-inch wide-screen television at 3 p.m. Nov. 17. The price of admission is the donation of a new unwrapped gift placed in a gift bag for a child under age 16. This will be donated to the Angel Tree for the Pasco County Foster Children. Visit the Web site at fpcportrichey.org or call (727) 849-1898.

Calvary Chapel Pasco, 6454 Ridge Road, offers contemporary worship and Bible teaching at 10:30 a.m. Sundays with children services at the same time. The church also has Bible study at 7 p.m. Tuesday and a 7 p.m. worship service on Wednesdays. Call (727) 534-1626.

Salvation Army the Corps and Worship Center, 7745 Ridge Road, offers Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. and a morning Worship service at 11 a.m. each Sunday. Call (727) 815-8539.

King of Kings Lutheran Church, 10337 U.S. 19, offers Sunday school for children and adults from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sundays. The pastor is the Rev. Howard Nielsen. Praise Worship service is at 8:30 a.m. and a Traditional service is at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday. Call (727) 868-5744.

St. James the Apostle Catholic Church, 8400 Monarch Drive, will have SHARE Food Network registration and distribution from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Nov. 17. Share packages are $18 in cash or Food Stamps for $36 to $40 worth of food. Volunteering is encouraged. Call (727) 849-2254 or (727) 226-2854.

San Antonio

The Benedictine Sisters of Florida and the Catholic Parish of Saint Anthony of Padua offer Thanksgiving Dinner at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 22 in the Saint Anthony Parish Center. This is free only reservations should be made by Friday, by calling (352) 588-8320 or (352) 588-3081. Requests can be made for home delivery to the homebound. Volunteers are always welcome.

Tarpon Springs

Congregation B'nai Emmunah, a Reform Jewish Synagogue, 3374 Keystone Road, offers early Shabbat services at 6:45 p.m. the first Shabbat of each month. Other Shabbat evening services are at 8 p.m. every Friday with a member-hosted Oneg afterward. "Torture is a Moral Issue" is the topic of discussion during the congregation's Lunch with the Rabbi program at noon Nov. 28. Call (727) 944-2261 to reserve a place for the lunch. Hebrew reading and Torah Topics are offered most Tuesday evenings. Call (727) 938-9000 for times and dates.

Other offerings

Unity Church of Clearwater, 2465 Nursery Road, will have a special service to commemorate the "Transgender Day of Remembrance" at 7 p.m. Nov. 19. The service will feature prayers, a candle-lighting ritual in remembrance of those killed due to anti-transgender hatred and violence, music by Faith Rivera and a personal reflection by Susan Stanton. An offering will be taken to support Equality Florida. Call (727) 667-3398.

Please send religion story ideas and religion notes to Michelle Jones at mjones721@tampabay.rr.com or fax to (813) 684-2457 or call (813) 685-2200. Correspondence can also be mailed to Michelle Jones at P.O. Box 558, Valrico, FL. 33595.

[Last modified November 9, 2007, 20:32:44]