Religion news

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Compiled by Erica Batten

Newell Baptist

Vacation Bible school: “SonWorld Adventure Park” with Bible stories, crafts, skits, games, more for children in preschool through fifth grade. 5:30-8 p.m. July 8-13.

Welcome (Bienvenido): The church will share its sanctuary and facilities with First Philadelphia Baptist, a Spanish-speaking congregation that will meet for worship at 2 p.m. Sundays. The church will also hold weekly Bible study and special events at Newell Baptist. Newell Baptist’s schedule is unchanged. 9115 Newell Baptist Church Road. 704-596-0184.

United House of Prayer for All People

Community event: Family and friends day themed “A Celebration of Freedom: Return and Give God Everything.” Free food, entertainment, games, prizes, and fellowship. Noon July 7. Community is also invited for worship at 11:30 a.m. July 8. 2321 Beatties Ford Road. 704-394-3884.

Motivations Ministries

Singing auditions: Register online to audition for the 2012 Exalt! Vocal Talent Showcase. First round of auditions will be July 14 and 29; register at least one week in advance. Top five vocalists will perform with the Exalt Praise Band Sept. 23 at CPCC’s Halton Theatre. Other performers include Bridge and Keith Dudley. Proceeds help people with catastrophic medical bills. www.motivationsministries.org.

Hawthorne Lane United Methodist

“Faster Pastor”: Eight pastors will race school buses at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Sponsored by Sons of Thunder Ministry. 7 p.m. July 10.

Alpha course preview: Course designed for all denominations explores questions about life, suffering, the future, death, other faiths, more. 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, July 11-Sept. 12.

Local missions outreach: Travel to UMCOR to assemble care packages. 9 a.m. July 14. 501 Hawthorne Lane. 704-332-8131; www.hlumc.org.

Friendship Missionary Baptist

Vacation Bible school: “Operation Overboard: Dare to Go Deep With God!” Classes for all ages. Child care available. 9:30 a.m. July 15 and 6:30 p.m. July 16-19. 3400 Beatties Ford Road. Register at www.friendshipcharlotte.org.

Shiloh Institutional Baptist

Special event: The beautification committee will present “Everlasting Elegance,” an afternoon of fashion, talent and fun for contestants born in 1957 or earlier. A “Fabulous Fellowship” will take place after the crowning of the winners. 3 p.m. July 14. 2400 Greenland Ave. 704-393-2065; www.mysibc.org.

St. Mark United Methodist

Vacation Bible school: Crafts, music, and more for ages 4 through adult. Everyone welcome. 6:30-8:30 p.m. July 16-20. Dinner at 6 p.m. 917 Clanton Road. 704-523-7483.

Central United Methodist

Vacation Bible school: “Operation Overboard: Dare to Go Deep with God” for children ages 4 through ninth grade. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 14. Closing program will be during worship at 11 a.m. July 15. 6030 Albemarle Road. Register at 704-536-9157 or www.cumccharlotte.com.

First Church of Christ, Scientist

Vacation Bible school: “Super Heroes of the Bible.” Crafts, games, snacks, more. 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. July 23-27. Register by July 15. 1048 E. Morehead St. 704-334-1973; www.cscharlotte.com.

HollyHunter Baptist

Vacation Bible school: Children age infant through fifth grade invited. Older students invited to assist with children’s classes. 6-8:30 p.m. July 23-27. Family night, July 27. 4316 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road. 704-399-3316.

Unity of Charlotte

Bingo: Fun, snacks, fellowship, raffles, door prizes, and cash prizes. 7 p.m. July 14. 401 E. Arrowood Road. www.UnityofCharlotte.org.

Sardis Presbyterian

Summer worship schedule: The church will hold a single worship service at 10 a.m. Sundays through Aug. 19. Sunday school will be at 9 a.m. Each service will follow a theme with special music. The July 15 service, “Dare to be Daniel,” will be led by the vacation Bible school children. Refreshments provided. 6100 Sardis Road. www.sardis.org.

St. Paul United Methodist

Vacation Bible school: “Operation Overboard: Dare to Go Deep With God” for ages 3-12. 9 a.m.-noon July 16-20. 2830 Dorchester Place. 704-523-0077; www.stpaulcharlotte.org.

Matthews Missionary Baptist

Vacation Bible school: “No Friend Like Jesus: Get Connected!” 6-8:30 p.m. July 9-13 at Greenway Park Elementary School, 8301 Monroe Road. Register at www.abingdonpressvbs.com/mmbc. 704-494-9490.

Trinity Fellowship Church

Summer film series: “Israel in Prophecy” will be shown at 6 p.m. July 15. Series continues with “Courageous” Aug. 26. Light refreshments served. Child care provided. 13232 Idlewild Road, Matthews. 704-841-7099.

Parkwood Institutional CME

Car show: Classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Trophies and awards, family games, music, more. Vendor spaces available. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. July 14. 802 Tom Hunter Road. 704-806-5384; www.parkwoodcme.org.

Advent Lutheran

Vacation Bible school: “Babylon: Daniel’s Courage in Captivity” for children ages 3 through fifth grade. 9 a.m.-noon July 30-Aug. 3. 8840 University City Blvd. Register at 704-549-1555 or www.adventlu.org.

Derita Church

Vacation Bible school: Music, drama, games, crafts and oceans of fun at the “Rocky Point Lighthouse.” Everyone invited. 5:45-8:30 p.m. July 20, 11:45 a.m.-3 p.m. July 21 and 9:30 a.m. July 22. Meals included July 20-21. 2230 W. Sugar Creek Road. www.deritachurch.org.

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic

Mass in Spanish: The Hispanic ministry invites all to celebrate its first Mass in Spanish in honor of the Divine Child. The Mass will be celebrated by the Rev. Gabriel Carvajal from St. Aloysius Catholic in Hickory, with a special blessing for the children. Dress in pink. A meal of Colombian dishes will be served after the Mass. 7 p.m. July 20. 1400 Suther Road. 704-549-1607.

Sugaw Creek Presbyterian

Vacation Bible school: “Praise VBS: Where Kids Get Down and God Gets Lifted High.” Ages 3 through ninth grade. Dinner and snacks served nightly. 6-8:30 p.m. July 23-27. 101 W. Sugar Creek Road. 704-596-4466.

Sardis Church of Indian Trail

Performance: Vocal impressionist Michael Kelley will perform. $10. Proceeds go to Help Crisis Pregnancy Center, Union County Crisis Assistance Ministry, and Bringing Miracles. 7 p.m. July 16. 3602 Unionville-Indian Trail Road W., Indian Trail. 704-289-5133 or 704-238-0155.

Mount Olivet United Methodist, Concord

Country breakfast: All-you-can-eat eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, grits, gravy, and homemade biscuits. Drinks included. $5. 7-10 a.m. July 14.

Hot dog sale: Eat in or take out. Delivery for orders of $10 or more. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays. 301 Mt. Olivet Road, Concord. 704-782-8846.

West Cabarrus Church

Blood drive: Noon-3 p.m. July 8, sponsored by Community Blood Center of the Carolinas. 7655 Speedway Blvd., Concord. www.cbcc.us.

Three Forks Baptist, Taylorsville

Conference: “America Under God’s Judgment: A Call To Repentance.” Speakers Dr. Carson Moseley, the Rev. Mitch King, the Rev. Gary Jennings, and Tim McKittrick. The Rev. Kenneth Lambert, director of missions for the Alexander County Baptist Association, will be the moderator. Free. 9 a.m.-noon July 28. 4685 Three Forks Church Road, Taylorsville. 828-632-7634; www.threeforksbaptist.org.

West Hickory Baptist, Hickory

Vacation Bible school: Classes for children ages 3 through fifth grade, youth and adults. Snacks provided. 6-8:30 p.m. July 22-26. 40 12th St. N. W., Hickory. www.westhickory.org.

Boger City Baptist

Blood drive: 4-6:30 p.m. July 9, sponsored by Community Blood Center of the Carolinas. 2201 E. Main St., Lincolnton. www.cbcc.us.

Redeemer Lutheran, Gastonia

Men’s breakfast: 7:15 a.m. July 15.

Youth trip: The church youth will participate in the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans, July 18-22. 1915 S. New Hope Road, Gastonia. www.redeemergastonia.org.

Unitarian Universalist of Catawba Valley, Hickory

Adult forum: Discussion of “A Free and Responsible Search for Truth and Meaning.” 9:30-10:30 a.m. July 8. Service at 11 a.m. 833 5th St. S.E., Hickory. www.uuhickory.org.

Temple Kol Tikvah

New congregation: The new name for Lake Norman’s new single Jewish congregation is Temple Kol Tikvah of Lake Norman. The congregation of 175 families, led by Rabbi Michael Shields, combines the former Beth Shalom of Lake Norman and the Lake Norman Jewish Congregation into one community. The official launch of the new congregation is expected in the fall during the Jewish High Holy Days. www.templekoltikvah.org.

Lake Norman Baptist, Huntersville

Vacation Bible school: “Amazing Wonders Aviation.” Ages 3 through adult. 6-8:30 p.m. July 15-19. 7921 Sam Furr Road. 704-892-0143.

Presbyterian Church of the Springs, Statesville

Vacation Bible school: “Operation Overboard: Dare to Go Deep With God!” 6:30-8:30 p.m. July 8-12. 110 Moose Club Road, Statesville. www.thechurchofthesprings.com.

Al-Anon

Family group: Al-Anon is an anonymous fellowship whose purpose is to help families and friends of those who have a problem with alcohol. “Starting Over” group meets 10-11 a.m. Wednesdays at Lake Norman Lutheran, 1445 N.C. 16 N., Denver and 8-9 p.m. Tuesdays at Bethel Methodist, 7284 Campground Road, Denver. 704-489-8657.

Salvation Army of Iredell County

Emergency assistance program: Financial and food assistance. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m.-noon Fridays at the Statesville office, 1361 Caldwell St., Statesville, and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday at the Mooresville office, 470 N. Broad St. Suite C, Mooresville.

Church programs: Adult Bible study, 6-7 p.m. Mondays. Youth character-building program, 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays. 704-872-5623; www.salvationarmycarolinas.org/commands/statesville.

Fair View United Methodist, Mooresville

Fun Fridays: The children’s ministry will host weekly activities for children ages 3 through fifth grade. Parents welcome. Open to community. The group will travel to Fun Station 2000 in Statesville, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. July 13. $12; pizza and drinks included. Contact Katherine Allan at 704-664-2880 ext. 5.

Vacation Bible school: “Operation Overboard” for children ages 3 through fifth grade. 5:30-8 p.m. July 15-19. Parents must remain with children on family night, July 15. 1430 Mecklenburg Hwy., Mooresville. 704-664-2880; www.fairviewumc.org.

Trinity Baptist, Lancaster

Vacation Bible school: “Sonshine Beach Blast.” 6-9 p.m. Aug. 6-10. 1519 Steele Hill Road, Lancaster. www.trinitybaptistch.com.

Epiphany Lutheran, Rock Hill

Discussion series: Pastor Rob Bell’s NOOMA videos explore spiritual perspectives on life experiences. 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sundays. 2370 W. Main St., Rock Hill. www.epiphany-rockhill.org.