Religion News: New Life Theological Seminary

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Compiled by Erica Batten

New Life Theological Seminary

Scholarly forum: The public is invited to the Voices of New Life quarterly forum. David Paulsen, department head for biblical studies, will read his paper “The New Perspective on Paul: A Critique.” A discussion period of questions and answers will follow the reading. 7-8:30 p.m. Jan 17. 3117 Whiting Ave. 704-334-6882.

Hawthorne Lane United Methodist

Alpha Course: Explore questions everyone has about life, injustice, suffering, the future, death and other faiths. The course is designed for all denominations. “A Welcome to Alpha” will be held at 4 p.m. Jan. 13. Child care and activities for children and youth provided. 501 Hawthorne Lane. 704-332-8131; www.hlumc.org.

First United Methodist

Film screening: “The House I Live In,” a documentary about incarceration and the war on drugs, will be shown at 2 p.m. Jan. 12. Discussion forum follows the screening. Free. 501 N. Tryon St. www.thehouseilivein.org.

Charlotte Christian Chamber of Commerce

Chapter launch: The North Charlotte chapter will launch with a special luncheon featuring Steve Green, president of Hobby Lobby. Green will present “Crafting Success: From 300 Square Feet to 502 Stores.” 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 17 at Hilton Charlotte University Place, 8629 J. M. Keynes Drive. www.charlottechristianchamber.org.

Faith Community Health Ministry of the Carolinas HealthCare System

Volunteer training: The Faith Community Health Promoter Training program teaches laypersons to educate and motivate a congregation toward health and to improve access to health resources. Registration and attendance at both classes required. $50. 5-9 p.m. Jan. 25 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 26 at Corporate Community Relations and LiveWell, 801 East Blvd. RSVP before Jan. 16. donna.harless@carolinashealthcare.org.

Covenant Presbyterian

Study series: Psychologist and professor Dan Biber will present a series on “Love, Intimacy, Marriage and Making Love Last a Lifetime.” 6:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 16, 23 and 30. The presentations complement the Sunday sermon series for January. No reservations needed for the study; dinner available by reservation.

Guest speaker: Former Observer and Baltimore Sun writer Greg Barrett will share an inspiring story of how Iraqi Muslims rescued American Christians during the “shock and awe” bombings of 2003, and how those same Christians returned to Iraq seven years later to say thank you. Barrett will discuss his book, “The Gospel of Rutba: War, Peace and the Good Samaritan Story in Iraq,” and other stories of peacekeeping and interfaith cooperation. 9:30 and 10:45 a.m. Jan. 13. 1000 E. Morehead St. 704-333-9071; www.covenantpresby.org.

Faith and Health Connection

Online course: Learn about the connection between the Christian faith and health. Become a Faith and Health Ambassador through an 11-week course. Courses begin Jan. 17 and 23 and April 16 and 17. 704-542-3207; www.FaithandHealthConnection.org.

InSpirit, A Creative Spirituality Community

Guest speaker: Catherine Anderson will share a reflection on “Creativity As Pilgrimage.” 5 p.m. Jan. 13 at Tyvola Senior Center, 2225 Tyvola Road. busernc@gmail.com.

Sardis Baptist

Study: “Conversations With the Bible” is a yearlong study of the contradictions and duplications in the Bible. Free study guides. 9:45 a.m. Sundays.

Wednesday series: “Which Bible Do You Believe In?,” a discussion of how the Bible was formed. Richard Vinson of Salem College will speak about the Gnostic Gospels, and Frank Villaronga of the Charlotte Diocese will speak on the Apocrypha. 6:30 p.m. Jan. 16, 23 and 30. Separate children's and youth programs. Dinner at 5:45 p.m. 5811 Sardis Road. www.sardisbaptistcharlotte.org.

Central United Methodist

Anniversary celebration: United Methodist Church District Superintendent Gary Royals will preach at 11 a.m. Jan. 13 and preside at ceremonies opening the church cornerstone. The ceremonies will begin the first of many activities leading up to the church's 100th anniversary celebration April 7. 6030 Albemarle Road. 704-536-9157.

True Love Church of Refuge

Single-parent ministry: All single parents, custodial and noncustodial, ages 18 and up, are invited to join Single Parents Igniting Restoration In Truth (SPIRIT) Ministries. Find a sense of connection while growing together in godliness. Light refreshments served. Noon Jan. 26. 5201 Nations Ford Road, Suite D. www.spirit-ministries.org.

Carolina Voices

Choir auditions: Carolina Voices will hold auditions for two of its three choirs, MainStage and Impromptu. Auditions are 2-5 p.m. Jan. 19 and 6-8 p.m. Jan. 22 in Shalom Hall at Myers Park Baptist, 1900 Queens Road. Appointments required. Singers are encouraged to learn more about what is expected at auditions and of choir members by visiting www.carolinavoices.org.

Spring concert: Carolina Voices' MainStage Choir will present “Good Vibrations: Chart Toppers of the ‘60s” on May 10-11 at the McGlohon Theatre. 704-374-1564.

Community Blood Center of the Carolinas

Blood drive: 10 a.m.-noon Jan. 19 at Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist, 2901 Oneida Road. www.cbcc.us.

Temple Beth El

Comparative religion series: “After Life: An End or a Beginning?” Educators and leaders from several faiths will discuss the sources of their faiths' teachings. 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 22 through Feb. 26. Rabbi Judy Schindler of Temple Beth El and Rabbi Chanoch Oppenheim of Charlotte Torah Center will present a welcome, series overview, and Jewish perspective on the topic Jan. 22. 5101 Providence Road. 704-366-1948; www.beth-el.com.

Calvary Church

Support ministry groups: Winter sessions offer prayer, Biblical teaching and the encouragement of others. Groups include DivorceCare, DivorceCare for Kids, GriefShare, Boundaries, Search for Significance and Brave women's groups, and Trusting God men's group. Limited enrollment for some groups. Child care available. 7 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 21-April 29. Register at www.calvarychurch.com/support.

Women's Bible studies: Studies by Kay Arthur, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, more. 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Jan. 15. Preschool child care available. Register at www.calvarychurch.com/women.

English classes: Learn to speak English or improve your skills. Five levels offered. Winter semester runs Jan. 8-March 28. $50 per semester. Limited child care for morning classes only. 9-10:30 a.m. or 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. An additional pronunciation class meets at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and a Bible study meets at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays. 5801 Pineville-Matthews Road. www.calvarychurch.com.

Pineville Church of the Nazerene

Grief support group: GriefShare meets 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 9 through April 3. Join anytime. $10 for class and materials. The group meets in room 410 of the Family Life Center. 8614 Pineville-Matthews Road. Register at 704-542-3618.

St. Stephen United Methodist

Study series: Senior Pastor Tom Latimer will lead a series on “Growing a Culture of Invitation” based on the Acts of the Apostles and translating the insights to today's world. Traditional worship is at 9 a.m. Sundays and contemporary worship is at 11:15 a.m. The topic for Jan. 13 is “Resistance and Success,” and the topic for Jan. 20 is “Getting Out Taking Risks.” 6800 Sardis Road. www.ststephenumc.net.

St. Matthew Catholic

Symposium: Join us for a viewing of the Rev. Robert Barron's television series, “Catholicism.” Monthly meetings will include video and small-group discussion. Deacon Daren Bitter will lead the next session, “The Indispensable Men – Peter, Paul and the Missionary Adventure.” 7-9 p.m. Jan. 14. 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. www.stmatthewcatholic.org.

South Mecklenburg Presbyterian

Blood drive: American Red Cross drive open to ages 17 and older. Appointments appreciated. 8 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Jan. 19 in Mecklenburg Hall. 8601 Bryant Farms Road. For information, contact Kara Guy at theguys@carolina.rr.com.

Tiny Hands Ministries, Concord

Community event: “Celebration of Life,” a community worship and prayer gathering, will be held on Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. The event will include testimonies, prayer, worship and pro-life ministries. 6 p.m. Jan. 20. The Pennies From Heaven Memorial illustrating the estimated 57 million lives lost since Roe v. Wade will be on display 12:30-7:30 p.m. The event will be held in the main auditorium at Concord First Assembly, 150 Warren C. Coleman Blvd., Concord. www.tinyhandsbook.com.

The Choral Academy, Concord

Auditions: Vocal placement interviews for children and youth ages 7-20 to participate in three age-based choirs. No preparation is necessary. All youth in Cabarrus and the surrounding counties are welcome. New singers will be accepted through the end of January. The academy meets weekly at Calvary Lutheran, 950 Bradley St., Concord. www.choralacademy.org.

Roberta United Methodist, Concord

Hot dog sale: Hot dogs and homemade desserts, $1.25 each. Takeout available. Free delivery for orders of 10 or more. 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 19. 3925 Cochran Road, Concord. 704-786-9215.

St. John's Missionary Baptist, Gastonia

Anniversary service: Celebrating the 14th pastoral anniversary of Dr. Darial Jackson and First Lady Emma Jackson. Morning service, 10 a.m. Jan. 20. Prayer service, 2:30 p.m. Celebration service with speaker Bishop Franklin Lowery, 3 p.m. 1282 Bradford Heights Road, Gastonia. 704-864-6222.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Catawba Valley, Hickory

Service: Lay minister Barbara Beier will speak on “Improvisation.” 11 a.m. Jan. 13. 833 Fifth St. S. E., Hickory. www.uuhickory.org.

Community Blood Center of the Carolinas

Blood drive: 4-7 p.m. Jan. 14 at Grace Baptist, 300 Westland Farm Road, Mount Holly. www.cbcc.us.

The Bahá'ís of Huntersville

Video and discussion: The public is invited for a video on the plight of Bahá'ís in Iran, who are being denied a higher education. Discussion on the topic, “Education Under Fire.” Light refreshments served. 2 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Huntersville Arts and Cultural Center, 109 S. Old Statesville Road, Huntersville. www.huntersvillebahai.org.

Mt. Zion United Methodist, Cornelius

Concert: The Cornelius Concert Series presents the Vianello Trio performing classical favorites. A free-will offering will be taken at the door. 5 p.m. Jan. 19. Series continues March 8. 19600 Zion St., Cornelius. www.mtzionumc.net.

Community Blood Center of the Carolinas

Blood drive: 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at St. Therese Catholic, 217 Brawley School Road, Mooresville. www.cbcc.us.

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.

The 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; ÄÄÄÄÄÄ www.salvationarmycarolinas.org/commands/statesville.

Tabernacle United Methodist, Lancaster

Concert: Mercy's Well will perform during the contemporary worship service. 6 p.m. Jan. 13. 5908 Tabernacle Road, Lancaster. 803-286-4595.