In brief: Matters of Faith

ANIMAL BLESSINGS: Bring your safely secured pet for a blessing, 11 a.m.-noon today at Anchor Park United Methodist Church, 2300 Oak Drive, and 1-2 p.m. today at East Anchorage United Methodist Church, 1660 Patterson St. Free. (277-0152, www.anchorpark.org; 333-6611, www.eastanchorage.org)

FALL KICK-OFF: Christian Church of Anchorage, 10800 Lake Otis Parkway, will have a rally to encourage people to make God a priority and get schedules back on track for the school year, 11 a.m. today, with a potluck at 12:30 p.m. (522-6020)

MEN'S MINISTRY: North Anchorage Church of God, 1711 S. Bragaw St., has its "Life Builders" men's ministry breakfast and Bible study, 7:45-9:15 a.m. Saturdays. Free to men of all ages. (351-4344, www.northanchorage.com)

HARVEST PARTY: Celebrate the beginning of the fall season at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 3230 Lake Otis Parkway, with lunch, hay rides and carriage rides, bobbing for apples and other activities, noon-2 p.m. Sunday. (276-6231, www.stmark@stmarkalaska.org)

GUEST PREACHER: Kathie Adams will be the guest preacher at Joy Lutheran Church, 10111 E. Eagle River Loop Road, 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Jim Hemsath will be the presider. (694-9601, www.joy-lutheran.com)

SERMON SERIES: Anchor Park United Methodist Church, 2300 Oak Drive, will celebrate "Open Hearts, Open Minds and Open Doors" this fall to introduce or reintroduce families and friends to Jesus Christ. The "Next Door Savior" sermon series begins at 11 a.m. Sunday. (277-0152, www.anchorpark.org)

SUNDAY WORSHIP: The Rev. Kay Shock leads services at Jewel Lake Parish, 3833 Strawberry Road, 9:30-11 a.m. Sundays, with Bible study classes afterward for all ages, coffee and snacks. Everyone is welcome. (243-2146, www.jewellakeparish.org)

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE: Listen to the Christian Science Radio Sentinel broadcast on "Healing Addiction" at 8:30 a.m. Sunday on KBYR 700 AM. Church services and Sunday school for youths through age 19 are at 10 a.m. at 1347 L St. Join a free lecture on "What Would You Do If ...?" at 2 p.m. Sunday at UAA Rasmussen Hall, Room 101. (272-0226, www.christianscience.com)

ADULT EDUCATION: Examine the gospel reading for today and learn how the message relates to your life at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 2222 E. Tudor Road, 10:30 a.m. Sunday. (563-3341, www.godsview.org)

EPISCOPAL SERVICE: The Nauska Salmon Episcopal Community will meet for informal singing, Bible reading, prayer and Holy Communion, 5-7 p.m. Sunday at 7208 Duben Ave. A potluck will be held afterward. (337-2974, 529-5218)

COME ON IN: Trinity Presbyterian Church, 12310 Lorraine St., offers Sunday school for intensive and special-needs children, staffed by trained professionals, 10:30- 11:30 a.m. Sundays. Birthday parties can be arranged. It's free, but registration is required. (345-4823)

SUNDAY DEVOTIONS: Baha'is and friends gather to share prayers, singing, refreshments and discussion of spiritual topics at the Anchorage Baha'i Center, 1207 E. 74th Ave., 10 a.m.-noon Sundays. Everyone is welcome. (351-9496, www.anchoragebahai.org)

DHARMA TALK: The Rev. Koun Franz speaks at 10:25 a.m. Sundays at the Anchorage Zen Community, 359 E. 24th Ave. Instruction, study groups and other activities offered. (566-0143)

MONDAY MEDITATION: Attend Buddhist meditation and wisdom classes at Kaladi Brothers Coffee, 6921 Brayton Drive, 7-8:30 p.m. Mondays, with guided meditation and discussion. Beginners are welcome. $5. (250-9454, www.meditateinalaska.org)

BIBLE STUDY: Join free Bible study fellowships on John. Women's classes meet at 9 a.m. Thursdays at First Baptist Church, 1110 W. 10th Ave., and 6:55 p.m. Mondays at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 12310 Lorraine St. Men's classes meet at 6:55 p.m. Mondays at Faith Christian Community, 4240 Wisconsin St. A program for preschool children is offered during the day class and for school-age children during the evening classes. (770-6145)

TRINITY TUESDAY: Trinity Christian Reformed Church, 3000 E. 16th Ave., hosts free Bible study classes 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Cadets Boy's Club is for grades 1-8 and GEMS is for girls in pre-K to grade 6. Classes give men and boys the chance to share their love for Jesus and provide a place for girls to belong and build lasting relationships with God. Coffee Break, a Bible group for women, will study the book of Genesis. A free nursery is provided for ages 5 and younger. All are welcome. (272-8431, www.trinitycrc alaska.com)

TUESDAY TOTS: Babies, tots and parents gather to learn and play, 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays at Anchorage Lutheran Church, 1420 N St. Free. (272-5323)

ZEN NEWCOMERS: Receive basic instruction in seated and walking meditation, 7-8:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at Anchorage Zen Community, 359 E. 24th Ave. Free. (www.alaska-zen.org)

STORY HOUR: Trinity Christian Reformed Church, 3000 E. 16th Ave., offers a program for preschoolers, with Bible stories, songs, action rhymes, drama and crafts, 9:45-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Coffee Break, a Bible study for women, will occur at the same time, with a study of Genesis. Free. Child care is provided for ages 2 and younger. (272-8431, www.trinitycrcalaska.com)

JUSTFAITH: St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 2222 Tudor Road, hosts JustFaith: An Introduction, 7 p.m. Wednesday. Meet the facilitators and get an introduction to the class. This is a program about social justice for people who want to live a compassionate and engaged life. Free. (www.godsview.org)

ADVENTURE CLUB: Sand Lake Baptist Church, 7434 Jewel Lake Road, has a children's program, 5:30-7:15 p.m. Wednesdays, for ages 6 through sixth grade, beginning with a meal. The program is free. Meals are $2 for adults and $1 for children. (243-2168)

FINANCIAL PEACE: Join St. John United Methodist Church, 1801 O'Malley Road., 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday for an informational meeting on Financial Peace University. The 13-week class begins Wednesday. $100. (344-3025, www.stjohneagle.org)

MARRIAGE SEMINAR: Anchor Park United Methodist Church, 2300 Oak Drive, presents "Your Time Starved Marriage," 6-8 p.m. Thursdays through Oct. 15. Learn how to stay connected in the midst of your busy lives. Child care is provided. Free. (277-0152, www.anchorpark.org)

RETIREMENT RECEPTION: The Rev. Theodore A. Moore, Pastor of Leake Temple African Methodist Episcopal AME Zion Church and presiding elder of the Anchorage/Fairbanks district, has announced his retirement. A celebration, with a brief program, will be held at AME Zion Church, 430 N. Hoyt St., 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday. (272-9216)

THEOLOGY SCHOOL: Anchor Park United Methodist Church, 2300 Oak Drive, offers Lay School of Theology, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday and 8:30 a.m. Saturday. The school offers laity and others the chance to explore issues of spirituality, theology, religion and church leadership. Call for cost. (277-0152, www.anchorpark.org)

STELLAR KART: Anchorage Baptist Temple, 6401 E. Northern Lights Blvd., and KAFC 93.7 presents Stellar Kart in concert, 7 p.m. Friday, preforming their hits "Hold On," "Me & Jesus," "Jesus Loves You" and more. $20. Purchase advance tickets at Radio Espresso on Northern Lights Boulevard and Boniface Parkway and at South Central Alaska Christian Bookstores. (222-4826, www.kafc.org)

FAMILY GAMES: Game night for all ages at Unity Church of Anchorage, 1300 E. 68th Ave., is at 6:30 p.m. Fridays. Games vary each week. Free. (346-2824)

MOVIE NIGHT: Unity Church of Anchorage, 1300 E. 68th Ave., presents "Movies with a Message," 6:30 p.m. every other Friday. Bring dinner and enjoy a family-friendly movie. All movies are rated PG. Call for the title. Free. Love offerings welcome. (346-2824, www.unityofanchorage.org)

24-HOUR PRAYER: The Alaska Center for Spiritual Living is sponsoring 24/7 prayer assistance by professionally trained prayer practitioners. All calls are confidential. (677-2937, 866-750-7729)

SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE: Change Will Come consulting service provides faith-based guidance for those who seek understanding of how to implement spiritual living. Appointments are available 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekly at 3300 C St., Suite 117. (360-0102)

HEALTH SCREENINGS: The parish nurse offers blood pressure screenings and health consultations after Sunday worship and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at Joy Lutheran Church, 10111 E. Eagle River Loop Road. (694-9601)

Coming up

YOUTH CONFERENCE: Jack Eggar, president and CEO of Awana Clubs International, will be the featured speaker at the Children's and Youth Training Conference at Anchorage Grace Church, 12407 Pintail St., 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sept. 19. $35 per person, includes lunch and materials. (248-5524, DanB@awana.org; www.Awana.org)

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Matters of Faith is compiled by Joy Guest, 257-4315. To list an event, visit events.adn.com. Submit announcements by 5 p.m. Tuesday for publication in Saturday's paper.