Anchorage Daily News

BACK-TO-SCHOOL BASH: Start the school year with a free celebration for elementary children and their families from 3 to 5 p.m. today at Anchorage Free Methodist Church, 4607 E. Sixth Ave. Enjoy games, activities, crafts, and prizes. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be served at 4:45 p.m. For details, call 333-6085 or visit Anchorage. FreeMethodistChurch.org

ST. JOHN EVENTS: St. John United Methodist Church, 1801 O'Malley Road, will host a family friendly fundraiser for the emergency food bank FISH, Fellowship In Serving Humanity, from 3 to 6 p.m. today. Donate non-perishable food items or money. Rose Mclean will lead a blessing of the pets at 5 p.m. Sunday. All pets and their humans are welcome to attend. For details, call 344-3025.

PROPHECY REVIVAL: Northside Adventist Church, 204 W. 10th Ave., will have a free revival at 7 p.m. today. Bible prophecies will be reviewed, including the rapture and the millennium. For details, call 720-2753.

WHAT IS ISLAM?: Masjid As-Sunnah invites everyone to attend a free question-and-answer session on "What is Islam?" and "Who are the Muslims?" from 3 to 6 p.m. today at Fairview Rec Center, 1121 E. 10th Ave. Abu Muhammad Al-Maghribee will speak. Free hot dogs, hamburgers and refreshments will be served. For details, call 229-4813 or e-mail masjidsunnah@gmail.com.

GARAGE SALE: Joy Lutheran Church, 10111 E. Eagle River Loop Road, will host the Eagle River Rotary Club garage sale from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today. Proceeds will go to Polio Plus, a world-wide Rotary program to eliminate polio. For details, call 694-9601 or visit www.joy-lutheran.com

NEW PASTOR: The Rev. Julia Seymour will preach at the 10 a.m. service Sunday at Lutheran Church of Hope, 1847 W. Northern Lights Blvd.Visitors are welcome. The building is handicap accessible and child care is available. For details, call 279-7714.

ADULT EDUCATION: Join St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 2222 E. Tudor Ave., at 9 a.m. Sunday for an in depth discussion of "Today's Gospel." The discussion series "Reclaiming the World" concludes at 6 p.m. Tuesday with a potluck followed by the program and discussion. All are welcome. For details, call 563-3341.

CANDIDATE SUNDAY: The local candidates on the November ballot have been invited to attend a special service at the Anchorage Baptist Temple, 6401 E. Northern Lights Blvd., at 11 a.m. Sunday. Meet the candidates, ask questions and show your support. For details, call 333-6535.

MALE EMPHASIS: Deacon Robert Pillow will speak on "Honoring the Man of God" from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at Church of the Redeemed, 1660 Patterson Drive. The community is invited to join in the celebration of Ministry to Men, where the vision is "Equipping God's People to Serve Now!" For details, call 522-2335.

SUMMER SERIES: Trinity Presbyterian Church, 12310 Lorraine St., dives into "Conversations ..." at 10:30 a.m. and 7:07 p.m. Sundays. Learn to have discussions with people who have different beliefs. Child care and kids church are available. For details, call 345-4823.

BUDDHIST SERVICES: The White Lotus Center for Shin Buddhism will have services at 11 a.m. Sundays at the Alaska Pacific University chapel, Atwood Building. Services are followed by discussions on the compassion and wisdom of Buddhist teachings. For details, call 306-0620.

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE: The Christian Science Radio Sentinel will broadcast at 8:30 a.m. Sunday on KBYR 700-AM. The topic will be "Financial Stability For Our World." Last week's topic re-broadcasts at 8 a.m. Church services at 1347 L St. are at 10 a.m. and will focus on "Mind." Sunday school for youth through age 19 meets at 10 a.m. For details, call 272-0226 or visit www.christian science.com.

HEALTH SCREENINGS: The Parish Nurse continues blood pressure screenings and health consultations at 9 a.m. Sundays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays to Aug. 31 at Joy Lutheran Church, 10111 E. Eagle River Loop Road. For details, call 694-9601.

YOUTH CONFERENCE: New Antioch Church Of God In Christ, 1211 Karluk St., hosts Evangelist Joyce Rodgers, International Youth Department chair lady for the Church Of God In Christ and Evangelist Karen F. Hatcher from Louisville, Ky., at 7 p.m. Aug. 25 to 31. Free to the public. For details, call 727-8499 or visit newantiochcogicak.org.

RELIGION COURSES: Alaska Pacific University, 4101 University Drive, will offer four-week religion courses. The Gospel of Mark will be Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 9:30 p.m., Aug. 26 to Sept. 18 at APU, Grant Hall 231. The Foundations of Hinduism will be from 7 to 9:20 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays Aug. 25 to Sept. 22 at APU, Grant Hall 232. Professional development credits and continuing education units available. Register early and pay $95. For details, call 564-8274 or visit www.alaskapacific.edu/depts/newman/course_descs.php.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: East Anchorage United Methodist Church, 1660 Patterson St., will have vacation Bible school from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 28 to 31 with Bible stories, music, crafts and fun for ages 4 through sixth grade. For details, call 333-0906.

SPECIAL NEEDS: Trinity Presbyterian Church, 12310 Lorraine St., offers "Come on IN" Sunday school from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sundays, Sept. 7 to May 18, 2009. This program for intensive/special-needs children meets during adult worship and is staffed by trained professionals. Birthday parties can be arranged. It's free, but registration is required. For details, call 345-4823.

ONGOING

SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE: Change Will Come consulting service provides faith based guidance for believers who seek understanding of how to implement spiritual living and advises crisis situations, stress and fears. Appointment are available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekly, by appointment, at 3300 C St., Suite 117. Call Apostle Bailey at 360-0102 for an appointment or visit www.mychangewillcome.com.

BIBLE STUDY: First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, 3031 LaTouche St., will host an adult Bible study on the Gospel of Matthew at 9:30 a.m. Sundays with worship at 10:30 a.m. For details, call 272-0615.

BENEFIT COOKBOOK: Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 2800 O'Malley Road, offers "Tastes Like Home: Mediterranean Cooking in Alaska" for sale after services every Sunday. The cost is $25 plus shipping if purchased online. For details, call 348-0651 or visit www.medcookingalaska.blogspot.com.

PUBLIC DHARMA TALKS: The Rev. Koun Franz will speak at 10:25 a.m. Sundays at the Anchorage Zen Community, 359 E. 24th Ave. Instruction, study groups and other activities are also offered. For details, call 566-0143 or visit www.alaska-zen.org.

INFINITE WAY: Recorded lectures by Joel Goldsmith will be presented at 11 a.m. Saturdays. A 15-minute meditation period will precede and follow each lecture. For details and location, call 522-0508.

MONDAY MEDITATION: Jitters Cafe, 11401 Old Glenn Highway, Eagle River, hosts Buddhist monk lectures and meditation classes at 7 p.m. Mondays. For details, call 250-9454 or visit www.meditateinalaska.org.

GRIEF AND DIVORCE SUPPORT: Muldoon Community Assembly, 7041 DeBarr Road, sponsors free support groups from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Grief Share is for people who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Groups offer healing for adults and children going through separation and divorce. 272-3212 or 338-6777.

24-HOUR PRAYER: The Alaska Center for Spiritual Living is sponsoring 24/7 prayer assistance by professionally trained prayer practitioners. All calls are confidential. Call 677-2937 or toll-free at 1-866-750-7729.

SUPPORT GROUPS: Anchorage City Church, 1301 W. 100th Ave., offers prayer, study and support groups weekly. For details, visit www.anchoragecity church.org.

Matters of Faith is compiled by Joy Guest, who can be reached at 257-4315. To submit an event, go to adn.com and click on "Submit an event." E-mail announcements to hometown@adn.com by 5 p.m. Tuesday for publication on Saturday's Religion page. Type "religion" in the subject line.

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