Church to Conduct Prayer Vigil on AIDS

In response to the growing number of AIDS cases in Orange County, the Christ Chapel Metropolitan Church will hold a prayer vigil at 7 p.m. Friday at the church, 720 N. Spurgeon St., Santa Ana.

According to church pastor D. Dennis Chappell, the evening of prayer is an attempt to unite the county’s religious community over the issue. The prayer vigil will also feature guest speakers familiar with the disease and its effects on both the patient and the patient’s family.

The Rev. John McGill Krumm of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Tustin will lead the program. Also featured will be Werner Kuhn, director of the Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center of Orange County and the AIDS Response Program of Orange County.

During the weekend, the church’s sanctuary will be open for prayer. Special worship services will be held Saturday at 8 a.m., noon and 7 p.m. In place of an offering, churchgoers will be encouraged to make donations to AIDS programs in the county.

The Rev. Raymond Hartzell will begin as new pastor Monday at the Lutheran Church of the Cross, 24231 El Toro Road, Laguna Hills. Hartzell served for 12 years as executive director of Lutheran Social Services in the Washington, D.C., area. He will lead worship services at 10 a.m. Sept. 7, which will include Communion. For more information call (714) 837-4673.