4-Day Conference in Anaheim Ends Sunday

Sunday is the last day of the annual Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, which is under way at the Anaheim Convention Center.

The theme of this year’s four-day conference, expected to attract 20,000 delegates, is “Waters of the Earth.”

Archbishop Roger M. Mahony, along with more than 100 priests and bishops at the event, has welcomed delegates from all over the United States, Canada, the Philippines and British Columbia to the event.

The conference is conducting 214 workshops covering all areas of religious education, including scriptural teachings, sacraments, family life and reconciliation. Topics of general interest are also being covered, such as spirituality in a pluralistic culture, health issues, youth ministry, media ethics and divorce.

The cost of registration is $40.

Anaheim Convention Center is at 800 W. Katella Ave. (at Harbor Boulevard) in Anaheim. Information: (213) 251-3332.

Gene Pearson of Lake Hills Community Church will begin a series of sermons Sunday on overcoming fear. The series will begin with “Who Says You Can’t?” at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services.

In addition, a “drive-in” worship service will be held in the parking lot at 8 a.m. Child care will be available for the two sanctuary services. The church is at 23331 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills. Information: (714) 837-7729.

Interim Pastor Don Wright will deliver the Sunday sermon “Ready, Set, Go,” at 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at Presbyterian Church of the Master.

Preparation for worship will begin at 8 a.m. with a Time of Prayer. The Prelude of Praise service will start at 8:30 a.m.

A Praise and Prayer worship is held every Wednesday at 7 p.m.

All services are held at the church, 26051 Marguerite Parkway (at Oso Parkway), Mission Viejo. Information: (714) 582-2670.

A five-week Lenten series on stress management will begin Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at St. Margaret of Scotland Episcopal Church in San Juan Capistrano.

The sessions will be conducted by Father Ron Bauer and psychologist Robert Merlino, who will discuss how stress, shame and guilt affect one’s self-esteem and the direction of one’s spiritual life.

The program will follow a potluck dinner of soup and bread that will start at 6:30 p.m.

The church is at 31641 La Novia Ave. (near the Ortega Highway exit of Interstate 5) in San Juan Capistrano. Information: (714) 661-0110.

Chabad of West Orange County will offer a free five-week crash course in reading Hebrew beginning Wednesday.

The class will meet every Wednesday from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at 5702 Clark Drive, Suite 18, in Huntington Beach. Information: (714) 846-2285.

The Rev. Dr. Michael H. Wenning of Geneva Presbyterian Church will deliver a series of sermons during Lent called “Understanding the Big Words of the Faith.”

The series will begin Sunday at 9 and 11 a.m. at 24301 El Toro Road in Laguna Hills. Child care will be available. Information: (714) 837-2323.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Garden Grove will celebrate the 40th anniversary of its founding Sunday.

A special Remembrance and Dedication service will be held at 3 p.m., followed by a fellowship buffet dinner. The church is at 13082 Bowen St., Garden Grove. Information: (714) 537-4243.

Shir Ha-Ma’alot Temple will present a concert by Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach on Tuesday evening at 7.

A donation of $10 will be requested at the concert. The temple is at 2100-A Mar Vista Drive in Newport Beach. Information: (714) 644-7203.

Beginning this week, Shepherd of the Hills Church in Laguna Niguel will hold Lenten study groups for six weeks.

Three sessions of the class will be offered: Sunday at 5:30 p.m.; Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. or 7:30 p.m.

The class will meet at the church, 30121 Niguel Road, Laguna Niguel. Information: (714) 495-1310.

Donald Dossey will conduct a three-hour seminar Sunday on “The Power of Positive Feelings” at the Unity Church in Mission Viejo.

Dossey, a behavioral scientist, has received international recognition for his work on the treatment of anxiety, phobia and stress. He also is the author of the book “Keying: The Power of Positive Feelings.”

A donation of $20 will be requested at the seminar, which will begin at 1 p.m. The church is at 28722 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo. Information: (714) 364-9616.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church is presenting a continuing drama, “The Cross and Our Witness,” every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The series will end March 20.

The church is at 3352 Katella Ave. in Los Alamitos. Information: (213) 430-3444.

The continuing Adult Education Ministry at St. Polycarp Catholic Church will offer a two-session lecture series titled “Introduction to Prayer.”

Father John Monestero, religion chairman at Mater Dei High School, will conduct the lectures, which will begin Wednesday and last from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The second lecture will be held the following Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

The lectures will be held at the church, 8100 Chapman Ave. (corner of Beach Boulevard and Chapman Avenue) in Stanton. Information: (714) 897-6306.

Organist Javier Garduno will perform Sunday at the United Methodist Church of Garden Grove.

Garduno, who lives in Mexico City, is a professor of organ, harpsichord and piano at the National Conservatory of Music and the Escuela Superior de Musica.

He also is the head organist of Christ Episcopal Church in Mexico City and specializes in music of the Baroque and Renaissance periods. He has given concerts all over the world.

Sunday’s concert will include works of Johann Sebastian Bach, Cesar Franck as well as the music of Spain and Mexico.

The public is invited to attend the 7 p.m. concert. A free-will offering will be taken.

The church is at 12741 Main St., Garden Grove. Information: (714) 534-1070.

First Southern Baptist Church in Fountain Valley will celebrate its 25th anniversary this weekend.

The church, which opened in 1966 with 58 members, today reports to have more than 1,000 members.

The 11 a.m. Sunday worship service will be followed by a church tour. The Sunday evening service will begin at 6, with fellowship afterward.

First Southern Baptist Church is at 10350 Ellis Ave. Information: (714) 968-4222.

Pastor Jacquelyn Harrold will address “The Transforming Power of Truth” Sunday at the Capistrano Valley Church of Religious Science.

The services will begin at 9 and 11 a.m., and child care will be available.

The church is at 32261 Camino Capistrano (in the San Juan Plaza), San Juan Capistrano. Information: (714) 240-6463.