UNHOLY BEEPS: The deacons’ board at Granada...

UNHOLY BEEPS: The deacons’ board at Granada Hills Baptist Church requested several weeks ago that all electronic devices be turned off or muted by those attending Sunday services.

“We’re a small congregation,” said Pastor Stephen Hasper, “but on a few Sundays it seemed like we’d get to a key point in the service and somebody’s beeper would go off.”

The occasional electronic age distractions from audible beepers, watch alarms and portable telephones might have been tolerated, but Hasper said the last straw was when he saw someone in the back row talking on a portable phone during the service.

“I nearly came unglued over that,” the pastor admitted.

JEWISH LECTURES: An examination of “the Jewish stake” in the resurgence of the religious right and Republicanism in U.S. politics will be the first topic for the University of Judaism’s annual Public Lecture Series, starting Thursday night at the Gindi Auditorium on the campus in the Sepulveda Pass.

Susan Estrich, USC professor of law and political science, will address the issue Thursday with a response by William Kristol, chairman of The Project for the Republican Future and former chief of staff for Vice President Dan Quayle.

Other speakers later in the series will include founder-editor Michael Lerner of Tikkun magazine, author Rabbi Harold Schulweis, Jewish scholar Gary Tobin of Brandeis University, and writer-radio talk show host Dennis Prager.

All lectures begin at 8 p.m. No tickets will be sold for individual lectures. The cost is $110 for the series, or $175 for preferred seating. For information, call (310) 476-9777, ext. 244.

CARDINAL’S AWARDS: Gloria N. Griffin of Northridge’s Our Lady of Lourdes parish and Gertrude M. Roberts of North Hollywood’s St. Charles parish are among five honorees who will receive the 1995 Cardinal’s Awards Friday for their volunteer activities and service to the Catholic archdiocese.

Cardinal Roger M. Mahony will present the awards at a benefit dinner at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel. For information, call (213) 251-2636.

MUSCULAR CHRISTIANITY: John Jacobs and the Power Team, a touring group of weightlifters, will combine evangelistic messages with displays of strength for five nights, starting Wednesday, at Shepherd of the Hills Church, 19700 Rinaldi St., Porter Ranch.

Each show begins at 7 p.m. and a donation of $2 at the door is suggested. For more information, call (818) 831-9333.

JEWISH CLASSES: A class on Jewish history with emphasis on understanding the Bible, taught by Mal Cohen, will be offered on eight Monday nights, starting Feb. 6, by the West Valley Jewish Community Center, 6429 Independence Ave., Woodland Hills.

The class will cost $30 for center members, $45 for non-members. Registration by Monday is required. Call (818) 587-3300 for more information.