Conference Focuses on Middle East

“The State of the Church in the Middle East” two-day conference will begin at noon Friday and continue at 7:30 a.m. the next day at the Newport Mesa Christian Center on the Southern California College campus. Among scheduled activities are workshops, Bible studies, music and more. Eighteen speakers will be featured. Also, a preconference session will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Cost is $60, or $25 for students. The college is at 55 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. Information: (714) 668-6142.

The choirs of Newport Harbor Lutheran Church and Tustin Presbyterian Church will perform Mozart’s “Coronation Mass--K.317” and the “Ave Verum” at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Lutheran church. The choirs will be accompanied by an orchestra and soloist. Tickets are $7. The church is at 798 Dover Drive, Newport Beach. Information: (714) 548-8004 or (714) 544-7070.

Rabbi Arnold Rachlis will speak on “The First Annual Jewish I.Q. Quiz” at 8 p.m. Friday at the University Synagogue. The service will concentrate on Jewish history, philosophy, Bible and prayer. Music will be led by Cantor Ruti Braier. The synagogue is at 4915 Alton Parkway, Irvine. Information: (714) 553-3535.

The Rev. Abbot Charles Wright, from the Prince of Peace Abbey in Oceanside, will be the guest speaker during a Lenten prayer and reflection meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at St. Polycarp Catholic Church. The church is at 8100 Chapman Ave., Stanton. Information: (714) 897-6306.

A benefit recital featuring Keiko Takeshita, soprano, will take place at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church. Takeshita will be accompanied by Chizuko Asada on piano and Lilly Wilkins on the flute. Tickets are $6 general admission and $3 for students. Children under 12 are free. Guest speaker, the Rev. Scott Alexander of the Church of the Larger Fellowship, will give the message “The Growing of Our Faith” at 10:30 a.m. The church is at 1259 Victoria St., Costa Mesa. Information: (714) 646-4652.

The Rev. Margaret Mohit will continue her “Living a Life Where Dreams Come True” series with the message “Bring the Light” at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday at Unity Community Church. Sunday school will take place and child care will be provided. The church is at 22911 Mill Creek Road, Laguna Hills. Information: (714) 472-9230.

“Discovering God’s Vision for Your Life: You and Your Spiritual Gifts,” a two-day workshop, will begin at 6 p.m. Friday at San Clemente Presbyterian Church. The workshop, conducted by Kenneth Haugk, is $45 per person or $35 each for groups of four or more. The church is at 119 Avenida de la Estrella. Information: (714) 366-0643.

The “Meals With the Master” Lenten series will continue with the message “Bread, Betrayal and Bragging” at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday at Placentia Presbyterian Church. The church is at 849 N. Bradford Ave., Placentia. Information: (714) 528-1438.

Congregation Adat Israel announces the construction of its Silver Family Jewish Center and Synagogue. A groundbreaking ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. Sunday. The congregation hopes to have construction completed in time for the High Holy Days. The congregation is at 5052 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach. Information: (714) 846-2285.

The annual World Day of Prayer service will be offered at 1 p.m. Friday at Community Presbyterian Church. This year’s theme is “Like a Seed Which Grows Into a Tree.” A salad bar lunch will be available at 12:15 for a small donation. The church is at 32202 Del Obispo, San Juan Capistrano. Information: (714) 492-1502.

Rabbi Marvin Tokayer will speak on “Whatever Happened to the Ten Lost Tribes?” as part of the Jewish Community Forum lecture series at 7:30 p.m. Sunday in Chapman University’s Memorial Hall. Cost is $20. The university is at 333 N. Glassell Ave., Orange. Information: (714) 538-0404.

The Community Counseling Center at St. Matthew Church will sponsor “Angry Men . . . Passive Men/Angry Women . . . Passive Women: A workshop to help men and women understand their anger and use it to bring healing to themselves and their relationships” at 9:30 a.m. March 8. Cost is $29 per person/$49 per couple if reserved by Thursday; otherwise $35 per person/$60 per couple. The church is at 2207 W. Orangewood Ave., Orange. Information: (714) 520-8989.

The Rev. Lester Turner will lead the service with the theme “Resurrecting Your Dreams--Part I” at 10 a.m. Sunday at Unity Chapel by the Sea, which meets at the Woman’s Club of San Juan Capistrano. Refreshments will follow. The club is at 31442 El Horno St., San Juan Capistrano. Information: (714) 496-7972.

The Rev. Russell Williams will present “The Edge . . . Your Sword of Success” at 3 p.m. Sunday at Unity Church of Tustin. The seminar focuses on helping people find the life values that lead to successful living. Cost is $35. The church is at 14402 Prospect Ave., Tustin. Information: (714) 730-3444.

Eric M. Meyers, Ph.D., will give an “Ancient Synagogues” slide lecture at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Jewish Community Center of Orange County. The lecture, which is part of the Kershaw Archaeology Program series, is $8 for members and $12 for others. The center is at 250 E. Baker St., Costa Mesa. Information: (714) 755-0370.

Frank Rogers Jr., associate professor of religious education at Claremont School of Theology, will speak on “The Spirituality of Lent” from 9:35 to 10:25 a.m. Sunday at United Methodist Church of Laguna Hills. The talk will be part of the church’s Adult Forum series. The church is at 24442 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills. Information: (714) 837-3414.

Singer/composer Jeff Pearson will be in concert as part of Focus ’97 at 7 p.m. tonight at Presbyterian Church of the Covenant. A freewill offering will be taken. A Focus ’97 worship service will take place at 10 a.m. Sunday. The church is at 2850 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. Information: (714) 557-3340.

The contemporary Christian band River will be in concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Grace Lutheran Church. A Lenten soup supper will be offered at 5:30 p.m. The church is at 6931 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach. Information: (714) 897-0361.

The Rev. Mary Murray will begin her “Stepping Up to Higher Ground” series with the message “New Thought?” at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Huntington Beach Church of Religious Science. The Rev. Peggy Price will discuss “Living Artfully” at 5 p.m. Soprano JoAnne LaPointe will provide music. The church is at 2205 Main St., Huntington Beach. Information: (714) 969-1331.

Orange County Religion Notes is published on Saturdays. Send the item at least two weeks before the event to Orange County Religion Notes, The Times, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa CA 92626. Telephone calls cannot be accepted. Because of space limitations, The Times cannot guarantee that all notices will be published. Items must include subject, telephone number, event date, time and exact address.