Religion Notes

BRINGING THE PAST ALIVE: Dead Sea Scrolls authority Bruce E. Zuckerman will bring the ancient texts to life in a lecture Wednesday presented by the Jewish Federation/Valley Alliance in conjunction with an archeological exhibition of the same time period titled “Akeldama: In the Shadow of God’s Mountain.” Zuckerman is associate professor in the School of Religion at USC and director of the USC Archeological Research Collection. Guided docent tours will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by the lecture at 7:30 p.m. at the Finegood Art Gallery at the Bernard Milken Jewish Community Campus, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills. Admission is free, but reservations are requested. (818) 587-3218.

PSALMS CONCERT: The choir of St. John the Baptist de la Salle Catholic Church and the Women’s Chorale of the Tarzana-based Musart Singers will present “A Celebration of Psalms” from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the church at 16545 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills. The program will feature different musical settings of Psalm 23 (“The Lord Is My Shepherd”) as well as new arrangements of Psalms 32, 51, 92, 100 and 102 by various composers. Admission is free. (818) 363-2535.

DRAMATIZATION: As part of its Sunday evening Lenten programs, the First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood will present a dramatization by the Rev. Gwen Ehrenborg titled “Mary of Galilee, the Mother of Jesus, Continues to Speak and Inspire” at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at 4832 Tujunga Ave. A soup supper at 5:30 p.m. will precede the presentation. (818) 763-8231.

OPEN HOUSE, PURIM CARNIVAL: Adat Ari El, an 800-family Conservative congregation, will host an open house beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday at 12020 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Tours will be given and a free bagel brunch will be offered. A Purim carnival, with rides, food, games and a country store, will follow from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. (818) 766-9426.

MORE PURIM: The North Valley Jewish Community Center will hold its Purim carnival from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday at 16601 Rinaldi St., Granada Hills. Activities will include rides, games, music, clowns and a costume parade. Prizes will be given for the best and most creative costumer. Admission is free: (818) 360-2211. Also on Sunday, a Purim Prep workshop for all ages is planned from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., in Sepulveda Pass. Participants will create Purim noisemakers and bake traditional pastries, among other activities. Fee is $4 per person; museum admission is not included. (310) 440-4500.

SINGING QUAKERS: The choir of Friends University in Wichita, Kan., known as the “Singing Quakers,” will perform Sunday morning at Bel Air Presbyterian Church. Concert times are 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. at the church at 16221 Mulholland Drive in Sepulveda Pass. (818) 788-4200.

LATINO CHURCH: The Spanish-speaking congregation now meeting at the former Van Nuys First Presbyterian Church, a struggling congregation that was dissolved in January, will celebrate its new name--Presbyterian Evangelical Church--on Sunday with a special 4 p.m. service. About 400 Valley area Presbyterians are expected to attend, said the Rev. Nelson Grande, the pastor. The Rev. Felipe Hernandez, pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Orange County, will preach at the service in the church at 14701 Friar St., Van Nuys. (818) 786-6230.

TALK ON AIDS: Rabbi Raphael Goldstein, director of LA Jewish AIDS Services, will speak on “AIDS and the Jewish Community” at 8:15 p.m. Friday at Valley Beth Israel, 13060 Roscoe Blvd., Sun Valley. There is no admission charge and the public is welcome. (818) 782-2281.

SISTERHOOD LUNCHEON: Law professor Laurie Levenson will be the keynote speaker at an Adat Ari El Sisterhood lunch at noon Wednesday at 12020 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Levenson, who teaches at Loyola University, is a well-known media commentator on high-profile cases. The lunch is $6 per person and reservations are due by Monday. (818) 766-9426.