Catholics to Discuss Death Penalty

St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church will sponsor a discussion on “Dead Man Walking: A Catholic Response” from 7:15 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. Speakers include actor Mike Farrell, president of Death Penalty Focus of California, and the Rev. John McAndrew, member of Catholics Against Capital Punishment. The church is at 2050 W. Ball Road, Anaheim. (714) 774-2407.

Temple Isaiah of Newport Beach will celebrate the Festival of Simchat Torah at 8 p.m. Friday. The festival, whose name in Hebrew means “The Rejoicing of the Law,” celebrates the completion of the reading of the Five Books of Moses. Rabbi David Rosenberg will officiate. The temple is at 2401 Irvine Ave. (714) 548-6900.

Archibald and Kathleen Hart will share their views on “Overcoming Incompatibility in Marriage: How to Turn Your Differences Into Blessings” during the “Couples Garden” seminar at 5 p.m. today at Presbyterian Church of the Master. Archibald Hart is a psychology professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, and Kathleen Hart is chaplain to student wives at the seminary.

The church’s Women’s Assn. will sponsor a “Season’s in Christ” holiday brunch and boutique at 10 a.m. Oct. 25. Tickets are $6. The church is at 26051 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo.

Call to Action, Orange County, a renewal movement in the Roman Catholic Church, will have a meeting at 7 p.m. Friday at University Center, Irvine. Lesley Wirpsa, West Coast reporter for the National Catholic Reporter, will focus on the hierarchy of the church as she discusses her recent trip to South America. The center is at 4255 Campus Drive, Suite 290, Irvine. (714) 854-2563.

Inactive Roman Catholics are invited to a discussion on scripture, morality, faith communities and more at 6:15 p.m. Sunday at Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish Center. Anyone who has been away from the church, feels spiritually empty or just has questions is encouraged to attend. The center is at 2046 Mar Vista Drive, Newport Beach. (714) 548-3844.

St. John’s Lutheran Church will present Charles Ore in an organ and choral concert at 4 p.m. Sunday. Jubilate, the church’s adult choir and brass ensemble, will accompany Ore. A freewill offering will be taken. The church is at 185 S. Center Drive, Orange. (714) 288-4400.

Rabbi Arnold Rachlis and Cantor Ruti Braier will lead Simchat Torah services at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the University Synagogue. Rachlis will speak on “Judaism for the 21st Century” during services at 7 p.m. Friday. The synagogue is at 4915 Alton Parkway, Irvine. (714) 553-3535.

George E. Saint-Laurent, professor emeritus of comparative religion at Cal State Fullerton, will present an evening of reflection and study on church history at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. Polycarp Catholic Church. A $2 donation will be accepted. The church is at 8100 Chapman Ave., Stanton. (714) 897-6306.

St. Irenaeus Church will offer “Coming Home” inquiry nights from 7 to 9 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 23 in the education building. Inactive Roman Catholics are encouraged to attend. The church is at 5201 Evergreen Ave., Cypress. (714) 826-0760.

A recital featuring tenor Roger Patterson will take place at 5 p.m. Sunday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Patterson has performed as lead tenor with the New York City and Memphis operas. A freewill offering will be taken and a reception will follow. The church is at 111 W. Las Palmas Drive, Fullerton. (714) 879-8290.

The Mainzer Domchor (Cathedral Choir of Mainz, Germany) will be in concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the United Methodist Church of Garden Grove. The choir consists of 65 boys and has a wide-ranging repertoire. Cost is $5.

The church women will have their Holiday Bazaar from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. Oct. 25 in Acker Hall. A brunch will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at a cost of $5 for adults and $3 for children. The church is at 12741 Main St. (714) 534-1070.

An introduction to Zen meditation will be offered from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Newport Mesa Zen Center. The workshop will teach meditation techniques and ways to incorporate them into life. Cost is $30. The center is at 711 W. 17th St., Suite A-8, Costa Mesa. (714) 722-7818.

The women of Bethlehem Lutheran Church will have their annual Apple Festival Bazaar from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. today in the southern church parking lot. Proceeds will benefit several church programs and the Bethlehem Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. The church is at 3352 Katella Ave., Los Alamitos. (310) 430-3444.

Temple Beth Shalom will have a Sukkot Country Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. There will be a petting zoo, a Biblical farmers market, a scavenger hunt and a time machine depicting occupations of Biblical times. Games, food, arts and crafts, a camel ride and live entertainment will also be featured. The temple is at 2625 N. Tustin Ave., Santa Ana. (714) 771-9229.

St. James Episcopal Church will present “The Spiritual Mozart Concert” at 4 p.m. Sunday. The concert will feature the Chancel Choir and an orchestra. A preconcert lecture at 3:30 p.m. will discuss the link between Mozart and spirituals. A freewill offering will be taken. The church is at 3209 Via Lido, Newport Beach. (714) 675-0210.

Unity Church of Tustin will present “Pony Catching Butterfly” (Ernie Northrup), a member of the Hopi Grey and Blue Flute Society, in a set of concerts this weekend. At 7 p.m. this evening, Northrup will deliver a “Spirit of the Hopi Concert” through Hopi flute music and Native American Storytelling. Tickets are $15.

From 3 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Northrup will lead a “Native American Drum Making Workshop.” Fee is $70, and attendance will be limited to 25. The church is at 14402 Prospect Ave., Tustin. (714) 730-3444.

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church will continue its weekly “Serendipity” discussion series at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Bonnie Wilkinson, MFCC, will speak on “Making Wishes Come True: It can Happen to You.” A $3 donation is requested. The church is at 600 St. Andrews Road, Newport Beach. (714) 631-2880.

The Rev. Robert A. Schuller will be joined by artist Thomas Kinkade as he leads worship services at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday at the Crystal Cathedral. Music will be provided by Grammy-winning vocalist Cynthia Clawson and pianist U-Jung Jung. Child care and Sunday School will be available. The church is at 12141 Lewis St., Garden Grove. (714) 971-4000.

First Presbyterian Church of Orange has added an education class for developmentally challenged adults 18 and older at 9 a.m. Sundays. The class works in conjunction with the church’s “Tuesday Night Together” fellowship. The church is at 191 N. Orange St. (714) 538-2341.

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