Buena Park Church Offers Weekly Ecumenical Sessions

Alpha, an ecumenical program for those who wish to deepen their faith and strengthen their spirituality, will take place at 6:45 p.m. for the next 11 Thursdays at St. Pius V Church. Non-churchgoers of any denomination are invited. Each session begins with a meal. The church is at 7691 Orangethorpe Ave., Buena Park. Information: (714) 522-2193.

St. Irenaeus Church this week will sponsor a parish mission, “Discipleship: Following Jesus Through the Power of the Holy Spirit,” from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. Additional services will be offered from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday. A freewill offering will be taken. The church will also offer “Coming Home” inquiry nights from 7 to 9 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 22 (excluding Feb. 15). Catholics who feel alienated and/or nonactive are encouraged to attend. The church is at 5201 Evergreen Ave., Cypress. Information: (714) 826-0760.

Pastor Randy Jordan will give the message “Who Is the ‘King of the Hill?’ ” in honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. during the focus group gospel from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church. On Monday from 2 to 5:30 p.m., there will be a showing of the film “Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored,” and a keynote speaker, U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters. The church is at 26000 Muirlands Blvd., Mission Viejo. Information: (714) 837-2941.

Guest lecturer Eugene Bunkowske, director of the Dr. of Missionology Program, will speak on “Luther, the Missionary” at 7:30 p.m. Sunday as part of the Reformation Lecture Series at Concordia University. There is no cost. The university is at 1530 Concordia West, Irvine. Information: (714) 854-8002.

Scott Anderson, executive director of the California Council of Churches, will lead “The Faith Community Connects With CalWORKS” workshop from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the St. Joseph Center. The program will be sponsored by the Interfaith Peace Ministry of Orange County. The center is at 480 S. Batavia St. , Orange. Information: (714) 633-8121.

“The Winning Life” program, an introduction to Buddhism, will be offered at 10 a.m. Sunday by Soka Gakkai International-USA. The program will illustrate how each of us has the potential for a winning life. The center is at 1500 E. Warner Ave., Santa Ana. Information: (714) 444-9580.

Honey Kessler Amado, an appellate attorney, and Carol Levy, director of the American Jewish Congress, will share the podium on the topic “Ethics in Relationships, Marriage and Divorce” at 7 p.m. Sunday as part of the Jewish Ethics series at Congregation B’nai Tzedek. The cost for the series is $15. Individual lectures are $6, and students are free. Free child care is available to those who have made reservations. The congregation is at 9669 Talbert Ave., Fountain Valley. Information: (714) 963-4611.

Patsy Dooley, a Christian speaker who makes use of humor, will lead the L.A.F.F. (Ladies Active Friday Forum) Night, presented by the Women’s Ministry, at 7:15 p.m. Friday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. A minimum donation of $5 will be taken at the door. The church is at 4800 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine. Information: (714) 552-1918.

Inactive Catholics are invited to a continuing discussion, “Keep the Mystery and Jubilation of Christmas Alive,” at 6:15 p.m. Sunday at Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish Center. Topics include Scripture, morality, faith communities and more. Those who have been away from the church, feel spiritually empty or who just have questions may attend. The center is at 2046 Mar Vista Drive, Newport Beach. Information: (714) 548-3844.

A series for inactive Catholics who wish to consider becoming active will take place at 7:30 p.m. for the next six Wednesdays at San Antonio Catholic Church. The church is at 5800 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road, Anaheim. Information: (714) 974-1416.

Wycliffe Bible Translators will host a “Perspectives on the World Christian Movement” mission education series beginning today.Don Richardson, author of “Peace Child,” will give his “2000-year Connection” seminar. Regular classes will meet Tuesday evenings for the next 16 weeks. The center is at 19891 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach. Information: (714) 969-4630.

Calvary Church of Santa Ana is offering low-impact women’s aerobics classes at 8 a.m. every Saturday. The classes, which are taught by a professional aerobics instructor, cost $5.

The church will have Mothers of Preschoolers Support Group (MOPS) meetings each second and fourth Thursday from February through May. Registration is being accepted now. The church is at 1010 N. Tustin Ave. Information: 973-4800.

The Rev. Hector Tamez, minister at large for “Open Doors With Brother Andrew,” will be guest pastor at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday as part of mission emphasis month at Trinity United Presbyterian Church. “Open Doors With Brother Andrew” is a Santa Ana-based organization directed toward strengthening persecuted churches around the world. The church is at 13922 Prospect Ave., Santa Ana. Information: (714) 544-7850.

An organ recital featuring Hector Olivera will be presented at 6 p.m. next Saturday and at 3 p.m. Jan. 25 at South Shores Church. Tickets are $10. The church is at 32712 Crown Valley Parkway, Monarch Beach. Information: (714) 496-9331.

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church will continue its weekly “Serendipity” discussion series at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Marriage and family counselor Ron Shackelford will discuss “What We Have Here Is the Failure to Communicate.” A $3 donation is requested. The church is at 600 St. Andrews Road, Newport Beach. Information: (714) 631-2880.

The Rev. Leslie Heyboer will speak on “An Inescapable Network of Mutuality” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church. The sermon will explore the life and words of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Child care will be provided. The church is at 1259 Victoria St., Costa Mesa. Information: (714) 646-4652.

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.