50th Anniversary Celebration

* The Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Oxnard will celebrate its 50th anniversary Sunday at the 10:30 a.m. worship service.

The first worship service was held at the Community Center on Jan. 4, 1948. The Rev. Walter Gravrock and his family established the Mission Church with Rusty and Helen Jackson, who are still members.

That same year, the property at Doris and F streets was purchased and remains the site of the church.

Eight congregants were present for the first worship service; the membership today is 437.

Former Pastors Gravrock, Gregory Kintzi and Earl Eide and former Vicar Christine Miller will greet the congregation.

After the service, a luncheon will be held in the fellowship hall. Reservations are requested; call the church office at 983-0612.

The church is at 721 Doris Ave.

TV Host-Author to Speak in Ojai

* Tony Campolo, an internationally known speaker, author, television host and sociologist, will speak three consecutive nights at the bowl in Ojai’s Libbey Park, beginning Sunday.

The “Festival of Faith” is sponsored by the Ojai Valley Ministerial Assn.

Campolo’s Sunday talk, titled “Knowing God,” addresses how to get in touch with God in everyday life.

The Monday event, “How to Love,” will be about moving beyond romance and engaging in the kind of intimacy that makes life worthwhile.

“Making a Difference” on Tuesday considers how to give meaning to life and find fulfillment.

All events run from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Libbey Park, at Signal Street and Ojai Avenue. In case of rain, the events will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church at California 33 and El Roblar in Ojai. For more information, call 646-1437.

Chabad, Academy Plan Banquet

* Chabad and the Conejo Jewish Academy will hold their annual banquet Sunday at the Warner Center Marriott Hotel in Woodland Hills.

Stuart Greenburg, active in community affairs since moving to the Conejo area in 1986, will receive a lifetime achievement award.

The banquet will include a performances by comedian Red Buttons, singer Moshe Yess and the Skye Michaels Orchestra. For more information or reservations for the banquet, which costs $150 per person, call Chabad at (818) 991-0991.

Temple’s Special Events for June

* Jewish Families of Camarillo--Temple Ner Ami will host two special events this month.

On Tuesday, the temple will host an “Israel at 50” birthday celebration at 7 p.m. The event is free to members and $5 to nonmembers.

On Friday, guest Rabbi Stuart Lasher will conduct the Shabbat service at 7:30, followed by refreshments.

All events will take place at the temple, 4098 Calle Tesoro, Suite D. For more information, call 388-3824.

Anniversary Concert by Guitarist

* Ventura’s Jewish community will welcome songwriter-guitarist Debbie Friedman at a concert in celebration of the congregation’s 60th anniversary June 20. Friedman recently performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City, combining melodies in the American folk tradition with lyrics derived from Hebrew prayers.

Friedman’s concert will also honor Dr. Ralph Moses, who has served as Temple Beth Torah’s cantor for many years. Moses, whose family helped found the Ventura County Jewish Council and Temple Beth Torah, will also be honored on June 19 during a special congregational Shabbat dinner and service.

Ticket prices for the 8 p.m. June 20 concert range from $18 to $50. For more information, call the temple office at 647-4181. It is at 7620 Foothill Road.

Vacation Bible School Offered

* Children ages 4 through 14 are invited to attend a free one-week vacation Bible school sponsored by Love International Outreach Fellowship in Ventura.

Sonlight Island vacation Bible school’s program will begin June 22 and run through June 26 from 9 a.m. to noon daily. On June 27, a picnic at Marion Canon Park in Ventura will wrap up the week.

The fellowship is at 1620 Mesa Verde Ave. It is part of Love International Ministries based in Santa Paula. For more information, call the church office at 647-5463.

Church Plans Family Barbecues

* St. Paschal Baylon Catholic Church of Thousand Oaks will hold a summer outreach dinner and fund-raiser called “Friday Family Gourmet Barbecue” on several Friday nights on the church grounds. Everyone is welcome.

The barbecue will offer a variety of entrees and side dishes at reasonable prices, available to take out or eat on the premises. Barbecue dates are 5 to 7:30 p.m. June 26, July 17 and 31, then every Friday night through Sept. 11.

Steaks, fish and chicken dinners, hot dogs and beverages will be on the menu.

The barbecue team works in tandem with the charitable group People to People, which has served thousands of meals to local needy and homeless people.

“We hope this will encourage a return to the family meal and help raise money for, and community consciousness of, some of the outreach programs to the needy in which St. Paschal Baylon participates,” said Msgr. Joseph George, pastor.

St. Paschal Baylon is at 155 E. Janss Road. For more information, call 496-0222.

Multifamily Garage Sale Planned

* Congregation Am Hayam of Oxnard will hold its second annual multifamily garage sale at 4930 Oceanaire St. from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 28.

For more information, call 656-6634.

Religion Briefs runs each Saturday. Please address items, with a publishable telephone number, to Religion Briefs, Los Angeles Times, 93 S. Chestnut St., Ventura 93001. Items may be faxed to The Times at 653-7576 or 653-7548.

New Bishops Appointed in 2 Wards

New bishops have been appointed to lead the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Santa Paula and Fillmore.

Terence Nelson III has been appointed bishop of the Santa Paula Ward, succeeding Steven Shuel. Nelson previously was a bishop’s counselor, young men’s president and elders’ quorum president. He has chosen Herbert Dean Carlson as his first counselor and McKay G. Hendrix as his second counselor.

David Daniel Starr is the new bishop of the Fillmore Ward, replacing Richard Winmill. Starr has held many positions in the church, including high councilor and ward mission leader.

Starr has chosen Juan Marcos Felix and Robert Dee Lundskog as his first and second counselors, respectively.

Church leaders serve without financial compensation. A bishop’s term is for about five years.