B’nai Tzedek to Perform ‘Megillah’

Congregation B’nai Tzedek will present an encore performance of “The Megillah According to Broadway” at 6 p.m. Sunday. The play is a modern version of the story of Queen Esther. A $3 donation will benefit the Betty Louise Silverman CAJE Scholarship Fund. The congregation is at 9669 Talbert Ave., Fountain Valley. (714) 963-4611.

The Rev. James Dallas will give the Lenten sermon “Knowing What to Do With What We Have” at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the United Methodist Church of Laguna Hills. Between services, there will be a “Relating the Meaning of Lent to Our Children” adult forum by Frank Rogers from 9:35 to 10:25 a.m. Rogers is a professor of religion at Claremont School of Theology. The church is at 24442 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills. (714) 837-3414.

A Walk Out of Poverty 5K around Mile Square Regional Park is set for 9 a.m. April 4. The event, sponsored by St. Polycarp Adult Ministry, will hold registration at 8 a.m. at Holy Spirit Church, 17270 Ward St., Fountain Valley. (714) 897-6306.

The Rev. Tari Lennon will continue her “Into the Woods” Lenten series with the message “Jack and the Beanstalk--Jesus and Beelzebub” at 10 a.m. Sunday at Neighborhood Congregational Church. Wednesday morning Bible study will focus on “Our Many Selves” from 10:30 to noon in the library. The church is at 340 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach. (714) 951-7260.

A Voices luncheon sponsored by the Women’s Division of the Jewish Federation of Orange County will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Hyatt Regency Irvine. Author, historian and Holocaust survivor Gerda Klein, whose “One Survivor Remembers” documentary has won Emmy and Academy awards, will be the keynote speaker. Cost is $50, plus a minimum commitment of $118 to the Jewish community through the Jewish Federation 1998 Annual Campaign. The Hyatt is at 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine. (714) 755-5555, Ext. 222.

The Rev. Jon Dobrer will discuss “After Life and After Lives” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Fullerton. Religious education for children will be offered. The church meets at Temple Beth Tikvah, 1600 N. Acacia Ave., Fullerton. (714) 871-7150.

Magician Dick Barry will perform at 6:30 tonight at Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church. Fellowship and dessert will follow. A freewill offering will be taken. On Wednesday, a one-man drama featuring Wesley Hunt as John the Apostle will be presented at 7 p.m. The church is at 26000 Muirlands Blvd., Mission Viejo. (714) 837-2941.

Presbyterian Church of the Master will host a Faith Renewal Weekend, beginning with a potluck dinner, music and message at 6 tonight. The Rev. Gary Demarest will speak on “The Church in the 21st Century” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The church is at 26051 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo. (714) 582-2670.

Gospel singers Charlotte and Mike Turner will be in concert at 9 a.m. Sunday at Trinity Lutheran Church. The Turners have recorded more than 16 albums and have performed in 5,000 concerts. The church is at 902 S. Broadway, Santa Ana. Information: (714) 542-0784.

Annemarie Rawlinson will present a “Walking a Sacred Path” workshop from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Seal Beach Church of Religious Science. There will be an explanation and demonstration of the ancient practice of labyrinth walking as a tool of contemplation and spiritual growth. Tickets are $15. A Seder dinner will be offered at 6:30 p.m. Friday. The church is at 500 Marina Drive, Seal Beach. Information: (310) 598-3325.

Rabbi Arnold Rachlis will lead an “Introduction to Reconstructionism and University Synagogue” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the University Synagogue. The program is designed for new and prospective members. Reservations are requested. The synagogue is at 4915 Alton Parkway, Irvine. Information: (714) 553-3535.

Guest speaker Shabbir Mansure, founding director of the Council on Islamic Education, will discuss “Islam: What is It? Muslims? Who Are They?” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Church of South County. A “Choice in Choosing a Health Plan” early bird discussion begins at 9:30 a.m. The church is at 25801 Obrero Drive, Suite 8, Mission Viejo. (714) 581-0245.

The Chapman University Department of Religious Studies will have its “Gender and Love in the World Religions: New Perspectives for the 21st Century” conference from Wednesday through Friday in the Argyros Forum. The conference will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday with a lecture on “Consuming Fire: The God of Love and the Love of God.” The conference is open to the public with no admission charge or registration required. Chapman University is at 333 N. Glassell St., Orange. (714) 628-7326.

The Hebrew Academy will have its annual Pesach Extravaganza at 10 a.m. Sunday in the multipurpose room. Students will present stories and musical programs highlighting Jewish traditions. The academy is at 14401 Willow Lane, Westminster. (714) 898-0051.

Entertainer Alan Peabody will present an afternoon of music and poetry at 4 p.m. Sunday at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in the Guild Hall. Peabody will feature works by such authors as Lewis Carroll and T.S. Elliot. A $20 donation for the recital and dinner will benefit St. Mary’s Choir. The church is at 428 Park Ave., Laguna Beach. (714) 494-3542.

Father Mike Barry will lead a “Tools to Use for Praying for Healing” during a healing Mass and service at 7:30 p.m. Monday at St. Angela Merici Church. Barry is director of the San Bernardino Diocese Prayer Communities. Those suffering from emotional, physical or spiritual illness or those concerned for someone who is are encouraged to attend. The church is at 585 S. Walnut Ave., Brea. (714) 525-1774.

Ron Richards will present “Damien,” a one-act, one-man Lenten drama written by Aldyth Morris, at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Mesa Verde United Methodist Church. The play depicts the life of the missionary priest Damien, who visited a leper colony in Molokai, Hawaii. The church is at 1701 W. Baker St., Costa Mesa. (714) 979-8234.

Call to Action Orange County, an organization of more than 18,000 lay people, priests and bishops working together to foster peace, justice and love, will meet at 7 p.m. Friday at the University Center. This year’s meeting will focus on the platform and ways in which people are excluded from the church. Carmen Sarati, C.S.J., will lead a discussion on enculturation. The center is at 4255 Campus Drive, Suite 290, Irvine. (714) 854-3779.

Guest minister Bill Pannell, dean of chapel and professor of preaching at Pasadena’s Fuller Theological Seminary, will speak at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Trinity United Presbyterian Church. Tonight at 7 p.m. the church will present “A Spring Recital.” A freewill offering will be taken. On April 4, the church will offer a Passover Seder at 6 p.m. Cost is $20 for families or $7 for individuals. Reservations are required by Wednesday. The church is at 13922 Prospect Ave., Santa Ana. (714) 544-7850.

Jean Forbath, founder and director of SOS, Costa Mesa, will give the message “Not in My Backyard” at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Laguna Beach. A religious education program for children 5 to 12 will be offered during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service. The center is at 429 Cypress Drive, Laguna Beach. (714) 497-4563.

The Rev. Leslie Heyboer will speak on “Money and the Meaning of Life” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church. The sermon is based on a book by philosopher Jacob Needleman and will explore ways in which life and church would be different if each had more priority. The church is at 1259 Victoria St., Costa Mesa. (714) 646-4652.