Sukkot Festival to Focus on Israel, Benefit Programs

Temple Beth Shalom will host its annual “Discover Modern Israel” Sukkot Country Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Booths will display contemporary Israeli technology, foods, transportation, occupations and activities. Proceeds will benefit community service projects, temple youth scholarships and educational programs. The temple is at 2625 N. Tustin Ave., Santa Ana. (714) 544-7889.

A Lutheran College Fair will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Embassy Suites in Anaheim. Admissions representatives will discuss programs, costs, financial aid and more. Embassy Suites is at 3100 E. Frontera St. (800) 331-9650.

The University Choir and Orchestra from Azusa Pacific University will perform at 6 p.m. Sunday at South Shores Church. The church is at 32712 Crown Valley Parkway, Monarch Beach. (714) 496-9331.

The Wesleyan Choir of United Methodist Church of La Habra and the Crystal Cathedral Chorale will present Franz Schubert’s mass in G Minor at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at La Habra Methodist Church. A second performance will take place next Sunday at the Crystal Cathedral. The church is at 631 N. Euclid St. (562) 691-9615.

Joe Yelle will present “John and Paul--Two Contrasting Pillars of the Church” during the 9:30 a.m. Sunday early-bird service at the Unitarian Universalist Church of South County. The Rev. Suzanne Dougherty will speak on “Hearing to Speech” at 10:30 a.m. The church is at 25801 Obrero Drive, Suite 8, Mission Viejo. (949) 581-0245.

The campus of Jewish Federation of Orange County will be transformed into a Sukkah during its annual meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday. Agencies and organizations within the Jewish community will be highlighted. The Flying Falafel Brothers will entertain, followed by a Sukkot dessert. The federation is at 250 E. Baker St., Suite A, Costa Mesa. (714) 755-5555.

Rock Harbor Church will celebrate its one-year anniversary during the 8:45 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday services at the Costa Mesa Senior Center. Each week, attendance exceeds 750 people at this nondenominational church. The center is at 695 W. 19th St. (714) 546-1919.

Congregation B’nai Israel’s membership committee will sponsor a Shabbat Dinner Under the Stars following Shabbat services at 6:15 p.m. Friday. Cost is $7 for adults and $4 for children 4 to 12. Prospective members and children 3 and under are free. Reservations are required. The congregation is at 2111 Bryan Ave., Tustin. (714) 730-9693.

Pastor Don F. McMillan will give the message “Increase Your Faith” during the First Saturday Contemporary Worship Service at 6 p.m. today at King of Glory Lutheran Church. The church is at 10280 Slater Ave., Fountain Valley. (714) 963-5649.

Temple Isaiah of Newport Beach will celebrate the festival of Sukkot at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. During this Feast of Tabernacles, worshipers offer thanks for God’s bounty and pray for the earth’s fertility. The temple is at 2401 Irvine Ave., Newport Beach. (949) 548-6900.

Episcopal Church of the Messiah will conduct its annual bilingual service in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month at 10:15 a.m. Sunday. A luncheon, $8 for adults and $4 for children, will follow. Proceeds benefit the Hispanic ministry. The church is at 614 N. Bush St., Santa Ana. (714) 543-9389.

The Rev. Ginny Wheeler will lead World Communion Sunday services at 8:30 and 10 a.m. at Laguna Beach United Methodist Church. Child care will be available. The church is at 21632 S. Wesley Drive, South Laguna. (714) 499-3088.

Paul Apodaca, Chapman University sociology professor, will speak on “Native American Religions of Orange County” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church. Child care and youth religious education will be offered. The church is at 1259 Victoria St., Costa Mesa. (714) 646-4652.

The Rev. Tari Lennon will give the message “When the Cat’s Away” at 10 a.m. Sunday at Neighborhood Congregational Church. Sunday school also begins at 10 a.m. The church is at 340 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach. (714) 494-8061.

The Rev. James Dallas will lead the 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship services at the United Methodist Church of Laguna Hills. A “Science, Philosophy and Religion of the Urantia Books” Adult Forum presentation will take place from 9:35 to 10:25 a.m. in the Wesley Room. The church is at 24442 Moulton Parkway. (714) 837-3414.

A “Raising PG Kids in an R-Rated World” parent series will be offered from 7:30 to 9 p.m. each Tuesday in October at St. Irenaeus Church. Cost is $15 per person or $20 per couple. Child care is available on request. The church is at 5201 Evergreen Ave., Cypress. (714) 826-0760.

The Rev. Gary Demarest will give the Communion message “Please Pass the Bread” at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Trinity United Presbyterian Church. Adult classes, children’s programs and nursery care will be available. The church is at 13922 Prospect Ave., Santa Ana. (714) 544-7850.

St. John’s Episcopal Chrysostom Church offers a free community Bible study from 7 to 8 p.m. each Wednesday. The all-ages class, taught by the Rev. Timothy L. Fountain, focuses on the Gospel of John. The church is at 30382 Via Con Dios, Rancho Santa Margarita. (949) 858-5144.

Edward Tabash, activist attorney with the Center for Inquiry West, will discuss “The Current Controversy Over the Boy Scouts” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Church of Orange County. Tabash will focus on religious discrimination. The church is at 511 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim. (714) 758-1050.

St. Norbert Catholic Church will host a “Back in the Swing of Things” Oktoberfest celebration from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. next Saturday and 1 to 9 p.m. next Sunday. The festival will feature food, games, rides and live entertainment. The church is at 300 E. Taft Ave., Orange. (714) 998-2528.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church will hold a Blessing of the Animals service at 11:30 a.m. on the church patio. The 10 a.m. worship service will focus on mankind’s reliance on animals and nature and the need to care for Earth. The church is at 1221 Wass St., Tustin. (714) 544-3141.

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