Greek Festival at St. Paul’s in Irvine

St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church will host its 20th annual cultural festival from noon to 10 p.m. today and from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. There will be Greek food, a band, dance lessons, games and more. Admission is $2. Children younger than 10 are free. The church is at 4949 Alton Parkway, Irvine. (714) 733-2366.

St. John’s Lutheran Church will present a concert to dedicate improvements to the church pipe organ, featuring William J. Heide at 4 p.m. Sunday. A freewill offering will be taken. The church is at 154 S. Shaffer St., Orange. (714) 288-4400.

Aldersgate United Methodist Church will have an “Aldersgang” welcome meeting for new and returning members. The group is for fourth- through sixth-graders. The church is at 1201 Irvine Blvd., Tustin. (714) 544-3653.

Congregation B’nai Israel will have a groundbreaking ceremony for its Sharon Sanctuary, which will serve as the permanent worship facility, at 4 p.m. Sunday. Israeli dancing, a cookout and music will be included in the festivities.

Elli Wohlgelernter, Jerusalem Post correspondent, will lead a discussion on Jerusalem at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Topics will include “The Religious/Secular Divide” and “The Media’s Sometimes Distorted Lense.” The congregation is at 2111 Bryan Ave., Tustin. (714) 730-9693.

The sermon will be “Bring a Smile to God’s Face--Repent” at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church’s annual outdoor worship service at 9 a.m. Sunday. A country theme with games and food will highlight the event. The church is at 7082 Crescent Ave., Buena Park. (714) 827-6021.

Music Director Ted Reid will lead musical Sunday worship services at 9 and 10:30 a.m. at Irvine United Church of Christ. Reid and guest Ray Craig will share anecdotes about each hymn.

A “Rescuing the Bible From Fundamentalism” class will be offered from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 14 in classroom 4. Historical and interpretive Bible works will be examined. The church is at 4915 Alton Parkway. (949) 733-0220.

Placentia United Methodist Church will sponsor a Community Yard Sale from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. next Saturday in the parking lot. Worship services take place at 8 and 10 a.m. each Sunday, with Sunday school at 9 a.m. The church is at 2050 N. Valencia Ave. (714) 528-1483.

Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church will have worship services, adult Bible study and Sunday school at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Child care will available. The church is at 30071 Ivy Glenn. (714) 249-1218.

Temple IJC reform congregation will host a coffee open house from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday in the home of members Ken and Ilene Kasdan. Information about the religious school and Temple will be available. The Kasdan home is at 31932 Violeta Lane, Cota de Caza. (949) 829-5880.

A “Women in the Bible” class will be offered from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Center for Spiritual Development. Christine Hilliard will discuss women in the Old and New testaments. Cost is $20. The center is at 434 S. Batavia St., Orange. (714) 744-3175.

The Young Leadership of the Jewish Federation Orange County will have its “Summer Daze Craze Kick Off Party” from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at Heritage Park. There will be a softball game, pie eating contest, bake-off and more. Free for members (and those who join) and $15 for others. Heritage Park is at 4601 Walnut, Irvine. (714) 755-5555.

Rabbi Arnold Rachlis will speak on “Sickness, Death and Dying in Jewish Tradition” at 8 p.m. Friday at the University Synagogue. Child care will be provided. The synagogue is at 4915 Alton Parkway, Irvine. (949) 654-2720.

Rabbi Tenenbaum of the Chabad Chai Center will discuss “The World of Chassidism” at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Jewish Community Center of Orange County. The lecture is in conjuction with the “Chassidism in Black and White” photo exhibit. The lecture is $5 for members and $7 for others. The exhibit is free. The federation is at 250 E. Baker St., Suite A, Costa Mesa. (714) 755-5555.

The fifth annual Walk for Peace will take place at 10 a.m. next Saturday at beginning at Triangle Square. There will be exhibit booths and entertainment, and there is no cost to participate. Triangle Square is at 1870 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa. (714) 434-1534.

“Rainbow Kids” a Jewish early child development program for 3- to 5-year-olds will be offered from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday at Congregation Shir Ha-Ma’alot. Children will participate in a Shabbat celebration each Friday, with song, dance and cooking. The congregation is at 3652 Michelson Drive, Irvine. (949) 857-2226.

Congregation Eilat will have an open house from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Sunday. Guests can have brunch and meet board of trustees members and cantor Josef Chazan. The congregation is at 22081 Hidalgo, Mission Viejo. (949) 858-9294.

A “Re-membering” discussion for inactive Catholics will take place at 6:15 p.m. Sunday at Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish Church. Topics include scripture, morality, faith communities and more. Those who have been away from the church, feel spiritually empty or just have questions are encouraged to attend. The center is at 2046 Mar Vista Drive, Newport Beach. (714) 548-3844.

International Youth Ministries will host the Southern California “See You at the Pole” Youth Rally at 7 tonight at Calvary Church of Santa Ana. Pre-event features including food, a pro skateboard demonstration, a concert and more will take place at 5. Cost is $10. The group will lead a worldwide prayer movement at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Calvary is at 1010 N. Tustin Ave, Tustin. (714) 973-4800.

The Rev. Gary Demarest will give the message “What Does It Mean to Be Saved?” at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Trinity United Presbyterian Church. A “Builders” singles class will take place at 10:30 a.m.

UCLA English professor Bill Creasy will begin teaching the first quarter of his five-year “The Bible Plain and Simple” course from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays. Suggested donation is $45. The church is at 13922 Prospect Ave., Santa Ana. (714) 544-7852.

Temple Beth Emet will have an open house from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday. Guests can tour the temple, meet the staff and officers and learn about High Holy Days events and educational programs. The Temple is at 1770 W. Cerritos Ave., Anaheim. (714) 772-4720.

Barbara Callahan will lead a Bible study focusing on pre-exilic prophets from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. (child care available) and 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. Thursday at St. Irenaeus Church. Cost is $20. The church is at 5201 Evergreen Ave., Cypress. (714) 826-0760.

The Chabad Chai Center will hold a Selichot Service at midnight tonight in preparation for the High Holy Days. Participants can pray for forgiveness and begin the process of introspection. The Chai Center is at 33 Creek Road, No. 320., Irvine. (949) 786-5001.

The Health Care Ministry of Saddleback Church will host its third annual Health Fair from 9 a.m. to noon next Saturday. Services will include free bone marrow screenings, CPR and First Aid classes, spinal analysis, eye exams, cholesterol tests and blood pressure checks. The church is at 1 Saddleback Parkway, Lake Forest. (949) 589-7051.

“One Great Service” celebrating the five-generation Vacation Church School and the first anniversary of the church’s Korean congregation will take place at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at United Methodist Church of Laguna Hills.

On Wednesday, author and gay rights activist, the Rev. Mel White, will speak at 7 p.m. in Ficklin Hall. The meeting will mark the fourth year of PFLAG, a national organization for friends and families of gays and lesbians. The church is at 24442 Moulton Parkway. (714) 837-3414.

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