Rock Band to Perform in Oxnard

* The contemporary Christian rock band Dean-O and the Dynamos, known for “Bible with a beat” music, will perform a concert for all ages at 5 p.m. today at Oxnard’s First Baptist Church. The public is welcome.

The free concert will be preceded by a Kids and Family Extravaganza at 2 p.m. Stories, face painting, crafts, games and food will be featured.

The church is at 936 W. 5th St. Call 483-2205 for more information.

Cantor, Judge to Lead Service

* Temple Beth Torah’s Sabbath service today will be conducted by cantor emeritus Ralph Moses and Judge Steven Perren, with music by Ron Fink. The service begins at 10 a.m.

Temple Beth Torah is at 7620 Foothill in Ventura. For more information, call the office at 647-4181.

Congregation to Dedicate Torah

* Oxnard’s Congregation Am HaYam invites the public to a dedication of its new Torah at 2 p.m. Sunday.

The scroll is the most sacred object in the Jewish religion. The Torah will be carried under a wedding canopy from the parking lot of the Oxnard Monday Club to the main sanctuary. Dancing and singing are part of this joyous ceremony, said Elaine Allen of the congregation.

The dedication will be followed by an open house with refreshments. The Monday Club is at 1401 W. Gonzales Road. Call 985-2853 for additional information.

Methodist Church Revises Schedule

* First United Methodist Church in Ventura has changed its Sunday worship time. The traditional service will still begin at 9 a.m., but the contemporary service has been moved up to 10:30 a.m.

The church is at 1338 E. Santa Clara St. Call 643-8621 for information.

Church Adds $3,000 to CROP Walk

* Santa Paula’s First Presbyterian Church raised more than $3,000 during the annual Santa Paula CROP Walk, which amassed a total of $15,500 for charitable causes.

The church is at 121 Davis St. Sunday services begin at 9:30 a.m. with traditional worship, followed by a 10:30 coffee and fellowship hour and the contemporary service at 11 a.m.

Call 525-6654 for more information.

Summer Events at Calvary Church

* Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village has scheduled summer events for families and singles.

On Sunday, a family lunch and concert at the church will begin at 12:30 p.m., with hamburgers and frozen yogurt treats, accompanied by a free concert by the Vince Barlow family.

At the 8:45 and 11 a.m. services Aug. 15, Jerry Lucas will share his secrets for memory training for those who wish to memorize Bible verses.

A separate session designed to improve memory and boost job performance will be held the next evening at 7 p.m. The workshops are free. Call (818) 991-8040 for registration details.

The church is at 5495 Via Rocas.

Simi Church to Mark Anniversary

* Trinity Lutheran Church of Simi Valley will celebrate its 40th anniversary Sunday.

Early services were held in a dance studio, and a few members who attended the first service are still active in the church.

Loren Kramer, president of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Pacific Southwest District, will preach at the worship service.

A congregation picnic at Rancho Tapo Community Park will follow Kramer’s service.

The church is at 2949 Alamo St. Call 526-2429 for more information.

Camp Summer Session to Start

* Camp Gan Israel in the Conejo Valley is registering children age 3 to 13 for the summer session that runs Monday through Aug. 20. The camp is on the grounds of the Heschel West Day School off Liberty Canyon Road.

The camp program is imbued with Jewish culture and offers field trips to zoos, water parks and sports activities along with martial arts instruction. Door-to-door bus transportation is available.

Call (818) 991-0991 for further information or to register.

Church Hosts Prayer Night

* St. Paschal Baylon Catholic Church in Thousand Oaks holds a family prayer night every Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m. A recitation of the rosary, gospel readings and comments, as well as prayer for individuals and parish families as a whole, are included.

Written notes of intentions or personal struggles may be dropped in a basket that is left in the vestibule each Tuesday. The basket is delivered to the altar at the beginning of each gathering and is included in the prayers.

The church is at 155 E. Janss Road. Call 497-8244 for more information.

Site of New School to Be Dedicated

* The Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, which will open in the fall of 2000, will hold a preview day and dedication ceremony Friday on the grounds of the future private, nonprofit school.

The school will offer a Christian world view in a comprehensive curriculum, including academic, athletic and social life, said school spokeswoman Ellen Grubb. The public is invited, and anyone who wishes to attend the preview day is asked to call Grubb at (818) 525-2290.

Grubb suggested that those attending “dress accordingly, since this is an active construction site.”

The dedication ceremony will begin at 10 a.m., followed by school orientation at 10:30 a.m. The site is at 31749 La Tienda Drive.

Bahais Sponsor Race Unity Event

* The Ventura County Race Unity celebration will be held July 31 in Constitution Park in Camarillo from 12:30 to 5 p.m.

Sponsored by the Bahai faith in Ventura and west Los Angeles counties, the free event promotes unity in a program of choral and gospel singing, jazz music, youth dance performances and games for all ages.

Constitution Park is at 600 Carmen Drive, next to Camarillo City Hall. For more information, call 643-5408.

Registration for Bible School

* Vacation Bible school registration for Moorpark’s Community Christian Church now open. Bible school will be held Aug. 2-6.

Contact the church office at 529-3572 for more details. The church is at 216 Moorpark Ave., No. 200.

Bible School in Newbury Park

* Vacation Bible school at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church of Newbury Park will be held Aug. 2-6. The cost per child is $5. All children ages 3-12 are eligible.

The summer’s theme is “Good News at Gospel Rock.” Bible lessons, games, crafts, playtime and snacks are offered daily.

For information, call the church office at 498-6910. It is at 1360 S. Wendy Drive.

CLU to Hold Vocation Program

* Young people interested in a vocation within the Lutheran Church can explore a variety of options at the eighth annual Invitation to Service at Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks on Aug. 5 to 7.

Students from late high school through college age will have a chance to explore the roles of pastor, missionary, associate in ministry, and music and youth ministries, said the Rev. Reg Schultz-Akerson of CLU, who is coordinating the event.

Young adults of Region II of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America are invited to attend the $95 event. For information, call Linda LeBlanc at 493-3936.

International Festival at Church

* Mary Star of the Sea Church in Oxnard will hold an international festival Aug. 20-22.

A 13-ride carnival and the cuisines of the Philippines, Mexico, Samoa, Vietnam and United States will be featured. International entertainment will include bands, singing and dancing groups. The Nuestro band will perform Sunday evening.

Entrance to the festival and parking are free. The festival will be held on church grounds at 468 W. Pleasant Valley Road. Call 486-6133 for more information.

Thousand Oaks Temple to Expand

* Temple Etz Chaim of Thousand Oaks will break ground for a 22,000-square-foot expansion on Aug. 29, said Rick Newberger of the synagogue.

The addition will include classrooms, offices, library and meeting rooms.

The temple is at 1080 Janss Road. Call 497-6891 for more information.

Religion Briefs run Saturdays. Please submit items at least a week in advance to Religion Briefs, Los Angeles Times, 93 S. Chestnut St., Ventura 93001. Items may be faxed to 653-7576.