Sabbath’s the Subject

A panel discussion on “Practices of the Sabbath in the 21st Century,” moderated by Rabbi David Rosenberg, will be featured at a lunch meeting Wednesday of the Newport Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council.

The luncheon, open to all for $7.50, will begin at 11:45 a.m. at Newport Center United Methodist Church, 1601 Marguerite Ave., Corona del Mar. Reservations are required and may be made by calling (949) 660-8665, Ext. 3, by 5 p.m. Monday.

Events

* Santa Ana/Tustin Christian Women’s Club will have its “Love in Bloom” luncheon from 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Friday at the Tustin Ranch Golf Clubhouse. Adrienne DiCamillo, marriage and family counselor, will speak. Cost is $15. The clubhouse is at 12442 Tustin Ranch Road, Tustin. (714) 731-0432.

* The 100 Black Men of Orange County and the Men of Fame Choir of First AME Church will be among performers in a black history celebration at 11 a.m. today at Our Redeemer African Methodist Episcopal Church in Irvine. Other performers include African Drummers, Dancers and Poets. The church meets on the UCI campus, Social Science Plaza A. (877) 426-7263.

* The Jewish Community Center Menorah Theatre will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a presentation of the comedy “Chaim’s Love Song” at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10 for JCC members and $10 for others. The center is at 250 E. Baker St., Costa Mesa. (714) 755-0340.

* Seal Beach Church of Religious Science will offer the workshop “The Future of God” from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday. Cost is $15. The church is at 500 Marina Drive, Seal Beach. (562) 598-3325.

* Justo L. Gonzalez will give a free lecture, “You Don’t Need to Know the Language to Read the Bible in Spanish,” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Concordia University. The university is at 1530 Concordia West, Irvine. (949) 854-8002.

* Neighborhood Congregational Church will continue its Epiphany 2000 series with the message “Sacred Words From the Koran, Muhammad and Jesus” at 10 a.m. Sunday. The Rev. Tari Lennon will teach labyrinth classes from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. this Wednesday and on Feb. 23 and March 1. The labyrinth will be open for meditative walking from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 16. The church is at 340 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach. (949) 494-8061.

* Center for Spiritual Development will present “Living a Simple Life” from 9:30 a.m. to noon today in the St. Joseph Auditorium. Cost is $20. The center is at 434 S. Batavia St., Orange. (714) 744-3175.

* Father Vincent Gilmore will lead a “Re-Membering” service for inactive Catholics at 6:15 p.m. Sunday at Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish Church. 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. (949) 548-3844.

* The National Conference for Community and Justice will sponsor an interfaith trip to the Museum of Tolerance in L.A. on Feb. 13. The bus trip will include guest speakers and videos to promote discussion about prejudice and understanding. The bus will depart at 9:15 from the group’s office at 4540 Campus Drive. Cost is $25 ($20 for seniors and students) and includes transportation, admission and refreshments. Reservations are required. (949) 252-5389.

* The Chapel Singers of the University of Redlands will be in concert at 7 p.m. Sunday at the United Methodist Church of Garden Grove. A collection will be taken to help defer travel expenses for the group. The church is at 12741 Main St., Garden Grove. (714) 534-1070.

* The Crystal Cathedral will welcome guests Ed Arnold and Jordanian Minister of Tourism Akel Biltaji, as part of a service celebrating the Hour of Power’s 30th Anniversary at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday. Musical guests will be singer Michael W. Smith and the drum group Zenshuji Zendeko Taiko. The church is at 12141 Lewis St., Garden Grove. (714) 971-4000.