Events

John Suarez will speak on the “Separation of Church and State” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fullerton. Suarez will also discuss how vouchers and other policy moves may erode the public school system. Child care will be available. The church meets at Temple Beth Tikvah, 1600 N. Acacia Blvd., Fullerton.

Congregation Shir Ha-Ma’alot invites children of all ages to participate in “A Midsummer Night’s Torah Tale,” an interactive comedy/drama, at 7 p.m. Friday. Educator Barry Koff will conduct the event, which is part of the congregation’s “Spiritual Summer” series. The temple is at 3652 Michelson Drive, Irvine. (949) 857-2226.

A Praise and Worship concert featuring Tom Zanutto will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at South Shores Church. The church is at 32712 Crown Valley Parkway, Monarch Beach. (949) 496-9331.

Pastor Margaret Duttera of Christ Lutheran Church will give the message “The Impossible Made Impossible” at 8 a.m. Sunday on the beach at the foot of Avenue Pico in San Clemente. There will be an additional service at 10:30 a.m. at the church. Holy Communion will be celebrated. The church is at 35522 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. (949) 496-2621.

The United Methodist Church of Garden Grove will host its “SonZone” Vacation Bible School program from 9 a.m. to noon July 10 through 14. Children in kindergarten through sixth grade may participate. Registration is now open. The church is at 12741 Main St., Garden Grove. (714) 534-1070.

St. Andrew’s By-the-Sea United Methodist Church will present its 13th annual outdoor Sunset Concert series beginning at 5:30 p.m. this Independence Day. The concert grounds will be open for picnics, followed by a concert featuring the Capistrano Chorale at 6:30 p.m. There will be a fireworks show at the pier at 9 p.m. On Friday, Max Bishop’s Big Band will perform music from the ‘40s and ‘50s. Concerts are free. The church is at 2001 Calle Frontera, San Clemente. (949) 492-2537.

St. Mark Presbyterian Church will offer “Under Construction,” a vacation Bible school program for children ages 3 through 11 from 3 to 6 p.m. July 10 through 14. The program, designed by Habitat for Humanity International, will use a construction theme to teach children the value of volunteer work. Activities will include worship, music, drama and crafts. Cost is $40 per child. A freewill offering will be taken to benefit Habitat for Humanity. A Habitat representative will speak during services at 11 a.m. Sunday. The church is at 2100 Mar Vista Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 644-1341.

Celtic harpist Mary-Lela Gilbert will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday in a private home in Laguna Niguel. Gilbert recently finished touring the western United States as a travel teacher for the Bahai faith. The performance will be at the Parsa home at 24161 Rue de Cezane, Laguna Niguel. (949) 249-2790.

Rancho Capistrano will offer its “Baseball, Apple Pie and God” series at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sundays through Sept. 8. Worship will be led by the Revs. Robert A. Schuller and Dave Bonselaar. The church is at 29251 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. (949) 347-4035.

“2000 Ark Avenue: God’s Great Get-Together,” a Vacation Bible School program offered by Tustin Presbyterian Church, will take place from 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 10 through 14. Children ages 3 through fifth grade can participate. Cost is $30 per child. The church is at 225 W. Main St., Tustin. (714) 544-7070.

Guest speaker Bea Jones will share the Pan African Flag that she designed at 10:30 a.m. Sunday to celebrate Independence Day at the Unitarian Universalist Church of South County. Jones is a member of the National Council of Negro Women. The church is at 25801 Obrero Drive, #7, Mission Viejo. (949) 581-0245.

The Rev. Chris Schriner will speak on “Our Changing Future” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Laguna Beach. Schriner will attempt to describe the UU movement as it will exist in the 22nd century. There will also be a discussion of the state of our nation in celebration of Independence Day. The church is at 429 Cypress Drive, Laguna Beach. (949) 497-4568.

Lake Hills Church will celebrate Independence Day weekend with the message “Healing the Past” at 10:45 a.m. Sunday. There will be a picnic with food and games. The church is at 23331 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills. (949) 837-7729.

*

Religious event notices can be sent to Gena Pasillas at the Times Orange County, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa 92626. They also can be faxed to (714) 966-7711 or sent by e-mail to gena.pasillas@latimes.com