Religion Notes

SUNDAY SERMON: The Rev. Bill Shirmer will present a sermon on “Today’s Activity Is God” at 10 a.m. Sunday at the La Crescenta Church of Religious Science, 4845 Dunsmore St. Free. Information: (818) 249-1045.

BAGEL LECTURE: Eli Katz will discuss “Laughing at Lizards,” a lecture on Jewish humor, in the Bagel Brunch lecture series at 10:15 a.m. Sunday at the Valley Cities Jewish Community Center, 13164 Burbank Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Free. Information: (818) 786-6310.

PURIM CARNIVAL: A Purim carnival will be held from 10:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Temple Judea, 5429 Lindley Ave., Tarzana. Free admission. Information: (818) 758-3800.

SUNDAY EXPECTATIONS: The Rev. Bonnie Tarwater will present a program on “Great Expectations,” which will consider the Charles Dickens story and how small gifts of generosity often reap great treasures in future years, at 10:45 a.m. Sunday at Sepulveda Unitarian-Universalist Society, 9550 Haskell Ave., North Hills. Free. Information: (818) 894-9251.

EINSTEIN AND PASSOVER: Rabbi Zvi Hollander of Young Israel of Venice will discuss “Was Einstein Right? Passover: The Key for the Fourth Dimension of Time” from 8 to 10 p.m. Monday at Cal State Northridge’s Hillel House, 17729 Plummer St. Free. Information: (818) 832-8293.

INSTALLATION SERVICE: The Presbytery of the San Fernando Valley will install Gerald O. North as executive presbyter at a worship service at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Granada Hills Presbyterian Church, 10400 Zelzah Ave., Northridge. Free. Information: (818) 766-8103.

PASSOVER CLASS: Rabbi Alan Henkin will teach a three-session class, “Passover in Our Holy Books,” beginning at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday with a lecture on “Passover in the Bible,” followed by a lecture on “Passover in Rabbinic Literature” on Wednesday and ending with a lecture on “Passover in Medieval Jewish Literature” on April 12. The class will meet at Beth Knesset Bamidbar, 1611 E. Avenue J, Lancaster. Free. Information and registration: (661) 942-4415.

CENTERING PRAYER: A centering prayer support group, a silent meditation intended to deepen one’s relationship with God, will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Holy Spirit Retreat Center, 4316 Lanai Road, Encino. Free. Information: (818) 784-4515.

SHABBAT AMERICA: A national Jewish event, “Shabbat Across America,” will be held Friday at two locations: Congregation Beth Shalom, 21430 Redview Drive, Santa Clarita, which will begin its celebration with a dinner at 6 p.m., followed by a Shabbat service at 8 p.m. The cost is $12 general, $6 children 3 to 13 and free for children 2 and younger. Information and reservations: (661) 254-2411. Kol Tikvah Temple, 20400 Venture Blvd., Woodland Hills, will celebrate Shabbat with a dinner at 5:30 p.m., followed by a Shabbat service at 7 p.m. The cost is $13 general and $10 for children. Information and reservations; (818) 348-9670.

TAIZE PRAYER: A Taize Prayer session, a prayer method that includes a format of chant, scripture, prayers of petition and the veneration of the cross, will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Holy Spirit Retreat Center, 4316 Lanai Road, Encino. Free. Information: (818) 784-4515.

PURIM PLAY: Adat Y’shua Messianic Jewish Congregation will present a free Purim skit at 8 p.m. Friday at Prince of Peace Episcopal Church, 5700 Rudnick Ave., Woodland Hills. Information: (818) 222-0200.

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News and announcements for this column can be sent to Religion Desk, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311.