Religion Briefs

Congregation Am HaYam Services

* Congregation Am HaYam in Oxnard will hold a Yizkor service at 10 a.m. today. A family service will be held 6 p.m. tonight to celebrate Simchat Torah. Regular services will be held 10 a.m. Sunday. All services, which are led by Rabbi Gerald Hanig, are held at 1401 W. Gonzales Road.

For more information, call 985-2853. Internet: https://www.amhayam.org.

Simchat Torah Celebrations

* Chabad of the Conejo will celebrate Simchat Torah at 7:30 p.m. tonight at three locations: Willow Elementary School in Agoura Hills; Chabad of Westlake Village, 741 Lakefield Road, Unit D, Westlake Village; Conejo Jewish Academy, 30345 Canwood St., Agoura Hills. For more information, call (818) 991-0991.

Temple Etz Chaim to Hold Services

* Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks will hold Shemini Atzeret services today beginning at 10 a.m., which will include the Yizkor memorial prayers for departed loved ones. At 7 p.m. the temple will hold its Simchat Torah celebration. Simchat Torah services will also be held 10 a.m. Sunday, when everyone will be called to the Torah for a procession around the sanctuary.

The temple is at 1080 Janss Road. For more information, call 497-6891.

B’nai Emet Sukkot Celebrations

* Congregation B’nai Emet in Simi Valley will hold a Sukkot celebration today at 7 p.m. at the temple’s regular meeting place. There will be a Havdalah service, followed by dinner and children’s activities. Call 581-3723 for details.

The temple is at 4645 Industrial St., No. 2C.

Conejo Valley Unitarians Gather

* Rev. Betty Stapleford will lead a service titled “Henry David Thoreau as a Spiritual Guide” at 10 a.m. Sunday at Conejo Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. The service will explore “Thoreau’s inspiration for living deliberately in our spiritual selves.”

Services are held at Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. For information, call 492-8751.

Pastor to Discuss the Sabbath

* Pastor David Smith of Ojai Valley Adventist Church will continue a sermon series today with the installment “Sabbath Tells Me Who I Am.” The congregation will also celebrate its quarterly observation of the Lord’s Supper. The service will begin at 10:45 a.m.

Ojai Valley Adventist services blend contemporary Christian music with classic songs of faith. Bible study hour begins at 9:30 a.m.

The church is at 291 E. El Roblar Drive. For more information, call 955-7631.

Parish Hosts Ethics Conference

* Padre Serra Parish in Camarillo will host the “Spirituality and Ethics in Health Care” conference today from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Rev. Luke Dysinger will present “Christ at the End of Life,” a lecture focusing on withholding and withdrawing life support from the terminally ill. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation. Donation is $20. The church is at 5205 Upland Road. For more information, call 482-6417.

Church to Offer Animal Fair

* St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fillmore will celebrate its patron saint by hosting an animal fair today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is open to the public and will feature displays and demonstrations by several groups including Animal Rescue Volunteers, Love on a Leash and Simi Valley K-9 Unit. There will be a blessing of the animals at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., plus children’s activities, entertainment and a barbecue. The church is at 280 Royal Ave. For more information, call 526-5141.

Handicapables Plan Special Day

* West Ventura County Handicapables will host a day of spiritual and social enrichment today at Thomas Aquinas Church, 185 St. Thomas Drive, Ojai. Registration and “get acquainted time” are at 11 a.m., followed by Mass at 11:30. A luncheon, with entertainment, will follow the service. For more information, call 482-4050 or 648-6686.

Church to Present ‘50s Dance

* St. Paschal Baylon Catholic Church in Thousand Oaks will host a 1950s dance tonight from 6 to 11 in the church’s St. Thomas Aquinas Hall. It is sponsored by the men’s club. There will be contests for best dressed, bubble gum blowing, hula hoop and limbo. The church is at 15 E. Janss Road. For more information, call 496-0222.

Calvary Church to Feature Art

* Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village will host its second annual Fall Arts Celebration this weekend. The display will feature arts and crafts that incorporate a religious message or theme. Hours are today from 1 to 5 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The church is at 5495 Via Rocas. For more information, call (818) 991-8040.

Sermon on ‘Courage to Love’

* The Rev. Judith Cohen will hold services Sunday at Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura. She will speak on “The Courage to Love” to bring awareness to Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Services are at 9:15 and 11 a.m. Child care and religious education are available during the first service.

The church is at 4949 Foothill Road. For more information, call 644-3898.

Music and Worship at St. Matthew’s

* St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Newbury Park will hold worship services at 8:30 and 10 a.m. Sunday. Rev. Lynne Austin will introduce Rev. David Beadles as the Consecration Sunday morning preacher. Carla Stoffel will perform music during the first service, and the Chancel Choir will perform during the second service.

Worship at St. Matthew’s is relaxed and interactive, with child care and children’s classes available during the second service. The church is at 1360 S. Wendy Drive. For more information, call 498-6910.

Westminster Presbyterian Services

* Pastor Tim Fearer on Sunday will continue his Romans series with “How Bad Does It Get?” at Westminster Presbyterian Church of Hueneme. A contemporary service will be held at 9 a.m., with a traditional service at 10:45 a.m.

Nursery care is provided. Children from preschool age through fifth grade are dismissed to Kid’s Church.

The church is at 755 Bard Road, Port Hueneme. For information, call 483-8610.

Methodist Services in Moorpark

* Moorpark United Methodist Church holds its worship service each Sunday at 10:15 a.m. This week, Rev. Rick Uhls will preach on “How to Follow Jesus,” using Luke 9:57-62. Sunday school begins at 9:15 a.m. Child care is available. Junior church for children through second grade is offered during regular worship service.

The church is at 261 Flory Ave. For information, call 529-1401.

Camarillo Methodists Gather

* Camarillo United Methodist Church will hold worship services, directed by Jim Decker-Mahin, each Sunday at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday school and child care are available during both services for infants through fifth grade.

On Sunday at 5 p.m., John Zeretzke and Mark Llewellyn will perform a free family-oriented program of world music.

Young adults, from recent high school graduates to age 28, meet Sunday evenings at 8 for a coffeehouse Bible study.

The church is at 291 Anacapa Drive. For more information or to obtain a Sunday school registration form, call 482-4312.

Simi Methodists to Worship

* Simi Valley United Methodist Church will hold worship services, directed by Rev. Brandon Cho, each Sunday at 8 and 10 a.m. This week Cho will preach on “Servant of All?” using Mark 10:35-45 and focusing on “people in the Bible with whom we have the greatest kinship.” Child care for infants and preschoolers is offered during both services. Sunday school for adults and children begins at 9 a.m. Mission Hispana Biblica celebrates worship in Spanish at 1:30 p.m., followed by fellowship in Witman Hall.

The church’s holiday boutique, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., concludes today.

The church is at 2394 Erringer Road. For more information, call 526-631.

Church to Host Organ Concert

* First United Methodist Church in Ventura will host the “King of Instruments” organ concert Sunday commemorating the 250th anniversary of Johann Sebastian Bach’s death. The 4 p.m. concert will also feature music by Gordon Young and Emma Lou Diemer, members of the Ventura County chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Guest organists will be Debra Dyko, Robert Palmer and William Otis. The church is at 1338 E. Santa Clara St. For more information, call 643-8621.

Church Offers Free Concert

* Sonrise Christian Fellowship in Simi Valley will present contemporary Christian musician Cheri Keaggy in a free concert Friday at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The church is at 2350 Shasta Way. For more information, call 581-1628.

Services at Simi Presbyterian

* Simi Valley Presbyterian Church will hold worship services with live contemporary music at 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and at 8 and 9:30 a.m. Sundays. A traditional worship service is held at 11:15 a.m. Sundays. This weekend Rev. Jeffrey Cheadle will continue his series “God Has a Dream for Your Life.”

The youth program Just for Kids! is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and 9:30 a.m. Sundays.

The church is at 4832 Cochran St. For more information, call 526-5475

Service at Our Saviour’s in Oxnard

* The Rev. Mary Ann Feine preaches during the 9:15 a.m. Sunday service at Our Saviour’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oxnard. Sunday school is held at 10:45 a.m. Child care is provided.

The church is at 905 Redwood St. For more information, call 486-5383.

Thousand Oaks Fellowship

* Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Thousand Oaks will have its Sunday worship celebration at 10:05 a.m..

A nursery and Sunday school classes are provided, while those who are high school or college age will remain for the regular service.

The church has music, teaching and a casual atmosphere. The fellowship is at 480 W. Gainesborough Road. For more information, call 379-0237.

Interfaith Fellowship to Meet

* Interfaith Fellowship will meet in Thousand Oaks Inn’s ballroom at 10 a.m. Sunday. There will be a children’s program and child care.

The inn is at 75 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd. For more information, call 379-9336.

Unity Center Church Service

* Rev. Irma Oestmann will deliver a message Sunday at Unity Center Church in Thousand Oaks. The 10 a.m. service will include music by pianist Zachary Spencer.

Children’s church is held during the service and child care is available. Also on Sunday, a continuing adult discussion series will be held at 9:15 a.m.

The church meets at Old Meadows Park’s Community Room at 1600 Marview Road. For more information, call 496-6901.

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