Sermons on ‘Olympic Lessons’

* Pastor David Smith at Ojai Valley Adventist Church will begin a new sermon series today titled “Olympic Lessons From Australia,” exploring biblical themes illustrated by this year’s Summer Games in Sydney. The service will begin at 10:45 a.m.

Ojai Valley Adventist offers a service that blends 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.

Handicapables Host Special Day

* West Ventura County Handicapables will host a day of “spiritual and social enrichment” for physically disabled people today at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Camarillo. Registration is at 11 a.m. Mass is at 11:30 a.m., followed by a luncheon and entertainment. People of all faiths are welcome.

The church is at Las Posas Road and Crestview Drive. For more information, call 482-4050 or 648-6686.

Unity Church Holds Youth Class

* Unity Church in Ventura will hold its worship service and youth class from 10 to 11 a.m. Sunday. Other weekly activities throughout September include a prayer circle open to all religions at noon Monday through Friday, a 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday miracles study group, and a 7 p.m. healing meditation on Wednesday will be followed by the discussion “The Quest: A Journey of Spiritual Rediscovery” from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

The meetings are held at the church, 2065 Sperry Ave. For more information, call 658-1059.

‘Bread of Life’ Dinner Planned

* All Saints Episcopal Church in Oxnard will hold a “Bread of Life” dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m. today in the parish hall.

On Sunday, a communion worship service will be held at 8 a.m. A Spanish-language worship service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Also, Sunday school classes for children ages 5 to 12 begin at 10:30 a.m.; youth Bible study for junior high and high school students begins at 11 a.m.

The church is at 144 South C St. For more information, call 483-2347.

Jewish Academy Open House * Conejo Jewish Academy in Agoura Hills will hold a registration open house Sunday for its fall session from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The four-week program is open to children ages 7 to 13. Classes meet Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

Curriculum includes text study of Jewish morals and ethics, music, arts and culture. Also offered are Sunday school programs geared for children who find it difficult to attend a midweek afternoon session, and a “kiddy klass” for ages 5 and 6.

There is no membership fee. The academy is at 30345 Canwood St. For more information, call (818) 991-0991.

Services at Simi Presbyterian * Simi Valley Presbyterian Church holds worship services with live contemporary music at 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and 8 and 9:30 a.m. Sundays. A traditional worship service is held at 11:15 a.m. Sundays. The youth program “Just For Kids!” is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and 9:30 a.m. Sundays.

Pastor Jeff Cheadle will begin a new message series Sunday titled “God Has a Dream For Your Life” during a special picnic beginning at 12:30 p.m.

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

Temple Hosts Jewish Craft Fair * Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks will host the Conejo Valley Jewish Craft Fair from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. The second annual event will feature about 40 vendors, offering ceramics, quilts, stained glass, jewelry and fine arts. Admission is free. The temple is at 1080 Janss Road. For more information, call 497-6891.

Newbury Park Sunday Concert * Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Newbury Park will host a concert, “Music for a September Evening,” at 7 p.m. Sunday. Pianists will be featured. Homemade ice cream and pies will be served. Admission is free. The church is at 35 S. Wendy Drive. For more information, call 498-4962.

Ministry Fair to Show Offerings * St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Simi Valley will hold its Ministry Fair on Sunday, following morning services at 8 and 10:15 a.m. Members of the congregation will showcase the variety of programs, services and activities that they lead. Guest preacher Charles Meriaux will speak. The church is at 280 Royal Ave. For more information, call 526-5141.

Church to Welcome Minister * The Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura will welcome its new minister, the Rev. Judith Cohen, during its 10 a.m. Sunday service. Cohen will deliver the sermon “Widening the Circle.” A reception for her will be held following the service. The church is at 4949 Foothill Road. For more information, call 644-3898.

St. Paul’s United Methodist * Senior Pastor Adiel De Pano will lead a worship service at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at 10:15 a.m. Sunday in Oxnard. Child care is available for children 4 and younger.

The Japanese ministry worships at 2 p.m., led by the Rev. Shiro Kato. The Rev. Victor Salas will lead a new Spanish-language worship service at 6 p.m.

The church is at 1800 South C St. For more information, call 487-2711.

United Methodist in Simi * The Rev. Bradley Resare will preach Sunday at United Methodist Church in Simi Valley. Worship services will be held at 8 and 10 a.m. Child care is provided for infants and preschoolers. Communion will be held at the first service.

Adult Sunday school begins at 9 a.m. Mission Hispana Biblica holds a Spanish-language worship service at 1:30 p.m., followed by fellowship in Witman Hall.

The church is at 2394 Erringer Road. For more information, call 526-6231.

Rally Day, Family Picnic in Simi * Trinity Lutheran Church in Simi Valley will hold its annual Rally Day and family picnic at the church’s Biblical Garden from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday. The public is invited to take part in games, food, worship service and other activities. The church is at 2949 Alamo St. For more information, call 526-2429.

Brotherhood Membership Meeting * Temple Beth Torah in Ventura will hold its annual brotherhood membership dinner meeting Monday. The activity is open to all new male temple members, brotherhood members and prospective male members. Dinner is scheduled at 7 p.m., and the program at 7:30 p.m. For more information or to register, call 654-8958 or 482-5227.

Shabbat services are held at 8 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. Saturdays each week.

The temple is at 7620 Foothill Road. For more information, call 647-4181.

Congregation Family Service * Congregation Am HaYam in Oxnard will hold a family service at 7 p.m. Friday. Regular services, led by Rabbi Gerald Hanig, will be held 10 a.m. Sept. 16. The temple meets at 1401 W. Gonzales Road. For more information, call 985-2853.

Interfaith Fellowship to Gather * 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.

“A Course in Miracles” study group will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday, and again Thursday evening. For more information on the study group, call (818) 889-6264.

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

Minister Extols ‘Visualization’ * The Rev. Irma Oestmann will deliver the message “The Law of Visualization” Sunday at Unity Center Church in Thousand Oaks. The service, beginning at 10 a.m., will include music performed by Roger Kraft.

Children’s church is held during the service and child care is available. Also 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.

St. Matthew’s Music, Worship * St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Newbury Park will hold worship services at 8:30 and 10 a.m. Sunday. Michael Domes will perform music during the first service, and Steve Hobson 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.

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church * Our Saviour’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oxnard will hear from the Rev. Mary Ann Feine during its 9:15 a.m. Sunday service. Sunday school is held at 10:45 a.m. for all ages and child care is provided.

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

Mass Schedule at St. Anthony’s * St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Oxnard will celebrate Mass at 5:15 p.m. today and have confessions from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Sunday Mass will be celebrated at 7:30, 9 and 10:30 a.m. in English, and Spanish-language Mass will be at noon and 1:30 p.m.

The church is at 2511 South C St. For more information, call 486-7301.

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.

Vineyard Fellowship Services * Channel Islands Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Oxnard has services with contemporary music and casual dress at 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday.

The church is at 1851 Holser Walk, Suite 200. For more information, call 485-0050.

Temple to Host Discussions * Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks will sponsor a yeshiva for the beginning of the High Holidays--Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur--with a Havdallah service at 8 p.m. Sept. 23 led by Rabbi Richard Spiegel, the temple spiritual leader, and Hazzan Jeff Cohen.

At 9:15 p.m., there will be several discussion groups, including “Singing the High Holy Day Melodies,” with Cohen, who is a cantor; “The Christian Right’s Attack on Separation of Church and State,” with Judge Bruce Einhorn; “Laugh a Little: Enjoy Some Good Humor,” with John Keats; “Being Effective Every Day of Your Life,” with Barbara Freedman; “Sounding the Shofar for Rosh Hashana,” with Ronald Goldstein; “Putting on Tefillin,” with Myles Sympson; “A Woman’s Perspective on the High Holidays,” with Leah Shechter, and “Understanding the High Holiday Prayer Book,” with Spiegel.

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

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