Congregation Am HaYam to Meet

* Rabbi Gerald Hanig will lead a regular service today at 10 a.m. at Congregation Am HaYam in Oxnard. The temple meets at 1401 W. Gonzales Road. For more information, call 985-2853.

Sermons on ‘Olympic Lessons’

* Pastor David Smith at Ojai Valley Adventist Church will continue a 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.

Temple Beth Torah to Offer Concert

* Temple Beth Torah in Ventura will present a concert Sunday, featuring contemporary Jewish music composer-singer Julie Silver. The 7 p.m. family-oriented performance is open to the public. General admission costs $25; for children 17 and younger, $10. Reserved seating, including a reception, $100. The 5:30 p.m. reception will be held at a private residence.

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.

Camarillo Methodists to 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.

Beginning Sunday, classes for students in grades 6 to 12 will be available during the first service. Participants can choose one of four classes during eight-week sessions. Course titles: Advanced Bible Study (high school seniors only); Mission Outreach Activity (junior high only); Great Moments in Sports; My World and My Faith.

Young adults, from graduated seniors to age 28, meet Sunday evenings at 8 for a coffee house Bible study.

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

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. At 6 p.m., Jon Mundy, author of “Awaken to Your Own Call,” will speak about metaphysics.

“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.

Church to Mark Education Month

* 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. Because September is Christian Education Month, services will focus on related topics.

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.

Academy to Offer Crafts Program

* To celebrate the beginning of the Jewish New Year, Conejo Jewish Academy will host “The Shofar Factory.” The annual event shows how a ram’s horn is prepared to be used as a shofar for the High Holy Days. Participants will create their own shofar using a real ram’s horn. The program will include holiday arts and crafts and a video and slide presentation. The academy is at 30345 Canwood St., Agoura Hills. Free. For information, call (818) 991-0991.

Religion Teachers to Be Honored

* St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Oxnard will celebrate Christian education Sunday at 10:15 a.m. During the service, Sunday school teachers will be recognized and some of the youth participants will be presented with Bibles. Senior Pastor Adiel De Pano will deliver the message. Child care is available for children 4 and younger.

Also on Sunday, an orientation meeting will be held at 2:30 p.m. in the conference room for people interested in joining the church.

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.

Spirituality in the Workplace

* The Rev. Judith Cohen will speak on spirituality in the workplace Sunday at Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura.

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.

‘If You Can Believe’ Message

* The Rev. Irma Oestmann will deliver the message “If You Can Believe” Sunday at Unity Center Church in Thousand Oaks. The service, beginning at 10 a.m., will include music performed by the Cornelius Sisters.

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.

Events at Missionary Church

* Ventura Missionary Church will hold orientations for a pair of 12-week women’s Bible-study support groups that will be led by Gwen Shamblin.

Monday, noon: “Weigh Down Workshop,” which aims to show people “God’s way to rise above the magnetic pull of the refrigerator.” Child care is available. For more information, call Jeanne Salcido at 987-7527.

Wednesday, 9:30 a.m.: “Exodus from Strongholds,” which “teaches people to focus on God to be set free from destructive habits, attitudes and addictions.” For more information, call Sharon Parker at 642-0550, Ext. 332.

Also at the church, attorneys SusAnne Lee Jenkins and William Bracken Parker will present “Legacy Giving: Say Thanks to God, Forever,” 7 p.m. Thursday. A new charitable-giving program will be discussed, plus information about charitable remainder trusts and other giving methods.

The church is at 500 High Point Drive, Ventura. For information, call 642-0550, Ext. 332.

Session for Inactive Catholics

* Our Lady of the Assumption in Ventura will hold group question-and-answer sessions Monday evening for inactive Catholics who want to inquire about the church and faith.

For more information, call Sister Teresita Keliher at 289-3499. The church is at 3175 Telegraph Road.

Dialogue Series at Seminary

* The Ventura County Council of Churches will hold the 17th annual ecumenical dialogue series on Wednesday from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in the Theology Library at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo.

The seven-installment series will be hosted by seminary faculty member Patrick J. Mitchell and is open to people of all Christian denominations and faith communities.

The first installment will focus on “Life Choices,” led by the Rev. Kenn Bergmann. The series aims to foster Christian unity and build cooperative ministry projects around the county through “mutual understanding and respect among the participants.” The second installment will be held Oct. 18.

For information on how to participate in the series, call 983-0157 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. or 482-2755, Ext. 1067.

Unity Church to Hold 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 Tuesday miracles study group from 7 to 9 p.m., and a 7 p.m. healing meditation on Wednesday to be followed by the discussion “The Quest: A Journey of Spiritual Rediscovery.”

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

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. 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

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. 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.

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church

* Our Saviour’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oxnard will hear from the Rev. Mary Ann Feine during the 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 held 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; and “Laugh a Little: Enjoy Some Good Humor,” with John Keats.

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Religion Briefs runs Saturdays. Please submit items at least a week in advance to Religion Briefs, Los Angeles Times, 93 S. Chestnut St., Ventura, CA 93001. Items may be faxed to 653-7576.