Getting Into the Spirit of Lent, With Some Help From St. Theophan the Recluse

Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Fullerton will offer a Lenten education program based on a recent translation of St. Theophan the Recluse’s book, “Turning the Heart to God.”

Written in the 15th century, the book by the Russian theologian addresses questions of materialism. The class will be led by Father Ken Kaisch, one of the translators of “Turning the Heart to God.” Kaisch will explore St. Theophan’s notion that we are seduced by the promise that material things make us happy. Then Kaisch will use St. Theophan’s instructions for finding the path to true happiness and a loving God.

A clinical psychologist and an Episcopal priest, Kaisch has been a frequent visitor to Russia since the fall of the communist regime. He teaches Christian psychology there. He is the author of several books, including “Finding God: A Handbook of Christian Meditation,” and founder of OneHeart, an ecumenical group teaching contemplative Christian meditation methods.

The classes will begin March 4 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and continue through April 8. The church is at 1145 W. Valencia Mesa Drive in Fullerton. Preregistration advised. Information: (714) 879-8070.

Lent, which begins this week, on Ash Wednesday, is a time of prayer, penance and abstinence in the 40 days before Easter.

Jazzed Over Lent

A special Mardi Gras service, featuring New Orleans-style jazz, is planned for 10 a.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church of Orange. The Rev. Ken Macklin will speak on “The Mirror of Non-Reflection.” The church is at 161 S. Orange St. (714) 639-1661.

St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church in Buena Park will offer “Stations of the Cross” walks Friday evenings during the Lenten season, which occurs through April 6. The church’s French doors contain etchings of the 14 Stations of the Cross. Various ministries within the church host each 6 p.m. service, while different members read prayers and praises for each station. The church is at 8300 Valley View St. (714) 828-8950.

The Evangelism Committee of St. Matthew’s Church in Costa Mesa will welcome the Lenten season with a Shrove Tuesday supper at 7 p.m., preceded by prayer at 6:30 p.m. The event also marks the beginning of the Rev. Stephen Scarlett’s Bible study series “Temptation of Christ in the Wilderness: A Model for the Spiritual Life,” which will continue at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays through April 9. Ash Wednesday services will be at noon and 7 p.m. The church’s new location is 330 W. Bay St., Suite 120. Information: (949) 646-1152.

An Ash Wednesday service focusing on “The Way” is at 7 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Fullerton. “The Way” refers to Jesus’ death and resurrection, on which the Lenten season is based. A Lenten soup supper will be at 6 p.m. The church is at 215 N. Lemon St. (714) 871-7820.

Head of Maronite Church Visits

Cardinal Nasrallah Peter Sfeir, the Maronite patriarch of Antioch and All the East, will visit St. John Maron Church in Anaheim. The patriarch has been the spiritual head of the Maronite Church in Lebanon since 1986 and will be making his first area appearance since 1988.

Patriarch Sfeir will celebrate the beginning of Lent with a liturgy and distribution of ashes Monday at 11 a.m. at St. John, the only Maronite church in Orange County. The Maronites, with about 300,000 members mostly in the Middle East, are part of the Catholic family.

Bishops from the U.S. and Lebanon will attend. Following the services, a luncheon will be served. St. John is at 1546 E. La Palma Ave. (714) 520-5303.

About Money and Morality

The Temple Bat Yahm University Jewish Literary Arts Series features author and lecturer Rabbi Joseph Telushkin at 10 a.m. Sunday. Telushkin will discuss “Money and Morality: A Jewish Take on Business Ethics.” On Wednesday, the temple will host the seventh annual Simcha and Celebration Expo from 5 to 9 p.m. The expo will showcase wedding and b’nai mitzvah vendors such as caterers, decorators, disc jockeys, florists, planners and photographers. The temple is at 1011 Camelback St., Newport Beach. (949) 644-1999.

There are a number of other seminars coming up.

Daniel’s Inn, a nondenominational group of Christian lawyers and judges, will hold its sixth annual “You Are Not Alone” conference Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the St. Joseph’s Center in Orange. The half-day seminar is designed to “share experiences, discuss tough issues and discover God’s solutions.” Speakers include court commissioner Mark Sheed, former attorney and pastor Ted Hamilton, lawyers Anne Lanphar and Sandra Steele, and attorney-author Gary Haugen (“Good News About Injustice”). The cost is $35, which includes breakfast, lunch and Haugen’s book. St. Joseph’s Center is at 480 S. Batavia St. in Orange. Information: (714) 573-2600.

A Divorce Recovery Workshop is planned for Thursday nights through April 5 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach. The Rev. Bill Flanagan will address the pains, myths and stages one goes through before healing begins. Cost is $25 prepaid by Tuesday, or $30 at the door. The first class is Thursday. The church is at 600 St. Andrews Road. Information: (949) 574-2214.

Those suffering from physical, psychological or spiritual ailments will be reminded that “All Things Are Possible With God” during the Charismatic Prayer Group healing Mass at St. Angela Merici Catholic Church in Brea. Father Patrick J. Crowley will speak at the 7:15 p.m. service and the Catholic praise band, Ruach, will perform. The church is at 585 S. Walnut St., (714) 525-1774.

Jewish Rock ‘n’ Roll and More

If you’re young, Jewish and looking for something to do tonight, the North County Chabad Center is holding a rock ‘n’ roll concert at 8:15 featuring the Moshav Band. The musical group is billed as fusing “rock and ancient music.” Food will be served. Tickets are $12.50 at the door. The center is at 19045 Yorba Linda Blvd. in Yorba Linda. (714) 693-0770.

Another nontraditional Jewish event happens tonight when Congregation Or Ami holds its second annual Comedy Night and Silent Auction. The program will feature five Los Angeles-area comics: David Goryl, David Teitelbaum, Bobbie Shropshire, Phil Van Tee and Bronston Jones, the emcee. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. for preview of auction items, and the comedy begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18. Congregation Or Ami is at 30 Hughes, Suite 200, near the Irvine Spectrum. (949) 643-8726.

Eight Placentia-area churches will participate in a community musical concert to benefit the Homeless Intervention Shelter (HIS House) tonight at 7:30 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at 201 W. Livingston, Placentia. The first-time event will feature more than 280 voices. Following the theme “Love For One Another,” all proceeds will go directly to HIS House. Participating churches include Blessed Sacrament Episcopal Church, Friendship Baptist Church, St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, St. Angela Medici Catholic Church, Placentia Presbyterian Church, Holy Cross Melchite Greek Catholic Church and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Placentia Stake.

*

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