Athletes Consider the Biggest Playing Field

“Influence, a Positive Difference” is the theme for the third annual Orange County Night of Champions, hosted Friday by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Athletes in Action.

The hosts aim to challenge young Orange County athletes to be champions in both life and sports. Participants will include San Diego Chargers wide receivers coach Mike Sanford, running back Terrell Fletcher, USC quarterback Carson Palmer and UCLA forward Billy Knight, among others. Local high school athletes will also be in attendance.

The event will begin with the opening of a skateboard park at 3 p.m. (permission slips required). Dinner and entertainment starts at 5 p.m., followed by the main program at 7 p.m. The event will take place at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 600 St. Andrew’s Road, Newport Beach. (949) 574-2222.

Special Events

“Godspell,” a celebration of the Gospel according to St. Matthew, will be performed next weekend at Messiah Lutheran Church’s Redeemer Center. The show will present Jesus’ teachings of love and joy through pantomime, puppetry, dancing, singing, charades and audience interaction. The event is at 7 p.m. Friday and next Saturday. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children to age 12. The church is at 4861 Liverpool St., Yorba Linda. (714) 695-1033.

“Gaia, Mother Earth and the Oneness of Everything,” an event featuring the original songs, readings and ecological awareness of musician and activist Jim Scott, occurs Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church. Scott will discuss the belief that Mother Earth, or Gaia, is a living organism with the same physical attributes as humans. There will be a lunch, followed by a free concert at 12:30 p.m. The church is at 1259 Victoria St., Costa Mesa. (949) 646-4652.

The Heritage 2001 Tour, featuring the Watchmen Quartet and the Herb Henry Family, takes place at 7 p.m. this evening at Faith Community Church in Yorba Linda. The groups will sing southern gospel songs from groups like the Chuck Wagon Gang, Speer Family, Blackwood Brothers, Statesman and Happy Goodmans. The Watchmen Quartet will celebrate its 30th year later this year. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. The church is at 16800 Imperial Highway. (714) 524-0101.

“Celebrating Sacred Space,” a rededication ceremony for the recently remodeled sanctuary of the First Christian Church of Orange, will take place at 10 a.m. Sunday. A concert featuring the new pipe organ and a specially written song is planned. Docent tours and a reception will follow. Also part of the 6,900-square-foot remodel are custom-made chandeliers, an expanded chancel area, expanded accessibility, new pews, new carpeting, a new communion table, new lighting and a new high-tech sound system with chimes. The church is at 1130 E. Walnut Ave. (714) 538-9681.

The 26th annual Temple Isaiah of Newport Beach Community Passover Seder occurs next Saturday evening. The seven-course feast of symbolic foods commemorates Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage. Special Passover songs and prayers will be part of the event. Rabbi Marc Rubenstein will officiate. Cost is $30 for members ($15 for their children ages 6 through 12), $35 for others ($17.50 for their children). Children under age 5 are free. Reservations with payment required by Tuesday. The temple is at 2401 Irvine Ave. (949) 548-6900.

Seminars

“Partners in Care,” a 10-week course in pastoral care ministry sponsored by the Diocese of Orange and St. Joseph Health System, will be offered at St. Irenaeus Church in Cypress. The training course focuses on bringing Christ’s love to the sick, homebound, bereaved and others with special needs. Cost is $25 for members and $50 for others. Classes will be at 7 p.m. Mondays in classroom 8 of the parish school. The church is at 5201 Evergreen Ave. (714) 826-0760.

The “Faith Community Responds to Child Abuse” conference will take place this week at the Child Abuse Services Team Auditorium in Orange. The conference is designed to build coalitions among the faith community and child abuse prevention programs. Participants are encouraged to display materials about programs related to child care, child development, parenting and building stronger families. The event is sponsored by Prevent Child Abuse of Orange County and the Orange County Child Abuse Prevention Center. Cost is $25 with lunch ($20 without). The conference runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. The event is at 137 Braden Court. (714) 522-0484.

*

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