Free lunches offered

— Providence Presbyterian Church, 2401 Broad Ave., Altoona, will host a free lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb 21. Lunch will include a meatball sandwich, a variety of homemade soups, desserts, fruit and beverages.

— Second Avenue Global Methodist Church, 130 Second Ave., Altoona, will hold a free luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21. Dine in or takeout available.

Chicken & biscuit dinner planned

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church will host a takeout chicken & biscuit dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at its Parish Hall located, 335 Locust St., downtown Johnstown.

Each meal includes chicken & biscuit, mashed potatoes with gravy, strawberry-

spinach salad with poppyseed dressing, and cake. Price is $10 per meal. Takeout only. Meals must be ordered in advance. To order takeout dinners, call 814-535-6797 or email stmarks@breezelinebiz.net

Proceeds from the takeout dinner benefit St. Mark’s Ministries.

Taize Tuesdays offered

Zion Lutheran Church, 500 Allegheny St., Hollidaysburg, will host Taize Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Feb. 24, March 3, March 10, March 17 and March 24. This special Lenten program will begin with light discussion, followed by a Taize style of evening prayer, using simple chants, silence and candles.

Wreath of Christ service set

A Wreath of Christ service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, at Zion Lutheran Church, Allegheny and Union streets, Hollidaysburg. Use the Union Street entrance.

The Wreath of Christ service is a short, contemplative prayer service, complete with prayer beads, chimes and meditative breathing exercises. Participants can bring their own Wreath of Christ beads or borrow a set from the church for use during the service.

Food pantry available

The food pantry at Twenty-eighth Street Church of the Brethren, 28th Street and Union Avenue, is available for those in need. Distribution will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 27, by appointment only. Call Deb at 814-207-8293.

Food distribution scheduled

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Eighth Avenue and 13th Street, Altoona, will hold its monthly food pantry distribution from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26.

Food distribution is done on a drive-thru basis. More information is available on the church website or Facebook page, or call the church at 814-942-1372. Leave a message for a return call.

Healing through community

Grief is a journey no one should walk alone. The grief support group meets at 6 p.m. Thursdays at The Well Ministry Center, 605 Burns Ave., Altoona. This is a safe place to share, heal and find hope and comfort. For more information, call 814-201-2548.

Coin club meets

The Coin Club will meet at Faith Baptist Church of Altoona from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 7, and April 4. The club will meet in the church basement. Each participant will be required to purchase two Penny Books to display pennies from 1959 to 2025. Pennies will be provided to search for needed dates to complete books. Books cost $10.

Anyone interested should contact the church office at 814-944-2894 or email fbc@fbcaltoona.org.

Free soup program continues

St. Mary Catholic Church, Mulberry and Clark streets, will host the Hollidaysburg Churches’ Free Soup Program on Saturday, Feb. 21. The lunches are held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The meals include hot soup, bread, butter, dessert and choice of coffee, tea and water. The meal is free; donations accepted.

The rest of the schedule is as follows:

— Feb. 28 and March 7 — St. John’s Reformed Church, 906 Maple Ave.

— March 14 and March 21 — Hollidaysburg Church Of The Brethren, Penn and Hawthorne streets.

Theology lecture scheduled

Christ Reformed Church, 502 Main St., Alexandria, will host the fourth annual Aurandt Lectures on Theology. At 9 a.m. Saturday, March 21, the group will consider the Sovereignty of God in the Eternal Decree of God. How should a Christian today understand the reality of God’s sovereign will over all things and human responsibility in the world? The Rev. Daniel L. Arter, Mark A. Deckard and the Rev. Angelo O. Valle will provide insight on answering the beautiful harmony of the eternal decrees of God.

There is no charge for the seminar; an offering will be taken. For registration and more information, visit www.CRCAlexandria.org or call 814-669-4135.

Stations of the Cross scheduled

The faithful are invited to pray Stations of the Cross throughout Lent. The following are the dates and times at various Blair County parishes in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.

— Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona — Fridays at 5:30 p.m.

— St. Rose of Lima, Altoona — Fridays at 5 p.m.

— St. John the Evangelist, Altoona — Fridays with Adoration at 5 p.m., and Stations at 5:30 p.m.

— Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Altoona — Every Friday in Lent, except Good Friday, 2 p.m.

— Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 5:30 p.m. Assumption Chapel

— Sacred Heart, Altoona — Fridays at 5:30 p.m.

— St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Altoona — Fridays at 7:30 p.m. (except Good Friday)

— St. Mary, Altoona — Fridays, Feb. 20, March 6, March 20 at 6 p.m.

— Our Lady of Fatima, Altoona — Fridays, Feb. 27, March 13, March 27 at 6 p.m.

— St. Catherine of Siena, Duncansville — Fridays at 6:30 p.m.

Lenten musical meditation

Grace Lutheran Church, 205 S. Garner St., State College, will host a Lenten Musical Meditation at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 25. The free program includes a choir of more than 90 singers from 14 churches will present “I Believe: Songs of Faith, Hope and Joy.” The concert will include strings, a jazz mass and handbell choir.

The program focuses on the Nicene Creed, the foundational statement of Christians around the world as it celebrates 1700 years. Highlights are Vivaldi’s Credo with organ and strings; Chilcott’s A Little Jazz Mass with jazz combo; and Onovwerosuoke’s Afro-Caribbean Credo. The program also includes selections by Brenda Austin and Cathy Moklebust rung by The Bells of Grace and several congregational hymns. A community meal is available from 5 p.m.; prelude music by Nittany Brass begins at 6:40 p.m. There is no cost to attend; offerings accepted. For more information, call 814-238-2478.

Wild Game Feast set

Altoona Alliance Church will host its 19th annual Wild Game Feast on Saturday, March 14. Doors open at 4 p.m. where people can visit area business and ministry vendors set up in the church. The meal of various wild game dishes and traditional foods will be served at 5 p.m.

Outdoorsman/singer Tony Bolton from Franklin, Tenn., will be the speaker. Many door prizes will be given out.

Tickets are available for a $20 donation and can be picked up at the church office from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday or by calling the church office at 814-944-0171.

Altoona Alliance Church is at 3220 Pleasant Valley Blvd, Altoona.

Sight and Sound trip planned

The Mission Central HUB is hosting a bus trip to Lancaster on April 9 to view Sight and Sound Theatres’ new production “Joshua.” The cost is $198 adults and $129 (12 and under). Price includes travel, show and meal. To reserve a spot, call 814-329-1074.

Concert is March 15

A Christian concert with Grammy- and Dove-nominated country/bluegrass artist Rhett Walker, special guest Olivia Lane and local opener Follow will be held at 6:30 p.m. March 15, at Second Avenue Church, 130 Second Ave., Altoona.

General admission tickets are $20, with admission opening at 5:45 p.m. Early admission entry is 5:15 p.m. and tickets for that are $27.50. Tickets for a meet and greet with early admission, beginning at 4:45 p.m., are $32.50. There are online ticketing fees.

To purchase tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/43stw9s7

Bible study planned

Duncansville Lutheran will hold a bible study every Wednesday night during lent at 5:15 p.m. The dates of the Bible study are Feb. 25, March 4, March 11, March 18 and March 25.

Lenten lunch series offered

Wehnwood United Methodist Church will host Lenten lunches with guest speakers. Donations will be accepted to support food ministries.

“The Great Way: A Heart Prepared for the Cross” series includes: Feb 25: “Love Mercy,” Pastor David Poole; March 4: “Do Justice,” the Rev. Dr. Randy Willis; March 11: “Walk Humbly,” the Rev. Ed Preston; March 18: “Love God,” the Rev. Denise Haskins; March 25: “Love Your Neighbor,” the Rev. Dr. Joleen Willis and April 1 “Make a Difference,” the Rev. Ray Kovach.

Fish fry lunches available

The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, 1 Cathedral Square, Altoona, will serve its annual Lenten fish fry lunches again. The lunches will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Friday during Lent except for Good Friday. Cost is $12 and includes a fish sandwich, mac and cheese and coleslaw. Meals are available on a drive-thru basis at the Cathedral Alley door. Orders of 10 or more will be delivered to those who call ahead, 814-944-4603.

Fish dinners planned

— Our Lady of Lourdes Lenten Fish Fry will be held Fridays through Good Friday, April 3, in the Church Hall. Takeout begins at 3:30 p.m. and eat in at 4:30 p.m. The menu includes fried or baked haddock, a choice of mac and cheese or french fries and stewed tomatoes and cole slaw or applesauce. There will be a dessert station for a choice of a dessert. Drinks are included for those dining in and soda is available to purchase. The cost is $16 per meal. Our Lady of Lourdes is located at 2716 Broad Ave., Altoona. There is a handicapped entrance off of the alley with an elevator.

— St. Patrick’s seafood buffet, 731 Patrick Lane, Newry, will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays, through

April 3. The buffet includes baked/fried haddock, butterfly shrimp, macaroni and cheese, stewed tomatoes, pierogies, french fries, coleslaw, green beans, soup, roll, dessert and beverage. Cost is $22 for adults ages 13-59; $20 for seniors aged 60 and older; $10 for youth ages 5 to 12 and free to those younger than 5 years old. Cash or checks only.

— Fish fry dinners are available at the Unter Uns, 1401 Van Buren Ave., Altoona, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Fridays during Lent. The public is welcome to eat in or takeout. Meals are $15 and include choice of baked or batter-fried haddock, choice of scalloped potatoes or mac and cheese, with coleslaw, stewed tomatoes and a roll. Ala carte items also are available. Crab cake dinners are $22 and will be available only on Feb. 27, March 20 and April 3.

— St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish, Altoona, will hold Lenten Fish Fry Dinners from 4 to 7 p.m. on Fridays during Lent through March 27, at Father Kelley Hall, 25th Avenue and Fifth Street. Dinners will be available for either eat-in or takeout. Menu includes choice of baked or fried fish, choice of two: stewed tomatoes, coleslaw or applesauce, choice of macaroni and cheese or french fries, rolls and butter and homemade dessert. Free coffee, tea and water or $1 for soda for eat-in dinners. Cost is $15 per dinner. Optional pre-orders start at 3 p.m. and can be made by calling 814-600-9288.

Deadline

Religious organizations are invited to submit upcoming events, special speakers and other items to be published free of charge in Spiritual Notes. Items can be emailed to religion@altoonamirror.com or call Holly at 814-946-7451. Items may also be submitted online through the Mirror’s virtual newsroom at vnr.altoonamirror.com. Deadline for submissions is 4 p.m. Mondays.