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15th Annual Greek Festival planned
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1433 13th Ave., Altoona, will host its 15th annual Greek Festival from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21. Admission is free to the outdoor festival held on church grounds. Gyros and lamb or chicken souvlakia (skewers) from the outdoor grill, Greek salad, casseroles and pastries will be offered. People can dine outside and enjoy the live band playing traditional Greek music throughout the day, or food may be packaged for takeout. Church tours will be available and a hand-crafted wreath sale will be ongoing. For information, visit holytrinitygreek
orthodoxchurch.com.
Sacred Music Library plans reopening
The Sacred Music Library at First Presbyterian Church, 601 Walnut St., Hollidaysburg will reopen from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11.
The library will then resume regular hours for the remainder of September and will be open from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. Mondays. All borrowed music should be returned during those hours. For more information, call the library at 814-695-5495 and leave a message for a return call.
Baby Pantry open for those in need
New Hope Baptist Church has opened a new ministry -- the Baby Pantry.
The pantry is available to pregnant women or individuals and families with infants to 12 months old who are in need of baby supplies such as diapers, wipes, clothes and other items. Items are available free of charge. A mother's first visit to the Baby Pantry is by appointment only, after a phone interview. To schedule an appointment, call Cindy Falce at 814-937-5743. For more information, contact Zane Dempsie, baby pantry coordinator, at 814-515-4869.
Married couples anniversaries planned
The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown invites married couples marking milestone wedding anniversaries this year to attend special Masses marking the events. Couples celebrating their first, fifth, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th, 55th or 60th-plus wedding anniversary this year and their families can attend either of two special Masses celebrated by Bishop Mark L. Bartchak.
The Masses will be at 2 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona and at 2 p.m. Sept. 19 at Saint John Gualbert Cathedral in Johnstown. Refreshments will be available for the couples and their families after the Masses. Couples must register for either Liturgy through their parish. The deadline for reservations is Monday, Aug. 23.
Free lunches offered
* Providence Presbyterian Church, 2401 Broad Ave., Altoona, will host a free bag lunch giveaway from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21. Each lunch will include a hotdog on a bun, a side of baked beans, a dessert and fruit. The lunches will be handed out in the church's parking lot for drive-thru and walk ups until the supply runs out. A member of the church will deliver lunches to vehicles.
* Second Avenue United Methodist Church, 130 Second Ave., Altoona, will offer free lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21. Dine in or take out will be available while supplies last.
"The Lamb, Redemption's Price is Paid" will be presented at 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29, by the Patton Area Ecumenical Choir at Trinity United Methodist Church, 501 Beech Ave., Patton. All are welcome to attend.
Food pantry distribution set
The food pantry distribution at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Eighth Avenue and 13th Street, Altoona, will be held from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26. Distribution is on a drive-thru basis to maximize social distancing. Masks are required for those on foot or getting out of their vehicles. All are welcome. For more information, visit the church website or Facebook page, or call the church at 814-942-1372; leave a message and calls will be returned.
Methodist churches team up on cookbook
The Cove Forge United Methodist Church and the Williamsburg United Methodist Church have completed a cookbook that includes recipes from the past and today. "Favorite Recipes from Yesteryear and Today" can be preordered until Sunday, Aug. 29. The book is $15. Money or check is due with the order.
Books should be available for pickup in October at the Williamsburg United Methodist Church. Those ordering the cookbook will be notified when it is available or the cookbook can be mailed anywhere in the United States for an extra charge of $10 per book.
For more information, call the UMC office at 814-832-2816 from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday through Friday. Mailed orders should include name, address, phone number, the number of books ordered along with cash or checks and be sent to the United Methodist Church, Cookbook, West Second Street, Williamsburg, PA 16693. There will be extra cookbooks available for purchase later.
Clothing, back-to-school giveaway to be held
Bethany Lutheran Church, 200 Third Ave., Altoona, will hold a clothing and back-to-school giveaway from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21. There will be a large selection of clothing and shoes of all sizes from infant to adult. School supplies will also be given away to each student who is present, while supplies last. A free lunch will also be available. For more information, contact the church office at 814-944-7560.
Indoor yard sale planned
Abundant Life Church, 201 Howard Ave., Altoona, will hold an indoor yard sale from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, through Saturday, Aug. 28, in the church gym.
Hollidaysburg Awana group to present program
The Hollidaysburg Alliance Church Awana group will present a Patriotic Tribute Program at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8. The event will honor first responders, including police, EMTs, firemen and military personnel and pay tribute to Sept.11, 2001. The parents of Awana children and the general public are invited to attend. The church is at 183 Jefferson St., Hollidaysburg.
Free movie night set
The Twenty-Eighth Street Church of the Brethren, 2800 Union Ave., will present "I Can Only Imagine" at 8:30 p.m. Saturday,
Aug. 21. "I Can Only Imagine" tells Bart Millard's inspiring real-life story behind the beloved MercyMe song. The movie is a gripping reminder of the power of forgiveness, beautifully illustrating that no one is ever too far from God's love -- or from an eternal home in Heaven.
Free concerts offered
* The Juniata United Methodist Church, 808 N. Fourth St., Altoona, will host Chiz Rider Ministries at 9 a.m. Aug. 22. All are welcome to attend this service of praise and worship. For more information, contact the church office at 814-942-6065, visit Facebook - Juniata United Methodist Church or the church website at Juniataumc.net.
* The Juniata Church of the Brethren, 306 N. Ninth Ave., Altoona, will host a concert with Tom Smith at 6 p.m. Aug. 26. Smith, of Everett, has been sharing the gospel through music for more than 20 years. For transportation to the church, call 814-942-9809.
Community common prayer service planned
Walking the Labyrinth: A Community Common Prayer Service will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 335 Locust St., in downtown Johnstown. The church has a Chartres-style 30-foot diameter 11-circuit labyrinth laid in the stone pavers of the courtyard in front of the entrance to the parish hall and adjacent to the Memorial Garden. This labyrinth was installed in the late 1990s. The service is free. All are welcome. For more information, contact the Rev. Nancy L. Threadgill at 814-535-6797 or revnancy-stmarks@atlanticbbn.net.