Metro

Anniversary celebration set

The Old Keller Reformed Church, 8162 Fox Run Road, Williamsburg, will be opened for an annual homecoming service at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 3. All are invited to join in celebrating the faith and history preserved at the little church on the hill.

Anyone interested in the church and its history to come and take part in our tradition of honoring the faith of our ancestors at this annual service.

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, July 24.

Food distribution is done on a drive-through basis. More information is available on the church’s website or Facebook page, or call the church at 814-942-1372. Leave a message and calls will be returned.

Healing service to be held

Holy Spirit Ministry will host a healing service at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, at St. Michael Church, Hollidaysburg. Praise and worship music will begin at 6:45 p.m.

Free movie night

The movie, “Overcomer,” at the Twenty-eighth Street Church of the Brethren, 28th Street and Union Avenue, will be shown Friday, July 18. Snacks will be available at 6:30 p.m., with the movie 7 p.m.

Free lunch served

Providence Presbyterian Church, 2401 Broad Ave., Altoona, will host a free lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 19. The lunch will include a ham and cheese sandwich, macaroni salad, a variety of homemade soups, fruit and a dessert.

Parish festival in Carrolltown

St. Benedict Church in Carrolltown will hold its Parish Festival July 25-27.

Entertainment includes a large basket auction, bingo, games, food booths, beer tent, live music, ethnic foods and refreshments. Fireworks will be held at 10 p.m. Saturday. A chicken dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Cost for the dinner is $15, dine in or take out.

The festival runs from 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 25; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 26; and 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, July 27.

There will be $10,000 in cash prizes awarded July 28 through Aug. 1. Tickets are $10. There is also a $1,000 money ticket, for $1, with the drawing on Sunday, July 27.

PEACE study continues

Christ Community United Methodist Church, 5715 Roselawn Ave., Altoona, will be continuing its PEACE Initiative Studies at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 13 at the church.

The conversation will be based on the book “How the Other Half Eats” by Priya Fielding-Singh, centered on the topic of food insecurity. All are welcome. Contact lhosier@susumc.org with questions or to make arrangements to get a copy of the book prior to the gathering.

Campfire service scheduled

Christ Community United Methodist Church, 5715 Roselawn Ave., Altoona, will be hosting a “campfire” church service from 7 to 8 p.m. July 28 in the church parking lot. Snacks are provided and attendees should bring their own lawn chairs. All are welcome.

Food pantry distribution set

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 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 25, by appointment only. Call Deb at 814-207-8293.

Wreath of Christ Wednesdays

Need to take a breath in the midst of a busy week? Zion Lutheran Church in Hollidaysburg offers a short, contemplative prayer service complete with prayer beads, chimes and breathing exercises. Participants can bring their own Wreath of Christ or borrow a set from the church for use during the service. Upcoming Wreath of Christ services will be held at 6:30 p.m. July 23 in Zion’s theater room in the basement of the church. For more information, call Zioin’s office at 814-695-0091.

Churches plan Bible school

– “Magnified” VBS will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. July 20-24 at Providence Presbyterian Church. Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6 p.m. to those participating. At Magnified VBS, kids, ages 3 through fifth grade, will be encouraged to look closely at the details of God’s amazing world and magnify the greatness of God. Providence Presbyterian Church is at 2401 Broad Ave., Altoona. For more information, call 814-944-7258 or check out the church’s website at www.providencepc-altoona.org.

– “Road Trip” Vacation Bible school will be held at First United Methodist Church Hollidaysburg from 6 to 8 p.m. July 21-25. The church is at 801 Allegheny St., Hollidaysburg. “Road Trip — on the go with God” reminds us that God is always with us wherever we go and whatever we do. Bible lessons, crafts, science, recreation and snack time will involve the travelers as they travel with Scout, the mascot and the Navigator on their car trip adventures. The lessons are geared toward children ages 3 through fifth grade. To register, email hollidaysburgumc.org or call the church office at 814-695-4411.

– “It’s a Jungle Out There” VBS will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 21-25 at Riggles Gap Bible Church, 613 Lear Road, Altoona. All children aged 4 through 12th grade (last year’s grade) are invited to explore the jungle with fun songs, silly skits, scrumptious snacks, crafts, “Chip” the puppet, prizes and exciting Bible stories. Admission is free. For transportation or more information, call 814-946-3376.

ö “True North” Vacation Bible school will be held from 6-8 p.m. July 28-Aug. 1 at Christ Community United Methodist Church, 5715 Roselawn Ave., Altoona. Children aged 3 through 12 are invited to attend. Pre-registration is encouraged on the church’s Facebook page or by calling the church office at 814-942-5586.

– Juniata Church of the Brethren, 306 N. Ninth Ave., Juniata, will be hosting vacation Bible school with the theme “Discovering Jesus.” VBS is for children ages 5 through 12 and will include Bible lessons, songs, games, prizes, snacks and a take home activity bag centered around the theme.

For more information, call the church office at 814-944-6725. To see a sample of the program, visit www.5dayclub.com.

Yard sale benefits outreach

Catholic Daughters will host an indoor yard sale from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 2 at St. Mary’s Church social hall, 312 Clark St., Hollidaysburg. There will be household goods and toys, as well as baked goods and food. No clothes or electronics. Proceeds benefit outreach programs.

Summer lunch for children

West Decatur Charge of the United Methodist Church will hold a summer lunch program for area children from noon to 1 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday through Aug. 14. Lunch will be held at Calvary United Methodist Church, 167 Blue Ball Road, West Decatur.

Faith and modern issues discussed

Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church will hold a faith and modern issues event — Living our christian values in a secular culture — from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 9. Breakfast will be served at

9:30 a.m. The Rev. Henry Hansard will speak on spiritual warfare; the Rev. Carla Gregory-Beckton on the power of prayer; the Rev. Ruth Moore, church and mental health; Minister Bernard Chatman on the importance of spreading the gospel and Pastor Keith Moore on the Holy Spirit.

For more information or to reserve a seat for breakfast, call or text 717-805-4901. An offering will be accepted during the event.

Picnics in the park

The Well Ministry Center will host Picnics in the Park each Tuesday at Grove Memorial Park, SIxth Avenue and 23rd Street. A meal will be served followed by games and a message of hope. The meal is at 5:30 p.m. Picnics in the Park will go on rain or shine. For more information, contact Deb at debneff071@hotmail.com.

The Well is located at 605 Burns Ave., Altoona.

Engage Fest is July 24-26

Engage Fest PA, a free three-day Christian event, will be held July 24-26 by Truth Quest Ministries at Quest Haven Lodge, 520 Schoch Hollow Road, Tyrone.

This family-friendly event includes Christian artists and musicians, seminars for adults and teens, and speakers who will inspire and uplift.

Speakers and artists include Kim Walker-Smith, Roo-akh, Josh Shaffer, Seven, UVF Worship, Feet on the Street, Dan Mohler, Micah Marshall, Kevin Holland, Matt Lake, Jessica Bryan, Jim Kilmartin and Stephen Gallaher.

Those attending are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs for seating.

Grounds open at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 24, with activities to start at noon and continue through 10 p.m.. Events run from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, July 25, and Saturday, July 26.

While the event is free, registration is requested. For more information on Engage Fest PA, places to stay during the event and a schedule of activities, visit engagefestpa.com. To register, click on “Explore Engage Fest 2025!” and then click on “Register Now.”

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. Deadline for submissions is 4 p.m. Mondays.