Metro

Wreath of Christ Wednesdays

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 9 and July 23 in Zion’s theater room in the basement of the church. For more information, call Zioin’s office at 814-695-0091.

Free lunches offered

– Twenty-eighth Street Church of the Brethren, 28th Street and Union Avenue, will serve a free lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, July 12.

– The Fourth Street Church of God will offer a free community lunch from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 12. The menu includes shepherd’s pie, fruit, dessert, punch and bottled water.

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 11, and Friday, July 25, by appointment only. Call Deb at 814-207-8293.

Yard sale planned

New Creation in Christ Ministry will host a yard sale from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 12, in the church parking lot at 1620 16th St., Atloona. There will be clothing, toys, household items, shoes and more. Beef sausage, kielbasa and homemade potato salad will also be available. For more information, call the church at 814-942-9516.

Churches plan VBS

– “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 age 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 5th grade. To register, email hollidaysburgumc.org or call the church office at 814-695-4411.

Ox roast meal offered

Hollidaysburg Church of the Brethren, 1028 Penn St., Hollidaysburg, is hosting an Ox Roast Drive-thru from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 10. A $10 meal includes an ox roast sandwich, homemade gob, chips and a drink. Proceeds will support the goal of improved accessibility to the church. Call 814-695-0072 for more information.

Ss. Peter and Paul festival

Saints Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church festival will be held from noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 13, at the church and fesival grounds, 143 Church Drive, Portage Township, just off Munster Road, Route 164.

This annual event welcomes friends and patrons from the town and nearby vicinity and throughout the area. The entertainment is free; bring a lawn chair to enjoy the live bands throughout the day. That Oldies Band will play from noon to 3 p.m., followed by Full Kilt from 4 to 7 p.m.

The menu offers homemade ethnic dishes and other popular items, including barbecue chicken, halushki, halupki, pirohi, kielbasa, hot dogs and hot sausage, along with wing dings and french fries.

The bake sale will feature homemade gobs and a variety of baked goods, candy apples and other items. There will be funnel cakes and ice cream, as well. Soda, bottled water, beer and wine coolers will be available.

There will be children’s games with prizes, a stuffed animal booth, a basket raffle, cash raffle and bingo.

The church building will be open, with brief guided tours at 2 and 4 p.m. to explain the icons and features of the beliefs and practices of the Byzantine Catholic Church.

For more information, visit www.ByzantineCatholic.net or check out the church’s Facebook page.

St. Benedict Parish festival

St. Benedict Church, in the Geistown section of Johnstown, will host its 90th annual Parish Reunion Festival in July. The church is celebrating the Reunion Festival July 11-13 with a full slate of entertainment, food, bakery, games, a children’s area, a basket raffle with over 100 baskets, bingo, indoor flea market and more. New this year will be the Pennsylvania Army National Guard climbing wall.

The festival is held on the church grounds at 2310 Bedford St., Johnstown. Admission and parking are free. There will also be a free shuttle bus service from the Geistown Fire Hall. Handicapped parking and transport to the festival grounds is available every day.

The festival will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. July 11-12 and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 13.

Musical entertainment will run all three days on two stages and will feature Rosie & The Jammers from 5 to 7 p.m. July 11, followed by Felix & The Hurricanes from 7 to 10 p.m.

Tombstone will take the stage from 5 to 7 p.m. July 12, followed from 7 to 10 p.m. by ‘Ole 97 Johnny Cash Tribute Band.

Echo Valley Bluegrass will entertain from

11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. July 13, followed by Three of Hearts from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

The annual chicken and waffle dinner will be served from 4 to 7 p.m. July 11 and from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. July 13 in the air conditioned hall. Cost is $14 for adults and $8 for children under 12. The outdoor kitchen will have hot and sweet sausage, chicken wings, funnel cakes, apple and peach dumplings, eight flavors of ice cream, homemade haluski, pierogies, pizza, hamburgers and cheeseburgers.

A 2025 Chevrolet Trax LS or $18,000 cash option will be chanced off Sunday. For more information, visit the church website at www.stbenedictchurch.org, follow them on Facebook, or call 814-266-9718.

Christmas in July Bazaar planned

First United Methodist Church, 801 Allegheny St., Hollidaysburg, will host a “Christmas in July Bazaar” from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 12, in the church social hall. A variety of items will be for sale including handcrafted home decor items, gift baskets, children’s toys, holiday decorations, plants, books, assorted baked goods and soup. Sandwiches and beverages will also be available at the dine-in “Bazaar Cafe.” Debit/credit cards will be accepted.

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.

Eucharistic procession set

The 2025 Eucharistic procession will be held Sunday, July 13, at St. John Gualbert Cathedral, Johnstown. Mass will be held at 5 p.m. followed by the procession to Central Park, downtown Johnstown.

Picnics in the park

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 coming to Tyrone

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.