Church open for celebration

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. A warm welcome is extended to any members or 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.

Benefit yardsale is Saturday

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.

Meatloaf dinner served

New Creation in Christ Ministry Church, 1620 16th St., Altoona, will hold a meatloaf dinner at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9. The dinner will include meatloaf, mashed potatoes, sweet corn and a slice of cake. The cost is $12 per person. The dinner can be preordered by messaging 814-942-9516.

Bishop to celebrate College Mass

Bishop Mark L. Bartchak will celebrate the annual outdoor Mass for students entering or returning to college and their families at 7 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Our Lady of the Alleghenies Shrine in Loretto. Recent high school graduates entering the military or workforce are also welcome. The Bishop will offer a special blessing to the young people and a small spiritual gift.

Bible study offered

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Duncansville will be having Bible study sessions at 6 p.m. on Wednesday nights in August. The Aug. 6 session will focus on Luke 12:32-40, “A Prepared Person’s Story”; the Aug. 13 session will focus on Luke 12:49-56, “A Judge’s Story”; and the Aug. 27 session will focus on Luke 14:1,7-14, “A New Hospitality.”

Camp Firelight VBS set

Juniata United Methodist Church, 808 N. Fourth St., Altoona, invites children ages 4 through 5th grade to Camp Firelight. Join Lumen “Lu” the firefly for vacation Bible school from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10, through Thursday, Aug. 14. Thursday evening will end with Brain Freeze treats, books and door prizes. Call the church office to register at 814-942-6065 or register online at www.juniataumc.net.

Free lunch available

Fourth Street Church of God, Fourth Street and 21st Avenue, will host the monthly lunch from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2. The menu includes BBQ chicken sandwiches, macaroni salad, baked beans, potato chips, dessert, and drinks.

Community lunch offered

A free community lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at the Twenty-eighth Street Church of the Brethren, 28th Street and Union Avenue. All are welcome.

Clothing, food donations accepted

Donations of clothing and non-perishable foods will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Hollidaysburg Church of the Brethren, 1028 Penn St. The church parking lot will serve as a collection site for the American Rescue Workers.

St. Patrick’s festival is Aug. 8-10

St. Patrick’s annual Festival in the Shade will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, and Saturday, Aug. 9, and from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10, at St. Patrick’s, Patrick Lane in Newry.

The festival is a fundraising event that continues to allow the school to offer a structure for education to children through personal attention while learning language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, health, religion, computers, art, music and physical education.

St. Patrick’s famous flea market will be held in the gym all three days. Quilters, crafters and the history of St. Patrick’s will be in the hall. Each night of the festival offers the opportunity to enjoy fun, music, food, crafts, games of skill and luck, baked goods, and to purchase raffle tickets for 50/50, baskets, quilts, and a wood carving to be made on the grounds Friday, Aug. 8.

The entertainment line-up for Friday, Aug. 8, includes Tim Klock Chainsaw Carving Art from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and Bone Jacked on stage from 7 to 10 p.m., Saturday. Aug. 9, includes the Horseshoe Cloggers from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and Morgans’ Run on stage from 7 to 10 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 10, includes The Moore Brothers on stage from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. and raffle ticket drawings beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Wreath of Christ services

Need to take a breath in the midst of a busy week? Enjoy a short, contemplative prayer service, complete with prayer beads, chimes and breathing exercises. Bring your own Wreath of Christ beads, or borrow a set of ours for use during the service. The services will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Aug. 13, and Aug. 27 at Zion Lutheran Church, 500 Allegheny St., Hollidaysburg. Use the side, Union Street entrance. Questions: 814-695-0091.

Healing service planned

Holy Spirit Ministry will host a healing service at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, at St. Michael Church. Praise and worship will begin at 6:45 p.m. The service will be led by Father David Dodd, T.O.R.

Orders accepted for picnic lunch

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 335 Locust St., Johnstown, will offer a barbecue pulled pork take-out picnic lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16. Meals will cost $10 and include a sandwich, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw and two cookies.

A vegetarian option, veggie crumbles in BBQ sauce, is available but must be requested when placing orders. The meals are available for take-out only.

To order, call 814-535-6797 or email stmarks@atlanticbb.net before 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4.

Conference marks 105 years

The Central Pennsylvania Bible Conference will conduct its 105th year of ministry during the annual summer session at a new location, Altoona Alliance Church, 3220 Pleasant Valley Blvd., Altoona. Services will be held at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 3, and at 4 and 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, Aug. 4-8, with a meal at 5:30 p.m.

This year’s theme is “Looking Forward To Things To Come” and speakers will include David Kistler with Hope Ministries International, Kevin Callahan, President of International Partnership Ministries and Dell Hyssong of Hyssong Family Ministries. The missionary guest will be Sunny Abraham, director of The Way of Truth Baptist Mission in Kerala, India, and special musicians will include The Nottingham Four, Tom Smith, Karen Knight and The Hyssongs.

In addition to the adult services, there will be a Children’s Conference held during each service led by the local South Central PA Child Evangelism Fellowship. A Youth Rally led by Pastor Tim Binkley of Faith Baptist Church in Salisbury, Md., will begin at 3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4, at Altoona Alliance Church.

Backpack giveaway is Aug. 9

First United Methodist Church of Hollidaysburg is hosting its annual backpack and school supply giveaway from 11 a.m. to

2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9. All Blair County children from pre-K to 12th grade can pick out a backpack filled with school supplies. In addition to the giveaway, there will be games, music, food trucks and more.

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.

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.

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.