Easter musical

Joy in the City will present an Easter musical with full set and costuming at Grace Bible Church on March 27-29. “More than just a man” will focus on possible interactions between biblical characters trying to determine how to react to Jesus.

The program will be presented at 7 p.m. nightly and a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee will also be held. There is no admission charge.

The church is located on route 36 between Lakemont and Hollidaysburg.

Easter egg hunts planned

— A community Easter egg hunt will be held at Newry Lutheran Church, 1030 Shamrock Lane, Newry, at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 28. The event, which will feature hundreds of hidden eggs and cookie-decorating, will be moved inside the church in the event of inclement weather.

— Jaggard First UMC Easter Egg Hunt will be held following worship April 5 on the church lawn. Children up to the age of 12 are welcome. Jaggard First is located at 1801 Pleasant Valley Blvd.

— Nomads Youth Group at the Well Ministry Center will host an Easter egg hunt party from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, March 29. The event is geared toward those in sixth through 12th grades. There will be food, games and special egg prizes. The Well Ministry Center is at 605 Burns Ave., Altoona. Contact bcburget217@yahoo.com or call the church office at 814-201-2548 to sign up.

— Greenwood United Methodist Church, 1505 E. Walton Ave., will host an Easter egg hunt for children up to age 12 on Saturday, April 4. Registration begins at 9 a.m. for prizes. Egg hunt at 10 a.m. Refreshments to follow the hunt. The Easter bunny will be available for visits and photos, and a fire truck will be on site for children to see.

— An Easter Story Hunt for kids preschool through grade 5 will be held at Christ Community UMC, 5715 Roselawn Ave., Altoona, on Saturday, April 4. Call the church office at 814-942-5586 or email ccumcchurch@gmail.com. to pre-register.

— Fairview Easter Egg Hunt will take place at Fairview Park, Third Street, at noon on Saturday, April 4. The event is sponsored by Fairview United Methodist Church.

Divine Mercy Sunday set

Divine Mercy Sunday will be held Sunday, April 12, at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, 308 Old Route 220, Duncansville. Mass will be at

8 and 11 a.m. Food will be available from noon to 5 p.m. Confessions will be from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. Divine holy hour will be 3 to 4 p.m. Basket raffle tickets will be available all day with the drawing at 4:30 p.m.

‘Blessings’ to be presented

The Chancel Choir of First United Methodist Church of Hollidaysburg will present “Blessings” at 1:30 a.m. Good Friday at First United Methodist Church, 801 Allegheny St., Hollidaysburg.

A major choral work with original texts by Pamela Stewart and original music by Joel Raney, “Blessings” takes the listener on a journey through Holy week based on the Beatitudes. The combination of familiar scripture texts set with powerful new images creates a deeply spiritual experience for Holy Week.

Food pantry distribution

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, March 26. Food distribution is done on a drive-thru basis. For more information, visit the church’s website or Facebook page, or call the church at 814-942-1372. Leave a message for a return call.

Easter musical

An Easter musical with Steve and Apryl Caldwell will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 22, at Juniata Church of the Brethren, North Ninth Avenue and Third Street, Altoona. The program will feature in words and music the Easter message of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The concert is free. For information, call 814-944-6725.

Communal Penance Services

The following are the dates and times of Communal Penance Services scheduled at various Blair County parishes in the coming weeks. A diocesan-wide schedule is available on the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown website and Facebook page. Consult individual parishes for other Reconciliation opportunities leading up to Easter.

—March 23 at 7 p.m. — Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Altoona

— March 25 at 6 p.m. — Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona

— March 26 at 5:30 p.m. — Our Lady of Lourdes, Altoona

–March 29 at 4 p.m. — St. Mary, Hollidaysburg

— March 30 at 5:30 p.m. St. Mary, Altoona

— April 1 from 6-7 p.m. — St. Catherine of Siena, Duncansville

— Saturdays in Lent at 5:30 p.m. — St. Patrick, Newry

Taize Tuesdays

Zion Lutheran Church, 500 Allegheny St., Hollidaysburg, will host Taize Tuesday at 7 p.m. 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.

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, March 27, by appointment only. Call Deb at 814-207-8293.

Free lunch offered

Providence Presbyterian Church, 2401 Broad Ave., Altoona, will serve a free lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 21. Lunch will include a ham barbecue sandwich on a bun, a variety of homemade soups, desserts, fruit and beverages.

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.

Mission features ‘Igniting the Light’

Catholic Christian speaker, singer, songwriter and recording artist, Paul Koleske, will be offering a parish mission, “Igniting the Light of Christ Within You” at 4 p.m. March 22-24 at St. John the Evangelist Church, Altoona. He will give inspirational direction to experience an increased presence of the Holy Spirit in your life. Koleske has been on EWTN and is known throughout the nation for his music and speaking presentations. Contact St. John’s Parish Office at 814-942-5503 for more information. All are invited and this free event.

Free soup program continues

Hollidaysburg Church Of The Brethren, Penn and Hawthorne streets, will host the final Hollidaysburg Churches’ Free Soup Program on Saturday, March 21. The lunch will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The meal includes hot soup, bread, butter, dessert and choice of coffee, tea and water. All are welcome. The meals are free; donations accepted.

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, March 6, March 20 at 6 p.m.

— Our Lady of Fatima, Altoona — Fridays, 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.

A community meal is available at 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.

Bible study planned

Duncansville Lutheran will hold a bible study at 5:15 p.m. 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: March 25: “Love Your Neighbor,” Rev. Dr. Joleen Willis and April 1 “Make a Difference,” Rev. Ray Kovach.

Fish fry lunches available

Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, 1 Cathedral Square, Altoona, will serve its annual Lenten fish fry lunches from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays during Lent except for Good Friday. Cost is $12 and includes a fish sandwich, mac & 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

— 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 and eat in at 4:30 p.m. 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. 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. All takeouts are $23. 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. Crab cake dinners are $22 and will be available only on 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. Cost is $15 per dinner. Optional pre-orders start at 3 p.m. and can be made by calling 814-600-9288.