Youth orchestra to perform

The Clearfield Youth Orchestra will perform at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, June 14, in the sanctuary of the Presbyterian Church of Clearfield.

The concert will feature a selection of pastoral works by both modern and classical composers, including an arrangement of the beloved Peer Gynt Suite, featuring familiar melodies that audiences are sure to recognize and enjoy.

The Clearfield Youth Orchestra is a student-run ensemble dedicated to providing young musicians with opportunities to continue developing their talents beyond the school year. Under the direction of Evan Forcey and currently assisted by Alexander Chimenti and Trenton Kifer, the orchestra brings together passionate student musicians from throughout the region to rehearse and perform quality concert repertoire.

The performance is free and open to the public.

Free lunch served

Twenty-eighth Street Church of the Brethren, 28th Street and Union Avenue, will serve a free lunch of tacos, corn salad and dessert from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 13.

Youth host yard sale fundraiser

The Well youth group, “Nomads” will hold a “no junk for Jesus ” yard sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 13. There will also be baked goods, drinks and hot dogs for sale. All proceeds will benefit the mission trip to Lumberton, N.C., in July helping in disaster relief.

The Well Ministry Center is at 605 Burns Ave., Altoona. The yard sale will be held rain or shine.

Healing Mass planned

Holy Spirit Ministry will host a healing Mass at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, at St. Michael Church, Hollidaysburg, with Father John Lynn, celebrant. There will be praise and worship music and a sacramental anointing of the sick. Confessions available and prayer ministry will be held after the Mass.

Clothing available

Grace’s Closet at Grace Lutheran Church, 1114 N. Cambria St., Bellwood, will host a clothing giveaway from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 13. Summer clothing is available. Masks are optional. For more information, call the church at 814-742-7501 or 814-742-7416.

Community yard sale slated

Hollidaysburg Church of the Brethren, 1028 Penn St., will host a community yard sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 13. Community members may rent a space for $15 each. To register for a space, call 814-312-7212. The church will offer food items for sale. All proceeds will go toward making the church more handicapped accessible.

Bible school planned

Snowball Mountain Challenge vacation Bible school will be held at Providence Presbyterian Church from 6 to 8 p.m. June 28-July 2. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. for those participating. At Snowball Mountain Challenge, kids will become challengers gearing up for frosty games, snowy surprises and hands-on lessons about resilience and faith. Providence Presbyterian Church is at 2401 Broad Ave., Altoona. For more information, call 814-944-7258 or check out the church website at www.providencepc.altoona.org.

Saturate Altoona continues

The sixth annual Saturate Altoona is being held Sunday nights in June at Heritage Plaza in downtown Altoona. From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. there will be blessing booths by area churches and ministries giving out food and refreshments. At 6:30 p.m., there will be a worship service with music, testimonies, prayer and a message by pastors or ministry leaders in the 814 area. A prayer tent will be staffed each evening for anyone wanting someone to pray for them.

The theme for this year’s Saturate Altoona event is “On Mission With Jesus ­– by living a win/build/equip/multiply/send lifestyle.”

Guest speakers include: June 14, led by youth pastors and youth of the area with CJ Fussell, speaker; June 21, international focus with Pastor Oscar Alvarez; June 28, a service of sending with various pastors and ministry leaders. This service will also include a baptism service for anyone interested in this step of discipleship.

Gideons to present update

Juniata Church of the Brethren, North Ninth Avenue and Third Street, Altoona, will host the Gideons during the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday, June 14. Ken Love will be the speaker. The Gideons are a local and international outreach ministry active in many countries worldwide.

Cake for fathers

Cake will be served after the 10 a.m. worship service to honor fathers on Father’s Day on Sunday, June 21, at Twenty-eighth Street Church of the Brethren, 28th Street and Union Avenue.

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. Fridays, June 12 and June 26, by appointment only. Call Deb by Thursday at 814-207-8293.

Free movie offered

The movie “Left Behind” will be presented on Friday, June 19, at the Twenty-eighth Street Church of the Brethren, 28th Street and Union Avenue. Snacks will be served at 6:15 p.m. and the movie will start at 7 p.m. A discussion about the movie will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 24. The discussion will be led by Pastor Barron Deffenbaugh.

DELC pairs up on karate lessons

Duncansville Evangelical Lutheran Church has partnered with Champion Martial Arts and Master Gates to offer affordable karate instruction to the local youth community.

The new program offers participants the opportunity to develop confidence, discipline, physical fitness and self-defense skills in a supportive and encouraging environment. Classes are held at DELC and are open to area youth interested in learning martial arts regardless of experience level.

Classes meet from 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays and from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Cost is $5 per session. Register online at mydelc.org/happenings.

For additional information about karate classes or other community programs offered through DELC, visit the church website at mydelc.org or contact the church office at 814-695-0508.

Video discussion series offered

The video discussion series “Is Genesis History?” continues from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, June 14, at Faith Baptist Church, 647 Valley Vista Drive, State College. The topic will be “Astronomy and the Bible” featuring Danny Faulkner and Del Tacket. The video will cover the extraordinary design of the universe, the speed of light and the Big Bang Theory. A discussion will be held after the video with members of the board of the Central Pennsylvania Creation Fellowship.

Light refreshments will be offered on a donation basis.

Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, call 570-452-5000 or visit centralpacreationfellowship.org.

Choral Institute accepting registrations

Registration is now open for Choral Institute 2026 offered by the Academy of Sacred Music. Academy founder and Hollidaysburg native Robert Long will lead singers who are interested in developing their skills in the art of choral singing. Participants will learn techniques including breathing, posture, pronunciation, phrasing and dynamics through a challenging, yet rewarding, repertoire taken from Part One of The Messiah and the Hallelujah Chorus.

Additional instruction will be provided by Richard Kennedy, vocal teacher, who will guide singers through the popular choruses of the Christmas portion of the Messiah.

The choral intensive workshop consists of two evening skill development sessions on Tuesday, June 23, and Wednesday,

June 24.

All sessions will take place at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 344 Baynton Ave., Lakemont, Altoona. Registration is $20 for Choral Institute participants. High school and college students are encouraged to participate for free.

Those attending should bring the registration fee to the first rehearsal on Tuesday, June 23. Checks can be made payable to Academy of Sacred Music.

To register, send your name, voice part and email address to academyofsacredmusic@gmail.com.

Instead of holding a concert at the end of the Choral Institute, participants will be invited to sing with the Cathedral Festival Choir at the December 18 Messiah concert to be presented at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.

Picnics in the park

The Well Ministry Center is sponsoring Picnics in the Park at Grove Memorial Park, 23rd Street and Sixth Ave., every Tuesday.

A meal will be served at 5:15 p.m., followed by games, crafts and a short message of hope. The whole family is welcome. Rain or shine. The Well is located at 605 Burns Ave., Altoona.

Grief support offered

The grief support group meets at 6 p.m. every other Thursday at The Well Ministry Center, 605 Burns Ave., Altoona. The next meeting is Thursday, June 25. This is a safe place to share, heal and find hope and comfort. For more information, call 814-201-2548.

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. Items may also be submitted online through the Mirror’s virtual newsroom at vnr.altoonamirror.com Deadline for submissions is 4 p.m. Mondays.