Churches plan vacation Bible school

— Hollidaysburg Alliance Church, 183 Jefferson St., Hollidaysburg, will host “The Great Jungle Journey,” from 6:30 to 8 p.m. July 28-Aug 1. There will be Bible lessons, songs, crafts, games and snacks for children in grades first through sixth.

To register, call 814-207-7105 or 814-650-9271.

— Calvary United Methodist Church, 167 Blue Ball Road, West Decatur, will host a one-day Bible school — “Construction Zone, building character like Jesus” — from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1. There will be songs, crafts, snacks and games. Contact Liz Evans at 814-592-6614 to preregister. All are welcome to attend.

— Providence Presbyterian Church, 2401 Broad Ave., will host Scuba vacation Bible school for all children ages 3 through 5th grade from 6 to 8 p.m. July 29-Aug. 2. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. on the first four nights. For more information, call 814-944-7258 or visit providencepc-altoona.org.

— Riggles Gap Bible Church, 613 Lear Road, Altoona, will host “Operation Sword and Shield” from 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 22-July 26. The program is geared toward children ages 4 through 12th grade. For transportation, call 814-946-3376.

— Restored Apostolic Ministries of Altoona, 1500 N. Sixth Ave., will hold “Our Great Big Amazing God” at 6 p.m. Aug. 7-Aug. 9, and at 11 a.m. Aug. 10-Aug. 11. There will be music, games, snacks and lessons.

— First United Methodist Church, 801 Allegheny St., Hollidaysburg, will host “Camp Firelight” from 6 to 8 p.m. July 29-Aug. 2. Children ages 3 through 5th grade are invited to participate in Bible stories, crafts, science experiments and games. To register, visit hollidaysburg-first-umc.mycokesburyvbs.com/register-child or call 814-695-4411.

— Juniata Church of the Brethren, 306 N. 9th Ave., Altoona, will hold “Only One Way” vacation Bible school from 10 to 11:30 a.m. July 22-26. To register, call the church office at 814-942-9809.

Food distribution to be held

Twenty-Eighth Street Church of the Brethren, 28th Street and Union Avenue, Altoona, will hold a food pantry from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 19. Limited to Blair County residents only. Distribution is by appointment.

Summer camp meetings set

Dry Run Independent Baptist Church, 670 Valley Forge Road, Duncansville, is holding Summer Camp Meetings from July 16-23. The series will feature old-fashioned preachers, with an old-fashioned message, in an old-fashioned church. The church will also offer a “Kids Crusade” each evening by the Foote Evangelistic Team. A full schedule can be found on Instagram, dryrunchurch1939, on its Facebook page, or call the office for more information at 814-695-2203.

Free concert planned

Real Life Church, 621 W. Pitt St., will host a Christian concert featuring B-Shoc at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 20. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Churches offer free lunch

— Providence Presbyterian Church, 2401 Broad Ave., Altoona, will serve a free lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 20. The meal will include a ham salad sandwich, soup, a dessert and watermelon.

— Second Avenue Global Methodist Church, 130 Second Ave., Altoona, will be offering its monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 20. Dine-in or take out available.

Joyful Noise Service planned

A Joyful Noise Service is planned for 2 p.m. Sunday, July 21, at Juniata United Methodist Church, 808 N. Fourth St., Altoona. This service is intended for children with autism, PDD-NOS, ADHD, Down Syndrome and other developmental or physical disabilities and families with young children.

Movie night planned

Twenty-Eighth Street Church of the Brethren, 28th Street and Union Avenue, Altoona, will host a free movie night at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 19. Snacks will be served. The movie will begin at 7 p.m.

St. Benedict hosts 89th festival

St. Benedict Church, 2310 Bedford St., in the Geistown section of Johnstown, will host its 89th annual Parish Reunion Festival on July 26-28. The church is celebrating this year with a full slate of entertainment, food, games, children’s area, basket raffle with over 100 baskets, bingo, indoor flea market and more activities for the entire family.

Admission and parking are free. There will also be a free shuttle bus service from the Geistown Fire Hall. Reunion festival times are: 5 to 10 p.m. July 26-27 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 28.

Entertainment will be held on two stages. Friday’s entertainment includes Hard Rock KoKO and Joe, from 5 to 7 p.m., and The Hurricanes, from 7 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, Three of Hearts wil take the stage from 5 to 7 p.m., followed ‘Ole 97 Johnny Cash Tribute Band from 7 to 10 p.m. The Frick Brothers will be on hand from 11:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, followed by The Echo Valley Bluegrass Band from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

The annual chicken and waffle dinner will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday in the air conditioned hall. The meal is $14 for adults and $8 for children under 12 years of age. 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 2024 Chevrolet Trax LS or $18,000 cash option and a Disney World Trip or Disney Cruise 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.

Worship night scheduled

Holy Spirit Ministry will be hosting a night of worship from 7 to 8:15 p.m., Monday, July 22, at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 301 Spruce St., Hollidaysburg. Father David Dodd, T.O.R., will be speaking on “Why We Praise.” Prayer ministry will follow the talk.

Food distribution planned

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 25.

Food distribution is done on a drive-thru basis. More information can be found on the church’s website or Facebook page, or call the church at 814-942-1372; leave a message and calls will be returned. Donations to the food pantry, either in money or in food are welcome.

Meal, clothing giveaway scheduled

Bethany Lutheran Church, 200 Third Ave., Altoona, will be hosting its monthly meal and clothing giveaway from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 27.

Food distribution set

Newry Lutheran Church, 1030 Shamrock Lane, will distribute bags of food from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 27, in the church social hall. The “Meal in a Bag” will contain enough food to prepare dinner for a family. Bags will be distributed while supplies last at no charge. Bags are distributed monthly on the last Saturday of each month.

For additional information, contact the church office at 814-317-5287.

Christmas in July planned

Christmas in July will be celebrated at 9:15 a.m. July 28 at Fairview United Methodist Church, 2214 Fifth St., Altoona, and 10:45 a.m. at Jaggard First United Methodist Church, 1901 Pleasant Valley Blvd., Altoona.

Both churches will feature worship with Christmas carols, a visit from Obadiah, the shepherd left behind, and gifts.

All are welcome to a Christmas celebration without the hustle and bustle the December Christmas season.

Donations of non-perishable gifts will be accepted for the food pantries in Altoona, with Fairview supporting the Altoona Food Bank and Jaggard First helping the Food Pantry at St. Vincent dePaul.

For more information, contact the Rev. Fred Hickok at 814 599-8104.

Community yard sale set

Twenty-Eighth Street Church of the Brethren, 28th Street and Union Avenue, Altoona, will hold a community yard sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 27. Space rental is $10; table rental is $10 or provide your own table. All proceeds are yours to keep. No food stands allowed.

For more information or to reserve your spot, call Deb Gary at 814-207-8293 or email deb334@verizon.net.

Bible conference plans summer session

The Central Pennsylvania Bible Conference will hold its summer season July 28-Aug. 4 at the grand pavilion at Lakemont Park, Altoona. This year’s summer session theme is “Maturing in Christ,” studying the book of James.

Speakers will include David Kistler with Hope Ministries International, Hickory, N.C.., and Wendell Calder with Local Church Evangelism, Hudson, Florida. Missionary guest will be Yao Gbolou, director of The Way of Truth Baptist Mission in Togo, West Africa.

Musicians will include New Journey, The Hyssongs, The Agees, Karen Knight, The Binkley Family & Dr. Anne Binkley and Jeffrey Cogan.

Services will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 28, and at 4 and 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, July 29-Aug. 2, with a meal at 5:30 p.m.

In addition to the adult services, there will be a children’s conference led by Carrie Biddle, director of the local South Central PA Child Evangelism Fellowship. A youth rally led by Pastor Tim Binkley of Faith Baptist Church in Salisbury, Md., will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, July 29, at Lakemont Park.

For more information, call 814-944-2894 or visit the CPBC website at TCPBC.ORG.

Back-to-school clothing giveaways to be held

Geeseytown Lutheran Church, 462 Route 22, Hollidaysburg, will hold free clothing and school supply giveaways from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, and Saturday, Aug. 17, in the church basement. Future clothing giveaways will be held on the first Saturday of each month. Yard sale items and hot dogs will also be available to purchase in the parking lot, weather permitting.

Please use the entrance at the rear of the church. Contact pastormartyjo@gmail.com or call the church office at 814-317-5287 with any questions.

Anniversary event set

Old Keller Reformed Church, 8162 Fox Run Road, Williamsburg, will hold its 178th Anniversary Celebration at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 4. All are invited to join in celebration of faith and history.

Festival in the Shade planned

St. Patrick School’s annual fundraising event, the Festival in the Shade, will take place Aug. 9-11. The flea market will be held in the school’s gym each day. 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. Hours are 5-10 p.m. Aug. 9-10 and 3-7 p.m. Aug. 11.

Tickets available for stuffed shell dinner

The Greenwood United Methodist Church is holding a Delgrosso’s stuffed shell fundraiser on Aug. 10. Tickets for the meal are $12. The meal includes five shells, two meatballs, salad, roll and dessert. Meals can be picked up between 5 and 7 p.m. Aug. 10, at the church, 1505 E. Walton Ave., Altoona. All meals are packed to go, although everyone is invited to eat at the church.

Tickets should be purchased in advance, as the meals sell out quickly. For more information or tickets, contact the church at 814-943-5834.

Quilting ministry offered

Zion Lutheran Church invites women of all ages to attend Stitch and Sew in Zion’s Fellowship Hall from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays. No experience is required to help create quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Bring a bagged lunch, if you’d like. For more information, call the Church office at 814-695-0091.

Picnics in the Park continue

The Well of Blair County will host Picnics in the Park at 5:15 p.m. Tuesdays at Grove Memorial Park, Sixth Avenue and 23rd Street. The events include a family meal followed by a short lesson, activities and games.

The Well is at 605 Burns Ave., Altoona. Contact Brandi at bcburget217@yahoo.com for more information.

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.