Metro

Movie to be shown

Movie night at The Well Ministry Center of Blair County will be showing “The War Room” at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 28. The Well is at 605 Burns Ave., Altoona. For information, call 814-201-2548.

Garretson to speak

Kary Garretson is the featured speaker at the spring Ladies/Teen Encounter on March 29 at Grace Fellowship Leamersville Church, 14 Brethren Lane, Duncansville. The free event begins at 9 a.m. No tickets are required; donations accepted.

The event will include testimonials, music, speaking, shopping and prizes. Snacks will be available for purchase. For more information, contact Celeste at 814-571-6779.

Caldwells in concert

An Easter musical concert will be held at 7 p.m. March 30 at Juniata Church of the Brethren, North Ninth Avenue and Third Street. The program will feature Steve and Apryl Caldwell on the theme “Holy Week in Song.” For more information, contact the church office at 814-942-9809.

Easter meal to be served

Altoona Restoration Church of God, 911 N. Third St., Altoona, will host an Easter meal at noon April 6 in the church social hall. All are welcome and invited to celebrate our Lord and fellowship as a community. There will be a full meal to include dessert and drinks at no charge.

Ladies conference set

The Adorned Ladies Ministry of Calvary Baptist Church, 810 Ruskin Drive, Altoona, will host a ladies video conference from 6:15 to 9 p.m.

April 25 and 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. April 26. The conference, “Truth: Uncovering the Lies We Believe,” features well known apologist and Bible scholar, Ken Ham, with Dr. Georgia Purdom, Tommye Hammel, Camille Cates and Heidi St. John. Also featured is singer and keyboardist Michael O’Brien in concert Friday evening.

The conference is free; Saturday lunch is $10. Registration is open April 1-16; deadline is April 16. To register, visit https://calvarybaptistaltoona.org/events or call the Church office at 814-942-6541. The church is on Facebook: Calvary Baptist Altoona.

Choir concert planned

Considered to be one of the finest choirs in the world, The Choir of Boys & Men of Westminster from London, England, will present a free, sacred Lenten concert at 7 p.m. April 3 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, One Cathedral Square, Altoona.

The program is focused on Lent and the crucifixion of Christ.

The concert is free, however tickets are required due to safety requirements. Tickets are available after all weekend Masses (5 p.m. Saturdays; 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 5 p.m. Sundays) or in the Parish Office on 13th Avenue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays until gone.

Pancake, sausage served

Pancake and sausage breakfast will be served from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, April 6, at St. Michael Church hall, 301 Spruce St., Hollidaysburg. The meal, hosted by St. Mary and St. Michael’s Men’s Club, will cost $6 for adults and $3 for children. Take-outs are available. The meal includes coffee, tea, juice or water. There is also a pancake topping bar featuring strawberries, blueberries, chocolate chips and whipped cream.

Taize Tuesday programs

Zion Lutheran Church in Hollidaysburg will host Taize Tuesday programs at 7 p.m. Tuesday through April 15. There will be light discussion, a Taize style of evening prayer using simple chants, silence and candles. The theme is “teaching on the life and ministry of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.” Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor, neo-Orthodox theologian and anti-Nazi dissident. He was accused of being associated with a plot to assassinate Hitler, was tried and hanged during the collapse of the Nazi regime. The church is at 500 Allegheny St., Hollidaysburg.

‘Noah’ to be shown

Altoona Bible Church will show Sight and Sound’s production of “Noah” at 5:45 p.m. Saturday, April 5. Doors will open at 5 p.m. There is no charge for the movie. It will be shown in conjunction with the church’s 72nd Annual Missionary Conference, which will be held at the church from April 5-9. The theme is “We send missionaries to all points of the compass.” For more information on “Noah” or on the conference, call the church office at 814-942-2131. The public is invited to attend the showing of “Noah” and the conference.

Barbecue tickets available

The annual Spring Chicken BBQ will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, April 13, at the St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen, 2201 Union Ave., Altoona. Tickets are $10, which includes a half chicken, Murf’s potato salad from DelGrosso’s Park, applesauce and a roll.

Homemade baked goods also will be available for purchase. Tickets may be purchased at the Soup Kitchen from 8 to 11 a.m. weekdays or at the door.

Speaker series scheduled

Holy Spirit Ministry will host an Empowering the Spirit series, “A Life in the Spirit Series,” on Tuesdays through April 8 at St. Michael Church, Hollidaysburg. Fellowship and light refreshments begin at 6:30 p.m. with the program to start at 7 p.m. Each evening includes speakers, praise and worship and small group discussion.

Registration is free and can be made at holyspiritministry20@gmail.com or call 814-207-9110.

Father Jeremy Mohler will speak on Spiritual Gifts – Charisms on April 1 and Father David Dodd, T.O.R., will speak on Empowerment and Activation on April 8.

Lenten lunches offered

Wehnwood United Methodist Church will offer Lenten lunches at noon Wednesdays through April 16. Under the theme, “Journey to the Cross: Encounters with Jesus,” the luncheons will include a light lunch with guest speakers. An offering will be accepted. Speakers include Pastor Trina Miller, Encountering Jesus the Servant, April 2; the Rev. Randy Willis, Encountering Jesus in Agony, April 9; the Rev. Ben Chon, Encountering Jesus Betrayed, April 16.

Lenten worship offered

Geeseytown-Newry Lutheran Parish is hosting Midweek Lenten worship services at noon Wednesdays at its two churches, with a light lunch as follows: April 2 at Newry Lutheran Church; and April 9 at Geeseytown Lutheran Church.

Concert scheduled

The Blair Concert Chorale will present Requiem by Maurice Durufle at 7:30 p.m. March 29 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 12th Avenue and 14th Street, Altoona. Members of the Pitt-Greensburg Chorale will join the Blair Concert Chorale. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students and are available at Thompson Pharmacy (Hollidaysburg and Chestnut Avenue), through Eventbrite, at the door the night of the performance and from chorale members.

Lenten Bible study

Duncansville Lutheran will hold Bible study every Wednesday in Lent. Study will be at 5:15 p.m. followed by dinner and fellowship at 6 p.m. For more information contact the church office at 814-695-0508. The group is also collecting canned and boxed goods for the Allegheny rescue mission every Wednesday.

Fish dinners offered

– Lenten Friday fish fry lunches will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays during Lent, except for Good Friday, at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, 1 Cathedral Square, Altoona. Cost is $10. Pick up is at the Cathedral alley door in a drive-thru. Orders of 10 or more will be delivered if they are called in to 814-944-4603.

– Altoona Almrausch Schuhplattlers (German dance group) will serve their annual fish dinners from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Fridays, including Good Friday, April 18. The dinners will be served at the Unter Uns Club, 1405 Van Buren Ave. The cost for each meal is $14. An added special, crab cakes, will be available April 4 and April 18. Those meals will be $22.

– St. Patrick’s Seafood Buffet, 731 Patrick Lane, Newry, will be open from 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays through April 18. Cost is $20 for ages 13 to 59; $18 for seniors 60 years of age and older; $10 for children ages 5-12; and free to children under the age of 5. All take out meals are $20.

– The youth group at Second Avenue Global Methodist Church, 130 Second Ave., Altoona, will host their annual All You Can Eat Lenten Buffet from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Fridays through April 11. All proceeds from the buffet go directly to the youth group and support their mission trips and events throughout the year. Cost for the buffet is $17 for adults, $14 for senior citizens 65 years and older, and $12 for children under 10 years of age. Take out meals are available for $14 and can be ordered ahead of time beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Fridays. Call 814-943-2072 to order.

– St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish, Altoona, will hold Lenten Fish Fry dinners from 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays through April 11, at Father Kelley Hall, 25th Avenue and Fifth Street. Dinners will be available for either eat-in or take-out. Cost is $14 per dinner. Optional pre-orders start at 3 p.m. Orders can be made at 814-414-8409 or 814-381-8094.

– Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 2716 Broad Ave., will hold their Annual Lenten Fish Fry on Fridays through Good Friday, April 18. Take-out begins at 3:30 p.m. Eat-in begins at 4:30 p.m. and continues to 7 p.m. or until sold out. Each dinner is $14.

Tax help available

The New Life Worship Center Tax Team provides preparation 2024 federal, state and local tax returns as part of its ministry. In its 15th year, federal and state returns are efiled and local returns sent back to participants for them to file property tax and rent rebates are also completed. A mobile app link is available.

The tax preparation cost is a minimum donation of $30. Last year, the ministry raised more than $75,000 and donated to 17 local nonprofits by serving 1,670 clients who received $3 million in refunds.

For more information, visit its Facebook page, email sseifer@hotmail.com or call 814-215-1933.

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.

Soup kitchen open

The Altoona Mennonite Church holds a soup kitchen from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Mondays through March. All are invited. The church is at 1405 Broadway, Altoona. More information about the church can be found at https://altoonamennonite.church/.

Run, walk benefit set

St. Thomas Lutheran Church will host a 5K run/5K walk at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at the church, 1439 Ridge Road, Hooversville. Race applications and sponsor forms are available at https://www.stthomaslutheranchurch.org/5k-race-walk.

All proceeds benefit St. Thomas youth programs in addition to community support for schools, fire departments, police, EMS and those in need.

Exercising your faith

Everyone is welcome to praise the Lord while exercising at the Christian Dance Fitness class from noon to

1 p.m. Thursdays, at the Groove Fitness Studio, 539 E. 25th Ave., Altoona (Ivyside Plaza). The class is taught by instructor Cathy Chirdon. All fitness levels are welcome. Cost is $7 a class, or $60 for a 10-class punchcard; health insurance fitness plans accepted. For more information, call Groove Fitness at 814-329-3091.

Teen program announced

Faith Baptist Church of Altoona is now hosting an after-school program. Stand in the Gap Youth Ministries, geared toward teenagers, was started by Nicole Thompson. It is held in the church Fellowship Hall from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday for all teens in 6th through 12th grade. The program offers teens a safe place to gather, have fun, get a bite to eat, do homework or get help with their schoolwork.

For more information, call 814-935-3838. The church is in the Highland Park Section of the city, Fourth Avenue and 40th Street.

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.