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Mass for married couples
Bishop Mark Bartchak will celebrate the annual outdoor Mass for married couples at 7 p.m. July 19 at the Our Lady of the Alleghenies Shrine in Loretto. All husbands and wives, no matter how many years they have been married, are invited, along with their family. During the Mass, the couples will have the opportunity to renew their sacramental commitment to each other.
Those attending are asked to bring their own lawn chair. If it rains, the Mass will be celebrated inside the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel, next to the Shrine.
Churches host Bible school
■ Altoona Bible Church will host Bible school from 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 20-24 at the church, 3017 Union Ave., Altoona. Students will enjoy an Irish Adventure through Psalm 23 as they learn about the Good Shepherd and how He cares for His sheep. The week's focus will be on Psalm 23:1 -- "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Lessons and activities are geared for children ages 4 through those entering 10th grade. Registration can be made by calling 814-942-2131.
■ Riggles Gap BIble Church will host Bible school from 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 27-31. "Pioneers and Prairie Dogs" will have participants traveling to the old West with fun songs, silly skits, snacks, crafts, "Clem Coyote" the puppet, prizes and Bible stories. Bible school is free. The church is at 613 Lear Road, Altoona. For transportation, call the church at 814-946-3376.
■ Duncansville Evangelical Lutheran Church invites children entering Pre-K through 6th grade to experience Rainforest Falls VBS: Exploring the Nature of God, taking place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 20, through Thursday, July 23.
Throughout the week, children will journey deep into the rainforest as they discover God's amazing love and faithfulness through exciting Bible stories, uplifting music, hands-on crafts, engaging games, snacks and interactive activities. Each night is filled with opportunities to make new friends, grow in faith, and create lasting memories in a safe, welcoming, and fun-filled environment.
"Rainforest Falls" is designed to help children explore God's character while experiencing the wonder of His creation.
Vacation Bible School is free to attend.
Registration is now open. For more information or to register, contact Duncansville Evangelical Lutheran Church or visit the church's website or social media pages.
Registration is also available online at www.mydelc.org/happenings.
Night of worship
A night of worship will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, at St. Michael Church, Hollidaysburg. Bob Sutton will speak on "Writing straight with crooked lines: your place in God's plan."
Prayer ministry will follow the talk.
Brethren Brass present concert
The Brethren Brass will present an outdoor concert at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 26, at Juniata Church of the Brethren, 306 N. Ninth Ave., Altoona. The concert is free.
The group is made up of only brass instruments and members of the group come from different Brethren churches in the Middle Pennsylvania District.
Seating will be provided under the tent in the backyard of the church, but concert-goers are welcome to bring their own chairs and blankets for the grass area.
For more information, contact the church at 814-944-6725.
Bible conference set
The Central Pennsylvania Bible Conference will conduct its 106th year of ministry during the annual summer session Aug. 2-7 at Altoona Alliance Church, 3220 Pleasant Valley Blvd., Altoona.
This year's theme is "Equipping the Saints for the Work of the Ministry" from Ephesians 4:12.
Speakers include Dav Kistler with Hope Ministries International and Kevin Callahan, president of International Partnership Ministries.
The missionary speaker will be Dan Woodring, director of The Way of Truth Ministries International.
Special musicians will include Kelli Moore and Jason Dodson, The Hyssongs, Karen Knight, The Wylers and Stephen Coleman.
Services will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday and at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday with a meal at 5:30 p.m.
In addition to the adult services, there will be a Children's Conference held during each service led by Maggie Smith of The Way of Truth Ministries God's Truth for Children Ministries. A Youth Rally led by Pastor Tim Binkley of Faith Baptist Church in Salisbury, Maryland, will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 3, and 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
A ladies brunch will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, with Karen Knight of Heartsongs Ministries.
The men's breakfast will be held at 8 a.m.Friday, Aug. 7, with speaker Pastor Tim Binkley.
Cost is $7 per person. Reservations can be made for either of the events by calling 814-944-2894.
For further information, call 814-944-2894 or visit the CPBC website at TCPBC.ORG
Church hosts yard sale
A yard sale will be held from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 17-18, at Mardorf United Methodist Church, 3429 Juniata Gap Road, Altoona. The sale may close early either day if there is no traffic.
The sale will include clothing, children's items, kitchen items and more.
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, July 18. Lunch will include a ham and cheese sandwich, macaroni salad, a variety of homemade soups, desserts, fruit and beverages.
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 23.
For more information, check out the church's website or Facebook page, or call the church at 814-942-1372. Leave a message for a return call.
Rummage sale, block party
St. John's United Church of Christ, 117 E. Julian St., Martinsburg, will host a rummage sale and block party on Friday, July 17.
The Rummage Sale runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the church basement, featuring housewares, puzzles, decorations, movies, books, gadgets and more. Food and beverages will be available for eat-in or take-out throughout the sale.
The block party runs from noon to 6 p.m. in front of the church, with live music, face painting, temporary tattoos, a bounce house and games.
This event is St. John's way of practicing extravagant welcome, being a good neighbor and giving back to the community. Everyone is welcome.
For more information, visit St. John's website at www.StJohnsMartinsburgPa.org, or contact Pastor Bonnie Skelley at 814-505-3208.
Campfire church
Campfire church will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 19, in the parking lot of Christ Community United Methodist Church, 5715 Roselawn Ave., Altoona. Those attending should bring a chair. Snacks provided. The group will move inside if it rains.
Clothing giveaway date changed
Grace's Closet at Grace Lutheran Church, 1114 N. Cambria St., Bellwood, will host a clothing giveaway from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 18. Summer clothing is available. Masks are optional. For more information, call the church at 814-742-7501 or 814-742-7416.
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, July 24, by appointment only. Call Deb by Thursday at 814-207-8293.
Movie night
Movie night will be held Friday, July 17, at Twenty-eighth Street Church of the Brethren, 28th Street and Union Avenue. Snacks will be served from 6:15 to 7 p.m., with the movie, "Left Behind" part 2, "Tribulation Force," set to begin at 7 p.m. There will be a followup discussion on Wednesday, July 22. Time will be announced at the movie night.
Carnival set
Fourth Street Church of God will hold a carnival from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 18, instead of the regular Saturday meal. There will be food, games and more.
Piano concert scheduled
Everett Church of the Brethren will host Nathaniel Maxwell in a piano concert at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 26. The church is at 119 E. Second St., Everett.
Maxwell is a faculty member at The New School of Music Study in Kingston, N.J. He began studying piano at age 6 and later studied with David Heid at Duke University and J. P. Murphy at the University of Oklahoma, where he earned a master's degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy. In 2023, he received the Louis Sudler Prize in the Arts at Duke University and was a prizewinner in the 2024 Donna Turner Smith Piano Competition at the University of Oklahoma. He continues to serve as administrative assistant for the World Youth Wind Project, held in Staufen, Germany, during the summer of 2026. This fall, he will begin doctoral piano studies at the Conservatory of the University of Missouri - Kansas City with Sean Chen while pursuing a secondary master's degree in composition.
His Everett concert will feature Brahms, Chaminade, Khachaturian and more.
DELC partners 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.
"This program aligns with our commitment to serving our neighbors and creating opportunities for our area youth to
connect and thrive," said Derek Detrich of Duncansville Evangelical Lutheran Church.
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.
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.