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Free meal to be served
A free community Thanksgiving dinner will be served from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, at the Altoona Heritage Discovery Center.
Hosted by Center City Church, the event includes food, fellowship and gratitude, organizers said.
"We love to serve the city and help those in need, but this dinner is so much more than that," said Pastor Mark Mielnik. "This is a time for fellowship within this great city -- where everyone is welcome, both those who may need support this holiday season and those who simply love this community."
The meal will include traditional Thanksgiving favorites, but the gathering is about more than the food.
"It's an opportunity to sit down with someone you don't know, to bless others through the gift of time, and to be blessed in return," Mielnik said.
No reservations are necessary and the meal is open to everyone.
For more information or for information on how to get involved with the Altoona Thanksgiving Community Dinner, contact Center City Church at 814-201-2454.
International worker to speak
Altoona Alliance Church will welcome a newly appointed international worker during the 8 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. services Sunday, Nov. 17. Mathias will be heading to the Balkans to serve with CAMA. He will be speaking on “The Unlikely Places” using John 4:35. The church will hold a commissioning prayer for him at the end of both services. The church is at 3220 Pleasant Valley Blvd., Altoona.
Free lunch offered
Free lunch will be offered from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at Providence Presbyterian Church, 2401 Broad Ave., Altoona. The lunch will include a sloppy joe sandwich, a variety of homemade soups, fruit and a dessert. All are welcome to eat in the social hall.
Newry to distribute bags of food
Newry Lutheran Church, 1030 Shamrock Lane, will distribute bags of food from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, in the church social hall. Bags will be distributed while supplies last at no charge; no income guidelines exist to receive the bag of nonperishable food items. Bags are distributed monthly; future distribution dates will be held on Dec. 21.
The Meal in a Bag program is a social ministry initiative of Newry Lutheran Church, made possible through grant funding by the Allegheny Synod, ELCA, and donations by members and area businesses. For more information, contact the church office at 814-317-5287.
Stuffed cabbage dinner offered
A Halupki Harvest stuffed cabbage dinner will be available for take out only from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 335 Locust St., downtown Johnstown.
The meal is $10 and includes one halupki, two pierogies, a serving of halushki and two cookies. To order, call 814-535-6797 or email stmarks@atlanticbbn.net. Proceeds benefit St. Mark's Digital Ministries.
Food pantry distribution set
The food pantry distribution at Twenty-eighth Street Church of the Brethren will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Fridays, Nov. 15 and 22. The pantry is free to all Blair County residents. The church is at 28th Street and Union Avenue. To make an appointment, call Deb at 814-207-8293.
Free concert offered
A free concert featuring the Encore String Trio of Altoona, Harpist Rachel Wachter, and advanced piano and vocal students of Cynthia Finnegan will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 408 N. Sixth St., Altoona.
The concert is part of the Sunderman Memorial Concert Series.
Christmas crafts at The Well
Children in preschool to sixth grade are invited to The Well for a fun day creating Christmas crafts to keep or give as a gift. The free event will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Parents must sign up children for this event.
In addition to crafts, cookies and drinks will be provided. Children must be potty trained to stay without a guardian. Nursery care is available for little ones too young to participate.
To sign up for this event, go to signupgenius.com. On that site, search for this email address: bcburget217@yahoo.com by clicking on the search icon (magnifying glass) at the top of the page. Then enter the email address when prompted at "Search for a signup." Go to the search page directly at: signupgenius.com/findasignup.
The Well Ministry Center is at 605 Burns Ave., Altoona.
Food distribution set
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, Nov. 21.
Food distribution is done on a drive-thru basis to maximize social distancing, and the use of masks is encouraged for those on foot or getting out of their cars. More information is available on the church's website or Facebook page, or call the church at 814-942-1372. Messages will be returned.
Donations to the food pantry, either in money or in food, are always welcome.
Kelley to speak at revival
The Rev. Joe Kelley of Altoona will speak at revival services slated to be held at the Juniata Church of the Brethren, North Ninth Avenue and Third Street. Services will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, and at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17. There will be special music at each service.
Evangelist to speak
Preacher and Evangelist William Wood will speak at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 16 and 10:40 a.m. Nov. 17 at Word of Life Fellowship, 6013 Wesley Chapel Road, Huntingdon.
In 2005, Wood had a dramatic encounter with God during which he was supernaturally delivered from alcohol and drug abuse. Since this encounter, he has had a passion for revival and for seeing people step into the fullness of what Christ paid for on the cross.
For more information, call the church at 814-667-2255.
Operation Hope banquet set
The third annual Operation Hope Celebration Banquet will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, at the Wright Place for Kids, 1809 11st St., Altoona. Tickets are $40 each and include dinner and entertainment by Brad Stine. VIP tables are $400 and include preferred seating and eight tickets, as well as entry to the raffle drawing.
The event will include inspiring stories and a silent auction and is hosted by Titus 2 Ministry.
Tickets can be purchased at titustwoministry.org.
Revival services scheduled
Revival services will be held at The Faith Baptist Church of Altoona from Nov. 17 to Nov. 20. Evangelist Zach Campbell is the founder of Known Ministries, which focuses on reaching students on college campuses across the U.S.
Services will include congregational singing, special music and a practical message. Services will be held at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Nov. 17 and at 7 p.m. Nov. 18-20.
A nursery will be provided for small children.
The church is at 315 40th St., in the Highland Park section of Altoona. For more information, call 814-944-2894 or visit the website at www.fbcaltoona.org.
Healing service planned
Holy Spirit Ministry will hold a healing service at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, at St. Michael Church, Hollidaysburg. The service will be led by Father David Dodd, T.O.R. There will be praise and worship music. A prayer ministry will conclude the evening.
Church hosts Chiz Rider concert
Chiz Rider will present a concert at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, at Jaggard First United Methodist Church, 1801 Pleasant Valley Blvd., Altoona. Church services are also livestreamed Sunday mornings on the church's Facebook page.
Choir to perform
The Chi Rho Singers will present a concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at Wehnwood United Methodist Church.
This choir of the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church includes about 25 active and retired pastors under the direction of the Rev. James Hollister and the Rev. Richard Smith.
Various styles of sacred music, both contemporary and traditional, will be presented. Several instruments are used for accompanying the choir. The audience will be invited to join the choir in a few selections. The concert is free; an offering will be accepted.
Splash Nights continue
The Well Ministry Center will host Splash Nights the second Monday of each month. There will be a meal, games, crafts, songs and a message of hope. The first event will be held at 5 p.m at the American Legion Park in Hollidaysburg, rain or shine. All kids and families are welcome. For more information, contact Brandi at bcburget217@yahoo.com.
Pancake brunch to be served
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Therese of The Child Jesus Conference, will serve an all-you-can-eat pancake brunch from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, in Father Kelly Hall, 25th Avenue and Fifth Street, Altoona.
Cost is $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 10 and younger. The meal includes all-you-can-eat pancakes, along with two sausages, coffee, tea and juice. A gluten free option is available.
In addition, there will also be two gift card board raffles valued and a lottery tree raffle. Proceeds will benefit those in need in the community.
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.
Pro-Life Rosary to be recited
Christian Mothers will recite the pro-life rosary Thursdays after the noon mass at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona. The group meets in front of the Blessed Mother Chapel.