The sixth annual Saturate Altoona will be held all four 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 7, Jonathan Weibel from State College sharing about Front Yard Mission; 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.

Bus trip planned

Fields of Harvest Fellowship Church is planning an overnight bus trip to The Ark Encounter in Kentucky on June 22-23. There are a few seats remaining. If interested, contact Penny for further details at 814-207-1664.

Free community lunch

Fourth Street Church of God will serve a free community lunch from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at the church, Fourth Street and 21st Avenue, Altoona. The menu includes baked ziti, salad, applesauce, dessert and drink.

Night of worship

Holy Spirit Ministry will host a night of worship at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 2, at St. Michael Church. Praise and worship will be led by the Holy Spirit Ministry Team.

Wally Zapotoczny will give a testimony followed by special prayers for his diaconal ordination on Saturday, June 6.

Blueberry orders accepted

The Mission Central HUB is hosting a blueberry fundraiser to help with rent, utilities and kit supplies.

The cost is $35 for 10 pounds, about 13.5 pints. The blueberries are picked up 24 hours prior to delivery from New Jersey. The HUB has been conducting this fundraiser for more than 10 years.

Orders can be picked up from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, at the HUB, 1738 N. Branch Ave., Altoona (in front of the drivers’ license center). Other pickup options can be arranged.

To place an order, mail a check with your name and phone number to Mission Central HUB, 1738 N. Branch Ave., Altoona, PA 16602. Orders are due by June 22.

A nonprofit organization, the HUB helps schools, churches, the homeless and organizations locally in Blair, Bedford and Huntingdon counties.

For more information, call 814-201-2123.

Bible school open

Children in preschool through sixth grade are invited to vacation Bible school at Zion Lutheran Church, from 5:15 to 8:15 p.m. May 31-June 4. This year’s theme is “Rainforest Falls.” Each session begins with dinner, followed by games, lessons, crafts, songs and more. It’s free, and children do not have to be a member of Zion to participate. Register by calling 814-695-0091, or go to Zion’s website: ZionHollidaysburg.org. Scroll until you see the Rainforest Falls logo and click the link.

Picnic at the park

Canoe Creek Brethren in Christ Church will host a picnic at the park — Connecting Community to Christ Jesus — event at 3:30 p.m. May 30. Those attending should meet at Pavilion 3 at Canoe Creek State Par. There will be free food, including hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken, fruit, drinks and more. Door prizes and games are all free. The day will conclude with worship at 7 p.m.

Music camp returns

Make a Joyful Noise Music Camp will be held from June 21-26 at Wehnwood United Methodist Church. Registration is open through May 30. To register, visit woodumc.com/music-camp, email makeajoyfulnoisewumc@gmail.com or call/text Brad at 814-799-0266.

Golf classic scheduled

The 21st Annual Altoona Alliance Men’s Missions Golf Classic will be Friday, June 12, at Iron Masters Country Club. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. Tee time is 1 p.m.

The cost is $75/person or $275/foursome; foursome and sponsorship is $400; a business can sponsor a hole for $200.

Cost includes lunch, 18 holes with cart, golf towel, beverages and snacks on course. Skill prizes will be awarded and a putting contest will be held. All the money raised goes toward missions education and sending people on short-term missions trips.

To register, call Altoona Alliance Church office at 814-944-0171 or visit altoonaalliancechurch.com. Brochures can be picked up at the church at 3220 Pleasant Valley Blvd., Altoona, beside Planet Fitness, or emailed by request.

Yard, bake sale planned

Our Lady of Lourdes Church will hold a yard sale and bake sale in the church hall, 2716 Broad Ave., Altoona, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, May 29, and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 30. Household and seasonal items, jewelry, books and more will be available. Cash and carry. Use the alley entrance. The church hall is handicap accessible with an elevator.

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. Friday, May 29, by appointment only. Call Deb at 814-207-8293.

Summer hours begin

Twenty-eighth Street Church of the Brethren, 28th Street and Union Avenue will switch to summer hours on Sunday, May 31. Worship will begin at 10 a.m.; there will be no Sunday school during the summer.

Basket auction planned

St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 159 Hickory St., Ashville, will host a basket auction with tickets available from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 6, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 7. The drawing will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 7, and baskets will be available for pick up from 4 to 5 p.m.

Tickets are 26 for $5; large items are three tickets for $5.

Vendor tables available

Abundant Life Church, 231 Howard Ave., Altoona, will hold an indoor yard sale/lunch/bake sale on Friday and Saturday, June 5-6, to support their KFC Kids for Christ Wednesday after school program. Vendor tables are available to rent for $10 each. Call or text 814-931-9166 to reserve one.

Author featured

ECLA Deacon Marsha Roscoe, spiritual director, coach and author of “Breathing in Christ: Experiencing Jesus in an Exhausting World,” will lead a guided, grace-filled morning designed to help participants slow down, reconnect and rediscover a more life-giving rhythm.

The free event will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 30, at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 850 Snydertown Road, Howard.

Roscoe serves as assistant to the bishop in the Lower Susquehanna Synod of the ELCA, where she leads initiatives in spiritual wellness, leadership development and communications. She is the founder of Breathing in Christ, a ministry devoted to helping people reconnect with God, themselves and their daily lives through simple, Christ-centered practices.

To register for the free event, email stmarksnydertown@gmail.com. Books will be available for purchase following the event for a donation of $20, with all proceeds supporting The Charles Bruce Foundation and its work with those experiencing homelessness.

For information, email stmarklutheran@gmail.com or call 814-383-4882, visit stmarksnydertown.wixsite.com/snydertown or find St. Mark on Facebook and Instagram @StMarkSnydertown.

Choral Institute offered

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.

Yard, baked sale set

St. John’s Reformed Church, 906 Maple Ave., Hollidaysburg will hold a yard sale in the church parking lot from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 30. Included will be baked items and a light lunch.

Community members can reserve a space for $10 to sell their items. If interested, call the church at 814-695-5721 and leave your name and number.

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.