Faith features

News of a religious nature may be submitted for Faith Features to editor@News-Herald.com; The News-Herald, 7085 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, OH 44094; or faxed to 440-975-2293. Deadline is the Tuesday before the Saturday of publication. We cannot guarantee publication.

Fall sermon series: If you have ever wondered if God cares about you, find the answers you need in our fall sermon series, “Does God Really Love Me?” at Vineyard Community Church, 1928 E. 300th St., Wickliffe, Join in every Sunday at 10 a.m., from now through Oct. 29 for this study and devotional. To find out more, contact call the church office at 440-944-4402.

Fall Bazaar: The Burton Congregational Church will host a Fall Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Oct. 14. A delicious, affordable lunch will be served all day. Craft items, baked goods, and candy will be on sale along with a rummage sale. Call Kathy to reserve table space — $20 per table — at 440834-1172. Soup for Change: The community is invited to: A “Soup for Change” luncheon that will be served on World Hunger at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 8 following the Morning Worship Service. A variety of homemade soups, breads, desserts and beverages will be available. Donations will be accepted with 100 percent of all money collected going directly to meeting the hunger needs around the world through Global Hunger Relief. For further information see visit www. eastlakebaptistchurch.com

or call the church office at 440 942 7934 (leave a message). The church is located at 35401 Stevens Blvd., Eastlake, one block east of Route 91.

Blessing of the animals:

St. Francis Day Celebration Service and Blessing of the animals will be 2 p.m., Sept. 30, at Grace Episcopal Church, 36200 Ridge Road, Willoughby. The service will be celebrated by the Rev. Rose Anne Lonsway. All animals, whether they have fur, hair, feathers or scales; two, four or no feet, are joyfully welcome. For the safety of all, pets should be caged or properly restrained at all times. A Biscuit and Treat fellowship will follow.

Building Bridges: MACE Islamic Center will host Open House Building Bridges from 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 8, at the MACE Islamic Center, 26901 Chardon Road, Richmond Heights. Learn about Islam. There will be a questions and answers period, tea, coffee, snacks, calligraphy and Henna. For details, call Dr. Farrukh Qureshi at 440-655-9235 or email contact us @maceohio.com.

Free event: There is Hope, Women helping Women find strength, comfort and joy in the midst of crisis is a free event sponsored by Christian Life Church 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Oct. 7 at the Mentor Civic Center, 8600 Munson Road, Mentor. Small group topics include grief, domestic violence, cancer, low self-esteem, anxiety attacks, and more. Lunch will be provided by ChickFil-A. Community resources include Habitat for Humanity, Hannah’s Home, Hope Over Heroin, The Gathering Place and more. For details

call 440-477-5761. Theology on Tap-East:

Father Tim Plavac, pastor at St. Bede the Venerable in Mentor, will lead the a group through an inspirational talk sharing a Catholic Pledge that he developed through reflection and prayer on what it means to be grateful and thankful. It will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 27 at Red Wine and Brew in Mentor. Appetizers and beverages provided; 21 and older only. Temple marks anniversary: Temple Am Shalom will celebrate the 30th anniversary (1987-2017) at the temple, 7599 Center St., Mentor, at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 13. Shabbat and Simchat Torah service will begin at 7:30 p.m. followed by Oneg Shabbat in the newly renovated kitchen and classrooms. All are welcome.

Polish Festival: The Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus, 3649 E. 56th St., Cleveland, will host the annual Polish Festival Oct. 6-8 in the Parish Social Center, 660` Baxter Avenue, Slavic Village. The St. Stanislaus Polish Festival features Polish food cooked in the Old World Style. Some of the foods available will be pierogi, kielbasa, czarnina, cabbage and noodles, potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage, and other Polish favorites. There will be a bakery booth that features items baked by the parishioners. The festival will include games of chance, sideboards, and boutiques. Two bars will be stocked with Polish and Domestic beers, wine, spirits and the world famous lemon drink, “Cytrynowka.” Festival hours will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 6, with dinners being served 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. A tour of the historic Shrine church is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 7, dinner will be served 4 to 9 p.m., there will be a mass at 5 p.m., with a church tour to follow the Mass. Oct. 8 dinners will be served 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and a church tour will follow the 11:30 a.m. Mass. A large part of the fundraising is the Grand Drawing, which will take place at 6 p.m., on Oct. 8. Raffle tickets for this drawing will be available at the festival. The grand prize is $1,500. The second prize is $1,000 followed by a third prize of $500 and four prizes at the $250 level, and 10 prizes of $100 each.

Silent Life Chain: The 24th annual Silent Life Chain will be one hour, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Oct. 1 at the intersection of Route 20 (Mentor Avenue) and Route 306 (Reynolds Road) in Mentor. This is the opportunity to silently “speak” for those who have no voice. Park on the outer edges of Points East Shopping Center and then join all four corners of the intersection as people stand (or sit in lawn chairs if needed) to silently hold signs reminding about abortion. Look for volunteers in neon green shirts and caps for free signs for Life Chain use. For details, call Immaculate Conception Pro-life Commission at 440-942-7906.

Reiki offered: Faith Church Mentor, 5885 Hopkins Road, Mentor, will offer free Reiki Therapy at 2 p.m. the third Sunday of each month in the newly renovated healing center. Help for physical, emotional and spiritual pain. The healing is also available by appointment by calling Barb at 440-478-2151.