Local briefs

Church hosts ‘How the Bible Came to Us’

NEW MILFORD >> The New Milford Church of Christ will host a weekend series of seminars, “How the Bible Came To Us,” Sept. 4-5 at the church facility on Route 202 in New Milford. David Tarbet, outreach minister of New Milford Church of Christ, will be the speaker.

For several years Tarbet has collected rare English Bibles from the 1500s and 1600s. A number of his books are usually seen only in museums. His collection will be on display at the seminar. The seminar will answer many questions about the origin and preservation of the Bible.

“Some have the mistaken impression that the Scripture has been corrupted by the passing of time and translation from one language to another — that we do not have the same Bible today as first given by Christ and His apostles,” Tarbet said. “The seminar will provide clear and positive evidence that Scripture has been preserved and that we do indeed have the very word of God in our hands today.”

This will be an opportunity to see rare English Bibles first-hand and up close. Some of these Bibles are 500 years old. Bibles on display include the Coverdale Bible, the Matthews Bible, the Great Bible, the Geneva Bible and the Bishop’s Bible, the Rhemes (Catholic) New Testament and the King James Bible. In addition, there will be leaves from other early English Bibles, including Tyndale and Caxton.

Topics for the seminar include: “Write It On a Scroll,” the origin of the Bible, on Friday, Sept. 4, 7 p.m.; “The Canon of Scripture,” why there are 66 books in the Bible, Sept. 4, 8 p.m.

There will be three sessions Saturday, Sept. 5: “The Preservation of the Ancient Text of Scripture,” proof that the Bible is the same today as at the beginning, at 10 a.m.; followed by “History of the English Bible,” the monumental task of bringing the Bible to Englishspeaking people. at 11 a.m., and “The Living and Abiding Word of God,” God’s purposes and plans for the Bible today, at 12:30 p.m.

There is no admission charge to attend the seminar, and no collections will be taken. Childcare will be provided for children under 10 years of age. Persons of all faiths are invited to attend. A light lunch will be served Saturday before the final presentation.

For more information, leave a message for the New Milford Church of Christ at 860-355-0489. The church is located at 129 Litchfield Road (Route 202) approximately 2 miles north of the hospital. Timothy Tarbet serves as the congregation’s pulpit minister.

registercitizen.com

Connecticut POPS holding open rehearsals

WATERBURY >> The Connecticut POPS, Naugatuck Valley Community College’s community-group-in-residence concert band, is holding open rehearsals for prospective new members. Woodwind, brass and percussion players of intermediate to advanced playing ability are invited to informally audition for open seats. The open rehearsals are in preparation for a holiday concert in December and a spring concert in May.

“Our concerts are typically multimedia and appeal to all ages, so we’re looking for musicians with a repertoire that spans a wide range of genres within the pops style,” said NVCC Instructor of Music Andrew Ardizzoia, D.M.A., who directs The Connecticut Pops. “We are particularly looking for French horn, trombone, euphonium/baritone, percussion and oboe players, though others are also encouraged to inquire.”

Auditions will be held on the first three Tuesday evenings in September (Sept. 1, 8 and 15) from 7:15 to 9:30 p.m. at NVCC’s Mainstage Theater at 750 Chase Parkway in Waterbury. Interested musicians are requested to contact Connecticut POPS Manager Pat Reinhardt at preinhardtece@ sbcglobal.net or 203-426-6148 before attending a rehearsal.

Norfolk Library to hold gala auction fundraiser

NORFOLK >> Norfolk Library Associates’ 2015 Auction Gala is set for Saturday, Sept. 26. Held for the first time in a large, renovated barn just near the village center, guests can expect wonderful food, wine, champagne and a special signature drink.

This year’s live auction offers travel opportunities up for bidding including week-long accommodations in places such as Steamboat Springs, Colorado; a 5 bedroom beach house in Costa Rica; a golfer’s dream stay in Pinehurst, North Carolina; and a week at Sand Cove Cottage in Winter Harbor, Maine.

Silent auction items include gift baskets, a spectacular afternoon of flying over the northwest hills in a private plane, four tickets to watch the Red Sox play at Yankee Stadium — and more.

Tickets are sold at the door for $25 each. Cash, checks, and major credit cards are accepted at the door and for winning bids. Information is available at norfolklibrary.org.