CHURCH NEWS
United Lutheran Church
Church Women United: May Friendship Day, an annual event, will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, May 4, at ULC. Everyone is welcome. James Herndon, a counselor from Cooper Elementary, will be the guest speaker. There will be a collection of items for children and families in need: healthy snacks, fruit cups, cheese crackers, breakfast bars, tuna, soups, pasta and rice packets.
Bella Vista Church of Christ
The Bella Vista Church of Christ is hosting a community family fun day from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 5. Admission is free and activities include a cake walk, face painting, bounce houses, games and carriage rides.
St. Bernard Catholic Church
Bingo will be held on Thursday, May 3, in the parish hall. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. with a 6:30 p.m. start time.
A Cinco de Mayo Fiesta will be celebrated on Saturday, May 5, in the parish hall. The Bella Vista community is invited. A social hour will begin at 6 p.m., and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 each, and children younger than the age of 12 years are free. All profits are earmarked for the St. Bernard Youth Group. Tickets are sold after Mass and in the parish office.
Bella Vista Community Church
The Bella Vista National Day of Prayer Breakfast, hosted by Bella Vista Community Church, is at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 5, with special guests Mayor Peter Christie and NICA coach Ben Rowell. After the prayer breakfast, attendees will join in cleaning up the trails around the BVCC trailhead. RSVP required. Please call 479-855-1126 or sign up at bvcc.net. Space is limited to the first 200 people. Suggested donation is $5 at the door.
The Bella Vista Police Department hosts the U.S. Attorney for Western Arkansas, Duane Kees, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 24, in the sanctuary. The free workshop topic is “fraud.”
Summer Arts Camp is Monday-Friday, June 18-22, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. for kids entering grades first through sixth. Brochures and registration forms are available in the church office or register online at bvcc.net.
Unitarian Universalists
UUBC's theme for the month of May is “freedom.” May 6 features a homily on that topic written by a Unitarian Universalist minister.
Village Baptist Church
Friday and Saturday, May 4 and 5, there will be a free Gospel music concert, Southern Jubilee, performing at 6 p.m. in Grace Hall. The community is invited.
Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista
May Friendship Day for Church Women United is at 9:30 a.m. Friday, May 4, at the United Lutheran Church in Bella Vista. One of the counselors at Cooper Elementary School will speak about the needs of children. Those attending are asked to bring food items such as fruit cups, peanut butter, crackers, soups, tuna, pasta, rice or beans to help needy children at the school.
The chancel choir is in need of a piano accompanist. Call the church, 479-855-2390, for more details.
First United Methodist Church
First United Methodist Men are hosting a pancake day from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, May 4, in Becker Hall at the church, 20 Boyce Drive, Bella Vista. Tickets are $6 per person and include pancakes, ham or sausage, applesauce, coffee and milk. Tickets can be bought from any UMM member, at the church office or at the door.
Prayer Shawl Ministry meets from 10 a.m. to noon on Fridays in Room 6. An hour of stitching and knitting instruction is gladly given. Everyone is welcome. The shawls are given to shut-ins, those who are grieving, and for other circumstances. Each shawl is prayed over and blessed as it is being made.
Two weekly meetings of AA are hosted at the church on Monday and Saturday. Call or stop by the church for more information.
The chancel choir and chancel handbell choir are looking for new members. Chancel Bells meets in the music room at 3:30 p.m. and the chancel choir meets at 4:45 p.m. in the sanctuary. Please contact Larry Zehring, director of music ministries, at 479-855-1158 for additional information.
Forest Hills Church
Pastor Mark Kirby will deliver the sermon: “Who Loves Ya?” from Psalm 1:1-6 on Sunday, May 6.
Unity Church of the Ozarks
Guest speaker Bonnie O'Boyle, M.S., C.R.C, will make a presentation at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, May 6. Bonnie is a rehabilitation counselor, a Reiki Master, inspirational singer and songwriter and author of “In The Beginning” and the children's book, “The Dream Keeper.” She has held programs with groups and individuals at various locations including the University of the Ozarks, many New Thought churches and at spiritual and professional conferences. All are welcome to attend.
Bella Vista Lutheran Church
The fellowship team from Bella Vista Lutheran Church is collecting shelf-stable healthy drinks and snacks for the NWA Women's Shelter. A container for donations is in the church narthex
The Shepherd's Food pantry is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The need is for peanut butter. The community is invited to share items for the pantry.
Village Bible Church
Pastor Mark Voll will continue his “The Gospel of Mark” sermon series. This Sunday's sermon is titled “The Greatest of These” with a text of Mark 12:28-40.
KniTTogether ministry and the White Cross Women's Mission ministry will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 8. The ladies enjoy informal fellowship while working on projects that benefit needy children and adults in the area as well as a hospital in Congo. All ladies from the community are welcome to come and learn more about these ministries.
Highlands Church (United Methodist)
Highlands Church Highlands Flea will be from 8 a.m to noon Saturday, May 5. This annual event is hosted by the United Methodist Women at the church. All proceeds are donated to local women's and children's charities. Items for sale will include household, linens, collectibles, jewelry, furniture, books, lawn and garden, coffee shop and bakery. Those wishing to sell their own items for profit may make a reservation for an outside space by calling 479-855-2277.
The student ministry of Highlands Church has installed a “Free Little Food Pantry” in the rear parking lot of the church. The pantry is a free, 24/7, self-serve ministry that will be stocked with nonperishable food items and toiletries. Hungry individuals and families in the community are able to take what they need. The idea behind the pantry is “take what you need, leave what you can.”
The community blood drive will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 23, at Highlands Church. Eat well and drink plenty of fluids prior to the event. Receive a free cholesterol screening. Photo identification will be required.