WORSHIP NOTES

Tour at Beth Or

A guided tour of the stained glass windows at Congregation Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Upper Dublin, is offered with Rabbi Greg Marx at 10 a.m. March 9. There will be a brunch before the tour in the synagogue’s Rosenfeld Social Hall. Admission is free if you RSVP by March 4 to bmurtha@bethor.org; $5 for walk-ins.

Special services

◆ A World Day of Prayer service involving six local churches starts at 7 p.m. March 7 at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Fourth and Broad streets, Lansdale. Refreshments and fellowship will follow the service. World Day of Prayer is a worldwide ecumenical movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year on the first Friday in March. World Day of Prayer was founded on the idea that prayer and action are inseparable in the service of God’s kingdom. Services begin at sunrise in the Pacific and follow the sun across the globe on the day of celebration. Each year a different county’s committee serves as the writer of the World Day of Prayer worship service.

◆ Church of the Holy Spirit (Episcopal) will hold Ash Wednesday services with the marking of foreheads with ashes and Holy Eucharist March 5 at noon and 7:30 p.m. A special service for families with children, explaining the meaning of the ashes and Lent, will be held at 5:30 p.m. The previous day, a Shrove Tuesday pancake supper will be held 5 to 6:30 p.m. A Lenten Bible study on the Stations of the Cross will be held during the adult Sunday school classes at 9 a.m., starting March 2. For more information, contact the church at (215) 234-8020.

◆ Christ Covenant Church, 2200 Mainland Road, (formerly Sumneytown Pike), Harleysville invites the community to celebrate Ash Wednesday, beginning the Season of Lent, with a special service. The Ash Wednesday evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a time of fellowship, with the worship service (including the service of Holy Communion) starting at 7:15 p.m. Knowing that schedules may not permit time to attend fellowship and worship, if you are not able to attend the service, you are still invited to stop in and enjoy fellowship at 6:30 or just the service at 7:15. (Childcare will be provided during worship.) For more information, call (215) 256-8101 or www.christ-covenant.org.

◆ A Holy Hour for prayers for vocations and the church starts at 7 p.m. March 6 at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 1601 Derstine Road, Hatfield. There will be private prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Note that Lenten services start on March 7 at 7 p.m.

Family fun

◆ The 52nd annual St. Stanislaus Penny Auction to benefit Mater Dei Catholic School is held March 4 in the Mater Dei Catholic School Gym, 493 E. Main St., Lansdale. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the auction beginning at 7:30. Tickets are $10. Call (215) 368-0995.

◆ The Calvary Church Outdoors Expo 2014 is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today on the church grounds, 820 Route 113, Hilltown Township. Free activities include displays; extreme air inflatable quad pods; a 24-foot rock wall; a fishing simulator; fishing, hunting and archery gear; trip information; laser tag and an inflatable volleyball dome. Children can enjoy animal shows, face painting, a Reel Kids casting contest, a planetarium, or archery practice. Food will be available for purchase. Seminar topics include coyote and fox trapping tips; tools to film your hunt; light tackle tips and tricks; boat preparation; techniques for night fishing for summer bass; and turkey calling and locator calling. Get the complete schedule at www.calvaryexpo.com.

Be well

Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Parish Nurse Ministry is hosting a Health and Wellness Fair 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday in the gymnasium of the Catholic Education Center, 1325 Upper State Road, Montgomery Township.

Occurring simultaneously at the MMR school will be the Children’s Art Show, and the Grandparents Day celebration.

The health fair will feature Abington Health Lansdale Hospital, Einstein Hospital, Grand View Hospital, Blue Lotus Acupuncture, Comfort Keepers, Tiger Schulman’s Mixed Martial Arts, PennStar Medical Helicopter, Fire Department of Montgomery Township, Montgomery Township Police Department, Galiani Ophthalmology Associates, North Penn Family Medical Associates, Urologic Associates of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Edible Arrangements, dietitian Jennifer Pullman, Whole Body Yoga, Beauticontrol Skin Care, Volunteer Medical Service Corps of Lansdale and more.

Stop by for free blood sugar testing, blood pressure screening, stroke assessment, nutritional counseling and fitness assessment. Learn about living wills, bike safety, contemporary services for older adults, fire safety, acupuncture, urologic health, skin care and more.

Visit www.mmredeemer.org.

Mardi Gras

Church of the Holy Spirit holds its annual Mardi Gras Party with New Orleans cuisine and live jazz at 6:30 p.m. tonight at Generations of Indian Valley, 259 N. Second St., Souderton. The buffet dinner includes appetizers, desserts and beverages. Dancing will be to the classic jazz music of the Alan Segal Quintet. A silent auction and basket raffle will also benefit the choir’s 2015 tour to the Winchester Cathedral in England. Tickets in advance are $35, $30 for seniors over 55. Call (215) 234-8020, ext. 6.

Save the date

From 9 a.m. to noon May 3, the North Penn Partnership of Churches will hold a Volunteers In Motion day in the North Penn region, intended to bring a variety of children, youth and adults together to make a small, but tangible, difference in our community. Rob Sheely, Pastor at Keystone Community Church and Dawn Ranck Hower, Pastor at Plains Mennonite Church are leading this event. The goal is to have at least 500 people participate. A simple lunch and celebration concludes the day. Register by April 10 for a free T-shirt by contacting Meenu at mhoffman@keystonefellowship.com or (267) 209-4058.

If you live in the North Penn School District, and could use some volunteer help, contact your local pastor or church leader, or contact Meenu at mhoffman@keystonefellowship.com or (267) 209-4058. Deadline is April 20.

Additional information can be found at www.volunteersinmotion.org. The North Penn Partnership of Churches is also on Facebook.

Back to work

If you are unemployed or underemployed and need resume, interview or networking assistance, join St. Joseph’s People at 7:30 p.m. March 6 and 20 in The Parish Center Library of St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 1601 Derstine Road, Hatfield Employers with job openings are asked to contact Ron and Nancy Boak at (215) 393-3763.

Forum set

A forum on world religions will be held Sunday at St. Luke’s United Church of Christ, 125 N. Main St., North Wales. The presentation will follow the Sunday 10 a.m. worship service and fellowship time at approximately 11:15. All are welcome to attend. For more information, check www. UCCnorthwales.org.

Let’s eat

◆ Little Zion Lutheran Church, 267 Morwood Road, Franconia Township, holds a fastnacht sale for $6 per dozen. To place an order, call (215) 723-7404 or visit www.lit

tlezion.org. Orders will be available March 3 and 4.

◆ A Fastnacht Day Variety Show starts at 6:45 p.m. March 4 in Hyson Hall at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1000 W. Main St., Lansdale.

◆ An informal Breakfast Club meal will follow the first Thursday daily Mass (8:30 a.m.) March 6 in the Parish Center at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 1601 Derstine Road, Hatfield.

◆ Christ Covenant Church, 2200 Mainland Road, Towamencin, will host a free community hot

breakfast 8:30 to 10 a.m. the last Saturday of every month during 2014. The menu includes scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausage, toast, fruit and beverages. For information, call (215) 256-8101 or go to www. christ-covenant.org.

◆ Girl Scout Troop No. 77126 and the Knights of Columbus host a Spaghetti & Meatball Dinner fundraiser 4 to 8 p.m. today. Dinner includes salad, desert and non-alcoholic beverage. Wine and bar drinks will be available for purchase. Fixed price donation is $9, $6 for children 6-12, free for children 5 and under. A portion of profits benefits Troop 77126. Knights of Columbus hall is located at 258 W. Eighth St., Lansdale. Call (215) 368-3044 or info@kofC4396.org for more information.

Bargains

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Thrift Shop, Main and Church streets, North Wales, celebrates its 22nd season. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. Browse attic treasures, clothing for women and children, household items, entertainment, gifts, boutique and more. Call (215) 699-4604.

Music notes

The Shabbatones, an a capella group from the University of Pennsylvania, will perform at 7 tonight at Congregation Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Upper Dublin. The Beth Or Junior Choir and other opening acts will also perform. Refreshments will be served. Cost is $20, $10 per child. Go to www.bethor.org.

Reflection

◆ A “Lenten Journey with Jesus and Francis” program series features the Rev. Alexander T. Pocetto, O.S.F.S., discussing St. Francis De Sales and his view of the journey of Jesus, in the Parish Center at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 1601 Derstine Road, Hatfield. From 7 to 8 p.m. Sundays from March 2-April 6, the series offers an opportunity to prayerfully ponder and discuss the Gospel readings for the upcoming week. In preparation for each session, participants are asked to privately read, reflect upon and pray with the Gospel selections for the upcoming week. Books are available now in the Parish Center for $15. To register, or for more information, contact Angela at directoraff@stmariagoretti.net.

◆ Corpus Christi Parish will be holding the special evening reflection “Lent: Not a Pass/ Fail Class” from 6 to 6:45 p.m. March 7 at the parish chapel. Guest speaker will be Sister Marganne Drago, Director of Liturgy at Sacred Heart Parish in Royersford. There is no cost to attend this event and no registration is necessary. Stations of the Cross in the church immediately follow this presentation. The church is at 900 Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd. Check http://corpuschristilansdale.org or call (215) 855-1311.

◆ Sign up to participate in small Trinity Lutheran Church Lenten reading and discussion groups, starting the week of March 6. The reference text is “Unbinding your Heart: 40 Days of Prayer and Faith Sharing.” Books are available for purchase in Hyson Hall for $16, or purchase one on your own. Contact Andrea at abaxter@trinitylansdale.com with questions.

Help others

An American Red Cross blood drive is held today at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 654 N. Easton Road, Glenside. Donate at this drive and get a coupon for one of the following: a pint of homemade soup from Peas in a Pod, a pint of beer from the Glenside Pub, or a pint of Rita’s water ice. To make an appointment, contact Kate at (215) 657-8539.

Time to learn

◆ The Wednesday Night Winter Bible Studies series for adults, youth and children of all ages concludes 7 to 8 p.m. March 5 at Franconia Mennonite Church, Roue 113, Franconia. A light meal will be served in the Fellowship Hall from 5:30 to 6:45. The adult Bible study will be led by Franconia Mennonite’s pastors on the book of Philippians. Call (215) 723-3220) or check www. franconiamennonite.org.

◆ Grace United Methodist Church, 295 S. Main St., Telford, holds Bible study at 11 a.m. Wednesdays.

Take heart

◆ A Single Moms Support Group meets Wednesdays at Immanuel Church of the Nazarene, 1260 Welsh Road, Towamencin. An optional family dinner is offered at 5:45 p.m. ($3.50 per person). Call (215) 8554446 to register or email kbedil@yahoo.com.

◆ Singles Connection, a non-denominational Bux-Mont area group for single, widowed, divorced and separated adults, meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays at Silverdale Brethren in Christ Church, 165 W. Main St. (Route 113), Silverdale. Call (215) 593-9995 or email carolonline1@verizon.net.

Gather together

◆ The Knights of Columbus Pius IX Council host 25 games of bingo March 7 and 14. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the first game starting at 6:45. Game cards start at $9 per book for play-allnight. Las Vegas tickets, 50/50 and additional Jackpot Bingo games throughout the evening. The kitchen will be open

with food for purchase. Knights of Columbus hall is at 258 W. Eighth St., Lansdale. Contact (215) 368-3044 or info@ kofC4396.org.

Everyone is invited to Drexel Hall for a Sunday Social after all Masses on Sunday at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 1601 Derstine Road, Hatfield.

Celebrate Recovery meets 7 to 9 p.m. Monday nights in the fellowship hall area at Franconia Mennonite Church, Route 113, Franconia. Anyone is welcome.

Presentation of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1564 Allentown Road, Towamencin hosts bingo every Wednesday. Doors open at 5 p.m. and games begin at 6:45. Call (215) 362-9599.

Work out

Aerobics classes are offered at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Grace United Methodist Church, 295 S. Main St., Telford.

For little ones

The Zion Mennonite Nursery School in Souderton has been providing a program of kindergarten readiness for children 3-5 years old for more than 50 years. The 2014-2015 school year will offer a morning 3-year-old classes on Tuesday and Thursday, and two 4-year-old classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. There’s also a 5-year-old program for those children who don’t meet the age requirement for kindergarten, or who need an extra year of preschool. This class will be offered on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. Contact the church office at (215) 7233592.

Follow Brian Bingaman on Twitter @brianbingaman.