'Faith in Action'

Join the Albany First Christian Church family for "Faith in Action" month, beginning Sept. 13. The church is located on 108 N. Hundley St. in Albany, Mo. During this month, it will focus on biblical compassion, service and Christ's heart for those in need through special small groups, daily devotions and worship services from 9:30 to 11:30 am. Then come be a part of a landmark day in Albany First Christian Church's history, when on Oct. 11 it will cancel its worship service and instead worship through service in the community.

Agency Baptist marks 25 years

Agency Baptist Church will be celebrating 25 years of ministry on Sept. 13. The celebration will consist of Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. and morning worship at 10:30 a.m. followed by a carry-in dinner. Then at 1 p.m. there will be an anniversary service followed by a reception. All are invited to attend. Agency Baptist Church is located at 9220 State Route FF in Agency, Mo.

Choir dedication at Francis Street First UMC

The 8:45 and 10:45 a.m. services Sept. 13 will be dedication times for the three adult choirs at Francis Street First United Methodist Church. The Chancel Choir, led by David Lewis, will be joined for recognition by Echoes of the Heart men's choir and One Accord women's choir, led by Andy Grooms. The Nurture Committee will also recognize all church volunteers with leaf corsages as a way of saying thanks for each member's unique gifts to the church.

News from Zion

Zion United Church of Christ, Ninth and Faraon streets, will present a four-session adult Christian education series entitled "Finding Hope in Who We Are!" on Wednesdays Sept. 16, 23 and 30 and Oct. 7. Presenters include the Rev. Chase Peeples of First Christian Church, Shelley Kirschner, Steve King and Dan Ramming. The focus will be on the traditions of the United Church of Christ and how its traditions address the issues of this first part of the 21st century. Supper will be served at 6 p.m. each evening. Everyone interested is urged to attend.

Sunday, Sept. 27 has been designated as Shannondale Sunday at Zion. Shannondale United Church of Christ and its community center serve in Shannon County, the poorest in the state of Missouri. The facilities at Shannondale suffered severe damage in a tornadic wind storm early in May. The free-will offering from Zion's agape brisket dinner on the 27th will be forwarded to Shannondale. In addition, Shannondale Sunday offers opportunity to express appreciation to Ann Lennington, who serves with Shannondale Associates, for the work she and her late husband, the Rev. David Lennington, accomplished when they served in Shannondale prior to coming to St. Joseph in 1985.

Zion will also be taking part in the CROP Walk Sept. 27 at Hyde Park.

For more information, call the church office at 232-7009.

Golden Agers welcome Chef Frank

The Golden Agers, a group for people ages 55 and older, will welcome Chef Frank at noon Sept. 17 at McCarthy Baptist Church, 2710 S. Belt Highway. Bring a covered dish and a friend.

Anti-violence rally, prayer vigil

An anti-violence rally and prayer vigil for families who have lost loved ones will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. Sept. 18 at John Lucas Park, 18th and Charles streets.

The event is sponsored by J.I.T.A. City Ministries, a non-profit organization directed by evangelist Stephen Robbs. If you would like to help or come out and support this effort, please contact Mr. Robbs at (816) 617-9169. Bring a candle; prayer will be offered for victims of violence and their families.

Bazaar and sales at Troy UMC

Troy United Methodist Church, 302 S. Liberty St. in Troy, Kan., will have its annual bazaar, garage sale and bake sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 18 and 19. Coffee and donuts will be served in the morning, followed by a lunch of burgers, chips, desserts and drinks.

Concert at Eastside Baptist

The Legendary Weatherford Gospel Singers will be in concert at Eastside Baptist Church, 2400 N. Belt Highway, next to Olympia Lanes, at 7 p.m. Sept. 18. There is no charge for the concert, and a love offering will be received for the group.

'The Gospel According To Mark'

Culbertson Chapel United Methodist Church, N. Main St. in Stewartsville, Mo., will host Patrick McWilliams performing "The Gospel According to Mark" Sept. 19. Supper will be provided at 5 p.m., with the performance following from 6 to 8 p.m.

Mr. McWilliams has performed this production since 2002 and is now approaching 100 performances of Mark's magnificent and dramatic gospel, given in churches large and small.

Concert at Gospel Music Heritage

The Freedom Gospel Group will be at Gospel Music Heritage in Edgerton, Mo., at 7 p.m. Sept. 19. This is a group of nine men and woman from the Independence and Belton areas. The original group started performing about 20 years ago. For more information, contact Shirley Kimsey at 858-5512.

Women's auditions at Conception Seminary

Conception Seminary College will hold auditions for five to eight women's roles for its upcoming fall theater production of Thornton Wilder's comedy "The Skin of Our Teeth." Women's auditions will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 22 in the drama department, located in the basement of St. Michael Hall on the Conception Seminary College campus in Conception, Mo. Production dates are Nov. 13 through 15. For more information, call (660) 944-2837.

'Show Me' Praise Dance Workshop

A "Show Me" Praise Dance Workshop will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 25 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 26, with a dance concert at 6 p.m. that evening, at Word of Faith Family Worship Center, 604 S. 20th St. in St. Joseph. The workshop is open to girls and boys, women and men.

The Greater Pentecostal Temple praise dance instructors and Harriet Williams will give dance lessons. To be a sponsor or for more information, contact Ernestine Weston at 214-3033 or 233-1469 or Kimberly Warren at 676-1239 or 294-4727.

Registration is $15 and includes dance lessons, a workshop T-shirt and lunch. The deadline to sign up is Sept. 16. Make checks payable to Word of Faith. Participants need to bring a pair of long black dance slacks or a long black dance skirt.

Salad supper at Countryside Christian

The annual salad supper hosted by the ladies' group of Countryside Christian Church in Maryville, Mo., is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Sept. 28, in the fellowship hall at the church, 24899 Icon Road.

A highlight of the group's service year, the salad supper will mark its 30th anniversary this year. The featured speaker for this year's event is Vicki Rockey of Tillamook, Ore., who will speak on the subject "Living life half-packed."

All interested women are invited.

Lifestyles reporter Erin Wisdom can be reached at ewisdom@npgco.com.