Religion Briefs
Star-Bulletin staff &
Associated Press
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Lent commemorated with music and study
From quiet time to jazz performances, churches have set special events for the season of Lent.
» Tuesdays, 6 p.m. Church of the Crossroads, 1212 University Ave. The theme of stewardship will be explored in 7 p.m. study sessions following simple suppers of soup, bread and fruit. The series will begin Tuesday with a showing of "The Great Warming," a documentary film about churches responding to the crisis of global warming.
» Wednesdays, noon, Harris United Methodist Church, 20 S. Vineyard Blvd. A half-hour of meditation and music will be presented to provide midweek spiritual refreshment.
» Wednesdays, noon, Kawaiaha'o Church, 957 Punchbowl St. "Lent and All That Jazz on the Green" combines reflective commentary on the Lenten season with music featuring jazz pianist Betty Loo Taylor and Friends. The series will open with guest singers Jimmy Borges and Connie Kissinger, with Gabe Baltazar on sax, Dean Taba on bass and Sonny Froman on drums.
» Next Saturday, 4 p.m. A youth concert at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu, 1730 Punahou St., will feature performances by a steel drum ensemble, student singers and musicians. Donations will be accepted. The young church members aim to raise $5,000 during Lent to benefit Heifer International, which helps poor families in Third World countries buy income-producing animals.
World Day of Prayer is set for next week
Members of several Christian denominations will meet to pray together next Saturday as part of a chain of prayer events that circle the globe.
The World Day of Prayer service will begin at 3 p.m. at St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church, 720 N. King St.
Some 170 countries and thousands of people participate in the annual observance, which is always held on the first Friday of March, said Barbara Vlachos, of Church Women United, the local sponsor. "The observances start in Tonga and continue across the world."
Vlachos said it is one of the earliest ecumenical worship traditions, with roots in the 19th century when women of different Protestant denominations organized separately to support Christian missions abroad. After World War I, it grew to encompass prayers for peace. The first World Day of Prayer was held in the United States in 1927. In the mid-'60s, Catholics were encouraged to join the movement by the World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations.
Each year, the service format is created by women of a specific country. This year's service, with the theme "Under God's Tent," will include prayers and music designed by women of Paraguay.
The guest speaker Saturday will be Ruth Chang, who lived in Paraguay for eight years when her late husband, Jerry Chang, worked there as a representative of the United Nations. Chang, a retired social worker, will speak about religious organizations in the South American country and social services organizations and programs there.
Ewa Beach church fair offers prizes, games
More than $6,000 in cash and merchandise prizes will be offered next Saturday at Family Fun Fair & Grand Giveaway at an Ewa Beach church.
The event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, 91-1010 North Road, will provide rides, competitive games and entertainment by Los Amigos Ballet Folklorico and school groups. A Filipino plate lunch and other food will be on sale, and a country store and health screening tests will be available.
Proceeds will be used for classroom equipment and maintenance projects.
Motivational speakers on hand for meeting
Nationally known authors, preachers and motivational speakers will be featured at Honolulu 2007, a Christian motivational conference sponsored by Hawaiian Island Ministries.
Thursday is the deadline for reduced rates for the three-day event opening March 29 at the Hawai'i Convention Center. Tickets are $220 for the entire weekend, which will offer 100 seminars, six general worship sessions and a worship concert featuring the Christian musical group Desperation. Reduced price tickets are available for pastors and their spouses, military personnel and their spouses, and students in college, high school and middle school. Admission for a single session is $25.
The 40 speakers will tackle financial, leadership and teamwork issues that churches face, advice about personal choices and relationships, family and workplace problems, as well as spiritual and theological topics.
Speakers include:
» Ellie Lofaro, a retreat leader and writer for Christian magazines, author of "Leap of Faith: Embracing the Life God Promised You."
» Kathy Troccoli, singer, composer and author, who has released several Christian and pop music albums.
» Patrick Lencioni, president of the Table Group management consulting company.
» Tony Campolo, former sociology professor and author of 30 books, the latest bring "Revolution and Renewal: How Churches Are Saving Our Cities."
» The Rev. David Yonggi Cho, who founded the Full Gospel Church in Seoul, which claims more than 700,000 members.
» Francis Chan, teaching pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, Calif.
Local speakers will include Honolulu Catholic Bishop Larry Silva and the Rev. Dan Chun, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu and the co-founder of Hawaiian Island Ministries.
Session for youths only will be presented each day, and a Friday Night Cafe will be open for youths.
For registration information call 988-9777 or see www.himonline.org.