First service at Fresh Fire Church

Pastors Curtis and Ruthann Dunning will lead the first service at Fresh Fire Church at 10 a.m. July 5. Fresh Fire Church is located at 1109 S. Belt Highway, next to Klein Motors, in the upper level.

Fresh Fire Church offers relevant teaching for the challenges of life, passionate praise and worship, powerful and transforming prayer and a place to connect with friends through godly relationships. The church is looking for people with pioneering spirits to help make an impact in this area. It is an independent, non-denominational church for people of all backgrounds. For more information, call Pastor Curtis at 676-1218.

Church in the country

Trinity Presbyterian Church will meet at the home of Milton and Judith Moore at 11 a.m. July 5. The service will be led by the Rev. George McCall. A lunch will follow, with other activities planned. Those unsure of directions or those wanting a ride should meet at the church, 1103 S. 33rd St., by 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

A communion service will be held at the church on July 12, led by the Rev. Charlie Spencer from the Heartland Presbytery office. The Rev. George McCall will return to lead the July 19 service.

United Church of Christ celebrates anniversary

The United Church of Christ celebrated its 52nd anniversary last week. Delegates to the 27th General Synod gathered in Grand Rapids, Mich., beginning June 26, and the theme, “Immerse Yourself,” was based on Mark 4:35-41.

River City Saturday, a spectacular of speakers, workshops and choirs, included an outdoor festival along the Grand River. There was also a time of thanksgiving for the ministry of the Rev. John H. Thomas, who was concluding his term as general minister and president of the denomination.

Linda Stenger of Zion Church of Christ in St. Joseph was a delegate to the gathering, representing the Western Association of the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ.

Local Baha’is remember martyrdom

The Baha’is of St. Joseph will join Baha’is worldwide in observance of the Martyrdom of the Bab at 1 p.m July 9, at a private residence. The Bab, whose name means “the Gate” in Arabic, was the herald of Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith.

On July 9, 1850, the Bab was executed by a firing squad in a public square in Tabriz, Persia (Iran), five years after declaring that the promised one of all religions would soon reveal himself. The enthusiasm with which thousands accepted the Bab’s teachings alarmed the clergy and government officials in Persia at that time. In 1863, 13 years after the Bab was put to death, Baha’u’llah announced that he was God’s messenger for this age, the one foretold by the Bab.

VBS at DeKalb Christian

A special registration for vacation Bible school will be held from 11:15 a.m. to noon July 5 at DeKalb Christian Church. The VBS is for children in pre-K through sixth grade, and those who register early will receive a free T-shirt. This year’s theme is Son Rock Kids Camp, and sessions will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 19 through 23 with a light meal served at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend.

VBS at Deer Park Grace UMC

Deer Park Grace United Methodist Church, 2522 S. Leonard Road, is holding Bible Idol Wacky Wednesdays each Wednesday in July for children ages 5 and older. Each evening includes Bible lessons with crafts, snacks and a Bible Idol contest. For more information, call Chelsea at 273-7093, Danielle at 261-9351 or the church at 233-0752.

VBS at Copeland Baptist

Copeland Baptist Church will hold vacation Bible school with the theme “Boomerang Express” from 9 a.m. to noon July 20 through 31 for children age 3 through sixth grade. For more information, call Joyce Anders at 688-7851.

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