Operation Christmas Child hosts the kickoff of the campaign at 10 a.m. Oct. 5 at Calvary Chapel in Fayetteville, 385 E. Sunbridge Dr. The goal of the nationwide project is more than 15,000 shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene items for needy children overseas.
Information: samaritanspurse.org/ newsroom.
A Camp 37 event, featuring live Christian music, from rap to contemporary, is planned for 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 5 at Walker Park in Fayetteville. The event is free, and food is provided.
Information: 435-5800.
First Presbyterian Church in Bentonville, 901 N. E. J St., holds a HeritageSunday celebration Oct. 13 to commemorate the church’s 180th year. Past church leaders will be recognized during the 10:15 a.m. worship service, and special events, including a short video, music and a luncheon, start at 11:15 a.m.
Information: 273-5450, fpcbentonville.org.
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Rogers, Ninth and Oak streets, celebrates the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with the blessing of the animals at 10 a.m. Oct. 5 on the church lawn. Pets of all kinds are welcome.
Information: 636-4042, episcopalchurch.org/parish/ st-andrews-episcopal-churchrogers-ar.
St. Bernard Catholic Churchin Bella Vista, 1 St. Bernard Lane, sponsors its Men’s Club in an Oktoberfest celebration at 6 p.m. Oct. 5 in the parish hall. Tickets available from the church.
Information: 855-9069, bvstbernard.org.
Sequoyah United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, 1910 N. Old Wire Road, sponsors its eighth-annual Pumpkin Patch fundraiser Monday through Oct. 30. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday and noon to 7:30 p.m. Sunday
The church expands the program this year, with activities for children from 2 to 4 p.m. each Sunday, including story telling, games, face painting and snacks.
The pumpkins are grown to support the Navajo Indian Reservation in New Mexico.
Information: 466-1865, 790-0827, sequoyahmethodist.org.
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Fayetteville, 901 W. Cleveland St., offers a Blessing of the Animals service at noon Oct. 5. Animal blessings originate out of the Catholic tradition with the principle that all creatures are part of an interconnected web of existence.
All companion animals are welcome, if leashed, crated and under the owner’s control, or an item representing pets who have died. Picnic lunches are encouraged.
Information: 521-8422, [email protected].
Unitarian Universalists of Benton County, 501 S. 40th St., Rogers, will float the Elk River on Sunday, instead of its regular worship service. The church devotes the “fifth Sundays” to community service, and will collect debris on the river left from summer floods.
Participants meet at Gracie’s Canoe Camp, 324 Canoe Camp Lane, in Pineville, Mo., and should bring lunch and drinks.
Information: 553-8194, uubcar.com.
Bella Vista Christian Church, 103 Riordan Road, welcomes the new children’s and families’ pastor, Chris Jordan, and his family with a reception at 12:15 p.m.
Sunday.
A new six-week Bible studyfor men begins at 7 p.m.
Tuesday.
The church sponsors a Tailgate BBQ at 12:15 p.m.
Oct. 6 at the Kingsdale pavilion in Riordan Park.
Participants should bring a salad or desert.
A nine-member team from the church will serve the Haitian Christian Mission in March, coordinating vacation Bible school for children, organizing a country store and serving at medical clinics, a church and school. The Hearts for Haiti Walk supporting the mission starts at 9 a.m. Oct. 26 at Lake Bella Vista Trail.
Information: 855-1616, bellavistachristian.com.
Highlands United Methodist Church in Bella Vista, 371 Glasgow Road, seeks volunteers during the first two weeks of October to work at the Care and Share resale store in Gravette.
Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tuesday to Saturday.
Information: 855-2277, humcbv.com.
Village Bible Evangelical Free Church in Bella Vista, 210 Town Center S.E., presents Kent “Catfish” Woolston and his “instruments of the Bible” at 6 p.m. Oct. 20. Woolston performs at Silver Dollar City and is the opening act of Smoke on the Mountain, both in Branson, Mo.
Information: 876-5764, villagebibleefc.org.
First United Methodist Church in Bella Vista, 20 Boyce Dr., presents Utako Tanigawa and David Fountain in a piano concert at 3 p.m.
Sunday. The performance is part of the church’s Wesley Series.
The church will be honored as the Northwest District Church of the Year on Sunday at the United Methodist Church district conference. The award is for a church with more than 300 members.
The church offers a six-week book study, Henri Nouwen Discernment, led by Lee Myane, pastor. The class meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday and9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, beginning Oct. 8.
The United Methodist Women of the church sponsor the annual holiday bazaar from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Oct. 5. Holiday decorations, homemade gifts and lunch are available. Proceed go to local charities.
The church serves a potluck meal from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 6., featuring Matt Mooney, director of 99 Balloons. Church members Andrea Myane and Tiffany Sampson traveled as pediatric therapists with a team from 99 Balloons to Kenya and Uganda to work with children.
They will share their stories.
Information: 855-1158, lovelearnlead.com.
Religion, Pages 11 on 09/28/2013