Editor’s note: Items for Religion Briefs should be submitted, typed or printed, to The Meridian Star by noon the Monday before publication. Please do not call in announcements.

To mail, send to P.O. Box 1591, Meridian, MS 39302. Fax to (601) 485-1275. E-mail to ibrown@themeridianstar.com. Photos may also accompany information when space allows. For information, call (601) 693-1551, ext. 3224.



FYI

• The Focus on the Family video seminar “Your Child” will be presented Sunday nights in August at 6 p.m. at First Assembly Church, 1929 Highway 19 North in Meridian.

Narrated by Dr. James Dobson, the seminar will offer insight on the essentials of discipline and feature up-to-date research on parenting, humorous animated vignettes, “Mom and Dad on the Street” interviews and practical, approachable teaching.

A nursery will be available for children up to age 3, children’s church for up to age 11, soccer for boys and girls ages 8 to 12 and youth ages 12 to 19. For more information, call (601) 483-4591.

• A food and clothing bank is open Saturdays, from noon-2 p.m., at Fifth Street Missionary Baptist Church, 2350 Old Highway 45 North. For more information, call Carmelita Eadie at (601) 462-6658.

• Worship services for Grace and Covenant Church are held Sundays at 11 a.m. at 1001 29th Ave., the Habitat for Humanity office. Bible study sessions are Tuesdays at 7 p.m.



TODAY

• LAUREL — Revelations will be in concert at 7 p.m. at Park Haven Baptist Church, 3111 Highway 15 North, 1 mile past Wal-Mart. A love offering will be collected. For more information, call Jimmy Downs at (601) 649-5357.

• Awaken Youth Ministries of Northview Assembly of God Church will host “The Rising” — a night of intense worship, music and drama — at 7 p.m. Escape Ministries of Meridian and other groups will lead in worship. Admission is free. The church is at 4603 Highway 39 North. For more information, call Josiah Holmes at (601) 482-5512.

• The congregation of Greater Fellowship Baptist Church will observe the anniversary of its pastor, the Rev. Eddie B. Cryer, at 2:30 p.m. The Rev. Edward L. Cryer of Cleveland, Ohio, will be guest speaker. The church is at 3312 Old Marion Road.



SUNDAY

• QUITMAN — Mt. Nebo African Methodist Episcopal Church will host its annual One-Day Revival. Morning worship will begin at 11:30 a.m., with the Rev. Mack Chamber Jr. delivering the message. Evening worship will begin at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Willie Thompson, pastor of New Salem Baptist Church in Whynot, as guest speaker. The church is 18 miles east of Quitman in the Crandall community.

• COLLINSVILLE — Homecoming and anniversary services will be at 3 p.m. at Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church. The Rev. Robert Avant of Macon will be guest speaker. The church’s fall revival will be held Monday through Friday, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The Rev. James Howell of Faulkner will be guest speaker.

• Homecoming and revival will begin and continue through Friday at Savannah Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 6218 D St. Homecoming services will begin at 3 p.m., with the Rev. Washington McKenzie, pastor of Mt. Rose Missionary Baptist Church, Quitman, as guest evangelist. Revival is Monday through Friday with the Rev. Bennie J. Hopkins as guest evangelist. Services will begin at 7 p.m. each evening.

• A free concert by the gospel quartet 4 Grace will be presented at 6 p.m. at Poplar Springs Drive United Methodist Church, on the corner of 40th Street and Poplar Springs Drive. A love offering will be taken to defray the group’s travel expenses.



MONDAY

• Homecoming revival will be held through Friday at East Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church. Services will begin at 7:30 p.m. each evening with the Rev. Marcus Lawrence as guest evangelist.



FRIDAY

• Pinnacle Institute of Choral Music will host an “All You Can Eat Catfish Feast,” from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hamasa Temple Theatre Ballroom, Eighth Street in downtown Meridian. For more information, call (601) 482-4880.



COMING UP

• Pilgrim Hill United Methodist Church’s annual barbecue will be Aug. 26 at 8 a.m. The gathering will be at the corner of Eighth Street and 45th Avenue

• Druid Hills United Methodist Church’s annual homecoming service will be Aug. 27, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Rex Alman will be guest speaker. Lunch will be served after the morning service.

• TOOMSUBA — The congregation of Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church will observe the church’s anniversary on Aug. 27 at 3 p.m. The Rev. Eddie G. Creigh, former pastor, will be guest speaker. The church is a 6950 Lauderdale-Toomsuba Road.

• The Mattie B. Thomas Women Missionary Society of St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church will host its annual calendar tea on Aug. 27 at 4 p.m. “Women With a Red Hat Attitude” is the theme. The church is at 3704 Davis St.

• The Singing Saints will be in concert Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. at Lost Gap Independent Protestant Church, 73 North Lakeland Drive. Refreshments will be served after the program.

• NEWTON — A goodwill program for the Rev. Tommy George Robinson is scheduled Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Third New Hope District Building, Old Hickory Road. Robinson is overcoming severe health problems. Churches are asked to donate $100. For more information, call the Rev. Antonio Sheppard, second vice moderator for the district, at (601) 616-7714.

• Family Conference 2006 will be Sept. 21-23 at Freedom Rock Christian Fellowship, 5718 Fifth St. “Cultivating Our Kingdom Families” is the the theme. Guest speakers are the Rev. Mark Baker of Brunswick, Ga., Sept. 21, 7 p.m.; and the Rev. David Odom of Jackson, Sept. 22, 7 p.m.

On Sept. 23, morning classes are scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon, and will feature sessions for the family. A picnic will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Highland Park, followed by a concert at 6:30 p.m. at the Frank Cochran Center. Guest gospel rap artist FLAME and comedian Broderick Rice will be featured.

The deadline for registration is Aug. 22. For more information, call (601) 693-0502.

• WHYNOT COMMUNITY — Bethany Baptist Church’s annual Memorial Day/Homecoming Service is Sept. 24.