Lent brings special services
Lent is a time of reflection and preparation before Easter and several Spokane Valley churches plan to host weekly Bible studies or special worship services to help people in their contemplation.
•The congregations of Good Shepherd Lutheran, Holy Trinity Lutheran and Christ Lutheran are joining forces to offer weekly worship services at alternating locations. The services will be offered at 7 p.m. each Wednesday and will be preceded by a soup supper at 6. Those attending are encouraged to bring soup to share.
The events will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran, 810 S. Sullivan Road, on Wednesday and March 7; at Holy Trinity Lutheran, 2511 S. Pines Road, on March 14 and 21; and at Christ Lutheran, 13009 E. Broadway Ave., on March 28.
•Zion Lutheran Church, 8304 E. Buckeye Ave., will host a 7:10 p.m. Lenten worship service each Wednesday during Lent. Each service will be preceded by a soup supper at 6:30.
•Opportunity Christian Church is hosting its Lunch Bunch discussion series beginning this week. The gathering will be held from noon to 1 p.m. each Monday through April 2. Topics will be based on “Jesus, the New Way,” by N.T. Wright. Bring a sack lunch and stop in at the church, 708 N. Pines Road. Call the church at 926-3691 for more information.
•Peace Lutheran Church will host a worship service at 7:15 p.m. each Wednesday during Lent beginning this week. The service will be preceded by a soup supper at 6, and followed by a small group discussion time at 7:50 p.m. The church is at 4124 N. Harvard Road.
Spaghetti dinner Sunday
St. Paschal Catholic School is putting on its annual spaghetti and meatball feast fundraiser Sunday. The meal will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the school, 2521 N. Park Road. The menu also will feature salad, dessert, rolls and beverages. The cost is $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and children or $25 per family. Take out will be available.
Pastor recognition
The Rev. Eric Hinnenkamp got a little more than he bargained for when his congregation threw him a luncheon to observe his fifth anniversary as the senior pastor of New Hope Bible Church. They also presented him with enough money to go on a cruise to the Caribbean. The money was raised secretly over a month, and the extended family of the pastor and his wife, Jenny, attended the event, said church administrator Jan Diamanti. “I can’t believe we pulled it off,” she said of the surprise. “We just wanted to surprise them and bless them for their hard work.”