Calvalry Lutheran Plans Building Expansion

Cavalry Lutheran Church in Post Falls will host a loyalty dinner at Templin’s Resort at 5 p.m. Sunday to kick off its capital fund drive.

The fund drive is to raise money to renovate and expand the church, since its current facility no longer accommodates the congregation’s ever-growing needs.

The planned two-level, 8,500 square-foot addition will provide new classrooms, two offices, a larger fellowship hall and kitchen, a nursery, handicap-accessible bathrooms and additional parking space.

The project’s estimated cost is $550,000. Ground-breaking is set for the spring of 1997.

The expansion would allow Cavalry Lutheran to boost its youth ministry activities, develop new programs, present new educational opportunities and accommodate growth.

‘The Messiah’

What would the Christmas season be without the annual performance of the “The Messiah Singalong” at First Presbyterian Church, 318 S. Cedar?

This year’s grand event will be at 4 p.m., Sunday. But for those who want to sing in the musical celebration, rehearsals are today from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church.

Featured performers include the Chancel Choir and its soloists as well as several other musicians and members of the Spokane Symphony.

Arrive early; seats fill up fast.

The program is free, but donations will be accepted.

Candlelight Concert

For 109 years, the Christmas Candlelight Concert has been an important tradition at Gonzaga University.

This year’s concert, performed by the Gonzaga Choir, will be next Saturday and Sunday.

The program will intertwine a narrative of the Christmas story with music. The choir will perform pieces ranging from medieval processional songs to well-known English, French and American carols.

Arrangements with hand bells, harp, horns, organ and percussion instruments will accompany the singers.

Advance tickets ($8.50 for general admission and $6.50 for seniors and students) are available at all G&B outlets. At the door, it will be $12 for general admission and $10 for seniors.

Both concerts are at 8 p.m.

For more information, call 328-4220, ext. 3333.

Panhandle mission

On Nov. 19, the Orthodox Christian Mission began services in the Idaho Panhandle.

The mission will serve area members of the Greek and Russian Orthodox faith as well as “seekers,” those interested in joining the religion.

The main difference between the mission and Spokane’s Holy Trinity Church is that the entire liturgy is said in English, as opposed to part English, part Greek.

“People have always had the chance to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the Catholic Church or the Protestant Church,” said the Rev. Gregory Horton, mission director, who moved here with his family from Pennsylvania to spearhead the project.

“They haven’t had the chance to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the Orthodox Church because people haven’t heard of us. So here we are.”

The divine liturgy service, a eucharistic ceremony, will be Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Realtors Association building at the corner of Fifth and Lakeside. Saturday vespers will be at 5:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Rathdrum.

The mission will sponsor a “seekers” class the first Sunday of each month.

Both mission locations are temporary until the congregation can build a permanent structure, which Horton hopes will happen within two years.

For more information about the mission and class, call (208) 762-1054.

Christian talent contest

Worthy Music Ministries is conducting a talent search for its sixth annual Washington State Christian Talent Contest.

Participants can compete in six categories: female and male vocalists, miscellaneous (rap, drama, dance, comedy, instrumentalists …) groups (bands, choirs, ensembles, duets), and youth, ages 6 to 13 and 14 to 18.

Semifinals will be Feb. 3 and 10 in Seattle. All entries must be submitted by Jan. 26.

Entry forms are available at area Christian bookstores or by calling Worthy Music Ministries at (206) 881-6251.