Religion Calendar

News of Note

Zion Lutheran Church recently collected more than 600 pairs of underwear as part of their year-long “God’s work. Our hands.” project. The underwear will be donated to the Mission Community Outreach Center.

This Week

80th Annual Greek Dinner Festival - Lunch: gyro sandwiches, soups and salads. Grill: Greek shish-kebabs (souvlakia), Greek salads and vegetarian plates also available. The dinner menu features beef kapama and orzo tossed with browned butter and myzithra cheese. Pastry available daily from 11 a.m. Lunch menu served from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. daily. Souvlaki at the grill nightly from 4:30 p.m. Dinner served 4:30-8 p.m., dine in or carry out. For more information, visit www.spokanegreekfest.org. Today-Saturday, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1703 N. Washington St. In advance: $8/under the age of 12; $15/adults. At the door: $18/adults. (509) 328-9310.

Pops Concert - John Atwell, organist from Melbourne, Australia, will play the historic Wurlitzer Theatre Organ. Today, 7 p.m., Spokane First Church of the Nazarene, 9004 N. Country Homes Blvd. Donations accepted for the Organ Fund. (509) 467-8986.

“An Elusive Dream? Religious Freedom and the Reign of God” - Whitworth associate professor of history Anthony Clark presents the annual Lindaman Chair Lecture. Clark will explore Christian understandings of the reign of God in a world seemingly torn apart by sectarianism and religious difference. Today, 7 p.m., Whitworth University, Weyerhaeuser Hall, Room 111, 300 W. Hawthorne Road. Free. (509) 777-3270.

Youth Yard Sale - The sale supports youth programs and helps with scholarships for retreats and camp. Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Country Homes Christian Church, 8415 N. Wall St., Country Homes. (509) 466-3414.

First Century Worship - Origin Church will celebrate worship by recreating what it looked like in the First Century with an Agape meal (love feast) and communion. Please bring a dish and drink to share. Sunday, 11 a.m., Origin Church, 5115 S. Freya Ave. Free. (509) 448-1311.

Introduction to Buddhism Classes - This six-week course is open to anyone interested in learning more about the basic teachings of Buddha. Activities consist of lectures, discussion, online readings and DVDs. There is no required text for this course. Contact Sensei Paul at paulv78w@yahoo.com with questions. Sunday, 12:30-1:45 p.m., Spokane Buddhist Temple, 927 S. Perry St. Free; donations welcome. (509) 534-7954.

Dinner Series on the Reformation - Two talks per evening on the topic of the Reformation with the Rev. Michael Maher over dinner, wine, dessert and coffee. Discussion and Q&A follow the talks. Monday: “The Reformation: Part I”; Oct. 27: “The Reformation: Part II.” Monday, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Immaculate Heart Retreat Center, 6910 S. Ben Burr Road. $30 each session. (509) 448-1224.

Community Dinner - Free family-friendly dinner for anyone who would like to have a meal in fellowship with others. Reservations are helpful, but not required. Call the office at (509) 926-7966. Tuesday, 6 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2511 S. Pines Road, Spokane Valley. Free.

Days of Prayer 2015 - All days of prayer include the rosary, two conferences, Reconciliation, Mass, lunch and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Day of Prayer on the New Evangelization with Sister Mary Eucharista. Wednesday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Immaculate Heart Retreat Center, 6910 S. Ben Burr Road. $37; $47 for a room for the day. (509) 448-1224.

The Untethered Soul - How does our spirituality allow us to be the complete and free souls we are all yearning for? Explore “The Untethered Soul” by Michael Singer and discover how. Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Unity Spiritual Center, 2900 S. Bernard St. By donation. (509) 389-7290.

Upcoming

Oktoberfest at St. Charles Parish - Featuring a beer garden, food, desserts, crafts, fresh produce, jewelry and raffles. Oct. 3, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., St. Charles Catholic Church, 4515 N. Alberta St. Free admission. (509) 710-0127.

A Teresian Festivity - A one-day, free conference to celebrate 500 years of St. Teresa of Avila. Enjoy speakers, lunch, a play about Teresa’s life, music by Whitworth and Gonzaga, and a Memorial Mass. Oct. 3, 10 a.m., Gonzaga University, 502 E. Boone Ave. Free. (509) 313-3572.

Consecration Sunday - One service in the sanctuary to consecrate the newly remodeled sanctuary. A light lunch follows the service. Oct. 4, 10 a.m., Spokane Valley United Methodist Church, 115 N. Raymond Road, Spokane Valley. (509) 924-7262.

St. Francis Day Blessing of the Animals - Pets sit with their human family in worship and come forward for a blessing. This is the 26th year St. Mark’s has celebrated this event. Everyone is welcome for worship and to have their pets blessed. For more information, call the church at (509) 747-6677. Oct. 4, 10:45 a.m., St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 316 E. 24th Ave.

Mortgage Burning Celebration - Following a worship service at 10 a.m., there will be a blessing of the new addition, which includes a half-court gym, nursery/preschool and three classrooms, and the unveiling of the new Memorial Garden. The community celebration will conclude with a potluck. For more information, call (509) 448-7102. Oct. 4, 11 a.m., Moran United Methodist Church, 3601 E. 65th Ave. Free.

Hymn Festival - Third annual event honoring the late Janice Newell’s love of hymn singing. Several area churches will participate in the festival choir. For more information, call (509) 624-9233. Oct. 4, 2 p.m., Central Lutheran Church, 512 S. Bernard St.

Free Community Fall Festival - Free food and activities for all ages including hayrides and pumpkins in the pumpkin field, a petting zoo and bouncy house plus cupcake walk, fishing pond, face painting and lot of games with prizes. Free pizza, chips, popcorn, cotton candy and cider. With a small donation for the youth group, you can dunk the pastor and friends in the dunking tank. For more information, call (509) 448-7102. Oct. 10, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Moran United Methodist Church, 3601 E. 65th Ave. Free.

Feed Medical Lake - A free meal the second Monday of the month, 5-6 p.m. Oct. 12, St. John Lutheran Church - Medical Lake, 223 S. Hallett St., Medical Lake. (509) 714-1150.