Radio Stations to Broadcast Series of Readings From the Bible
As part of the 1999 Year of the Bible program, the American Bible Society, Trans World Radio and Faith Comes by Hearing have joined together to produce and distribute a yearlong series of audio-drama Bible readings.
Scripted from the American Bible Society’s Contemporary English Version of the Bible, the daily five-minute programs will be broadcast on radio stations across the country. The program encourages individuals to read the Bible five minutes each day, thereby completing the New Testament in one year.
The society, a leading publisher, translator and distributor of Scriptures in the United States, is sponsoring the Year of the Bible program.
Among the networks airing the daily Scripture broadcast will be the Focus on the Family Satellite Network. The program will be available on CDs for stations and individuals to purchase. More information on this and other programs is available at the American Bible Society’s Web site at https://www.americanbible.org/ or that of Faith Comes by Hearing at https://www.faithcomesbyhearing.org/.
PEOPLE
The Venerable Chao Chu, abbot of the Rosemead Buddhist Monastery and president of the Los Angeles Buddhist Union, was elected to the executive committee of the World Fellowship of Buddhists at its general conference in November in Sydney, Australia. Chu is also an executive committee member of the World Buddhist Sangha Council and secretary of the Buddhist Sangha Council of Southern California.
WORKSHOPS
Sister Linda Snow and Carol Rome will lead a Centering Prayer support group for those new to meditative practice as well as for daily meditators Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center, 4316 Lanai Road, Encino. The evening will include two prayer periods, a meditative walk and a video and discussion of Father Thomas Keating’s “Open Mind, Open Heart.†The group will meet on alternate Tuesdays through July. (818) 784-4515.
* First Congregational Church of Los Angeles will host a healing, meditation and prayer workshop Jan. 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Rev. Steven P. Gordon will use healing methods such as prayer, scriptures, meditation, music and laughter to help participants share in spiritual renewal and discover the healing power of God within them. The church is at 540 S. Commonwealth Ave. A donation of $10 includes the cost of materials and lunch. (213) 385-1341.
DRAMA
The New Faith Players drama ministry at Faithful Central Missionary Baptist Church, 400 W. Florence Ave., Inglewood, will examine the pillars and pitfalls of relationships in a one-act play, “Christian Relationships, Let’s Be Real.†The performance will address issues of sex, adultery and marriage. Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. (213) 934-5144.
MUSIC
New Song, a singing ministry from Geneva College in Pennsylvania, will present a concert at Reformed Presbyterian Church of Los Angeles, 3557 Fletcher Drive, Glassell Park, on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The group consists of nine students who present the Psalms and verses from the New Testament set to contemporary melodies and sung a cappella. (323) 255-8757.
* The Jews for Jesus Southern California District Office in Westwood will offer a series of concerts throughout Southern California in January. “The Liberated Wailing Wall†will be presented Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Palm View Assembly of God Church, 7106 S. Sorensen Ave., Whittier; on Friday at 7:45 p.m. at Congregation Adat Y’shua Ha Adon at Prince of Peace Church, 5700 Rudnick Ave., Woodland Hills; and Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. at Beth Shalom at First Church of God, 2595 E. Date, Highland, and 7 p.m. at Shuvah Yisrael Messianic Congregation, 15 Orange Tree Lane, Irvine. The public is invited for a program of music, drama and stories of Jews who believe that Jesus is the Messiah. An offering will be received. (310) 443-9553.
* The Friends of Music Program of Pasadena Presbyterian Church will present organist Philip Allen Smith as part of the “Music at Noon†concert series Wednesday from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. The concert will be in the sanctuary of the church on Colorado Boulevard at Madison Avenue in downtown Pasadena. (626) 793-2191.
SERVICES
Irving Cramer, senior executive director of MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, will be the guest speaker at Congregation Kol Ami’s Erev Shabbat services led by Rabbi Denise Eger at West Hollywood Presbyterian Church, 7350 Sunset Blvd., on Friday at 8 p.m. Cramer will discuss ways people can work together to eliminate hunger in the United States and abroad. (310) 248-6320.
* The Islamic Center of Southern California will host two services for Ramadan. On Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Burbank Hilton Hotel the center will mark the Night of Honor, commemorating the revelation of the Koran, Islam’s holy scripture. On Jan. 19 at 6:30 a.m., the center will host Eed prayers at the Pasadena Civic Center, marking the completion of the 30-day Ramadan fast. For more information, call (213) 382-9200.
Notices may be mailed to Southern California File, c/o Religion Editor, Metro Section, L.A. Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, 90053, or faxed to (213) 237-4712. Items should arrive at least three weeks before the event and should include pertinent details about the organization, address, phone number, date and time.
