Ventura County Religion : Religion Briefs : Rummage Sale at First Christian

* Ventura’s First Christian Church will hold a rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today on the church grounds at 38 Teloma Drive.

Furniture, toys, household items and apparel for men, women and children are some of the offerings.

For more information, call 642-4146.

3 Ministry Meetings at Foursquare

* Ojai Foursquare Church plans three ministry meetings for September, beginning with Julie Anderson and the Great Britain Spiritual Warfare Network at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

On Sept. 19, Barry Perez will host meetings at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. with Morningstar Ministries, featuring a revival, prophesy and healing.

Evangelist Ronnie Webb will appear at the church at 7 p.m. Sept. 26, focusing on prophesy and healing, reconciliation and revival.

Ojai Foursquare Church is at 441 Church Road. Call 646-2833 for more information.

Methodists to Honor Teachers

* St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Newbury Park will focus on its new children’s center at Sunday’s service by honoring Sunday school teachers, children’s center teachers and those in the education field. The third-graders will be presented with their first Bibles.

The children’s center offers before- and after-school programs for children in grades K-6.

Call the church at 498-6910 for more information. It is at 1360 S. Wendy Drive.

Church to Celebrate Rally Sunday

* St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Newbury Park will celebrate Rally Sunday and receive new members at the 8:30 and 10 a.m. worship services Sunday. Children’s Sunday school and child care will be offered during the 10 a.m. service.

An old-fashioned Rally Sunday-potluck picnic will follow the morning services at Banyan Park. Beverages will be provided. Bring a photo for the baby photo contest.

The church is at 1360 S. Wendy Drive. Call 498-6910 for directions or more information.

Congregational Open House Slated

* Conejo Valley Congregational Church in Thousand Oaks invites the public to its annual open house Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., after the worship service. This year’s focus will be church missions. Lunch will be served.

The church’s new associate pastor, David Wever, began his duties Sept. 1 and will head up the youth, young marrieds and singles ministries, in addition to counseling.

The church is at 750 Erbes Road. Call 381-0484 for more information.

Methodist Church Classes Resume

* Church school classes at Oxnard’s St. Paul’s United Methodist Church will resume Sunday at a new time, 10:10 a.m., with the children gathering in the sanctuary and attending the first few minutes of the worship celebration. A family, fun and faith program will continue through Sunday.

The church is at 1800 S. C St. Call 487-2711 for more information.

Bible Study at Lutheran Church

* A Bible study program for adults, called “Crossways,” is being offered at the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Oxnard. It is designed for those who find the Bible too big and complex to tackle, as well as those who simply want to know it better.

The program will begin this week, at 7 p.m. Sundays and at 12:30 p.m. Mondays. The course is $15 per section. Call the church at 983-0612 for information.

It is at 721 Doris Ave.

Church to Celebrate Birthday

* Community Christian Church of Moorpark will celebrate its 13th birthday at 2 p.m. Sunday with a special worship service and barbecue at Tierra Rejada Ranch.

For directions, call the church at 529-3572.

Catholic Men’s Club to Meet

* St. Paschal Baylon Catholic Church Men’s Club in Thousand Oaks will hold a dinner meeting Monday at the church’s St. Thomas Aquinas Hall. Forrest Fields will speak about the replica of the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial that toured Ventura County in July.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. and will include dinner in the church hall for $2. For more information, call 492-3627. The church is at 15 E. Janss Road.

Introduction to Bahai Faith

* An introductory course on the Bahai faith will be held on four Mondays at 7 p.m. beginning this week. The sessions will be held at 1889 Montgomery Ave. in Ventura.

Call 659-4660 for more information.

Youth, Adult Programs Planned

* Ventura’s First United Methodist Church will start a Tuesday night youth and adult program Tuesday. A 6 p.m. dinner will be followed by classes for children, youth and adults at 6:45. Concert pianist Miriam Arichea will teach music, composers and singing to children.

Pastor Walt Dilg will teach a beginner’s Bible class. Youths will meet for basketball and volleyball at 5 p.m. and a program after dinner.

The Rev. Chuck Simmons will lead a book study. The community is welcome.

Call 643-8621 for more information. The church is at 1338 E. Santa Clara St.

Catholic Church Reaching Out

* People who have been thinking about returning to the Catholic Church are invited to meetings Mondays at 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Ventura.

The church sets aside that time for people who have spiritual needs and want help in making a decision. A Bible study class will be held Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. beginning this week.

For more information call 289-3499. The church is at 3175 Telegraph Road.

St. Anthony’s Plans Parish Picnic

* St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Oxnard will hold its third annual parish picnic on the church patio from 2 to 5 p.m. Sept. 19.

The parish will provide hamburgers, hot dogs and all the fixings, punch and coffee.

The church asks those whose last names begin with A through G to bring a salad; H through P to bring a dessert; and Q through Z to bring munchies.

Call the parish office at 486-7301 with your order by Wednesday.

The church is at 2511 S. C St.

Camarillo Bible Study for Women

* An interdenominational Bible study course for women, called “Return to Jerusalem,” will begin Wednesday at the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Camarillo.

The course, for women of all ages, is sponsored by the Bible study group and will meet weekly throughout the school year from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. Child care is held during the same hours, and there is a class for mothers with new babies.

The class will also be held during the evening in both Camarillo and Thousand Oaks for men and women. Registration is $15 for adults and $5 for children.

The church is at 1101 E. Ponderosa Drive. For more information, call Pam Davis at 482-1218 or Kathy Carr at 482-8225.

Church to Host Elder Care Seminar

* A special seminar on the care of elderly family members is open to the public at Ventura Missionary Church at 7 p.m. Sept. 23.

Sponsored by the county’s Long Term Care Ombudsman program, the seminar will be led by Field Services Coordinator Candace Stewart. Topics will include home health care, Alzheimer’s disease, special facilities, senior behavior, adult day support, elder care managers and long term care insurance.

The $5 seminar will be held in the church’s fireside room. For more information, call the Long Term Care Ombudsman program at 656-1986.

Ministry Fair at Catholic Church

* St. Paschal Baylon Catholic Church in Thousand Oaks will hold a ministry fair Sept. 18 and 19 at St. Thomas Aquinas hall next to the church. All parishioners are invited to visit the ministry information booths, talk with representatives from ministries and discover the programs and opportunities the church offers.

Ladies of Charity, St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Men’s Club, Youth Ministries, Senior’s Club, Separated, Divorced and Widowed Catholics, Communications Committee, Home Schoolers and Religious Education will be represented.

The hall will be open after all Masses Sept. 18 and 19. Refreshments will be provided.

The church is at 155 E. Janss Road. Call 492-3027 for more information.

College Catholic Club to Meet

* The second fall semester meeting of the Moorpark College Catholic Club will take place on campus Sept. 22 at noon in M-109 (music building). Father Jim Stehly of St. Mary Magdalen Chapel in Camarillo will speak to the question, “Was St. Paul a Male Chauvinist Pig?”

For more information, call 378-1400, Ext. 1810, and leave your name.

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Religion Briefs run Saturdays. Please submit items at least a week in advance to Religion Briefs, Los Angeles Times, 93 S. Chestnut St., Ventura 93001. Items may be faxed to 653-7576.