MUSIC
Harvest Celebration: Jeff & Sheri Easter and The Perrys will headline a gospel concert presented by Agrisoma USA to honor farmers 3-10 p.m. Saturday at Northwest Georgia Amphitheatre, 220 Catoosa Circle in Ringgold, Georgia. Others performing are Kolt Barber, The Browders, Mercy Mountain Boys and Rightpath Bluegrass. Concessions will be available. Admission is a suggested $10 donation.
Gospel singer: Next appearance by Crystle Elam is 10 a.m. Sunday at Ballplay Tabernacle Church of God, 5208 Highway 360, Tellico Plains, Tennessee. www.crystleelam.com.
Music series: Pilgrim Congregational Church, 400 Glenwood Drive, presents Ryan Oyer in concert at 7 p.m. Thursday. Oyer is working on a “Silver Linings” album for release next year as a fundraiser for his family to adopt a child from Haiti. The concert is free; a love offering will be taken. Information: 423-698-5682, www.pilgrim-church.com.
Fifth Sunday singing: Master Peace Quartet will be guests for the fifth Sunday singing at 11 a.m. Sept. 30 at Keith Baptist Church, 1573 Keith Road, Ringgold, Georgia. A love offering will be received. A covered-dish dinner will follow in the fellowship hall.
FUNDRAISERS
Fall sale: Fairview United Methodist Church, 2112 McFarland Ave., Rossville, will have its 41st annual fall sale 8 a.m.-1 p.m., rain or shine, Saturday. Merchandise includes clothes, toys and household items and Christmas decor. Proceeds benefit local missions, including The Cottage. 423-488-4860, 706-866-4194.
Rummage and bake sale: The Women’s Ministry at Falling Water Cumberland Presbyterian, 6534 Old Dayton Pike, Hixson, will hold a rummage sale and bake sale 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday (rain date Sept. 29). The bake sale will include cookies, cakes, pies, sweet loafs and fried pies. All proceeds go toward community outreach projects.
Mambo Italiano: St. Elmo United Methodist Church’s Worship Choir will hold a spaghetti luncheon and silent auction 12:30-2:30 p.m. Sunday in the church’s event space, 4626 St. Elmo Ave., to raise money for the choir’s performance in November at Carnegie Hall. The afternoon also includes door prizes and music. Tickets, which include a full meal plus drinks and dessert, are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Reserve by emailing musicdirector@saintelmo.org with contact information and number of tickets wanted.
Lyerly cookbook: Lyerly United Methodist Church has copies of its third cookbook, “Feeding the Flock,” available. To order, send $10, plus $3 shipping and handling, to Lyerly United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 152, Lyerly, GA 30730. Call JoAnn Mitchell, 706-895-2636, for information on buying from a church member or a Chattooga County business.
Payne’s Chapel cookbook: Payne’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Lookout Mountain, Ga., still has copies of its latest cookbook, “Payne’s Chapel Cooks.” Proceeds will go into the church building fund. Cost is $12, plus $2 shipping/handling if mailed. To order, email debroskyp@gmail.com or leave a message at 706-820-2095.
PROGRAMS, EVENTS
Giveaway: Central Church of Christ, 400 Vine St., will giveaway clothing, shoes, toys, linens, household goods and other items 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday. For more information: 423-266-3619, churchoc@epbfi.com.
Forward grief support: Forward, an ecumenical group offering mutual support for those who have lost a spouse, no matter how recent or long ago, will begin a new series of small-group meetings Saturday, meeting 10-11:30 a.m. for seven weeks in the parlor of First-Centenary United Methodist Church, 419 McCallie Ave. There is no charge to attend. Contact: Cindy Ruff, 423-756-2021.
Homecoming: Rose of Sharon Baptist Church, 2001 Blackford St., will celebrate its 88th homecoming at 11 a.m. Sunday with a message from the pastor, Charles E. Moore, and special recognition of visiting former members. Dinner will follow.
Divorce support: St. Jude Catholic Church begins the eight-session Journey of Hope Divorce Healing Program on Sunday, with meetings held 6:45-8:30 p.m. in the parish library. The program uses the teachings and sacraments of the Catholic Church to transform the loss and tragedy of divorce into wisdom, sensitivity and hope.
Prophecy conference: Dr. Jimmy DeYoung will speak on how to view current events in light of Bible prophecy in services at 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday and at 6:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday at Hickory Valley Baptist Church, 2320 Hickory Valley Road. 423-892-1916.
DuBose Lectures: The School of Theology of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, will welcome Dr. Charles Marsh, professor of religious studies and director of the Project on Lived Theology at the University of Virginia next week. His will be the first in a series of lectures over the next three years focusing on race reconciliation. Programs are free of charge. His broad theme is “Can I Get a Witness? Explorations in an Amen.” Two lectures are scheduled Wednesday: “The Aristocrats of Compassion: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Quest for a New Nobility,” 9 a.m.; and “Theological Pranksters and Free-Floating Monastics: The Civil Rights Movement and Religionless Christianity,” 2 p.m. The final lecture is Thursday: “The Return of Splendor in the World: Resistance, Reconciliation and Social Hope, 9 a.m. All take place in Guerry Auditorium on Georgia Avenue, and all times are Central. All programs are free; registration is not required. For the complete schedule, visit http://theology.sewanee.edu/seminary/academics/story/dubose-lectures-alumni-gathering.html.
Marketplace Luncheon: Linda Williams, a Walking Wisely certified professional life coach who specializes in personal, spiritual and relationship coaching for women, will be guest speaker for this month’s Scenic City Women’s Network Marketplace Luncheon, noon-1 p.m. Thursday at the Mountain City Club, 729 Chestnut St.; networking begins at 11:30 a.m. Cost is $20. Reservations are due by Tuesday at www.scwn.org.
150-Year Anniversary: Ooltewah Baptist Church, 5514 Main St., will celebrate its sesquicentennial anniversary with a three-day celebration Sept. 28-30. Festivities include a co-ed golf outing Friday at Waterville Golf Course in Cleveland, Tennessee, a block party Saturday afternoon and a 150th anniversary homecoming service with former pastors, staff and local dignitaries, on Sunday. Lunch will follow. For more information, call 423-238-4831 or visit www.ooltewahbaptist.org.
Tailgate party: White Oak Baptist Church’s Access campus, 4604 Access Road, will host a tailgate party with inflatables for the kids, games, food and football, 3-6 p.m. Sept. 29. A benefit wrestling event will follow in the Family Life Center, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and bell time of 7 p.m. The benefit will raise funds for medical expenses for a wrestler’s hip replacement. Contact: normanlowe28@gmail.com.
Civil discourse public forum: St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 630 Mississippi Ave., Signal Mountain, will begin a discussion forum on civil discourse (as in how to have conviction for a cause and not feeling hatred for someone who disagrees) at 6 p.m. Sept. 30. The opening topic is “Identifying the Issue, Sharing Stories and Searching for Common Ground.” Still to come are “Sharing Stories and Ideas,” Oct. 7; panel discussion with local religious leaders, Oct. 14; panel discussion with local elected leaders and candidates, Oct. 21. Registration is not required. Information: 423-886-2281, www.sttimssignal.com.
Worship Night: The Union Praise Team and worship leaders from across Chattanooga will lead a prayer and worship service 7-9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1, at Chattanooga House of Prayer, 3912 Dayton Blvd. in Red Bank. Child care will be provided. For more information, call 925-234-6847 or visit www.theunionmusic.org.
Rwanda speaker: The Rev. Bizimana Nkumuyinka Jerome will speak on “Healing the Wounds of Genocide in Rwanda” at 4 p.m. Oct. 7 at New Hope Presbyterian Church, 7301 Shallowford Road. His program will focus on the 1994 genocide that left more than 800,000 people slaughtered by attackers from within the ranks of the Rwandan army, government-backed militias and national police, a crisis that grew from a conflict between the Hutus and Tutsis. Jerome has been pastor of a Presbyterian church since 1998 and also initiated the Light Group, a reconciliation group of genocide survivors and perpetrators.
Kidz on the Rock: Groups for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade meet at 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sundays as well as 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays at White Oak Baptist Church, 301 Memorial Drive in Red Bank.
Awana Clubs: Groups for children age 3 through sixth grade meet 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Hickory Valley Baptist Church, 2320 Hickory Valley Road. 423-892-1916.
Women’s Bible study: “The Shepherd With Me,” a study of Psalm 23 prepared by Jennifer Rothschild, is held 6:30-7:30 Wednesday nights at Hickory Valley Baptist Church, 2320 Hickory Valley Road. 423-892-1916.
Divorce support: A new DivorceCare support group has begun at Hope Fellowship Evangelical Presbyterian Church, corner of Twin Cedars Road and Highway 27 in Chickamauga, Georgia. The group meets 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays for 13 weeks. DivorceCare is a network of 15,000-plus churches worldwide equipped to offer such support. The nondenominational program offers practical information and biblical teaching on how to recover from divorce or separation. Sessions deal with common concerns such as anger, depression, loneliness, financial survival and moving on. Programs include a video seminar followed by a group discussion. Cost is $15. Each session stands alone, so participants can pick up any sessions they miss during the next 13-week cycle. For more information, go to www.divorcecare.org. Or call 423-264-8983 or 706-996-4802.
Habitat homeowners: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area, a faith-based nonprofit that builds homes for those in need, is accepting applications from families and individuals interested in becoming Habitat homeowners. To obtain a prequalifying questionnaire, visit www.habichatt.org. or call 423-756-0507.
Community Clothes Closet: Open 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays at 1015 Laura St. across from Dodson Avenue Health Center. Free clothes and small household goods available; donations appreciated. Contact: R. Ludy at 423-933-6314.
Siskin Museum of Religious Artifacts: Open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday at Siskin Children’s Institute, 1101 Carter St. The facility is home to more than 400 religious pieces (247 Judaic and 140 Christian), ranging from the 16th to 20th century. Other religions and philosophies represented include Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Confucianism. 423-648-1700, www.siskin.org.
Exercise class: Northside Presbyterian Church, 923 Mississippi Ave., offers an exercise class focusing on strength, energy and balance 10:30-11:30 a.m. each Tuesday and Thursday. Open to all ages and skill levels. $5 per class. 423-266-1766.
Recovery, a Christ-centered 12-step program for anyone struggling with addictive issues, compulsive behaviors, loss and life challenges, meets each Thursday at Ooltewah United Methodist Church, 6131 Relocation Way. Dinner at 5:30 p.m., worship at 6:15 p.m., open share groups at 7:30 p.m. Child care provided. 423-238-9216, oumclive.org/recovery.
Brainerd Celebrate Recovery, a 12-step Christ-centered recovery ministry that focuses on healing hurts, habits and addictions, meets every Thursday at Brainerd Baptist Church’s East Ridge campus, 1203 Blocker Lane. Dinner at 5:45 p.m., large group at 6:45 and small/open share groups following. Child care provided. 423-313-8888, brainerdbaptist.org/celebrate-recovery.
Grief support: 5 p.m. every first Tuesday at Fort Oglethorpe United Methodist Church, 1733 Battlefield Parkway, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. Presented by PruittHealth Hospice. Free. For more information, call 706-602-9546.
Not Alone, a support group for family and friends of a loved one who is incarcerated, meets at 11 a.m. the fourth Saturday of each month at LaFayette Presbyterian Church, 107 N. Main St., LaFayette, Ga. Refreshments and child care are provided.
To be included in Faith Briefs, send information to Life@timesfreepress.com. Listings must be sent by Wednesday morning each week.