VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
* First Baptist Church, Fort Oglethorpe: 2645 LaFayette Road. “Power Up,” 6-8:15 p.m. Sunday through Thursday for kids in preschool through middle school. Sign up online at fbcfo.org or in person any night during the event. Limited bus service is available upon request, 706-866-0232.
* Friendship Baptist Church of Hixson: 1005 Gadd Road. “Roar: Life Is Wild – God Is Good,” 6-8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for preschoolers through teens.
* Hickory Valley Baptist Church: 2320 Hickory Valley Road. “In the Wild: Amazing Encounters With Jesus,” 6:30-8 p.m. Monday through Friday for kids 4 years old through sixth grade. 423-892-1816.
* Soddy United Methodist Church: 255 Depot St., Soddy-Daisy. Games and refreshments for children in grades K-5, 6-8 p.m. June 17-21.
* North Georgia Worship Center: 23 Bishop Road, Wildwood, Georgia. “SonTreasure Island,” with activities, prizes and food, 7 p.m. June 19-22 and 10:15 a.m. June 23. info@ngwc.church, 706-820-9241.
* Middle Cross Baptist Church: 4009 Norcross Road. Bible stories, face painting, balloon animals, games, music, crafts, hot dogs and snacks for ages 4-14. Kickoff is 5-7:30 p.m. June 23, then 6-7:30 p.m. June 24-27. Follow on Facebook or call 423-877-5742.
* Grace United Methodist Church: 9833 Hixson Pike, Soddy-Daisy. “To Mars and Beyond,” 6-8:30 p.m. June 24-28 for ages 3-12. Register at www.cokesburyvbs.com/graceumcsd19.
PERFORMANCES
* Benefit singing: The Hullender Family, Rightpath Bluegrass, Tony Hullender and Testimony Quartet will perform at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at Ringgold High School, 29 Tiger Lane. A love offering will be taken to help pay medical expenses of Steve Plott, who died May 26.
* Joseph Habedank: Dove Award-nominated singer/songwriter, formerly of The Perrys, will be in concert at 6 p.m. June 21 at New Haven Baptist Church, 1058 Graysville Road. The Hullender Family will be special guests. Free admission. 423-505-9266.
* Christian humorist: Best-selling author, speaker and podcaster Rob Bell will bring his “An Introduction to Joy” tour to Chattanooga’s Walker Theater, 399 McCallie Ave., at 8 p.m. June 21. Bell uses elements of comedy to explore deep areas of faith. Tickets are $35 and $75. www.tivolichattanooga.com, 423-757-5580.
* Christian Karaoke Coffeehouse: Held 5-8 p.m. fourth Saturdays (next is June 22) at Oakwood Church of God of Prophecy, 3927 Webb Road. Bring soundtracks and be prepared to sing. Small donation will be taken at the door from anyone older than 10. Concessions will be available.
* Let’s Sing From Memory: Free social gatherings for those affected by Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, along with their caregivers, to sing old songs and hymns that may reconnect them to old memories, are 1-2:30 p.m. first and third Tuesdays at Northside Presbyterian Church, 923 Mississippi Ave. Free. For more information: 423-266-1766, http://northsidepresbyterian.org.
FUNDRAISERS
* Rummage sale: First Baptist Church of Fort Oglethorpe, 2645 LaFayette Road, has rescheduled its annual rummage sale (again) due to the threat of inclement weather this weekend. New dates are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. June 15. Merchandise will include furniture, household items, appliances, linens, electronics, yard tools, handbags, clothing and shoes. Baked goods, hot dogs, chips and drinks will be available for purchase. Proceeds support church missions and outreach efforts. 706-866-0232.
* Art exhibition: “The Artist’s Eye: A Celebration of Nature,” with more than 80 original works by 21 area artists, is on view at First Christian Church-Disciples of Christ, 650 McCallie Ave., through June 30. www.firstchristian-chat.com, JumpStartArt.net.
PROGRAMS, EVENTS
* Homecoming: Union Springs Baptist Church, 5911 Levi Road, will celebrate homecoming at 11 a.m. Sunday. The Agee Family will be the special guests.
* Homecoming: Keith Baptist Church, 1573 Keith Road in Ringgold, Georgia, will hold homecoming services at 11 a.m. Sunday. Featured musical guests are Children of the Promise from Cedartown, Georgia. A covered-dish dinner will be provided after the service. 706-450-0963.
* Pastor anniversary: New Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, 1616 Washington St., will celebrate Pastor Walter Lindsey Sr.’s first anniversary on Sunday. Clarence Hawthorne, an associate minister at Abba’s House, will be the 11 a.m. speaker. Pastor Jessie Broadnax and members of Living Water Bible Church will be guests at 3 p.m. 423-265-3239.
* Sewanee summit: Invite Welcome Connect, a ministry of the Beecken Center of the School of Theology of the University of the South, will host its fourth national summit Wednesday through Friday in Sewanee, Tennessee. Invite Welcome Connect is a ministry that helps churches transform through evangelism, hospitality and belonging. Registration information at http://beeckencenter.sewanee.edu/events/summit2019.
* Simple automotive repair: Orchard Park Seventh-day Adventist Church, 951 N. Orchard Knob Ave., presents a free “Nuts & Bolts of Auto Repair” class, taught by Dale Walters of the Technology Department at Southern Adventist University, 2-4 p.m. June 16. Limited space. Sign up by calling 423-698-0707 between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
* Bible classes: Faith Bible Institute, a nonprofit ministry with a satellite location in East Ridge, has opened registration for fall classes, which will meet 6:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Aug. 13-Dec. 3. Students study the Bible via DVD messages by Pastor John Yates. Participants may earn a three-year Bible college degree or audit. Cost is $139 for new students, $97 former students, $61 spouses. 423-802-3169; eastridgefaithbibleinstitute@gmail.com.
* Lesson & Lunch: Oakwood Church of God of Prophecy, 3927 Webb Road, hosts this program every Wednesday. The pastor’s wife, Teresa Lee, leads the lesson at 11 a.m., and lunch follows at noon. 423-903-3652.
* Marriage message: Covenant Keypers, a Chattanooga-based marriage and women’s ministry, has begun a campaign for “Taking the Biblical Message of Marriage to the Next Generation.” To host a presentation or contribute a tax-exempt gift, visit www.covenantkeypers.org or call 423-870-0071.
* Grief and Loss Art Expression Group: Weekly class, meeting 9-11 a.m. Thursdays at Hart Gallery, 110 E. Main St., uses art as a tool for dealing with grief and loss. Cost is $25 per session, payable on arrival. RSVP, with at least 24 hours notice, at www.eventbrite.com.
* It’s Not My Fault Project: SNAP of Tennessee (the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) has launched a new initiative to raise awareness of clergy sexual abuse by having victims tell their stories at HopeChronicles.org. Anonymity is guaranteed unless the victim requests otherwise. The website RemembertheSurvivors.com also has information on the abuse crisis in Tennessee.
* Free food pantry: Brainerd Baptist Church has a community food pantry that works within the church’s 2-1-1 ministry, part of a nationwide network that connects people in need of assistance with essential community services just by dialing 2-1-1. Food (and diaper) donations may be brought to the welcome desk at Brainerd Crossroads (the BX), 4011 Austin St. See the list of requests at www.brainerdbaptist.org/foodpantry. 423-624-2606.
* Free food pantry: St. Thaddaeus’ Episcopal Church, 4300 Locksley Lane, has a free food pantry, open 2-4 p.m. every Saturday. Those in need are asked to fill out a form stating their income to receive a bag of food. 423-892-2377.
* 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, especially of men’s clothing. 423-933-6314.
* 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.
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