Announcements of church events are published each Friday and Sunday in The News Courier. Church briefs must be submitted in writing, either on a form available at The News Courier office at 410 W. Green St., Athens, or sending e-mail to kelly@athensnews-courier.com or a fax to (256) 233-7753.



• Gospel services. Word of Faith Missionary Baptist Church will host gospel benefit services beginning at 6 tonight and continuing at noon Saturday, Oct. 18 and at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19. Saturday’s event will be in the park if weather permits. For information, call Pastor Willie Mangruen at (256) 233-8369.

• Garage sale. St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church at Elm and North Jefferson streets will hold a garage sale and give-away from 11 a.m.-1p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18. Furniture and other items for the home along with clothing will be given away. For more information, call Carnell Robinson at (256) 232-0473.

• Hay ride. Finished Work Ministries will host a hay ride, bonfire and roast with hot dogs, chili, chicken stew and S’mores at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18. The public is invited to this free event at 26449 Salem-Minor Hill Road. For information, call (256) 771-5667 or visit finishwork.com.

• Fall festival. Holt Road Baptist Church at 23855 Presnell Road will have a fall festival with games and food at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18. Rain date Oct. 25. For information, call (256) 232-6216 or 232-1719.

• Prayer breakfast. The women’s auxiliary of St. Mark Primitive Baptist Church at 740 Sanderfer Road will host a prayer breakfast at 8 a.m. Oct. 18. For more information, call Marie McLin at (256) 233-1700.

• Faith Christian Harvest Festival. Faith Christian Academy’s Harvest Festival and chicken stew sale will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18. Stew will be sold by the quart with containers furnished. There will be games, crafts and a silent auction. Call (256) 233-3778 for more information.

• Usher appreciation. St. Mark Primitive Baptist Church will hold usher appreciation services at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19 with special guest Timothy Raney, pastor of Indian Creek P.B. Church in Huntsville. For information, call (256) 233-2786.

• Free concert. Lamb of God Lutheran Church at 11716 County Line Road will present Chris Driesbach of Crown of Life Lutheran Church in New Orleans in concert at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23. There will be a video presentation of the impact of Katrina on New Orleans. Fellowship, coffee and dessert is available after the concert. For more information, call (256) 464-3900.

• Benefit stew. New Life Baptist Church will host a fundraiser chicken stew, chili and bake sale beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 at the church on West Elm Street. Stew and chili served as a meal or by the gallon. Bring containers for gallon purchases. Desserts sold by slice or whole. For information, call (256) 232-3874.

• Women’s conference. Oak Grove Christian Methodist Episcopal Church at 11460 Cowford Road will have a Women Coming Out of Bondage Conference at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. Teresa Johnson of Birmingham will be guest speaker. Spaghetti lunch served. The public is invited.

• Candlelight march. Peace Missionary Baptist Church at 1214 Plainview Circle will observe its annual Mother and Deacon Candlelight March at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. Guest speaker will be Kenneth Lankford, pastor of Fletcher’s Chapel P.B. Church of Greenbrier. For information, call Mike Bailey at (256) 232-4224.

• Pastor appreciation. Little Ezekiel Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate Pastor Appreciation Month with an 11 a.m. service Sunday, Oct. 26. The congregation will celebrate nine years of service by pastor Charles Simmons and family. Assistant Pastor Willie Lee Green will be guest minister.

• Friends and Family Day. Tanner Church of Christ will celebrate Friends and Family Day on Sunday, Oct. 26 with services at 9:30 a.m. featuring speaker Mick Edwards, 10:30 a.m. featuring speaker Charles Thompson and 1:30 p.m. featuring speaker Harvey Whiteside. Lunch provided.