• Guest speaker. Kirk Bookout, development director of Children of Promise, will be the guest speaker at Athens Church of God, 10:45 a.m. Sunday, March 4, at 17835 Quinn Road. Children of Promise is a global, nonprofit ministry dedicated to rescuing, restoring and releasing children from poverty and hopelessness by providing food, education, health care and spiritual nurturing. This event is free to attend and open to the public. More information: Linda Johnson, 256-777-0246.

• Gospel meeting. Carriger Church of Christ will hold a gospel meeting March 4–7. These are the topics and times: “Fellowship in the Gospel,” 10 a.m. Sunday, March 4; “Attitudes and Preaching,” 11 a.m. Sunday; “When Jesus is Lord,” 3 p.m. Sunday; “Working out your own Salvation,” 7 p.m. Monday, March 5; “Spiritual Ambition/Knowing Christ,” 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 6; and “How to Reach the Goal,” 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 7. The overall theme is “The Joy of Serving Jesus, Philippians 1–3” with speaker Gerry Sandusky.

• Pastoral anniversary. St. Mark P.B. Church will celebrate the 23rd pastoral anniversary of Elder Kenneth F. Owens at 11 a.m. Sunday, March 4, at the church, 740 Sanderfer Rd., Athens. Guest speaker will be Lonnie Orr of Christ in Me Church of Pell City. Special guest will be The Orr Sisters of Courtland.

• Lunch series. St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church will host a Lenten Lunch series at noon each Wednesday through March 21 at the church on the corner of Washington and Beaty streets in Athens. The lunch is free, but donations will be accepted.

• After-school program. The after-school program from 3–5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at David’s Temple Church in Tanner accepts children ages 5–18. Homework assistants, tutoring and study hall are available. Van pickup is available to all Athens City Schools except Athens High. Children from Tanner High can ride the bus. Cost for the program is $10 per week per student. More information: Geraldine McDonald, 256-355-1343.

• Gospel meeting. Northside Church of Christ will hold a gospel meeting March 11–14 at 1201 N. Jefferson St., Athens. These are the times and speakers: 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday, March 11, with Don Miller speaking; 7 p.m. Monday, March 12, with Greg Chandler speaking; 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, with David Cox speaking; and 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, with Steve Ferguson speaking. More information: 256-232-3179.

• Gospel concert. First Independent Methodist Church will host a performance by Marvin Morrow at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at 13904 Zehner Road, Athens. The event is open to the public and will include a love offering.

Church briefs must be submitted in writing, either on a form available at The News Courier office at 410 W. Green St., Athens, or by sending an email to newscouriersoundoff@gmail.com or a fax to 256-233-7753.