Oak Ridge Today

Cantata ‘Joy’ & special singer presented by Grace Lutheran Church

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Colette Boudreaux

Colette Boudreaux

 

Christmas 2017 brings in a wealth of musical experiences old and new at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church of Oak Ridge.

“Joy,” the cantata by Joel Raney, will be presented by the Chancel Choir on December 17 at the traditional service at 11:15 a.m.

Then on December 24, two Christmas Eve services will feature special music by the bell choir and youth choir, plus the late service will feature Colette Boudreaux, an operatic soprano from the New York area. The family service begins at 7 p.m. on December 24, and the Candlelight service begins at 9 p.m.

Boudreaux, who grew up in Knoxville, will sing “Rejoice Greatly” from Handel’s Messiah. Boudreaux keeps a busy performing schedule, and she also teaches voice and dance, is a professional choreographer, and to pay forward what she has learned, directs productions for high schools that have no formal theater programs. She recently started a professional theatre company in Easton, Pennsylvania, along with her husband, John Andreadis. Everyone is invited to attend. [Read more…]

Pancake Breakfast fundraiser on Saturday to support local humanitarian programs

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Pictured above is recent community mission work by members of First United Methodist Church. (Submitted photo)

Pictured above is recent community mission work by members of First United Methodist Church. (Submitted photo)

 

The First United Methodist Church Oak Ridge Adult Missions Ministry will sponsor a fundraising Pancake Breakfast at Applebee’s Restaurant on Saturday morning.

The church’s Missions Ministry supports many local humanitarian programs such as ADFAC, TORCH, Family Resource Center at Oak Ridge Schools, Ecumenical Storehouse, Free Medical Clinic, Girls Inc., Agape House, Tabitha’s Table, and Second Harvest “Food For Kids,” a press release said.

The Pancake Breakfast is scheduled from Saturday, December 9, from 8-10 a.m. [Read more…]

Community Band has free Christmas Concert & Sing-along on Sunday

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Christmas Concert 2015 at First Baptist Church in Oak Ridge (Submitted photo)

Christmas Concert 2015 at First Baptist Church in Oak Ridge (Submitted photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Community Band/Wind Ensemble will ring in the Christmas season with a Christmas Concert and Sing-along on Sunday afternoon, December 10.

It’s a free event, and it will begin at 3:30 p.m. Sunday in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church, which is at 1101 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The performance is open to the public, dress is casual, and there will be refreshments at the conclusion of the program, a press release said.

“This concert is a wonderful opportunity to bring family and friends to relax and enjoy hearing familiar holiday tunes and sing favorite Christmas carols,” the press release said.

Among the numbers on Sunday’s program are two of Leroy Anderson’s most well-known holiday tunes: “A Christmas Festival,” featuring a medley of carols, and the time-honored piece “Sleigh Ride,” in which you can not only hear the bells on the horse pulling the sleigh, but the crack of the whip, the clip-clop of the horse’s hooves, and the horse’s distinctive neigh, the press release said. [Read more…]

Grace Lutheran has guided gratitude meditation on Saturday

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Linda Doyle

Linda Doyle

 

The Grace Lutheran Mental Health Ministry will host a guided gratitude meditation program on Saturday.

The meditation will be led by retired licensed clinical social worker and CONTACT volunteer Linda Doyle in the church fellowship hall.

The program is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 9, at Grace Lutheran, which is at 131 West Gettysburg Avenue behind Woodland Elementary School in Oak Ridge.

The presentation is free and open to the community, and child care will be provided, a press release said.

It said the guided meditation will be ecumenical in nature and appropriate for people of all faiths. [Read more…]

First United Methodist Church mission team kicked off Christmas Tree sale on Friday, Nov. 24

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Submitted photo

Submitted photo

 

The First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge mission team kicked off its Christmas Tree sale on Friday, November 24.

For almost 60 years, First Church and other local Methodist churches have sold Christmas trees to benefit local, regional, and international missions, a press release said.

“This year is no different, with sales going to benefit mission work in Puerto Rico and Honduras, recovery efforts in Florida and Texas, and disaster relief kit distribution centers in Louisiana,” the press release said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Community Thanksgiving Dinner is Thursday at High Places

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Oak Ridge Community Thanksgiving Dinner Nov 23 2017

Everyone is invited to a community Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, November 23, in Grove Center in Oak Ridge.

“Everyone should have someone to give thanks with on Thanksgiving!” a press release said.

The Thanksgiving Dinner is scheduled from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at High Places Community Church/Grove Theater at 123 Randolph Road in Oak Ridge.

“The emphasis of the event is community, with a goal of providing people the opportunity to dine with others on Thanksgiving,” the press release said. “As in the past, a grassroots group of individuals is coordinating this effort to be hosted by High Places Community Church/Grove Theater. As such, volunteers, food and financial donations are needed.” [Read more…]

Anderson County Sheriff’s Department helping churches with safety, security

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Anderson County Sheriff's Department Church Safety Security Seminar

After yesterday’s tragedy at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department said it offers its sympathy and prayers for the families of the victims, and prayers for the recovery of the survivors.

“Every house of worship, no matter how large or small, and no matter the location, must prepare for this type of attack,” a press release said. “For the last several years, we have sponsored Church Safety & Security seminars for area worship centers. Our Church Safety & Security Seminar presents up-to-date information to assist congregations in church safety and will assist those that are just beginning to prepare or those seeking to improve readiness. [Read more…]

Super Hero Family Fun Day with filmmaker Brett Culp to benefit ADFAC on Saturday

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look to the sky

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“Superman moments…” that’s what filmmaker Brett Culp calls those times when we’re inspired to overcome challenges or do something more for our neighbors. “Look to the Sky” tells the true and uplifting story of young people from around the country who are making a real difference and inspiring hope for us all.

A charity screening of this film will be the culmination of a fun, family friendly super hero day to be held Saturday, October 28, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Grove Theater in Oak Ridge. “Look to the Sky” will be shown in the Grove Theater beginning at 1:30 p.m., with all proceeds going to Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC. ADFAC has a heroic 30-year history of serving under-resourced families in our community, bringing hope and light wherever they go.

Culp will be making an appearance and joining us for this community event. As stated on Culp’s website, “Culp is the personal cinematographer for Hollywood stars, music icons, hall of fame athletes, and royal families.” [Read more…]

Mount Harmony Baptist Church has community food drive on Oct. 21

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Mount Harmony Baptist Church will have a community food drive with the help of Eternal Vision, Heart to Heart, Gloryway Believers, and the Heiskell Fire Department as a drop-off point.

The food drive is planned for October 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., weather permitting. It will be located at the Heiskell Fire Department at 9444 Heiskell Road in Heiskell.

“Come bring a chair and any non-perishable food items and/or monetary donations for this special singing event,” a press release said.

If it rains, volunteers will move the location of event to Mount Harmony Baptist Church at 819 Raccoon Valley Road NE in Heiskell.

Wendel Werner ‘Concert of Peace’ at 6 p.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian

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Wendel Werner

Wendel Werner

Local pianist and composer Wendel Werner and friends will present a “concert of peace” on Sunday, October 15, at 6 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in the wake of the racially charged violence August 12 in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The free concert will feature local singers and instrumentalists who will perform songs having themes of hope, inclusivity, and love, a press release said.

The release said the following words of Leonard Bernstein, famous American composer and conductor, continue to inspire musicians to offer gifts of melody, rhythm, and harmony to their communities: [Read more…]

16th Annual Pet Fest & Blessing is Saturday

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Sammie Harris blessing a small dog at the 2016 Pet Fest and Blessing. (Submitted photo)

Sammie Harris blessing a small dog at the 2016 Pet Fest and Blessing. (Submitted photo)

 

Grace Lutheran Church will celebrate its 16th Annual Pet Fest and Blessing on Saturday, October 7.

“This year’s event will provide a chance to spend a productive day with your pet while you gather important information about the services and associations available to pets and their owners,” a press release said.

The Blessing of the Animals is held in the pavilion behind the church at 4 p.m. The church will also hold a Bake Sale, Rummage Sale, and Silent Auction to raise funds for all the participating rescue groups. Boy Scouts and other volunteers will walk your pet while you shop.

Activities will take place from 1-5 p.m. and parking will be available for the mobility-impaired at the church or in the Woodland Elementary School parking lot behind the church.

“If you’ve been looking for a new pet, you will meet representatives from numerous pet adoption agencies, some of whom will bring animals that are available for fostering or adoption,” the press release said. [Read more…]

ORUUC Free Community Meal celebrates seven years today

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The community is invited to join in the celebration of the seventh birthday of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church Stone Soup Free Community Meal on Friday, September 29. On the menu will be taco salad, Mexican rice, fresh fruit, and of course, birthday cake for dessert.

An assortment of nonperishable family friendly groceries will be available for free to anyone in need. Dine in or take out will be available from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. ORUUC is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.

“While many of our guests are our food insecure neighbors, we want to start our eighth year making sure that we emphasize that the community meal is open to anyone who would like to come,” said program co-coordinator Jinx Watson. “There are a lot of connections that are made, not only among the guests, but also among the guests and the team. We enjoy dining with them and love the opportunity to celebrate someone’s birthday, hear news about their families, and build friendships. For some, attending is as much about the welcoming atmosphere as it is about the meal.” [Read more…]