The Newport Baptist and Newport United Methodist churches' G.R.E.A.T. Committee announces another joint outreach for the Newport and St. Marys, W.Va., area for the October holiday.
The churches will be having their fourth annual "Trunk or Treat" event for area children from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Newport Baptist Church parking lot on Greene Street in Newport. Activities will be held indoors in case of bad weather.
G.R.E.A.T. (God Reaching Everyone at All Times) uses biblical stories in creating a Christian event that involves games, prizes and food for children who are trick or treat age.
Some of the "trunks" or "booths" available will include Adam and Eve's Bob for Apples, Jonah and the Whale, Pin the Tail on Baalam's Donkey, Trinity Ring Toss, Lollipop Tree of Life, Daniel in the Lions Den, Widow's Lost Coin, Toss Your Talents (corn toss) and other things that not only entertain, but also teach a lesson found in the Bible.
The alternative event being sponsored by the two churches is an addition to Halloween festivities the communities have for area children.
Families in the community and surrounding area are encouraged to bring their children and friends to this event, which offers a safe and friendly environment for families. The event is free to the public with free prizes and candy to be passed out to the participants.
For more information: 473-2714.
Exercise sessions for women offered
Inspirational exercise sessions for women are being offered at Bethel Lighthouse Church on Washington County 126, near Ohio 676, Marietta, with an introductory session to begin Nov. 2 and continue through December.
Each session of classes will continue for two months with meeting times to be 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday mornings and 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday evenings. Women may participate in one or both sessions each week.
This program, which is being offered as a ministry of Bethel Lighthouse Church, will be led by Vickie Hendershot, a certified group fitness instructor.
Ladies of any age, fitness level or place on their spiritual journey are invited to participate in the exercise program that addresses the spiritual, along with the physical fitness, needs of women.
Solid Ground Workouts are designed to improve physical fitness in the five areas of muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardio-respiratory (aerobic) fitness, flexibility and body composition. This program also inspires spiritual fitness through prayer, Bible study and journaling.
For more information: Vickie Hendershot at (740) 525-2514.
Recording artist to give concert in area
A concert featuring southern gospel recording artist Ivan Parker will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Vienna, W.Va.
Parker has been ministering in churches and arenas, sharing his testimony and vocal talents, for more than 2 decades. He traveled with the southern gospel quartet, Gold City, for more than 10 years before embarking on a solo career in 1994.
For the past decade he has been regularly featured on the Bill Gaither Homecoming video and concert series. The Gaither Gospel Series released "The Best of Ivan Parker" collection in DVD and CD format in May 2008.
Parker, who has more than 13 solo recordings to his credit, had his first number one hit, "Choose," in 2007.
Inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1993, he has received more than 20 soloist and male vocalist of the year awards from a variety of fan and trade publications, including the 2009 Fan Award for Favorite Soloist of the Year by subscribers of The Singing News Magazine.
For more information: (304) 295-6097.
Deadline for information for the Focus on Faith page is noon Tuesday each week for that Saturday's edition.
