Religion news for Labor Day weekend

See ‘Rock the Light’ at Starlight Theatre

Rock the Light IX, the Midwest’s largest contemporary Christian music festival, will be held at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m, today at Starlight Theatre in Kansas City.

The festival will feature Dove Award winner Jeremy Camp as well as TransMission, House of Thomas, Group 1 Crew, This Beautiful Republic, Remedy Drive and Pillar.

Ticket prices at the gate range from $19 to $85. Reserved and general admission seats are available. For more information, visit www.rockthelight.com, and for Starlight information, visit www.kcstarlight.com.


Kairos open house in Blue Springs

An open house to learn about Kairos Outside Ministry will be held from 10 a.m. to noon today at Blue Springs Christian Church, 7920 S. Missouri 7, Blue Springs.

Kairos is a prison ministry with roots in Florida and dating to 1976. The Kairos Inside of Missouri program is in its second year at Crossroads Correctional Center in Cameron, Mo. It not only ministers to those who are incarcerated but also reaches out to the women affected by the incarceration of a loved one. 

The open house will include an opportunity to learn more about the ministry and talk with previous guests, as well as meet Jo Chapman, coordinator of Women’s Ministry for Kairos International. For more information, call 816-903-6873 or 816-284-0767, reference Kairos Outside if you leave a message, or send an e-mail to jmurphy305@fairpoint.net, and include the words Kairos Outside in your subject line.

Local congregation collecting jeans

Join Disciples Community of Christ at 7 p.m. Tuesday, which meets Tuesday evenings at Walnut Gardens congregation, 19201 R.D. Mize Road.

Cathy Loving will preside over the communion service, with the ministry of Rob and Barb Borkowski, and music by Gail and Joyce Humphrey.

Be sure to wear jeans to this special sacrament service, as well as bring jeans to give as part of the offering (if you have not already taken your jeans to the Central Mission Center office). The church is collecting a minimum of 500 pairs of jeans to help the Community Services League and Micah Ministries/Independence Boulevard Church.

St. Peter UMC sets ‘Game Day Rally’

St. Peter United Methodist Church is inviting the community to a “Game Day Rally” on Sunday at the church, 3609 S.W. Missouri 7, Blue Springs. The Rockhurst-Blue Springs South High School football game, televised on ESPN, is at 11 a.m. at Blue Springs South High School.

The rally begins with a breakfast tailgate party at 8 a.m., and a service led the Youth Worship Team follows at 9 a.m. Eggs, sausage, biscuits/gravy, pancakes, doughnuts and beverages will be provided free of charge.

For more information, contact the church at 816-229-9889 or e-mail office@stpeterumc.org.

Atomic bomb photo exhibit at the Temple

The Community of Christ Temple will host a Hiroshima-Nagasaki atomic bomb photo poster exhibition Sept. 1 through 14. You may view this free exhibit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Labor Day, and from 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays, at the Temple, 201 S. River Blvd., Independence.

This traveling exhibit is presented by the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum through PeaceWorks Kansas City. At 7 p.m. Friday, there will be a reception, followed by a panel discussion with a delegation of four people from Japan. An atomic bomb survivor will share testimony.

For more information, call 816-833-1000 or visit www.CofChrist.org/news/2008/aug/hiroshima-nagasaki.asp.

Beverly Hills Baptist holding block party

Beverly Hills Baptist Church will hold a large block party from 3 to 8 p.m. Sept. 6 on the street in front of the church at 31st Street and Crysler Avenue, Independence.

There will be many activities, including moon walk, face painting, cookie walk, snow cones, popcorn machine, hot dogs with all the trimmings, chips, drinks, cupcakes and more. Enjoy live music and register for prize drawings, such as a $50 Hy-Vee gift certificate, and six different $25 gift certificates from various places.

Special football fan worship service

Football families and fans are invited to a special celebration worship at 7 p.m. Saturday at the First Christian Church, 15th Street and R.D. Mize Road, Blue Springs. Pastor Cliff Caton will preside, and communion will be served.

For information, call 816-229-8400.

Blue Ridge Boulevard UMC food and fun

Blue Ridge Boulevard United Methodist Church will host a community day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 6 at the church, 5055 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City.

Free activities throughout the day include Chris Cakes pancakes, family games, bounce house, basketball, volleyball, a car wash, hot dogs, live music, entertainer Nancy Nail, and a big screen outdoor movie with popcorn.

For activity times and more information, call 816-353-1435 or visit www.blueridgechurch.org.

Barbecue, bluegrass at Trinity Episcopal

Trinity Episcopal Church wishes to invite the public to a barbecue and music event beginning at 5 p.m. Sept. 6 at the church, 409 N. Liberty St., Independence.

In celebration of the end of summer and a time of new beginnings, the Bluegrass band Possum Nation will perform. Cotton Sivils, director of Hillcrest Transitional Housing, is a member of the band.

Bring blankets or chairs. Weather permitting, the music and barbecue will be outside on the church patio, and everyone will get a chance to view and walk the new labyrinth. Both projects are done by Boy Scouts in Troop 282 working on the rank of Eagle.

This event is free and open to the public.

It’s ‘Sundae – Sunday’ at New Walnut Park

The public is invited to a free “Sundae – Sunday” from 3 to 5 p.m. Sept. 7 at the New Walnut Park Community of Christ parking lot, 1137 S. Pearl, Independence.

There will be live music and entertainment, games, face painting, balloon animals, Ident-A-Kid and ice cream. Come and kick off the school year’s JAM (Jesus and Me) and Teen Time.

Restoration Chorale at Stone Church

The Restoration Chorale will present its third annual Choral Series at the Community of Christ Stone Church, 1012 W. Lexington Ave., Independence. The series will be called “Testimonies of Zion,” and each service begins at 6 p.m. with a preceding period of hymn singing.

The Sept. 7 service is based on the testimonies of the ancients: Adam, Enoch, Abraham and Moses. The Sept. 14 service is based on testimonies found in the Book of Mormon, in the form of excerpts from the cantata, “Come walk with Him. The Sept. 21 service is based on testimonies of the prophets, including Old Testament prophet Isaiah, Nephi from Book of Mormon and selected prophets from the Restoration church previously known as The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The Sept. 28 service will be based on testimonies of today by individuals in the Restoration Chorale.

The Restoration Chorale is a group of singers from the Independence Center Place Area who have come together for the purpose of ministry and witnessing through the hymns of the Restoration. The choir is under the direction of Leo A. Gussman and will be accompanied by John T. Davies.

There is no charge to attend, and a free will offering will be received at each service. The public is welcome.


River Boulevard plans Western-style event

Western Roundup Day will be held Sept. 7 at River Boulevard Baptist Church, 3212 N. River Blvd., Independence.

A Bluegrass concert with the Cooper Family will start the days events at 11 a.m., followed by a barbecue dinner, pony rides and Southern Gospel group. Be sure and wear Western apparel.

For more information, call 816-461-5650.

From staff reports