Joplin
• “Liberty,” a patriotic musical celebration of freedom, will be presented at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Joplin First Baptist Church, Seventh Street and Pearl Avenue.
The patriotic celebration will be presented by the Joplin First Baptist Church choir, directed by Jason Taylor, along with piano accompaniment by Mary Ellen Walker and other instrumentalists. John McClary will serve as the narrator. Drama and video presentations are also included.
The public is invited.
Details: 624-4585.
• A vacation Bible school program for all ages will focus on and provide services for Habitat For Humanity.
The “Under Construction” vacation Bible school program is being jointly sponsored by Peace Lutheran Church and Bethany Presbyterian Church.
The event is slated Sunday through Thursday, July 12 to 16. The program will begin with a picnic at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, July 12, at Parr Hill Park. Activities Monday through Thursday will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, 20th Street and Wisconsin Avenue.
In addition to Bible activities, music and crafts, youth will work on a construction project to benefit the local Habitat for Humanity group.
Children from preschool through high school are welcome to attend. There also will be activities for adults.
Details and to register: Peace Lutheran Church, 624-9723, or Bethany Presbyterian Church, 623-5115.
• Special music for the 9:30 a.m. worship service at the First Presbyterian Church, 509 S. Pearl Ave., will be presented by the Dolanc String Quartet and Piano, with Suzannah Dolanc Pugh as soloist.
“The Girl in the Café,” the first movie in the annual Faith and Film Series, will be shown at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Pastor John Conley will lead a discussion after viewing the film.
Details: 624-2433.
• “Experience and Discover God Everywhere (EDGE)” is the theme of the vacation Bible school scheduled from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, July 13 to 17, at Royal Heights United Methodist Church, 1612 Euclid Ave.
The event is for all ages. A meal will be provided at 5:30 p.m. Transportation will be available, if needed.
Details and pre-registration for Bible school, meal and transportation: 624-3366.
• Vacation Bible school is slated from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, July 13-17, at St. James United Methodist Church 2501 E. 20th St.
The Bible school is for children from kindergarten through fifth grade. The theme will be “Where Fearless Kids Shine God's Light.” Pre-registration will be available from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 11, at the church.
Details or registration: 782-4427.
• The Moms Matter group meets the third Friday of each month at South Joplin Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, 1901 Pearl Ave.
The group is for all mothers of young children and meets from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Participants share food, fellowship, support and study. The group is studying biblical mothers and how they can learn from them. A nursery is provided.
Details: 624-2522 or www.southjoplindisciples.org.
Carterville
• Randy and Marli Brown, of Illinois, will perform three concerts at Community Fellowship Church, 120 W. Third St.
The Browns will perform the free concerts at 10:15 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday and at 7 p.m. Monday. The services also will include the Brown’s unique ministry.
Details: 781-3895.
Freistatt
• The 119th annual Trinity Lutheran Church picnic will be held Friday on the grounds behind Trinity Lutheran School.
Food will be served beginning at 6 p.m. The menu includes hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, homemade pie and ice cream, drinks and other items.
There will be games for all ages, a country store, bake sale, and rides for children. The Heartland Concert Band from Carthage and local talent will provide entertainment throughout the evening.
The picnic is co-sponsored by Trinity Lutheran Church and Trivent Financial. It is open to the public.
In the event of rain, the picnic will be held on Saturday, July 11.
Details: (417) 235-7300.
Neosho
• New Hope Baptist Church, 8322 Eland Road, will conduct a community outreach block party from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 12.
The event will include live music, games and food. Children should bring their swimsuit and towels to participate in a water slide. Those attending are asked to bring lawn chairs. Admission is free.
The church is eight miles south of Joplin: take Highway 86 south to Highway P, go east one mile to Eland Road, then south one-quarter mile.
Details: 623-6494.
Girard, Kan.
• The Christian Writers Fellowship will meet from 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 11, at the Girard Public Library, 128 W. Prairie St.
Visitors are welcome.
Details: (417) 682-2713.
Faith
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Fired professor reinstated
An instructor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign -- dismissed after a student called his explanation of Roman Catholic teaching on homosexuality “hate speech” -- is being offered his teaching job back, the university said Thursday.
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