All Saints Plans Special Dinner

* All Saints Episcopal Church of Oxnard kicks off a week of activities beginning with a “Bread of Life” dinner in the parish hall at 5:30 p.m. today.

On Sunday, there will be worship services at 8 and 11 a.m. A Spanish-language worship service is scheduled at 9:30 a.m.

There will be a communion and healing service in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel at 6 p.m. Wednesday. A Bible study class will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

The church is at 144 South C St. For information, call 483-2347.

Sermon Series to Conclude

* “No Place Parties Like Heaven” will be the topic of Pastor David Smith’s sermon for a worship service at Ojai Valley Adventist Church at 10:45 a.m. today.

This will be the concluding message in the series, “Jesus Is the Door,” which has highlighted the Christian answer to sin.

Nordhoff High School students Naomi Eshoo and Desi Carriero will present a skit of an original parable.

Ojai Valley Adventist offers a service that blends contemporary Christian music with classic songs of faith. Bible study hour begins at 9:30 a.m.

Smith is a writer and producer for the internationally syndicated “Voice of Prophecy” radio program, which is produced in Simi Valley.

The church is at 291 E. El Roblar. For information, call 955-7631.

Minister to Discuss ‘Thanks’

* United Methodist Church in Simi Valley will hold worship services at 8 and 10 a.m. Sunday. The Rev. David Burgeson will preach on “The Word Thanks,” based on the scripture in John 1:1-13.

Child care is provided for infants and preschoolers. Sunday school for all ages begins at 9 a.m., and a Spanish-language service is set for 1:30 p.m. followed by fellowship in Witman Hall.

Blood pressure screenings are available in Witman Hall after all services.

The church is at 2394 Erringer Road. For information, call 526-6231.

Clergyman to Give Final Sermon

* St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Oxnard will hear from the Rev. Alan P. Gorsline on “What’s It All About?” during a service at 10:15 a.m. Sunday. This will be Gorsline’s final sermon before his retirement.

Children attending St. Paul’s church school will join the entire congregation until after the “Let the Children Come” segment of the service, when they are released to their individual Sunday school classes. This will be the last Sunday for church school session before it goes on summer break.

The church’s Japanese-language ministry worship service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday.

The church is at 1800 South C St. For information, call 487-2711.

St. Matthew’s to Hold 2 Services

* St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Newbury Park holds worship services at 8:30 and 10 a.m Sunday with a message on “Preventing Heart Failure” from Pastor Lynne Austin. The sermon will focus on I Samuel 27.

The church is at 1360 S. Wendy Drive. For information, call 498-6910.

Service at Vineyard Christian

* Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Thousand Oaks holds its worship service at 10:05 a.m. Sunday.

Nursery and Sunday school are provided at that time. High school and college students attend the adult service, which has a casual atmosphere, music and teaching.

The church is at 480 W. Gainsborough Road. For information, call 379-0237.

Church to Celebrate 40th Birthday

* St. Paschal Baylon Catholic Church celebrates 40 years in Thousand Oaks with a Mass at 11 a.m. Sunday on the athletic field behind the parish school.

Msgr. Joseph S. George will celebrate the Mass with the Rev. Joseph Gaffney and the Rev. Larry Neumeier.

Following Mass, parishioners will be treated to a lunch of barbecue chicken and tri-tip.

An exhibit of parish history will be on display in the the church’s Thomas Aquinas Hall.

Those attending should bring folding chairs and dress casually. Drivers are asked to drop off passengers at a designated church area and then park at nearby La Reina High School, 106 W. Janss Road. There will be a shuttle between the two locations.

St. Paschal Baylon Catholic Church was founded on May 11, 1960, and the first members met in the Acorn theater on the corner of Thousand Oaks Boulevard and Hampshire Road. Subsequent locations for the congregation included Peterson’s Barn at the corner of Janss and Windsor roads and at the Griffin Bros. Mortuary chapel.

Groundbreaking for the church’s current location, 15 E. Janss Road, was held June 17, 1962. For information, call 496-0222.

ber is 526-6231.

Interfaith Fellowship to Meet

* Interfaith Fellowship meets in the ballroom of Thousand Oaks Inn in Thousand Oaks at 10 Sunday.

On Monday there will be a spiritual book study group meeting at Borders Bookstore, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., in Thousand Oaks from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The inn is at 75 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd. For information, call 379-9336.

Reading Room to Change Hours

* Beginning July 1, the Christian Science Reading Room in Thousand Oaks changes hours and will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. on weekends.

The reading room is at 3729 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. For information, call 495-8202.

Fellowship to Present ‘Soap Box’

* The Conejo Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Thousand Oaks will present “Soap Box” at 10 a.m. July 2. The meeting will focus on current social concerns of several individuals in the congregation.

The service is held at the Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road. For information, call 492-8751.

Methodists Offer Bible School

* Ventura First United Methodist Church and College United Methodist Church in Ventura invite children from age 3 to those in fifth grade to “Club Can Do” vacation Bible school from 9 a.m. to noon July 17-21.

Through Bible stories, crafts, music and recreation, children will learn about the teachings of Jesus and how they can show love and care for others. A snack will be provided. There is no charge to attend.

The school will be at College United Methodist Church, 4300 Telegraph Road. For information, call 642-3282 or 643-8621. The registration deadline is July 9.

Children to Receive Bible Lessons

* The First Christian Church of Ventura will have its vacation Bible school from 9 a.m. to noon July 31 through Aug. 4. The theme is “Road Rally 2000--On the Road with Jesus.” The school is for children age 3 to those in fifth grade.

There will be music, crafts and Bible lessons. The $15 fee will include a T-shirt and visor.

The church is at 38 Teloma Drive. For information, call 642-4146.

Temple Offers Programs for Youths

* Registration is being accepted for fall after-school programs at JFC Temple Ner Ami in Camarillo. The school provides students with a comprehensive and positive Jewish experience that enhances Jewish identity while focusing on Jewish culture, history, ethics and Hebrew language, art, cooking, music and dance. Bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah preparation and confirmation are also available.

The temple is at 4098 Calle Tesoro No. D. For information, call 388-3824.

‘Communication’ to Be Discussed

* Our Lady of Assumption Church in Ventura will present a discussion on “Communication: The Key to Successful Relationships” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. July 5.

Linda Montoya, a marriage family therapist intern, will lead the group. There is no charge.

Participants will be taught ways people sabotage effective communication and specific strategies to enhance interpersonal interactions with family, friends and business associates.

The church is at 3175 Telegraph Road. For information, call Sister Teresita Keliher at 289-3499.

Group Helps Women in Transitions

* A nonsectarian support group for women coping with life transitions, such as marriage, divorce, new relationship, loss of a partner, health issues, aging parents, moving into the workplace or retirement, meets from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays at Jewish Family Services in Ventura.

There is a fee of $10 or less, depending on need.

The location is 1915 E. Main St. For information, call 641-6565.

Lutheran Vocations Examined

* Young people who belong to Region II of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America can explore a variety of church vocations at the ninth annual Invitation to Service at Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks on Aug. 3-5.

Young people from high school to college age will learn about the roles of pastors, missionaries, associates in ministry, diaconal ministers, music ministers and youth ministers during the event, which will feature special music, small group interaction, recreation, devotionals and Bible study.

The cost for the program is $105. For information, call Linda LeBlanc at 493-3936.

Vacation Bible School Offered

* St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Newbury Park is turning its church into a clubhouse for kids and is welcoming all children to attend its vacation Bible school.

Registrations are being accepted for children ages 3 to grade six to attend Bible school from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 7 through 11. There is a $5 fee. Lessons will focus on stories about God’s work done by children. The church is at 1360 S. Wendy Drive. For information, call 498-6910.

*

Religion Briefs runs Saturdays. Please submit items at least a week in advance to Religion Briefs, Los Angeles Times, 93 S. Chestnut St., Ventura 93001. Items may be faxed to 653-7576.