Briefly

'Minnie Pearly Gates' speaks at luncheon

More than 50 women met Monday at Miner Baptist Church to hear testimony from Becky Tyler, also known as Miss Minnie Pearly Gates. Tyler, of Sikeston, Mo., and her husband, Ed, adopted two children. At the age of 11 their son suffered a heart attack, and 16 months later that killed him. "Our lives were turned upside down," Tyler told her audience Monday. "There is no greater time that we need that firm foundation than when our heavenly father allows tragedy to strike within our own four walls," Tyler said. She said that she felt cheated by God and that he had let her down. "It was a mix of emotions that I have never felt before. And deep down I knew that through the power of the Holy Spirit I had to bring those emotions under the authority of the truth of the Word of God. And that did not happen overnight. I still have days when I crash, but I have learned to be honest with God. That is probably one of the most important things I have learned -- I finally realized as I wrestled with the Lord that I had to confess these emotions that were not lining up with the truth. But as I began to confess and get it out in the open, the healing began." Christian Women's Luncheons are an outreach of World View Awareness, a nonpartisan nondenominational organization consisting of residents from Sikeston and the surrounding area. To host a Christian Women's Luncheon, call Kathy Cullins, luncheon chairwoman, at (573) 471-5817. For more information, visit www.farmersruralrestoration.com For the entire testimony from Becky Tyler, visit www.farmersruralrestoration.com/cwllessons.html.

Activities announced at First Baptist Church

• 'Quicksand' [Psalms 69] is this Sunday's sermon from the Rev. Mike Shupert, third in the 'Take the Next Step' series.
• All SEMO students are invited to the 8:30 a.m. service Sunday at the Baptist Student Center for breakfast, sponsored by First Baptist Church and the BSC.
• First Baptist will have a booth at the SEMO Welcome Back picnic this Sunday afternoon. Please come by and visit and have a free sno-cone.
• The first college Bible study, hosted by student minister Tyler Tankersley, will be at 6:30 p.m. Sept 8.
• Wednesday Youth Bible Study with Tankersley will be at 6:15 p.m Wednesday.

Opening service at Lutheran Chapel of Hope

Lutheran Chapel of Hope, the Campus Ministry of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University, will have its opening worship service for the new academic year at 11 a.m. Sunday. The chapel is on the corner of College Hill Place and Pacific Street in Cape Girardeau. A dinner will be served in the student center of the chapel following the service. All are welcome to the service and the dinner. For more information about this campus ministry, call the Rev. David V. Dissen at 334-5736.

Graham grandson to preach at mega event

William (Will) Franklin Graham IV, grandson of noted evangelist Billy Graham and son of evangelist Franklin Graham, will be among the evangelists speaking Sunday through Wednesday at the Mega Event at Miner Baptist Church. Graham will speak at 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Mitchell Jackson, senior pastor at Miner Baptist Church, will speak at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday. Bob Caldwell, pastor of outreach at First Baptist in Arnold, Mo., and a former foreign missionary, will speak at 7 p.m. Sunday. A nursery will be provided. For information, call (573) 471-1331.

Trivia night set at Centenary UMC Friday

Centenary United Methodist Church will hold a Trivia Night at 7 p.m. Friday at the Family Life Center, 320 N. Ellis St. in Cape Girardeau. Teams with a maximum of eight players will compete in 10 rounds of questions. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Nothing But Nets program to buy bed nets to help fight against malaria in Africa. Door prizes and light refreshments will be included in the evening. To reserve a table for a team, or for more information, call the church office at 334-2869.

Annual sausage supper Sept. 8 at St. John's

St. John's United Church of Christ will have its annual sausage supper at 4 p.m. Sept. 8. A country store will also be available.

First Christian Church changes name

First Christian Church, 2411 Abbey Road, has been changed to Abbey Road Christian Church. Church member Mary Estes said the decision was made Sunday at a congregational meeting.

Benefit Gospel singing planned for area family

A benefit Gospel singing for Charles and Dixie Kelly will be held at the Calvary Community Church, 213 W. Victor St. in Poplar Bluff, Mo., at 7 p.m. Aug. 25. The Kellys' house burned Sunday while they were gone singing for the Lord. Some of the groups to appear include the Heartland Gospel Singers, Touched by the Master Gospel Singers, Canaanland Gospel Singers and Blessed Assurance Gospel Singers. Send donations to Charles and Dixie Kelly, Calvary Community Church, Box 1543, Poplar Bluff, Mo. 63902.

Concerts scheduled at Fathers Arm's Fellowship

Drs. Chuck and Mary Ann Flynn, prophets and teachers, will speak at 7 p.m. Aug. 29 and 30 at Father's Arms Fellowship, 1400 Main St. in Scott City. Also, Mike and Carmal Adkins will bring a 13th anniversary message at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday.

Calendar

Sunday

• Julie Walker and Friends, 6:30 p.m., in concert at New McKendree South Campus in Jackson. A love offering will be taken with proceeds to benefit a local charity.

Thursday

• Prayer Rooms of the Heartland, open from 7 to 9 p.m., for healing prayer at 1923 N. Kings­highway in Cape Girardeau.

-- From staff reports

Please submit items for church briefs and calendar by noon Thursday preceding Saturday publication.