Area churches offer vacation Bible school

• Christ Episcopal and St. Mark Lutheran Church are co-sponsoring vacation Bible School Wednesday to Friday 5:30 to 8 p.m. (dinner served) and July 12 from 9 a.m. to noon, ending with a pool party and lunch. The VBS will be at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1900 Cape LaCroix Road in Cape Girardeau. The theme is Beach Party, "Surfin' Through the Scriptures," for children ages 3 to 11. Parents must attend the pool party with their children. Call 334-5852 or 335-2997 for enrollment.
• Mount Auburn Christian Church, 930 N. Mount Auburn Road, will hold its annual vacation Bible school from 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 14 through July 18 for preschoolers through fifth-graders. Register by calling 335-9264 or 243-9844. The theme this year is a Western ranch program called "Cactus Canyon."
• Hobbs Chapel United Methodist Church will have a Beach Party-themed vacation Bible school, from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday for ages 3 to 13. To register, call the church at 334-3080.
• Lynwood Baptist Church will have its vacation Bible school from 9 a.m. to noon July 14 through 18 for children 4 years old to fourth grade.
• St. Paul United Methodist Church will host a one-day "SonHarvest County Fair" vacation Bible school from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 12, with commencement at 5:15 p.m. Lunch, a snack and a meal following Commencement will be provided. Children 3 years old through high school of any faith background are invited. St. Paul is on the corner of Washington and Cape Girardeau streets in Commerce, Mo. Flooding will not affect any church activities. For more information or for directions, call 573-264-2674.

Southside Baptist in revival this week

Southside Baptist Church, 805 Hackberry St., will have a revival from Wednesday through July 13, with a different speaker and special music each night. Services begin at 7 p.m. each evening. Homecoming will be celebrated July 13, with Sunday school at 9:30 a.m., morning worship at 10:30 a.m., followed by dinner in the fellowship hall at noon. An afternoon service begins at 2 p.m. There will be special music by Jo Leadbetter and the Rose of Sharon singers; a reading of the history of the church and five-minute testimonies from former pastors.

Church celebrates road improvement July 12

The Church of Jesus Christ, 721 County Road 316 in Jackson, will celebrate and thank those who helped get its road improved with a barbecue and gospel singing at 5 p.m. July 12. Amazing Praise from Goreville, Ill., will sing at 7 p.m. A special offering will be taken.

Patriotic service planned at Bethany Baptist

The public is invited to a patriotic service Sunday at the 11 a.m. worship service at Bethany Baptist Church, 1712 Randol Ave. The service will include special music led by music minister Jerry Huskey and a video tribute to American veterans and active military.

Red Star announces upcoming activities

Red Star Baptist Church will hold Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. with worship at 10:40 a.m., and 6 p.m. Sunday. There will be a Bible study at 2 p.m. Monday and prayer at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Vacation Bible school will be 6:30 to 8 p.m. July 20 through 25.

Educator to use science to teach God's word

Starting Sunday, Outreach Science educator Jason Lindsey will use hands-on science to teach God's word. Each Sunday night at Lynwood Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau, youths will connect with their creator through the wonders of science. "This isn't just for those attending Lynwood Baptist Church. Everyone is welcome to join in on this exciting approach to God's word," Lindsey said. On Sunday, youths will learn how God calls them to shake up the world by creating carbon dioxide explosions. Go to www.lynwoodbc.org for more information about Lynwood Baptist Church. Check out www.hookedonscience.org each week for pictures and worksheets.

-- From staff reports