Church Notes 5.15

EDINBURG - St. Joseph Catholic Church of Edinburg is holing a Parish Garage Sale on May 23 from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. The church is located on Fay and Closner in downtown Edinburg. This Gigantic Garage Sale will feature hundreds of items.

ELSA - New nationwide report reveals that Self-Help Groups can help support people battling addictive behaviors. Self-Help Groups often are used in conjunction with specialty treatment and to support individuals seeking help or sustaining their recovery. Power Church, located at 600 N. Broadway St. in Elsa invite you to their Self-Help group meetings every Sunday evening at 7 p.m. This is free of charge.

MCALLEN - On May 16-17, Lutherans from the Southwestern Texas Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America(ELCA) will descend on the RGV to hold its annual Synod Assembly at the McAllen Convention Center. This year's convention theme United in Ministry supports the ELCA's mission statement of God's Work, Our Hands. Convention participants will be given opportunities to visit various sites in the Rio Grande Valley that mission to those in need. Also, participants will be provided with a tour of the Border Wall being constructed on the U.S. Mexico border. The convention commences with a Contemplative Evening Prayer (Compline) on May 15. On May 16, an Opening Service with Holy Communion presided by Southwestern Texas Synod Bishop Ray Tiemann and San Juan native, Rev. Dr. Javier Alanis preaching will officially start the convention. The convention will come to an end on May 17 with a Sunday Festival Service of Holy Communion. Bishop Ray Tiemann, of the Southwestern Texas Synod will be preaching with special music by the Massed Synodical Choir and brass ensemble. For further information and to register for the convention, go to www.swtsynod.org.

MCALLEN - "Mortals and Immortals" is this Sunday's 10:30 a.m. Sermon Topic at McAllen's Christian Science Church and Sunday School. If you feel life is an unfair trial and you are its victim, this Bible based sermon will help heal you. As Isaiah writes, "For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is lawgiver, the Lord is our king; he will save us." Examples of this healing law in operation are given at our 7:30 p.m. Wednesday evening Testimony Meetings held in our Reading Room/ Sunday School Annex, 911 N. Main St. Church Reading Room hours are Tuesday 5 to 8 p.m. and Thursday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please call (956) 686-4241 during Reading Room hours for more information. Our Sunday sermon may also be seen locally on line, log on to "spirituality.com". Sunday services include a Spanish translation and child care. All are welcome.

MCALLEN - Our Savior Lutheran Church will sponsor its annual Vacation Bible Experience June 8 - June 12. This year's curriculum will be "Water Works Park, a Bible-based Splash-tacular week of music, crafts, food and fun. Free breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m. with activities beginning at 9 a.m. Each day's session will end at 12 noon with a free lunch being provided afterward. Pre-registration is suggested. You may visit the church website at www.oursaviormcallen.org to register on-line or call the church office at (956) 631-6121. Our Savior Lutheran Church (ELCA) is located at 1105 W. Fern, McAllen.

MCALLEN - Livingway Family Church will host a Community Expo on June 7. The Expo is from 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. The event is free to all and there will be free food and the following services will be provided: medical screenings, dental care, physical fitness screenings, educational opportunities, credit repair, mortgage restructuring, free hair cuts, facials and manicures, and games for the kids. If you have any questions, call (956) 548-2223 or check out the website www.livingwayrgv.com.

MISSION - Trinity Lutheran Church is a small ELCA congregation whose numbers swell during the Winter Texan season. We are located at 3308 N. Conway, and like most Valley churches, our year round members are few in number. We would love to share our space with another church or organization that is also willing to share our expenses. We have a large and very useful space and will be willing to talk with any interested parties. Please call the church office at (956) 585-3261 to schedule a time to meet and discuss your needs.

MISSION- Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered program for anyone struggling with a hurt, habit or hang-up meets every Friday at 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church, located at 1302 Doherty. For more information, call Debbie Cruz at (956) 890-6198 or First Baptist Church at (956) 585-1442.

SAN JUAN - At the 10:30 a.m. service of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hidalgo County at 1401 S. Nebraska, Dr. Tom Lynch will discuss a "Bankrupt Theology" as it relates to the UU Principle of a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. In an interfaith setting the congregation will be challenged to consider the values of one's own faith as it serves the needs of life in the "Interdependent Web of Existence in Which We All Are a Part."

WESLACO - We are preparing for our 2009-2010 school registration. Open enrollment is at First Christian Academy, located at 521 S. Illinois. If information is needed, call (956) 968-9030. We believe our school is one of the best private schools in the mid valley, and we want to extend the invitation to all who are interested.

WESLACO - Love of Christ Lutheran Church, located at 300 S. Border St., has Sunday worship at 11 a.m. and Holy Communion the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month with Pastor Bob Slede. For more information, call (956) 447-1337 or visit www.loveofchrist.net.