UCI Wind Ensemble in Concert

St. John’s Lutheran Church will present the UCI University Wind Ensemble, conducted by Alfred Lang, in concert at 7 tonight. A freewill offering will be taken and child care will be provided. The church is at 154 S. Shaffer St., Orange. (714) 288-4400.

Shuvah Yisrael Messianic Jewish Congregation will host a Festival of Purim from 10 a.m. to noon today. Food will include Hamantachen, fruit-filled triangular cakes. The congregation meets at 15 Orangetree Lane, Irvine. (714) 654-1928.

New Life Christian Fellowship will have Easter preparatory services focusing on genuine relationships with God at 10 a.m. Sundays. Sunday school will be available for children through the fifth grade. The church is at 26041 Cape Drive, Suite 101. (714) 348-0300.

The Alliance for Spiritual Community will have its “What’s So Amazing About Grace?” interfaith meeting from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday at the Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church, 30071 Ivy Glenn, Laguna Niguel. There will also be a meeting from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. at the meeting place at 24032 Carvel Place, Laguna Niguel. (714) 661-3087.

The Rev. Buzz Stevens, senior pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Phoenix, will speak on “Religion and Culture--Ministry in the New Millennium” during a class from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the Laguna Beach United Methodist Church. The class is part of the study of Comparative Religions. The church is at 21632 S. Wesley Drive, South Laguna. (714) 499-3088.

Father Tom Allender will speak on “Transforming Our Problems Into Forgiveness and Growth” from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. and from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday at St. Bonaventure Church.

The church will host the Italian Catholic Federation Branch’s annual St. Joseph’s Table meeting from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 22. The church is at 16400 Springdale St., Huntington Beach. (714) 846-3359.

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church will continue its weekly “Serendipity” discussion series at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Mike Platter, singles pastor at a Pasadena church, will speak on “Traveling on a Single Tank: The Art of Refueling.” A $3 donation is requested. The church is at 600 St. Andrews Road, Newport Beach. (714) 631-2880.

The Choristers Guild of Southern California will sponsor a Choir Festival on Saturday at 4 p.m. today at First Presbyterian Church of Anaheim and at 4 p.m. Sunday at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. The event will highlight the work of children and youth choirs in churches and schools. The Anaheim church is at 310 W. Broadway St.; St. Andrew’s is at 600 St. Andrews Road, Newport Beach. (714) 544-7852.

Irvine United Church of Christ will present a spiritual renewal labyrinth at 12:30 p.m. Sunday. Walking a labyrinth is a mystical tool of Christianity symbolizing a pilgrimage. The labyrinth used is a copy from the Chartres Cathedral in France. Registration is requested. The church is at 4915 Alton Parkway, Irvine. Information: (714) 733-0220.

Clinical Hypnotherapist Roger N. Williams will present a “Cosmic Journey Within” seminar at 9 a.m. today at the Costa Mesa Church of Religious Science. Williams, founder of the Institute for Personal Empowerment, will teach self-hypnosis techniques. Cost is $25 in advance and $35 at the door. The church is at 2850 Mesa Verde Drive E., Costa Mesa. (714) 754-7399.

Potter’s Field Ministries, featuring Michael and Pam Rozell, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Covenant Community Church. The theatrical and musical presentation will bring the Bible to life through testimony and songs. Admission is free. The church is at 221 N. Waverly St., Orange. (714) 997-2811.

Teacher Jim Reyburn will cover the Books of Corinthians for the first quarter of the year during the 9:30 a.m. Bible study at La Habra Church of Christ. Another class on Proverbs will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Other classes will take place throughout the day on Sunday. The church is at 1621 W. Lambert Road, La Habra. (562) 967-4115.

Father Leo Booth will present “Moving From Spiritual Pawn to Powerful Player” at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Seal Beach Church of Religious Science. Tickets are $15. The church is at 500 Marina Drive, Seal Beach. Information: (310) 598-3325.

Victoria Dendinger will present “Rediscovering Meaning: Losses as Invitations to Deeper Self-Awareness and Growth” at 6:15 Sunday at Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish Center. Topics include stress reduction, personality styles, midlife crisis and assertiveness. The church is at 2046 Mar Vista Drive, Newport Beach. Information: (714) 759-0396.

Temple Aviv Judea Messianic Congregation will celebrate Purim with a service followed by music and refreshments, including Hamantachen at 5:30 tonight. The congregation, which celebrated its 20th anniversary earlier this year, is at 815 S. Esplanade Ave., Orange. (714) 581-0716.

Insight for Living Resource Center will celebrate its grand opening from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. today in conjunction with the second annual Ministry Warehouse sale and fair. Drawings for prizes will held throughout the day, and there will be free coffee, doughnuts, games and balloons. The center is at 1041 Pacific Center Drive, Anaheim. (714) 575-5443.

The recipient of the first Bishop John M. Krumm Scholarship will be announced during a Choral Evensong at 5 p.m. this afternoon at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. The $1,500 scholarship was established in honor of the life and ministry of Bishop Krumm to provide financial aid to women striving to return to the work force. The church is at 1221 S.E. Wass St., Tustin. (714) 544-3141.

Presbyterian Church of the Covenant’s Focus ‘98: A Weekend of Renewal will take place this weekend. This year’s theme will be “Searching for Clarity in Our Walk With Christ.” The church is at 2850 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. (714) 557-3340.

Peter Richard Conte, organist for the Wannamaker Organ in Philadelphia, will appear in concert at 7 tonight at South Shores Church. Conte will be playing the Walker Digital Organ. Tickets are $10. The church is at 32712 Crown Valley Parkway, Monarch Beach. (714) 496-9331.

Temple Beth Shalom will host a Purim carnival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. Festivities include games, prizes, food and a raffle. Balloon performance artist Majiloon Kelly will be featured.

On Friday, the temple will have a Cultural Shabbat at 7 p.m. Stories from the Bible and Talmud will be presented. The temple is at 2625 N. Tustin Ave., Santa Ana. (714) 961-1180.

Ben Hubbard, professor of Comparative Religion at Cal State Fullerton, will speak on “The Challenge of Religious Diversity” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church. Hubbard writes a monthly religious column for the Los Angeles Times. Child care will be offered. The church is at 1259 Victoria St., Costa Mesa. (714) 646-4652.

The Center for Spiritual Community will host an Evening of Irish Spirituality from 7 to 9:30 tonight at the St. Joseph Center Auditorium. There will be music, a benefit drawing and food. Cost is $20. The center is at 434 S. Batavia St., Orange. (714) 744-3175, Ext. 400.

Orange County Religion Notes is published on Saturdays. Send the item at least two weeks before the event to Orange County Religion Notes, The Times Orange County, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Telephone calls cannot be accepted. Because of space limitations, The Times cannot guarantee that all notices will be published. Items must include subject, telephone number, event date, time and exact address.