Soka Gakkai to Host “Introduction to Buddhism”

Soka Gakkai International-USA will host “The Winning Life--An Introduction to Buddhism” at 10 a.m. Sunday. The program will explore courage, relationships, health, success and more. Soka Gakkai is at 1500 E. Warner Ave., Santa Ana. (714) 444-9580.

The Rev. Ed Ewart will continue his “Ten Commandments for Today’s Generation” series with the sermon “Never on a Sunday” at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Geneva Presbyterian Church of Laguna Hills. Registration is open for Vacation Bible School, July 26-30. The church is at 24301 El Toro Road, Laguna Hills. (949) 837-2323.

Nancy Loughrey, president of the Southwest District of Unitarians, will speak on “The Growth of Unitarians in the District and Orange County” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Fullerton. Loughrey will also discuss issues raised at the General Assembly. The church meets at Temple Beth Tikvah, 1600 N. Acacia Ave., Fullerton. (714) 871-7150.

Psychologist Jay Glass will explore “The Animal Within Us” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Laguna Beach. Glass, who is also a neuroscientist, studies patterns of behavior inherited from animals. A children’s program will take place in a separate classroom. The church is at 429 Cypress Drive, Laguna Beach. (949) 581-4702.

Beth Johnson will deliver the message “We Are the Weavers, We Are the Web” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church. Johnson, a Claremont School of Theology student and congregation member, will focus on Unitarian Universalism’s seventh principle: “to respect the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are part.” The church is at 1259 Victoria St., Costa Mesa. (949) 646-4652.

Associate pastor Robert Pietsch will discuss “How to Function in the Body of Christ” during services at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Trinity United Presbyterian Church. There will be classes for all ages, as well as nursery care. Bible study takes place at 7 p.m. Tuesdays. The church is at 13922 Prospect Ave., Santa Ana. (714) 544-7850.

The Unitarian Church of Orange County, which is celebrating its 40th year in Orange County, will present Sue Reams and Doug Kieso contemplating “Three Strikes: Who Is It Really Locking Up?” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Child care will be available. The church is at 511 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim. (714) 758-1050.

Performances

The Utah Chamber Artists, under the direction of Barlow Bradford, will perform during services at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday at the Crystal Cathedral. Also singing will be the Cathedral Academy Boy Choir and Girl Choir, plus vocalist Annie Herring. The Rev. Robert A. Schuller will continue his “Lessons in Living From Jesus Christ” summer series. The church is at 12141 Lewis St., Garden Grove. (714) 971-4000.

St. Andrew’s By-the-Sea United Methodist Church will present the Instant Replay Band in concert from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday. The band specializes in ‘60s and surf music. Admission is free. The outdoor concert area, with playground and food court, opens at 5:30. The church is at 2001 Calle Frontera, San Clemente. (949) 492-2537.

The “Jazz and the Human Spirit” concert series will continue at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Rainbow House. Keyboardist Ron Kobayashi and saxophonist Norm Douglas will perform. The Rainbow House is part of the Congregational Church of Fullerton, an open and affirming church. The church is at 845 N. Euclid Ave., Fullerton. (714) 526-2662.

“Journey,” an alternative worship service featuring a rock band, takes place from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursdays at Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Journey also explores contemporary issues using multimedia resources. Pizza and soft drinks are available after the service. Child care and children’s church are also provided. The church is at 1201 Irvine Blvd., Tustin. (714) 544-3653.

An “African Safari of Praise” concert will take place at 6 p.m. this evening at Global Christian Center. The concert will feature Ugandan psalmist-gospel singer David Mporampora, Voices of Africa and storyteller Evelyn Komuntale. The performance is intended to raise awareness of Outreach to Africa, a nonprofit organization helping orphaned and needy children. The church is at 3900 Campus Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 477-2056.

South Shores Church will host Gene Roberson in concert at 4 p.m. Sunday. Roberson will perform classical, theater and gospel hymns on the Walker Digital Organ. Tickets are $10. The church is at 32712 Crown Valley Parkway, Monarch Beach. (949) 496-9331.

Other Notes

Mariners South Coast Church will have its eighth annual “Jump In” Lighthouse Talent Show and Auction fund raiser from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Senior Pastor Kenton Beshore will dress as Elvis Presley and sing “You Ain’t Nothin’ but a Hound Dog” to the church’s summer mascot, Big Dawg (a Saint Bernard puppy), if funds reach $50,000. Proceeds will benefit 16 local organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, Olive Crest and more. The church is at 5001 Newport Coast Drive, Irvine. (949) 854-7600.

The Senior Adult Ministries and Singles Ministries of Calvary Church of Santa Ana are co-sponsoring the annual Western Barbecue Dinner at 6 p.m. this evening. Tickets are $7. The church is at 1010 N. Tustin Ave, Tustin. (714) 973-4800.

Newport Harbor Lutheran Church will offer “The Great Bibleland Dig--Exploring the Life of Jesus” vacation Bible school from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. The Church is at 798 Dover Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 548-3631.

“Circle the Globe” vacation Bible school for children ages 5 through 12 will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday at Liberty Baptist Church. There will be singing, games and Bible stories. The church is at 1000 Bison Ave., Newport Beach. (949) 760-5444.

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