Church

St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Big Pool will hold a homemade ice cream festival   Saturday, July 14, at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $5 per person.  In addition to ice cream, hot dogs, steamers and a cake walk will be available.  Teacher to lead library program Dream big at the Leonard P. Snyder Memorial Library in Clear Spring.  Science teacher Jeff Byard will lead science experiments at the library from July 10...

"Back to Church Sunday," part of a national movement of churches across America, will be at 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, at The Church of Christ in the Great Valley, 7306 Wheeler Road in Boonsboro.  For more information, call 301-799-9174.

The children's division of Washington Square United Methodist Church will sell doughnuts on Shrove Tuesday, Feb. 21. The doughnuts cost $2.50 per dozen. Place orders by calling the church office at 301-739-2653 or Patsy Weigand at 301-790-3510. Orders must be placed on or before Monday, Feb. 20. The church is at 538 Washington Ave. in Hagerstown, next to Western Enterprise Fire Co. Proceeds will go to the children and youth for their church camp at Camp Manidokan in the summer.

John Wesley United Methodist Church will hold a bazaar and yard sale Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The church is at 129 N. Potomac St. in Hagerstown. The event will include crafts, homemade soups, used books and yard sale items. For more information, call 717-597-1841.

John Wesley United Methodist Church, at 129 N. Potomac St. in Hagerstown, will host a cabin fever picnic Saturday, Jan. 28, from noon to 4 p.m. It will include bingo, beanbag toss, miniature golf, spoon races, a sing-along, door prizes and other activities. The menu includes burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, macaroni salad, baked beans, chips, beverage and a sundae bar. Tickets cost $8 for adults and $4 for those ages 4 to 12. Those younger than 4 will be admitted free. The public is invited.

St. Paul's United Methodist Church will host a day of free giveaways at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at  the church, 66 Clopper Ave., Smithsburg. There will be free hotdogs and popcorn.  Samaritan's Feet will give away 500 free pairs of sneakers with registration beginning at 9 a.m.  Smithsburg Food Pantry will be open from 9 a.m. to noon. There are no income guidelines for the event. For more information, call 301-824-3141.

A Washington County food cooperative and a church near Boonsboro have formed a partnership to help each other grow. George Snyder, pastor of the Church at the Crossroads, said his congregation recently opened its doors to the Valley Co-op to give the blossoming organization more room to store and distribute food. “From what I've heard, they've grown in leaps and bounds,” Snyder said. “The co-op is a good way to advertise the church. It's a good partnership. It doesn't put us out and it gives them a better place.” Co-op volunteer Susan Simonson said the group has grown from six members in 2010 to 150 members today.

Mount Vernon Reformed United Church of Christ will hold a  “Dogs and Cats” welcome Christmas Eve service Friday, Dec. 24. The church is at 64 S. Main St. in Keedysville. The doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the service begins at 5 p.m. Pets should be on a leash or in a pet carrier. Each dog and cat will receive an animal goody bag and a holiday scarf to celebrate the season. For more information, call The Rev. Delancy Catlett, pastor, at 717-977-4232 or Leslie Hart at 301-797-6290.

St. Mark's Episcopal Church was about 15 years old as a parish when the Battle of Antietam took place a scant five miles to the south. Troops rushed along the roads near the church, and after the battle, the wounded were brought to the church for sanctuary.  The church was closed for two months after the battle, a short period of time when compared to most houses of worship in the area. Services resumed in December 1862, and the church is still in use for services on Sundays and Wednesdays.  As part of the weekend commemoration involving events observing the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam, St. Mark's is offering a service of prayer and remembrance, using the evening prayer service from 1862, at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept.

A free student financial aid workshop will be Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at Gateway Ministries, 11017 Kemps Mill Road in Williamsport. The workshop is for all high school students, parents and older adults. The event will be held in the family center area of Gateway Ministries. For more information, go to www.murge411.com or send an email to murge411@gmail.com.

Church to hold gospel sing Samples Manor Church of God, at 2128 Harpers Ferry Road, will hold a Memorial Day gospel sing Sunday at 2:30 p.m., featuring Danny Higgins. A freewill offering will be taken to benefit the church cemetery.  For directions, call 304-616-1437.   Tent meeting planned Samples Manor Church of God will hold an outdoor tent meeting and hymn sing Friday, May 31 to June 2. The Rev. Harold Bowman will preach Friday, May 31, at 7:30 p.m. Gospel music and singing will be provided Saturday, June 1, from 1 to 5 p.m. by Richard and Mary Fox, Wayne Gooden, “the one-armed guitarist” Kenny Johnson, Dennis McKinney and the Samples Manor Singers and musicians.

Boonsboro Bible Baptist Church will host “Kickin' It Old School,” its vacation Bible school, from July 7 to 12 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. each night. The school is geared for those ages 3 to adult. There will be daily themes, starting with pajama night, and then crazy hat night, generations night, camo night and nerd night. In addition, there will be games, crafts, songs and Bible study.  To register, go to www.boonsborobible.org. The church is at 6741 Old National Pike in Boonsboro.

On Saturday, a group of hikers and bicyclists will be hiking or riding to raise funds for the Hagerstown Area Religious Council and its work in the community. The hikers will meet at 6 a.m. at Hagerstown Church of the Brethren for the hike that starts at Gambrill State Park at 6:30 a.m. The bikers will meet and start at 8 a.m. at Williamsport High School. Bicyclists have the option of riding 20 miles or 37 miles on the Hanging Rock Loop and hikers can hike 15 or 27 miles on the Catoctin Trail.

There will be a gospel music concert by the Back Creek Valley Boys on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Mount Zion Church, 14336 Greencastle Pike, Cearfoss. Admission is free and a goodwill offering will be taken for the group.  A basket will be placed in the front of the church for contributions for the cemetery maintenance fund. Refreshments will be served following the concert. Women's Club news • The Women's Club, at 31 S. Prospect St., will sponsor a house and garden tour in Hagerstown on Saturday, June 1. Eight houses will be on tour, including some on Oak Hill Avenue and South Prospect Street.

There will be a gospel music concert by the Back Creek Valley Boys on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Mount Zion Church, 14336 Greencastle Pike, Cearfoss. Admission is free and a goodwill offering will be taken for the group. A basket will be placed in the front of the church for contributions for the cemetery maintenance fund. Refreshments will be served following the concert. Women's Club news • The Women's Club, at 31 S. Prospect St., will sponsor a house and garden tour in Hagerstown on Saturday, June 1. Eight houses will be on tour, including some on Oak Hill Avenue and South Prospect Street.

Van Lear Brethren in Christ Church, 10745 Van Lear Drive, will hold a yard sale Saturday, beginning at 8 a.m. There will be lunch and baked goods available for purchase. The cost to rent a space is $10. The rain date will be Saturday, May 25. To reserve a space or for more information, call 240-366-8005. Red Cross swim lessons offered Registration for Red Cross swim lessons will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at Pavilion 1 at Byron Memorial Park. The registration fee costs $55, which is due at sign-up by cash, check or credit card.

Mildred Hays never set out to make it to 100 years old. But then, as a mother of 10 children and widowed in her mid-30s, she didn't have much time to think about it. “I was just doing everyday living,” she said. “But I'm thankful to be 100.” Hays hit that milestone April 28, and on Saturday, about 160 family members gathered at Virginia Avenue Church of God to celebrate with her. Many were locals, while others traveled from Montana, Massachusetts, Michigan and Florida.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Sharpsburg welcomed Bishop Ralph Dunkin of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to its worship service April 21. Bishop Dunkin joined Pastor Karen Erskine Valentine and the congregation of Holy Trinity on the front steps of the church following a reception of new members into the congregation.   Sharpsburg Library to show 'Lincoln' The Sharpsburg Library will show the Steven Spielberg Academy Award nominee movie “Lincoln” Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. The film is rated PG-13.

Voices filled Five Forks Church north of Waynesboro on Sunday during a visit from the 160-member National Christian Choir. Audience members filled the auditorium and spilled into the hallway for the performance featuring contemporary Christian music, hymn arrangements, gospel songs and a cappella moments. “It's more of a worship service rather than a concert where the audience sits detached,” said Kathy Bowman, director of music and ministries for the choir. Started in 1984, The National Christian Choir rehearses weekly in Rockville, Md., during the school year.

Zion Baptist Church on Bethel Street in Hagerstown will host Hospice of Washington County as it presents Hospice Care in Hagerstown on Saturday, April 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.  The program will feature welcoming remarks by Hospice CEO Eric Klimes and Pastor Ricky A. Smith Sr., presentations from Dr. Bernice Harper and Dr. Gwendolyn London and panel discussions featuring staff from Hospice.  Breakfast and lunch will be served. Those interested in attending the event should call Hospice to reserve a seat.