Reading planned to celebrate Purim

In celebration of the holiday of Purim, the Lubavitch Center for Jewish Education, 770 Howes Lane in Columbia, will hold a reading of the Megillah, the scroll of the Book of Esther, at 8 a.m. today.

The scroll tells the story of the miraculous salvation of the Jewish people, who were threatened with annihilation during the reign of the Persian King Achashverosh in the 4th century B.C. Readings of the scroll must be heard twice during Purim, which began at sundown yesterday and ends at sundown today.

Three additional mitzvoth, or commandments, are associated with the holiday: the Purim feast; sending gifts of food to friends; and giving charity to the poor. The feast, which is open to everyone, will be held after the Megillah reading at 9 a.m. today.

Information: 410-740-2424. Or visit www.lubavitchofhoward county.org.

Last two shows of 'The RISING'

Bethany Lane Baptist Church will present the last two performances of its annual Easter production, The RISING, at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. tomorrow.

The RISING focuses on the resurrection and the apostle Peter's struggle to find his destiny.

Admission is free.

Information or to order free tickets: 410-465-0150, or www.bethanylanebaptist.org.

'Golden Oldies Shabbat' set

Beth Shalom Congregation, 8070 Harriet Tubman Lane, Columbia, will hold a "Golden Oldies Shabbat" at 8 p.m. today. The service will be sung with traditional melodies that may be familiar to congregants from childhood.

Rabbi Susan Grossman will present "Digging for the Truth About Purim," a discussion of historical evidence for the story of the holiday.

Information: 410-531-5115.

Journeys group to hold yard sale

Journeys Community, a nontraditional spiritual group, meets at 10 a.m. Sundays in the second-floor auditorium of Vantage House, 5400 Vantage Point Road, Columbia, to explore spirituality using music, video, reflection and meditation.

On Easter Sunday, the group will explore ways that each person can awaken a fearless spirit in themselves.

Everyone is welcome.

Journeys Community will hold a yard sale from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 19 at the Kittamaqundi Community Church parking lot, 5400 Leaf Treader Way (across from Vantage House). Rain date is April 26.

410-730-6079 or www.jour neyscommunity.org.

Easter egg hunt set for tomorrow

Christ United Methodist Church will hold an Easter egg hunt for church and neighborhood children from 10 a.m. to noon tomorrow at Owen Brown Interfaith Center, 7246 Cradlerock Way, Columbia.

The event will be held indoors.

A Good Friday worship service is planned for 7 p.m. today. The Easter Sunday service will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday.

Information: 410-381-6329, or www.gbgm-umc.org/christcolumbia.

Women's meeting to be held April 5

Women ages 16 and older are invited to Calvary Community Church in Columbia from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 5 for its fifth annual "Women of Faith Audio Visual Conference: Amazing Freedom."

Registration with coffee and Danish is to begin at 8:30 a.m. (Registration in advance is preferred.) Lunch will be served from noon to 1 p.m.

Tickets cost $15 and include the catered lunch and refreshments. Tickets, which are not refundable, may be ordered by calling Calvary Community Church, 410-381-5200 or 410-707-8825. Or send an e-mail to becky@calvarycom munitychurch.com.

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