Salvation Army seeks bell ringers

The Salvation Army is seeking volunteers to ring bells during the Christmas season, said Maj. Lee Morrison, Bismarck Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army hopes to raise $255,000 in less than 50 days.

Volunteers are needed to take a two-hour shift or more at one of the Salvation Army’s kettle locations. Although two hours is the minimum shift, many will volunteer for longer times.

Service clubs, church groups and other organizations may volunteer their members to ring the bell for the whole day, he said.

Last year, the Salvation Army saw an increase of 90 percent in the number of families requesting assistance from the year before, Morrison said. Most families need food for several days between paychecks; others need rent, utility and other kinds of help. Money received now will provide help throughout the year, he said.

Last year, more than 6,000 people received direct assistance with food, rent, utilities and other needs, Morrison said.

To volunteer, call 223-1889 and ask for Paul Mahin.

Tickets on sale for Nordvall farewell

Tickets for a farewell banquet for the Rev. Bob and Karen Nordvall go on sale Sunday.

Bob Nordvall will be retiring as senior pastor at Charity Lutheran Church in Bismarck in December and joining the East European Missions Network full time beginning the first of the year 2010.

The Charity congregation is planning a farewell event for the weekend of Jan. 9-10. On the evening of Jan. 9, a celebration banquet is planned at the Doublewood in Bismarck. On Sunday morning, Jan. 10, the Nordvalls will be commissioned at Charity’s worship services and honored at a reception in the fellowship hall.

Notes, cards and e-mails may be sent to them beforehand in care of Charity to be included in a memory book. Those are requested by Nov. 30.

Charity also has established a special missions fund to benefit the couple’s missionary work with EEMN. Charity’s goal is $50,000 per year for six years. Those who wish to contribute may do so to the Bob and Karen Nordvall Missionary Fund in care of Charity Lutheran.

Tickets for the Doublewood banquet are $20 each. They should be ordered and paid for by Dec. 27, and will be sent to people upon receipt of their check. Checks may be made to Charity Lutheran Church, 120 Aspen Ave., Bismarck, N.D. 58503.

For more information, call 258-1228, e-mail charluth@btinet.net or visit www.charitylutheran.org.

St. Cecilia concert fundraiser Sunday

A St. Cecilia Sing concert is planned Sunday as a fundraiser for the Bismarck Catholic Diocese’s centennial event in June.

The concert begins at 3 p.m. at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, 520 Raymond St., Bismarck.

Sunday is the Feast Day of St. Cecilia, the patron saint of church musicians. Musicians from the Church of Saint Anne and the Church of St. Mary, Cathedral and St. Mary’s Central High School will perform as choirs and ensembles.

This concert is part of a national festival of sacred song sponsored by the National Association of Pastoral Musicians.

A freewill offering will be taken for the diocesan centennial celebration, a three-day event planned for June 11-13.

Free Thanksgiving meals planned

Aid Inc. is serving free community Thanksgiving meals at noon Thursday, Thanksgiving Day. The meals are at First Presbyterian Church, 214 E. Thayer Ave., Bismarck, and First Lutheran Church, 408 Ninth St. N.W., Mandan.

Those attending are asked to bring a paper product to donate.

Thanksgiving services planned

* The annual joint Thanksgiving Eve service for the Bismarck United Church of Christ and Lutheran Church of the Cross will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the United Church of Christ, 1200 E. Highland Acres Road. An offering will be taken for Ruth Meiers Hospitality House.

* Capitol Heights Baptist Church is having a Thanksgiving service at 6:30 p.m.  Wednesday. A fellowship dessert and coffee will immediately follow the service. Capitol Heights Baptist is at 4307 43rd Ave., Bismarck.

* The annual Wilton area community Thanksgiving service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, 413 Bismarck Ave., Wilton. Area pastors will lead the service; refreshments will follow. All are welcome.

* Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will hold Thanksgiving Eve worship at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the church’s South Campus at Washington Street and Divide Avenue. Offerings collected during this year’s service will be given to the Bismarck Food Pantry. For more information, visit www.GoodShepherdBismarck.com.

Benz’s devotional program is Dec. 5

The Rev. Gary Benz will present a program on “Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament” from 9:30 a.m. to noon MST Dec. 5 at the Benedictine Spirituality Center in Richardton.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is an ancient devotion that is experiencing a revival and has played an important role in the spiritual lives of many people. Benz will present the history of this devotion and share ways it can be celebrated.

Benz is pastor of the parish of St. Anthony in Linton. For more information or registration, call Sacred Heart Monastery at 701-974-2121. Suggested donation for the morning is $15 plus $5 for lunch. 

Preregistration is requested. Free child care is available with preregistration two days before the event.

Church of the Cross bazaar

Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations, holiday stuffed animals, Christmas cards, baked goods, ornamental gourds and handmade items will be available at a holiday bazaar Sunday at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 1004 E. Highland Acres Road. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

‘Guest at Your Table’ at UU

Janis Cheney will present “Guest at Your Table” at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Bismarck-Mandan Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 818 E. Divide Ave.

The program focuses on the seventh principle of Unitarian Universalism, “respect for the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are a part.” During the holiday season, UU congregations and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee promote putting these values into action for human rights around the world.

Coffee time is at 10:30 a.m. The public is welcome. Child care is provided.

Pastor installed at First Lutheran

The Rev. Jay Jackson was installed on Nov. 15 as associate pastor at First Lutheran Church in Bismarck and on Nov. 18 as pastor at Peace Lutheran Church in Lincoln. Jackson, his wife, Angie, and children, Cassie, Zachary and McKenzie, arrived in mid-September from Ohio.

Craft show, bake sale set for Dec. 5

“Christmas Treasures for your Heart and Home” craft show and bake sale is planned from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 5 at Christ the King School gym, 1100 Third St. N.W., Mandan.

More than 30 artists and vendors will be present, along with Christmas bake sale items.

Santa will be at the show from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.