A walking tour, reunion concert and special service and luncheon Saturday through Sept. 30 will mark the 150th anniversary of First United Methodist Church of Modesto.
On Saturday, the church will host a walking tour that includes the McHenry Museum, McHenry Mansion and the church building at 16th and I streets. The tours begin at 10 a.m.
A reunion concert with current and former choir and ensemble members will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, led by music director Matt Cover. The musicians also will participate in the 10 a.m. service on Sept. 30; that service will be led by UMC Bishop Warner H. Brown Jr.
A reunion luncheon and celebration will follow the service, and a time capsule planted in 1932 will be opened.
The church was begun in 1862 as part of a circuit that included the village of Tuolumne and the river town of Paradise, about nine miles and three miles west of today's Modesto, respectively. A church and manse was built in Paradise, but after the railroad arrived in Modesto in the 1870s, the town of Paradise folded, and members built a new church at 13th and H streets in Modesto in 1873. In 1876, it was incorporated as the Methodist Episcopal Church of Modesto.
A second building at the same location was erected in 1889, described as "the most beautiful church in the valley." Continued growth led to the purchase of land at the church's present location a few blocks away, and the first phase there was completed in 1932. The final rooms were added in 1956.
For more information, visit www.firstumcmodesto.org or call (209) 522-9046.
Other upcoming faith-based activities include:
ARTS AND MUSIC
CONCERT — 6:45 p.m. Saturday, Modesto Christian School, 5901 Sisk Road. Well-known Christian artists Lincoln Brewster, Rush of Fools and Remedy Drive in concert. $15 in advance, $20 at gate, which opens at 5:30 p.m. (209) 529-5510.
AMERIKANA — 7 p.m. Saturday, Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto. "Amerikana: Made in the Philippines" is a musical comedy show about coming to America, based loosely on the life of lead actress Fe de los Reyes. Show benefits Families for Vocation and Healing Ministry, a group that promotes religious vocations and health. Free reception from 6-7 p.m. Tickets: $15 to $45, from (209) 338-2100 or (209) 322-3429.
SOUTHMAN QUARTET — 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4, First Baptist Church, 1511 Catherine Way, Escalon. Southern gospel group in concert. Offering. (209) 838-3213.
CLASSES
MARRIAGE CLASS — 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Modesto Free Methodist Church, 1520 Rose Ave. Nine-week class by Joe and Michelle Williams, authors of "Yes, Your Marriage Can be Saved." Child care by reservation. Free class. (209) 522-3583.
FACEBOOK/TWITTER SEMINAR — 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Central Catholic High School library, 200 S. Carpenter Road, Modesto. CCHS technology director Chuck Staley will show parents the privacy and security settings necessary "to protect you and your children using social media." Free. (209) 524-9611.
REFORMATION SERIES — 6 p.m. Sundays, beginning Sept. 30, Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church,1448 Standiford Ave., Modesto. Five-week series on "The Great Awakening: Revival Comes to America" to celebrate anniversary of Protestant Reformation. Profiles include Jonathan Edwards and David Brainerd. Refreshments follow lectures. Free. (209) 522-5922.
MISCELLANEOUS
FALL FESTIVAL — 5-10 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, noon to 10 p.m. Sept. 30, St. Stanislaus Catholic School, 1416 Maze Blvd., Modesto. Country store, carnival rides, Sunday auctions, food and beverages, live entertainment, Hispanic dinner on Sept. 29 and chicken barbecue dinner on Sept. 30. Free admission; discount ride passes available before Sept. 28. (209) 524-4381.
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL — Sept. 29-30, St. Mary's International Festival, 1225 Olive St., Oakdale. Dance on Saturday night at parish hall. Sunday, trilingual outdoor Mass at 10 a.m. Festival from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. with food, kids games, car show, live entertainment. (209) 847-2715.
PARENT NIGHT OUT — 5-11 p.m. Oct. 5, Unity Church of Modesto, 2467 Veneman Ave. Child care for ages 5-10 includes meal, activities and movies by security-cleared staff. $8 per child or $5 for two or more. Reserve spot, (209) 578-5433.
OMELET DINNER — 5-7:30 p.m. Oct. 6, Escalon United Methodist Church, 2000 Jackson Ave. Build-your-own omelet dinner includes omelet, potatoes, biscuits, fruit and beverage. $7 adults, $3.50 children under 10. (209) 838-2792.
CARE FOR KIDS — 12:30 to 4 p.m. Oct. 7, The Well Church, 2500 Claus Road, Modesto. Interactive exhibits for children and parents on keeping kids safe, plus child fingerprinting, K-9 police dog, fire truck, police car, bounce houses, face painting, anti-bullying and martial arts demonstrations, free raffles, more. For preschoolers through high schoolers andfamilies. Free. (209) 551-4463.
Send events by noon Tuesday to snowicki@modbee.com or fax to (209) 578-2207.
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