Shepherd of the Glen to hold sixth annual media sale...

Shepherd of the Glen to hold sixth annual media sale Sept. 7, 8

Shepherd of the Glen Lutheran Church, 14551 Burntwoods Road, Glenwood, will hold it sixth annual media sale from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 7 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 8.

About 10,000 books, as well as compact discs, videos, records, cassettes and computer software, will be for sale. Hard-cover books are $1; paperbacks, 50 cents. Romance novels, sold by the box, cost $3. Children's books sell for 50 cents. Prices will be discounted after 2 p.m.

Shepherd of the Glen will apply to the Aid Association for Lutherans Insurance Co. for matching funds up to $800, to be donated to the Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary.

Information: 410-442-1204.

Congregation Oseh Shalom plans to hold open house

Congregation Oseh Shalom will hold its Prospective Member Open House Weekend today through Sunday at the synagogue, 7515 Olive Branch Way, Laurel.

Visitors can meet Rabbi Gary Fink at 7:15 p.m. today. Shabbat services will be at 8 p.m. today and 10 a.m. tomorrow, and Kiddush and tours of the synagogue will be available after the morning service. A Religious School Open House is planned from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday.

The synagogue is affiliated with the Reconstructionist movement. Information: 301-498-5151.

Jewish Congregation sets `Open House Shabbat'

The Columbia Jewish Congregation will hold its Open House Shabbat at 8 p.m. Sept. 7. Everyone is invited to learn about the Friday evening Shabbat service, which will be explained as the service proceeds. Rabbi Sonya Starr and Cantor Jan Morrison will lead the service and answer questions.

The congregation holds regular Friday evening services in Room 100 of the Meeting House, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia.

A new- and prospective-members brunch will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday and Sept. 9. Individuals and families are invited to meet in an informal setting to talk with Starr and members of the congregation.

Information: 410-730-6044.

St. Paul's to hold program on basics of Christianity

St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 16457 Old Frederick Road, Mount Airy, will offer the Alpha program, an 11-week introduction to the basics of Christianity, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays, beginning Sept. 6.

The group will meet for a meal, listen to a talk on topics such as "Who is Jesus?" and "How Can I Be Sure of My Faith?" and divide into small groups for coffee, cookies and discussion. A church affiliation is not necessary.

The course is free, but a small donation may be requested for food and accommodations during the Alpha weekend away. Information: 410-489-4411, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday.

Tot Shabbat dinner, service at Beth Shalom

Beth Shalom congregation, 8070 Harriet Tubman Lane, Columbia, will offer a Tot Shabbat dinner and Tot Shabbat service today. Reservations are required. The dinner, for which there is a fee, and a craft project begin at 5 p.m. The service, which is open to everyone, will begin at 7 p.m. Registration is not required for the service.

Howard County Executive James N. Robey will attend Shabbat services, which begin at 8 p.m., and speak about his recent trip to Israel as a member of a local delegation. Admission is free, and registration is not required.

An open house and brunch for prospective members and interested members of the community will be at 10 a.m. Sunday. A Torah craft project is planned for children. Registration is requested.

Rabbi Susan Grossman will discuss "Jewish Ethics and Us: Can a Robot Count in a Minyan?" at Shabbat services at 8 p.m. Aug. 31. The discussion will focus on ethical issues raised by the Disney movie A.I. - Artificial Intelligence.

Information or reservations for the dinner: 410-531-5115.

Jewish Sunday school accepting registration

The Calah and Shalom Aleichem congregations are accepting registration for their Sunday school's 2001-2002 school year.

The unaffiliated Jewish school meets twice a month. Music, arts and crafts, Hebrew, holiday observances, and Jewish rituals and values are included in the curriculum. Classes, which begin Sept. 9, meet twice monthly at the Florence Bain Senior Center in Columbia.

Information: 410-455-6434 or 410-740-5446.

Columbia Jewish school registering for the fall

Columbia Jewish Community School is accepting registration for the 2001-2002 school year.

Classes in the Hebrew language and Judaic studies for children in kindergarten through 12th grade begin Sept. 16 at Oakland Mills High School in Columbia.

Information or registration: 410- 730-9355.