REVIVAL: Half a dozen speakers will address...

REVIVAL: Half a dozen speakers will address topics ranging from prayer to evangelism to unity at a five-day revival meeting beginning next Saturday at Shepherd of the Hills/Hillcrest Christian Church. The aim of the revival, the first since the churches merged last year, is to “light a fire under those who already believe,” according to a church administrator. From 2,200 to 2,400 people attend regular services at the church each weekend.

The Rev. William Broadous of Calvary Baptist Church in Pacoima will open the revival with a talk on prayer at 6 p.m. The host church’s senior pastor, the Rev. Dudley Rutherford, will preach on fasting at the 9:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. services Oct. 27, followed by the Rev. Glenn Kirby of West Valley Christian Church in West Hills addressing the subject of confession at 7 p.m. At 7 p.m. Oct. 28, the Rev. Raul Ries of Calvary Chapel Golden Springs in Diamond Bar will speak on revival. Evangelism will be addressed at 7 p.m. Oct. 29 by the Rev. Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside. The Rev. Jack Hayford of the Church on the Way in Van Nuys will close the revival with a talk about unity at 7 p.m. Oct 30. Admission is free, although a freewill offering will be taken at each service. The church is at 19700 Rinaldi St., Porter Ranch. (818) 831-9333.

ANNIVERSARY: The United Methodist Church of Sepulveda will celebrate its 75th anniversary Sunday with a special worship service at 10 a.m. featuring clergy of past years. The church, led by the Rev. James E. Hamilton, will welcome past clergy, including the Rev. John Zimmer, the Rev. Ed McRae and the Rev. Rich Johnson. There will also be a special musical program. Following the service, a free lunch and program is planned at the church at 15435 Rayen St., North Hills. (818) 892-1164.

ACTIVIST SPEAKS: “A Constructive United States Foreign and Domestic Policy” will be the topic of a speech Sunday by political activist Blase Bonpane at Emerson Unitarian Church in Canoga Park. Bonpane, a Catholic missionary in Guatemala in the 1960s, and his wife Theresa started the Los Angeles-based Office of the Americas 13 years ago to bring Central American and Cuban leaders to speak at American colleges on U.S. policy toward Latin America. He will speak at the 10:30 a.m. church services that are held at the West Valley Lodge, 7242 Owensmouth Ave. (818) 887-6101.

HEALING POWERS: A special healing service--including laying on of hands, anointing with oil and traditional Lutheran communion--will be held Sunday at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. The Rev. Andrew Jensen will officiate at 10 a.m. at 2064 5th St., San Fernando. (818) 365-9339.

LECTURE SERIES: University of Judaism professor Ziony Zevit will kick off a series of five monthly lectures at Shomrei Torah Synagogue on Sunday when he speaks on the topic “Who Wrote the Bible?”

Additional lectures include Yoav Ben-Horin, associate director of the Wilstein Institute of Jewish Policy Studies at the University of Judaism, on “Prospects for Peace in Israel” on Nov. 24; Shomrei Torah Synagogue’s Rabbi Eli Schochet on “Litvak vs. Galitzianer: The True Story of the Hassidic Movement” on Dec. 15; Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller, instructor at the University of Judaism, on “Kabbalah: The Way of the Jewish Mystic,” on Jan. 19; and Rabbi Debra Orenstein, coordinator of the drama program of the University of Judaism’s department of continuing education, on “Legacy of Jewish Theater,” on Feb. 23. The cost is $28 for temple members and $32 for nonmembers for the series, or $7 for members and $8 for nonmembers per lecture. Lectures will be from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the temple at 7353 Valley Circle Blvd., West Hills. (818) 346-0811.

WHAT GOD IS LIKE: An interfaith panel on the subject of “What My Faith Tradition Tells Me About God: What He, She or It Is Like” is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Temple Kol Tikvah, 20400 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills.

Featured panelists include the Rev. Burley Howe, pastor of the Toluca Lake United Methodist Church, representing the Protestant faith; Ramesh Pandey, director of the Yoga Center of India, representing the Hindu faith; Rabbi Steven Jacobs of Temple Kol Tikvah, representing the Jewish faith; Marden C. Lamb, who handles public affairs for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, representing the Mormon faith; and Father Chris Pieklo, pastor of St. Jane Frances de Chantel Catholic Church, representing the Roman Catholic faith. The Rev. Jeff Utter, pastor of Chatsworth Congregational Church, will moderate.

The event is sponsored by the Interfaith Relations Committee of the San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council. (818) 718-6460.

YOUNG JEWISH SINGLES: A Shabbat dinner for Jewish singles ages 21 to 35 is planned Friday evening at Temple Aliyah, 6025 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills. Israeli dancing will be offered after the services. The group, called West Valley Singular Sensation, is sponsored by the West Valley Gesher Project, the Valley Alliance of the Jewish Federation, West Valley Jewish Community Center, Temple Aliyah, Shomrei Torah Synagogue and Temple Judea through a grant from the Valley Alliance of the Jewish Federation. Reservations must be made and $18 per person paid in advance. (818) 587-3619.

BENEDICTINE SPIRITUALITY: Sister Anne Fields will lead a day of retreat and reflection in the context of St. Benedict at Holy Spirit Retreat next Saturday. The day will include presentations, faith sharing, lunch and ample time for prayer. The program is planned from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the interfaith complex at 4316 Lanai Road, Encino. Cost is $39 per person. (818) 784-4515.

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