Religion roundup: The Lesters, a southern gospel group, to present two concerts on Saturday in Topeka

The Lesters, a southern gospel group from St. Louis, will be in concert at 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Berryton United Methodist Church, 7010 S.E. Berryton Road.

The Lesters have a long history, originating in 1925 and becoming one of southern gospel’s best-known groups through the years.

While the Lesters’ members have come and gone through its near-century of ministry, the group has continued to spread the message of Christ through song and testimony. A freewill offering will be received at the concert and concessions will be available.

In other religion news:

--The Pastor’s Aid Committee of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, 2222 S.E. Madison, will have a fish fry from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18. The menu will include fish, spaghetti, corn or green beans, cole slaw or potato salad, rolls, dessert and drink. The cost is $10 per meal. Delivery for two or more orders is available by calling (785) 207-4054 or (785) 383-6932.

--Second Baptist Church, 424 N.W. Laurent, will have a clothing and food giveaway from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18.

--Tecumseh Road, will have a free movie night at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18. The movie “To Joey With Love” will be shown. The movie tells the story of husband-and-wife singing duo Joey and Rory Feek. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Free snacks will be provided. Call the church at (785) 379-5642 for more information.

--Lowman United Methodist Church, 4101 S.W. 15th, will present the Christian-country duo Evidence of Journey in concert at 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19. There is no charge for admission and a freewill offering will be received.

--Doorstep’s 14th annual Operation Soup Line fundraiser will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, in the Kansas Expocentre’s Agriculture Hall, near S.W. 17th and Tyler. The menu will include chili, chicken tortilla soup and Portuguese green soup, along with dessert and a drink. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Delivery will be available for orders of 10 or more by calling (785) 357-5341 by Feb. 20. Doorstep is a nonprofit, emergency assistance agency supported by more than 50 interfaith congregations.

--East Side Baptist Church, 4425 S.E. 29th, will have a GriefShare support group for individuals going through the grieving process from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays from Feb. 22 to May 17.

--Faith Temple Church, 1162 S.W. Lincoln, will be the site of the Topeka International Academy’s second annual black history program at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22. During the program, centenarians Wilma Dickson and Pauline Pfeffer — who serve as unofficial “grandparents” to the academy’s students.

--True Vine Missionary Baptist Church, 307 S.E. Tefft, will have its 12th annual all-you-can-eat breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 25. A $10 donation per breakfast is requested.

--Scott Fraker, a bass-baritone singer at the Pierce Arrow Theater in Branson, Mo., will be in concert at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at First Presbyterian Church, 817 S.W. Harrison. Fraker will sing favorite hymns as well as contemporary songs. There is no charge for admission. A freewill offering will be received.

--Grace Episcopal Cathedral, 701 S.W. 8th, will commemorate the 100th anniversary of its twin-towered building at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 26.

--The Spire Chamber Orchestra will be in concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, at Grace Episcopal Cathedral, 701 S.W. 8th. Tickets are $20 general admission and $5 for students. The program is part of the cathedral’s Great Spaces Music and Arts Series. For more information, visit www.GreatSpaces.org.

--Harveyville United Methodist Church, 371 Wabaunsee Ave. in Harveyville, will have a service honoring emergency responders at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 26. The service will honor firefighters, emergency medical technicians and community members who helped with the recovery efforts from the tornado that destroyed part of the town on Feb. 28, 2012. A dinner will follow the service at noon.

--The Topeka Women’s Connection will have a luncheon and program with the theme “It’s a Party” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, March 2, at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th. The speaker will be Pat Rohling, of Valley Center. Music will be provided by Trina Goss. Also, Brenda Ruhnke will make a presentation about the Dandelions Party Room. Prepaid luncheon reservations are $14 and are due by Monday, Feb. 27, by calling (785) 554-3617. There is no charge to attend the program only.

--Faith Temple Church, 1162 S.W. Lincoln, will have its next “First Friday Explosion” at 7 p.m. Friday, March 3. The event will include testimonies; music; praise and worship; and preaching. Attendees are invited to gather for prayer at 6:30 p.m.

--Berryton United Methodist Church, 7010 S.E. Berryton Road, will have a chicken-and-noodle dinner, sweet shop and silent auction from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 4. In addition to chicken and noodles, the menu will include mashed potatoes, green beans, gelatin salad, tossed salad, rolls, desserts and beverages. Freewill offerings will be accepted for the meal, and carry-outs will be available by 3:30 p.m.

--Organist Melody Steed and trumpet player Keith Benjamin will present a concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at First Lutheran Church, 1234 S.W. Fairlawn.

Turnquist-Steed is the assistant academic dean at Bethany College in Lindsborg. In addition to her administrative duties, she teaches organ, coordinates the sacred music program and directs the Bethany College Handbell Ensemble &Genesis Ringers.

Benjamin jointed the University of Missouri at Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance as professor of trumpet in 1989. He holds a doctor of musical arts degree and a performer’s certificate from the Eastman School of Music.

The concert is sponsored by the Topeka Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, the Lutheran Fine Arts Council of Topeka and First Lutheran Church. A freewill offering will be taken.

--The Topeka Churches Singing Convention will have its annual banquet at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at McFarland’s Restaurant, 4133 S.W. Gage Center Drive. The cost will be $25 for adults and $15 for children ages 12 and under. For reservations or more information, call (785) 817-2718.

--The sixth annual Mater Dei Irish Fest will take place starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 11, at Mater Dei-Assumption Catholic Church, 204 S.W. 8th. Festivities will begin with a breakfast at 8 a.m., followed by a 5-kilometer fun run, walk and Leprechaun Leap for children 10 and under.

The event also will include a beer garden, whiskey tasting, homemade Irish and American food, a kids’ carnival, live Irish music, Powerhouse DJs. Admission is free.

--The 56th annual Kansas Prayer Breakfast will take place at 6 a.m. Wednesday, March 15, at the Ramada Hotel and Convention Center, 420 S.E. 6th. The speaker will be Maj. Gen. Julie A. Bentz, vice director of the Joint Improvised Threat Defeat Organization. Tickets are $18 each or $180 for a table of 10. Reservations are due by March 1. For more information, call (785) 380-2901 or visit www.kansasprayerbreakfast.net.

--Contemporary Christian music pioneer Randy Stonehill will be in concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, in the auditorium of the Topeka Bible Church College Avenue Building, 1135 S.W. College Ave. There is no charge for admission and a freewill offering will be received.