Religious events in the Manatee community, begining March 30

Lenten Services

• Mid-week Lenten worship. Wednesdays, 4:30 p.m. Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 7461 Prospect Road, Sarasota. With supper at 5:15 p.m.  followed by informal devotional worship at 6:30 p.m. 941-355-2798.

• Worship on Wednesday. Now through April 17 at 5:30 p.m. St. Margaret of Scotland Episcopal Church, 8700 Clark Road, Sarasota. Join us after communion service in church with a discussion at Sommers Dutch Family Restaurant on Cattlemen Road as we study Simon Peter, the flawed but faithful disciple. The book, Simon Peter, can be purchased at Amazon.com. All are welcome. 941-925-2525; stmargaretsarasota.com.

• Maundy Thursday. April 18, 7- 8 p.m. St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2256 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota. Continuing our Holy Week journey with the remembrance of the last supper with the disciples prior to his death on the cross. For information: 941-955-6479.

Sarasota/Manatee Special Events

• Holocaust Survivor Talk. April 5, 10:30 a.m. The Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, at Unity, 3023 Proctor Road, Sarasota. Leo Melamed, a Holocaust survivor, outwitted the Nazis and the KGB, and his odyssey took two years and spanned three continents, six languages and the Trans-Siberian railroad. Join us to hear his fascinating story. Open to the public. For more information call 941-929-7771 or email CHJSarasota@hotmail.com.

• Buddha Birthday Celebration. April 6, 10 a.m. -noon. Peace Presbyterian Church, 12705 State Road 64 East, Bradenton. Presented by the Mitreya Center and friends. Join in a celebration to commemorate the transformation of Prince Siddhartha to the enlightened state of the Buddha, with chanting, music, mediation and blessings. Followed by vegetarian lunch. Suggested Donation $20. All proceeds go to the Dhamma Wheel Meditation Society of Clearwater, Fl.

• Dr. Schwartzbaum Geriatric Compassionate Care Symposium. April 7, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Presented by Chabad of Sarasota and the Glenridge Charitable Foundation. to be held at Michael’s on East. Participants will enjoy a line up of renowned speakers who will address relevant issues to provide knowledge and a better understanding of significant and common medical and ethical dilemmas. Registration for the symposium, including a lunch by Michael’s on East, is $49. Register by visiting the event website: GeriatricSymposium.com.

• “A Festival of Women’s Voices.” April 13, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota. Offered by Belle Canto, Sarasota’s premier women’s vocal ensemble.The day will feature three 50-minute workshops on vocal technique, sight-reading, and ensemble singing. The afternoon session will build on skills learned in the three workshops and will culminate in a joint concert at 2 p.m. in the main sanctuary. The concert is free to the public and is Belle Canto’s tenth anniversary gift to the community. For more information, visit the Belle Canto website, www.bellecanto.org or call Belle Canto at 941-400-2152.

• Easter Eggstravaganza. April 14, noon-2 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 104 South Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. Children ages 3-11 .All will enjoy a free lunch, games, craft, face painting, and Easter egg hunt. Sign up at www.firstsrq.com/upcomingevents. For additional information please contact Susan Quigley 401-935-0260; susanq1@verizon.net or Church Office at 941-955-0935.

• Good Friday Family Escape Room. April 19, 5:30-6:55 p.m. West Bradenton Baptist Church, 1305 43rd St. W., Bradenton. Free. Join us for a fun adventure where your family can unlock the secrets of Easter. This experience will be designed for kids who are aged VPK and up. Free pizza will be served and all families are invited to stay for our multi-generational Good Friday service at 7 p.m. Choose the time that you would like to start the escape room experience. 941-748-6926.

• Children's Easter Egg Hunt & Celebration. April 20, 1:30-3:30 p.m. St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2256 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota. All children are welcome. Enjoy crafts, dye eggs, decorate cookies, hear the Easter story by Pastor Ashley,then the Egg Hunt begins! End the fun with a snack and beverage. For information, 941-955-6479.

Manatee Classes, Meetings

• "Living on a Prayer" learning series. Thursdays beginning April 4, at 11 a.m. Temple Emanu-El, 151 McIntosh Road,  Sarasota. A four-part interactive course on Jewish prayer facilitated by Director of Education Sabrina Silverberg. The class connects students with the personal meaning of prayer as they explore the purpose and origin of traditional blessings and learn to chant the prayers. No prior Hebrew knowledge is required. For tuition and registration information, please call 941-371-2788.

•  "Faith Lessons in the Holy Land." Wednesdays, 6 p.m. Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 7461 Prospect Road, Sarasota. Free. Several video and discussion presentations facilitated by Pastor Curt Adams. Each video, developed by Bible historian Ray Vander Laan, is a stand-alone session. For information: 941-355-2798.

• Free Mental Health Services. Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. is offering free mental health counseling services for adults, children and families who lived in Florida during Hurricane Irma. These services are made possible through a grant from the American Red Cross. Mental health counseling services are available at Catholic Charities in Sarasota and Manatee Counties located at 5055 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. For information and to schedule an appointment call Joan at 941-355-4680, ext. 311.

• Addiction recovery program. Wednesdays at 7 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 603 11th St. W., Bradenton. High on Jesus program. Free child care. For a ride (men only) or just to talk, call Justin 941-374-2276.

• Chair-based aerobic exercises 9:30 a.m. every Wednesday and Friday. All ages and skill levels welcome. Roser Community Church, 512 Pine Avenue, Anna Maria. 941-778-0414.

• JOY (Just Older Youth) Brown Bag Lunch Series 11:00 a.m. on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every month. Roser Community Church, 512 Pine Avenue, Anna Maria. 941-778-0414

• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Venice, 1219 16th St. W., Bradenton, offers free housing counseling on issues such as foreclosure prevention, scam awareness and money management. Home buyer class offered monthly in English and Spanish. Office is open weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 941-714-7829.

Sarasota Classes, Meetings

• Adult Classes. Sundays at 10:20-10:40 a.m. Church of the Redeemer, 222 S Palm Ave., Sarasota. Entitled, "Tell Me More!" This is a chance to "dig deeper" into scripture with our clergy. redeemersarasota.org. or 941-955-4263.

•  "Faith Lessons in the Holy Land." Wednesdays, 6 p.m. Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 7461 Prospect Road, Sarasota. Free. Several video and discussion presentations facilitated by Pastor Curt Adams. Each video, developed by Bible historian Ray Vander Laan, is a stand-alone session  For information: 941-355-2798.

• Fitness Sessions. Church of the Redeemer, 222 S. Palm Ave. Faith Fitness Tuesdays at noon in Gillespie Hall. Classes include 50 minutes of light aerobics, toning with weights and elastics, and gentle range-of-motion stretching. A $5 donation is requested per class. No registration required. Balance and Movement Classes, Thursdays, 9 a.m. in Gillespie Hall. redeemersarasota.org, 941-955-4263, x222.

• Adult Class: Getting our priorities straight. Wednesdays at 7 p.m. St. Boniface Episcopal Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key. Explore areas of everyday life that contribute to our well-being and sense of purpose, consider how we’re doing and discuss principles for setting priorities in 6 areas: emotional, spiritual, intellectual, physical, vocational and social. 941-349-5616 x5.

• Free Mental Health Services. Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. is offering free mental health counseling services for adults, children and families who lived in Florida during Hurricane Irma. These services are made possible through a grant from the American Red Cross. Mental health counseling services are available at Catholic Charities in Sarasota and Manatee counties located at 5055 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. For information and to schedule an appointment call Joan at 941-355-4680, ext. 311.

• Adult education classes. Sundays at 9 a.m. St. Boniface Episcopal Church, Siesta Key. An in-depth study of the Sunday scriptures in the library, the Book Study Group discussing "The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything: Spirituality for Real Life" in the St. Francis Room, and beginning Nov. 4 "Our Episcopal and Anglican Heritage" in the Community Center. A variety of programs are held Wednesdays at 7p.m. following Wonderful Wednesday catered dinners ($10); reserve dinner 941-349-5616 x 5.

• Book Club. Mondays, 6 p.m. at Culvers on University Parkway and 8 a.m. at Dunkin Donuts on S.R. 64 near I-75. Offered by Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church.

• GriefShare. Sundays at 6 p.m. Bethel Mennonite Church, 2985 Bethel Lane. A weekly seminar and support group designed to help you rebuild your life after losing a loved one. For more information, contact Jason Beiler, Pastor of Care, by phone or text at 941-957-8914, or by email at jason@bethelsarasota.com.

• Brown Bag discussion group. Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. Temple Sinai, 4631 South Lockwood Ridge Road. Join in spirited conversations and bring an open mind, free and open to the community. Participants are encouraged to introduce ideas for discussion. 941-924-1802 or office@sinaisrq.org.

• Grief Group. St. Boniface Episcopal Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key. Offers "Ministry to the Grieving: Beyond the Broken Heart". The Grief Group will meet on the first and third Sundays of the month after the 10 a.m. service in the Crediton Room. The Rev. Tom Kearney and Dr. Rita Piovane are co-facilitators who offer help for people struggling with grief to find comfort and companionship. For more information, 941-349-5616 or drritav@gmail.com.

• Church of the Redeemer, 222 S Palm Ave., Sarasota. Join Fr. Ev Walk for “Contemplative Prayer.” Halton Chapel from 2-3 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month. Email Fr. Ev at ewalk10704@aol.com.

• "Lunch with the Rabbis." Wednesdays at noon. Temple Emanu-El, 151 McIntosh Road, Sarasota. Join Rabbi Brenner Glickman and Rabbi Michael Shefrin for casual socializing as well as stimulating conversation on current events and topics of Jewish interest. Attendees are asked to bring their own brown-bag lunch; homemade dessert is provided. For more information, 941-371-2788.

• Youth Ignite youth group. Every Tuesday, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Colonial Oaks Baptist Church, 6901 Bee Ridge Road. You do not have to be a church member to attend. Activities, mission or service projects are scheduled on a regular basis. 941-377-2737.

• Book of Revelation Bible Study. Wednesdays, 6-7 p.m. St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2256 Bahia Vista Street, Sarasota. Free. A different chapter each week. Bring your Bible and an open mind and then share what you think the Revelation of St. John is all about. Information: StPaul-Admin@verizon.net, www.StPaulSarasota.org, 941-955-6479.

• Youth Groups. Church of the Redeemer, 222 S. Palm Ave. High School youth group meets Sundays from 6-7:30 p.m., and Middle School meets Wednesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. For more information, contact Christoph Stephenson-Moe, Youth Minister. redeemersarasota.org or 941-955-4263.

• Church of the Redeemer, 222 South Palm Ave., hosts two Morning Prayer Breakfasts for men: Fridays at 7:30 a.m., and Saturday at 7:30 a.m. Gillespie Hall. Church of the Redeemer hosts a Businessmen’s Bible Study, Wednesdays at 7 a.m., room 207.

• Bible studies for women. Church of the Redeemer, 222 South Palm Ave., Sarasota. The “Heart to Heart Women’s Bible Study” which meets Wednesdays, 9:45 a.m. and “ABCs”, an online study, with periodic Wednesday evening gatherings. Contact the parish office for more information. Church of the Redeemer hosts a weekly Adult Lectionary Bible Study, Tuesdays, room 207, noon - 1 p.m. 941-955-4263.

• YogaFaith. Faith Presbyterian Church, 1201 N. Beneva Road, room 103. Come and distress and renew your mind, body, and soul. Tuesdays from 4:30-5:30 p.m. and Thursdays from noon-1 p.m. $8 per session. RSVP to info@faithsarasota.org.

• Monday morning meditation, at 11 a.m., Pine Shores Presbyterian Church, at the 6114 Crestwood Drive building. 941-922-1597 ext. 108.

• The Church of St. Boniface Healing Mission, on the Boniface campus on Siesta Key, offers quiet prayer for healing of body, mind, or spirit provided by trained volunteers at no charge. Tuesday and Friday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.; Wednesday, 2–4 p.m. 941-349-5616, x 335 for an appointment. Thursday Eucharist at 10 a.m. is a Healing Service.

• Adult Education classes Sundays and Wednesdays. Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road. Youth activities, Bible studies and small groups available throughout the week. For a complete listing, download the Connect magazine via our website: www.churchofthepalms.org.

Worship services