First Presbyterian welcomes guest preacher Michael B. Brown to the pulpit on March 10.
Brown is an author, motivational speaker and the former senior minister at Marble Collegiate Church in New York City, America’s oldest existing Protestant congregation. With roots dating to 1628, the church became an American institution in the ensuing centuries.
In 1932, the renowned Norman Vincent Peale found his way to MCC and over the next half-century he transformed it into one of the best-known churches in the world. Peale gained notoriety for his written work The Power of Positive Thinking (1952), which has sold more than 20 million copies.
Like his predecessor, Brown praises positivity. He is the author of six self-help books, including 2020’s The Love Principle: Daily Practices for a Loving & Purposeful Life and Love Is the Way: Ten Steps to Discovering Personal Happiness, published in 2018.
Brown believes the recipe to meaning, healthy relationships and joy in life begins with “practical positivity.”
Services are at 9 and 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach, 33 Gleason St. Visit firstdelray.com.
Managing your biases
“Recognizing and Managing Your Personal Biases,” a lecture and discussion led by Gail Price-Wise, MS, co-founder of the Florida Center for Cultural Competence, takes place at Temple Sinai, 2475 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, at 6:30 p.m. March 5.
This course is designed to uncover unconscious thoughts about others and recognize our tendency to divide the world into “us” and “them.” The event is sponsored by the Anti-Bias Coalition, formed by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Temple Sinai and the Islamic Center of Boca Raton.
To attend, call 561-276-6161, ext. 205.
Fashion show, luncheon
St. Lucy Church Council of Catholic Women presents its annual Swing Into Spring Fashion Show and Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 7 at Delray Beach Club, 2001 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach. A donation of $75 is requested. If you cannot attend, a donation would be greatly appreciated. Call Suzie Hiles at 561-702-4975.
Friday Fish Fry
The Knights of Columbus at Ascension Boca is serving a Friday Fish Fry from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Fridays during Lent through March 22.
These $12 dinners of baked or fried fish are served with fries or a baked potato and coleslaw. Extras include clam chowder and conch fritters, at $5 each. Soda is $1. Dine inside, carry out or drive through. A 50/50 raffle benefiting the Diocesan seminarians is planned. $5 per ticket or five tickets for $20.
Ascension Catholic Church is at 7250 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton. 561-997-5486 or ascensionboca.org
Women’s group
The Garden at Advent Lutheran is a monthly gathering for women to grow together “in the Word, in Worship and in Wonder of Jesus.”
Meetings are at 6:45 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at Advent Lutheran Church, 300 E. Yamato Road, Boca Raton. The next meeting is March 12. Call 561-395-3632 or email thegardenadvent@adventboca.org
Italian Night
The annual St. Lucy Italian Night Dinner Dance takes place at 5:30 p.m. March 16 in the St. Lucy Parish Center, 3510 S. Ocean Blvd., Highland Beach. A seven-course dinner with beer, wine and soda is planned. Music by Gino DeMarco. Gift baskets, door prizes. Tickets, $75, are available after all weekend Masses and at the rectory. Call 561-715-0017.
Spring Fling The Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County presents its annual Spring Fling at 7 p.m. March 28, at Symphony Hall in Sinai Residences East Campus, 21036 95th Ave. S., Boca Raton.
The guest speaker is Jonathan Adler, an American potter, designer and author. $75 includes cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres. A minimum gift of $360 to the 2024 UJA/Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County annual campaign is required. 561-852-3163 or email marissav@bocafed.org.
Grant writer sought
A volunteer grant writer is needed at St. Gregory’s. If you have experience researching and writing grant proposals, contact Kristen Chaney at kchaney@st-gregorys.com. St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church is at 100 NE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton.
Pajama drive
First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach is holding a pajama and book drive through March 31 at the church for children and youth of Milagro Center. New pajamas in children’s sizes 6-16 and adult sizes S, M and L are being collected. New non-religious books for elementary through high school students are also being collected.
First Presbyterian is at 33 Gleason St. firstdelray.com or 561-276-6338.
Concerts, films and performances
• First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach 2024 Concert Series continues with a performance of “Broadway & Opera Classics” at 4 p.m. March 10 at the church. It features members of the FPC choir with Don Cannarozzi at the piano. $20. 33 Gleason St., Delray Beach. firstdelray.com
• Cantor Netanel Hershtik & Big Band Orchestra perform at 7:30 p.m. March 13 at B’nai Torah Congregation, 6261 SW 18th St., Boca Raton. $30-$80 members, $40-$105 nonmembers at www.btcboca.org/cs. Info: 561-392-8566 or info@bnai-torah.org.
• Music at St. Paul’s has reorganized its schedule; the next concert, at 3 p.m. March 17, features pianist Jose Lopez and “Stars of David — the Judaic Muse II,” with music of 19th century Jewish composers for piano. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is at 188 S. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. 561-278-6003 or musicstpauls.org
• A concert titled “Triumph of the Human Spirit” and featuring music from Les Misérables and The Sound of Music takes place at 8 p.m. March 18 and 19 at Spanish River Church, 2400 Yamato Road, Boca Raton. Performers include David Burnham, Kathy Voytko, Randal Keith, Heidi Webster and Andrew Ragone. Tickets start at $39. www.spanishriverconcerts.org
• “Fascinating Sephardim” is a film series presented in partnership with the Sephardi Federation of Palm Beach County, whose mission is to preserve and promote Sephardic culture and the Ladino language, while providing educational and social activities.
Screenings are at 1 p.m. Wednesdays, March 27 (Rhodes Forever, 2003), April 17 (The Last Jews of Libya, 2007) and May 22 (The Key from Spain, 2000) at the Levis JCC Sandler Center, 21050 95th Ave. S. in Boca Raton. General admission is $10 per film. Visit levisjcc.org/culture or call 561-558-2520.
Send religion notes to Janis Fontaine at fontaine423@outlook.com.
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