Announcements of church events are published each Friday and Sunday in The News Courier. Church briefs must be submitted in writing, either on a form available at The News Courier office at 410 W. Green St., Athens, or sending e-mail to kelly@athensnews-courier.com or a fax to (256) 233-7753.

o VBS fundraiser. First Union Baptist Church will host a fundraiser barbecue chicken lunch for Vacation Bible School beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 23 at Village Mart on Alabama 99. Lunches are $6 per plate. Call (256) 233-7680 or 444-1177 for information.

o Fellowship. Frazier Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the Rev. J.C. Davis and the Board of Evangelism will sponsor a fellowship program at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 23 with guests the Rev. Henry Brown and the New Jones Chapel CME Church. The public is invited.

o Family and Friends. Little Ezekiel Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate Family and Friends Day at 11 a.m. Sunday, May 24 with guests New Brighter Day M.B. Church and pastor Billy Holt of Louisville, Ky. Family and friends are invited. For information, call (256) 232-6247.

o Guest pastor. Minister Frances S. Perry of Briar Fork CPCA Church will give the message at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 24 at Alabama Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Athens and the Morning Stars of Decatur will be in charge of the song service. The program benefits the building fund.

o Singing. Holt Road Baptist Church will host its Fifth Saturday Singing at 7 p.m. May 30 featuring the Beaver Trio. For more information, call (256) 232-6216.

o Concert. Lebanon Community Church on Alabama 99, nine miles west of Athens, will host Southern Gospel singer Tony Gore in concert at 6 p.m. May 31. There is no admission but donations accepted.

o Missionary Day. Antioch Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America at 923 Brownsferry Street is hosting Missionary Day with guest speaker Lamont Maxwell of First Missionary Baptist Church in Nashville, Tenn., at 11 a.m. Sunday, May 31.

For information, call (256) 232-4702.

o Knitting Ministry. Hearts and Hands Knitting Ministry's 4th Annual Garden Party will be at noon Thursday, June 4, in the Beasley Center. The speaker will be Martha Beadle, fiber artist from Florence. Tickets are $15 and will be on sale until June 1 in the church office. Call (256) 232-2020. Knitting boutique and Women Of Worth merchandise will be available to purchase. All proceeds go to fund ministry items for Hearts and Hands.

o Gospel concert. Limestone County NAACP will host a Centennial Gospel Concert at 6 p.m. June 6 at Beasley Center at 202 Bryan Street featuring the Gray Sisters, Louetta King and the Soul Seekers, the Rev. Price King and Associates and Melody Aires. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. For information, call (256) 216-5668.

o Missionary visit. The Rev. Jeremy Lucas, former rector of Saint Timothy's Episcopal Church in Athens, and his wife Penny will return to Athens Sunday, June 7 after a three-year stint as missionaries in Namibia in mid-2008. They will attend a covered dish supper at Saint Timothy's parish hall at 207 E. Washington Street. Friends and colleagues are invited to participate. Donations to support their mission will be taken. For details call Judy Wilson at (256) 233-5980.

o Guest pastor. Minister Wanda Fennell of Mallard Creek Missionary Baptist Church will give the message at Alabama Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Athens at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 7. The Moore Family will sing. The program benefits the building fund.