• Community Bible Study — 9:15-11:15 a.m. Wednesdays beginning Sept. 9. An interdenominational, in-depth 30-week study of Genesis. All women and children welcome. Home-school and children's programs available. First Presbyterian Church, 1965 Colfax St., Concord. 925-228-8749, kdbjork@aol.com, www.concordcbs.org.

  • Senior Adult Christian Fellowship — 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Thursdays. Art instruction, card making, exercise class, Bible study, hymns. Entertainment and a hot lunch, $3. Fair Oaks Church, 1925 Risdon Road, Concord. 925-687-4810.

  • Nor Cal Gospel and Praise Concert — Noon-6 p.m. Sept. 12. Faith, Hope, and Love Productions presents a concert featuring Marvin Sapp, Martha Munizzi, Kyle Bynoe and others. A portion of the proceeds benefit Shepherd's Gate, the Youth Intervention Network and other outreach organizations. Sleep Train Pavilion, 2000 Kirker Pass Road, Concord. $20-$25. Tickets: 925-676-8742. Information: 888-434-0968, faithhopeandloveproductions@comcast.net.

  • Christ Community Church of the Nazarene — 6 p.m. Sept. 12. An evening of music and testimony with Sarah Balabagan. 1650 Ashbury Drive, Concord. Esper Hagberg, 925-778-8083, larryesper@comcast.net.

  • "Betrayal Redeemed a journey
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    from hurt to hope" — 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 12. A conference for women who have been betrayed by their spouses. Oak Park Christian Center, 2073 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill. 925-934-3056, www.opccag.org.

  • LOPC Singles Ministry — 5:30-7:30 p.m. second Sundays monthly. Fellowship for singles of all ages, stages and life transitions. Sept. 13: Moving Beyond "If Only."Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. Gerald Chinen, gerald@lopc.org or Robin Freeberg, robin@lopc.org, www.lopc.org.

  • "Burned by Religion" — 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16. An informal time of speaking and listening for those who have been alienated by their church or religious experience. All welcome. Community Presbyterian, 200 E. Leland Road, Pittsburg. Free. www.cpcpittsburg.org.

  • Fall Bible Study — 9:15 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thursdays beginning Sept. 17. Calvary Temple Women's Ministries begins "The King's Daughter," a 10-week study from Ephesians on the authority of the believer. $5. A 9-week Precept study from 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles on the Life of David will be held 7-9 p.m. $20 with workbook. Child care is provided for ages 5 months to prekindergarten with preregistration. Calvary Temple 4725 Evora Road, Concord. 925-458-9100, ext. 115, www.calvarytemple.org/women.

  • Chabad High Holiday Services — Rosh Hashanah: 7 p.m. Sept. 18; 9:30 a.m. and 7:45 p.m. Sept. 19; 9:30 a.m. Sept. 20. Children's programs take place at 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. each day. Chabad of Contra Costa, 1671 Newell Ave., Walnut Creek. Yom Kippur: 6:15 p.m. Sept. 27; 9:30 a.m. Sept. 28; Yizkor Memorial Service, noon Sept. 28; Ne'ilah Concluding Service, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 28. Walnut Creek Marriott, 2355 N. Main St. 925-937-4101, www.jewishcontracosta.com.

  • High Holy Days Lunch — Noon Sept. 21. Traditional menu includes chicken soup with matzo balls, sweet potato tzimmes, kigel, challah bread and more. Ira Levin will sing Rosh Hashana songs. Contra Costa Jewish Community Center, 2071 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. $10/$8 for 62 and older. Reservations required. 925-938-7800, ext. 239.

  • Service of Prayers for Peace — 7 p.m. Sept. 21. Observance of the United Nations International Day of Peace. The interfaith prayer service provides an opportunity for individuals of every faith to create practical acts of peace on an internationally shared date. San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church, Wesley Center, 902 Danville Blvd., Alamo. www.srvumc.org.

  • "The Coup in Honduras" — 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23. A report by Lisa Sullivan, Director of the Latin American office of the School of the Americas Watch. St. Stephen's Catholic Church, 1101 Keaveny Court, Walnut Creek. Free. 925-519-5882.

  • Blessing of the Animals — 2 p.m. Oct. 3. The Friars of San Damiano will bless all animals. San Damiano Retreat, 710 Highland Drive, Danville. free. 925-837-9141, ext. 315, www.sandamiano.org.

  • Middle Eastern Festival — 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 10 and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 11. Food, entertainment, exhibits, crafts, silent auction, children's activities. St. John the Evangelist Orthodox Church, 501 Moraga Way, Orinda. 925-258-4255, www.stjohnorinda.org.

  • Public Prayer Rosary — 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Oct. 10. Veterans Park, 3841 Balfour Road, Brentwood. Susan C. Tikalsky, 925-727-8227.

  • Unity Center of Walnut Creek — During renovation of its facilities, the Unity Center's Sunday services will move to Heather Farm Park. Services will be held at 8:15 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 11 a.m., Lakeside Room, 301 North San Carlos Drive, Walnut Creek. Children's Church for all ages through middle school will be held at 9:30 and 11 a.m. in the Clubroom. Youth of Unity for teens in high school will meet at 11 a.m. 925-937-2191, www.unitycenter.net.

  • Filipino Sunday School and Fellowship — 9:30 a.m. Sundays. Christ Community Church of the Nazarene, 1650 Ashbury Drive, Concord. Esper Hagberg, 925-778-8083, larryesper@comcast.net.

  • "Higher Grounds" — 11:30 a.m. Sundays. Relevant teachings, contemporary music, designed to connect young families with the support they need to navigate life's changes. Trinity Lutheran Church, 2317 Buena Vista Ave., Walnut Creek. Free. 925-935-3360, www.tlcchurch.org.

  • "The Gathering" multichurch service — 6 p.m. Sundays. Several churches, each with a different cultural background, will share the way they worship in their various communities. Parkhaven Baptist Church, 1187 Meadow Lane, Concord. 925-671-0702.

  • Motivational Monday Prayer and Bible Study — 7 p.m. Mondays. Greater Purpose Church, Courtyard Marietta Hotel, 3150 Garrote Way, Richmond. Free. 510-224-7361, www.greaterpurposechurch.org/.

  • "Building Strong Marriages" — 7 p.m. twice monthly, Concord area. For dates and location, call 925-685-3461 or e-mail pastornevalema@sbcglobal.net.

  • Lamorinda Community Bible Study — 10 a.m. Wednesdays. Brad Reiches, author and founder of GodThoughts International. Willow Spring Church, 1689 School St., Moraga. 925-376-3550, www.willowspringchurch.org.

  • Gandhi's Nonviolence — 7 p.m. third Thursdays monthly. A study and discussion group on how to transform our society into a nonviolent culture. Examples of Gandhi, King and others, applied to the present. Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center, 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. Free.

  • "Bible Study in the Hood" — 7 p.m. Thursdays, Concord area. Bible study and support. For information and location, call 925-685-3461, pastornevalema@sbcglobal.net.

  • "New Wine" — 7-8 p.m. Fridays. Christ-centered 12-step program designed to help individuals cope with the stress of everyday life without drugs or alcohol. Morello Avenue Baptist Church, 68 Morello Ave., Martinez. Free. 925-687-3635.

  • Bible Study — 7:30-9 p.m. Fridays, Indian Community Church of the Valley, 19001 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. 925-895-0033, www.iccov.org.

  • Men's Prayer Breakfast — 8 a.m. first Saturdays monthly. Breakfast, prayers and fellowship. Black Bear Diner, 700 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek. 925-935-3360 or pastordave@tlcchurch.org.