Religion

Courts of Praise Church, Harriman, will give away backpacks and school supplies on Aug. 3 in the church at 215 Maple St., Harriman.

A short service will kick off the event at 11 a.m. followed by the giveaway and fun activities for the youngsters.

Free hot dogs and snacks will be available.

Two hundred backpacks will be given away.

Courts of Praise collaborated with Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Kingston, to provide the backpacks.

A child must be present to receive a backpack.

Call 335-3077 for details.

The Royal Priesthood of Southeast Tennessee will be the featured group for Victorious’ Singing in the City on July 19 at Rockwood Event Center.

Dudley Evans of Victorious described The Royal Priesthood as “an old-style Southern gospel music group” whose leader was formerly with the Kingsmen Quartet.

Refreshments will be served, and a love offering will be taken for the group.

Molly LaRue, above, keeps a tight grip on her balloon before Cardiff Baptist Church’s big balloon release last week to launch the church’s upcoming vacation Bible school.

Each balloon released from the church at 2170 N. Gateway Ave., Rockwood, has a special invitation and tag on it. Anyone who finds one of the balloons and returns it to the church during VBS will be eligible for a special prize, said VBS director Les LaRue.

The VBS theme is Lifeway's Agency’s “D3.”

SUNDAY, JULY 13
• St. Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church, Harriman, will celebrate Pastor Jesse and Elfreda Williams for 35 years of spiritual leadership and faithful service. They will be honored during two services: the Rev. Gerald Marshall of Dayton, Ohio, will lead the 11 a.m. service; the Rev. Alvin Douglass of Anointed Praise and Worship Church will be in charge of the 3 p.m. service. The church is at 1038 Trenton St.