Sample discusses ‘justice’ for all
    Tex Sample, a sociologist of religion, lecturer and author, will speak on “A Justice for the Common Good” 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16, in Kendall Hall at Central United Methodist Church, 1875 N. Central Ave. The event will be free of charge.
    Sample is an emeritus professor of Church and Society at the St. Paul School of Theology, a Methodist seminary in Kansas City, Mo., where he taught from 1967-1999. He specializes in American lifestyle and culture, social theory and social change, power, social class and theological ethics.
    A Phoenix resident, he is active in The Valley Interfaith Project (an IAF community organizing effort), Interfaith Worker Justice, and The Arizona Interfaith Movement, an organization with twenty-four participating faith traditions. Samples also is active in the Asbury United Methodist Church.
    For more information, call Central United Methodist Church at 602.258.8048.

CLF church hosts blood drive
    Creative Living Fellowship will sponsor a Blood Drive with the help of United Blood Services, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20. To reserve your special seat, sign up at the Activities Center in The Mind Shop Bookstore at CLF, 6530 N. 7th St., or call 602-906-4080.
Don’t forget your ID; you cannot donate without it. Also, UBS recommends drinking plenty of water prior to your visit to make your donation experience the best it can be.

An evening of world beat music
    Creative Living Fellowship, 6530 N. 7th St., presents an evening of transformational/healing music, with Michael’s Celtistani and its world beat and chants from around the globe, 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1.
    Acoustic guitarist Michael Mandrell is joined by multi-instrumentalist Anton Mizerak and singer/songwriter Tracy Rae.
    Michael has been called “an incredible guitarist who fuses Indian modalities with a Celtic lilt.” Anton’s CD series, “When Angels Dream,” has been a top seller among healers and massage therapists.
    The concert will feature Anton’s, Michael’s and Tracy’s wonderful original music along with chants from around the world.
    Admission is a $10 suggested love offering. For more information, call 602-906-4080 or visit www.creativelivingcenter.com.

Looking for a few antiques
    First United Methodist Church of Phoenix is collecting antiques for its Second Annual Antiques Sale, which will take place April 19. To donate collectibles, fine art, rugs, glassware, pioneer treasures, small furniture or folk art, contact 602-263-5013.
    Only antiques in good-quality condition will be accepted. Receipts for donors’ tax records are available. If your items are large, the church asks you to wait to drop them off during the week prior to the sale, between April 14-17.
    The church is located at 5510 N. Central Ave. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the ministries of the church serving children, families, singles and the elderly.

Pray for unity of the Church
    But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters … Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the faint hearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. —1 Thessalonians 12a, 13b-18
    These verses were chosen to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity  Jan. 18-25. This annual observance  is celebrated in many places with services among local congregations, including  at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 N. Central Ave., at 7 p.m. on Jan. 22.
    Visit www.aecunity.net to see the different opportunities for prayer, education, and service planned for this week of prayer and celebration.