The sanctuary of the Mercer Island Covenant Church will be open for prayer from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the 61st annual National Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 3. A prayer and worship service will begin at 7 p.m. MICC is located at 3200 78th Ave. S.E. A National Day of Prayer service will also be held at New Hope International Church from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at 9170 S.E. 64th St. The National Day of Prayer was established as an annual event by Congress and President Truman in 1952, and it was designated as the first Thursday in May beginning in 1988. For more information, go to http://nationaldayofprayer.org.

Wednesday | 2

Wycliffe Gordon and MIHS Jazz Ensemble Concert: 7 p.m., May 2, Eastside Foursquare Church, 14520 100th Ave. N.E., Bothell. Jazz great Wycliffe Gordon is the 2011 Jazz Trombonist of the Year. Gordon will play with the Mercer Island High School Jazz Ensemble. To learn more, call (206) 232-5953 or visit mihsband.com.

Thursday | 3

MIVAL Meeting: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., May 3, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 4400 86th Ave. S.E. Free. Social: 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Potluck and high school scholarship winner luncheon: 12-2 p.m. www.mival.org.

Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon: 12-1:15 p.m., May 3, Mercer Island Community and Event Center, 8236 S.E. 24th Street. Guest speaker: Mercer Island Congressman Adam Smith (D). After redistricting, Mercer Island is now part of the 9th District, which now extends from Tacoma to Kirkland. Please RSVP to info@mercerislandchamberofcommerce.org or (206) 232-3404. Cost: $15 (Chamber members), $20 (nonmembers). It is the Chamber’s policy to bill for reservations not cancelled 24 hours in advance of the event.

SJCC Parenting Center Class: Birthing From Within, 6:30-8 p.m., May 3, Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 E. Mercer Way. A holistic approach to birth preparation to help you build pain-coping techniques for a meaningful birth. Contact: Dana Weiner, (206) 388-1992, danaw@sjcc.org.

Friday | 4

SJCC Community Shabbat hosted by Kids B’Kef: 5:30-7 p.m., May 4, Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 E. Mercer Way. Features prayers and songs led by SJCC Kids B’Kef classes and ECS music specialist Joe Johnson. Picnic dinner in the Kesher Community Garden. Cost: $12-$17. Contact: Katie London, (206) 388-0828, Katiel@sjcc.org.

Fourth Annual MIPC Rummage Sale: 6-8 p.m., May 4, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Shop early at 5 p.m. with a $10 donation. Sale is also 9 a.m.-1 p.m., May 5; everything is half price from 12 to 1 p.m.

Mark Thallander Organ Concert: 7:30 p.m., May 4, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Accompanied by James Whitman. The public is invited. Free will offering. Contact: Sue Sherwood, 236-0740, or MIPC, 232-5595. www.mipc.org.

“Cave of Forgotten Dreams”: French movie, 7:30 p.m., May 4, Aljoya, 2430 76th Ave. S.E. English subtitles included. Documentary about the discovery in 1994 of cave paintings many thousands of years old in southern France. Free, community invited. Sponsors: Mercer Island Arts Council, Aljoya. Contact: Judy Leithe, 232-5413.

Saturday | 5

Earthcorps Pioneer Park Volunteer Event: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., May 5, Pioneer Park, Island Crest Way and S.E. 68th Street. Remove non-native plants, plant native conifer trees and do site maintenance. Snacks, tools and gloves provided. Register at www.earthcorps.org.

Cartooniversity Workshop: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., May 5, Mercer Island Community and Event Center, 8236 S.E. 24th Street. An opportunity for kids of any skill level to learn all aspects of cartoon drawing from local editorial cartoonist, Jeff Johnson. Instructions: Bring 30 sheets of white copier paper, 2 pencils, sharpener, black extra fine point Sharpie marker, black felt-tip pen, sack lunch. Cost: $56 (resident); $66 (nonresident). Register: (206) 275-7609 ext. 1, www.myparksandrecreation.com.

Sunday | 6

Mountains to Sound Greenway Luther Burbank Park Volunteer Event: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., May 6, Upper Luther Burbank Park, 84th Ave. S.E. and S.E. 33rd St. Remove invasive plant species such as blackberry, ivy, holly. Half-day shift available. Register at www.mtsgreenway.org or call (206) 812-0122.

“Finding Kind” Documentary: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., May 6, Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way. Features individual girls and women who share their personal experiences about girl-on-girl bullying, and respected experts and authors in the fields of psychology, education and the interrelationships of women and girls. www.sjcc.org.

Mercerwood Shore Club Annual Open House & Hot Dog BBQ: 1-4 p.m., May 6, Mercerwood Shore Club, 4150 East Mercer Way. Swim in the pool, play tennis. Free. www.mercerwood.com.

Kaffeeklatsch with Karrin Klotz: 2 p.m., May 6, Mercer Island Community and Event Center, Groveland Room #101, 8236 S.E. 24th Street. Puget Sound Association of Phi Beta Kappa meeting with Karrin Klotz, J.D. Cost: $5. Light refreshments served. Please RSVP by May 1 to administration@psa-pbk.org.

Upcoming

Lively Saints of Mercer Island Covenant Church: 12 p.m., May 8, MICC, 3200 78th Ave. S.E. The Lively Saints (50+ years young) presents The Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound luncheon program, old-time radio entertainment featuring the series “Vic and Sade” (1932-1946). Cost: $7. Tickets: (206) 232-1015, www.micc.org.

Town Hall Meeting: Mercer Island Communities That Care, 7-8:30 p.m., May 8, Mercer Island Community and Event Center, 8236 S.E. 24th Street. For more information, call: (206) 275-7743.

French Conversation Evening: 7-9 p.m., May 8, Beth Brennen residence. Sponsor: Mercer Island Sister City Association. The evening will be informal, and intended for anybody who wants to improve his/her French. All levels of French are welcome. For more information, address and driving directions, contact Beth Brennen, 232-7650, or Monica Howell, 232-2983.

Celebrating Women in Business: 12-4 p.m., May 9, Plateau Club, 26526 E. Plateau Dr., Sammamish, 98074. Presented by the Mercer Island and Sammamish Chambers of Commerce. Speaker: Karen Bryant, Seattle Storm CEO. Program includes lunch, workshops and a fashion show to keep you stylishly current. RSVP: (206) 232-3404, info@mercerislandchamberofcommerce.org. Cost: $45 (Chamber members), $55 (non-members). Deadline for reservations: May 7.

Snoqualmie Casino Adult Day Trip: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., May 11. Cost: $16. Register: (206) 275-7609 ext. 1, www.myparksandrecreation.com.

Mercer Island Sister City Association Soirée à Thonon et Mercer: 6:30 p.m., May 12, Kaspar’s Restaurant, 19 West Harrison, Seattle, 98119. No host wine bar reception: 6:30 p.m. Gourmet dinner with wines: 7 p.m. The community is invited. Ticket deadline: May 1. Contact: Linda Todd, 232-4570.

Kiev, Jewish Metropolis: A History, 1859-1914 Lecture by Professor Natan Meir: 7:30 p.m., May 14, Stroum Jewish Community Center auditorium, 3801 East Mercer Way. Presented by The Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State. Doors open at 7 p.m. The JGSWS library will be available. Author book signing and book purchases will be available. Cost: $5 (nonmembers). Free for JGSWS members. www.jgsws.org.

Mercer Island Radio Operators Meeting: 7 p.m., May 17, Mercer Island Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. Learn about amateur radio communications and emergency preparedness. www.mirohams.org.

Mercer Island Historical Society Meeting: 1 p.m., May 21, Mercer Island Community and Event Center, 8236 S.E. 24th Street. Speaker: Chip Wall, retired MIHS teacher. Perspective on past and future of Mercer Island school system.

Events | Ongoing

“Our Town”: 7:30 p.m., May 3-5, 10-12, Mercer Island High School, Performing Arts Center, 9100 S.E. 42nd St. Performances by MIHS drama department. Tickets: $10 (pre-sale), $15 (at door).

Vinyasa Yoga Class: 3:30-5 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays, May 7-30, MICEC Dance Room, 8236 S.E. 24th Street. Build strength, flexibility and freedom in the spine. For students at all levels over age 16. Cost: $124 (resident); $148 (nonresident). Register: (206) 275-7609, www.MyParksAndRecreation.com.

Nancy Schaps Memorial Grant: The Mercer Island PTA Council is accepting applications for the Nancy Schaps Memorial Grant through May 15. The grant serves children who: are currently experience the terminal illness of a parent, have recently lost a parent or have a parent on active military duty. Request information or applications from Mercer Island public school counselors or Paula Orehek, grant administrator: orehekp@comcast.net.

Free Speech and Language screenings: ongoing through May, Mercer Island Speech Pathology, The Globe Building, 9725 S.E. 36th Street Suite 203. For children ages 2-8. The screenings will take approximately 15 minutes, completed by a certified speech-language pathologist. Call for an appointment: (206) 232-2046.

Master Gardener Free Clinics: Fridays, 1-5 p.m., ongoing through June 8, Rite Aid, 3023 78th Ave. S.E.; 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Sundays, June 17-Oct. 14 (no clinic Aug. 5), Mercer Island Farmers Market, Mercerdale Park. Your gardening questions are welcome. Plant disease diagnosis is also available. Annual fundraising Plant Sale: May 5-6, Center for Urban Horticulture. www.mgfkc.org.

Abrakadoodle Art Enrichment: 10:15-11:15 a.m., Tuesdays, ongoing through June 19, Mercer Island Community and Event Center, 8236  S.E. 24th Street. Visual arts education: each art class offers a unique educational experience. For children ages 3-6. Contact to register for classes: www.abrakadoodle.com.