Some 300 Hawai'i churches and parishes are asking residents to include prayer in their daily lives this Thanksgiving season.

The event, "E Pule Käkou, Hawai'i Uniting in Prayer," takes place from Wednesday through Nov. 29.

People are urged to offer thanks at home, work, school, church and elsewhere, and to ask God to bless the state as it faces overwhelming challenges — including the economy, domestic violence, unemployment, addiction or simply feelings of loneliness and despair.

Prayer at schools and workplaces will be emphasized Wednesday. On Thanksgiving Day, prayer is encouraged with families and at home.

For the remainder of the observance, people are requested to go to a participating church to pray.

To obtain a list of participating churches and organizations — or to register your church or organization — call 839-4002, or www.epulekakou.com.

ST. ANDREW'S OFFERS FREE DINNER THAT'S OPEN TO ALL

A Thanksgiving "sung" communion service featuring music by the combined choirs of the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Andrew — followed by public Thanksgiving feast — will be offered Thursday.

The Thanksgiving Eucharist choir service is scheduled at 10 a.m. in the main sanctuary.

The cathedral's traditional Thanksgiving dinner will begin at 1 p.m. in the church's Von Holt Room.

The dinner of traditional Thanksgiving fare is free and open to the public, especially those with nowhere to go — "live-alone" neighbors, soldiers away from home, newcomers to the community or those who have lost their mate for the holidays.

A "Meals on Wheels" alternative will also be offered.

For information, reservations, or to volunteer to help, call 282-3881.

'PSALMFEST' SCHEDULED AT KAWAIAHA'O CHURCH

"PsalmFest: A Thanksgiving Choral Celebration" will be offered at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Thanksgiving Eve, at Kawaiaha'o Church.

The free public concert will feature the church choir, the Kawaiolaonapukanileo Vocal Ensemble, Honolulu Chamber Choir and the Hawai'i Youth Opera Chorus.

For information, call 522-1333.

'BISHOP'S LU'AU' WILL BE SERVED UP NEXT SATURDAY

The Bishop's Lu'au — in observance of the Feast Day of King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma, founders of the Episcopal Church in Hawai'i — will be held at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Andrew next Saturday.

This year marks the 147th anniversary of the confirmation of the sovereigns, sometimes called "Hawai'i's Episcopal Saints."

The pa'ina, featuring traditional lu'au foods, will be staged noon to 4 p.m. on the cathedral's front lawn.

Drive-through take-out service will be served behind the main sanctuary, at Queen Emma Square.

Entertainment will include Kaumakaiwa Kanaka'ole, Ku'uipo Kumukahi, Mahiehie and Hälau Nä Mamo O Pu'uanahulu.

The dinner will be preceeded by a Festival Eucharist (communion) at 10 a.m.

General admission tickets, and take-out, are $25. Higher priced "Gold Table" and "gold individual tickets" will include reserved parking and seating.

For information, call 524-2822, or go to www.saintandrewscathedral.net.