Thanksgiving services

Thanksgiving services
YOUNGSTOWN -- A variety of Thanksgiving services are being offered in the area:
UTrinity United Methodist Church in Youngstown will have a Thanksgiving eve worship service at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The message will be "Praise to the Lord."
UA community Thanksgiving worship service will be at 7 p.m. Sunday in First Baptist Church in Newton Falls. A collection of food pantry items will be taken.
UAn annual ecumenical community Thanksgiving service will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Girard First United Methodist Church. Members of the Girard and McDonald Clergy Association will participate.
UThe Campbell Ecumenical Council of Churches will celebrate its annual Thanksgiving service at 7 p.m. Sunday in Archangel Michael Orthodox Church.
UAn ecumenical Thanksgiving service sponsored by the Howland Clergy Association will be at Blessed Sacrament Church in Warren at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Participating churches are Howland United Methodist, Christ Episcopal, Howland Community and Living Lord Lutheran. A combined choir will sing.
Christmas program
BOARDMAN -- Boardman United Methodist Church will present the musical drama "The Christmas Shoes" at 9 a.m. Dec. 1 and 7 p.m. Dec. 15. The 50-minute musical focuses on two families. The love of a child buying shoes for his ill mother changes one man's heart to restore his life, love and commitment to family. The event is free.
Youth retreat
VILLA MARIA, Pa. -- A retreat for youths 13-18 addressing the issues of peace and nonviolence will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Villa Maria Education Center. The cost per person is $10. Register no later than Dec. 7. Call (724) 964-8886.
Pearl Harbor Mass
NORTH JACKSON -- The 61st annual Pearl Harbor Mass will be at 10 a.m. Dec. 8 in the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon. All veterans are to assemble with colors a half-hour before Mass. Call (330) 782-0340.
Spirituality program
WARREN -- The Benedictine Sisters of the Byzantine Church at Queen of Heaven Monastery are offering an afternoon of spirituality from 1 to 5 Dec. 14. To register, call (330) 856-1813 before Dec. 10.
There will be a talk on the topic "Waiting on the Lord" in preparation for the Feast of the Nativity.
There will be time for reflection, questions and coffee. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available. The afternoon will conclude after the celebration of Vespers at 4:10 p.m.
85th anniversary
YOUNGSTOWN -- Jerusalem Baptist Church will celebrate its 85th anniversary at 3 p.m. Sunday. The Rev. Kenneth L. Simon of New Bethel Baptist Church will speak, and New Bethel's choir will sing.
Open house
WARREN -- The Institute of Divine Metaphysical Research, at 3323 Parkman Road, Suite B5, will have an open house with gospel music, a lecture and refreshments from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday.
Lectures are from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sundays and from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The institute, with headquarters in Los Angeles, has had a branch in Warren since 1996. For more information, visit www.idmr.net.
Awards banquet
WARREN -- Thirty young area men will be recognized for their leadership at the first Young Men New Focus Graduation Recognition Banquet.
The event is at 2 p.m. Dec. 1 at G's Golden Gate; the awards ceremony is at 2:30 p.m.
The New Focus program lasts 15 weeks and targets young men for personal development.
Awards will be given in various categories, including Youngstown Men New Focus graduates, Youngstown Black Men Association Hall of History, lifetime achievement, distinguished leader, distinguished organization and distinguished school.