CHRISTMAS

CHRISTMAS
Trinity Fellowship, 4749 South Ave., Boardman, will present a Christmas extravaganza at 7 p.m. Friday, next Saturday and Dec. 14. An offering will be taken.
Christmas Cantata, "Christmas Noels," 11 a.m. Dec. 14, Lockwood United Methodist Church, 4570 Lockwood Blvd. Youngstown, telling the nativity story through hymns, carols and readings.
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon North Jackson, 2759 N. Lipkey Road, North Jackson, 44451. Christmas Novena in honor of the infant Jesus, 7 p.m. Dec. 15-23. Prayer intentions may be mailed to the shrine; call (330) 538-3351.
Unity Church Centre, 1226 Naylor Lloyd Road, Girard, is running its "Love A Bear-Share A Bear" program. Donated, new Teddy Bears will be given to community organizations after Dec. 14; (330) 539-0122.
Advent Communal Penance Service, 11:30 a.m. Dec. 18 in Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 421 Covington St., Youngstown. A free luncheon will be served afterward. Call (330) 799-8873 for reservations. The event is in cooperation with St. Stephen of Hungary, Holy Name, Our Lady of Hungary and Sts. Cyril and Methodius churches.
Community churches will attend Ohltown United Methodist Church, 2001 Ohltown-Mineral Ridge Road, Mineral Ridge for a "Singspiration" at 7 p.m.Sunday. Mineral Ridge churches collected, bagged, and distributed bags of food and food vouchers to 26 families in the Mineral Ridge area for Thanksgiving as part of the Community Parish Fund. The churches and Weathersfield Middle School students donated most of the food.
Free 2003 Holiday Gospel Music Explosion, 7 p.m. next Saturday, Greater Mount Zion Church of God in Christ, 3300 Hudson Ave., Youngstown, featuring Kenny Eldridge and the Jesus Celebration Singers, The Warriors, and Reuben Robinson; (330) 744-1844.
Renaissance Nativity Festival presents the nativity through music and 16th century costumes, 6 p.m. Dec. 15, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 140 Cherry Ave., N.W., Warren. Guest musicians will be Struthers High School singers, Tom Weller on bagpipes and a brass quartet. Donations will be accepted. Fellowship will follow.
Live nativity, 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 21 and 22, and 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. Dec. 24, Calvary United Methodist Church, 12062 South Ave., North Lima.
Christmas Holiday Concert featuring the 100-plus Voice Community Choir, Men on a Mission Choir, spiritual mimes and gospel rap, 5 p.m. next Saturday, Tabernacle Baptist Church, 707 Arlington St., Youngstown; (330) 747-9624.
Calvary Assembly of God, 7580 Glenwood Ave., Boardman, presents "Breakfast at the Manger," 8:30-10 a.m. next Saturday with Biblical characters, Santa Claus and his wife, crafts, and treats; free for children age 2-6 with an adult; (330) 726-8141.
OTHER
The Second Annual Banquet for Recovery Restoration Ministries Inc., 6 p.m. Friday, St. Maron's Hall, 1555 Meridian Road, Youngstown, will honor the Rev. Lonnie A. Simon, pastor emeritus of New Bethel Baptist Church. The guest speaker is the Rev. Kenneth L. Simon, his son and New Bethel's present pastor. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door and can be purchased at the Protestant Family Services or New Bethel.
The Rev. Jim Erb, senior pastor of Pleasant Valley Evangelical Church, Niles, will speak at The Youngstown Chapter of Flame Fellowship, 7 p.m. Dec. 15, Georgianna Parker Activity Center in Boardman Park.
The ongoing bicentennial celebration at Trinity United Methodist Church, 30 W. Front St., Youngstown, includes two speakers: the Rev. Dean Williams, retired minister at Trinity, at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, and the Rev. Pat Christ, pastor of Richard Brown United Methodist Church, at 10:45 a.m. Dec. 14. Fellowship will follow both events.
Calvary Ministries International Women's Conference presents "Exercising from the Inside Out!" 9 a.m. to noon next Saturday, Beeghly Medical Park, Community Education Center, 6505 Market St., Boardman; $10 fee; (330) 747-4445.