CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Christmas concert
GIRARD -- First Presbyterian Church of Girard, 890 Church Hill Road, will present a rock 'n' roll Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Sunday. A free-will offering will be taken with funds going to Niles Community Services.
Featured will be Chords of Christmas. Members are Mike Adams and Ken Adams of The Great Pretenders; Alex Milne, Mike Pernicano and Chuck Metzger of 72 Giants; Tom Shaffer of Ugly Stick; and Heidi Davis of Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University. They will perform 13 selections including "Boughs of Holly" and "Christmas Canon Rock."
Broadcast at church
CORTLAND -- Cortland Trinity Baptist Church, 2576 McCleary Jacoby Road, will host a broadcast of "The Case for Christmas" at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4. Author and former atheist Lee Strobel will speak on Christmas lore and legend and what convinced him that Jesus is divine.
Initial sermon planned
YOUNGSTOWN -- Rev. Kenneth L. Simon, pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church, 1507 Hillman St., has announced that Thomas Young will give his initial sermon at 5 p.m. Sunday at the church. He has answered a calling to the ministry.
Art retreat weekend
VILLA MARIA, Pa. -- Villa Maria Retreat Center, a ministry of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, is offering an "Art Retreat Weekend: Painting Your Prayer" from 7 p.m. Dec. 9 through 4 p.m. Dec. 10.
Sister Paulette Kirschensteiner and Sister Margaret Marszal will help participants explore praying by creating forms, shapes and images. No previous art experience is necessary.
Sister Paulette, an art teacher with a master's degree in fiber arts, ministers at The Cherry Stone Studio, North Canton. Sister Margaret has a master's degree in art education and Christian spirituality.
Cost is $110, which includes materials, overnight accommodations and meals. Call (724) 964-8920, Ext. 3241.
Advent events scheduled
MINERAL RIDGE -- First Presbyterian Church, 3654 Main St., will have special events for the beginning of Advent. Church school will begin at 9:15 a.m. Sunday and be followed with worship at 10:30. There will be a sloppy joe dinner at 5 p.m. in fellowship hall.
Members will move to the sanctuary for Christmas carols and a program by children on the Christmas story. Members will make Advent wreaths at 6:15; supplies will be available at a slight fee. Call the church at (330) 652-5712 to make reservations.
Testimony night
CANFIELD -- Life Care Ministry Center Lucille Orr Ministries Inc., 5357 Raccoon Road, will hold testimony night at 7 p.m. Monday. Mother and daughter speakers are planned. Refreshments will follow.
Family fellowship
HUBBARD -- A Christian family fellowship banquet, sponsored by Pastor Barbara Dobranchin of Jesus is the Way World Outreach Ministries in Liberty Township, is planned at 6 p.m. Friday at the Brentford House, 737 Myron St. Pastor Joe Hernandez of Disciples of Jesus Fellowship in Niles will speak.
Reservations are due by Wednesday by calling (330) 856-2745 or (330) 759-2950. Cost is $9 for those age 13 and older, and $6 for children 5-12.
Advent Bible study
PETERSBURG -- Petersburg Presbyterian Church, state Route 170, will have an adult Advent Bible Study with the theme, "God's Gifts." The sessions will be from 7-9 p.m. "The Gift of God's Love" will be Wednesday, "The Gift of God's Word" on Dec. 7, "The Gift of God's Presence" on Dec. 14, and "The Gift of God's Grace" on Dec. 21. Participants are asked to bring a dessert and/or a beverage to share.
Christmas concert
BOARDMAN -- Beaver Valley Choral Society will present a Christmas concert, "All is Well," at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at Western Reserve Baptist Church, 8590 Hitchcock Road. Philip Inman, professor of music at Geneva College, directs the 90-member group. A free-will offering will be taken.
Annual live nativity
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- Old Springfield United Church of Christ, 11957 state Route 170, will have its annual live nativity from 3-5 p.m. Dec. 4 in the church pavilion. Live animals, carols and refreshments will be featured.
Advent lunch series
BOARDMAN -- St. Charles Borromeo Church, 7345 Westview Drive, will have an Advent lunch series from noon to 1 p.m. in its St. Mark Room. Sessions will be Wednesday, "Polish Traditions of Advent and Christmas" with Jacek and Dorota Sobieski and Eugene Bak; Dec. 7, "Working in the Community" with Nancy Voitus of Catholic Charities; and Dec. 14, "Strengthening Community Via Small Christian Communities" with Tom Assion, SCC facilitator. Participants should take a lunch. Beverages will be provided.
Concerts at church
YOUNGSTOWN -- Two concerts are planned at Sts. Peter & amp; Paul Catholic Church, 421 Covington St. The Aurista Ensemble of New York City will share music from the Orient for meditation at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. A Christmas concert will take place at 3 p.m. Dec. 4 with harpist Kirk Kupensky and flutist Kelly Zunic. Refreshments will follow both events.
Stations of the nativity
COLUMBIANA -- Jerusalem Lutheran Church, 415 S. Main St., will present an Advent series, "Stations of the Nativity: Four Stages of Spiritual Growth," during services at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. Sundays, starting this weekend, and continuing through Dec. 18.