Lenten programs offer education and reflection

Area churches will observe Lent with a variety of programs. This a listing of information submitted to the Religion Desk at The Vindicator and in newsletters.

UBlessed Sacrament Church, 3020 Reeves Road, N.E., Warren, will hold soup suppers and a speaker series on Tuesdays. Mass will be at 5:30 p.m. followed by the supper and speaker. The schedule is Feb. 12, “In These Days of Lenten Journey,” a musical reflection; Feb. 19, “Reflections on the Passion Narratives;” Feb. 26, “Liturgical Ministry Retreat; March 4, “Lent Reconciliation Service;” March 11, “Parish Retreat: Faithful, not Fearing, Citizenship;” and March 18, “Triduum Reflection in Word and Song.”

There will be Taizé prayer around the cross at 7:45 p.m. Feb. 15 and March 7.

UFirst Presbyterian Church of Mineral Ridge, 3654 Main St., Mineral Ridge, will hold midday and evening programs on Wednesdays during Lent. “Bread for the Journey” is the theme for the noon service of prayer and communion that is scheduled Feb. 13-March 19.

Dinner will start at 6 p.m. with worship at 7 p.m. with the theme, “Beneath the Cross,” from Feb. 13-March 12. There will be prayer, singing and a letter from a person who was at the crucifixion. A free-will offering will be taken.

UGood Hope Lutheran Church, 98 Homestead Drive, Boardman, will hold Lenten soup suppers sponsored by the youth group and fellowship committee. The suppers will be from 6 to 6:45 p.m. followed by worship and start Feb. 13. Donations will go to the Good Hope Preschool Scholarship Fund.

UGrace Lutheran Church, corner of Grant and Walnut streets, East Palestine, will hold supper and worship on Wednesdays during Lent. They start next week. Supper will be at 6:30 p.m. with a free-will offering taken to defray expenses. Worship will be at 7:15 p.m. with dialogue sermons on “Living Lent — The Animals Tell the Story.” The East Palestine Ministerial Association will hold men’s breakfasts at 7 p.m. Wednesdays during Lent at the church.

UJerusalem Lutheran Church, 415 S Main St., Columbiana, will present “The Way to God” series by Anthony DeMello with programs at 7 p.m. Sessions and topics will be Feb. 13, silence; Feb. 20, peace; Feb. 27, joy; March 5, life; March 12, freedom; and March 19, love. 

UJohn Knox Presbyterian Church, 1806 Market St., Youngstown, will hold covered-dish suppers followed by worship at 6 p.m. Wednesdays, starting with Ash Wednesday through March 12.

USt. Maron Maronite Catholic Church, 1555 S. Meridian Road, Youngstown, will hold traditional Maronite prayers around the cross at 7 p.m. Fridays during Lent.

USt. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, 1346 Vernon N.W., Warren, will present a Lenten series by James Johnston at 7 p.m. Mondays, Feb. 11-March 10. The theme is “Five Greatest Popes.”

USt. Matthias Church, 915 Cornell St., Youngstown, will hold soup and bread meals from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays during Lent at the Father Snock Center. The schedule is: Ash Wednesday, hosted by Infant Jesus of Prague Guild; Feb. 13, hosted by church choir members; Feb. 20, hosted by Holy Name Society; Feb. 27, hosted by Generations of Faith Team; March 5, parish council; and March 12, Sacred Heart and Rosary Society.

A women’s retreat led by Eileen Novotny will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 8 at St. Maron’s Church. Register at the church or call Sister Janice at (330) 788-5082. Holy Name Men’s Morning of Reflection will be from 9 a.m. to noon March 15 at the church rectory. Register at the church.

USt. Patrick Church, 1420 Oak Hill Ave., Youngstown, will hold a Lenten lunch series on Tuesdays with Mass at 11:30 a.m. followed by a light lunch and speaker from noon to 1 p.m. Call the church at (330) 743-1109 to make a reservation. The schedule is: Feb. 12, the Rev. Carl Kish; Feb. 19, the Rev. Ed Noga; Feb. 26, Sister Norma Raupple; and March 4, the Rev. Andrew Kolitsos.

UUrsuline Center, 4280 Shields Road, Canfield, will present Lenten prayer programs from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays, Feb. 27 and March 3. There is a fee of $5 per session. Eileen Novotny, certified spiritual director, will conduct an eight-session retreat at 11 a.m. Thursdays, starting next week. The cost is $50. Call the center at (330) 799-4941.

UZion Lutheran Church, 3300 Canfield Road, Youngstown, will present “Seeds for Lent” Wednesdays, next week through March 12. A soup and sandwich dinner will be from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m., learning time from 6:30 to 7:45 and closing devotions, 8 to 8:15. Sessions, for senior high youth through adults, will feature “Everybody’s Normal ’Til You Get to Know Them,” “Peter and Paul,” “Psalm 23,” “Putting Faith to Work,” “Shepherding a Child’s Heart” and “The Case for Christ.” “Ten Commandments” will be for seventh- and eighth-graders.

Kids in Discipleship at Zion will be held during the same time frame as the Lent programs. From 6:30 to 8, children from kindergarten through sixth grade will participate in the “Jerusalem Marketplace,” which will feature Bible stories, music, games and crafts. The program is free but registration is requested by calling (330) 792-4046.