Submit information on services for Lent

Submit information
on services for Lent

The Vindicator’s Religion page will run a listing of area services that are open to the public in observance of Ash Wednesday, Feb. 6. Other information on Lenten programs also should be submitted. The deadline to submit information is 5 p.m. Wednesday. The list will be published next Saturday. Send information to Religion Desk, The Vindicator, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown, OH 44501-0780; by e-mail to religion@vindy.com; or by fax to (330) 747-6712. For more information, call the Religion desk at (330) 747-1471, ext. 1245.

First Friday program

BOARDMAN — Bishop George V. Murry of the Diocese of Youngstown will speak on “The Church in the Diocese of Youngstown” at the Feb. 7 meeting of the First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown. The luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m., and the cost is $15. Reservations are required; call (330) 533-1023 or go to www.firstfridayclubofgreateryoungstown.org.

Youth in church

YOUNGSTOWN — A program, “Youth Empowerment Vision Impact,” geared to youth directors, youth leaders, junior church directors and youth pastors is planned at 6 p.m. Feb. 7 at Fifth Avenue Community Church, 1361 Fifth Ave., Youngstown. City Prayer Team, Warriors Inc., Heart Reach Ministries and Fellowship of Christian Athletes are combining efforts for the session.

The question, “How will God use his leaders to empower the youth?” will be answered by speakers. Reservations are requested by Feb. 4 by contacting Andrea L. Mahone, Increase the Peace community/city youth director, at (330) 744-7606 or the prayer team at (330) 788-3412.

Crash course in Judaism

LIBERTY — Rabbi Joseph Schonberger of Temple El Emeth, 3970 Logan Way, will begin a new class, “Crash Course in Judaism.” Sessions will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 3 and 24 and March 2 and 9. The course is open to community residents. For information, call the temple office at (330) 759-1429.

Concert planned

NILES — Pleasant Valley Evangelical Church, 2055 Pleasant Valley Road, will present a concert by Circle of Friends, a Southern gospel quartet, at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The event is free but an offering will be accepted.

Four chaplains’ service

NEWTON FALLS — American Legion Post 236 will observe Religious Emphasis Week, Feb. 3-9, and there will be a Four Chaplains’ service Feb. 3 at First Congregational Church.

The service is in commemoration of the sacrifice of four chaplains — a rabbi, Catholic priest and two Protestant ministers — who were aboard the USS Dorchester when the ship was torpedoed Feb. 3, 1943, and sank. The chaplains distributed life jackets and gave up their own to save sailors. This 65th anniversary of the event is part of the American Legion’s Service to God and Country program.

Spiritual experience

CANFIELD — “The Retreat in Daily Living,” a spiritual experience to help people develop a more personal relationship with God, is planned. Eight sessions, which will begin Feb. 7, will be offered. Morning sessions will be at the Ursuline Center, 4280 Shields Road, and evening sessions at St. Michael Church, state Route 46. The cost is $50.

For registration or information, call Eileen Novotny, spiritual director, at (330) 533-3831; church at (330) 533-6839; or center, (330) 799-4941.

Spiritual growth campaign

GIRARD — Girard First United Methodist Church, 22 N. Market St., will begin the “3:16 Spiritual Growth Campaign” during worship at 10:45 a.m. Feb. 3. The Rev. Douglas Meek, pastor, will speak on one of the most famous verses in the Bible, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”

The campaign also will use the book, “3:16 — The Numbers of Hope” by Max Lucado, in Bible studies planned at 4 p.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Books are available through the church at a discounted price. For information, call the church at (330) 545-4361.

Transformation event

YOUNGSTOWN — Ford Taylor, a Cincinnati businessman and founder of Transformation Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, will speak during a luncheon from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday at Fifth Avenue Community Church, 1361 Fifth Ave. The event is free to pastors and business people are asked to give a donation.

The transformation, which uses the power of prayer, also involves participants being focused on bringing about a lower crime rate, growing economy, civility and being committed to Christ.