Submit information for Christmas services

Submit information for Christmas services

The Vindicator will run a listing of area services that are open to the public in observance of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The list will run on Dec. 19.

The deadline to submit information is 5 p.m. Wednesday. Information should include the denomination and name of the church, address, city or suburb, time of Christmas Eve or Christmas Day services, your name, and a phone number for verification.

Send the information to Religion desk, The Vindicator, 107 Vindicator Square, Box 780, Youngstown, Ohio 44501-0780; by fax to (330) 747-6712; or by e-mail to religion@vindy.com.

Christmas vespers

YOUNGSTOWN — The music department of Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church, USA, will present the 62nd annual Christmas vespers at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 20.

The Adult Chancel Choir, Youth Handbell Ringers, Children’s Choir and Brass Quartet will be featured in this service of music and candle lighting.

An instrumental prelude will begin at 4.

Prayer, drinks, wrapping

BOARDMAN — Abundant Life Fellowship of New Waterford will offer prayer, hot beverages and gift wrapping from 3 to 9 p.m. Dec. 19 at Sferra Motorcar Inc., 7495 Market St.

The used-car lot, owned by Columbiana businessman Ed Sferra, is near Southern Park Mall.

Sferra is chairman of the church’s elder board and is a leader of the men’s group that meets at 9:30 a.m. Sundays.

Holiday shoppers are welcome to drive up for prayer, a hot or cold beverage and hot dog, and stay as long as they want. Members will be on hand to pray, serve food and beverages and wrap Christmas gifts.

The gift wrapping will be available on a first-come, first served basis.

Everything is free.

For questions or directions, call (330) 457-7317.

Musical performance

NILES — Sara Groves, one of the most critically-acclaimed artists in the Christian music industry, will perform with her band at 6 p.m. Sunday at Pleasant Valley Church, 2055 Pleasant Valley Road, as part of her “O Holy Night Tour.”

The evening is designed for young and old, and will feature traditional Christmas favorites as well as original songs, stories, multimedia, refreshments and caroling.

Childcare will be provided for children under 10.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at local Christian bookstores or by contacting Pleasant Valley Church at (330) 539-6582. If you wish to purchase tickets online, go to itickets.com.

Jay Michael concert

CANFIELD — Jay Michael will be in concert at the 10:30 a.m. worship service Dec. 20 at Canfield Christian Church, 123 S. Broad St.

All are welcome to attend a Christmas concert at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, which will be followed by a Sundae Sunday in the fellowship hall.

Bring or wear an “ugly” Christmas sweater; the craziest sweater wins $20.

Teen panel discussion

YOUNGSTOWN — Students from Cardinal Mooney and Ursuline High schools will present a panel discussion at the Jan. 7 First Friday Club meeting at Antone’s Banquet Center on Market Street in Boardman.

They will speak on: “Today’s Teens and Faith.”

The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. and concludes at 1 p.m.

The cost is $15.

Reservations are due no later than Dec. 31 and can be made by calling (330) 533-1023 or at firstfridayclubofgreater-youngstown.org.

Coffeehouse concert

GIRARD — A coffeehouse concert will be today from 6 to 9 p.m. in the old Wellman Theater, 29 W. Liberty St.

Parking is available on the streets and at the rear of the theater.

Performing will be Tea Ciferno, Danielle Cochran with brother Chris Mowery, Emmaus and His Music Connection.

The coffeehouse offers free food and drink including cappuccinos and meatball sandwiches and other items.

Attendees will hear old-fashioned and new Christmas carols along with some original songs.

For more information, go to hismusicconnection.com or call (330) 539-5349.

Sunday morning concert

BOARDMAN — Western Reserve Community Church, 8590 Hitchcock Road, will present Ashlie Marie in a Christmas concert at 10:45 a.m. Sunday.

Live Nativity scene

NEWTON FALLS — First Christian Church, 17 N. Center St., will have a live Nativity from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 19.

Drive through or walk to the manger and experience the true meaning of Christmas.

Pastor to be installed

YOUNGSTOWN — The Rev. Ben Graves will be installed as the pastor for Christ Church Presbyterian, 1933 Canfield Road, at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

Pastor Graves was ordained Nov. 28 at Kent Presbyterian Church. He is a recent graduate of Pittsburgh Seminary, receiving his master of divinity degree.

Pastor Ben and his wife, Karen, reside in Boardman.

All are welcome.

A dinner will be served immediately after the service.

‘The Winter Rose’

BOARDMAN — Bethel Lutheran Church Sanctuary Chorus will perform “The Winter Rose” at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at Bethel Lutheran Church, 425 Crestview Drive.

Children’s program

NEW WATERFORD — Abundant Life Fellowship, 46469 state Route 46, will present a children’s Christmas musical program at 7 p.m. Friday in the main sanctuary.

The program is directed by Sharon Withers, and will be repeated at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 20.

For Christmas Eve, the church will minister personal community and prayer to families from 6 to 7 p.m. followed by a traditional candlelight service with carols and a message.

The public is invited to all services.

For questions or directions, call (330) 457-7317.

Mall gift wrapping

YOUNGSTOWN —The Jewish Community Center (the J) is having its 13th annual Gift Wrap Fund Raiser at Southern Park Mall in Boardman from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Dec. 24.

It will be located directly across from Macy’s.

Gifts will be wrapped for a donation and boxes are available for purchase.

Proceeds benefit the J’s scholarship programs, which provide services to families and individuals in need throughout the community.

Villa Maria programs

VILLA MARIA, Pa. — Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center, located on the grounds of the Villa Maria Community Center, is offering the following programs and services in January:

“Coffee and Contemplation Series,” 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 5. Registration is required. Cost is $7 for the program or $13.70 for the program and lunch. This is a monthly program series running from September to May. It focuses on a variety of spiritual and holistic topics which include time for reflection and discussion.

“Chocolate Retreat for Women,” Feb. 19-21 with presenter Sr. Patricia Lenard and Sandy Kirschner. The Scriptural themes for this retreat are interwoven with themes from the feature film “Chocolat” and the Clarissa Pikola Estes book, “Running with the Wolves.” The cost is $220 and includes tuition, meals and lodging. Registration and payment are requested by Jan. 18.

“Living in a Time of Impasse,” March 14-20, with presenter Nancy Sylvester, IHM. If you are experiencing struggles with other persons, unjust systems and situations that leave you feeling helpless and disempowered, this retreat offers wisdom and insight. The cost is $775 which includes tuition, meals and lodging. It is limited to 18 participants. Registration and payment are requested by Feb. 22.

To make reservations for these events, call (724) 964-8886 or go to villaprograms.org.

Valentine’s Day event

CANFIELD — Still looking for that unique gift for someone special?

Just in time for the holidays, tickets are now on sale for the Valentine’s Day Dinner and Entertainment Benefit for the Ursuline Center.

Tickets are $20 per person, and includes dinner and dessert, with entertainment provided by “The Seraphim Chorus.”

For more information, or to purchase tickets, call the Ursuline Center at (330) 799-4941.

Live Nativity at Zion

CORNERSBURG — Zion Lutheran Church, 3300 Canfield Road, will present a live Nativity at 5:30, 6, 6:30 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the live Nativity at Zion, which will be performed outside, in front of the church.

The Nativity serves as a Christmas community outreach project.