West Shore Chorale to mark church date

October 24, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN —The 72-member West Shore Chorale will perform at Martin Luther Lutheran Church, 420 Clearmount Drive, at 4 p.m. Sunday to commemorate the church’s 150th anniversary.

John Drotleff, conductor of the West Shore Chorale and Orchestra since 1984, studied at the Dana School of Music and Columbia University. He taught choral music in the Boardman school system and directed the Orpheus Choral, a group of high school students who studied and performed great choral works. He has twice served as president of the Ohio Choral Directors Association and has received its Distinguished Service Award.

The West Shore Chorale’s repertoire spans several centuries and includes the major works of Bach, Handel, Mozart, Hayden, Beethoven, Brahms, Mendelssohn and many contemporary composers.

The concert is free and open to the public. All former students and acquaintances of Drotleff, former members, extended family and friends of Martin Luther Lutheran Church are encouraged to attend.

After the performance, a reception will be in Fellowship Hall. A free will offering will be taken.

Call the church office at (330) 788-8707 for additional information.

Choirs to unite for Taiz service

YOUNGSTOWN — A Taiz prayer service will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at First Presbyterian Church, 201 Wick Ave. The service will be led by First Presbyterian’s Motet Choir, St. Columba Cathedral Choir and the Poland Presbyterian Chancel Choir.

The 30-minute service in the candle-lit sanctuary will be similar to the services conducted in the Taiz Community in France. Worship will include chantlike songs, Scripture readings, prayers and silence, all of which are intended to draw spirits closer to God and to one another.

The Taiz Community is an ecumenical Christian monastic order in Taiz , France. It is composed of more than 100 brothers who come from Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant traditions. More than 100,000 young people from around the world make pilgrimages to Taiz each year for prayer, Bible study, sharing and community work.

Sister to portray Catherine of Siena

STRUTHERS — St. Nicholas Church in Struthers and St. Dominic Church in Youngstown are offering area residents “An Evening with St. Catherine of Siena, A Woman for Our Times,” at 7 p.m. Nov. 2 at St. Nicholas Church, 764 Fifth St.

Sister Nancy Murray, sister of actor Bill Murray and a Dominican like Catherine of Siena, will portray this world changing mystic and reformer who took on even the popes of the 1300s. She moved them to return to Rome from Avignon, France. Catherine is honored today as a heroine of involved women and one of the few female doctors of the Church. Sister Nancy has performed at St. Catherine all over the world. Entrance is free with a free-will offering invited.

For more information, call (330) 755-9819 or go to stnickstruthers.org.

‘Queen for Day’ event

CANFIELD — Lucille Orr Ministries is inviting area women to the annual “Queen For A Day” luncheon Nov. 5 at the Lifecare Ministry Center, 5357 S. Raccoon Road.

There is no cost to attend, but reservations are required and must be made by Oct. 29.

The event, scheduled to start around 10:15 a.m., will include a light lunch. Area singer Tia Ciferno will share her music and a message. One women will be named Queen for a Day and will receive flowers and a gift basket.

For more information or to make a reservation, call (330) 503-1111.

Dr. Wilson to speak

YOUNGSTOWN — Dr. James L. Wilson will speak during the 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. services Sunday at Cornersburg Baptist Church, 3898 Tippecanoe Road.

Wilson is the associate director of the doctor of ministry program and an associate professor of leadership skills formation at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, Calif.

In addition to being a popular conference speaker, he has written hundreds of articles that have appeared in dozens of publications, including Christianity Today, Focus on the Family and Lifeway Christian Resources.

For more information about Sunday’s programs, call the church at (330) 702-8959.

Gospel Echoes concert

GIRARD — The Gospel Echoes, with special guest Chuck Lee, will perform at 6 p.m. today at the Wellman Theater, 29 W. Liberty St. For more information, go to hismusicconnection.com or call (330) 539-5349.

Winbush to speak

YOUNGSTOWN — Minister Tracey Winbush of WGFT radio will be the guest speaker for 11 a.m. morning worship Sunday at Oak Missionary Baptist Church, 320 Elk St.

‘Meeting Jesus’ course

YOUNGSTOWN — Pastor Gary Schreckengost of St. John Lutheran Church, 1729 Mahoning Ave. (one block west of the Mahoning Avenue bridge) will teach a college-level Oxford discussion study beginning Wednesday. The course, “Meeting Jesus [Again] for the First Time,” will be offered for four consecutive Wednesday evenings. Each night will begin with a salad, soup and sandwich supper at 6 p.m., followed by the study.

All denominations are welcome for this in-depth discussion of the Christian faith. Call (330) 792-7462 for more information.

Songfest at Shiloh

CAMPBELL — The Inspirational Choir of the Shiloh Baptist Church, 238 Bright Ave., will present its annual songfest at 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Talent from the local area as well as Warren and Pennsylvania will participate.

Actors sought for play

WARREN — Take Wings Productions is looking for actors for its original stage play, “ No Ordinary Love,” at The New Jerusalem Fellowship Church, 2555 Palmyra Road S.W. Auditions are at 6:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.

This is a Gospel play written and directed by C.T. Rush. It is a story of love and friendship, deception and redemption.

The following characters are needed, as well as some smaller parts: Larry: best friend to main character Donald, cool, smooth church member and clubber who likes to dance and sing; Yankee: A sexually ambiguous guy, friend to main character Barbara, has a lot of flash and attitude; Bubba: old fashioned pastor with a voice of wisdom; Narrator: well spoken storyteller who can also dub as a bartender.

Contact Carlos Rush for more information at (330) 647-2008.

Mount Zion service

YOUNGSTOWN — Mount Zion Baptist Church, 827 Wilson Ave., will observe its 89th church anniversary at the 11 a.m. service Sunday. Minister William Eldridge of the Christian Discipleship and Revival Center will be the guest speaker. At the 4 p.m. service, Pastor Kevin Crum and the congregation of the New Hope Baptist Church and choirs will be guests. All former members are invited to attend. For more information, contact the church at (330) 746-3601.

Fall Fun Festival

NORTH LIMA — There will be a Fall Fun Festival at North Lima Mennonite Church, 90 Mennonite Drive, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31. Prizes will be awarded for the best Bible character costume, the pumpkin that is the best decorated and most creative, and the best coloring sheet (ages 3-10).

Tickets can be purchased at the door for various games and activities, including a petting zoo with pony rides. Snacks available will be caramel apples, kettle corn, snow cones and cotton candy. There will also be various items available for purchase, many of them on a silent-bid auction basis.

All Souls Day Mass

LOWELLVILLE — St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, 3900 Villa Marie Road, will celebrate All Souls Day Mass at 2 p.m. Nov. 1. Refreshments will follow.

Father Vit concert

YOUNGSTOWN — Francisan Friar Father Vit Fiala will return by popular demand for an hour-long concert for cello and piano from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 2 in St. Patrick Church, 1420 Oak Hill Ave. Father Fiala has performed throughout Europe, Canada and the United States. He will be joined by pianist Nancy Rubenstein from Pittsburgh.

Father Viala’s concert work benefits the work of his religious order, particularly mission work in New York and Central America. The talented cellist began his musical studies at age 6 in Czechoslovakia and has a successful career in music before deciding to join the Franciscan Order. He is currently the director of the Shrine of Our Lady, Comforter of the Afflicted, 517 S. Belle Vista Ave., in Youngstown.

The concert is free and open to the public, but free-will donations will be appreciated. For more information, contact St. Patrick Church, (330) 743-1109.