For Christmas church services

For Christmas church 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 Dec. 18.

The deadline to submit information is 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Information should include the denomination and complete name of the church, address, city or suburb, time of 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 program

youngstown

Christian Bible Baptist Church, 2369 Oak Street Ext., will present its 33rd annual Christmas program, “The Night Christ Was Born,” at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 19.

The live re-enactment will be followed by recitations, a play and a concert.

Refreshments will be served in the church hall.

Holiday program

youngstown

Senior ministries at Centenary United Methodist Church, 1413 Belmont Ave., will present its second annual free holiday program, “Spreading Holiday Cheer with the Joy of Laughter” at 11 a.m. Friday.

Refreshments will be served.

Blue Christmas

liberty

Liberty Presbyterian Church, 1451 Church Hill-Hubbard Road, will conduct a blue Christmas service at 7 p.m. Friday.

The service will re- emphasize the role of Christ in Christmas and help those who attend to see the supportive role God plays during our darkest moments.

Nativity scene

austintown

The Knights of Columbus Council 3930 and Immaculate Heart of Mary Church will present a live Nativity scene with animals from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 19 in front of St. Joseph and Immaculate Heart of Mary School, 4490 Norquest Boulevard.

Caroling will be from 3:30 to 4 p.m.

Food and refreshments will be provided by the Knights of Columbus.

Special service

liberty

Church Hill United Methodist Church, 189 Church Hilll-Hubbard Road, will have a special contemporary worship service led by youth and young adults at 6 p.m. Dec. 19.

Refreshments will follow the service.

Cantata planned

youngstown

The Worship and Arts Ministries of Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church, 1210 Himrod Ave., will present a cantata, “Why Did He Come,” at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Featured will be the Sanctuary, Youth, Male, Voices of Promise Choirs and Psalms 91 Dance Ministry.

Elder J. Luke Shumpert is the minister of music and Elder J. Dwayne Heard is senior pastor.

Winter solstice

liberty

A service recognizing the winter solstice is planned at 7:30 p.m. Dec.19 at Unity Centre, 1226 Naylor Lloyd Road.

The service will include prayer, meditation and medieval pageant and feauture Colleen McNally-Harris, Celtic singer.

Music director is Kirk Kupensky.

The Oak King and the Holly King will also make an appearance.

In ancient traditions, the Oak King and the Holly King are seen as dual aspects representing the cycle of change between summer and winter.

Admission is free; donations will be accepted.

Concert planned

Ashley Nicole Merrell of Boston will present a free album release concert at 7 p.m. Friday at DeYor Performing Arts Center’s Ford Family Rectial Hall, 260 W. Federal St.

This debut album, “One Freedom,” is based on Galatians 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”

Merrell is a daughter of the Rev. Alton Louis Merrell, pastor of New Jerusalem Fellowship in Warren. She graduated from Howland High School and attended Kent State University. She graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she received a scholarship and earned a degree in professional vocal performance and music business management.

Christmas vespers

youngstown

Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church, 3919 Southern Blvd., will present the 63rd annual Christmas vespers service at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 19 with a prelude at 4:15. A wassail social time will be at 3:30.

The vespers will feature the Adult Chancel Choir, Youth Handbell Ringers, Children’s Choir and Brass Quartet.

Taiz prayer set

VILLA MARIA, Pa.

Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center will have a Taiz prayer from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Magnificat Chapel at Villa Maria Community Center.

The Taiz prayer service is based on a ritual developed by an ecumenical community in France dedicated to prayer and simplicity. Taiz is a Christian Interdenominational prayer form which incorporates music, Scripture and silence.

Musicians from the Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage, Pa., will provide the music. Refreshments will be served after the service.

There is no registration or fee required for this service but a good-will offering will be accepted.

For additional information or directions, call 724-964-8886 or visit www.villaprograms.org.

Appointment made

youngstown

Bishop George V. Murry has appointed the Rev. Joseph Witmer as bishop’s delegate for retired priests, effective Nov. 30.

The delegate serves as a liaison between the bishop’s office and the retired priests of the Diocese of Youngstown. He works in close association with the vicar for clergy services so the needs of retired priests may be met, staying in regular contact with retired priests so the diocese and the bishop can be aware of their situations and needs. He serves as an ex-officio member of the Diocese of Youngstown Priest Retirement Board.

Father Witmer was ordained May 27, 1967, following seminary studies at Mount St. Mary Seminary in Cincinnati. He served as assistant pastor at St. Edward Church and Christ Our King Church in Warren, and was director of the Newman Community Center at Youngstown State University.

Father Witmer previously served on the U.S. Bishops’ Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, and continues as diocesan director for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs and representative to the Ohio Council of Churches. He is a member of the diocesan Priests’ Council and is a diocesan Consultor. Father Witmer retired from the pastorate of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Aurora on Nov. 1.

Musical celebration

new castle, pa.

The seventh annual “O Come, All Ye Faithful — A Musical Celebration of Christmas” is planned at 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at First Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Jefferson St. It will feature sacred, traditional, Gospel and contemporary Christmas music.

A free-will donation will benefit New Castle City Rescue Mission. Refreshments will follow the program.

Musical at church

damascus

The children and adult choirs of Damascus United Methodist Church, 300 Valley Road, will present a musical, “The Christmas Soccer Team,” at 7 p.m. Sunday.

The program also will feature the presentation of new Christmas toys to a local charity.

Refreshments will follow.