ash wednesday \ Services in the area

Lent, a season of spiritual renewal, begins Ash Wednesday, which is next week. Christ used a 40-day period of prayer and fasting to prepare for his ministry, which culminated in his death on the cross and resurrection. Christians imitate Christ with a 40-day period of prayer and fasting to prepare for the celebration of his ministry’s climax, Good Friday (the day of crucifixion) and Easter Sunday (the day of Resurrection). Forty days is a traditional number of discipline, devotion and preparation in the Bible. Lent also lasts for 40 days, excluding Sundays.

Bethel Lutheran Church, 425 Crestview Drive, Boardman: Ash Wednesday service is at noon. A potluck supper will be at 5:45 p.m. followed by worship at 6:30.

Boardman United Methodist Church, 6809 Market St., Boardman: Service at 7 p.m. with Chancel Choir.

Churchill United Methodist Church, 189 Church Hill-Hubbard Road, Liberty: The sanctuary will be open from 6 to 7 p.m. for personal meditation and imposition of ashes.

Disciples Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 565 Boardman-Canfield Road, Boardman: A prayer vigil will start at midnight Tuesday and continue to 11:30 p.m. Wednesday.

First Presbyterian Church, 3654 Main St., Mineral Ridge: Noon worship service with imposition of ashes. Evening service at 7 p.m., also with imposition of ashes, will include the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Dinner will be served in fellowship hall at 6. Reservations are not required and child care will be provided.

First Presbyterian Church, 201 Wick Ave., Youngstown: Vesper service at 7 p.m. with imposition of ashes. It will be preceded by a covered dish dinner with Butler Memorial and Hungarian Presbyterian churches.

Girard United Methodist Church, 22 N. Market St., Girard: Communion service at 7 p.m.

Good Hope Lutheran Church, 98 Homestead Drive, Boardman: Worship services at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. with communion and imposition of ashes.

Holy Family Church, 2729 Center Road, Poland: Masses and ashes at 6:30 and 9 a.m., noon and 7 p.m.

Jerusalem Lutheran Church, 415 S. Main St., Columbiana: Service at 7 p.m.

Liberty Presbyterian Church, 1451 Church Hill-Hubbard Road, Liberty: Ash Wednesday worship service at noon with imposition of ashes.

Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 550 N. Broad St., Canfield: Ash Wednesday services at noon and 7 p.m. with Holy Eucharist and imposition of ashes.

Mahoning United Methodist Church, 2214 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown: Congregational dinner at 6:30 p.m. in fellowship hall followed by worship at 7:30 with communion served at the tables.

Martin Luther Lutheran Church, 420 Clearmount Drive, Youngstown: Worship and imposition of ashes at noon and 7 p.m.

Our Lady of Hungary Church, 545 N. Belle Vista Ave., Youngstown: Mass and ashes at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church, 3919 Southern Blvd., Youngstown: Service at 6:30 p.m. with imposition of ashes.

Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 291 Scoville Drive, Vienna: Ashes will be given before Masses at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

St. Augustine Episcopal Church, 614 Parmalee Ave., Youngstown: Ash Wednesday service at 5:30 p.m.

St. Elizabeth Church, 124 Keystone St., Campbell: Mass and ashes at 9 a.m.

St. John the Baptist Church, 159 Reed Ave., Campbell: Masses and ashes at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.

St. John’s Episcopal Church, 323 Wick Ave., Youngstown: Services with Holy Communion and distribution of ashes at 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.

St. Joseph the Provider, 633 Porter Ave., Campbell: Masses and ashes at 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.

St. Lucy and St. Rose of Lima churches, 394 Tenney Ave., Campbell: Masses and ashes at 8 a.m. in English, 9 in Spanish and 7 p.m. in English. A communal penance service will be at 7 p.m. March 18.

St. Patrick Church, 1420 Oak Hill Ave., Youngstown: Masses and distribution of ashes at 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 421 Covington St., Youngstown: Masses and ashes at noon and 5:30 p.m.

Westminster Presbyterian Church,119 Stadium Drive, Boardman: Worship from 4 to 7 p.m. with ashes.

Zion Lutheran Church, 10857 Main St., New Middletown: Imposition of ashes from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.