Submit details on holiday services

Submit details on holiday services

The Vindicator will run a listing of area services that are open to the public in observance of Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24, and Christmas Day, Sunday, Dec. 25. The list will be published Dec. 17.

The deadline to submit information is 5 p.m. Dec. 14. 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.

Information also may be submitted on services for New Year’s Eve, Saturday, Dec. 31, and New Year’s Day, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012. A list of these services will be published Dec. 24.

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 email to religion@vindy.com.

Power of Praise

boardman

Power of Praise, a contemporary Christian music group, will present a concert, “Christmas This Year,” at 7 p.m. today at St. Luke Church, 5235 South Ave.

A pasta dinner will precede the event.

Holiday concert

youngstown

The Wade Raridon Singers will present a holiday concert at 4 p.m. Dec. 11 in the sanctuary of Martin Luther Lutheran Church, 420 Clearmount Drive.

The program will feature classical traditional selections in both Latin and English sung by the 26-voice chamber choir directed by Dr. Wade Raridon.

A reception with light refreshments will follow.

The concert is free and open to the public. A free will offering will be accepted.

Holiday experience

This Christmas, imagine traveling back to Bethlehem. The Bethlehem Experience is a free, child-friendly chance for families to learn about what it might have been like when Jesus was born.

The activity will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at First Presbyterian Church, 22 Westview Ave.

In the event of inclement weather, a snow date will be Dec. 18.

Christmas concert

warren

“The Hope of Christmas” is a free concert event being sponsored by local churches that believe there is real hope for the Mahoning Valley and want to show it.

The concert is scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 11 at Packard Music Hall.

Featured will be the award-winning Annie Moses Band, a group of Julliard-trained siblings who incorporate classical, folk and jazz into a musical experience.

Tickets are free but must be reserved; call 330-609-0183 or visit www.hopeofchristmas.com.

Seating is limited.

A recent report said Youngstown had the highest poverty rate in the country. The holiday season is often a difficult time for those struggling with physical, emotional, financial or spiritual needs.

Local churches and businesses have joined to show the community the “hope of Christmas.”

The event will include prayer and practical help.

Advent concert

warren

“Prepare Your Heart for Christmas,” an Advent concert for women, will feature recording artist Tia Ciferno at the event from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church, 185 Laird Ave.

All women are invited to attend this time of song, reflection and inspiration.

A free will offering will be taken for Bella Women’s Center.

The event is sponsored by Women Walking in Faith.

Gospel music

canfield

The Circle of Friends Gospel Group will perform at 6 p.m. Dec. 11 at Western Reserve United Methodist Church, 4580 Canfield Road. A free will offering will be taken.

Tradition continues

youngstown

A holiday tradition will continue as Park Vista Retirement Community, 1216 Fifth Ave., presents its annual living nativity with live animals from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.

The scene will be depicted by volunteers from Mineral Ridge Presbyterian Church, Tabernacle Baptist Church and Poland Seminary High School.

Concert planned

youngstown

Monica Phillips and the Vizhens of Worship will present a concert at 6 p.m. Dec. 10 at Bethel Church of God in Christ, 3147 Glenwood Ave., with special guest, Complete.

Family Christmas

austintown

Highway Tabernacle, 3000 S. Raccoon Road, will present “A Highway Family Christmas” at 6 p.m. Dec. 11. The program will feature the adult worship choir, Tabernacle Singers and Highway children’s choir.

Childcare will be provided for infants to kindergarten. Admission is free, and doors open 30 minutes before the show. A free will offering will be taken.

Yule movie

north lima

North Lima Mennonite Church, 90 Mennonite Drive, will screen the movie, “Christmas with a Capital C,” at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Human rights event

youngstown

Church Women United will sponsor a Human Rights Celebration at 11 a.m. Dec. 10 at Reeds Chapel, 1739 Jacobs Road. Honored will be Kathleen Johnson of CWU and numerous community organiations; Dr. Carol Baird, Youngstown Connection director; and the late Cecil Monroe, peace activist.

A holiday potluck luncheon will follow.

Interim pastor

NORTH JACKSON

The Rev. Gaye Santoro is interim pastor at First Federated Church, 10786 Mahoning Ave. She is an alumnus of the Ohio State University and received a master of divinity degree at Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Prior to the ministry, she worked in technology sales. The Rev. Ms. Santoro served as adjunct pastor in charge of adult education at First Congregational Church in Hudson, Ohio. Contemporary worship is at 9:30 a.m. and traditional at 11.

Christmas production

new wilmington, pa.

New Life Baptist Church, 3414 state Route 208, will present a Christmas production titled “Light” at 6 p.m. Dec. 10 and at 9 and 11 a.m. Dec. 11.

Care will be provided for children from birth to 5 years old.

Christmas musical

niles

The adult and children’s choirs and drama team of First Baptist Church, 26 E. Church St., will present the Christmas musical, “The Richest Family in Town,” at 6 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Monday. A nursery is available.

St. Maron celebrations

youngstown

Bishop Robert Shaheen of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon, and Chor Bishop Michael Kail. pastor of St. Maron Maronite Catholic Church, 1555 S. Meridian Road, will preside over the centennial celebration this weekend.

A banquet will be at 6 p.m. today.

On Sunday, Bishop Shaheen will celebrate divine liturgy at 11 a.m. followed by a parish brunch in Antioch hall.

St. Maron was founded in 1911 as a parish in the Diocese of Cleveland. When the Diocese of Youngstown was formed, St. Maron was transferred with the other local parishes.

In 1967, it was transferred to the newly formed Maronite Eparchy of St. Maron.

Church mergers

youngstown

The Diocese of Youngstown Parish Reconfiguration Plan, which began in 2008 and was promulgated by Bishop George V. Murry in May of 2010, includes parishes that will remain as single parishes, collaborative units and merged units. Three additional mergers have taken place, bringing the total number of mergers to 13.

St. Pius X Church and St. Joseph Church, Warren, merged Aug. 1 with the new name of Blessed John Paul II Parish. The mailing address for the merged parish is 1401 Moncrest Avenue, NW, Warren. Both worship sites remain open. Christ Our King Church in Warren has closed.

St. Stephen of Hungary Church, Sts. Peter and Paul Church and Our Lady of Hungary Church merged Oct. 3 with the new name of Holy Apostles Parish. The mailing address is 854 Wilson Ave., Youngstown. Bishop Murry has accepted the recommendation of the Transition Team that Holy Apostles Parish will maintain two worship sites, and Our Lady of Hungary Church will close.

St. Joseph Church, Mother of Sorrows Church and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Ashtabula, merged Oct. 7 with the new name of Our Lady of Peace Parish. The mailing address is 3312 Lake Ave., Ashtabula. All three worship sites remain open at this time.