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 on 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 e-mail to religion@vindy.com.

Christmas pageant

warren

On Dec. 4, Central Christian Church, 2051 E. Market St., will present “Journey to Bethlehem,” its annual live Christmas pageant that retraces the path followed by Mary and Joseph to the birthplace of the Christ child.

Reservations are suggested and being accepted at the church office, 330-372-1676, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Departure times for the “journey” are every 10 minutes beginning at 4 p.m. with the last journey at 6:50 p.m.

A guide will escort six to eight travelers on a walking tour throughout the church’s three-story interior. Travelers will meet angels, townspeople, King Herod, shepherds, wise men and innkeepers, all portrayed by members of the church congregation. The 20-minute journey will culminate at the stable. Rick, Shelly and Faith Pressell will portray the holy family from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and John, Leann and Christian Tallman from 5:30 to 7.

There will be refreshments in fellowship hall.

Special journey

boardman

Disciples Christian Church, 565 Boardman-Canfield Road, will present “The Journey to Bethlehem,” a living nativity with animals, from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 3.

The walk-through drama will recreate the sights and sounds of the village of Bethlehem at the time of Christ’s birth. You’ll meet King Herod, be counted in the census, see the wise men and shepherds tending their flocks, then visit the stable to discover the newborn baby. The fellowship hall will be a marketplace with craftsmen.

Studies/North

liberty

The role of feasts and fests in the Jewish, Christian, Islam, Hindu and Buddhist traditions will be the topic when Jewish/Christian Studies/North meets Dec. 7 at Temple El Emeth, 3970 Logan Way. The group gathers at 12:30 p.m. with the program at 1.

Rabbi Joseph Schonberger will discuss time.

For information, call the Rev. George Balasko at 330-385-55782, or Rabbi Schonberger at 330-759-1429.

Spirituality day

warren

The Benedictine Sisters of the Byzantine Church at Queen of Heaven Monastery will offer a day of spirituality from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Center, 180 Belvedere Ave., N.E.

Presenter will be the Rev. Archpriest John G. Petro, rector of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Seminary in Pittsburgh. His topic is “The Cave Within.”

There will be reflection, refreshments and the sacrament of reconciliation.

Participants also may pray vespers with the sisters.

To register, call 330-856-1813 or send email to qohm@netdotcom.com by Dec. 6.

Music, testimony

hubbard

Jesus Is The Way Ministries will present the music and testimony of singer/songwriter Jenah Ross Shank at 6 p.m. Friday at the Brentford House, 737 Myron St.

The cost, which includes dinner, is $10 for adults and $6 for children. There is no cost for younger children.

Shank is worship leader at the Truckers 4 Jesus Truck Stop Ministry at the Petro in Girard, where her husband, Ron Shank, serves as chaplain.

She is working on a new collection of songs with producer/musician Josh Lattanzi and guitarist Ron Cable, both members of the worship band at Upper Room Ministries in Austintown.

For information, call 330-759-2950.

Crossing Paths plans annual banquet

hubbard

Crossing Paths local TV ministry will have its annual Christmas banquet at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Brentford House, 737 Myron St.

The ministry was founded by Donald G. Reed Sr. and is seen on more than 100 cable companies including Channel 27, FOX 17-62 and UHF 29,

Guest speaker will be Ben Kinchlow, co-host of The 700 Club and host of the International Edition of The 700 Club, as seen in more than 80 countries. He is a minister, broadcaster, author and businessman. He will share his testimony, and music will be provided by Gene Kennett.

This event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required, and no children younger than 12 will be admitted.

Sponsorship for a table of eight is $100.

For more information, call 724-981-7777.

Pro-Life group

boardman

Men and Women United for Life, a Diocesan Pro-Life organization, will host the Advent meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 in the St. Matthew Room at St. Charles Church, 7345 Westview Drived.

The Rev. Matthew Albright, teacher at John F. Kennedy High School in Warren, will speak.

A young woman who had an abortion also will share her message of healing and hope.

Laura Kotheimer will lead singing of Advent songs.

A basket raffle and refresh- ments will follow the present-ations.

For information, contact Natalie Wardle at 330-758-2325, or Judy Welsh at 330-718-7746

Holiday concert by Stambaugh Chorus

youngstown

St. Patrick Church, 1420 Oak Hill Ave., will host a holiday performance of the Stambaugh Chorus at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 4.

The choral group, directed by Dr. Hae-Jong Lee, has performed on numerous occasions for non-profit events, with Opera Western Reserve, Thiel College and with Youngstown State University’s Dana School of Music.

The mission of the group is to promote and perform choral music while giving back to the Mahoning Valley and enhancing the cultural life of the community.

The concert is free and open to the community.

The parish also will sponsor a spaghetti dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the social hall.

The cost is $7 for adults and $3.50 for children age eight and younger.

Carryouts are also available.

Nativity display

villa maria, pa.

The Sisters of the Humility of Mary will host the sixth annual nativity display from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 3 and 4 and 10 and 11 in Villa Maria Conference Center.

This special indoor Advent exhibit represents more than 270 nativities from personal, family and community collections.

Musical entertainment will be featured along with the tour of the display. Musical artists include Wade Raridon Singers, Seraphim Choir, Kirk Kupensky playing the Celtic harp and local church choirs from St. Camillus, St. James, New Bedford Presbyterian Choir and Cardinal Mooney Women’s Choir.

The display is free and open to the public.

Free will offerings will be accepted.

Light refreshments will be served.

A roast beef dinner will be from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 4 and a spaghetti dinner from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 11.

Ingredients for the meals are from Villa Maria’s farm-raised cattle and naturally grown vegetables.

Tickets are available in advance and takeout is also available.

The Villa Shoppe will be open and offer nativity sets, one-of-a-kind Fair Trade items and unique gifts from around the world.

For more information, call 724-964-8920, ext. 3348, or visit www.humilityofmary.org.