Submit information on Christmas

Submit information on Christmas

The Vindicator will publish a listing of area services that are open to the public in observance of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The Christmas list will run on the Religion page Dec. 17; the New Year’s list will run Dec. 24. The deadline to submit information is 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Information should include the denomination and name of the church, address, city or suburb and time of Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day services and New Year’s Eve and/or New Year’s Day services. The information should be accompanied by a name and a phone number for verification or any questions.

Send the information to Religion Desk, The Vindicator, 107 Vindicator Square, Box 780, Youngstown, OH 44501-0780; by fax to 330-747-6712; or by email to religion@vindy.com.

Christmas music

NEW CASTLE, PA.

The 13th annual “O Come, All Ye Faithful – A Musical Celebration of Christmas” is planned at 7 p.m. Dec. 18 in First Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Jefferson St., and will include traditional, Gospel, classical and contemporary selections.

Performers will be Celebration Ringers and Singers of the church, Sheet and Tube Brass Quartet, Edelweiss Woodwind Quintet and soloists, Cindy Houston and Elizabeth Hannold. Allison Benedict will sign.

Free-will donations will go to New Castle City Rescue Mission.

Refreshments will follow in the church hall.

For information, call the church at 724-652-7706.

Taiz prayer

VILLA MARIA, PA.

An Advent Taiz prayer is planned at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Magnificat Chapel at Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center. Tom Franzak is music director.

Taiz is an interdenominational Christian prayer form. All are welcome.

Light refreshments and fellowship will follow.

For information, call 724-964-8886.

Comfort service

YOUNGSTOWN

“Break Through the Darkness” is the theme of a service planned at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Zion Lutheran Church, 3300 Canfield Road, Cornersburg area, for families and friends of loved ones who have died.

The nondenominational service will offer Scripture, music and anointing to celebrate the lives of loved ones and include what the holidays will mean without special people.

The service is meant to offer comfort, peace and healing.

Longest night

COLUMBIANA

Midway Mennonite Church, 13376 Columbiana-Canfield Road (Route 46), plans a Longest Night/Blue Christmas service at 7 p.m. Dec. 21, the winter equinox.

During this season of joy and bustle, many experience feelings of loss, foreboding, sadness and confusion.

This service is a time to name laments, acknowledge true longings and look to God for light, hope and promise.

For details, contact Greg Bowman by email at gmbowman33@gmail.com or 330-853-1604.

There is handicap access via an elevator.

Episcopal choirs

WARREN

A Festival of Lessons and Carols will be sung by Episcopal choirs of the Valley at 7 p.m. Dec. 18 at Christ Episcopal Church, 2677 Atlantic Ave. NE.

Dr. Richard Konzen is organist, and Gary P. Richards is director of music.