lenten programs and activities in the valley

This is a listing of programs and activities being offered during Lent:

Ambassadors for Christ: The organization of churches on the East Side in Youngstown will conduct its 17th year of Lenten services and programs from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 17-March 16. Services at participating churches will be Feb. 17 at We Walk by Faith Bible Church, 1636 Himrod Ave., with Pastor Roney Tucker; Feb. 24 at St. James Church of God in Christ, 75 S. Prospect Ave., and Pastor George Moore; March 2 at Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, 325 S. Forest Ave., and the Rev. George Wilkins; March 9 at Mount Zion Baptist Church, 827 Wilson Ave., and the Rev. Jack Pettis; and March 16 at Holy Apostles Parish at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 421 Covington St., and the Rev. Joseph Rudjak. Services inlude Scripture, prayer, music and fellowship. There also will also be a speaker, chosen by the host pastor, at each service.

Bethel Lutheran Church, 425 Crestview Drive, Boardman: The midweek Lenten series, “Continuing in the Covenant of Baptistm,” will offer soup suppers at 5:45 p.m. and services at 6:30 p.m.. Wednesdays, Feb. 17-March 16. The third annual Shrove Tuesday pancake supper will be from 5 to 7 p.m.

Canfield Christian Church, 123 S. Broad St., Canfield: Lenten breakfasts are planned from 7 to 9 a.m. Wednesdays, starting Ash Wednesday through March 23. Breakfasts are free; free-will offerings will be accepted. For information, call 330-533-2246.

Christ Our Savior Parish: The movie, “Gifted Hands,” will be shown at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 16 in the parish conference room, 764 Fifth St., Struthers. It is the story of Ben Carson, a pediatric neurosurgeon. (This is not politically oriented.) Weekly sharing group will focus on the book, “Rediscovering Jesus” by Matthew Kelly, at 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays during Lent. Cost is the book. Call 330-755-6245 Ext. 114. “Soul on Fire,” a ladies Lenten Day of Reflection, will be March 5.

Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 1110 N. Salem-Warren Road, North Jackson: Midweek Lenten services are planned at 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 17-March 16. For information, call the church at 330-538-2630.

Good Hope Lutheran Church, 98 Homestead Drive, Boardman: Lenten midweek services will be at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 17-March 16. The evening sessions will have a soup supper at 6 p.m. Topics are: Feb. 17, God With Us — Following Jesus While Facing the Enemy; Feb. 24, Submission and Surrender — Praying at Gethsemane; March 2, Grace and Truth — Reaching Out to Enemies; March 9, Facing Failure — With His Fore Knowledge and Promise; and March 16, Jesus’ Witness – Sharing His Hope and Identity.

Grace Lutheran Church, 162 S. Raccoon Road, Austintown: Lenten potluck suppers and services on Wednesdays, Feb. 17-March 16. Supper will be at 5:30 p.m. with services at 7 p.m. Several Evangelical Lutheran Church of America pastors will participate; each week a different pastor will lead the service and preach. Pastors will travel from church to church during Lent.

Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 550 N. Broad St., Canfield: “Continuing in the Covenant of Baptistm” will be the midweek Lenten programs at 7 p.m. Feb. 17-March 16.

Mahoning County Lutheran Cluster of Churches: Evangelical Lutheran Churchs in America will each host Wednesday Lenten services Feb. 17-March 16, on the theme, “Continuing in the Covenant of Baptism.” Pastors will rotate among churches. Services are planned at Bethel Lutheran Church, 425 Crestview Drive, Boardman, at noon and 6:30 p.m..; at 7 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 3300 Canfield Road, Cornersburg; 7 p.m. at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 550 N. Broad St., Canfield; at noon (lunch follows) and 6 p.m. at Martin Lutheran Lutheran, 420 Clearmount Drive,Youngstown; and 7 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 162 S. Raccoon Road, Austintown.

Martin Luther Lutheran Church, 420 Clearmount Drive, Youngstown: Lenten services will be conducted at noon and 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, starting Ash Wednesday and continuing through March 16. Martin Luther church women will provide a light lunch of soup, bread and dessert after the noon services at which Lutheran pastors from throughout the Valley will take turns preaching. A free-will offering will be taken. The soup menu will be: Ash Wednesday, pasta fagioli; Feb. 17, wedding; Feb. 24, beef vegetable; March 2, chicken noodle; March 9, ham and bean; and March 16, stuffed pepper. Take-out is available for $6 a quart.

Poland-area churches: Beginning Feb. 17, Poland area churches will offer Lenten Luncheons each Wednesday during Lent, except Holy Week, at Holy Family Parish Center, 2729 Center Road, Poland. Participating congregations are Church of the Rock, Prince of Peace Lutheran, Holy Family, Poland Presbyterian, Poland United Methodist and Heritage Presbyterian. Each luncheon begins with a short devotional message at noon with the luncheon to follow. All are welcome to attend the devotions at no cost. The luncheon is available at a cost of $8 per ticket per week. Tickets can be purchased through participating congregations or by calling Holy Family at 330-757-1545. Tickets must be purchased by the Monday prior to each week’s luncheon. No extra meals will be available.

Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2305 S. Canfield-Niles Road, Austintown: Lenten services on the theme, “The Hands of Lent,” are scheduled at 7 p.m. Wednesdays, preceded by dinner at 6 p.m., Feb. 17-March 16.

Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, 291 Scoville Drive, Vienna: Stations of the Cross will be at 7 p.m. Fridays during Lent.

St. Charles Borromeo Church, 7345 Westview Drive, Boardman: A parish Lenten mission presented by the Rev. Patrick Manning will be at 6 p.m. March 13 with a social following and at 7 p.m. March 14. He is an associate professor, Division of Philosophy and Theology at Walsh University. The mission topic is “Passages of Mercy in the Gospel of John.” Those attending are asked to bring Bibles. Stations of the Cross will be at 7 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 12-March 18. Christian Formation will present a Lenten breakfast series from 7:40 to 8:20 a.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 17-March 9, in the St. Matthew/Mark Room with various speakers. A Lenten Bible study is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, Feb. 17-March 24, in St. Luke Room with Deacon Mike Kocjancic. Registration is suggested but not required; call the parish office at 330-758-2325.

St. Dominic Church, 77 E. Lucius Ave., Youngstown: Stations of the Cross will be recited at 12:30 and 7 p.m. Fridays during Lent with a soup and bread supper following at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Center. A Lent retreat will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Feb. 22-24 with the Rev. Bernard Timothy on “The Name of God is Mercy. Bible study on the Gospel of Matthew is from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays. The movie, “The Passion of the Christ,” will be shown at 6 p.m. March 20 in the Parish Center. A tenebrae service is planned from 7 to 8 p.m. March 23 during Holy Week.

St. James Episcopal Church, Glenwood Ave., Boardman: Lenten study is planned at 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 16-March 15, on “God as the Chief Gardener of Our Souls.” This series uses a tool from monastic spirituality called a “Rule of Life” to explore and cultivate our relationships with God, self, others and creation.

St. John’s Episcopal Church, 323 Wick Ave., Youngstown: Soup and book group will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 17-March 16, and focus on the book, “Not in God’s Name” by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, who discusses religious extremism. A Lenten adult forum will begin at 9:15 a.m. Feb. 14 on the diocesan study, “Growing a Rule of Life.” Lent Madness, an online activity focusing on the saints, is poised to begin. Visit www.lentmadness.org. For information, call 330-743-3175 or visit www.stjohnohio.org.

St. Michael Church, 300 N. Broad St., Canfield: Lenten faith-sharing groups will start meeting the weekend after Ash Wednesday. Sessions will use the book, “The Holy Year of Mercy: A Faith-Sharing Study Guide” with reflections by Pope Francis. Group one will meet at 6 p.m. Sundays in Family Life Center wit Pete Rich, group two at 10 a.m. Tuesdays in the center with Barb Spencer and group 3 at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays in the Bell Tower Room with Scripture Sharing Group. For information, call Maureen Hall at the church, 330-533-6839. Book is $10.

St. Patrick Church, 225 N. Main St., Hubbard: Stations of the Cross will be at 2 p.m. Fridays during Lent. St. Patrick and other churches noted that Dynamic Catholic offers a freee mail program called “Best Lent Ever” based on Matthew Kelly’s best seller, “Rediscover Jesus.” Those who sign up will receive a daily inspirational email with a short vide featuring Kelly and a member of the Dynamic Catholic Team. Sign up at Dynamic-Catholic.com/Lent. –

St. Patrick Church, 1420 Oak Hill Ave., Youngstown: An inter-parish Lenten Mission is planned. On Feb. 29, there will be 8:30 a.m. Mass with reflections on Dorothy Day and presentation, “Spirituality and Social Dynamic,” at 9:30 a.m. by the Rev. Ed Noga and repeat presentation at 7 p.m., both at at St. Luke Church, 5235 South Ave., Boardman; March 1, 8:30 a.m. Mass with reflections on St. Angela Merici by the Rev. Kevin Peters and presentation, “Outreach and Evangelization,” at 9:30 a.m. and repeat presentation at 7 p.m., both at at St. Patrick Church, 1420 Oak Hill Ave., Youngstown; and March 2, Mass at 8:30 a.m. with reflection on Thomas Merton and presentation, “Contemplation and Action” at 9:30 a.m. with the Rev. Joseph Fata and repeat presentation at 7 p.m., both at St. Angela Merici Church, 400 Lincoln Park Drive, Youngstown. Lenten Bible Study from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Wednesdays, starting next week on Ash Wednesday and continuing through March 16 with Sister Joanne Gardner. Stations of the Cross are set at 6:30 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 12-March 18, with soup suppers at 5:30 p.m. sponsored by various groups in the parish.

St. Rose Church, 48 E. Main St., Girard: Stations of the Cross are scheduled at 7 p.m. Fridays during Lent.

Trinity Lutheran Church, 78 E. Liberty St., Girard: On Wednesdays, Feb. 17-March 16, there will be a worship service at 7 p.m. preceded by a soup supper at 6 p.m.

Unity Centre for Spiritual Living, 1226 Naylor Lloyd Road, Liberty: Lenten study will begin Ash Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. with Cay Tomerlin teaching. Call 330-539-0122; there will be a sign-up sheet.

Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center, Evergreen Road, Villa Maria, Pa.: A weekend Lenten retreat presentation, “Seeking and Finding God in the Ordinary,” is planned from 7 p.m. Feb. 26 to 4 p.m. Feb. 27. The retreat will offer reflection time on how to become more aware of God’s presence in daily activities by developing a discerning heart. Sister Margaret Marszel, a nun of the Humility of Mary, has a background in retreat work, parish ministry and education. Her focus is on spirituality that integrates mind, body and spirit. Cost is $110 and includes program, lodging, pizza supper on Friday to lunch on Saturday. Register online at www.vmesc.org. Registration deadline is Feb. 19. Register online at www.vmesc.org or call 724-964-8886.

Westminster Presbyterian Church, 119 Stadium Drive, Boardman: Susan Sheridan, a church member and elder, will lead a Lenten series, “Christ and the Chocolaterie.” The movie, “Chocolat,” will be shown at 6 p.m. Sunday and 1 p.m. Ash Wednesday. The film is a starting point for the course planned at 6 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 14 and 28 and March 6, 13 and 20 and 1 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 17 and 24 and March 2, 9 and 16.

Zion Lutheran Church, 10857 Main St., New Middletown: Combined Lenten services at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays will be reflections on the Book of Job. The schedule is Feb. 17, Old Springfield United Church of Christ; Feb. 24, Petersburg Presbyterian Church; March 2, St. John Church in Petersburg; March 9, Emmanuel Lutheran Church; and March 16, Church of God. Call Zion at 330-542-3821.