RELIGION DIGEST || Easter musical

YOUNGSTOWN

The drama ministry at Rising Star Baptist Church, 2943 Wardle Ave., on the city’s East Side, presents its annual Easter musical drama "Your Masterpiece," today. The play depicts the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the performance beginning at 7 p.m. The play is free, but free-will offering will be collected. There also will be an interpreter for those attending who are deaf or hard of hearing.

New church members

YOUNGSTOWN

Within the six-county Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, 242 men, women and children from 52 parishes are preparing to become members of the Catholic Church at Easter. Ninety-seven people will receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil today, and 145 people who have already been baptized in other Christian traditions will make a profession of the Catholic faith and receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. For information, contact Rev. Michael D. Balash, office of worship, at 330-744-8451, ext. 282.

Jimmy Black event

BOARDMAN

Kingdom Reign International Ministries, 4570 Lockwood Blvd., will host Worship with Jimmie Black at 10 a.m. today for Passover 5778. This is a free event, but a love offering will be received.

Sunrise service

AUSTINTOWN

There will be an Easter Sunrise service at 7:30 a.m. Sunday in the gazebo at the 9/11 Memorial Park, 6000 Kirk Road. The service will be hosted by Rev. Chuck Homa from Austintown Baptist Church. The public is invited to attend.

Spring revival set

CAMPBELL

Greater Liberty Baptist Church, 66 Tenth St., will host a spring revival at 7 p.m. nightly Wednesday through Friday. The revivalist pastor is James Bowie of Greater Friendship Baptist Church. For information, contact Rev. Lee Moore at 330-755-9644 or 330-717-1519.

Blackwood Quartet

NORTH LIMA

The Blackwood Quartet will be in concert at the North Lima Mennonite Church, 90 Mennonite Drive, at 7 p.m. Friday. No tickets are required, but a love offering will be received. For information, call 330-549-2333.

Guest speaker

LIBERTY

The Unity Centre for Spiritual Living, 1226 Naylor-Lloyd Road, will host guest speaker Matthew Starcher from Unity of Southeastern Ohio at 11 a.m. April 8. A workshop will follow. For information call 330-539-0122.

Holy Family devotion

POLAND

Holy Family Parish, 2729 Center Road, will host a Divine Mercy devotion at 3 p.m. April 8. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be sung followed by veneration of the Divine Mercy Image. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament will follow.

Divine Mercy Mass

HUBBARD

St. Patrick Parish Family, 367 N. Main St., will celebrate the Feast of Divine Mercy on April 8. Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m., followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until 3 p.m. At 3 p.m., the Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be prayed, followed by veneration of the Diving Mercy Image and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. All are welcome. For information, call the Parish House at 330-534-1928.

Religion presentation

LIBERTY

Temple El-Emeth, 3970 Logan Way, will host “Setting the Record Straight: Misconceptions of Judaism and Other Religions” on Wednesday. A gathering will take place at 12:30 p.m. with the event beginning at 1 p.m.

Missionary Society tea

WARREN

The Louise Currie Missionary Society of Grace AME Church, 1137 Main Ave. SW, will celebrate its 34th annual Burgundy and Pink Tea at 4 p.m. April 8. The wife of Pastor John H. McCants Jr., first lady and recording artist, Marlyce Roberson-McCants, will be featured in concert. Tickets are $10 and are available by calling Gloria at 330-307-5779 by Wednesday.

First Friday Club

BOARDMAN

First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown Luncheon Speaker Series presents Joy Schroeder Ph.D., at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at The Georgetown, 5945 South Ave. Schroeder, a Lutheran pastor and a professor of religion at Capitol University and Trinity Seminary, will speak on “Martin Luther – A Man Who Changed the Course of History.” The cost is $16. Call 330-720-4498 to make reservations. For information visit www.firstfridayclubofgreateryoungstown.org.

Farewell to Rev. Aull

BOARDMAN

Rev. Donald Aull will deliver his last sermon at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 119 Stadium Drive, at 10:30 a.m. April 8. After the service, there will be a reception in his honor in the fellowship hall. The public is invited.

Choir event

YOUNGSTOWN

The Gospel Choir of Antioch Baptist Church, 110 Funston St., will host “Seven Steps to the Cross” at 4 p.m. April 9. The event features Minister Michael Williams, Minister Pat Kimbrough, Minister Allan Irizarry-Graves, Minister Felecia Williams, Minister Kevin Brown, Elder LeAnn Lampley Laster and Minister Richard Brown.

Meditation worship

NEW CASTLE, PA.

The Spiritual Path Church, 2041 Moravia St., will host Joseph Carringer, an internationally known Didgeridoo musician and sound therapist for a meditation worship, at 1 p.m. April 14. The didgeridoo is a wind instrument developed by indigenous Australians. The workshop cost is $35. Reservations are required. For information, contact Rev. Karen Heasley at 724-698-7564.

Guest speaker

NORTH LIMA

Sue Thomas will be speaking at the North Lima Mennonite Church, 90 Mennonite Drive, at 6 p.m. April 15. She grew up locally but has become known internationally. She is profoundly deaf, yet was recruited by the FBI due to her unique lip-reading abilities. The public is invited to hear her tell her life story and benefit from her testimony on overcoming the obstacles and challenges of life.

Stained Glass Concert

BOARDMAN

Boardman United Methodist Church, 6809 Market St., will host a Stained Glass Concert with a select group from the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra at 3 p.m. April 15 in the sanctuary. The Chancel Choir, as well as organist Sean Baran, will be featured. A reception will take place in the church conference room at the conclusion of the concert. A free-will offering will be accepted. For information, call Paula Barrett at 330-502-1070.

ACTION fundraiser

YOUNGSTOWN

Bishop George Murry will be the guest speaker at ACTION’s annual fundraiser at 5 p.m. April 17. Bishop Murry heads a newly formed committee from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops that will address racism in society and the church. The event will take place at Mount Carmel Banquet Hall, Via Mount Carmel. For further information, contact Rose Carter at 330-941-0475.

Fundraiser event

YOUNGSTOWN

St. John's Episcopal Church, 323 Wick Ave., will host Shane Claiborne on April 20. The evening starts at 6 p.m. with a free community meal, then Claiborne will speak at 7 p.m. This is a free event. Donations of soap, dish soap, laundry soap and toilet paper to the St. John’s Food Pantry will be welcome and appreciated. This event is sponsored by St. John’s Episcopal Church, Richard Brown and Trinity United Methodist churches.

Annual retreat

GIRARD

Unity Churches of Northern Ohio presents "The Amazing Wisdom Within Us" Third Annual Retreat on April 20-21. Experience the HeartMath Solution with Rev. David McArthur. For information call the office at 330-539-0122.

Youth Choir Festival

YOUNGSTOWN

The Office of Worship of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, in conjunction with the Music Committee of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission, will sponsor the annual 2018 Diocesan Youth Choir Festival at 12:30 p.m. April 21 at St. Columba Cathedral, 159 W. Rayen Ave.

The festival will culminate with the youth choir singing at the 4 p.m. Vigil Mass. Lunch and music will be provided for all students registered for the festival. There is no charge to any student or choir for participating in the event, although donations toward music and lunch expenses will be accepted.

Bluegrass concert

AUSTINTOWN

The Austintown Community Church, 242 S. Canfield-Niles Road, will host Limited Edition Bluegrass Band of Warren at 7 p.m. April 22 in the sanctuary. This is a free event, but a love offering will be accepted.

Mini-conference set

MOGADORE

The Office of Pro-Life, Marriage and Family Ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown is sponsoring a mini-conference entitled “Love, Sexuality, Family and Culture: 50 Years Since Humanae Vitae” from 1 to 4 p.m. April 22 in Gaudete Hall at St. Joseph Paris, 2463 Waterloo Road. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Donald Wallenfang. The cost is $10 per person, $15 per couple, or $20 per family, with scholarships available. Participants are invited to arrive early for lunch at 12:30 p.m. Baby-sitting is available for those who register by April 16. For information or to register, go to www.doy.org or contact 330-744-8451, ext. 272 or dschmidt@youngstowndiocese.org.

Retreat for women

STREETSBORO

The Office of Pro-Life, Marriage and Family Ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown is co-sponsoring a healing retreat for women with the Community of Jesus, the Living Mercy. The retreat , “And I Will Heal Them,” will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 28 in the Hall at St. Joan of Arc Parish, 8894 state Route 14. There is no cost for the retreat, but free-will offerings will be accepted. To make reservations, call Mary or Cheryl at 1-800-482-4100 or email at BethesdaHouse@aol.com.

The religion digest runs every Saturday. Send items for the digest by email to religion@vindy.com, by mail to the Religion Desk at The Vindicator, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown, OH 44501-0780, or by fax to 330-747-6712. Deadline to submit information is Tuesday at 5 p.m.