Fallsnewspress.com - Worship News (Nov. 29)

St. Joseph Parish

St. Joseph's Altar and Rosary Christmas Bazaar will take place Dec. 5 from 2 to 6 p.m.

The event will have baked goods, craft items, Granny's attic (treasures), gourmet chocolates and more.

The event will be located in the basement of the church at 1761 Second St.

St. John's Episcopal Church

Episcopal Church Women will meet Dec. 3 in the lounge and make final arrangements for the Christmas Tea on Dec. 6. In addition to the decorations, cookies, coffee, tea and wassail, there will be a silent auction. The tea will be Dec. 6 from 4 to 6 p.m. Ticket donation is $8 - advance sales only. Tickets are available in the undercroft from Heidi Myers. For more information, call 330-928-1817.

The candlelight Christmas Walk will involve four Cuyahoga Falls churches: St. John's, Pilgrim, First Christian and St. Luke's. All churches will be open Dec. 5 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The finale will be at St. Luke's. The walk starts at Pilgrim Church and ends at St. Luke's; attendees may join at any point.

If you have a military loved one who will be serving overseas this holiday season and would like them to receive a care package, forward the address to Donna Scourfield at 330-920-1754 by Dec. 6.

The church is located at 2220 Second St.

Northminster Presbyterian Church

The Northminster Presbyterian Church, 104 W. Portage Trail Extension, invites community members to join the congregation for its Sunday morning worship services at 10:30 a.m., as the church celebrates the Advent season. During Advent, the Rev. Stephanie Crossland will center her worship themes around "Unwrapping the Christmas Gifts of God," and will begin by focusing on "The Christmas Gift of Time" on Nov. 29. The following Sundays in Advent will include "The Christmas Gift of Affirmation," "The Christmas Gift of Acts of Service," and "The Christmas Gift of Affection." The Christmas Eve worship service will be celebrated on Dec. 24, at 7 p.m. with "The Christmas Gift of Sharing in Gift-Giving." The service will include Scripture, candlelight, and special music in songs and bells from adult and children's choirs. Historically, the worship offering of Northminster Church on Christmas Eve is used by the Deacons, to support the ministries of compassion and care in the local community.

The next Spaghetti Dinner will be Dec. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. The dinner includes spaghetti with marinara, chunky meat sauce or special Alfredo sauce, salad, bread, dessert and coffee, punch or tea. The cost is $7 for adults, $3.50 for children 6-12, and free for children 5 and under. As a special treat, there will also be live Christmas music performed by Tim Yeager and Donna McDonald, playing guitar and hammer dulcimer.

The Bell Choir will be performing a Holiday program for Cardinal Retirement Village, 171 Graham Road, on Dec. 14, at 7 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

The Northminster Book Club continues to meet each month. Their next meeting will be on Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. Anyone who is interested is encouraged to come.

The Pioneer Club, the church's non-denominational youth club for ages 4 through seventh grade will continue to meet on Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. through Dec. 17. They will begin meeting again in the new year, on Jan. 28, 2010.

The Northminster Craft Guild will resume their regular meetings in 2010, on the third Wednesday and third Saturday of each month. January's meetings will be on Jan. 16 and Jan. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the church lounge. Come to one or come to both, and bring a current project and a sack lunch, for fun, conversation and fellowship.

Good Neighbors is now accepting children's and teenagers' Christmas gifts, along with non-perishable foods, taxable items and brown grocery bags until Dec. 6. Bring any donations to the church and help to fill the grocery cart for Good Neighbors.

For further information, call the church office at 330-928-8885.

First United Methodist Church in Cuyahoga Falls

On Nov. 29 at 3 p.m. First United Methodist Church's organist H. Dean Wagner presents The Complete Organ Works of J.S. Bach, Part XV. This concert includes music appropriate for Advent and Christmas as Mr. Wagner continues his task of performing the complete organ works of J.S. Bach. Babysitting is available. A free will offering to benefit the First Church Art Series program will be taken.

Community members are invited to go Christmas Caroling with members and children of First Church on Dec. 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. Meet at the church at 6 p.m. At 7:30 that evening, the local vocal group, "Peace Together" is presenting a concert of music to begin the Christmas season in the church sanctuary. Community members are welcome to enjoy one or both of these seasonal musical events. No child care available for this concert.

First Church is having its second annual Madrigal Dinner on Dec. 5, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Take a step back to medieval times during this evening of period music by the vocal group "722," hors d'oeuvres, a veritable feast, royal costuming, much merriment and the traditional boar's head procession. The cost is $35 per person. For more information, or to make a reservation, call Wanda Jesson at 330-923-5241, extension 222.

The Renaissance Ringers, a local bell group, is presenting a concert of holiday music at First Church on Dec. 6 at 3 p.m.. Come and enjoy. No child care is available for this concert.

Going Strong, a group of active retired persons that meet monthly at First Church, invite community members to join them at their Christmas luncheon at Martin University Center at 105 Fir Hill in Akron on Dec. 7 at noon. The program is Larry Wilgus, the "Singing Inn Keeper" at The Lamplight Inn Bed and Breakfast in Berlin, Ohio. Cost is $18 per person. To make reservation by Nov. 29, call 330-688-5158.

The annual Christmas Dinner hosted by the United Methodist Women at First Church is Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. in Wesley Hall at the church. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy a great dinner and a program by the Firestone High Madrigal Singers. Tickets are $10 for adults or $3 for a child's pizza and are available at the church office during the week or on Sunday mornings in Asbury Hall.

Bethany United Church of Christ

Sunday worship times at Bethany UCC are 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. with Church School for all ages at 9:15 a.m. Nov. 29 is the First Sunday of Advent, communion will be at both services, and Christian Education will host an Advent Celebration after the 10:30 a.m. service. All are invited. Bethany is collecting non-perishable items and cash donations for clients of Good Neighbors in Cuyahoga Falls. Please bring items in now through Dec. 6. Again this year Bethany has a Giving Tree that will benefit 14 families at H.M. Life Opportunities and the families of IHN. IHN is an emergency shelter for homeless families and HM Life Opportunities provides transitional housing to families up to two years. The Giving Tree will contain gift tags for certificates to area businesses for our IHN families when they move into their new homes. It will also have tags for requested gift items from members of 14 families from HM Life that the church has committed to support for the holidays. The church has also added a few toy items they need for its IHN families when they stay for the week. Contact the church office to obtain a gift tag. The building is wheelchair accessible with handicapped parking. For information call 330-923-5277. Bethany United Church of Christ is located at 1235 Broad Blvd.

Falls Berean Bible Church

The public is invited to attend a special presentation by the Bob Jones University Music Ministry Team at Falls Berean Bible Church, 1736 Bailey Road, on Nov. 29 at 10:30 a.m.

The group will present a program of familiar hymns and gospel songs consisting of vocal, piano and instrumental music, as well as testimonies from team members. The leader of the team, Shaun Dunn, will close the service with a brief message from the Word of God.

Bailey Road Christian Church

Fall to Spring hours run through May: 9:30 a.m., Sunday School for all ages; 10:45 a.m., worship service; 7 p.m., Praise Service. Nursery care provided during these services for ages infant through 3 years of age.

First and third Tuesday: 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Happy Hands, crafts and sewing.

Fourth Tuesday of each month: 7 p.m., Christian Women's Fellowship business/book study: "Behold Your God."

Wednesdays: 12:30 p.m., chair dancing, a seated exercise program; 6:30 p.m., hand chimes practice; 7:30 p.m., choir practice.

Thursdays: 7 p.m., Praise Team practice.

On the first Friday of the month at 10 a.m. is the Feed My Sheep program. Members of the church volunteer to serve lunch at Redeemer Methodist Church.

On the last Friday of the month at 10 a.m. is the Altercare program. Members of the church serve cookies, doughnuts, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate to the residents of Altercare.

On the second Saturday of the month at 8 a.m. is the Men's Christian Group meeting. All men are invited to join this new men's group.

Visit the church's Web site at www.baileyroadchristianchurch.org.

Bailey Road Christian Church is located at 3200 W. Bailey Road.

For more information, call 330-929-2527.

Broadman Baptist Church

Broadman Baptist Church "A church that makes a difference," is located at 350 E. Bath Road. For more information, call the church at 330-923-6127.

The worship schedule is as follows (Child care available):

On Sundays, 9 a.m. - Prayer in sanctuary; 9:30 a.m. - Coffee and fellowship; 9:45 a.m. - Life Impact classes for all ages; and 11 a.m. - service.

On Wednesdays, from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Dinner available - menu varies - reasonably priced, 6:30 p.m. - Gather in Sanctuary, 7 - 8 p.m. - Studies - ages grouped.

On Nov. 29, is the Hanging of the Green at 6:30 p.m.

On Dec. 3 is the Chamber Holiday Buffet. The dinner and silent auction will be hosted by Broadman. $25 per person.

Dec. 4 and 5 is the Deacon Training Workshop hosted by SCBO. Location TBD.

The Shawnetta's Winter Concert will take place Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m.

The LifeWay Partnership meeting will take place Dec. 9 through 11. Location and time TBD.

The Kent Le Mar (Nat King Cole) Christmas Concert will take place Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m.

Many of Nat King Cole's songs will be sung by this tribute singer.

Bridging the Gap Ministries

Bridging the Gap Ministries, 1662 State Road, will host its morning worship service at 10 a.m. Sundays, with intercession at 8 a.m. and fellowship at 9:30 a.m. On the first Sunday of every month, "Celebration Sunday" is observed with a fellowship dinner immediately following service. All are invited to attend and bring a dish to share.

For more information, call the church at 234-542-3990, or visit www.btgministries.org.

The Church in Silver Lake

The church has begun a time of meditative prayer where the congregation gathers together in the sanctuary. In this kind of prayer, the congregation doesn't ask for anything or speak at all - they merely rest in the arms and peace of God, soaking up God's presence. Such prayer is more powerful and holds more meaning when the congregation can do it together as the body of Christ. Please consider meeting with the sanctuary for a time for such prayer on Wednesdays from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then again from 5:15 to 6 p.m.

The church's youth groups are swinging into gear, junior high meets on Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. and senior high meets every Sunday from 5:15 to 6 p.m.

The church is located at 2951 Kent Road, Silver Lake. Call the church office with any questions at 330-928-2991 or visit www.churchinsilverlake.org.

Journey Covenant Church

The church serves a free, hot dinner (Christ Kitchen Dinner) to local residents on the last Wednesday of every month from 6 to 7 p.m. Christ Kitchen Dinners are open to the public.

The church is located at 2679 North Haven Blvd., Cuyahoga Falls (at the corner of 17th Street). Worship services take place Sundays at 10:15 a.m. For more information, call 330-923-8021 or visit the church on the Web at www.journeycov.org.