Fallsnewspress.com - Worship News (Feb. 21)

First Presbyterian Church of Akron

Beginning this week, a six-week small group study titled 'The Life You've Always Wanted' will be offered by First Presbyterian Church of Akron. The study offers modern perspectives on the ancient path of spiritual disciplines and is a road map to a transformation that starts not with the individual but the object of the journey, Jesus Christ.

Meetings are scheduled at the church and several area homes on different days and times.

For information or to enroll, contact the church at akronfpc@sbcglobal.net or at 330-434-5183. Follow the church at twitter.com/akronfpc or visit the Web site akronfpc.org. The church is at 647 E. Market St. in Akron.

First United Methodist Church

"Outflow" is the name of the study for Lent at First United Methodist Church, 245 Portage Trail. Rev. Brown will be preaching on the theme of the study which is outward focused living for an inward focused world. Services are at 5 p.m. on Saturday and 8:30 and 11 on Sundays. He will also be leading the study at 9:45 each Sunday in Lent. The Rev. Susan Lausch will be leading the "Outflow" study on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 7. Director of Education, Karol Lewis will be leading a small group on Monday mornings from 10:30 to 11:30 starting Feb. 22. The Rev. Katie Osier will also be using that theme as a study for the youth. Books are $10 each and may be ordered by calling the church office at 330-923-5241, ext. 210.

Northminster Presbyterian Church

The Northminster Presbyterian Church, located at 104 W. Portage Trail Extension, invites community members to join the congregation in observing the 2010 Lenten Season by attending its Wednesday Bread and Broth Series and Study, each Wednesday during Lent from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The study will conclude March 24. The evenings will begin with a light supper (Bread and Broth), followed by a study led by the Rev. Stephanie Crossland with a discussion format. Each study will focus on one person around Jesus' ministry at the time of His death. Each study will be self-contained.

The Rev. Crossland will continue her focus on "Faces Around the Cross" at each 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship service during the Lenten Season. Her worship themes include "The Woman at the Well," "The Woman who Washed Jesus' Feet," "Judas Iscariot," "Pontius Pilate," "Servant Girl from Caiaphas' House," "Ours" and on Easter Sunday, "Mary Magdalene."

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

Journey Covenant Church

Journey Covenant Church serves a free, hot dinner to local residents on the last Tuesday of every month from 6 to 7 p.m. The next dinner will take place Feb. 23. Christ Kitchen Dinners are open to the public.

JCC is located at 2679 North Haven Blvd., at the corner of 17th Street). For more information, call 330-923-8021.

United Presbyterian Church

The message this week: "Reclaiming the God-centered Life," drawing on Jesus' words in John 12.20-33 and how he modeled the God-centered life.This is a part of a larger series for the worship services for 2010: "Experiencing the Living God: Knowing His Will - Living Your Purpose."

On Feb. 21, from 7 to 8 p.m., the U.P.C. Youth Groups will meet at the church for both Middle School and High School groups.

U.P.C. is participating in an inter-church bowling league at Tallmadge Lanes, Monday evenings, beginning at 6:45 p.m.

The "God-Sightings" Bible discussion group will take place Feb. 22 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

PrayerLab will meet Feb. 23, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. PrayerLab is a ministry that focuses in on participants' prayer needs and helps participants grow in effective prayer. No agenda or liturgy so as to be Spirit-led.

Wednesday Night ALIVE!, Feb. 24, from 5:15 to 7:30 p.m. is a family-oriented program that offers spiritual growth opportunities for all ages. A family-style dinner is included. This is a 10-week program and is open to all.

This term, W.N.A. also is providing a worship alternative for those whose schedule does not permit participating in worship on Sunday morning.

On Feb. 27, The U.P.C. Food Pantry will be distributing food from 9 to 11 a.m.

This year's Women's Retreat will take place at the Loyola of the Lakes Jesuit Retreat Center in Clinton Feb. 26 and 27. The retreat will be led by Rachel Nunez from Malone University. For details on registration for this event contact the church office.

The church is located at 2819 Hudson Drive.

For more information, call 330-923-9735 or e-mail the church at office@cfupc.org.

Bethany United Church of Christ

The church has developed the season of Lent as an opportunity for people to examine their lives in light of Christ's love, self-giving and sacrifice, and recommit themselves to do his will and follow in his way.

Bethany offers a variety of worship opportunities during this holy season.

Join the congregation Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m. for Soup and Bread and the study. All are invited.

To learn more about Bethany Church come to the Lounge (first floor, 13th Street entrance) after 10:30 a.m. worship Feb. 28 for the Inquiry Meeting. Pastor Steve will be sharing about the congregation.

Bethany's Youth Fellowship will be participating in "Walk a Mile in My Shoes," an Interfaith Hospitality Network fundraiser on Feb. 28. The focus of this event is to bring together the families from the 28 congregations to celebrate the success of the IHN mission.

All Bethany members are encouraged to ask for the support of family, friends, and neighbors and collect pledges for the walk.

Call the church office for more info on IHN and to make a pledge. For information, call 330-923-5277.

The church is located at 1235 Broad Blvd.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church will host a three-evening Lenten Mission titled "Finding Christ in the Most Unexpected Places" presented by the Rev. Donald Dunson, Moral Theologian on the Faculty of St. Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in Wickliffe on Feb. 22, 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. in the Church at 1945 Portage Trail.

Fr. Dunson was ordained in June 1955, and earned a doctorate in Religious Studies from the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium in 1994.

An invitation is extended to all to attend this prayerful Mission.

St. John's Episcopal Church

A special offering for Haiti will be taken up on all four Sundays in February after the usual Sunday offering. The Outreach Committee will match dollar for dollar whatever the church collects, and the combined offering will be sent to Episcopal Relief and Development.

The Mexican dinner date hosted by St. Theresa's Guild is Feb. 22 at 6:30. Space is limited to 40 people. Tickets are available for $5 each by calling Heidi Myers at 330-928-1739.

The Lenten Program is based on the story of Jonah. Each week is intended to stimulate prayer and thought in a different phase of one's response to the call of God. The first Sunday of Lent, Feb. 21, will be The Call of Jonah.

The church needs ushers for the 10 a.m. service. Anyone who is interested in joining this ministry should contact Bill Fishel.

The church is located at 2220 Second St.

Pilgrim United Church of Christ

Pilgrim United Church of Christ, a "Thinking Church for Caring People" at the corner of Broad Boulevard and Second Street, invites the community to worship on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Kirk Bruce will be guiding the congregation through Lent with a series of meaningful sermons to help prepare everyone for Easter.

Feb. 21 will be a "Movie Night" at 7 p.m. at Pilgrim that everyone is invited to attend. Feel free to bring popcorn and a soft drink to see the film "Fireproof." Child care will be provided as well as comfy cushions for the seats in the Social Room.

Cub Scout Pack # 3186 which meets at Pilgrim will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of Scouting with a "Blue and Gold" dinner on Feb. 23. Alert to Cub Scout parents: the Pinewood Derby is coming up in March.

Members of Pilgrim are reminded they may purchase gift cards to be used at most local businesses. These are available each Sunday after the service in the Social Room. Pilgrim members are also reminded to put pizza on their calendars for carry-out or dine-in at Donato's on State Road Feb. 25.

Broadman Baptist Church

Broadman Baptist Church "A church that makes a difference," is located at 350 E. Bath Road.

Lord's Supper during the regular service will take place Feb. 21.

A trip to Cedarville, sponsored by the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio, will take place Feb. 22 and 23.

Congregation members will make a trip to Haven of Rest Ministry Feb. 27. Members are planning to leave the church at 5:30 p.m. Four hundred dozen cookies are needed and 15 volunteers (age 15 and up) are needed to help serve meals.

Grandview United Methodist Church

"Faith Through the Movies" is a monthly program at Grandview United Methodist Church, 2315 Phelps Ave. On Feb. 21 at 5 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, the congregation will gather to watch "Dan in Real Life."

Bring a snack or sack lunch to enjoy during the movie and plan to stay afterward for a brief discussion of the faith points of the film.