Religion news
IMPRISONED FOR CHRIST: The New Covenant Baptist Church, 1606 Salt Springs Road, Lordstown, will host the “Voices of the Martyrs” virtual free event 7:30 p.m. March 5 that will feature three speakers, Peter Jasek, Andrew Brunson and Dan Baumann. While sharing God’s love in Sudan, Turkey and Iran, dominated by Islam, each was arrested, interrogated and imprisoned. While all three struggled to find God’s purpose in their suffering, they ultimately recognized his faithfulness and love amid desperate circumstances.
In addition to their firsthand testimonies, there will be a panel discussion by VOM radio host Rodd Nettleton and music from Dove-award winning artist Natalie Grant.
PASTORAL LETTER: Bishop David Bonnar of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown has issued a pastoral letter entitled “Testify to the Light.” Through this pastoral letter, Bonnar seeks to acknowledge the darkness of this time, revisit the importance of our Sacramental life, highlight the value of parish life and offer five priorities for our journey into the future together. These five priorities include: Prayer, Healing, Communication, Service and Joyful witness. The pastoral letter may be found on the Diocesan website at www.doy.org.
LENTEN STUDIES: Grace United Methodist Church. 1725 Drexel Ave. NW, Warren, is hosting a Lenten study series for six weeks. Each session will be to 8 p.m. each Tuesday. Marjorie Thompson’s book “Forgiveness” will be read and discussed.
LENTEN ADORATIONS: St. Patrick Church, 357 N. Main St. Hubbard, will hold Lenten devotion adoration 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the parish center. Stations of the Cross will be every Friday at 7 p.m. at the parish center.
BIBLE STUDY: Newton Falls Methodist churches will host Bible studies for the public. Pricetown and Newton Falls United Methodist churches have just begun a Bible study on the Holy Spirit with the guidance of the Rev. Dewayne Smith.
The Bible study gathers weekly at Pricetown United Methodist Church, 4640 Pritchard Ohltown Road, 10 a.m. Tuesdays or Newton Falls United Methodist Church, 336 Ridge Road 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Bring a Bible if you have one. Masks and social-distancing guidelines will be followed.
LENTEN MEDITATION: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center will offer a virtual series via Zoom with Natalie Terry, entitled “Lenten Meditation Circle.” The virtual opportunity will take place on Tuesdays through April 6 via Zoom. All sessions will be 8 to 8:30 p.m.
A free-will offering will be accepted and registration is not required. Participation in all sessions is not required.
Program information can be found at www.vmesc.org or 724-964-8886.
To submit an item for the religion section, email to religion@tribtoday.com. Items are needed by Wednesday for the Saturday paper.
Religion news
IMPRISONED FOR CHRIST: The New Covenant Baptist Church, 1606 Salt Springs Road, Lordstown, will host the “Voices of the Martyrs” virtual free event 7:30 p.m. March 5 that will feature three speakers, Peter Jasek, Andrew Brunson and Dan Baumann. While sharing God’s love in Sudan, Turkey and Iran, dominated by Islam, each was arrested, interrogated and imprisoned. While all three struggled to find God’s purpose in their suffering, they ultimately recognized his faithfulness and love amid desperate circumstances.
In addition to their firsthand testimonies, there will be a panel discussion by VOM radio host Rodd Nettleton and music from Dove-award winning artist Natalie Grant.
PASTORAL LETTER: Bishop David Bonnar of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown has issued a pastoral letter entitled “Testify to the Light.” Through this pastoral letter, Bonnar seeks to acknowledge the darkness of this time, revisit the importance of our Sacramental life, highlight the value of parish life and offer five priorities for our journey into the future together. These five priorities include: Prayer, Healing, Communication, Service and Joyful witness. The pastoral letter may be found on the Diocesan website at www.doy.org.
LENTEN STUDIES: Grace United Methodist Church. 1725 Drexel Ave. NW, Warren, is hosting a Lenten study series for six weeks. Each session will be to 8 p.m. each Tuesday. Marjorie Thompson’s book “Forgiveness” will be read and discussed.
LENTEN ADORATIONS: St. Patrick Church, 357 N. Main St. Hubbard, will hold Lenten devotion adoration 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the parish center. Stations of the Cross will be every Friday at 7 p.m. at the parish center.
BIBLE STUDY: Newton Falls Methodist churches will host Bible studies for the public. Pricetown and Newton Falls United Methodist churches have just begun a Bible study on the Holy Spirit with the guidance of the Rev. Dewayne Smith.
The Bible study gathers weekly at Pricetown United Methodist Church, 4640 Pritchard Ohltown Road, 10 a.m. Tuesdays or Newton Falls United Methodist Church, 336 Ridge Road 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Bring a Bible if you have one. Masks and social-distancing guidelines will be followed.
LENTEN MEDITATION: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center will offer a virtual series via Zoom with Natalie Terry, entitled “Lenten Meditation Circle.” The virtual opportunity will take place on Tuesdays through April 6 via Zoom. All sessions will be 8 to 8:30 p.m.
A free-will offering will be accepted and registration is not required. Participation in all sessions is not required.
Program information can be found at www.vmesc.org or 724-964-8886.
Religion news
LENTEN ADORATIONS: St. Patrick Church, 357 N. Main St. Hubbard, will hold Lenten devotion adoration 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the parish center. Stations of the Cross will be every Friday 7 p.m. at the parish center.
BIBLE STUDY: Newton Falls Methodist churches will host Bible studies for the public. Pricetown and Newton Falls United Methodist churches have just begun a Bible study on the Holy Spirit with the guidance of the Rev. Dewayne Smith.
The Bible study gathers weekly at Pricetown United Methodist Church, 4640 Pritchard Ohltown Road, 10 a.m. Tuesdays or Newton Falls United Methodist Church, 336 Ridge Road 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Bring a Bible if you have one. Masks and social distancing guidelines will be followed.
WORSHIP RESUMES: Grace United Methodist Church, 1725 Drexel Ave. NW, Warren, will resume in-person worship 9:30 a.m. Sunday with Pastor Lizzie Weed leading the worship. All COVID-19 protocols will be followed. The service will continue to be livestreamed on the church’s Facebook page at 9:30 a.m.
WORSHIP RESUMES: Agape Assembly Church, 426 Nevada Ave., Warren, will resume in-person services 11 a.m. Sundays. Bible study is 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Masks are required.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION: Unity Church Centre in Liberty will host “Small Group Beginning Discover the Medicine Within” 6 p.m. Mondays and some Sundays after service. Group will be using “Dancing with the Wheel, A Sun Bear Book” facilitated by Kimberly Ford. Online via: https://www.freeconferencecall.com Video Chat: Info69845. Call in using Wi-fi or data plan. Phone: 978-990-5000 Use Access Code: 245683#
Schedule is Monday: Grounding and offerings; March 1: Walking the wheel; March 8: Center Stone; March 15: Spirit Keepers; March 22: 12 moons; and March 29: Spirit Pathways.
JUST MERCY: Voices of Michah Book Club will present Just Micah with a discussion to be be led by the Rev. John Welch virtually 7 p.m. Feb. 28, March 14 and 28 and April 11. Welch, who holds a master’s of divinty degree from Pittsbrugh Theological Seminary and doctorate from Duquesne University in Healthcare Ethics, has 27 years in ministry. Register at https://www.survey
monkey.com/r/3FXJJB2 or call 330-393-1524.
PROGRAM OFFERED: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center, 2067 Evergreen Road, Villa Maria, Pa. will offer a virtual presentation via Zoom with Cheryl Rose, entitled “Empty Bowl: In the Presence of the Lord” 7 p.m. Feb. 26 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 27.
The retreat will be in the contemplative style of the Empty Bowl retreats. Cost is $75 with the Zoom link to be sent to all those registered on Feb. 25.
Attendance at a previous Empty Bowl is not necessary.
Program information and registration at www.vmesc.org or 724-964-8886.
LENTEN MEDITATION: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center will offer a virtual series via Zoom with Natalie Terry, entitled “Lenten Meditation Circle.” The virtual opportunity will take place on Tuesdays from Feb. 23 through April 6 via Zoom. All sessions will be 8 to 8:30 p.m.
Free will offering will be accepted and registration is not required. Participation in all sessions is not required.
Program information can be found at www.vmesc.org or 724-964-8886.
To submit an item for the religion section, email to religion@tribtoday.com. Items are needed by Wednesday for the Saturday paper.
Religion news
WHITE MASS: The Diocese of Youngstown will host the 25th annual White Mass for all health care / mental health professionals 10:30 a.m. Sunday at St. Columba Cathedral, 154 W. Wood St. in Youngstown.
Bishop David Bonnar will be the principal celebrant for the Mass, which celebrates all health professionals and recognizes the ministry of all those in the healing professions.
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, participants in the White Mass need to RSVP by calling 330-744-8451, Ext. 272 to ensure sufficient space with social distancing. Also, the White Mass will be live-streamed through the Diocese of Youngstown’s website at www.doy.org and look for “Cathedral Livestreaming” on the “Media” dropdown menu.
ASH WEDNESDAY: Hubbard St. Patrick Church will hold Ash Wednesday Mass 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday at Hubbard High School auditorium, 350 Hall Ave., and Lenten devotion adoration 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the parish center, 357 N. Main St., Hubbard. Stations of the Cross will take place 7 p.m. every Friday at the parish center.
NEW PASTOR: Calla Community Church, 6482 W. Calla Road, Canfield, has a new pastor, Rampage Stevens who started in November. Stevens retired from the military after 21 years in 2015. When he retired, he had attained the rank of master sergeant. He has been the director of men’s services at the Rescue Mission of Youngstown and Mahoning County since 2019. He and his wife, Angela, resided in Austintown. Stevens has been doing a study of the chapters of Philippians for February.
Service begins at 10 a.m. Sunday. He also has a 6 p.m. Tuesday prayer meeting.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION: Unity Church Centre in Liberty will hold Small Group Beginning Discover the Medicine Within at 6 p.m. Mondays and some Sundays after service. The group will use “Dancing with the Wheel, A Sun Bear Book” facilitated by Kimberly Ford. Reach it online via: https://www.freeconferencecall.com video chat: Info 69845; choose “Call in Using Wi-fi or Data” at phone number 978-990-5000 and use access code 245683#.
Gather to learn and use medicine wheels with activities: cleansing, centering, grounding, sending energy out, Native storytelling, drumming and crafting in order to communicate with the Creator, with others and have a better relationship with the world.
Schedule is Feb. 15: Ceremonies and cleansing; Feb. 22: Grounding and offerings: March 1: Walking the wheel: March 8: Center Stone: March 15: Spirit Keepers, March 22: 12 moons; and March 29: Spirit Pathways.
ASH WEDNESDAY: Grace United Methodist Church, 1725 Drexel Ave. NW in Warren, will host an Ash Wednesday service 7 p.m. Wednesday. Lenten bags will be distributed to those who attend the service. The service will be taped to be shown on the church Facebook page. Those who cannot attend can pick up bags during church office hours.
A six-week Lent study series led by Pastor Lizzie Weed will be held 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays starting Feb. 23 To register, call 330-395-5231. The book “Forgiveness” by Marjorie Thompson will be used.
ASH WEDNESDAY: Canfield United Methodist Church, 27 S. Broad St., will observe Ash Wednesday with drive-thru ashes 6:30 to 8 a.m. and noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday. Drive to the church portico by the main entrance and remain in your car for the imposition of ashes by clergy. Clergy will bless the ashes, and you will be able to get the mark of the cross on your forehead using a disposable cotton swab.
ASHES AND PRAYER: Lordstown Lutheran Church, 5615 Palmyra Road, will host a drive-in ash distribution noon to 1 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. Guests will receive ashes and prayers to mark the beginning of their spiritual journey through the Lenten season in the Christian church. They may choose the customary ashes marked on their forehead using no-touch COVID-19 recommendations or they may choose a commemorative ash cloth. Personal prayers for healing also will be offered.
DIALOGUE OFFERED: Jewish-Christian dialogue will be 7 p.m. Wednesday with the second part of “Jews, Rome and Early Christianity,” which is part of a six-week series on Jewish history. Visit Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82790186634 with meeting ID 82790186634 and passcode 626169.
ISRAEL VIRTUAL TOUR: The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown is offering a virtual “Tour of Israel” 11 a.m. Sunday with tour guide Itamar Ben-David.
In “Caesarea: Rome, the West and the Jews” participants will virtually visit King Herod’s opulent port city of Caesarea and learn about the political and cultural invasion of Judea and the clash of civilizations between Romans and the Jews.
Use Zoom meeting ID: 690 681 8290 to join the tour. For information, visit
jccyoungstown.org.
ASH WEDNESDAY: First Presbyterian Church, 256 Mahoning Ave. NW in Warren, will hold an Ash Wednesday celebration in two parts. To receive ashes, drive-thru from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday underneath the portico receiving ashes via Q-tip. Wear a mask.
A brief worship service will be held 7 p.m. via Zoom.
To submit an item, email to religion@tribtoday.com. Items are needed by Wednesday for the Saturday paper.
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