A two-part lecture series to explore the history of the Bible is Sunday and Monday at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1250 W. Exchange St., Akron.
“Where Did Our Bible Come From?” will be presented by the Rev. Matthew Skinner, associate professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn. His research and teaching focuses on the Gospels and the Book of Acts; the cultural realities at work in the New Testament and the Bible’s continuing ability to shape the imagination about the nature of God and Christian faith.
Skinner’s first lecture, “Who Decided What Should Be in the Bible?” will begin at 6 p.m. Sunday, with a dinner at 5 p.m. The session is designed to give participants a better understanding of the history of the Bible and more knowledge about how to read the Bible, based on its formation. It will include information about how the 37 books of the New Testament were selected.
On Monday, Skinner will present “Why Are There So Many Bibles?” at 7 p.m. The lecture will explore why new versions of the Bible are being produced and what the translators are trying to accomplish.
Skinner helped create the website EnterTheBible.org and is part of the team that creates the Sermon Brainwave podcasts each week on WorkingPreacher.org. He also blogs for Huffington Post Religion and is currently an ordained teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Registration for Skinner’s lectures is available online at www.westminsterakron.com or by calling 330-836-2226. Child care will be provided.
In other religion news:
Events
Christ Is The Answer Ministries — 379 E. South St., Akron. 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Encouragement services with the Rev. J. Michael Martin Sr. and the Rev. Carol Wallace and Trinity United Church of Christ. On Friday at 7 p.m., the Divine Intercession Prayer Ministry will host Women of the Bible, portrayed by various women of the community. On June 9 at 4 p.m., the Rev. Samuel Hampton and First Apostolic Faith Church, will be a guest for the Strong and Courageous Conference. 330-376-1869.
Firestone Park United Methodist Church — 250 N. Firestone Blvd., Akron. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 8. Rummage sale. Homemade lunch items served starting at 10 a.m.
Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church — 4700 S. Main St., Green. 6 to 8 p.m. June 10-14. Everywhere Fun Fair: Where God’s World Comes Together. Optional kid-friendly dinner at 5:30 p.m. 330-644-5766.
Mogadore Christian Church — 106 S. Cleveland Ave., Mogadore. 5 p.m. today. Casual/contemporary worship service in the social hall. Light meal, praise, music and a message-related discussion and study time. Singers and musicians welcome to join. Child care available. 330-628-3344.
Queen of Heaven Church — 1800 Steese Road, Green. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. All-you-can-eat pancake breakfast sponsored by the Cub Scouts. $5 per person. Open to the public. At 7 p.m., an outdoor Mass and procession to two altars will be held in celebration of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. A social will follow. Bring a lawn chair. In case of rain, Mass will be inside the church. 330-896-2345.
Phillips Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church — 413 Iroquois Ave., Akron. 10:30 a.m. June 8. Sister Love Brunch as part of Women’s Day. A play entitled That Name will be featured. Produced by Tiajuan Lewis, it depicts some of the many nameless women in the Bible. At 11 a.m. June 9, the Women’s Day Observance will be held. Guest speaker is the Rev. Hope Gibson. 330-784-8964.
Providence Baptist Church — 458 Madison Ave., Akron. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. The church youth will have a fundraising dinner. Two pieces of tilapia fish or three pieces of chicken. Choose two among green beans, baked beans, potato salad or coleslaw. Cake and bread included. $8 each. Will deliver with minimum of four orders. 330-253-3932.
St. John Christian Methodist Episcopal Church — 1233 S. Hawkins Ave., Akron. 9 a.m. June 8. Women’s Day Festival. Table rental $20. Food, music, clothing and household items. 330-864-3060.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church — 515 48th St NW, Canton. 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday. Seniors’ Social Hour is held the first Thursday of each month. Games and casual conversation. Coffee, tea, water and punch. No fee, all are welcome. Seniors may come on their own or accompanied by a friend, relative or caregiver. 330-497-2262.
St. Sebastian Parish — 476 Mull Ave., Akron. 1 p.m. today. Year of Faith Pilgrimage Walk. Includes members from St. Vincent, St. Bernard and St. Mary parishes. Free event, rain or shine. Meet at Zwisler Hall parking lot. A bus will transport walkers to St. Mary’s Parish for a prayer service and the start of the walk, before proceeding to the other churches for prayer and reflection and then returning to St. Sebastian. A 4:30 p.m. Mass will be celebrated. The walk will take about two and half hours. 330-836-2233.
Solid Rock Christian Fellowship Baptist Church — 1316 Kentucky Ave., Akron. 4 p.m. each Sunday in June. Celebrating the sixth pastoral appreciation of the Rev. Aulden R. Knight Sr. On Sunday, guests will be the Rev. Paul Watson and Livingstone Baptist Church in Barberton. On June 9, it will be the Rev. John P. Hosea and North Hill Community Baptist Church; June 16, the Rev. Horace Drake and Good Shepherd Baptist Church; June 23, the Rev. Eugene Norris and Mountain of the Lord Fellowship; and June 30, the Rev. Derwood Lockett of Derwood Lockett Ministries. 330-990-7542.
Unity Chapel of Light — 503 Northwest Ave., Tallmadge. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and June 8. Flea market/rummage sale. Furniture, housewares, books, music, toys, clothes, shoes and more. Free-will offering basis. Food and beverages available. From 9 a.m. to noon June 8, there will be a carnival for kids with a bounce house, face painting, games, crafts and balloons. 330-928-2108.
Performances
Grace United Church of Christ — 13275 Cleveland Ave. NW, Lake Township. 7 to 8 p.m. June 8. Elvis impersonator Jay “Lonnie” Freeman will perform a Tribute to the King free community concert on the front lawn of the church. Bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating. No alcohol. It will be moved inside in case of inclement weather. Concession stand opens at 6:15 p.m. with hot dogs, chips, bottled water, pop and cookies. Profits benefit the soup kitchen. 330-699-3255.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church — 50 N. Prospect St., Akron. 7 p.m. Thursday. Westminster College Bell Choir, from Princeton, N.J., and conducted by Kathleen Ebling Shaw, will perform. Free-will offering. 3390-376-5154.
Oak Hill Presbyterian Church — 2406 Ardwell Ave., Akron. 3 p.m. Sunday. Free handbell concert with the church’s handbell choir called Ringing Through the Seasons: A Year in the Life of a Handbell. Refreshments served in the fellowship hall after the program. Free-will offering. 330-784-2432.
St. Columba Cathedral — 159 W Rayen Ave., Youngstown. 6 p.m. June 9. The Diocese of Youngstown will celebrate its patronal feast day with evening prayer and a concert in the cathedral. Evening prayer will feature the cathedral choir, and at 6:30 p.m. the Caritus Fractus Recorder Consort and the Harmony String Quartet will present a concert of light chamber music. A strawberry social will follow immediately in St. Columba Hall. Free and open to the public. 330-744-5233.
Speakers, classes,
workshops
New Life Episcopal Church — 13118 Church Ave., Lake Township. 7 p.m. Wednesday. “Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters,” a workshop presented by the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater East Ohio Chapter. Learn the differences between Alzheimer’s and typical aging, recognize warnings signs and the process of diagnosis. 330-699-3554.
Vacation Bible Schools
Mount Haven Baptist Church — 545 Noble Ave., Akron. 6 to 8 p.m. June 10-14. Annual Vacation Bible School will be held. Theme is Jesus Family Reunion. Classes available for all ages. 330-253-2923.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church — 317 E. Liberty St., Medina. 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 10-14. A Vacation Bible School called We Love to Tell Stories will be held. For ages 3-11. Songs, teamwork-building games, treats and Bible stories. Kids should bring a canned food item each day to feed the hungry. The week will conclude with a special children’s service on June 16 with a program and picnic. For information and registration form, call 330-725-4131.
The deadline for Religion Notes is noon Tuesday. Items must be in writing. Please fax information to 330-996-3033, email it to religion@thebeaconjournal.com or send it to Religion, Akron Beacon Journal, 44 E. Exchange St., Akron OH 44309.