Jehovah’s Witnesses will put forth a special effort in the coming weeks to knock on doors throughout Northeast Ohio and extend a personal invitation to its district convention.
The three-day convention will begin at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 2 at Cleveland State University's Wolstein Center, 2000 Prospect Ave., in Cleveland. This year’s theme is “God’s Word is Truth!”
The convention typically attracts more than 20,000 people from Northeast Ohio, Pennsylvania and western New York. The goal is to highlight biblical passages that prove God’s word is true via talks, dramatic Bible readings and presentations, including two plays — one based on Job 37:14 and the other on the book of Esther. The plays will be presented at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 2 and 1:40 p.m. Aug. 4 respectively.
In addition to the local convention, others are planned across the nation through December. The New York-based Jehovah’s Witness organization claims 19 million followers in more than 100,000 congregations worldwide. Members are perhaps best known for their door-to-door preaching and distribution of literature, including the Watchtower and Awake!
For more information, go to www.jw.org.
In other religion news:
Events
Akron Missionary Baptist Church — 17 W. Cuyahoga Falls Ave., Akron. 11 a.m. today. A fish fry will be held. Sandwiches start at $5, and meals start at $9 with two sides. Choice between whiting and white bass. Sponsored by the church ushers. 330-762-4688.
The Chapel, Green Campus — 1800 Raber Road, Green. 10 a.m. Friday. Abundant Living 55+ Christian fellowship and program in Atrium. Cost is $5 for program and lunch. Guest speaker is the Rev. Todd McKenney. Special music by Bethany McKenney. Ages 55 and over welcome to attend. For reservations, call 330-315-5508.
Columbia United Church of Christ — 978 Wooster Road West, Barberton. 4 to 6 p.m. July 20. Swiss steak dinner. Includes mashed potatoes, green beans, coleslaw, applesauce, rolls, dessert and beverage. Adults $8.50, ages 4-12 $3, age 3 and under free, families $25. 330-825-9946.
Higher Ground Worship Center — 380 Wooster Road North, Barberton. 10 a.m. to noon July 27. Second Annual Prayer Breakfast. Theme is Tick Tock Watch God’s Clock. Speaker is the Rev. Linda Bridges of St. Paul’s Missionary Baptist Church. Ages 10 and up $10, ages 4-9 $5, age 3 and under free. For ticket information, contact Stephanie Hale at 330-253-3295.
Hope Community Church — 3033 Middleton Road, Hudson. July 23-26. Beulah on the Road, a day camp for grades K-6, will be held. Activities include inflatables, dunk tank, rock wall and a family fun night. $80 per child. Register at www.HopeCMA.com, click on summer activities for kids tab or call 330-655-5170.
New Greater Peace Church — 2237 Sixth St. SW, Canton. 7:30 p.m. Friday. Friday Ignite Service. Guest speaker is Leon Forte of Athens, Ohio. Praise and worship with Michael Kelley Ministries.
Phillips Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church — 413 Iroquois Ave., Akron. 4 p.m. Sunday. The 67th Usher Board Anniversary will be observed. Guest speaker will be the Rev. Robert Evans, pastor of Mount Lebanon Baptist Church, along with its choir and congregation. 330-784-8964.
Prince of Peace Missionary Baptist Church — 844 Garth Ave., Akron. 9 a.m. July 20. Women’s Prayer Breakfast. Theme is Putting on the Whole Armor of God. Keynote speaker is Ale’ce Andrew, a recent graduate of Wilberforce University where she was crowned campus queen. 330-762-4997.
Rooted in Christ Community Church — Findley Community Learning Center, 65 Tallmadge Ave., Akron. 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Revival will be held each night. Speaker is the Rev. Kenneth Kirksey of Waycross, Ga.
St. Sebastian Parish — 476 Mull Ave., Akron. 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday. A Brickstreet Jazz Festival will be held. Live music, fine wines and food tastings from local restaurants. Tenor saxophonist Ernie Krivda will perform. Tickets $30 before Monday, $35 after. To purchase tickets, visit www.stsebastian.org/brickstreetjazzfestival or call 330-836-2233. Ages 21 and over welcome.
St. Paul Catholic Church — 1580 Brown St., Akron. Noon to 6 p.m. July 21. Annual block party begins following 11 a.m. Mass. Vintage car show, talent show, bingo, bocce, basketball, cornhole, euchre and more. All games are free. Live music at 4 p.m. by Joe Pappano Quartet in the Parish Activity Center. Sausage, pulled pork, hot dogs and sloppy joes included among food items available for purchase. Raffle tickets to win gas grille. 330-724-1263.
Performances
New Beginnings Fellowship — 4567 State Route 43, Brimfield Township. 11 a.m. Sunday. Gospel singing group Calvary’s Love will perform.
Speakers, workshops
First Freedom Baptist Church — 2171 Tallmadge Road, Brimfield Township. 7 p.m. Wednesday, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday. The Rev. S.M. Davis, former pastor of Park Meadows Baptist Church in Lincoln, Ill., is the guest speaker. His message focuses on biblical solutions to family problems, as well as how to foresee and avoid problems. 330-673-0997.
Malone University College of Theology, Arts and Sciences — 2600 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton. 1 to 3:30 p.m. Friday. The newly opened Center for Theology & Ministry will host the Friends Heritage Symposium as its inaugural event in the Brehme Conference Center. It will be followed by a time of worship in preparation for the Evangelical Friends Church-Eastern Region’s yearly meeting. It is free and open to the public. 330-471-8240.
Vacation Bible Schools
Full Gospel Tabernacle — 939 Utica Avenue, Akron. 6 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. Vacation Bible School for ages 3-12. Theme is Kingdom Rock. Fun, games, Bible stories, snacks, music and more. Call 330-794-4420 or arrive between 5 and 6 p.m. on Monday to register.
Support groups
The Chapel — 135 Fir Hill, Akron. 7 to 8:30 p.. Tuesday. Parents of Prodigals, a Christian-based support group for parents with teen or adult prodigals, will meet in the Great Commission Room. Speaker will be Dennis Shawhan, director of Broken Chains Ministry. His topic is Shackled Hope: When My Prodigal is Arrested. For more information, contact Ed Davidian at 330-620-5668.
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