The Rev. Steven Lashbrook will be installed at 4 p.m. Sunday as the new pastor of Emmanuel United Church of Christ, 1480 Eastwood Ave., Akron.
Lashbrook came to the church in January, after serving 10 years as pastor of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Manistee, Mich. He is a native of Iowa, and a graduate of Yankton College in South Dakota and Andover Newton Theological School in Boston.
The installation service will include various clergy from the Cleveland-based United Church of Christ and a message from the Rev. M. Linda Jaramillo, executive minister for Justice and Witness Ministries in the denomination.
Jaramillo, the first Hispanic-American to serve in a national leadership position in the church, leads the denomination in its ministries of justice and peace, human rights and racial and economic justice. The United Church of Christ has about 1.5 million members in 6,000 congregations throughout America.
For more information about the local church, call 330-784-6608 or go to www.ucc.org for information about the denomination.
In other religion news:
Events
Akron Missionary Baptist Church — 17 W. Cuyahoga Falls Ave., Akron. 4 p.m. Sunday. The Rev. William Jones and the church’s deacons will speak on Fruits of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Kindness, Patience, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control. 330-762-4688.
Canton Calvary Mission — at Westbrook Park United Methodist Church, 2521 12th St. NW, Canton. 9 a.m. July 27. The third annual Benefit Walk and Car Show will take place. Registration at 8 a.m. for the two-mile walk. To obtain sponsor sheets, call 330-454-8610 or email Marie_calvary@ameritech.net. Donations should be made during registration or sent to the Mission prior to the walk. Trophies awarded for raising the most money, and to the youngest and oldest walkers. The Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration $10 per vehicle. Music, door prizes and refreshments.
Higher Ground Worship Center — 380 Wooster Road N., Barberton. Community Day and Basketball 4-on-4 Tournament on Aug. 10. Video game truck, inflatables, face painting, free food, school supplies and flea market. To register for basketball tournament, call A.J. Hale at 330-322-1258. Cash prizes of $500 and $250. To be involved in the flea market, call 330-836-4176, email pastorpcarswell@aol.com, or call the church at 330-794-5026.
Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church — 1225 Vernon Odom Blvd., Akron. 10 a.m. July 28. Community Day Outdoor Worship Service and Picnic is open to anyone in the city. Mobile sound stage will feature local talent and various entertainment including singing, praise dancing, mime, Christian poetry and rap. 330-864-6635.
New Exodus Christian Fellowship Church — 1063 S. Arlington St., Akron. 4 p.m. Sunday. Family and Friends program. The Rev. Paul Watson from Livingstone Baptist Church will be guest speaker. On Friday from 7 to 8 p.m., Friday Night Praise Service will be held. From noon to 4 p.m. July 27, there will be Neighbors Meet and Greet with free food and games.
Westminster Presbyterian Church — 1250 W. Exchange St., Akron. 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Worship on the patio, weather permitting. There will also be a 10:30 a.m. service in the sanctuary. 330-836-2226.
Wintergreen Ledges Church of God — 1889 Vernon Odom Blvd., Akron. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday. Free hot meal. Also, free household cleaning items while supplies last. 330-753-3027.
Wooster Avenue Church of Christ — 1147 Vernon Odom Blvd., Akron. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 27. Snack lunch and clothing giveaway. First-come, first-served. 330-762-7301.
Performances
First United Methodist Church — 245 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls. 4 p.m. Sunday. In conjunction with the Kent State University Piano Institute, the church will host a free concert featuring talented young people from all over the world who have come to the institute to study with faculty and members of the Cleveland Orchestra. Featuring a variety of solos on the church’s new Steinway piano. 330-923-5241.
New Beginning Fellowship Church — 4567 state Route 43, Brimfield Township. 6 p.m. today. Nora Hunt’s Outdoor Gospel Singing will present Singing in the Park at the Gazebo in Brimfield Town Park, Tallmadge Road and Route 43. Featuring the Joyfulaires of Charleston, W.Va.; Christian Echoes of Tornado, W.Va.; The Homelighters of Stoutsville, Ohio; The Gary Lyons Family of Marion, and Nora Hunt of Brimfield Township. Bring a lawn chair. Free parking. Free-will donation. 330-673-0700.
Springfield Baptist Church — 1920 Krumroy Road, Springfield Township. 7 p.m. Sunday. Christian concert will feature The Babbs. Free-will offering.
Speakers, classes, workshops
Berean Christian Book Store — 30th Street Plaza, Canton. 10:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 27. A Treasure of the Heart, Gifts of the Trinity is a training seminar, with the theme Discover Your Spiritual Treasure Box. It features Kathy Smith, a minister and director of the International Training and Education Network and Vision Publishing. It is a study of the gifts of God with special emphasis on the motivational gifts. Cost is $10.
First Friday Club of Greater Akron — University of Akron Martin Center, 105 Fir Hill, Akron. Noon Aug. 2. Dr. Cathleen Finn, who has worked with Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority and Barberton Area Community Ministries, will be the speaker. Her topic is Bridges Out of Poverty in Summit County: Hope for the Poor and For Us. Cost of the luncheon is $15. Doors open at 11:15 a.m. 330-535-7668 or www.firstfridayclubofgreaterakron.org.
Vacation Bible Schools
Goodyear Heights Community Church — 46 Brittain Road, Akron. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 29 to Aug. 2. Vacation Bible School for pre-K through grade 7. Theme is SonSurf. Stories, music, crafts and treats. Families and friends invited to closing program Aug. 2. No fee, but nonperishable food items will be collected for Haven of Rest. 330-733-6664.
Mount Olive Baptist Church — 1180 Slosson St., Akron. 6 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Solid Rock Vacation Bible School. Classes for all ages, including adults. Refreshments served each night. 330-836-5561.
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.