The congregation at St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church is inviting community members to begin the Christmas season by viewing an exhibit of more than 160 artistic expressions of the Nativity.
The exhibit is on loan from Pat Mitchell, a church parishioner. Mitchell has spent nearly 25 years researching and collecting the various models that represent the scene of Jesus Christ’s birth.
The official opening of the exhibit is at 2 p.m. next Saturday in the cultural center at the church, 1051 Robinson Ave. in Barberton. The opening program will include a ribbon cutting by Bishop John Kudrick, leader of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma, and a talk by Mitchell, explaining why and how she obtained the collection.
A discussion session, with Kudrick, is from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. The day will conclude at 5 p.m. with the movie The Nativity Story.
The exhibit, which will be displayed throughout December, is free and open to the public. For more information, call 330-753-2031 or go to www.stnickbyz.com.
In other religion news:
Events
Becoming A Light Ministries — 853 E. Archwood Ave., Akron. Sponsoring a B.A.L.M. Christmas Experience with a Toys for Tots Giveaway. Registration is 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 30 and 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 2 and Dec. 5. If you are not able to provide for your family and are in need of assistance, bring driver’s license or state ID, Social Security card, proof of income and monthly bills paid. Distribution of toys will be Dec. 14 from noon to 5 p.m. Contact Jacqueline Hall at 330-745-9611 with questions.
Christ Is The Answer Ministries — 379 E. South St., Akron. 4 p.m. Sunday. Pulpit dedication honoring the late Diane Peterson. Featuring local soloists, groups and choirs. Free-will offering. 330-376-1869.
Firestone Park Presbyterian Church — 275 S. Firestone Blvd., Akron. 7 p.m. Tuesday. Thanksgiving Prayer Service. Open to the community. 330-773-6707.
First Church of Christ Scientist — 5147 River Styx Road, Montville Township. 10 a.m. Thursday. Thanksgiving Day Service. Includes music and hymns, reading of the Thanksgiving Proclamation by President Obama, a scriptural reading, prayer, Bible lesson and testimonies of gratitude by attendees. 330-722-3331.
Goodyear Heights Community Church — 464 Brittain Road, Akron. 6 p.m. Sunday. Special Thanksgiving Communion Service. Child care provided. 330-733-6664.
Hartville Church of God — 532 W. Maple St., Hartville. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 7. Annual Christmas Bazaar. Crafters, bakers and holiday items for sale. Call Rose Ebner for details at 330-990-1466.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church — 50 N. Prospect St., Akron. 7 p.m. Tuesday. Community Thanksgiving worship. 330-376-5154.
Journey Covenant Church — 2679 North Haven Blvd., Cuyahoga Falls. 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Free, hot Thanksgiving dinner to local residents. Christ Kitchen Dinners are open to the public. 330-923-8021.
McDonaldsville United Methodist Church — 7641 Wales Road NW, Jackson Township. 6 to 8:30 p.m. McChristmas for children, infants to age 10. The annual event is free for parents. Crafts, stories, music and snacks. Co-sponsored by Here For You Child Development Center. Register by Wednesday at 330-499-6971, email mcdchurch@sbcglobal.net or at www.mcdchurch.org and click on “news” and then “events” to download the registration form.
Mount Olive Baptist Church — 1180 Slosson St., Akron. 11 a.m. Sunday. Free community Thanksgiving Dinner and Clothing Giveaway following morning service. All are welcome. It is an annual outreach project sponsored by Hope Ministry and Mount Olive’s Unity Clothes Closet. 330-836-5561.
Queen of Heaven Church — 1800 Steese Road, Green. 9 a.m. Thursday. Thanksgiving Day Mass will be celebrated. Canned goods and cash donations will be collected to benefit Green Good Neighbors. 330-896-2345.
St. Columba Cathedral — 154 W. Wood St., Youngstown. 7 p.m. Dec. 1. The annual Advent Service of Lessons & Carols will be presented. The cathedral choir will be accompanied by harpist Nancy Peterson and organist Mary Ann Bilas-Bush. It will feature Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols and familiar carols from England. Free parking available and security provided. Refreshments follow in Cathedral Hall. 330-744-5233.
South Arlington United Methodist Church — 790 S. Arlington St., Akron. 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday. Free Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings. Everyone welcome. 330-724-1334.
Stow Presbyterian Church — 4150 Fishcreek Road, Stow. 7 p.m. Tuesday. The Stow-Munroe Falls Ministerial Association will hold its annual Thanksgiving service. 330-688-6935.
Westminster Presbyterian Church — 1250 W. Exchange St., Akron. 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Advent Worship and Potluck. Sharing ideas on how to keep Advent a preparation time for Christmas. Bring a salad, side dish or dessert to share. The local community is invited. 330-836-2226.
World Harvest Christian Church — 989 N. Portage Path, Akron. 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday. Thanksgiving Day meal will be served. 330-835-1982.
Milestones
First Congregational Church of Akron — 292 E. Market St., Akron. The Rev. Robert A. Gross, a Brooklyn, N.Y., native, has been designated interim pastor, effective Dec. 1. 330-253-5109.
Performances
Christ Episcopal Church — 118 S. Mantua St., Kent. 10 a.m. Sunday. The church hosts its second Broadway Mass. All new music from four Broadway musicals. The choir and congregation will be led by Jonathan Swoboda, assistant professor of theatre in Kent State University‘s School of Theatre and Dance. 330-256-8994.
Christ the Servant Parish — 833 39th St., Canton. 6 p.m. Dec. 10. John Angotti will perform. There will be a rigatoni dinner before the concert. 330-492-0757.
Uniontown Methodist Church — 13370 Cleveland Ave. NW, Lake Township. 6 p.m. Dec. 1. Advent dinner will be followed by a performance from the Stockwell Family Band in the sanctuary. Featuring a mix of bluegrass, gospel, Christmas music and comedy. Special visitor from the North Pole for the kids at 8 p.m. Bring a dish and/or dessert to share. 330-699-3587.
Victory Life Church — 3833 Hudson Drive, Stow. 7 p.m. Nov. 30. The Mark Trammell Quartet will perform in concert. The gospel group travels the U.S. evangelizing through song. Tickets $10 at the church office or call 330-929-6555.
Zion Temple Baptist Church — 515 Ardella Ave., Akron. 6:15 p.m. today. Concert with Raymond Hinton & The Anointed Voices of Praise Ministry, along with the church’s adult choir and Men of Zion male chorus. Free drawings. 330-773-3567.
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.