The congregation at The Word Church Akron/Canton campus has reached out to help provide new uniforms for the North High School varsity basketball team.
The donation, in partnership with the high school’s basketball booster club, is part of the megachurch’s Outreach/Community Impact Ministry. The ministry provides resources to meet the need of a variety of people, including youth and families.
The Warrensville Heights-based church, which attracts more than 20,000 worshippers and offers more than 20 ministries, moved into the Akron area more than two years ago. The local satellite offers a worship service at 9 a.m. on Sundays and a 6 p.m. Bible study on Wednesdays at North High School, where it rents space.
Since expanding into Akron, the church has conducted a variety of giveaways, including shoes, groceries and school supplies, and installed a state-of-the-art audio/visual system at North High, which is available for use by the Akron Public Schools. The church also offers counseling and small group meetings, grief recovery service educational opportunities and mentoring services.
For more information about The Word, go to www.wordcity.org.
In other religion news:
Christmas week services
Bethel Temple Assembly of God — 711 25th St. NW, Canton. 6 p.m. Sunday. Candlelight Christmas Celebration, with carols, candles, a manger scene and the Christmas story as told by children. Cookies, hot chocolate and coffee afterward. 330-454-3058.
Calvary Temple — 3045 Albrecht Ave., Akron. 11 a.m. Sunday. The Junior Church Department will present A Charlie Brown Christmas during morning worship. At 8 p.m. Christmas Eve, there will be a candlelight communion service.
The Chapel in Marlboro — 8700 State Route 619, Marlboro Township. 7 p.m. Monday. Annual Christmas Eve meditation service. Singing of carols, lighting of candles and observing communion. 330-935-0132.
Christ Episcopal Services — 118 S. Mantua St., Kent. Five Christmas services of Holy Communion will be offered: at 8 and 10 a.m. Sunday; 5 and 10:30 p.m. Christmas Eve with special music and carols and a children’s pageant at 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. on Christmas Day with a meditative service featuring guest preacher, the Rev. Kip Colegrove. 330-673-4604.
Cottage Grove Evangelical Congregational Church — 3133 Cottage Grove Road, Coventry Township. 6 p.m. Monday. Annual Christmas Eve services. The Rev. Robert Shuey will bring the message and carols and candles will be included. 330-644-5616.
First Presbyterian Church of Barberton — 636 Park Ave., Barberton. 7 p.m. Monday. Special candlelight worship service. Includes favorite Christmas hymns. Regular worship services will be at 10:45 a.m. Sunday.
Goodyear Heights Community Church — 464 Brittain Road, Akron. 6 p.m. Sunday. Christmas Candlelight Service. Music and special message, followed by communion. Nursery provided. 330-733-6664.
St. Mark Lutheran Church — 158 North Ave., Tallmadge. Christmas week services are as follows: 10 a.m. Sunday, one service at 10 a.m. including the program Come to Bethlehem and See. Refreshments will follow; and 7:30 and 11 p.m. Monday, Christmas Eve candlelight services.
Tallmadge Lutheran Church — 759 East Ave., Tallmadge. Christmas Eve services Monday at 5, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Special music and hymns included. Children’s message in the two early services. Candle lighting at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Holy Communion will be shared at 10 p.m. On Christmas Day, there will be a festival service at 10:30 a.m. 330-633-4775.
Trinity Lutheran Church — 600 S. Water St., Kent. 7 p.m. Monday. Family Christmas Eve Service of Holy Communion. At 10 p.m., there will be a Festival Service of Holy Communion. At 10:30 a.m. Christmas Day, a Holy Communion Celebration. Children of all ages are invited to bring in their favorite gift for the Blessing of the Toys.
Twin Falls United Methodist Church — 60 N. River Road, Munroe Falls. 10:45 a.m. Sunday. The cantata All Is Well will be presented during morning worship. Christmas Eve candlelight service at 7 p.m. Monday. 330-688-5676.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Akron — 3300 Morewood Road, Fairlawn. 4:30 and 7 p.m. Monday. Two Christmas Eve candlelight services. Includes readings and carols and lighting of the candelabra. 330-836-2206.
Westminster Presbyterian Church — 1250 W. Exchange St., Akron. 5 p.m. Monday. Traditional service with organ music, including carols, anthems and the Paragon Brass Quintet. Childcare provided for infants and toddlers. 330-836-2226.
Events
Calvary Apostolic Church — 2693 Nesbitt Ave., Akron. 10 a.m. Sunday. Groundbreaking ceremony will celebrate the construction of a new church building, just across from Nesmith Lake. It will begin after the worship service. Construction is expected to last six to eight months. 330-745-7248.
Centenary United Methodist Church — 1310 Superior Ave., Akron. 10:45 a.m. Sunday. There will be a giveaway of hats, gloves and scarves to children in the Akron community during morning worship. Light refreshments after service. 330-376-9648.
Christ Is The Answer Ministries — 379 E. South St., Akron. 4 p.m. Sunday. Elder Robert Palmer and the Ebeneezer Apostolic Assembly Church will be the special guests. 330-376-1869.
First Baptist Church — 1670 Shatto Ave., Akron. 2 to 4 p.m. today. Free gift wrapping, hot chocolate, coffee, cookies and games for children. 330-867-2121.
Nativity of the Lord Jesus Church — 2425 Myersville Road, Springfield Township. 2 p.m. Wednesday through Dec. 30. Guided tours of the Bethlehem Cave and Nativity Museum will be given daily. Free to all. 330-699-5086.
Uniontown United Methodist Church — 13370 Cleveland Ave. NW, Lake Township. 9 a.m. to noon today. Boy Scout Troop 45 annual cookie sale. $7 per pound for homemade holiday cookies and candy.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Akron — 3300 Morewood Road, Fairlawn. 6:30 p.m. today. The 14th annual Candlelight Winter Solstice will be celebrated. An evening of music, the Santa Play, warm spirits and treats. Includes musicians and talent from the UU churches of Kent, Wooster and Canton. Donations of pastries and appetizers are welcomed. Childcare available. 330-780-7476.
Wintergreen Ledges Church of God — 1889 Vernon Odom Blvd., Akron. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday. Free hot meal offered. Also, free coats, hats and gloves available while supplies last. 330-753-3027.
Performances
Tallmadge Lutheran Church — 759 East Ave., Tallmadge. 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Nine Lessons & Carols will be presented. Choir and orchestra will be directed by Janice Kobb. 330-633-4775.
Classes
Diocese of Youngstown — 144 W. Wood St., Youngstown. The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry will offer online classes to adults who work with middle school, high school and college-aged youth in a parish, school or club setting this winter. From Jan 4-18, the Component of Catechesis will focus on aims, principles, processes and methods of catechesis with youth in implementing faith formation; Feb. 1-22, The Dimension of Family and Community will facilitate development of community among youth, their families and within the church and society; and March 8-22, The Component of Evangelization will help empower youth to live and witness as disciples in today’s world. Primary professor for all three will be Dr. Charlotte McCorquodale. For more information, contact Cindee Case at 330-744-8451.
Milestones
Dominican Sisters of Peace — In a ceremony Dec. 15, the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine de’ Ricci officially become members of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, formerly the Akron Dominicans, who founded Our Lady of the Elms schools and served in Northeast Ohio since 1929. During the ceremony, which was webcasted live to the Motherhouse in Akron and elsewhere, the de’ Ricci sisters reaffirmed their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and received Dominican Sisters of Peace symbols. Approval for the merger was received from the Vatican’s Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life on July 25 in Rome, Italy. More information available at www.oppeace.org.
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.