The congregation at Faith Lutheran Church, 2726 W. Market St. in Fairlawn, will have a ceremonial groundbreaking for its “Racing Forward in Faith” building project at 12:15 p.m. Sunday.
The building project will create more space with the inclusion of a new entrance off the parking lot, a gathering space, handicap accessible restrooms and a new youth ministry area. In addition, the property will get new landscaping and the parking lot will be resurfaced.
The congregation is also engaged in repairing, restoring and adding digital components to its 45-year-old Schantz pipe organ. Both projects are scheduled to be completed this fall.
In other religion news:
Events
Church in the Valley — 2241 Everett Road, Boston Township. 8:30 a.m. Sunday. A brief, outdoor service will be held every Sunday, June through August, on the church grounds. For those who enjoy hiking, biking or just being out in the valley during the summer. Weather permitting, services will be held behind the church under a canopy tent. They will be held indoors if the weather is inclement. Bottled water and energy snacks provided free. Located just north of Szalay’s Market, between the market and the covered bridge. www.churchinthevalley.org.
Connection Church — 2524 Medina Road, Sharon Township. 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Dadfest will be held on Father’s Day. Classic cars, tailgate-style hot dog and music with a DJ. Entry fee for cars support area ministries including Love Inc., Oasis of Hope and Cups Cafe. The event is free to the public. Donations of clothing, towels, shoes and more accepted for an Easter Seals fundraiser. Events before, between and after morning services. 330-461-3964.
Diocese of Youngstown — at St. Columba Cathedral, 159 W Rayen Ave., Youngstown. 10:30 a.m. June 21. Two seminarians will be ordained to the priesthood. Bishop of Youngstown George V. Murry will confer the sacrament of ordination upon Deacon John Ettinger and Deacon Craig McHenry. They will be assigned as parochial vicars to parishes in the diocese. 330-744-8451.
Faith Temple Church — 701 Sylvan Ave., Akron. 11 a.m. Sunday. Father’s Day concert featuring the Rev. Paula Smith.
Heart-To-Heart Boot Camp — at Adell Durbin Park, 3300 Darrow Road, Stow. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 30-July 2. For ages 6-10 and 11-14 who have experienced the death of someone they love. Explore feelings, memories and ways to cope with the grief. Activities, art, books, play and therapy dogs will be incorporated into the program. Mike Johnson, a therapist with Shelter Care, will facilitate. Nancy Carst, bereavement specialist with Akron Children’s Hospital, will also attend. No cost. Partial funding from Millennium Fund of Akron Community Foundation. For information and registration, contact The GriefCare Place at 330-686-1750. www.thegriefcareplace.org.
Mogadore Christian Church — 106 S. Cleveland Ave., Mogadore. 5 to 7 p.m. today. The last Swiss steak dinner of the summer will be served. Includes mashed potatoes, green beans, cole slaw, apple sauce, rolls, beverage and dessert. Adults $8, ages 5-12 $4, age 4 and under free. Carryout available. Proceeds support church missions and local food cupboards. 330-628-3344.
Mount Olive Baptist Church — 1180 Slosson St., Akron. 10 a.m. Sunday. Celebrating 96 years of ministry with 100 women in white/100 men in black. Dinner will be served following service. Gospel concert at 5 p.m. featuring Boot and the Boyz. 330-869-0802.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church — 515 48th St. NW, Canton. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday. A community dinner will be served. Includes beef tips and gravy, garlic buttered noodles, green beans, homemade apple sauce, rolls, beverage and dessert. Adults $12, ages 4-12 $5, age 3 and under free. Carryout orders available. 330-499-2662.
St. Mark Lutheran Church — 158 North Ave., Tallmadge. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and June 21. Annual rummage and bake sale will be held. Many and varied items on three floors. Free admission. Lunch served by youth group. Baked goods available. Cash only. 330-633-3718.
South Arlington United Methodist Church — 790 S. Arlington St., Akron. 11 a.m. to noon June 21. Stork’s Nest hosted by the sisters of Zeta Phi Beta for expectant young mothers. Free baby clothes, prenatal education and refreshments. 330-724-1334.
Wesley Temple A.M.E. Zion Church — 104 N. Prospect St., Akron. The Ohio Annual Conference of the A.M.E. Zion Church will be Tuesday through June 22. Bishop Louis Hunter Sr. of the Mid-Atlantic I District will preside. The Rev. Charles Tyler Sr. is host pastor. Lunch and dinner will be served daily and a special gala is planned from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. June 21 at Akron General Health and Wellness Center, 4125 Medina Road, Bath Township. Tickets are $30 per person. Contact Marian Kea at 330-434-5800.
Westminster Presbyterian Church — 1250 W. Exchange St., Akron. 5 p.m. Sunday. Third Sunday Dinner, a free community dinner, will be served. It encourages food and fellowship with church members and the local community. 330-836-2226.
Performances
Firestone Park United Methodist Church — 250 N. Firestone Blvd., Akron. 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Calvin Taylor, pianist and recording artist, will present the musical worship service Holy Scripture — Alive With Sounds of Music. 330-773-7836.
Peoples Baptist Church — 525 Vernon Odom Blvd., Akron. 7 p.m. Friday. Fourth anniversary Sing Preacher Sing. Includes preachers from Akron, Cleveland, Medina and more. Admission $6. Ice cream social will follow. 330-253-4073.
St. Sebastian Parish — 476 Mull Ave., Akron. 6 to 9 p.m. June 26. A Brickyard Jazz Festival will be held on the church grounds. Includes fine wines and food tastings from local restaurants. A Kool Nights Band will perform a variety of music including swing, standards, jazz, blues and classic rock. Pre-sale tickets for $35 before June 23, $40 after. Ages 21 and over welcome. For tickets or more information, call 330-836-2233 or visit www.stsebastian.org/brickstreetjazzfestival.
Speakers
Northwest Church of Christ — 3904 38th St. NW, Canton. 6 p.m. June 21. A debate on the existence of God, titled God Does Not Exist, will be held. Squaring off in the debate will be Mano Singham, a theoretical physicist at Case Western Reserve University, and Joe Puckett Jr., a Christian philosopher and minister at Hartville Church of Christ. It is free and open to the public.
Support groups
The Chapel — 135 Fir Hill, Akron. 7 p.m. Tuesday. Parents of Prodigals, a care group for families in crisis when good kids make bad choices, will meet in the Great Commission Room. Guest speaker is Mike Swiger, executive director of True Freedom Ministries. His topic is Situational Ethics ... Knowing It’s Wrong and Doing it Anyway. For questions, call Ed Davidian. 330-620-5668.
Vacation Bible schools
Chapel Hill Church — 1160 Howe Ave., Cuyahoga Falls. 9:30 to noon Monday through Friday. Vacation Bible School theme is Shine. Age 4 through grade 5. Bible stories, games, music, snacks, crafts and more. 330-929-1924.
Holy Spirit Catholic Church — 2952 Edison St., Lake Township. 9 a.m. to noon June 23 to 27, 6 to 8 p.m. June 24 to 26. Vacation Bible School, Playing for God’s Team, will be held mornings and evenings for the first time this year. For age 4 through grade 5. Families attend together the week of evening sessions. Participants may attend either mornings or evenings, or both. To register, call 330-699-4500 or online at www.holyspiritunoh.org. Registration forms can be printed from the website. Church email address is holyspiritunoh@sbcglobal.net.
Mount Haven Missionary Baptist Church — 545 Noble Ave., Akron. 6 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Vacation Bible School theme is Jungle Safari — Exploring the Nature of God. Classes for age 3 to adults. Refreshments provided. 330-253-2923.
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.