The Rev. Timothy Armstrong will officially be installed as the fifth senior pastor at The Chapel during a special 10 a.m. service on Sunday.
Armstrong’s installation will be part of the church 80th anniversary celebration. The celebration will include three former senior pastors, the Revs. David Burnham, Knute Larson and Paul Sartarelli.
The Chapel, one of the Akron area’s largest churches, draws about 5,000 people to worship services weekly at campuses in Akron, Green and Wadsworth. It was founded in 1934 by the late Rev. Carl Burnham and traces its roots to the Furnace Street Mission in 1933.
The congregation purchased a lot on Fir Hill and moved into its new building there in 1955. By 1969, membership had grown to 3,200 members. Expansion began in 1971 for a new sanctuary that would connect to the Fir Hill buildings. The new building was dedicated in 1973. Today, the church offers five worship services and more than 300 weekly activities.
Armstrong, who founded Crossroads Community Church in Mansfield in 1996 with a group of 30 people, was confirmed in May by a nearly unanimous congregational vote to become senior pastor of the church.
The service, at the main campus in Akron (135 Fir Hill), will be simulcast to The Chapel campuses in Green and Wadsworth. Each campus will have a picnic after the service.
For more information, go to www.the-chapel.org.
In other religion news:
Events
Brimfield Faith United Methodist Church — 1235 Tallmadge Road, Brimfield. Brimfield Faith United Methodist Church announced the ordination of the Rev. Janelle Kurtz. Kurtz was ordained during the East Ohio Annual Conference on June 16 at Lakeside. She is a graduate of Candler School of Theology at Emory University where she earned her master of divinity degree. She also holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Akron.
Canton Christian Women’s Connection — The Fairways, 1500 Rogwin Circle SW, North Canton. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 21. Monthly luncheon with speaker Rita Stewart, who shares the secret to lasting wealth. Jim and Sharon Blackstock will discuss the handling and demonstrate the talents of their show and service dogs as part of the Dog Days of August event. Cost is $13. Reservations required, call 330-837-6552 or email cantoncwc@aol.com by Aug. 17.
The Chapel in Marlboro — 8700 state Route 619, Marlboro Township. 9 and 10:15 a.m. Sunday. Luke Witte will speak at the worship services. Witte is a former basketball star with Marlington High, Ohio State and the Cleveland Cavaliers. 330-935-0132.
Community of Believers Christian Church — 2543 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls. Community Fest 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday (food, music, games and activities) and VeggieTales The Lord of the Beans at 5:15 p.m. 330-928-5134.
The Friendship Apostolic Church of Christ — 332 Trigonia Drive, Akron. Annual Women’s Day, Sunday. Morning speaker, 11 a.m. Prophetess Twaunta Solomon of The Power House of Akron. Evening speaker, 4 p.m. Pastor LaJoyce Harris of Apostolic Church of Ravenna.
Greater Bethel Baptist Church — 404 S. Arlington St., Akron. 11 a.m. Sunday. Friends and Family Day, where attendees will dress in all white. . 330-724-0718.
Greentown Church of the Nazarene — 10031 Cleveland Ave. NW, Greentown. 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 16. Fifth Annual Community Pig Roast. Food, games, fun and fellowship. Free. 330-499-3004.
Hill’s Temple First Born Church — 799 S. Arlington St., Akron. 11 a.m. Sunday. Annual Youth Day with speaker Dr. Timothy Dees, from Fort Valley, Ga. For more information, call Sandra Jackson at 330-322-0146.
Holy Spirit Catholic Church — 2952 Edison St. NW, Uniontown. 2 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Annual parish barbecue with great food, cornhole toss, a bounce house and dunk tank. For more information, go to www.holyspiritunoh.org.
Malone University — 2600 Cleveland Ave. N.W., Canton. 10 a.m. to noon, Aug. 16. Annual prayer walk hosted by the Malone University Multicultural Alumni Association. www.malone.edu.
Queen of Heaven Church — 1800 Steese Road, Green. 7 p.m. Thursday. Outdoor Vigil Mass for the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. After the Vigil Mass a rosary will be prayed on the Marian Garden and an ice cream social will follow. For information, call 330-896-2345.
St. Philip’s Episcopal Church — 1130 Mercer Ave., Akron. Sunday. Will have a picnic following the 10:45 a.m. worship service. The community is invited. Bring a side dish to share.
Seville Presbyterian Church — 101 Center St., Seville. 4 p.m. Sunday. SingFest 2014. The community singalong will feature many longtime favorite hymns. Guest organist Gary J. Pinter will be featured on Seville’s Moller pipe organ. Other performers at the SingFest include Gene Miller, trumpet, and Seville Presbyterian Church’s Joyful Sound Hand Bell Choir. A goodwill offering will be taken. For more information, call 330-769-3738 or go to www.sevillepc.org.
Performances
Community Gospel Tabernacle — 181 E. State St., Barberton. 6 p.m. Saturday. A gospel concert with the Fishermen, Songsters, Singing Weavers and Christ Unlimited. A freewill offering will be taken.
First Baptist Church — 20 Sixth St. SE, Massillon. 7 p.m. Tuesday. Clean, family-friendly comedy show Celebrating Recovery Through Laughter by Tina Talks Truth. Free. 330-832-1234.
First Baptist Church — 20 6th St. SE, Massillon. 7 p.m. Aug. 16. Mercy River Quartet presents A Night of Southern Gospel Music. With special guests the Fishermen Quartet. For more information, call 330-844-8729.
Tallmadge Alliance Church — 1155 East Ave., Tallmadge. 6 p.m. Saturday. Benefit concert featuring the Pathway Quartet from Canton. There will be a freewill offering to support The Way Out Prison Ministry. For more information, call Jim Williams at 330-685-0296or email profjimwilliams@gmail.com.
Support groups
St. Matthew Rectory — 2603 Benton St., Akron. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday. A cancer spirituality group for those on the cancer journey, those facing the diagnosis of cancer or who have faced the diagnosis in the past, or those who are interested in exploring and talking about the cancer experience in the context of spirituality. For more information, call Pat Flaherty at 330-628-5725 or email everhiker@sbcglobal.net.
Vacation Bible schools
First United Methodist Church of Akron — 263 E. Mill St., Akron. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 16, and 9:30 a.m. to noon Aug. 17. Blast Off: Launching Kids on a Mission of God’s Love Vacation Bible School for preschool through middle school age. For information and registration, call 330-376-8143.
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.