The congregation at Christ Episcopal Church in Kent will debut its Broadway Musical Mass at 10 a.m. Sunday.
The special service will be led by Jonathan Swoboda, assistant professor of theater at Kent State University’s School of Theatre and Dance. Swoboda has served as music director of more than 75 productions and has toured as the featured keyboardist for Mannheim Steamroller.
During the special Mass, the congregation will be encouraged to join the choir in singing musical theater songs from shows including Oliver; Oklahoma; Godspell; Finian’s Rainbow; Into the Woods; and How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.
Christ Episcopal Church is located at 118 S. Mantua St., Kent. For more information, call 330-673-4604.
In other religion news:
Events
Akron Missionary Baptist Church — 17 W. Cuyahoga Falls Ave., Akron. 4 p.m. Sunday. Ordination service for the associate minister, Lorenzo Belton, and deacons Victor Butler, Mandrell Holloman, Jay Miller and Michael Reynolds. 330-762-4688.
Apostolic Church of Barberton — 1717 W. Turkeyfoot Lake Road, Coventry Township. 6 p.m. Sunday. Guest speaker will be the Rev. Michael Ensey of St. Louis. 330-745-5550.
Canton Christian Women’s Connection — at the Fairways at Arrowhead, 1500 Rogwin Circle SW, Plain Township. 11:30 a.m. Feb. 21. Monthly luncheon will be held. Theme is Made With Love and features Jamie Griffith from J’amie Made and Renee Tersigni from the French Hen showcasing handmade crafts. Speaker will be Shirley Davidson and Jim Gindelsberger will sing. Cost is $13 and includes lunch. 330-837-6552.
The Chapel, Green Campus — 1800 Raber Road, Green. 10 a.m. Friday. Abundant Living 55+ Christian fellowship and lunch in Atrium. Host is Art McMahon. Concert with Guy and Julie Hufstetler. Age 55 and older welcome to attend. 330-315-5508.
Cottage Grove Evangelical Congregational Church — 3133 Cottage Grove Road, Coventry Township. Noon Sunday. Annual Chili Cook-Off. Bring a pot of your favorite chili to enter. Al Leidtke of Good Neighbors of Green will be guest speaker at 10:45 a.m. worship. A traditional service will be at 7 p.m. Ash Wednesday. The Rev. Gary Brown, conference minister of the Great Lakes Region, will deliver the message. The Crusaders children’s ministry will have a Valentine’s Day party during the service. A Men’s Fellowship breakfast will be at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 16. 330-644-5616.
Greensburg United Methodist Church — 2161 Greensburg Road, Green. 5 p.m. Feb. 16. Jim Gill concert and spaghetti dinner, sponsored by United Methodist Women’s group. Dinner served 5 to 6:15 p.m., concert at 7 p.m. Tickets are presale only. Adults $10, ages 2-12 $6, younger than age 2 free. Call Mary at 330-896-1936.
Hill’s Temple First Born Church — 799 S. Arlington St., Akron. 5 p.m. Sunday. Youth celebration with the Rev. Leslie Parker Barnes and the Rev. Marcellus Winters. 330-322-0146.
Johnson United Methodist Church — 3409 Johnson Road, Norton. 6 p.m. Feb. 16. Boy Scout Troop 132 will celebrate 50 years of Scouting with a free spaghetti dinner and program. The event is for current and former members. To RSVP, contact Greg Bilek at StarPointGreg@aol.com or 330-603-8103.
Manchester United Methodist Church — 5625 Manchester Road, New Franklin. 6 to 9:30 p.m. Friday. Gospel Bluegrass Jam on the third Friday of each month. Bring your favorite covered dish to share for dinner at 7:30 p.m. Donations welcome. 330-882-4818.
McDonaldsville St. Paul United Methodist Church — 7641 Wales Ave. NW, Jackson Township. 5 to 7 p.m. Friday. Swiss steak dinner. Includes dessert and beverage. Adults $8, children $3.50, age 2 and younger free. Gluten free and carryout available. Profits benefit local mission outreach projects. If Jackson schools are canceled that day, dinner will not be held. 330-499-6971.
Mogadore Christian Church — 106 S. Cleveland Ave., Mogadore. 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Open M, a faith-based program in Summit County, will participate in morning worship. Coffee at 10 a.m.
Mount Lebanon Baptist Church — 180 Edward Ave., Akron. 4 p.m. Sunday. The Ushers and Nurses Emphasis Day will be held. The Rev. Sylvester Beans and Friendship Baptist Church will be guests. 330-376-6378.
Queen of Heaven Church — 1800 Steese Road, Green. Ashes will be distributed on Ash Wednesday during the following Masses: 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the church, and 1 p.m. at Greenview Inn, 4000 Massillon Road. Lenten dinners will be served on Fridays, Feb. 15 through March 22. Carryout or dining room service from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Stations-of-the-Cross devotions will be held Wednesdays during Lent at 9:05 a.m. and Fridays at 7:05 p.m. On Good Friday, they will be at 7 p.m. 330-896-2345.
St. Joseph Parish — 11045 St. Joseph Blvd., Mantua. 12:30 to 2 p.m. Feb. 17. First of six Sunday Lenten programs called Awakening Faith. Refreshments. 330-274-2253.
St. Luke’s Lutheran Church — 2121 Sixth St., Cuyahoga Falls. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday pancake supper. Adults $6, ages 12 and younger $3. Everyone invited. On Wednesday at 7 p.m., the church will observe Ash Wednesday during worship service with communion. Theme is Facing the Cross, led by the Rev. Bob Linsz. 330-929-2683.
St. Philip’s Episcopal Church — 1130 Mercer Ave,, Akron. 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday pancake Supper. Adults $4, children $2. 330-535-7295.
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral —2230 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. 5 p.m. Sunday. Annual Absalom Jones Feast Day celebration. The Rev. Debra Bennett, of Church of Our Saviour in Akron will preach.
Trinity Lutheran Church — 600 S. Water St., Kent. 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday. Spaghetti dinner will be served. It will benefit Kent Social Services. Includes garlic bread, drink, salad, applesauce and dessert. Adults $7, children $4, maximum of $25 per family. 330-673-5446.
Performances
Cottage Grove Evangelical Church — 3133 Cottage Grove Road, Green. 6:30 p.m. today. The Joyfulaires will present a gospel music concert. Free–will offering. 330-644-5616.
First United Methodist Church — 245 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls. 1 p.m. Thursday. Program for this month’s Going Strong meeting will be Top Hat, White Tie & Tail — Songs of Fred Astaire by vocalist Paul Hoffman with Matthew Skitzki on piano and Alan Gleghorn on bass. 330-923-5241.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church — 50 N. Prospect St., Akron. 4 p.m. Sunday. Hymn Fest with Dr. John Ferguson, professor of organ at St. Olaf (Minn.) College. Doors open at 3:30 p.m.
St. Sebastian Parish — 476 Mull Ave., Akron. 4 p.m. Sunday. A Kinder Konzert featuring the Akron Regional Chamber Orchestra will be held. For children and those who are young at heart. Children will learn about classical music as they hear, play and conduct the orchestra. 330-836-2233.
Victory Life Church — 3933 Hudson Drive, Stow. 7 p.m. Feb. 17. The African Children’s Choir will perform. The choir members live the mission of raising awareness of the plight of Africa’s orphaned and abandoned children. Free-will offering. 330-929-6555.
Speakers, classes,
workshops
Cornerstone Free Methodist Church — 578 Killian Road, Coventry Township. 2:30 p.m. Feb. 17. First session of Financial Peace University, a nine-week course on DVD, that provides families and individuals with practical tools to gain control of their finances. Lessons include budgeting, relationships and money, getting out of debt, saving for emergencies and investing. Contact John Alchier at 330-644-3937 for more information or to register.
St. Sebastian Zwisler Hall — 500 Mull Ave., Akron. 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 18. First of a four-part Monday Lenten Forum Series will focus on Vatican II: Celebrating the Best of Our Faith. The speaker will be Dr. Edward P. Hahnenberg and his topic will be We Share the Story of God’s Love. He will give an overview of the series, with special emphasis on Dei Verbum. On Feb. 25, the speaker will be Sister Diana Culbertson and her topic will be We Celebrate Christ With Us. On March 4, Father Joseph Fortuna will speak on We Are Leaven in the World. The series concludes on March 11 with Father John McDonough. His topic will be We Go to God Together. 330-836-2233.
Walsh University — Barrett Business & Community Center, 2020 E. Maple St. NW, North Canton. 10 a.m. Feb. 17. Inspirational Talk and Healing Service with Dr. Issam Nemeh, who has appeared on the Dr. Oz Show and the 700 Club. Tickets available at www.pathtofaith.com, click on healing services.
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.