Forever Love, a faith-based musical by Sharon Dobbins Alberson, will be presented at 3 and 7 p.m. March 9 at First Congregational Church of Tallmadge, 85 Heritage Drive.
The musical is a retelling of the biblical story of the prophet Hosea. The story focuses on a news magazine anchor who is investigating a high-class escort service. During his investigation, he hears the voice of God telling him to fall in love with a woman who works for the escort service. Conflicted about what to do, the man discovers the truth about himself and the power of the love of God.
The cast and crew is a diverse group of interfaith, multigenerational professionals and amateurs who represent more than a dozen houses of worship in the Greater Akron area.
Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 or younger. Proceeds will benefit Interfaith Caregivers, a program that trains and provides volunteers to assist seniors and people with disabilities. Those services include running errands, companionship and transportation.
Tickets can be reserved by calling 330-922-1900 or going online to www.fiaakron.org.
In other religion news:
Events
Akron Missionary Baptist Church — 17 W. Cuyahoga Falls Ave., Akron. 4 p.m. Sunday. Celebrating Black History Month with praise dancing and a performance by the youth choir. 330-762-4688.
Aurora Mennonite Church — 59 E. Mennonite Road, Aurora. 10:30 a.m. Friday. Aurora community churches will come together for World Day of Prayer. Men and women are invited to attend the one-hour prayer vigil. 330-562-8011.
Catholic Men’s Fellowship of the Diocese of Youngstown — Walsh University, 2020 E. Maple St. NW, North Canton. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 9. The second annual Men’s Conference will be held. The theme is Rise Up O Men of God and Open the Door to Faith. Keynote speaker will be Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers. The conference will close with a Mass celebrated by Bishop George V. Murry. Tickets are $30 for adults and $10 for students before March 1. Tickets cost $35 after March 1, and $45 on the day of conference. Lunch and free parking included. To register, call 330-782-8621 or go online to www.cmfdoy .org.
Centenary United Methodist Church — 1310 Superior Ave., Akron. 4 p.m. March 3. The annual Above All the Right Hat, a hat and style show, will take place at Guy’s Party Center, 500 E. Waterloo Road, Akron. For women and girls. Open to the public. Adults $35, ages 12 or younger $15. Chicken or fish available as entree. For tickets, call Mary Lane Wright at 330-733-9006, Janice Gleaves at 330-208-6251 or the church office at 330-376-9648.
Community Christian Church — 210 N. Main St., North Canton. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today. Open house for prospective preschool students for the 2013-14 school year. Math and science readiness, pre-reading and writing, music and movement and American Sign Language are offered. Tour the facility and meet the teachers. 330-499-5458.
Deerfield Town Hall — 1450 State Route 14, Deerfield Township. 4 to 7:30 p.m. today. The brethren for Charity Lodge No. 530 will hold the sixth annual Wild Game Dinner. To avoid overcrowding, there will be two settings for 200 people at a time. They will be from 4 to 5:30 p.m., and 6 to 7:30 p.m. Reservations are mandatory. Contact Ralph Cross at 330-607-2442 or Roy Wilson at 330-947-3392. $12 per person, ages 5 and under free. Entrees include barbecued rabbit, roasted turkey, cod, whitefish, alligator, buffalo meatloaf, elk stir fry, bear meatballs, roasted moose and venison, along with baked potatoes, green beans, bread, dessert and beverage. Proceeds benefit charities including Akron Children’s Hospital and Ohio Special Olympics.
Diocese of Youngstown — 144 W. Wood St., Youngstown. Bishop George V. Murry has appointed the Rev. Joseph Ruggieri as pastor of Regina Coeli Parish in Alliance and St. Joseph Parish in Maximo, effective March 10.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church — 1905 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls. 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. The Immaculate Heart of Mary and St. Joseph Parish communities present their two-day Lenten Mission, Our Faith, Our Gift. For more information, call 330-256-2085.
Journey Covenant Church — 2679 N. Haven Blvd., Cuyahoga Falls. 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Free, hot dinner will be served to local residents on the last Tuesday of each month. Christ Kitchen Dinners are open to the public. 330-923-8021.
Morning Star Baptist Church — 1360 Newton St., Akron. 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Celebrating the annual Ushers Day. Speaker will be the Rev. Sheree Winn of Phillips Chapel CME Methodist church.
Mount Lebanon Baptist Church — 180 Edward Ave. Akron. 11 a.m. Sunday. Friends and Family Day will be held during morning service. Theme is A Family’s Salvation. It starts with a meet and greet from 10:15 to 11 a.m. 330-378-6378.
St. Paul Church — 1580 Brown St., Akron. 6:30 to 8 p.m. Mondays through March 18. Lenten Program that explores the realities and responsibilities of being a nation of immigrants. Sessions in the Parish Activity Center. 330-724-1263.
Second Baptist Church of Medina — 451 Bronson St., Medina. 7 p.m. Wednesday. The church and the Medina County Branch of the American Association of University Women will join in their 11th annual observance of Black History Month, Lift Up Your Voice. The program includes music by a choral group, poetry and a presentation by a children’s bell choir. No fee, guests welcome. 330-735-1360.
Women’s Board of Catholic Charities Community Services of Summit County — Guy’s Party Center, 500 E. Waterloo Road, Akron. 11 a.m. March 7. Annual luncheon, style show, silent auction and raffle. $20 per person. 330-762-2961.
Wooster Avenue Church of Christ — 1147 Vernon Odom Blvd., Akron. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. Snack lunch and clothing giveaway. First come, first served. All sizes when available. 330-762-7301.
Performances
The Chapel in Marlboro — 8700 State Route 619, Marlboro Township. 6 p.m. Sunday. The annual Goodbye to Winter Concert welcomes the Stockdale Family Band for the fourth consecutive year. Open seating. Freewill offering. 330-935-0132.
Fairlawn Lutheran Church — 3415 W. Market St., Fairlawn. 4 p.m. March 17. A Festival of Hymns, co-sponsored by the Akron chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Includes organists Robert Butler of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Daniel Fortune of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Gary Pinter of Fairlawn Lutheran, assisted by the Falls River Brass. Free concert and refreshments. Free parking at the church and Summit Mall.
Trinity Lutheran Church — 600 S. Water St., Kent. 2 p.m. Sunday. Hannah Koby, 16, will present an organ recital, which features a variety of music through the ages. A freewill offering will help offset the cost of Hannah attending the Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival, a four-week training and performance camp for young musicians.
Speakers and classes
First Christian Church — 335 W. Main St., Medina. 9 a.m. March 3. First session of Financial Peace University, a nine-week, video-based series of classes that will teach how to beat debt, manage cash flow and save for emergencies, college and retirement. Cost is $95 per family. Child care is available. Register online at www.DaveRamsey.com or call 330-673-3392.
Malone University — 2600 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton. 7 p.m. Thursday. Troy Meeder will host Healing-Hearts-Horses-Hope: How Horses Can Bring Us Closer to God in the Stewart Room of the Randall Campus Center. It is free to the public. Meeder is the author of Average Joe: God’s Extraordinary Calling to Ordinary Men. He is also a youth pastor and founder of Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch.
St. Sebastian Parish — 500 Mull Ave., Akron. 7 to 9 p.m. Monday. The second of four Monday Lenten Series presentations, We Celebrate Christ With Us, will be held. Sister Diana Culbertson will speak of implementing the liturgical changes, encouraging full and active participation by the faithful, focusing on Sacrosanctum Concilium. 330-836-2233.
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.