Four weeks after undergoing open heart surgery, James Mismas will return to the organ Sunday for the 10:30 a.m. Easter service at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1250 W. Exchange St. in Akron.
Mismas, organist at Westminster for 18 years, was instrumental in developing the Five at Five concert series. The series, which is in its 14th season, offers a concert at 5 p.m. on five Sundays. The remaining concerts are on April 14 (featuring the University of Akron Steel Drum Band) and May 12 (a special Mother’s Day Opera/Broadway gala).
In addition to his duties as organist at the local church, Mismas is director of opera at the University of Akron. He earned performance degrees in organ and voice from Oberlin Observatory, the University of Illinois and the University of Akron. He has also served as director of the Akron Symphony Chorus.
Mismas taught voice and opera for 22 years at Kent State University and has sung with Cleveland Opera, Ohio Light Opera, Akron Lyric Opera Theatre, Akron Symphony, Canton Symphony and Ohio Chamber Orchestra.
As music director at organist at Westminster, Mismas oversees the church’s musical activities for services and conducts the adult choir and the Westminster Camerata, an auditioned chamber ensemble.
During the Easter service at Westminster, Mismas will play the famous Hallelujah from George Handel’s Messiah. The service will also include the Paragon Brass Quintet, percussion and the church choir. Child care for infants and toddlers will be available.
A special sunrise service will be offered at 8:30 a.m. on the church patio.
For more information about Westminster, visit www.westminsterakron.com or call 330-836-2226.
In other religion news:
Easter services
Calvary Baptist Church — 820 White Pond Drive, Akron. Easter Sunday program at 11 a.m., with the choir and the Rev. Aaron Furman.
Christ Is The Answer Ministries — 379 E. South St., Akron. 7 a.m. Sunday. Early-morning Easter worship service. Youth Easter program at 9:30 a.m. 330-376-1869.
Grace United Church of Christ — 13275 Cleveland Ave. NW, Lake Township. Easter Sunday Sunrise contemporary youth-led service at 7 a.m. followed by pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. Freewill offering supports summer youth mission trip. Easter traditional worship service at 10:45 a.m. 330-699-3255.
McDonaldsville United Methodist Church — 7641 Wales Ave. NW, Jackson Township. 7 a.m. Sunday. Sunrise Service followed by breakfast. At 9 a.m., classes for all ages. 10 a.m. traditional Easter celebration. Childcare available. 330-499-6971.
St. Mark Lutheran Church —158 North Ave., Tallmadge. 7 a.m. Sunday sunrise service. 8:15 a.m. Easter breakfast. 9:15 a.m. Easter egg hunt. 10:30 a.m. Easter service with communion. 330-633-3718.
South Arlington United Methodist Church — 790 S. Arlington St., Akron. 10 a.m. Sunday. The chancel choir will perform an Easter musical And The Son Arose. 330-724-1334.
Tallmadge Lutheran Church — 759 East Ave., Tallmadge. Easter Sunday sunrise service at 7 a.m. and festival services at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion, special music and children’s message in all services. Easter breakfast served from 8 to 10 a.m. 330-633-4775.
Trinity Lutheran Church — 600 S. Water St., Kent. Easter Sunday festive worship with Holy Communion at all services: 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m.
Wintergreen Ledges Church of God — 1889 Vernon Odom Blvd., Akron. 10:45 to noon Sunday. Special music and a passionate, positive Easter message from the pastor.
Events
Apostolic Church of Deliverance — 779 N. Main St., Akron. Prayer Warriors Conference at 7 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m., 2 and 7 p.m. April 6; and noon April 7. 330-634-9271.
Christ Is The Answer Ministries — 379 E. South St., Akron. 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Encouragement services. Featured speakers are the Rev. J. Michael Martin Sr., host pastor, and the Rev. William Jones of Akron Missionary Baptist Church. 330-376-1869.
First Baptist Church of Tallmadge — 845 Southeast Ave., Tallmadge. 10 a.m. to noon April 7. The church will celebrate its 75th anniversary. The program will include former pastors, church history and special music. 330-633-5670.
Grace United Church of Christ — 13275 Cleveland Ave. NW, Lake Township. 4:30 to 7 p.m. April 6. Swiss steak dinner. Adults $8, ages 4-12 $4, ages 3 and younger free. Carryout or dine in. Order gluten-free meals in advance at 330-699-3255, 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday.
Love Akron Network — Habitat for Humanity of Summit County, 2301 Romig Road, Akron. 10 a.m. April 10. All Christian leaders are invited to a bimonthly prayer event. Lunch and a tour of the facilities immediately following. For information or to RSVP, call 330-384-8124 or email loveakronoffice@loveakron.org.
St. John Lutheran Church — 550 E. Wilbeth Road, Akron. 6 p.m. Friday. Spring Fling card party and game night. Includes chili and salad bar with dessert, beverage and door prizes. Proceeds to make the church interior handicapped accessible. $7.50 per person. For reservations, call 330-773-4128.
Shaw Jewish Community Center — 750 White Pond Drive, Akron. 7 p.m. April 7. The Jewish center, along with the dedicated Yom HaShoah committee members, will host Remembering the Holocaust in the auditorium. Memorial service, candle lighting and a conversation with Holocaust survivor Leo Silberman. Free to the public. 330-835-0036.
South Arlington United Methodist Church — 790 S. Arlington St., Akron. 9 to 11 a.m. Friday. Open public food pantry. From 8:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, there will be a breakfast fundraiser. Variety of items available including homemade cinnamon rolls. 330-724-1334.
Speakers and classes
Blessed Trinity Parish — 300 E. Tallmadge Ave., Akron. 7 p.m. Tuesday. The Rev. Steven K. Brunovsky, pastor of St. Hilary Parish in Fairlawn, will be the guest speaker at the next Come and See meeting in McKeever Hall. His topic is The Basics of the Holy Eucharist. Following the presentation, there will be small discussion groups which will address a variety of topics. No cost, reservations not required. For more information, contact Linda Herold at 330-376-5144.
First Friday Club of Greater Akron — University of Akron Martin Center, 105 Fir Hill, Akron. Noon April 12. Sister Judy Morris of the Dominican Sisters of Peace will speak on The Face of Human Trafficking. Cost of the luncheon is $15. Doors open at 11:15 a.m. 330-535-7668.
Malone University — Johnson Center for Worship and the Fine Arts, 2600 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton. 10 a.m. Wednesday. The Rev. Alistair Begg, senior pastor of Parkside Church in Chagrin Falls., will address students at chapel services. Free to the public. 330-471-8441.
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.