Big Party Planned for Jesus’ Birthday

By Colette M. Jenkins, The Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio

Nov. 24–The “Happy Birthday, Jesus” party, sponsored by the Akron Chapter of the Christ Child Society, will be 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. next Saturday at St. Sebastian Church’s Zwisler Hall, 500 Mull Ave., Akron.

The party will include a pizza and salad lunch, toy raffle, face painting, Santa and birthday cake. Each child who brings a small unwrapped new baby item will receive a free raffle ticket.

Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children. Seating is limited. Reservations can be made by calling 330-686-1704. Reservation deadline is Tuesday.

Proceeds from the party will benefit the local nonprofit Christ Child Society and its clothing center. Last year, clothing was distributed to more than 1,300 area children in cooperation with Akron Public Schools.

In other religion news:

Events

Church of the Annunciation — 87 Broad St., Akron. Noon Dec. 2, the fourth annual Christmas in Ireland — A Holiday Tribute to Mary Rita Murray Klein. There will be a dinner at noon with Irish and Christmas entertainment to follow from 1 to 3 p.m. Admission is $2 and the donation of at least one nonperishable food item for the Father Hilkert Food Center. 330-867-0485 or 330-535-4141.

Eastern Road Church of God — 2600 Eastern Road, Rittman. Christmas toy donations for children through Dec. 9 Donations accepted Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ages newborn to 12 years old. Register by Dec. 10. Toys will be passed out at noon Dec. 23. 330-927-0448.

Eastwood Church of the Brethren — 581 Darrow Road, Akron. 8-11 a.m. Dec. 1, Buckwheat & Buttermilk Pancake Breakfast. $5, $3 children under 12.

The Evangelical Covenant Church of Hudson — 190 W. Streetsboro St., Hudson. 4:30 p.m. Dec. 9. Sancta Lucia ceremony followed by a traditional Swedish smorgasbord. The community is invited to come and enjoy a sampling of Swedish foods along with Swedish music from the Children’s Chorus and the Lucia Adult Choir. Tickets are $10, $6 for children ages 4 to 10. 330-650-0564.

Firestone Park Presbyterian Church — 275 S. Firestone Blvd., Akron. 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 1. Annual cookie sale. Large selection of homemade cookies $5 per pound.

Nativity of the Lord Jesus Catholic Church — 2425 Myersville Road, Akron. 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 1. Advent Day of Reflection. This “Journey to Bethlehem” features a visit to the Bethlehem cave chapel, which is a replica of the cave as it appears in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Rosary, Mass and an opportunity for confession are included. Suggested donation $10. 330-699-5086 or http://www.nativityofthelord.org.

Oak Grove Mennonite Church — 7843 Smucker Road, Smithville. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2. “Search for the Christ Child,” a 45-minute indoor-outdoor walk-through experience. Admission is a food or toiletry donation for “People to People.”

Queen of Heaven Parish — 1800 Steese Road, Uniontown. 8:30 to 11 a.m. Dec. 2. Sunday community breakfast includes pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausage. $4, $2 preschool children. 330-896-2345.

Shaw Jewish Community Center — 750 White Pond Drive, Akron. 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Annual gathering of women’s Jewish Mysticism and Spirituality in Akron. The evening will feature an elegant dinner and a special program. The program will open with remarks by Sheri Regal Glauberman. Gloria Reich will talk about Unexpected Enrichment and Sherly Aronson, who designed the art work on the invitation, will present Art of Gratitude. $35, $25 ages 10 to college.

St. George Orthodox Church — 3204 Ridgewood Road, Akron. 6 p.m. Dec. 7. Holiday Extravaganza Buffet & Card Party. Buffet, fun and fellowship, door prizes and holiday raffle. $15. 330-644-7592 or 330-773-7012.

Milestones

Firestone Park Presbyterian Church — 275 S. Firestone Blvd., Akron. 10 a.m. Sunday. The 19th birthday celebration worship service.

Mount Zion Baptist Church — 327 Cuyahoga St., Akron. 11 a.m. Sunday. The Rev. Dr. Luther C. Cooper and first lady Car Lee Cooper celebrate 32 years of Shepherding God’s Flock. Speaker, Pastor David Nelson of New Baptist Church. 330-253-8642.

Second Baptist Church of Medina — 451 Bronson St., Medina. 11 a.m. Sunday. The Rev. Russell W. Burden Sr. will deliver his final message as pastor of Second Baptist Church of Medina. 3 p.m. Sunday, partners in ministry and members of the community will share their congratulations with the Rev. and Mrs. Russell W. Burden Sr.

Performances

Deeper Life Full Gospel — 1013 Walnut Ave. N.E., Canton. 4:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday. The Woman at the Well will be performed. Written by the Rev. Toni Pugh, the program features music, drama and dance. 330-452-0221.

Grace Lutheran Church — 146 S. High St., Wadsworth. 9:15 a.m. Dec. 2. First Sunday program will be a dramatic presentation titled The 1st Advent as told by Jesus’ grandmother. The Rev. Carol Fleming will present the program. 330-697-3501.

Seminars, classes

Massillon Unity Church of Truth — 4016 Wales Ave. N.W., Massillon. Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday. Ric Schumacher will discuss Adventures in Faith — Unity’s Approach to Practical Christianity. The community is invited to attend.

Speakers, lectures

Wesley Temple AME Zion Church — 104 N. Prospect St., Akron. 7:30 a.m. Sunday. Wesley Temple Brotherhood Breakfast. Craig L. Griffin, a member of Transplant Recipient International Organization, will speak on organ donation.

Special services

First United Methodist Church — 245 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Service of Remembrance for loved ones who have passed away. It will be led by Patti Kelleher, bereavement specialist at Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church — 50 N. Prospect St., Akron. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7. Festival of Lessons and Carols. This service will welcome the seasons of Advent and Christmas with the scripture readings of the prophecy and birth of Christ. The Trinity Choir, Paragon Brass, Trinity Bells and organ will participate in this holiday festival. 330-376-5154.

Mountain of the Lord Fellowship — 1477 Copley Road, Akron. 9 a.m. Sunday. Buchtel Alumni All Class Reunion service with the Buchtel Alumni Gospel Choir, directed by Benjamin Drone, with the message by Pastor Eugene Norris, a 1976 Buchtel graduate.

Unity of Medina — 787 Lafayette Road, Medina. 7 p.m. Wednesday. Annual Remembrance Ceremony. Remembering losses. Guest musicians will be harpists Melanie Brown and Sarah Swartz. 330-764-7999.

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