Jewish Festival of Lights Begins Tuesday

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

Dec. 1–The annual Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, begins at sundown Tuesday.

Hanukkah commemorates the victory of the Maccabees, the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple and the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days.

It is observed in Jewish households by the kindling of lights on the menorah on each of the festival’s nights.

The area public observance, which includes the lighting of the menorah, is 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Center Court at Summit Mall, 3265 W. Market St., Fairlawn.

This year’s Hanukkah at the Mall celebration will feature music by the Community Children’s Choir and the Lippman Middle School band. Latkes, gelt and a chocolate menorah will also be part of the celebration.

The event is a project of Chabad of Akron/Canton and Anshe Sfard (Revere Road) Synagogue. It is sponsored by Stan Aronson & Associates.

This year’s theme is “A Hanukkah Night to Remember.”

In other religion news:

Events

The Chapel in Marlboro — 8700 State Route 619, Marlboro Township. 10:15 a.m. Sunday. JAMboree! is a time for all children from grades K-5 to gather for an inspirational, fun-filled and thoughtful show. Featuring Brett White and The Joyful Heirs. 330-935-0132.

Church of the Master — 800

E. Market St., Akron. 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 8. Christmas Cookie Sale. 330-376-2141.

First United Methodist Church of Akron — 263 E. Mill St., Akron. 1 p.m. Friday. Church Women United in Akron, an organization of Protestant, Orthodox, Jewish and Roman Catholic women, will hold its Christmas program, Christmas Journey. 330-644-2940.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church — 1905 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls. 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday. Advent Mission, “Dare to Live the Gospel.” John M. Schweisthal, a Catholic evangelist of Good News Ministries, Florida, will present the program.

Loyola of the Lakes Jesuit Retreat House — 700 Killinger Road, Green. 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Evening of Reflection. The program will be directed by the Rev. William Karg, pastor of St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Akron. $22. 330-896-2315 or 800-827-1416. http://www.loyolaofthelakes.com.

Loyola of the Lakes Jesuit Retreat House — 700 Killinger Road, Green. 5:30 p.m. Friday to 11 a.m. Sunday. Advent Weekend for Men and Women. Presented by the Rev. Norm Dickson, D.J., This year’s theme is Seeing With the Eyes of Faith. $145. $50 deposit required with registration. 330-896-2315 or 800-827-1416, http://www.loyolaofthelakes.com.

Oak Grove Mennonite Church — 7843 Smucker Road, Smithville. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday. “Search for The Christ Child,” a 45-minute indoor-outdoor walk-through experience. Admission is one article of food or toiletries for “People to People.”

Our Saviour Lutheran Church — 1605 Center Road, Hinckley. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 8. Homemade Christmas Cookie Sale and Quilt Raffle. Proceeds will benefit church projects. 330-278-4114.

St. Columba Cathedral — 154 W. Wood St., Youngstown. 7 p.m. Sunday. Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols, featuring the Cathedral Choir. Free. 330-744-5233.

St. George Orthodox Church — 3204 Ridgewood Road, Akron. 6 p.m. Friday. Holiday Extravagance Buffet & Card Party. $15. 330-644-7592 or 330-773-7012.

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church — 2705 Sixth St., S.W., Canton. 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday. Luncheon and bake sale. 330-456-7207.

St. Philip’s Episcopal Church — 1130 Mercer Ave., Akron. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 8. Holiday Bazaar. Commercial and handcrafted gifts, jewelry, clothing, baked goods and other specialty products will be available. 330-724-6486.

Wooster United Methodist Church — 234 N. Market St., Wooster. 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 8. Annual Holiday Cookie Sale. Proceeds benefit mission projects at home and abroad. 330-263-6135.

Milestones

Dwelling Place Family Church — Barlow Community Center, 41 S. Oviatt St., Hudson. 10 a.m. Sunday. To celebrate seven years of life, the Dwelling Place Family Church will hold a special service with motivational speaker Van Crouch. 330-650-9808.

Performances

Eastern Road Church of God — 2600 Eastern Road, Rittman. 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Gospel singing to raise toys for Christmas featuring The Copenhavers, Cole Family Singers and Brenda Cole. 330-927-0448.

First Baptist Church — 1670 Shatto Ave., Akron. 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The Apologetix, a Christian band that specializes in biblical parodies of pop, rock and alternative songs, will perform. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. 330-867-2121.

First United Methodist Church — 245 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls. 7 p.m. Sunday. A Festival of Carols will be presented by the adult, youth and children’s vocal and handbell choirs.

The Fishcreek Nazarene Worship Center — 4669 Fishcreek Road, Stow. 7 p.m. Dec. 8. A Christmas Concert, The Promise — A Celebration of Christ’s Birth. Featuring Michael Card. $15.75, $21 gold circle. Tickets available at Logos Bookstore in Kent.

Grace Lutheran Church — 146 High St., Wadsworth. 9:15 a.m. Sunday. First Sunday, the Rev. Carol S. Fleming, ordained Episcopal priest, singer, songwriter and storyteller, will present The First Advent, as told by Jesus’ grandmother. 330-336-6022.

Hartville Mennonite Church — 1470 Smith-Kramer St., N.E., Hartville. 6 p.m. Sunday. Sonnenberg Station, an a capella men’s singing group from the Wayne-Holmes County area, will perform. http://www.sonnenbergstation.org.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church — 50 N. Prospect St., Akron. 7:30 p.m. Friday. Trinity Organ Series featuring the Festival of Lessons and Carols for Advent and Christmas, with the Trinity Choir, Paragon Brass and others. 330-376-5154.

The Hub — First Friends Church, 5455 Market Ave. N., Canton. 9 p.m. Friday. Andrew Berg will perform. $2 cover.

Kent State University Gospel Choir Concert — Kent State University, Carol A. Cartwright Hall. 7:30 p.m. Friday. Special guest Djoser Garrison, saxophone, with special guest choir, the Cuyahoga Valley Gospel Choir. Free. 330-672-4444.

Mount Union College Dewald Chapel — 1972 Clark Ave., Alliance. 6 tonight. Inspirational Voices of Praise Advent Concert. Please bring a canned/nonperishable food item for the Feed My Sheep Ministries Food Pantry to help the hungry during the holidays. 330-823-2838.

Seminars, classes

St. Martha Catholic Church — 300 E. Tallmadge Ave., Akron. 7 p.m. Tuesday. Anger At the Church & God — What To Do About It, with the Rev. Norm Douglas, co-founder Heart to Heart Communications. 330-773-7621.

St. Mary’s Church — 750 S. Main St., Akron. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Adults and/or students can expand their knowledge of the Catholic faith. 330-352-0399 or 330-773-7293.

Speakers, lectures

St. Michael Church — 3505 St. Michaels Blvd. N.W., Canton. 11:30 a.m. Thursday. Dr. Ken Hamilton Luncheon Forum, featuring Judge Dixie Park presenting Guardianship-Issues and Standards. $15. Reservation deadline is Tuesday. 330-649-1231.

Special services

Broadman Baptist Church — 350 E. Bath Road, Cuyahoga Falls. 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Immediately following the service there will be a “decking” of the halls of the church. 330-923-6127.

First Moravian Church in Uhrichsville — 315 N. Water St., Uhrichsville. 6 p.m. Sunday. Celebrate a service of Holy Communion for the season of advent.

Northampton United Methodist Church — 852 W. Bath Road, Cuyahoga Falls. 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Advent Remembrance Service in memory of departed loved ones. 330-929-0015.

Our Lady of the Elms Chapel — 1230 W. Market St., Akron. 7 p.m. Tuesday. Advent Waiting in Prayer, a presentation by Sister Maria Beesing and Sister Ann Walter.

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