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Weirton church welcomes
new minister to pulpit
WEIRTON -- On March 1, the congregation of the First Christian Church of Weirton welcomed its new minister, Pastor Mark Mayer, and his wife, Brenda.
Commissioned in 2018, Mayer has been a guest minister at several local churches since 2011 and has shared the pulpit at the Wheeling Island Christian Church since 2015. His desire for a full-time ministry came at the time that First Christian Church was actively seeking a replacement for retired longtime pastor Kevin Bowers.
At Wheeling Island Christian Church, Mayer started serving God as a youth and has been a member of the choir, served in the diaconate, as an elder and as moderator for the church. He graduated from West Liberty University (State College) in 1984 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. He also attended Bethany College, which was established by Alexander Campbell, who was a founder of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) movement.
Mayer served on the W.Va. Disciples of Christ Regional Board for six years and served a two-year term as president of the W.Va. Disciples of Christ Men's Commission.
He retired in 2016 after 27 years in the telecommunications industry, most recently working at Williams Lea as a legal document specialist, leaving the firm to accept the position as minister of the church.
Baked steak dinner fundraiser
at Hill Top Fellowship Hall
TORONTO -- There will be a fundraiser baked steak dinner from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on March 18 at the Hill Top Fellowship Hall , located at the intersection of county Road 46 and state Route 213 Toronto.
The menu will be baked steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, salad bar, assorted desserts and hot and cold beverages. Patrons can dine in or get carryout. Donations will be accepted.
Wintersville church to be site
of gospel concert March 15
WINTERSVILLE -- The Wintersville Church of the Nazarene, located at 377 Longvue Drive, will be hosting a gospel concert featuring Dockey Rowe and his family.
The concert will be held March 15 at 10:30 a.m. There is no charge, and a free-will love offering will be taken. For information, check out the church's Facebook page or call (740) 264-3688.
Brilliant United Methodist
to host Election Day luncheon
BRILLIANT -- Brilliant United Methodist Church, located at 525 LaBelle St., will hold an Election Day lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 17.
Soup choices include broccoli cheese, bean, vegetable and chicken noodle. Sandwiches and desserts also will be available.
Soup prices are $6 for a quart, $3 for a pint and $2 by the bowl. Take-out orders are available by calling (740) 598-4472.
Wednesday meal, devotions
to bring people 'Together'
WEIRTON -- Representatives of Weirton Heights Memorial Baptist Church, located at 121 Ivy St., invite the public to share a time of fellowship, dinner and devotions from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The dinner will be a potato bar with all the fixings, beverages and brownies. The cost is $2 per person.
The Wednesday night dinners and devotions are open to the public.
'Prayer and Self-Denial'
program for Richmond UMW
RICHMOND -- The United Methodist Women of Richmond United Methodist Church met Feb. 27 with President Marge Andres presenting the program on "Prayer and Self Denial."
The worship table held a display of artifacts collected by her parents, the late John and Marie Eimer, during their world travels. The scripture reference came from II Corinthians.
Readers were Connie Somerville, Gloria Mercer, Sue Frye and Barbara Grimm. Andres led the closing litany and prayer.
Andres opened the business session by leading the members in reciting the purpose of the U.M.W. Reports were given by Betty Hout and Grimm.
Mercer, vice president, announced that the spring district meeting is April 16. Members were reminded to bring 2 cents a week money to that meeting. It will be given to the Kingdom Sports Camp in St. Clairsville. Mercer also asked members to bring personal items each month to be given to Refuge for Women, Ohio Valley.
Discussion was held on the luncheon for the Jefferson County Retired Teachers Association, which will be held April 14.
Andres read from the prayer calendar. The mission focus was Mozambique Secondary School and training center, and the district focus was Flat Rock Children's Home.
April 19 is United Methodist Women Sunday.
Grimm served as hostess.
'Hosanna! Resurrection'
to be presented in March
WEIRTON -- "Hosanna! Resurrection," formerly known as "Hosanna, the Rock Opera" from the 1990s, is a musical drama of the Passion of Jesus Christ, depicting his final days of earthly life and the events that followed.
Comprised of a cast and crew diverse in Christian denominational backgrounds, ranging in ages 5 to 75 and completely from the local area, "Hosanna! Resurrection" is a "life-changing, awe-inspiring production that tells of the good news of salvation history and brings together an ecumenical community in a special and powerful way," a spokesperson noted.
"Hosanna! Resurrection" will be presented at St. Paul Catholic Church on Walnut/Main Street in Weirton on March 26-28 at 7 p.m. with a 3 p.m. matinee show on March 29.
Admission is free. A free-will offering will be accepted to help defray the cost of the production.
Salvation Army to start
'Gathering' group for women
STEUBENVILLE -- The Salvation Army of Steubenville is starting a new monthly program for women that will span 18 months.
A promotional flier reads: "What will emerge when a group of women gather intentionally to explore life themes over food and fellowship? Genuine friendship, encouragement, accountability, trust, healing and community."
Elaborating on that, Lt. Barri Vazquez-Muhs of the Salvation Army of Steubenville said the monthly get-togethers begin March 13 at 6 p.m. at the Salvation Army, located at 332 N. Fourth St.
"It's just for women, and we'll come together and gather, and it's more just about support and fellowship and to be able to work on trust and hopefully and get some healing, because we really need to support women," Muhs said.
"It's from March through October so it's the next 18 months," she said. "It will always be the second Friday of the month."
Each month will have a different theme. This month's will be "Friendship."
The program is Christian-based and includes a devotional.
No registration is required but for information, contact the Salvation Army at (740) 282-5251 or visit its Facebook page.
St. Agnes CWC members
updated on events, plans
MINGO JUNCTION -- St. Agnes Catholic Woman's Club members held their February meeting in the church parish hall with Pat Cramblett presiding and leading in opening exercises.
Cramblett gave the welcome and thanked the hostess committee.
Clara Sue Milewsky and Barbara Crugnale gave reports in addition to Kathy Coldebella, who updated the group on cards sent to parishioners.
Theresa Madden discussed the upcoming Aim Women's Center fundraiser dinner.
The Christ Life Program was discussed. There are 20 people attending. There are seven sessions with dinner and then a retreat. The CWC agreed to do one meal.
The club will be adopting two seminarians.
Cramblett and Joanne Raha will have additional details about the convention at the next meeting.
The club will be donating items to the Friendship Room.
A "Lenten Day of Spirituality" for women of the Diocese of Steubenville is planned for March 28 at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption in Marietta. The retreat is sponsored by the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. Ray Guaendi, a clinical psychologist, author, speaker and national television and radio host, will present the program "Standing Strong as a Parent or Grandparent."
The closing prayer was led by Cramblett.
Hostesses for the evening were the officers.
The door prize was won by Leanne Hutton and the drawing by Dorothy Mazik.
The next meeting will be held March 17. Jackie Parks, Lorraine Golec, Jeannette Yansseens and Mary Karovic will serve as hostesses.
Participation in prayer walk
on April 25 being sought
NEW CUMBERLAND -- The Prayer Walk Committee of New Cumberland Churches is encouraging participation in the annual prayer walk, which will be held on April 25, beginning at 10 a.m.
Participants may choose to start at Hancock County Savings Bank on Ridge Avenue or at the South Chester Street ball fields. Both groups will meet at the New Cumberland Gazebo when finished for light refreshments.
"We have seen some of our community concerns being answered as a result of our past walks, but there are still many more needs," an event spokesperson noted. "Join us in praying for family, friends, jobs, finances, government and community."
For information, contact the Trinity United Methodist Church office at (304) 564-3951.
Sacred Heart of Mary to
host Wednesday Lenten dinners
WEIRTON -- Sacred Heart of Mary Church, located at 200 Preston Ave., Weirton, is hosting their Lenten dinners on Wednesdays again this year from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Remaining dates are March 11, March 18, March 25 and April 1. There will be no dinners during Holy Week.
The menu will include baked fish, fried fish, fried shrimp, haluski, macaroni and cheese, french fries, cole slaw, potato and cheese or sauerkraut pierogi, homemade desserts and bread.
Patrons can dine in, and takeout also will be available. The phone number is (304) 723-1648.
Hopedale UMC to be hosting
fundraiser dinner March 15
HOPEDALE -- The Hopedale United Methodist Church, located on Church Street, will hold a rigatoni and meatball dinner, March 15, 2020, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on March 15.
Cost is by donation for the meal that, in addition to the main dish also includes salad, rolls or bread, salad and dessert. A variety of drinks also are available. For carryout, call (749) 937-2844.
Smithfield churches schedule
series of Lenten messages
SMITHFIELD -- The Smithfield Christian Association met for a session to schedule churches and ministers who will be conducting a sermon for the six Lenten season messages.
The Rev. Jim Taylor of the Presbyterian Church will be speaking at the Smithfield Friends Church on Sunday.
The Rev. Melody Essex of Schaeffer Chapel will be speaking March 15 at the Mount Moriah Church. The Rev. Dana Williamson of the United Methodist Church will speak at the Schaffer Chapel on March 22.
Pastor Wilford Simeral of the Smithfield Christian Church will speak at the United Methodist Church on March 29. Mark Carpino of the Smithfield Friends Church will speak at the Smithfield Christian Church on April 5.
All sessions will be held at 7 p.m. Offerings given at the meetings will be used at the Smithfield Bible School that is held for youth from all churches in the area.
This year's VBS will be held in July at the Piney Fork Presbyterian Church.
St. Joseph's hosting Lenten
Eucharistic Mission in March
WEIRTON -- St. Joseph the Worker Church, 229 California Ave., will be hosting a Lenten Eucharistic Mission, which is under way today through Thursday.
The Rev. Joseph Aytona of the Fathers of Mercy will be speaking at local parishes during Sunday Masses and then present a Eucharistic Mission for four nights, March 9-12.
The theme of a "Eucharistic" Mission was chosen to promote Eucharistic Adoration. The local Catholic community is in the process of establishing Perpetual Adoration in the Communion of Saints Adoration Chapel located in St. Joseph the Worker Church. The chapel is open to residents of the Upper Ohio Valley who wish to participate either as a guardian or visitor. Adoration is open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The week-long event also will be used as recruitment for guardians -- people from various local parishes who commit to a specific hour of adoration each week in the chapel. Their role is to ensure that the Blessed Sacrament is never left alone. "By their generosity, the chapel can remain open for others to come and visit our Lord," a spokesperson explained.
Guardians are being registered for Tuesday adoration from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. When at least two guardians have signed up for each hour, the chapel will open for another 12-hour day of adoration.
"Our goal is to establish Perpetual Adoration which would make Our Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament available in the Chapel day or night, 24/7," the spokesperson added.
The topics for the Eucharistic Mission Monday through Thursday are "The Holy Eucharist: Source of Miracles," "Being a Living Tabernacle (through Holy Communion);" "Eucharistic Adoration: Conversion and Transformation;" and "Mary, Mother of the Blessed Sacrament."
Confession will be available from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and resume after the 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. mission talk.
Child care will be provided. Refreshments, Eucharistic display and the opportunity to register as a guardian will be available in the church vestibule.
For information call Mary Evkovich, (304) 374-6170; Cindy Oliver, (304) 748-5093; Paulette Nagy, (304) 748-0688; Carolyn Shaffer, (304) 670-1735; or Mary Snyder, (740) 219-4239.
Ron Retzer to perform
at Toronto church April 19
TORONTO -- The Ron Retzer Trio will be performing at Riverview United Methodist Church, 105 N. River Ave., Toronto, on April 19, beginning at 6 p.m.
The performance is open to the public. Admission is free. A love offering will be taken.