The Word Church will distribute free book bags filled with school supplies from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today during a ground-breaking ceremony at the future home of its Akron/Canton campus, 1700 Brittain Road.
The event will also include food, face painting and inflatables. Those in attendance are also invited to write their name or favorite scripture on the concrete floor of the building, before the carpet is laid.
The megachurch, based in Warrensville Heights, expanded into the Akron area in 2010 and offers a Bible study at 6 p.m. Wednesdays and a worship service at 9 a.m. Sundays at North High School, 985 Gorge Blvd. It recently leased the former Handy Andy and Office Depot space in the Chapel Hill area and plans to complete renovations in the next nine months.
The church has local offices at 608 E. Cuyahoga Falls Ave. In addition to its main campus in Warrensville Heights, it has satellite locations in East Cleveland at Shaw High School and in Cleveland at East Tech High School and Lincoln-West High School.
For more information, go to www.wordcity.org or call 216-332-9673.
In other religion news:
Events
Aurora Mennonite Church — 59 E. Mennonite Road, Aurora. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday. Community dinner. Main entree is beef tips over noodles, with two side dishes, rolls, salad bar, dessert, drink and coffee. Adults $8.50, ages 4-11 $4.50, ages 3 and under free. 330-562-8011.
The Chapel, Green Campus — 1800 Raber Road, Green. 10 a.m. Friday. Abundant Living 55+ Christian fellowship and program in the Atrium. Program and lunch are $5 each. Host is Art McMahon. Concert with Jonathan White. Ministry highlight with Chapel Community Services. Ages 55 and over welcome to attend. For reservations, call 330-315-5508 by noon Monday. Seating limited.
First Apostolic Faith Church — 790 Easter Ave., Akron. Noon to 4 p.m. today. Block Party & Sunday Celebration Outdoor Service. Free food and clothing, giveaways, live music, games, inflatables and fellowship with The Faith Place Family. 330-762-9139.
Grace United Methodist Church — 1720 Schneider St. NW, Plain Township. Noon Aug. 18. The community is invited to join members of Grace United as well as All Saints Anglican Church for a church picnic in the pavilion, rain or shine. Everything is free, including burgers and hot dogs. Bring your own table service and covered dish or dessert, if you wish. Kids games. 330-499-2330.
Greater Faith Bible Way Church — 325 S. Van Buren St., Barberton. 2 p.m. Aug. 17. Community Day will be held. Free admission. Food, games, prizes, snow cones. School supplies will be distributed. 330-745-3590.
Greentown Church of the Nazarene — 10031 Cleveland Ave. NW, Lake Township. 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 17. Fourth annual Community Pig Roast. Free to the entire community. Food, games, fun and fellowship. 330-499-3004.
Hills Temple First Born Church of the Living God — 799 S. Arlington St., Akron. 11 a.m. Sunday. Annual Youth Day. Guest speaker will be the Rev. Alisa Pringle of Ecclesia Ministries in Akron.
Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church — 1225 Vernon Odom Blvd., Akron. 1 p.m. Aug. 17. Installation ceremony for the Rev. Phillip Glenn Moorer as the new senior pastor. It will be conducted by Bishop Clifton T. Jones Sr., senior pastor of Agape Love Ministries in Sandusky. It is open to the public. 330-864-6635.
New Hope Baptist Church — 1706 S. Hawkins Ave., Akron. 7 p.m. Aug. 22-24. The Annual Retreat will be hosted by Women of Virtue Ministry. Theme is Equipped, Empowered and Enlightened to Shine. Guest speakers include the Rev. Mila P. Cooper of St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church in Cleveland, the Rev. Courtney Clayton-Jenkins of the Euclid Avenue Congregational Church in Cleveland, Tivoli Smith of Mount Lebanon Baptist Church in Akron, and Sharon Jordan of Antioch Baptist Church in Canton. Doors open at 6 p.m. To register, call 330-865-9472 or visit www.newhopecity.org by Wednesday.
Queen of Heaven Church — 1800 Steese Road, Green. 7 p.m. Wednesday. Outdoor Vigil Mass for the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Guest homilist will the Rev. Michael K. Gurnick of the Cleveland Diocese. An ice cream treat will follow. 330-896-2345.
Queen of Heaven Church — 1800 Steese Road, Green. 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday through Aug. 18. FunFest will return for its 12th anniversary year. Rides, midway games, Magical-Train rides, games of chance, live bands and food. Events outdoors and indoors in Parish Life Center. Free admission. Bands include Remember When, outdoors from 7 to 10 p.m. Aug. 17, and Al Zimmerman Combo Waltzes & Polkas, indoors at 6 p.m. Aug. 18. Cruise In from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 18. Raffle for a 2013 Chevy Spark. 330-896-2345.
St. Joseph Catholic Church — 2643 Waterloo Road, Randolph Township. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. The Triduum of the Assumption of Mary devotional will be at Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto. Outdoor Masses followed by candlelight rosary procession around the Grotto. Celebrants and homilists include Monsignor James R. Kolp, former pastor of St. Mary Church in Massillon on Tuesday, with From the Heart Singers; the Rev. David Misbrener and choir from St. Peter of the Fields in Rootstown Township on Wednesday; and the Most Rev. Gilbert Sheldon, former auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland, with the St. Joseph Contemporary Music Group. 330-628-9941.
Performances
The Chapel of Prayer — 1811 Brittain Road, Akron. 6 p.m. Sunday. Lorne and Jimmie Ruth Matthews will perform. 330-633-7575.
Community Gospel Tabernacle — 181 E. State St., Barberton. 6:30 p.m. today. The Still Singing for the Lord concert will feature Christ Unlimited, The Singing Weavers, The Fishermen Quartet and The Songsters. Free-will offering. 330-285-5581.
Cottage Grove Evangelical Congregational Church — 3133 Cottage Grove Road, Coventry Township. 6 p.m. Sunday. Gospel singing with the Joyfulaires in concert.
Malone University — Johnson Center for Worship and the Fine Arts, 2600 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton. 7 p.m. Aug. 22. The Alive Christian Music Festival will host contemporary worship artist Kari Jobe. Tickets available through iTickets.com and are $15 in advance, $20 at the door if available. $25 for first four rows and $50 for meet and greet.
Mount Zion Baptist Church — 327 Cuyahoga St., Akron. 6 p.m. Aug. 17. The Mass Choir presents a play, A Knock At The Door. Witness a divine rescue. $10 tickets on sale now. Refreshments will be served. 330-253-8642.
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.