FINAL LESSONS AND CAROLS: The congregation of St. James Episcopal Church will return to its historic building in Boardman Park, St. James Meeting House, 10 a.m. Sunday for its final service of Advent Lessons and Carols. The historic St. James Meeting House has been decorated by the Holborn Herb Growers Guild. The people of St. James have been gathering as a community to worship God since 1809, making it the oldest congregation in the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio. For 142 years, from 1829-1971, folks met in what is now known as St. James Meeting House. In 1972, its current building on Glenwood Avenue was consecrated. Due to a decline in attendance and income, the congregation of St. James will hold its final service on Feb. 15.

FREE CONCERT: Grace Methodist Church, 1725 Drexel Ave. NW, Warren, will host the Cortland Community Band as it performs Christmas selections at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

CANFIELD COOKIES AND COCOA: Every Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. through Dec. 20, Canfield Christian Church, 123 S. Broad St., will host free cookies and coffee or hot chocolate to those who want to stop in after viewing the Christmas displays around the city, including light displays on Fairview Avenue Canfield.

A CHILD IS BORN: Harvest Point Church, 2121 Salt Springs Road, Lordstown, will host a program “A Child is Born…All is Well Musical” at 6 p.m. Dec. 21. The event is free.

WINTER WONDERLAND: Mecca Community Church, 5920 Phillips Rice Road, will host the fifth annual Winter Wonderland walk-through 6 to 9 p.m. Monday to Dec. 20. There will be more than 100 trees on display decorated by local residents, church members and local businesses. This is a free event unless guests want to try to win a tree and buy tickets or purchase the church’s traditional ornaments. Events planned are a Guess Who event with Bob and Cat Critters on Tuesday, Candy Car-A-Van at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 19, which is similar to Trunk or Treat, but Christmas style, and free drive-in movie, “The Polar Express,” at 7 p.m. Dec. 20.

BLUE CHRISTMAS: First Presbyterian Church, Mahoning Avenue, Warren, will host a Blue Christmas service at 7 p.m. Tuesday to help those dealing with loss and grief at the holidays.

FESTIVAL OF LESSONS: Christ Episcopal Church, 2627 Atlantic St NE, Warren, will host the annual Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols at 6 p.m. Dec. 21. The tradition weaves together scripture readings, choral music and congregational carols to celebrate the Christmas season. The concert will be conducted by Jamie W. Shiell, director of music at Christ Episcopal Church. The free event will be followed by a cookie reception in the parish hall.

LIVE NATIVITY: Zion Lutheran Church, 3300 Canfield Road, Youngstown, will host a live nativity at 5 p.m. Dec. 21.

CHESS NIGHT: New Covenant Baptist Church, 1606 Salt Springs Road, Lordstown, will host a chess night at 6 p.m. Friday.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM: Hubbard Church of the Nazarene, 1815 Cherry Lane Drive, will present its Christmas program at 10:45 a.m. Dec. 21.The Christmas choir will present a cantata, “Christmas… Sing the Joyful Song!” ” A soup luncheon will follow the service.

FAREWELL EVENT: Howland United Methodist Church will host a farewell to Pastor Matt Darrin at 10 a.m. Dec. 21. Darrin has been reassigned to another church starting in January. He and his family will be at the church Dec.21 when a church cantata will take place.

SOLSTICE DRUMMING CIRCLE: Unity Spiritual Centre, 1226 Naylor-Lloyd Road, will host a winter solstice drumming circle 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at the center. The event, Drums and Yums, will be led by Dan Susany, a local drummer who has led regional drumming events since 1997. You may bring your own drum or drums will be available. The event is free, but donations will be accepted. For questions, call 330-539-0122.

FIRST FRIDAY: The First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown Speaker Series will meet at noon Jan. 8 at Avion on the Water Banquet Center, 2177 W. Western Reserve Road in Canfield with guest Sister Jeanne Thurin, HM. She will present “Jesus, the Recipe for Life: Vignettes in Mime,” narrated by Sister Mary Ann Spangler, HM. Thurin, a sister of the Humility of Mary, accompanies young adults and adults on their spiritual journeys.

Luncheon will be served at 11:30 a.m., with the presentation beginning at noon. Cost is $25 by Jan. 1 at 330-720-4498.

NEW PARISH NAME: In November, Bishop David Bonnar announced the merger of St. Jude (Columbiana), Our Lady of Lourdes (East Palestine) and St. Patrick (Leetonia) parishes in the Columbiana County Deanery. The newly formed community will bear the name St. Carlo Acutis, honoring a young Italian saint whose life exemplifies modern holiness and devotion to the Eucharist. The new name takes effect Jan. 1.

St. Carlo Acutis was born on May 3, 1991, and throughout his short life, he demonstrated a great love of God and church teachings. Acutis showed profound devotion to the poor and championed the dignity of those with disabilities. He died in 2006, at the age of 15 after battling leukemia and was canonized a saint on Sept. 7, 2025, by Pope Leo XIV.