The youth of Grace United Church of Christ in Lake Township will sleep on the front lawn of the church tonight to help bring awareness to the plight of the homeless.During the Homeless Awareness Lock-Out, participants will also collect donations for Haven of Rest Ministries in Akron. Haven of Rest is a faith-based rescue mission that provides shelter, meals, clothing and drug and alcohol rehabilitation to the homeless.Acceptable donations include money, new or gently worn coats, blankets, canned goods, toiletries, baby items, underwear, socks, pajamas, shoes, gloves, hats, large-print Bibles and twin bedsheets. Donations can be dropped off beginning at 7 p.m. at the office entrance of the church.Grace is at 13275 Cleveland Ave., a quarter-mile north of state Route 619. For information, call 330-699-3255.In other religion news:EventsCatholic Diocese of Youngstown — In recognition of Catholic Schools Month, the Most Rev. George V. Murry, bishop of Youngstown, will celebrate Mass at diocesan high schools for students, faculty, staff and students from the feeder schools to each high school. These include: Canton Central Catholic, 9:30 a.m. Tuesday; Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas, 12:30 p.m. Tuesday; Warren John F. Kennedy, 9:30 a.m. Thursday; Ashtabula SS John and Paul, 1 p.m. Thursday; Youngstown Ursuline, 9:30 a.m. Friday; and Youngstown Cardinal Mooney, 12:30 p.m. Friday. 330-744-8451.Christ Is the Answer Ministries — 379 E. South St., Akron. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Neighborhood Watch will serve free meals both days. At 7 p.m. Friday, the Men’s Ministry will host a service. 330-376-1869.First United Methodist Church of Akron — 263 E. Mill St., Akron. The Men’s Club is sponsoring four Lenten Fish Fries on Fridays: Feb. 24, March 9, 23 and 30 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Fried fish or baked cod, baked chicken breast, baked potatoes or steak fries, coleslaw, cake and beverage. Adults $8, ages 3-12 $4. Free to University of Akron students with current ID. Tickets can be purchased weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at church office or at the door. 330-376-8143.First United Methodist Church — 245 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls. 7 p.m. Wednesday. Ash Wednesday Service includes imposition of ashes. Each Wednesday in Lent starting Feb. 29 there will be Sermon on the Mount Bible study from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m., then Taize worship from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. At noon Thursdays during Lent, organist H. Dean Wagner will present a half-hour concert in the sanctuary through April 5. 330-923-5241.House of Prayer for All People Church — 69 S. Balch St., Akron. 5 p.m. Sunday. Service will mark the 34th annual Founders Day. Guest speaker will be the Rev. Adam Giles of the Anointed Word of Life Church. 330-762-5673.Kenmore Community Church of the Nazarene — 2025 12th St. SW, Akron. 7 p.m. Sunday. The movie Courageous will be shown. Free. Light refreshments at 6:30 p.m. 330-745-7720.Lakemore United Methodist Church — 1536 Flickinger Road, Lakemore. 4 to 6:30 tonight. Swiss steak dinner. Includes mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, coleslaw, applesauce, bread, dessert and beverage. Adults $7, ages 3-12 $3.50. Carryout available. 330-733-6531.Mogadore Christian Church — 106 S. Cleveland Ave., Mogadore. 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Joe Tucker, program director of South Street Ministries in Akron’s Summit Lake neighborhood, will be guest speaker at morning service. The group provides after-school tutoring, open gym, job training and more.Queen of Heaven Church — 1800 Steese Road, Green. Ashes will be distributed on Ash Wednesday during the following Masses: 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 7 to 8 p.m. at the church, and 1 to 1:30 p.m. at Greenview Inn, 4000 Massillon Road.Lenten dinners will be served Fridays from Feb. 24 through March 30. Carryout or dining room service 5 to 7:30 p.m. Dinners with coffee/tea and sides: fried or baked cod, $8.50; fried shrimp, $9.50; cod/shrimp combo, $10.50; pierogis, pizza or mac-’n’-cheese, $6.50; and children’s dinner, $4.50. Other beverages and desserts available. 330-896-2345.St. John Christian Methodist Episcopal Church — 1233 S. Hawkins Ave., Akron. 9 a.m. March 3. Fourth annual Men to Men/Father to Son Prayer Breakfast Buffet. Speaker will be Alphonso West, former head football coach at Central State University. He is a 1973 graduate of the old Akron South High School. Theme is Men Stepping Out Leading the Way On the Road to Righteousness.Second Baptist Church of Medina — 451 Bronson St., Medina. 7 p.m. Thursday. Annual observance of Black History Month, co-sponsored by the Medina County Branch of the American Association of University Women. Program will revolve around developing the art of storytelling. Guest leader will be Jackki Boyd, known professionally as Jackki the Storyteller. Members and guests will gather at 6:30 p.m. for coffee. Desserts will be served later. No fee. 330-723-3355.Stow Presbyterian Church — 4150 Fishcreek Road, Stow. 7 p.m. Wednesday. First of a Lenten message series on the subject of doubt and the stories of famous biblical doubters called Lord, I Believe. Help My Unbelief (Doubters Welcome). The series continues on Sunday mornings at 8:15, 9:30 and 10:45 a.m. through April 1.Lent 4 Kids, a six-week program for age 4 through grade 6 will meet from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, and every Wednesday through March 28. For information about either series, call 330-688-6935.Suffield United Church of Christ — 1115 State Route 43, Suffield Township. 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. Everyone welcome. Service at 7 p.m. on Ash Wednesday. 330-628-4038.Tallmadge Lutheran Church — 759 East Ave., Tallmadge. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Ash Wednesday will be observed with worship. The imposition of ashes and Holy Communion will be included in the service. A hot meal will be served at the church gym from 5 to 6 p.m.Trinity Lutheran Church — 600 S. Water St., Kent. 6:15 p.m. Tuesday. The church will usher in Lent with an evening of entertainment, featuring Mad Mountain Juggler from Zap Entertainment. A king, queen, prince and princess will be crowned to rule the festival. New members from 2011 will be introduced and there will be a short service.At 11 a.m. Wednesday, morning Lenten service, followed by lunch. At 6:15 p.m., there will be a soup supper followed by Lenten service at 7 p.m.Trinity United Church of Christ — 3909 Blackburn Road NW, Plain Township. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Feb. 25. Large sale of high-quality donated new fabric, all types in 1- to 8-yard pieces, and books, patterns, craft items and notions. Proceeds benefit the mission fund. 330-492-3383.PerformancesChapel in Marlboro — 8700 State Route 619, Marlboro Township. 6 p.m. Feb. 26. The Stockdale Family Band, a gospel bluegrass group, will be featured at the annual Goodbye to Winter Concert. Freewill offering. 330-935-0132.Christ Presbyterian Church — 530 Tuscarawas St. W., Canton. 11:45 a.m. Tuesday. Gospel singer Roslyn Pratt will perform at TAG (Tuesday Afternoon Group). Lunch will be served with program immediately following. Cost is $7. For reservations, call 330-456-8113.Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church — 1225 Vernon Odom Blvd., Akron. 5 p.m. Feb. 25. Larry Morris Benefit Concert. Several groups and soloists will perform. Freewill offering. 330-864-6635.Pleasant Hill Baptist Church — Ronald Howard Music Center, 2615 Prairie College, Canton. 3 to 9 p.m. Feb. 25. Benefit concert for Margaret Whalen. Performing artists include Denis Chapman from Huntington, W.Va., His Servants from Doylestown, Down Home Gospel Quartet from Akron, Joyfulaires Quartet from West Virginia, Colonial City Quartet from Mansfield and New Prophets from Nitro, W.Va. Freewill offering. For more information, call Wanda Gogar at 330-684-2829.Queen of Heaven Church — 1800 Steese Road, Green. 2 to 3:15 p.m. Sunday. Free performance of the choirs from four churches of the Summit South Cluster, Diocese of Cleveland: Nativity of Our Lord Jesus, Springfield Township; St. Francis de Sales, Coventry Township; St. Paul, Akron, and Queen of Heaven. A social will follow the concert.At 7 p.m. Feb. 25, singer/songwriter Tatiana Cameron, known professionally as Tajci, will perform I Thirst — the Crucifixion Story. She will play keyboards, backed by electronic instrumentalist Denny Bouchard. Free but donations accepted. 330-896-2345.Springfield Baptist Church — 1920 Krumroy Road, Springfield Township. 7 p.m. Sunday. A gospel concert featuring One Less Stone Quartet. Freewill offering.United Baptist Church — 1007 S. Hawkins Ave., Akron. 6 tonight. Scholarship Fund Musical, hosted by the church’s scholarship committee.Speakers, classes,workshopsAkron Springfield Assembly of God — 1551 Canton Road, Springfield Township. 7 to 9 p.m. March 5. Celebrate Recovery will sponsor a community seminar on addiction and recovery featuring Jeff VanVonderen from the A&E show Intervention. Open to all members of the community. Freewill offering. 330-733-8701.First Friday Club of Greater Akron — University of Akron Martin Center, 105 Fir Hill, Akron. Noon March 2. Joseph F. Kelly, professor of church history at John Carroll University, will speak on the topic The Bible and the Church: Do They Really Conflict? Luncheon cost is $15. Doors open at 11:15 a.m. 330-535-7668 or www.firstfridayclubofgreater
akron.org.Kent State University Jewish Studies Program — Bowman Hall, Room 137. 7 p.m. Monday. Sarah Lefton will speak on the topic Animating Torah: Why Bible Literacy Matters and How YouTube Videos Can Make an Impact. It is free and open to the public. Lefton is executive director and producer of G-dcast, a nonprofit media production company, and an indie Jewish educator. 330-672-8926.St. Sebastian Parish — 500 Mull Ave., Akron. 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 27. Karen P. Leith, executive director of the Catholic Commission, will be first presenter in Monday Lenten Forum Series in Zwisler Hall. Leith is a pastoral minister, social psychologist, author and educator. Childcare available. Call Mary Tschantz for information at 330-864-0646.Support groupsThe Chapel — 135 Fir Hill, Akron. 7 p.m. Tuesday. Parents of Prodigals will meet in the Great Commission Room. Marilza Gervais, a psychologist and counselor, will speak on Facing Alternative Lifestyles. Open to all, no reservations needed. For information, call Ed Davidian at 330-620-5668.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