Faith features

News of a religious nature may be submitted for Faith Features to editor@News-Herald.com; The News-Herald, 7085 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, OH 44094; or faxed to 440-975-2293. Deadline is the Tuesday before the Saturday of publication. We cannot guarantee publication. Thanksgiving Prayer Service: Area residents of all faiths are invited to gather for an annual Thanksgiving Prayer Service. This year’s service will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 21, at Paschal Baylon Catholic Church, 5384 Wilson Mills Road, Highland Heights. All are invited to pray together and show a desire to be one nation, one people under God and to be truly thankful for God’s many blessings and gifts in our lives. For more information, call Saint Paschal Baylon parish office at 440442-3410.

Benefit concert: There will be a benefit concert for Travis Sauerwald and his wife Julie Wilson at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 10 at the Geneva United Methodist Church, 89 South Broadway, Geneva. Travis is battling brain cancer, stage 4 glioblastoma. He has had three brain surgeries, chemo and radiation. Proceeds will help them with the ongoing expenses of cancer treatments and getting to and from those treatments. There will be raffle items available during the event, and light refreshments will be served. Music will be provided by the Troubadours of Divine Bliss from Louisville, Kentucky. Doors open at 5:30. For information, call Cindy Cook at 440-476-3717. Willoughby United Methodist Church, 15 Public Square, in downtown Willoughby, will host a live Nativity, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Nov. 30. Stop by during the Willoughby Tree Lighting to visit the Live Nativity on River Street (across from Point Park). Pet the sheep and donkeys, sing Christmas carols, and get a free hot chocolate. The church building will be open that night for historic tours, restroom breaks, and just to take a break from the crowds and weather.

Retreat offered: The Catholic Community of St. Gabriel Parish invites the community to join a Poustinia Retreat at the Bethany Retreat Center, 13000 Auburn Road, Chardon. The retreat will be on Dec. 1 and 2 with private room accommodations. Fathers Jeremy Merzweiler and Michael Denk will be present. There is a registration fee of $75. The retreat will provide an opportunity to encounter a loving God in silence, solitude, and prayer this Advent. For more information, visit www.St-Gabriel. org for registration or call 440-352-8282. WELL invitation: An invitation is open from The W.E.L.L., Willoughby House of Prayer. The public is invited to attend a seminar led by Pastor Funk from Advent Lutheran Church. for the W.E.L.L., from 9 a.m. to noon, Nov. 18 at the W.E.L.L. 4091 Erie St., Willoughby.

Funk will be outlining how Christians should speak with family, friends and strangers. Our life and our speech can help us lead others to Jesus.

Thanksgiving Eve ser

vice: Vineyard Community Church, 1928 E. 300th St., Wickliffe, will host a Thanksgiving Eve service and “Pie Fellowship” from 7-8:30 p.m. Nov. 22, at the church. The public is invited to join in giving thanks for our blessings — and bring a pie to share if you like for snacking and fellowship afterwards. For any questions, contact the church office at 440-944-4402.

Art of Self-Talk: The Art of Self-Talk learning to dialog with God will be presented from 1:30 to 4 p.m., Nov. 18, at The Church of the Angels, 12550 Chillicothe Road, Chester Township (in the Geauga Market House on Route 306). Church celebrates love:

Willoughby United Methodist Church, 15 Public Square, in downtown Willoughby will celebrate love, Feb. 11, 2018. As part of the 200th Anniversary Celebration, the church invites anyone who was married in or through the church to return for a special celebration. There will be a slide show of photos at 2 p.m., a vow renewal ceremony at 2:30 p.m. followed by a reception in Fellowship Hall. To participate in this special day, email WUMC200th@ gmail.com or call Pastor Hazel Partington at 440942-9068to RSVP and find out what information is

needed. Spread the word to anyone who was married at Willoughby United Methodist Church and may now be living elsewhere. Deadline to RSVP is Jan. 15.

Velocity Church: Velocity Church meets in Mentor at the Memorial Middle School, 8979 Mentor Ave. Service begins at 10 a.m. The congregation is family friendly and offers something for everyone. Services are open to the public. For more information, visit www. velocitycleveland.org. Bethlehem Christmas:

A Bethlehem Christmas will be presented at 7 p.m. Dec. 1 and 4 p.m. Dec. 2, at Zion Lutheran Church, 508 Mentor Ave., Painesville. The celebration will include a dramatization, choirs, musicians, band bells, chimes and the Zion Lutheran Church famous nativity set. All are welcome.

Free breakfast: The men of Ledgewood Christian Church are sponsoring and hosting a free breakfast from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Nov. 18 at the church, 8261 Kinsman Road, 1⁄4 mile west of Route 306 in Novelty. The menu consists of pancakes, sausage, salmon patties, juice, coffee and tea . There is ample parking in rear of church. Call Jeff Angle 440564-5912 for information or questions. Holiday bazaar: Church of the Western Reserve, 30500 Fairmount Blvd., Pepper Pike, will host the annual holiday bazaar from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 18 at the church. Admission is $2 and parking is free.