The Summit County National Day of Prayer Task Force is hosting a breakfast Feb. 14 to discuss plans for the 2012 observance of the annual day set aside to pray for the United States and its people.Doors open for the local breakfast at 7:05 a.m. at Silver Lake Country Club, 1325 Graham Road, Silver Lake. Reservations are required and may be made by calling 330-996-0602 or sending an email to cpapro@aol.com. Donations will be accepted. The National Day of Prayer is observed annually on the first Thursday in May. It was created in 1953 by a joint resolution of Congress and signed into law by President Harry Truman.The local task force, which represents a Judeo–Christian expression of the national observance, typically hosts a noontime prayer service on the front lawn of the Summit County Courthouse. Its goal has been to rally the Christian community to pray for America’s leaders and families.The national theme of this year’s observance, on May 3, is One Nation Under God. It’s biblical Scripture foundation is Psalm 33:12 (“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”).In other religion news:EventsCanton Christian Women’s Connection — The Fairways of North Canton, 1500 Rogwin Circle SW, Plain Township. 11:30 a.m. Feb. 16. The monthly luncheon will be held. Theme is One-Day Adventures. Bring your Valentine (husband or friend). Pat Fehlman will speak on The Greatest Gift of All. John Fenton will provide the music. For reservations, call Sherry at 330-837-6552. Cost is $13 and includes lunch. Free child care available.Calvary Baptist Church — 820 White Pond Drive, Akron. 10 a.m. Sunday. The church will welcome its new pastor, the Rev. Aaron Furman, and his family at morning worship. 330-836-4701.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 a free meal both days. All are welcome. 330-376-1869.First Church of Brethren — 1812 Marigold Ave., Akron. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. today. All-you-can-eat supper plus dessert. Adults, $6; age 12 and under, $4.First United Methodist Church — 245 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls. 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday. Pancake breakfast. Includes sausage, coffee, tea, juice and milk. Adults $5, ages 5-12 $3, age 4 and under free. On Friday from 5 to 7 p.m., a pasta dinner will be served. Adults, $10; ages 4-10, $3; age 3 and under, free. Advance tickets for adults $8 at the church. The breakfast will benefit the Epworth Youth Choir’s spring tour to Florida. 330-923-5241.Immanuel Temple Church of God in Christ — 125 E. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton. 6 p.m. Friday. Prayer service every Friday evening. 330-622-2327.Mogadore Christian Church — 106 S. Cleveland Ave., Mogadore. 5 to 7 tonight. Swiss steak dinner. Includes mashed potatoes, green beans, applesauce, coleslaw, roll, beverage and dessert. Adults, $8; ages 5-12, $4; age 4 and under, free. Carryout available. Proceeds benefit mission outreach of the Christian Women’s Fellowship. 330-628-3344.Mystik Pathways — 1723 Saddlewood Ave., Akron. 10 a.m. Feb. 11. A once-a-month prayer group will be starting based on the book God Has No Religion, which has many types of prayers from different religions. Free and open to everyone. For information, visit www.mystikpathways.com or call Mary at 330-631-3878.Pavilion of Praise Church of God in Christ — 976 W. Waterloo Road, Akron. Noon to 2 p.m. Feb. 11. Third annual HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention rally. Free and open to anyone. Refreshments will be served. Contact Raquel Byrd for information at 330-753-1458.Phillips Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church — 413 Iroquois Ave., Akron. 11 a.m. Feb. 11. Annual Valentine luncheon. Speaker will be Sharon McDuffie, wife of the Rev. Richard McDuffie, senior pastor of St. John C.M.E. Church. 330-784-8964.Prince of Peace Missionary Baptist Church — 844 Garth Ave., Akron. 10:45 a.m. Sunday. Black History Month will be celebrated every Sunday in February. A different aspect will be highlighted each week. Judge Carla Moore of the Ohio 9th District Court of Appeals will be guest speaker on Feb. 26. St. Francis de Sales Parish School — 4009 Manchester Road, Coventry Township. 10 a.m. Friday. Kindergarten Preview Breakfast. Includes tour of the school, which is a grade K-8 co-educational school serving the communities and parishes of St. Francis, Queen of Heaven and Nativity of Our Lord. 330-644-0638.PerformancesAshland University Center of Religious Life — 401 College Ave., Ashland. 7 p.m. March 30. Spring concert will feature Christian rock band Tenth Avenue North with opening group Rend Collective Experiment in Hugo Young Theatre. Tickets now on sale for $20 in advance, $15 for groups of 10 or more, $25 day of show and $4 for Ashland University students. Purchase at AU box office or call 419-289-5125 or online at www.ashland.edu/tickets. Fairlawn Lutheran Church — 3415 W. Market St., Fairlawn. 3 p.m. Feb. 12. Falls River Brass with Pipe Organ in concert as part of the Parish Arts Series. Free. Refreshments served.First United Methodist Church — 245 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls. 7:30 p.m. Friday. The musical group 722 will present Love Songs Through the Ages. Donations accepted. Speakers, classes,
workshopsBlessed Trinity Parish — 300 E. Tallmadge Ave., Akron. 7 p.m. Tuesday. The Rev. Andrew B. Turner, parochial vicar of St. John Neumann Parish in Strongsville, will be the speaker at the next Come and See meeting in McKeever Hall. His topic is The Life You Change Could Be Your Own. Following the presentation, small discussion groups will address a variety of subjects. No cost; reservations not required. For information, call Linda Herold at 330-376-5144.First Congregational Church — 292 E. Market St., Akron. Noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 15. Candace Veney, a program assistant at Ohio State University, will speak about nutrition education. Cost $7.50 at the door. 330-864-1359.First United Methodist Church — 245 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls. 6:15 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. First session of a 10-week refresher course in basic Christian beliefs. Childcare available. Call 330-923-5241, ext. 214, to register.Stress Sweet Stress is the program at the Going Strong meeting at 1 p.m. Thursday. Nickie Keagy will speak about handling stress in your life. Refreshments served after the program.OrrVilla Retirement Community — 333 E. Sassafras St., Baughman Township. 7 p.m. Thursday. Willie and Rodi Longenecker will perform familiar hymns, country gospel and their own original songs in the Maple Terrace building. Refreshments served after the concert. 330-683-4455.Portage County Dinner & Doctrine — Rusty Nail Restaurant, 7291 State Route 43, Franklin Township. 6 p.m. Feb. 14. The fourth and final presentation for 2011-12 will feature Sister Mary McCormick, professor at St. Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in the Diocese of Cleveland. She will speak on Why Thinking Catholics Stay In the Church. The buffet dinner is at 6 p.m. followed by the speaker from 7 to 8 p.m. A string quartet will provide music during dinner. Tickets available at any Portage County Catholic parish for $25.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.