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CONVOY — As we journey through Holy Week, the most sacred time of the Chrisian year, we invite you to gather with us for worship, reflection, and fellowship. Together we remember the final days of Jesus’ life and celebrate the hop of His resurrection at Convoy Methodist Church.
Good Friday Community Worship Service ~ 12 p.m. Friday, April 3, at St Paul’s Church 6077 German Church Road, Ohio City. Join us for this meaningful community service as Pastor Bill Thomas shares the message. The community offering will be received to support the Holden Family. Refreshments and fellowship will follow the service. Let us gather as a community and worship together.
Good Friday Worship Service ~ 7 p.m. Friday, April 3, in the Convoy Methodist sanctuary. The evening service will include Holy Communion, a message by Pastor Bill Thomas and special music by the choir presenting “It Is Finished.” Good Friday invites us into a quiet reflection and gratitude as we remember Christ’s great love and sacrifice.
Resurrection Sunday: ~ Easter Sunrise Service at 7 a.m., breakfast buffet following the sunrise service, Sunday School for all ages at 8:30 a.m. and the Easter worship service at 9:30 a.m. Our sanctuary will be beautifully adorned with Easter lilies as we rejoice in the resurrection. The choir will sing because He Lives/He Is Lord and Holy Communion will be celebrated.
The Convoy Methodist Church, located at 207 North Main in Convoy. All are welcome, we would love to have you worship with us.
POSTED: 03/26/26 at 6:58 am. FILED UNDER: Church
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St. Paul’s Church in Ohio City has announced its Holy Week schedule.
It begins on Palm Sunday, March 29, with the annual breakfast at 8:45 a.m. and worship service at 10 a.m. featuring the children’s parade.
On Thursday, April 2, St. Paul’s Church will hold the Maundy Thursday service at 6:30 p.m. which will include Holy Communion.
On Friday, April 3, St. Paul’s Church will host the Convoy Community Good Friday service at 12 p.m. Area churches will join together for worship with Pastor Bill Thomas of the Convoy Methodist Church will bring the message. There will be a time of light snacks and fellowship to follow.
On Sunday, April 5, St. Paul’s Church will celebrate the resurrection with its Easter morning service at 10 a.m.
St. Paul’s Church welcomes everyone to come and join them for any and all of these special services. The church is located at 6077 German Church Road, Ohio City.
POSTED: 03/24/26 at 10:25 am. FILED UNDER: Church
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The YMCA’s Good Friday Prayer Breakfast will be held on Friday, April 3, 2026, bringing community members together for breakfast, worship, and a morning program centered on prayer and encouragement. The doors will open at 6:30 a.m. for an open buffet breakfast served by Black Angus. The program will run from 7-8 a.m.
Guest speakers Derrin and Colby Kuhn will share a message focused on faith and hope, including reflections on how support from others can carry families through seasons that feel overwhelming. Their remarks will highlight the role community can play when life is uncertain.
Pastor David of the Church of Christ will participate as part of the annual Good Friday gathering. In past years, Pastor David has shared messages of faith, purpose, and hope, along with stories from his journeys that encourage listeners to keep moving forward.
Worship will be led by Jeremy Laukhuf, worship leader at First United Methodist Church.
The Good Friday Prayer Breakfast is open to the public. All are welcome to attend and join in prayer and encouragement.
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Local pastors, leaders, and musicians will be hosting a community-wide Good Friday service at 12 p.m. Friday, April 3, in the Bagley Auditorium of the Marsh Foundation in Van Wert. Enter either the front doors facing Lincoln Highway or the back doors on the north side of the building. Parking is in front off Lincoln Highway or the back.
Participating in the service are pastors Gerld Baker (retired); Brad Custis, Church on the Horizon, Rick Eberle, Trinity Global Methodist; Gary Ginter, (retired); Vanlal Hruaia, First Presbyterian; Matt McGovern, Trinity Friends; Aaron McGranahan, Promise Church; David To. Trinity Global Methodist, and Bill Watson, Pentecostal Way. Musicians will include Greg and Kathy Pysh, Annette Hoverman, and Mark Tschantz and friends.
The service will include music, prayer, the story of Good Friday in a scriptural dramatization, and much more. A procession of the cross will begin at the Greenhouse on the Marsh campus beginning at 11:30 am.
The entire community of Van Wert is invited to attend and share in the unity of serving one Lord, Jesus – the Christ.
VW independent staff/submitted information
The sounds of gospel music will soon fill the Family Life Center/Trinity Friends Church in Van Wert as the 25st Annual Gospel Music Expo kicks off on March 20, 21 and 22.
Cheryl Burk and Kim Mason make up the gospel group Trinity and it was their vision, along with founding member Gary Adams, to bring a singing convention to Van Wert back in 2001. After singing for similar events across the country,the trio began to pray about it and then approached Trinity Friends Church for the use of The Family Life Center.
What began as a one night sing, grew to a two night event in 2002, then a Sunday night finale concert was added in 2004 as The Booth Brothers took the stage. Since that time some of the top Southern Gospel Artists in the country have joined Trinity for the Finale. In 2006 a Thursday night was added to feature local Christian artists and the four night format continued until 2017 and then returned to a three night event. As planning began for this special anniversary, Trinity began to count the different groups and soloists who have been part of the Gospel Expo and they are at 107 and still counting. “It’s not about us, it’s all about Him” is the foundation of the Expo.
On Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21 the music will begin at 5 p.m. with gospel groups and soloists from Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania,West Virginia, Michigan, New York and Kentucky. A gospel group or soloist will take the stage approximately every 13 minutes throughout the evening. All of the ministries will have product tables set up around the gymnasium where you can chat with your favorites, purchase their music or book them for an upcoming service or event.
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For over 50 years, First United Methodist Church Preschool has been a pillar of early childhood education in downtown Van Wert. The Christian-based preschool, serving children ages 3-5, has annoucned its upcoming Open House and ongoing registration for the 2026-2027 school year. Located at 113 W. Central Ave. in Van Wert, First UM Preschool is known for its commitment to high-quality education in a nurturing Christian environment.
The preschool’s key features include being established and state-licensed, offering a Christian atmosphere, maintaining low student-to-teacher ratios, and employing experienced, licensed teachers. They also provide flexible class options: a two-day per week class for three-year-olds and pre-kindergarten options for three or four days per week.
Families are invited to the open house on Thursday, March 12, 2026, with two convenient sessions: 10:30-11:30 a.m. or 2-3:30 p.m. This is a fantastic opportunity to tour the facilities, meet the dedicated staff, and learn about the curriculum, which follows Ohio Department of Education guidelines. Information packets and 2026-2027 registration will be available.
Financial aid is available, ensuring that a quality early education is accessible.
POSTED: 02/25/26 at 12:47 pm. FILED UNDER: Church
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VENEDOCIA — The Salem United Presbyterian Church of Venedocia would like to invite you to our morning service honoring Saint David’s Day on Sunday, March 1. The service begins at 9:30 a.m. with a light lunch to follow.
Each year the church celebrates its Welsh heritage on Saint David’s Day as well as its yearly GYMANFA (song festival) which is held the first weekend in September of each year. The Salem United Presbyterian Church will welcome in Dan Rowbotham and Gruff Madoc-Jones. Both gentlemen are from Wales. Rowbotham is currently director of Welsh studies at Rio Grande College and Madoc-Jones is a visiting student from Wales.
Plan to join the Salem United Presbyterian Church for Welsh hymns, history and current life events in Wales. Special music provided by Connie Oneill on the organ and Salem youth bell ringers as well as the little Welsh choir.
POSTED: 02/19/26 at 7:45 am. FILED UNDER: Church
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First United Methodist Church of Van Wert has been awarded a $12,500 United Methodist GO Grant from the West Ohio Conference in the Community Engagement category. The grant will support renovations for the Haven of Hope Community Center, a project dedicated to strengthening outreach and services for individuals and families in the community.
The award was celebrated at a Red Carpet Event in the Columbus suburb of Powell, hosted by Bishop Hee-Soo Jung. Representing First United Methodist Church at the event were Pastor Christian Taylor, Teresa Shaffer, Director of Agape Outreach, and Jamie Ramos, Assistant Director of Agape Outreach.
“This grant is a powerful affirmation of our church’s commitment to meet people where they are and to serve with compassion and dignity,” Taylor said. “The Haven of Hope Community Center renovations will help us expand our reach and better support our neighbors.”
The United Methodist GO Grants program empowers local churches and faith-based organizations to launch and grow innovative ministries that transform lives and communities. Funding in the Community Engagement category recognizes initiatives that build meaningful relationships and address local needs through collaborative, mission-driven efforts.
“These renovations will directly enhance our ability to provide safe, welcoming, and functional space for the vital programs offered through Haven of Hope,” Shaffer said. “We are deeply grateful for this investment in our community.”
First United Methodist Church extended sincere thanks to the United Methodist Church, the GO Grants committee, and Bishop Hee-Soo Jung for their leadership and support.
To learn more about Agape Outreach at First United Methodist Church, visit vanwertfirst.net/agape.
POSTED: 02/18/26 at 11:24 am. FILED UNDER: Church
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CONVOY — The Convoy Methodist Church’s Valentine’s Day Dinner will be helf from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday February 15, in the church fellowship hall. The menu is, choice of baked steak or pork loin, potato, salads, homemade desserts and drink. A freewill offering will be accepted with proceeds going to the roof replacement fund. The church is located at the corner of North Main St. and Sycamore St. in Convoy. Carryouts will be available and the building is handicap accessible at the north door.
POSTED: 02/08/26 at 10:11 pm. FILED UNDER: Church
VW independent staff
Here are the local churches that have canceled Sunday services due to the approaching winter storm. Check back for updates. Local and area churches are welcome to send cancellation information to editor@thevwindependent.com. The information will be published free of charge on the News and Church pages.
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church of Van Wert has canceled all activities and services scheduled for Sunday, January 25.
North Union Church in Van Wert has canceled Sunday’s services.
Due to the severe weather and Governor Mike DeWine declaring a State of Emergency, First Presbyterian Church in Van Wert has canceled Sunday’s worship service.
All Sunday services at St. Paul’s Church, 6077 German Church Road, Ohio City, are canceled.
Sunday morning services at Calvary Evangelical Church in Van Wert are canceled, and Worship Night services are postponed until 6 p.m. Sunday, February 1.
Jennings Road Church of Christ in Van Wert has canceled Sunday’s service.
First United Methodist Church in Van Wert has cancelled Sunday’s worship and all other activities. Stay up-to-date at vanwertfirst.net.