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The 169th Van Wert County Fair is just around the corner and once again there is a great line up of free entertainment. Check out the schedule for the Midway Entertainment Tent, Advanced Insurance Group Outdoor Stage, the South Entertainment/Beer Tent, The Landing at Gate 2 , strolling throughout the fairgrounds and at the Gospel Tent.
This year the Gospel Tent and the Advanced Insurance Outdoor Stage are working together to provide some great Christian entertainment. The fair will kick things off on Tuesday, August 27 at the outdoor stage with a community praise and worship at 6 p.m. The concert is a combination of praise bands from Living Truth Ministries, Calvary and Trinity Friends Churches.
On Thursday evening, an unforgettable evening with national recording artists RENEE at 6:30 p.m. on the Advanced Insurance Group Outdoor stage. This contemporary Christian sister duo made up of Riley Renee and Rachel Renee is fresh off a 40-city winter Jam tour and newly signed with TobyMac’s Gotee Records. These sisters are on fire, bringing a mix of high-energy performances, heartfelt acoustic moments, and a message that lifts the name of Jesus.
The award winning Southern Gospel duo Jim and Melissa Brady, along with Trinity, will take the Advanced Insurance Group Outdoor stage at 7 p.m. on Friday. Jim is no stranger to southern gospel fans as he has won numerous awards as part of The Booth Brothers. Both he and Melissa have penned many chart topping songs over the years and have now joined their talents on stage.
On Saturday, the Gospel Tent will host St Mary’s Catholic Church for mass at 6 p.m.. At 7 p.m., three regional Southern Gospel/Country Gospel artists-Mark and Cindy Maynard of Powell, Randy Long of Fort Wayne, and Paul James Sound of Columbus, will bring a mix of traditional southern gospel, along with some country and original tunes.
Zion Christian Union Church and Living Truth Ministries will be joining together for a Sunday worship service in the Gospel Tent at 10 a.m. in the Gospel Tent. Then things will get moved to outside stage for the Sunday evening concert with Cochren & Co. at 6 p.m. Michael Cochren is an award winning singer/songwriter and worship leader born and raised in a small Indiana town. After graduating from school, Cochren began playing music across the country with a band of friends, later including his wife Leah, under the name Cochren & Co. With hope-filled lyrics and timeless melodies, Cochren & Co. blurs the line between American pop/rock and soul/blues to create a classic sound all their own. Cochren & Co. have toured coast to coast amassing a loyal following of new listeners wherever they go.
On Monday (Labor Day), Children Choosing Christ will be offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. followed by Trinity & Friends at 3 p.m. in the Gospel Tent. Trinity & Friends is sponsored by Rod & Kelly of Cooper Grain Farms. Trinity has been traveling, recording and spreading God’s word for over 30 years and on their 2025 Gospel Cruise “Jubilee in the Sun” they were honored to share the stage with Phillips & Banks and thought they would be a great fit for the Van Wert County Fair. Phillips & Banks is a southern gospel mixed quartet from the beautiful mountains of East Tennessee. Married couples, Jacob and Carmen Phillips and Caleb and Autumn Banks bring a collectively distinctive and smooth sound to their music.
Along with Christian music sponsors, other sponsors include Advanced Insurance Group for the Outdoor Entertainment Stage and Lee Kinstles Chevrolet GMC, Greve’s Chrysler Jeep and Statewide Ford, Gospel Tent sponsors.
POSTED: 08/24/25 at 8:24 pm. FILED UNDER: Church
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VENEDOCIA — Salem Presbyterian Church of Venedocia will be celebrating a longtime community event with its 108th Gymanfa Ganu promptly at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, August 31.
The first Salem Presbyterian Gymanfa Ganu was held in 1915. Unfortunately, the pandemic cancelled two years of the annual celebration in 2020 and 2021. Historically held on the Sunday before Labor Day each year, people travel from many different states to renew friendships and to participate in the singing. To hear the grand old Welsh hymns sung in four-part harmony by a large and very enthusiastic congregation is quite inspiring.
Mr. Truman Littler, will be the director this year. He also directed in 2024 and was welcomed back. Originally from Oil City, Pennsylvania, Truman is now in his fourth year as choir director at Elida Middle School where he teaches over 190 students in grades 6-8. In addition to teaching, he coaches track & field and serves on the school’s PBIS committee. He is also on the marching band staff at Bath High School.
He holds a bachelor of music degree from Youngstown State University. Previously, he held the position of assistant conductor with the Stambaugh Chorus of Youngstown, including a notable performance at Carnegie Hall. He is a member of the Lima Symphony Chorus, Trinity Chancel Choir and the 4Praising Quartet. He is also involved with the Lima Encore Theatre. His professional affiliations include the Ohio Music Education Association, American Choral Directors Association, and Ohio Association of Track & Cross-Country Coaches.
Among locally rooted musicians, Connie O’Neill will once again be returning as the organist for the evening’s celebration. Connie was raised in Salem Presbyterian Church, she is an accomplished musician and has participated in many past Gymanfa.
Special music for the 2025 Gymanfa Ganu will be the chancel choir from Van Wert’s First Presbyterian Church, directed by Gregory Pysh. The choir will be performing two special numbers. One of the pieces was written by Haydn Morgan in 1958, who had his roots in Venedocia and went on to compose several pieces during his accomplished music career. The song he composed for a special dedication at Van Wert Presbyterian church is titled, “Blessed Are They”. The choir will also perform, “O Come to the Savior” composed by Eric Whitacre with lyrics by Frederick Faber, and adapted by Greg Pysh.
All are welcome to attend and enjoy an evening of great singing and fellowship.
Salem Presbyterian Church is located at 15240 Main St., Ohio 116 in Venedocia.
POSTED: 08/20/25 at 7:33 am. FILED UNDER: Church
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CONVOY — Calling all Recruits! Get ready to gear up for the Convoy Community VBS “The Armor of God Bootcamp” will be held July 24-27, hosted by Convoy Methodist Church, Countryside Chapel UMC and Sugar Ridge Church of God. Join us as we march into lots of fun, learning the powerful truths from God’s word for ages preschool through fifth grade at Convoy Methodist Church at 207 N. Main St.
Bring your cousins and friends Thursday and Friday to the meal at 5:15 p.m. and God’s Bootcamp from 5:45-8:15 p.m. with lots of singing and fun. Starting Saturday will be breakfast at 9 a.m. and God’s Bootcamp 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. with lunch provided. The offering will be a kiddo “Change War” during VBS and the offering on Sunday with all proceeds to go to the purchase of handicap accesible playground equipment in memory of Jae Ruby Springer.
All are welcome to the 2025 Convoy Community Worship Service to be held on Sunday July 27, at the Convoy Methodist Church at 10:30 a.m. Children will be participating in the service sharing what they have learned at God’s Bootcamp. All are invited to a potluck to follow worship in the church fellowship hall, bring a favorite dish with food in it to share. Table service and drinks will be provided.
To register and for more information, click here or contact Kimberly Thomas, director at 740.853.0553 or email convoymethodist@yahoo.com.
POSTED: 07/20/25 at 8:46 pm. FILED UNDER: Church
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OHIO CITY — Here’s the scoop – the St. Thomas Ice Cream Social will be held from 4-7 p.m. this Sunday, July 20, at 6299 German Church Rd. in Ohio City.
The full menu includes cream of chicken sandwiches, pulled pork sandwiches, plus hot dogs and coney dogs. Potato salad, cole slaw, broccoli and cauliflower salad will be offered as well, along with various pies and cackes and of course, ice crea with all the fixings.
There will be a ladies bake sale and music will be provided by Sonny Chorvas.
It’s a free will offering and all proceeds will help the church support a fourth year student at Fort Wayne Concordia Seminary.
VW independent staff/submitted information
Love INC of Van Wert County has announced that Anita Carvajal will serve as the new executive director.
The mission of Love INC is to mobilize the local churches to transform lives and communities in the name of Christ. This is fulfilled by volunteers connecting those in need with services provided by local partnerships and services.
Carvajal brings to the role a wealth of various experience, including effective leadership, business management and transformational ministry.
“The focus on listening, prayer, and follow-up reflects a truly compassionate and relational approach to helping others,” she said. “I’m especially inspired by how Love INC identifies gaps in community services and mobilizes churches to fill them. It’s proactive, impactful and rooted in faith. With my background in nonprofit leadership and passion for empowering people through collaboration, I see a powerful opportunity to grow these ministries and support life-changing transformation in our community.”
“We are very excited Anita has agreed to join the ministry of Love INC, said Board Chair and head of the search committee Andy McMahon. “I believe her skill set will grow the organization beyond the foundation that has already been strongly established. The board unanimously supports her and feels she has the vision to expand this ministry to build more partnerships to meet even more needs in the community.”
One of the biggest weeks of the year for Love INC, Ignite 2025, is just around the corner (July 16-19), hosted by St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Ignite is a three day local missions trip where church volunteers complete home repair and service projects for neighbors in need. This program is coordinated by Love INC and all skill levels are welcome to attend. This will be an excellent opportunity for volunteers and the community to meet the new executive director while lending a helping hand. Information about Ignite can be found online at www.communityrelief.net.
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance with basic needs or you are a church who would like to partner with Love INC, find us online at loveincvanwert.com or call 419.203.5730 for someone to assist you through our call center.
POSTED: 06/24/25 at 6:48 pm. FILED UNDER: Church
VW independent staff
The First Presbyterian Church of Van Wert’s Vacation Bible School returns next month and the theme is “Building on the Rock – Building our Foundation with Jesus!”
VBS will be held from 5:30-8 p.m. July 8-11 at the church, 110 W. Crawford St. Signups are available online at www.myvbs.org/firstpresbyofvanwert.com.
POSTED: 06/17/25 at 6:12 am. FILED UNDER: Church
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TOLEDO — Together with all the priests, deacons, consecrated religious and lay faithful of the Diocese of Toledo, and united with all Catholics and people of goodwill throughout the world, with deep sadness we mourn the death of Pope Francis, after 12 years as our universal shepherd, the 265th successor to Saint Peter. We trust in the promise and saving power flowing from the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and we beg the Lord to receive him into the company of Blessed Mary, Saint George and Saint Francis of Assisi his patrons, and all the Saints, as we pray:
O God, immortal shepherd of souls,
look on your people’s prayers
and grant that your servant Pope Francis,
who presided over your Church in charity,
may, with the flock entrusted to his care,
receive from your mercy
the reward of a faithful steward.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen!
Requiescat in Pace!
Rest in peace.
Bishop Daniel E. Thomas will celebrate a Mass for the Dead in Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral. Date and time to be announced soon.
Biography of the Holy Father can be found at: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/biography/documents/papa-francesco-biografia-bergoglio.html.
The Diocese of Toledo, established April 15, 1910, encompasses 8,222 square miles in a mixture of urban and rural areas and spans 19 counties across Northwest Ohio, serving approximately 320,000 Catholics in 122 parishes. The Diocese includes Allen, Crawford, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Huron, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams, Wood and Wyandot counties.
POSTED: 04/21/25 at 6:33 am. FILED UNDER: Church
VW independent/submitted information
It’s that time of year again when Southern Gospel groups and soloists from around the country gather in Van Wert for the Annual Gospel Music Expo on April 25, 26 and 27. Regional recording artist Trinity began this outreach of its ministry in 2001 with a Saturday night “sing” held in the Family Life Center at Trinity Friends Church and has seen God use it and grow the event over the years.
On Friday, April 25, the music will begin at 5 p.m. with a different artist taking the stage every 15 minutes. The 24th Gospel Music Expo features artists from seven states (Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky) with a mix of soloists, duets, trios, quartets and mixed groups.
On Saturday, April 26, things will kick off at 4 p.m. with 22 featured artists. The format on Friday and Saturday allows Christian music fans to come and go throughout the evening. They can also enjoy some delicious food at the TFC Youth Food Court and visit the various artists’ product tables.
On Sunday, April 27, the Expo Finale will feature Trinity and The Guardians. The concert starts at 6:30 p.m. with doors opening at 4:30 that afternoon and the Food Court available.
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Kingdom Connection Academy, located at Trinity Friends Church, 605 N. Franklin Street in Van Wert, will be hosting the following parent information meetings and school tours open to the community: Thursday, April 24, 6:30-7:30 p.m.; Monday, April 28, 6:30-7:30 p.m.; Tuesday, April 29, 6:30-7:30 p.m.; Thursday, May 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m.; and Tuesday, May 13, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
There are also two scheduled Kindergarten Round-Ups for evaluating children entering kindergarten this fall. Those sessions will be held Wednesday, May 21, and Tuesday, May 22, from 4-8 p.m.
POSTED: 04/14/25 at 11:32 pm. FILED UNDER: Church
VW independent staff
Promise Church in Van Wert reminds local residents it will offer the “glow in the dark” egg hunt at 8:30 p.m. Good Friday, April 18, in Fountain Park in downtown Van Wert.
There will be two age categories, 5-8 and 9-12. Registration will begin at 8 that night. There will be prize eggs and a pair of $100 gift cards.
POSTED: 04/13/25 at 9:16 pm. FILED UNDER: Church