Locally, services are set for noon in Church of the Beloved Disciple, 313 N. Broad St., Grove City; and for 1 p.m. in First United Methodist Church, 148 E. Shenango St., Sharpsville.

At Grove City, the service will be conducted by participants from several churches. A food offering will be taken for Grove City Community Food Bank. Those attending the service are asked to bring canned goods, preferably in 16-ounce and smaller sizes. Child care will be available and refreshments will follow.

The Rev. Richard Lee Weber Jr., the host church’s pastor, will be featured speaker at the Shenango Valley service. Others from several congregations also will take part. Fellowship time will follow.

Presbyterian laywoman Mary Ellen James, began the event in 1887 to bring together for informed prayer and prayerful action women from varying backgrounds, cultures and Christian traditions. Church Women United has been the U.S. sponsor since 1941. The group is a grassroots ecumenical movement of Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox and other Christian women.

This year’s service was written by Christian women in Samoa with a theme of "Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action." It is based on the scriptural passage in Esther 4:1-16.

Offerings received will enable the ongoing work of Church Women United.