Church briefs
Announcements: ST. GEORGE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN CARMICHAELS recently held its first Lenten retreat, which came from the initiative of church school coordinator Mildred Bezak. The schedule included religious services spaced through the day. Speakers included the Very Rev. Lt. Col. Adam Yonitch from Holy Ascension Serbian Orthodox Church in Youngwood and St. George Church School historian Mildred Mickey.
Participants prepared icons for home use of the “White Angel’ from the Serbian Monastery Milesevo. The icon was chosen for its message of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. A video was shown on the monasteries in Meterora, Greece. Dr. Mitrophan, Serbian Orthodox bishop of Eastern America, recently led a study group to Greece, which included visits to Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos and the monastery known as Grand Meteora. Additional individuals who worked on the retreat were Marion Luteran, Kathryn Sage, Dorothy Bozick, Mildred Belch, Milicent Hunchuck and Pete Smargie.
Today through next week:
ALLISON CHRISTIAN CHURCH announces members will meet at the church Saturday at 9 a.m. for cleaning the section of roadway assigned by Pennsylvania Cleanways. The rate date is April 13.
A contemporary service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. The Rev. Michael Peton is pastor.
The official board meeting will be held on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Members are asked to attend to conduct the business of the church. Richard Marker is board chairman.
ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH, Edenborn, will have its annual Officials Day Sunday at 3:30 p.m. with the Rev. Spencer Harris from Union Baptist Church of Monessen and his choir. Florence Overton is chairwoman. The Rev. Solomon Dotson is host pastor.
ASBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, corner of Beeson Avenue and Dunbar Street in Uniontown, announces Sunday’s casual 9 a.m. service will feature hymns and praise choruses led by the Rev. James Fogg, accompanied by Jim Hutchinson, The traditional 11 a.m. worship service will feature special music by the Asbury Chancel Choir, directed by William Dreucci and organist Jim Hutchinson. Scott Dewey will be received into membership. Loving Nursery Care is available for infants and children under 4. Children’s church is available for all children age 4 and older. Rev. Fogg will give the sermon “Inexpressible Joy’ at both services.
Weekly youth fellowship meetings begin Sunday for all youths in grades six to 12 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
BLAINESBURG BIBLE CHURCH, located off Route 88 between Brownsville and California, announces that David Meadows will sing the Gospel of Jesus Christ on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Meadows is from Port St. Lucie, Fla., and his style of music appeals to all age groups.
For more information or directions, call 724-245-2226. The Rev. David Benner is pastor.
BROWNSVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHARGE reminds the congregation to turn its clocks ahead. Sunday worship is at 8:30 a.m. at West Bend, 10 a.m. at South Brownsville and 11 a.m. at Brownsville First. The message at West Bend and Brownsville First will be “Confession Complete’ while South Brownsville will have a special program of music presented by The Soul Harvest Ministry (Dave Smitley and Candy Kinnan from the Dunbar-Connellsville area). Tuesday, the administrative council at West Bend has been cancelled. Thursday, the trustees and administrative council meetings scheduled at South have been delayed until next week. For more information on any of the Brownsville Charge churches, call the charge office at 724-785-8704.
CALVARY CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE, CALIFORNIA, will observe its 25th year at its present location at 777 Promised Land Drive, Coal Center. They will have a 25th anniversary/homecoming service on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the church. All past and present members and friends are invited to attend the celebration.
CALVARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, located at Clark Street and Collins Avenue, Uniontown, announces Tina Whitehead will deliver the children’s message at Sunday’s 9:30 a.m. worship service. The chancel choir will sing. The Rev. Dr. Thomas Whitehead will preach “Hard Feelings.’ A fully staffed Babyland and nursery are available.
The church’s preschool program is accepting registrations. The preschool is offered Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon. There are classes for 3-, 4- and 5-year-old children. For registration forms, contact the church at 724-437-6341.CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF UNIONTOWN, 23 S. Gallatin Ave., will recognize new members at Sunday’s 10:30 a.m. worship service as they receive their Bibles and certificates of baptism. A reception will follow worship. The Rev. Art Mace, interim minister, will deliver the message “Bad News! Good News!’ and nursery and preschool care is available during the service. For more information, phone 724-438-6821.DUNLAP’S CREEK CHURCH, 502 Twin Hills Road, Merrittstown, also known as the Old Stone Church, welcomes Ross Ackinclose as guest minister to Sunday’s 11 a.m. worship service. A luncheon is planned for April 14 after the service at the academy.
FAITH ASSEMBLY OF GOD, 690 Morgantown Road, Uniontown, announces the Rev. Donald J. Immel will preach a sermon entitled “A Kindness Repaid’ at Sunday’s 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. worship services.
Also on Sunday, classes will begin for the following adult electives at 6 p.m.
“Come and Grow,’ taught by Rev. Immel. Topic: In How to Build a Successful Marriage.’
“Discovering Your Destiny,’ taught by the Rev. Jason Lamar. This study is geared toward young adults who want to know and do the will of God for their lives. Curriculum is based on a workbook entitled “Experiencing God,’ (cost $10) written by Henry Blackaby and Claude V. King.
“Our Faith and Fellowship,’ taught by the Rev. Ed Noftz, eight sessions, explaining basic Christian truths.
“A Biblical Perspective on Prayer,’ taught by Jim Howell. How the men and women of the Bible prayed. This is a Global University Course within the curriculum for certified minister’s credentials. The class is open to everyone but $60 will apply to those who are taking the course for credits.
“Caring for Aging Parents,’ taught by Sid Clevenger. Offers support and relevant instruction for those who want to be “good children’ in their adult years.
Transportation to all services can be arranged by contacting the Rev. Jason Lamar at 724-437-8101. A fully staffed nursery is available during services.FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST), OF REPUBLIC, announces the chancel choir will sing and the Rev. Rebecca Hickok will deliver the message at Sunday’s 10:55 a.m. worship service. The Christian Youth Fellowship meets Sunday at 4 p.m., followed by the contemporary worship service at 7 p.m. in Miriam Anthony Fellowship Hall.
The church office will be closed Monday and Tuesday. The C.W.F. Ruth Circle meets Thursday at 1 p.m., followed by choir practice at 7 p.m. The church-sponsored Red Cross blood drive will be held Friday from 1 to 7 p.m. in fellowship hall. For more information, phone the church at 724-246-9387.For more information about First Presbyterian, phone the church at 724-938-7676.
FORT BURD UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BROWNSVILLE, located next to Brownsville General Hospital, will celebrate Youth Sunday at Sunday’s 11 a.m. worship service. The youth bell choir will offer special music. Members of the junior-senior high Sunday school class will lead worship. There is a staffed nursery for preschool-age children during worship that is sponsored by the deacons. The monthly prayer list will be available. The youth bell choir will practice at 9:45 a.m. and the adult choir will practice following worship. The annual joint meeting of the elders and deacons will be Wednesday at 7 p.m. in fellowship hall. For more information, phone the church at 724-785-3080.HOPEWELL UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 400 Hopewell Road, Brownsville, celebrates Health Awareness Week. Worship begins at 11 a.m., which is a permanent change. Sunday school remains at 9:30 a.m. The Rev. Gail E. Mason’s sermon for worship is “Joy in my Heart.’ A special time for children will be held. Guest organist is Janet Adamovich. Note: Set clocks ahead one hour for daylight savings time.
JACOB’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, located off Routes 21 and 166 (follow signs from the Marathon service station), Masontown, celebrates Holy Communion at Sunday’s 9 a.m. worship service. A full liturgical service is included. The church telephone number is 724-583-9040 and the e-mail address is jacob98@lcsys.net.PLEASANT VIEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, located two miles west of Smock at the intersection of the Pleasant View and Royal roads, worships at 11 a.m. Sunday with special music provided by soprano vocal soloist Irene Williams and the PVPC Handbell Choir, directed by Elaine Thomas. The Rev. Keith Conover will preach on the subject “Peace to You.’ Thomas Liptak will be layreader. The fourth annual meeting of the Jelly Bean Club will be held in worship at approximately 11:20 a.m. New members are welcome. A supervised nursery for preschool children is provided during worship.
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF GREENSBURG announces the Secretariat for Education will begin its third “Faith in the New Millennium’ adult lecture series with a talk by Ohio author and counselor Gregory Popcak on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in St. Paul Seminary auditorium. His lecture is “Beyond the Bird and the Bees: Raising Sexually Whole and Holy Kids.’ For more information, phone 412-456-3112.
The diocese announces Catholic Charities will welcome Dr. Alan Keyes, statesman, author and host of MSNBC’s “Alan Keyes is Making Sense’ to deliver the keynote address at the 20th Bishop’s Annual Dinner on Friday, May 17, at the Hilton Pittsburgh. Bishop Donald W. Wuerl will host the black tie gala, which serves as Catholic Charities’ primary annual fund-raising event. Gina Redmond of WPXI-TV will serve as master of ceremonies. For more information, phone 412-456-6969 or visit the Web site at www.ccpgh.org.
ROSCOE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 300 Main St., announces the Rev. Dr. John Rankin will being a new sermon series called “Rites of Passion’ at Sunday’s 11 a.m. worship service. The first sermon will be “Thinking Methuselah.’
The chancel choir meets for warm up at 10:30 a.m. and will have its weekly rehearsal in the sanctuary immediately following worship. The Janet Ray Circle meets in fellowship hall Monday at 7 p.m., led by President Arlene Shipley.
The six-week Wednesday video/discussion group meets at 7 p.m. in fellowship hall. This is the second in the series “Thinking Out of the Box,’ led by Dr. Tony Compolo. This week’s theme is “Curing Affluenza: Money, How Poor Does Jesus Want Us to Be?’
On April 14, the sacrament of baptism will be celebrated. Anyone who is considering baptism or wants to have their children baptized should contact the pastor at 724-785-8912.
ST. GEORGE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN CARMICHAELS announces daily church services continue during Great Lent. The themes of repentance and return to God dominate the texts of the services. On Sundays during Lent, vesper services are scheduled in different churches. All 10 parishes of the Pittsburgh Deanery of the Eastern American Diocese are represented. Different priests are assigned to preach. The practice of traveling to different churches on Sunday evenings during Great Lent is well established in the Serbian Orthodox Church in this area. Parishioners from St. George Church enjoy making the trips to see other churches.
On Sunday, the vesper service will be at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Midland. The Rev. Rajko Kosic, dean of Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Pittsburgh, will preach. Rev. Kosic graduated from the Serbian seminary at Monastery Krka and from St. Sava School of Theology in Libertyville, Ill. Sunday is the Feast of the Annunciation. The Rev. Rodney Torbic is pastor of St. George in Carmichaels.ST. PAUL’S AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 187 Morgantown St., Uniontown, will have its first singles conference today through Sunday. Today’s service is at 7 p.m. with the Rev. Marilyn Davis. Saturday’s service begins at 10 a.m. with Sister Danette Morris. Lunch is at noon. The 2 p.m. service features Minister Elizabeth “Niecy’ Dennis. Sunday’s 6 p.m. service will be an open forum discussion with a panel made up of the speakers and other ministers. For more information, see Sister Andrena Daniels. The Rev. A.L. Thompson Jr. is pastor.
ST. PAUL’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 71 N. Gallatin Ave., Uniontown, will celebrate the distribution of Holy Communion at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. worship services with the Rev. Paul N. Frank officiating. Holy Communion will also be distributed at the 4 p.m. Saturday Quiet Hour Communion Service. For more information, call 724-437-9000 or e-mail at splcu@dp.net or visit the Web site at www.stpaulselcauniontown.org.
ST. PETER’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 60 Morgantown St., Uniontown, announces the Holy Eucharist will be held on Friday at 5:30 p.m. The Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Service as chalice bearers and lectors are Dave Hoover, Thomas Waggoner and Lynda Waggoner. Serving on the altar guild for April are Dee John, Mimi Cluss and Norma Snyder. The Rev. Thomas R. Finnie is rector. For further information, phone 724-438-7731.
ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF AMERICA, 121 Walnut Hill Road, Uniontown, will celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion at 10:30 a.m. worship. Kids’ Time with God, a program for children age 10 and under, will be held in Noah’s Room during worship. The affirmation of baptism class will also be held at 9 a.m.
On Tuesday at 7 p.m., the Rev. Bernard Carl will hold the first session of a new six-week adult study, “Jerusalem – One City, Three Faiths: Origins of the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict.’ This short-term study will examine the history of the city of Jerusalem from its Jebusite founders to David to Jesus and to the present day. For more information, phone 724-439-5884 or 724-439-4730 or e-mail the pastor at theveryreverand@hotmail.com.
STAR JUNCTION BAPTIST CHURCH, located one mile north Route 301 and 5.5 miles south of Route 70 on Church Street behind the Gulf service station at the traffic light on Route 51 in Star Junction, announces Free Spirit, featuring recording artists Ron and Arlene Bock of Lemont Furnace, will present a gospel music concert on Saturday, April 13, at 7 p.m. There will also be a special presentation by God’s Happy Hands puppets. A freewill offering will be given to the Rev. Don Bowser, pastor, to help finance a mission trip to Nicaragua in June.
The Rev. Don Bowser is pastor.THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 425 Union St., (at Craig Meadows) Uniontown, announces the Rev. Jim Tweardy will deliver messages at Sunday’s 8:30 and 11 a.m. worship services. Meanwhile, the young adult fellowship will hold its first gathering Sunday at 6 p.m. at 155 W. Berkeley St. For further details, contact Erick Fitzgerald, director of young adult ministries, at 724-438-2543 or 724-437-2445.
Wise and Alive for senior citizens will gather for a birthday bash on Wednesday at noon. Call the church office at 724-438-2529 for reservations.
The Salvation Army is holding its annual dinner at the church on Friday, April 12, at 6:30 p.m. in fellowship hall. Darieth Chisolm, Pittsburgh television news personality, is the featured speaker. Entertainment will be provided by Kids for Peace from the Spring Valley Bruderhof. Tickets are $15 each. Reservations may be made through the church office.
TRAVEL WITH JESUS, Union Station Building in Brownsville, meets today from 8 to 11 p.m. for Bible sharing – gifts and fruit of spirit; Holy Communion and prayer for revival of Brownsville. There is Bible sharing Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Travel With Jesus offers food, clothing and prayer Monday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call Brother Rich Wilson at 724-434-1149.
UNIONTOWN CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN, 20 Robinson St., announces the chancel choir will provide special music at Sunday’s 10:30 a.m. worship service. Lauren Stein is children’s storyteller. The Rev. Dr. Neil Hoppe will bring the message “After Sunday.’ Valet parking and personal ear monitors are offered. The church is open for prayer and praise at 8:30 a.m. For more information, phone the office at 724-438-8372.
UNIONTOWN CHURCH OF CHRIST, 70 Roosevelt Drive, announces there will be a youth group “Bible Bowl’ practice on Saturday at 6 p.m. with a fellowship meal. The church will meet Sunday at normal times for Bible study at 9:30 a.m. and worship at 10:30 a.m. The Rev. Monroe Smith will give the message “Prayer: What Should I Pray For?’ The church now meets Wednesday at 7 p.m. The church is nearing the end of the study of church leadership and will start a study of the book of Revelation. For more information, phone 724-439-4747.
Future
POINT MARION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 502 Morgantown St., will present a seminar on wills, trusts and estate planning’ on April 28 at 1 p.m. Topic include: guardianship of minor children, federal and state tax rules, the value of a will and how to have one prepared as well as a discussion on the use of trusts. The seminar will be under the leadership of Joseph Reasinger of the United Methodist Foundation and will include ample time for individual questions. There is no charge.
WESTON CHURCH OF GOD, 124 E. Fourth St., Weston, will host a youth revival April 18-20 at 7 p.m. April 18: Rod Justice is speaker and Brittany Palmer is singer. April 19: Mike Stottlemyer is speaker and Shaffer Family is singer. April 20: Brian Tannous is speaker and Heir Force 1 and Heir Force Too is the drama team. Refreshments are served nightly. For more information, phone 269-2947 or 745-3180.