Church briefs
Today through next week: ABUNDANT LIFE CHURCH, located at South Union Fire Hall near the corner of Lebanon Avenue and South Mount Vernon Avenue, Uniontown, will offer refreshments at 10:25 a.m. Sunday, just before worship which begins at 10:45 a.m. Pastor Nicholas J. Cook will deliver the sermon “Two Destinies.’
ALLISON CHRISTIAN CHURCH announces the postponed Kids Night will be held today from 6 to 8 p.m. for area children with food and fellowship. Prayer family for November is Thelma and Elwood Shipe and Winnie Shipe. On Sunday, Stephanie McCormick will be in charge of Junior Church while Melissa Kifer will be acolyte. On Tuesday, the worship ministry will sponsor the Hanging of the Greens at 6:30 p.m., followed by the enjoying of Stone Soup. All members are asked to attend and bring canned vegetables for the soup.
ALLISON CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE, at the corner of Allison Avenue and Vernon Street in Allison 2, will celebrate Thanksgiving with a bring a friend theme. The 10:50 a.m. worship will have special music and a drama by Evelyn Mattie and Jacki Hazelton. There will be a dinner after the service. The 6 p.m. service will be a Thanksgiving circle. Matt Hazelton will present a special devotional message.
ASBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, corner of Beeson Avenue and Dunbar Street in Uniontown, announces the 2003 Stewardship Emphasis concludes with Asbury United Methodist Youth Fellowship leading the 9 and 11 a.m. services, including short skits based on the stewardship theme “What Would It Be Like?’ Members can place their pledge cards on the altar as a sign of their commitment to the ongoing ministry of Asbury. At the 11 a.m. service only All Saints Sunday will be observed to honor the memories of those members and friends who have died this past year. Each name will be read and a bell will toll after each name, followed by special prayer. The Asbury Chancel Choir, directed by Bill Dreucci, and organist Jim Hutchinson will provide special music. Loving Nursery Care is available for infants and children under 4. Children’s church is available for all children age 4 and older.
Harvest Home Sunday, sponsored by Asbury United Methodist Men, will be celebrated with donations of non-perishable food items being placed on the altar at both services to be distributed to three local charities the following day. A special offering will be collected for United Methodist Student Day to benefit students attending United Methodist-related schools with scholarships and student loans. Hanging of the Greens will begin at 12:30 p.m. with lunch in fellowship hall. The children will make decorations for the tree in the lower Dunbar Street hallway and decorate Christmas sugar cookies while the adults and youths decorate the sanctuary and upper hallways. In closing, hot chocolate and cookies will be served and the Rev. James Fogg will lead a special holiday vesper service.
Asbury Recital Series tickets for The Christmas Oratoria performance on Saturday, Nov. 30, at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary are on sale at Judy’s Do Re Mi, White Picket Fence, Fayette Chamber Office and Amend’s Jewelers. For more information, phone 724-557-1119.
BROWNSVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHARGE will observe Thanksgiving Sunday with the Rev. Paul E. Wilson Sr. speaking on “Giving Thanks’ at worship at 8:30 a.m. at West Bend, 10 a.m. at South Brownsville and 11 a.m. at Brownsville First. On Monday, the community Thanksgiving service is at 7 p.m. at Fort Burd Presbyterian Church. On Tuesday at 7 p.m., the charge cantata choir will practice at First Church. Note the change of day. For more information about any of the Brownsville charge churches, phone the charge office at 724-785-8704.
CALVARY CHAPEL, FREDERICKTOWN, located on Route 88 and Moose Hill, next to The Butcher Shop, will have a Christmas toy giveaway on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The youth group will be available to watch the children of parents who want to shop alone, enabling them to surprise their children at Christmastime. The congregation and the community have donated toys. For more information, phone 724-377-2522.
CALVARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, located at Clark Street and Collins Avenue, Uniontown, will hold its praise service on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Free Spirit will lead worship.
Sunday’s traditional service at 9:30 a.m. will have the children’s choir singing. Tina Whitehead will present the children’s message. The chancel choir, directed by Paul Cramer, will sing. The Rev. Dr. Thomas Whitehead will preach “Surprise.” The sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated. A fully staffed babyland and nursery are available.
CALVIN UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 307 Spring St., Brownsville, announces there will be a Session meeting on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Worship is at 10:45 a.m. with the Rev. Aleda Arnold Menchyk giving the sermon “When Did We See You?’ The chancel choir will sing at worship and rehearse at noon.
CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF UNIONTOWN, 23 S. Gallatin Ave., will host Saturday Night Center, a contemporary prayer and praise style worship service, on Saturday at 6 p.m. On Sunday at 10:30 a.m. worship, the Rev. Art Mace, interim minister, will deliver the message “The Tenth Man.’ The children’s sermon will be given by John Yukish and the chancel choir will sing. At 9 a.m. Sunday, there is a New Testament study class led by Rev. Mace. Nursery and preschool care are available during Sunday morning worship, which can also be seen Sunday at 5 p.m. on cable television channel 21. For more information, phone 724-438-6821.
CHERRY TREE ALLIANCE CHURCH, 640 Cherry Tree Lane, Uniontown, across from Uniontown Wal-Mart, worships Sunday at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. when the Rev. Jack Herman will continue his series of messages entitled “The Way to True Life,’ based on Jesus’ last night of teaching on earth. This Sunday’s message will be “Sorting Out the Truth: Part 2.’ The praise team will lead the 8:30 a.m. service while Patricia Miller and Ed Fearer will be instrumentalists for the 10:45 a.m. service. The adult choir will present special music in both services. At 6 p.m., the Kids on a Mission program is offered for children while the teen-agers have their own contemporary Power Jam service in fellowship hall. This Sunday, the adults will meet at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 71 N. Gallatin Ave., Uniontown, at 6 p.m. for the community Thanksgiving service where Rev. Herman will give the message “Thankful Until the End.’DUNLAP’S CREEK CHURCH, 502 Twin Hills Road, Merrittstown, also known as the Old Stone Church, welcomes the Rev. Kent Lighthall as guest minister to Sunday’s 11 a.m. worship service.
FAITH ASSEMBLY OF GOD, 690 Morgantown Road, Uniontown, worships Sunday at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. when the Rev. Donald J. Immel preaches part three “The Power of Positive Living’ of a series entitled “The Power of Positive Thinking.’ At 6 p.m., Rev. Immel preaches part four “the Power of Consistent Living.’ A well-staffed nursery is available during all services. Transportation is available by calling the Rev. Jason Lamar at 724-437-8101.FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS CELEBRATION, hosted by World Christian Outreach Ministries in Connellsville, is planned for Saturday, Nov. 30, the first day of Hanukkah, at 4 p.m. at Mount Olive Evangelical Church, Route 982, Connellsville. For more information, phone 724-887-4839.
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST), OF REPUBLIC, announces Thanksgiving Sunday will be observed during the 10:55 a.m. worship service. The Rev. Thomas Logston will deliver the message. The chancel choir will sing. Dustin Eadie is acolyte and Cicely Forcina will greet the congregation. A nursery and second hour are held in conjunction with the service, directed by Rita Ballone. Friends and members of the congregation will gather following the service for the Thanksgiving-Carry-In-Dinner in the Mariam Anthony Fellowship Hall. The chancel choir will practice Tuesday at 7 p.m. The worship ministry will meet Friday morning to decorate the sanctuary for the Advent and Christmas season. For more information, phone the church at 724-246-9387.GARWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH, Route 481, Scenic Drive near Daisytown, announces members and friends are invited to a Celebration of Thankfulness Dinner on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the church. Meat and beverage will be furnished. Members are to bring a covered dish or dessert. For more information, phone 724-938-7431.
GRACE BRETHREN CHURCH, 2 Grace Lane, off Derrick Avenue, Uniontown, announces the Rev. Nick Philiposian will bring the message “The Transformation of a Thankful Heart’ during Sunday’s 10:30 a.m. worship service. Frank Hladinec will provide special music. For more information, phone the office at 724-437-3401.
GREAT BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH, 47 W. Fayette St., Uniontown, worships Sunday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Robert Ford bringing the message. Calling the church at 724-437-6161 provides transportation and a nursery.
There will be no Martha Champion class meeting this month. On Monday, shoebox collection is from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. On Tuesday, dartball with Republic at Great Bethel at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, there is no Bible study, family supper or choir. The office will be closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.HOPEWELL UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 400 Hopewell Road, Brownsville, celebrates Thanksgiving at 11 a.m. Sunday worship. The Rev. Gail E. Mason’s sermon is “You are the Messiah.’ The hunger offering will be received. Janet Adamovich is guest organist.
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.MOUNT OLIVET BAPTIST CHURCH, 51 Stewart Ave., Uniontown, announces the pastor will minister in Canonsburg on Sunday, Dec. 1. Anyone interested in riding the bus should reserve his or her seat by calling Natalie D. Winfrey at 724-438-4844. Cost is $8. Payment is due Nov. 24.
MOUNT ST. MACRINA RETREAT CENTER, Route 40, Uniontown, announces registration is due Nov. 30 for Part II of the women’s series, offered Saturday, Dec. 7. Registration is due Dec. 4 for Christmas Preparation Day on Dec. 14 with the Very Rev. John Petro. For more information, phone 724-438-7149.
NEW BEGINNING FULL GOSPEL CHURCH, 93 Jefferson St., Uniontown, will celebrate the church’s 13th anniversary on Sunday. Guest speaker for the morning service will be Bishop Thorpe from the Powerhouse of Deliverance in Dunbar, W.Va. The guest speaker for the afternoon service will be the Rev. Vincent Winfrey from the Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Uniontown. Rev. Winfrey will be accompanied by his choir and members. The afternoon service begins at 4 p.m. Dinner will be served directly following the morning service.
NEW GENEVA BAPTIST CHURCH, Front Street, will celebrate the Hanging of the Greens for the Advent season at Sunday’s 9:30 a.m. worship service. Special music will be presented by Robert and Carol Brooks. Marcellus Evans will be the teacher for the 10:30 a.m. Sunday school. The children’s Christmas practice will be Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. The Rev. Robert J. Robinson is host pastor.
PLEASANT VIEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, located two miles west of Smock at the intersection of the Pleasant View and Royal roads, will celebrate Christ the King Sunday at 11 a.m. worship. The Rev. Keith Conover, pastor, will preach “King James is a Version: King Jesus is Not.’ Special music will be provided by the adult vocal choir, directed by Elaine Thomas. Sandra Leichliter will serve as organist. Samantha Lenhart and Tyler Randolph will serve as acolytes for the service. An adult supervised nursery is provided for preschool children during worship.
At noon, a special meeting of the congregation and corporation will be held in the sanctuary to elect officers and receive the 2003 mission and general operating budgets of the church. The church will join with Calvin Presbyterian Church of Brownsville for a Thanksgiving Eve service at Calvin Church at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The church continues preparation for Come Out of the Cold, Bring a Friend Sunday on Dec. 8 when Pleasant View hopes to double its attendance.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN BAPTIST CHURCH OF CONNELLSVILLE will celebrate its 111th anniversary on Sunday at 4 p.m. Dinner is from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Guest speaker is the Rev. Timothy Sawyer. The Rev. Nathaniel Milton is host pastor.
ROSCOE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 300 Main St., will celebrate the ordination and installation of the new church elder/trustees and deacons at the 11 a.m. worship service Sunday. Cheryl Lewis will be installed as an elder. Timothy Quigley will be ordained and installed as an elder/trustee. Deacons to be installed are Gladys Rebar and Olive Swalin. Those just being installed have been previously ordained. Ordination in the Presbyterian Church is for life whether the elder or deacon is currently serving or not. “Tough Times’ is the title of the sermon by the Rev. Dr. John Rankin. The chancel choir will sing, directed by Mary Catherine Schmidt. Betty Ermlick is organist. The choir will rehearse immediately after the service to work on music for the Advent season. Marguerite Bethem teaches the Faith Seekers, the 9:45 a.m. Bible/discussion class for adults in the manse.
On Dec. 1, the first Sunday of Advent, the church will celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion at morning worship, which will also feature the Hanging of the Greens for Advent and Christmastide season.
The church’s monthly continental breakfast will also be served in fellowship hall at 10:30 a.m.
SS. CYRIL AND METHODIUS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN FAIRCHANCE announces in honor of Christ the King Sunday, the church will have veneration of the Blessed Sacrament on Sunday from noon until 5 p.m. with Benediction and Reposition. A covered dish social will follow in the church hall. The church will hold the Holy Hour of Grace on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Monday, Dec. 9 from noon to 1 p.m. Prayers will include the 51st Psalm (The Miserere: Prayer of Repentence) and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
ST. GEORGE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN CARMICHAELS announces the Nativity Fast of the Orthodox Church begins Wednesday and continues until the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ on Jan. 7. The fast is a period of preparation for the Feast of the Nativity during which Orthodox Christians abstain from meat and dairy products and seriously ponder the meaning of the Nativity of Jesus Christ. The Rev. Rodney Torbic is pastor.
ST. PAUL’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 71 N. Gallatin Ave., Uniontown, will celebrate Christ the King at 10:45 a.m. worship Sunday with the Rev. Paul N. Frank Jr. delivering the sermon “A Holiday for Every Day.’ The community Thanksgiving worship service will be held at St. Paul’s at 6 p.m. with the Rev. Jack Herman of Cherry Tree Alliance Church delivering the message. 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, will celebrate the Holy Eucharist on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 8 and 10:30 a.m. Serving as chalice bearers and lectors will be James Wood, Robert Springer and April Kerin. The crucifer and acolytes are Jacqui Taylor, Kayla Warren and Paul Taylor. Bible study is held Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. The Holy Eucharist and healing service is at noon on Wednesday.
The fellowship group meets at 7 p.m. Wednesday. 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 Christ the King Sunday at 10:30 a.m. worship with Holy Communion. Various women of the congregation will participate in this Thankoffering service. Deb Neiderheiser of the Women of the ELCA will be guest speaker. Kid’s Time with God, a program for children ages 2 through 8, will be held in Classroom 3. The children’s classes will rehearse for the Christmas program during 9 a.m. Sunday church school. A covered dish dinner will follow worship in the social hall.
On Tuesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m., the pastor will lead the third of a series of four sessions of Advent Anew.
This short-term class will examine the meaning of Advent and its place in the Lutheran liturgical calendar with special emphasis on the messianic prophecies of the Old Testament. The Rev. Bernard W. Carl is pastor. For more information, phone 724-439-5884 or e-mail the pastor at PastorCarl9@aol.com.
ST. RITA ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, Connellsville, announces that beginning the weekend of Nov. 30/Dec. 1, Mass times will be changed to Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. and Sundays at 8 and 10 a.m. Confessions will be Saturdays from 3:30 to 4 p.m.
Remaining the same will be daily Mass at 7 a.m. and the current holy day of obligation schedule.
SISTERS OF CHARITY OF SETON HILL IN GREENSBURG will offer An Advent Visit on Sunday, Dec. 1 at Caritas, Christi, their motherhouse located at 463 Mount Thor Road in Greensburg. The program begins with visits and refreshments in the activities room from 2:30 to 3:45 p.m.
At 4 p.m., guests gather in the Chapel of the Assumption for solemn vespers and the blessing of the Advent wreath in the atrium. Visit the Web site www.scsh.org for directions and additional information. Those planning to visit should RSVP by calling 724-836-0406, extension 647, by Wednesday.THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 425 Union St., (at Craig Meadows) Uniontown, welcomes Capt. John Riley of the Salvation Army to give the sermon “Ingredients of Thankfulness’ on Sunday. Sewing Ladies meet Tuesday at 10 a.m. Bloodmobile is Tuesday at noon. Men’s breakfast is Wednesday at 6:45 a.m. The church asks members to keep the Rev. James Tweardy, pastor, in their prayers.
TRAVEL WITH JESUS, Union Station Building in Brownsville, meets today from 8 to 11 p.m. for Bible sharing; 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.
TRINITY UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, corner of Morgantown and West Fayette streets, Uniontown, worships Sunday at 11 a.m. when the guest minister will be the Rev. Dr. Robert W. Cahn, retired executive presbyter of Redstone Presbytery.
The Presbyterian Women will observe their Thank Offering, which supports hospitals and other health ministries throughout the world.
The balance of funds is generated for new creative areas of mission. Women participating in this special service are Becky Barclay, Tonye Sharp and Betty Fagler. The children of the Church school will meet at McDonalds, Route 40, at 9:45 a.m. this Sunday only. After worship, a coffee fellowship will be hosted by Virginia Higinbotham and Elsie Workman in the chapel. A nursery is provided for children 5 and younger during worship. The service is broadcast live over radio station WMBS at 11:06 a.m.
For more information, phone the church office at 724-437-2709 or by checking the Website at www.forministry.com/15401TPC3.
A Taize sung prayer service will be held Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. This service concludes the fall series.
The service includes meditation, sung responses to Scripture and readings.
Future
CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL: The Christian Leaders Fellowship will sponsor an evening of lessons and carols, including a blessing of the region, at the seventh annual Christmas Festival at Heinz Hall on Monday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. The program features 10 choirs with nearly 400 singers and a 27-piece orchestra. The audience will be able to join in singing several Christmas carols. Admission is free for the event, supported by the Pittsburgh Symphony Society. For tickets, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Department for Communications, Diocese of Pittsburgh, 111 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh. Two tickets will be granted per request by mail on a first-come, first served basis.
HILLTOP SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH, 535 Connellsville St., Uniontown, will have a Christmas toy giveaway Dec. 12 from 4 to 6 p.m. for children up to 12 years old. Children only will be permitted to select the toy of his or her choice. Donations of new or good used toys will be accepted at the church on Wednesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. For more information, phone 724-437-5510.
MOUNT LEBANON BAPTIST CHURCH, Baltimore Street, Brownsville, announces the Chrysanthemum Club is sponsoring a bus trip to go shopping and see the Festival of Lights in Wheeling, W.Va. on Saturday, Dec. 7. Price is $30, which includes admission, transportation and a buffet dinner. Bus pickup will be in Brownsville, California, Monessen and Belle Vernon Park and Ride. For more information, contact Tonya Kirkland at 724-785-4691 or 938-4303.
ST. OLIVER PLUNKET. ST. MICHAEL ARCHANGEL CHURCH ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN FREDERICKTOWN will be the site for a charismatic Mass on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. The Rev. Jim Clark, pastor of the Church of the Madonna Parish in Cardale, will be the celebrant. Participants are asked to gather at 6:30 p.m. A covered dish social will follow the Mass in the parish hall.
UNIONTOWN CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST will have Appreciation Day on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. Guest speaker will be the Rev. Erick Johnson of John Wesley African Methodist Episcopal Church. The Rev. Allen and Evangelist Luann Johnson are pastors.