Church briefs
Announcements ST. VINCENT SEMINARY, Latrobe, announces faculty member the Rev. Demetrius R. Dumm has had his fourth book published by Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minn., entitled, “Praying the Scriptures.’ Officials said, “It is more than a book about biblical prayers. It sets such prayers in the larger context of biblical revelation so they are seen primarily as celebrations of God’s great saving deeds of the Exodus and the Resurrection. They bring us to the very heart of the experience of salvation in that ultimate prayer-event, the Eucharist. In this context, prayers of petition become acts of trust in the goodness of the God who entered our world definitively in the person of Jesus Christ, while prayers of gratitude convert the lives of believers from fear and guilt to courage and joy.’
Today through New Year’s:
ALLISON CHRISTIAN CHURCH announces the monthly penny sale will be done by the youths of the church on Sunday. Pennies will be collected after the children’s moment. The Rev. Michael Peton is pastor.
ASBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, corner of Beeson Avenue and Dunbar Street in Uniontown, announces Sunday’s casual 9 a.m. service will feature praise choruses and hymns, accompanied by Sharon Brown, and the Rev. Thomas E. Brown’s message “Promises of a New Year.’ Sunday school classes for all ages are held at 9:45 a.m. The traditional 11 a.m. service will include Rev. Brown’s message, special music by the Asbury Chancel Choir, directed by Bill Dreucci, and organist Jim Hutchinson. Loving Nursery Care is available for infants and children under 4. Asbury United Methodist Youth Fellowship will meet from 6 to 8:15 p.m. for youths in grades six to 12.
BROWNSVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHARGE observes the first Sunday of Christmastide with the Rev. Paul E. Wilson Sr. speaking on “Christmas Blessings to You.’ Worship is at West Bend at 8:30 a.m., South Brownsville at 10 a.m. and Brownsville First at 11 a.m. South Brownsville offers Sunday school for adults at 9 a.m. and children at 10 a.m. while Browns-ville First offer Sunday school for adults and children at 9:45 a.m. For more information about any of the Brownsville charge churches, phone the charge office at 724-785-8704.
CALVARY UNITED METH-ODIST CHURCH, located at Clark Street and Collins Avenue, Uniontown, will celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion at Sunday’s 9:30 a.m. worship service. Tina Whitehead will present the children’s message. The chancel choir will sing. The Rev. Dr. Thomas Whitehead will preach “Growing in Grace.’ A fully staffed babyland and nursery are available.
CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 23 S. Gallatin Ave., Uniontown, offers Saturday Night Central, a contemporary prayer and praise service, at 6 p.m. with Nicky Fisher presenting special music and the Rev. Art Mace giving the message.
The church worships Sunday at 10:30 a.m. when Rev. Mace, senior minister, delivers the sermon “Why Don’t You Come Down?’ John DiNunno will give the children’s message. Denise Zundel will be organist. Ed Hutcheson is soloist. Adult Sunday school classes begin at 9:30 a.m. Nursery and preschool care are available during services. There is children’s church for age 3 to third grade. The Sunday service can be seen on channel 21 at 5 p.m. For more information, phone the church at 724-438-6821.
CHERRY TREE ALLIANCE CHURCH, 640 Cherry Tree Lane, Uniontown, across from Wal-Mart, worships Sunday at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. The Rev. Terry Brown will deliver the message “New Year’s Disillusions’ at both services. The praise team will lead the 8:30 a.m. service, while Patricia Miller and Ed Fearer will be the instrumentalists at the 10:45 a.m. service. Ashley Thurby will present special music at both services. There will be no Sunday evening service this week, however, the church will offer a New Year’s Eve Family and Communion Service on Wednesday. A special family-oriented Christian film, “Treasures of the Snow,’ will be shown in the sanctuary from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Snacks and fellowship from 9 to 9:45 a.m. and a year-end Communion service from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m.
CONNELLSVILLE COMMUNITY CHURCHES will host a New Year’s Eve service at Payne African Methodist Episcopal Church, 812 W. Crawford Ave., on Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. Speaker will be the Rev. Albert L. Winfrey of United Baptist Church in Connellsville. Officials said, “Celebrate the end of the old and the beginning of the new year in the glory of God.’
DUNLAP’S CREEK CHURCH, 502 Twin Hills Road, Merrittstown, also known as the Old Stone Church, welcomes Jean McBride as guest minister to Sunday’s 11 a.m. worship service.
EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 169 Main St., Vanderbilt, worships Sunday at 11 a.m. The Jennings/Almond Quartet will perform during worship. John Jennings is lay minister. The Web site is www.forministry.com/USPAPCUSAELPCE/
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST), OF REPUBLIC announces the Rev. Norman Hunt will lead worship and deliver his final message as interim minister during Sunday’s 10:55 a.m. service. The all-church volunteer choir will provide special music. A special time for children is held during the service followed by second hour held in conjunction with the service. A staffed nursery is provided. Kendall Conners is acolyte. Tom and Mary Jane Bill will greet the congregation. Friends and members of the congregation will gather in the Mariam Anthony Fellowship Hall following the service for the monthly sweet meet. For more information, phone the church office at 724-246-9387.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, located on the Towne Square at Fourth and Liberty streets, California, announces Elder Glenn McClelland will give the sermon “The Giver Who Was the Gift’ at Sunday’s 10 a.m. informal service. Nursery care is available every Sunday. Elder Florence Britton will serve as greeter. Chelsea Gump will assist as acolyte. Elder Cherie Sears will teach Sunday school. No choral anthem will be performed; however, elder and choir director Edie Skekel will perform a solo “Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabela.’ A continental breakfast will be held in fellowship hall at 9 a.m., prior to the service. The Daisytown Presbyterian Church will worship at 11:45 a.m. For more information, phone First Presbyterian at 724-938-7676.
GOOD COUNSEL FRIARY, Franciscan Friars, 493 Tyrone Road, Morgantown, offers New Year’s Eve Mass. Mass begins at 9:30 p.m., followed by a party. Registration is needed only if staying overnight. Call the Rev. Jude J. Mili at 204-594-1714.
GRACE BRETHREN CHURCH, 2 Grace Lane, off Derrick Avenue, Uniontown, announces Sunday school begins at 9:30 a.m. and worship on Sunday is at 10:30 a.m. when the Rev. Tim Sheranko will bring the message “Fear Not.’ His daughters, Michaela and Madelyn, will sing the song “King of My Heart.’ Becky Malone will perform special music. Nursery is provided. For more information, phone the office at 724-437-3401.
On New Year’s Eve, the church will show the movie “Road to Redemption.’ The Billy Graham Association said, “This is a story about foolish choices and second chances. It will tickle your funny bone and tug at your heart. Get ready for hearty laughs, cool cars and renewed relationships.’ After the movie, there will be a time of fellowship and refreshments.
GREAT BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH, 47 W. Fayette St., Uniontown, offers Sunday school for all ages at 9:45 a.m., followed by worship at 11 a.m. with Chip Norton bringing the message. Calling the church office at 724-437-6161 provides transportation and a nursery. There is no BYF Sunday, no dartball Tuesday and no meetings Wednesday. There is youth lock-in Wednesday. The office is closed Thursday.
MCCLELLANDTOWN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, Route 21, Church Hill, worships Sunday at 11 a.m. with Pastor Rebecca Drover delivering the sermon “In My Father’s House.’ Elders and deacons will be installed. On the first Sunday in 2004, worship will begin at 9:30 a.m. and church school will be from 10:45 to 11:30 a.m.
MORNING STAR BAPTIST CHURCH, Newell, worships Sunday at 10 a.m., followed by Sunday school. Sunday worship can be seen on CUTV at 4 p.m.
New Year’s Eve service is at 9 p.m., followed by a New Year’s Eve Praise Night with music by Betty Ricks and the Rev. Mitch Wall. A buffet will be served. A freewill offering will be taken. For more information, contact Angel Zueger at 724-785-8513.
NEW GENEVA BAPTIST CHURCH, Front Street, worships at 9:30 a.m. Sunday when the Rev. Robert J. Robinson delivers the message “God’s Hand of Providence.’ Carol Brooks and the Glorybound Kidz will present special music. The Lord’s Supper will be celebrated Jan. 4.
PLEASANT VIEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, located two miles west of Smock at the intersection of the Pleasant View and Royal roads, will have Sunday school classes for all ages from 9:45 to 10:40 a.m. Worship is at 11 a.m. Sunday when student associate Helen Kester will preach “Who Is This God and What Does God Want From Me?’ Kester, an ordained deacon, is a member of the Vandergrift Presbyterian Church. She is a full-time teacher in the New Kensington Public Schools and a part-time student under the Redstone Presbytery in the master’s of divinity program at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Soprano soloist Irene Williams will provide special music. Keyboard accompanist will be Carole Rittenhouse. Acolytes will be Haleigh and Hannah Zosky. A supervised nursery for kindergarten and preschool children is provided after Small Talk through the conclusion of worship.
ROSCOE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 300 Main St., announces the annual informal After Christmas Worship Service will be held Sunday, beginning with a continental breakfast, hosted at 10:30 a.m. by the church Session in fellowship hall. Worshippers will move into the sanctuary at 11 a.m. for a time of singing Christmas carols, lighting of the Advent Candle Wreath one last time, receiving a new member into the congregation and hearing a Christmas story by the Rev. Dr. John Rankin. Amanda Combs and Justin Marshall will lead the Advent Candle Wreath Service. “Her Name was Susie’ is the title of the Christmas story by the pastor.
Following the service, worshippers are invited to return to fellowship hall for a time of fellowship over another cup of coffee. There will be no Sunday school classes this Sunday. Classes will resume Jan. 4. The first Sunday worship of the new year at 11 a.m. will include the celebration of Holy Communion.
ST. GEORGE MARONITE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 6 Lebanon Terrace, Uniontown, announces on New Year’s Eve that there is a Liturgy at 5 p.m., and on New Year’s Day there is Liturgy only at 10:30 a.m. The Rev. Joseph R. David is pastor. For more information, phone 724-437-5589.
ST. HUBERT ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, 9 Sadler St., Point Marion, which recently had its church building destroyed by fire, will continue to offer weekday Masses at 9 a.m. in the CCD Center, which is situated behind the church. Weekend Masses will continue to be held at the Lions Skating Center on Railroad Street until further notice. They will take place Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 8 and 11 a.m. This weekend the church observes the Feast of the Holy Family. The Rev. Joseph Sredzinski, pastor of the 108 families who make up the parish, will continue his weekly radio program, “That You May Believe,’ over WMBS 590 at 6:05 p.m. Sundays. Religious instruction for students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade will resume on Sunday, Jan. 11 at 9:30 a.m. in the CCD Center.
Rev. Sredzinski said, “To all who pray for us, a sincere thank you and to all who join us a heartfelt Blessed Christmas and Happy 2004.’
ST. PAUL’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 71 N. Gallatin Ave., Uniontown, announces the church will observe the first Sunday after Christmas, The Holy Innocents, Martyrs,’ at 10:45 a.m. worship with the distribution of Holy Communion. The Rev. Paul N. Frank Jr. will deliver the sermon “Help to Face the Future.’ Sunday school classes begin at 9:30 a.m. For more information call 724-437-9000 or e-mail at begin splcu@dp.net splcu@dp.net end
or visit the Web site at www.stpaulselcauniontown.org.
ST. PETER’S CHURCH, a parish of the Anglican Communion, 60 Morgantown St., Uniontown, will observe the fifth Sunday of Advent with Holy Eucharist at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services. Chalice bearer and lector will be David Hoover. At 10:30 a.m., the Festival of Lessons and Carols will be performed. Kayla Warren is crucifer. The Rev. Thomas R. Finnie is the rector. For further information, phone 724-438-7731.
ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, EVANGELICAL LUTH-ERAN CHURCH OF AMERICA, 121 Walnut Hill Road, Uniontown, will observe the day of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs, at its Service of Lessons and Carols on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion will be celebrated. Kids’ Time with God, a program for children ages three through eight, will be held in Noah’s Room during worship. Fellowship time will follow worship. Sunday school classes will not be held this week but will resume Jan. 4. The Rev. Bernard Carl is pastor. For more information, phone 724-439-5884 or 724-439-4730 or e-mail the pastor at PastorCarol9@ aol.com.
TENT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, Route 119, south of Uniontown, worships Sunday at 9:30 a.m. when lay minister Harry Wilson delivers the sermon “Losing Jesus in Jerusalem.’ Aaron Long is acolyte. Birthday celebrant is Aaron Long. Refreshments after services are in Friendship Court.
THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 425 Union St., (at Craig Meadows) Uniontown, on Sunday offers contemporary worship service at 8:30 a.m. and traditional worship service at 11 a.m. Chapel Bells meets Monday at 6:15 p.m. Bowling league meets Monday at 6:30 p.m. Boy Scouts meeting is Monday at 7 p.m. Blood drive is Tuesday at 11 a.m. For more information, phone the office at 724-438-2529.
TRINITY UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, corner of Morgantown and West Fayette streets, Uniontown, worships Sunday at 11 a.m. Bonnie Hartley will be guest speaker with Elder Retta Semans assisting with the liturgy. Hartley is an authorized lay preacher with the presbytery of Redstone and an elder at McClellandtown Presbyterian Church. Todd Alexander is guest organist. Paul Hartsek, bass soloist, will provide special music. A nursery is provided during worship for children 5 and under. The service is broadcast live over radio station WMBS, beginning 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
.
WEST LEISENRING UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 329 Third St., will have Sunday school at 10 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m. with lay minister Harry Wilson having the sermon.
WHARTON FURNACE UNION CHURCH, located on Wharton Furnace Road, Farmington will have a Christmas musical program along with “The Three Wise Women’ on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. It will close with a candle lighting service. The Rev. Michael Musser is pastor.
Future
ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, 50 Jefferson St., Uniontown, announces the Queen of Peace Prayer Group will meet Tuesday, Jan. 6, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The program includes prayer, song, reflections and information. For information, phone Dennis Brestensky at 724-438-7294 or the Rev. William Kiel at 724-437-7569.
TOURS PLANNED: A religious tour of France is scheduled for April 12-21 with several days at Lourdes, the site of the miraculous grotto where the Blessed Mother appeared to St. Bernadette. Participants will be able to go to the baths, take part in the candlelight procession and share in the Masses and devotions. The group will also visit Paris, Lisieux and Nevers. For a detailed packet on the tour you are interested in, call 800-242-0728 or fax a request to 724-543-2938. E-mail your mailing address to begin padre16201@yahoo.com padre16201@yahoo.com end
or write St. Mary Church, 101 W. High St., Kittanning, Pa. 16201.
UNIONTOWN FREE METHO-DIST CHURCH, 300 Evans St., located at the corner of Euclid Avenue and Evans Street one block from the B.J. Mundel furniture store on Uniontown’s East End, in partnership with Sonlight Missions, is sponsoring a mission trip to San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico Jan. 17-31. They plan to construct a parsonage/church and minister in various ways in an orphanage and throughout the community through Vacation Bible School, evangelism, teaching, etc. The cost is $500 per person and includes all transportation, housing and food expenses. For more information on participating or supporting this event, call the Rev. James B. Jobes, senior pastor, at 724-438-3438. Sonlight Missions is holding a mission rally at Abundant Life Church, 1239 Brownfield Road, Uniontown. There will be a celebration of the 2003 missions tour and a presentation of some details for the 2004 tour. For more information, phone Norm Berkshire at 724-569-4479.