Church briefs
Today through New Year’s Day ABUNDANT LIFE CHURCH, located at South Union Fire Hall near the corner of Lebanon Avenue and South Mount Vernon Avenue, Uniontown, worships Sunday at 10:45 a.m. with refreshments served at 10:25 a.m. Pastor Nicholas J. Cook will deliver the sermon “You Are Special.’
ALLISON CHRISTIAN CHURCH worships Sunday at 9 a.m. with the outreach ministries asking members to bring in Friskies cat food cans, mixed grill or turkey and giblets for the wild animal orphanage supervised by Bill Shepherd. The official board will meet Tuesday at 7 p.m.
ASBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, corner of Beeson Avenue and Dunbar Street in Uniontown, will celebrate the baptism of the Lord Sunday at 9 and 11 a.m. worship services with a congregational reaffirmation of the baptismal covenant and the Rev. James Fogg’s message “The Unrecognized Presence.’ The 9 a.m. service will include hymns and praise choruses led by Rev. Fogg, accompanied by Jim Hutchinson, while the 11 a.m. service will include special music by the Asbury Chancel Choir, directed by Bill Dreucci and organist Jim Hutchinson. The Asbury United Methodist Youth Fellowship will meet at the church from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday for youths in grades six to 12.
Terrific Thursday Plus continues Jan. 16 at 5 p.m. with an introductory Bible study with Rev. Fogg for adults and the Bible Zone lesson and craft and choir for children. Dinner will be served to all. The program concludes at 7 p.m.
BROWNSVILLE AREA MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION is sponsoring a community prayer service on Sunday, Jan. 19, at 7 p.m. to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at Christ Episcopal Church, 319 Church St., Brownsville. The Christian Service Award will be presented to a member of the Brownsville area who has made outstanding contributions to the development and betterment of the community and police officers from Brownsville and West Brownsville Boroughs, Brownsville, Luzerne and Redstone Townships will be recognized and honored at this gathering. A time of fellowship and refreshments will follow in the Christ Church Parish House, 310 Church St., after the service. For further information or directions to Christ Church, call 724-785-7958.
BROWNSVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHARGE announces will observe Holy Communion at worship services Sunday at West Bend at 8:30 a.m., South Brownsville at 10 a.m. and Brownsville First at 11 a.m. The Rev. Paul E. Wilson Sr. will speak on “Change in All Around We See.’ On Tuesday, administrative council meets at West Bend at 7 p.m., On Wednesday, Small Groups resume at South Church at 10:30 a.m. All women of the charge are invited to attend. On Thursday, trustees meet at South Church at 6:30 p.m. and the administrative council meets at South Church at 7 p.m. Next Sunday is Community Prayer for Christian Unity Service at Christ Episcopal Church on Church Street in Brownsville at 7 p.m. For more information about any of the Brownsville charge churches, phone the charge office at 724-785-8704.
CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF UNIONTOWN, 23 S. Gallatin Ave., will offer Saturday Night Central Service, which is a contemporary prayer and praise style worship service that is open to the public. The service begins at 6 p.m. with the Rev. Art Mace and special music by Clayton Van Verth. Singers for the evening will be Aquila Hilling, Darlene Landi, Megan Mace and Ashley Neil.
On Sunday, there is a New Testament study class, led by Rev. Mace, interim minister, at 9 a.m.
Rev. Mace will deliver the sermon “the Reason for Giving,’ at 10:30 a.m. worship. John DiNunno will present the children’s sermon. 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 10:45 a.m. The praise team will lead the 8:30 a.m. service while Patricia Miller and Ed Fearer will be instrumentalists at the 10:45 a.m. service. The Rev. Jack Herman will present “The Cross of Christ: The Power and Wisdom of God,’ the first and keynote message in a six-week series. At 6 p.m., the Kids on a Mission program is available to children while teen-agers participate in their own contemporary Power Jam service in fellowship hall. Adults will meet in the sanctuary while Rev. Herman continues the series in Daniel “Understanding the Purpose of God and the Power of Prayer’ with the message “Shining Like the Stars.’
CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 319 Church St., Brownsville, announces on Sunday there will be adult study at 9:15 a.m. with week two of the series entitled “Reality, Does My Life Have Meaning?’ KIDSCHURCH is at 10:25 a.m. Corporate worship and Holy Eucharist is at 10:30 a.m. in the church. The Eucharistic minister will be Janice Litton. Lay reader is Larry Sabatula. Acolytes are Joe Gorecki, Amelia Vachino and Terry Carnathan. Greeters will be Lewis and Wilma Crumrine. Fellowship hour will follow the service in the parish house. Praise and prayer is Tuesday at 7 p.m. Pastor’s Bible study and Holy Eucharist is Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. Putting Christ in First Place will be Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the rectory parlor. The Vestry Retreat will be held at the Jumonville Inn Jan. 17-18. The community prayer service marking the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19. The Christian Service Award will be presented at this service and police officers from Brownsville and West Brownsville Boroughs, and Brownsville, Luzerne and Redstone Townships will be recognized and honored. The Rev. Stanley A. Burdock is pastor. For further information or directions, call the church at 724-785-7958.
CHRIST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, Uniontown, announces the Leland Class on Sunday is broadcast on WMBS Radio at 10:10 a.m. Worship this Baptism of the Lord Sunday will be in the Leland Class downstairs. The Rev. Kenneth E. Jones will deliver a message “Satan, Get Behind.’ The congregation will be invited to make a burnt offering at the conclusion of the service. The senior choir will sing, directed by Carol Atwood, organist-choir director.
On Monday, Christ Church will sponsor the DISCIPLE Bible study at the Fayette County Jail Annex at 6 p.m. Kids’ Morning Out will convene in the church nursery Wednesday and Friday at 9:30 a.m. Partners in Prayer ministry meets Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. Choir rehearsal is Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Leland Class.
CLARKSVILLE AND MILLSBORO CHURCHES welcomes guest Pat Cook to lead worship at 9 a.m. at the Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church, Market Street, Clarksville and at 10:30 a.m. at the Millsboro Presbyterian Church, Mill Street.
DUNLAP’S CREEK CHURCH, 502 Twin Hills Road, Merrittstown, also known as the Old Stone Church, welcomes Elmer Bassler as guest minister to Sunday’s 11 a.m. worship service.
“EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN: LIFE THROUGH AND BEYOND MENOPAUSE’ is the name of a video which will be presented at Uniontown Church of Christ, located on Route 40 between Hopwood and Uniontown, on Saturday, Jan. 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. The American Association of Christian Counselors produces the video.
FAIRDALE FREE METHODIST CHURCH, 208 Nemacolin Road, Carmichaels, announces Sunday’s 10:45 a.m. worship service will be opened by the worship team. A special number in music will be sung by one of the soloists. Sunday’s sermon is “The Only Thing That Counts.’ A new nursery is available. Free transportation is also available by calling 724-966-5184. Counseling is available everyday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church house with the pastor. A special gospel concert will be presented Sunday at 6 p.m. by Tammy Gordon.
FAITH ASSEMBLY OF GOD, 690 Morgantown Road, Uniontown, , worships Sunday at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. when the Rev. Donald J. Immel, senior pastor, preaches the sermon “Titus 2 – Order Among Believers.’ At 6 p.m., the following adult elective classes are available: “Experiencing God,’ with Rev. Immel in the sanctuary; “Parents of Teen-agers,’ with the Rev. Jason Lamer in fellowship hall; “Biblical Financial Study’ with Sid Clevenger in Room 5; and “Excellence in Evangelism’ with Brian Seman in Room 3. A well-staffed nursery is available during all services. Transportation is available by calling the Rev. Jason Lamer at 724-437-8101.
FAITH FELLOWSHIP CHURCH, Oliver Road, Uniontown, announces Saturday is Gospel Music Night with music by Larry Walker and The Cordells. The Rev. Gerald Capan will deliver the message “Can People Really Change?’ at Sunday’s 11 a.m. worship service. The monthly business meeting is Wednesday at noon. Children’s Church and puppet ministry is Thursday at 6 p.m. For more information, phone the church at 724-439-2450 or e-mail the Rev. Gerald Capan at GAC@LCSYS.NET or the Web site: FORMINISTRY.COM/15401FFC.
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST), OF REPUBLIC, announces the Rev. Thomas Logston will lead worship during the 10:55 a.m. worship service. Cara DelSignore is acolyte and Bill Jeffries will greet the congregation. A nursery and second hour are held in conjunction with the service, directed by Rita Ballone. The chancel choir will sing. The Elders Ministry will meet following the service. The Rev. Norman Hunt will begin his interim ministry on Sunday, Feb. 9.
The C.W.F. Naomi Circle meets Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and the dartball team plays Pleasant View at Republic. The monthly general board meeting will be held Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The Senior Fellowship Ministry meets Thursday at 11 a.m., followed by chance choir practice at 7. The Food Bank Ministry will open at 9 a.m. Friday in the Miriam Anthony Fellowship Hall. For more information, phone the church at 724-246-9387.
FORT BURD UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BROWNSVILLE, located next to Brownsville General Hospital, worships Sunday at 11 a.m. when Sabrina and Sidney French will receive the sacrament of baptism. They are presented by their grandmother, Lois Turner. Julia Turner will represent the Session. There is staffed nursery for preschool-aged children, sponsored by the deacons. The deacons will meet following worship. There is no choir practice Sunday. For more information, phone the church at 724-785-3080.
GIG COFFEE HOUSE, Route 857, south towards Fairchance in the Old Wynn Bargain Store, welcomes Joyful Noise in concert today from 8 to 10 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is free. This is part of Good Works, the Life recovery center. Snack counter is open. For more information, phone 724-564-1516.
GRACE BRETHREN CHURCH, 2 Grace Lane, off Derrick Avenue, Uniontown, announces the Rev. Nick Philiposian will bring the message “From Temptation to Triumph’ at Sunday’s 10:30 a.m. worship service. Brother Cliff Jenkins will be Scripture reader. Charlene Philiposian will provide special music. Brothers Pete Malik and Travis Deans will be guest speakers during the 7 p.m. service. They will share their work with Penn Highlands Teens For Christ. 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. the Rev. Mike Hall bringing the message. Calling the church office at 724-437-6161 provides transportation and a nursery.
On Monday, cabinet meeting is at 6:45 p.m. and all church boards meet at the church at 7:30 p.m. On Tuesday, Bethel Plus meets at noon. Dartball meets at 7:30 p.m. with Great Bethel at Calvary. Wednesday, there is no Bible study but 5:30 p.m. is family supper, 6:30 p.m. is business meeting and music, and 7:30 p.m. is choir. On Saturday, Jan. 18, diaconate board will hold a retreat at the church from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
GREATER WORKS OUTREACH, Monroeville, welcomes Chris DuPre and S.J. Hill of the International House of Prayer in Kansas City on Jan. 12-14 at 7 p.m. Child care is provided. Love offering will be received. For more information, phone 724-327-6500.
GROUP FOR DIVORCED/SEPARATED WOMEN IN UNIONTOWN AREA: Divorced/separated women in the Uniontown area are invited to participate in a peer support group. “Along the Way’ is an informal small group experience designed to assist women who are experiencing the difficulties and adjustments associated with divorce and separation, and to help them deal with the effect that it has on both them and their children. The group will meet every other Tuesday evening beginning Jan. 14 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Church Social Hall, Old Walnut Hill Road, Uniontown. Michelle Ashbaugh, MSW, LSW, therapist with Catholic Charities of Greensburg will facilitate the group. There is no charge for the sessions but a brief pre-screening interview is required. To schedule an interview, contact Molli Vassar at 724-439-3142.
HOPEWELL UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 400 Hopewell Road, Brownsville, will have choir practice at 8:45 a.m. Sunday. Worship is at 9:30 a.m., emphasizing Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The Rev. Gail E. Mason’s sermon is “Robed in Splendor.’ As required by church law, advance notice is given regarding the annual congregational meeting to be held on Sunday, Jan. 19, at 10:30 a.m. for hearing and approving various reports. Janet Adamovich is 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.
McCLELLANDTOWN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, Route 21, Church Hill, announces Rebecca Drover will be guest speaker at Sunday’s worship service. She is a commissioned lay pastor and has served two churches in Redstone Presbytery as interim pastor. An active member and officer of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greensburg, she has been employed for the last 16 years for the Department of Welfare and is currently a caseworker supervisor. Prior to that, she was a Spanish teacher in State College and at a school for the blind in Philadelphia. She twice served as interpreter with Presbyterian mission teams in Mexico. She will deliver the sermon “Paul’s Mailbox.’ The time for Sunday services has changed to church school at 10 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m.
MORNING STAR BAPTIST CHURCH, Newell, announces the coffeehouse will be open at 7:30 p.m. Saturday with the country gospel band Steel Witness. On Sunday, worship is at 10 a.m. Wednesday youth fellowship is at 6 p.m. and Bible study/prayer meeting is at 7 p.m. For more information, contact the Rev. Mitch Wall at 724-938-2712.
MOUNT ST. MACRINA RETREAT CENTER, Route 40, Uniontown, announces registration is due Jan. 17 for the overnight retreat called “Wrapped in Silence,’ which takes place Jan. 25-26. This is a silent overnight retreat focusing on a theme from Scripture. For more information, phone 724-438-7149.
NEW GENEVA BAPTIST CHURCH, Front Street, announces Beth Provance and Carol Brooks will present special music for Sunday’s 9:30 a.m. worship service. The Rev. Robert J. Robinson will deliver the message “Guine Christians.’ Children’s practice is Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. for soloists only.
PLEASANT VIEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, located two miles west of Smock at the intersection of the Pleasant View and Royal roads, announces there will be an adult new members seminar held Sunday from 10 to 10:40 a.m. on the second floor of the Christian Education Wing. This is a conversational opportunity to find out more about Pleasant View, what the congregation offers, and what new members can offer in shared ministry.
The congregation worships Sunday at 11 a.m. when the Rev. Keith Conover preaches “A Single Encounter.’ Greeters for January will be Amanda, Judy and Molly McClure. Acolytes will be Tyler Show and Tom Sparrow. Sandra Leichliter will serve as organist. An adult-supervised nursery is provided for preschool children during worship.
POINT MARION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 502 Morgantown St., is hosting a revival Friday, Jan. 17, and Saturday, Jan. 18, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 19, at 10:45 a.m., a special time, with Evangelist Dick Dillon. There will be an altar call with an oil anointing healing service. The Rev. James D. Lewis Sr. is pastor.
ROSCOE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 300 Main St., announces “Christmas is Forever’ is the sermon for Sunday’s 11 a.m. worship service, which will be delivered by Elder Richard Kara of First Presbyterian Church in California. Kara will also lead the service. Kara, a resident of Brownsville, is a supervisor of the Washington County District Attorney’s Drug and Narcotic Task Force and a retired Pennsylvania State Trooper. He is also a member of the chancel choir of his home church. The chancel choir of Roscoe Church will sing, directed by Mary Catherine Schmidt. Betty Ermlick is organist. Weekly choir practice will immediately follow the service in the sanctuary. The loose offering will go for support of the missions of the deacons. On Saturday, Jan. 18, the Washington Presbytery will meet at the Church of the Covenant, Beau Street, Washington, convening at 9 a.m. Elders Linda Mudry and Penny Stanick will represent the Roscoe Church at the meeting. Year-end reports are due into the church office for the congregational meeting on Feb. 9.
ST. GEORGE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN CARMICHAELS will celebrate the end of the Year 2002 and the arrival of New Year 2003 with a service of Thanksgiving at 7 p.m. on Monday. The Rev. Rodney Torbic is pastor.
ST. PAUL’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 71 N. Gallatin Ave., Uniontown, will celebrate the baptism of the Lord at Sunday’s 10:45 a.m. worship service with the Rev. Paul N. Frank Jr. delivering the sermon “Abba.’ 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 David Hoover, Thomas Waggoner and April Kerin. The crucifer and acolytes are Paul Taylor, Lindsey Rose and Darren Webster. Adult and youth education will beheld at 9:15 a.m. The altar guild members for January are Carole King, Jane Kenton and Sharon Wandell. 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 baptism of the Lord on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. worship. Holy Communion will be celebrated. Kid’s Time with God, a program for children ages 3 through 8, will be held in Noah’s Room. Fellowship time will follow worship. The youth club will meet for lunch after the service. The Rev. Bernard W. Carl is pastor. For more information, phone 724-439-5884 or e-mail the pastor at PastorCarl9@aol.com.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL STORE IN UNIONTOWN, located at 90 N. Mount Vernon Ave., will be a collection point for used Christmas cards, which are recycled into new cards and sold with the proceeds benefiting abused and neglected children at the St. Jude Ranch of Children. St. Vincent de Paul has partnered with Fed Ex to ship the items to the ranch. If people are interested in donating, they should include only the front of the card without any written notes on the reverse. Cards can be dropped off at St. Vincent De Paul Store from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday until Jan. 25.
TENT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, Route 119, south of Uniontown, announces lay pastor Harry Wilson brings the message “Jesus’ Baptism and Ours’ at Sunday worship. Award Sunday: Robert Brownfield with three-year perfect attendance; Eric Long and Aaron Long with one-year perfect attendance; Ethel Loretta Brownfield with six-month perfect attendance. Melissa Bittinger receives a Bible as she enters the fifth grade. Congregational and Session meetings will be held Jan. 19 at 9 a.m. Election of new session officers. Birthday celebrants are Hayley Roycroft, Matthew Roycroft, Robert Shanaberger, Lois Tantlinger and Devon Michael Cummings.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. Bishop Leonard Tucker of New Beginnings Church of Uniontown will preach. 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 sacrament of baptism will be administered to Mason Dylan Radolec, son of Melanie and Barry Radolec. The Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Kisner, interim minister, will give the sermon “I Have Been Baptized.’ Special music will be presented by guests Michael Landrum, piano, and vocalists Jocelyn Reynolds, Carly Gustafson and Chad Rushforth from Rochester, N.Y. A coffee fellowship will be hosted in the chapel by the music and worship committee after worship. A nursery is provided for children age 5 and younger during worship. 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.
UNIONTOWN CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN, 20 Robinson St., worships Sunday at 10:30 a.m. when the Rev. Dr. Neil Hoppe gives the message “All Sufficient Grace.’ Seth McElroy will be the children’s storyteller. Special music will be provided by the chancel choir. The church is open at 8:30 a.m. for prayer and praise. Valet parking and personal ear monitors are offered. Bible study is Wednesday at 10 a.m. For more information, phone the office at 724-438-8372.
UNIONTOWN CHURCH OF CHRIST, 70 Roosevelt Drive, announces the ladies prayer and share meets Saturday at 9:30 a.m. The congregation will meet Sunday for worship at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Bible study is Wednesday at 7 p.m.
For more information, phone 724-439-4747.
Future
TOURS PLANNED: A tour to France, including Paris and Lisieux, is scheduled for the Lenten season, March 10-17. An extensive tour of France will be held April 21-May 2. Space is limited for all trips. For a detailed packet on the tour you are interested in, call 800-242-0728 or fax a request to 724-543-2938.