Masontown news
Mother’s Day concert This evening at 7, the Masontown United Methodist Church (Main and Cross streets) will host an evening of gospel music. “Gospel Sounds Duet,” a husband and wife team from Altoona will be singing. Steve and Apryl Caldwell are committed to spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.
In fact, their number one purpose is to present quality ministry in music so that others’ lives can be changed through the presence of Christ.
Their music style consists of traditional, Southern gospel, country gospel, adult contemporary, and praise and worship music. They use sound tracks via cassettes, midi disk, CD and keyboard. It has been said that they have a perfect blend of harmony, their voices truly compliment each other, and that their faces and voices show the love of God.
Steve and Apryl have traveled extensively in the Eastern United States, ministering in churches, conventions, nursing homes, Salvation Armies, missions, rehabs, prisons, malls and revivals. This singing duet has also preformed on radio and television.
They have four completed music projects with a fifth “album” due out this year.
The concert is free and open to the public, though there will be a freewill offering taken to show Steve and Apryl our appreciation and to assist their ministry. We hope that you will attend and invite friends or family to join you. The church phone number is 724-583-9207.
Klondike Clergy Association
The Klondike Clergy Association is a loosely knit group of churches working together in the Masontown-McClellandtown communities. The clergy meet monthly to discuss issues of common concern, plan cooperative ministries and support each other in fellowship and prayer.
When a pastor is unable to attend, a layperson (non-ordained member of the church) may represent the pastor.
In the past several months, the Klondike Clergy have been quite active. During the Christian season of Lent the churches came together on Good Friday for a common service at the Masontown Brethren Church, remembering and celebrating the great sacrifice of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, for the salvation of the world.
To address the needs of people down-on-their-luck in the community, all of the churches are encouraged to financially support the Helping Hands Ministry of Masontown. In addition, a $200 donation from the Klondike Clergy fund was donated to Helping Hands, as was the Easter-Sunrise offering of $304.
When people go to the local churches asking for help, the pastors offer spiritual guidance but then refer people to Helping Hands for any financial aid needed. That way, duplication of effort and manipulation of the “system” is avoided.
At a recent meeting, a donation was also given to the Evangelistic Outreach Ministry, which was sending a mission team to Mexico. These individuals were paying their own way to carry the Gospel to a people in need. The Klondike Clergy was glad to assist.
On June 8, the Klondike Clergy Association is sponsoring a CROP WALK, which is an effort among the churches to raise money and awareness about the local and global problem of hunger.
Twenty-five percent of the money raised stays in the Masontown and McClellandtown communities for local hunger-relief efforts. All of the local churches are invited and encouraged to participate. Last year the group raised $6,200, returning $1,550 to the community.
For details on the CROP WALK, call 724-583-9207.
The Klondike Clergy (in cooperation with clergy groups from Point Marion, Smithfield and Fairchance) are also planning a Baccalaureate service for graduating seniors from the Albert Gallatin High School. The service of recognition and celebration is planned for Tuesday, May 27, at 7 p.m. at the Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Smithfield.
A contemporary praise band is scheduled to lead the worship service, and efforts are being made to make this a memorable service for the graduating seniors. (The church phone number is 724-569-4890).
In a day and age when many people wonder, “Why can’t the churches get along?” the Klondike Clergy Association of Masontown and McClellandtown have discovered that unity in Jesus Christ is better than denominational flag-waving. Pastors or churches needing more information about the meeting times and places of the group may call Rev. Bob Lewis, president of the organization, at 724-583-9207.
AG Senior High
The Senior Prom for Albert Gallatin High School will be held on Friday, May 16, aboard the Gateway Clipper “Majestic.” Something new for this year will include a $1 charge for friends and relatives to attend the Grand March, which is held at the high school on prom night.
Graduation is scheduled for June 4.
Spaghetti dinner
Valley Lodge 459 will hold a spaghetti dinner on Saturday, June 7, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Masontown Volunteer Fire Company Social Hall. Public is invited.
Eat-in or carry-out dinners will be available for $5 for adults and $3 for children under 10.
American Legion Auxiliary
The Masontown American Legion Auxiliary will hold a covered-dish dinner on May 14 at the post home on Route 21. Members will be honoring the winners of the “Americanism Essay Contest” and the eighth-grade medal of honor winners.
Pictures of the students will be taken at 6 p.m. and the dinner will follow.
For more information, call auxiliary president Mary Hutzel at 724-737-5187.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Katy Brunsak of Masontown. Katy recently became a member of the National Honor Society at the Albert Gallatin Senior High School. She is the daughter of Sandy and Tony Brunsak and will celebrate her 16th birthday on May 24.
Spring clean-up
Masontown Borough is announcing Spring clean-up will be observed from May 13 through May 23. The borough will pick up one load per family.
Items such as tree branches and cuttings should not be longer that 4 feet and must be bundled and stacked properly.
The following materials will not be picked up: concrete blocks or building materials, furniture or appliances.
Anyone in the borough interested in having items removed must call the borough office from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Birthday greetings
Sophie Vrabel celebrated her birthday on May 10. Calvin Samples was a birthday celebrant on May 8 and Tom and Debbie Balsega celebrated their wedding anniversary on May 9.
Keith Chapley, Jr. will celebrate his birthday Monday and Mary Catherine Keener will be celebrating on Wednesday.
Southern Gospel Singers
The Fair View Church of the Brethren will sponsor “The Grahams”on Saturday, May 24, at 7 p.m.
Jim, Debbie and Airen Graham are from Kittanning and have been singing Southern Gospel music in area churches for many years.
The concert is open to the public and is free of charge but a freewill offering will be accepted.