MERCER COUNTY AREA —
Bethany Presbyterian Church, 100 W. Venango St., Mercer
• 9 a.m. to noon Monday through June 18; for ages 3 through 6th grade.
Theme: “High Seas Expedition: Exploring the Mighty Love of God.” Register at the Welcome Center any time. Info: Church office, 724-662-4340.
Chestnut Ridge Church of God, 7215 Chestnut Ridge Road, Hubbard
• 6 to 9 p.m. Monday through June 18.
Theme: “SonQuest Rainforest.” Planned activities include crafts, team-building games, songs, snacks. Everything is hands-on and kids might get a little messy, so be sure to send them in play clothes and safe shoes.) Everyone who registers by 4 p.m. Thursday and has perfect attendance will receive a free t-shirt. Call 330-534-0084.
Clarks Mills United Methodist Church, 3813 Hadley Road
• 9 a.m. to noon, June 21 through 25 for ages 3 through grade 12. Theme: “High Seas Expedition: Exploring the Mighty Love of God.” Planned activities include crafts, games, snacks, Bible stories and music.
Info: 724-253-2424.
Coolspring Presbyterian Church, 787 Coolspring Church Road, Fairview Township
• 6 to 8:30 p.m. June 21 through 25 for preschoolers through the completion of sixth grade. Theme: “Egypt — Joseph’s Journey from Prison to Palace.” Planned activities include songs, snacks,, Bible stories and crafts. Preregistration, directions or info: 724-475-3712 or coolspringpc@windstream.net
East Side Church, 201 Spruce Ave., Sharon
• 6 to 8 p.m. June 21 through 25 for ages 4 through 13. Theme: “Hero Headquarters.” Planned activities include crafts, snacks, games and music. Closing program will be at 10:30 a.m. June 27, with a luncheon to follow.
Info: 724-981-4223.
First United Methodist Church, 73 Clinton St., Greenville
• 6 to 8 p.m. June 21 through 25 for ages 4 through the sixth grade.
Theme: “Galactic Blast — A Cosmic Adventure Praising God!”
First United Methodist Church, 237 W. Silver St., Sharon.
• 5:15 to 8 p.m. Monday through June 18.
Theme: “Egypt — Joseph’s Journey from Prison to Palace.” Planned activities include Bible stories, crafts and music. Dinner opens the nightly sessions.
Registration: 724-983-0200.
Fredonia Presbyterian Church, 110 Water St.
• 9:30 a.m. to noon Monday through June 18. Theme: “Construction Zone.”
Hickory United Methodist Church, 240 N. Hermitage Road, Hermitage
• 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. June 21 through 25 for ages 3 through sixth grade. Closing program from 12:15 to 1 p.m. June 25. Theme: “Hero Headquarters.” Planned activities include games, snacks, crafts, service projects, singing, adult class and mission projects
Info or to register: 724-981-9450.
Lebanon Presbyterian Church, 2090 Mercer-West Middlesex Road (Route 318)
• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through June 18.
New Beginnings Christian Church, 73 Hamburg Road, Greenville
• 6 to 9 p.m. July 12 through 16 for ages 3 (potty trained) through sixth grade.
Theme: “Spend Awhile on the Nile.” Planned activities include games, prizes, songs, crafts, Bible stories and snacks.
Info: 724-588-1276.
New Lebanon Community Church, 4166 Mercer St. (Route 173)
• 6 to 8:15 p.m. Monday through June 18 for ages 3 through 12. Theme: “Sonquest Rainforest.” Planned activities include snacks, games and crafts. Info: 724-376-3708.
Sharon Alliance Church, 53 S. Oakland Ave.
• 6 to 8:30 p.m. June 27 through July 1 for ages 4 through completion of 6th grade. Theme: “The Egypt File–Decoding the Mystery of LIFE.” Planned activities include Bible lessons, music, crafts, games, and snacks. Closing program will be at 6 p.m. July 2. Registration: www.answersvbs.com/vbs/sharonalliance
Wheatland-Farrell United Methodist Church, 75 Mercer Ave., Wheatland
• 5:15 to 8 p.m. Monday through June 18 for ages 3 through completion of sixth grade. Theme: “Galactic Blast — A Cosmic Adventure Praising God!” Planned activities include Bible stories, science, music, art projects, games and a light meal. Info: 724-347-7532.
Religion
Vacation Bible Schools
- Religion
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Are we terminal generation? Signs suggest so; are you ready?
America is being threatened on all fronts. But is anyone even paying attention? Our very way of life as we know it is at stake. As Jesus revealed the future of the world to His disciples and the future church in Matthew 24, the disciples asked Jesus three critical questions concerning the future.
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To cure our ills, we should reflect unity in our community
I write this on that special and official day that we honor the remarkable ministry and work of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. And by the time you read this, I will have had the privilege of addressing those gathered in West Middlesex for the Christian Unity Service, sponsored by the Christian Associates of the Shenango Valley.
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Christmas lights gone, but would you be a light in dark times?
“Wow! Look at all the beautiful lights” was something we heard in our car driving through downtown Sharon and the surrounding communities during Christmas. For my family, John 1:4-5 says it: “The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light to mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out.”
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Blessing of Water outdoors 1st time
Area Orthodox churches will gather on the banks of the Shenango River in downtown Sharon to perform the Blessing of Water at 1 p.m. Sunday.
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Blessings from God come with obedience to Him
I can't imagine how frustrated God must become when He watches us strut around like a Bantam rooster as we allow our pride to get the best of us.
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A plea like that of David: God, this year please change my life
Whenever we enter into the psalms, it feels like we are entering holy ground. We are entering a person’s inner sanctum. But, to enter the inner sanctum of a person confessing his sin to God is a place we are never allowed. The exception to the rule is Psalm 51.
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Words can be cheap, but the right words have the power to save
My attendance at a recent Veterans’ Day program placed me within earshot of some words that characterized not only that gathering, but also provided some rich food for thought. Referring to veterans past and present, a speaker said, “We will never forget your sacrifice for us.”
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Grinch had it right: Christmas doesn’t come from a store
December marks the beginning of winter which, to the joy of many children (and child-like adults), means the beginning of the snow season. And speaking of children, December is when we celebrate the saint of children – Saint Nicholas, known more commonly in the West as Father Christmas, Santa Claus. And if we spend this cold winter month in the quiet embrace of our families, then we end it with a bang.
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Giving thanks is oft times overlooked on Thanksgiving
One has to admit that Thanksgiving has grown into quite an important and beautiful holiday since back in 1863 when President Lincoln first proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving. However, I believe that in too many homes the one thing that is missing from the Thanksgiving table is prayer and moments of discussion of the various blessings of life which enabled us to reach this day.
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The good and bad about the Wall Street protesters
They may have left the front page, at least most days, at least for now. But they most certainly have not left Zuccotti Park in Manhattan’s financial district. It seems that the Occupy Wall Street protesters, who’ve inspired similar acts of civil disobedience around the country and overseas, advocate some sort of direct government intervention, to “level” the economic playing field.
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Are we terminal generation? Signs suggest so; are you ready?
