Pilgramages travelogue at Beloved Disciple
GROVE CITY — Church of the Beloved Disciple will present “Travelogue on the History of Religious Pilgrimages & Pope John Paul II’s Call to the Youth of the World to Pilgrimage” from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday. The church is at 1310 Pine St. Ext.
Youth of the parish going to World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain, in August 2011, will be presenters. Spanish refreshments will be served.
Info: Marialyce Garvis, 814-786-9356.
West Side Baptist sets evening service
SHARPSVILLE — West Side Baptist Church, 17 Main St., will host a worship and song service at 6 p.m. Sunday.
Second Baptist to host Pastor Leon Avery
SHARPSVILLE — Pastor Leon Avery of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Sharon will be guest speaker Sunday in Second Baptist Church, at High Street and Walnut Avenue. The Missionary Day service will be at 11:15 a.m.
East Methodist Cluster to present concert
HERMITAGE — Shenango Valley East United Methodist Church Witness Cluster is presenting Greg Vanderveen in concert at 6:30 p.m. Sunday in New Virginia United Methodist Church, 1100 S. Keel Ridge Road.
Vanderveen, a certified lay speaker in the Franklin District of the United Methodist Conference, features stories, scripture and music. A free-will offering will be received and refreshments served.
Noted Passionist priest to lead 3-day retreat
GREENVILLE — St. Michael Catholic Church, 76 N. High St., will hold a mission retreat by the Rev. John Collins, a noted Passionist priest, from Monday through Wednesday.
The Parish Mission’s goal is to stir the faith in God that often lies dormant in people. Rev. Collins, in a humorous, down-to-earth manner, helps people recognize the importance of developing their own “faith story” by appealing to their experiences, both positive and negative. Talks are titled “What Good is God?” on Monday, “Why Prayers Don’t Work?” on Tuesday, and “Ten Kinds of People We Don’t Have to Love” on Wednesday.
The same talks will be given at both the 9 a.m. daily Masses and the 7 p.m. evening sessions.
St. Paul’s to mark 100 years of Boy Scouts
HERMITAGE — St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 159 Todd Ave., Hermitage, will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America on Scout Sunday, Feb. 7.
Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing Scouts, Explorers, leaders, and their families are invited for coffee, juice, and donuts at 10:30 a.m., followed by the worship service at 11.
All Scouts and leaders in uniform will receive a free patch, and Boy Scouting alumni also will receive a gift from Pastor David Williamson, who is the chaplain at Custaloga Town Scout Camp, and Boy Scout District Executive Bradley Parola.
Living Word Church to host guest pastor
HERMITAGE — The Rev. John Kowalczyk will minister Feb. 7 in Living Word Church, 1109 East St., at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. services.
The Erie native, a church pastor for 25 years, is founder and director of Isaiah 61 Ministry Center in Waterford, Erie County. The teaching and training center provides prayer and inner healing to the Body of Christ. Info: www.isaiah61ministry.net
Former Muslim to head Orthodox church retreat
SHARON — A former Muslim from Indonesia-turned-Orthodox priest will head a spiritual retreat at 10 a.m. Feb. 13 in St. John’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 389 Clark St.
The Rev. Daniel Byantoro helped bring the Orthodox faith to Indonesia, the largest Muslim country in the world. His work over 20 years has helped produce priests and deacons ministering there.
Rev. Byantoro will speak on Orthodox beliefs and practices. Morning prayers begin at 9.
The program includes lunch, after which guest speaker Ted Khoury will discuss holy icons.
Free-will offerings will benefit missions in Indonesia.
Retreat, marriage preparation weekend set
VILLA MARIA — Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center in Lawrence County is offering two programs in February.
Chocolate Retreat is scheduled for Feb. 19 through 21 and will explore the divine feminine with presenters Patricia Lenard and Sandy Kirschner of Angel Wing Ministry and enjoy chocolate treats. There is a cost and registration deadline is today.
Marriage Preparation Weekend for Engaged Couples is set for Feb. 20-21. Experienced married couples will lead the sessions. There is a cost and registration deadline is Saturday.
Info or to register: 724-964-8886 or go to www.villaprogram.org
Religion
Church Briefs from January 29, 2010
- 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.
- More Religion Headlines
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Are we terminal generation? Signs suggest so; are you ready?
