Rev. Hicks named pastor emeritus at WM church
WEST MIDDLESEX — The Presbyterian Church of West Middlesex and the Shenango Presbytery this month bestowed the honor of pastor emeritus on the retired Rev. John M. Hicks.
Rev. Hicks pastored the West Middlesex church for 22 years, retiring in 1998. He was presented with a plaque and a painting by local artist Jocelyn Beatty. A luncheon followed the Oct. 4 service.
For the last 11 years, he has served as a guest pastor and conducted many weddings and funerals, done counseling and attended social events at the church. From 1999-2003 he pastored Rich Hill Presbyterian Church in Wilmington Township, Lawrence County.
Rev. Hicks, 76, served four other Presbyterian churches before arriving in West Middlesex in 1976. A native of Michigan, he is a graduate of Westminster College and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and is an Army veteran.
He and his wife Marilyn, whom he married in 1957, live in Grove City. They have three children and six grandchildren.
Sharon Baptist offering addiction program
HERMITAGE — A Shenango Valley chapter of the Reformers Unanimous addiction program is a recent addition to the ministry of Sharon Baptist Church, 1531 George St., Ext., Hermitage.
The group meets at 7 p.m. Fridays. Info: 724-347-5314.
Greater Mount Zion hosts special services
FARRELL — Ebenezer Church of God in Christ, New Castle, will be the guest at Greater Mount Zion Church of God in Christ, 1825 Roemer Blvd., at 7:30 p.m. today. Supt. Eric Brooks will be accompanied by his choir and congregation.
On Sunday, Pastor Willie J. Roberts and First Lady Pauline Roberts will be honored.
The Rev. Thomas Bolling of Second Missionary Baptist Chuch, Farrell, will be the guest speaker for the 11:30 a.m. worship service. At 5 p.m., Rev. Richard Roberts will be the guest speaker and will be accompanied by the choirs and congregation of Valley Baptist Church.
Theme for the week is “Lets Move Forward.”
New Life Covenant plans verbal abuse program
SHARON — “Stop Wounding Me with Your Mouth” is set from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in New Life Covenant Church, 807 Spruce Ave.
Shar-Dai Peagler will discuss “When Verbal Abuse Escalates to Physical Abuse.” Other speakers will be Malinda Gavins, program director of Sojourner House domestic violence services in Youngstown; Joan M. Mooney, president and chief executive officer of Mercer County Adult Alternatives to Violence program and Jammin — Juvenile Anger Management and Mischief Intervention; and Bishop Joseph McNeal of New Wine Ministries, Church Without Walls.
“Spiritual Healing for Emotionally Wounded Heart” will be led by Tiffany Holden of Greater Morris Chapel A.M.E. Church in Farrell as guest minister. Gloria Spencer will be guest soloist.
Info: 724-494-8735.
Guest speaker at New Beginnings Christian
GREENVILLE — The pastoral overseer of the International Fellowship of Christian Assemblies and a native of South Africa will be guest speaker Sunday in New Beginnings Christian Church, 73 Hamburg Road.
The Rev. Mike Player will be accompanied by his wife Connie, who will also minister. Service time is 10 a.m. A free-will offering will be received.
Church youth to lead Central Christian service
HERMITAGE — Youth Sunday will be celebrated Sunday at Central Christian Church, 218 Meadowbrook Road, with the children and youth of the church leading the worship service.
Led by youth leader Melissa Dunn, the children will participate in all aspects of the 10:15 a.m. service. Ms. Kara Moore, freshman at Edinboro University and the daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Jeffrey Moore, will present the morning message. A reception, sponsored by the youth, will follow.
Info: 724-347-1703.
YSU men’s chorus to sing at Trinity
MERCER — A men’s chorus from Youngstown State University will sing during the 11 a.m. service Sunday in Trinity Presbyterian Church, 110 E. Market St.
One of the group’s vocalists, Josh Colson, Transfer, is a member of the church.
The church will also remember those members who died during the past year as it marks All-Saints Sunday.
Info and transportation: 724-662-2680 during business hours.
Keelings in concert at Sheakleyville U.M.
SHEAKLEYVILLE — The Keelings will be in concert at 7 p.m. Sunday in Sheakleyville United Methodist Church, state Route 19.
An offering will be received. Refreshments will follow.
End time revival slated at New & Living Way
FARRELL — Apostolic Women of the Word will host The End Time Revival at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Nov. 6 and 7 in New & Living Way Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, 927 Lee Ave.
Evangelist Deborah Sanders from Hour of Power in Farrell will speak.
CWU to mark World Community Day
SHARPSVILLE — Church Women United will celebrate World Community Day from 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 6 in First Presbyterian Church, 603 W. Ridge Ave. Theme for the program is “Piecing Earth Together.”
Mary Ann Burlbaugh, a CWU human rights honoree in 2007. will present the program with volunteers from the membership. Anyone who has a piecework quilt with a story to share are invited to bring it.
Attendees are asked to enter from the back parking lot. An elevator is available. Refreshments will follow.
Orangeville Baptist to host Revelation study
SOUTH PYMATUNING TOWNSHIP — Orangeville Baptist Church, 7600 Orangeville Road, will welcome Bill and BJ Rudge of Bill Rudge Ministries in Hermitage for a weekend study of the end times based on the Book of Revelation.
Service times are 7 p.m. Nov. 6 and 7, and 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Nov. 8. Special music will be provided by Karen Rudge and Bill and Linda Crank.
World Apostolate of Fatima holds retreat
ERIE — The Rev. Dr. Robert J. Levis will be lead a one-day retreat on “Prayer and St. John of the Cross” at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 7 in St. Thomas More House of Prayer in Cranberry, Venango County. The retreat is sponsored by the World Apostolate of Fatime, Erie Division.
Cost is $10 per person or $15 per family; lunch and dinner will be served for a minimal cost. Reservations: 814-474-2753.
The group’s annual meeting will follow the retreat.
Judeo-Christian Dialogue to resume next month
HERMITAGE — The Judeo-Christian Dialogue sponsored by Christian Associates of the Shenango Valley, will resume at 11 a.m. Nov. 9 in Whispering Oaks, South Buhl Farm Drive.
The discussion group will meet on the second Monday of each month.
Pam Dutro will lead the discussion. All are welcome.
Info: 724-347-1419.
Christ imagery workshop at Villa Maria center
VILLA MARIA — A new workshop, “Imagery of Christ: Come to the Garden,” is set for 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 14 at Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center, located one mile south of U.S. 422 off Evergreen Road in Lawrence County.
Author Jenny Garrison will be workshop presenter.
There are costs. Info: 724-964-8920, ext. 3221.
Religion
Church Briefs from October 30, 2009
- Religion
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We are part way there, but don’t allow destination to eclipse journey
Today is Day 42 if you are counting. It is 42 days since we left Egypt. We have seven more days to go. Seven more days until we will camp at the foot of Mount Sinai and prepare ourselves to receive the Ten Commandments on the 50th day.
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Churches eyeing exit
A total of 17 churches in the Shenango Presbytery have withdrawn from the Presbyterian Church (USA) or are considering doing so, all over ongoing issues including the denomination’s decision to ordain gay and lesbian pastors. Two have already voted to leave.
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St. Paul’s UCC to mark 150 years
St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 159 Todd Ave., will celebrate its 150th year of ministry on May 20 with a special worship service and banquet.
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Prayer is power, but is it your steering wheel or spare tire?
Dutch Christian and Holocaust survivor Corrie ten Boom once asked this searching question: Is God your steering wheel or your spare tire? We might well substitute “prayer” for “God” in the inquiry.
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Apostle Paul would not be considered a success today
You know, I think we have what it means to be a success a little confused. I think we equate it to one of those models on the front of a glamor magazine – just the right weight, no blemishes anywhere, a smile whiter than snow.
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Cross walk covers 2 cities
A group of local men are going a long way to be involved in the 3rd Annual Men’s Rally in the Valley on May 5 at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown.
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For 50 days ... for eternity: Why don’t we pick up when God calls?
Most Christians attended church Easter Sunday. It’s what we do. We celebrate that exquisite moment in salvation history when Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior, rose from the dead, conquering sin, evil and death itself. Glory to God!
We also welcome visitors and others who rarely attend other than Christmas and Easter. And we wonder, what happens the rest of the year?
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In words and pictures
A minister and his son combined words and pictures to create 26 portraits of Christ, and now those portraits are available in their new book.
“Portraits of the Christ” is the first collaborative printed project for Rev. Sperry Hogue, the semi-retired associate minister of Hermitage Church of Christ, and his son Nathan Hogue, a mental health therapist at George Junior Republic in Grove City. -
Whole lotta shaking goin’ on: Based on Bible, God’s at work
Does trouble lie ahead for us? I would suggest some possible happenings. You be the judge.
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St. Patrick must have wondered what lesson God was teaching
Have you ever wondered what God is up to in your life? Maybe you have felt frustrated that things weren’t going the way you would want. Or you wonder if God is hearing your prayers or even notices your problems. At times like these we can learn a thing or two from St. Patrick.
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We are part way there, but don’t allow destination to eclipse journey


