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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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?
