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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‘I love your law!’ turns ‘right or left’ rancor into ‘right or wrong’ terms
Some of the most vitriolic discussions being held in our nation today are characterized as “right or left.” Such is the domain of human opinion – resulting in never-ending debate. Instead of perpetually arguing issues from the perspective of “right or left,” we need to refocus our national attention on “right or wrong.”
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Rudges, bands top Valley Alive lineup
Christian folk and rock band 724 Band and international evangelists BJ and Bill Rudge of Hermitage headline the Aug. 7 opening night of the two-night Valley Alive crusade at Sharon High School auditorium.
Aug. 7 is Youth Night and Aug. 8 is Family Night.
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105th conference to draw crowd
About 1,000 delegates and staff from 35 states and 30 countries — as well as an estimated 1,000 regional residents — will gather July 24-30 for the 105th New Wilmington Mission Conference at Westminster College.
The week will feature Bible study, spiritual enrichment, mission challenge, and Christian fellowship. All events are free to the public.
Speakers will urge attendees to follow Jesus Christ more closely and to take the Good News of Jesus to those who have not heard or received it. Missionaries and leaders from the global church will be among the speakers and will have exhibits on display.
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Valley Alive aims to proclaim gospel
Through his Hermitage-based ministry, Bill Rudge has witnessed to people the world over. Next month, he’ll bring the Good News to his friends and neighbors in the Shenango Valley.
Rudge compared being a part of the two-night Valley Alive! evangelism crusade, sponsored by Joshua's Haven City Mission, to coming home. He’s participated in similar events across the country and world, but when the doors of his alma mater, Sharon High School, open on Aug. 7 and 8, it will be something special.
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I am not ashamed of the gospel; after all, truth is what God says it is
When I hold a Bible, I am holding the most powerful force that God ever allowed mortal man to handle. The eternal, inerrant, unchanging, all mighty word of the living God.
This is not a good book; The Purpose-Driven Life is a good book. This is the power of God unto salvation. I do not judge the contents of this Bible by other books; I judge other books by the content of this Bible. Those who have a Bible that’s falling apart have a life that’s not. -
Monsignor celebrating gold jubilee
Monsignor Michael Polanichka, pastor of St. John's Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church in Sharon, will be honored by his congregation at a testimonial at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Avalon Golf and Country Club at Buhl Park.
Monsignor Polanichka is observing his 50th year in the priesthood, including 38 years at St. John’s. The latter is believed to be the longest current tenure at one church in Mercer County.
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Time away is necessary; use it to learn to share your God-given gift
Me-time. We all need that time to be not only alone but with our family — and without interruption.
I am reminded of Jesus often retreating to a quiet place to think, to pray, to reflect, to plan. It is only when we pause and reflect on the gifts God has provided do we understand what it is that we are to do with them.
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Hickory U.M. has new pastor
Hickory United Methodist Church will welcome their new pastor — the Rev. David S. Evans — on Sunday. Worship service is at 9:30 a.m. in the church at 240 N. Hermitage Road, next to Sears at the Shenango Valley Mall.
There will be a reception following the service to welcome the pastor and his wife, Carol.
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A businesswoman and a Christian woman, Lydia was a woman of today
There was a time when about the only honorable vocation open to women was that of a housewife and mother. But now, thanks to the power of Christ’s Gospel, women have come upon a better day.
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Choir forming, volunteers needed for Aug. crusade
“Valley Alive” evangelistic crusade is planned for Aug. 7-8 at Sharon High School. An interdenominational choir is being formed for Family Night on Aug. 8. People are also needed both evenings to be ushers and parking attendants, as well as to participate in prayer teams.
Anyone interested in participating should call Sherry Masotto Swetz at Joshua’s Haven City Mission, 724-983-0304, to provide your name and phone number.
- More Religion Headlines
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‘I love your law!’ turns ‘right or left’ rancor into ‘right or wrong’ terms
