Rev. Garland is pastor emeritus at 2 churches
TRANSFER, FREDONIA — A retired minister was recently designated pastor emeritus of two churches he served for more than a quarter century.
The joint consistory of Zion’s United Church of Christ, 17 Church St., Transfer, and St. Mark’s United Church of Christ, 5 Baker Hill, Fredonia, presented a certificate to the retired Rev. Douglas W. Garland. He pastored the two churches for 26 1/2 years, from July 1, 1981, to Dec. 31, 2007. The presentation was made by Rev. Mark Oerter, interim pastor of the two churches.
Rev. Garland, a native of Massachusetts, graduated from Andover Newton Theological Seminary in Newton Centre, Mass. He was ordained Dec. 10, 1969 in the Somerset, Pa., Association of the United Church of Christ, Penn West Conference.
He also served charges in the Clarion and Emlenton areas and participated in activities of the Penn West Conference and the Greenville Ministerium Association.
He lives at McCrea Manor, Room 121B, 2040 McCrea St., Alliance, Ohio, 44601.
Clergywomen’s group schedules meeting
SHARON — The Shenango Valley Interdenominational Clergywomen’s Alliance, Inc. will hold its monthly meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday in New Life Covenant Church, 807 Spruce Ave. Speaker will be Sister Dottie Sims.
Lebanon Presbyterian hosts singer in concert
LACKAWANNOCK TOWNSHIP — Eric John Hawout will give a concert at 7 p.m. Saturday in Lebanon Presbyterian Church. 2090 Mercer-West Middlesex Road. A love offering will be received.
End-time prophecy forum at Christian Assembly
GREENVILLE — An end-time prophecy forum will be presented next week at Christian Assembly, 111 Main St.
Prophetic Bible teacher David Siriano of Rochester, N.Y., at 10 a.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.
The Sunday meeting will be followed by a free Thanksgiving luncheon. The public is invited; call 724-588-9202 for reservations.
Speaker, family service at Greater Mount Zion
FARRELL — Bishop Sallie M. Saunders, co-pastor of Hour of Power Full Gospel Tabernacle in Farrell, will be guest speaker for the 11:30 a.m. service Sunday in Greater Mount Zion Church of God in Christ, 1825 Roemer Blvd.
On Nov. 22, Greater Mount Zion will present a family-style worship service at 5 p.m. with a concert featuring the choirs of the church, Mother Virginia Alexander Sunshine Band, Bishop Odis Alexander Youth Choir and Kingdom Builders Choir.
Christmas mission fair at Jamestown Presbyterian
JAMESTOWN — Jamestown Presbyterian Church, 411 Liberty St., will hold its Alternative Christmas Mission Fair from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday. The public is invited to do Christmas shopping and help people in need in the community and around the world.
Highlight missions are Voice of the Martyrs, Heifer International and New Wilmington Mission Conference. Slovak Folk Crafts from Grove City and A Greater Gift will be present with handmade items for purchase. Free lunch will be provided, and a silent auction and entertainment will be featured.
Praise service slated at Lighthouse Outreach
HERMITAGE — Lighthouse Outreach Ministries and Shield of Faith Ministries will present a night of praise and worship from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Lighthouse Outreach, 2945 Highland Road.
The service will feature David Verizilli Jr., Gary and Jane Aberkam, Bill Wilson and the Rodriguez Family.
First Presbyterian to welcome jazz quartet
SHARON — First Presbyterian Church, 600 E. State St., will host the jazz quartet “Presbybop” at 7 p.m. Sunday. The group will present their new CD, “Psalms Without Words” at the concert, which is free to the public.
The professional jazz quartet, which has played across the country, is based in northeastern Pennsylvania and led by a Presbyterian pastor, the Rev. Bill Carter. “Presbybop” has recorded seven CDs and received national recognition for integrating the arts in Christian ministry.
The evening will include an intermission with refreshments and a reception to meet the musicians.
Info: 724-981-2211 or www.1stpcs.org
Brian Shaw in concert at Hadley Presbyterian
HADLEY — Brian Shaw will give a gospel music concert at 7 p.m. Sunday in Hadley Presbyterian Church. A free-will offering will be received and refreshments served.
New & Living Way sets week-long conference
FARRELL — “Destined by God to Fulfill a Divine Purpose” will be held from Tuesday through Nov. 22 in New & Living Way Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, 927 Lee Ave.
Speakers for 7:30 p.m. services are Pastor Brian Johnson of New Light Missionary Baptist Church, Sharon, on Tuesday; Senior Pastor Denis M. Robinson of Everlife Worship Center on Wednesday; and Pastor Tyrone Steele on Thursday. A banquet is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 20.
Seminar sessions are at 9:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Nov. 21 with Apostle Aikens, and a musical is set for 6 p.m. that day. On Nov. 22, the annual address will be delivered by Bishop Alvin McCoy at 9 a.m. and Hour of Power Full Gospel Tabernacle in Farrell will be the guest church for the 11:30 a.m. worship service.
Info: 724-981-1731.
Shenango Valley Baptist hosts Blackwood quartet
HERMITAGE — The nationally acclaimed Blackwood Gospel Quartet will give a concert at 7 p.m. Nov. 21 in Shenango Valley Baptist Church, 40 S. Neshannock Road.
The group, which has performed with the Gaithers, features two-time Grammy Award winner Mark Blackwood.
A free-will offering will be received. Info: 724-734-1648.
Thiel Choir at special Christ Lutheran service
SHARON — The Thiel Choir will sing at the annual “Praise and Thanksgiving” service Nov. 22 in Christ Lutheran Church. 396 Buhl Blvd. Service time is 4 p.m.
A potluck dinner will be served after the concert.
Religion
Church Briefs from November 13, 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
