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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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?
