This Week
- November 25- Church & Community Committee, Presbytery Office – CANCELLED!
- November 26-27 OFFICE CLOSED, Thanksgiving Holiday
- December 1- 7:00 PM Committee on Ministry, Neshannock, NW
News from the Presbytery Office
Prayers
– Ingrid Reneau has walking pneumonia (see note below)
– Walter White is in Montefiore Hospital
Excerpts from a Note from Ingrid Reneau in Nairobi, Kenya
“I’m not wholly well, yet, but planning on being so in the very near future because there is a [teacher] training in Pibor [south Sudan] that has begun without me, and I don’t like that in the least bit…I’ve NOT been hospitalized [for walking pneumonia], at least not yet, anyway, praise God…I’m being treated at home…I’ve had to take lots of test though, at Aga Khan Hospital, and to go back to see the doctor on Monday for results…Mostly I have bouts of extreme weakness because of all things, I am very anemic (despite all those PC(USA) luncheons and dinners while in the USA), low grade fever, ongoing sore throat…BUT I will live forever, as you well know…and to at least 100 on this side of the river…I am deeply grateful for the kind affection and warmth coming this way at this time…to God be all the glory, amen…As ever, I live on and for prayers…thanks so much for praying for me…
Annual Reports
Annual Report Packets were available for pick-up at last week’s Presbytery meeting. Any packets left after the meeting were mailed to the church’s clerk of session on Wednesday.
Mission Giving Deadline
It is not too early to begin reminding people that contributions for the year 2009 must be given to the church by December 31, 2009 or mailed in an envelope postmarked December 31, 2009. Monies received after the start of 2010 cannot be attributed to the 2009 year. The deadline for monies sent to the Presbytery office must be postmarked by Tuesday, January 5, 2010.
Officers and Church Leaders: Save this Date!
Saturday morning – January 16, 2010 LeaderFest at Westminster College. Keynote speaker: Dr. Andrew Purves, Professor at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Many helpful seminars. Cokesbury book store (sorry, no credit cards accepted this year). Lunch included. More information coming in December.
News from Our Churches
An Advent Carillon at Calvin
Calvin Presbyterian Church, Ellwood City, will present “An Advent Carillon” on Saturday, November 28, 2009 at 6:00 PM. The hour-long service will be filled with music, pageantry, scripture, choir, organ, bells, bagpipe and chimes. Tickets for the program and catered dinner are $12.00 (children 10 and under $6.00). Program-only tickets are FREE. For tickets and information, contact Calvin Church at 724-758-4258.
Christmas Music and Drama
Bethlehem Presbyterian Church invites you to attend “Where Are You Christmas,” a special worship service including music and drama on Sunday, December 6 at 2:00 PM. Dessert reception following. Open to the public, free admission.
Blue Christmas Service
For many people, the approaching Christmas holidays do not bring with them the joy and happiness advertised on television, or in greeting cards. The experience of loss, whether financial, job related, an illness, death, or caused by other stressors can bring with it feelings of sadness or grief. Finding peace can be difficult. New Wilmington Presbyterian Church will be offering a“Blue Christmas Service” on Sunday, December 6th at 6 PM This service will offer an opportunity to gather for a quiet time of hope and celebration in the midst of sadness or grief. This time is less about colored lights, and more about God’s Light which shines into our times of darkness. This worship is less about sparkling holiday cheer, and more about finding quiet, divine holiday strength. Open to the community, we encourage you to invite family or friends who may find the Christmas season a difficult time of year.
For many people, the approaching Christmas holidays do not bring with them the joy and happiness advertised on television, or in greeting cards. The experience of loss, whether financial, job related, an illness, death, or caused by other stressors can bring with it feelings of sadness or grief. Finding peace can be difficult. New Wilmington Presbyterian Church will be offering a“Blue Christmas Service” on Sunday, December 6th at 6 PM This service will offer an opportunity to gather for a quiet time of hope and celebration in the midst of sadness or grief. This time is less about colored lights, and more about God’s Light which shines into our times of darkness. This worship is less about sparkling holiday cheer, and more about finding quiet, divine holiday strength. Open to the community, we encourage you to invite family or friends who may find the Christmas season a difficult time of year.
Living Nativity: A Christmas Drive-Thru Experience at Westfield Presbyterian Church
(1363 Mt. Jackson Road [Route 108 just west of Mt. Jackson])
On Saturday, December 5 from 6-8 PM. Volunteers will participate as members of the angel choir, live actors, preparing light and sound, working on costumes or setting up over 300 luminaries to light your way. Live animals include donkeys, llama, miniature horse and sheep. This event is a free gift to the community. For directions or more information visit http://www.westfieldchurch.org or call 724-667-7045.
Please Join Us at the Boars Head Festival
Christ Presbyterian Church in Ellwood City will present the Boars Head Festival on November 28, December 5, and December 6, 2009. Tickets are FREE. For more information, please contact Christ Presbyterian Church at 724-758-4563.
Workshops, Conferences and Local Events
Thanksgiving Praise Breakfast at New Castle Community YMCA
Be joyful and give thanks at the New Castle Community YMCA’s Thanksgiving Praise Breakfast! Tuesday, November 24th at the downtown YMCA. Speaker will be Rev. James R. Gretz, Director, Department for Worship & Master of Ceremonies, Diocese of Pittsburgh. Full complimentary breakfast begins at 8 AM. Reservations requested, but not required, 724-658-4766.
Joy to the World! The Music and Poetry of Christmas
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Choir, under the direction of the Rev. George E. Tutwiler, Organist – Choirmaster, will present this musical program on Tuesday, December 15 at 7:30 PM in Hicks Memorial Chapel Sanctuary. It is free and open to the public with a reception immediately following.
Alternative Gift Market at Westminster College
Alternative Gifts International is a non-profit organization which screens existing agencies working throughout the world in order for consumers/shoppers to purchase shares of their work in honor of someone. The Young Presbyterian Scholars at Westminster College will be holding their 6th annual Alternative Gift Market on Wednesday, December 2nd from 9AM to 9PM in the McKelvey Campus Center on the the Westminster College Campus. Also available for purchase will be fair trade coffees/teas from Equal Exchange (the Presbyterian Coffee Project) and items from the Silk Road, a fair trade market in New Wilmington.
Thanksgiving Praise Breakfast at New Castle Community YMCA
Be joyful and give thanks at the New Castle Community YMCA’s Thanksgiving Praise Breakfast! Tuesday, November 24th at the downtown YMCA. Speaker will be Rev. James R. Gretz, Director, Department for Worship & Master of Ceremonies, Diocese of Pittsburgh. Full complimentary breakfast begins at 8 AM. Reservations requested, but not required, 724-658-4766.
Joy to the World! The Music and Poetry of Christmas
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Choir, under the direction of the Rev. George E. Tutwiler, Organist – Choirmaster, will present this musical program on Tuesday, December 15 at 7:30 PM in Hicks Memorial Chapel Sanctuary. It is free and open to the public with a reception immediately following.
Alternative Gift Market at Westminster College
Alternative Gifts International is a non-profit organization which screens existing agencies working throughout the world in order for consumers/shoppers to purchase shares of their work in honor of someone. The Young Presbyterian Scholars at Westminster College will be holding their 6th annual Alternative Gift Market on Wednesday, December 2nd from 9AM to 9PM in the McKelvey Campus Center on the the Westminster College Campus. Also available for purchase will be fair trade coffees/teas from Equal Exchange (the Presbyterian Coffee Project) and items from the Silk Road, a fair trade market in New Wilmington.
The Presbytery of Shenango 