This Week:

March 23- 7:00 PM Millenium Team, Presbytery Office
March 29- 9:00 AM Steering Team, Presbytery Office

Prayers

– Margaret Trautman, Curriculum Consultant for the Presbytery, is in UPMC Farrell with severe colitis.

Prayer Service for the Sudan

Sunday, April 10th at 7:00 PM at Northminster Presbyterian Church in New Castle.  All are welcome.

Help for Japan

The PC(USA) is working to respond to the massive earthquake, tsunami and aftermath that struck Japan on March 10.  Read more about the efforts here,http://www.pcusa.org/news/2011/3/11/pcusa-framing-response-japan-earthquake-tsunami/.  Individuals should donate through their local church. Churches can send funds to the Presbytery Office.  All funds should be designated for accountDR000117 – Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.

Invitation for Pastors for Missional Church Conversations

Several pastors who have participated in the Partnership for the Missional Church (PMC) continue to meet regularly to reflect on their theology and practice in leading their congregation in the missional church vision.  They are inviting pastors from churches that have not been enrolled in PMC to join them.  The next meeting will be Wednesday, March 30 from 9:00 – 11:00 AM at the Presbytery Office.  Contact Dave Dawson, david.dawson@shenango.org if you would like to be on the list of pastors receiving notices.

Classes Offered for Commissioned Lay Pastor Candidates

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary will be offering the Commissioned Lay Pastor training beginning in September.  It is a combination of weekend retreats and online training.  Visit our News page for more information and an application.

Register for the Spring Pastor Retreat

Pastors: Don’t miss the opportunity to hear Dr. Ken Bailey speak on his latest book.  Register for the Spring retreat to be held at Villa Maria Retreat Center on May 9-10 – deadline to register is April 8th!  Get the form here.

Hope and Healing for Broken Kids Seminar

Lawrence County Youth MInistries is recommending a seminar for youth workers on April 9th, sponsored by the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding.  The seminar will be held at the Monroeville Assembly of God Church, and will help youth workers to understand the pressures kids are facing in today’s culture – family breakups, violence, incest, date rape, sexual abuse, and other devastating circumstances.  For more information contact Chuck Jewell chumij@yahoo.com or 724-944-6151.

Grove City College Conference on American Exceptionalism

Grove City College will hold a conference “America, Still the Last Best Hope?” on April 7-8.  Speakers include: Michael Medved, radio host and film critic, Dinesh D’Souza, president of The King College and Jim Wallis, president and CEO of Sojourners.  For information, http://www.visionandvaluesevents.com/conference/

Speaker at GCC to Bridge the Gap Between Science and Faith

On March 31 at 7 PM in Sticht Lecture Hall of the Hall of Arts and Letters, Dr. Hugh Ross (astrophysicist, author and science-faith think tank founder) will discuss “An Astronomer’s Quest”, part of an event revealing how cutting-edge research and key biblical principles agree.  This will be followed by a Q&A session, and is free and open to the public.

News from the Churches

Support for Terry Greenlee

Terry Greenlee, former pastor at Jackson Center and Millbrook, who is now on disability because of Parkinson’s, continues to struggle with declining health.  He cannot go upstairs to the bedroom and bathroom because of risk of falling.  Some modifications are being planned for the house.  The cost will be $6,000.  $1,500 has been raised.  Contributions can be made to the “Terry L. Greenlee Medical Fund”, Mercer County State Bank, PO Box 38, Sandy Lake, PA  16145-0038.

Benefit Concert

Sunday, April 17th at 7:00 PM at the Stoneboro United Methodist Church.  Music by Team Descendants Praise and Worship music, also 50’s, 60’s & 70’s.  Funds will go to help pay for a stair lift for Terry Greenlee, due to his Parkinson’s.

Bessemer Centennial

Bessemer Church celebrated their 100th anniversary on Wednesday, March 16th with a congregational dinner and a worship service following the dinner.  During the service, a time capsule which was sealed at the 75th anniversary in 1986 was opened.  The congregation was chartered on March 16, 1911.  They will continue their centennial celebration with a homecoming weekend on Sunday, July 31.  More information will be forthcoming.

Doug Hughes Called to Serve as Chaplain

Rev. Doug Hughes, pastor of Third Church, New Castle for the past 8 years, has been called to active duty as chaplain at Fort Dix, NJ.  Doug has resigned as pastor anticipating his new call will last several years.  His last Sunday will be April 3.

Organ Wanted

Word Centered Fellowship is in need of a Hammond Leslie speaker for an organ.  Please contact Lady Charlene DeLaCruz 724-981-0158.  Thank you.

Spaghetti Dinner

Shenango Presbyterian Church will be holding a Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, March 26th from 4-7 PM.  Come and mangia and enjoy!  Adults $7, Seniors-60 $6, 10 and under $5, 3-under Free.  Tickets and take-0uts available.  Call or email your reservation today!  724-654-2322.  Proceeds benefit the general fund and missions.

Cana’s Corner Presents “Heroic Catastrophe” in Concert

On March 22, 2011 from 7-9 PM Cana’s Corner Coffeehouse is proud to present “Heroic Catastrophe”, Christian pop-funk/hardcore rock group from New Castle, PA in concert.  So bring your church’s youth group for some music they will love!  Opening for “Heroic Catastrophe” will be “Straight from the Heart”.  Come and enjoy a time of fellowship with friends while enjoying refreshments and listening to good music for the evening.  The Coffeehouse is open the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at Bethlehem Presbyterian Church.  There is no cover charge and refreshments are free, however a free will offering will be taken.

Spring Spaghetti Dinner at Northminster

Saturday, April 2, from 4:30 – 7:00 PM.  Adults $8, children ages 3-10 are $3.  Dinner includes salad, bread, spaghetti & meatballs, dessert and drink.  Come and enjoy an evening of good food and fellowship.  Take-out available.

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny

Saturday, April 16th from 9:30 – 11:30 AM at Northminster Presbyterian Church.  For children through 6th grade; younger children must be accompanied by an adult.  Good food, fun games and of course, the Easter Bunny!  If you can, please call Northminster at 724-658-9051, Monday-Thursday, to register your children in advance.

FREE Concert

First Church, Sharon will be hosting a FREE concert on Sunday evening, April 3rd at 6:00 PM.  Guest artists is Terry Leonard, a Christian folk singer who is also a member of First Church.  Terry will be sharing his favorite songs – both Christian and folk songs – and there will be sing-a-longs as well.  Everyone is welcome.

Full Time Youth and Christian Education Director

Faith Presbyterian Church (Hermitage) is looking for a full-time (40 hour/week) staff person as both a Youth and Christian Education Director.  If you are interested in this position, please contact the church office at 724-962-4155 or email us at office@faithpc.net.  Also, please forward this message to anyone you may know who would be interested in this position.  A complete job description with compensation package is available upon request.

Calling All Crafters!

You are invited to sell your handmade items on Saturday, April 9th from 9 AM – 3 PM at Bethlehem Presbyterian Church’s Spring Craft Sale, 710 Carnegie Avenue, Sharon.  Table rent is $20 for a 8 ft.; $15 for a 6 ft., and $10 for a card table.  Call Pastor Robbie, 724-983-0194 to reserve a table!

Free to A Church
Carol Welch has a Lowrey Organ available to a church.  If interested, please call her at 724-946-8836.