News From the Presbytery Office
This Week:
September 14- 7:00 PM Special Committee Event (see note below), Northminster
September 16- 12:30 PM Preparation for Ministry, Presbytery Office
September 19-20 – Pastor Retreat, Villa Maria Retreat Center
September 20- 7:00 PM Committee on Ministry, Neshannock, NW
September 21- 1:00 PM Christian Education Committee, Presbytery Office
Special Committee to Monitor Denominational Issues
Upcoming Events
The special issues team is hosting an event featuring Drs. Kang Na & David Dawson at Northminster Presbyterian Church on Wednesday Sept. 14, from 7-8:30 p.m. Kang will be speaking about Reformed understandings of the authority and interpretation of Scripture – an issue that is critical to our thinking about the recent change in the PCUSA’s ordination standards. Dave will give a brief overview of some of the main ideas that came out of the recent Fellowship of Presbyterians meeting in Minneapolis. Elders and pastors are especially encouraged to attend, as well as interested members of our congregations.
Special Important Prayer Request
Rev. Tut Kong is scheduled to fly from Khartoum, Sudan on Wednesday afternoon (our time) so that he might arrive here the next day and spend time with us, leading of the Pastors Retreat on Monday and Tuesday. As always, we prayer for travelers, but this has additional perils. Southerners like Tut are often hassled when going through passport control and customs in Khartoum. Please make Wednesday a special day of prayer for our brother in Christ as he travels to visit us.
Visit the “News” page of the Presbytery website for more information on Tut’s visit.
Celebrate Sudan Event – October 2nd
The second annual Celebrate Sudan Event will take place on Sunday, October 2nd, 7 PM, at East Main Presbyterian Church. Read more about it here. Once again we are asking churches to take up a Celebrate Sudan offering during their World Communion Sunday worship service the morning of the event (or anytime before), and to bring their offerings to present at the Celebrate Sudan event that night. This year’s offering will go to support the Nile Theological College as they face the challenge of opening a campus in South Sudan and bolstering ongoing work at the Khartoum campus in the North.
Choir Rehearsal for Celebrate Sudan Event
Ever had any interest in learning how to read New Testament Greek, but have not had the opportunity to do it? Well here it is. As part of both the 1st John study and as an independent separate group, there is a Greek Beginners Group forming to learn N.T. Greek. We will meet regularly for several weeks this Fall to introduce you to NT Greek with the options of continuing on your own and/or with the 1st John study group with Rev. Dr. Na. The beginners group will introduce you to the Greek alphabet, vocabulary, syntax, reading, and interpreting N.T. Greek at a beginners level. There is no charge, except materials. There are no quizzes, exams, or grades. We’ll move at a pace so everyone can keep up. Take the plunge and journey into the New Testament world of Greek. This group is beginning soon, so contact Aaron Christy without delay, dyfmclenmoore@gmail.com.
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary will host the annual W. Don McClure Lectures September 26-27. Dr. Darrell L. Guder will address “The Gathering and Upbuilding of the Missional Community for its Sending”. All of the details about the lectures and the World Mission Initiative dinner are available at http://www.pts.edu/McClure_Lectures_2011.
Be involved in something exciting, thought-provoking, God-centered and Kingdom-oriented this fall!
You are invited to come for free to the Westminster College Chapel Tuesday, September 13th and hear the first lesson of the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement course taught by Shane Bennett of Frontiers. Shane was the Morning Meeting speaker at NWMC2011. See if this 14-week class is for you. Each week a different expert will teach the lesson. Take the course for certificate credit (homework but no tests) or 3 college credits. The Shenango Presbytery MCS Committee is offering $100 scholarships to encourage participation in this great opportunity. For more information and a list of speakers, or to register, visitwww.perspectives.org and click on the New Wilmington class. E-mail Pam Pope Courtney (mail@dcourtney.net) if you would like a bulletin insert to use in your church.
An Important Time to Visit Presbyterian Friends in Egypt
The Outreach Foundation http://www.theoutreachfoundation.org/ is planning an excellent trip to Egypt on February 2-13. You will visit important antiquities sites plus Cairo Seminary, Egyptian churches and Presbyterian mission workers. Call or email the Presbytery office and we will send more details.
News from the Churches
Westminster Confession Seminars
Would you like to know the essential tenets of our faith? Would you like to know how Reformed Theology should impact your life? On 6 Monday evenings (October 3rd – November 7th) Covenant Presbyterian Church ( 263 E. State St., Sharon) will host Dr. Jack White, Dr. Terry Thomas, and Dr. Dean Smith all of Geneva College. They will be teaching on the Westminster Confession and the practical application of Biblical orthodox truths. These evenings will run from 7-8 PM and will be 40 minutes of lecture and 20 minutes of discussion. Childcare will be provided. To view a copy of the Westminster Confession and to register your attendance, visit the Institute link at http://www.cpcsharon.org or by calling Covenant Church at 724-981-3535.
Mt. Hermon Remembers
On Sunday, September 25, 2011, the Mt. Hermon congregation will host a “Homecoming Sunday” to remember the 55th anniversary of the dedication of the church at its Frew Mill Road (3116) location. Former members of the congregation and friends are invited to join the remembrance. Read more details here.
Basement Sale
The annual Enon Presbyterian Church Basement Sale is being held on Thursday, September 15, Friday, September 16, and Saturday, September 17 from 9 AM to 3 PM daily. This annual sale, sponsored by the church Women’s Association helps the Association in its support of local, national and international mission projects. Delicious lunches will be served daily.
Spaghetti Dinner
Shenango Presbyterian Church will be hosting a Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, September 17, 2011 from 4-7 PM. Tickets are $6 for Seniors age 60+, $7 for Adults 11-59, $5 Children 4-10, and children under 3 are FREE. Proceeds benefit general fund and mission. Call 724-654-2322 for more information.
Fall Fest at Wurtemburg
Saturday, September 24th from 9 AM to 3 PM Wurtemburg Presbyterian Church will be holding a Fall Fest with crafts, food court, and soup. The church is located at 291 Wurtemburg Road, Ellwood City. Table reservations, call 724-758-6785.
Sunday School Teacher Wanted
Slippery Rock Presbyterian in Ellwood City is looking for a Sunday School teacher to teach a small group of children ages 4-10 on Sunday mornings. The stipend is $35-$45. Experience working with children and a desire to grow in your faith are a must. Please contact Pastor Julia Williamson at 724 752-8892
Choir Music–and the Price is Right!
The choir at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Mercer is retiring some anthems and would gladly donate them to supplement your supply or to provide ”new-to-you” selections. Most are SATB, and most are between 15-25 copies. First come, first served. If interested, contact Jim Sankey, Trinity’s music coordinator atjamesasankey@hotmail.com
Part-Time Secretary Wanted
Part-time Secretary for Mt. Jackson Church. Good organizational skills, computer skills, eighteen hours per week. Will discuss salary at interview. Please send resume to 129 Mt. Air Road, New Castle, PA 16102.
Dave Buchanan at Cana’s Corner
Organist/Piano Player Wanted
Petersburg Presbyterian Church is seeking an organist or keyboard player for our Sunday morning 10:30 am service. Compensation will be on a per diem basis. We are a community-oriented, small congregation of people who like to sing! We are flexible and can work around some scheduling conflicts. PPC is located in the south eastern corner of Mahoning County, Ohio just a few miles west of the Ohio- Pennsylvania border. Please contact the PPC Musician Search committee at search219@comcast.net or mail a resume to Petersburg Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 219, Petersburg, OH 44408.
The Presbytery of Shenango 