This Week:
July 17 – 1:30 PM – Evangelism Committee – Presbytery Office
MISSION CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
The New Wilmington Mission Conference is almost here (July 19-25) and among the great lineup of speakers there are two who are friends of Shenango presbytery and worth our hearing: One of the 8:45am morning teachers is Dr. Laura Smit, from Calvin College. Many will remember that Laura taught at one of our pastor retreats in recent years, and there was great appreciation for her generous Reformed perspective and warm spirit. One of the 10am morning teachers is Professor Andrew Walls, arguably one of the world’s foremost missiologists. Some in Shenango have met Andrew in the past, in part because he is now married to mission co-worker Ingrid Reneau, who is supported by many of our churches and will be preaching at New Wilmington church this Sunday morning. Both Laura and Andrew will present every morning in Berlin Lounge, McKelvey Center, at Westminster College. Check out http://nwmcmission.org for complete details.
MEET & VISIT WITH MISSIONARIES
Pizza & salads will be served at Judy Veon’s home, 331 W. Neshannock Ave., New Wilmington on Monday, July 21, Tuesday, July 22, and Thursday, July 24 from 5:00-6:30 PM each evening. Included on Monday, July 21, will be our newest mission co-workers Lynn and Sharon Kandel to South Sudan as part of the South Sudan Education Project. Come any evening to meet our various missionaries and South Sudanese friends.
SLIPPERY ROCK CHURCH
Let us hold the Slippery Rock session, members, and their pastor Julia Williamson in our prayers this week. An active Ruling Elder in their flock was tragically murdered last week. A memorial service is being scheduled. Let us prayer for the congregation, but also their ministry to the extended family and community in this difficult time.
EP Activity This Month
Our Executive Presbyter, Ralph Hawkins, will be serving as chaplain for a week of summer camp at Westminster Highlands next week, July 7-11. He will be preaching at the following Shenango churches in the coming weeks: Lebanon (July 20), First New Castle (July 27), and First Sharon (Aug 3). He will participate in the Ellwood City Carpenter’s Project opening worship service on July 13. He and his family will be participating in the New Wilmington Mission Conference, July 19-26, including hosting a reception in his home for mission worker Debbie Blane (July 28). Ralph welcomes opportunities to preach or bring greetings during a worship service, as well as opportunities to visit Session and Deacon meetings. Schedule a Sunday or a meeting time by contacting him at 724-528-1610 orralph@shenango.org.
PRAYER MINISTRY CONTACTS
Does your congregation have a prayer ministry, and would they be willing to receive prayer requests from the presbytery and its international partners? Our EP, Ralph Hawkins, is developing an email list of contacts and would be grateful to include your church in occasional requests and updates. Currently, the Calvin, Coolspring, First New Castle, Lebanon, Sandy Lake, and New Wilmington prayer ministries are included. Email Ralph at ralph@shenango.org to include your contacts.
Minister Information Form
It’s time to update the directories again! We are asking all minister to complete theMinister Information Form so that we can reflect the most accurate information possible in the upcoming directories. Forms are due to the Presbytery Office by August 1st! If you have no changes, or just a few updates, simply send an email to Autumn at office@shenango.org. New directories will be available at the September Presbytery Meeting.
Pulpit Supply Available
Bud Green is feeling great and would love the opportunity to preach for you this summer. Please contact Bud at revbud2@comcast.net or 724-654-1513 (home) or 724-714-8645 (cell).
Christian Concert at the Lawrence County Fair
LATCOM is sponsoring a concert at the Lawrence County Fair on Wednesday, August 13 at 7 pm. The contemporary Christian band “Unspoken” will perform. Several of their songs are on KLove, and they’ve performed with several other very well-known bands. The tickets are very inexpensive ($15), and proceeds will benefit a camping ministry in Bolivia. Unspoken flier
Wee Kirk
The 2014 Northeast (PA) Wee Kirk Conference will take place on October 13-15 at the Laurelville Mennonite Church Center in Mt. Pleasant, PA. If your church would like any brochures about the event, just stop by the Presbytery Office or call us and we’ll put a few in the mail for you.
Perspectives Course
Perspectives on the World Christian Movement will be coming to Grove City College on Tuesdays from September 9 – December 9 from 6:30 – 9:30 PM. Learn from a different Christian expert each week as they help you explore God’s kingdom from Biblical, Historical, Cultural, and Strategic perspectives. Get more details at www.perspectives.org or contact Pam Pope Courtney at mail@dcourtney.net or 724-748-3217 for more information.
THE BAIR FOUNDATION NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
The Bair Foundation Child Family and Ministries is in need of dedicated volunteers at their New Wilmington location. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and have access to transportation. If you are interested, please contact Laura Elliott at laura@credostrategies.com or call her at 703-863-8663. Please visit bair.org for more information.
News from the Churches
NORTH LIBERTY MISSION TEAM
The Mission Team of North Liberty is in Roswell, NM this week teaching VBS and worshiping with the Hispanic community and the Boys & Girls Club there. Their Blog is http://nlpcmission.wordpress.com. Follow them and see how they are doing.
CARPENTER’S PROJECT
Many of our Shenango congregations in the greater Ellwood City area are this week sharing in the 13th annual Carpenter’s Project, an ecumenical Christian outreach offering home repair and building services to neighbors in need. Nearly 200 persons representing 30 congregations are involved this year. Well done Ellwood churches!
Organist/Accompanist Wanted
1st Presbyterian Church of Sharpsville is in need of an organist/accompanist to work with their music director in providing musical worship for services and possibly some extra events. Position opens at the end of summer. Please send inquiries to: Carol Scholl, Personnel Committee Chairperson, First Presbyterian Church, 603 Ridge Avenue, Sharpsville, PA 16150.
The Presbytery of Shenango 