This Week:
September 11- 1:30 PM Evangelism Committee, Presbytery Office
September 16- 7:00 PM Committee on Ministry, Neshannock, NW
Register for the Fall Pastor Retreat
Don’t miss this great opportunity for focused learning with Dr. Ken Bailey and fellowship with fellow pastors! October 20-21 at Villa Maria Conference Center…register online today.
Prayers
Our friend, Dr. Jannie Swart, professor at PTS, died yesterday of an apparent heart attack while playing frisbee with students at the seminary. Many of you will remember Jannie as a leader in Shenango’s Missional Church Clusters, and most recently as leader of the Spring Pastor Retreat earlier this year. Please keep his wife Mari, children Suné and Janco, and the seminary community in your prayers. A memorial article can be found here: http://www.pts.edu/Mourning_Jannie_Swart
The Fellowship Community – Regional Event
The Fellowship Community, recently known as The Fellowship of Presbyterians, will be holding a Regional Event September 14-15 at the Hampton Presbyterian Church in Gibsonia, PA. The Sunday portion of the event is for everyone and features dinner and an introduction to The Fellowship Community. The Monday portion is focused on pastors and includes lunch. Email office@shenango.org for a copy of the flyer, if you are interested in attending (reservations are requested by September 10).
EP Activity This Month
Our Executive Presbyter, Ralph Hawkins, will be preaching this month at Shenango church (September 14) and attending the outdoor worship service shared by Coolspring, Stoneboro, and Sandy Lake churches (September 21). He will participate in the Fellowship Community (formerly Fellowship of Presbyterians) event in Gibsonia, Pa (September 14-15) and attend the national Sentralized Conference on missional church practice, in Dallas (September 25-27). He will be meeting with the leadership of Wampum church and Word Centered Fellowship this month, as well as the Jamestown congregation. 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 or ralph@shenango.org.
Presbyterians Today Article
Take a moment online to read a recent article by Shenango’s own Andrea Hall, chair of our Christian Education committee and spouse of Hillside (Greenville) pastor Sean Hall. Andrea is a certified Christian educator and an alum of Pittsburgh Seminary. She is currently working on a doctorate in educational ministry at Columbia Theological Seminary.
Perspectives Course Scholarship Info
If you are a member of a Shenango Presbytery church and are applying for the Presbytery scholarship to help with the cost of the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement course please use the code PBY100 when you register. It will deduct a $100 payment at that time – however, it is NOT a guarantee of the scholarship. The Mission Education Scholarship Form from the Presbytery office will need to be completed and accepted in order for that scholarship to be paid. If a form is not submitted, the payment will not be made and the student will owe the balance due.
Information on the course is available online at www.perspectives.org. Go to Classes, click PA on the US map, and then select the Grove City Class. Class begins Tuesday, Sept. 9th and is open to the public. Jen Haddox of World Mission Initiative will be the instructor for the first lesson, The Living God is a Missionary God.
McClure Lecture
Join us for the annual W. Don McClure Lectures Mon., Sept. 29, and Tues., Sept. 30, 2014. Keynote speaker is Daniel Jeyaraj, professor of world Christianity and director of the Andrew Walls Centre at Liverpool Hope University in Liverpool, UK. These lectures and discussions, held in the Knox Room, Long Hall, are free and open to the public.
Financial Peace University, under the leadership of Dave Ramsey, will again be offered at New Wilmington Presbyterian Church and the members and friends of Shenango Presbytery are invited to participate. Join us for this video teaching class on Mondays 7:00-8:30pm, Sept. 22 – Nov. 17, 2014 in room 214 of the New Wilmington Presbyterian Church. FPU teaches people God’s ways of handling money to live and give like no one else. The cost is $93.00 which provides participants with access to all Financial Peace University materials: workbook, online resources, videos, and more. For more information go to www.nwpresby.org then link to the DaveRamsey.com website where you will learn more about the class offerings and be able to register for the class. If you have other questions please call Jill Mohr, 724-977-2121.
Sudan Event
Save the Date – Sunday, October 5th at 6:30 PM in the East Main Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. More information to come!
Sudan “Celebration Choir” Rehearsal
Sunday evening, September 28th at Unity Presbyterian Church at Greenfield — 1857 Mercer West Middlesex Road, Route 318 — ALL WHO LIKE TO SING INVITED. The choir will sing an “African” flavored anthem…The choir will meet again at 5:30 PM on Sunday evening, October 5th prior to the 7 PM program. For more info: Call Jane Bartholomew at 724-981-2377 (c-724-699-1762).
News from the Churches
New Series at Northminster
Experience contemporary and ancient worship with a new sermon series, The Blood Covenant, starting in October at Northminster Presbyterian Church, (2434 Wilmington Road, New Castle). The series will take place on Thursday evenings, October 9, 16, 23, and 30 at 7:00 PM. It is open to the community and childcare is available.
Sing Your Favorite Hymns at Unity
The hymns of faith, the corporate praise of God is one of the wonderful traditions of the Reformed Faith. Join Unity Church (1857 Mercer-West Middlesex Road), the third Sunday of each month, for EVENSONG, an hour or so of singing together the favorite hymns and songs of our life. September 21, 6:30 PM in the sanctuary. Come with a list of your favorite hymns and let’s raise our voices in song. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy Name! Psalm 103.
Save the Date!!!
Dr. Ken Bailey’s musical drama Open Hearts In Bethlehem will be performed Fri. and Sat. evenings December 12th, 13th and Sun. afternoon Dec. 14th at Trinity Presbyterian Church. You won’t want to miss this Christmas story. Make plans to bring a group from your church.
Hadley Presbyterian Church
would like to invite anyone and everyone to an evening of music and entertainment onSeptember 21, st, at 7:00 p.m. – Come and bring friends to listen to the PENN-OHIO singers perform at our church. The address is Church Street, Hadley, PA – and any questions please call Darlene Cook at 724-456-0988.
Apple Festival
Saturday, September 13th from 5-7 PM at Shenango Presbyterian Church, 3144 Wilmington Road, New Castle, PA. Hot dogs, beans, chips, and apple crisp…$6 adults, $3 youth 3-12 years.
Fall Fest
The Wurtemburg Presbyterian Church will be holding their 21st Annual Fall Fest on Saturday, September 27th from 9 AM to 2 PM. Crafts, food court, soup, baked goods. Call 724-758-6785 for more information or to reserve a table.
PEO Soup Fest and Bake Sale
The sixth annual PEO Soup Fest and Bake Sale fundraiser will be held Saturday, October 4, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church of Sharon (600 East State Street). Serving 11 AM – 2 PM. Dine-in: all you can eat soup, beverage, and dessert – $8.00. Take-out quarts of soup, $8.00. PEO Provides Educational Opportunities for women.
“Cradle Roll” Caregiver Needed
Northminster Presbyterian Church is looking for an individual to sit with infants in the “Cradle Roll” room on Sunday mornings from 9 AM – NOON. The position pays minimum wage. If interested, please contact the church office at 724-658-9051.
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 