​​           SUNDAY WORSHIP AT OLD UNION
The month will start with Rev. Dr. Carolyn J. as our guest preacher.  Carolyn will serve as Old Union’s pastor while Peter is on sabbatical later this year, and this will be your chance to meet her.

3/3/2019        Mark 9:2-9
3/10/2019      Matthew 19:16-26
3/17/2019      Mark 10:46-32
3/24/2019      Luke 19:1-10
3/31/2019      John 11:17-37
 
                     SCRIPTURE READERS
3/3/2019        Judy P.
3/10/2019      Sandy S.
3/17/2019      Charlene K.
3/24/2019      Mary Rae T.
3/31/2019      Becky G.
 
 
           SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE DINNER
Join us on Tuesday March 6 at 6:30 PM as we begin the season of Lent with our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner.  Enjoy good food and fellowship, and a devotional activity to focus us upon the coming season.
 
Our pastor is a member of the Presbyteries’ Cooperative Committee on Examinations, which is responsible for overseeing the examinations candidates must pass in order to be ordained as ministers in our denomination.  He will be away March 11-16 for the committee’s annual meeting in Louisville.
 
Each year, the manse committee holds a walk-through of the manse to inspect it and to make plans for any necessary repairs or improvements.  This year’s walk-through will be held on March 24.  The committee members are Ralph J., Judy P., Barry E., and Vicky L..

 
              ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
During the season of Lent, we will take up a special collection known as the One Great Hour of Sharing, to fund three Presbyterian programs that help people in need: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People.  Please use the giving calendar in this newsletter to guide your contributions.

 
                MARK YOUR CALENDAR
April 6-           Soup Supper
April 18-         Maundy Thursday Service 7:30 PM
April 21-         Easter Sunrise Service and                                  Breakfast, 7:30 AM
                     11:00 AM Communion Worship
April 24-         Pastor’s sabbatical begins
May 19-          Sunday School Celebration
May 26-          Summer Worship begins 10:00 AM
June 1-           Car Cruise
June 9-           Communion)
July 30-          Pastor returns from sabbatical
August 25-      Communion
September 1-  Last Sunday for Summer Worship
                      "Worship As You Work"
October 4-      Making Apple Dumplings
October 6-      World Communion
November 10-           Congregational Meeting
November 24-           Thank Offering Sunday
December 1-             First Sunday of Advent
December 22-           Choir Cantata & Christmas                                               Party
December 24-           Christmas Eve Candle Light                                  Service 7:30 PM
January 5, 2020-       Installation and Ordination                                  of Elders and Deacons
January 12, 2020-    Communion
​

Beaver Butler Presbytery will hold a leadership event on Sunday, March 17, 2:00-5:00, at the Cranberry Community United Presbyterian Church.   The keynote speaker will describe his near-death experience that converted him from atheist to pastor.  A number of interesting workshops will also be available.  Please the brochure in the church lobby for more information.      
  Here are four ways for you become better              connected with Old Union Church:
1. AUTOMATIC OFFERING: Provide consistent support for your church, even when you’re not able to attend worship.  Plus, save the hassle of writing a check and remembering to bring your envelop to church.  Go to the church’s website (www.OldUnionChurch.com) or lobby to find information on how to sign up.
2. EMAIL LIST: Sign up to get updates through the week about life at Old Union (about 3-4 emails per week).  Go to the church’s website to sign up.
3. FACEBOOK GROUP:  If you use Facebook, join the group “Old Union Presbyterian Church” to stay in touch with your church friends.  While you’re at it, “like” our page, Old Union Presbyterian Church.
4. PRAYER CHAIN: When prayer needs arise during the week, a group of more than 25 people share the requests to lift up to God.  You can participate by email or by telephone.  Speak with the pastor if you would like to join the prayer chain.
 
                 JOIN THE BLUE OUT!
Celebrate the work of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance on March 10 by wearing blue to church: hat, tie, shirt, scarf, or a PDA volunteer shirt if you have one.  Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is one of the three Presbyterian organizations that benefits from the One Great Hour of Sharing offering that we receive each Lent.  This will be the tenth year that Old Union Church sends a team to work with PDA.
 
           NEWS FROM THE PRESBYTERY
Beaver-Butler Presbytery is beginning the process to merge with Shenango Presbytery, which is composed of churches in Lawrence and Mercer counties.  Over the past several years both presbyteries have lost a significant number of churches and are no longer able to support full-time staff independently.  The new presbytery that comes from this merger will be able to provide better support for Old Union and the other churches.  Our own Lorene Winner was a member of the transition team that worked toward this decision.
 
The session recently approved plans to replace the sanctuary windows.  The new windows will be similar to the annex windows.  The stained glass arch on the top of each window will be preserved and protected with an outer layer of glass.  The cost for this project is $8,000, and will be paid for by memorial funds.  Speak with Judy P. if you would like to contribute additional money in memory of a loved one for this project.
 
The session has approved plans to install acoustic panels in the fellowship hall, to reduce the reverberation that makes it difficult for many people to hear in the room.  This project, with a total cost of $10,796, will be paid for by an anonymous donation.
 
Last November, Old Union Church received a donation of $1,000 from a former member, to be used as the session chose.  Because of our concern about the number of women in our county who give birth while they are addicted, the session decided to contribute this money to Life Choices, which operates a maternity home in the Butler area.  “The Inn” is a family-style residential facility for women who have no safe place to live, many of whom are addicted to methadone.  Our contribution will help to cover some of the home’s operating expenses.  If you wish to contribute toward this cause, please mark your donations “Life Choices.”
 
 This summer, Old Union will collect used footwear, of any kind and in any condition.  We will pass them along to CHOSEN, one of our mission projects that provides medical equipment for missions hospitals.  CHOSEN will in turn pass the shoes on to another organization, which will pay CHOSEN for the shoes, then pass them along to entrepreneurs in developing nations who are trying to start businesses.
 
                     MISSION TRIP
Old Union’s tenth annual mission trip will take place August 11-17, when we will travel to Fayetteville, North Carolina to assist in hurricane rebuilding work.  The trip is open to anyone over the age of 14, regardless of skill.  You can sign up with a  $25 deposit; the total cost for the trip will be less than $100.  The deadline to sign up is April 1.  Speak with Peter for more information.
Old Union Presbyterian Church | 200 Union Church Road, Mars, PA 16046
​724-538-8672 | OldUnionChurch@gmail.com
200 Union Church Road, Mars PA 16046