SCRIPTURE READERS
November   3: Bob M.
November 10: Heather I.
November 17: Dick C.
November 24: Mary Lou Z.
 
                        HELPING HANDS
A baker’s dozen of people signed up to be part of Helping Hands, a team that will take care of maintenance and improvements around the church.  Watch for an organizing meeting to be scheduled soon!
 
The session is studying the book “Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations,” by Robert Schnase.  This is the book that Carolyn J. used for her sermons during the sabbatical.  If you would like to read it as well, you can find it on Amazon, or speak with Peter to order a copy.
 
                  FOOD BANK FELLOWSHIP
For many of the people who go to the Lighthouse’s food bank, this is their only chance to meet and interact with other people.  Unfortunately, the staff and volunteers at the food bank are too busy to spend much time chatting with them.  As a way to extend Old Union’s hospitality in the community, we are looking for volunteers to spend time talking (and especially listening) to people at the food bank as they wait for their supplies.  Using Jesus’ model of sending out his disciples in pairs, we’d like for everyone to have a partner for this ministry.  You can sign up for as much time or as many days as you would like, even if you can only participate once a month.  We are looking for volunteers for the following hours each week:
Mondays 1:00-4:00 (especially 1:00-2:00)
Tuesdays 3:00-6:00 (especially 5:00-6:00)
Thursdays 9:00-12:30 (especially 9:00-10:00)
Please sign up in the lobby if you’re interested, and speak with Mary Rae T. for more information. 
 
The session is making plans for a seminar, to be held sometime in the spring, to address issues associated with aging.  Please speak with Mary Rae T. if you’d like to be part of the team that will plan it.
 
The session approved the 2020 budget, for a total of $140,599.  This is an increase of $6,376.00 from 2019, but it is less than what we anticipate receiving this year.  The major changes in the budget are:
  • Reinstating salaries for the pianist and organist at $20 per Sunday.  This is a $1,000 increase from the appreciation gifts we had been giving.
  • Adding $400 to general mission giving, to reflect what the congregation is giving.
  • Adding two new mission projects: The Inn and Josh H..  They had been “adopted” in 2019, even though they were not official mission projects.
  • Reducing the manse utilities by $1,500, to reflect actual costs.
  • Giving staff a 1.6% cost of living salary increase.
  • Adding “Church Officer Training” as a new budget item, at a cost of $300.  This is to allow our church leaders to be more effective in their roles of service.
The full budget will be available in the church lobby before it is presented at the November 10 congregational meeting.
                 
Thanks to everyone who participated in our apple dumpling fundraising project!  We raised a total of $3,266.00, which will go toward the cost to repair and replace the retaining wall and porch on the back of the church.  Our next fund-raising event will be our Christmas cookie sale.
 
Old Union Church will hold its annual congregational meeting after worship on Sunday, November 10.  The purpose of this meeting will be to elect church officers for 2020, vote on the pastor’s proposed terms of call (salary package), and receive financial reports, including the budget.  If you are an active member of the congregation, please exercise your right to participate in this meeting.  If you are an inactive member or a non-member, you are welcome to attend the meeting but you are not permitted to vote.
 
Please continue to pray for the church nominating committee, as they seek to follow the Spirit’s guidance to invite people to service as an officer of the church.  If you have a suggestion, please speak with Peggy M. or Marcy E..  If you are invited to serve, please prayerfully consider if God is leading you to a new form of service.
 
Old Union Church will host our Presbytery’s meeting on Saturday, January 25.  The deacons have offered to organize the lunch for this meeting.  Watch for how you can assist with our hosting duties!
 
On Tuesday December 17, Old Union will host a Christmas concert by the Key of Hope choir.  The choir is composed of children from South Africa who are orphans or affected by poverty.  Key of Hope Ministries fills basic needs and provides mentorship, education and advocacy for hundreds of children.  Learn more at keyofhope.org.
 
Carol M., who spent time with our church following the pastor’s sabbatical, has helped us to generate exciting ideas about what our church does, how we can do it, and possibilities for Old Union’s future.  As the session works through these ideas, you’ll be hearing about new opportunities for you to use the gifts and interests that God has given you.
 
On Saturday November 9 we will participate in "Pittsburgh ALIVE," a festival for Pittsburgh's homeless.  Hundreds of volunteers will gather to provide fellowship and entertainment, and everything from food to clothing to haircuts.  You can sign up in the church lobby.  Learn more about Pittsburgh ALIVE at https://www.livingministry.org/alive
 
We are collecting shampoo, deodorant, and underwear for teenage boy students at Butler High School.  Place your donations in the "Lighthouse" bin in the church lobby.
 
If you are an ordained elder, might God be calling you to serve as a worship leader?  You're invited to learn more about Commissioned Ruling Elder ministry at an informational meeting to be held at the Presbytery office (134B South Main Street Zelienople, parking in the rear of the building) on Monday, November 4 at 6:00 PM.
Old Union Presbyterian Church | 200 Union Church Road, Mars, PA 16046
​724-538-8672 | OldUnionChurch@gmail.com
200 Union Church Road, Mars PA 16046