​              COVID GUIDELINES UPDATE
As our community and nation are gaining ground in the COVID pandemic, Old Union has begun to relax some of our restrictions during in-person worship.  Masks are now optional for those who have been fully vaccinated, and the hymnals and Bibles are back in the pew racks.  The pastor will greet worshipers in the lobby after worship, and he has resumed home visitation.  For now, we will continue to practice social distancing and we will continue to sanitize surfaces after worship.  When you enter the church building, please wear a mask and use one of the touchless hand sanitizer stations located just inside each entrance.  Old Union will continue to offer livestream worship through our Facebook group, and you may join us by phone by calling 605-468-8003 and using access code 627725#.
 
                        NEW PIANIST
Please welcome Maddie R. as Old Union’s new pianist.  Maddie came to Sunday School and worship at Old Union as a child, and has studied piano with Cindy M. for seven or eight years.  She will be a senior at Mars High School this fall.
 
                      NEW MEMBERS
A near-record group of fifteen people have expressed interest in joining Old Union Church, and they are in the midst of membership preparation meetings.  Those who will be publicly affirming their faith for the first time are taking part in seven meetings, while those who are transferring their membership from other churches will participate in the final two meetings.  Membership classes will be held this month after worship in the fellowship hall.  They will be received into membership during worship on July 4.  Please pray for them as they take this significant step in their faith journeys.
 
           SUMMER WORSHIP LOCATIONS
After a couple years off because of the pandemic and the pastor’s sabbatical, Old Union will resume outdoor worship in our pavilion (weather permitting), for roughly half of the Sundays this summer.  We will be indoors to celebrate the sacraments and when we will have guest preachers.  Feel free to bring a seat cushion or your own chair, or a blanket to spread on the hillside beside the pavilion.
June 6:          Outside
June 13:        Inside (Communion)
June 20:        Outside
June 27:        Outside
July 4:           Inside (Tentative Baptism)
July 11:         Inside (Guest Preacher)
July 18:         Inside (Guest Preacher)
July 25:         Inside (Guest Preacher)
August 1:       Outside
August 8:       Outside
August 15:     Outside
August 22:     Outside
August 29:     Inside (Communion)
September 5: Outside

​Old Union’s worship services in the summer will begin at 10:00.  There will be no Sunday School classes.
 
               ADOPT A FLOWER BED
Some of the church flower beds are still up for adoption for those who enjoy gardening.  If you sign up, you will be responsible for pulling weeds and removing dead flowers, but not for trimming trees or bushes.  Please speak with Dottie G. if you have any questions.
 
The congregation extends its sympathy to the family and loved ones of Christopher W., who died on May 20.
 
                       CAR SHOW
Old Union will hold our fourth annual car show on Saturday, June 12.  This will be a spectator-judged show, with dash plaques for the first 50 cars.  In addition to food, music, and fellowship, we will have several fund-raising activities. Proceeds will benefit church mission projects. Please speak with Lorene W. or Will B. if you’d like to lend a hand.
 
                   MINI MISSION TRIP
COVID is preventing us once again from our customary week-long mission trip to assist with disaster recovery, so we will remain close to home this year.  On Saturday August 14 we will conduct a deep cleaning of the Lighthouse Foundation’s facilities.  Please sign up in the lobby, or contact the church, if you’d like to participate.
 
                  VIDEO DEVOTIONS
The pastor posts video devotions every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 2:00 to the church’s Facebook group and YouTube channel.  You can also find links to the devotions on the church’s website.
 
The church auditors will begin their work of reviewing church accounts on June 2.  If you are the treasurer of a church organization, please contact Sally P. or John D. for information about how to prepare.
 
Sign up in the lobby or contact the pastor if you’d like to read Scripture for one of our upcoming worship services.  You can participate even if you are not joining us in-person for worship: we can record you in advance!
 
The session is making plans to reseal the pavement of the parking lot this summer.
 
​Old Union Church will host a Red Cross Blood Drive on Wednesday, June 30, from noon to 5:00.  Please visit https:redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767 to schedule a donation.  We also need at least two volunteers to assist with registration.  Please contact the pastor if you'd like to lend a hand.

Old Union Presbyterian Church | 200 Union Church Road, Mars, PA 16046
​724-538-8672 | OldUnionChurch@gmail.com