|
WORSHIP IN JANUARY
We’ll begin the new year with a sermon from Sue C., while Peter is on vacation. We’ll then begin a two month series “Lessons for the Church from Ephesians.” January 5: John 2:1-12 January 12: Ephesians 1:3-14 January 19: Ephesians 1:15-23 January 26: Ephesians 2:11-22 SCRIPTURE READERS January 12: Velma N. January 19: Becky M. January 26: Heather I. The pastor will be on vacation December 30-January 5. If you need a pastor in his absence, please contact Rev. Jim K. of Valencia Presbyterian Church (724-625-2002 church, 412-491-2102 cell). Rev. Sue C., recently retired as pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Belle Vernon PA, has spent the past year worshiping with us together with her husband Dick. Sue will preach for us on January 5 while Peter is away. Come hear what Belle Vernon enjoyed for many years! HELPING HANDS Helping Hands is a group of about a dozen people who will handle repairs and improvements for the church property. If you see a need, please drop a note in their basket in the church lobby. After worship on the last Sunday of each month, the Helping Hands will meet to decide which tasks they will handle, which should be passed along to a different church group, and which should be sent to the session for professional work. If you’d like to be a Helping Hand, simply show up for their next meeting on January 25. Speak with Julie W., Julie M., or Jim P. for more information. Our condolences go out to the family of Jim Charles, who died December 14. NEW CHURCH OFFICERS During worship on January 12 we will ordain install our new deacons and session members. SESSION: Jill M. will return for a second term. Teresa K. and Lorene W. have served on session in the past and will return to share their gifts. DEACONS: Gloria D. will return for a second term. Becky M. will rejoin the deacons after several years’ absence, and Charlene K. will be ordained to serve as a deacon for the first time. Please pray for each of them as they serve God through our church. Thanks to Marcy E. and Ralph J. for their faithful years of service on session, and to Sherry C. and Julie W. as they step down from serving as deacons. We appreciate your dedication! HELP WANTED How can you be part of what God is doing at Old Union Church? Here are some ways in which you can discover the joy of serving. Speak with the pastor for more information or if you have questions.
|
Old Union Church relies on its committees for much of what we do as a congregation. While some committees (such as the nomination and manse committees) are elected by the congregation, most are open to everyone who would like to participate. Several of our committees are very short-handed. Which committee best suits your gifts and interests? Speak with its chair to learn how you can get involved!
Finance: Abena B. Fund-Raising: Linda M. and Lorene W. Cemetery: Ruth G. Christian Education: Marcy E. Worship: Bill H. Mission: Ralph J. Outreach: Mary Rae T. TENTH ANNUAL LEGO TOURNAMENT Saturday, January 25, 10:00-2:00 Cost $5.00 (includes lunch) Open to all everyone in 1st through 6th grade, with judging in 3 age categories You must supply your own materials (they do not need to be Lego brand). Judging will take place for both pre-built designs, and creations made on-site. All work must be original designs! No kit designs, please. Special events during the day: Timed event for best creativity Race to complete a design from a model Blindfolded partner construction Space is limited, so sign up soon! ADOPT A MISSION Each January we ask families, individuals, and groups in the church to “adopt” our mission projects by providing the first $350 that the church will contribute over the course of the year. If you would like to adopt one of our ten projects, or if you would like to learn more about them, please speak with Ralph J.. Camping Association CHOSEN Ghana, Peki Seminary Josh H. The Inn Lighthouse Presbytery Mission Projects PRISM Samaritan Counseling Center Student Assistant Pastor If you do not choose to adopt a mission project, your mission contributions will be divided evenly among all ten projects unless you specify otherwise. Please speak with Peter if you’d like to help with the Lego Tournament. We can use a hand with registration, lunch, and running the events. Old Union Church will host our Presbytery’s meeting on Saturday, January 25. The deacons will organize the lunch for this meeting, and we are looking for assistance with parking, registration, child care, and set up. Please speak with the pastor if you’d like to help. We will soon be making plans for our February spaghetti dinner, to raise money for our mission projects. Watch for how you can take part! During worship on December 22, we honored Charlene K. for her many years of service as our organist. Thank you for adding so much to our worship! Now that little ones are starting to be part of our worshiping family once again, the Christian Education Committee is considering holding “Junior Church” once again. We appreciate and enjoy having the younger members of our congregation with us in worship, we realize that caring for them can make it difficult for parents and grandparents to listen to the sermon. During the hymn before the sermon those who are five years old and younger will be invited to go to our child care area in the basement, and then return during the hymn after the sermon. If you’d like to lend a hand, please speak with Jill M. or Marcy E.. PER CAPITA Old Union benefits in many ways from the support and guidance of being part of the Presbyterian Church (USA). In order to cover denominational costs fairly, each church is asked to pay a certain amount for each member, or “per capita.” Most of the money goes to the work of our local presbytery, with other funds going to our regional synod and to the national General Assembly. This year’s per capita amount is $40.79 per member. Please consider making an additional contribution to cover your share of this expense for our church. (You may also wish to give a little extra for those who aren’t able to give!) |
Old Union Presbyterian Church | 200 Union Church Road, Mars, PA 16046
724-538-8672 | OldUnionChurch@gmail.com
724-538-8672 | OldUnionChurch@gmail.com