Church News and Events
SYRIA CHRISTIAN
By Janice Pickens
Syria’s annual Fall Festival will take place on Sunday, Nov. 21 with a meal after second service. A special offering will be taken that day with money to be used to put a new roof on the worship area and pay for church additions and improvements. Practice for the children’s Christmas program is now taking place during Kids’ Church held during both services. The program will be given during both services on Dec. 19. 812, the junior/senior high youth group, meets every Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. The S.A.L.T. adult Bible study group meets the first and third Saturdays of each month at the church. A substance abuse recovery group meets every Thursday in the church basement at 6:30 p.m. Sunday morning worship services are at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. with a nursery, Kids’ Church and Wee Worship available during both services. Sunday School classes for children and adults meet at 10:10 with a nursery available. Worship services are also available on Facebook live or on-line at http://www.syriacc.com/worship-center/ (click on the link for Sunday worship). The church office may be reached at 812-723-2316. The church e-mail address is info@syriacc.com.
Central Baptist
By Rhonda Sailer
Join us for Sunday School which starts at 9:30 a.m. with our study of the Book of Luke. Followed by the morning service at 10:45 a.m. with Senior Pastor John Hutcheson bringing the sermon from Acts. There is a nursery for children during the worship time. We will not meet for our Wednesday night time together on Thanksgiving eve. Hutch Hangout is Sundays at 5 p.m.
Paoli Christian
By Glenda Ferguson
On Nov. 14, Pastor Gary Swick’s sermon was about Self Control, Genesis 4:2-12, 1) Stay alert, 2) Search your heart, 3) Obey God’s warnings and 4) Consider the consequences. View the full sermon on the PCC Facebook page and discover how Coach John Wooden controlled his anger. Services are 9 a.m. Ladies’ Prayer Circle at 8:30 a.m. (Junior Church is for K-6th grade during Worship time.) and 10:10 Bible School for all ages, including Adults’ Bible School with Stanley Hall “Experiencing God,” Jim McDonald “Core 52” and Gary Swick “Hebrews.” As an option, you may listen to Q100.1 or view Facebook live and YouTube. If you need a ride to Sunday morning service, contact the church office. We now have a lounge for mothers, located in the Children's Hall. Wednesday night Compass welcomes all ages with classes at 7-8 p.m. Youth and Children’s Christmas Program Practice will continue on Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. and meet each Wednesday (no practice 11/24) until the program on Dec. 5. The next Wednesday Night Meal is Dec. 1, 6 p.m. Habitat for Humanity will meet in Orleans on Saturday, Nov. 20, 8 a.m. until noon. The church is providing a Thanksgiving Dinner, 6 p.m. Nov. 21. Be sure to sign up if you plan to attend. On Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Nov. 24, there is no Bible study or Christmas program practice.
Paoli First Presbyterian
By Larry Hollan
Scott McGowen will have the message at Paoli First Presbyterian Church Sunday, Nov. 21 with the sermon “I never thought life would turn out this way.” The First Lesson comes from Psalms 71:14-16, while the Second Lesson will be found in Matthew 5:1-12. During the service, Jim Hudelson will serve as Liturgist and Gary Spear will have the opening prayer. Larry Hollan will have Patchwork, the Children’s Sermon. Those who choose to worship via Zoom may join the service at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89513082505 after 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. Paoli First Presbyterian begins each week with a socially-distanced breakfast fellowship at 10:15 a.m. This Sunday, Carol Hudelson will provide breakfast. Morning worship begins at 10:45 a.m. Everyone is welcome. First Presbyterian continues in-person worship each Sunday, asking those in attendance to maintain appropriate social distance and to wear a face mask. Paoli First Presbyterian Church welcomed Michelle Spear as the messenger Sunday, Nov. 14 with the sermon “All the More.” Michelle connected the anticipation of hope and the confidence of faith with all the more reason to believe. As a preview, the Rev. Bob Turner returns to the pulpit at Paoli First Church Sunday, Nov. 28.
LICK CREEK FRIENDS
By Paul Crecelius
Due to a deadline change for Veterans Day, last week's Lick Creek Friends column was unable to be included. It has been included with this week's column.
We often look at the problems and complexities of life and struggle to find answers. The declaration is made that no solutions can be found. As a last resort, God is consulted. The one that created everything and is never without solutions. He could take the impossible and turn it into a reality. When will we learn our lesson and call upon Him from the beginning? The church bell rang throughout the Lick Creek Friends Church neighborhood, as Donnie Lessig pulled the rope. Inside, the church auditorium, the air was filled with instrumental music, as Mike and Becky Magill played “He Took My Sins Away.” The congregation sang the hymns “When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder” and “He Abides,” under the direction of Sam Leinart. Carolyn Lessig's solo was “Precious Lord.” Nina Lewis stood and sang. Mike Magill led the congregation in prayer. Linda Crecelius directed the worshippers’ thoughts toward heaven, as she sang “I Got More to Go to Heaven For.” The sermon topic was “Two-way Communications. “At The Cross” was the closing song. Last week’s biblical trivia question: What was the brother of Moses' name? The answer is Aaron. Read about it in Exodus 7:1. This week’s question: Name the first two disciples to be called by Jesus. What activity were they doing at the time of the request?
Friends can influence us for the good or the bad. Their comments can make or break our day. They can create an atmosphere of love and compassion or one of loneness. The people that surround us can be an encourager or a discourager. Jesus knew the importance of Christian fellowship. We find the disciples learning, eating, and fellowshipping. The friends we choose are important in our Christian walk. We must choose them wisely. Sunday, the old church bell awakens the community that Lick Creek Friends Church service was occurring. The church was filled with the instrumental song as Mike and Beck Magill performed the song “I Belong to the Kings,” Sam Leinart led congregational worship in the songs “He Brought Me Out,” and “There Shall Be Showers of Blessing.” Rick Jones was the usher. Carolyn Breeding Lessig's solo was “The Halleluiah Side.” Donnie Lessig led the congregation in prayer. Prior to the message, “What Were You Thinking?” Linda Crecelius sang “He Touched Me.” The service concluded with the song “At Calvary.” Following the service, the cake was served in celebration of November birthdays. Your attendance is important in the survival of the oldest church in Orange County. We will cherish your worship with us. Donnie Lessig will ring the bell at 11 a.m. This week’s biblical trivia question: David played an instrument that refreshed Saul and the evil departed from him. Name the instrument. Last week’s question: Name the first two disciples to be called by Jesus? What activity were they doing at the time of the request? The disciples were Simon and Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea. Mark 1:16-17.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Mail: Church News and Events for Nov. 18, 2021
