Pastor’s Message for April 2025

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” —1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) 

Greetings, Friends!

     In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul is writing to a church that he had a very brief relationship with. Just as he was laying the groundwork for the church, he was forced to flee the city under threats of violence. Paul, full of concern for the new church he had to leave behind, sends messengers to see how the church is doing. Imagine his joy when he comes to find out that the church is not merely surviving but thriving! Paul encourages them to continue to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, because the news of their faith is spreading across the region.

     What is it that the Thessalonians are doing that gives Paul such encouragement? Quite simply, they are being the church. They are imitating Jesus. They are welcoming others. They are living lives which point to the work of God in their lives. They are no longer living as the world around them lives, but as new creations in the power of God’s grace. How are they doing this? By doing good, avoiding evil, and attending to God’s commandments. They are turning from idols, abstaining from immorality, loving everyone they meet, and living in peace among each other.

     Of course, Paul’s message to the Thessalonians is the same message God has for us today. We are called to live a life that is, for lack of a better word, weird. A people who do good, avoid evil, and live in peace with God and neighbor will appear strange in the world we live in. In our world, we tear down and destroy people who disagree with us. We find more and more ways to divide ourselves based on the way we understand God, politics, race, and any number of other ways. As much as we would like to pretend that these issues only effect the outside world, we know that even in our churches we often sow seeds of discord and anger. We hold long grudges. Often the last place people look to find forgiveness is within the church, because they find only judgment and bitterness.

     Paul’s message to the Thessalonians challenges us to live according to the example of Jesus, not the example of the world. What would the church look like if it were a place that encouraged and lifted up those who were feeling lost, separated from God and from their neighbors? Can our church be that kind of place? Can we be the kind of church that encourages and lifts each other up? Can we be a church where we are known by our love for God and neighbor, not by our divisions? I believe so; I hope you do as well.

God loves you, and so do I,
Pastor Jim Sands

Coming Up…

< March 2025 >
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
            1AA Meeting from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
2Adult Sunday School from 10:00 am to 10:45 am
+ Google calendarWorship w/ Communion from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Holy Communion Offered Church Sanctuary + Google calendarKids' Sunday School from 11:15 am to 12:00 pm
Times are approximate. Begins after children's message during 11am worship. + Google calendar
3Bible Study from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Focus on the Gospel of Mark
Aliquippa First UMC + Google calendar
4Bible Study from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Focus on the Gospel of Mark
+ Google calendarBowling League from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
+ Google calendar
5Ash Wednesday Worship from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
with the Imposition of Ashes Aliquippa First UMC + Google calendarAA Meeting from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
6Busy Hands from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Volunteer Group
Carey Community Center + Google calendar
7 8Daylight Saving Time Begins all day
DST begins at 2am 3/9/2025. Remember to "spring forward" and turn your clocks ahead before bedtime! + Google calendarAA Meeting from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
9Adult Sunday School from 10:00 am to 10:45 am
+ Google calendarWorship from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Traditional worship, including prayer and the singing of traditional hymns. Church Sanctuary + Google calendarKids' Sunday School from 11:15 am to 12:00 pm
Times are approximate. Begins after children's message during 11am worship. + Google calendarLadies' Tea Planning Meeting from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Those willing to help with the upcoming Ladies’ Tea are asked to join a brief meeting following worship. See Vera Lovewell or Tina Allen with questions. Help from both ladies and gentlemen appreciated! Upper Level Meeting Room + Google calendar
10Bible Study from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Focus on the Gospel of Mark
Aliquippa First UMC + Google calendarBook Club from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
"Reading United Methodists" Discussing:
The Secret Life of Sunflowers by Marta Molnar
Aliquippa First UMC + Google calendar
11Food Pantry Distribution from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
+ Google calendarBible Study from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Focus on the Gospel of Mark
+ Google calendarBowling League from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
+ Google calendar
12Community Lenten Luncheon from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Lunch at noon followed by a short reflection presented by a speaker from this week's host church.
Free and open to the public; goodwill offering will be accepted each week.
This Week's Host: Redeemer Trinity Lutheran Church, 819 Washington Ave, Monaca + Google calendarNo PhDs Today (Aliquippa 1st) from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
+ Google calendarMeeting of the Eves from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Evening Women's Group of Monaca & Aliquippa First UMCs Monaca UMC + Google calendarAA Meeting from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
13 14 15Coffee Mugs & Kids Club from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Stories and activities for kids; coffee and conversation for moms! Carey Community Center + Google calendarAA Meeting from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
16Adult Sunday School from 10:00 am to 10:45 am
+ Google calendarWorship from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Traditional worship, including prayer and the singing of traditional hymns. Church Sanctuary + Google calendarKids' Sunday School from 11:15 am to 12:00 pm
Times are approximate. Begins after children's message during 11am worship. + Google calendarNOW Movie from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Showing God's Not Dead Aliquippa First UMC + Google calendar
17Bible Study from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Focus on the Gospel of Mark
Aliquippa First UMC + Google calendar
18Bible Study from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Focus on the Gospel of Mark
+ Google calendarBowling League from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
+ Google calendar
19Community Lenten Luncheon from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Lunch at noon followed by a short reflection presented by a speaker from this week's host church.
Free and open to the public; goodwill offering will be accepted each week.
Monaca UMC is this week's host! (813 Indiana Ave, Monaca) + Google calendarStaff-Parish Relations Committee Meeting from 6:00 pm to 6:45 pm
+ Google calendarExecutive Council Meeting from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
+ Google calendarAA Meeting from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
20Busy Hands from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Volunteer Group
Carey Community Center + Google calendar
21 22AA Meeting from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendarTrivia! from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Tap link for details
Aliquippa First UMC + Google calendar
23Adult Sunday School from 10:00 am to 10:45 am
+ Google calendarWorship from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Traditional worship, including prayer and the singing of traditional hymns. Church Sanctuary + Google calendarKids' Sunday School from 11:15 am to 12:00 pm
Times are approximate. Begins after children's message during 11am worship. + Google calendar
24Bible Study from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Focus on the Gospel of Mark
Aliquippa First UMC + Google calendar
25Bible Study from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Focus on the Gospel of Mark
+ Google calendarBowling League from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
+ Google calendar
26Community Lenten Luncheon from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Lunch at noon followed by a short reflection presented by a speaker from this week's host church.
Free and open to the public; goodwill offering will be accepted each week.
This Week's Host: Monacrest Free Methodist Church, 995 Elmira St, Monaca + Google calendarAliquippa First "PhDs" from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
For "Projects Half Done" - knitting/crochet group; 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month at Aliquippa First UMC + Google calendarAA Meeting from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
27 28 29AA Meeting from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
30Adult Sunday School from 10:00 am to 10:45 am
+ Google calendarWorship from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Traditional worship, including prayer and the singing of traditional hymns. Church Sanctuary + Google calendarKids' Sunday School from 11:15 am to 12:00 pm
Times are approximate. Begins after children's message during 11am worship. + Google calendar5th Sunday Donut Fellowship from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
+ Google calendar
31Order Deadline for Easter Flowers all day
Tap link for details
+ Google calendarBible Study from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Focus on the Gospel of Mark
Aliquippa First UMC + Google calendar