Pastor’s Message for January 2024

Blessed Christmastide, Friends!

As we delight in the glow of the holiday season, I want to invite us to take a moment to pause for a moment amid the festive rush. While the merriment of the new year surrounds us, let’s immerse ourselves in the deeper significance of the season. Beyond the  twinkling lights and festive cheer, the essence of Christmas beckons us to focus on the Christ child not just for a day but for the entirety of the season.

Epiphany, often hailed as the “Twelfth Night,” stands as the grand finale of the Christmas season, inviting us to extend our celebration beyond December 25th. This joyous occasion traces its roots to the 2nd century in the Eastern Church. At its core, Epiphany commemorates the revelation of Christ to the world—the visit of the Magi and the baptism of Jesus.

Within Epiphany lies a reminder for us to linger in the presence of the Christ child for just a little longer. The call is offered to extend our focus and embrace the season as an opportunity for spiritual reflection and revelation.

So, as we say goodbye to the Christmas season, let’s carry the joy of Christ’s presence with us into the season of Epiphany. May the guiding star not only illuminate the path to the manger but inspire us to relish the presence of the Christ child, making the season a continuous celebration of hope, wisdom, and boundless love.

(Oh, and Ash Wednesday is just a few weeks away…)

God loves you, and so do I,
Pastor Jim

Coming Up…

< April 2025 >
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
    1Bible 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
2Community 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: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mary Queen of Saints Parish, Corner of Virginia Ave & 15th St, Monaca + Google calendarMAT Meeting from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
+ Google calendarMeeting of the Eves from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Aliquippa First + Google calendarAA Meeting from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
3Busy Hands from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Volunteer Group
Carey Community Center + Google calendar
4 5AA Meeting from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
6Adult 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
7Bible Study from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Focus on the Gospel of Mark
Aliquippa First UMC + Google calendar
8Food Pantry Distribution from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
+ Google calendarBowling League from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
+ Google calendar
9Community 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: First Presbyterian Church, 1301 Indiana Ave, 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 calendarRefresh & Recharge from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
+ Google calendarAA Meeting from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
10 11 12Coffee 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
13Adult 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 calendarVBS Planning Meeting from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
+ Google calendar
14Bible 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 Bridge Over the River Kwai by Pierre Boulle
(Possible Movie Night!)
Aliquippa First UMC + Google calendar
15Hymn Sing from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Brighton Wellness & Rehab + Google calendarBowling League from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
+ Google calendar
16United Women of Faith Meeting from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Program: “The Empty Tomb: What That Means to You,” presented by Pr. Jim Aliquippa First UMC + Google calendarPreparation for Easter Egg Hunt from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
MUMC + Google calendarAA Meeting from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
17Busy Hands from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Volunteer Group
Carey Community Center + Google calendarMaundy Thursday from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
6pm Potluck; 7pm Worship with Communion + Google calendar
18Good Friday Tenebrae from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Aliquippa First UMC + Google calendar
19Easter Egg Hunt from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Aliquippa First UMC + Google calendarAA Meeting from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
20Happy Easter! all day
+ Google calendarNo Adult Sunday School This Morning at 12:00 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 Easter Party! from 11:15 am to 12:00 pm
+ Google calendar
21 22 23Aliquippa 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
24 25Movie Night from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Join us for dinner & a movie!
**other activities available for kids too young to enjoy the movie
+ Google calendar
26AA Meeting from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
27Adult 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
28 29 30AA Meeting from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar