Pastor’s Message for November 2024

Pastor’s Report from 2024 Church Conference

Grace and peace in the name of Jesus Christ!

     I am so very blessed to be the pastor of these two churches in the heart of Beaver County. This year will be my third year serving as pastor here, and my fourteenth year in ministry.

     This year was a general conference year, which brought about some big denominational changes regarding issues of human sexuality. While some churches saw fit to depart from the United Methodist Church, I am proud that our churches have put aside the division and anger which have torn apart other churches and just kept on being the hands and feet of Jesus in the community where God has placed us. The United Methodist Church is a place where I’m proud to serve.

     Overall, the charge has done meaningful ministry and continues to make a difference in the area. Our numbers are steady, neither increasing nor decreasing significantly in the past year. Overall, not just the churches on the charge, but most churches are experiencing a slow decline over the last twenty years. This generational shift away from religion overall is not something that happened all at once, nor will it be corrected overnight. My emphasis in the next year is to help the churches lay the groundwork for us to be able to continue to do faithful ministry for generations to come. Here are some of the strengths and challenges I see within the two churches:

Monaca

     Monaca has a calling to see that no one in our community should go without food. The food pantry is one ministry which helps us to meet that challenge. We provide a generous portion of food for the folks who come to our monthly distribution, and also have food for emergency needs. Our children’s Sunday School has a team of devoted volunteers, and does wonderful ministry with our kids during worship. We also had our first VBS since the pandemic and had a nice response from the community. The Carey Center has become a place that provides a space for several groups and activities.

     The challenge Monaca Church faces is an aging of the congregation. Many of the people who volunteer for ministry opportunities are reaching the point where health is becoming a hinderance. While the church does great ministry, it is often done by many of the same people who struggle against burnout.

Aliquippa First

     Aliquippa First has a music ministry which is second to none! There are many opportunities for those who wish to worship God through the use of their musical gifts. We have an active handbell choir, a small but devoted choir, and opportunities for expressions of musical talent throughout the year. Aliquippa’s location along one of the main roadways in the county is ideal for reaching out to the community and hosting events. Aliquippa has been active in providing supplies to shelters in the area, and is a welcoming church to all who come to worship. The church has welcomed a group of homeschoolers to use a portion of the unused areas of the building for their weekly group lessons and activities. Their presence is a blessing to the church and community.

     Aliquippa’s greatest challenge is the building itself. We are a church of 40-50 worshippers in a building built for 400-500. While the congregation is smaller, the needs of the building, from furnaces to roofs, remain the same. The church is in need of a new roof over the education wing of the building which will cost significant funding. The church also suffers from a lack of children and young adults. The combination of these challenges creates an environment which is not sustainable long-term. There is opportunity for growth, but it will require much work and intentional focus.

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


One Reply to “Pastor’s Message for November 2024”

Comments are closed.

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