The faithful of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, 427 First St., East Conemaugh, will gather Sunday on the bridge between Franklin and East Conemaugh boroughs to participate in the church’s annual river blessing.

Members of the church and their pastor, the Very Rev. Archpriest George Johnson, will continue a 33-year tradition as members process to the Little Conemaugh River.

The service will begin at 9 a.m. with Divine Liturgy and the first part of the blessing at the church and continue with a procession to the river at 10:20.

Johnson has been blessing the river since 1979.

The Sunday service takes place on the Great Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, the church’s patron saint.

During the procession, Johnson also will bless the recently constructed Conemaugh River Bridge, which locals know as the Sgt. Michael Strank Memorial Bridge.

The service will feature special hymnography and Scripture readings.

The highlight of the service, which is open to the public, comes when Johnson immerses a cross in the river three times.

Following the blessing service, the public is invited to return to St. John’s church hall for refreshments.

‘Overcoming Setbacks’ theme at Maple Spring

The Rev. Guy Myers will speak about “Overcoming Setbacks in Life,” with Scripture from 2 Kings 5:1-14, during the  8:30 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday services at Maple Spring Church of the Brethren, 106 Spring Road, Hollsopple.

Diane Bridge will have the children’s story.

Hunter Tresnicky will provide special music during the 10:45 service.

Sunday school will begin at 9:40.

Festival of St. John the Baptist at Zion

The Festival of St. John the Baptist will be celebrated during the 9 a.m. Sunday service at Zion Lutheran Church, 613 Locust St., downtown Johnstown.

The Gospel reading will be from Luke 1:57-80.

An adult study will follow at 10:30.

A midweek Liturgy of Holy Communion will be celebrated at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. John’s Memorial Chapel.

Mount Hope sets  Sunday service

The Rev. Jason McQueen will lead a worship service at 9 a.m. Sunday at Mount Hope United Methodist Church, 258 Mount Hope Road, South Fork.

Sunday school will begin at 10:30.

‘Living Out Loud’ topic at Grove Ave.

The Rev. Ed Schoeneck will deliver the message “Living Out Loud,” taken from 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, during the Sunday services at Grove Avenue United Methodist Church, 501 Grove Ave. in the Moxham section of Johnstown.

A contemporary worship service, with music provided by Eclectic Praise Band, and adult Sunday school will begin at 9:15 a.m., followed by fellowship at 10:15.

A traditional worship service and children’s Sunday school will begin at 10:45.

Nursery will be available.

Bishop’s assistant to speak in Moxham

Worship will begin at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at Moxham Lutheran Church, 500 Park Ave., Johnstown.

Following the service, Pastor Tim Knauss, assistant to the bishop, will speak during a summer coffee hour.

Wednesday worship will begin at 4 p.m.

Pastor will take message from Mark

The Rev. Kathleen Schoeneck will speak on “The Grace of God in Vain,” based on Mark 4:35-41, during the 9:30 a.m. Sunday worship service at Christ United Methodist Church, Ohio Street and Cypress Avenue in the Moxham section of Johnstown.

Norma Bowser will be the worship leader.

Kermit and Beverly Rager are the greeters.

Harrriet Miller will provide the music.

Fellowship will follow the service.

Sunday school begins at 10:45.

Roxbury pastor to speak about ‘Faith’

The Rev. Brian Simmons, pastor of Roxbury Church of the Brethren, 112 Sell St., Johnstown, will speak on “Do You Have Faith?” with Scripture from Mark 4:35-41, during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship service.

Sunday school will begin at 9:30.

Church celebrating pastoral anniversary

The 17th pastoral anniversary of Ronnie C. Morris Sr., pastor, and Lavonne V. Morris, first lady, will be celebrated during the 10 a.m. Sunday service at Second Baptist Church in Blairsville.

Cory A. Braatz, pastor of First Baptist Church in Blairsville, will preach.

Dinner will be served at 2:30 p.m.

A program will be held at 4.

Second Presby pastor to speak from Jeremiah

The Rev. Art Moffat Jr. will speak on “When I Need More Confidence,” with Scripture  from Jeremiah 18:1-6, during the 10 a.m. Sunday worship service at Second Presbyterian Church, 565 Park Ave. in the Moxham section of Johnstown.

The choir, directed by Sarah Pruss, will sing “My Life Is in You Lord.”

Moxham pastor will deliver message

The Rev. William Wenger, pastor of Moxham Church of the Brethren, will deliver the message “The Teaching Ministry of Christ,” with Scripture from Philippians 2:1-11 and Luke 6:17-31, during the 10:10 a.m. Sunday worship service at the church, 536 Grove Ave., Johnstown.

John Robertson will have the children’s story time.

Sunday school will begin at 9.

Grace Lutheran to observe Communion

A celebration of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist will be held during the service of Holy Communion at 10:15 a.m. Sunday at Grace Lutheran Church, 201 E. Main St., Stoystown.

A Christmas hymn sing will be held at 5:30 p.m. Sunday in the basement social hall. A light supper will follow.

‘Going Fishing?’ topic at Beulah UM

The Rev. Jeffrey Popson will deliver the message “Going Fishing?” based on John 21:1-19, during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship service at Beulah United Methodist Church, 716 Bedford St., Johnstown.

A contemporary worship service will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Sunday school will begin at 9:25.

Pastor will speak about ‘God’s Grace’

The Rev. Kathleen Schoeneck, pastor of Park Avenue United Methodist Church, 700 Park Ave. in the Moxham section of Johnstown, will speak on the theme “God’s Grace in Vain” during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service.

The choral group will provide special music.

Sunday school will begin at 9:15.

Pastor will speak at Community church

The Rev. Charles H. Zimmerman, pastor of Community Open Door Church, Menoher Boulevard and Luzerne Street, Johnstown, will deliver the message “Are You a Part of the Age of the Word?” during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship service.

Cindy Wilson will bring the children’s message.

Weekly children’s scavenger hunts begin at 10 a.m. Thursday.

Conemaugh church plans worship service

A Sunday worship service will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Conemaugh Church of the Brethren, 1256 William Penn Ave., Johnstown.

Sunday school for all ages will begin at 9:30.

Bible study will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Westmont UM to have guest speaker

Connie Gossard, director of United Methodist Human Services, will speak during the 10:45 a.m. Sunday worship service at Westmont United Methodist Church, 1428 Menoher Blvd., Johnstown.

Sunday school will begin at 9:30.

Pilgrim church marking anniversary

The 85th anniversary of Pilgrim Church of God in Christ, 108 Poplar St., Johnstown,   will be celebrated at 4 p.m. Sunday.

Robert T. Scholfield is the pastor.

The Rev. James E. Hunt of First Baptist Church in Penn Hills, Allegheny County, will speak.

Ferndale pastor:  ‘Give God the Deed’

The Rev. Len Findley, pastor of Ferndale United Methodist Church, 701 Vickroy Ave., Johnstown, will deliver the message “Give God the Deed,” taken from James 2:14-26, during the 10:40 a.m. Sunday service.

Findley also will speak during the 9:30 a.m. Sunday worship service at Faith United Methodist Church, 369 Glessner Road, Johnstown.

St. Thomas, Dunmyer schedule services

The Rev. Gerald Myers will speak during the 9 a.m. Sunday service at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 1439 Ridge Road, Hooversville.

Dunmyer Lutheran Church, 547 Schoolhouse Road, Johnstown, will hold its annual “Worship in the Woods” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday in the church pavilion.

The Rev. Nila Cogan will lead the service.

A covered-dish dinner will follow the service.

Bible study will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Dunmyer Lutheran.

 

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