Religion: Week of Sept. 30
At Baldwin United Presbyterian Church, a Fall Flea Market will take place 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 24, featuring a bake sale, Chinese auction and refreshments. Cost is $15 per 6-foot table and $18 per 8-foot table. To reserve a table, call Margie at 412-653-1400.
At Beth El Congregation of the South Hills, Green Tree, long-time community leaders Sam Balk and Alvin Catz will be honored at a Tribute Dinner set for 6 p.m. Oct. 11 at Beth El. Balk has been a member of Beth El since 1969, and served as its president from 1978-1979. Catz joined Beth El in 1974, and served as its president from 1984-1986. Both have been active on Beth El’s ritual committee, and have served as co-chairs of that committee, for many years. They each dedicate untold hours organizing and facilitating Sabbath and holiday services year in and year out, and offer a warm welcome to all who enter Beth El’s sanctuary. They are past honorees of Israel Bonds. For more information or to make reservations for the dinner, email Bette Balk at bettenb@aol.com or call 412-561-1168.
At Bethel Presbyterian Church, Jennifer Hoines will speak at the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Oct. 4. Hoines is the founder of PT International and is currently in Guatemala using her physical therapy training to heal bodies. Listen to Jennifer’s journeys, share communion, celebrate our Ladies over 80, and enjoy fellowship after the service.
At the Bible Chapel, McMurray, the sermon series Community: Necessary Connections will be offered Oct. 3-4.
• Special Needs Respite, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Oct. 16, South Hills campus. The Psalm 139 Ministry will host respite care for families of children with a variety of physical, cognitive, social and emotional needs.
At Center Presbyterian Church, McMurray, Sunday worship services are held at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday school for all ages begins at 9:45 a.m. For more information, visit www.center-church.org or call 724-941-9050.
At Chabad of the South Hills, Mt. Lebanon, Cteen takes place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Join other teens for discussions on today’s issues, Jewish views and what it all means for modern teens. The Cteen program will include special holiday programs, Shabbat dinners, Shabbatons and more. Register.
• A Bat Mitzvah Club for Jewish girls ages 11-13 will be offered at 5 p.m. beginning Oct. 1. This is a three-session series with each session running 4 weeks. Session 1 is The Four Mothers Session. Session 2 is Jewish Women from the Past. Session 3 is Jewish Women of the Present. Learn about a Jewish heroine and do a craft/art project at each meeting. Cost is $12/meeting, $40/session or $100/year. Register.
To register or for more information, visit www.ChabadSH.com or call 412-344-2424.
At Christ United Methodist Church, Bethel Park, a blessing of the animals will take place at 4 p.m. Oct. 4. Bring pets or pictures of your pets for a special blessing on the birthday of St. Francis of Assisi. All animals must be caged or leashed.
• First Friday Fish Fry, 4-7 p.m. Oct. 2, hosted by Roundtable Ministry each month. Eat in and carry out available.
• Women’s Saturday Morning Bible Study, 9:30-10:15 a.m. Oct. 3. This new women’s Bible study will meet the first Saturday of each month. This month’s topic is “Manoah’s Wife: Hope for the Ignored (Judges 13:1-25).” Bring a Bible.
• Class: A Character Driven Life, 9:30 a.m. Oct. 4. Henry Huffman will share his work and passion for those who are incarcerated. This session will examine ways we can reach out to those who are in jail.
• Discovery Class: Yes, Lord, 9:30 a.m. Sundays, beginning Oct. 4. This study of sin, using the book “Yes, Lord, I Have Sinned but I Have Several Excellent Excuses” by James W. Moore will include the following topics of sins: Talking a Good Game, Half-heartedness, Arrogance, Overreaction and others. This study will continue until Thanksgiving.
• Harvest Festival, Oct. 9 and 10. Fun, food and festival activities for all ages, including the Prime Time fall vendor/craft Fair, antique car show, carnival games and crafts, pumpkin patch, Grandma’s Attic (resale shop), animals, music, Mark Pie the Cartoon Guy (special children’s program) and more. Hours are noon-7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.
For more information or to register, call 412-835-6621 or visit christumc.net/signup.
At Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, Mt. Lebanon, The Ladies Philoptochos Society will hold its Autumn Food Fair and Yiayia Joan’s Attic 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 7-9 in the Community Center. Enjoy Greek favorites such as moussaka, tiropita, spanakopita, pastitsio, rice pudding, soups and more. A bake sale will feature Greek pastries, pies, cakes, jams, nuts, candies and a variety of breads. No fax, phone or online ordering. Takeout is available in the Community Center food line. All proceeds benefit the philanthropic efforts of the Ladies Philoptochos Society. For more information, visit www.holycrosspgh.org.
At John McMillan Presbyterian Church, Bethel Park, Discovery Class adult Sunday school class presents “It’s All About the Relationship,” with Drs. Barbara and Hetz Marsh at 9:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Topics in this three-week study include “How we are wired for connection with one another and God?,” “How can we fully love the Jesus way?” and “The way we should go when interests compete with one another.” For more information, call 412-833-4704.
At Peters Creek Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Venetia, study the Second Coming of Jesus Christ at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings in the Community Room at Beinhauer’s Family Funeral Home, McMurray. A fellowship meal will be held beforehand. To RSVP, call 724-941-6210. For more information, visit www.peterscreekchurch.org.
At South Hills Assembly of God, Bethel Park, services of praise and worship, preaching, teaching and prayer are held 9 and 11 a.m. Sundays.
• CommuniTea, a women’s Bible study/fellowship for all ages, will meet 9:30-11:30 a.m. Oct. 2. Hosted by Sue Willis and other teachers/speakers, the theme of this month’s study is “favor.” Coffee, tea and light refreshments will be served. Childcare available at $5/mom. Register.
• Soberfest, a celebration of sobriety, will meet noon-6 p.m. Oct. 3 at South Park Fairground museum building (across from the police station). Bands, food, fellowship, testimonies. Love donations accepted.
• Wings of Eagles motorcycle ministry will meet and depart from the church at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 3 for a ride to Coopers Rock, W.Va.
For more information, call 412-835-8900 or visit www.southhillsassembly.org.
At Southminster Presbyterian Church, Mt. Lebanon, Community Bible Study meets 7-8:40 p.m. Mondays. For more information, call John at 412-600-8756.
At St. David’s Episcopal Church, Venetia, Fall Cleanup Day will be held Oct. 10. Help prepare the SHIM garden as well as the plantings around the church for winter. Other projects, both in and outdoors, have not yet been determined.
• Blessing of the Pets, Oct. 4. The annual Blessing of the Pets in connection with the Feast of St. Francis will be held during the church service. Bring your pets to church for a short liturgy and blessing with holy water. If you have a pet that doesn’t get along well with others, bring them after the service (around 11:30 a.m.) and Fr. Kris will bless them privately.
At St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, Canonsburg, an all-you-can-eat breakfast will be held 8 a.m.-noon Oct. 10, featuring pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, home fries and beverage. Cost is $8 for adults, $4 for children ages 6-12 and free to kids 5 and under. Proceeds benefit the parish youth outreach programs sponsored by St. John’s Jr. “O” Club.
At St. Louise de Marillac Parish, Upper St. Clair, the seven-week series “Discovering Christ” will run Oct. 7-Nov. 18, with a retreat scheduled on Nov. 7. The program helps participants enter into or renew a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. During each weekly session, participants share a meal, prayer, a brief video presentation and small group discussion. To register for this free program, call Kathy Bonessi at 412-220-4438.
At St. Patrick Parish, Canonsburg, upcoming sessions on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults will begin in a few weeks. Take this opportunity to learn more about the Catholic faith or complete the sacraments of initiation. Sessions will be held at 7 p.m. on Mondays. Call 724-745-3787 for details.
• New weekend Masses have begun. Masses will begin at 5 p.m. Saturdays; 7:30 and 10:30 a.m., 12:15 and 4 p.m. Sundays.
At St. Thomas More Parish, Bethel Park, a Rosary Rally organized by a parishioner will take place Oct. 10 on the church grounds.
At Westminster Presbyterian Church, Upper St. Clair, Christian Formation Seminar: Encountering the Holy in Unexpected Places, take place 9:30 a.m. Oct. 4. For more information, visit www.westminster-church.org or call 412-835-6630.
• Blessing of the Pets, 2 p.m. Oct. 4 in the north parking lot. All people-friendly pets and their owners are invited to this celebration and blessing of pets and owners. In case of inclement weather, the event will move inside to the WROC (gym).
• Westminster Family Charities Golf Outing, 10:30 a.m. Oct. 5 at Rolling Hills Country Club. Golfers and dinner-only guests are welcome. Baskets and sports memorabilia will be auctioned after dinner. Sponsors are also welcome. All proceeds benefit Family Promise and City Mission. Register online.
For more information, call 412-835-6630 or visit www.westminster-church.org.