Magnifying the Greatness of God at VBS

Thanks to the time and effort of Pastor Jim and dozens of volunteers, Monaca UMC was able to put on another great Vacation Bible School this summer!

This year’s VBS was held Monday, June 23 through Friday, June 27, with the theme: Magnified!

An average of 25 kids attended VBS each day, discovering the BIGNESS of God in the smallest of things through music, lessons, games, crafts, and—new this year—skits!

Photo: Denny Houser and Kathy Glovier performing a skit during VBS. Denny is now recognized by kids as “Red,” his character’s name!

At the close of VBS on June 27, the activities from the week were highlighted during a wrap-up party and lunch for the participants and their families in the Carey Community Center.

After VBS came another example of magnifying the greatness of God! The amazing decorations created by Tina Allen and Vera Lovewell were later shared with Mt. Carmel VBS in Aliquippa, Kingdom Week VBS in Aliquippa, and at the Hookstown Fair!

Special thanks to Jennifer Hamner for leading the effort and to the many, many outstanding people who came together to make such a successful program for local children and teens.

Check out our VBS slideshow on YouTube to see more photos and highlights from the week!

Coming Up…

< February 2026 >
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1Worship w/ Communion 11am from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Holy Communion Offered Church Sanctuary + Google calendarKids Sunday School ~11:15am from 11:15 am to 12:00 pm
Begins immediately following the children's message during 11am worship in the sanctuary + Google calendarVBS Kick-Off Meeting 12pm from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
For volunteers to review plans for VBS and receive materials + Google calendar
2 3Bowling Night @Baden Bowl from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
+ Google calendar
4No Youth Group Tonight from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Cancelled due to weather + Google calendarEves Meeting 6:30pm from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Evening women’s group of Monaca & Aliquippa First UMCs
Meeting location alternates between the two churches.
Aliquippa First UMC: Jan, Mar, May, July, Sept, Nov
Monaca UMC: Feb, Apr, June, Aug, Oct, Dec
+ Google calendarAA Meeting 7pm from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
5Busy Hands 1pm from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Knitting/crochet Group Carey Community Center + Google calendar
6NA Meeting 8pm from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Meeting of Narcotics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
7AA Meeting 10:30am from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
8Worship 11am from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Traditional worship, including prayer and the singing of traditional hymns. Church Sanctuary + Google calendarKids Sunday School ~11:15am from 11:15 am to 12:00 pm
Begins immediately following the children's message during 11am worship in the sanctuary + Google calendarSouper Sunday Soup Fellowship 12pm from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
+ Google calendar
9Book Club 7pm @Aliquippa First from 7:00 pm to 8:15 pm
"Reading United Methodists" monthly book club with snacks, books, and fellowship!
This month's pick: Captains Courageous by Rudyard Kipling*
Discussion led by: Dave Wilson
*Possible movie night! 2816 Brodhead Rd, Aliquippa 15001 + Google calendar
10Food Pantry Distribution 11am-Noon from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Free and open to all Monaca area and Center Township residents + Google calendarBowling Night @Baden Bowl from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
+ Google calendar
11"PhDs" 6:30pm @Aliquippa First, Lounge 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 7pm from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
12 13NA Meeting 8pm from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Meeting of Narcotics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
14Happy Valentine's Day all day
+ Google calendarCoffee Mugs & Kids Club 10am from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
2nd Saturday of each month. Fun for the kids; caffeine for the adults! Carey Community Center + Google calendarAA Meeting 10:30am from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
15Worship 11am from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Traditional worship, including prayer and the singing of traditional hymns. Church Sanctuary + Google calendarKids Sunday School Valentine's Party ~11:15am from 11:15 am to 12:00 pm
*Start time is approximate. Kids Sunday School begins immediately following the Children's message during 11am worship. + Google calendarInformational Meeting on Church Membership After Worship from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm
For anyone considering membership at Monaca UMC + Google calendarMAT Meeting 12pm from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
+ Google calendar
16 17Hymn Sing 1:30pm @Brighton Rehab from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Brighton Wellness & Rehab + Google calendarBowling Night @Baden Bowl from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
+ Google calendar
18No UWF Meeting This Month from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
+ Google calendarAsh Wednesday Worship 7pm from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Open to the public + Google calendarAA Meeting 7pm from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
19Newsletter Deadline Day all day
Please submit any items for inclusion in the church's newsletter, THE MESSENGER, by the 3rd Thursday of the month. + Google calendarBusy Hands 1pm from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Knitting/crochet Group Carey Community Center + Google calendar
20NA Meeting 8pm from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Meeting of Narcotics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
21AA Meeting 10:30am from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
22Worship 11am from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Traditional worship, including prayer and the singing of traditional hymns. Church Sanctuary + Google calendarKids Sunday School ~11:15am from 11:15 am to 12:00 pm
Begins immediately following the children's message during 11am worship in the sanctuary + Google calendar
23 24Bowling Night @Baden Bowl from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
+ Google calendar
25Community Lenten Luncheon 12pm from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Lunch at noon followed by a short reflection presented by Pastor Jim Sands
Free and open to the public; goodwill offering accepted.
Carey Community Center, 813 Indiana Avenue, Monaca, PA 15061 + Google calendar"PhDs" 6:30pm @Aliquippa First, Lounge 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 7pm from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
26 27NA Meeting 8pm from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Meeting of Narcotics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
28AA Meeting 10:30am from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar