Pastor’s Message for May 2022

I sure get tired of commercials about supplemental Social Security insurance. They are on all the time, with a host of celebrities urging you to call the number on the screen to make sure that you are getting all the benefits you deserve. Joe Namath, William Shatner, George Foreman, Jimmie J.J. Walker, and other suggest that you may be missing out on some extra benefits that you may not be aware of.

“Call now!” “It’s free!” Then, in each commercial, a host of actors and actresses attesting to the results of calling that number.

“I called to get free hearing aids.”

“I called to get free eye glasses.”

“I called to get money added back to my Social Security benefit.”

“I called to get everything I deserve.”

Maybe I am watching too much television! However, those commercials do have me thinking about the way we see God. Is this our understanding of God? “Call now!” “It’s free!”

“I called to get my eyesight restored.”

“I called to get my hearing back.”

“I called to get more money.”

What is our focus in life? Is it, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done?” Or, is it, “My kingdom come, My will be done?”

Is life all about “my kingdom” and “my will,” and God is the resource that we look to in order to accomplish what we want and to make sure that our desires are fulfilled? Or, is life really about God’s kingdom, and God calls upon us as resources to bring about His will?

Jesus struggled with that very issue in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus acknowledged that what God was asking him to do was very different than what he personally preferred to do. Yet, he surrendered his will to the will of his heavenly Father. As Christians it is important that we are attentive to God’s kingdom and God’s will, and that we affirm and support what God is doing in the world. It is too easy to get swept up in the desire to fulfill our personal wants and wishes. We need to trust the Lord that when we seek first His kingdom, then He will be faithful to care for all the other areas of our lives. We must remember that we are to take active rolls in helping to bring the kingdom of God into fruition. Are we asking God to show us what we need to do? Are we calling God for the right reason?

Ask God what He wants you to be doing in His kingdom. Call now! It’s free!

Blessings,
Pastor Dave Vaughn

Coming Up…

< March 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 calendar
2 3Bowling Night @Baden Bowl from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
+ Google calendar
4Community Lenten Luncheon 12pm @St. John's from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
On each Wednesday from February 25th through March 25th, a different Monaca church will host lunch at 12 noon, immediately followed by a devotion. Free and open to the public. Goodwill offerings accepted. Mary Queen of Saints Parish, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church -- Virginia Ave & 15th St, Monaca + Google calendarYouth Group 6pm from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
+ Google calendarEves Meeting 6:30pm @Aliquippa First from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Meeting of the evening women's group of Monaca & Aliquippa First UMCs.
Meeting location alternates each month 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
7Daylight Saving Time Begins all day
DST begins at 2am 3/8/2026. Remember to "spring forward" and turn your clocks ahead before bedtime! + Google calendarAA Meeting 10:30am from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
8Study on 'Why Easter Matters' by Andy Stanley 10am from 10:00 am to 10:45 am
Studying Why Easter Matters by Andy Stanley
Sundays at 10am, March 8, 15, 22, and 29
+ Google calendarWorship 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
9Book Club 7pm–Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah @Aliquippa First, Lounge from 7:00 pm to 8:15 pm
"Reading United Methodists" monthly book club with snacks, books, and fellowship!
This month's pick: Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah
Discussion led by: Vera Lovewell
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
11Community Lenten Luncheon 12pm @Redeemer Trinity from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
On each Wednesday from February 25th through March 25th, a different Monaca church will host lunch at 12 noon, immediately followed by a devotion. Free and open to the public. Goodwill offerings accepted. Redeemer Trinity Lutheran Church
819 Washington Ave, Monaca
+ 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
12 13NA Meeting 8pm from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Meeting of Narcotics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
14Coffee 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
15Study on 'Why Easter Matters' by Andy Stanley 10am from 10:00 am to 10:45 am
Studying Why Easter Matters by Andy Stanley
Sundays at 10am, March 8, 15, 22, and 29
+ Google calendarWorship 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
16 17Happy St. Patrick's Day! all day
+ Google calendarBowling Night @Baden Bowl from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
+ Google calendar
18Community Lenten Luncheon 12pm @First Presbyterian from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
On each Wednesday from February 25th through March 25th, a different Monaca church will host lunch at 12 noon, immediately followed by a devotion. Free and open to the public. Goodwill offerings accepted. First Presbyterian Church
1301 Indiana Ave, Monaca
+ Google calendarUnited Women of Faith 1pm @Aliquippa First from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
2816 Brodhead Dr, Aliquippa, PA 15001 + 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
22Study on 'Why Easter Matters' by Andy Stanley 10am from 10:00 am to 10:45 am
Studying Why Easter Matters by Andy Stanley
Sundays at 10am, March 8, 15, 22, and 29
+ Google calendarWorship 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 @Monacrest from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
On each Wednesday from February 25th through March 25th, a different Monaca church will host lunch at 12 noon, immediately followed by a devotion. Free and open to the public. Goodwill offerings accepted. Monacrest Free Methodist Church
995 Elmira St, Monaca
+ 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
29Palm Sunday all day
Today starts Holy Week! + Google calendarStudy on 'Why Easter Matters' by Andy Stanley 10am from 10:00 am to 10:45 am
Studying Why Easter Matters by Andy Stanley
Sundays at 10am, March 8, 15, 22, and 29
+ Google calendarWorship 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
30 31Bowling Night @Baden Bowl from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
+ Google calendar