Vacation Bible School Returns with a Splash

With the building momentum of our children and family ministries, the ministry volunteers decided it was time to bring back Vacation Bible School for the community!

Approximately 30 kids were registered for VBS, which was held June 17 through June 21, with an average of 20-25 attending each day. They had a blast learning music, playing games, and making crafts that all underscored the week’s message: God’s truth is a rock in a world of shifting sands.

Each day’s activities also included worship, lessons, a wrap-up discussion, and a video presentation on missionary families who are spreading God’s word in the US (Portland, Oregon) and abroad (Japan).

The activities from the week were highlighted at VBS Family Day on June 23, where the congregation was also invited to participate in a few of the songs the kids learned. The Family Day celebration concluded with lunch and a slideshow of photos and videos from the week.

Some of the parents of VBS students noted how glad they were to find this opportunity for their children. We look forward to offering another VBS program in 2025 and more activities that nurture Christian families throughout the year.

Special thanks to Jennifer Hamner for leading the effort and to the many, many outstanding people who came together to make such a successful return of VBS!

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