Misplaced Expectations
July 12, 2020
Sunday service was led by Rev. Dylan Parson and was titled “Misplaced Expectations”.
Category: News
Church Is Canceled
March 15, 2020
After today’s announcement that multiple cases of COVID-19 coronavirus have been confirmed in Allegheny County, and in consultation with church leadership across the Partnership, we have decided to close for the following three Sundays (3/15, 3/22, and 3/29), as well as cancel church events across the same time period.
We cannot take the risk that someone gets sick from worship. Pastor Diane and I can’t bear the thought of having to visit any of you in the ICU (or, worse, not being able to do so) because of a dangerous illness that you could have avoided by staying home from church. I say this not to be alarmist, but to express the depth of the risk that is being explained to us by doctors and public health experts.
This is an incredibly hard choice, one which we are hoping will look like an overreaction in hindsight over the next few months. That will mean it worked!
We will be doing our best to figure out some sort of online worship service, in the meantime, to keep us all united in prayer and worship. Stay close to God, even when you are home, and perhaps use this moment as a Lenten opportunity to strengthen your faith and spiritual practices. Additionally, please remember that the expenses and ministry of the church continue, even as our doors are closed. If you are at all able, your continued faithful giving is crucial at this time, and we are deeply grateful, not only for your tithes and offering but also for your contributions to Fairhaven’s food pantry and clothing closet.
By all means, keep in touch with your pastors. We are still available for needs that arise and to keep you in prayer. “Social distancing” should not mean social isolation, so also keep in contact with your church family, looking after them in love, perhaps with the occasional phone call. Please, also, pray for your pastors, and for all of the shut-ins across the SHP, as well as the sick, and the doctors, nurses, scientists, and leaders charged with keeping people safe around the world.
May God’s grace and protection be with you. The Lord our God–our Savior and our Great Physician–walks with us always.
Grace and peace,
Rev. Dylan Parson
Church schedule and Coronavirus
March 14, 2020
Brothers and sisters,
As we respond as a Partnership to the COVID-19 coronavirus, our first priority is to keep one another safe and healthy as best we can.
We will be having worship services this Sunday, March 14th, and will be taking measures within the service to reduce the spread of germs. However, I would strongly encourage you to stay home if you are sick or have a weakened immune system. Even if you are remotely concerned about getting sick, please feel free to stay home. Know that you will be in our prayers in your absence, but your health and that of others is the most important priority for the church.
We are all in this together, healthy or sick, young or old. Now, more than ever, we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, as our decisions and actions directly impact the lives of countless others around us. Seek God’s will as you discern how to take care of other people and yourself. As a church, too, let’s consider how those of us who are most able can actively help those most in need among us at this time. Of course, please keep all of those affected in your prayers.
Note that all SHP churches will be closing for at least two weeks following this Sunday (that is, from Monday, March 16th through Sunday, March 29th), alongside other local congregations and school districts across Pennsylvania.
More information will be coming soon, including about how we might be able to worship online in lieu of gathering together.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Dylan
This Week January 12 – 18
January 11, 2020
Sunday, January 12 – Baptism of the Lord Sunday
- 8:30 am – K.E. Cafe opens
- Coffee, tea, juices, donuts, bagels, bananas, granola bars are available!
- 9:30 am – Worship Service with Rev. Dylan Parson
- Scripture Lesson: Isaiah 42:1-9, Matthew 3:13-17
- Morning Message: “The Spirit of God Descending”
Monday, January 13
- 12 Noon – United Methodist Women
Wednesday, January 15
- 7:00 am – Men’s Fellowship with Pastor Dylan
- 7:00 pm – Bible Study for All
Thursday, January 16
- 7:00 pm – BEYOND at Spencer UMC
Friday, January 10
- 12 Noon – United Methodist Women
FUTURE DATES
January 19 – 8:15 am – Trustee Meeting
January 22 – 7:00 am – Men’s Fellowship with Pastor Dylan
January 22 – 7:00 pm – Bible Study for All
January 23 – 7:00 pm – BEYOND at Spencer
January 29 – 7:00 am – Men’s Fellowship with Pastor Dylan
January 29 – 7:00 pm – Bible Study for All
January 30 – 7:00 pm – BEYOND at Spencer
February 1 – First Food and Friends
February 2 – Administrative Council Meeting
February 2 – COMMUNION SUNDAY
February 3 – South Hills Partnership Meeting Hilltop
February 5 – Men’s Fellowship with Pastor Dylan
February 5 – 7:00 pm – Bible Study for All
February 6 – 7:00 pm – BEYOND at Spencer
February 10 – 12 Noon – United Methodist Women
February 12 – Men’s Fellowship with Pastor Dylan
February 12 – 7:00 pm – Bible Study for All
February 13 – 7:00 pm – BEYOND at Spencer
February 18 – 7:00 pm – Women’s Club of Overbrook
February 19 – Men’s Fellowship with Pastor Dylan
February 19 – 7:00 pm – Bible Study for All
February 20 – 7:00 pm – BEYOND at Spencer
February 25 – Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras Auction
February 26 – Ash Wednesday
February 27 – BEYOND at Spencer
March 1 – Sarris Easter Candy orders due
March 1 – Administrative Council Meeting
March 7 – First Food and Friends
March 7 – Turns clocks ahead 1 hour
April 5 – Palm Sunday
April 9 – Maundy Thursday
April 10 – Good Friday
April 12 – Easter
April 28 – Election Day Food Sale
May 4 – South Hills Partnership Meeting at Carnegie
May 31 – Pentecost
July 13 – South Hills Partnership Meeting at Spencer
October 4 – World Wide Communion
October 25 – Trick or Treat for Unicef
November 1 – All Saints Sunday
November 3 – Election Day Food Sale
November 21 – Mabel Speicher Friends of Fairhaven Gala
November 22 – Joash Sunday
November 22 Partnership Thanksgiving Service
November 29 – First Day of Advent
This Week November 10 -17
November 9, 2019
Sunday, November 10
- 8:30 am – K.E. Cafe opens
- Coffee, tea, juices, donuts, bagels, bananas, granola bars are available!
- 9:30 am – Worship Service with Rev. Dylan Parson
- Scripture Lesson: Joel 2:23-32 & Luke 18:9-14
- Morning Message: “Who Knows?”
Monday, November 11
- 12 Noon – United Methodist Women
Tuesday, November 12
- 7:00 pm – Annual Church Charge Conference at Fairhaven UMC
Wednesday, November 13
- 7:00 am – Men’s Bible Study with Pastor Dylan
- 7:00 pm – Bible Study for All at Spencer UMC
Thursday, November 14
- BEYOND Worship at Spencer UMC
- 6:15 pm – light meal
- 7:00 pm – service
FUTURE DATES
November 19 – 7:00 pm – Women’s Club of Overbrook
November 20 – 7:00 am – Men’s Bible Study with Pastor Dylan
November 20 – 7:00 pm – Bible Study at Spencer UMC
November 21 – 7:00 pm – BEYOND at Spencer UMC
November 23 – Friends of Fairhaven Gala
November 24 – 8:15 am – Trustee Meeting
November 24 – 4:00 pm – Thanksgiving Service at Fairhaven UMC (followed by soup and dessert)
November 28 – Happy Thanksgiving!
December 1 – 8:15 am – Administrative Council Meeting
December 24 – 11:00 pm – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at Fairhaven UMC
