Category Archives: News

Pastor’s Pen

September is here! As I type, my windows are open and a cool breeze is blowing. I am ready to transition from one season to the next. This September, as always, we will get back to our regular programming here at GPC. The choirs will return during worship, Sunday School will be back, and our regular pattern of worship will return. It is nice to fall into familiar routines, isn’t it?

On the first Sunday of the month (September 7), we will be once again celebrating Grandparents Day as our Rally Day celebration. Last year was a great success and we are looking forward to welcoming everyone’s family members once again on this special Sunday. Before worship, we will have a time of fellowship in the church parlor beginning at 9:00 AM featuring breakfast treats. During worship, we will conclude our Hebrews study reflecting on Hebrews 13 and how we can be known by our love.

The second Sunday of the month (September 14) brings the return of Sunday School. This fall, I will be facilitating our time together using the Feasting on the Word curriculum. The scriptures each week will parallel those in worship and offer a deeper look or even a different perspective. We will also begin a sermon series on discipleship this week by thinking about how disciples seek people for Christ and the church even when it means making a hard choice.

September 21 will be a special Sunday for us at GPC! Tom Taylor will be the guest conductor. He and Corinne have been working hard to create a beautiful service featuring Tom’s music that is sure to bless everyone in attendance.

The final Sunday of the month (September 28) will return us to thinking like disciples and asking “What does it mean to live a generous life?”

I am excited to return to our regular program year and look forward to seeing you all in Sunday School and worship. May we all be blessed this month.

Pastor Emily

Adult Education Classes

Feasting on the Word

Our Adult Education classes meet each Sunday morning, from September through May, in the church parlor from 9:30 AM to 10:15 AM.

For the 2025-26 program year, our classes will be led by Pastor Emily.  She will use the Feasting on the Word curriculum. The topics for each week will dovetail with the scriptures we use in worship.

Here is our schedule for the fall:

September 14  Luke 15:1–10  Parables of Lost Sheep and Lost Coin
September 21  Luke 16:1–13  Parable of the Wasteful Manager
September 28  Luke 16:19–31  Rich Man and Lazarus
October 5  2 Timothy 1:1–14  Guard the Good Treasure of Faith
October 12  2 Timothy 2:8–15  Living with Christ
October 19  Luke 18:1–8  The Persistent Widow and the Judge
October 26  Luke 18:9–14  Pharisee and Tax Collector Pray
November 2  Luke 19:1–10  Zacchaeus Meets Jesus
November 9  2 Thessalonians 2:1–5, 13–17  The Coming of Jesus Christ
November 16  2 Thessalonians 3:6–13  Do What Is Right
November 23  Jeremiah 23:1–6  The Promise of a Righteous King

We hope to see you there!

Book Club

Demon Copperhead

The GPC Book Club meets monthly to discuss a book we have read and enjoy a dessert. We welcome all who would like to join us.

Our next book is Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. We will meet to discuss this book on Wednesday, October 1 at 7:00 PM. Our hostess will be Ann Carlson. Please let Ann know if you have any questions.

ELC Movie Night on the Lawn

Toy Story

GPC’s Early Learning Center is having a Movie Night on the front lawn of the church on Friday, September 19 at 6:30 PM. We will welcome families from the ELC and the community at large to join us in watching Toy Story. Can you believe Toy Story is turning 30 this year?

Folks attending should plan to bring a blanket or chairs to settle in to enjoy the movie. We will be providing popcorn.

Trunk or Treat

Trunk or Treat

Calling all superheroes, princesses, and ghosts! We will be holding our annual Trunk or Treat event in the GPC parking lot on Saturday, October 25 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM.

We are looking for members who would like to participate by passing out goodies to children from their trunk. Please e-mail Jennifer in the church office to let us know if you would like to participate. Thanks in advance for your help!

The Neighborhood Table

The Neighborhood Table

The Neighborhood Table, founded and organized as a part of the Roots of Faith Ministry, is a free community dinner in Sharpsburg. It is not a soup kitchen or a handout, but a place for the Sharpsburg community to gather to support, encourage, and serve one another in the name of Jesus Christ. For the past 8 years, GPC members and friends have served fried chicken dinners there to approximately 100-150 people on the second Thursday of every month.

We are thankful for the many people who are working together to help feed hungry people in our local communities. The Giant Eagle Express in Harmarville is excited to be working with GPC in this ministry and to know that their food is helping others. GPC in turn is thankful to our team leaders, our many volunteers, the GPC Deacons, and the GPC Mission and Outreach Ministry who gave monetary donations.

Finally, we are thankful that God is guiding us.  Being a Christian brings with it the duty and the privilege of a lifetime of service. Service allows us to practice doing what Jesus would do. It connects us to those we serve and gives us a kind of satisfaction that self-interest can never offer.

Our next GPC mission service event at the Neighborhood Table will be held on Thursday, October 9 from 5:30 to 7:15 PM.  How can you help? Consider volunteering as a server.  We need about 12 to 16 people each month to help with the dinner. We welcome all who are interested in greeting, meeting, serving, and eating with our neighbors in Sharpsburg.

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please contact Larry or Cindy Bock, Henry or Diana Long, or Pastor Emily.  Thanks!