Sunday, July 25-31-City on the Hill Youth Leadership and Worldview Conference sponsored by PA Family Institute at Lancaster Bible College.  Dr. Peter Lillback and Dr. Paul Kengor will be speaking at the City on the Hill Youth Leadership Conference. Dr. Lillback is the author of the Amazon #1 book, George Washington’s Sacred Fire and is president of Westminster Seminary. He and his book were recently featured on the Glenn Beck program on the Fox News Channel.  Dr. Paul Kengor is a professor at Grove City College and has written God and Ronald Reagan.  More information and registration information can be found at www.pafamily.org

 Wednesday, July 28- Pre-registration for kids riding a bus for Emmanuel Christian Church’s Free Kids’ Day Camp is due. The Day camp will be held for children age 4 years (by June 1^st) through 6^th grade at the Emmanuel Christian Church, 4495 Greenville-Sandy Lake Rd, Stoneboro. This free event, featuring singing, crafts, games, and much more, will be held August 2-6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (lunch will be provided).  Bus transportation is available to and from Stoneboro, Sandy Lake & Jackson Center fire halls, Greenville & Commodore Perry High Schools. Walk-ins are welcome.  For more information or to register, phone 724-376-3412, ext. 16.

Saturday, July 31 – Franklin Soapbox Derby on Route 417 across from Rocky Grove High School, sponsored by Venango Co. Fatherhood Initiative.  Registration is $65 which includes a kit to build a car or $15 per event/per racer if you already own a car.  The event is for ages 7-14 (must turn age 7 by date of race.)   Registration beings at 8:00 am and race starts promptly at 9:00 am.  For more information about purchasing a “Go-Kit” car, participating in the race, sponsorship opportunities or contributing a door prize, call 814-676-9940 ext. 12.  

Saturday, July 31- The Ride for the Y. The Franklin-Grove City YMCA, Oil City-Clarion YMCA and the Shenango Vally YMCA have organized a motorcycle bike rally that will span three counties and a dozen towns to show their commitment to serve these communities. Registration is at your local participating YMCA and that is where the ride begins. Each Y will travel to the Franklin YMCA, meeting there at 10am. The rally will then visit the other YMCA facilities and will end with a party in the park in Greenville. For more information about the “Ride for the Y” visit any of the participating YMCA websites: www.franklinymca.org; www.oilcityymca.org; www.grovecityymca.org or www.svymca.org.

July 31 – Aug. 8 – CHERRY RUN CAMP 148^th Anniversary Session.  This year the camp will feature Rev. David Parker, Evangelist for WPA Conference, Dr. John Oswalt, Evangelist and former Asbury College President and current faculty member as well as an accomplished author and professor.  In addition Rev. Ricky Riggs, Evangelist and founder of Oak Springs Ministry will bring a dynamic life-centered message.  Missionary speakers will be Paul and Dawn Cox, formerly missionaries to Madrid, Spain and currently serving as recruiting coordinators with OMS.  Song Evangelists will be Roy and Janice Gearhart of Cutting Edge Ministries.  Roy is also a conference evangelist with the WPA UMC. To obtain more information visit www.cherryruncamp.org  or contact the registrar Becky Addleman at 814-267-4107.

Sunday, August 1-Christian Life Academy will be holding their open house at their new location in the old Pinoak Elementary School, now Venango Woods Church on Route 257 across from the Dollar Store, from 2:30-4:30pm. Those looking for a good Christian education for their kids can come and see both the Elementary and the High School programs. The 9^th-12^th grade program coordinates with home schooling and cyber schooling. Everyone welcome.

Monday, August 2-7-“Come out of your Den in 2010” Venango County 4h fair at the 4h fairgrounds on Route 62, south of Franklin.

Tuesday, August 3- RSVP Deadline for Seneca Hills Bible Camp’s annual Men’s BBQ on Saturday, August 7. As summer camp comes to a close, it's time once again for the Annual Men's BBQ.  Bring a friend, your men's group and a neighbor to partake in the largest BBQ of the season held from 6pm-8pm at Seneca Hills Bible Camp &Retreat Center. Chef Dave will be pulling out all the stops as he grills steak and chicken and all the picnic essentials. This year's guest speaker will be Dean Weaver, pastor from Memorial Park Presbyterian Church in Allison Park, PA. The event is free.  An exit offering will be taken at the close of the event.  To ensure there's more than enough outstanding food to go around, please RSVP by Tuesday, August 3rd via email to info@senecahills.com, online at www.senecahills.com or by calling the Office at 814-432-3026. 

Wednesday, August 4- MOPS Informational Meeting from 9-11am at Galloway church on 196 Seysler Rd, Franklin, will be held for the Mother’s of Pre-Schooler’s (MOPS) group. This meeting will be one to get a steering committee put together to plan for the up-coming year. For more information email amy@gallowaychurch.org.

Saturday, August 7- Kennerdell 52^nd annual Music and Arts Festival will be in Wilson Park on Saturday, August 7 from 10am-8pm. Admission is $3 for adults; kids and parking are free! Some of the bands playing are Venango Chamber Players, The Ryver Nymphs, Just Jammin’ and more! For more information go to www.kennerdellartsfestival.com.

Sunday, August 8- Kid’s Day will be held from 2-4pm at the 11^th Street Playground in Franklin. Some of the activities include Jones Party Magic games, hot dogs and drinks, and backpacks that will be given away to children in need. We are in need of backpack donations. If you are interested in donating or would like more information call 814-437-7061.

Saturday, August 14- 5^th annual “Lift Him Up” praise concert will be held on Stoltz’s Farm, 261 Curran Rd, Nickleville, Pa. at noon. Music by Dave Miller, Holey Jeans, Mike Wile and more! The concert will be outdoors so bring a lawn chair.  Come ready to Praise the Lord in worship and song. A message will be given by Rev. Sue Montgomery from the Nickleville Preys. Church. Light refreshments will be provided for a small cost.  Proceeds will benefit the Emlenton Food Pantry. Please bring a canned food item for the food pantry. Light refreshments will be provided for a small cost.  Proceeds will benefit the Emlenton Food Pantry. If you have any questions call 498-2871

Monday, August 16-John Thompson Scholarship Golf Scramble will be held at the New Castle Country Club. There will be a lunch buffet from 11:30am-1pm and a golf shotgun at 1:15 followed by a buffet dinner at 6:30pm. Tickets for the 18-hole scramble, cart rental, lunch, and buffet style dinner are $125 per person.  Tickets for golf, cart rental, and lunch are $95 per person, and tickets for the buffet dinner only are $30 per person. All donations toward the event are being taken at this time. Tee sponsors are available as well as donations made directly to the foundation. To reserve a spot, for further questions or to make a donation please contact Abigail at 724-714-5139.

Saturday, August 21- We Will Ride 2010. This a benefit motorcycle ride to help victims of domestic abuse and the youth of the Oil City Area. The ride will begin and end at Oil City Community Alliance Church, 411 Seneca St. The ride will be approximately 80 miles long. Lunch will be available at OCCA Church to be purchased from the youth group. Door prizes will be given away during lunch. Registration is at 8am. Cost is $10 for a single rider and $10 for a passenger. Participants will receive T-shirts. Proceeds from the ride will go to PPC Violence Free Network, formerly known as the Crisis Center. For more information call Oil City Community Alliance Church at 676-1965.

Sunday, August 22-Ken Osborne will present a Southern Gospel concert at 7pm at the Tionesta Alliance Church, Route 36 South, Tionesta. A free-will offering will be received. The public is invited to attend. For more information call 755-3595.

Monday, August 30-Deadline for Marvelous Marble Maze registration. The contest begins with delivery of Marble Maze Kit on September 16. Constructed marble Mazes will need to be delivered to the Cranberry Mall on November 6 before 9:45 am. Voting on entries will take place November 6 at the Marble Maze Contest Event at the Cranberry Mall. Winners will be announced at 3pm. Marble Maze entries must be picked up by 4pm on November 6. For more information on a Marble Maze toy visit www.taurustoy.com or for contest information contact United Way of Venango County at 814-676-6545.

Friday, September 3-6 – Labor Day Family Camp with Seneca Hills Bible Camp. Go online for more details or to register

Wednesday, September 8 – MOPS, Mothers of Pre-Schoolers, is coming to Venango County. This group exists to encourage, equip and develop every mother of preschoolers to realize her potential as a woman, mother and leader in the name of Jesus Christ. The Kick-off date will be Wednesday, September 8th, 2010 from 9-11 am. The meetings will meet the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month.  Sept. thru May.The meetings will take place at Galloway U.M. Church in the fellowship hall and a Moppets program will take place in our nurseries. There is a need:We are trying to put together a steering team right now. If there is an interest in our community for anyone interested in one of the following positions, please contact me.
Positions are:  Coordinator, Creative Activities, Discussion Group, Hospitality, Moppets, OutReach/Publicity. Any questions or volunteers for any positions please call Amy Smith at 437-5425 Galloway or Home 432-8407 or e-mail me at amy@gallowaychurch.org

Friday, September 10-11- Men’s Bike and Bunk Retreat with Seneca Hills Bible Camp. Whether you are a casual trail rider or an avid road or mountain biker, this overnight event is just right! Perfect with friends or for fathers and sons! Go online for further details!

Friday, September 17- Women of Faith is back for Venango County women on Friday September 17 and Saturday the 18^th in Cleveland, Oh. Online registration and payment for ticket at the cost of $89 is available at gps.womenoffaith.com under the group name of Venango Women of Faith and should be paid by June 30 if possible. Total cost to include ticket, bus and hotel is $163. Bus payment is due by Sept. 1^st and hotel when we check out. For more details or information of how to register online contact Sharon Goldsmith at sgoldsmith@verizon.net or call 814-432-2558 (home) or 814-657-3990 (cell). If the cost is a concern please call or email Sharon because help is available.

Saturday, September 25- Harvest USA’s Shattered Dreams, New Hope intensive seminar for parents will be held from 9am-4pm in the Harvest USA Pittsburgh Office on 300 Cedar Boulevard, Suite 206. Shattered Dreams New Hope is an intensive, one day event for parents and family members of children struggling with same-sex attraction or in the gay life. Registration is $30 a person and $50 per couple. Please register with Harvest USA Pittsburgh by Friday, September 17 (no registration at the door) 412-561-7700 or pittsburgh@harvestusa.org.

Friday, October 1-3 –  Paintball Retreat with Seneca Hills Bible Camp. Enjoy the sound of pressurized CO2 as it pushes a paintball at 250 feet per second or the zing of a paintball as it hurdles toward your opponent bent on you defeat? You won’t want to miss this weekend!   Go online for specific details.

Thursday, October 7 – Prison Ministry Banquet featuring Teen Challenge Choir.  Details to be announced.  Mark your calendars.

Thursday, October 7-9 – Catch the Fire conference, featuring Apostle Abraham Omanyo of Malaba, Kenya, will be held at the former CLA auditorium. Abraham pastors Harvest Miracle Center in Malaba and is national overseer of Harvest Land Ministries Int’l, which consists of 60 churches throughout Kenya. He has ministered in many countries such as Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, The Congo, Kenya, Sri Lanka and the Unites States. His mission is to take the gospel of the kingdom to the nations of the world.

Friday, October 8-9- Ministry helper Training with Harvest USA Pittsburgh Office will begin with Module One: Understanding sexuality, sexual sin, the struggler, and the helping relationship. There is also a second Module: Discipleship and facilitating a biblical support group. The second will be held on October 29-30. Registration is $60 per module.  Register for either one or both of the modules. Check out harvestusa.org for more information or call or email at Harvest USA Pittsburgh: 412-561-7700 or pittsburgh@usa.org.

Saturday, October 23 – JJ Jasper of American Family Radio, to be Keynote speaker at local Child Evangelism Fellowship Banquet.   JJ Jasper co-hosts a national morning show on AFR/WAWN.  He is a 20-year veteran on-air radio personality, best-selling author, comedian, adventurer, and dedicated Christian family man.  He has been faced with many hardships through the past few years, yet continues to seek the Lord with his whole heart and daily encourages others to do the same, regardless of their life circumstances.   SAVE THE DATE!   More details to come.

Saturday, October 23 – The Marriage Prayer with Seneca Hills Bible Camp. “Father, I said, ‘…till death do us part,’ and I want to mean it.” That’s the first line of The Marriage Prayer, a big idea that could revolutionize your marriage. The Marriage Prayer uses a fun and engaging format to teach you and your spouse how to grow into a strong and dynamic lifelong partnership. Building on this marriage prayer, you learn five key components of marriage- faithfulness, priorities, purpose, unity and attitude. Go online for more information or to register for this transformational evening with your spouse!

Saturday, October 30 – Fall Work Day with Seneca Hills Bible Camp. Go online for details and to RSVP

Friday, November 12-14 – Ladies Scrapbook Retreat with Seneca Hills Bible Camp. No kids, no dishes, no distractions- just hours of scrapbook fun. Go online for more details or to register!

Friday, December 3-5 – Youth WHITEOUT Retreat with Seneca Hills Bible Camp. We are not going to shy away from any tough subjects. “We are going to ask the hard, honest questions that will let you explore who you are and who God is so you can see that true faith isn’t about pretending to be perfect, it’s about following Jesus!” The guest speaker is: Rev. Jeff Bogaczyk, Associate Pastor/Youth, Evangel Heights Assembly of God. Worship will be by Becoming Less. Go online for more details or to register!