Westminster College to Host Community Thanksgiving Service Nov. 24

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - Westminster College's Office of Faith and Spirituality is hosting a community Thanksgiving worship service featuring pastors from area churches Sunday, Nov. 24, at 7 p.m. in Wallace Memorial Chapel.  The service is open to the public.

Guest speaker will be Pastor John Gruensdorf of New Wilmington Alliance Church. Karen Wallace of the New Wilmington Area Backpack Program will also speak at the service.

Area pastors expected to participate include: the Rev. Jim Mohr, College chaplain; the Rev. Patti Harbison, New Wilmington United Methodist Church; the Rev. Ralph Hawkins, New Wilmington Presbyterian Church; and the Rev. William Stone, Neshannock Presbyterian Church.

Music will be provided by the Second Chance Praise Team. Student Gregory McClelland will perform "Praise You in This Storm" by Bernie Herms and Mark Hall. The Westminster Hand Bell Choir will perform "Beside Still Waters" by Howard Starks, under the direction of Anne Bruening.

McClelland, a senior music education major, is a son of Fred and Heidi McClelland of Sandy Lake and a graduate of Lakeview High School.

Additional Westminster College students will also be participating in the service: Olivia Martin and Jonathan Rogers will be liturgists; Benjamin Suhrie will play the piano during the prelude; and Amber Hill will play the organ during postlude.

Hill, a senior mathematics major, is a daughter of Mary Hill of East Palestine, Ohio, and a graduate of East Palestine High School.

Martin, a sophomore English and fine art major, is a daughter of James and Jennifer Martin of Sandy Lake and a graduate of Lakeview High School.

Rogers, a junior physics major, is a son of Douglas and Donna Rogers of Cooperstown and a graduate of Oil City Area High School.

Suhrie, a junior psychology major, is a son of Carl and Ann Suhrie of Bradfordwoods and a graduate of North Allegheny High School.

Those attending are asked to bring canned goods or make monetary donations that will be collected to support the New Wilmington Area Backpack Program.

Contact Diane Gabriel, executive secretary for the Office of Faith and Spirituality, at 724-946-7117 or email for more information. 

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