25 Years of Sterling History (see photo)

During a recent visit to Lisbon, N.Y., for an elders conference in early March with area Reformed elders, Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary Professor Denny Prutow had a chance to catch up with Rev. Paul Faris. Both men have pastored the Sterling, Kan., RPC. Rev. Faris was there from June 1957 to June 1971. Prutow served as pastor there from July 1988 to July 2001 after supplying the pulpit for 11 months. This photo was taken at the home of Gwen (Faris) and Don Smith, where “grandpa” Paul, age 92, now lives. He takes short walks daily and is a voracious reader.

Topeka, Kan., RPC

Joe Griffo, pastor

Recently, the congregation gathered personal items for a project helping Kansas soldiers working to build the infrastructure of a small town in Iraq. Several boxes of useful items were donated. Adrienne and Jonathan Haney drive from Emporia each Sabbath to worship with the congregation.

Recently, Adrienne gave her testimony, was baptized, and the two became members. Jonathan is a math major at Emporia State University; Adrienne teaches math at Emporia Middle School. On Aug. 14, the children of Esther and Darrel Parnell hosted a reception at the church celebrating their parents’ 50 years of marriage. The children of Gene and Jeannie Schott hosted a reception for their parents, who were celebrating their 50th anniversary, on Oct. 14.

The Women’s Missionary Fellowship has sponsored several events recently. A shower was held for the Crisis Pregnancy Center, care packages were sent to college students from the congregation, and a paper drive was held for the Topeka Rescue Mission.

The church participated for the 15th year in the Angel Tree Project sponsored by Chuck Colson’s Prison Fellowship. Gifts are purchased for children in the Topeka area who have incarcerated parents.

—Marjorie Cox, correspondent

First (Beaver Falls, Pa.) RPC

Bruce Backensto and Keith Black, pastors

Continuing in its tradition of church planting, the session of the First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Beaver Falls, Pa., unanimously passed a motion to commission Elder David Schaefer and his family to labor toward planting a church in Center Township. Lord’s Day services there with preaching provided by various elders who are licensed to preach will begin as the Lord leads.

The 5th Annual Beaver Valley Reformed Conference, which was co-sponsored by the College Hill (Beaver Falls, Pa.) RPC, was held at the church Mar.16-17. Dr. Hywel Jones from Westminster Seminary in California spoke on the “Crucifixion of Christ and the New Creation.” About 60 people from the greater Pittsburgh area attended the conference. CDs are available; inquire via the church’s web site at www.firstrpchurch.com.

The annual women’s Presbyterial of the Alleghenies was held at the church on Mar. 31. The emphasis was on missions, with several testimonies given of recent missions trips.

—Heidi Filbert, correspondent