Refuge Weekly Update 11/11/26

November 11th, 2026
by Michael Kleinschmidt

Prepare Him Room

Registration closes today. Prepare Him Room Virtual Women’s Event – Saturday, November 21st from 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM. The cost is $15 and includes a catered lunch. Registration is open! Register here. Please register by November 8th. Please reach out to women@churchrefuge.com if you have any questions.

Children's Christmas Performance

Our Preschool and Elementary children will begin practicing for their Christmas performance this Sunday during their regular class time! If your child is participating, we encourage you to make every effort to attend regularly over the coming weeks, so they have plenty of time to learn and practice together. The children will share their special performance with our church family on Sunday, December 13th during the 11am service.

We have included a link to the song they will be performing. We encourage you to listen to it with your children and help them practice at home. Our Elementary Children will also be performing a bells selection of "Hark The Herald Angels Sing". Please utilize this link to help your children familiarize themselves with this song at home.

We look forward to celebrating the Christmas season together and seeing our children share what they've learned!

BOLD Ladies Lunch

Our next BOLD Ladies lunch will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 3rd at the Cracker Barrel restaurant in New Stanton. We plan to have lunch and then shop in the gift area after lunch. Carpooling will be available. If questions, please contact Patty Sanderson at 724-396-1809.

Father's Heart Thanksgiving Outreach

The Father's Heart Thanksgiving Outreach on November 14 from 1:00 - 4:00 PM. Worship and prayer begins at 11:30 AM. If you are unable to attend worship and prayer, please arrive at the Outreach center at 12:30 PM. If possible, please wear black pants and a white shirt for easy identification of servers.please contact Kim Hidalgo at khidalgo@churchrefuge.com with any questions.

Father's Heart Christmas Outreach

We will be supporting the Father’s Heart Christmas Outreach on Saturday, December 12. We need 13 people to cook turkeys and 6 people to serve behind the serving line. If you can cook a turkey, please contact Corri Gross at corriagross@gmail.com. If you can serve on the 12th, please contact Kim Hidalgo at khidalgo@churchrefuge.com with any questions.

Bible (No)Fear Factor

Our elementary children will be enjoying Bible (No) Fear Factor on Sunday, November 22nd during their usual classroom time. The children will partake in Bible trivia, daring food challenges, and the opportunity to win prizes. Be sure not to miss this exciting morning! Deuteronomy 31:6: "Do not be afraid, the Lord God is with you wherever you go".

Christmas Decorating

We are looking for volunteers to help decorate the sanctuary on Tuesday morning the 24th from 10-12 PM. If you have any questions, please contact Sue Kline at kline5@comcast.net.

Thanksgiving Service

Join us for a Thanksgiving Service on Tuesday, November 24 at 7:00 PM. This will be a night of worship and prayer as we prepare our hearts for Thanksgiving. For more information, please reach out to Mike Kleinschmidt at mkleinschmidt@churchrefuge.com

Christmas Meal Baskets

We will be providing Christmas Meal Baskets again this year to anyone who has a need. The contents of the basket are for a Christmas meal. If you or someone you know, would benefit from a basket please contact Kim Hidalgo at khidalgo@churchrefuge.com by December 1 and provide the number of people who will be served by the meal. Baskets will be available in mid-December.

Neighborhood Christmas Outreach

We will deliver sweet treats to our neighbors immediately following the 11:00 AM service on Sunday, December 13. Please plan to join us as we continue our Christmas tradition.

Delmont Christmas Pilgrimage

Experience this beloved event of 54 years at Shields Farm Saturday 12/5 and Sunday 12/6. Enjoy a memorable, approximately 30-minute outdoor journey through the story of Christ’s birth, featuring 8 live-action scenes. Highlights include:

Begin at the historic Shields Farm Log Cabin.
Walk through 8 dramatic scenes depicting the Christmas story, from the angel’s visit to Mary and Joseph to the birth of Jesus.
Experience live animals, (including camels) , dramatic music, and beautiful lighting.
Visit the interactive Mary and Joseph tent where children can pet and take pictures with a live donkey.
Enjoy hospitality, food, activities, and seasonal entertainment at five participating Delmont churches.
Take advantage of free shuttle buses traveling between Shields Farm and participating churches.

Admission: Adults $12, Children $ 6, Children ages 3 and under are free. You can purchase tickets here. This is a wonderful family-friendly way to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas!

Pilgrimage Junior

Pilgrimage Junior on Sunday, December 6 from 2-4:30 PM is designed especially for children 5th grade and under, this daytime event finds a fun way to celebrate the season while learning about the birth of Christ through interactive experiences. Participants will enjoy a guided Pilgrimage experience with visits to 2 Delmont churches where they will take place part in family friendly activities. Less than 90 tickets remain. You can purchase tickets here.
Don't miss your chance to bring your little ones on a magical Christmas journey! Follow the Angel Gabriel to Bethlehem and experience the Christmas story through live action scenes live animals and a memorable family friendly adventure.

Delmont Christmas Pilgrimage Evangelism Opportunity

We have been invited to have a booth at the Christmas Pilgrimage in Delmont this year on December 5th & 6th. Our goal is to hand out Christmas tracts and talk to people who just walked through the live event about Jesus’ birth. I expect the majority of people will already be Christians, but there will be ministry opportunities to them as well, including a children’s Pilgrimage on Sunday afternoon. If you have been waiting for a good opportunity to learn to start sharing your faith, this is it. Use the Signup Genius link to join us. If you have any questions, please contact Bruce Michalowski 631-478-2230 / QuestafterGod@gmail.com

Bible Studies

Men's Group

Our Men’s Group meets on Tuesday nights at 7:00 PM in the church basement. The group will resume on September 1 and will be studying Romans. All men are welcome to join. If you have any questions or want additional information, please contact Pastor Michael at mkleinschmidt@churchrefuge.com.

Women's Bible Study - Online

Our online bible study meets on Tuesday nights from 7:00 – 8:30 PM. The group will be studying 2 Timothy beginning September 15. If you have any questions or want additional information, please contact Sue Scimio at 724-216-2884 or Leslie House at 412-848-3647.

Young Adult Women's Bible Study

Our Young Adult Women’s bible study will resume meeting at the home of Patty Sanderson on Thursday nights at 6:45 beginning on September 17th. The group will be studying the Book of Acts. Who is invited? All young adult women in their 20's & 30's (single, married & young moms) Questions? Patty Sanderson 724-396-1809.

Women's Bible Study

Our Thursday morning women’s group meets on Thursday from 9:30 – 11:00 AM in the church basement. The group will resume on September 24th and be working through God of Deliverace: A Study of Exodus 1 -18. All women are welcome. Please contact Kim Hidalgo at khidalgo@churchrefuge.com if you plan to attend or have any questions.

Boutique Information

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Open Hours

Wednesday, November 4 from 7 pm - 8 pm
Tuesday, November 10 from 9 am - 11 am
Wednesday, November 11 from 7 pm - 8 pm
Wednesday, November 18 from 7 pm - 8 pm
Saturday, November 28 Closed

Donations can be made Monday-Friday 9 am - 4 pm. Please call the church office at 724-578-5583 before coming to ensure someone will be available to receive your donation.

Volunteers

Our boutique has been growing and reaching more people. We have also been blessed with increasing donations. As a result, we need additional volunteers. We have spots to fill in November. Please sign up here. For additional information, please contact Katie Morgan at kmorgan@churchrefuge.com or Amber Hooke at 724-433-7004.

Ongoing Groups

Men’s Group Tuesday Night

Our Men’s Group meets on Tuesday nights at 7:00 PM in the church basement. All men are welcome to join. If you have any questions or want additional information, please contact Mike Kleinschmidt at mkleinschmidt@churchrefuge.com.

Young Adult Women’s Bible Study

Our Young Adult Women’s bible study meets on Thursday nights from 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Sanderson’s home, 13500 Lincoln Way, N Huntingdon, PA 15642. Who is invited? All young adult women in their 20's & 30's (single, married & young moms) Questions? Patty Sanderson 724-396-1809

Moms Fellowship & Play Group

Our Moms Fellowship & Play group resuming May 8th will meet on Fridays from 10-12 at the Schall home. The Moms are walking through the devotional, "Present Grace" by Truth + Light Co as a group and fellowshipping together while their children play. Who is invited? All moms and their kids! Questions? Kristen Schall 412-525-3433.

Ongoing Groups on Break

Women’s Bible Study Tuesday Night - Online

Our Women's Online bible study meets on Tuesday nights via Zoom from 7:00 – 8:30 PM. Don't hesitate to get in touch with Sue Scimio at 724-216-2884 or Leslie House at 412-848-3647.

Women’s Group Thursday Morning

Our Thursday morning women’s group meets on Thursday mornings from 9:30 – 11:00 AM in the church basement. All women are welcome. Please contact Kim Hidalgo at 724-493-0628 if you plan to attend or have any questions.

Toddler Play Through the Bible

Toddlers (ages 2-4) and their parents/caregivers are invited to join us for a Play Through the Bible group. We meet monthly, from 12:30-1:30 pm, in the church school building. Play Through the Bible sessions include an age-appropriate Bible lesson, snack, and craft. Parents/caregivers are expected to stay with their toddler for the whole time. There will not be childcare available. For more information, join the Facebook group: Refuge Toddlers - Play Through the Bible or text/call Melissa Sanderson (412) 420-7686.

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