Welcome Back
I am super excited that in 11 days, on Sunday, October 26th, we will be welcoming back the Reverend Bruce and Carol Mawhinney, as part of our 250th Church Celebration!
If you are a child of Canonsburg UP Church, born before about 1965, then you may remember Bruce and Carol and their ministry here. If you were here, or watched online, our sanctuary re-dedication service in February of last year, you would have seen Bruce as part of the service. And you may have been like me and said, “He’s amazing, and 5 minutes isn’t enough – he should preach here!”
As it turns out, Bruce continued his ministry long after leaving Canonsburg, quite successfully. He was an especially gifted preacher, so much so that he published a book and several articles on preaching over the years.
In advance of him coming back, for those who don’t know Bruce and Carol, or who may not have followed their ministry after leaving Canonsburg, I want to give you a little primer.
Bruce grew up in Washington, PA as a member of Fourth Presbyterian Church. His father, William Mawhinney, served Fourth Pres. as a ruling elder, and his mother, Ethel Mary, taught Good News Clubs for over 50 years.
In 1971, Bruce received his B.A. degree in Sociology from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA where he met and married Carol. After graduation he worked in Washington for Southwestern PA YFC/Campus Life. Carol taught first grade in the McGuffey School District.
In 1973, Bruce entered Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Before coming to Canonsburg, he served as student pastor to North Buffalo and Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Churches. Then in February 1975, he began to work as student assistant at Canonsburg UP Church. After graduation, he was ordained to the gospel ministry on July 11, 1976 and served at CUPC as Associate Pastor to Rev. Charles Skuce. From December 1978 until his retirement from Wheatland Presbyterian Church in December 2017, he served pastorates in Monroeville, Mechanicsburg and Lancaster, PA.
Bruce received his Doctorate of Ministry from Westminster Theological Seminary, California in 1990. As part of his doctorate, he authored Preaching with Freshness, Kregel Publishers, and he has had several magazine articles on preaching. He also was a contributor to a festschrift entitled Whole Counsel (2020) in honor of the life and ministry of Jay E. Adams.
Carol has taught in several public schools, a Christian School, and has also led a homeschool cooperative. She received her Masters in Principalship from Cabrini College and served as Dean of Students in the School District of Lancaster before retiring in 2014.
Bruce and Carol reside in Lancaster. They have two children, Paul and Susan, and five grandchildren. Bruce is particularly honored to be invited for this 250th anniversary at Canonsburg UP Church because he is a direct descendant of Rev. John McMillan, pioneer Presbyterian pastor who brought the gospel to this community 250 years ago in 1775.
What’s more though, I am particularly honored to share our Worship Service (NOTE – it’s a SINGLE 10am Worship Service) with Bruce on October 26 and to receive the gift of his preaching and teaching that Sunday.
I truly hope you’ll join us – either in-person or online, if you can’t be there in-person. But if you are in-person, note that there will be a light lunch to follow the service in the Fellowship Hall – an opportunity to talk with Bruce and Carol, to catch up more personally, and to extend your appreciation for his ministry among us.
What a joy it will be to worship together with Bruce and Carol on October 26 – mark your calendars for our service at 10am – you will NOT want to miss it!
Welcoming You to Grow in Jesus – one special celebration at a time,
Pastor Don