Sunday Worship Services Are At The Building at 11 A.M.
Covid safety protocols are in effect, including wearing a face mask, and keeping six feet physical distance. If you have any sickness symptoms, please do not attend in person.
We plan to continue to provide the call-in phone conference option for any who cannot attend worship service in the building. Call around 10:50 a.m. and just wait for someone to greet you. The conference phone number is 412-307-7952. (Conference line availability may vary, as different guest ministers are to lead the worship services each Sunday.)
Upcoming Special Dates
May 1 Pittsburgh Marathon (beware of road closings on your way to Church this day) May 5 National Day of Prayer May 6 May Friendship Day May 8 Mother's Day May 12 Open Mic Coffee House (7:30-9:00 pm -- suggested donation $5) May 17 Election Day (our Church is a polling place) May 26 Ascension of the Lord May 30 Memorial Day June 5 Day of Pentecost June 16 Open Mic Coffee House (7:30-9:00 pm -- suggested donation $5) June 19 Father's Day June 21 First Day of Summer
A Message from Session Members
There are several passages in the Bible that refer to the spring and summer seasons. Spring is a time of warming weather and nature coming back to life. Flowers bloom, animals are born, and this reminds us of the beauty that exists in our world and the new life that surrounds us. Summer is a time of longer daylight hours to fill our lives with fun and outdoor activities. Many of us slow down during this season and take a vacation with our family or friends, and have more time to relax and reflect on the past, the future, our attitude, etc. "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak; a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace." Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8.
Mother's Day and Father's Day give people the opportunity to show mothers and fathers how much they are appreciated and loved for the care given by them to others. Many show appreciation to mothers by buying chocolates or giving flowers; some children make cards or other gifts to show how much their mother or father means to them. Some folks buy a special gift from a department store or specialty shop to show how much their mother or father is appreciated and loved. For those of you whose parents have passed, you may decide to visit their gravesite and say a prayer and silently tell them how thankful you are for what they did for you. Please remember to honor them on this special day. Exodus 20:12 "Honor your father and your mother so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you". Leviticus 19:3 "You shall each revere your mother and father…."; Proverbs 23:22 and 25 "Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old." and "Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice."
Have a beautiful and enjoyable spring and summer, and a happy Mother's Day and Father's Day to everyone!
Your Session and current ruling Elders: Carol and Jack Ladebue, Wayne Morrison, and Ronda Kopchak
Guest Worship Leaders for May and June
May 1 Bible Story and Scripture Readings May 8 William Branning (seminary grad) May 15 Rev. Kellie Weekly-Mills May 22 Rev. Kellie Weekly-Mills May 29 Rev. Steven Bomely June 5 Rev. Dr. Asa Lee June 12 (Pending) June 19 Rev. Jane Duffield June 26 Rev. Jane Duffield
Status of Finding Our New Pastor
We are still waiting to hear from Ralph Lowe, the Director of Justice Ministries at the Pittsburgh Presbytery, about the posting of our position on the Presbytery website. To date, the approval process through proper channels has not been completed and we expect a further delay as the moderator assigned to Session has broken his right ankle and is unable to meet with this group for several weeks. Session will be meeting with another individual within the next week who will discuss the options available for consideration. Again, please be patient as we work through this hiring process. It will take a few months before we review and resolve various issues.
Please Keep in Your Prayers
Pastor Kathy Hamilton-Vargo continues to need our prayers until she is fully recovered. Please also keep in your prayers Amanda and Aubriella Gordon, Lois Baxendell, Jerry Bauer, Juanita Johnson, Christine Zarnich, Charlotte Taylor, Carol and Jack Ladebue, Janet Frisch, Charlotte Flamm, Adrianna Legas, Sharon A. Ives and her sister Janet Williams, Edna Czlapinski, Michelle Alker and Mike Vargo. Jean Long who was 99 years old and in a nursing home for the past few years, passed on March 15. She had been a Deacon in our Church for several years and made many contributions while serving in that capacity. She will be greatly missed. Please keep her family members in your prayers.
Property Issues
The painting of the women's restroom downstairs in the community center side of the building has been completed thanks to Chris Zarnich. Old light bulbs and a paper towel holder need to be replaced and that will be done soon.
A circuit board for the furnace located under the gym and behind the Room of Many Colors had to be replaced (six furnaces heat the Church building!).
The lock on the 20th Street side of the building (the entrance used every day) broke and had to be replaced immediately. Thanks to Fred Winkler this was done quickly.
Toy Drive
To date, the Deacons have collected more than 25 toys/items for distribution in late November to the needy in our community. If you are interested in donating a new toy or stocking stuffer item, it is suggested that the gift cost no more than $10 . You can drop off your item at the Church any Tuesday or Thursday from 2:30-4:30 pm.
Offerings and Donations
We are extremely grateful to the friends of our Church who have made special donations throughout the years. And, we continue to be grateful to those Church members who have been able to mail in their weekly offerings during the pandemic when they were unable to attend worship service in the building. However, if we are to carry on with our various ministries, pay our bills, etc. the Church must have sufficient funds.
When the Covid pandemic began, we noticed a decline in weekly offerings given by our members. We realize this period has been a financial difficulty for almost everyone and this drop in membership donations was no surprise. We hope that members who have not been able to donate or reduced their donations during this period may now be able to reconsider what they are able to contribute to the Church on a weekly basis. 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 "Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." Thank you.
Kitchen Korner
Broccoli Salad
2 Bunches broccoli (use only heads--cut into small pieces) 1/2 Small red onion 1 lb. crisp bacon diced 12 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese Dressing: 1 Cup mayonnaise 1/2 Cup sugar 2T vinegar Mix broccoli, red onion, bacon and mozzarella cheese together. Pour dressing over mixture 15 minutes before serving.
Cauliflower Salad 1 Head lettuce (tear in pieces) 1 Head cauliflower (use only heads--cut into small pieces) 1 Red onion 1/2 lb. crisp crumbled bacon Salt and pepper to taste 2/3 Cup parmesan cheese (grated) Dressing: 1/2 Cup sugar 4T Miracle Whip Place ingredients (except dressing) in large bowl and refrigerate overnight. Add dressing and toss just before serving.
A FOURTH GRADER CELEBRATED HIS BIRTHDAY ON CRUTCHES SO HE COULDN'T CARRY THE CUPCAKES INTO SCHOOL WITHOUT HELP. A SIXTH GRADER, NOAH, WAS ASKED TO HELP HIS BROTHER CARRY THEM IN. "I COULD," HE SAID "BUT I'D PREFER NOT TO." SPOTTING A TEACHING MOMENT, HIS FATHER ASKED NOAH, "WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?" NOAH ANSWERED, "JESUS WOULD HEAL HIM SO HE COULD CARRY HIS OWN CUPCAKES."
Open Mic Coffee House for May and June
The Open Mic Coffee House returned on April 21 with some good entertainment (singers playing guitars, reading of stories, joke telling, and more). Those in attendance are looking forward to exciting and surprising performances on stage in May and June. The May Coffee House will be held Thursday, May 12 and the June event will be on Thursday, June 16. Both Open Mics will begin at 7:30 pm and end around 9:00 pm. The suggested donation is still $5.00. Refreshments will be available and there will be time for fellowship. We hope you will be able to attend at least one of these fun gatherings on the dates noted and enjoy the talent of the performers and the fellowship. If you would like to share your talent with others or know of someone who might want to share their talent, please call Mike at 412-327-5498 or email him at mikevargo@aol.com.