Upcoming Special Dates
November 6 Daylight Savings Time Ends (clocks need to be turned back one hour before going to bed the evening of November 5)
November 8 Election Day - our Church is a polling place
November 10 Open Mic Coffee House (7:30-9:00 pm - suggested donation $5)
November 11 Veterans Day
November 13 Congregational Meeting after service to elect elders and deacons
November 20 Stewardship Dedication Sunday ("God loves a cheerful giver" 2 Corinthians 9:9)
November 24 Thanksgiving Day
November 27 1st Sunday of Advent
Decorate the Church for Christmas and Fellowship after Worship Service
December 8 Open Mic Coffee House (7:30-9:00 pm - suggested donation $5)
December 21 1st Day of Winter
December 24 Christmas Eve (no worship service at the Church or on the phone)
December 25 Christmas Day (there will be worship service at the Church and on the phone)
Merry Christmas!
November 8 Election Day - our Church is a polling place
November 10 Open Mic Coffee House (7:30-9:00 pm - suggested donation $5)
November 11 Veterans Day
November 13 Congregational Meeting after service to elect elders and deacons
November 20 Stewardship Dedication Sunday ("God loves a cheerful giver" 2 Corinthians 9:9)
November 24 Thanksgiving Day
November 27 1st Sunday of Advent
Decorate the Church for Christmas and Fellowship after Worship Service
December 8 Open Mic Coffee House (7:30-9:00 pm - suggested donation $5)
December 21 1st Day of Winter
December 24 Christmas Eve (no worship service at the Church or on the phone)
December 25 Christmas Day (there will be worship service at the Church and on the phone)
Merry Christmas!
A Message From Session Members
Thanksgiving Day, which is a national holiday held on the fourth Thursday of November each year, is celebrated by the people in the US in many different ways. Americans generally believe that Thanksgiving is modeled on a 1621 harvest feast shared by the English colonists (Pilgrims) of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people. The most important tradition on Thanksgiving Day is the gathering of friends and family for a feast and to give thanks for all the good things that have happened to them. Turkey is nearly always on the menu in some form or another, along with mashed potatoes, yams, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole or corn, and for dessert pumpkin or apple pie. Some folks travel far to visit others to celebrate the day, watch the Macy's Parade, watch a football game, eat themselves into a food coma, or shop 'til they drop. But, more importantly, it is a time to be thankful for everything in life. Thankful not only for the big events in our life but for the little things as well. And, we should be thankful for all God has done and continues to do for us in our lives, and be thankful not only on Thanksgiving Day, but every day. Here are a few bible verses to ponder: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Colossians 4:2 "Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving." 1 Chronicles 16:34 "O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever."
“While many of us both give and receive gifts during the Christmas season, God gave us a gift we will never be able to repay. In exchange for our sins and shame, God offered us eternal salvation by sending his Son, Jesus Christ, to earth as our Savior." All we can do in return is accept his remarkable gift and pursue a relationship with the greatest gift given of all. Question: Whose quote is this? (Answer can be found in this Newsletter.)
There are many bible Christmas verses and here are a few ones: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” Matthew 1:21 “She will bear a son, and you
are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 1 John 4:9 “God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.”
We wish you a happy and thankful Turkey Day and a Very Merry Christmas filled with love and laughter.
Your Session and Ruling Elders:
Wayne Morrison and Ronda Kopchak
“While many of us both give and receive gifts during the Christmas season, God gave us a gift we will never be able to repay. In exchange for our sins and shame, God offered us eternal salvation by sending his Son, Jesus Christ, to earth as our Savior." All we can do in return is accept his remarkable gift and pursue a relationship with the greatest gift given of all. Question: Whose quote is this? (Answer can be found in this Newsletter.)
There are many bible Christmas verses and here are a few ones: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” Matthew 1:21 “She will bear a son, and you
are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 1 John 4:9 “God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.”
We wish you a happy and thankful Turkey Day and a Very Merry Christmas filled with love and laughter.
Your Session and Ruling Elders:
Wayne Morrison and Ronda Kopchak
Guest Worship Leaders for November and December
November 6 Rev. Dr. Daniel Merry
November 13 Rev. Dr. Bill Gracey
November 20 Rev. Ronald Church
November 27 Rev. Ronald Church
December 4 Rev. Dr. Daniel Merry
December 11 Rev. Dr. Bill Gracey
December 18 Rev. Ronald Church
December 25 Rev. Ronald Church
November 13 Rev. Dr. Bill Gracey
November 20 Rev. Ronald Church
November 27 Rev. Ronald Church
December 4 Rev. Dr. Daniel Merry
December 11 Rev. Dr. Bill Gracey
December 18 Rev. Ronald Church
December 25 Rev. Ronald Church
Status of Finding Our New Pastor
Session is continuing its talks with the Presbytery about possibilities for a new part-time pastor,reorganization, as well as investigating other options. We recently conducted a tour of our building for a group from a church in Wexford who expressed interest in some relationship with our church such as using space, buying, etc. They will get back to us shortly about any continuing interest in pursuing these matters further.
Please Keep In Your Prayers
William Spiegel, Jr. who was a member of our Church in his youth, and remained a very good friend of the Church for many years after he moved out of Pittsburgh, passed on September 28. We extend our sympathies and prayers to the Spiegel and Rahuba families on the loss of such a caring, thoughtful person who continued to support our ministries for many years. Thanks be to God for the victory of eternal life in Jesus Christ! Please also continue to keep in your prayers Amanda Gordon, Lois Baxendell, Juanita Johnson, Christine Zarnich, Charlotte Taylor, Janet Frisch, Charolotte Flamm, Adrianna Legas, Sharon A. Ives and her sister Janet Williams, Edna Czlapinski,
Michelle Alker, Dominic Ricciuti, and Jim Rockot.
Michelle Alker, Dominic Ricciuti, and Jim Rockot.
Deacons -- Christmas Toys
The Deacons are now accepting applications from families in our community who are interested and eligible to receive the Christmas toys they have available for the children in our area. If you know of someone who would like to apply for a gift for a child, please tell them to call the Church Office at 412-431-0118 and request an application form which will be mailed to them. Deadline for submitting applications is November 12, 2022. Distribution of gifts to eligible families will take place on December 3rd.
Offerings and Stewardship Dedication Sunday
You will shortly receive a letter from our Treasurer, Wayne Morrison, requesting that you to complete a pledge card and turn it on Sunday, November 20 which is Stewardship Dedication Sunday. This pledge card should indicate how much you plan to contribute to the Church for the 2023 calendar year. Your pledge helps us in developing the budget for 2023 and is very useful in planning our activities for the year. If you are unable to attend service on November 20, then please mail the completed pledge card to the Church by that date or drop the card in the Church mailbox located on the S. 20th Street entrance door. We continue to be grateful to everyone who has mailed in their offerings or special donations. All donations are extremely appreciated and assist us with our ministries.
Kitchen Korner
Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients:
2 cans (10.5 oz. each) Campbell's Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 cup milk
4 cans (14.5 oz. each) any style Del Monte Green Beans, drained
2 1/2 cups French's Crispy Fried Onions, divided
Directions;
Stir soup, milk, beans and 1 1/2 cups onions in a 3 quart casserole.
Bake at 350 degrees, uncovered, for 25 minutes or until bean mixture
is hot and bubbling. Stir bean mixture. Sprinkle top with remaining
onions. Bake 5 minutes longer or until onions are golden brown.
Ingredients:
2 cans (10.5 oz. each) Campbell's Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 cup milk
4 cans (14.5 oz. each) any style Del Monte Green Beans, drained
2 1/2 cups French's Crispy Fried Onions, divided
Directions;
Stir soup, milk, beans and 1 1/2 cups onions in a 3 quart casserole.
Bake at 350 degrees, uncovered, for 25 minutes or until bean mixture
is hot and bubbling. Stir bean mixture. Sprinkle top with remaining
onions. Bake 5 minutes longer or until onions are golden brown.
Answer: This is Billy Graham's simple explanation of Christmas.
Some Funny Church Jokes
A Sunday school teacher asked the children just before she dismissed them to go to church, "And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?" Little Johnny replied, "Because people are sleeping."
There is the story of a preacher who got up one Sunday and announced to his congregation, "I have good news and bad news. The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new building program. The bad news is, it's still out there in your pockets."
A minister told his congregation, "Next week I plan to preach about the sin of lying. To help you understand my sermon, I want you to read Mark 17." The following Sunday, as he prepared to deliver his sermon, the minister asked for a show of hands. He wanted to know how many had read Mark 17. Every hand went up. The minister smiled and said, "Mark has only 16 chapters. I will now proceed with my sermon on the sin of lying."
There is the story of a preacher who got up one Sunday and announced to his congregation, "I have good news and bad news. The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new building program. The bad news is, it's still out there in your pockets."
A minister told his congregation, "Next week I plan to preach about the sin of lying. To help you understand my sermon, I want you to read Mark 17." The following Sunday, as he prepared to deliver his sermon, the minister asked for a show of hands. He wanted to know how many had read Mark 17. Every hand went up. The minister smiled and said, "Mark has only 16 chapters. I will now proceed with my sermon on the sin of lying."
Open Mic Coffee House November and December
The next Open Mic Coffee House will take place on Thursday, November 10 from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Again, the donation suggested is $5 and refreshments will be available. The September and October Open Mic events had new talent and we hope to see you in November and share in the evening's entertainment and fellowship. Come and join the group and meet some great people and
make new friends!
The December Open Mic will be held on Thursday, December 8 beginning at 7:30 pm. The suggested donation remains the same - $5.
If you would like to share your talent with others or know of someone who might want to share their talent in either the November or December Coffee House event, please call Mike at 412-327-5498 or email him at [email protected].
make new friends!
The December Open Mic will be held on Thursday, December 8 beginning at 7:30 pm. The suggested donation remains the same - $5.
If you would like to share your talent with others or know of someone who might want to share their talent in either the November or December Coffee House event, please call Mike at 412-327-5498 or email him at [email protected].