Sunday Worship Services Are At The Building at 11:00 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
September 5 Labor Day September 8 Open Mic Coffee House (7:30-9:00 pm - suggested donation $5) September 21 International Day of Peace September 22 Presbytery Meeting - Crestfield Camp and Conference Center First Day of Autumn September 25 Peace and Global Witness Offering October 2 World Wide Communion Sunday October 13 Open Mic Coffee House (7:30-9:00 pm - suggested donation $5) October 30 Reformation Sunday
A Message from Session Members
Summer is almost at an end and autumn is quickly approaching. We will soon see the changing of leaves on the trees and enjoy the beauty of the various yellow, red, and orange colors before they shed. Autumn marks the transition from summer to winter and is the season when the duration of daylight becomes noticeably shorter and the temperature cools considerably. It is the time of year when football and tailgates are in full swing, when children trick or treat, and when most folks become anxious about the upcoming holidays with family and friends and begin looking forward to the Super Bowl. Here are a few Bible verses for the autumn season: Isaiah 40:8 "The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever."; Ecclesiastes 3:1 "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." And for Halloween we find these Bible verses: 2 Corinthians 11:14 "And no wonder! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." Romans 8:38-39 "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
For many, the Labor Day holiday is known as the unofficial end of summer, the beginning of the football season, the last day to swim at a local pool, or a three-day weekend to relax and celebrate. This year, Labor Day is Monday, September 5, and this annual federal holiday is celebrated to honor the achievements and sacrifices of workers across all industries. The beginning of work is from the beginning of time and God himself worked for six days and rested on the seventh. As Christians, we should view our jobs as an opportunity to serve God through perseverance and patience, and serve others through a Christ-like attitude. Colossians 3:23 "Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters." Ephesians 4:28 "Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy." 1 Corinthians 10:31 "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God." People may celebrate this Labor Day holiday by attending a parade or music festival. Or, they may throw a barbeque party for friends and family, enjoy a football game, go swimming, check out Labor Day sales, take a trip, volunteer at a local organization, support a work-related cause they believe in, etc. Whatever your plans may be for this holiday, relax, enjoy the day, and stay safe and healthy. And, Happy Halloween!!!!!!
Your Session and Ruling Elders: Carol and Jack Ladebue, Wayne Morrison, and Ronda Kopchak
Guest Worship Leaders for July and August
September 4 Rev. Edwin van Driel September 11 Rev. Bob Ruefle September 18 Rev. Susan Rothenberg September 25 Rev. Jane Duffield October 2 Rev. Dr. Bill Gracey October 9 (pending) October 16 Heather Henkel (seminary grad) October 23 Heather Henkel October 30 Heather Henkel
Status of Finding Our New Pastor
As you may recall, our vacant part-time pastor position was posted on the Pittsburgh Presbytery website in early May. To date, no individual has indicated interest in applying for this job, but we are hopeful that someone will soon be knocking on our door. We do know that there are several pastor position openings available in the Presbytery and that several churches searched for at least two years before someone was eventually interested and hired.
Please Keep in Your Prayers
Aubriella Gordon, age 3, the daughter of member Amanda Gordon, unexpectedly passed on Sunday, August 21. We are all deeply saddened by this sudden loss of life. Please keep Amanda and her extended family and friends in your prayers and sympathy. Thanks be to God for the victory of eternal life in Jesus Christ!
Please also keep in your prayers 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, Liz Adams, Dominic Ricciuti, and Jim Rockot (brother of members Ronda Kopchak and Sandra Winer) who was recently diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Deacons Fundraiser -- Toy Drive
The Deacons are still collecting 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 Thursday from 4:30-7:00 pm or Saturday from 11:00am - 1:30 pm. If you have any questions about this fundraiser, please call the Church office and leave a message. A member of the Deacons Board will return your call.
Church Picnic
On Sunday, August 21, the South Side Presbyterian Church held its indoor picnic after worship service. There were plenty of hot dogs and hamburgers which skilled Grill Master Skip Miller cooked to perfection. We are extremely grateful for his assistance and the time he devoted to our picnic. In addition, we are very thankful to everyone who brought food, beverages, and setup and cleaned up for this event. There were many desserts, salads, baked beans, watermelon, cherries, pickled beets, etc. No one left hungry! A Yahtzee tournament took place and four prizes were awarded. The first place winner was Edna Czlapinski, in second place was Audrey Moore, third place Wayne Morrison, and fourth place Fred Winkler. Audrey had Yahtzee on her first dice roll. All four winners had never played this game before!!
Church Office Hours Change
Effective immediately, the days and hours when our secretary Vicki will be in the office are: Thursdays from 4:30 to 7:00 pm and Saturdays from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm. Vicki has a new full-time job and her work hours with that company required this change to accommodate our needs.
Offerings and Donations
We continue to be thankful to Church members and friends who make weekly, monthly, or yearly donations to our Church. Occasionally there are special offerings we ask members to support and one such offering will be held on Sunday, September 25. This is the Peace and Global Witness Offering. This offering encourages the Church to cast off anxiety and fear, discord and division, and embrace our God's mission of reconciliation to those around the corner and around the world. If you are able to make a donation for this purpose, please put your contribution in an envelope, mark the envelope for this purpose, and place it in the offering basket on Sunday, September 25.
Kitchen Korner: PierogiCasserole
11 Red potatoes 9 Lasagna noodles 1/2C Philadelphia chive and onion cream cheese spread 6 Green onions, thinly sliced 2 8 oz. pkg finely shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 lb Crisp bacon (if desired); save a small amount of bacon to sprinkle on top of casserole before cooking Salt and pepper to taste
Heat oven to 375 degrees Peel, quarter (or cut up to size desired) and cook potatoes. Drain water, mash potatoes and add, while mashing, 1 and 1/2 packages of cheddar cheese, cream cheese, onions, and bacon (if desired).Add salt and pepper to taste. Mixture may be gummy. Meanwhile, cook noodles according to directions on box. Drain noodles. Place 3 noodles in 13x9 inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; cover noodles with 1/3 of the potato mixture. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining cheddar cheese, and bacon (if desired); cover. Bake 33 to 35 minutes or until heated through, uncovering for the last 5 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting to serve.
Open Mic Coffee House For September and October
There was no Open Mic Coffee House in August due to vacations, but the monthly Open Mic Coffee House will begin a new season starting Thursday, September 8 from 7:30pm to 9:00pm. The suggested donation remains at $5 and refreshments will be available as well as a time for fellowship. The October Open Mic will be held on Thursday, October 13, from 7:30pm to 9:00pm. Again, the donation suggested is $5 and refreshments will be available. We hope to see you there and share in the evening's entertainment, fellowship, and perhaps you will meet some great people and make new friends.
If you would like to share your talent with others or know of someone who might want to share their talent in either the September or October Coffee House event, please call Mike at 412-327-5498 or email him at mikevargo@aol.com.
Some Funny Christian Jokes
A little girl finally got to attend a wedding for the first time. While in the church, the girl asked her mother: "why is the bride dressed in white?" The mother replied to the girl: "Because white is the color of happiness and it's the happiest day of her life today." After a little bit, the girl looks up at her mother and says: "But, then why is the groom wearing black?"
During a Sunday school lesson, a child learned about how God created human beings. The child became especially focused when the teacher explained how Eve was created from Adam's ribs. Later in the week, the boy's mother saw him lying down on the floor, so she asked him what was wrong. His reply was priceless: "Mom. I have a pain in my side--I think I'm getting a wife."
What kind of man was Boaz before he married Ruth? Answer: He was Ruthless.