First United Presbyterian Church 102 North Main Street ... · First United Presbyterian Church 102 North Main Street, ... 09/26 Julia Swarow ... have a food booth at the festival

The Heavenly Herald

First United Presbyterian Church

102 North Main Street,

Houston, PA 15342

Inside this issue:

Birthdays 2

Church Calendar 3

Candidate Sunday 4

Candidate Day Cont. 5

Farewell 6

Serving the Church 7

Stewardship 8

Deacon News 9

Youth 10

Inspiration 11

Gifts and Blessings and Summer Worship

12

Greetings to all of my new friends at FUPC, Houston:

As September arrives, we have so much to be excited about! Thank you for your warm welcome to me and my family on Sunday, August 14. It was truly a special day.

I certainly am excited about this God given opportunity to serve as your pastor. I truly feel that God has prepared me for this very time to be with you and to begin an exciting new era of being church together. It’s also an exciting time as the children are going back to school and are coming back for a new year of Sunday School as well! My twin boys are begin-ning their senior year of high school and my daughter is be-ginning a new phase in her education at the University of Pittsburgh. My oldest son just got engaged to his college girlfriend, so they are just beginning to plan their lives togeth-er. So much excitement!

But mostly, it’s an exciting time to deepen and renew our re-lationship with God. I’m excited to see the plans that God has for this church, plans to prosper us and to grow His king-dom. In the coming months and years, I hope to lead us all into a deep and abiding relationship with God through wor-ship, learning, prayer and service. I invite you all to come on this incredible new journey as we boldly follow the Lord into the future.

Let’s do this together as one church family!

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Emily

Page 2 The Heavenly Herald

09/02 Kim Keenan 09/02 Ashley Washabaugh 09/03 Ron Myers 09/04 Thelma Mitchell 09/05 Kay Snyder 09/09 Nancy Ward 09/10 James Baxter 09/11 Conner Craig 09/11 John Jones 09/12 Virginia Johnston 09/13 Donald Conner 09/14 Sherry Jeffers 09/14 Scott McIlvaine 09/15 Eleanor Welsh 09/16 Lori Ann Washabaugh 09/21 Shirley Pohl 09/22 Bob Washabaugh 09/23 Shannon Arnold 09/23 Olivia Williams 09/24 Alexis Durkacs 09/24 Whitney Trunzo 09/24 Ambre Zendt 09/25 Tina Colletti 09/26 Julia Swarow 09/27 Melinda Williams 09/28 Rodney Petras 09/28 Libby Young

Congratulations goes out to Virginia Rockwell who participated in the 2016 Senior Games and was a Gold and Silver Medalist in her age bracket.

Gold Medal in 50 Yard Dash Gold Medal in 1-Mile Walk Gold Medal in Corn Bag Toss Gold Medal in Putting Silver Medal in Stationary Bike

LIVE TODAY AND EMBRACE THE

JOURNEY

Today is a gift. Embrace it with joy and anticipation … realize the possibilities.

It beckons you towards your destination in life. Be at peace - you are exactly where you are

meant to be at this moment. God has carefully chosen the people, events,

joys and challenges on your path today. The things you encounter are stepping stones

of what is to come. Make the most of today.

Focus on “the present” - you will see and appreciate things you might otherwise miss.

Follow your heart - search to find your purpose in life and you will find meaning and happiness.

Use your talents, do your best, contribute. Make a difference, because you can.

Be passionate about your journey - sing, dance, laugh, and love as you go.

Give praise and allow time for prayer. The promise of tomorrow brings with the

endeavors of today. Do not let the fast-forward pace of the world

deprive you from savoring “the now”. Seek things that fill you with love and bring you

joy. Have faith, it fosters hope - it makes the

difference. Believe, with God all things are possible.

Live well - live today, for it is a gift.


Mon Sept 5 Office will be closed for Labor Day Holiday Tues Sept 6 Deacon Meeting at 6:00 p.m. Sun Sept 11 Communion will be celebrated Rally Day Blood Pressure Screening in the Library Wed Sept 14 Property Committee Meeting at 6:00 p.m. Sun Sept 18 Music & Worship Committee Meeting after worship Tues Sept 20 Session Meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thurs Sept 22 Girlfriend Night at 6:00 p.m. Thurs Sept 29 MOW will have their Appreciation Luncheon at 11:30 in Fellowship Hall

Many Thanks to the PNC

The congregation and Session of the First United Presbyterian Church of Houston would like to thank the Pastor Nominating Committee for their time, energy and faithfulness to the search process and their gracious service to the church and Christ.

Those serving on the committee:

Emily Anestis, Kristie Coppola, Dawn Jardini (Chair), Bill Kelley,

Kristin McCarty, Al Nagy, Bev Pen-vose, Bill Speakman III and Peg Yost


Pastor Emily preaching her first sermon "Touched by Christ"

Pastor Emily, her husband Ed and their twin boys - Malcolm and Murphy.


Pastor Emily giving her first Junior Sermon to the children of our congregation

Chancel Choir performing "Here I am, Lord"


Pastor Alan reading from Psalms on Candidate Sunday

Thank you, Good and Faithful Servant!

On August 28, Rev. Alan Olson, gave his last sermon to the Houston Church congregation. This was a bittersweet time—as we are sad that Pastor Alan will no longer be leading our congregation but happy that Christ has led us to start a new chapter in the life of our church.

Pastor Alan, we thank you, for your graciousness, humbleness and faithfulness that you have shown to the folks at First UP Church! We appreciate your leader-ship and guidance in our interim time. We have watched you grow and thrive while serving us.

First UP wishes Pastor Alan many blessings as he continues to serve the Lord. Christ will open many doors for you—seek and you will find, knock and the door will open! Thank you for sharing your God given gifts with us!

“Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant.” (Philippians 2:1-11)

REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

SERVING THE CHURCH IN SEPTEMBER 2016

GREETERS

Deacon Greeters: Sept 4 Bob Blough (GV) Jami Craig (MV) Janice Blosel (GH) Mindy Kelley (MH) Sept 11 Bob Blough (GV) Sandy Wallace (MV) Virginia Bayne (GH) Mindy Kelley (MH) Sept 18 Jackie Orbich (GV) Jami Craig (MV) Janice Blosel (GH) Virginia Rockwell (MH) Sept 25 Lala Patsch (GV) Inez Patsch (MV) Anna Mae Myers (GH) Jackie Orbich (MH)

Elder Greeters: Sept 4 Karen Jones (GH) Gloria Schmalz (GV) Elaine Gray (MH) Pastor Emily (MV) Sept 11 Pastor Emily (GH) Bill Kelley (GV) Dan Coppola (MH) Grier Adamson (MV) Sept 18 Karen Jones (GH) Pastor Emily (GV) Tera Washabaugh (MH) Bill Kelley (MV) Sept 25 Karen Jones (GH) Becky Washabaugh (GV) Pastor Emily (MH) Gloria Schmalz (MV)


Infant/Toddler Nursery Schedule for September

Sept 4 Dina Williams and Bethany Decker Sept 11 Stacy and Jordan Simpson Sept 18 Kristie and Lily Coppola Sept 25 Kristin and Abigail McCarty

Liturgist: Bill Kelley

Money Counters: Linda Young Al Nagy

Communion will be celebrated on Sunday, September 11th.

Fall brings us back to worshiping at 11:00 a.m. beginning September 4th

in the sanctuary. It will also be the first Sunday with our new Pastor

Rev. Emily Miller.


FOUR PRINCIPLES OF STEWARDSHIP

PRINCIPLE OF OWERSHIP: PSALM 24:1: “THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S AND EVERY-THING IN IT, THE WORLD, AND ALL WHO LIVE IN IT.” GOD OWNS EVERYTHING; WE ARE MERELY MANAGERS OR ADMINISTATORS ACTING ON HIS BEHALF.

PRINCIPLE OF RESPONSIBILTY: WE ARE CALLED AS GOD’S STEWARDS TO MAN-

AGE THAT WHICH BELONGS TO GOD.

PRINCIPLE OF ACCOUNTABILTY: WE ARE AL STEWARDS OF THE RESOURCES, ABILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT GOD HAS ENTRUSTED TO OUR CARE. ONE DAY WE WILL GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF HOW WE MANAGED WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN US. REMEMBER THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS

PRINCIPLE OF REWARD: REMEMBER COLOSSIANS 3:23-24: “WHATEVER YOU DO,

WORK AT IT WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AS WORKING FOR THE LORD, NOT FOR MEN, SINCE YOU KNOW THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE AN INHERITANCE FROM THE LORD AS A REWARD. IT IS THE LORD CHRIST YOU ARE SERVING.”

I would like to thank all those who sent prayers and cards my way in the last several months. You have given me a gift of encouragement and hope in a difficult time. I was so touched by all the love and support, I am so blessed to have all of you in my life. Again a very special “THANK YOU” for all your thoughtfulness.

God Bless You,

Jackie Shober


DEACON NEWS

With Fall getting closer and closer we Deacons are getting busier and busier. We ended our summer agenda with the church picnic which was very well attended. Virginia Bayne took care of all the details and everyone attending brought delicious food. Sandy Wal-lace and Jackie Orbich provided fun and games for the kids. What more could you ask for? So if you didn’t attend this year’s picnic, mark your calendar for next year. We are sponsoring a Girlfriends Night Out on Thursday, September 22 at 6:00pm. We invite you to come and Color Your Stress Away! Vocalist Jan Lawrence will provide inspirational and soothing song for you to enjoy as you color your cares away. And if you really aren’t into coloring you can just enjoy the music and delicious refreshments as well as the love and fel-lowship we share in being together. The cost for the evening is only $5.00 and is payable that evening. So come out and bring a friend. Or come and make a new friend. With all of the back to school specials going on, now is the time to buy items to include in your Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. We will be collecting them in early November. This year's Houston Pumpkin Festival will be held October 7, 8 and 9. We will once again have a food booth at the festival. This year we are expanding our menu. We will again be serving walking tacos, chicken wraps, desserts and beverages. We are adding chili and ham barbecue sandwiches to the menu and we will be selling any kind of desserts and pie slices. The dessert does not have to be made with pumpkin only, as we had last year. This is a big undertaking for us so we do need the help of the congregation. You were a great help to us last year. We need volunteers to help staff the booth as well as people to donate desserts. All of the cooking will be done by the Deacons so booth volunteers only need to sell the items. If you can help as a volunteer worker (needed Thursday for set up and selling Friday, Saturday and Sunday, including dismantling) or if you are willing to donate a dessert please see my-self, Mindy, to sign up. Desserts need to be left at the church early Friday or Saturday morn-ing and we will transport them to the booth. Our booth will be in the same spot as last year if you can remember where that was. If not, look for our sign. Sandy Wallace will be manning the cookie booth for children. She also could use some volunteers to help out there. So let her know if you can help. Don’t forget that Virginia Rockwell and Jami Craig are on hand in the Library the second Sun-day of each month to check your blood pressure either before or after worship service. And we are still collecting non-perishable food items for the food pantry. Your donations may be placed in the boxes provided at the front of the sanctuary. Rada purchases may be made by contacting Jackie Shober. Our next regular meeting will be Tuesday, September 6 at 6:00pm in the Family Room. Blessings, Mindy Kelley, Moderator


Calling all youth, nursery thru 12th grade, to join us in the new Sunday school year. Beginning Sunday, September 11th at 9:45 a.m. we will meet in the Fel-lowship hall for a light breakfast, lesson, fun with friends and have the introduc-tion of Pastor Emily. Also, watch bulletins, newsletters and Facebook for other fun opportunities including youth groups for all ages, Little Chimers, Hymn Ding-ers, Children’s choir, Christmas Musical and the Pumpkin Festival Parade float and cookie booth.

Explorers Bingo Night

Saturday, October 1, 2016

Fellowship Hall

6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Bring a friend and have a fun time.


Why God Made Teachers

When God created teachers, He gave us special friends

To help us understand His world And truly comprehend

The beauty and the wonder Of everything we see,

And become a better person With each discovery.

When God created teachers, He gave us special guides

To show us ways in which to grow So we can all decide

How to live and how to do What’s right instead of wrong To lead us so that we can lead And learn how to be strong. Why God created teachers,

In His wisdom and His grace, Was to help us learn to make our world

A better, wiser place.

By: Kevin William Huff

Please consider honoring a loved one or a special family occasion with flowers to adorn the Chancel for

Sunday worship this coming year.

How to reach us:

Church phone number: 724 746-3040

Church Office 310 Open Door Nursery 311 Rev. Olson 313 Meals on Wheels 314

Church fax number:

724 746-3041

Email address: [email protected]

Website: www.houstonpresbyterian.org

First United Presbyterian Church

102 North Main Street,

Houston, PA 15342

Nonprofit organization U.S. Postage

PAID Houston, PA 15342

Permit #4

“THE LOVE OF THE LORD IS THE HEARTBEAT OF OUR MISSION!”

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First United Presbyterian Church 102 North Main Street ... · First United Presbyterian Church 102 North Main Street, ... 09/26 Julia Swarow ... have a food booth at the festival