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OCTOBER 2017
CALL The
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF ELFINWILD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ELFINWILD FAMILY PICNIC
New signs are being installed to designate the small lot adjacent to the church on Mt. Royal Boulevard as “Reserved Parking.” This is intended for anyone who needs to park close during any church function. Seasoned Saints, people on crutches, expectant Moms, and people unloading something are examples of the intended users. It is entirely self-qualifying and is first come, first served. If there is no all-Church function underway, anyone can park there, of course. The lot does still contain a designated handicap parking spot, and all similar spots behind the church continue to be available to those with handicap plates or placards. “Reserved Parking” is also designated with a new sign at the blue curb on Church Avenue. Please note, these “Reserved Parking” spots are not handicap compliant and therefore do not include that symbol.
A little background on the Parking changes –
· The request was made for more handicapped parking spots as occasionally, the ones we have are full.
· The center lot on Mt. Royal adjacent to the church, the large lot behind the school, and the blue curb on Church Ave. itself do not have spaces that would comply with the handicap parking requirements (too sloped, or in the case of Church Ave, not wide enough). Note: there is still one designated, compliant spot at the low end of the center lot.
· It was generally felt that we rarely have need of additional handicap spots per se, and that we do not want to take away from the main lot on Church Ave to add handicap spots there.
· It was observed that some ‘young and/or able-bodied people’ park in the center lot requiring people who may have difficulty walking, but who do not have handicap placards, to walk from the main lots.
Again, the new Reserved Parking designation is for anyone who needs to park close.
PARKING CHANGES
Sunday, October 15, at the 11:10 service, retired Elfinwild Meals Ministry site manager - Marian Berberich will be honored and recognized for her many years of outstanding service. Please come and be part of her special recognition.
BAKED POTATO BAR LUNCH - Elfinwild Meals Ministry is hosting a FREE baked potato bar lunch after the 11:10 service on Sunday, Oct. 15 in Fellowship Hall. One of our on-going donors is Red Lobster on McKnight Rd. We receive their excess frozen potatoes and rolls. Our clients love them and you will too! This luncheon is also in honor and recognition of retired site manager - Marian Berberich. The Ministry wants to thank the congregation for all the ways you support this important outreach - your contributions of money and food items, as drivers and kitchen volunteers. IF YOU ARE A CURRENT VOLUNTEER, PLEASE WEAR YOUR MEALS MINISTRY SHIRT TO CHURCH ON 10/15.
ELFINWILD MEALS MINISTRY
Dear Friends,
All summer we ended our worship services by reciting Galatians 5:22-23 as the Benediction Response. It is commonly referred to as the fruit of the Spirit passage. It reads, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” This is a passage of Scripture worthy to commit to memory. I encourage all of us to be able to know this in our minds and most importantly in our hearts.
Some words that precede this passage introduce it well, “So, I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” We are called by God to “live by the Spirit.” This Spirit, of course, is the Holy Spirit. God in us!! And you will note that there is the “other side” of what is possible, and that is to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” The question for us is, “What describes the fruit of our life? What is our life bearing and producing? Are we living “by the Spirit”? Or according to the desires of our sinful nature? I want to take the positive approach on this matter.
Bearing good fruit is our responsibility and privilege! I invite you to consider what fruit is. Fruit is the result of many variables that come together. It is a product of sunshine, water, soil condition, outward environmental conditions and a fertile seed. I am sure there are more variables but for my simple thinking that will suffice. The providence of all those separate but important variables produces “fruit” that is good, or can be bad if not harvested and cared for appropriately. Some of these variables are controllable and others are not. How does your life “produce” fruit? What are the variables that you can control? How can you discipline your life so that it manifests the fruit of the Spirit?
There are realities of the environment that are under your control. What you “feed” your heart and soul will affect what type of fruit is produced. My mother used to say, “Garbage in, garbage out!” In other words, what you supply your mind and soul with affects the outcome. Are you filling it with edifying and helpful instruction and positive images of life? Or are you taking in unhealthy, violent or rebellious stories that satisfy the sinful nature? Are you reading Scripture? Are you singing songs of your heart that are up-building and glorifying to God? Are you guarding what your eyes see and ears hear? Those are things you CAN control.
But, it is called the fruit of the SPIRIT for a reason. It is because the Spirit is the One who ultimately produces these qualities and characteristics. The wind and the rain are biblical symbols of the Spirit. We cannot control the Spirit. However, we can surrender to the Spirit. We can yield to the Spirit of God that is at work. Perhaps this is the best way we can bear good fruit and live by the Spirit. You have heard me say several times in these first few weeks of preaching through the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus’ teaching is not about striving to accomplish or fulfill what He describes but to “surrender” one’s life to Christ and allow the Spirit to work in and through you. That is what it ultimately means to be blessed. Have you surrendered your life to the Spirit of God in Christ Jesus? Do you know the blessedness of your life bearing good fruit? I invite you to this place of surrender.
No one will find love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control by doing better or trying harder. Our striving leads to frustration and failure. Only in our surrender to Christ, and His living through us, are we able to know and enjoy the blessedness of these promises of God.
What a privilege to share the journey with you. I am humbled daily to be your pastor.
Because God loves us all,
A LETTER FROM THE PASTOR
RALLY DAY
STUDENT MINISTRIES A Note From Jason,
Our student ministries are in full swing! We had a
wonderful kickoff in September where we saw over 40
students (with many new faces) come out and enjoy a fun
evening and get to know what we are about. Our theme for
this year is “Under Construction: Making disciples”. Using
the Fruit of the Spirit as our lens, we will be look at what it
means to follow Jesus and be his disciple. We have a
wonderful and dedicated group of adult volunteers helping
out again this year, without them our programs would not
be possible. In addition to our Sunday night leaders we have
a great support team which has already helped us with
numerous events as well as our Fall Mum Sale. Speaking of
our Mum sale, we thank all of you who bought baskets from
us and know that the proceeds will be helping our students
go on retreats and mission trips that have a profound
impact on their faith and help us to serve others. We ask
that you continue to pray for our student ministries as we
minister to and alongside our students during this school
year.
God Bless,
Jason
Coming Events:
Clubs: we meet most Sunday nights for both Jr. and Sr. High.
For our up to date club schedule please check our
October Calendar which can be found at our website:
www.elfinwildchurch.org.
Service Day, November 12: Do you or someone you know
need help with fall leaf raking and clean up? If so contact
Jason and let him know. Each year our students and leaders
break up into work crews to help our congregation
members who need help with their yard work. This year we
will help on November 12th.
Laurelville Retreats: Jr. High, November 3-5; and Sr. High –
November 17-19: These are both wonderful retreats for
students. They take place at Laurelville Camp and
Conference Center outside of Mount Pleasant, PA and are
run by the Pittsburgh Kids Foundation. Cost for each retreat
is $120 per student. Students can use their fundraising
accounts to pay for all or part of the retreat cost. To register
for Laurelville students must turn in a $25 nonrefundable
deposit (this deposit can come by check or by their
fundraising account) and a Laurelville registration waiver
form. Contact Jason for more information.
MUSIC MINISTRIES Music is such a joyful way to communicate with God. I
often find that I remember scripture because it was used
in a hymn, anthem or a song on the radio. We can find
strength, peace and joy in whatever we are facing just by
singing a familiar hymn or praise song.
In September we began using a new hymnal supplement
in worship. This book is used in singing contemporary
worship songs with the praise team and also allows us to
add in some of our favorite hymns that aren’t in the blue
hymnals. Each summer we will update these books by
adding more songs. If there is a favorite of yours that is
not in there, please let me know and we may be able to
add it in! Ron Bernhardy
Director of Music
SURF CITY
SR. HIGH NORTH CAROLINA MISSION TRIP
Submissions for the November 2017
Newsletter are due by October 12th to
[email protected] ELFINWILD SERVING AT MEN’S SHELTER
PRESCHOOL NEWS
We had a great beginning in September meeting our new friends and greeting returning children. Now we are ready to start the exciting month of October by learning of Noah and how he followed God’s directions in building that BIG boat. Next as our Bible lesson we will be meeting Moses and learning of the Ten Best Ways to Live.
Science class will find us exploring the important concept of recycling. We will also learn about owls and how animals prepare for winter. It is fun to look at all the plants that bring such a bountiful harvest to us in the fall – especially our favorite – the pumpkins! Learning about cows and dairy products is interesting when we make our own butter. We like to celebrate Costume Day by decorating, with our parents, pumpkins from our “Patch on the Porch”.
We are thankful for all of God’s blessings as we see His beautiful world that unfolds before us this month.
For information about the weekday preschool, please all the school office at 412-486-2322.
In Christ’s Love,
Carolyn Hervey, Director
Over the past four years Bill put up a very courageous
fight with pancreatic cancer. His strong faith lifted him
during the difficult times. We couldn’t have been in a
more caring, loving place than the Elfinwild family. The
cards, calls, prayers, compassion and concern over those
four years meant more than you can imagine. Thank you
for extending the loving arms of Christ around us.
Love in Christ,
Debbie Piel & Family
Elfinwild Presbyterian Church is seeking a Director of Children and Family Ministries. To view a full description please go to https://mychurchwebsite.s3.amazonaws.com/c1841/employment_opportunity.pdf To gain a better understanding of Elfinwild Presbyterian Church, candidates are encouraged to worship with us on a Sunday morning and visit our website at elfinwildchurch.org. If interested, please send a resume, three letters of recommendation and contact information for three references to [email protected]. Please note, that any questions can also be directed to this email.
Wednesday Evening Bible Study: The Parables of Jesus
Participants of all ages are invited to bring a Bible to Fellowship Hall on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 6:50 to study the parables of Jesus. Led by Jim Saraceno and Mark Connelly, specific parables will be read and discussed each week in an informal setting. Classes will be held in October/November, January, and April/May. The dates and subject matter for October and November are as follows:
October 11- class introduction and The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13: 1-23)
October 18- The Parable of the Weeds (Matthew 13: 24-31 and 36-43) and The Parables of Hidden Treasure, Pearl of Great Value, and The Net (Matthew 13: 44-50)
October 25- The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15: 1-7), The Parable of the Lost Coin (Luke 15: 8-10), The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15: 11-32).
November 2- The Parable of Laborers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20: 1-16) and The Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22: 1-14)
November 9- The Parable of the Narrow Door (Luke 13: 22-30) and The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18: 9-14)
FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY is a 9 week biblically
based course teaching us God’s ways in managing our
financial affairs. No matter what you know about
finances, you don’t know enough! This course, created
and conducted by nationally syndicated radio host
(WJAS 1320 AM, 6-9 PM, M-F) and best selling author
Dave Ramsey, has helped over 2 million families!
Subjects include: how to save, dumping debt, budgeting,
real estate, mortgages, the role of insurance, college
planning, retirement and much more. The course will
help you set goals that you can achieve. You will be
challenged and motivated to make a plan for your
money and change your family tree forever! Classes will
meet on 9 Wednesdays, beginning Nov. 1 from 7 to 9
P.M. in the Youth House. Go to www.daveramsey.com
for a further program details. Please call Henry Tomer
with any questions: 412-487-4437
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY
M&M’S YOUTH GROUP Messiah & Me – (M&m’s) - If you are in 3rd, 4th or 5th grade come join us on Sunday, October 1st and 15th from 12:15 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (following 11:10 a.m. Worship Service)
We will meet in Fellowship Hall. A light lunch will be provided for the children.
Once you have
registered online, let the
church office know that you
are going to the retreat!
Questions or need help
registering? Contact
Amanda Gaydos
or 412-523-8375
Hello to All,
Just a quick letter to say “Thank You” and “God Bless You” for
your prayers, cards and visits while in the hospital. I couldn’t
believe the outpouring of support! You brightened each day and
made me feel welcome to your family! Thank you all very much!
I truly enjoy working here.
Sincerely,
Eric Spryn
20th Karen Eichmiller
21st Jacob Engh
Richard Klosky
Colin McKern
Jack Wiemann
22nd Peg Kennedy
23rd Jeff Horvat
Nancy Kriek
Lilly Muczinski
Jim Pinta
24th Albert Jones
25th Sheila Martin
27th Sonia Henze
Carollee Ifft
Benjamin Waldo
Dale Weisenstein
28th George Alexander
Shawn Thompson
Robert Weissert
Sterling Ziegler
29th Bryce Bovaird
Jacob Cable
Ryan Griffin
Joshua Piel
Patty Robinson
30th Vail Jackson
Nate Park
31st Cheryl Harry
Sharon Peretik
1st Elaine Jans
Luke Kutzer
Darryl Long
Tricia Stormer
2nd Douglas Boody
Matthew Lesnett
Michael Radich
3rd Sharon Griffin
Elijah Haberman
Debbie Piel
4th Barbara Harms
Haley Thompson
5th Bob Weinheimer
6th Chris Hartman
Mike Lupey
7th David Tiernan
8th Laureen Baird
Garnet Shulz
Cathy Wiltrout
9th Katie Shideler
Linda Wahl
11th Allison Coco
Sebastian Hundertmark
12th Tessa Connelly
Nathan Ferree
13th Jennifer Harger
Melinda Kushner
Gary Schnelle
14th Jeanine Arrigo
Brian Booker
Joyce Lupey
15th Rodney Engh
Liliana Grzybowski
Faye Junker
Lora King
Michael Pearson
William Quinlan
Ronald Tiedman
Trish Wisniewski
16th Peg Hodil
Alaina Martinac
Keith Schreiber
Ken Volle
17th Sean Griffin
Cale Hartman
Al Hotgraver
Melissa Kutzer
Diana McKay
18th Bea Magill
19th Bob Babicka
David Rieg
David Roth
20th Thomas Bielski
OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES 2nd Harold & Cheryl McCaffrey Walter & Erica Baer 4th Greg Smith & Denise Bogaty-Smith Michael & Teresa Beal 5th Scott & Jennifer Waldo 6th Ronald & Beverly Park Martin & Susan Maroni Darrin & Elizabeth Stack 7th Tim & Debbie Keenan Robert & Cheryl Siar 8th Mike & Sharon Griffin Jim & Cheryl Saraceno Donald & Andrea Grau Darryl & Sharon Long 10th Frank & Debra Buczowski Donald & Valerie Zulka Nathan & Rebekah Wood 11th Ben & Diana Williams 14th Timothy & Donna Giel Mario & Jill Tarallo Michael & Melissa Kutzer Jim & Michelle Schoenian
17th Mike & Lori Jashinski 18th Wayne & Bonnie Vidt 19th John & Susan Skowron Ken & Ruth Volle 20th Steven & Jo Ellen Wershbale
Steven & Kristin Coco 23rd Skip & Penny Young 25th Todd & Pamela Hervey Brennan & Lauren Miloser 26th Craig & Janice Goss Wayne & Barbara Harms 29th Daniel & Christen Damico
DWIGHT PEARSON
COMPLETES THE
APPALACHIAN TRAIL!
Elfinwild Presbyterian Church,
I would like to thank everyone for your prayers and concern for
me. I fell on 7-18-17 and broke my left wrist and had surgery to
repair it on 7-26-17. I am on my second cast and so far doing ok.
It is difficult doing the everyday things working with one hand. I
am not able to drive and don’t know when I will be able to get
back to normal. Thanks again for the cards & phone calls.
Love,
Peg Holtgraver
PRAYER CORNER
ELFINWILD MINISTERS
Praise God for our devoted and caring ministers who teach with insight and humility. Pray for them as they daily encourage the congregation to seek God and His
will. May we, the congregation, be a source of encouragement and strength for them as well. “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until
now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of
Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:4-6
Elfinwild Presbyterian Church
Financial Statement
August 31, 2017
Actual Tithes & Gifts Given $448,230
Total Expenses (Y.T.D.) $427,392
Favorable (Y.T.D.) $20,838
FAMILY MINISTRY Baptism Brunch: When a child is baptized the congregation makes a promise to support the parents and help to nurture the faith of the child who is joining the Christian family. One way we hope to encourage and support the children and parents is with a Baptism Brunch. This event is being planned by the Family Ministries Committee for October 7th. If your child has been baptized in the past few years, here at Elfinwild, you will receive an invitation in the mail in September. We hope that you can join us! The Family Ministries Committee is looking for donations of gently used or new books for young children about who God is and how He loves us! These books will be given to the families of the children who have been recently baptized here at Elfinwild. You can also add a personalized inscription to any book you give. For example "From the Nelson family. We are praying for you." Books can be given to Kara Rea or left in the church office before October 5th. Thank you for your continued commitment to growing the faith of the youngest members of our church family!
STEPHEN MINISTRY CORNER
Remember to “Think Stephen”!
Elfinwild’s Stephen Ministry is up and running! Our Stephen Ministers have completed 50 hours of initial training. They are commissioned and ready to offer high-quality Christian care to folks going through a difficult season. If you know of someone who is struggling with: grief, an empty nest, a divorce, the stress of long-term caregiving, a job loss (and this names just a few of life’s difficult circumstances), please suggest to them our Stephen Ministry. We offer care for our church members AND folks in the community. If you would like more information about Stephen Ministry, stop into the “Stephen Corner” of the Library. If you know of someone who would like to be considered for care, please contact Ruthie Riethmuller, Stephen Leader, at 412-487-3421 or [email protected]
We should travel light and live simply.
Our enemy is not possessions, but excess.
-John Stott, Anglican clergyman
Over the summer, the tile floors were cleaned and polished. The parking lots were repaired and resurfaced, a French drain was installed outside the Peach room, a safety railing was installed at the CE Building, and the retaining wall was replaced at 114 Church Ave. The A/C was replaced for the pastors’ offices and the nursery, and a plumbing issue in the main building was repaired. This month, 15 new windows will be installed in the upper part of the main building and railings will be painted throughout. The trustees continue to collect options and bids for jobs under consideration for 2018, and we’ll have more information on them for our Stewardship campaign this fall. We were very pleased to receive a $10,000 gift to kick it off from The Pittsburgh Foundation, designated for the sewer line repair at the Youth House.
Thank you to all who donate assets, time and talents to keep our church operating, and to all those who have gone before that leave us this legacy to care for. Please contact me or any trustee if you have any questions or comments.
Janell Haygood
President of Trustees
THIRD QUARTER TRUSTEE REPORT
ELFINWILD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
3200 Mt. Royal Blvd.
Glenshaw, PA 15116
www.elfinwildchurch.org
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