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INSIDE THIS ISSUE :
McDonald Presbyterian Church October 2017
McPresby News
PASTOR’S PAGE 2 • OCC NEWS 3 • MCFALL FEST UPDATE 4 • MINISTRY UPDATES 4 •
CARE LIST 6 • VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE 7 • CELEBRATIONS 8 • CHOIR SCHEDULES 8 • CALENDAR 9
Sunday, October 1
We will be hosting a Pizza with the Pastor event on Sunday, October 1 following our worship service. The gathering is for anyone who is not a covenant partner in our congregation but is interested in learning more about
our mission and purpose as a church. You will have an opportunity to discuss membership possibilities and interact with Pastor Justin and several other church leaders. There is no cost for the event, but we would appreciate an RSVP to Pastor Justin or to the church office. Childcare is available upon request.
October 1, 2017
WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY
On Sunday, October 1, we will be sharing the sacrament of communion along with millions of other Christians around the world. Did you know that World Communion Sunday began right here in Pittsburgh back in the early 1930’s? According to Rev. Dr. Donald Craig Kerr, whose father was pastor at Shadyside Presbyterian Church, it was an attempt “to bring churches together in a service of Christian unity—in which everyone might receive both inspiration and information, and above all, to know how important the Church of Jesus Christ is, and how each congregation is inter-connected one with another.” Our celebration at MPC will include different breads, symbolizing the different cultures and peoples of the world who worship and serve our Lord, Jesus Christ.
During our worship service on October 8, we will hear the story of how a simple shoe box changed the life of a young girl by giving her what she needed … hope.
Elena Hagemeier was 8 years old when she and her sister were moved from an abusive poverty-stricken home into an orphanage in the former Soviet Union. At a time when she was feeling unloved, she was handed an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift. It was the first gift she had ever received.
With the gift, Elena received a booklet, which seemed like an unbelievable fairytale. It said the Creator of the universe loved her. She began to pray, hopeful for a family for her and her sister, a prayer that was answered in 2004 by a loving family in the United States. To hear about God’s love in her life, please join us for a special time with Elena sharing her testimony.
October 8, 2017
OCC SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER
PAGE 2 MCPRESBY NEWS PASTOR’S PAGE
THE BREAD OF GOD
"For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." John 6:33
As we celebrate World Communion Sunday, it is good for us to think about the powerful life that Jesus lived and one of the most powerful symbols that he gave to us. Jesus boldly proclaimed that he was the Bread of Life and that he was the solution to all hunger and all thirst. It is the love of Jesus that truly satisfies us and it is his grace that frees us to be his people and to live in fantastic joy.
When Jesus fed the five thousand, he got people's attention. Followers were coming out of the woodwork looking for the next free lunch. They might have a chance to witness the Messiah proclaimed from days of old. They immediately thought of the manna that came down from heaven and wanted to be a part of whatever was hap-pening. Jesus was not easy on the crowds but called them out and declared to them that they were not seeking spiri-tual things but were only pursuing him because their bellies were filled. His message to them was to seek with all your heart not physical bread but spiritual bread. Spiritual bread that comes in the form of grace and salvation.
Jesus came down from heaven to bless us. He came down from heaven to give life to the world. Our chal-lenge is to invite others into that fellowship with Christ that gives them access to his life and his sacrifice. Jesus is unified in purpose and spirit, and that purpose is to save us from ourselves. He knows the destructive and harmful choices that we make and he knows that because of them we are separated from the Father. His appearing on this earth opened up an opportunity for every person whom he calls to believe and be accepted into his grace. Everyone who acknowledges him has a seat at the table and an endless supply of his bread to eat.
There are people all around us literally starving for the Word of God. Lost in depression, fear, or anxiety and at a turning point in their life, they will seek Jesus and look to him for hope and redemption. The question is, will we be ready to receive them into our church family? Do we have a message that brings hope and feeds the souls of those who are spiritually hungry? I pray that we do in ever-increasing measure. We are able to express our faith and our love in such a way that hope can be found, contributions can be made, and love can be given.
Celebrate with me the fact that Jesus is the Bread of Life, and that he is still working in our world today. Celebrate the fact that Jesus changes hearts, and that he seeks to turn all of his children back towards him. Cele-brate the fact that God has chosen you to be his child and that because of your acceptance of him, he has sent you out into the world to love and serve.
Grace and Peace in Christ,
Pastor Justin
PAGE 3 MCPRESBY NEWS MINISTRY UPDATES
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD UPDATE
Our goal is to pack 550 boxes!
Important Dates:
** 2 Packing Party Prep Days: Wednesday, October 11 & 25- 9:30 am – Calvary **
** Packing Party Set Up Day: Friday, November 3 - 9:30 am – Calvary **
*** ALL-CHURCH PACKING PARTY: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5 - 9:00 am - Calvary ***
If you took a Post-it note on OCC Kickoff Day – thank you. Please drop off your donations in Calvary Parlor during the month of October. In addition to the items on the notes, we can always use more small toys and, of course,
shipping money ($9/box). However, every item is useful, so please bring whatever you may have already purchased or call Michelle if you have questions about what to buy.
THANK YOU to everyone who has donated items all year long.
** O.C.C. DROP OFF SITE **
McDonald Presbyterian Church will again serve as a drop off site for the shoeboxes.
We will operate out of the Calvary Center Fellowship Hall per the following schedule:
O.C.C./Chick-fil-a Partnership Volunteer Opportunity - (Robinson Township store)
We will be passing out shoeboxes on Thursday, November 2 from 11am – 2pm and 5pm – 7pm and collecting filled boxes on Thursday, November 9 (same times). Two volunteers are needed for all shifts; please contact Michelle
Unruh if you are interested in helping.
If you are interested in volunteering with any phase of this ministry, please contact Michelle Unruh (412-221-4143) for more information.
Monday
Nov. 13
Tuesday
Nov. 14
Wednesday
Nov. 15
Thursday
Nov. 16
Friday
Nov. 17
Saturday
Nov. 18
Sunday
Nov. 19
Monday
Nov. 20
10am-noon
and
6pm-8pm
9:30am - 11:30am
10 am-noon
and
6pm-8pm
9:30am - 11:30am
9:30am - 11:30am
9:00am - 11:00 am
noon -2:00pm
10:00am -noon
PAGE 4 MCPRESBY NEWS
Our exciting annual fundraiser is just days away! We have some last minute preparations to manage and need your help.
If you are still looking for ways to get involved, please consider donating baked items or hand-made crafts for the sale. These items can be dropped off on Friday, October 13 after 4pm or no later than 9am on Saturday, October 14 in Trinity Fellowship Hall. Questions about the sale or what items could be used, please contact Lucy Hawk or Gerry Rossi.
If you haven’t been approached about volunteering in one of the event areas, please contact one of the Steering Commit-tee members with your availability and interest: Connie & Andy Buydasz, Debbie & Cliff Elicker, Pastor Justin, Syndria Lowe, Karin Muñoz, or Ed Nalesnick.
Sandi’s Treasure Chest accepts all items in decent condition except for clothing, baby car seats and cribs, TVs and computers. Merchandise can be dropped off at Calvary Fellowship Hall according to the following schedule:
October 2 - 5 10am - 7pm October 6 10am - 2pm October 7 No Drop Off October 8 1pm - 7pm October 9-12 10am - 7pm October 13 8am - 2pm Friday, October 13 will be a Preview Nite from 5-9pm. There is a $5 charge. Saturday hours for the Treasure Chest will be 8am-5pm
Questions specific to Sandi’s Treasure Chest should be directed to Ed Nalesnick. And don’t forget that participating through eating and shopping always helps! Some of our vendor booths this year include: Charms & Lockets Jewelry, Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, 3 Sisters Charms, Original Wreaths, Young Living: Essential Oils, Mary & Martha Home Decorating, Grace & Heart Jewelry, PK Winery, Lipsense, Pink Zebra, Potpourri, Sr. Life, Norwex, Sentry, Hands-on Yarns, LuLaRoe, Swarovski Jewelry, handmade clothing, baby clothes, Paparazzi Jewelry and many more! As Ecclesiastes 4:9 says, "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor." Let’s all pitch together to make this yet another successful event to support our mission and ministry work. See you there!
McFALL fest update
FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN PACKING PARTY
SATURDAY, OCT. 14 8:30 ~ 10:30AM
On October 13 & 14, 2017, hundreds of volunteers will gather at South Fayette In-termediate School to pack life-saving MannaPack Rice meals to feed hungry kids
around the world. We’ll hand-pack rice, soy, dried vegetables and a nutritionally complete blend of vitamins and miner-als into bags which are then sealed, boxed, placed on pallets and shipped to incredible FMSC partners working hard to reach the neediest children around the world.
Because this year’s local MobilePack coincides with McFall Fest, we will be reserving the 8:30am-10:30am time slot to allow volunteers to experience both events. Adults and children as young as 5 years old (with an adult) can vol-unteer. A sign-up sheet will be available in Calvary Parlor until October 8. Please contact Michelle Unruh (412-221-4143) with any questions or to volunteer.
PAGE 5 MCPRESBY NEWS
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY UPDATE
The students and teachers were excited to return to Sunday School on September 10. We have almost 50 students in Sunday School this year! Our amazing teachers include Shirley Esposito, Mary Bennett, Michelle Unruh, Jamie Slack, Melanie Russi, and Heather Weiler. Patty Doane comes in whenever needed as a substitute.
Please consider being a part of this tremendous team of teachers. Our 5th-7th graders and our 8th-12th graders still need a second teacher. You only have to teach a couple of Sundays each month, and the reward you receive is immense! Please talk to Karin Muñoz to get more information about how you can help spiritually guide our youngsters by teaching Sunday School.
We have introduced a new aspect to Children’s Church - REGISTRATION! Be sure to fill out a registration form for your child. Each child will wear a lanyard signifying to the teachers that the child’s parents agree to have their child attend Children’s Church.
Important Date to Remember: November 5 - Sunday School will take place in Calvary basement for Operation Christmas Child. Keep your eyes open for more information on what to bring and what time to arrive.
McDonald Food Bank
The suggested donation items for October are canned fruits and canned vegetables. All contributions are welcomed. Please drop off your donation in the parlor of Calvary Center. Please see Ed Nalesnick if you have any questions.
For the past two years for Trick or Treat, we had several people stationed at various places around our church campus to distribute candy. This has been a great success so we have decided to do this again. The church will provide some candy, but if you would like to contribute candy and/or pass out treats to the kids, please see Linda Matchett. It only takes a couple of hours and you can bring a chair to sit and enjoy the kids in costumes! Thanks for considering this outreach to the community for our church.
Mrs. Sylvia Cimarrolli Miss Julie Hanczar
Ms. Debby Penberthy Mrs. Dorothy Penberthy
Mr. Chuck Smith, Sr.
PAGE 6 MCPRESBY NEWS
Margaret Augustine, Humbert Lane Personal Care Home Larry Doak, H John Heinz III Progressive Center
Mary Ann Johnen, Presbyterian Senior Care Rosemarie Rocher, Country Meadows of South Hills Dorothy Roths, Golden Living Center of South Hills
Connie Walker, Helen Purcell Home John Walker, Paulin Personal Care Home
October 29, 2017
REFORMATION SUNDAY
For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just
as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” — Romans 1:17 (NIV)
A Word of Caution (from Peggy Hughey)
The most beautiful necklace I have ever had is my Philips Lifeline. I was wearing it when I fainted and fell in the shower. If I hadn’t been wearing that necklace, I would not be here to warn you. Be alert and save your own life. Thanks be to God, I am still here.
500th ANNIVERSARY OF THE REFORMATION
It is hard to even comprehend that it was 500 years ago that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Wittenberg Church door in Germany. God had prepared the time and the place and many great reforms have come about because of the boldness and faithfulness of Luther and all those reformers who would come after them. We have a rich heritage and history in the reformation and will celebrate that heritage and the truths that were reclaimed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ through a special service of worship that will highlight the five Solas of the Reformation. Join us as we celebrate the work that has been done in the past to bring us to a place of ministry and growth today in alignment with the Word of God and the mission of his church.
Date Greeters Acolytes Lay Leader Young
Disciples Hospitality Children’s
Church Nursery Helper
Oct 1 Joy Penderville Zoe & Sam
Unruh Katie Martin Jeff Muñoz Vicki Zyra Mary Bennett
Volunteer Needed
Oct 8 Joann & Bill
Gibbs
Julie Bennett & Jillian Panizza
John Libert Justin Amsler Linda
Matchett Volunteer Needed
Julie Bennett
Oct 15 Betty McWreath Tony Marin & Adam Unruh
Ed Nalesnick
Syndria Lowe Shirley & Ed
Esposito Volunteer Needed
Kirsten Mu-ñoz
Oct 22 Patty & Jon
Sember
Kirsten Mu-ñoz & Evan
Tidd
Katelynn Falleroni
Brian Kocian Katie
McDowell Melanie Ne-
mec Volunteer Needed
Oct 29
Vicki & Bob Zyra
Debbie & Cliff Elicker
Logan & DJ Slovick
Patty Doane Patty Doane Peggy Samarin & Gerry Rossi
Volunteer Needed
Volunteer Needed
PAGE 7 MCPRESBY NEWS
OCTOBER VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE
October Communion Servers: Debbie Elicker, Jim McDowell, Ed Nalesnick, Justin Amsler
PAGE 8 MCPRESBY NEWS
CELEBRATIONS
Brian Kocian 10/2 Ed Nalesnick 10/3 Robert Shepherd 10/3 Kara Berthold 10/6 John Casey 10/7 Heather Weiler 10/7 Luke Frazier 10/8 Christopher Goodwin 10/11 Thomas Hamilton 10/13 Tammie Eger 10/17 Jeff Zyra 10/17 McKinley Goodwin 10/19 Jennifer & Christopher Goodwin 10/5 Betty & Martin Ryan 10/5 Lyndsay & Dan Jordan 10/14
Karin Muñoz 10/21 Jeannina Yeager 10/21 Melanie Russi 10/23 Chad Bennett 10/25 Jeffrey Betschart 10/25 Shirley Esposito 10/26 David Cook 10/27 Ida Galicic 10/27 Rosemarie Rocher 10/29 Lin Nalesnick 10/30 Lynn Brockman 10/31 James Hughey Jr. 10/31
Julie & Joe Petito 10/18 Carrie & Dan Theiss 10/18 Shirl & Norm Krenn 10/21
CHOIR REHEARSAL SCHEDULES
Adult Choirs Children/Youth Choirs
Thursday, October 5 6:00pm Bell Choir 7:15pm Children/Youth/Adults Thursday, October 12 7:10pm Praise Team 7:30pm Adult Choir Thursday, October 19 6:00pm Bell Choir 7:10pm Praise Team 7:30pm Adult Choir Thursday, October 26 7:10pm Praise Team 7:30pm Adult Choir
Tuesday, October 3 6:45pm Children’s Choir Thursday, October 5 7:15pm Children/Youth/Adult Tuesday, October 10 6:45pm Youth Choir Tuesday, October 17 6:45pm Children’s Choir Tuesday, October 24 6:45pm Youth Choir
PAGE 9 MCPRESBY NEWS
OCTOBER 2017
WEEKLY EVENTS
SUNDAYS 9:30am Sunday School 10:45am Worship 6:00pm reNEW
TUESDAYS Children’s Choir (See Schedule page 8)
Boy Scouts
WEDNESDAYS Girl Scouts
THURSDAYS Choir (See Schedule page 8)
FRIDAYS AA Trinity Center
SPECIAL EVENTS
October 1 World Communion Pizza with the Pastor
October 3 & 10 Home Visit Communion
October 11 OCC Work Day (9:30am)
October 6-7 Presbytery Meeting - Butler
October 8 OCC Speaker
October 13 McFall Fest Set Up
October 14 McFall Fest
October 25 OCC Work Day (9:30am)
October 29 Reformation Sunday
MONTHLY EVENTS
October 1 Communion
October 3 Trustees’ Meeting (7pm)
October 3 & 17 Dartball
October 5 & 19 Paulin Bible Study (5:45pm Trinity)
October 9 Finance Meeting (6:30pm)
October 11 Office Staff Meeting (10am)
October 16 Session Meeting (6:30pm) Newsletter Deadline
October 23 Deacons’ Meeting (7pm)
Non Profit Org.
US POSTAGE PAID
MCDONALD, PA
PERMIT NO. 9
McDonald Presbyterian Church
Worship Site:
202 West Lincoln Avenue
McDonald, PA 15057
Offices Located at:
119 Station Street
McDonald, PA 15057
Telephone: (724)926-8561
R ETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Visit our Website: www.mcdonaldpres.org
OCTOBER
2017
NEWSLETTER
Operations Officer ~ Tom Maxwell
Bookkeeper ~ Connie Buydasz
Director of Children’s Ministries ~
Karin Muñoz
Choir Director ~ Syndria Lowe
Assistant Choir Director ~ Heidi Adomshick
Organist ~ Donna Klimas
Custodial Staff ~
Pat Powell ~ Supervisor
Paul Winters
Lisa Schmidt
Newsletter Editor ~ Patty Doane
October 1 World Communion Pizza with the Pastor
October 14 McFall Fest
October 29 Reformation Sunday
November 5 Shoe Box Sunday
November 12 Communion Veterans’ Day Lunch
November 23 Thanksgiving (Office Closed)
November 24 Office Closed
Pastor ~ Rev. Justin Amsler
(724) 699-0157
Administrative Asst. ~ Malisa Silassy
Office Hours Monday ~ Thursday
8:00 a.m. ~ 2:00 p.m.