BeNotAfraid!

Have you ever been terrified? I'm not talking about going to a really scary movie or having an instance of sudden, but passing fear. I'm talking about an ongoing sense of fright or foreboding for your life, or the lives of those you love.

Fear has the power to destroy God's work in us. Fear can become our unwanted god, making our heavenly Father an irrelevant relic left in the stained-glass windows of the sanctuary on Sunday morning. Our Christian faith sounds so neat and tidy while we are in church, so powerful and inspiring. But it's not really put to the test until we see the face of fear and doubt when we look in the mirror. Until we feel its wilting breath cold upon our shoulder and experience what seems like a total loss of confidence and resolve, does our confidence in God really get tested. We come face to face with that very thing which all of God’s people have had to confront in life…fear.

Hopefully in our time of fear, a brother or sister in Christ will step in and be a support, giving us some time to sort out our fear. Hopefully we will courageously keep doing the mundane things that are necessary for life and open the door to the Spirit's presence. But in the nitty gritty of everyday life, there comes a time when those of us in fear have to decide whether or not we will place our confidence in God, or turn back. We have to decide that God is with us no matter what the circumstances are — that we are not alone in facing our terrors and that God's Spirit will strengthen us AS we do what's right, even when we are not sure we have the strength to do it!

When I was young I thought that a courageous person was one who did not experience fear. Now I know better. I understand that God's own Son saw the face of fear and prayed, "Letthiscuppassfromme." He saw what was coming, and “sweat drops of blood” say the scriptures. He was asking for a way out. And yet, looking fear in the face, he went one step further: "Notmywill,butyoursbedone." If he could not be delivered from what was ahead of him, he was confident that His Father’s way would bring him through the valley of the shadow. In the end, this is the ultimate test of faith and this is the ultimate proof of courage.

Continued...

The Messenger Volume 25, Issue 3

2019

NEWSINSIDE:

SessionNews

WorshipVolunteersNurseryVolunteers

Happenings

PrayerConcernsMissionManeuvers

MarthaCircleNewsfromPews

CoffeeHourSchedule

MoreHappeningsMovieNightHelpWanted

AndMore

PancakeDinnerLibraryBookshelfSpringForward

CelebrationsBirthdays

CalendarofEvents

From Our

PASTOR

STAFF & CONTACTS

PASTOR: Steve LaSor 724-836-3784 CHURCH OFFICE: Diane Dale 724-834-4960 MUSIC DIRECTOR: Jim Overly Email: maplewoodpc@comcast.net Web: www.maplewood.org Elders & Committees: Christian Education David Hileman, Chair Mike Cerilli Church Life Rita Perotti, Chair Donna Costelnock Finance Sharon Elkettani, Chair Diane West Missions/Outreach Bob Cochran, Chair Personnel Sharon Elkettani Property Dana Ferry, Chair Ray McAteer Worship Bob Bereit, Chair Katy Doran, Co-Chair Clerk of Session Mary Jane Myers Deacons Chair Bonnie Peebly Treasurer Arlene Troster Financial Secretary Roy Myers Webmaster Bob Bereit Messenger Staff Katy Doran, Editor Marie LaSor Arlene Troster

The Maplewood MISSION STATEMENT: TO KNOW CHRIST and TO MAKE HIM KNOWN

By LEADING People to a Saving Faith in Jesus Christ, NURTURING and EQUIPPING People in the Faith,

Love and Knowledge of Jesus Christ, DEPLOYING People in Servant Ministries to the Rest of the World.

From Our Pastor Continued . . .

When Jesus came to his disciples on the stormy waters and said, "Fear not, I AM!" I don't believe he was saying, "Don't let fear cross your minds." Instead, I think he is telling all of us something like this, "In the face of fear, recognize I am here. Don't let fear have dominion over you; continue to trust and follow me. You are my disciples; I will be with you always!"

There is a difference between feeling fear and being mastered by it. There is a difference between being afraid and being immobilized by it. Courage is seeing the face of fear and then choosing to call out to the one who insures that it can never have us, our great I AM. Courage is seeing the face of fear and refusing to have it be our master. Know that the one who conquered the grave is with you no matter what troubled waters may be surrounding you.

 

Steve

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE

MARCH 6 7:00 PM

News from Session

Actions approved by Session in January:

ACTION: presentation by our security advisers at the end of the church service on March 24. Reminders & Committee Reports:

Ash Wednesday, March 6, Service at 7 p.m. Pastor Steve will be teaching at this year’s

Dunamis conference March 27-30. The conference is at Christ Our Shepherd Center, Greensburg.

MUPC now has a Facebook page. Karen Bouknight will be the administrator.

Worship –2 home communion sets have been donated. They are looking at the possibility of having banners for the different seasons. Church Life –There will be a movie night in March. Finance –There is a need for an Assistant Financial Secretary. (* See notice.) Mission & Outreach –Next Union Mission meal is May 14, 2019 possibly in their new facility. Property –The physical recommendations made by our security advisers will be acted on starting in March. A presentation by our security advisers is scheduled at the end of the church service on March 24. The content will include an introduction of the advisers followed by a 5 to 10 minute presentation. Subjects to be covered will be, personal safety, knowing where the exits are, escaping a threat, hide/cover, etc. Q & A will follow. Christian Education – Elder D. Hileman reported they will be meeting to discuss Teacher Appreciation Day. Next Session Meeting will be March 18, 2019.

WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS

Communion Preparation: Ken & Kimberly Stough Communion Servers: Tricia Lowden, Bob Bereit, Bob Cochran, Sharon Elkettani, Mike Cerilli, Marie LaSor Lay Reader: Sharon Elkettani Greeters: Ruth Lash, Diane West Ushers: Denny & Kathy Leavy (3/3,3/10, 3/17,3/31), John & Peggy Potts (3/24) Downstairs Greeter: Bob Harlan Acolytes: March 3rd - Jonathan Bouknight March 10th - Rebecca Bouknight March 17th - Emerson Musgrove March 24th -Jonathan Bouknight March 31st - Rebecca Bouknight

NURSERY SCHEDULE: 3/03. Melissa Lenhart and Christi Musgrove   3/10   Katy Doran and Marie LaSor   3/17   Susan Witt and Bonnie Peebly    3/24   Carol Limegrover and Bonnie Peebly   3/31   Carmella McCormick and Peggy Potts  

David & Bobbie Johns Pat Labeka Marcia Remaley Ann Ryan’s grandson, Isaac Gene Vogt

**New Additions in BOLD Prayers for our Maplewood Church Leaders Prayers for our College Students Prayers for our local, national and world

leaders, our armed forces and their families Prayers for our persecuted Christian brothers &

sisters world-wide Prayers for our missionary families, the

Carlsons & the Saldis

Maplewood Happenings

INSPECIALNEEDOFPRAYER

MISSION MANEUVERS Lent begins on Ash Wednesday- March 6, 2019. During Lent, thoughts are directed to the One Great Hour of Sharing initiative. One Great Hour of Sharing makes a difference in the world through the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Program, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and the Self- Development of People Program. Additional information will be provided and requests for your contributions to be made during April- ending with Easter.

NEWS from the PEWS Dear Maplewood Friends: My thanks to everyone for the cards, prayers & expressions of sympathy when my beloved brother, Byron, passed away.

Sylvia Shearer

MARTHA CIRCLE: Because it is always better to keep us all safe rather than sorry due to the weather, the meeting in February was cancelled. Our next meeting will be held on March 20th and our hostesses will be Arlene T and Nancy G and Sylvia S will present our devotions. We will continue our study of the Old Testament book Daniel. Schedule for AARP Tax Prep refreshments: Mar 1st, Mar 5th and Mar 8th - Carmella and Nancy Mar 12 and Mar 15: Shirley Filicko, Ann Ryan Mar 19 and Mar 22: MaryLou, Mary Leamer Mar 26 and Apr 1: Arlene Troster, Katy Doran (26th), Arlene Troster, Penny Labeka (1st )

Coffee Hour Schedule – 2019: March Property April Palm Sunday Brunch May LIFT Group June Martha Circle July Choir August Family Picnic September Worship October Personnel/Finance November Hanging Greens/Christian Ed

& Martha Circle December Christmas Dinner/Church Life

MORE Happenings

WHEN:  Saturday, March 16th at 7:00 PM WHERE:  Fellowship Hall (doors open 6:45PM)   WHAT:  A current faith‐based family movie to be announced  Please bring a snack to share.  Church Life will  provide the beverages.   Please submit RSVP by March 13th in  the offering plate or call the church    In the event of inclement weather, a cancellation will go out on Call Multiplier.

Assistant Financial Secretary Position Announcement The Finance Committee is seeking to fill the position of Assistant Financial Secretary. This position serves as a back-up and helper to the Financial Secretary. The general duties (some of which are shared with the Financial Secretary) include the following:

Counting and accounting for the monies collected during Sunday and other church services, Data entry of the monies collected using the PowerChurch program on the Church Secretary’s

computer, Making bank deposits, and Reporting to the Finance Committee and Session when the Financial Secretary is absent.

The Assistant Financial Secretary is a paid position ($1600 annually) and is a permanent member of the Finance Committee. This position requires a time commitment that includes attending the Finance Committee meetings (2nd Monday of every month), Session meetings (3rd Monday of every month), and most Sunday services. Familiarity with computers is also preferred. However, the program for data entry and generating reports requires no computer programming skills. Roy Myers, the Financial Secretary, has created numerous written procedures for the various tasks that this position will need to do. The written documentation along with training that Roy will provide will make it much easier to learn the duties of the position. Please contact SharonElkettani (412-582-4120) to express interest in the position or for more details on the responsibilities of the position.

SHROVE TUESDAY-FAT TUESDAY

 PANCAKE DINNER AT CONGRUITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 

NEW ALEXANDRIA, PA 

TUESDAY MARCH 5, 2019

4‐7pm ALL YOU CAN EAT PANCAKES, EGGS, SAUSAGE AND BEVERAGE.  

                                LIVE MUSIC AND MARDI GRAS THEME 

SILENT AUCTION BASKETS 

ADULTS $7.00----CHILDREN 6-12 $3.00---CHILDREN UNDER 6 FREE

ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT MISSION TRIP

Tickets are available at the door or 

Contact the church for reservations724‐668‐7740 

THE LIBRARY BOOKSHELF

Check out the Mitford Series by Jan Karon in our Library. It’s a delightful fiction adventure about the small town of Mitford and clergyman Father Tim. What the Bible is All About is an in-depth study of the books of the bible.

A CD Recording Of Jim & By Jim! A Plan is on the table for a CD recording by our own Jim Overly . . . music he has performed that has lifted our spirits, touched our hearts. YOU can help choose the play list! If you have a praise and worship song, contemporary Christian song, and/or hymn that you love to sing along with or listen to, please let Jim know so he can put it on the list of songs to record.

Thanks for your help!

Do you have a birthday, anniversary, graduation or other special occasion to rejoice about? Are you remembering a loved one who has died? Are you joyful about God’s love? If so, share these events with others by placing flowers in our church for Sunday service. It’s very easy. Choose a date you wish to have flowers, fill out the form below and put in the church’s office. The rest will be taken care of for you. For $24.00, you can have fresh flowers for a service, a note in the bulletin to commemorate your special occasion and you can take the flowers home with you. If you do not want the flowers, the Deacons can deliver them to shut-ins. Detach and send to church office:

M.U.P.C., 108 Woodland Road, Greensburg, PA 15601 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - Name____________________________________________Phone________________ Date for flowers (Sunday)________________ Notice for bulletin to read: In honor of___________________________________________ OR: In memory of__________________________________________________________ I wish to (check one)_____take the flowers after the service _____let the Deacons deliver them to shut-ins ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7 Vince Falvo Nancy Pushwa 11 Bob Rymer 14 John Potts 16 Tim Mikos 17 Mike Cerilli Karen Bouknight 19 Jean Gleditsch 20 Scott Gordon

21 Eric Pino 22 Dennis Leavy 23 Audrey Smith Dana Ferry 26 Molly Hileman 27 Jonathan Casteel 29 Paul Fritz Sylvia Shearer 30 Matt LaSor

Celebrations

�� �� �� �� �� � �� � � � � � � �� �� �� �� �� ���� �� � � �� �� ���� �� �� �� �� � ��� � � � � � �

�� ��� �� ��� ������� ��� ����� �������� ������ ������������� !"�#$%��&�� !"�#$� '(��)�%���&��*�+,(-.� /+0-'/��%�1��2�33//�4�!+

�%�1��5/#'�", �%�&��6678�9#: /+0-'/ �%���&��*�;/"<,�=��>2)!?�%�1��2(�-+�%��1��@67A6@B@ �%�&��8+/,?$�%�1��=��>� C!�$�%���1��8+#$/+�D-"-,C+$ �%�&��D/"<,� C!�$=+/#>3#,C�%�&��6678�9#: /+0-'/ %�&�������=#">%�&��8+/,?$2�;;!"-�"� !"�#$%��&�� !"�#$� '(��)�%���&��*�+,(-.� /+0-'/��%�1��8+�./+C$�2�;;-CC// �%�1��E-+)� '�!C,�%�1��2(+-,C-#"�F��%�1��@�;-"#C-"G2�;;-CC// �%�&��6678�9#: /+0-'/ &������ ������%���&��*�;/"<,�=��>2)!?�%�1��6,(�*/�"/,�#$ /+0-'/�%��1��@67A6@B@ �%�1��=��>� C!�$�%�1��2HBHDH�%���1��8+#$/+�D-"-,C+$ �%�&��D/"<,� C!�$=+/#>3#,C�%�&��6678�9#: /+0-'/ �%�1��8+-0#C/�8#+C$I��J�K��L��M� K���N��O�K� �%��&�� !"�#$� '(��)�%���&��*�+,(-.� /+0-'/��%�1��*�+,(-.�2�;;-CC//

�%�1���-"#"'/�%�1�D-,,-�",PB!C+/#'( �%�&��6678�9#: /+0-'/ �%���&��*�;/"<,�=��>2)!?�%�1��2(�-+�%��1��@67A6@B@ �%�1��=��>� C!�$�%���1��8+#$/+�D-"-,C+$ �%�&��D/"<,� C!�$=+/#>3#,C�%�&��6678�9#: /+0-'/ �%��&��Q8R �A�8+/,?$�%�1��D�0-/�@-G(C%��&�� !"�#$� '(��)�%���&��*�+,(-.� /+0-'/ �%�1��E-+)� '�!C,�%�1�� /,,-�" �%�&��6678�9#: /+0-'/ %�&��D#+C(#�2-+')/�%���&��*�;/"<,�=��>2)!?�%�1��2(�-+�%��1��@67A6@B@ �%�1��=��>� C!�$�%���1��8+#$/+�D-"-,C+$ �%�&��D/"<,� C!�$=+/#>3#,C�%�&��6678�9#: /+0-'/%��&�� !"�#$� '(��)�%���&��*�+,(-.� /+0-'/ �%�1��5/#'�", �%�&��6678�9#: /+0-'/ �%���&��*�;/"<,�=��>2)!?�%�1��2(�-+�%��1��@67A6@B@ �%�&��8+/,?$�%���1��8+#$/+�D-"-,C+$ �%�&��D/"<,� C!�$=+/#>3#,C�%�&��6678�9#: /+0-'/�%�1��9/#�,/CA!. %�&��E#+�/"�2/"C/+9/#����� !"�#$%��&�� !"�#$� '(��)�%���&��*�+,(-.� /+0-'/��%�1��2�33//�4�!+ �%�1��E-+)� '�!C,�%�1��2(+-,C-#"�F� �%���&��*�;/"<,�=��>2)!?�%�1��2(�-+�%��1��@67A6@B@ ��%�&��8+/,?$�%��1��2HBHDH�%�1��=��>� C!�$�%���1��8+#$/+�D-"-,C+$ �%�&��D/"<,� C!�$=+/#>3#,C�%�&��6678�9#: /+0-'/ �%��&��Q8R �A�8+/,?$%�&�������=#">

�&STU���