presbyterian the cup the rev. laura
TRANSCRIPT
Each of you should give what you have decided
in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under
compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
– 2 Corinthians 9:7
What does 2% look like? On one hand,
it may look like the blue label on the milk you
pick up from the grocery store. On the other
hand, it may look like an increase in each of
our respective giving this year.
Each of us is called upon to annually
meet with our households to discuss how we
will give to the church in the coming calendar
year. We take a look at our expected income.
We then discern how much God is calling us to
give our “first fruits.” This amount is
traditionally 10%, which comes from Scripture,
and is called a “tithe.” (“Tithe” literally means
“a tenth.”)
Some people are faithful in their tithe. Others
are faithfully working toward a tithe. They
may have started their household at 1% of
their income, increasing annually by a
percentage with the goal of reaching a tithe.
Other households need to scale back due to a
change in income, a family emergency, etc.
My challenge this year for each of our
households is to have a discussion of whether
or not this may be the year that we increase
our giving by 2%, ever closer to that Scriptural
tithe. For some households, the discussion will
be short. It won’t be a feasible option. For
other households, though it may be a little bit
of a push, 2% will be a realistic and achievable
goal. The overarching goal is to have the
conversation.
Discussing our giving within our
households, even with children and youth
present, is spiritually beneficial to our families.
These discussions open the road to
communication about the role of faith within
our homes, the priority of Jesus Christ in our
family budget, and the realities of where we
struggle to be faithful in the ways we use God’s
resources.
It’s not a secret: our tithes and
offerings make up a part of our worship! What
we give isn’t a conversation to take place in
the pew during the Sunday announcements.
Nor is giving a practice in giving to our Lord
what’s “left over.” Giving is as much a
discipline as prayer, devotions, and Sunday
morning worship. And, as with all spiritual
disciplines, giving is blessing as far as the
cheerful giving of our offerings draws us closer
in trusting the God who gives. We bless our
families when we are intentional with our
giving, planning our giving together.
Can you do 2%? You talk with your
people; I’ll be talking with mine.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Laura
Scripture Readings in October
October 7, 2018
Worldwide Communion Sunday
Gospel Reading: Mark 14:22-26
New Testament Reading:
1 Corinthians 11:23-32
October 14, 2018
The 21st Sunday after Pentecost
Guest Preacher: Kevin Vinay, Candidate under
Care of Pittsburgh Presbytery
October 21, 2018
The 22nd Sunday after Pentecost
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 28:10-22
Gospel Reading: Matthew 23:23-24
October 28, 2018
Reformation Sunday
Sermon Title: Can Money Be Spiritual?
New Testament Reading:
2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Come Encourage Kevin! October 14 is a special
Sunday in the life of a young man seeking to
become a Presbyterian Pastor. Kevin Vinay, a
candidate under care of Pittsburgh Presbytery
and the mentorship of Pastor Laura, is
preaching at our congregation that Sunday for
one of his final examinations on his way to
becoming a Minister of Word and Sacrament.
His elder mentor, Ken Ference, will be present
in our congregation to listen to and evaluate
Kevin's sermon that day. You are invited to join
us during the 11:00 a.m. worship service to
ENCOURAGE Kevin as he continues his journey
toward ordination.
Mission and Evangelism Lecture Pittsburgh
Theological Seminary (616 N. Highland Ave,
Pittsburgh) is hosting the Rev. Dr. Jehu J.
Hanciles on Tuesday, October 2. The lecture is
at 4:00 p.m. and is entitled, "Christian Unity and
Witness in a New Age of Migration." This event
is free and open to the public.
Short Stories By Jesus All adults are invited to
join us for Sunday School Sunday mornings
beginning at 9:45 a.m. We will be studying
"Short Stories By Jesus," based on the book by
Rabbi Amy-Jill Levine. This study will explore
new ways of hearing Jesus's parables from the
perspective of their original Jewish listeners.
Church Wide 2019 Mission Trip! All youth in
grades six and up, as well as all grown-up's, are
invited to mark their calendars for next
summer's mission trip to Pike County, KY. The
dates are August 4-9, 2019. More information
to come
Trunk or Treat All children are invited to come
in costume to Trick or Treat through our church
parking lot on Monday, October 29 th at 6:00
p.m. Decorate the trunk of your car for Trunk or
Treat; recognition will be awarded for the best
decorated trunk!
Crop Walk 2018 Mark your calendars for
Sunday, October 21st 1:00 – 3:00 PM for the
CROP Walk located at the Findlay Twp Activity
Center. Visit cropwalk.org/oakdalepa/cup or
contact Dakota Lamb for more details!
Worldwide Communion Sunday The sacrament
of communion will be observed next on Sunday,
October 7 during the 11:00 a.m. worship
service. This is Worldwide Communion Sunday.
Please prepare your hearts for the Lord's
Supper by forgiving one another.
CROP Walk for Hunger The annual CROP Walk
raises funds for the West Allegheny Food Pantry
and Church World Services' hunger causes
around the world. This year's walk will take
place on Sunday, October 21 at the Findlay
Township Activity Center in Imperial
Registration begins at 1:00 p.m. The walk will
begin at 1:30 p.m. Hot dogs, water, and chips
will be provided. Please bring a water bottle.
Registration envelopes are available in the back
of the sanctuary. If you have questions, please
contact Dakota Lamb.
Fine Tooth Combs Needed The youth group are
creating Disaster Kits for the victims of
Hurricane Florence. They need donations of
NEW fine tooth combs. Combs can be placed in
the basket on the desk in the back of the
sanctuary. The last day to drop off donations is
Saturday, October 27.
Save the Date: Thanksgiving Dinner You're
invited to a Church Family Thanksgiving Dinner
on Sunday, November 11 at 5:00 p.m. Our
brothers and sisters from Grace Memorial
Presbyterian Church have been invited to join
us for this potluck style dinner followed by
family-friendly games.
A Book Club is Coming! Rev. Gavin Walton of
Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church and our
Rev. Laura Strauss are coordinating a Book Club
for our two congregations that will meet once a
month beginning in January. Our two churches
will take turns hosting each month. We will
have dynamic conversations about the books
read, and our unique perspectives on modern
society and God's place in it. Be on the lookout
for our first Book Club reading pick - it's sure to
be a page turner!
News from World Mission Initiative at
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
WORLD MISSION INITIATIVE HIGHLIGHTS
OK, OK! I’ll admit it! These days it seems I just can’t
keep from singing! Maybe your church sings these
19th-century classic lyrics with the same joy I do
these days:
“My life flows on in endless song;
Above earth's lamentation,
I hear the clear, though far-off hymn
That hails a new creation;
No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that Rock I’m clinging.
Since Christ is Lord of Heaven and Earth
How can I keep from singing?”
American Baptist pastor Robert Lowry wrote this
hymn (How Can I Keep from Singing?) in 1869 right
after the U.S. Civil War to lift up the inner joy and
calm believers feel when they are centered on the
Rock, Jesus Christ. With so much turmoil around the
world, I’m finding that “centeredness” increasingly
important nowadays.
There’s another reason for my singing, though. As I
watch the way God is bringing to fruition the many
seeds planted two decades ago by Glendora Paul,
Don Dawson, Scott Sunquist, and many others, I just
can’t keep from singing:
Beginning in 2020, all master of divinity students at
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary will be required to
participate in one of the World Mission Initiative’s
intercultural mission trips! This allows WMI to
connect with many more students than was
previously possible!
Beginning this January, each student who
participates in a WMI trip will take a course Kimberly
Gonxhe (Metro-Urban Institute director) and I will
team-teach, called Intercultural Experiential
Learning. The course will consist of 20 hours of pre-
trip orientation (theology of short-term mission,
“spiritual disciplines for mission”, and “how to lead
a mission trip”), the 10-12 day trip, and 20 hours of
post-trip reflection and integration to bring the trip
learnings back into ministry here at home. This deep
preparation and reflection using the WMI mission
trips as the textbook puts Pittsburgh Seminary in a
class of its own in the preparation of cross-cultural
mission workers—whether they labor on the
mission fields of the Middle East, Central America,
downtown Pittsburgh, or rural Western
Pennsylvania!
Our McClure Lecture in World Mission and
Evangelism on Tues., Oct. 2, 2018, will feature Dr.
Jehu Hanciles, associate professor of world
Christianity at Emory University’s Candler School of
Theology at a 4:00 p.m. lecture and we’ll follow with
the WMI annual banquet at 6:00 p.m.! This year,
we’ve expanded the impact of the McClure Lecture
by partnering with the Presbytery of the Western
Reserve (Cleveland) and the United Church of
Christ’s Global Ministries office to hold a day-long
pastors’ retreat with Dr. Hanciles as the main
speaker.
And back on the home front, Pittsburgh Theological
Seminary just admitted the largest entering class in
years with students from Western Pennsylvania to
Texas, Nicaragua, and Myanmar. We are excited
about all God is doing here from church-planting to
urban ministry to global mission!
So, now can you see why I can’t keep from singing?
Of course, you can! So let me close with the last
stanza of that ageless hymn:
"The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
A fountain ever springing!
All things are mine since I am his!
How can I keep from singing?"
May we continue singing together!
The Rev. Dr. B. Hunter Farrell
Director, World Mission Initiative
Globalization and Migration: The Movement of
God’s Word - Oct. 2, 4:00 p.m. Pittsburgh
Theological Seminary
It is easy to believe that migration and globalization
shaped and expanded Christianity during the rise of
the Christendom era, but it can be hard for us to see
the same in today’s post-Christendom era.
Especially with all the anti-immigrant rhetoric in our
country and our world, it can be difficult to see our
immigrant brothers and sisters as potential
missionaries who are bringing to us the Christian
faith in a new form. But studies show that with the
rise of Christianity in the non-Western world, there
is a strong aspiration among Christians from Africa,
Latin America, and Asia to take the gospel and to
revitalize Christianity in Europe and the U.S. The
trend we see in our world today is that God is still at
work in new and exciting ways in spreading and
revitalizing the Church in the Western Hemisphere
through God’s humble servants who migrate to start
a new life both within our community and our
world.
World Mission Initiative along with the entire
community at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is
excited that Dr. Jehu Hanciles, associate professor
of world Christianity at Candler School of Theology,
Emory University, will join us for the W. Don
McClure lecture Tues., Oct. 2, at 4:00 p.m. Dr.
Hanciles, who is a refugee and immigrant himself,
has done extensive research on the impact that
migration and globalization has on the spread of
Christianity. Hope you can join us and we urge you
not to miss this opportunity because there is much
wisdom we can learn on how to engage our
immigrant brothers and sisters in our midst.
The women’s group will be meeting on
Thursday evening October 4th at 6:30. We will
be discussing “Rejoice in the Lord’s
Sovereignty” from the book by Max Lucado
titled “anxious for nothing”. Please plan on
joining us for this interesting discussing and
mark your calendars for Thursday November
1st when Amanda Wade will discuss “Rejoice in
the Lord’s Mercy” and “Rejoice in the Lord
Always”. All the ladies in our church and your
friends are welcome to come and join us,
CHOIR NOTES
The choir is back in the loft and enjoying singing
for our service again. We are gearing up for the
holidays coming and working hard on old and
new pieces to sing. There is still plenty of room
in for new folks. If you would like to join us we
meet on Tuesday evenings at 7.
DOWN THE BOWLING ALLEY
The bowling league is underway and it looks like
another successful year. We have 2 new
bowlers and we always hope for more to join us.
This is a wonderful winter activity to get you out
of your house and with other folks for a
wonderful evening of fellowship. Please come
and join us on Wednesday evenings at Center
Lanes at 6:30.
Contact Cindy Macek with any questions at
(724) 899-3755.
Lisa McDowell……………1
Kristen Strubinger………1
Betty Jo Lapin……………..2
Kaylee Fields………………3
Brodie Stickley……..…….5
Lexie Adams……………….5
Rosie Kerr…………………..9
Scott McConnell………….9
Luke Frazier………………..10
Chad Wilson……….………10
Christina Nicastro....……10
Keri Laniewski…………….11
Caleb McCullough….…..12
Maxine Wilson……….…..14
Dale Huemmrich…………15
Gerry Hudak, Sr. …………19
Lexi Cogis…………………....25
Beverly Hilpert…………….26
Scott Hilpert………………..26
Oren Boustead……………..30
Church Wide Fall Fest!
You're invited to join your
church family for a Fall Fest
at the Hilpert Home on
Saturday, October 13 at
5:00 p.m.
(Contact Church office for
address)
There will be family-friendly
games, songs, and fun.
Bring a potluck dish to
share.
Hot dogs, s'mores, and
mulled apple cider will be
provided!
An Excerpt taken from the Ludwig’s Blog
“Out of the Dust & Us”
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
You Have to Choose Joy
We've said these things at so many
presentations, explaining to people the basics
of why our country is so hard to live in:
consistently ranked the least developed
country in the world, in the desert, with
unpredictable rains that often cause flooding,
extremely low education rates, surrounded by
countries with extremist factions... etc. But as I
look around at the people we know and their
situation again, I am becoming more and more
convinced that (outside of war zones) this
place is one of the hardest in the world to live. I
am not talking about our family because we
have a guaranteed income and know where
our next meal is coming from. But for the
locals, it is more and more impossible to even
have self-sufficient farming in this harsh land.
Even when someone gets some resources to
sell goods in the market, there is so little cash
flow and so many cultural inhibitors to building
up profit that it seems so few can make steps
forward.
We still have many reasons to smile!
On a second note, as El Padre and I were
talking the other evening I was lamenting that
God called us to such a difficult country. There
aren’t exciting animals, mountains, lakes, hikes,
touristy things to do. Before we moved there I
never heard of the Sahel on anyone’s bucket
list to visit. There are very few missionaries.
There is little Christian community. El Padre
reminded me that we wouldn’t be there if it
were an ‘easier’, more expat, more Christian
community. That is the challenge that we have
felt God preparing us for at this point in life.
But from time to time I find I allow myself to
feel sorry for myself for working here. In those
moments, it's clear that you need a bigger
reason to do what you do rather than just "I
like it and it feels fulfilling" or "it must be
important because it's hard"!
It also reminds me of the sentiments several
people have shared lately that echo a Henri
Nouwen quote:
"Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to
choose joy and keep choosing it every day."
~La Maestra
Community Involvement
The Deacon’s Giving Campaign If you know
someone that needs a visit or a meal taken to
them, we can help with that, please contact
Pastor Laura or Judy Heck. Our job is to serve
our congregation and community in helpful
ways. The Deacon giving campaign for October
is Pancake mix/syrup/oatmeal. You can bring
these items to church and place on the table in
the Narthex.
Faith In Action We are still here for our seniors
for Dr. appts., etc… we are in need of drivers. If
you have a few hours a month, please consider
driving for this cause. Contact Judy Heck for
more information (724) 899-3159.
WAFP Thank you for all the egg carton
donations. As of now, they do not need any
more.
Mark your calendars for Sunday,
October 21st 1:00 – 3:00 PM for the
CROP Walk located at the
Findlay Twp Activity Center. Come walk with us as we raise money to
support Church World Service (CWS)! Funds
will benefit both our local West Allegheny Food
Pantry and help to alleviate global hunger. Visit
cropwalk.org/oakdalepa/cup or contact
Dakota Lamb for more details!
Trunk or Treat
All children are invited to come in costume to
Trick or Treat through our church parking lot on
Monday, October 29th at 6:00 p.m.
Decorate the trunk of your
car for Trunk or Treat; recognition will be
awarded for the best decorated trunk!
Youth Group
Saturday, Oct 27
- Sunday, Oct 28
7:30 P.M. - 9:45 A.M.
Clinton United Presbyterian
Church
Snacks and breakfast will be
provided.
Be sure to pack: Overnight
gear, church clothes, and
your Bible
We'll celebrate the season
with homemade goodies,
prayer stations in the
sanctuary, and late night
movie.
The Finance Team at Clinton UP Church has initiated our Online Giving Program. If you
would prefer to make payments online, rather than cash or check, please check out the
Clinton UP Church website, or scan the QR code.
There are five categories to choose from when making an online donation;
General, Building, Mission, Per Capita,
and Education Loan Fund (for repayments on loans).
You can also set up reoccurring payments, just follow the instructions on the webpage!
Thank you for your financial support to Clinton UP Church!
Church Directory
The Reverend Laura E. Strauss
25 Wilson Road, Clinton, PA 15026
Church Phone: 724-695-7993 Church Fax: 724-695-7097
Church e-mail: [email protected] Facebook: Clinton U.P. Church
Website: clintonupchurch.weebly.com Twitter: @ClintonCh1797
Administrative & Financial Asst.—Sophie Guzma
Choir Director—Cindy Macek
Organist—Erma Wilson Treasurer— Elder Mark Elek
Church Sexton—Leah Clydesdale
Session
Mark McConnell, Clerk of Session
Mark McConnell, Jennifer Rossman, Joe Miller---2018
Amanda Wade, Christina Nicastro- 2019
Mark Elek, Amanda Collins, Scott Hilpert--2020
Deacons
Marsha Beck, Barb Cook---2018
June Miller, Megan Kopko—2019
Beverly Hilpert, Bill Marburger--2020
Trustees
Dennis Macek---2018 Walter (Yum) Groom---2019
Dale Huemmrich---2020 Rich McConnell – 2021
Dan Heck --2022
Auditors
Lorrie Leonard---2018 Dakota Lamb- 2019
Heather Campbell 2020
Sunday School
Superintendent—Carol Elek
Asst. Superintendent—June Miller
Secretary/Treasurer—Maxine Wilson,
Cradle Roll—Amber Hilpert
Cemetery Board
Lawrence Wilson, Jr.---2018 Devin Messner---2019
Bill Marburger---2020 Dennis Macek-2021 Rick Lamb--2022
Nominating Team
Rachel Ayers, Judy Heck, Leah Clydesdale
Finance Team
Ethan Strauss, Thomas McCullough,
Lynne Hamil, Elder Mark Elek, Elder Scott