The United Presbyterian Church Of New Kensington 601 Fifth Avenue New Kensington, PA 15068-6508

The United Presbyterian Church

of New Kensington 601 Fifth Avenue

New Kensington, PA 15068-6508 724-339-6618

FAX: 724-339-1030 E-mail: churchoffice@tupcnk.org

Website: tupcnk.org

2019

May

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Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday

9:00 am - 2:30 pm Tuesday and Friday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Sunday Hours:

9:30 am Sunday School 11:00 am Worship

is to serve God by: Preaching God’s Word Teaching God’s Love Healing God’s People

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The Rev. Wendy Keys

The deadline for the

June 2019

Newsletter is May 19th

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Eastertide I know we just celebrated Easter, but, actually, Eastertide is for the 50 days between Easter Sunday and Pentecost. This is the time that Jesus actually walked the earth and continued teaching the disciples. During these days, Jesus walked with a couple of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. He appears to the disciples in a locked room and has the Holy Spirit rest on them. Jesus catches fish and has breakfast on the beach waiting for them.

Finally, Jesus commissions the disciples. Matthew 28:16-20: Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authori-ty in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, bap-tizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Jesus has done all that he could to prepare the disciples for this time and now he is sending them out to do the work of the kingdom. That’s what Jesus is saying to us today. We are the recipients of the Gospel; it is the Word of God that has been passed down through the generations, and now we are the ones being commissioned. It makes me think of one of my favorite Christmas Hymns, Go! Tell It on the Mountain. The hymn says that we should proclaim that Christ is born today. But why? The birth of Christ has no meaning without the death and resurrection of Christ. The Christian faith is centered around the act of love of Jesus dy-ing on the cross—the saving act of Jesus dying for our sins and being raised from the dead so that we might have new life. That is what our faith is about and that is what we are commissioned to tell the world! Go out into the world and proclaim the Good News! That Jesus died for us! That Jesus was raised to new life! That Jesus loves us! Eastertide Blessings, Pastor Wendy

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Looking for a great part time role? Enjoy bookkeeping,

payroll, and reporting? Consider applying for the posi-

tion of Assistant Treasurer for the United Presbyterian

Church of New Kensington. This is an hourly position

(8.5 hours per week). All interested parties are encour-

aged to submit a letter of interest and resume to

churchoffice@tupcnk.org to the attention of the

Personnel Committee.

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Highlights from the April 16, 2019

Stated Session Meeting

The Session of The United Presbyterian Church of New Kensington met for a stated Session meeting on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at 7:00 p.m.

Statistical Report: There are 167 members on the Active Roll and 1 Affiliate Mem-ber. The Painting Party originally scheduled for April 28 was canceled and will be re-scheduled at a future date to be determined.

Summer hours will begin on Sunday, May 26; Worship will begin at 10:00 a.m. for the summer months. It was MSP with regret to accept Cathy Brady’s resignation as Assistant Treasurer effective July 11, 2019.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna L. McLaughlin Clerk of Session

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Worship Committee Thank you to Worship Committee members and volunteers for making palm crosses made available during the Palm Sunday service!

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Please contact Cecil Yates or Kathryn Whita-cre on the Worship/Fellowship Committee to sign up to be a liturgist or to be an usher. Thank you!!!

VOLUNTEERS—MAY

Liturgists 5/5 Julia Yockey 5/12 Amy Grillo Dameron 5/19 Karen Grillo 5/26 Alyssa Dameron Ushers 5/5 Bob Deringer, Liz Deringer, Claudia Long, Emily Deringer* 5/12 Karen Grillo, Gloria Lauffer, Mamie Nixon, Joe Nixon* 5/19 Donna Lindh, Kathryn Whitacre, Julia Yockey, Robin Sorch* 5/26 Amy Grillo Dameron, Victoria Dameron, Karen Grillo, Jackson Dameron* Head Ushers 5/5 Joe Nixon 5/12 Kathryn Whitacre 5/19 Donna McLaughlin 5/26 Cecil Yates Counters 5/5 Bob & Liz Deringer 5/12 Amy Grillo Dameron, Kathryn Whitacre 5/19 Lori Greenwald, Robin Sorch 5/26 Amy Grillo-Dameron Communion Servers 5/5 Tim Guido, David Keys, Randy Schultz, Julia Yockey *Greeter

Save the Date!

Christmas in July Women’s Tea Sunday, July 21, 2019

Why in July you ask? While going over the calendar for the year, Stacey and Lynn did not have a free Sunday in December to host our annual Women’s Christmas Tea. We still wanted to have one this year, so came the idea to have a “Christmas in July” Women’s Tea. As in previous years, it will be on a Sunday following worship and pretty much the same format as you ladies have come to enjoy. The theme this year is “Sounds of Christmas.” We hope to see our regular attendees and maybe a few new faces. A reminder notice will be in the June newsletter, also in future bulletins. Look for the sign-up sheet in the Narthex a few weeks before the event. Mark your calendars for a summer Christmas gathering.

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Thank You! Thank you to the Deacons for the deli-cious fruit basket. It is always a blessing to be remembered by my church family.

~Betty Salmane

Thanks to the deacons and the church for the beautiful Easter fruit basket. It was very much appreciated!

~ Lois Trofka

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April Food Bank: We served 99 households – 11 doubles - total of 110 orders. 28 senior boxes – 3 birthday bags – 1 new household. 38 volunteers for a total of 136 volunteer hours. We gave out one coat, gloves, and a hat. Food Bank Pantry Wish list: Jiffy Cornbread & Blueberry Muffin Mixes and Butter/Margarine.

May Food Bank: Truck Delivery: May 2nd Packing & Distribution: May 4th We will serve an AVAC dinner on May 6th. Tentative – Picnic in the Park date – August 11th. Check for exact date in the June Newsletter. Next Meeting: May 14th Submitted by Robin L. Sorch – Deacon Secretary

Prayer Concerns Jeffrey Claypool Dave Beck Sandy Zavadak Bob Long Emma Jean Blair Jeff Conte Sybil Brenda Capo Logan Slagle Jean King Angie Webb Sue Wyant Sue Washburn Sydney Russ Connor Cyndy Bondra Jane Yockey Donald Lewandowski, Jr. Jack Lattanzio Terry Zdinak Family Lauren Watt Audrey Main Wil & Carol Kinney Darlene Jane Kinter Carl Anderson Betty Tylinski Alan Russo Ryker Linda Marie Lisa Marion Yates Mary Kinney In Christian Sympathy: In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life, our sister, Barb Biondi, has entered into the church triumphant. In Christ’s Love, Pastor Wendy Please call the office to let me know if anyone is in the hospital.

If you would like to add someone to the prayer chain, please call Sandy at 724-335-0730 with your request. Thank you.

Prayer Chain: Sandy Mozzy 724-335-0730 Charlotte Claypool 724-335-5426 Lucille Bash 724-335-8378 Pat Lewandowski 724-337-7994 Betty Tylinski 724-727-7747 Gloria Lauffer 724-472-3468 Marion Yates 724-339-4357 Robin Sorch 724-337-6806

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The Shawl Ministry meets on the second Friday of each month in the Library at the church at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. We now have recorded over 500 shawls made, and most have been given in our outreach. We welcome the participa-tion of church members in alerting us to persons who would benefit from our mission of love and care, as represented by the Prayer Shawls.

If you are interested in this outreach, please contact Kathryn Whitacre at 724-335-2262.

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PLEASE HELP US SAVE CAPS FOR A BUDDY BENCH What is a Buddy Bench…….? If somebody’s lonely or if they’re new to the school and they don’t have anybody to play with, they can sit on the bench. If other people see them on the bench, they’ll come up to them and ask them to play. And they can play together. Buddy Benches are made from recyclable lids and caps. Bring your caps to church – there are collection containers under the staff mailboxes on the first floor and near the water fountain in fellowship hall.

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STUDENT GRANT FUND

If you or a member of your family anticipates difficulty in financing enrollment or pending enrollment in an educational program, The United Presbyterian Church of

New Kensington may be able to help. This educational program could be a college, university, or vocational training program.

The church has grant money (that is, money that need not be repaid) available to assist students. The applicant must be a member of the church and grants range up to $700.00, depending on financial need. APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE IN

THE NARTHEX, or contact the church office to have one emailed to you. The

deadline to submit an application is Friday, June 14th. A personal interview will be scheduled in July, and awards will be made the first week of August. Additional information about the Student Grant Fund can be obtained from mem-bers of the committee or Mary Beth Yeamans (724-339-7033).

YOU CAN HELP

TUPCNK’s teaching mission includes helping individuals develop their God-given talent. Your contribution to the Student Grant Fund will enable us to continue to provide this assistance to our members. An envelope for any contribution you wish to make is available in the pews, or you may send it to the church office.

5/3 Violet DeLancey

Jacob Swetof

5/6 Joseph S. Nixon

5/8 Karen Duke

5/9 Edna Shalkoski

5/13 Brenda Capo

5/15 Anne Grillo

5/18 Janice Brown

5/19 Barbara Hines

Karenda Wilson

5/21 Steven Deringer

Jill Shipman

5/24 Lois Trofka

5/25 Michael Polena

Beverly Swetof

5/27 Jessica Hudak

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A reminder to all congregation members that flow-ers can be ordered for in the Sanctuary for Sunday mornings either in Memory or In Honor of a loved one. There is a flower chart in the Narthex. Price: $30.00 small vase Anyone wishing to order can call Kris in the church office by Wednesday the week that they would like them. Donations can be placed in the offering plate. Thank you.

Choir Rehearsals are held on Sunday

Mornings

Chancel Choir @ 10:00 a.m.

We have the following handicap acces-sories to loan to members and friends on a short-term basis. If you wish to borrow any item, please call the church office at 724-339-6618. wheelchair walkers four prong cane potty chairs Hoyer lift TO ALL CHURCH MEMBERS: The handicap items that are listed in the News-letter can be loaned out to members of the church. Please remember to call the church office before taking any item. If you have any equipment at your house on loan and are fin-ished with it, please return the item to the church in a timely manner, reporting to the office that it is returned.

Who needs the Community Clothes Closet? Our neighbors do! The economy has taken a toll on many adult members of our community. Daily life for these individuals is laden with struggles. Economic challenges affect much of our adult population. It is the goal of the Community Clothes Closet to assist these people. The CCC exists to help adults of our community who are experiencing financial hardship. It is our hope that, by providing clothing and per-sonal hygiene essentials at extremely reasona-ble prices, our neighbors will be able to stretch their limited income.

Monday 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Wednesday 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

St. Joseph Parish School Building 1125 Leishman Avenue

New Kensington 724-289-65280

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2019 April 06 Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, You may already have heard that my home in New Kensington has been sold, and that I am moving to Dayton, Ohio. My membership has already been transferred to Fairmont Presbyterian Church in Ket-tering. This letter can serve as my resignation from affiliate membership here. Fairmont Church was organized by Rev. Roland and Ruth Anderson in 1945, when he began his career in ministry. He was called as our first pastor in 1974, after the New Kensington churches merged, and he retired from here. That is an instance of Presbyterians being a "connectional" church. Judy and I moved into our house in 1974. I wondered then if the home might be a reward for service in the Pastor Nominating Committee that called Rev. "Rit" Anderson. I doubt that God works that way, with specific rewards and punishments for what we do. But I am thankful for God's kindness in allow-ing me to live here. I am also thankful for God's kindness in allowing me to serve with you in The United Presbyterian Church of New Kensington. Together in this particular church, we have done the Lord's work. We have proclaimed the joyful Good News of Jesus Christ. We have taught and shown people what that Good News meant. And we have at least tried to heal some of the troubles we found in the community around us. We fed people who needed fed. (We continue to do that in the food bank.) We gave a cool drink of water to those who needed it. We clothed people who needed a warm coat. Even if it was sometimes a grim Presbyterian smile -- upside down -- we shone like Jesus when we smiled at people who needed to see Christ's smile. Remember that we are the eyes, ears, hands, feet, and voice of Jesus Christ. If we do not do what Jesus would do, it may not get done. That is what it means to be the Body of Christ. God has been kind in allowing me to serve here with all of you. Some of my best friends are in this church. I will miss you all. Good bye is an old English contraction of God Be With You. But, God is always with us. We say it to remind ourselves. Peace in Christ, Pete Schilling

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Graduation Sunday will be May 19th.

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