August 2020
Christ United Church of Christ, 1414 Ligonier Street
Latrobe, Pennsylvania 15650
Worship Services for August
8/2, 8/9, 8/16, 8/23, 8/30 - Sunday Morning Worship,
11:00 AM
8/2 Holy Communion
8/9/ Outdoor Service (Annual Picnic) at Legion Keener Park
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey
you are welcome here.
Concerns of the Congregation
Please pray for: Henry Arelt, Marcie Baker, Donna and John Brajdic, Elea-
nor Bridge, Ruth Burns, Pastor John Cofield, Kristen Disciascio, Tim Far-
kas Family, Viola Helmetzi, Helen Hoover, Ron King, Stacey Klug, Zoe
Klug, Leanne Lehosky, Mick Mattern, Chuck McNerny, Ben and Jane
Miedel, Ruby RaeLynn Moore, Joan Musick, Bob and Evelyn Neigh-
ly, Betty Newman, Richard Porembka, Joyce Puzak, Shirley Robb, Bailey
Robinson, Carrie Rosebrock; Emily, Eva, and Graeme Sautter; Ken Sible, Judith Short, Laken
Smith, Rick Stahl, Scott Thompson, Sara Young,
Bob Zeiders
Praying the roll: Everyone on the church roster will have a turn at experiencing the comfort and peace
of intentional prayer. We are family . . . .and families pray for one another! Please keep these families
in your thoughts and prayers for the entire week.
Week of August 2 - Bill Berkey; Levi Boring; Mathew, Amanda, Alayna and Kylie Boring
Week of August 9 - Robert and Geraldine Boring, Seth and Alyssa Boring,
Donna and John Brajdic
Week of August 16 - Don Brinker, Larry Brinker, Don and Amy Burd
Week of August 23 - Richard and Ruth Burns, Kayla Cesare, Pastor John Cofield
Week of August 30 - Lori Cramer, Dick and Mary Crawford, Richard Crawford, Jr.
Ushers for the Month of August
Week of August 2 - Jim and Elena Sillaman
Harvey Noel and Sally Walker
Week of August 9 - (Outdoor Service - Annual Picnic -
at Legion Keener)
Bob and Carolyn Stutzman
Week of August 16 - Jim O’Connor and Art Dira
Harvey Noel and Sally Walker
Week of August 23 - Jim and Elena Sillaman; Larry and Loretta Staruk
Week of August 30 - Bob and Carolyn Stutzman; Jim O’Connor and Art Dira
ARTICLES FOR THE SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER ARE DUE ON
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15
Please send to [email protected] or give to Loretta Staruk
A Message from Pastor John
Both St. John’s and Christ Church are now holding “in-person” worship,
again. While life hasn’t quite returned to normal – nor will it for quite some
time, at least, life is now not quite so abnormal. Once again, we can see
each other on Sunday mornings.
For me, as for most pastors, it’s far easier to preach the Word to people than to a camcorder in
an empty sanctuary. Like you, I’m glad for a hint of normality.
We would all like our lives to return to normal. We would like to gather in our sanctuaries
again, without masks, sitting wherever we would like, or wherever we’ve been sitting for as
long as we can remember. We would like to hear our choir sing again, some would like to sing
in our choir. We would like to hear the strands of a majestic opening hymn. We would like to
sing our hymns. We would like to greet each other, before and after worship, shaking hands
and telling the stories of our lives.
While we are presently yearning for a return to normal it seems to me that the story of the
Babylonian exile is the Biblical story speaking to us particularly.
About 587 BCE the armies of Nebuchadnezzar, after a lengthy siege, broke through the walls
of Jerusalem, sacked the city, destroyed Solomon’s temple and took the “elite” of Jerusalem
into exile, which lasted forty years.
The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah warned of the coming trial, while the prophet Ezekiel wrote
from exile in Babylon, prophesying about the exiles return.
Much of the Hebrew Bible, the Old Testament, was written down during the Babylonian
captivity, so the people wouldn’t forget who they were and where they came from, so that they
would be reminded and wouldn’t lose faith…in God.
It was difficult for the exiles to hold onto hope while in exile. But they did. And after forty
years they returned to Jerusalem.
Ours is that God releases the slaves, brings the exiles home and raises the dead. Do not forget
this. Let us persist in that hope. Amen.
Mission Statement: To reflect Christ’s love in everything we do.
Vision Statement: Not our will, but God’s
A Note from Julie
Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief
from my distress, have mercy on me and hear my prayer. Know
that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself, the
Lord hears when I call to him. Psalm 4: 1 & 3
I hope that this newsletter for August finds everyone from the family of Christ Church doing
ok. The past five months have been difficult and these words of Psalm 4, "my righteous God,
give me relief from my distress." really tug on my heart.
We are back to worship in the sanctuary. We are still not able to sing hymns as a congrega-
tion but I am going to promise that through the next few months, as long as we are still using
meditative music, that the selections I play will be ones that are familiar to you.
The bell choir has been super about rehearsing on Thursday evenings to prepare for worship
on Sunday mornings. Thank you Ellen and the bell ringers for being so faithful. Thanks also,
to Eva Sautter, who played bells for us and offered her beautiful voice during our last July
service. I will also add some piano solos and possible vocals throughout the coming weeks.
I also wanted to personally thank all of the congregation of Christ Church for being so loving
and caring, by reaching out to each other. It is especially important that the members who are
not able to attend church on Sunday feel loved and thought of by the body of the church. I
know that so many of you are just picking up that phone and making calls. Fellowship is a
huge part of being a Christian. Jesus calls us to be stewards of his word. There is no better
way to fellowship that to talk to our church family.
Let me close by offering the last three verses of Psalm 4: Many Lord, are asking, "Who
will bring us prosperity?" Let the light of your face shine on us. Fill my heart with joy
when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you
alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
CONTACT US Newsletter Editor, Loretta Staruk - 724-879-8631 - [email protected]
Administrative Assistant, Caryn Dettling
Church Email: [email protected]
Church Office Phone: 724-537-4901
Christ UCC Website - www.ucclatrobe.org
Pastor John Cofield - 724-537-4901 (office) or 563-357-6171 (cell)
Congratulations, Graduates
Darrion Demase
Darrion is the grandson of Art Dira. He is a 2020
graduate of Deer Lakes High School and will be
attending Ohio University in the Fall.
Asrat Eyosias
Asrat is the son of Margaret Delle. He
graduated from Latrobe H.S. in 2020 and
hopes to work and take up a trade.
Kaleb Jewell
Kaleb is the grandson of Art Dira. He is
a 2020 graduate of Penn State and
works at Dollar Bank
Brett .Silvis
Brett is the grandson of Dewey and Dana
Silvis. He graduated from Ashland High
School, Ashland, Ohio and will be
attending Akron University in the Fall.
Christ Church Consistory
Rick Kunkle Jim O’Connor, Acting President
Michelle Kutzer Kenny Repko
Harvey Noel
The terms of Art Dira and Loretta Staruk, Deacons ended in June.
New members would normally have been installed in June when the
Congregational Meeting was held but because of Covid 19, that did not
happen. It is hoped that we will be able to have a meeting in September and
at that time new members will be installed and officers will be elected.
Four new members will be needed to serve on the Consistory in the coming
year. We will need one elder and two deacons to serve three-year terms each. We
will also need a deacon to complete an unfulfilled term of one year.
If you are willing to serve or would like more information, please talk to a
Consistory member. Thank you.
Outdoor Service (Annual Picnic)
Sunday, August 9 - 11:00 AM Legion Keener Park
Because of Covid 19 we will not be able to enjoy our usual
pot luck luncheon this year.
.
However, on August 9 we will gather at Legion Keener Park,
Timken Pavilion, for an Outdoor Worship Service. Feel free
to bring your favorite lawn chair.
So that we are able to enjoy fellowship following the worship service, please bring a
bagged lunch consisting of your lunch and a beverage and also a place setting. If you
would like to bring a place mat you are welcome to do that.
Masks will be required and we will be practicing social distancing. It will be a fun
time to get together with our church family. Hope to see you there.
“C” Dollar Bills for the Union Mission
At the April Supper Club in 2019, a suggestion was made to save one-dollar bills with a “C” in the
Federal Reserve Bank seal. The “C” represents the Philadelphia
bank, but for our purpose the “C” signifies Christ Church. The
purpose was to accumulate the dollar bills and donate them to a
local mission. A follow-up suggestion was made to donate the
proceeds to the Union Mission, the only homeless shelter for
men in Westmoreland County.
To date, we have donated $300 to the Union Mission. Thank you, and continue to save your “C” dol-
lar bills. It is an almost painless way to support this local mission. The donation jar for the Union
Mission is located on the table in the Chapel area at Christ Church.
Thank you, Bob Stutzman
A great big thank you to Clinton Piper, who has a
historic preservation background for preparing an
application to the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks
Foundation for a marker to be placed on the
outside of Christ Church. Clinton is the son of Dottie
Piper, a longtime member of Christ Church, who
proposed this be done as a way of highlighting the church’s history and architec-
ture to increase its visibility in the community.
The requirements for this marker are: building must be older than fifty years,
(Christ Church was built in 1901), within 250 miles of Pittsburgh, be a remarka-
ble work of architecture (the only intact example of the Akron Plan church in
Latrobe), and impart a rich sense of history. Clinton’s research indicates the
architect, Charles M. Robinson, was very active in building churches and schools
in Western Pennsylvania early in his career. Robinson subsequently
designed many structures for numerous colleges and universities in Virginia in-
cluding the University of Mary Washington, the College of William and Mary
and James Madison University and others.
Dottie will provide a plaque for the exterior of the church noting the designation.
We are hoping this might be accomplished by year’s end, however, with the virus
situation it may be longer.
SENIOR FOOD DISTRIBUTION is scheduled for Tuesday,
August 18. Volunteers will be needed that day at 8:30 A.M. Thanks
so much for your help as always.
Christian Education Committee Update
Sunday School for Children and the Adult Sunday School Class will resume
as soon as possible.
Wednesday morning bible study meets each Wednesday at 10:00 AM in
Fellowship Hall.
MINISTERIUM FOOD ITEMS FOR AUGUST
The Greater Latrobe Ministerium asks churches to donate items for the
Food Pantry distributions each month. The needed item for July and Au-
gust is shampoo. Thank you so much for your generosity. A box is in the
sanctuary to collect these items.
Book Discussion Group
The group will meet on Tuesday, August 11 - 10:00 AM
Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann - The author presents a true ac-
count of the early 20th century murders of Osage tribe members and law en-
forcement officials, citing the contributions and missteps of a fledgling FBI
that uncovered one of the most chilling conspiracies in American history.
In September, the group will meet on Tuesday, September 8 - 10:00 A.M.
Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout - The author continues the life of her beloved
Olive Kitteridge, a character who has captured the imaginations of millions.
All are welcome at any time.
Lay Life and Mission Update
Lay Life and Mission Committee will hold their monthly meeting on Monday, September 7
at 6:30 PM in Fellowship Hall.
Due to the Coronavirus, Lay Life and Mission Committee will NOT hold their October 14th
Soup and Salad Bar and also their August 15th Flea Market and Book Sale.
Mission of the Month
The Lay Life and Mission Committee has chosen Blackburn Center as our
mission for August and September 2020.
In 1975, a task force of the National Organization for Women met to address rape and sexual
assault issues in Westmoreland County. The result was Westmoreland Alliance Against Rape
whose hotline answered its first call on December 6, 1976.
Since then, what is now Blackburn Center, has grown to a staff of more than 30, with an ac-
tive team of volunteers. Through this growth, they have developed an array of services for
adult and child victims of sexual assault and domestic violence as well as comprehensive
community education and professional in-service training programs.
Blackburn Center will support victims with their shelter, counseling, and advocacy services
as long as there are victims who need them.
Items are needed to sustain the shelter. Donations will be welcomed during these months.
BIENVENUE will meet on Wednesday, September 2 at 12:30 PM in
the Fellowship Hall. Please bring a lunch and a beverage. All the ladies of
the church are welcome.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Happy Birthday! Happy Anniversary!
August 8 Sandy Pezek August 2 Dave & Stephanie Abaugh
August 11 Ethel Holzer August 5 Brian & Aubree Maus
August 17 Marcie Baker August 14 Wayne & Margaret
August 17 Wayne Horrell Horrell
August 19 Wayne Sautter
August 30 Rich Burns
August 30 Carolyn Stutzman
A Little Laughter
While walking along the sidewalk in front of his church, a
minister heard the intoning of a prayer that nearly made his
collar wilt. Apparently, his 5-year-old son and his playmates
had found a dead robin. Feeling that proper burial should be
performed they had secured a small box and cotton wool, then
dug a hole and made ready for the disposal of the deceased.
The minister's son was chosen to say the appropriate prayers and with sonorous
dignity intoned his version of what he thought his father always said: “Glory be
unto the Father, and unto the Son, and into the hole he goes’
*************
There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family
Bible to her brother in another part of the country.
“Is there anything breakable in here?” asked the postal clerk.
“Only the Ten Commandments”, answered the lady.
August 2020 Prayer Calendar
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Almighty God and Father, help us to be still in your presence, that we may know ourselves to be your people, and you to be our God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. -From New Every Morning
1 Remember families of prisoners.
2 Pray for those who support prisoner’s families.
Pray for those who are in prison.
4 Pray for those convicted of crime.
5 Pray for the innocent who are imprisoned.
6 Give thanks for those who have devised laws upon which our security depends.
7 Pray for those who administer justice.
8 Pray for the police forces that uphold the law and detect crime.
9 Church Picnic 11 AM Legion Keener
10 Thank God for the fruits and vegetables that help sustain us.
11 Pray for people faced with difficult decisions today.
12 Thank God for those who serve on church committees.
13 Pray for those who work in prisons.
14 Pray for probation officers.
15 Give thanks for those who have the welfare of prisoners at heart.
16 Pray for those who are awaiting trial.
17 Pray for victims of disasters.
18 Pray for those who find life too much for them.
19 Pray for those with poor housing.
20 Praise God for the amazing universe.
21 Ask God to lead us in ways of justice and peace.
22 Pray for children with a parent in prison.
23 Praise God for the sun and warmth of summer.
24 Ask God to bless the work of our church.
25 Pray for young people who feel overlooked.
26 Praise God for blessings received.
27 Thank God for the ability to hear sounds, music and voices.
28 Pray for those who cannot hear the sounds of life.
29 Pray for those who work with the deaf.
30 Thank God for the hope we have in Christ.
31 Pray for students and teachers.
Creator of the universe, watch over us and keep us in the light of your presence.
AUGUST 2020 CHURCH CALENDAR
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2
11:00 AM
worship
Holy
Communion
3 4 5
10:00 AM
Bible
Study
Consistory
Reports
Due
6
6:30 Bells
7 8
9
11:00 AM
worship
Outdoor
Service
(Annual
Picnic)
Legion
Keener Park
10
6:30 PM
Consistory
11
11:00 AM
Book
Discussion
12
10:00 AM
Bible
Study
13
6:30 Bells
14 15
September
Newsletter
Deadline
16
11:00 AM
worship
17 18
8:30 AM
Senior Food
Distribution
19
10:00 AM
Bible
Study
20
6:30 Bells
21 22
23
11:00 AM
worship
24 25 26
10:00 AM
Bible
Study
27
6:30 Bells
28 29
30
11:00 AM
worship
31
