Our congregation has the privilege of hosting the first gath- ering of the new “Presbytery of the Great Lakes.” From 9:00 am through 3:30 pm Calvary Center will be filled with the great people of our new denomination. We will have a number of notable national guests including: John Terech: National Director of Operations who will be preaching and giving a presentation, Anna Kent: National Director of Mission Affinity Groups who will be helping us to organize our congregational relationships, Rev. Dr. Laura Smit: Primary Author of the Essential Tenets who will be leading a theology breakout session, Rev. Nader Awad: Egyptian Pastor and American Evangelist who will be doing a breakout session on Evangelism, plus new friends from around our Presbytery. See page 3 for more details and how to volunteer. S PECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST : March 2nd ~ Communion March 9th ~ Pulpit Exchange March 4th ~ Shrove Dinner March 5th ~ Ash Wednesday March 8th ~ PSC Skating March 15th ~ ECO Meeting March 16th ~ Rev. Awad Adult Sunday School March 17th ~ St. Patrick’s Day March 30th ~ Hop-A-Thon I NSIDE THIS ISSUE : P ASTOR ’ S P AGE 2 ECO P RESBYTERY MEETING AGENDA 3 F AMILY L IFE GROUPS L IST 4 HOP -A-T HON 5 MAMA L ENTEN SERIES 6 C HOIR S CHEDULES 8 C ARELIST 11 B IRTHDAY/ A NNIVERSARIES 12 M ARCH 2014 M C P RESBY N EWS M C D ONALD P RESBYTERIAN C HURCH ECO P RESBYTERY M EETING — M ARCH 15 TH A SH W EDNESDAY S ERVICE McDonald Presbyterian Church is sponsoring their annual Ash Wednesday Service on Wednesday, March 5, 2014 beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the fellowship hall of Trinity Center. Rev. Bob Shull, from Hickory UEP Church will deliver the Lenten meditation. The imposition of ashes will be offered to any who desire it and communion will be served. Following the service, a continental breakfast will be served. This also marks the beginning of our weekly Wednesday evening Lenten Services sponsored by McDonald Area Ministerial Association (see page 6 for schedule). ECO P ULPIT E XCHANGE D AY -M ARCH 9 TH On Sunday March 9 th we will welcome Rev. Tom Bellhy of the New Hope Presbyte- rian Church into our Pulpit for our second ECO Pulpit Exchange Day. Rev. Justin will be traveling to New Hope on this day and delivering the message there. It is an exciting and busy time as we enter into this new denomination and work to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a world that desperately needs it.
Transcript
Our congregation has the privilege of hosting the first gath-
ering of the new “Presbytery of the Great Lakes.” From
9:00 am through 3:30 pm Calvary Center will be filled with
the great people of our new denomination. We will have a
number of notable national guests including: John Terech:
National Director of Operations who will be preaching and giving a presentation,
Anna Kent: National Director of Mission Affinity Groups who will be helping us to
organize our congregational relationships, Rev. Dr. Laura Smit: Primary Author of
the Essential Tenets who will be leading a theology breakout session, Rev. Nader
Awad: Egyptian Pastor and American Evangelist who will be doing a breakout session
on Evangelism, plus new friends from around our Presbytery. See page 3 for more
details and how to volunteer.
SPECIAL POINTS OF
INTEREST :
March 2nd ~ Communion
March 9th ~ Pulpit Exchange
March 4th ~ Shrove Dinner
March 5th ~ Ash Wednesday
March 8th ~ PSC Skating
March 15th ~ ECO Meeting
March 16th ~ Rev. Awad Adult Sunday School
March 17th ~ St. Patrick’s Day
March 30th ~ Hop-A-Thon
INSIDE THIS ISSUE :
PASTOR ’S PAGE 2
ECO PRESBYTERY
MEETING AGENDA
3
FAMILY L IFE
GROUPS L IST
4
HOP-A-THON 5
MAMA LENTEN
SERIES
6
CHOIR SCHEDULES 8
CARELIST 11
B IRTHDAY/
ANNIVERSARIES
12
MARCH 2014
MCPRESBY NEWS
MCDONALD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ECO PRESBYTERY MEETING—MARCH 15TH
ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE
McDonald Presbyterian Church is sponsoring their annual Ash Wednesday Service on Wednesday, March 5, 2014 beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the fellowship hall of Trinity Center.
Rev. Bob Shull, from Hickory UEP Church will deliver the Lenten meditation. The imposition of ashes will be offered to any who desire it and communion will be served.
Following the service, a continental breakfast will be served.
This also marks the beginning of our weekly Wednesday evening Lenten Services sponsored by McDonald Area Ministerial Association (see page 6 for schedule).
ECO PULPIT EXCHANGE DAY-MARCH 9TH
On Sunday March 9th we will welcome Rev. Tom Bellhy of the New Hope Presbyte-
rian Church into our Pulpit for our second ECO Pulpit Exchange Day. Rev. Justin
will be traveling to New Hope on this day and delivering the message there. It is an
exciting and busy time as we enter into this new denomination and work to bring the
Gospel of Jesus Christ to a world that desperately needs it.
PASTOR ’S PAGE—REV. JUSTIN AMSLER—MARCH 2014
A Refreshed Spirit –
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,
that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus...” Acts 3:19-20 ESV
Lent is a time of searching, repenting, and anticipation. We prepare ourselves to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We seek the face of the Lord (Psalm 24:6), that is we seek to know him more intimately and more per-sonally. Like a friendship that is strong but has been put aside because of the demands of life, so our relationship with God sometimes takes a back seat to what seems to be important at the time. This, while unfortunate, is a part of our Christian walk, times of flourishing and times where we may feel weary or disconnected from our Lord. The church year has been de-signed to reinvigorate us, to provide a time and a framework to experience the pleasures of intimacy with our heavenly Fa-ther.
Lent is a time of year where we hope to be refreshed. We make some extra time in our schedules to read the Word and to listen for the still small voice of God. We celebrate what Christ has done for us through special services and opportunities for prayer and reflection. In pursuing refreshment we must pursue repentance. Repenting of our sin and receiving the cleansing waters of forgiveness is what leads us to being truly refreshed. The scripture above speaks of refreshment that comes from the presence of the Lord Jesus. This deep and refreshing presence is only possible through the gateway of forgiveness. Because we serve a Holy God who is not able to be in the presence of sin we must be cleansed by forgiveness to have the kind of deep intimacy with the Father that we are seeking. We don’t suspect for a moment that he leaves us on our own when we are off of the narrow way but certainly we are not experiencing the greatest possible intimacy either.
As we walk through the days of lent we begin with our Ash Wednesday celebration which is an opportunity to publicly re-nounce the sin in our life. We confess our sin and worship a loving God who welcomes us to his holy table, that is, the Lord’s Supper, a meal filled with love and the presence of God. It is here that we experience reconciliation and we are able to “turn back” from those things that have created space between us and our Savior. This “turning back” is the first step in a journey towards the cross, an opportunity to walk purposefully towards the most powerful moment in the history of the world, when God gave himself up for his children, testifying in a Roman Court that he indeed is the King of the Jews.
Will you join in the long line of saints who have found refreshment in the presence of God? Will you seek the face of our sav-ior in this Lenten Season? I hope that you will because those who seek find and those who knock have a door opened before them. Such is the will of God and the promise of a loving Savior.
In the abundance of a King who suffered for you,
Pastor Justin
PAGE 2 MCPRESBY NEWS
ECO PRESBYTERY MEETING~MARCH 15TH (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)
All members are encouraged to join us for this great day of equipping and training. We are asking for both support volunteers and for those who would like to participate in the conference. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear from people that nor-mally we would have to fly or travel to see. This time they are flying here to see us! The cost for the day is $10.00 and pre-registration is required to help us fill breakout sessions and plan for lunch. We will have a sign-up sheet located in the Parlor or let Karen in the church office know that you will be attending or volunteering as outlined below.
In addition to a continental breakfast our kitchen team is preparing a wonderful lunch of Fried Chicken, Roast Beef, Rigatoni, Tossed Salad, and Homemade dessert. Our neighboring ECO churches will be helping us with a few kitchen volunteers and in providing some desserts.
Areas where we will need support:
Parking: We will need 4-6 outside volunteers to direct visitors to appropriate parking.
Registration: We will need three people dedicated to the registration table and making sure all needs there are filled.
Audio Visual: We will need a full Audio Visual Staff of teens and adults.
Food Preparation: We will need a number of volunteers to setup, serve, and cleanup.
Cleanup: at 3:30 pm we will need about four volunteers to put the church in order for Sunday.
Music and Worship: We will have some opportunities to participate in leading worship and communion.
Conference Attendees: In addition to our Elders and Pastor Justin we would like to have 10 members register for and participate in the conference.
Tentative Conference Schedule:
9:00 am Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:30 am Opening Worship and Communion (John Terech preaching)
10:15 am Conversation Starter Break-out Sessions
Raising Evangelists: Rev. Nader Awad
Funding the Vision: Launching a Capitol Campaign, Rev. Justin Amsler
Contemporary Worship for Today’s Culture: Rev. Tom Bellhy (New Hope)
Confirmation Class Curriculum: Melissa Danielson Christian Ed Director East Main Presbyterian
Theology Breakout: Rev. Dr. Laura Smit, Calvin College
11:00 am John Terech – What’s Happening in ECO?
12:00 pm Lunch – ($10 per person)
12:45 pm Anna Kent: Missional Affinity Groups / Pastor Covenant Groups
2:00 pm Business Meeting
3:00 pm Closing
3:30 pm Adjournment
PAGE 3 MCPRESBY NEWS
PAGE 4 MCPRESBY NEWS
Small groups are an integral part of our ministry here at McDonald Presbyterian Church. We have eight
different Family Life Groups and Sunday School Classes and we hope that if you are not already involved
that you will consider trying one out. Our groups exist to support each other, build community, and to
encourage each other through the study of the Scriptures. Below is a list of our active groups and Adult
Sunday School Classes along with the time they typically meet and a contact person.
Monday Lunch Ladies – Peggy Samarin and Linda Matchett, Every other week
Monday Nights – Tom and Molly Maxwell with John Casey, Every other week
Tuesday Nights – Justin and Sarah Amsler, Every other week
Wednesday Nights – Ray and Kathy Morgan, Every week
Sunday Mornings – Syndria Lowe, Every week as scheduled
Sunday Nights – Heather Weiler, Every other week
Adult Sunday School Classes—9:30 a.m.
New Beginnings Room Class – Peggy Samarin, Lin Nalesnick, and Ray Morgan
Trinity Center Library Class – Chuck Smith and Sandi Albertini
FAMILY LIFE GROUPS LIST
Bea Cerezo will be celebrating her 90th birthday on March 3rd. Her family would like to honor her with a card shower. Please take a moment to send her your birthday wishes at: Country Meadows Building 4, Room 414, 3564 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA 15017. Thanks in advance for your kindness.
BEA CEREZO’S 90TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
JULIE HANCZAR UPDATE
On January 8, during a physical therapy session at The Children’s Institute, Julie suffered a severe hyperextension of her right leg resulting in a fracture of her right knee. Julie endured severe pain in her knee for about a month but has improved significantly in recent weeks. She has resumed physical and occupational therapy, but will not be able to bear weight on her injured knee until complete healing occurs sometime this spring.
On March 12, 2014, it will be three years since her accident.
We would like to thank all of you for the outpouring of love and support for our family. A special thanks to the deacons who are continuing to provide delicious meals to us. We are blessed. Thank you. -The Hanczar family
PAGE 5 MCPRESBY NEWS
Bring the whole family and even a friend to the Annual Pine Springs Ice Skating Party. The Party will be at the Mt. Lebanon Ice Rink on March 8th, from 4-6 pm. The admission is free and skate rental is $1.50. There will be skating, games, give-a-ways and PSC fun!
PINE SPRINGS CAMP SKATING
DEACONS ’ DISHCLOTHS
The Deacons are selling dishcloths. They are $1.50 each and are located in Calvary’s Kitchen or you can ask any Deacon for assistance.
THANK YOU NOTE— FROM PINE SPRINGS CAMP
To McDonald Presbyterian Church:
I wanted to write a personal note of thanks for your gift designated to the Pine Springs Camp, which we received through the Washington Presbytery.
It was a reminder of God’s grace and provision for the ministry of Pine Springs Camp. I’m grateful to the Lord for your commitment to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to be in partnership with Pine Springs as we seek to be a place where youth encounter Christ in a vital way!
Please know our commitment to your congregation runs deep and remains strong. We desire to serve you and be a resource to you in whatever way we can.
Thank you…May you know the peace and grace of our Lord and Savior. In Christ, Greg
HOP-A-THON On Sunday, March 30th we will once again be having our annual hop-a-thon/pot luck dinner for Pine Springs Camp. A representative from Pine Springs will be available to answer any questions you may have. Our week is July 20 through July 25, 2014, where Pastor Justin is serving as the Volunteer Director for a camp called Adventure Journey. This camp is open to all students who have completed grades 6th - 8th. Students who have finished grades 3rd- 5th will attend the Adventure Exploration Camp and students who have completed grades 9th - 12th will attend the Adventure Expedition Camp. Reg-istration information will be available at our hop-a-thon.
PAGE 6 MCPRESBY NEWS
MAMA—LENTEN SERIES 2014
McDonald Area Ministerial Association
Community Lenten Series
You are invited to participate in a special worship series this Easter season. Many of our churches will sponsor a service with refreshments and a fellowship time to follow. Thank you for your continued support of our local ministerium and may God bless you richly this joyous season.
Wednesday, March 5 Host: McDonald Presbyterian, Trinity Ctr.
Ash Wednesday 10:00 AM Message: Rev. Bob Shull, Hickory UEP Church
Imposition of Ashes Sponsored By: McDonald Presbyterian Church
Wednesday, March 5 Host: Venice Presbyterian Church
Ash Wednesday, 7:30 PM Message: Rev. Dave Hamer
McDonald Bible Methodist
Wednesday, March 12 Host: Hickory UEP Church
7:30 PM Message: Pastor Dawn Hargraves
McDonald United Methodist
Wednesday, March 19 Host: McDonald United Methodist
7:30 PM Message: Rev. Brian Kilbert
Center UP Church
Wednesday, March 26 Host: Center Presbyterian Church
7:30 PM Message: Rev. Justin Amsler
McDonald Presbyterian Church
Wednesday, April 2 Host: Bible Methodist Church
7:30 PM Message: Rev. Gary Chorpenning
Venice Presbyterian Church
Wednesday, April 9 Host: Gladden UP Church
7:30 PM Message: Pastor Dee Swingle
Midway United Methodist
Good Friday, April 18 Host: Irons Memorial Presbyterian Church
12:00 Noon Message: Rev. Charles Puff, Irons Memorial
Good Friday, April 18 Host: First Baptist Church, McDonald
7:30 PM Message: Rev. Dan Peternel
Living Word Community Church
Offerings collected at these services will be used by the Ministerial Association to
support local charities and families.
PAGE 7 MCPRESBY NEWS
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
MCDONALD FOOD BANK
The suggested items for the McDonald Food Bank this month are canned vegetables. All contributions are welcomed. Please drop off your donation in the parlor of Calvary Center. If you have any questions. please see Ed Nalesnick.
SCRAP METAL
The final numbers are in for our 2013 National Collection. If you’ll recall, we in the Mid-Atlantic region (Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia) were praying for a 20% increase. Well, you will see that God provided:
The 2013 Mid-Atlantic region final total was 952,550! That’s a 19% increase over 2012. This is an additional 154,270 Gospel Opportunities, truly an outpouring of God’s blessing!!
The grand total for all the US collections was 7,541,468 and worldwide was 9,950,000.
We in the Mid-Atlantic are looking forward to working and praying towards 1.1 million in 2014.
McDonald Presbyterian Church packed 465 shoebox gifts in 2013. We have received updates that some of our boxes were shipped to the following countries: Angola, Benin, Malawi, Republic of Georgia, and Rwanda. Please be in prayer for these countries.
Thank you for supporting this ministry.
The OCC items for March will be bars of soap and washcloths.
Scrap Metal is still being collected to help cover general maintenance work for all the church building. We are collecting aluminum cans and any other aluminum metal items, copper, brass, steel and any general items made of metal. Cans and other small items can be brought into the Calvary basement and put in the scrap barrel there. Any heavy items can be picked up by calling Tom Garrett at (724)926-8923. Last year’s effort brought in $1,445 and we thank all those that contributed to the cause. Please do not put any glass, tin cans or tin foil in with the aluminum cans.
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
Remember “The Story”?
On March 2nd, the children will begin a seven lesson curriculum titled “The Story of Jesus”. They will experience the life of Jesus as one seamless story.
This will take us right into Easter. We will be finishing our lessons on Palm Sunday.
PAGE 8 MCPRESBY NEWS
CHOIR SCHEDULES
March 6th - 6:00 pm - Bell Choir
7:30 pm - Adult Choir
March 13th - 6:45 pm - Kids Choir
7:30 pm - Adult Choir
March 20th 6:00 pm - Bell Choir
7:00 pm - Adult Choir
March 27th 6:45 pm - Kids Choir
7:30 pm - Adult Choir
Three Rivers Festival of Hope –
August 15th - 17th
Preparation Begins Now!
This will be an exciting year in Pittsburgh because the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is hosting a Festival here at the Consol Energy Center for three days in August. Franklin Graham will be the main speaker along with great music and powerful testimonies. This Festival is something that we will be praying for and hoping to both sup-port and take advantage of in the coming months. In order for a Festival like this to succeed many churches must work together to bring members and most importantly our unsaved friends and acquaintances to this event.
The next step will be to gather individuals who would like to attend the Christian Life and Witness Course. This free course is the required training to serve as a prayer counselor at the Festival. Attending the training does not obligate you to attend the Festival. The training will be led by someone from the Billy Graham staff and will be a wonderful time of equipping and preparation for sharing our faith. The classes will be held in locations throughout the city and include three sessions, one each week, from April 21st through May 10th. It would be great if we could send ten people to the Christian Life and Witness Course.
Please pray for the Festival and for all those who might attend. We believe that God wants to see hundreds of peo-
ple come to Christ for the first time this summer. We will have regular prayer opportunities and updates regarding
the festival in the months ahead.
PAGE 9 MCPRESBY NEWS
Center United Presbyterian Church in Midway is having their annual Shrove Tuesday Dinner on March 4th. The dinner will be in the Church Fellowship Hall from 4:30pm to 7:00pm. Tickets are $7 for adults and children under 12 are $3. More details are provided on the flyer on the information bulletin board in the Calvary Parlor. To purchase tickets please call (724) 796-3351 or (724) 678-6976.
Heritage Library is having their Spring Auction from March 4th – May 1st. Tickets are 2/$1 or 12/$5. The drawing and bake sale will be held on May 1st. For more informa-tion please call the Library at (724)-926-8400.
SHROVE DINNER/PANCAKE DINNER
SPRING AUCTION
DEVOTIONALS
McDonald Presbyterian Church provides three different devotionals to enhance your daily Bible reading: The Upper Room, These Days and The Word For You Today. They are located in the Fellowship Stations. Please pick up a copy.
DEACONS FLOWER SALE The Deacons will be holding their Annual Spring Flower Sale starting April 1st and continuing
through April 14th. Proceeds help to pay for all the Deacons activities as we seek to serve the
congregation. Look for order forms in the April newsletter. Flowers will be delivered on May
17th. Please consider supporting the Deacons this year!
DISHCLOTHS AND TOWELS FOR CALVARY CENTER
We would like to start a box for dishcloths and dish towels to be stored in the kitchen of Calvary for use by the church, so we do not use those belonging to Meals on Wheels. We are asking that if you have extra new or used ones at home, drop them off in the box marked for them in the parlor. Thanks for your donations!
Children’s Church Adult Volunteer Youth Volunteer March 2nd Kari Bair Volunteer Needed March 9th Mary & Chad Bennett Volunteer Needed March 16th Sarah Amsler Volunteer Needed March 23rd Adriane Ware Volunteer Needed March 30th Peggy Samarin Jillian Panizza Nursery Youth Volunteer March 2nd Abby Weiler March 9th Volunteer Needed March 16th Jillian Panizza March 23rd Volunteer Needed March 30th Volunteer Needed Small Talk Hospitality March 2nd Jim McDowell March 2nd Dana Martin March 9th Michelle Unruh March 9th Luck Hawk & Gerry Rossi March 16th Debbie McGinnis March 16th Katie McDowell March 23rd Sarah Amsler March 23rd Peggy Samarin & Alice Todorowski March 30th Syndria Lowe March 30th Vicki Zyra Greeters March 2nd Gary & Debbie McGinnis March 9th Gerry Rossi & Alice Todorowski March 16th Patty & John Sember March 23rd Lana & Ed Gilbert March 30th Suzanne & John Casey Lay Leaders Communion Servers - March 2nd March 2nd Sarah Amsler Ray Morgan Arlene Carr March 9th Ed Nalesnick Michelle Unruh Linda Matchett March 16th Sandi Albertini Ed Gilbert Ed Nalesnick March 23rd Peggy Samarin March 30th Michelle Unruh Acolytes March 2nd Sam & Adam Unruh March 9th Alex & Katie Nemec March 16th Jake Weiler & Luke Gladden March 23rd Samantha Berthold & DJ Slovick March 30th Jillian Panizza & Abby Weiler
Mrs. Kat Rickenback (Friend of Lin Nalesnick) Mrs. Roberta Langer
Mrs. Dorothy Laughlin Mrs. Jo McDowell
Mrs. Jane McRae Mrs. Dorothy Roths
Mr. Chuck Smith, Sr. Mrs. Jean Tucker
Mrs. Dorothy Vermuellen Mrs. Connie Walker
Mr. John Walker Mr. Carl Waspusk
.
Assisted Living /Rehabilitation
Mrs. Naomi Brockman, McMurray Hills Manor, 249 West McMurray Road, McMurray, PA 15317
Mrs. Connie Walker, Helen Purcell Home, Health Care Unit, 1854 Norwood Boulevard, Zanesville, OH 43701
Miss Mary Ann Johnen, Presbyterian Senior Care, South Minster Place, Apartment 336, 880 South Main Street, Washington, PA 15301 Telephone: 724/250-4951
Mrs. Jo McDowell, Golden Living Center of South Hills, Room 203 D, 201 Village Drive, Canonsburg, PA 15317.
Mrs. Hilda Balog, Providence Point Health Care Center, 200 Adams Avenue, Room 139-Memory Support
Unit Pittsburgh, PA 15243.
Mrs. Bea Cerezo, Country Meadows of South Hills, #4, 3570 Washington Pike, Room 414, Bridgeville, PA 15017.
Mrs. Dorothy Roths, Golden Living Center of South Hills, 201 Village Drive, Room 308, Canonsburg, PA 15317. 412/344-9860.
Mrs. Dorothy Laughlin, Molinaro Manor, 100 Rose Court Oakdale, PA 15071 724/693-8325
VFW - LADIES AUXILIARY OF MCDONALD
The Ladies Auxiliary of McDonald is collecting used greeting cards—only the front covers.
These cards will be used to make placemats for several personal care homes in the area. If
you have any card fronts that you would like to donate, please drop them in the box lo-
cated in Calvary’s Parlor. If you have any questions, please contact Barb Powell.
