The Light of

Meridian

Meridian Presbyterian Church

4150 Highland Ave. Butler, PA 16001

724.482.2630 www.meridianpres.org

Pastor Rev. Dr. Stephen Franklin

pastorsteve@meridianpres.org

Dir. of Youth & Family Min.

Mike Barton

mbarton@meridianpres.org

Secretary

TBD

Treasurer

Honey Royer

treasurer@meridianpres.org

Media Director

Laura Franklin

Choir Director

Vicki Georgic

Musician

Debbe Picerno

Custodian

Rob Murtha

Nursery Coordinator

Sarah Murtha

The Lens & Mirror “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NIV)

Our oldest is preparing to head off to Kindergarten this fall. This marks a new

era in the Franklin house, one with mixed emotions. On one hand it is hard to

accept that our little, innocent ones are growing up. On the other hand, our

lives are crazy and chaotic. Getting one of our kids out of the house and on the

bus gives us some relief. Our emotions range from sad to happy, all in a good

way. Our kids are growing up, it’s inevitable, and this is just the beginning of

new milestones.

There are 2 ways for us to respond to these kinds of situations in our lives. We

could live in the negative and think about what we’re losing, or we can focus

on the positives and the wonderous possibilities of what’s next. Joy is not

about being happy all the time. Joy is about hope. Joy is about perspective, that

even in the difficult moments, or sad times in our lives, we have hope about

what is ahead. My joy is not that my son is getting on the bus and out of the

house. My joy is that my son is growing up and a world of possibilities are in

front of him. Yes, there is a healthy dose of fear of what all of that means, but

ultimately, our hope gives us joy.

This month we start a new sermon series on reclaiming joy. Joy can be an

allusive thing in our lives. The culture teaches us that joy is found when we find

ourselves. However, the gospel teaches us that joy is found when we lose

ourselves in Christ. If we want to find joy in our lives we will do so only when

we return our hearts to the joy of our salvation. Friends, “May the God of hope

fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow

with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

In Christ,

Pastor Steve

September 2019

Sunday Morning Services

September

Completing

The Minor Prophets

Grace: The Ultimate Outcome

September 1 “Malachi: He’s Coming”

Focus Passage: Malachi 4:5-6

Secondary Passage: Mark 1:1-8

Synopsis: After the prophet Malachi speaks, it will

be 400 years until Jesus arrives. Malachi reminds the

people that when they believe their faith is strong,

they are at risk of becoming proud and ritualistic.

God requires a sincere heart and a humble walk. Pre-

pare the way, for the Lord is coming.

New Sunday Morning Services

September

Reclaiming Joy

Joy can be an allusive thing in our lives. The culture

teaches us that joy is found when we find ourselves;

however, the gospel teaches us that joy is found

when we lose ourselves in Christ. If we want to find

joy in our lives, we will do so only when we return

our hearts to the joy of our salvation

September 8th

“Restoring Joy”

Focus Passage: Psalm 51:1-13

Secondary Passage: 2 Romans 15:13

Synopsis: Our sin is not a reason for shame for the

promise of the gospel is that we’ve been made clean

by the blood of the lamb. If we’re gong to reclaim

our joy, it begins with repenting of our sins. May our

prayer forever be, “Create in me a clean heart and

renew a right spirit within me. Restore to me the joy

of your salvation.”

September 15th

“Joyful in Hope”

Focus Passage: Romans 12:12-18

Secondary Passage: Proverbs 10:28

Synopsis: Hope is really only hope when

things are hopeless. We always hope for

better things. How we associate with the

world around us and how we live our lives

tells everyone about the joy within us. Re-

claiming joy is about being at peace with

everyone and joyful in hope.

September 22nd

“Rejoice Always”

Focus Passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24

Secondary Passage: Isaiah 12

Synopsis: Scripture teaches us multiple

times that we should ‘rejoice always.’ For

many of us that seems like something easier

said than done. Life is a series of endless

tasks, commitments, and challenges. Life is

filled with moments that just seem like occa-

sions for joy. So what does it really mean

when the Bible tells us to rejoice always. It

means we have to live with joy in all circum-

stances.

September 29th

“Glorious Joy”

Focus Passage: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Secondary Passage: Psalm 30:1-5

Synopsis: We live in a world that teaches us

that the next thing will deliver the joy we de-

sire; however, the gospel teaches us that joy

is already within us. The greatest gift we can

ever receive is the salvation of our souls. For

this reason, we are filled with inexpressible

and glorious joy.

YOUTH GROUP KICK OFF!

Join us September 8th for

a quick parent and youth

meeting at 6:00 PM,

followed by a youth kick

off event until 7:30 PM.

Our youth group ministry

is open to anyone 6th

grade - 12th grade!

Come get the scoop on the

new youth ministries year!

SUNDAY, SEPT. 29th we kick off

CLUB 35! Its back to school

but don’t let that get you

down! Come on out 6-7:30 PM!

There will be lots of fun games

and some food too! Club 35 is

our 3rd—5th grade ministry!

Back to school means we are kicking off a lot of

children and youth ministry activities! So mark your

calendars and get ready for a fun year!

Keep up to date on our web page:

www.meridianpres.org

Youth Group September Calendar:

Sunday, 9/8 6 PM Youth Group Kick Off

Sunday, 9/15 8:45 AM Pack Community

Lunches and pass

them out after

church!

Sunday, 9/22 6 PM Youth Group

Sunday, 9/29 12 PM Fun event after

Sunday School is BACK!

9:45 AM - 10:45 AM There are Sunday

school classes for all ages!

9:45 AM Ages Preschool - 5th Grade will

start with singing with Debbe and Vicki!

They will begin practicing songs for this

years Christmas Pageant right away! The

pageant will be the Family Christmas Din-

ner Entertainment this year!

September Celebrations Happy Birthday

9/2 Evan Palmiero 9/5 Bernie Baker Jim Preston Deklan Raddatz Ken Wehr 9/6 Susan Mossgrove 9/7 MacKenna Wickline 9/8 Barbra Karner 9/9 George Cygan Michelle Doutt 9/11 Quinn Rishor 9/13 Alaina Shiever 9/14 Sarah Preston 9/17 Karen Laughner 9/20 Ed Gilliland Jackie Wells 9/24 Bob Orsborn 9/29 Evan Mikan Mark Monnie Kurt Rishor

Happy Anniversary

9/7 Todd & Katie Schultz 9/12 Cole & Kala Siefker 9/14 Randy & Karen Laughner 9/17 Kurt & Elizabeth Rishor 9/18 Steve & Katie Rauschenberger 9/21 Bill & Gail Raley 9/27 Mark & Ann Marie Monnie Dan & Carla Rearick If your birthday or anniversary is missing or incorrect, please call the office (724-482-2630) so it can it can be corrected. Thank you!

July 2019

Giving 19,591.28

YTD Actual 149,911.94

YTD Budget 165,284.00

Over (Under) 15,372.06

.

Notes from the Session:

• Approved the baptisms of Levi and Ryan

McGeeney

• Continued to meet with our vision team for

Flourishing Church

• Will resume monthly meetings in September.

Thank you and farewell:

Thank you to so many who have been kind and

friendly to me during my time as Church Secre-

tary. I will miss seeing you. Stop in at Rep. Mus-

tello’s office , where I will be working part time,

to say hello.

Fondly, Jean Garrett

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 9:45 AM Sun-

day School

11 AM Worship

2 3 12 Noon--

Bible Study

1 PM Quilting

6:30 PM Deacons

and Trustees meet

4 8 AM Coffee and

Conversation

5

6 PM Bells

7 PM Choir

6 7

8 9:45 AM Sun-

day School

11 AM Worship

9

6:30 PM Men’s

Study

1012 Noon--

Bible Study

1 PM Quilting

6:30 PM Session

meets

11

8 AM Coffee and

Conversation

12

6 PM Bells

7 PM Choir

13 14

15 9:45 AM

Sunday School

11 AM Worship

Community Lunch

16 17 12 Noon--

Bible Study

1 PM Quilting

18

8 AM Coffee and

Conversation

Community

Dinner

19

6 PM Bells

7 PM Choir

20 21

22 9:45 AM

Sunday School

11 AM Worship

23

6:30 PM Men’s

Study

24 12 Noon--

Bible Study

1 PM Quilting

25

8 AM Coffee and

Conversation

26

6 PM Bells

7 PM Choir

27 28

29 9:45 AM

Sunday School

11 AM Worship

30

10 AM—2 PM

Sewing Group

September 2019

Meridian Presbyterian Church 4150 Highland Avenue Butler, PA 16001

Regular Worship Hours Resume

Sunday School begins at 9:45 AM

Worship begins at 11 AM

——————————————————

All Church Retreat

October 11-13

at Seneca Hills in Franklin