The Messenger Newsletter of The Church of the Covenant April 2018 The Church of the Covenant 267 East Beau St. Washington, PA 15301 724.222.0190 [email protected]www.churchofthecov.org Worship Services Sundays: 8:30, 9:43 & 11:00am SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES Adult Sunday School 9:15, 9:30 & 11 am Children’s Church 9:45 am Children’s Sunday School 11 am Church Office Hours Mon.-Fri. 9:00a.m. - 3:00 p.m. April 2018 STAFF Dr. Stuart D. Broberg Pastor, Head of Staff 724-222-0190 x 117 [email protected]Rev. Kay Balderose Minister of Christian Education 724-222-0190 x115 [email protected]Jessica Hickman Director of Christian Education [email protected]Debi Nicolella Church Administrator 724-222-0190 x 112 [email protected]Anthony Nicolella Financial Administrator Darla Pepper-Miller Director of Music Ministry 724-222-0190 x 118 [email protected]Ralph Farabee Maintenance Supervisor 724-222-0190 x 119 Cyndi Barney Church Sexton 724-222-0190 x 119 Camille Braun Pre-School Director 724-222-0190 x 121 [email protected]Pat Sanders Administrative Assistant 724-222-0190 x 112 Debbie Miles 9:43 Music Coordinator [email protected]Tyler Stacy - Interim Young Adult Contemporary Music Leader Kayla Goncalves - Music & Youth Intern Rev. Randall V. Boyer Associate Pastor Emeritus “LET THERE BE LIGHT!” Genesis 1: 3-4 Dearly beloved, Thank you so much for being open to be part of what God is doing in our midst through the upcoming Capital Campaign. I am calling it “Let there be Light!” based on the creation story of God’s creative act of speaking a Word, calling the light into being, and overcoming the world’s darkness through His light and that of His Son, Jesus Christ, the LIGHT of the world. (Genesis 1: 3-4 & John 8: 12) We will be shining light through our stained glass windows. We will be shining light through the lives of little children in our preschool. We will be shining light into a darkening world, increasingly unsafe, to make certain our people and our children are secure and that they find “sanctuary” with us in church. Our three-fold emphasis: 1. Stained Glass Preservation 2. Sustaining our Preschool 3. Safety in Church!!!!! It will be fast-paced and we will all have to pull together to make this happen. But it should start on April 1 st and be largely over by July 2018. Our campaign committee consists of the best and the brightest of leadership at The Church of the Covenant. We have an extraordinarily generous congregation. We have an established track record of success through our previous “Light the Fire” Campaign. And we have a loving and giving God who provides. My hope and prayer is that as we look back over this campaign, from the hindsight of late summer, we will all be delighted at what the Lord has accomplished through us. In my opinion, and in the Session’s opinion, this is precisely the kind of big task our congregation needs, at just exactly the right time, to enliven the church, and reignite the fire of faith in our hearts. I believe that God has spoken and has told us to proceed with these projects. God speaks “Let there be light!” And “there is light” –Indeed it does happen, because God is behind it. “And God saw that it was GOOD” And it will be a good thing for us at The Church of the Covenant, a source of our unity, strength and faithfulness. That’s what Genesis 1: 3-4 promises. Thank you, dear friends, for your willingness to step forward in this important way. God bless you and keep you. Your friend and pastor, Stu GOOD FRIDAY Noon Worship Service at The Foot of the Cross. Pastor Kay will be preaching. EASTER WORSHIP SERVICES Sunday, April 1 - EASTER SUNDAY “He is Risen!!” Worship at 8:30, 9:43 and 11:00 a.m. ~ New Members received. Sunday school classes will not meet on Easter so that families can worship together.
[email protected] Tyler Stacy - Interim Young Adult Contemporary Music Leader Kayla Goncalves - Music & Youth Intern
Rev. Randall V. Boyer
Associate Pastor Emeritus
“LET THERE BE LIGHT!” Genesis 1: 3-4
Dearly beloved,
Thank you so much for being open to be part of what God is doing in our midst through the upcoming Capital Campaign. I am calling it “Let there be Light!” based on the creation story of God’s creative act of speaking a Word, calling the light into being, and overcoming the world’s darkness through His light and that of His Son, Jesus Christ, the LIGHT of the world. (Genesis 1: 3-4 & John 8: 12)
We will be shining light through our stained glass windows. We will be shining light through the lives of little children in our preschool. We will be shining light into a darkening world, increasingly unsafe, to make certain our people and our children are secure and that they find “sanctuary” with us in church.
It will be fast-paced and we will all have to pull together to make this happen. But it should start on April 1st and be largely over by July 2018. Our campaign committee consists of the best and the brightest of leadership at The Church of the Covenant. We have an extraordinarily generous congregation. We have an established track record of success through our previous “Light the Fire” Campaign. And we have a loving and giving God who provides.
My hope and prayer is that as we look back over this campaign, from the hindsight of late summer, we will all be delighted at what the Lord has accomplished through us. In my opinion, and in the Session’s opinion, this is precisely the kind of big task our congregation needs, at just exactly the right time, to enliven the church, and reignite the fire of faith in our hearts.
I believe that God has spoken and has told us to proceed with these projects. God speaks “Let there be light!” And “there is light” –Indeed it does happen, because God is behind it. “And God saw that it was GOOD” And it will be a good thing for us at The Church of the Covenant, a source of our unity, strength and faithfulness. That’s what Genesis 1: 3-4 promises.
Thank you, dear friends, for your willingness to step forward in this important way. God bless you and keep you.
Your friend and pastor, Stu
GOOD FRIDAY Noon Worship Service at The Foot of the Cross. Pastor Kay will be preaching.
EASTER WORSHIP SERVICES Sunday, April 1 - EASTER SUNDAY “He is Risen!!”
Worship at 8:30, 9:43 and 11:00 a.m. ~ New Members received.
Sunday school classes will not meet on Easter so that families can worship together.
The Messenger 2 APRIL 2018
NEWS FROM THE FAMILY OF FAITH
USHER TEAM 5 IS ON FOR APRIL
Steve Johnson Don Grimm Bob Johnson
Pam Kushner Kim O’Donnell Mark O’Donnell
Jim Simonini Bob Weber Barb Weber
United With the Church Triumphant
FUNERALS Brian Scott Thompson (member) died on Tuesday,
February 20, 2018. A funeral service was held at the Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Home on Saturday, February 24, with
the Rev. Dr. Stuart D. Broberg officiating.
In Memory Of
Brian Thompson Mission Committee Sara E. Smith
Lorrene Bowen
Memorial Fund Sally & Tom Bagley
Memorial Fund Peters Township High School Class of 1959 Reunion Committee
Dottie Bowers Memorial Garden Jerry and Karen Davison
In Honor Of
Charles Bowers Memorial Garden Jerry and Karen Davison
BAPTISMS Baptized on Sunday, March 18, 2018,
Serafina Elizabeth DiGiovanni,
born October 10, 2017. She is the infant daughter of Corey and Jennifer (Bednar) DiGiovanni and the great
granddaughter of church member Jane Goddard.
Baptized on Sunday, March 25, 2018,
Sailor James Knox,
born August 9, 2017, he is the infant son of Klinton and
Cecilia Knox.
Dr. Stuart D. Broberg officiated both baptisms.
FELLOWSHIP OF CONCERN For prayer support or to join this ministry, call the church
office. Please contact the Fellowship of
Concern to give the names of those who are in need of prayer for health or other reasons. The names will then be called or emailed to the church members who pray daily for others. Prayer request forms are available in each pew.
Completed forms may be placed in the
offering basket on Sunday.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE
MAKES PLANS
The “Let there be Light!” Campaign that the Ses-sion approved at its March meeting began as the Cam-paign Committee met and set plans for April through June 2018. It will be a quick but important campaign similar to the “Light the Fire” Campaign of 2011. The target is $538,000 but the total may be higher if there is additional interest in setting up named endowments. The list of important items to be funded includes three Session priorities: 1) An extensive renovation process for our stained glass windows; 2) endowment support to sustain our excellent Church of the Covenant Preschool; and 3) projects that will update the church internet accessibility and upgrade considerably the church safety and security measures. The Campaign Committee plans a series of informa-tional lunches after church on Sundays and encourages the congregation to attend and hear more about these im-portant projects. Those lunches begin on Sunday, April 8th after Easter.
April 8: The Stained Glass Window Project
April 15: Support for our Preschool
April 29: Mission/New Testament Mission in Haiti
May 6: One Big Old Wiring Project/Security
May 20: College of Elders Luncheon
The campaign kicks off with a special Moment for Mission on Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018 by Chair, Elder Steve Johnson The Session approved the following people for the Campaign Committee: John Artuso, Missy Artuso, Fred
Boni, Cathie Boni, Gordon Core, Lois Core, Tom Gladden, Rachel Gladden, Steve Johnson, Lucy Johnson, Steve Marriner, Linda Marriner, Rev. Dr. Stuart D. Broberg,, Debi Nicolella, staff.
Please be in prayer for the committee and our church at this important time.
APRIL PREACHING AND WORSHIP SCHEDULE
April 1, 2018 WHAT IT MEANS TO LIVE FOREVER The power of the resurrection is
Easter Sunday 2 Corinthians 4: 13-18 & John 14: 1-6 surrounding us on Easter. Do we want
Pastor Stu preaching “This slight momentary affliction…” to live forever and can we see our
2 Corinthians 4: 17 lifetime as a speck in time on our
Eternal life? The things we see pass
Away; the things unseen are eternal!
April 8, 2018 SERMONS IN GLASS Our stained glass windows and their
Eastertide 5 Strategic Sermons for Today need for renovation. Our lives as
Pastor Stu preaching John 8: 12 prisms for the light of Christ. Our
“I am the light of the world” v. 12 “stained” glass needs to be cleaned
and repaired also, so Jesus might
shine through us.
Sermon series on FIVE STRATEGIC SERMONS, key issues we need to address today to assure a glorious and faithful future
for The Church of the Covenant tomorrow. Come to church for the luncheon following at 12:15 p.m. where we will also
have an important presentation on the preservation of our stained glass windows.
April 15, 2018 SANCTUARY The idea of church as “sanctuary”, a
Ministry of Music “Five Strategic Sermons for Today” safe place amidst the storms in life. The
Pastor Stu preaching Psalm 27: 1-6 & 13-14 absolute need for security in our church
“The Lord is the stronghold of my life” and to keep our people and children
Psalm 27: 1 safe and secure. The promise of God of
The “stronghold”, strong tower, and
Sanctuary of our life.
Recognition and thanks to our wonderful music program for providing praise leadership and beautiful and memorable
moments of intimacy with God with song.
Stay after church for a luncheon in the small dining room and hear an important presentation on our need to support our
wonderful Preschool in order to keep it “The Best of the Best” and sustain this important outreach and mission to our
community in the future.
April 22, 2018 I AM THEY The important passing of the mantle of
“Five Strategic Sermons for Today”
Get Involved Sunday 2 Kings 2: 6-15 leadership and authority to a new
“let me inherit a double share of your and rising generation of leadership.
Spirit.” The story of Elijah and Elisha.
The Session response to the HOLY COW! Survey. All age groups in the church want there to be new and younger people
raised up in membership and leadership at our church. There are 30% of our congregation who would like to be involved
but don’t know how or where. Plan #1: have easy ways for people to learn about opportunities to serve and offer them
easy ways to sign up. VOILA! Get Involved Sunday has many ways to get involved through the church. All Sunday
morning a Rolling Brunch and involvement tables in the Commons Area.
April 29, 2018 PILE OF COMMEMORATION STONES Building a new church building in Haiti
“Five Strategic Sermons for Today” as a commemoration to what God has
1 Samuel 6: 20-7:13 done in our midst. Let us raise our
“Hitherto the Lord has helped us” Ebenezers to the Lord in thanks to Him!
1 Samuel 7: 12
The Session plan to help the New Testament Mission Church in LaCroix, Haiti build a new sanctuary, where the old one’s
foundations are cracked and crumbling. Church buildings as signs and symbols of
God’s blessings over the years. Come to a luncheon after church in the Small Dining Room to hear more about the plans
to help Haiti and to send a team to LaCroix to help with the new church project.
The Messenger 3 APRIL 2018
DEADLINE FOR THE May
MESSENGER Is April 15th.
The Messenger 4 APRIL 2018
PARISH NURSE
CORNER
Facing surgery? Been
told you have a serious
health issue? Don’t be
afraid to get a second opinion-especially if you
doctor shares troubling news or you want to
make sure you understand the diagnosis and
treatment. You owe it to yourself.
When to seek a second opinion:
1. The diagnosis is not clear. You must
understand what you are being told.
2. You have to have a serious, non-
emergency surgery. In fact, your insurance
company may require a second opinion.
3. You feel you are not being heard or your
doctor is not listening to your questions or
concerns.
4. Treatment seems “nontraditional” or seems
to differ from more standard medical
practices. 5. Intuition is telling you so; if
you have a feeling the diagnosis isn’t
correct or there are better options available.
Any questions? Please contact me at 724-263-
7911. My office hours are most Sundays from
9:30-11am in the second-floor office suite.
Good health to all, Linda Grimm, RN, Parish
Nurse
MISSION
MATTERS The Turning Point At Washington
Most of us reach turning points in our lives with our faith, families, careers, jobs, and beliefs. A turning point is a juncture when we decide to go a different direction (preferably a positive one) from the way we have done things in the past. One of the organizations in Washington that Church of the Covenant supports with its Mission donations recognizes the importance of positive turning points through its name and its actions in the community. “The Turning Point at Washington” is an organization that provides a continuum of care for women, age 18 and older, who are recovering addicts and alcoholics suffering from the debilitating effects of those diseases. Turning Points’ goal is to offer an opportunity for its clients to be aided and supported in addiction recovery. Turning Points’ facilities consist of five properties in the Washington community. Founded in 1991 by Patricia Lutz, who still is its chief operator, the organization has served as an anchor of hope for those in addiction recovery and as a stabilizing force in the neighborhood in which it is located. With a professional workforce of fifteen people and an annual operating budget nearing $450,000 for all current programs, the Turning Point staff implements a program of recovery designed to address the individual woman’s physical, emotional, spiritual and vocational needs through:
Counseling- Each resident receives individual and group counseling to address the issues that contributed to or stem from her addiction as well as education about the disease of addiction.
Life Skills- Developing responsibility and improving self-esteem are goals underlying each woman’s treatment
plan. After an introductory, each resident is expected to find and maintain full-time employment in the community. She must con-tribute to the cost of her treatment, perform household chores, and help with cooking for herself and the other residents and participate in governing of the household.
12 Step Groups- All residents are expected to become ac-tive and participate in the local 12 step communities.
Since 1991 The Turning Point at Washington has served over one thousand women in its residential treatment facilities. In the last four years, over 40% of the ladies served have remained drug-free as they successfully completed their time in the pro-gram—a benchmark in which Turning Point is justifiably proud.
Our church has provided $5,000.00 in donations to Turning Point in the last 10 years in an effort to help them with an important mission that matters by aiding people at a positive turning point in
ANNUAL VENDOR AND
CRAFT FAIR Please join us on April 28th for our 7th annual event to support the Ronceverte, WV Mission Trip. We will have vendors and crafts galore as well as our famous Chinese Auction. If you would like to be a Vendor (as long as there is not a duplication) or donate something to the Chinese Auction, please contact Patty Mounts ([email protected] ) or Deb Evans ( [email protected]). Then we have Carol’s Café where you can purchase a light lunch while you shop. Stop by to look at the hanging baskets available from Stimmel’s Nurs-eryDon’t forget about the bake sale… some of our finest goodies will be on display for your enjoyment. So rain or shine, come to The Church of the Covenant on April 28th from 9 am
to 3 pm and help support our Mission Team!!
The Messenger 5 APRIL 2018
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ACTIVITIES
OUR CHURCH PRESCHOOL UPDATE!
IT’S TIME FOR OUR…TEXAS ROADHOUSE FUNDRAISER
WHEN: APRIL 26TH
TIME: 11:00-2:00
COST: $10.00 PER PERSON
CHILDREN 3-10 $5.00
WHERE: TEXAS ROADHOUSE
STRABANE SQUARE Tickets include Buffet Lunch of Pulled Pork, Green Beans, Pasta, Salad, Rolls, Butter, Drinks,
and Dessert. (60% of ticket sales goes to our Preschool)
There will also be a Chinese Auction full of wonderful Gift Baskets!
Please join us for lunch on April 26th. Tickets can be purchased by calling Camille at
724-222-0190 ext or stopping by the Preschool.
THE COVENANT YOUTH
MIDDLE SCHOOL MINISTRY
Greetings from all of us at the Covenant Youth Ministry Middle School Youth Group! We hope you’ve had the op-portunity to join us for some fun recently. As always, we welcome 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students to join us for our weekly youth group gatherings, as well as our monthly fun events. Contact Dave by phone or text (412-848-1804) if you need additional information. You can also check us out on the web by visiting www.covenantyouthministry.org. The “Recharge ‘18” retreat occurred on the last weekend of February as we traveled to Oglebay Park in Wheeling, West Virginia. Our cabins were spacious and cozy, allowing us to warm up by a fire on a cold night while we played some games and enjoyed spending time together. During our weekend together, we had time to explore God’s word as we focused on our theme from Romans 12:2 ------“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind………” We discussed how we avoid conforming to the world around us, how we can be transformed in our actions and thinking, and ways our mind can be renewed………while looking at some thought-provoking video clips, and playing some crazy, fun games! Of course, we also found time to visit the Good Zoo and swim in the indoor pool at Wilson Lodge. Next, we hope to see some of our Youth Group friends reg-istering for a great week of summer camp at Pine Springs Camp! We have been joined in our Youth Group events by senior high leader Todd Bright and our college intern Kayla Gon-calves. We have enjoyed having them spend time with us, and the challenging insights Kayla has brought to our learning and sharing times. Please consider joining us for some (or all) of the following April events: Sunday, April 1 ----- Easter Sunday – No Youth Group gathering Sunday, April 8 ----- Youth Group Gathering (6:00pm – 7:45pm) Sunday, April 15 ---- Adventure Day at Pine Springs Camp (12noon – 8:30pm) $25 per student; advance registration and payment is required. Contact Dave at 412-848-1804 for forms, or visit the youth group website at www.covenantyouthministry.org and look on the “Forms and Notices” tab for release forms.
Sunday, April 22 ----- Youth Group Gathering (6:00pm – 7:45pm) Sunday, April 29 ----- Youth Group Gathering (6:00pm – 7:45pm) Sunday, May 6 ----- Youth Group Gathering (6:00pm – 7:45pm) Final Sunday Youth Group for the school year Friday, May 11 ----- “Fun Fore All” End-of-School-Year Trip, Cranberry, PA (5:30pm – 11:30pm Save the Date! Details soon. We will enjoy mini-golf, go-karts, batting cages, bumper boats, pizza & soda!!
The Messenger 6 APRIL 2018
OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHRISTIAN GROWTH
Upcoming Adult Education Class: Bible Basics: The Old Testament for Beginners - Old Testament study can
seem like a scary entry into a complex maze of strange names and odd, unfamiliar places. Let's break down the Old
Testament into more easily understood parts, learning to get comfortable with its books, revisiting some favorite stories
of apples and axes, giants and generations - and seeing how Holy Spirit connects these many parts into a beautiful
whole. Rev. Craig Kephart, Executive Presbyter of Washington Presbytery, and his wife Kathy will be leading this
class on Thursday evenings, April 19, 26, and May 3, 10, 17.
WOMEN IN THE WOODS at Pine Springs Camp April 6 – 8, 2018
This retreat, offered by Pine Springs Camp, is designed to be physically and spiritually refreshing for women of all ages. The teaching will be incredible, and the retreat will be packed with great singing, fun, laughter and fellowship. The retreat will run from Friday evening and end Sunday morning, culminating with a special worship service on Sunday morning. This year’s speaker is Kelly Knapp; her theme is “Grace Upon Grace: John 1:16.” Many women from COTC are already planning to attend! You can be part of the fun! See Pastor Kay, Beth Smith, call or email Debi Nicolella in the office –724-222-0190 x 112 or [email protected] - for a complete brochure and more details. This retreat fills up fast, so we want to reserve our cabin as soon as possible.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ACTIVITIES (continued)
Club 56 We only have a few meetings left this school year! We will be meeting April 8th and April 29th at 4-5:30. May 20th will be our final meeting and we will be celebrating…celebrating all of
our youth moving to the Middle School Youth Group and welcoming those joining us next year! Join us! We would like to thank everyone for the donations for the Easter basket for WCO! We were able to fill 27 children’s Easter baskets and 10 family meal baskets. Any questions please contact Jessica for more infor-mation ([email protected], 724-222-0190
CARE PACKAGES FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
After the Holiday/New Year break, the stretch until Spring Break can be dreary for college students. The Deacons want to help by sending college students from our congregation a CARE package, to let them know their church family is thinking of them and praying for them. In the past, the Deacons have sent each student a box with snacks to enjoy or share with friends, along with a handwritten note card. If you have a college student who is away from home and would appreciate receiving a box from their church family, please send the student’s name and address to the church office by April 4th. Email to [email protected] or by phone at 724-222-0190.
CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday School…What’s Happening, Upstairs! Can you believe that it is already April? As our schedules become busy with spring activities, please remember to keep Sun-day school as a priority for your family. We have had such a fun year and will end with Shake It Up Café; Where Kids Carry Out God’s Recipe. There will be time for 2 Bible bites. The two lessons will be Israelites Celebrate Passover (Exodus 13:3-10) and Festival Celebrations for the Israelites (Leviticus 23). May 20th will be our final meeting this school year and we will be having an Ex-travaganza in the Covenant center with games, activities, and snacks. Be on the lookout…our children will be shar-ing the Old Testament books of the Bible song soon dur-ing worship!
Covenant Carnival Day:
Our Faith is Over the Top
Mark your calendars! Covenant
Carnival Day: Our Faith is Over
the Top is coming Saturday, May 5th from 9-12. All children are welcome! We look forward to a great morning of carnival games and a visit from Godwin! Please contact Jessica for more information or to volunteer ([email protected], 724-222-0190 ext. 111).
The Messenger 7 APRIL 2018
DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR APRIL
Sunday, April 1-Easter
Exod. 12:1–14 John 1:1–18 or Isa. 51:9–11 Luke 24:13–35 or John 20:19–23
Monday, April 2
Exod. 12:14–27 1 Cor. 15:1–11 Mark 16:1–8 Tuesday, April 3
Exod. 12:28–39 1 Cor. 15:12–28 Mark 16:9–20 Wednesday, April 4
Exod. 12:40–51 1 Cor. 15:(29) 30–41 Matt. 28:1–16
Thursday, April 5
Exod. 13:3–10 1 Cor. 15:41–50 Matt. 28:16–20 Friday, April 6
Exod. 13:1–2, 11–16 1 Cor. 15:51–58 Luke 24:1–12 Saturday, April 7
Exod. 13:17–14:4 2 Cor. 4:16–5:10 Mark 12:18–27
Sunday, April 8
Exod. 14:5–22 1 John 1:1–7 John 14:1–7 Monday, April 9
Exod. 14:21–31 1 Peter 1:1–12 John 14:(1–7) 8–17
Tuesday, April 10
Exod. 15:1–21 1 Peter 1:13–25 John 14:18–31 Wednesday, April 11
Exod. 15:22–16:10 1 Peter 2:1–10 John 15:1–11 Thursday, April 12
Exod. 16:10–22 1 Peter 2:11–3:12 John 15:12–27
Friday, April 13
Exod. 16:23–36 1 Peter 3:13–4:6 John 16:1–15 Saturday, April 14
Exod. 17:1–16 1 Peter 4:7–19 John 16:16–33
Sunday, April 15
Exod. 18:1–12 1 John 2:7–17 Mark 16:9–20
Monday, April 16
Exod. 18:13–27 1 Peter 5:1–14 Matt. (1:1–17) 3:1–6 Tuesday, April 17
Exod. 19:1–16 Col. 1:1–14 Matt. 3:7–12
Wednesday, April 18
Exod. 19:16–25 Col. 1:15–23 Matt. 3:13–17 Thursday, April 19
Exod. 20:1–21 Col. 1:24–2:7 Matt. 4:1–11 Friday, April 20
Exod. 24:1–18 Col. 2:8–23 Matt. 4:12–17
Saturday, April 21
Exod. 25:1–22 Col. 3:1–17 Matt. 4:18–25 Sunday, April 22
Exod. 28:1–4, 30–38 1 John 2:18–29 Mark 6:30–44
Monday, April 23
Exod. 32:1–20 Col. 3:18–4:6 (7–18) Matt. 5:1–10
Tuesday,
April 24
Exod. 32:21–34 1 Thess. 1:1–10 Matt. 5:11–16 Wednesday, April 25
Exod. 33:1–23 1 Thess. 2:1–12 Matt. 5:17–20 Thursday, April 26
Exod. 34:1–17 1 Thess. 2:13–20 Matt. 5:21–26
Friday, April 27
Exod. 34:18–35 1 Thess. 3:1–13 Matt. 5:27–37 Saturday, April 28
Exod. 40:18–38 1 Thess. 4:1–12 Matt. 5:38–48 Sunday, April 29
Lev. 8:1–13, 30–36 Heb. 12:1–14 Luke 4:16–30
Monday, April 30
Lev. 16:1–19 1 Thess. 4:13–18 Matt. 6:1–6, 16–18
APRIL BIRTHDAYS
Jean Hanas 4/03 Megan Sutton 4/03 Nicholas Wall 4/03 Billy Proudfit 4/04 Barbara Piatt 4/05 Nancy Bernett 4/05 Joseph Di Pietro 4/05 Sarah Cole 4/05 Barbara Baughman 4/06 Stephanie Silbaugh 4/06 Michael Spiegel 4/06 Jessica Kosco 4/06 Debbie Knestrick 4/08 Cory Cook 4/08 Rae Dawn Guyton 4/09
Niki Ewing-Davis 4/09 Lynn Marie Day 4/09 Caitlin Scott 4/09
Jane Barnickel 4/10 Emily Yukish 4/11 Kenneth Watson 4/12 Dominic Clutter 4/12 Pat Sanders 4/13 John Pankopf 4/13 April Batove 4/13 Michelle McCarrell 4/13 MaryAnna McNeel 4/14 Ashley Bashioum 4/15 Tara Knight 4/15 Christopher Knight 4/17
Susan Kepler 4/18 Colton Clingermanstang 4/18 Jason Piatt, 4/19 Lindsay Smith 4/19 Edward Phillips 4/20 Cathy Zuback 4/20 April Betzner 4/21 Karen Suzanne Orr 4/21 Marian Keisling 4/22 Donna Sukel 4/22 Brooke Kearns 4/22 April Devenney 4/22 Denny Denmead 4/23 Rachel Phillips 4/23 James Little 4/24
Jack Piatt, III 4/24 Jessica Kearns 4/24 Travis Nassar 4/24 Steven Aloia 4/25 Norma Koman 4/26 Stephen Spiegel 4/26 Jane Wagner 4/28 Joseph Jefferys 4/28 Doug Locy 4/28 Dayne Warren 4/28 Sarina Jones 4/29 Noah Johnson 4/30
The Messenger 8 APRIL 2018
SESSION APPROVES MAJOR RENONVATION PROJECT
FOR STAINED GLASS WINDOWS
The Session at its March Regular Meeting approved the proposal of Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studios of $254,000 in order to do major renovation work on the stained glass windows in the sanctuary. The stained glass has deteriorated significantly under the Lexan protective covering. Caulking and caming are deteriorating and much is even falling out and needs to be replaced. In the Commons area is a basket of recently swept up caulking that has fallen out just recently. The Session has approved The Pittsburgh Stained Glass Stu-dio plan and copies are available through the church office. A generous donor has pledged $100,000 toward this project. Pittsburgh Stained Glass originally installed the stain glass in 1929. The grandson of the man who was in charge of the installation in 1929 will be in charge of the project in 2018. The company still has boxes of the original glass which it can use to replace individual pieces as part of this process. They still have the original sketches and plans for the original project which also can be viewed by the congregation. The Building and Grounds Committee is in charge of the process and they have appointed church member, Bill Wilson, who has great expertise in this area, to supervise the project for the church. If sufficient funds are avail-able it is envisioned that the project could commence late summer of 2018. We need the congregation’s understanding and support. So we invite you to come to church on Sunday, April 8th where there will be special Moments for Mission at all three services, and an information luncheon in the Dining Room at 12:15 p.m. Please call the church office or sign up in the Welcome Center to attend.
Associate Pastor Nominating Committee According to Chair Elder Kim O’Donnell the APNC is making excellent progress. The Mission Information Form is approved by the Committee on Ministry of Washington Presbytery. They have it listed on the Church Leadership Connection, the website through the denomination, and have begun to receive dossiers of inter-ested candidates. Copies of the job description and the Mission Information Form are available through the church office. The APNC is resourced through our consultant, The Rev. Bruce Stevens, the retired head of the Synod of the Trinity in Pennsylvania. As a reminder, the Committee on Ministry has given permission for Pastor Kay Balderose to be a candidate for the called and installed Associate Pastor position. The APNC asks for the congregation to be in prayer for them as they begin the actual interviewing process. If questions, please speak to Kim O’Donnell or any mem-ber of the APNC. Committee members include: Kim O’Donnell (Chair), Terri Grantz, Harriett Johnson, An-drew Kluczan, Paul Phillips, Pat Sanders, Sara Smith.
Director of Youth Ministry (Interim) The Personnel Committee has approved a job descrip-tion for a Director of Youth Ministry with a goal of having the new person in place by the summer of 2018. Dave Narigon who has served well and faithfully as our Interim Director of Middle School Ministry his contract is up at the end of May, as is our wonderful and faithful Music and Youth Intern, Kayla Goncalves. So we need to move forward with next steps to assure staffing for the fall of 2018. The job description is available through the church office. The position is interim rather than permanent because we want to include the process of the Ministry Architects consultants into the mix of drafting the permanent job de-scription. That process will not conclude until the Fall of 2019, at the earliest. The search committee is seeking recommendations. You may contact Elder Sue Denmead, Chair of Personnel, or Elder Pat Boyer, Personnel Committee member, with suggestions.
SEARCH PROCESSES MAKE IMPORTANT PROGRESS
Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm and Sunday 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
THE CARNAHAN LIBRARY Dedicated on 11/1/09 to the memory of Thomas Dorrington Carnahan II,
Thomas Dorrington Carnahan III, George Kirk Carnahan and to the glory of God.
The following books were donated to the library. The Library
Committee thanks the donors. All have been cataloged and are
ready to be checked out. The library is in Room 308, the first
room on the right as you enter the third floor hallway from the
elevator. The card catalog will help you to locate a book by
author, title or subject.
The following gently used book was donated by Connie Hornickel:
The Lemon Tree: An Arab, A Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East by Sandy Tolan. This non-fiction book takes place in the summer of 1967, not long after the Six Day War. Three young Arab men go to the town of Ramla, in what is now Jewish Israel. The men had returned to see their childhood homes from which their families and they had to flee 20 years earlier when the state of Israel was created. Bashir, one of the men, was invited into his old home by a young Jewish woman named Dalia. Thus begins a dialogue of 4 decades that represents the region’s hope for peace and self-determination. (The book has received many positive re-
views.)
The following gently used books (2) were donated by Helen Crawford
(Barb Knight’s cousin):
With Open Hands by Henri J.M. Nouwen. The topic of this book is prayer. Before beginning the manuscript, Nouwen in-vited 25 theology students to participate in seven meetings to further discuss the topic. His writing occurred after that. He also had two photographers contribute black and white pictures taken of people in moments of prayer. There is an Introduction fol-lowed by 5 chapters focusing on prayer and ending with a Con-clusion. It’s an unique way to look and study prayer. (The library has a collection of Nouwen books.)
C. S. Lewis: Images of His World by Douglas Gilbert and Clyde S. Kilby. This book offers a wonderful way to study Lewis’s life. It opens with a section “From Atheist to Christian” which de-scribes his life from childhood to age 31 when he at last accepted that “God is God”. The book then turns to a picture study of his life beginning with his early years in Belfast, the other places he lived, the places where he was educated, the years of his mar-riage and ending with his death on November 22, 1963, a week before his 65th birthday. At the end of the book is “A Lewis Chronology” which lists the highlights of his life. (The library
has many of Lewis’s books.)
The following gently used books were donated anonymously. The
Library Committee thanks the donors.
Look to the Hills by Mary Jean Bonar (Book 1 of The West Hope
Trilogy) This story takes place in the green hills of PA. The main charac-ter is a woman named Janine Stephens. She is the director of music at her church for which she wears many hats and she had just agreed to be the president of the Women’s Association.
Fortunately, her children are grown and have left home but her schedule remains very full. She is struggling with many changes in her life and she prays that the Spirit will guide her way.
Blessed Abundantly by Mary Jean Bonar (Book 2 of the West
Hope Trilogy) Janine Stephens and her husband become better acquainted with some of their neighbors. Soon, a girl from France named Claire will be a part of their lives for awhile. Also a group of elderly ladies discover that pleasant things come to those who believe and keep the faith.
Go Forth by Mary Jean Bonar (Book 3 of the West Hope Trilogy) Janine is once again a main character. This book, like the others, demonstrates clearly that God has a plan for the lives of Chris-tians. If we stop long enough to listen and learn of God’s plan, put the plan to work in His name, there are ‘overflowing’ re-wards.
The Aviator’s Wife by Melanie Benjamin. Anne Morrow meets Colonel Charles Lindberg after his famous solo flight across the Atlantic. They marry and Anne becomes known only as the aviator’s wife. Their life together has its highs and lows. Even-tually she becomes more independent and begins to explore life’s possibilities for change and happiness.
Between Earth and Sky by Karen Osborn. This novel is about a woman named Abigail who after the Civil War, leaves her home state of VA with her family and travels to NM in a covered wagon. In their new home, they find that they face greater hard-ships such as the danger of Indians, the constant search for food and other necessities and the loneliness of living on the plains. For more than 60 years from 1867-1930, she writes letters to her sister back in VA. In time, Abigail grows to love her new home and environment.
The Witness by Sandra Brown. Kendall Deaton is the best pub-lic defender in a small town in SC. She stumbles upon the town’s chilling secret which turns her marriage to one of the town’s most powerful men into a dangerous situation for her child and her. So she decides to flee her marriage and the town. It’s described by one reviewer as a page-turner.
A Short History of Almost Everything by Bill Bryson. It’s appar-ent that the author has done a lot of research to put this book to-gether. Because Bryson writes his books in a readable way, the contents would appeal to anyone interested in science and to any-one who doesn’t know much about science. Some of the sec-tions are “Lost in the Cosmos”, “The Size of the Earth”, “Dangerous Planet” and “Life Itself”. (Bryson usually writes
about his travels in parts of the world such as England, Austra-
lia, walking the Appalachian Trail, and America. The library
has some of these books.)
The Messenger 9 APRIL 2018
The Messenger c/o The Church of the Covenant
267 East Beau Street
Washington, PA 15301
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CHURCH OF THE COVENANT TRAVEL GROUP
“BIG FISH” – A NEW BROADWAY MUSICAL
LINCOLN PARK PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, MIDLAND, PA ~ FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2018
Depart Church parking lot 4:00 pm return 10:30 pm: Price $85 ~ Reservations due April 1, 2018 with full amount of $85
The price includes, show, transportation and dinner before the show.
MOUNTAIN PLAYHOUSE
“MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET” ~ FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2018
Depart Church parking lot at 10:00 a.m. and return approximately 7:00 pm. Price $83 ~ Reservations due June 1, 2018 with full payment of $83. We will have lunch at Coal Miners Café before the show. After the theater we will make a stop on the way home for a light supper (on your own). If scheduling allows we will also stop at the Pie Shoppe. The price includes bus transportation, show and lunch.
ASHEVILLE TRIP ~ AUGUST 15 – 17 2018 Depart Walmart Wed Aug 15 - 6:00 am return Friday Aug 17 - 11:00 pm
Price $440 double $550 single $405 triple $380 quad Reservations due April 1 2018 with payment as follows: April 1 $110 May 1 $110 June 1 $110 July 1 balance left
depending on the room. Call or email the church office for details on who to contact for reservations.
