NURSERY SERVICES 10:30 a.m. Service Each Sunday, Down- stairs in the Parish House. SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday School begins in Parish Hall, then communion at 11:20am BIBLE STUDIES Sundays in the Parish House Library led by Don Block 9:15 AM - 10:00 AM November 16, 2014 The Rev. Nancy (Nano) Chalfant-Walker, Rector Parish Services St. Stephen’s Weekly St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Wilkinsburg, PA Parish Administrator General Office Hours 8:00—4:00pm Saturday Dear Saints, Next Sunday, November 23, will be our annual Ingathering Sunday, when we bring to God our hope-filled commitments of what we can give to support our united ministry together here at St. Stephen’s. You should have received or should be receiving any moment our letter with the estimate of giving card and the guide to proportional giving. Bring that card next Sunday to offer to the Lord. Those of us in the Disciple Bible Study have been studying what was expected of people in the Old Testament regarding the tithe. Ten percent, off the top, of all that was grown or received in pay for work done was to be set aside for the work of God’s priests and for the feeding of those who were impoverished or had no way themselves of making ends meet. It was a hard and fast expectation. I do not believe that the tithe is what God requires of us who belong to God by the grace of Jesus’ love. That doesn’t mean that I think that God doesn’t care what we give. When we belong to Jesus, all that we have and all that we are belongs to God. God has bought us, body and soul, with the great price of Jesus’ life. We have been given the gift of true life. Our only and best response is to live our lives in grateful response to God’s love. And that includes giving as generously as we can to the work of the body of Christ in the world and, in particular, to our own specific community. And that means that for some of us the tithe (that 10%) is a floor of what we could be giving. For others of us, like the widow with her two pennies, what we give may not reach a tithe but it is a sacrificial trusting of God’s ability to care for us. When we find ourselves, for instance, giving what we gave last year without asking God what God would like us to give, we are not being serious about trusting God. When we, out of worry, commit to give less than we think God is nudging us toward, we are limiting God because we won’t be able to see what God can do with our little loaves and fishes. But if we pledge to give more than God is asking, out of guilt, we are similarly setting ourselves in a position that isn’t relying on God’s goodness. Clearly, being told that 10% is the “right” amount is much simpler. But what an opportunity for spiritual growth we will miss if we think that way. I encourage you to use this week to spend time praying and listening to God to see what God is asking you to commit to giving. And please remember that what we will be offering next Sunday is our best estimate of what we are being called to give to our united ministry here at St. Stephen’s. If you find during the year that you are not able to meet that estimate, that is fine – and if you find your resources have multiplied, well, you may find that you wish to return more to your church. God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – has blessed us with so much. Let’s come next Sunday with joy to return a fraction of that blessing to the Lord. Your sister in Christ, PENTECOST TWENTY THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Transcript
NURSERY SERVICES
10:30 a.m. Service
Each Sunday, Down-stairs in the Parish House.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday School begins in Parish Hall, then
communion at 11:20am
BIBLE STUDIES
Sundays in the Parish House Library led by Don Block
9:15 AM - 10:00 AM
November 16, 2014 The Rev. Nancy (Nano) Chalfant-Walker, Rector
Parish Services
St. Stephen’s Weekly St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Wilkinsburg, PA
Parish Administrator General Office Hours
8:00—4:00pm Saturday
Dear Saints, Next Sunday, November 23, will be our annual Ingathering Sunday, when we bring to God our hope-filled commitments of what we can give to support our united ministry together here at St. Stephen’s. You should have received or should be receiving any moment our letter with the estimate of giving card and the guide to proportional giving. Bring that card next Sunday to offer to the Lord.
Those of us in the Disciple Bible Study have been studying what was expected of people in the Old Testament regarding the tithe. Ten percent, off the top, of all that was grown or received in pay for work done was to be set aside for the work of God’s priests and for the feeding of those who were impoverished or had no way themselves of making ends meet. It was a hard and fast expectation.
I do not believe that the tithe is what God requires of us who belong to God by the grace of Jesus’ love. That doesn’t mean that I think that God doesn’t care what we give. When we belong to Jesus, all that we have and all that we are belongs to God. God has bought us, body and soul, with the great price of Jesus’ life. We have been given the gift of true life. Our only and best response is to live our lives in grateful response to God’s love. And that includes giving as generously as we can to the work of the body of Christ in the world and, in particular, to our own specific community. And that means that for some of us the tithe (that 10%) is a floor of what we could be giving. For others of us, like the widow with her two pennies, what we give may not reach a tithe but it is a sacrificial trusting of God’s ability to care for us. When we find ourselves, for instance, giving what we gave last year without asking God what God would like us to give, we are not being serious about trusting God. When we, out of worry, commit to give less than we think God is nudging us toward, we are limiting God because we won’t be able to see what God can do with our little loaves and fishes. But if we pledge to give more than God is asking, out of guilt, we are similarly setting ourselves in a position that isn’t relying on God’s goodness.
Clearly, being told that 10% is the “right” amount is much simpler. But what an opportunity for spiritual growth we will miss if we think that way. I encourage you to use this week to spend time praying and listening to God to see what God is asking you to commit to giving. And please remember that what we will be offering next Sunday is our best estimate of what we are being called to give to our united ministry here at St. Stephen’s. If you find during the year that you are not able to meet that estimate, that is fine – and if you find your resources have multiplied, well, you may find that you wish to return more to your church. God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – has blessed us with so much. Let’s come next Sunday with joy to return a fraction of that blessing to the Lord. Your sister in Christ,
PENTECOST
TWENTY THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
PENTECOST Page 3
WEEKLY GROUPS MEETING AT ST. STEPHEN’S
MONDAY—FRIDAY 2:30 TO 6:00 PM NYOP (During the school year) EVERY THIRD TUESDAY—5:30 TO 7:00 PM Pittsburgh Housing Development Associates
EVERY WEDNESDAY 7:00 PM Choir Practice in Choir Room EVERY WEDNESDAY: 7:30 P.M. Alcoholic Anonymous (AA)
EVERY THURSDAY 7:30 to 8:30 PM Narcotics Anonymous (NA) EVERY SATURDAY: 10:00 A.M Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
Our Rector’s contact Information: Rev. Nancy (Nano) Chalfant-Walker, 1017 Milton St. Pittsburgh, PA 15218
Dick Morris Willows of Presbyterian Senior Care 1215 Hulton Rd Oakmont, PA 15139
Carolyn Booker 2166 Haymker Road Monroeville, PA 15146
Betsy Frey Schenley Gardens Rehab Center 3890 Bigelow Boulevard Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Anne Etienne Country Meadows 3570 Washington Pike Bridgeville, PA 15017
Althea Miller 4931 Nettleton Apt. 2316 Medina, OH 44256
Ellie Huppert The Breakers at Edgewater Beach 5333 N. Sheridan Rd, Apt 30 E Chicago, IL 60640
Our Shut Ins
St. Mark A.M.E. Church Young People’s Department
Festival of Lights & Christmas Shopping Trip Ohio & West Virginia
Saturday, December 6, 2014
1409 Montier St. Wilkinsburg, PA 15221 Rev. Dr. E. Doctor, Jr., Pastor
“ A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Christmas Outreach Fund”
Trip Includes Roundtrip Deluxe Motorcoach
Shopping at Sarris Candies Shopping at Ohio Valley Mall
(coupons & tote bag)
Dinner at Mehlman Resteraunt Tour of Oglebay Christmas Lights
Bus leaves am Returns Approx. 10:00pm
Adults: $35.00 Children: 7-17 $27.00
Children under 6 - free
Book your seat today: Shawaun Morgan 412.841.5609
PENTECOST Page 2
PARISH STAFF
CLERGY
Rector The Rev. Nancy Chalfant-Walker 412-243-6100
In the Anglican Communion: The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby; The Rt Revd. Josè, Jorge De Pina Cabral and the Lusitanian Church -Portugal; The Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori.
Our sister churches: Our brothers and sisters in the ACNA Diocese of Pittsburgh; The Christians of The Middle East.
In the Diocese: St. Bartholomew ’s Episcopal Church, Scottdale, the Rev. Charles Martin; St. James, Penn Hills and the Rev. Eric McIntosh; the Rt. Rev. Dorsey McConnell, our Bishop.
In St. Stephen’s: Pat Woodley; Aleta, Alonzo, Irving, Alex Moore; The Visitation Ministry; The Sanctuary Project; The Neighborhood Youth Outreach Program,
Pray for the nation and the world – President Barack Obama; Congress; the Men and Women serving in the Armed Forces. Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya; and Ukraine; for the stewardship of the earth’s resources and a wise response to climate change.
Pray for the local community - Wilkinsburg Community Ministry; Mayor and The Borough Council of Wilkinsburg; the end to violent crime; all students and teachers
Pray for those who suffer or are in any kind of trouble Prayers for the sick can be found in the Prayer Book on p.458. You are welcome to call Allene Newland (412-371-7417) to have the Prayer Chain pray with you.
Pray for he departed-
November Birthdays & Anniversaries
Pat Schillero 11.1 Darlene Bradley 11.28
Anne Etienne Janet Haston John Booker Bill Garver
Sherry Shirley Arlene Liz Mikszan
Joel Brown Fran Amy Baker Judy
Pat Woodley Nick Dick Morris Dick Moore
Allene Newland Betsy Frey Nancy Bielicki Malachi C
We grow best when we are nourished by a steady diet of God’s word. Reading the Bible daily is an important habit to develop. Scripture is best when it is well chewed over and digested, so one good way to get into the habit of reading the Bible is to take time to read the Sunday readings several times during the week.
Readings for next Sunday:
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 Psalm 100
Ephesians 1:15-23 Matthew 25:31-46
BLESSINGS FROM THE WILKINGSBURG COMMUNITY MINISTRY
The season of giving is just around the corner so we are making plans for our holiday bags for families in need in the Wilkinsburg community. Last year we gave out over 250 bags, for both holidays combined. We are asking for your help to fill these bags again this year.
We are hopeing that you will partner with us by donat-ing one or more of the items below. For Thanksgiving we need the food no later than November 20 and Christmas no later than December 13.
Forward Day by Day
The new copies of Forward Day by
Day are available in the rack by the
chapel door. Don’t forget to pick
yours up.
Free Stove
Does anyone want or know anyone
who wants a gas stove? Please let
Greg Gent know, 412-773-5124.
Wilkingsburg Community Ministry Volunteers Needed to deliver meals
for Meals On Wheels!
Volunteers are needed for only one or two days a week or month from 11:00am to 12:30pm. Your service will be greatly appreciated. Interested individuals may contact: Raynette Millsap: 412.241.8072 or email: [email protected]
The high altar flowers are $30.00 and the chapel altar flowers are $20.00. Envelopes are available beneath the calendar to place your payment and your reason or dedication for the flow-ers. The envelopes can be placed in the offering plate and are due in the of-fice 2 weeks in advance of the service you want the flowers presented. You may take the flowers with you follow-ing that particular service.
NYOP Art Wish List
Art supplies get used up pretty quickly. Here are some things that will always be useful and are needed right now: Crayons Glue sticks Pencils (regular) Construction paper Colored tissue paper Lysol wipes Paint brushes Packs of wide-tipped markers Colored pencils
Community Thanksgiving Service
on Thanksgiving Morning
Thursday, November 27, 2014 10:00am
Covenant Fellowship Reformed Presbyterian Church 1300 Swissvale Avenue, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221
Blessed are those who have realized their own utter helplessness, and
who have put their whole trust in God. If people have realized their own utter help-
lessness, and have put their whole trust in God, there will enter into their lives two
things.…They will become completely detached
from material things, for they will know that
things do not have the power to bring happiness
or security; and they will become completely at-
tached to God, for they will know that God alone
can bring them help, hope, and strength. Those
who are poor in spirit are men and women who
have realized that things mean nothing, and that God means everything.
Source: William Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew Volume I (The New Daily Study Bible)
Join us for a time of singing the Lord’s Psalms, prayer and thanksgiving, and hearing God’s word proclaimed
