THE HEART OF ASCENSION You are invited to these upcoming events: Ladies, please join us for our next LWML meeting on Saturday, August 5th at 10:00 AM in the Fireside Room. There are still several copies of the LWML Quarterly on the table in the narthex along with copies of the Eastern District Link. If you have been collecting mites, bring them to the meeting or drop them off in the large mite box in the narthex. The mission goal for 2017-2019 is $2,075,000 which will fund 22 mission grants. THE NEXT SOAR RESPITE NIGHT will be held at Ascension on Friday, August 11, 2017 from 6-9 PM and we will be having a back to school luau! SOAR (Special Opportunities, Abilities, and Relationships) is for children with special needs and their typical siblings ages 2-10. This free event is a “night off” for parents where children will have fun playing games, creating crafts, making music, and forming relationships with their buddy and other children. Registration forms are on the table in the narthex for participants and volunteers. We can always use more volunteers. Please pray about and consider helping with Respite Nights as a way to reach out to those with special needs in our community. If your child is attending, if you would like to volunteer, or if you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]or by calling Emily Marcellus at 724-799-5635. THE ASCENSION COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON will be held on Monday, August 14, 2017, in the Fellowship Hall beginning at 11:30 AM. Lunch is served at Noon. This free luncheon is offered as a time for food, fellowship, and the gathering of a community of people who can share their lives with each other. All are invited! Please join us and invite a friend! Any questions, contact Ron Davis, Jr. at 412-709-9860. THE SATURDAY MEN’S GROUP meets on the third Saturday of the month and will meet on Saturday, August 19, 2017. Doors are open at 8:30 AM for fellowship followed by a time of study/discussion from 9 AM-10 AM. All men (young and old) are welcome to attend. For more information, please see Bill Seitz. CHURCH COUNCIL is scheduled to meet on August 21, 2017 at 6:30 PM. August 2017
Transcript
THE HEART OF ASCENSION
You are invited to these upcoming events:
Ladies, please join us for our next LWML meeting on Saturday, August 5th
at 10:00 AM in the Fireside Room. There are still several copies of the
LWML Quarterly on the table in the narthex along with copies of the Eastern
District Link. If you have been collecting mites, bring them to the meeting or
drop them off in the large mite box in the narthex. The mission goal for
2017-2019 is $2,075,000 which will fund 22 mission grants.
THE NEXT SOAR RESPITE NIGHT will be held at Ascension on
Friday, August 11, 2017 from 6-9 PM and we will be having a back
to school luau! SOAR (Special Opportunities, Abilities, and
Relationships) is for children with special needs and their typical
siblings ages 2-10. This free event is a “night off” for parents where
children will have fun playing games, creating crafts, making music, and forming
relationships with their buddy and other children. Registration forms are on the table in
the narthex for participants and volunteers. We can always use more volunteers.
Please pray about and consider helping with Respite Nights as a way to reach out to
those with special needs in our community. If your child is attending, if you would like
to volunteer, or if you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] or
by calling Emily Marcellus at 724-799-5635.
THE ASCENSION COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON will be held
on Monday, August 14, 2017, in the Fellowship Hall beginning at 11:30 AM.
Lunch is served at Noon. This free luncheon is offered as a time for food,
fellowship, and the gathering of a community of people who can share their
lives with each other. All are invited! Please join us and invite a friend!
Any questions, contact Ron Davis, Jr. at 412-709-9860.
THE SATURDAY MEN’S GROUP meets on the third Saturday of the month and will meet on Saturday, August 19, 2017. Doors are open at 8:30 AM for fellowship followed by a time of
study/discussion from 9 AM-10 AM. All men (young and old) are welcome to attend. For more information, please see Bill Seitz.
CHURCH COUNCIL is scheduled to meet on August 21, 2017 at 6:30 PM.
Worship Under The Stars was held on July 7, 2017. We sang songs (led by Amy and Rebecca Diak [thank you!]), had a devotion, read a stars-themed Christian storybook for the children, and prayed together. We then had s’mores by the campfire. (Thanks to Steve Diak for building the campfire!) It was a beautiful evening of worship and fellowship. Thanks also to Vanessa Candreva and Lisa and Emily Marcellus for organizing this event.
New Officers elected at the June 25, 2017 Voters’ Meeting are:
Jennifer Ciccone – President
Bob Booth – Vice President
Patti Lopresto – Recording Secretary
Larry Dax – Trustees
Thank you to our outgoing officers:
Russ Lucas, President
Mark Kitzki – Vice President
Michael McAndrews – Trustees
From July 17-20, Ascension went on a space expedition at Galactic Starveyors! With
the help of 26 volunteers, we were able to share the Word of God with about 60 kids!!! They learned that the God who created the universe wants a relationship with us! We
studied creation, the Fall, Jesus’s birth, and His resurrection to learn how our relationship was once broken, but is now redeemed.
We made 75 door hangers and cards for the residents of Concordia at Franklin Park. We also collected $107 for the Ritzman Family, who are missionaries
in Papua, New Guinea.
On the last night of VBS, the children, families, volunteers, and church members enjoyed a campfire at the church’s fire pit. It was a beautiful evening of fellowship and
s’mores with our VBS families!
THANK YOU!!! VBS would not be possible without all of our volunteers!
Registration Lora Koontz
Barb Marcellus Pam Martens Janet Seitz
Music Vanessa Candreva
Snacks Edie Krom Janet Seitz
Games Lisa Marcellus Emily Shaginaw
Crafts Mary Lynn Tassotto
Bj Astridge Barb Leist
Missions Shannon Schroeder Coleen Henkelmann
Bob Martens
Bible Time Vicki Wiegand
PreK/K Class Becky Marquette
Bj Astridge Barb Leist Ali Lucas
Leah Lucas Emily Marcellus
Group Leaders Oak Gaertner Tillie Gaertner Nick Koorsen Ruby Lucas
Virginia Lucas Andrew Skrastins
Media:
Cherie Shaginaw
Miscellaneous Pastor Gaertner
Karen Booth The Ciccone Family
Ron Davis, Jr. Larry Dax
Bob Marcellus Dan Skrastins Trish Young
Thank you to everyone who did painting homework, helped set-up or tear-down
scenery, bought food donations, and let us borrow materials! Also, thanks to all who prayed for our program. An additional thank you to North Park Church for allowing us to
use their decorations! God answers prayers!
CHURCH PICTORIAL DIRECTORY – Our first photo session went very well. We realized that we do not need to schedule 15-minute time slots so we will be scheduling 5-minute time slots. We also realized that Sundays, after church, seem to be the best
times to take the pictures. So we have added two additional dates: Sundays, September 10th and 24th from 11 AM till 2 PM. Sign-up sheets are on the table in the narthex for you to choose the time that works for you. The dates in August are Sunday, August 13 from 11 AM till 2 PM, and Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, August 14-16 from 1-3 PM and 6-8 PM. Also remember, there is a $5 charge for each directory to offset costs to have it copied and bound. If you would like a copy of your pictures on a CD, there will be an additional $5 charge. If you have any questions, see Janet Seitz or call her at 412-323-0857.
Thank you to office volunteers while Barb was on vacation:
Bob Booth, Mary Jasper, Shannon Schroeder, Janet Seitz, and
Kathy Stuckler.
Do you remember the Small Catechism? Many of us were made to memorize the catechism (or at least part of it) during our confirmation classes. Some of us might have even suffered through a public examination over the contents of the catechism.
How much to do you remember? Say it with me: “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him … .” Can you finish? Do you remember where that is found (Luther’s Explanation of the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed)?
It’s time to return. Luther wrote the Small Catechism for the instruction of lay people. Luther intended the Small Catechism to be used at church and in the home to instruct children in the faith and to reinforce the faith in the hearts and minds of the adults.
August Anniversaries: 1 Rick & Cheryl Maas 6 Tom & Cheryl Saffa 10 Bill & Glenna Powers 20 Carl & Jennifer Ciccone 24 Michael & Mary Lynn Tassotto
24 Roy & Vicki Wiegand 28 Mark & Paula Kitzki 31 Paul & Cheri Adams 31 Bill & Janet Seitz
August Birthdays: 2 Mary Lynn Tassotto 4 Adriana Ciccone 7 Gabe Gaertner 12 Cheryl Saffa 13 Sandy Malarkey 14 Kaitlin Edwards Brinser 14 Chris Shaginaw 15 Brittany Clark 16 Lauren Skrastins 20 Nikki Fetzick 20 Debra Weber
21 John Dougherty 22 Ernest Stuckler 23 Michael Krom 24 Rebecca Faller 24 Stephanie Faller 26 Mary Jasper 28 Jim McMillin 29 Shaun Connolly 30 Jeff Masagila 31 Paul Jasper 31 Pam Martens
IF WE MISSED YOUR BIRTHDAY OR ANNIVERSARY, PLEASE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE AT 412-364-4463.
In Christ we extend our love and sympathy to the family of Joan
Fullerton. Joan went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 24,
2017. We also extend our love and sympathy to Ken and Flo Pizzica
and their family. Ken’s brother, Daniel, fell asleep in Jesus on
July 9, 2017. Please keep these families in your prayers, and may
God be with them and comfort them.
Applying Bible Principles
There are some wonderful principles in the Old Testament which apply to present-
day Christians. One of these is in Deuteronomy 8:10-18. Stated in contemporary
language, it says, “When you have eaten and are full, and when your cars, houses
and bank accounts multiply, don’t forget where it came from: Remember the Lord
your God.”
In truth, all that we have comes from God. He determines what we will receive,
whether it be money, gold, silver, houses, land, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, etc.
It all belongs to Him in the first place, and He entrusts it to us. According to
David’s prayer in 1 Chronicles 29, riches, honor, power, and wealth all come from
God.
That’s why there is no such thing as a self-made man or woman. Oh, we have to do
our part. God’s plan is not that we just sit around praying and reading the Bible all
day long so that what we need to survive will miraculously drop into our hands.
We’re not just to pray for our “daily bread,” but we’re also to get up each day and
work for it! That’s why the Apostle Paul stated clearly, “If a man will not work, he
shall not eat” (2 Thes. 3:10). But in reality, the amount of money and wealth which
we receive is determined by God. According to His divine will and knowledge, He
entrusts to each of us the amount which He knows will be best for us.
What should be our reaction to our financial state? Some might pray, “Dear Lord,
you must have made a mistake concerning me and my finances. Please give me
more money.” Others might try to circumvent God’s design for their lives by
trying to win the lottery or to obtain large sums of money through some other
means. Mature Christians, however, will realize God’s infinite wisdom far
surpasses their limited perspective. They will accept with a thankful spirit what
God has entrusted to them and seek to honor God by their living and by their
giving.
Alina and a Music Box
Alina received her shoebox at an orphanage in Romania at age 12.
When I was just over a year old, doctors told my mother that I would never be able to walk. Not
knowing how to care for me, my mother left me in a hospital. Thanks to doctors and nurses who
did not give up on me, I began to walk and was placed in an orphanage when I was 3 years old.
On a cold day nine years later, I noticed other kids in the orphanage carrying shoeboxes. I was
very curious what was inside them! So I got in the back of a long line and could hardly wait my
turn. I was one of the last ones to receive a shoebox. When I finally had one in my hands, my
teacher told us that we had to wait to open them until we were back in our classroom. That meant
a seven-minute walk up five flights of stairs. I couldn’t wait that long! I tried to peek inside my
box, but my teacher said, “Nope! Close it! We all need to go to the class.” When I finally got
there and opened it, the first thing I saw was a little round, white music box that played
Christmas music. I liked it because I could put it in my hat, hiding it from the other orphans who
beat kids and checked their pockets in order to take things from them. When I tucked the music
box in the fold of my winter hat, it played music in my ear. I remember kids watching me while I
bounced along to the music. They heard the noise, but didn’t see me carrying anything.
Eventually, though, I became careless and an older girl heard the music. She asked what it was
and I had to show her. I begged, “Look, you can take whatever you want from my shoebox, but
don’t take this away from me.” But she took it, stepped on it, and broke it. I was so mad at her
for ruining my new happiness— the music box was mine for two days at the most.
The other thing in my box that I especially liked was a Lego man. I liked him because he also
was little and I could hide him. I tried not to play with him except when I was by myself, so
people wouldn’t see him. But when I took the Lego man out to play with another orphan, an
older girl saw it. The next thing I knew, five older girls ganged up on me and took him. I cried
because he was my imaginary person. I had him for about a month.
Even though I no longer had these toys, my shoebox gift meant I was special. I was loved. It
meant someone cared for me. That same year, I attended a camp where they talked about Jesus.
I had heard about God, but didn’t really know who He is. I imagined a huge man with a white
beard sitting in a big arm chair looking down at people as little ants. But a woman gave me a
New Testament and explained that I could ask Jesus into my heart. She said I could talk to Him
at any time. This meant a lot to me because I talked to myself often—not aloud, but in my
thoughts. Now I knew someone would hear me whether I was sad, happy, or even had questions.
The woman told me that God could be my best friend, brother, and even my parent. I thought,
“Now I can have a best friend with me no matter what!”
When I got back to the orphanage, people saw a change in me. I had Jesus in my heart. No one
could take that away from me!
Years later, I had an opportunity to come to the United States to do some translation work for
missionaries who had served in Romania. I met my husband and now we have a baby girl. I can’t
wait to pack shoeboxes with her one day. Source: Samaritan’s Purse website (https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-
Mission Vision will provide free vision screenings and eyeglasses to underinsured and uninsured adults and children, and SSI recipients, on August 15 in the North Hills Community Outreach Millvale office (416 Lincoln Avenue, Second Floor, Millvale, PA) from 9 AM-2 PM. Appointments are required. Please call 412-408-3830 to schedule an appointment.
HIGHPOINTE AT REBECCA OPEN HOUSES will be held on two Sundays in August—August 13 and August 27 from 1-4 PM. You may tour Highpointe’s three model apartments (one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and large two-bedroom). Valet parking and light refreshments will be provided. RSVPs are recommended but not required. For more information about the open houses or to RSVP, call 724-444-1521 or visit www.HighpointeRebecca.org.
Grace Upon Grace: A Lutheran Spirituality Retreat will be held at Concordia Lutheran Ministries (134 Marwood Road, Haven 1, Cabot, PA) on September 8-9, 2017. This retreat is presented by the Pittsburgh Pastoral Conference of the LCMS-Missouri Synod. Pastors and Laypeople are invited to join us for a retreat that will explore our Lutheran spirituality and piety as one that receives God's good gifts in Christ. Guest speaker will be Rev. Dr. John W. Kleinig. Cost is $75/person. Registration deadline is September 1, 2017. For more information, contact Rev. Bert Greenway at 412-793-1394 or see the poster on the bulletin board in the narthex.
Yes, it's almost that time of year; well, it IS the time of year when we are – and already have been – planning for the next academic year. And, if you are in the Pittsburgh area, we would appreciate your help! :)
The second Saturday of each month our students get together for a meal and games or a movie or a pit-fire, etc. Would you like to host such an afternoon or evening gathering in your home?
Each Wednesday we study God's Word and break bread together. Supper is at 7:30pm. Would you like to provide a meal – once, or quarterly, or monthly, or weekly!? :) You can prepare at home or here in our kitchens.
Our English as a Second Language (ESL) class and Bible Study is greatly assisted if we have childcare volunteers during the weekly sessions, as well as conversation partners and friendship families outside of the classroom. Interested?
Sometimes we need to provide rides to church or other events. Let me know if you might be able to help out.
Please PRAY for the ministry – this is your campus mission in Pittsburgh!
By the way, if there are any costs involved, you can be reimbursed upon request. Just let me know.
Thank you!
Pastor Eric R. Andrae, Campus Pastor, Lutheran Student Fellowship (LCMS) First Trinity Church (11 am Sunday worship), 535 N. Neville, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-683-4121 x2 www.LSFPgh.com Listen 1st Wednesday of month at 4:10 PM on WORDFM.com
Generosity Confirms Love in the Midst of Imperfection
During life, as in death, cherished values manifest in the objects of bounty we choose. Generosity confirms the value we place on people and things. A reliable barometer of devotion can be traced to the recipients of our generosity. Such an act affirms our allegiances.
In the events of the first family, God’s Word records Adam’s children’s generosity towards God. Genesis 4:3-7 records, “In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions.” Notice the difference? One brought the best; one brought some.
The record continues, “And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” The next thing we are told is that Cain killed his brother Abel in jealous rage, while in the field.
It’s remarkable to see that God’s generosity was evident even in this tragedy. He restored the murderer to a life of increase. Adam and Eve were given another son, Seth. Scripture tells us that “At that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD.” The imperfect cycle began in Genesis and continues to this day. We live in a flawed world where disharmony is often the norm, and love is replaced by greed. Yet God’s grace continues within us. We are made in His image. In that grace, we express generosity, aligned to our priorities. For more information, contact Robert Wirth, LCMS Foundation Gift Planner @ [email protected] or 716-863-4427.
John; Jake; Debbie; the Kowalewski family; those who are experiencing a crisis of
faith; women with unplanned pregnancies
GENERAL PRAYER, GUIDANCE, AND PROVISION
For the VBS families; that God would raise up leaders here at Ascension and
especially for our youth; for SOAR Respite Nights and participating families;
Concordia College (Bronxville, NY); the Barry family; Gene Williams, Jr. and
DiscipleMakers; Pastor Eric Andræ and Campus Ministry in Oakland; seminary
students; the residents and staff of Concordia Lutheran Ministries, Shepherd’s
Heart Fellowship; Food For The Poor; Christian Counseling Associates counselors
and their clients
Upcoming Lutheran Hour Broadcasts: August 6, 2017 "On Thee the High and Lowly" It's "Archives August" and we present a classic message from former Speaker, Dr. Dale Meyer. (Exodus 20:10) August 13, 2017 "Looking for a Good Speaker" "Archives August" What do the words "Our Father" teach us about our relationship with God and with each other? (Matthew 6:9) Guest Speaker: Dr. Dale A. Meyer August 20, 2017 "God's Dog" Was Jesus being politically incorrect—or worse—when He compared a Canaanite woman to a canine? (Matthew 15:21-28) Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour: Rev. Dr. Ken Klaus August 27, 2017 "Absolutely Nothing" Pastor Ken Klaus explains how something that is "absolutely nothing" can be a very good thing. (1 Corinthians 15:14-19) Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour: Rev. Dr. Ken Klaus Lutheran Hour broadcasts can be heard on WJAS/1320 AM at 7:00 AM Sunday mornings. You may also read the sermon or listen to it at www.lutheranhour.org.
Two Familiar Voices to Take Over the Airwaves on The Lutheran Hour In celebration of Lutheran Hour Ministries’ 100th anniversary, LHM is excited to announce that
the weekly broadcast of The Lutheran Hour will feature Rev. Dr. Kenneth R. Klaus and Rev.
Dr. Dale A. Meyer beginning November 5, 2017. The regular appearances of the two
distinguished speakers are part of a transition plan being implemented following current
Speaker Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz’s recent acceptance of a call to serve as executive director of
the Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty. Seltz’s last broadcast will be recorded in Wittenberg
and aired Reformation weekend, October 29.
Eastern District Seminar/Convention Set for September 9th
Come be inspired by what God is doing through Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) and learn how LHM’s resources and expertise can help your congregation. The event will be held Saturday, September 9th (1 PM to 3 PM) at Pioneer Camp and Retreat Center, 9324 Lakeshore Road, Angola, NY 14006; (716) 549-1420.
Walk, run or volunteer in the Bubble Run and help NHCO – NHCO is again the charity partner of Bubble Run at Hartwood Acres Park on August 19. Bubble Run is a bubble-filled, family-friendly 5k walk / run in which participants run or walk through mounds of colored foam. Registrants can choose to donate to NHCO at the end of their registration form. Visit bubblerun.com/ and search for the Pittsburgh run. Volunteers are also needed. If a quota of volunteers registers on behalf of NHCO, NHCO will receive a financial donation to support its services. To volunteer on behalf of NHCO, please visit http://bubblerun.com/volunteer/, choose Pittsburgh, and scroll down to volunteer for NHCO, or contact Harriet at 412-408-3830 x 3204 or [email protected].
NHCO Millvale is hosting no-cost MOVE UP weight management program, a no-cost behavioral weight loss intervention program for older adults. Sessions will be held in NHCO’s Millvale office, 416 Lincoln Avenue, 9:15-10:15 AM, Mondays beginning in August or September, contingent on number of enrollees. The program is offered by the University of Pittsburgh Center for Aging and Population Health Prevention Research Center and includes healthy eating, physical activity and behavior modification techniques. Interested, qualified adults are invited to enroll. Requirements include: adults aged 60 to 75 who are interested in weight management or weight loss in a community setting; meet a certain BMI; medical clearance; no active cancer treatment; no hospitalization within the past 6 months; no active participation in another weight loss program. The study is limited to 15 participants. There is no cost. To enroll or learn more, please contact Project Director Lori Kieffer at [email protected] or 412-383-1306.
Fresh produce from gardens accepted at NHCO’s pantries – NHCO has always welcomed fresh produce donations for our clients. To make it easier for local gardeners to donate produce, NHCO has joined AmpleHarvest.org, a nationwide program working to end fresh food waste and hunger. Ampleharvest.org enables local backyard/community gardeners to easily locate neighborhood food pantries to share their excess garden bounty with neighbors in need. Please visit Ampleharvest.org for more information and to locate NHCO’s three pantries.
NHCO needs volunteers in the upper Route 28 corridor; now offers online registration for volunteering to help seniors – NHCO has a particular need for volunteers interested in helping seniors in the route 28 corridor near Tarentum and Brackenridge. Specifically, volunteer drivers and dispatchers are needed for the Free Rides for Seniors shuttle, and individual volunteers are needed to help seniors get to appointments and shopping. NHCO now has an online registration process for those who wish to volunteer to help seniors through its In Service of Seniors: North Program. Visit http://nhco.org/volunteer-opportunities/volunteer-help-seniors/ and follow the easy step-by-step registration process. Volunteers are needed to help seniors get to doctor appointments, take them grocery shopping, do light yard work, drive shuttles and more. For more information, call Cathy at 412-307-0069 x 3313.
Employment help is available at NHCO – NHCO offers multiple programs aimed at helping people attain self-sufficiency, including employment help. Those seeking help with career counseling, updating a resume, job search techniques and more can contact NHCO Resource Coordinator Jackie Boggs at [email protected] or 412-408-3830 x 3217.
Ask the Attorney sessions for low-income families – Free legal consultation for noncriminal matters such as divorce, bankruptcy, credit issues, family matters, rent disputes and more is available for families in need at NHCO locations the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM except December. The next ATA sessions are: NHCO North Boroughs on August 16 and NHCO Allison Park on September 20. Attendees MUST preregister for these sessions by contacting Jackie at [email protected] or call 412-408-3830 x 3217.
