And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed

into the same image from one degree of glory to another. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)

The Lens & Mirror

For the last 65 years my family has vacationed on Lake Erie every summer. It is

one of my greatest childhood memories and something we’re trying to pass on to our

kids. A couple of weeks ago we spent a week at Geneva State Park with my family. The

cabins are overcrowded, sleep is at a premium, and it isn’t always easy. We generally

come back more tired than when we left; however, the time my kids get with their

cousins in priceless.

One of the greatest things about our vacation is that Geneva, Oh is one of the

few places in the world where you can see the sun rise and set over same body of water.

I love watching the sunset over Lake Erie; it is one of the most beautiful things you’ll ever

see. One night the lake was completely calm. As the sun was going down, as if it was

sinking into the water, it glimmered off the top of the lake. It was an absolutely stunning

reflection.

It made me wonder, as those who reflect the image of God to the world, do we

look as stunning? Does our reflection enhance the beauty of the God we serve? I must

admit I often feel like a poor reflection of the Christ I proclaim to represent. But that is

what makes faith so beautiful and the gospel so powerful. The reflection allows the sun to

do the work. Let the Spirit of God move through you that you might be transformed into

his image and share in his glory. Reflect the image of the Son in your life not because of

what you have done, but because of what he is doing through you.

In Christ,

Pastor Steve

Meridian

Meridian Presbyterian Church

4150 Highland Ave. Butler, PA 16001

724.482.2630 www.meridianpres.org

Pastor Rev. Dr. Stephen Franklin

pastorsteve@meridianpres.org

Secretary

Jean Garrett

secretary@meridianpres.org

Treasurer

Honey Royer

treasurer@meridianpres.org

Media Director, Interim Youth Dir.

Laura Franklin

Choir Director

Vicki Georgic

Musician

Debbe Picerno

Custodian

Rob Murtha

July, 2018

August 2018

THE LIGHT OF

MERIDIAN

Worship Information Ephesians:

Finding Our Purpose in Christ’s Grace

In a world of self-constructed identity, as Christians we’re called to a different way. We find our purpose in our identity and for us that is through Christ and his grace. When we find our purpose in his Kingdom, we’re sent to do his work.

August 5th, 2018 “Being the Church”

Focus Passage: Ephesians 4:7-16 Secondary Passage: Psalm 100:1-5 Synopsis: The people of God are meant to serve, not to be served. So why have we structured the church in a manner that serves our paying customers? Jesus ordained the offices of prophet, pastor, teacher, apostle, and evangelist. Yet, if you look around at the church, you’ll really only see shepherds and teachers. To reclaim the church that Jesus calls us to be, we have reclaimed the offices that equip the church for her work.

August 12th, 2018 “Being Made New”

Focus Passage: Ephesians 4:20-32 Secondary Passage: Isaiah 43:18-19 Synopsis: While the Christian is saved by grace, it calls us to a new way of life. We should forget the former things, for God is doing a new thing in us. We have a choice between two different kinds of living. Will we hold onto what was, or move forward in a way that honors God? Paul says, “be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self.”

August 19th, 2018 “Walk in the Way of Love”

Focus Passage: Ephesians 5:1-7 Secondary Passage: Psalm 23 Synopsis: Christian living leads us to walk in the way of love. To walk in the way of love is to walk in the way of Christ. And what did Christ do for us, but to give up his life as a sacrifice, a fragrant offering? When we walk with Jesus, we walk in the way of love and we bear witness to who Jesus is to the world.

August 26th, 2018 “Living in the Light”

Focus Passage: Ephesians 5:8-20 Secondary Passage: Psalm 27:1-5 Synopsis: Paul writes, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. When we find our identity and purpose in God’s kingdom, we live as children of light. Light is meant to be seen and light always overcomes the darkness. Are you living in the light?

Church News:

We rejoice with Michael & Melissa

Graham who welcomed Connor Andrew

into this world on June 10th.

Notes from the Session

Approved the baptism on September 16th of

Connor Andrew Graham, son of Melissa

(Wickline) and Michael Graham

The Stewardship Team announced that 6

months through the year, we are running

ahead of budget. Thank you for your

generous support of the ministry of our

church.

Capital Campaign Update

In July, the Stewardship Team announced that

we need to raise $29,000 to erase our debt from

the 2012 Capital Campaign. Thank you for your

generous donations through the years and over

the last month. Once July’s financial report is

out, we will update you with how far we have to

go.

VOICe is committed to provide the highest level of

free and confidential services to survivors of

domestic violence and their families in Butler

County. Donations are accepted in the bin by the

Welcome Center, where there are lists of items

needed. Please pick one up.

A suggestion — when you get a BOGO (buy one-get

one free) consider donating the free item to VOICe.

Items needed include paper products, cleaning

products and general household items. Many of

these women/children leave home with nothing

and move to a shelter apartment or home where

they will be safe.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Chancel Choir is Looking for New Members The choir will be starting rehearsals soon and we would like to invite you to join. Whether you are some-one who likes to sing for fun (or in the shower) or you have some previous music experience, we could use your help! Practice is held every Thursday evening from 7 to 8:15 and we gather at 10:30 Sunday morning to prac-

tice before the service. If you aren’t sure about making a commitment, come and try it out for a few

weeks. We even have rehearsal CDs to help with learning the songs if you miss practice. If you like to

have fun and you love to sing, please come give it a try!

Don’t forget that on Sunday, September 2 we will

return to our 11:00 AM worship schedule and we

will celebrate Communion that day.

Then on Sunday, September 9, the Deacons will be

hosting our annual All Church Picnic following the

worship service.

Details will follow, but be sure to mark your

calendar.

August Celebrations

Happy Birthday 8/6 Robert Ferringer 8/7 Deborah Schettler 8/8 Jack Stauffer 8/9 Dennis Clever 8/13 Elsmarie Spinder 8/14 Kristopher Smith 8/18 Shelly Hromyak 8/19 Sharon Schneider Sarah Tarr 8/21 Dave Freund 8/22 Brianna Raddatz Carl Rose 8/23 Wayne Clark Pastor Steve Franklin 8/24 Michelle Raley 8/27 Jim Fiel 8/29 Laura Franklin Gary Moore Carol Orsborn 8/30 Benjamin Mikan

Happy Anniversary

8/2 Don & Lori Smith 8/10 Jason & Heather Cihonski 8/18 Jim & Emogene Lyon 8/19 Dave & Sue Freund 8/24 John & Lois Kearns 8/26 Mike & Loraine Bowser Jackson & Donna Grimm 8/30 Jack & Ellen Stauffer 8/31 David & Christine Mikan 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!

Time for reflection, prayer and worship

All meals provided in the dining hall

Bring sleeping bags, pillows, towels, etc.

Lots of fellowship time and getting to know each other

Activities for the whole family

Come for the weekend or come for the day

The camp is located off Old Route 8 near Franklin, PA. Directions will be provided.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

8 AM Coffee/

Conversation

2 3 4

5

10 AM Worship

11:15 AM Bible

Study

6 7

Noon—Bible

Study

1 PM—Quilting

8

8 AM Coffee/

Conversation

9 10 11

12

10 AM Worship

11:15 AM Bible

Study

13

6:30 PM—Men’s

Bible Study

14

Noon—Bible

Study

1 PM—Quilting

15

8 AM Coffee/

Conversation

16

5—9 PM

Family &

Friends Picnic

17 18

19

10 AM Worship

11:15 AM Bible

Study

20 21

Noon—Bible

Study

1 PM—Quilting

22

8 AM Coffee/

Conversation

23 24 25

26

10 AM Worship

11:15 AM Bible

Study

27

10 AM Sewing

Group

6:30 PM—Men’s

Bible Study

28

Noon—Bible

Study

1 PM—Quilting

29

8 AM Coffee/

Conversation

30 31

August 2018

Meridian Presbyterian Church 4150 Highland Avenue Butler, PA 16001

Family and Friends Picnic

Thursday, August 16 from 5—9 PM

Come at 5 PM for swimming, playground fun, sand volleyball, basketball,

bocce ball, shuffleboard and LOTS more. And bring friends!!!

Dinner starts at 6 PM. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided. Bring a side dish to share. Drinks will be provided. And bring friends (did you get that the first time?) Sign up in the Library so we know how many are coming.

Turn off Mercer Road onto Connemara Lane, then look for #107 and the “little green men” who will direct you to the right place.

SO MUCH FUN

YOU WON’T WANT

TO MISS IT!!!