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 vacaoned 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 red than when we leſt; however, the me my kids get with their cousins in priceless. One of the greatest things about our vacaon 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 beauful 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 reflecon. It made me wonder, as those who reflect the image of God to the world, do we look as stunning? Does our reflecon enhance the beauty of the God we serve? I must admit I oſten feel like a poor reflecon of the Christ I proclaim to represent. But that is what makes faith so beauful and the gospel so powerful. The reflecon 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 August 2018 Meridian Presbyterian Church 4150 Highland Ave. Butler, PA 16001 724.482.2630 www.meridianpres.org Pastor Rev. Dr. Stephen Franklin [email protected]Dir. of Youth & Family Min. Mike Barton [email protected]Secretary Jean Garrett [email protected]Treasurer Honey Royer [email protected]Media Director Laura Franklin Choir Director Vicki Georgic Musician Debbe Picerno Custodian Rob Murtha Nursery Coordinator Sarah Murtha October 2018 THE LIGHT OF MERIDIAN A few weeks ago Laura and I were asked to meet in McCaslin Hall following worship. When we got down there we were overwhelmed by what we saw. Against the wall were over 50 boxes of diapers and 10 boxes of wipes. Honestly, we didn’t know what to say or how to say thanks as we looked upon this generous giſt from our wonderful church. All we could do was praise God for you, for this place, and our calling here as a family to serve such a wonderful community. Throughout the month of October we will be going through a sermon series about living generously. One of the great evangelisc tools of the church is the charity and generosity we show to the world. As a family we are constantly on the receiving end of the generosity of so many of you from the cards of encouragement, giſts, and investment in our family. Words cannot express our gratude for all of it, especially as we embark on this new adventure with twins this month. This month may we take on the challenge of not just being generous, but living generously. When we are, our work will result in thanksgiving to God. Friends, because of the generosity you have shown to us, we have praised God endlessly for his blessings and will be connue to strive to bless others because of it. This is the church. This is what we are called to do so that God may be glorified. In Christ, Pastor Steve The Lens & Mirror 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11-12 (NIV)
Transcript
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.
A few weeks ago Laura and I were asked to meet in McCaslin Hall following worship.
When we got down there we were overwhelmed by what we saw. Against the wall were
over 50 boxes of diapers and 10 boxes of wipes. Honestly, we didn’t know what to say or
how to say thanks as we looked upon this generous gift from our wonderful church. All
we could do was praise God for you, for this place, and our calling here as a family to
serve such a wonderful community.
Throughout the month of October we will be going through a sermon series about living
generously. One of the great evangelistic tools of the church is the charity and generosity
we show to the world. As a family we are constantly on the receiving end of the
generosity of so many of you from the cards of encouragement, gifts, and investment in
our family. Words cannot express our gratitude for all of it, especially as we embark on
this new adventure with twins this month.
This month may we take on the challenge of not just being generous, but living
generously. When we are, our work will result in thanksgiving to God. Friends, because
of the generosity you have shown to us, we have praised God endlessly for his blessings
and will be continue to strive to bless others because of it. This is the church. This is what
we are called to do so that God may be glorified.
In Christ,
Pastor Steve
The Lens
& Mirror 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us
your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only
supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to
God. 2 Corinthians 9:11-12 (NIV)
Generous Living
In a consumeristic world, what does it look like to live generously? Generous living is more than money—it is about a way of life and how we understand the blessings of God in our lives. When we live generously, we bear the image of God to the world.
September 30th Retreat at Seneca Hills
“The Unstoppable Ways of God” Dr. Don Dawson, Preaching
at Meridian Presbyterian
October 7th, 2018 “Feed Them”
World Communion Sunday
Focus Passage: Matthew 14:13-21 Secondary Passage: Leviticus 23:22 Synopsis: It is striking that Jesus tells the disciples to feed the crowd without asking how much they had to offer first. We generally think about giving in terms of what we have left over to give. Jesus tells us to feed them; he’ll do the rest.
October 14th, 2018 “Treasures in Heaven”
Focus Passage: Matthew 6:19-24 Secondary Passage: Proverbs 11:24-25 Synopsis: Our tendency is to store up for the future. We’re not saying that future planning isn’t important, but we must forsake the needs of others in the process. Living generously means that we know what we have on the earth cannot come with us into eternity. Does our heart belong to our treasures or to Jesus?
October 21, 2018 “At the Feet of Jesus”
Focus Passage: Acts 4:32-37 Secondary Passage: Deuteronomy 15:7-8 Synopsis: The church has always had a vision and responsibility to serve the poor. It is born from our understanding that what we have does not belong to us. The church isn’t a cult where we give all of our possessions. It is the place that spurs us to generosity for the sake of the Kingdom. Are we willing to lay everything down at the feet of Jesus?
October 28, 2018 “Love Gives”
Focus Passage: John 3:16-17 Secondary Passage: Proverbs 11:24 Synopsis: “For God so loved...that he gave.” At the heart of giving and generous living is love. If we love God, we will bear his image by sacrificing not just our treasures, but our lives. If we love others, we will serve them and give to them. This is how God demonstrates his love for us and it is how we demonstrate our love for others.
Notes from the Session
The Mission Committee has purchased a
bounce house to be used for our outreach
events.
Mike Barton was officially hired as our new
Director of Youth and Family Ministries.
Confirmation Sunday will be October 14th.
The 2019 Budget was approved.
Confirmation: Congratulations to Ben Lyons, Evan Palmiero,
Hannah Gregor, and Avery Gregor for completing Confirma-
tion. They will be approved by the Session for membership on
October 9th and welcomed into the church as new members
on October 14th. Please make an effort to be here in order to
celebrate their achievement!
Worldwide
Communion Sunday
October 7
As of September 25, 2018
Giving $32,682.58
YTD Actual $253,822.45
YTD Budget $205,188.00
Over (Under) $48,634.45
Join with a group of others from all over Western PA (and beyond) for the Fall Work Day at Seneca
Hills Bible Camp on Saturday, October 27th. The day begins with coffee and donuts at 9 AM—lunch
will be provided at noon — and the day concludes at 3 PM . If you can come for part or all of the
day, please come. There are jobs for every skill and age.
Come serve alongside others who love Seneca Hills. If you have questions, email them at
It’s a great work project for your small group or Sunday School class!
Capital Campaign: Thank you for your generous gifts
to erase our capital debt from 2012. We will head
into 2019 debt free and cannot thank you all
enough for your support over these last 6 years!
Happy Birthday 10/1 Darla Royce Heather Thompson 10/2 Shirley Lotz 10/3 Seth Rishor 10/4 Jackie Rogers 10/5 Steve Royce 10/6 Levi Toniolo 10/7 Lucy Doutt 10/8 Mary Kay Neely 10/10 William Jack Allison Adam Bosiljevac Gage Sumansky 10/11 Rob Murtha Libby Woller 10/13 Emogene Lyon Darlene Brown 10/18 R. Scott Henderson 10/21 Zack Smith 10/29 Pearl Park 10/30 Matthew Schneider 10/31 Rebecca Buck
Happy Anniversary
10/4 Rodney & Michelle Doutt 10/8 Wayne & Cindy Clark 10/12 Jeff & Debbe Picerno 10/18 Art & Marion Eckstein 10/19 Ron & Diane Sweet 10/20 Gary & Autumn Moore 10/22 Mike & Kelley Hibbs 10/25 Bernie & Sally Baker 10/27 Mike & April Dickey 10/29 Chris & Kelly Sumansky 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!
We would like to officially welcome Michael Barton and his family to the staff of Meridian
Presbyterian Church! Mike comes to us from his last position at Wexford Community Pres-
byterian Church as the Director of Student Ministries that he held for over seven years. He
brings with him fifteen years of youth ministry experience. Mike graduated from Geneva
College in 2003 with a Bachelor’s degree and again in 2006 with a Master’s degree in higher
ed. with a focus in college ministry. He cannot wait to get to know the congregation of Me-
ridian.
Mike and his wife, Julie, married in 2004. They have 4 children, Jacob (11), Grace (9), Luke
(6) and David (4). They reside in Hampton Township and Mike is volunteer firefighter for the North Hampton Fire Department.
The Barton family enjoys spending time together whether on day trips around Pittsburgh or game nights. Some of Mike’s favor-
ite activities are smoking BBQ, watching movies, playing and watching sports of many kinds, and even some model railroading!
We hope you will give them a wonderful Meridian welcome as they start their ministry with us!
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 12 PM
Bible Study
1 PM Quilting
Deacons 6:30
Trustees 6:30
3
Coffee/
Conversation
8 AM
4
Bells—6 PM
Choir 7 PM
5 6
All Church
Hayride and
Bonfire 6:30 at
Lyons’ Farm
7 9:45 AM
Sunday School
11 AM Worship
WORLD
COMMUNION
8
Men’s Study
6 PM
912 PM
Bible Study
1 PM Quilting
Session 6:30
10Coffee/
Conversation
8 AM
Fellowship
Group 5:30—8
11
Bells—6 PM
Choir 7 PM
12 13
14 15 16
12 PM
Bible Study
1 PM Quilting
17
Coffee/
Conversation
8 AM
18
Bells—6 PM
Choir 7 PM
19 20
21 22
Men’s Study
6 PM
23
12 PM
Bible Study
1 PM Quilting
24
Coffee/
Conversation
8 AM
25
Bells—6 PM
Choir 7 PM
26 27
28 29
Sewing Group
10 AM-2PM
30
12 PM
Bible Study
1 PM Quilting
31
Coffee/
Conversation
8 AM
October 2018
Meridian Presbyterian Church 4150 Highland Avenue Butler, PA 16001
![Saxos Don't Know Why [Murtha]](https://static.documents.pub/doc/80x56/577c7f0c1a28abe054a30488/saxos-dont-know-why-murtha.jpg)
