april 2016 the cornerstone - westfield presbyterian...
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www.westfieldchurch.org 1
APRIL 2016
The CORNERSTONE
2 Pastor Paul Votaw
2 Thinking Globally
2 Movie Night
3 New Staff
4 New Covenant Partners
4 David Champ and YO!
5 Photo Gallery
A Publication of Westfield Presbyteian Church
Newly Trained Stephen Ministers to be Commissioned Potluck lunch follows worship service “Bear one another’s burdens, and in this
way you will fulfill the law of
Christ.”(Galatians 6:2)
Stephen Ministry, Christian lay caring
ministry for those in need, is a vital part of
our congregation's mission. On Sunday,
April 17, we will commission Pat Byers,
Bryan Cunningham, Anne Kephart, Susan
Schweikert and Marcia Votaw to begin
service as Stephen Ministers in our con-
gregation. Join in the celebration! Come
pray for and show your support for this
caring ministry and these gifted people
whom God has called and equipped for
this important role in our congregation.
Immediately following worship you are
invited to a potluck lunch celebrating
these dedicated volunteers and highlight-
ing the avenues of service that our
boards and committees support through
projects, functions and activities.
Chicken salad sandwiches and dessert
will be provided. Please bring your table
service and a side dish to share.
What’s INSIDE
Operation Kindness Partner with Mohawk Elementary
students as they collect items to
assist deployed members of the
United States Military and our
military heroes. Donation boxes
will be out at Westfield from April
17 - May 8. See page 6 for the list
of items requested and help show
our deployed troops that they are
never far from our thoughts and
prayers.
Informational Meeting April 10
Our Session has called an informational meeting of the con-
gregation to be held immediately after worship on April 10.
The purpose of the meeting is to make sure all members are
aware of some proposed changes that will occur over the
next year with our pastor, Paul Votaw, and our Director of
Youth and Family Ministries, David Champ.
Invite some friends and neighbors and join us for our April free com-munity meal from 5-7 P.M. on Wednesday, April 27.
Community Meal
www.westfieldchurch.org 2
Mission & Outreach Updates
Dan and Kim Scheel have returned
to Ethiopia. We hope Dan will be
able to resume his work load with his
new knee replacement.
Kevin and Wendy Mason will wel-
come their son Cameron home for
spring break. He is responding well
to counseling for depression. He
wants to find a job in the U.S. as an
intern for a coffee roasting business.
As Director of Expansion, Kevin
continues to work towards bridging
the gap between unbelievers around
the world. He is seeing Christians
interacting with refugees along the
migration path and witnessing to
them. He sees wonderful things hap-
pening.
Our Partners in Indonesia are still
experiencing crop loss, even after the
drought and insects have passed. The
land has been severely stressed.
Even now the rats are attacking the
rice, sweet potatoes, and peanut
crops. Pray for faith to grow with the
workers, for a graduation and future
plans for these partners to once again
work together as team.
Juanita Rug reports that she is fully
funded for her trip to Belgium. She is
grateful for all the support and asks
for your continued prayers that the
Lord will guide her and prepare her
for the trip.
Tanzania. Look for an update on our
GLAD Offering in next month’s
newsletter. Monies raised on Palm
Sunday will be sent to support the
Kwetu Faraja Children’s Home in
Mwanza. Visit their website at kwe-
tufaraja.org
In October of 2015 I began highlighting a
Westfield ministry in each newsletter. So
far there have been articles about
Stephen Ministry, Community Food Dis-
tribution in North Beaver Township, our
2016 Mission Trip and Meals on Wheels.
This month I would like to share some
information and thoughts about our Com-
munity Meal that takes place the last
Wednesday of each month. This ministry
was initiated by the Board of Deacons
about two years ago and the Deacons con-
tinue to prepare the food and organize
volunteers. On any given Community
Meal night you will find up to 20 people
helping to set up, greet, cook, serve, and
clean up.
The meal is free to anyone in the commu-
nity and continues to grow in attendance
as awareness grows. It is interesting to see
how this ministry has evolved over the
two years since its inception. Originally
intended to provide a meal for those in
need it has also become a place for the
community to gather to catch up on the
news, for friends to spend time together,
and for old friends to get reconnected.
We are currently serving between 175
and 200 at each meal. This includes
meals that are delivered to various
homes. If you have not attended please
plan on joining us sometime soon. The
meal is served from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. and
takes place the fourth Wednesday of
each month. This is a relaxing way to
end the day and not worry about prepar-
ing a meal at home.
If you need a ride please call 724-667-
7045 by the Monday prior to the meal.
We look forward to serving you.
Thank you to all who work so hard to
make this ministry possible.
Peanuts Movie Featured
The CORNERSTONE APRIL 2016
Our next family movie night is planned for Friday, April 22, at 7:30 P.M. We are featuring The Peanuts Movie. This animated G-rated film introduces a whole new generation to the characters of Charlie Brown, Linus and Snoopy! Popcorn and drinks will be available. Please bring other snacks and your own comfy chair if you like. Invite a friend to share the laughter, joy and wonder of the Peanuts gang.
Next in our series on Westfield Ministries
Westfield Ministries: Community Meal by Paul Votaw
Look for the new Christmas Shoe Box
Corner in the Narthex. You are welcome
to look for deals and sales on things that
can be packed in a shoe box and leave
them in this location all year round. The
committee will be happy to pack extra
boxes with these items when the time
comes. This corner will also be a con-
stant reminder to pray for the recipients
of boxes sent out in December. Some
boxes are still traveling to their destina-
tion.
New Shoebox Corner
www.westfieldchurch.org 3
The CORNERSTONE APRIL 2016
Our newest staff member, Financial Sec-
retary Stacy Cosgrove, started in March.
Here’s some interesting information about
this charming and hard-working woman.
Tell us about your family. I’m married
to Rob and we have 4 kids: Michelle,
Maggie, Marissa, and Brian
First job? Making ice cream cones at
Double J in Ellwood City
Dream job? Being a mom!
Favorite verse: “For I know the plans I
have for you, “ declares the Lord, “plans
to prosper you and not to harm you, plans
to give you hope and a future.”
- Jeremiah 29:11
Personal hero? My mom
Favorite food? Anything Italian
If you could travel anywhere, where
would it be? The Bahamas. My husband
and I took an anniversary cruise there a
few year ago and had a great time.
City or country? country
Coffee or tea? tea
Shark diving or bungee jumping? neither!
What was the last photo you took on
your phone? The morning sunrise ear-
lier this week. It was beautiful.
What is your perfect pizza? Chicken,
Bacon Ranch at Pizza Joe’s
Favorite TV show right now: Fuller
House. It’s an update on the show Full
House that my kids and I watched to-
gether years ago when they still offered
family-friendly shows every Friday
night.
Volunteering is....fun! My friends con-
vinced me to get involved at MoCo
House and I’ve been working there since
they opened in November of 2014
If you could master one skill you don’t
have now, what would it be? To speak
a foreign language.
Java Jog Training Starts April 18
Join our Solid Grounds team and partici-
pate in MoCo House’s annual Java Jog
fundraiser on May 30. This 5k run and 2
mile walk, held each year on Memorial
Day weekend, benefits MoCo House in
Bessemer.
Our “conditioning” schedule begins on
Monday, April 18, at 6 P.M. at the pavilion
and is open to all ages and fitness levels.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes and
come and share the fellowship!
Registration for the Java Jog is $20 and
forms can be obtained at MoCo House
or online at
www.mohawkcoffeehouse.com.
A Quick Take on Stacy Cosgrove
JAVA JOG 2016 MAY 30
Westfield’s Team is walking and running
ON SOLID “GROUNDS”
Graduate Information Needed
In the June issue of The Cornerstone we will feature information about our graduates.
Please submit a photo and biographical information no later than Sunday, May 15, to
office@westfieldchurch.org. We look forward to honoring your accomplishments and we
are anxious to know your plans for the future!
Promotion and Graduation Sunday is May 22 at Westfield. Local baccalaureate service is
scheduled for May 22 at 7:00 P.M. at Mohawk.
Welcome to Financial Secretary
Stacy Cosgrove!
www.westfieldchurch.org 4
Items for the Project HOPE Food Pantry in May
are paper products: Kleenex, toilet paper, paper
towels, napkins. Items always in need are coffee,
laundry detergent, dish soap, cereal and juice.
Please leave your donations in the coat rack area.
One of the things I love about Westfield is
the passion and desire you have for this
community and the members here. You
are a vibrant part of the spiritual develop-
ment of the students of our congregation
and those we are trying to reach.
In March we continued our study of Mere
Christianity and the Book of Revelation.
We had a traditional Passover Seder Meal
on the Wednesday before Easter and par-
ticipated in the Easter Egg Hunt on Palm
Sunday Weekend.
At our first 6th Grade Open House we met
a new group of students who are energetic
and passionate about their faith. We look
forward to seeing them again at our sec-
ond Open House on April 24 and we are
excited about them joining our program
full time in June!
Over the next month we will have a “1-
Day-D-Now” with Bethel’s youth group
on April 16 from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. Our
theme this year will be “Who am I?” as
we continue our discussion from Light
of the City on Identity in Christ and how
we are valued by Him. Please pray for
this free event as we try to get as many
students from our churches and commu-
nity to participate.
Thank you for your support and prayers
over these wonderful students. Continue
to pray and support the church’s mission
trip to Portland, Maine as plans are final-
ized and we get closer to sending 33
people, adults and youth alike, to serve
God and African refugees in New Eng-
land.
Thanks for Your Partnership by David Champ, Director of Youth & Family Ministries
The CORNERSTONE APRIL 2016
Confirmands Welcomed as New Covenant Partners
On Palm Sunday Westfield welcomed
three new covenant partners: Victoria,
Marissa, and Hayden. Since September
these students, along with
dedicated teachers
Lorraine Book and Delta
Stoner, have explored the
meaning of their baptism,
learned about steward-
ship, spiritual practices,
worship and mission.
Together they completed
a Corporate Statement of
Faith which states in part, “ We are
called to be passionate about our faith
and be missionaries to the world and
help others believe.”
A special thank you to the parents and
families of these students who have
supported them. Your love and encour-
agement has been a vital part of their
decision to be committed disciples of
Jesus Christ.
Russ & Judy Bryan at their residence
Alice Fullerton
Sun City Center, Florida
Shirley Gibson at her residence
Needs for Project HOPE
(photo by Kaylee Vastano)
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The CORNERSTONE APRIL 2016
Walk With Jesus and Egg Hunt
Bible Quiz
What was the name of Esther’s cousin who raised her after her parents died?
A. Hegai
B. Haman
C. Mordecai
D. Ahasuerus (also known as Xerxes)
A HUGE thank you to everyone who par-
ticipated in our Easter event on March 19.
Many volunteers were part of the Walk
With Jesus, our Spring Carnival and
Easter Egg Hunt. Thank you for the bless-
ing of your time and resources!
Answer: C (See Esther 2:7
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WOW’s “Can-Do” Attitude
Women of Westfield (WOW) will have their Spring Fling
on Saturday, May 7, at noon. We are committed to having a
fun and casual ninety minutes of fellowship with guest
speaker Marcia Votaw, a children’s choir, and a variety of
salads for lunch. This event is free and all we need is your
reservation! Watch for a bulletin insert coming soon or con-
tact Mary Mikesell at 724.336.5192.
Hygiene Items (New): Shaving Supplies
Shampoo
Shower Gel
Lotion
Deodorant
Hand Sanitizer
Baby Wipes
Chapstick
Travel Sized Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Entertainment Items (New or Gently
Used): CDs
Board Games
AAA and AA Batteries
Cards
Puzzles (Sudoku, Crossword,etc.)
Sports Equipment
Magazines
Food: Prepackaged Snacks: beef jerky nuts
tuna packets beef sticks
trail mix popcorn
granola bars
Individual serving packets of the
following: Powered Drink Mixes,
cookies, crackers, chips, pretzels, etc.
Operation Kindess Donation List Collection runs through May 8 at Westfield
The CORNERSTONE APRIL 2016
The Cornerstone is a monthly
publication of Westfield
Presbyterian Church.
We are a congregation of the
Covenant Order of Evangelical
Presbyterians.
We worship together every Sunday at
11:00 A.M. We welcome all members,
friends, and visitors to join us.
Editor & Office Secretary:
Maribeth Jones
Church Staff:
Rev. Paul Votaw
Temporary Pastor
David Champ
Director of Youth & Family
Ministries
Sarah Phillips
Organist/Choir Director
Stacy Cosgrove
Financial Secretary
Dave Micco
Custodian
We draw people to Christ not by loudly discrediting what they believe,
by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them
a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it.
—Madeleine L’Engle
Continued from front cover
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