SEPTEMBER 2019
The CORNERSTONE
2 YO! Youth Ministry
3 Gospel Story Reading Plan
3 Special Friends
4 Confirmation Class
4 Meet Rich Whiting
5 Mission Trip Recap
6 Joy! (Senior Adult Ministry)
6 Music Notes
A publication of Westfield Presbyterian Church, New Castle, Pennsylvania What’s INSIDE
www.westfieldchurch.org 1
Helping The Community
In the coat rack area are special bins for your donations
of items for our local Project HOPE food pantry. During
September we are collecting canned meats: chicken,
tuna, Spam. Items always in need are coffee, juices,
laundry soap, dish soap and cereals. Adding just one
item for HOPE to your cart each time you shop will really
make a difference!
September 8 is Rally Sunday Don’t Miss The Festivities!
Join us as we kick off another great Sun-
day school year! Registration/Open
House for our classes for all ages begins
at 9:45 A.M. Parents of children age 3
through grade 6, you can get a head start
on things by registering online anytime.
Just click here and look for the Sunday
School Registration icon.
Our outdoor worship service begins at
11:00 A.M. under the pavilion. Seating
will be at the picnic tables, and we will
provide canopies for extra shade, but
please bring a chair if desired.
Our indoor picnic lunch begins at
noon. Pulled pork sandwiches will be
provided. Please bring your table ser-
vice and favorite sides to share. Also
highlighting the day is our second an-
nual apple pie contest. Entries are due
in the kitchen for judging by 10 A.M.
Unimaginable Impact You don’t know how many people have
been strengthened because you asked
God to encourage them; how many
people have been healed because you
prayed for their bodies; how many
spiritual runaways have come home
because you prayed for their souls.
None of us may ever know the true
effects of our prayers this side of
death. But we do know this: History
belongs to the intercessors. —John Ortberg
The Life You’ve Always Wanted
Be a Part of Mat Making!
Join Us on September 4
Kerri McKinley and friends invite you to join them as they crochet sleeping mats for the homeless out of your plastic bag donations. The completed mats put to good use thousands of plastic bags that would otherwise go to waste. Mat Makers will begin again on Wednesday, September 4, from 6 to 8 P.M. Can’t cro-chet? That’s ok, there is a job for you. They flatten, fold, cut, and tie bags before they are ready to sew. They also need bags, so please drop them off in the parlor.
Thomas Merton, an American monk,
writer and social activist, said, “It is in the
ordinary duties and labors of life that the
Christian can and should develop his
spiritual union with God.” As the United
States observes Labor Day, may we find
meaning not simply in marking summer’s
end but in celebrating the ways nearly all
“duties and labors of life” can empower
ministry and faith.
Whether as a dentist, parent, artist,
teacher, mechanic, gardener, city
councilor, farmer, day laborer, attorney
or anything else, a Christian can begin
each workday or shift by praying for
opportunities to serve whoever they’ll
encounter. We also can pray for and seek
ways to grow in “spiritual union with
God”: cultivating spiritual fruits; ac-
tively loving God and neighbor; seeing
Jesus in the vulnerable; practicing hu-
mility, gratitude and praise.
In Labor Day, may we find inspiration to
make all our labors loving and faithful!
Youth Ministry Update by Pastor David Champ
Summer has been full of YO! activities
and events. Our annual Kennywood trip, a
night at MoCo House, our Pool Party, a
Survivor Scavenger Hunt, a night at Cow-
lick’s, and many others. Thank you to
everyone who opened their homes, helped
with transportation, and participated in
our events throughout the summer.
We have a couple of major changes com-
ing to our YO! program as we seek to
adapt to the changing needs and interests
of our students and their parents. On
Wednesdays this fall, we will be serving
at MoCoHouse from 3-close and doing
our weekly Wednesday lesson there. We
will have options early in the afternoon
and later in the evening to accommodate
our students’ schedules. On Sundays, we
will meet from 6-8 most weeks but we are
calling it our “Family Room” event. We
will be doing dinner as a youth group
Fifth Quarter Schedule
Our Fifth Quarter bonfires return again this year, right
after each home Mohawk football game. The dates for
our YO! youth ministry pizza and bonfires are:
August 30, September 20, October 4,11,and 25
Labors of Love
starting at 6, transitioning into our les-
son/discussion, and ending with our
game time with lots of new ideas this
year. The purpose of this is to deepen
the family atmosphere of our program
and to continue to be a “second family”
for our students.
Our lessons this fall will follow The
Story of Jesus. We will be reading com-
bined Gospel passages on Sunday eve-
nings and then on Wednesdays diving
deeper into why each of the Gospel
writers wrote things the way they did.
We have our kick-off on August 25 and
will begin meeting regularly from that
point on. Please pray for our students
and our new vision as we seek to better
serve our students in an ever-changing
culture.
The CORNERSTONE SEPTEMBER 2019
www.westfieldchurch.org 2
The CORNERSTONE SEPTEMBER 2019
During this time of transition at Westfield,
I invite you to enjoy the following reading
plan that will compliment the sermon se-
ries planned for the next several weeks.
Copies of this suggested reading plan will
also be available in the bulletin for several
weeks. As we share the stories of Jesus’
life and ministry, may you be blessed by
the study of his forgiveness, healing and
mercy.
Monday, 8/26: Luke 1 □
John 1:1-14 □
Tuesday, 8/27: Matthew 1 □
Luke 2:1-38 □
Wednesday, 8/28: Matt. 2 □
Luke 2:39-52 □
Thursday, 8/29: Matt. 3 □
Mark 1 □
Luke 3 □
Friday, 8/30: Matt. 4 □
Luke 4-5 □
John 1:15-51 □
Monday, 9/2: John 2-4 □
Tuesday, 9/3: Mark 2 □
Wednesday, 9/4: John 5 □
Thursday, 9/5: Matt 12:1-21 □
Mark 3 □
Luke 6 □
Friday, 9/6: Matt. 5-7 □
Monday, 9/9: Matt. 8:1-13 □
Luke 7 □
Tuesday, 9/10: Matthew 11 □
Wednesday, 9/11: Matt. 12:22-50 □
Luke 11 □
Thursday, 9/12: Matt. 13 □
Luke 8 □
Friday, 9/13: Matt. 8:14-34 □
Mark 4-5 □
Monday, 9/16: Matthew 9-10 □
Tuesday, 9/17: Matt. 14 □
Mark 6 □
Luke 9:1-17 □
Wednesday, 9/18: John 6 □
Thursday, 9/19: Matt. 15 □
Mark 7 □
Friday, 9/20: Matt. 16 □
Mark 8 □
Luke 9:18-27 □
Monday, 9/23: Matt 17 □
Mark 9 □
Luke 9:28-62 □
Tuesday, 9/24: Matthew 18 □
Wednesday, 9/25: John 7-8 □
Thursday, 9/26: John 9:1-10:21 □
Friday, 9/27: Luke 10 □
John 10:22-42 □
Monday, 9/30: Luke 12-13 □
Tuesday, 10/1: Luke 14-15 □
Wednesday, 10/2: Luke 16:1-17:10 □
Thursday, 10/3: John 11 □
Friday, 10/4: Luke 17:11-18:14 □
Christian Symbol: Pearl
The pearl is a symbol of the surpassing value of the kingdom of God, based on Jesus’ parable in
Matthew 13:45-46 (ESV): “The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,
who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
www.westfieldchurch.org 3
Gospel Story Reading Plan by Pastor David Champ
Russ & Judy Bryan at Golden Hill
Shirley Gibson
at Carriage Court
Eleanor Gwin at Avalon
Hazel Hassig
at her residence
Pearl Jolley at her residence
Mary Lou Williams
at Avalon
Confirmation Class Details
There will be a brief orienta-
tion and Q & A for confirma-
tion students and parents at
9:45 A.M. on Sunday, Sep-
tember 8, in room 112. If
you and your child (Jr. High
up to age 17) decide that it’s
time to confirm their faith
and become a covenant
partner of Westfield, please
call the church office at
724.667.7045 or TEXT
Lorraine Book at
724.944.6982 before Sep-
tember 8.
A trial 12-week curriculum
will be presented from Sep-
tember 15 through Decem-
ber 1.
China, Korea, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Paki-
stan, Germany, Argentina, Brazil. These
are just a few of the places Rich’s work as
a professional engineer has taken him.
Now retired, Rich says he would most
like to visit Turkey again. The combi-
nation of cultures there is diverse
and fascinating
For some great conversation and a
glimpse of Rich’s warm smile, be
sure to ask him about his two
children (Rob and Sarah), his two
grandchildren (Natalia and Sawyer),
his beloved Rosanne (who lost a
brave battle with cancer last Novem-
ber), or any of his many work-related
assignments (the story of his time in
Mindanao in the southern
Philippines is full of great details).
Although Rich has “been around for-
ever,” we were blessed to welcome him
as a Westfield Covenant Partner in Feb-
ruary.
New Member Rich Whiting
The CORNERSTONE SEPTEMBER 2019
www.westfieldchurch.org 4
Rich Whiting and Jill Trotter
Elder Law: If I Had Only Known Deacons Offer Class Tuition and Transportation
The Deacons of Westfield Church would
like to invite you to attend the following
class offered at BC3. Cost of the class
will be covered by the Deacons and if
you need transportation to and from the
class we can help with that too. Please
contact Heather Brenner at 724-674-1589
if interested.
Elder Law “If I Had Only Known”
Elder law focuses on the legal needs and
concerns of older or disabled individuals
and their families. Do you have questions
“God is not out there or back there or yet to be, but hidden in the most ordinary things of our ordinary lives.”
—Sallie McFague
such as: Do I need a Will, Living Will,
or Power of Attorney? How do I pay
for a nursing home? How do I provide
for my disabled child? How do I keep
the state from taking my estate when I
die? How do I avoid probate? How do
I apply for Veteran's benefits? An
elder law attorney will help you answer
these questions.
This class offered at BC3 Lawrence
Crossing (on Rt. 224, Union Township
at Parkstown Corners). Each session is
2 classes. Choose either the September
session or October session.
Choose One 2-class session:
Wed., Sept. 18 and Wed., Sept. 25
6:30PM - 8:30PM each night
Cost $49 (tuition cost will be covered)
OR
Wed., Oct. 16 and Wed., Oct. 23
6:30PM - 8:30PM each night
Cost $49 (tuition cost will be covered)
The CORNERSTONE SEPTEMBER 2019
Parker Evan Lyons is a 2019 graduate of
Mohawk High School. His is the son of
Kristy Bailey, the step-son of Jim Bailey,
and a grandson of Bonnie & Evan Ernst.
Parker was president of ski club, football
captain and received 2nd Team All-State
by coaches’ selection. He played in the
2019 Penn Ohio All-Star Football Game
this summer where he was also selected as
a team captain. He is a 4-year letterman in
football and track and a 2-year letterman
in basketball.
Parker has accepted a football scholarship
at California University of Pennsylvania
where he will major in finance.
Mission Trip 2019 by Sue McCurley
building a new deck, washing the out-
side of an entire double-wide building by
hand, general cleaning, and some minor
repair work.
This year our efforts were directed to the
agencies that help other people instead
of helping individuals directly. We were
showered with gratitude by all the folks
we worked for and met during the week. If you ask any mission team member
they will tell you how much we enjoyed
what we did, how much we enjoyed each
other, and how nice it was to share
Christ’s message of caring and compas-
sion with the folks of Hannibal and
Paris. If you have never experienced a
mission trip, then put it on your list of
things to do in 2020. You won’t be dis-
appointed.
www.westfieldchurch.org 5
Mohawk Graduate Parker Lyons
Nominations Are Underway
Please keep the members of our
Nominating Committee in prayer as
they go about the work of bringing
nominations to the congregation for
the Session, Board of Deacons,
Trustees, and Pastor Nominating
Committee (PNC). Currently serv-
ing are the following individuals:
Debbie Liggett, Brian Yorns, Susan
Schweikert, Wes Stoner, Scott
Deal, Dave McCullough, Bruce Har-
man, Mary Mikesell, Janet Wigg,
Dave Trotter, Shirley Miles, Marian
Spieker, Loraine Book, Dave
Schmolly and Judi Spears.
Another successful mission trip was ex-
perienced by 32 Westfield Church mem-
bers in June. If you didn't hear our report
to the congregation in July, here is just a
brief synopsis to share how special this
ministry is for everyone.
After a 12 hour drive to Hannibal, Mis-
souri, we settled in to the First Presbyte-
rian Church which was our home for the
week. The work we did was for agencies
of the United Way of the Mark Twain
Area.
Our group was split up and assigned to
the following places: The Avenues
Women’s Shelter, The Child Center; the
Northeast Community Action Corpora-
tion Family Planning Clinic; Senior Citi-
zen Center of Paris, MO; Douglass
County Early Head
Start; Douglass County
Community Services;
and the United Way
Office. Projects in-
cluded packing lunches
for children who had
nutritional issues,
tearing up and laying
down flooring, installing
new flooring, painting,
and more painting, re-
modeling and reinstall-
ing 3 bathrooms,
It may be a short month, but JOY is not
short on activities this September. We’ll
be celebrating Grandparents, Chocolate
Milkshake Day, and Apples throughout
the month.
This is also the month of our Field Trip to
the Flight 93 Memorial on September 19.
There will be no JOY gathering on that
day as many of our members will be on
the trip.
Now that school is back in session and
summer activities are winding down, let’s
all take the time to be thankful for a safe
summer and good times spent with family
and friends.
If we haven’t seen you at JOY lately, we
MISS you and hope you’ll be able to re-
turn soon. We have new friends who
have joined us and many new (and some
“old” favorite) activities coming up.
Joy Tip of the Month: Go to a high
school football game to see the excite-
ment and hear the band! (Many area
high schools offer free or reduced admis-
sion to Seniors.)
Joy Needs: Someone to teach us how to
play BUNCO. We also need BUT-
TONS! (Do you still have that Mason jar
full of buttons that you can share?)
Music Notes by Sarah Phillips
Apples, Bus Trips and Trivia, Wow! by Doreen Hietsch
The CORNERSTONE SEPTEMBER 2019
www.westfieldchurch.org 6
Annual Senior Luncheon 12 Noon
Thursday, October 11 Sponsored by the Deacons
Details Coming Soon
torture, and imprisonment. The issues
are in the church library.
The Sacred Music Clinic at Volkwein’s
Music in Pittsburgh is another great
gathering of musicians. This year Larry
Shackley directed the workshop. Many
great ideas for Chancel Choir were in-
troduced. I also gained inspiration from
collaborating with other choir directors,
organists, pianists, arrangers, compos-
ers, pastors, worship leaders, and Chris-
tians of all denominations.
The Sacred Music Clinic at Stanton’s
Music in Columbus, Ohio is rewarding
and productive. This workshop is a
little more progressive and never disap-
points. Jay Rouse directed this work-
shop. His arrangements and composi-
tions are prolific and well-suited to a
variety of worship styles. He is a musi-
cian who can bridge many styles of
praise and is a humble servant of the
Lord.
Chancel Choir Kickoff With the approach of fall, it is time to see all choir members back in the choir loft. To kick off the season, we will have our picnic at the new home of Bonnie and Evan Ernst on Wednesday, September 4, at 6:00 P.M. After the fellowship at the pic-nic, we will have our first rehearsal of the season at 7:30 P.M. If you would like to be a part of this important min-istry at Westfield, please join us.
Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.
─ Psalm 150
This summer was a quiet time of study
and preparation for the upcoming 2019-
2020 music season at Westfield.
Cantor Kleinman presented musical
settings of the psalms at the Maltz Mu-
seum of Jewish Heritage in Cleveland.
The beauty, poetry, and power of the
psalms are easily set to music for wor-
ship purposes. I was humbled as we
toured the Holocaust Museum that is
part of the complex.
The New Wilmington Missionary Con-
ference is a motivating experience. The
music is always fantastic. This year, I
especially enjoyed meeting Robert
Brock and hearing his moving testimo-
nies of those in the mission field who
are persecuted for Christ’s sake. West-
field receives “The Voice of the Mar-
tyrs” magazine each month. Check out
the many stories of brave Christians
who refuse to deny Christ and perse-
vere in the face of extreme deprivation,