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HILLTOP HERALD JUNE/JULY 2015

Deacons:

Patti Milsom, Chairperson

Kathleen Sokol, Co-chairperson

Linda Carlen

Gwen Davidson

Carol Henson

Sally Lickovich

Tricia Luebbe, Secretary

Nancy Rossi

JoAnn Sanders

Cathy Scott

Robert Shaffer, Treasurer

Tracy Spiegel

Jim Strand

Bob Weber

Leadership of Union Church Session:

Sally Andrews Stated Clerk

Scott Davis Outreach/Mission

Connie Rippole Administrative Support Team

Cheri Bittner Discipleship

Jim Hall Fellowship

Gail Jackson Childcare Committee

Rob Rossi Finance Team

Carol DiClemente Nominating Team

Jake Phillips Worship Team

Trustees:

Don Jukes, President

Bob Winning, VP

Tom Connell

Clyde English

Mary McNavish

John Miles

Union Church Staff Billy Younger Lead Pastor

Joshua Hjemvick Pastoral Assistant of Youth & Families

Monica Laughery Office Manager

Matt Robles Assistant Director of Youth & Family Ministries

Lisa Berger Director of Children’s Ministries

John M. Seybert Director of Music Ministries

Sue Strunk Organist

Sarah Shaffer Treasurer

George Shumek Financial Secretary

Anne Burke Childcare Director

Carl Reed Sexton

Sally Andrews Pastoral Care Coordinator

Mimi Massucci Wedding Coordinator

Sue Shumek New Member Coordinator

Mark Trautman Cemetery

Youth Ministries (Grades 6-12) Building authentic faith that the students of Union Church can carry on to college and beyond.

Check the website for the summer schedule and programs.

In response to the gospel, we will love God, love one another, and love the world by making disciples of Jesus Christ.

discipleSHIP Children’s Ministries during summer 10AM One-Worship schedule:

Nursery available every Sunday for infant-age 5. Children will be cared for by gentle, loving, compassionate hands while you

attend worship.

Preschool (age 3-5) will not be offered through the summer.

Elementary (current K-grade 5) discipleSHIP available; EXCEPT on Communion Sunday’s in which children are encouraged to

attend worship service with the family. Children get to know God through Bible teachings built around monthly applications

which are characteristics of God. Through music, fun activities and creative Bible stories, children learn to apply these truths to their

everyday lives.

HILLTOP HERALD Dear People of God,

Well, officially summer is almost here and the warm sunny weather could not feel any better (especially after such a long

and brutal winter!). And even while you are enjoying the relaxed and perhaps more humane pace of life, I would remind

you to please consider how we will approach the summer months with regard to our spiritual lives, especially as the

church and its leaders continue to tackle important issues relating to the denomination, the 2020 vision, and basically,

discerning what God might be doing here in this unique family of faith called Union.

Every year it strikes me as odd just how common it is for those of us in America to live our lives on a nine month rhythm

(even for those who do not personally have children in the public school system). As is usually the case, that rhythm kicks

off in the fall with all of our many activities and abruptly comes to an end nine months later with various graduations and

the coming of the longer days of summer. What has always bothered me, however, is how so many of us by default

simply allow the summer months to become a time of decreased involvement with our Lord and his church. It is as

though the world around us pays attention to Christ in the fall and then checks out in June. We see this on the surface of

things through diminished worship attendance, decreased giving, etc.

However, the real issue is not necessarily your involvement in church activities and doing ministry “stuff”. My particular

pastoral concern, rather, is for your heart and your sincere involvement with the things of God’s heart. I wholeheartedly

believe that the summer months are an especially important and critical time to get reconnected with God. As I said,

hopefully the pace of life changes and we are able to take the necessary time to dig even deeper in the Word, to enjoy

worship, and to grow in our faith.

So, I urge you to make worshipping, and serving our Lord the chief goal of your summer. How can we do this? We can all

begin by staying faithful in worship attendance and service opportunities in the church. Remain faithful with our giving.

Get involved in a brother or sister’s life to encourage them and spur them on to greater spiritual maturity. And even if you

are “peopled-out”, then take your Bible outside on beautiful days and read it unhurriedly for hours. Ask the Spirit of God

to set fire to your heart to serve Him more faithfully in the coming fall. Who knows how your heart might be changed and

renewed. And the church too!

Being renewed with you, Billy

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another---

and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25

UNION CHURCH 6165 Steubenville Pike McKees Rocks Pennsylvania 15136

phone 412-787-1818 fax 412-787-8126 www.unionpresbychurch.org

JUNE 22-26

NEXT HILLTOP HERALD PUBLISHED AUGUST 9TH

-ARTICLES DUE BY NOON, AUGUST 6TH

HILLTOP HERALD JULY CALENDAR 2015

YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRIES

4 7pm AA Meeting in Fellowship Hall

5 10am Communion Worship Service with Nursery care for infants thru age 5 (NO discipleSHIP Children’s Ministries)

6 9am Knitters & Crocheters in Lounge

7pm Worship Committee Meeting in Noble House

7 9am Quilters

10:30am Staff Meeting in Lounge

5:28—5:44pm ‘tee times’ for Union Golf Fellowship at Moon Golf Club

7pm Nominating Committee Meeting in Noble House

8 5:30-8pm Youth Group (Grades 6-12) Summer Bible Study in Youth Rooms

11 9am “Noble Reflections” prayer vigil in Noble House

9:30am Trustees Meeting in Lounge

4pm AA Dinner Meeting in Fellowship Hall

12 10am Worship Service with discipleSHIP Children’s Ministries and Nursery care for infants thru age 5

13 Youth Group Kennywood Day

7pm AST Meeting in Lounge

7pm Finance Committee Meeting in Noble House dining room

7pm Outreach(Mission) Committee Meeting in Noble House living room

14 9am Quilters



6pm Food Pantry open in Fellowship Hall


18 BBQ/Capital Campaign fundraiser at Union parking lot and Fellowship Hall

7pm AA Meeting in Fellowship Hall



Youth Group Ohiopyle Adventure

21 9am Quilters



7pm Deacons Meeting in Lounge



26-August 1 Surf City Middle School Trip


27 6pm Childcare Committee Meeting

6pm Discipleship Committee Meeting in Lounge

7pm Session Meeting in Noble House

28 9am Quilters


Youth Ministry Summer

YOUTH GROUP WEDNESDAYS, GRADES 6-12

FOOD AND GAMES, 5:30-7PM

BIBLE STUDY, 7-8PM

THIS SUMMER, WE'LL BE TAKING A LOOK AT LIFE WITH JESUS IN THE

GOSPEL OF JOHN. THE DATES WE'RE MEETING ARE . . .

JUNE 17 KICKOFF

JULY 8, 15, 22

AUGUST 12, 19

FOR MORE INFO: JOSH 724-713-0344 OR MATT 412-453-4195

EVENTS JULY 13

KENNYWOOD

JULY 20

OHIOPYLE TRIP

AUGUST 13

WORLD VISION WORKDAY

AUGUST 21

END OF SUMMER

POOL PARTY AND BONFIRE

@ MAPEL'S

CAMPS OMAHA MISSION TRIP

HIGH SCHOOL JUNE 27-JULY 4

SURF CITY

MIDDLE SCHOOL JULY 26 -31

JUNE/JULY 2015

WOMEN’S SPIRITUAL RETREAT

“Renovation of the Heart”: Finding the Healing of the Cross and the Resurrection

with Guest Speaker Karen Younger

October 3 & 4, 2015

Seven Springs Resort

Registration begins June 14th and ends August 23rd.

Contacts: Winona Johnston 412-498-2927 or Kathy Sokol 412-498-8377

JUNE CALENDAR 2015

14 Salad Luncheon Social in Fellowship Hall after worship services

Women’s Spiritual Retreat “Renovation of the Heart” registration begins today!


6pm Discipleship Committee Meeting in Lounge

16 Blannerhassett Island Day Trip

9am Quilters



6pm Childcare Committee Meeting

7pm Deacons Meeting in Lounge


6pm Women’s Retreat Committee planning meeting in Noble House


21 * FATHER’S DAY * 10am Worship Service with discipleSHIP Children’s Ministries and Nursery care for infants thru age 5

22-26 Union Childcare Center CLOSED

22 5:30pm Feed the Homeless at Northside Common Ministries

7pm Session Meeting in Noble House

23 5:28—5:44pm ‘tee times’ for Union Golf Fellowship at Moon Golf Club

24 Pirates Game *PrimeTime Event*


27-July 4 Omaha Mission Trip-High School Youth Group


30 9am Quilters

10-3pm Presbyterian Women Luncheon in Noble House


June 22-26:

As the beautiful summer weather is upon us, the women take a break from our formal monthly Bible study. For many years

we have gathered at the end of June to enjoy lunch. This year, we will meet on Tuesday, June 30 in the Noble House for this

time of fun and fellowship. Ladies in our congregation are welcome to join us even if you have not attended the Bible study.

Rachel Phillips, Pat Ventura, Sally Andrews or Doris Scott will be happy to give you details. We resume study in September.

Presbyterian Women with the leadership of Rachel Phillips and Pat Ventura are privileged to serve a bereavement meal for

families at the time of a funeral or memorial service. The women of Union Church have been happy to provide this meal and

a time to share memories and visit with family and friends for many years. Usually the menu is baked ham, scalloped

potatoes, and a vegetable. In addition, with the help of many in the congregation, delicious salads and desserts are provided.

The Presbyterian Women cannot afford to cover the entire cost and the family is asked to pay for the meat, potatoes and

vegetable. We hope this is helpful to families while they celebrate the life of a loved one with friends and we are committed

to providing this help to grieving families. Presbyterian Women were recently blessed to have this opportunity to serve two

families in our congregation. Although this is not a service we are anxious to provide we do want the members of our church

family to know we are willing.

Presbyterian Women from around the United States and many foreign countries will be meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota

on June 18th

to the 21st. Pittsburgh women will be represented at this Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women where

the theme ONE BODY-ONE SPIRIT, based on 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, will guide the meeting.

This Presbyterian Women’s group has been meeting for many years and we are grateful for wonderful friends who have

shared with us.

Special prayers and good wishes to the ladies who are celebrating nonagenarian birthdays:

Doris Harper 93 – Dorothy Risinger 96 – Mary Gettemy 97 – Virginia Wagner 93 – Ruth Christopher 97

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

OUR PURPOSE

Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves:

to nurture our faith through prayer and Bible study,

to support the mission of the church worldwide,

to work for justice and peace and

to build an inclusive, caring community of women

that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (USA)

and witnesses to the promise of God’s Kingdom

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Friendly reminder . . .

the Food Pantry is open all summer and donations are welcome

Have a blessed and safe summer!

Union Church Deacons

DEACONS

HILLTOP HERALD JUNE/JULY 2015

Growing up, I always thought it’d be cool to be a superhero. Mostly because, well, flying sounded like it

would be AMAZING. But also because superheroes stood up for what was right regardless of how

dangerous or how scary the situation. Their conviction drove them to find the courage to stand up to evil,

even when no one else seemed to care or stood petrified with fear. No matter what, the superhero came to

the rescue.

Given the chance, I thought that jumping into the story line of my favorite superhero comic book sounded

like something I would want to do with my life. I guess it’s because when I was kid, I didn't realize that I was

already part of an amazing story. No one ever told me that it didn't take some super power to act like a

superhero.

I have a feeling there are a ton of kids out there who feel the same way. That’s why we’re taking the months

of June and July to discover what it means to Stand Up: Get in the Story as we learn more about conviction.

Conviction is standing for what’s right, even when others don’t.

Let’s take Jesus for example. Even for Jesus, the Son of God, it wasn't always popular to do the right thing.

Sometimes doing the right thing meant hanging out with tax collectors, blessing the little children, or even

forgiving someone who had done something wrong. No matter what it was that Jesus needed to do, He

did it because it was the right thing to do.

But doing the right thing often made Jesus stand apart from some of the rich and powerful people of His

time. They didn’t always like what He was doing or saying, but Jesus never let those crowds persuade Him

to go against what God, His Father, wanted Him to do. Even when it meant going to the cross to die, Jesus

knew that it was the right thing, and He did it.

Jesus was able to live with conviction because He knew the will of His Father, and that gave Him strength

and courage. In the same way, God has given us the ability to know what is right and the ability to do it.

You see, when we are fueled by God’s character, we will stand up for the things that matter to God.

I'm looking forward to a great summer of helping kids discover that God created them in His image to join

the story that He’s telling in the world. I hope they figure out how they can Stand Up and have conviction in

their lives as well.

Lisa Berger, Director of Children’s Ministries

6165 STEUBENVILLE P IKE

McKEES ROCKS PA 15136 Phone : 412 -787 -1818 L i s a Berger

Di rector o f Ch i l dren ' s Min i s t r i e s

discipleSHIP CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES

Batteries (AA, D) Disposable cameras DVDs - movies Travel size toilet paper

Writing paper Pens Envelopes Throat Drops

Hard candy Toothbrushes Toothpaste Ramen Noodles

Nail Clippers Tissues Gatorade Powder Hairbrushes

Soap Q-tips Cotton balls Powdered Drink Mix

PowerAde Powder Cards Board Games Microwave Popcorn

Beef Jerky Sweet Tea mix Sewing Kits Pipe Cleaners

Wash Cloths Instant Coffee Coffee Creamer Packs of Crackers

Dental Floss Tea Bags Mouthwash Travel size Shampoo

Bug Spray Lotion Sunscreen Foot Powder Battery power Fans

Fly swatters Energy / Granola Bars Jerky Small Flashlights (Extra Bulbs)

Deodorant Sunflower Seeds Puzzle Books Shoe insole Cushions

Saline Nasal Spray Packs of Gum Tylenol Waterless hand sanitizer

Single serve cereal Tuna Eye drops Instant Oatmeal

Hand Lotion Sugar Packs Baby Wipes Feminine hygiene products

Chap Stick Licorice Disposable razor Snack Sized Cookies

White socks Black cushioned socks

2015 GRADUATES High School Graduates

Congratulations to our Class of 2015 high school graduates. Let us remember these young adults in our prayers as they

pursue their higher education.

Nick Cap, Moon High School

Nathan Hall, West Allegheny High School

Billy Krull, Montour High School

Hannah Maple, Montour High School

Crystal Marzullo, City High School

Bonnie Miller, Montour High School

Allison Risinger, Montour High School

Mike Selester, Hopewell High School

J.D. Witner, Montour High School

College Graduates

Congratulations to our Class of 2015 college graduates. Let us remember these young adults in our prayers as they begin

their career endeavors.

Mark Diskin Jr., Robert Morris University

Jennifer Jackson, MD in Education for the Deaf, Vanderbilt University

Stephen Lutz, Westminster College

Samantha Wildman, Westminster College

Kristina Winning, Robert Morris University

discipleSHIP CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES, continued

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Summer JAM is quickly approaching and this year we are partnering with a Christian organization, Yellow Ribbon Girls as our

Mission. This organization provides supplies to deployed troops. Listed below is a list of "requested" items. Highlighted items

are "most needed". Donations can be placed in boxes in Fellowship Hall labeled YRG. Donations accepted until June 28.

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