september 2019 interface...2019/09/09  · mrs. dudjak with the tth f 4 -year olds , and, mrs....

12
September 2019 Interface John McMillan Presbyterian Church Our mission is to provide a way for the community to Know, Glorify and Serve God! From the Senior Pastor In July four members of JMPC travelled to Oxchuk, Chiapas, Mexico to visit, work, play and worship with the members of Sinai Chijtal Presbyterian Church. You can see pictures of our experiences with the people of Oxchuk on the JMPC website and on the screen in the narthex. One of the things we found most interesting about Chijtal was the nature of the relationship between the members of that church. Chijtal is a true community of people. The people live in the surrounding hills on the road from Oxchuk that winds its way into the nearby mountains. The people, as far as I could tell, principally do two things. They build things and they grow things. But the center of their lives is the church. The church is not only the place of worship, but also the community center. While our presence was clearly a matter of considerable interest that attracted people to the church while we were there (not many white folks from the Unit- ed States have ever been there, if any), it was clear that these people gathered at the church regularly just so they could hang out with each other. One of the things they do a lot of is gather for community meals around community tables. When done eating, the children would play, the kitchen folks (men and women) would laugh while cleaning up, and Pastor Pablo would meet with the elders while others discussed important community issues. The people would stay late into the evening, sitting around a fire, roasting corn, talking and experiencing a good bit of camaraderie. The four of us from JMPC observed this and we talked about how Chijtal was an example of what a church is, or should be. I was reminded of some things I have read about what a church should be. Christine Pohl is professor of Christian social ethics at Asbury Theological Semi- nary and wrote the book Living Into Community; Cultivating Practices that Sus- tain Us. It’s about church as community. She says we are connected by specific practices. Practices are at the heart of human communities; they are things “people do together over time to address fundamental human needs.” Every community has practices that hold it together; for Christians, practices can also be understood as responses to the grace we have already experienced in Christ, in light of the word and work of God, and for the sake of one another in the world. Our practices include hospitality, making and keeping promises, truthfulness, gratitude, Sabbath-keeping, testimony, discernment, for- giveness, worship, healing and many others. … When folks enjoy being together, share celebrations, and walk through hard times with grace and love, the beauty of their shared life is deeply compelling. Human beings were made to live in community. And it is in community that we flourish and become most fully human. (continued on page 6) Inside this Issue: Preschool Pg. 2 Kids Klub Youth Group Pgs. 3 Spiritual Develop- ment Pgs. 3-5 NCC Pgs. 6, 10, 11 Outreach Pgs. 7 Music Notes Pg. 8 Christmas Affair Pg. 10 Worship Info on back

Upload: others

Post on 27-Jun-2020

0 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: September 2019 Interface...2019/09/09  · Mrs. Dudjak with the TTh F 4 -Year olds , and, Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Miehl with our 3 -year olds. , m excited about the new creative ideas

September 2019

Interface John McMillan Presbyterian Church

Our mission is to provide a way for the community to

Know, Glorify and Serve God!

From the Senior Pastor

In July four members of JMPC travelled to Oxchuk, Chiapas, Mexico to visit,

work, play and worship with the members of Sinai Chijtal Presbyterian Church. You can see pictures of our experiences with the people of Oxchuk on the

JMPC website and on the screen in the narthex. One of the things we found

most interesting about Chijtal was the nature of the relationship between the

members of that church. Chijtal is a true community of people. The people live

in the surrounding hills on the road from Oxchuk that winds its way into the

nearby mountains. The people, as far as I could tell, principally do two things.

They build things and they grow things. But the center of their lives is the

church. The church is not only the place of worship, but also the community

center.

While our presence was clearly a matter of considerable interest that attracted

people to the church while we were there (not many white folks from the Unit-

ed States have ever been there, if any), it was clear that these people gathered at

the church regularly just so they could hang out with each other. One of the

things they do a lot of is gather for community meals around community tables.

When done eating, the children would play, the kitchen folks (men and women)

would laugh while cleaning up, and Pastor Pablo would meet with the elders

while others discussed important community issues. The people would stay late

into the evening, sitting around a fire, roasting corn, talking and experiencing a

good bit of camaraderie. The four of us from JMPC observed this and we talked

about how Chijtal was an example of what a church is, or should be.

I was reminded of some things I have read about what a church should be.

Christine Pohl is professor of Christian social ethics at Asbury Theological Semi-

nary and wrote the book Living Into Community; Cultivating Practices that Sus-

tain Us. It’s about church as community. She says we are connected by specific

practices.

Practices are at the heart of human communities; they are things “people do together

over time to address fundamental human needs.” Every community has practices that

hold it together; for Christians, practices can also be understood as responses to the

grace we have already experienced in Christ, in light of the word and work of God, and

for the sake of one another in the world. Our practices include hospitality, making and keeping promises, truthfulness, gratitude, Sabbath-keeping, testimony, discernment, for-

giveness, worship, healing and many others. … When folks enjoy being together, share

celebrations, and walk through hard times with grace and love, the beauty of their

shared life is deeply compelling. Human beings were made to live in community. And it

is in community that we flourish and become most fully human.

(continued on page 6)

Inside this Issue:

• Preschool

Pg. 2

• Kids Klub

Youth Group

Pgs. 3

• Spiritual Develop-

ment

Pgs. 3-5

• NCC Pgs. 6, 10, 11

• Outreach

Pgs. 7

• Music Notes

Pg. 8

• Christmas Affair

Pg. 10

• Worship Info

on back

Page 2: September 2019 Interface...2019/09/09  · Mrs. Dudjak with the TTh F 4 -Year olds , and, Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Miehl with our 3 -year olds. , m excited about the new creative ideas

Page 2

The start of the new school year is here and it is my

favorite time of the year! School begins on September

3rd and 4th, and the teachers are very busy preparing

fun lessons and decorating their classrooms to make

John McMillan Preschool a joyful place to learn, play

and make new friends!

We are looking forward to welcoming our 3’s, 4’s and Pre-K students, and getting to know

all of our families. We are very blessed to have a staff that is dedicated to children and

education - Mrs. Strickland and Mrs. Campos in Pre-K, Mrs. Kim with the MWF 4-Year olds,

Mrs. Dudjak with the TThF 4-Year olds, and, Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Miehl with our 3-year

olds. I’m excited about the new creative ideas and all the energy they bring to the preschool

– be sure to check out the hallways in the weeks to come!

Parents will get to meet me and their child’s teachers at Parent Kick-Off Night on

Thursday, August 29th from 7:00-8:00pm.

NEW THIS YEAR: Classroom Carpets: Colorful and educational carpets for circle time and play will make our classrooms bright and cheery! See-Saw Bouncer: A new piece of equipment on the playground that will provide gross motor activity in a safe and fun way.

This year we will again offer enrichment classes in the

afternoon. Children will have lunch with their friends, play for a

bit and then have class until 2:15pm. Classes

throughout the year will include Cooking,

Spanish, Science, Math, Art and other topics.

These special classes have limited space, so sign up promptly!

Also, they are open to the community, so if you have a preschool age neighbor or family

member who would be interested but they don’t attend our preschool – that’s okay!

Registration forms are on our website.

Reminder: Key Fob Security System In order to provide the safest environment possible for our preschoolers, the wooden doors to the preschool will be locked during school hours (M-F 8:30am-3pm) and it will be necessary to have a key fob to enter. If you need to come down the preschool hallway during the designated locked hours, please contact me by using the intercom on the wall next to the door or see Leslie in the Church Office. Thank you!

I am thrilled to begin my fourth year as Director of John McMillan Preschool and I’m looking forward to another great school year filled with fun activities and events!

Please feel free to contact me for more information about our preschool program. Lori Feldmann, Director 412-833-4704 or [email protected]

Page 3: September 2019 Interface...2019/09/09  · Mrs. Dudjak with the TTh F 4 -Year olds , and, Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Miehl with our 3 -year olds. , m excited about the new creative ideas

Page 3

Youth Group

Youth group starts back September 11th!! Youth Group is for anyone in grades

7-12 and meets on Wednesday nights from 5-7pm.

We have dinner, play games, and learn about our

faith. We also do mission projects/trips, retreats,

overnight arcade trips, and much more. If you would

like to know more about youth group please contact

Pastor Matt Fricker 412-498-6761.

JMPC KIDS KLUB WE ROCK WEDNESDAY NIGHT!!!

Kids’ Klub (grades 3 – 6) Welcome Back on Wednesday, September 11th,2019

KIDS KLUB meets on Wednesday evenings from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. During the evening we have a learning time, recreation and share a great dinner! If you have any questions please contact: Pastor Matt Fricker at 412-498-6761 [email protected] Judy Lipp at 412-977-9667 [email protected] Or the church office at 412-831-4793! Bring $3.00 for dinner. Friends are always welcome - the bigger the better!!! JUST A PEEK! Special Fall Fun, our Thanks-giving Celebration and so many fabulous games in rec!!! Did I mention TATER TOTS??? (GOOD EATS!) AND - please read the fine print! Any adults that would like to join us in a high spirited and joyful evening are always wel-come! Come and play - we have a blast!

CHILDREN’S CHURCH

Come see us in Room 16 beginning Sunday, September 8th at 11:00 am! We will be

learning about “What is Church” and then begin our adventures with Moses. All chil-

dren ages 3 through 3rd grade are invited!

Page 4: September 2019 Interface...2019/09/09  · Mrs. Dudjak with the TTh F 4 -Year olds , and, Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Miehl with our 3 -year olds. , m excited about the new creative ideas

Page 4 Interface

Children’s ChurchAges 3 – 3rd Grade

Sundays 11:00 am – 12:00 pmBeginning September 8

Rooms 13/16

Engaging worship, Bible lesson, and fun activities!

Kids Klub3rd – 6th GradeYouth Group

7th – 12th GradeWednesdays 5:00 – 7:00 pm

Beginning September 11

Explore our faith, recreation, and dinner ($3)

ABC’s of the Bible – in depth Bible Study

Sundays 9:30 – 10:30 amBeginning September 8

Fellowship Hall

Brown Bag Bible Study1st & 3rd Wednesdays 12:00 pm

Beginning September 18Room 18

Tuesday After Dinner Bible Study

2nd & 4th Tuesdays 7:00 pmBeginning September 24Office Conference Room

Men’s Bible StudyJohn Covenant Group2nd & 4th Wednesdays

9:30 amBeginning September 11

Church Library

Seasonal SpeakersWatch the Interface for dates and times.

Adults

The Bible Doesn’t Say That! Sermon Series Bernard Cornwell is an author of historical fiction. One of his characters is a man named Obadiah Hakeswill, a ser-

geant in the British army. Hakeswill constantly makes outrageous statements to back up his personal self-righteous

delusions and immediately justifies those statements by saying, “It says so in the scriptures, so it must be true!” Of course, none of the things Hakeswill says are in “the scriptures” but few can challenge him because no one else really

knows the scriptures either. While Hakeswill is a fictional character, his belief that the Bible says things it does not

actually say is unfortunately common, even today. Pastor Jeff and Pastor Matt will explore such Biblical misconceptions

with a sermon series to start off the new program year at JMPC.

The series is entitled: “The Bible Doesn’t Say That!” It should prove interesting, educational and at times, a bit

entertaining.

September 8: Pastor Jeff Will preach: “God Won’t Give Us More Than We Can Handle? Really?”

September 15: Pastor Jeff will preach: “God Hates Sinners? Really?”

September 22: Pastor Jeff will preach: “Everything Happens for a Reason? Really?”

September 29: Pastor Matt will preach: “God Helps Those Who Help Themselves? Really?”

Come and hear. We will look forward to seeing you at 8:30 or 11.

Page 5: September 2019 Interface...2019/09/09  · Mrs. Dudjak with the TTh F 4 -Year olds , and, Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Miehl with our 3 -year olds. , m excited about the new creative ideas

Page 5 Page 5

Adult Learning Opportunities

The ABC (Adult Bible Class) will resume on September 8 @ 9:30 a.m. in Fellowship

Hall. We will continue learning from the Book of Matthew.

Topics are:

September 8 – Review of last Falls discussions (Matthew 1-25)

September 15 - Jesus’ trial is His triumph (Matthew 26)

September 22 – The suffering and death on the cross (Matthew 27)

September 29 – Resurrection is a victory (Matthew 28)

Join us on Sunday mornings for informal Bible Study, lively discussion and coffee. If

you have any questions, see Hugh Given, Dan or Susan Zearley.

Tuesday After Dinner Bible Study &

Brown Bag Bible Study

The Wednesday lunchtime Bible Study and the Tuesday After Dinner Bible

Study groups will journey through the Psalms this fall. The Psalms were Jesus’

prayer book and the part of the Hebrew Bible Jesus quoted most often. The

Psalms are also the only book in the Bible that is directed from us to God and

not vice versa. While some of the Psalms seem dark and gloomy, they are also

uplifting and comforting. If you want to know a bit of what Jesus knew about

prayer, come and join us.

After Dinner Bible Study meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month @

7pm. We will meet on 24th in September only.

Brown Bag Bible Study will meet on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of each month

@ noon. We will meet on the 18th in September only.

The same lessons are offered at each study group so there is no need to at-

tend both. We will look forward to seeing you.

John Covenant

Group (Men’s Bible

Study)

JMPC has a men’s Bible

Study that meets Septem-

ber through May. They

meet twice a month on

the 2nd and 4th Wednes-

days of each month at

9:30 am at the church.

September dates are the

11th & 25th. We will

begin with a study of “Integrity”. If you have

any questions, see Hugh

Given.

Page 6: September 2019 Interface...2019/09/09  · Mrs. Dudjak with the TTh F 4 -Year olds , and, Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Miehl with our 3 -year olds. , m excited about the new creative ideas

Interface Page 6

From the Senior Pastor (continued from front page)

BOOK CLUB We meet on the Third Monday of each month @ 7:00 p.min the parlor. All

readers are welcome

The book selections for this year include

Sept. 16 The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty

Oct. 21 Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

Nov. 18 The Day the World Came to Town, 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim

Defede

Jan. 20 It Can’t Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis

Feb. 17 A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

March 16 Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

April 20 Inheriting Edith by Zoe Fishman

May 18 - no decision yet

September 16th: The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty

My darling Cecilia, if you’re reading this, then I’ve died...

Imagine that your husband wrote you a letter, to be opened after his death. Imagine, too, that the letter contains

his deepest, darkest secret—something with the potential to destroy not just the life you built together, but the

lives of others as well. Imagine, then, that you stumble across that letter while your husband is still very much

alive. . . .Cecilia Fitzpatrick has achieved it all—she’s an incredibly successful businesswoman, a pillar of her small

community, and a devoted wife and mother. Her life is as orderly and spotless as her home. But that letter is

about to change everything, and not just for her: Rachel and Tess barely know Cecilia—or each other—but they too are about to feel the earth-shattering repercussions of her husband’s secret. Acclaimed author Liane Moriarty

has written a gripping, thought-provoking novel about how well it is really possible to know our spouses—and,

ultimately, ourselves (Goodreads).

That’s a church. A place where we learn and teach practices of living that make us … well … Christian! It’s

not just worship or Sunday school, though it is most certainly both those things, but a place where we can be

part of a community where the children play, the adults laugh, the pastor meets with the elders, does a bit of

teaching and preaching, the people stay late into the evening, sitting around a fire, roasting marshmallows,

talking and experiencing a good bit of camaraderie.

And then there is this:

In her book Traveling Mercies, Anne Lamott shares a story she was told by her minister that describes how

the church should be a landmark in our lives:

When [my minister] was about seven, her best friend got lost one day. The little girl ran up and down the streets of

the big town where they lived, but she couldn't find a single landmark. She was very frightened. Finally, a policeman

stopped to help her. He put her in the passenger seat of his car, and they drove around until she finally saw her

church. She pointed it out to the policeman, and then she told him firmly, "You could let me out now. This is my

church, and I can always find my way home from here."… And that is why I have stayed so close to [my church]—

because no matter how bad I am feeling, how lost or lonely or frightened, when I see the faces of the people at my

church, and hear their tawny voices, I can always find my way home. I love that image. Whenever we are lost, lonely or need a place to be a point of reference, we should look

for our church. Once we see it, we will know the way to go. Once we see it, we know where we can go to

be around people we care for and who care about us. That is what church is. It is for us and for our kids.

Come and help us experience that at JMPC when we start our new program year on Kick off Sunday, Sep-

tember 8. Let’s practice our faith and be a community that works, plays and worships together.

Page 7: September 2019 Interface...2019/09/09  · Mrs. Dudjak with the TTh F 4 -Year olds , and, Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Miehl with our 3 -year olds. , m excited about the new creative ideas

Page 7

Family Promise Coordinator Position(s) are Open

Coordinating the Family Promise program at John McMillan has been a very rewarding and meaningful experi-

ence for us these past 7.5 years. We have enjoyed working with our many JMPC volunteers, the Family Promise

staff, our support church volunteers and especially so many wonderful and deserving guests and their children.

After much prayer, conversation and meeting with our Pastors, we have decided the time has come to step

away from being coordinators and to pass the torch to others in our congregation who may wish to be of ser-

vice to others by volunteering in the Family Promise program.

We are hopeful that someone from our giving congregation will step up to take this position.

There is one more week of hosting scheduled for the week of October 13, so we intend to train and mentor

our replacement(s) during that week.

Please give prayer and thought to serving as a coordinator for this valuable outreach program that John McMIl-

lan has supported for more that 15 years! If you are interested, please contact either of us, the Pastors or El-

ders Jeff Ruch and Jessica Braden-Rogers.

We are deeply appreciative to the congregation for your support of Family Promise these many years.

Sincerely, Barb Sherry and Toni Sulkowski

SHIM Garden

We applied for a grant from Grow Pittsburgh for a garden shed and we were accepted. The shed will be

erected back by the garden on September 10, at little or no cost to the church. It will be used to store our

tiller, mower, wheel barrows and hand tools. This should make gardening much more convenient because we

won’t have to haul the tools from our homes.

The garden has been producing large amounts of fresh produce for the clientele of SHIM who normally would

not get many fresh veggies in their diets. We have been harvesting beans, peppers, toma-

toes, kale, zukes and cukes. Earlier we harvested carrots, broccoli, bok choi, cabbage and

kohlrobi.

You can help with this important mission by volunteering on a Monday evening at the gar-

den or giving a monetary donation. The donation envelope is in the narthex . We will also

be glad to take your surplus veggies from your home garden.

We can also use a few items from your homes that you might want to dispose of anyway.

We need newspapers and bagged leaves which you can leave back by the garden.

Page 8: September 2019 Interface...2019/09/09  · Mrs. Dudjak with the TTh F 4 -Year olds , and, Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Miehl with our 3 -year olds. , m excited about the new creative ideas

Page 8 Interface

Music Notes—by Carolyn Brow

We here at JMPC have many reasons to be happy and much

for which to be thankful. As you count your blessings, try

singing a song of praise. It is very uplifting! It can be a simple

blessing at the dinner table or a familiar hymn. Incorporating

praise singing into your daily life is good for the body, mind,

and spirit.

Music is a wonderful expression of our faith. The Bible tells us repeatedly to sing and make music to the

Lord. Not only does singing express our faith, it also helps strengthen our faith. Singing the hymns as a con-

gregation on Sunday mornings binds us together as the body of Christ. Corporate singing is powerful!

So let’s really sing out those hymns together every Sunday morning. Don’t be shy! And take a little time to

incorporate some music into your daily spiritual life.

A wonderful way to incorporate music into your life is to join one of our musical groups. Not only will you

have fun and make friends, you will find yourself singing the songs we practice all through the week.

Chancel Choir

I want to invite adults, high school and older to join the Chancel Choir. No, you don’t have to be able to

read music. You will learn the music because I will teach it to you. Many current choir members do not read

music. No, you won’t get the hairy eyeball if you sing a wrong note or show up a few minutes late. That’s

not how we roll. If you like to sing and can carry a tune, we want you. We need all voicings; soprano, alto,

bass and especially tenors.

Our first rehearsal will be Thursday, September 5 at 7:30 PM. We end promptly at 9:00. Choir practice is a

joyful experience! You will leave feeling much better than when you arrived, humming the songs we have

practiced. We pray, sing and laugh together. The choir members are some of the best people you will ever

know.

Celebration Ringers

We also need ringers for the Celebration Ringers. For this group it is helpful to have some music reading

skills but you don’t need to have handbell ringing experience. This is a multi-generational group for those

ages 10 and up. We meet on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:00 beginning September 11. This group is

lots of fun with adults mentoring the kids and sometimes vice-versa.

Page 9: September 2019 Interface...2019/09/09  · Mrs. Dudjak with the TTh F 4 -Year olds , and, Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Miehl with our 3 -year olds. , m excited about the new creative ideas

Page 9

September Birthdays 2 Emil Pohodich

2 Joe Smith

3 Colton Kenney

3 Sandy Nowak

3 Scott Nowak

4 Carolyn Ellis

5 Elizabeth Froelich

6 Cheryl Davies

6 Karen Timpona

7 Glen Shegan Siniawski

10 Faith Wilson

11 Laura Waterstram

12 Colin Chenevert

12 Kathy Jameyson

13 Will Douds

13 Cole Shegan Siniawski

13 Nicole Webb

14 Danny DelBene

14 Pamela Dobos

14 Katie Strickland

15 Kathryn Todd

16 Doug Mickey

16 Lukas Taylor

17 Dave Parks

19 Jackson Edwards

19 Russ Lipp

21 Lisa Forsyth

22 Josie Harris

22 Anna Todd

22 Ryder Wolstoncroft

22 Jackie Artim

23 Rosemary Eller

23 Sally Kovacs

23 Kevin Krieger

23 Susan Kroboth

23 Valerie Wengryn

24 Tracy Andrews

24 Betty Johnson

24 Noah Mickey

25 Roberto DaRocha

25 Alexa Kozel

25 Ray Pierson

26 Zeiler Davis

26 Marjorie Till

27 Barrie Ann Troutman

27 Steven Valentine

28 Jonathan dePoutiloff

29 Abby DelBene

29 Erica Dobos

29 Scott Krieger

30 John Robert

30 Ella Willison

30 Ava Yoder

If your birthday is in September and is not included on this list, please contact the church office (412-833-4704).

Praying for JMPC

September 1 September 15

Marielle & Noah Brown; Liliana Jerry & Sue Clark; Alex, A.J.

Betsy Buoninconti Ken & Barbara Clark; Cory

Bob & Suzie Burland Joan Clement

Craig & Lauren Burland Kate Convery & David Wittmann; Ryan

Marge Burns Carol & Jerry Cowser; Abigail, Emily

September 8 September 22

Warren & Denise Carlson Roberto & Miriam DaRocha

Christy & Bill Carter; Halle, Scott Dan & Cheryl Davies

Gary & Annarie Cartwright; Alivia, Colton Zello & Elizabeth Davis; Zello IV, Zeiler

Paul & Michelle Chenevert; Noelle, William, Colin David & Mary Beth Deckard; Ava, Elyse

Cheri & Ron Clark Ron & Leslie DeFranc; Bradley

September 29

Dottie DeLancey Robert & Joanne dePoutiloff; Billy, Jon

Tracey & Joe DelBene; Danny, Abby Dan & Jill DePra; Hannah, Jack

Karen & Gary Devine

Page 10: September 2019 Interface...2019/09/09  · Mrs. Dudjak with the TTh F 4 -Year olds , and, Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Miehl with our 3 -year olds. , m excited about the new creative ideas

THE WOMEN'S BREAKFAST CLUB

We meet for breakfast on the 3rd Tuesday of

each month at 9:00am at Eat ‘N Park across

from South Park Shops. In September, join us on the 17th.

Everyone is invited and can bring a friend!

We have great

fun and fellow-

ship and look

forward to

seeing each

other every

month.

Page 10

Christmas Affair Candy Making Workshops It’s time again to start preparing for the “Christmas Affair”. Many helpers

are needed at the candy making workshops being held in October. Dates

for these workshops are as follows: Wednesday, October 9th, 16th &

23rd from 7pm-9pm and Saturday, October 12th, 19th & 26th from

8am-11am. Please try to attend some or all of these workshops for fun,

chocolate and fellowship. And for those whose schedules don’t allow it or

who prefer to make candy at

home, we welcome donations of

tiger butter, peanut brittle, fudge and other homemade candies.

These have been some of our best selling items and are greatly ap-

preciated. Additionally, we will gladly accept donations of the fol-

lowing items to help offset costs: creamy peanut butter (Jiff, Skippy

or Peter Pan brands work best); chocolate melts—milk, dark and

white chocolate needed; nuts (cashews, peanuts, pecans and wal-

nuts); coconut; craisens; and double stuff Oreos. There will be a

sign-up sheet for the workshops and a container for donations in

the Narthex. If you have any questions or want to volunteer to make candy at home for Christmas Affair

please contact Sandy Underwood or Bonnie Dowdell. Thanks in advance for your assistance!

Christmas Affair Bag Decorating It’s time to begin our preparations for the Christmas Affair! First of all, we decorated 1,000 gift bags with rib-

bons and now we need to put recycled Christmas cards on the bags to hand out to all of our visitors during the

craft show. Gift bag card decorating dates are:

Wednesday, September 18th - 9:30am—11:30am

Wednesday, September 25th -11am—1pm

Wednesday, October 2rd - 9:30am—11:30am

No prior experience needed—just a willingness to cut cards and paste them on the bags. It will continue until

1,000 bags are decorated.

MEN’S BREAKFAST We meet for breakfast on the 4th Monday of the

month. The September gathering of men for breakfast

will be September 23rd at 9 am. We will continue to

meet at the Eat N Park on 88 by the South Park Shops.

Sadly, on Mondays there is no buffet. We will hopefully

manage. See you then and invite your friends.

Page 11: September 2019 Interface...2019/09/09  · Mrs. Dudjak with the TTh F 4 -Year olds , and, Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Miehl with our 3 -year olds. , m excited about the new creative ideas

Christian Sympathy to:

• Christian sympathy & prayers to the Willison family on

the passing of Judy’s sister, Mary McBride.

• Christian Sympathy & prayers to the Sherbek family

on the passing of Alex’s grandfather, Rodney Hatten.

Page 11

Congratulations to Jared & Lauren Gaudelli on the

birth of their son Joseph Paul Gaudelli, born August

15th. He was 8 pounds 5 ounces 21 inches long.

INTERESTED IN JOINING JMPC?

If you have been worshiping with us and are interested in joining JMPC, a new members class will be

meeting in September. There will be three sessions on September 22, 29, and October 6. If you are in-

terested, please notify the church office. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Jeff at the

church or Joe Smith at [email protected]. We would love to have you join the John McMillan family!

New Policy for Rosebuds for

the Birth of a Child

Our new policy is that members

of the church who have had a

new baby, grandparents, and/or

great-grandparents, as long as

they provide the information to

us, will receive a rose bud. If

both parent and grandparent are

members, two rosebuds will be

provided.

ELDER CARE SUPPORT GROUP The ECSG will reconvene on September 22 at 9:45. This group was formed earlier this year to discuss issues

surrounding care for our parents and loved ones who can not now, or soon will not be able to, manage activ-

ities of daily living. Our first meeting offered insight from representatives of Baptist Senior Services and Elder Law attorney Karen Timko on the three principal questions faced in these circumstances: 1. What are the

options? 2. How do we pay for it? 3. How do we talk our loved ones into making the change? At another

gathering, we had Kris Drucis of Samaritan Counseling Center to discuss issues of family conflict, self-care

and effective communication with the loved one. We next had Scott Love from Edward D. Jones & Co. dis-

cuss long term care insurance and other options for financing care.

Lastly, we had Mary Ann Weber of Prime Time Adult Care discuss the

availability of Adult Day Care in the Bethel Park area. Requests of oth-

er topics have been made and we will begin with a discussion of hos-

pice and palliative care as well as dementia care. As always, we will also

share our stories and provide support to each other. Please plan on

attending on September 22.

Page 12: September 2019 Interface...2019/09/09  · Mrs. Dudjak with the TTh F 4 -Year olds , and, Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Miehl with our 3 -year olds. , m excited about the new creative ideas

Visit us on the web

johnmcmillanpc.org

John McMillan

Presbyterian Church 875 Clifton Road Bethel Park, PA 15102

Rev. Jeff Tindall, Senior Pastor

Rev. Matthew Fricker, Associate Pastor

Carolyn Brow, Music Director

Elisabeth Jeffries, Organist

Leslie Bogdon , Office Manager

Lori Feldmann, Preschool Director

Matt Bametzrieder, Custodian

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Church Office 412-833-4704

www.johnmcmillanpc.org

[email protected]

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. Postage Permit No. 34

Bethel Park, PA

—ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED —DATED MATERIAL —PLEASE DO NOT DELAY

September 2019 Issue

September 1 (9:30 am)

Rev. Matt Fricker preaching on Ecclesiastes 3: 9-13

“Love What You Do”

September 8 (8:30 am & 11:00 am)

Communion

Rev. Jeff Tindall preaching

“God Won’t Give Us More Than We Can Handle? Really?”

September 15 (8:30 am & 11:00 am)

Rev. Jeff Tindall preaching

“God Hates Sinners? Really?”

September 22 (8:30 am & 11:00 am) Rev. Jeff Tindall preaching

“Everything Happens for a Reason? Really?”

September 29

Rev. Matt Fricker preaching

“God Helps Those Who Help Themselves? Really?”