the spire. box 446 matter how hard he worked, or how much he fasted and prayed, he never felt...
TRANSCRIPT
October 2017 The Spire
First Presbyterian Church
169 W. College Street
P.O. Box 446
Waynesburg, PA 15370
Phone: 724-627-6006
Fax: 724-852-2502
As far back as 1981, our congregation has celebrated Reformation Sunday at the
end of October. Banners are hung, “A Mighty Fortress” is sung, and we remind one
another of the significance of the Protestant Reformation. We celebrate at this time
in recognition of Martin Luther’s decision on October 31, 1517, when in protest he
posted a series of statements about God’s saving work and the church’s authority.
This year is the 500th anniversary of that event, and much is being written to honor
Luther’s life (1483-1546). Here are a few paragraphs about him:
As a monk in the Roman Catholic Church, Luther lived a miserable life. No
matter how hard he worked, or how much he fasted and prayed, he never felt
like he was righteous enough to earn God’s favor. Years of hard work and even
a trip to Rome couldn’t assuage his guilt.
The rescue Luther sought would be found in the pages of Scripture. As he
studied, Luther became convinced that salvation could never come by his
inadequate attempts at atonement, but can only be received as a gift from a
gracious God who declares sinners righteous through the blood of Christ alone
by faith alone. Luther declared later that this was the moment he was born
again.
Luther went on to translate the Bible into German so that the gospel which
had rescued him would be available to all. His example continues to inspire
believers around the world. 1
Luther was a complex and controversial figure, a sinful man saved by grace. Yet he
was mightily used of God to reform His church. Luther’s writings and sermons were
blunt, funny, challenging, comforting, and thus eminently quotable:2
“The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays
hold of me.”
“People who do not like children are swine, dunces, and blockheads, not worthy to be
called men and women, because they despise the blessing of God, the Creator and
Author of marriage.”
“Faith is the “yes” of the heart, a conviction on which one stakes one’s life.”
“Nothing is easier than sinning.”
“Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to
see him leave.”
“You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say.”
“There are two days in my calendar: This day and that Day.”
See You Sunday,
Bill
1 adapted from http://thecripplegate.com/luther-in-200-words/#more-218637
2 http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/issues/issue-34/colorful-sayings-of-colorful-
luther.html andhttp://www.prayingthegospels.com/short-quotes-martin-luther/
Every Sunday
Table Talk 9:00 AM
Worship 10:30 AM
The Spire Content
Page 1:
From the Pastor
Page 2:
Discipleship & Fellowship
Page 3: Stewardship
Page 4:
Music & Children’s Ministry
Page 5:
Calendar
Page 6:
Crossroads Youth Ministry
Page 7:
Helpers & Birthdays
From the Pastor
Grow for Life Series: “How do I Grow?” In 1 Timothy 4:7, Paul exhorts Timothy, “Discipline
yourself for the purpose of godliness.” (NASB)
We, like Timothy, need to continue to grow in godliness,
both as individuals and as a body of believers.
The “How Do I Grow?” curriculum is centered on several
spiritual disciplines that help us grow as disciples of
Christ. This class is part of the Grow for Life series .
The Grow for Life is a series of classes we offer at First
Pres that focus on being and making disciples of Jesus
Christ. The class will be held on Sunday, October 22
starting at 8:30 AM and concluding by 10:15 AM.
The class is designed for any follower of Jesus who wants
to grow in their faith by “moving to the right” and
understand what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
Please contact Becky Juliano
([email protected], 518-788-8768)
for more information
Discipleship & Fellowship by Becky Juliano
Everyone is invited! The dinners are a great opportunities to spend time
with your First Pres. friends and family.
The meal is served at 5:30 PM.
If you have children in Pathways, (our after school
program), your whole family is welcome to stay.
Come enjoy a delicious meal. You can take the night
off from cooking! $3/person
$2/child
$10 family max.
$1/University students (if able). PLEASE NOTE: No Dinner Wednesday Night, Oct.18th
October Menu (subject to change):
Oct. 4: Chipotle Night
Oct. 11: Chili & Baked Potatoes
Oct. 18: No Wed. Dinner
Oct. 25: Pesto Chicken Florentine
Wednesday
Night Dinners
G.R.O.W. Table Talk Resumes
Beginning on Sunday, October 29th, Table Talk begins
again during the GROW hour.
We meet at 9 AM on Sunday mornings until Advent
begins on November 26th.
Table Talk discussions are groups of 4-5 people that
meet on Sunday mornings during the GROW hour.
The group gathers to share highlights from the scripture
each person has been reading throughout the week.
Contact Becky Juliano ([email protected],
518-788-8768) if you have any questions.
All-Church
Lunch
On October 8th there
will be an all-church
soup lunch
immediately
following worship.
Plan on coming
downstairs for some
good food and conversations around the table!
Mark it on your calendar now! Any donations given for
the meal will benefit Crossroads youth ministry.
Operation Christmas Child
The shoe boxes are taking off!!
Once again, we will be filling shoeboxes for Operation
Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse.
The collection will take place through from 10/22 to
11/21.
Clear plastic boxes and brochures explaining the program
are available in the rear of the church building .
Please note:
All boxes must be returned by Sunday, November 12.
Managing God’s money……….
In Scripture, money is discussed at length as to its
addictive power to replace God as your god and the
spiritual significance serving money implies. From a
stewardship view, it is seen as a trust and spiritual
relationship. At a personal level, these factors determine
why we give.
One of the biggest challenges we face (at least mentally)
is giving. However, Scripture clearly guides us on the
issue of being a steward. There is a personal reward of
trusting in God’s promises when giving….. “Give and it
will we given to you; good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.
For the measure you give will be the measure you get
back.” ( Luke 6:38 RSV).
Financial stewardship is a fundamental part of our
personal spiritual relationship with Christ - one of those
exceptional times when the giver is the principle
beneficiary of the gift. All that is required is obedience
to trust in God’s promises when giving. “Each one must
do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under
compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is
able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so
that you may always have enough of everything and
provide in abundance for every good work .”
(II Cor: 9:7-8 RSV).
Your prayers and support in meeting the financial needs
of our church do make a difference in allowing our
church to fulfill its mission.
Ben McCracken
Treasurer
Stewardship by Ben McCracken
Financial update…
Actual Budget
8/31/17 2017
Staff $149,903 $239,986
Property 34,361 42,000
Christian Ed 8,160 18,900
Evangelism 239 2,300
Fellowship 594 3,600
W & S 1,956 2,500
Office 5,981 13,358
Deacons 2,000
total ex-
pense $201,194 $324,644
Giving 184,210 265,770
Investments 28,944 61,875
Other 960 1,010
total income $214,114 $328,655
Surplus $12,920 $4,011
Actual
Missions 2017
Christian Missions - Crow $1,600
Interserve - Nicky Stock 1,600
Interserve - Paul & Pat Stock 1,600
Caribbean Youth Network 1,600
Equip International 1,600
Christian Bible Ministeries CBM 2,000
Habitat for Humanity - Greene 2,000
Pine Springs Camp 2,000
CBM - Judy Virgili 1,600
CCO 1,600
Waynesburg Christian Outreach 1,600
Crisis Pregnancy Center 1,600
Resurrection Power - Washington Presby 800
Jubilee - WU 1,450
Reception - Crow 66
Bethany Inter'l - Maddy Cerra 800
Wycliffe Bible Translators 750
JAARS
Samaritan's Purse 1,000
Washington City Mission
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Corner Cupboard Food Bank
total expense $25,266
Pledged Giving 29,579
CCO - designated 450
Balance 12-31-2016 767
total $30,796
Balance $5,530
“Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God
loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and pro-
vide in abundance for every good work .” (II Cor: 9:7-8 RSV).
Pathways 228 is for children K-5th, meeting
Wednesdays 3:15-5:30 pm.
September 6, 2017-December 13, 2017
January 10, 2018-April 25, 2018.
Pathways 228 corresponds to the school calendar in
regard to cancellations and closings.
Each week includes time for snacks, homework,
Bible/worship, and games.
IMPORTANT: Parents must arrive at the church no
later than 5:30 to meet their children.
**To attend Pathways
All Children must have:
1. A signed 2017-2018 Pathways Reg Form:
https://form.jotform.us/72353743684160
2. Permission Slip to ride the WCES bus.
https://form.jotform.us/72353977884171
FMI:
Tomē Custer, Director of Children’s Ministry
724-998-3382
Music & Children’s Ministry by Tomē Custer
MUSIC ENSEMBLE REHEARSALS N *Youth Choir (Pre-K - 8th)
Sundays 10:00 AM
*Youth Handbell Choir
Sundays immediately following Worship
*Adult Handbell Choir
Thursdays 6:00 PM
Come join the fun on Saturday, October 21 .
Horde ours will be served at 6:15 pm and the dinner,
prepared by local Chef, Dan Wagner of Greene County
Career and Technology Center will begin at 7:00 pm.
You will learn the mystery of the “Recipe for Success.”
An original work written by our very own Tomē
Custer!
The setting is the annual bake off at the 2nd
Presbyterian Church .
For tickets and information:
Contact Kathie Bortz, (724) 986-0471.
CHRISTMAS PLAY Wednesday, December 13, 6:30 pm
All kids Pre-K through 8th grade
To participate, a signed permission slip
must be returned to by Wednesday, October 11
Christmas Play Permission Slip:
https://form.jotform.us/72354547484161
FMI:
Tomē Custer, Director of Children’s Ministry
724-998-3382
GROW CLASS FOR KIDS
9:00 AM Sunday Mornings
Mystery Dinner Theater
Raising funds for missions
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Crossroads Youth Ministry by Juan Gallo
Thank you
for support-
ing the 37
Waynesburg
University
students who
attended the
Jubilee Con-
Senior High Mission Trip, July 23-28.
Photo taken at Millennial Park, downtown Chicago .
We are about a month into the 2017-2018 season of
Crossroads Youth Ministry and God is already doing awesome things in all of our lives.
As many of you know this season started with a few significant changes, which included changes to our Sunday
schedule, small group format, and even changes to the look and feel of our youth room (if you haven’t seen our
youth room yet, you should definitely go check it out).
I am happy to say that thanks to all of your support and with the grace of God all of our changes have been a huge
success. I especially want to thank every person and family who donated financially to the ministry in helping us
achieve our goals.
The biggest change or adjustment, however, has been our singular purpose and drive to pursue Jesus in
everything. It is my personal conviction that this is what Crossroads is about.
It’s easy to think that youth group is about games, music, fellowship, and fun, and while those things happen at our
events, the reason for it all is to know and fall in love with our Savior. For that purpose, I am convinced and God
continues to confirm that we have the right team, the right facility, and minister in the right home at First Pres with
our loving and supportive community of faith.
We stand in line behind our leader, Pastor Bill, in pursuit of Jesus as we seek to move to the right and reach back
to the left to bring others with us. I am increasingly excited and hopefully expectant for more and more good
things this year as our students encounter the living God and learn to follow and obey His commands.
Juan S. Gallo
Director of Youth Ministry
T: 954-696-5178 E: [email protected]
John 15:14
“You are my friends if you do what I command.”
Casey Parsons, Jason Cowart,
Edward Wagner, Jake Wilson,
Brandon Brown, Daniel Calvario,
Andrew Cowell, David Calcek,
Drew McConville, Ryan McGrath
happy birthday to you!
3 Stewardship, Property & Session
4 Pathways &Wednesday Night Dinner
6 &7 Women in the Woods Retreat
8 Soup Lunch-after Worship Benefits Crossroads
11 Pathways & Wed. Dinner
18 Pathways & NO Wed. Dinner
21 Mystery Dinner Theater
22 “How do I GROW?” class
22 Deacons Meeting-After Worship
22 Samaritan Purse Shoe Boxes
25Pathways & Wed. Dinner
27 Good Neighbor Dinner
31 Mission Team Meeting
1 Miatta Alyssa Toothman
1 Asa Richard Winters
3 Nathaniel Charles Baily
4 Bradley Kline
Randy Randal Pettit
6 Grace Katherine Kalsey
7 Ronald L. Moore
8 Bryson Lewis Barrett
Susan Ellis Biddle
10 Ione Coburn
11 Linda Pollock
Cherylen J. St. John
12 Sara Christner
Mackenzie Lee Robinson
12 Bill Sukolsky
13 James Hook
14 Alaina Marie Camps
15 Robert Brennan Baily
Brianna Marie Pettit
17 Robin M. McGill
Nicole Ann Stephenson
18 Amy L. Mackor
Robert Justin Stephenson
19 Beth Hellems
21 Phil P. Woods
23 Lindsey McGrath
Mary Josephine Toothman
24 Joanna Gottron
25 Loren Dukate
27 Patrecia C. Baily
Amy Sibert
28 Garrett Closser Toothman
29 Shirley M. Baily
Lucas David Pettit
30 Gregory Klinefelter
Alexander James Teagarden
Nursery Helpers 1 Elliott Wentzel
8 Mitchell Wentzel
15 Grace Kalsey
22 Rachel Calvario
29 Ethan Maxwell
Ushers
Dick Bortz
Matt Blair
Craig Cerra
Charlie Huffman
Ben T. McCracken
A Letter
of
Thanks
Chera Baird
Connie Teagarden
Lyrik Roberts
Ruth Mitchell
Ron Snyder
Marie Simmons
Mary Louise & John Rice
Bill Thomas
Jim Burns
October Helpers
Pray for the following
service personnel:
October Dates to Remember
Pray for these friends and loved ones
We rejoice
in the birth
of Kaleb Russell
September 16, 2017.
The son of
of Russ & Sara Scheider
October Birthdays
First Presbyterian Church
169 West College St.,
P.O. Box 446
Waynesburg, PA 15370
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Bill Sukolsky
Pastor
412-913-9851
Becky Juliano
Dir. of Discipleship & Ministry
518-788-8768
Sara Christner
Pianist
Nelson Fox
Organist
Ben R. McCracken
Treasurer
Juan Gallo
Dir. of Student Ministries
954-696-5178
Tomé Custer
Dir. of Music & Children’s Ministries
724-998-3382
Maribeth Coote
Administrative Assistant
724-627-6006
Patrecia Baily
Financial Secretary
Vicki Cline
Custodian
The mission of E.C.O. is to
BUILD flourishing CHURCHES
that make disciples of
JESUS CHRIST