We are committed to being a compassionate and loving congregation, striving to touch lives and change hearts for Jesus Christ. And You are... dead.

Transcription

1 May 2011 Volume 54, Issue 5 Monthly Newsletter We are committed to being a compassionate and loving congregation, striving to touch lives and change hearts for Jesus Christ. Sunday Morning Worship Senior Pastor The Rev. Dr. John G. Hamilton 8:15 am 10:45 am Dear Friends, I cannot think of a more appropriate message for our newsletter then the prayer we opened with on Easter Sunday. In this season of Easter which continues up to Pentecost Sunday on June 12, may the Easter good news resonate in us: He is risen! Inside this issue: An Easter Prayer Dearest Jesus, Pastor 1 Interim Associate 2 Malawi 3 Music Director Ministerial MOPS & MOMSnext Per Capita Odds & Ends Worship at Bethany Monday Message Communicants Calendar 7 Interim C. E. Director New Members Mother s Day Flowers APNC Our Military Career Workshop Mission News Communion / Baptism Birthdays Presbyterian Women Address Changes Golden Oldies The world is in darkness, the night lasting forever, so it seems. And You are... dead. I saw it, as they hung You on the cross, as they waited until You could breathe no more, as they plunged the spear into Your side, just to make sure. I saw it, as the vultures circled above and the soldiers circled below, as some friends took Your limp body from the cross and carried You away, preparing Your body for burial. I felt it, too. An emptiness invaded my soul, a despair invaded my emptiness. A sharp pain of grief stabbed my stomach; a dull throb of sadness moved into my heart. Now I stand here in the darkness, unsure what to do, whom to cry out to or believe in: Will the morning ever come? Will the light ever rule again? Will ever life return to my life, to this world? Will there be something or someone to believe in, to bank our lives and world on? continued on page 3

2 Page 2 From your Interim Associate Pastor... Mike's Musings from Rev. Michael E. Beckstrom Reflections from the Holocaust Observance My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? Psalm 22:1 And at three in the afternoon, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani? (which means, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? ). Mark 15:34 On April 10, South Hills Interfaith Ministries (SHIM) held their 32 nd Annual Community Holocaust Observance. This year, the observance took place at Our Lady of Grace Church and was titled, Words and Music: Saving the Voices. The service featured the honoring of several locally residing survivors of the Holocaust, as well as the many loved ones who had lost their lives. Strung throughout the service was the music composed in the midst of the horror. And as I reflect upon the service, I find myself incredibly humbled, exceedingly broken, and face down before our Maker. During the service, I was struck by these words, translated from Hebrew into English: I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah. And even though He tarry, still I do believe. These were the words sung by Polish Jews in Warsaw, Lodz, Lubin and Bialystock as they were led to the gas chambers. even though He tarry, still I do believe. I was awed once again during the service by these words with which we parted, once again translated into English: I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when feeling it not. I believe in God even when God is silent. These were the words found on the walls of a cellar in Cologne, Germany, where Jews hid from the Nazis. I believe, even when God is silent. As I type this, Holy Week is rapidly approaching. Images flash through my mind of the Son of God, battered and bruised, taking the sin of the world upon the cross. And I remember the lament that Jesus recalled as his broken body was about to draw its final breath. It was a lament that Jesus, as a rabbi, no doubt knew well. Really well. It was Psalm 22. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? The Psalm goes on, Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? I believe in God, even when God is silent. As we continue together in the month of May through the Season of the Resurrection-as we reconsider yet again the joyous reality of the Resurrection Life-you may or may not find yourself eagerly celebrating. Even as we sing joyous hymns like Christ Arose and Alleluia, Hearts to Heaven, you may even still find yourself in a season of lament. Friends, if you continue to feel utterly broken, even through this season of Easter, know that you voice joins with so many from ages past when you find yourself crying out that same lament of old: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? I encourage you to be honest and genuine in your cries to God. But may we all also remember our great Resurrection Hope: the Messiah has taken our brokenness, our sins, our every lament to the cross, and He has raised us up to new life with God. Abundant life, even. Even when God is silent, may we believe together in the Lord of the Resurrection. That is a promise that is secured for us, now and forevermore.

3 Page 3 From Lisa Jo Colwell Reverend Michael Beckstrom asked me if I would write something on the experience of participating in the Annual Community Holocaust Observance which took place at Our Lady of Grace Church, Sunday evening, April 10, Reverend Beckstrom was the participating clergy representing Bethany Presbyterian Church at this pensive event. In memory of those who perished, there was the lighting of the memorial candles. Six yellow tulips symbolized six million Jewish people who were killed during the Holocaust. Yellow stands for the colored star Jews were forced to wear. Tulips symbolize the country of Holland. The Dutch as well as the Danes, Swedes, Bulgarians and Italians tried to save Jews. This year individuals from our Pittsburgh community were remembered. The featured musical selections were performed with perfection, and could easily bring one to tears. The readings and the prayers allowed people to feel the heaviness of the observance. We are connected to a Great God of the universe who is to be praised throughout all time. We are connected to other people in humanity, and that is why we should pause to pay tribute to those who were put to death, and also pay tribute to those who are survivors. Malawi, Africa Our 40 sister churches in Malawi, Africa are in need of bandages (not band-aids) and diabetic supplies. If you have any of these resources, please place them under the table, where the Little Dresses for Africa display is. On Thursday, April 14, 2011 Reverend Beth Broschart of Gladden Presbyterian Church, presented one of the near finished Banners for Malawi to the meeting of the Pittsburgh Presbytery. The report is that the Presbytery members were delighted with the presentation of the banner. A group of workers are creating 40 vibrant fabric banners for gifts to our sister churches in Malawi from the Pittsburgh Presbytery. Each beautiful banner is 3 feet by 5 feet, very colorful, and depicts Romans 1:12 that we may be mutually encouraged by each other s faith. If you would like to participate in making these banners with us, you are most welcome. Contact Lisa Jo Colwell at for further details. Continued from page 1 I stand... and wait... as do so many others. I stand... and wait... for some sign of stirring... of life... of hope. As I wait, I see light in the distance, the sun breaking through. And I see the form of someone running, a woman... or two or three... They are leaping as they run, doing a little jig as they run, talking, shouting, singing all at once. What is it that they are saying? I cannot quite make it out... Now I can. Yes, I hear them! He is risen! Halleluiah! Amen! Rev. Dr. John G. Hamilton

4 Page 4 Musical Notes by John Henninger A never-ending Alleluia In some church traditions, the alleluia is buried during Lent. What does this mean? It means that words of praise and joyful expressions are set aside during the season of Lent, in recognition of the path taken by Jesus Christ to the cross. Worship becomes a little more subdued. On Easter morning, the shouts of Alleluia and Alleluia, He is risen, He is risen, indeed, Alleluia! ring out once more. Our shouts of He is risen rang out on Easter Sunday at Bethany. Music led by our choir and brass helped us raise our Alleluias to our risen savior. When we come to church on the Sundays after Easter, do me and all of your fellow worshipers a favor, bring your Alleluia with you! Come to worship, renewing our celebration of the risen Jesus Christ, and don t let your Alleluia fade! We have many special events during worship this month of May and they would all be enhanced with our collective shouts of Alleuia He is risen, He is risen, indeed! Alleluia! Seeking God Together Prior to the April 13 th meeting of the Bridgeville Ministerial Association, several of the local pastors and ministry leaders spent 24 hours seeking God together with fasting and prayer. We were seeking, specifically, to discern how we, as pastors and leaders, could lead God s people together to make a difference in the world to God s glory. We had spent time talking about joining the local churches together to participate in global mission opportunities digging a water-well for a thirsty, impoverished community; sending wheelchairs to those around the world who are forced to crawl through the dust; raising funds together to fight malaria. But during the fast, God quietly whispered into each individual heart one simple, unified message. As we shared together what we had each heard from God in our personal prayer lives, a common theme emerged: God is calling us to make a difference in the world by making a difference in our own little community. God is calling us to begin in earnest right here in Bridgeville. So here s how we ve decided to start: On Saturday, May 21, 9:00 AM, the Bridgeville Ministerial Association will be hosting a prayer walk throughout the Bridgeville community. All local churches are being invited and encouraged to participate. It will begin at the Bridgeville Area Food Bank. Participants will receive prayer guides and gather together in groups, and each group will be sent into the community to lift this neighborhood up in prayer; to be intercessors on behalf of the Bridgeville community. Please mark your calendar, and plan to attend. Even if you cannot attend, please set that day aside to pray hard. I expect we will all see God doing great things in our community as the churches come together to seek God s face together, and to participate together in Christ s ministry. As I prayerfully consider this upcoming community-wide prayer walk, I m reminded of these words by Charles Spurgeon: Whenever God determines to do a great work, He first sets His people to pray. May we begin our search to make a difference in our world by making a difference right here in Bridgeville, and may God s people begin together facedown and on our knees.

5 Page 5 MOPS and MOMSnext We are so happy to report that God is doing wonderful work though MOPS and MOMSnext at Bethany! MOPS is for mothers of young children, usually infants through Kindergarten. MOMSnext is for moms in the next stage of life, school! This group is for moms of children in Kindergarten through High School. Both groups fall under the heading of MOPS International, and their main goal is to strengthen mothers. Whether it is through leadership and/or relationships with each other and with God, moms are coming to MOPS and MOMSnext to be encouraged and strengthened. Not only do the groups meet here at Bethany, but we also have fun times at other places! We visited the Melting Pot back in the dark days of winter to enjoy fellowship over fondue. We had a great turnout! And in the warmer days of spring, we are heading to Sewickley to paint some pottery, bringing out our crafty side. MOMSnext is reading through a devotional book called Heavenly Humor for the Woman s Soul. We have had a great time so far and look forward to great discussions to come. MOMSnext meets the 1 st and 3 rd Thursdays of the month from 7pm-8:30pm. If you are a mom of school-age children, or a working mom of young ones, please join us! Contact Mandy Evans at for more information. MOPS does need some help. Currently, only the leaders are meeting due to lack of child care. We need at least 10 volunteers to provide sufficient child care during the meetings so other moms can come to be refreshed. If you are able and willing to help with the little ones, MOPS meets the 2 nd and 4 th Thursdays of the month from 9am-11am, and we d love to have you! Please contact Jennifer Wallis at Our prayer is that MOPS will be able to fully meet in September, inviting moms of Bethany and moms of the Bridgeville/South Fayette community to come together. If you would like to become part of MOPS, you can also contact Jennifer Wallis to preregister. MOPS helps to makes better moms, and better moms make a better world! 2011 Per Capita $23.60 per member. The $23.60 per member is divided between the Pittsburgh Presbytery ($14.90); the Synod ($2.20) and the General Assembly ($6.50) An envelope can be found in your monthly envelopes that you receive in the mail. Attention All Bethany Golfers: The Annual Church Golf Outing will be held at Fort Cherry Golf Course on June 25th. Mark your calendar and plan to attend. For more information call Ron Gastgeb at We are looking for wedding dates (month, day, year) and addresses from our members. Contact Janet at or marlett@bethanypresby.org. Calendar dates for May, June, July and August events and meetings need to be put on the church calendar. Please call Janet at or marlett@bethanypresby.org. Do not assume your date is on the calendar after April.

6 Page 6 W o r s h i p a t B e t h a n y i n M a y a t 8 : 1 5 a n d 1 0 : 4 5 Sunday, May 1: Rev. Mike Beckstrom preaching. Communion will be celebrated. Sunday, May 8: Rev. John Hamilton preaching. Mother s Day Service conducted by women from the MOPS and MOMSNext groups. Sunday, May 15: Youth Sunday Members of the Junior and Senior Hi Youth Groups will be conducting the service. Sunday, May 22: Rev. John Hamilton preaching. Confirmation Sunday when our 9th grade class will be confirmed. Young people to be confirmed on May 22nd: Marissa Breitenstein Jamie Casto Danielle Druchniak Maxwell Hanich Morgan Kohler Jordan Krieger Nicklaus Lytle Tyler McGinnis Zachary McGinnis Gregory Price Elizabeth Suppo Kylie Wilson Evan Zombek Stephen Zombek Teaching the 9th Grade Class are Mark and Judi Wolstoncroft. The Class went on a retreat to Camp Timberlake in Marianna, PA the weekend of April 29th and May 1st. Sunday, May 29: Rev. John Hamilton preaching. Baptism and Memorial Day Sunday. Come and join us for worship and Sunday School. 8:15 Worship Hour Rev. John is doing a Monday Morning message most weeks to the church. Those who are receiving their newsletter by will receive this message. If you receive your newsletter by mail and would like to receive the Monday Morning message please send or call us with your address. You will still receive your newsletter by mail. Send it to office@bethanypresby.org or call Please Remember, the deadline for the newsletter is the 15th of each month. Child care up to 5 year olds is available with supervision 10:45 Worship Hour Child care for Infants up to 2 years of age in the Nursery located in the Welcome Center. The nursery is supervised by Jenny Smith. Children two, three and four years of age can be dropped off before the service in Room #149. Children Worship and Wonder is for children 4 years old through Second Grade. This multi-sensory worship designed for children is located in the Worship Center, Room #144. The children leave the Sanctuary following the Children s Message for a time of interactive worship. Parents are asked to pick up their children after the Service has concluded. We rely on each family taking a turn several times throughout the year. Sign up with Barb Crawford.

7 May 2011 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 Communion 9:30 AM Preschool 8:15 AM Worship 7:00 PM Deacon 9:30 AM Sunday Teams School 7:30 PM Deacons 10:30 AM Confirmation Meeting Retreat ends 1 van 10:45 AM Worship 12:00 PM Evangelism Workshop 1:00 PM Birthday Celebration 6:00 PM Junior High Youth 7:15 PM Senior High Youth 3 9:15 AM Staff Meeting 4 5 9:30 AM Preschool 9:00 AM Quilting 10:00 AM Fellowship of 12:00 PM Knitting Prayer Camp 11:00 AM Bean Sprouts 6:30 PM Rev. Bill 6:30 PM Boy Scouts Roemer's Class 7:00 PM Adult Choir 7:00 PM MOMSnext 8:30 PM Bell Ringers 7:30 PM Associate Pastor Nominating Committee 6 Elders Retreat 9:30 AM Preschool 1:00 PM Friendship 6:00 PM Joseph Daugherty & Lisa Perkins Rehearsal 7:00 PM Friday Night Fellowship 7 Elders Retreat 3:00 PM Joseph Daugherty & Lisa Perkins Wedding 8 Mother's Day 8:15 AM Worship 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:45 AM Worship 6:00 PM Junior High Youth 9 9:30 AM Preschool 7:00 PM Session Teams 10 9:15 AM Staff Meeting 7:00 PM PW Spring Gathering :30 AM Preschool 9:00 AM MOPS 11:00 AM Bean Sprouts 9:00 AM Quilting 6:30 PM Boy Scouts 12:00 PM Knitting 7:00 PM Adult Choir Camp 8:30 PM Bell Ringers 6:30 PM Rev. Bill Roemer's Class 7:00 PM Ruth Bible Study 7:30 PM Associate Pastor Nominating Committee 13 9:30 AM Preschool 12:00 PM Men's Luncheon - Kings 1:00 PM Friendship 7:00 PM Friday Night Fellowship 14 8:45 AM Career Co- Operative 9:00 AM Youth Sunday Practice 10:00 AM Saturday Knitters 15 Youth Sunday 8:15 AM Worship 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:45 AM Worship 5:30 PM Junior High Youth Party 7:15 PM Senior High Youth Party 16 9:30 AM Preschool 7:00 PM Confirmation Class / Session 17 9:15 AM Staff Meeting :30 AM Preschool 9:00 AM Quilting 11:00 AM Bean Sprouts 10:30 AM Golden 6:30 PM Boy Scouts Oldies 7:00 PM Adult Choir 12:00 PM Knitting 8:30 PM Bell Ringers Camp 6:30 PM Rev. Bill Roemer's Class 7:00 PM MOMSnext 7:00 PM Ruth Bible Study 7:30 PM Associate Pastor Nominating Committee 20 1:00 PM Friendship 7:00 PM Friday Night Fellowship 21 7:30 AM Food Bank 8:45 AM Career Co- Operative 22 Confirmation 8:15 AM Worship 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:45 AM Worship 11:00 AM Confirmation Party 12:00 PM New Members Class 23 9:30 AM Preschool 7:00 PM New Members Class 7:00 PM Session Meeting 24 9:15 AM Staff Meeting :30 AM Preschool 9:00 AM MOPS 11:00 AM Bean Sprouts 9:00 AM Quilting 6:30 PM Boy Scouts 12:00 PM Knitting Camp 6:30 PM Rev. Bill Roemer's Class 7:30 PM Associate Pastor Nominating Committee 27 12:00 PM Men's Luncheon - Kings 1:00 PM Friendship 7:00 PM Friday Night Fellowship 28 10:00 AM Saturday Knitters 2:00 PM Osborn Birthday Party 29 Baptism 8:15 AM Worship 9:30 AM New Members Class 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:45 AM Worship 2:00 PM Baby Shower 30 Memorial Day - offices closed 31 9:15 AM Staff Meeting :00 AM Fellowship of Prayer 11:00 AM Bean Sprouts 9:00 AM Quilting 11:00 AM Rotary Luncheon 12:00 PM Knitting Camp 1:00 PM Pittsburgh Presbytery - Northmont Church 3 9:00 AM Strawberry Festival Set-up 1:00 PM Friendship 4 9:00 AM Children's Musical Rehearsal 4:00 PM Strawberry Festival

8 Page 8 From your Interim CE Director... Barb Crawford Beautiful Beautiful - Beautiful month of MAY! Thank you GOD! As I look back, it is so hard to believe it is May already. I m not sure if it is an old thing or does time really go by so quickly for all of us. Regardless, we must make the most of the time we have here on earth in all that we do you and I together! Sunday, May15th is Youth Sunday and how awesome it is to see the youth of this church praising God and celebrating all the gifts they have to offer Bethany and our Lord. On Monday, May 16 th our Confirmation Class (9 th graders), led and mentored by Judi and Mark Wolstoncroft, will each read their own Statement of Faith for the Session and parents and also for all of you won t you join us and hear what our Youth write and feel about their faith and their walk with our Lord. If you have never attended one of these evenings, you must do so you will be totally amazed and inspired when you hear what our youth have to say! The evening begins at 7:00pm with a small reception following the program. On Sunday, May 22 nd these same youth will become members of our church how exciting is that! Something our Discipleship Team is working on and hopes to have implemented by fall is a Child Protection Policy. Training will incorporate everyone who is involved with our children here at the Church in all of our programs involving children. We love our children and we love all of you and we need to do our best to try and raise awareness and make sure no unfortunate incident or uncomfortable situation occurs to anyone while we are here at our church. More information will follow as we continue to work on ways to make sessions available to everyone. On Palm Sunday our Sunday School children joined the choir and made beautiful music together. Our children sing under the direction of Peggy Nicholson who does a wonderful job bringing out the beautiful voices that our children sometimes try and hide! Our Sunday School offering from our children and adults continues to sponsor a boy and a girl in Haiti. We were able to send our first $ to them and in turn give them a better opportunity to attend school, have food and shelter and a better way of life that everyone deserves. Please remember to encourage your children to set aside a few pennies for these children. We are still looking for help with our Children s Worship and Wonder program that happens during our second Worship service each Sunday. We believe using the Children and Worship model can help our children at Bethany Church encounter God more directly and fully. Children and Worship is an exciting way for children to worship God in a place set apart for them so that they can experience and praise God. Children are spiritual beings from birth. They do love and worship God if given the right environment where they learn how to find the quiet place within. Through the dramatic telling of the Bible story they are invited to wonder and reflect on the mystery of God s presence in our midst. Rather than Second Hour being an extension of the Sunday School experience, Bethany Church will be providing for a worship opportunity that will trigger their imaginations. Through hearing seeing, and responding, children will participate in the very life and presence of the Living God who was, who is and who is to be, world without end. We need your help pray about it. NEW MEMBERS CLASS If you are interested in joining, or you would like more information, please fill out one of the red pew cards and place it in the offering plate. We would love to have you join the family of Bethany. Upcoming classes: Sunday, May 22 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, October 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Mother s Day Flowers Carnations are $2 each this year. Please designate who the flower is in memory or honor of...and who it is from.. Please remember to enclose the correct amount. Make checks payable to Bethany Presbyterian Church. Thank you.

9 Page 9 Memorial Day Service at Bethany Cemetery. There will be a brief service on Monday, May 30, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. at Bethany Church Cemetery, Presto-Sygan Road. It will be conducted by members of the church staff and the American Legion Post. This service will precede the 10:00 a.m. start of the Memorial Day parade through downtown Bridgeville to the cemeteries. The Associate Pastors Nominating Committee has started to meet weekly. The committee consists of Becky Yanak, Niki Ciaramella, Tammie Suppo, Terry Kohlmeyer, Catherine Price, Cathy Schulz, Doug Bovard, Mark Bonosky and Mike Segeleon. We are currently updating the Church Information Form (CIF) based on the job description approved by the Session. The CIF, once approved, will be submitted to the Committee on Ministry which will then begin the process of receiving Personal Information Forms (PIF). We covet your prayers as we discern God's direction through this process of calling an Associate Pastor to Bethany. Below are the names of those (known to us) involved in the armed services/reserves. Updated 01/17/2011 Michael Avery Robin Aylor Heather Ayres Beattie Bill Blosser Roger A. Burda Charles Buzzatto III Mark Cameron Aaron Cox Anthony Cersosimo Douglas Crabb Michael Daniels Jeff David Nicole David Justin Driskill C. J. Drummond Ryan Duffy Brian Ellis Kyle Ely Phil Gertz Joshua Griffin Joel Harr Karen Weber Harr Michael Hayes Tim Heath Brian Irwin Dion Julian Bethany Kaufman Rich Kearns William N. Kennedy Krystina Litton Ryan Kelsey Richard Lawrence Justin Mack Kelli Mitchell David Morgan Ian Murch Eddie McLeod Michael McFerron Thomas Olson John Petkovich Sean Pepper Joey Puhanic Robert P. Rahr, Jr. Matt Read Scott Reese John J. Ross Beatriz Sachek Nicholas Sachek Kyle Schaffner Charlie Sears Donald Snyder Ryan Squires Scott Squires Shelby Stewart Linden St. Clair Evan Steckle Ben Stern, Jr. Stanley Taylor Scott Vokoun Matt Weber Jonathan Woodward Please let us know if you have anyone that you wish to add to the list.

10 Page 10 Career Co-Operative Hosted by Bethany Presbyterian Church, Bridgeville, PA May 14 and May 21, :45 am to 11:30 am Job Finding Assistance practical, interactive and proven principles and guidelines to help: 1. The unemployed find jobs 2. Part time workers find full time work The employed find jobs that better fit their experience, skills, education and interests Content includes presentations, discussion, exercises, handouts and your own copy of the book Make Your Resume Talk written by Richard A. Hart to use as an ongoing reference. Part 1. Pre-Class material packet and preparation Part 2. May 14 Workshop covering resume preparation and the importance of an accompanying cover letter as a separate marketing, bragging document; practical exercises; clear samples of resumes and cover letters Part 3. Homework Part 4. May 21 Workshop following up on May 14 class and homework; then covering networking, developing a marketing plan for finding a job, job search approaches, interviewing skills with mock interviews Part 5. Follow-up assistance with no time limit to help each participant maximize the Co-op benefits and to help them achieve their job objectives Registration required Fee: $20 for the book and materials (scholarships available) Mission News Hosanna Industries Work Day on Saturday, June 18, from 8 a.m. (depart church) until approximately 5 p.m. (return to church). A lunch will be provided for all volunteers. Please contact Cathy Schulz at or at mission@bethanypresby.org to sign up on the team. Ten adults are needed for this project. Please join the team! Hosanna Industries is about: Poverty tries to destroy hope...hosanna Industries strives to restore hope. Every day, another family is helped and given the hope it needs to restore lives, restore dignity, and restore vitality in its community. Hosanna Industries, Inc. is the premiere faith-rooted, 501 (c)3 non-profit organization in southwestern Pennsylvania delivering housing services for low and very low income homeowners in the form of new construction and repair/rehabilitation services. Since 1990, the mission has completed over 2200 projects in the local Pittsburgh Region and throughout the nation while leading volunteers for over 133,000 volunteer work days. The total market value for these projects exceeds $42 million while the mission has only spent approximately $14 million for this work. Visit hosannaindustries.org for more information Call Ron Hart for information Saturday, June 25, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Repack boxes at the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank. Cost: Your time and energy. 12 people needed for this project. Contact Cathy Schulz at or cjschulz147@yahoo.com by June 1. West Virginia Mission Trip, August 1-7 Mission trip to West Virginia refurbish homes, work in the food/clothing pantry, help out local people in need. Contact Caroline Poiche at for more information. You can participate the whole week or a part of the week.

11 Page 11 Volunteer Receptionists Do you like answering phones, greeting people and making everyone who enters the building during the week feel welcome, helping with mailings and other small jobs? Then you (men and women) are who we are looking for. Call Lois Hart at for information. Communion dates for 2011: May 1 June 26 August 7 September 11 October 2 November 27 Children wanting to receive Communion must first talk with the pastors. Call the pastor to make an appointment. Baptism dates for 2011: May 29 July 24 September 25 November 20 Parents please call the church office to request a date. Strawberry Festival June 4 A Men s Group meets at Kings Restaurant the 2nd & 4th Friday of each month at 12:00 noon for lunch a Bible discussion. All men are welcome. Hope to see you May 13th. M a y B i r t h d a y s 50/01 James Smith 05/01 Sarah Schweitzer 05/02 Heather Bogdon 05/02 Amy Wolenski 05/02 Jude Pagliai 05/02 Helena Brickner 05/03 Kerry Walton 05/03 Rosalie Barbish 05/03 Nicholas Miller 05/04 Phyllis Matthews 05/05 Joseph Perkins 05/06 Natalie Walters 05/06 Brenda Woleslagle 05/06 John Maulsby 05/05 Rhonda Blosser 05/06 Annie Doty 05/06 Michael Buchta 05/08 Valeria Lorenzi 05/08 Tom Harold 05/08 Debra Speer 05/08 Jody Romanelli 05/08 Jenna Foltz 05/09 Alex Harbison 05/10 Charles Johns 05/10 Shirley Skerl 05/10 Brandon Orosz 05/10 Paul Del Conte 05/10 Bryce Rupp 05/11 Roberta Gerstacker 05/11 Larry Gastgeb 05/11 Jacquelyn Nixon 05/11 Nicole Schweitzer 05/11 Paul Schneider 05/11 Ali Sieckowski 05/11 Kaycee Nelson 05/11 Anna Mae Naples 05/13 Karen Talerico 05/13 Alyssa Lamberti 05/13 Brittany Lytle 05/14 Ral Warnock 05/14 Sandra Gastgeb 05/14 Amy Humble 05/14 Heather Hammerbeck 05/15 Kirsten Rogers 05/15 Zach Patterson 05/15 Danielle Druchniak 05/15 Madison Kopach 05/16 Joan Franks 05/16 Colleen Heasley 05/16 Susan Nagy 05/16 Jordan Kopach 05/16 Hannah Patterson 05/17 Betty Yenchik 05/17 Cody Grafe 05/17 Dylan Nock 05/17 Max Nagy 05/17 Kathryn Evans 05/18 Elaine London 05/18 Judy Vietmeier 05/18 Susan Witwicki 05/19 Patricia Frye 05/19 Brooke Ley 05/19 Thomas Cimarolli 05/20 Joseph Szallar 05/20 David Verduci 05/21 Patricia Kirker 05/21 Linda Manzini 05/21 Ryan Kohler 05/21 Joelle Salerno 05/21 Ryann Griffiths 05/222 Deborah Cardillo 05/22 Rebecca Ward 05/22 Faith Ruehle 05/22 Logan Smith 05/23 Christine Biery 05/24 Lynette Fink 05/24 Melissa Mitri 05/24 Samantha Hartnett 05/25 Dawn Costain 05/25 Wendi Duffill 05/25 Ian Suppo 05/26 Edmund Danziger 05/26 Peggy Bolam 05/27 Rebecca Findley 05/28 Ralph Arison 05/28 Robert Montagna 05/28 Luke Andruscik 05/28 Ashley Hebbert 05/29 Cindy Lamberti 05/29 Terri Berton 05/29 Kimmy Rectenwald 05/29 Jeff Wolstoncroft 05/29 Sara Sunderlin 05/29 Ellie Lesnett 05/29 Alivia Bogdon 05/30 James Pitts 05/30 Nicole Ingham 05/31 Olga Miller 05/31 Laura Doyle 05/31 Cara Duda

12 B e t h a n y P r e s b y t e r i a n C h u r c h 740 Washington Avenue Bridgeville, PA Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Bridgeville, PA Permit #38 Phone: office@bethanypresby.org Dated Material Return Service Requested We are committed to being a compassionate and loving congregation, striving to touch lives and change hearts for Jesus Christ. The PW Regional Synod Gathering will be held June 24 & 25 at West Virginia Wesleyan College. The cost is $90 for room and meals. Barb Crawford, Bonnie Eichler, Lynne Suchoza, Carolyn Garretson, Caroline Poiche and Janet Marlett are planning to go. Why not join them? Call Barb Crawford at or her at crawford@bethanypresby.org. Registration deadline is June 4. Do you know that if you have a change of address and don t let us know we pay 61 cents to get your new address and you missed your newsletter for the month? You may also be missing some other mail from the church. Some of our letters to the youth come back because of a wrong address and they may be missing out on a lot of activities. Please help us keep current. Either call or your address to Marlett@bethanypresby.org Golden Oldies Watch the church bulletin for the upcoming May meeting of the Golden Oldies.