The Good News Sharon Church January 2019

Transcription

1 The Good News Sharon Church January 2019 Blessed Christmastide Sharon Church! As Christians, each New Year begins with the celebration of Christmastide the twelve days between the birth of Christ (Christmas, December 25) and the coming of the Magi (Epiphany, January 6). For Protestants, our acquaintance with Christmastide is often connected with our lyrical traditions and familiarity with the song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas. While the origins of The Twelve Days of Christmas itself dates back to the late 1700 s from a popular children s rhyme in England and France, Christians over time have long embraced festival music and poetry as a way to remember the tenants of our faith: "A partridge in a pear tree" as representative of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! (Luke 13:34)

2 A mother partridge will feign injury in order to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings. In other words, it is representative of the one true God revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. "Two turtle doves" as representative of the Old and New Testaments...gifts from God. Since the dove symbolizes peace, it was believed that the gospel contained in these two testaments of faith would bring peace when practiced. "Three French hens" as representative of Faith, Hope and Charity...the theological virtues sometimes referenced as Faith, Hope and Love...the three gifts of the "Spirit that abide" (I Corinthians 13). The French hens may also represent the Holy Trinity or the three gifts of the Magi presented to the Christ child. "Four calling birds," or colly/ie birds as representative of the Four Gospels which sing the song of salvation through Jesus Christ, or the four major Old Testament prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel), or the four horsemen of the Apocalypse. "Five golden rings" as representative of the first Five Books of the Old Testament (also known as the "Pentateuch" or the "Books of Moses") or for Catholics, the five decades of the rosary, or the five obligatory sacraments of the Church "Six geese a-laying" as representative of the Six Days of Creation. "Seven swans a-swimming" as representative of the "Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit" or the seven sacraments of the Catholic faith (I Corinth 12:8-11; Rom 12; Eph 4; 1 Peter 4:10-11). "Eight maids a-milking" as representative of the Eight Beatitudes. "Nine ladies dancing" as representative of the Nine Choirs of Angels or the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit, namely: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance (Galatians 5:22-23). "Ten lords a-leaping" as representative of the Ten Commandments. "Eleven pipers piping" as representative of the eleven faithful Disciples. "Twelve drummers drumming" as belief in the Apostle s Creed: Maker of heaven and earth; Son, our Lord; Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; crucified, dead and buried; representative of the twelve points of I. Believe in God the Father, Almighty, II. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten III. Who was conceived by the Holy IV. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was V. The third day He rose again from the

3 dead; VI. He ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; VII. From then he shall come to judge the quick and the dead; VIII. I believe in the Holy Ghost; IX. In the communion of saints; X. The forgiveness of sins; XI. The resurrection of the body; XII. And the life everlasting. As we begin our New Year, I appreciate that our faith calls us to return to God over and over again: to the lessons of scripture and tradition, to the musings of our carols and songs, and to the mindfulness of God creating new life and new beginnings through Christ Jesus each and every day. May God be with you this New Year and may we resolve to bring peace and reconciliation to the world as God s people in the spirit of God s profound and unifying act in Christ Jesus. Happy Christmas and Blessed New Year, Pastor Becky 522 Carnot Road, Coraopolis, PA MUSIC Mark and Treva extend their thanks to everyone who contributed to the many musical offerings this December. In addition to the gratitude we feel for the dedication of the regular Handbell and Chancel Choir members, we would like to thank the many folks who lent their voices to our Cantata and Pick Up Choir Sunday, the adults who helped with the children for their Advent program, and the talented musicians who accompanied us. We hope the music brought everyone a bit of Christmas cheer and served as an Advent meditation. Should anyone wish to continue their involvement, we are always happy to welcome participants. The Handbells rehearse Wednesday evenings at 6:15. The Choir rehearses Wednesday evenings at 7 and Sunday mornings at 10:30. Speak with Mark or Treva or any current member if you would like more information. SDG, Mark and Treva

4 Christian Education Opportunities! The following online programs offer various daily Bible reading programs through the internet. Most of these program options are free and you may select how you would like to read the Bible, either chronological/historical or Genesis to Revelation (cover to cover). Please take a look and find one that works for you. Blueletterbible.com click on Devotionals, then Daily Bible Reading Program Biblestudytools.com click on Read, then Reading Program Bible.org Backtothebible.org Theconnectpoint.com/biblereadingprogram Biblica.com 365 Day Reading Plan On your phone you may download the following programs: Daily Audio Bible: Dailyaudiobible.com $.99 for the iphone Daily Bible App free from Google Play My Daily Devotion Bible App free from Google Play

5 Sounds of Pittsburgh Chorus Sharon Church Monday January 21 st at 7:45pm The Sounds of Pittsburgh chorus is an award-winning women s a cappella chorus. They are a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, a worldwide organization of women singers, and sing a wide variety of music from pop to country, show tunes to spirituals, comedy and inspirational - all in 4 part a cappella harmony. They have been calling Sharon Community Presbyterian Church home now for about two months and would like to share their music with us by offering a short performance for our congregation and community. If you are interested in singing with Sounds of Pittsburgh, please join them as a guest on any Monday night at 7:45pm in Fellowship Hall at Sharon Church. If you are interested in any information including upcoming events please visit their website at NEW MEMBERS WELCOME!!! The next Joining Sunday will be February 10 th. Anyone interested in joining Sharon Community Presbyterian Church should contact Deb Prostko at or by at deborahprostko@yahoo.com. Future Joining Sundays are May 12, August 11, or November 10 th. Did You Know? Did you know that there are many ways to volunteer on Sunday mornings? 1. Did you ever wonder about the envelopes, prayer request cards and pencils in the pew racks? Did you ever use one and then a week or two later it has been replenished? Well, church members do this as volunteers on a monthly basis. It takes about an hour and a half and can be done at your convenience. If you are looking for an opportunity to help out, but have limited time, this could be the perfect way to help out. Contact Jan Gorr at You can join donate to the West Hills Community Food Bank. Place non-perishables in the container in the narthex. 3. You can greet your fellow worshipers on Sunday mornings. Sign up sheets are in the narthex or contact Deb Prostko at

6 SAVE THE DATE!!! Save the date February 3, 2019 Formation hour Mission Engagement. Details to come. Welcome to Anne! The Personnel Committee is delighted to introduce our new Church Administrator, Anne Giehl, who will begin training with Deb in the front office on Monday, January 7 th. Anne moved to Pittsburgh last year with her husband and daughter Zoey who is a kinder-gartner at Montour Elementary and looks very forward to meeting all of you. She comes to us from the professional world of marketing and management, and was looking for a part-time position that would be the best fit for her gifts and talents as well as allow her time to raise her daughter. A bit about Anne: She grew up in New Hampshire, went to Culinary School in Arizona, travelled opening restaurants, and returned to New England where she finished her business degree. After managing restaurants in Boston for a number of years, she moved to Florida (Orlando/Cocoa area) and transitioned from restaurant management to managing senior living communities. Anne was the Executive Director of senior living communities for nearly 10 years until her family relocated to Pittsburgh last year for her husband s job. We welcome Anne with open arms and if you have the occasion to be at the church during the week, please stop by and introduce yourself to her in the front office.

7 JANUARY CHURCH Sunday 30 Monday 31 Tuesday 1 Wednesday 2 Thursday 3 Friday 4 Saturday 5 8:00 am Men s Study 12:15 Sharon Quilters 6:15 pm Bell Choir 7:00 pm Chancel Choir Sunday 6 Monday 7 Tuesday 8 Wednesday 9 Thursday 10 Friday 11 Saturday 12 10:00-10:45 AM Christian Nurture 10:00 11:00 AM 11:00 AM Worship Communion 1:30 pm Prayer Ministry 6:30 pm Small 12:00 pm Willing Workers 6:00pm W, M &A 6:30 Membership 7:00pm Christian Nurture 7:00pm Prop & Maint 8:00 am Men s Study 6:15 pm Bell Choir 7:00 pm Chancel Choir Sunday 13 Monday 14 Tuesday 15 Wednesday 16 Thursday 17 Friday 18 Saturday 19 10:00-10:45 AM Christian Nurture 10:00-11:00 AM Fellowship 11:00 AM Worship Ordination & Installation New Officers 12:15 Sharon Quilters 6:30 pm Small 6:00pm Personnel 7:00pm Finance & Generosity 8:00 am Men s Study 6:15 pm Bell Choir 7:00 pm Chancel Choir 11:00am Mary Ann Sirney Funeral Sunday 20 Monday 21 Tuesday 22 Wednesday 23 Thursday 24 Friday 25 Saturday 26 10:00-10:45 AM Christian Nurture 10:00-11:00 AM Fellowship 11:00 AM Worship 110:00 AM to 6:30 pm Small 7:45 pm Sounds of Pittsburgh performance for community Fellowship Hall 7:00 Deacons 8:00 am Men s Study 6:15 pm Bell Choir 7:00 pm Chancel Choir Sunday 27 Monday 28 Tuesday 29 Wednesday 30 Thursday 31 Friday1 Saturday 2 10:00-10:45 AM Christian Nurture 0:00-11:00 AM Fellowship 11:00 AM Worship 12:00 PM Annual Congregation Meeting & Lunch Fellowship Hall 7:00 Session 8:00 am Men s Study 6:15 pm Bell Choir 7:00 pm Chancel Choir

8 JANUARY COMMUNITY Sunday 30 Monday 31 Tuesday 1 Wednesday 2 Thursday 3 Friday 4 Saturday 5 Sunday 6 Monday 7 Tuesday 8 Wednesday 9 Thursday 10 Friday 11 Saturday 12 7:00 VB 9am Food Pantry 7:00 pm AA Library 6:00pm Boys Soccer 6:00 Soccer 8:30 pm VB 6:00pm Soccer 6:00 Soccer 7:00 Soccer 7:00 TGIF 9:00am VB - YCC 7:00 pm AA #204 6:00 pm Sounds of Pittsburgh 8:00 VB 9:00 VB 8:30 VB 8:00pm VB 10:00pm Dads BB 7:00 pm AA FH Sunday 13 Monday 14 Tuesday 15 Wednesday16 Thursday 17 Friday 18 Saturday 19 7 pm VB 8:30 pm VB 7:00 pm AA #204 6:00 pm Sounds of Pittsburgh Fellowship Hall 9am Food Pantry 6:00pm Soccer 8:00 VB 9:00 VB 7:00 pm AA Library 6:00 pm Boys Soccer 8:30 VB 6:00pm Boys Soccer 7:00 Soccer 8:00 pm VB 10:00pm Dads BB 7:00 pm AA FH 6:00 Soccer 7:00pm TGIF 9:00am VB - YCC Sunday 20 Monday 21 Tuesday 22 Wednesday23 Thursday 24 Friday 25 Saturday 26 7 pm VB 8:30 pm VB 7:00 pm AA #204 6:00 pm Sounds of Pittsburgh Fellowship Hall 9am Food Pantry 6:00pm Soccer 8:00 pm VB 9:00 pm VB 7:00 pm AA Library 6:00 VB 8:30 VB 6:00pm Boys Soccer 7?00 Soccer 8:00 pm VB 10:00pm Dads BB 7:00 pm AA FH 6:00 Soccer 7:00pm TGIF 9:00am VB - YCC Sunday 27 Monday 28 Tuesday 29 Wednesday30 Thursday 31 Friday 1 Saturday 2 7 pm VB 8:30 VB 7:00 pm AA #204 6:00 pm Sounds of Pittsburgh Fellowship Hall 9am Food Pantry 6:00pm Soccer 8:00 pm VB 9:00 pm VB 7:00 pm AA Library 6:00 pm Boys VB 8:30 pm VB 6:00pm Boys Soccer 7:00 Soccer 8:00 pm VB 10:00pm Dads BB 7:00 pm AA FH 6:00 Soccer 7:00pm TGIF 9:00am VB YCC

9 Members Anna, James and the Cratsley family Family of Mary Ann Sirney Joe Sergi Henry family Mark Mizer Zwergel family Linda Corcoran & family Jane Schuliger Joyce Zalucky Abby Zalucky Judy Yeck ClaraAnne Schmidt June Campbell Grace Bowden and family Shane Corcoran Jerry Campbell and family Pat Hersh Gordon Hurlburt David & Carol Gordon Family & Friends Joan (Deb Williams) Lee Ann Perko & family (Cindy Zwergel) Ann (Lorna Phillips) George Jones (Judy Yeck) Shannon (Judy Yeck) Jennifer (Barb Cain) Betty Miller (Sandy) Joe Orient family (Sandy) James Connie (Pam Wieland) Carol (Sandy Hershberger Dave (Eonta) Elizabeth (Cindy Zwergel) Kurt (Sharon Krupka) Marty (Wade & Elaine Hoffman) Dolores (Hamshers) Buddy & Tracey (Sharon Krupka) Miller Family (Judy Yeck) Veronica (Pam Wieland) Carol (Joyce Zalucky) Jeff (Dorothy Bower) Bob (Kathy Hamsher) Ben (Linda Corcoran) James (Linda Corcoran) Valerie (Linda Corcoran) Kris (Linda Corcoran) Rachel (Kay Schurr s niece) Jonell (Sally Shirra) Ian (Jan Weber) Debbie (Nancy Handerhan) Debbie (Pam Wieland) Dorie (Linda Corcoran) Mimi and Ian (Barb Cain) Jody (Carol Musgrave s niece) Patricia (Thompsons' daughter) Patricia (friend of George Hollis) Makenzie (Lorraine Keith) Christina (Wayne Schulinger) THOSE SERVING IN THE ARMED SERVICES Donnie & Brett Gordon (brothers of Holly Henry) Christopher Boyer (Prostkos son-in-law) Walker Loeffler (Meanors grandson) Nick Thompson (Thompsons grandson)

10 Children s Ministry Just a reminder that Formation Classes Begin again in January at 10am. We offer Nursery at both 10am and 11am Worship for children under 3 years old. We also have Sunday School classes for children during Formation Hour beginning at 10am for children ages 3 and older. Every Sunday during the Worship Service, the children will be dismissed to Children s Church after the Children s Message for children ages 3-12 years. We hope to see you! If you have any questions, please see Jeanne Sergi or Tami Shouse. Children s Ministry Happy New Year! I love the holidays, but I also look forward to the New Year, a time of bringing order back into our lives and a time of new beginnings. One of my favorite scriptures is Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. We serve a God that wants to do a NEW THING in our life! He desires to bring forth life in our dry places. I pray that you enter into 2019 expecting God to do a new thing in your life! Children always seem open to new adventures and new things, they don t get stuck in the same pattern and routines that we tend to fall in to. I am excited to see what New Things God has in store for the Children s Ministry here at SCPC. I have great expectations that 2019 is going to be an exciting year! Speaking of exciting, we have a Children s Ministry Winter Activity being planned for Saturday, February 9 th! Please mark your calendars! More info coming soon! Blessings, Ms. Tami

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