T H E R O L L I N G S T O N E

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1 O C T O B E R S A M P S O N S M I L L S P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H T H E R O L L I N G S T O N E Are you ready for the Call? I love the image on the front cover of our All- Congregation wide study, The Call. In some ways, it reminds me of that lake behind the amphitheater at Westminster College. It was in that space, under the canopy of the wood plank ceiling that remind me of a big boat, that I heard Christ s call in my own life. Like whispers from off the lake, I heard Jesus calling. The first time was to come and follow and be his disciple. Years later, it was the particular call to serve him and the church as a pastor. The image of the boat and the water were and still are powerful symbols for the church. Jesus invited his own disciples to drop their nets and their lives and journey with him on a boat. The sea was place of adventure and invitation to come and go from the other side again and again. The same would be true to Paul. The boat was the vessel that carried the feet of those who brought the good news. The sea seemed to beckon over and over again, drawing Paul and his companions to new shores and to new people. The sea and the boat were apt to symbolize the call to not only be disciples but also apostles (meaning literally ones who have been sent out) Notice also how the book cover s picture almost imagines that we ve in fact have already gotten on the boat. It is as if a seat as already been prepared for us. Do you see also how it is getting ready to be pushed out to sea? It is as if the sea is calling for us to come and journey on, too, inviting us to join the apostle s mission to go and share the gospel. We are in fact just about ready to set sail with our adventure with Paul with The Call! We hope that you are in fact ready to get on aboard and journey with us to the other side. Sure, we will travel with Paul

2 and in his missionary adventures, but in doing so, we will reflect on our own personal calls to share God s love, because God is also calling us, too, to be apostles! There are many ways in which you can get on the boat (AKA participate in The Call). First, everyone will participate in The Call in some fashion. Sunday sermons each week will reflect on each chapter of the book as well as passages from the Book of Acts and/or sections of Paul s many epistles. Second, some can choose to read along on your own or together with a spouse or family. Third, others may wish to join one of at least four small groups that are forming now. Joining a small group will deepen your experience and allow for opportunities to reflect in community. Each small group will also feature a film snippet, so to visually show the course of Paul s adventure. As of now, groups are meeting Wednesdays at noon with Pastor Jessica, Wednesdays at 7:15 pm, Thursdays at 7 pm at the home of Rich and Kathy Peter s and Fridays at 6:30 pm at the home of Butch and Joanie Andrews. In addition, our children and youth are already beginning to explore The Call in Children s Worship on Sunday mornings and at our Youth group gatherings on Sunday evenings. We officially embark on The Call adventure Sunday, October 7 th! Hope to see you on the boat as we set sail together! Pastor Jessica S e s s i o n N o t e s f r o m S e p t e m b e r SESSION NOTES FROM SEP- TEMBER Bid from Germek, the A/C Project (except electrical). Was accepted Change insurance company from Duncan Insurance to Donald Hamm and Sons Insurance was accepted. Nancy Swanson Clerk of Session

3 All Church Experience October 7 November 18 October 7 th World Communion and Family First Sunday Called to be an Apostle Acts 9:1-10 October 14 th Called to Follow Christ Selections from Acts October 21 st Called to Go Selections from Acts October 28 th Called to Suffer Acts 16 and Philippians 4:4-7 November 4th Family First Sunday with Communion Called to Love Acts 17: and 1 st Corinthians 13 November 11 th Veterans Day Called to Give Acts 19 November 18 th Called to be Faithful Acts and Philippians 1:20-24

4 A M u s i c N o t e f r o m O u r D i r e c t o r o f M u s i c M i n i s t r i e s A Music Note - from Jolena VanMeter, Director of Music Ministries As you know, on October 7th we will be celebrating World Communion Sunday. This is a day to recognize how people all over the world worship our one true God. We may look different, speak different languages, eat different food, and maintain different cultural traditions, but we are all part of the family of God. We are all children of God and despite our differences, we have the same goal: to worship and share God's love with one another. On the flip side, despite our unity in faith, we have many different ways of worshipping. We speak different languages, and therefore we sing different languages. We maintain different cultural traditions, and therefore we have different music styles and harmonies. These differences are beautiful and should be celebrated. Our worship varieties bring joy to God in so many ways. So, on October 7th, while we are observing World Communion, we will also be celebrating with World Music! Our children will be singing an Argentinian Folk Song. A quartet will be singing a well-known hymn in its native German tongue. We will also learn a song from the Korean-English Presbyterian hymnal! It's going to be a fun service full of cultural diversity and celebration of many countries making one world and serving one God!

5 A Word from Your Stewardship and Finance Ministry Team The offerings for the month of September 2 thru September 23: 9/2/ /9/ /16/ /23/ Total Contributions $10, Thank you! Butch Andrews, Chair Community & Mission Ministry Team News The Mission Team met to review the last few months of their activities in mission work and to look ahead for future endeavors. The annual Flea Market in May was quite successful and raised over $4, Blessing Board gave generous quantities of household goods each month of the summer. The distribution center is located behind the US Postal Office in McKeesport. Volunteers from SMPC aid the Mission Team in this effort. Carol McDowell, Tim and Bobbie Dunn, Elayne Sparico and friends of SMPC help make this project successful. Cupboard Stretchers continues to successfully meet the nutrition needs of White Oak residents. Under the leadership of Jolene Keefer and Kathy Peters, SMPC members, White Oak Lions Club, White Oak and just good hearted people who volunteer monthly to make this project outstanding. Thanks to all the SMPC members who give generously to the Mission Fund. These contributions will be distributed in November after thoughtful consideration and prayer. FYI John McElwain, our beloved former Associate Pastor, is now a part-time leader with the Coalition for Christian Outreach and his salary and expenses are completely dependent on gifts. For those of you would like to support his ministry send gifts to: CCO, 5912 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206; memo line: John McElwain We are blessed to receive your Mission Donations. Billie Kissel Chair, Beverly Ekaitis, Gary Hillmar, Max Holsinger, Rich & Kathy Peters, Bill Rhodes, and Nancy Swanson

6 October 14-2nd Sunday! 6:30-8:00- Called to Follow Christ (Paul's Background) October 31-6:00-8:00- come hand out candy to the kids in our community October 21-5:30-7:00-2nd JYG! (Called to go- Paul's First Missionary Journey) October 3- Pizza-Neon Night (The Red Sea) October 10 Mac & Cheese-Bring a Friend Night (Ruth) October 17- Chicken Nuggets and Fries-Welcome to the Jungle Night (Ruth) October 24-Hot Dogs with Chips- Halloween party (Ruth) October 31- Halloween- NO YOUTH CLUB! On Wednesday October 31, the Christian Education Team will be passing out candy to local trick-or-treaters. We are in need for fun sized, individually wrapped candies. If you would like to donate, please let Bekah know. We are also always in need of a few people to come help pass out candy from 6:00-8:00 on Halloween. The White Oak Lions Club is again selling 2019 Enjoy coupon books. The coupons begin on November 1. The cost of the book is $30. If you would like to purchase one please see Rich Peters. Thank you

7 Have you signed up for The Call yet? In the month of October, we are doing a church wide study on the book The Call by Adam Hamilton. If you would like to join a small group, please fill out a small group information form, found either in the narthex or online (click here). Groups start the week of October 7. Still need a book? They are $10 and can get one in the narthex on Sunday s or from the office on weekdays.

8 Worship 11:00 am Rev. Jessica McClure Archer S A M P S O N S M I L L S P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H 1665 Lincoln Way White Oak, PA Phone: sampsonsmillspc@verizon.net Facebook.com/sampsons.mills Sampson s Mills on YouTube Subscribe to Sampson s Mills YouTube Channel to hear Pastor Jessica s Sunday sermons. Click here to view and be sure to hit the subscribe button. Nancy Sylvander 2 Marlene Riebel 4 Jack Graham 27 Bill Messinger 15 Olivia Ulman 16 Melissa Addington 17 Dylan Seiler 17 Bob Levkus 25 Matt VanMeter 26 Owen Ulman 26 Pastor Jessica 31 Carrie Hillmar 31 For those who are unaware, there is a congregational wide prayer chain. When there is a request for prayer, an is sent out to those on the chain. If you are not on the list and would like to be, please contact the office so your name can be added. Or if you have a request for prayer, call the office and you request can be shared with those on the pray chain. Thank you. If you have a birthday this month and it s not listed, please call the office and let me know.