C H U R C H. The Impact of Sherlock s Adventure. New Director of Student Ministries Hired WORSHIP CONNECT IMPACT

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1 N o r t h P a r k C H U R C H WORSHIP CONNECT IMPACT August, 2013 Volume 75 A Publication of North Park Evangelical Presbyterian Church New Director of Student Ministries Hired It did not take long for the search team of Brian McGoey, Laura Daly, Glenn Graner, Carol Dupee and Dan Hendley to reach a decision on our next youth pastor. Through a Bobby Brown connection, Brian Ham heard of our position way down in Atlanta and applied. A thorough look at Brian persuaded all that he will do well as our next leader of student ministries. Brian is a graduate of West Georgia University and has been a student at Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta. He has experience in student ministry at Evergreen Presbyterian Church in Suwanee, Georgia where he also grew up. Brian is 25 years old and single. He plans to drive north on August 12 to get settled in and prepare for ministry among us. If you want to write to Brian his address is bham2988@gmail.com; he is also on Facebook. The Impact of Sherlock s Adventure A huge thank-you to everyone who helped with VBS this summer, whether through volunteering time or supplies or lifting up camp in prayer! Many of you who are reading this were at the VBS worship service in June to hear some of our statistics from the week. Instead of reiterating those, I simply wanted to focus in on and share one camper s experience to emphasize the impact we were able to have in one short span of time. Bethany Osmond, one of our 1 st grade senior campers, wrote this herself to share with those who attended the VBS closing luncheon: Hello everyone. Today I have something to tell you and that is at camp I gave my heart to Jesus because I love Him and He loves me too and now I am a Christian and I love God. My teachers [counselors] inspired me to read the Bible, and at camp, sometimes I had trouble finding the story [that we were talking about] but I didn't stop trying and my teachers also sometimes helped me find it. I really had a fun week with my counselors and the other kids. Praise God for His faithfulness and for the way He rejoices over one lost sheep! I pray that you all will continue to seek earnestly after God with your whole hearts, knowing that as a result, He will be found by you (Jeremiah 29:13). With love, Kristen Yealy

2 2 Contents Front Page New Student Ministry Director Hired Sherlock s Adventure -Impact 2 New Thursday Epistle Will Have Online Sign-ups! Care Group Sunday 3 Pastor s Corner Congregational Meeting Mortgage Pay-Off in Sight 4 Student Ministry Tunica Mission Trip 5 Did You Know Being Vocal... Back Page Birthdays and Anniversaries For a current look at the NPC calendar, click the calendar link above the newsletter link on the web. North Park Church 600 Ingomar Rd. Wexford, PA New Thursday Epistle Will Have Online Event Sign-ups! You may have noticed recently that North Park Church s weekly publication, the Thursday Epistle, has a new look. We have started using a program called Constant Contact, which has allowed us to greatly increase the functionality of our design. If you haven t checked it out yet, don t wait any longer! The Thursday Epistle now links directly to event information, sermon audio, online giving, the NPC calendar, various pages on our website and more! We are excited about all of the new features for our weekly , but Constant Contact has even more benefits for the NPC family! Starting with our fall kickoff events, we will be employing Constant Contact s online event sign-up tool! You will be able to click on a button in the Thursday Epistle or on the website that will take you directly to an event s sign-up page. After that, it s as easy as entering the basic information requested, and you can be signed up for an NPC event. You can also forward the Thursday Epistle to friends and family, and they can sign up for events just as easily! We hope that this new process will not only save us paper by not printing as many sign-up sheets, but mostly that it will make life easier for the NPC family. Wouldn t it be nice if you find out that you can attend a few days before an event, to be able to easily sign up from the comfort of your home? We think so, and we hope you do, too! As with anything new, there may be some glitches, and we ask that you bear with us as we work everything out, and contact us with any questions you may have. But in the end, we think this will be a great additional tool! Please pay attention to the bulletin, FYI and Thursday Epistle for further information on how to sign up for individual events. If you do not receive the Thursday Epistle but would like to, please let us know by ing northparkepc@gmail.com. If you do not have internet access, or you have trouble signing up for an event using the links, you may always contact the church office at (412) Care Group Sunday North Park s Mission Statement says that we WORSHIP, CONNECT, and IMPACT. Care Groups are the primary way that we CONNECT. Care Groups are intended to provide exactly that: Care. These groups are the first line of visitation, meal preparation, prayer, and fellowship at North Park. In a church of our size, it is hard to know everyone. It is also difficult for the pastoral staff to provide all the care and visitation that our church family needs. Care Groups may study together, but their main purpose is to help us love and care for one another as the family of God. August 25 th is Care Group Sunday! All Care Groups are encouraged to wear a matching color and sit together during the worship service so everyone can see how many groups we have. There will also be tables set up in the lobby for groups who are looking to add new members or for people who are looking to start new groups. If you are not yet in a group or would like to change the group you re in, this is the best way to check out what we are offering at NPC. You ll be able to see the age groups, focus, location, and meeting time of all our groups. Don t miss it! Does your group need a table? Have any questions about Care Groups? Contact Bobby Brown at the church office: (412) x 224 or bobbybrown@northparkepc.org.

3 Pastor s Corner by Dan Hendley On June 18, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to prohibit abortions after the 20th week. I did not see this coming. It still is not law and is unlikely to pass the Senate, but it is a rare positive encouragement for those of pro-life conviction. You may be surprised to know that the United States is one among only four nations in the world that allows abortions for any reason after viability, and is currently one of only nine nations that allows abortion after 14 weeks gestation. Our nation is still deeply divided over abortion and other issues. As an example On an MSNBC show in June, University of Pennsylvania Assistant Professor, Salamisha Tillet, attempted to explain Republican support of that ban on 20+ week abortions as a racially motivated effort to increase the relative proportion of white births. Here is what she said: For the first time in American history, children born under the age of five are racial, the majority of them are racial and ethnic minorities in the U.S. So I think that there's a kind of moral panic, a fear of the end of whiteness that we've been seeing a long time in that I think, you know, Obama's ascension as President kind of symbolizes to a certain degree. And so I think this is one response to that sense that there's a decreasing white majority in the country and that women's bodies and white women's bodies in particular are obviously a crucial way of reproducing whiteness, white supremacy, white privilege. And so I think it's just a kind of clamping down on women's bodies, in particular white women's bodies, even though women of color are really caught in the fray. This was said out-loud, on national TV, by a woman who teaches in the Ivy League. No acknowledgement that pro-life people truly believe that a pre-born baby is human. No admission that the babies pro-lifers are trying to save are disproportionately minority babies. Nope. The rascally pro-lifers are racists. I would like to report that the other participants on the show expressed their disagreement with the professor. But this was MSNBC. In response to this, followers of Jesus are called to continue to speak the truth in love, rejoice when slandered, and press on to advance the kingdom of Jesus which is pro-life, pro-truth, and pro-respect across racial and political lines. 3 Mortgage Pay-Off In Sight Congregational Meeting August 25 Our annual meeting to review the budget, approve senior pastor compensation, and elect officers will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday August 25. We anticipate that the meeting will be over by 11:45 a.m. Nursery will continue through the meeting. Watch your bulletin for a list of nominees. Due to a surprising special bequest and the ongoing financial faithfulness of many who love North Park Church and her Lord, we find ourselves approaching an opportunity to retire the debt on our buildings and enter the new fiscal year (starting September 1) without the need for monthly mortgage payments. This debt retirement would free up over $50,000 annually to be devoted to other aspects of our mission. To get to this blessed place, we are asking NPC supporters to make a special August gift toward mortgage retirement. If we can bring in $10,000 for this cause by the end of the month we will reach our goal. Please prayerfully consider a special gift this month while you continue your normal monthly support. We are only 10K away from being free and clear for the new budget year. Special gifts to this cause should be marked mortgage pay-off in the memo section.

4 4 Summer Sundays There will be three final Summer Sundays in August! All are from 7:00-9:00 pm. August 4: Ron and Rashmee Graczyk's Home (Parents of Priya and Previn) 1617 Valley Brooke Court, Wexford, PA August 11: Mike and Kelly Stitt's Home (Parents of Emily and Paige) 4889 Oakhurst Avenue, Gibsonia, PA August 18: Glenn and Linda Graner's Home (Parents of Maddie) 109 Windwood Heights Drive, Cranberry Twp., PA Summer Wednesdays The high-school girls' Bible Study will meet on August 7th and August 14th (Wednesdays) from 12:00-1:30 p.m. at the church. Are you a high-school guy who is interested in being involved with Bible study or mentoring this summer? Get in touch with Stephen Blum at s.blum@setonhill.edu. Summer Thursdays The co-ed 6th-12th grade Bible Study at the Longjohns' home will take place on August 1st, 8th, and 15th (Thursdays) from 10:30-2:00. We're studying through the book of 1 Timothy and also spend time together playing soccer, other games, and fellowshipping over lunch (bring a packed lunch or money for Subway). Stay tuned for a social event led by the SM Student Leaders on Sunday evening, August 25th! For more information about any of these events or to join the SM list, contact Kristen Yealy at kristenyealy@zoominternet.net. Intergenerational Blessings from the Tunica Mission Trip Pete Longjohn, Adult Leader: Our Lord has blessed NPC with great leadership in our youth both speaking and writing ability plus personal character. The Tunica mission trip clearly demonstrated that our youth are grounded in the Word, are leaders themselves, are willing to work hard, and have loving compassion for the children they served at the Tunica VBS (including taking the time to create skits which they wrote and acted out from Scripture). It was truly a blessing to watch God s hand (through our youth) reaching out to eager minds with His Word. Even when you are 80, the Lord can use you if you are willing! It took 7 years to receive the Lord s blessing of being on a mission trip with all 6 grandchildren plus my son and daughter-in-law. There is much hope for our church because this next generation truly loves Christ. Nicholas Osmond, Student: I have been truly blessed to be able to join the NPC Youth Group the past four years going to Tunica, MS and have learned many essential lessons. One of these is that having strong leaders in your life is crucial to helping you through strenuous times. I would especially like to thank the leaders on the Tunica trip for delightedly helping each and every one of us through our obstacles and problems whether it be bug bites, the Mississippi heat, or just having a rough day. They showed us Who is truly important and Who to cast all of our hardships onto. During the VBS we hosted in the Tunica community, we had the opportunity to become spiritual leaders to the children and teens. We were able to show them, much as our leaders show us, that Jesus is the only way and that He is always there for you. So I encourage you to become a spiritual leader for somebody as God will show you the joy of being with Him and leading others to Him. Each day in Tunica, we performed work projects for the community. From building fences, to painting, to rebuilding part of a church, or landscaping, everyone worked hard for the glory of God. Tunica has also taught many of those who go on the trip that we should take home what we learn. While on a mission trip, it is often easy to have a servant attitude in your work for God, but once you return home, you may slip back into grumbling about chores or work. 1 Corinthians 10:31: So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. This verse means that even when you are doing a mundane or grueling task, remember who you are doing it for our eternal King and you will find joy in what it is that you are doing.

5 By Brooke Hopkins Did you Know? Did you know that Charly and Helga Klenk are now grandparents of twins, born in May with different birthdays..that the moon moves about two inches away from the Earth each year. that Dick Luther, Olivia Buirge, Abigail Buirge, Anna Lish, Gabe Hopkins, Nate Longjohn, Nate Sprunk, Jonathan Holt, Wendy Jones and Marge Stauffer all helped paint our downstairs hallway that we had 141 campers at VBS. that everything weighs one percent less at the equator that there is a Praying Life Seminar at Beverly Heights Presbyterian Church in the South Hills September 20-21, to register go to Pete Longjohn went on the Tunica missions trip. that it takes glass one million years to decompose that Rachel Chick is now serving as a missionary in South Africa through Christmas and she is engaged to be married in May.that Leah Bujaky is getting married at NPC on August 17..that gold is the only metal that doesn't rust. that our Womens Connection kickoff lunch is scheduled for September 8.. that Sunday School starts back September 8. that Kristen Satariano wrote the curriculum for our latest VBS and is working on another for 2014.that your tongue is the only muscle in your body that is attached at only one end that former NPC pastor, Bob Hopper (along with his wife Tacey) was commissioned as an EPC missionary to Russia at the recent General Assembly in Denver. that Bruce Allison has undergone arthroscopic knee surgery. that zero is the only number that cannot be represented by Roman numerals. that Graham and Catherine Ashworth just spent three weeks in England, near Graham s family.that Chad Morley lost 40 lbs. as a high-school senior.that intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair that those who read the FYI have hair that is 9% zinc-ier than those who do not? Did you know these things? I thought you should. 5 Being Vocal about Being Instrumental in Building a Program So, here I am at North Park Church, leading the worship ministry, transmitting a vision. I would like to see our worship band enhanced with more musicians who are willing to share their gifts for the glory of God. You don t have to be a virtuoso; we can tailor parts to fit your abilities and still have it sound good. On second thought, there may be a limit to that, because whole notes on a didgeridoo might not mesh with the joyful noise we re endeavoring to produce. Still let me know what you play, and we ll give it a shot. One of the marks of good leadership is the ability to transmit a vision; to get others on board with the possibilities and rewards of a certain endeavor. Some visions are great (MLK Jr. s I Have a Dream speech made some noise and sent hearts a-flutter); some are not. Bad visions can be promoted by great leaders; history is rife with visionaries who have successfully brought about great ruin and calamity because of their charismatic giftedness and ability to do this think Hitler, Mao, Jim Jones, Mohammed, etc. Then there are those who may have a great vision that will benefit society, but are not able to transmit the vision. Such as, uh, well, I can t think of any, because we never hear about them. Sometimes the ability to lead is learned, and the right to lead is earned. Then, too, there is the leadership that is ordained by God; I am the ordained head of our family, and I lead my wife and children by transmitting a vision either for good or for evil. Or, I abdicate my role of leader, and still lead by setting a horrible example. I tend to be good at the last part got that from Adam early on. I also would like to see more singers men and women up front as a part of our corporate worship a few rotating teams of singers who are comfortable singing harmonies into microphones, and then a choir of blended voices providing a rich backdrop to our tapestry of sound, without the pressure of the dreaded microphone. If you can read music, great if not, that s fine too. We already have singers on the team who don t read music. So, come help us lead worship! There s that word again lead. We are called ordained to lead others to the kingdom of God through the saving work of His Son, Jesus Christ, so that God will have more worshippers (John 4:23). The book of Revelation gives us a vision of heaven, and the vision for worship has been very successfully transmitted by the King of kings, Lord of lords, and Leader of leaders: Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory!

6 August Birthdays August 1: August 2: August 3: August 4: August 5: August 6: August 7: August 8: August 11: August 12: August 13: August 14: August 15: August 16: August 17: August 18: August 19: August 21: August 25: August 26: August 28: August 30: Doug Malcolm Michelle Schlemmer Mia Wickard, Stacy Tessaro Walt Weimann, Ben Blum, Stephen Blum, Tim Blum Jordan Miller, Wayne Castor, Paige Longmore Anna Lish Kirstin Lukas, Moriah Burkholder, Jocelyn Quinet Erin Lochner, Jackson Krahe, Owen Krahe Brian Osmond Chloe Sanders Eli Bolibruck, Adam Bright, Luther Hopkins Claire McKinney, Brooke Hopkins Linda Ludwig, Dan Thompson, Tim Blackburn Shannon Bolibruck, Ed Hilderhoff James Berdes Samuel Miller, Lydia Miller Janet Peel, Al Rosenberger, Michelle Longmore, Bethany Sprunk Caroline Owen, Nate Sprunk Leah Spangler, Theresa Cherry Cindi Gregory Kim Brunner, Lisa Langford, Evelyn Osmond, Vic Ilnicki, Carol Eichner, Seth Berdes Allison Gilbert August Anniversaries August 2: Ryan and Bethany Mitchell August 7: John and Fran Ryce August 9: Steve and Amy Kendall, Adam and Nicole Bright August 12: Charly and Helga Klenk, Dick and Nellie Luther, John and Ruth Lengel, Tom and Amy Krahe, Ian and Pam Miller August 14: Ben and Jen Burkholder, Chris and Norma Lamperski August 21: Paul and Helen Ptacek August 22: Wade and Becky Leakey August 25: Frank and Kiley Librich August 26: Eric and Debi Heistand If you would like your name included on the birthday/anniversary list (in each month s FYI), please make sure you have filled out a card with your family s information. These are available at the Information Counter. Human error does occur, so please let us know if we misprint your information.