The Beacon. The Mute Button...

Transcription

1 The Beacon I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : Pastor Melany 2 Music Notes 2 Calendar 3 Mission 4 BYG Service of 5 Remembrance Deacon Corner Feb. Birthdays 6 Golden Oldies Women of Bethany Session 7 Tapestries 8 Update F E B R U A R Y The Mute Button... You shoulda muted her, someone said in a helpful tone. Yeah! I responded with a mischievous grin. We were gathering in the hallway just before the 8:15 AM service last Sunday. My wife Pastor Melany was trying a different microphone. As I fumbled with the mic trying to help her, I kept chattering away, not sure the mic was working. That is when someone hustled down the hallway calling out, They can hear you! Then another person called from the other direction, We can hear you! We thanked them very grateful for their heads-up. That s when someone commented: You shouda muted her. And I did. Then worship began and the mute button was off. We all praised God in glorious song. Pastor Melany handed out glow sticks to the children. You are the light of the world, she told them. We commissioned the leaders and helpers of Upward Basketball and Cheerleading to love like Jesus. Pastor Melany preached a stirring message on God s victory over evil and the Evil One. The passage from Luke described how Jesus cast the demons out of the man. Then Jesus instructed him, Go back home and tell them all that God has done in you. And the man did. Melany charged us to do the same. Sometimes it is wise to push the mute button...including at 8:10 Sunday morning when gathering worshippers can hear the idle chatter of a Pastor. But sometimes, many times, it is wise to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in praise and prayer, giving and greeting, sermon and Scripture as we worship. We can proclaim it in acts of kindness, in notes and calls, in mission and teaching, in word and deed, and in personal testimony of God s work in our lives. That kind of unmuting is not only wise; it is our calling. Join us in hearing, and telling and practicing the good news. See you on Sunday, John Hamilton

2 P A G E 2 Hello Bethany friends! It is already the month of February and I am feeling energized. :) It is not my own energy, it is the energy flowing through you as the Holy Spirit moves in our midst during this time of transition. I have seen your excitement in so many places: Worship (all 3 services), the Session retreat, the new members class, the preparation for Upward Basketball and Cheerleading, the new Bible studies, the Deacons as they jump into their calling with faithfulness and gladness. I have seen and heard energetic commitment as the Session teams met for the first time in this new year. I have seen it in gatherings of Golden Oldies, MOPS, the Youth groups, and those who help in missions right her in our building and far beyond. That same Spirit is present when we meet to plan CONNECT a multi-generational Tuesday evening ministry of food, fellowship, Bible study not to mention compassion and joy. Connect will begin a new term on February 14th at 5:30 PM. Something special is happening in and around our congregation. I am so glad to be a part of it. Come and join us. Catch the joy. Let the Holy Spirit fill you with energy and hope. God bless you all! Pastor Melany Interim Associate Pastor Music Notes by John Henninger New Bell Ensemble Begins A new hand bell ensemble began practicing on Thursday, January 12 and will continue to practice on Thursday afternoons at 2:00. Several of the members were ringing hand bells for the first time; and some are more experienced ringers. Look for them to be bringing their gift of music to worship soon! Holy Week and Easter The Bethany Choir will start practicing music for the holy seasons of Lent and Easter in mid-february. We would certainly like extra voices to join with us. If you are interested in singing for Holy Week and/or Easter services, plan on coming to practices beginning Wednesday, February 22 at 7:00 pm in the choir room. T H E B E A C O N

3 P A G E 3 FEBRUARY 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 10:00 AM Fellowship of Prayer 7:00 PM Bethany 2 7:00 PM Women's SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE 8:15 AM Worship 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:45 AM Worship 4:30 PM BYG - Jr. High 6:00 PM Worship 7:30 PM BYG - Sr. High 6 6:15 PM PW Body Carpenter Workout 7:00 PM Dartball Captains Meeting 7:00 PM Deacon Meeting 7 9:00 AM Women's 9:30 AM USC Womans Club Board meeting 8 Registration 7:00 PM Bethany 9 9:00 AM MOPS 7:00 PM Women's 10 12:00 PM Men's Friday at Kings Restaurant 11 and Picture Day 11:00 AM Saturday 12 8:15 AM Worship 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:45 AM Worship 12:30 PM Haiti Sponsorship Gathering 4:30 PM BYG - Jr. High 6:00 PM Worship 7:30 PM BYG - Sr. High 13 Valentine Celebration 6:15 PM PW Body Carpenter Workout 7:00 PM Session Teams 14 9:00 AM Women's 11:30 AM USCWC meeting 5:30 PM Connect 15 7:00 PM Bethany 16 12:00 PM Golden Oldies eon 7:00 PM Women's :30 AM Food Bank 9:00 AM PW Bible study 19 8:15 AM Worship 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:45 AM Worship 1:00 PM Bridgeville Brass Concert Rehearsal 4:30 PM BYG - Jr. High 6:00 PM Worship 7:30 PM BYG - Sr. High 20 6:15 PM PW Body Carpenter Workout 7:00 PM MOPS - Steering Team 21 5:30 PM Connect 22 7:00 PM Bethany 23 9:00 AM MOPS 24 12:00 PM Men's Friday at Kings Restaurant 25 11:00 AM Saturday 26 Mission report on The neighborhood Academy during morning services 8:15 AM Worship 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:45 AM Worship 4:30 PM BYG - Jr. High 6:00 PM Worship 7:30 PM BYG - Sr. High 27 5:30 PM Upward Basketball Practice 6:15 PM PW Body Carpenter Workout 28 9:00 AM Women's 5:30 PM Connect March 1 ASH WEDNESDAY 10:00 AM Fellowship of Prayer 6:00 PM Ash Wednesday Dinner 7:00 PM Ash Wednesday Service 8:00 PM Bethany March 2 7:00 PM Women's March 3 March 4

4 2017 Mission Allocations Your Bethany Mission Team has put together a 2017 list of mission & ministries that through your giving helps support. As you may know, a portion of what you give to the general fund is put into different mission organizations, locally, nationally and internationally. We have provided you a list of these important organizations: LOCAL: *NEIGHBORHOOD ACADEMY *SOUTH HILLS INTERFAITH MINISTRY(SHIM) *SOJOURNER HOUSE *CAMP CRESTFIELD *PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTER *CAMPUS LIFE-PGH & SOUTH FAYETTE *WASHINGTON CITY MISSION including AVIS ARBOR WOMENS SHELTER & THE NEW VETERANS FACILITY *THE FISHER HOUSE-(VA) PITTSBURGH *REBUILDING TOGETHER PITTSBURGH NATIONAL: *WEST VIRGINIA MISSION & ADVOCACY CAMPS INTERNATIONAL: *CHIRADZULU & BLANTYRE HEALTH and DEVELOPMENT-MALAWI *MEDICAL BENEVOLENCE FOUNDATION *LACROIX MISSION/PASTOR PIERRE-HAITI *SERVANT PARTNERS/ZOE & JAMES WILLIAMS-SERVING IN THE MIDDLE EAST *PRAYING PELICAN/SCOTT ETHERIDGE-DOMINICAN REPUBLIC In addition to these ministries we also support Adult Mission trips, and our Jr. & Sr. high mission trips. By giving to our general fund, you are helping spread the love of Jesus throughout the world. If you would like to discuss these organizations, please get with anyone of us on your mission team. The team includes: *Caroline Poiche *Andrea Prohaska *Brian Bartels *Ed Ostroskie *Cathy Schulz *Bonnie Miller *Jim Miller *Greg Pitzer *Eric Gregory Save The Date!!! 2017 Sr. High Mission Trip - July 2-9, 2017 Group Workcamps Keansburg, NJ Planning in Progress!! Look for a meeting to be scheduled in late February!

5 P A G E 5 Service of Remembrance February 5 On Sunday, February 5, we will include a service of remembrance in our worship services at 8:15 and 10:45 a.m. Through Scripture, prayer and music we will remember members of our church family who have died, and also non-members for whom we conducted services on behalf of Bethany in We will give thanks to God for their lives, placing our hope in the One who died and rose for us all Jesus Christ. Here is a list of the members and non-members being honored in our service this year: Lois Lewis Dorothy Calgaro Paul Figura Russell Eddie McLeod II Varvara Golias Edward Jack Wilcox William LeMal David J. Colton Janet Marlett Marie Gillis Harry Cimarolli Christy Lesnett **Please call the church office if a family member or loved one has passed away or if a new baby has been born in your family. With your permission, we will list their names in the monthly newsletter. Thank you. OUR DEACONS Our church is blessed to have an active board of 18 Deacons who are dedicated to serving not just coffee on Sunday mornings. They are busy each year with a shared goal to connect people not only in our church, but also in our surrounding community. Want to see a brief list of some of what is keeping them busy? Chancel flower ministry and delivery; Blanket Sunday; Transportation Ministry; and Coffee Hour Ministry, Home-bound visitation ministry of communion and holiday gift; Bethany Blood Drive; serving with the Upward ministry at the yearend celebration; Ash Wednesday dinner; hot dogs at the Red Blue Softball games; Annual Community Hot Dog Roast for the Bridgeville Memorial Day Parade (they served over 400 hot dogs last year!); Bridgeville's Annual Day on the Avenue; Deacons Annual Church Picnic; Annual Heritage and Octogenarian Sunday luncheon; Free Pancake and Sausage Community Breakfasts; Family Promise Deacon Sunday; Thanksgiving Dinner Project with Crossroad Church; Christmas Party for the Southwood boys; Christmas luminaria. The Deacons for 2017 are Bill Just, Bill Paviol, Karl Salvini, Sharon Salvini, Peggy Walsh, Thomas Hayes, Joan Kundra, Cindy O Korn, Lee Restich, Thomas Wilhite, Bob Julius, Sarah Paviol, Jeanine Rainone, Dave Werner, Ryan Wolstoncroft, Larry Scrima, Dennis Farrer, Ed Stewart. The Moderator is Lee Restich. Bill Just is serving as Treasurer, and their secretary is Joan Kundra. The Rev. Melany Hamilton also attends the meetings and works as their liaison with the Session board. Save the date now for the Ash Wednesday Dinner on March 1 being hosted by our Deacons. Looking for A Voice for Ministry by Lisa Jo Colwell? The article is being made available this month in the Welcome Center (copies are on the counter along with copies of the full newsletter), or you can contact the church office for a copy to be snail-mailed or ed to you. The topic this month is setting goals and keeping them.

6 P A G E 6 Happy Birthday! 02/01 Emily Smith 02/01 Christopher Salerno 02/02 Heather Fries 02/03 Tony Poiche 02/04 Jennifer Hebbert 02/04 Marcia Demnyan 02/04 Michelle Zombek 02/04 Luke Dunlap 02/04 Amy Dunn 02/05 Catherine Price 02/06 Jill Dal Bon 02/06 Jackie Farrer 02/06 Stacey Zwigart 02/07 Hope Bedner 02/07 Sadie Sunderlin 02/07 James McMillen 02/07 Peggy Unghajer 02/08 Patricia Pulice 02/08 Emmersyn Barish 02/08 Joni Naples 02/08 John Smith 02/08 Lorna Werner 02/08 Cianne McLaughlin 02/08 Roblyn Kelly 02/08 Brandy Padgelek 02/08 Tommie Arlet 02/09 Austin Williams Ayers 02/09 Kelsie Sabin 02/09 Sharon DePaoli 02/10 Anthony Doyle 02/10 Mia DeRoss 02/10 Courtney Doyle 02/10 Bradley Bauman 02/10 Tish Liggins 02/11 Zachary North 02/11 David (DJ) Krieger 02/11 Christopher Martinelli 02/11 Adam Del Conte 02/12 Kathryn Nagy 02/12 Cynthia Gastgeb 02/12 Alexis Wilkerson 02/12 Emalyn Harding 02/12 Beverly Bowman 02/13 Theo Lesnett 02/14 Emily Brady 02/14 William Barbish 02/14 Lori Wilkerson 02/14 Finnegan Kelly 02/15 Jackson Trimmer 02/15 Clark Julius 02/16 Dorothy Maxwell 02/16 Ruth Doyle 02/16 Lora Shildt 02/17 Frederick Gossic 02/17 Erin Colvin 02/17 Roberta Adamski 02/17 Caden Harbison 02/17 Ian Sharp 02/17 Cameron Griffiths 02/18 Zachary Marrow 02/18 Caitlin Mours 02/18 Bonnie Kopach 02/18 Kimberly Duda 02/19 Todd Mendenhall 02/19 Sharon Sharp 02/19 Brian Ghelarducci 02/19 Megan Shildt 02/19 Sage Sienerth 02/19 Christine Biearman 02/20 Justin Fries 02/20 Lori Haviland 02/21 Christopher Lytle 02/21 Thomas Aspinall 02/21 David Werner 02/22 Gary McMillen 02/22 David Doyle 02/22 Zachary Carnahan 02/22 Azjia Gardner 02/23 John Brown 02/23 Florence Drugmand 02/24 Michael Gullo 02/24 Diane Evangelista 02/24 Amelia Sunderlin 02/25 Robert McAuley 02/25 Ellen Arison 02/26 Sandra North 02/26 Thomas Morse 02/27 Nicholas Aul 02/27 Michael Lamberti 02/27 Marcella Mitri 02/28 Darlene Duffy Golden Oldies will meet at noon on Thursday February 16 for lunch and fellowship. A trip to see the CLO Production of the Pump Boys and Dinettes in Pittsburgh is scheduled for April 6. The cost of the trip will be $50 and will include a buffet lunch. More information on the trip will be available at the meeting this month. We look forward to seeing you! MARK THIS IMPORTANT DATE!! Women of Bethany are truly excited to share with you that we will be having a retreat at Bethany College in West Virginia beginning March 31st at 6:00PM and winding down at 3:00pm on April 1st and hopefully these 21 hours will rejuvenate you spiritually, relax your mind and physically rest your weariness with the energy of our Lord and Savior. Women of all ages need to take some time for themselves and we know that is the last thing we think about sooooo give us 21 hours and with a little help from our Lord and a few friends, we will send you home refreshed! Keep your eye out for more explicit details coming soon!

7 Hey, I Could Probably Help With That... P A G E 7 Do you ever wonder how a decision was made about something happening in the church, or think, I could probably help with that? Did you know that you can be an integral part of many of the decisions and happenings here at Bethany without having to be elected to serve as an Elder or Deacon? There are seven different teams of members who help to keep our doors open, who manage everything from the basic business of the church to the development of programs to help grow our faith. Here is a list of the seven teams, the Elders from Session who work on these teams and a very brief synopsis of what the team does: EVANGELISM Evangelism is the announcement of the gospel, the Good News of and about Jesus Christ, so this team, with Elders Earl Swanson, Terry Kohlmyer and Doug Bovard is focused on what it takes for us to be effective in spreading this important message in our church, our community and in our world. MEMBERSHIP This team, with Elders Mike Segeleon, Karin Nass and Maxine Berton, is responsible for welcoming new members, and for helping new and current members to discover their spiritual gifts and assimilating them into the life of our church. DISCIPLESHIP This team, with Elders Niki Ciaramella, Barb Boehmer and Shaun Martinec, has the hefty duty of managing and developing our educational programs (like Sunday School, Youth Groups and Connect to name just a few), to help us to be better disciples of Jesus. WORSHIP This team, with Elders Jackie Nixon, Marlene Haley and Ron Gastgeb, along with Music Director, John Henninger, oversees everything that happens in our Sanctuary from the weekly worship services to baptisms, weddings and special events. MISSION This team, with Elders Caroline Poiche and Andrea Prohaska, is responsible for sharing the love of Jesus outside our doors by supporting a wide range of local, national and international Christian mission agencies through our tithes and gifts, and for supporting members in their mission callings. PROPERTY This team, with Elders Tim Nagy and Bob Pulice, and our Facility Supervisor, Bill Stephan, manages all of the workings, both inside and outside, of this fantastic facility called Bethany Church. STEWARDSHIP This team, with Elders Barb Mours and Jim Myers, along with the Church Treasurer, Mark Wolstoncroft, is tasked with assuring that we are being good stewards of the finances that come to us from God s hand, including management of the church budgets and the annual stewardship campaigns. These teams meet once a month, usually in the evening on the second Monday of the month so for a minimal time commitment, you could help to make a big difference in the life of our church. If you would like to know more about any of these teams or feel that you have the time and talents to be a member of a team, please do not hesitate to reach out to Rev. John, Rev. Melany, or one of the Elders or staff members listed. We would love to have you join us! Baptism Please call the Church Office at to fill out the informational form. This will then be given to the minister who will set up a meeting date with you. The dates for Baptism for 2017 are January 29, April 23, June 18, September 24 and December 17. Communion The dates for Communion for 2017 are March 5, April 13, May 14, June 25, August 6, September 10, October 1 (World Communion), and December 3.

8 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Bridgeville, PA Permit #38 Bethany Presbyterian Church 740 Washington Avenue Bridgeville, PA Phone: Fax: Loving with the Heart of Jesus Tapestries of Life Updates...Upcoming Mission Trip Pastor Steve extends his thanks and appreciation for all Bethany Church has done for Tapestries last year! Pastor Steve was very excited to receive an elevator which includes the hardware/pump/rails/ box to be installed at the orphanage. A group of 57 volunteers from Minnesota and Michigan worked hard in January on the cafeteria stage wall, building and installing the balance of the beds, a retaining wall, siding, and installing 61 toilets in the orphanage. On Mercy Day, the day the team goes to a local village to distribute food (like our local food banks), and over 450 families were blessed with groceries. They also heard God s message from their local pastors and got to visit with all the volunteers. Young Adults: Have you ever considered Loving With The Heart of Jesus in another country? We have many young adults in our congregation that always seem to get overlooked as they are finding their way into adulthood. We wanted to try to schedule a mission trip for them to participate in. Some of last year s graduates have shown an interest in a week-long mission trip to Tapestries of Life Ministries in Guadalupe, Mexico. Bethany has been sending teams to Tapestries every fall for many years. The work on this trip is light construction our in the Mexican desert and a very fulfilling Dispensa (Food Distribution Mercy Day). Our presence also employs six to ten Mexican nationals who work alongside us all week long. Nightly lodging is on the US side of the border in Fabens, TX. If you are interested in a trip like this, have any other ideas that are worth considering or have any questions, please contact Mike Segeleon at msegeleon@nvrinc.com or or Connie Segeleon at ConnieSege@gmail.com or SOUP N SANDWICH TO WARM YOU UP! Take home delicious homemade wedding and green pepper soup along with chicken salad and ham salad sandwiches which are on the menu for Sundays, February 26 and March 26. Pick up your lunch/dinner after each service! Thank you for your support. -Tapestries Adult Mission Team