The Trumpet St. Michael s of the Valley...making an eternal difference in each other s lives and in the world BLESSING OF THE HUNT ~ OCTOBER 7, 2017 Volume XXXIV No. 10 November 2017 St. Michael s of the Valley Episcopal Church P.O. Box 336 Ligonier, PA 15658-0336 724.238.9411 Sunday Services Holy Eucharist Rite I 8:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite II 10:30 am BLESSING OF THE PETS ~ OCTOBER 8, 2017 See Pg. 3 for more Pet Blessing Photos Contents Rector s Letter...2 Outreach...3-4 Wood Bridge...6 Calendar... 7
LESSONS NOVEMBER 2017 s November 5, 2017 Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost Joshua 3:7-17 Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 Matthew 23:1-12 November 12, 2017 Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 Psalm 78:1-7 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Matthew 25:1-13 November 19, 2017 Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost Judges 4:1-7 Psalm 123 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Matthew 25:14-30 November 26, 2017 Last Sunday after Pentecost Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 Psalm 100 Ephesians 1:15-23 Matthew 25:31-46 The Rector s Letter The Rev. Dr. James B. Simons By now you will have received our stewardship letter in which I wrote about the health of St. Michael s and the challenges we face. The good news is that by all objective standards the parish is a healthy place. The challenge we face is, What does it mean to be the church today? The Trumpet November 2017 The culture has changed and the way it interfaces with the church is affected. Twenty years ago the health of a parish was measured by it s average Sunday attendance and the robustness of its church school. While these are still important measures, they don t paint as accurate of a picture as they once did as the busyness of our lives increases and attendance patterns change in response. Millennials (those born in the 80 s and 90 s) typically don t see church as a necessary part of their lives. Twenty years ago it was common that when a family moved to town they would ask the question, Where do we want to go to church? That happens today with increasing rarity. While there isn t hostility towards the institution it s relevance is questioned. That s the challenge we face and the vestry is looking at ways in which we might use our assets to be a better resource to the community and better serve those around us. This is actually what stewardship means: the right use of our assets for the spread of the gospel. That includes finances but also includes assets such as our facility and the relationships we have with other organizations in the community. Our Stewardship lunch will be Sunday, Nov. 5th after the second service. I hope you ll join us that day to hear about the road ahead and get your input into our future together. Blessing, THE FUTURE Jim -2-
THE ANNUAL PET BLESSING The Trumpet November 2017 When someone is in charge of an outdoor event, the weekly weather forecast is closely watched. Rain until noon, with a chance of light showers in the afternoon was the forecast for Sunday, October 8th, the annual pet blessing. The weatherman was correct on his prediction, and the light showers didn t materialize until after the festivities. Twenty six dogs and their owners assembled in Mellon Park, and received their blessing from Father Jim and Pastor Paul. Ann Hewat baked her famous dog biscuits and all furry participants received one, while their owners received a St. Francis of Assisi prayer card. Organizations that helped to rescue animals during the recent hurricanes benefited from money raised through a free-will offering. TEDDY BEAR ALERT Do you like to knit? Jeremiah s Place in Pittsburgh is in need of lovingly knitted teddy bears to give to the children that visit its facility. This organization offers a safe haven for children when families are experiencing a crisis. St. Michael s has been making these adorable bears for over two years, and now is the time to send Jeremiah s Place a fresh supply. If you are interested in learning how to knit these teddy bears for at risk children or need help with the instructions, please talk to Ann Hewat. THE NEIGHBORHOOD ACADEMY DINNER WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2017 Twice a year, the Outreach Commission prepares and delivers a dinner to The Neighborhood Academy in Pittsburgh. The food is prepared in the Smith House kitchen and then transported by car to the school. On Wednesday, November 8th beginning at 12:00 noon in the kitchen in the Smith House, meal preparation will begin and will be completed by 4 p.m. and then delivered to The Neighborhood Academy. If you would like to be a part of this special Outreach project, please sign up on the bulletin board in the Smith House. You may help prepare the meal, deliver and serve the meal or do both. If you have never visited The Neighborhood Academy, this is a wonderful opportunity to see this amazing school. 3
The Trumpet November 2017 Operation Reindeer 2017! Neighborhood Youth Outreach Program CHRISTMAS GIFT PROJECT NOVEMBER 26TH to DECEMBER 10TH Starting Sunday, November 5th Ending Sunday, November 26 th Christmas is just around the corner and it is time to start thinking about the annual gift drive for Westmoreland County residents, who are currently hospitalized at Torrance State Hospital. This activity traditionally starts the holiday season at St. Michael s. A complete list of suggested items can be found listed below and on the bulletin board in the Smith House. A collection box for the new and unwrapped gifts is located at the main entrance of the parish hall. Please no glass bottles, belts, scarves or razors. Clothing: New - Men s size XL or larger and Women s size L or XXL and larger and 1X and larger sizes are greatly appreciated. Sweat shirts & sweatpants, tops, t-shirts, pants or jeans, bathrobes, jackets, coats, outerwear, socks, mittens, gloves, hats, ear muffs, sweaters, undergarments and pajamas. Toiletries: Shampoo/conditioner, soap, body wash, brushes, pony tail holders, hand/body lotion, shaving gel/ creams, lipstick, gloss, powder, eye shadow, mascara, lip balm, blush. Miscellaneous: craft kits, puzzle books, CDs/DVDs games, activity books, handheld games, regular and large print books, Bibles, CDs/DVDs, batteries (especially AA) wallets, watches, portable CD player, radios, sports memorabilia (especially Pittsburgh teams), writing paper, stationary items especially with stamps, phone cards, (in great demand for the patients) gently used luggage is greatly needed, Diabetic or sugarless items, new slip on shoes are also really needed (nothing with shoelaces or flip-flops). 2017 FAIR DISBURSEMENTS Wood Bridge Pre-School, Inc. Ligonier Meals on Wheels Chestnut Ridge Meals on Wheels Rector s Fund Faith in Action Adelphoi Village The Outreach Commission is coordinating the annual Christmas gift project for the children of St. Stephen s Wilkinsburg, Neighborhood Youth Outreach Program. Under the guidance of Tony Jackson, NYOP offers children a safe place to do homework, receive a hot meal, and participate in extracurricular activities with emphasis on the arts. Beginning on Sunday, November 26th, and continuing through Sunday, December 10th, gift bags will be available following each service. Each bag will be labeled with a child s name, age, and gender. A list of suggested gift items and a Christmas card will be included. Please do not wrap the gifts. Filled gift bags will need to be returned to the church by December 10th, so they can be delivered in time for the NYOP Christmas party. Please contact Anne Bush, if you have any questions. Ligonier valley Refreshments Saturday, November 18th, and Saturday, December 16th Members of the Outreach Commission invite you to help serve hot drinks and donuts during the winter months to the Food Pantry volunteers and recipients at St. Michael s. Please sign-up on the bulletin board in the Smith House if you would like to help. 4
The Trumpet November 2017 What is the Advent Spiral The Advent Spiral Service is a lovely way for our congregation to welcome the season of advent into our hearts. Participants walk along a spiral of greens and light a candle at the inner most point of the spiral. The greens represent the tree of life, so the spiral s greens symbolize eternal life. The candle symbolizes the light of the Spirit in the body. We grow symbolically through the inward upward spiral, into the light of Christ which renews our Spirit, filling our hearts with God s love which then spreads outward to the world as we become Christ s witnesses and ambassadors. Everyone is invited to participate ~ older children, infants, adults, families and friends! You may participate individually or as a family group. We only ask that you let us know who will be participating so we can plan accordingly. See the RSVP below. We wish you and your family a blessed holiday season! Join Us For this Tradition! Who: Children, Parents, Grandparents, Families, Friends Date: Sunday, December 3, 2017 Time: Immediately after the 10:30 a.m. Church Service Where: Smith House Advent prepares us for Christ s divine Saving Light to enter our world and our hearts. Please join us in this special Advent Spiral service. You may participate in a number of ways... as a family, siblings, grandparent(s) with grandchild, an infant being carried, a child walking alone, or simply come to watch and enjoy! Please RSVP by email belavicj@penntrafford.org, phone 412-478-0296 or by returning the tear-off to the church office at St. Michael s ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Family Name # Participating Please respond by November 27, 2017 5
The Trumpet November 2017 Wood Bridge Pre-School It has been a lovely fall so far, with tons of adventures and experiences to learn about the great outdoors. Our Wood Bridge family had its first field trip to the Cairn s Pumpkin Farm on October 18th. The children all went on a hayride to the pumpkin fields where they got to cut their own pumpkin off the vine. We had the opportunity to see first hand the process of growing a pumpkin and returned back for a few stories and a yummy snack. Father Jim visited our preschoolers this month and taught them about courage and facing our fears. He shared the story of Ester and her courage in becoming Queen and we all sang some of our favorite songs as Father Jim played his guitar. Our costume parties were held on the 30th and 31st. The children have been talking about their costumes all month and we finally got to see what everyone was talking about. All of the children dressed up in some cute and creative costumes and paraded around the church. After our parade, we did some spooky crafts and had some great party food. A big thank you goes out to all the parents that helped to make our parties so memorable. We would like to also give a big thank you to our scarecrow committee. These wonderful preschool parents helped to create a spectacular scarecrow that was displayed around the Diamond for the scarecrow contest. I hope everyone had the opportunity to see the SUPER scarecrow creation. We would like to wish all of you a very blessed Thanksgiving and a great start to the holidays. 6
November 2017 Sunday Monday Service Times Church Office Hours Sundays Monday - Friday 8:00 am & 10:30am 9:00 am ~ 3:00 pm Christian Education ~ 9:15 a.m. Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 Art Club ~ 9 a.m. Wood Bridge Board Meeting 6:30 pm 3 4 Full Moon 5 Service Times 8:00 am ~ 10:30 am Christian Ed 9:15 am Children s Offering Stewarship Luncheon after second service Operation Reindeer Project begins 6 7 Election Day 8 Healing Service following service Dinner Prepared & Delivered to The Neighborhood Academy 12 4 pm 9 Art Club ~ 9 a.m. 10 Veterans Day Office Closed Annual Convention of the Episcopal Church ~ @ Christ Episcopal Church, North Hills 11 Annual Convention (cont.) Daylight Saving Time Ends 12 Service Times 8:00 am ~ 10:30 am Christian Ed 9:15 am 13 14 15 16 Art Club ~ 9 a.m. 17 18 FOOD PANTRY TRUMPET DEADLINE 19 Service Times 8:00 am ~ 10:30 am Christian Ed 9:15 am 20 Wood Bridge Preschool Thanksgiving Feast ~ 11 am ~ Smith House Vestry Meeting 7:00 p.m. 21 22 Healing Service following service 23 Office Closed THANKSGIVING 24 Office Closed 25 26 Service Times 8:00 am ~ 10:30 am Christian Ed 9:15 am Operation Reindeer Project ends NYOP Christmas Project begins 27 28 Outreach Commission 4:30 pm 29 30 Art Club ~ 9 am Community meetings held weekly Alcoholics Anonymous Mondays at 7:00 pm AA Beginner s Meeting Mondays at 8:00 pm AA Regular Meeting Saturdays at 7:30 pm AA Regular Meeting 7
The Trumpet November 2017 St. Michael s of the Valley Episcopal Church THE TRUMPET P.O.Box 336 Ligonier, PA 15658 NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID LATROBE, PA 15650 PERMIT NO. 4 November 5, 2017 ~ Daylight Savings Time Ends Thursday, November 23 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! The church office will be closed Nov. 23rd & 24th for the Thanksgiving Holiday MUSICAL NOTES from Marion Sukanovich TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS Christmas is fast approaching and many stores have their Christmas merchandise out before Halloween. We have indeed commercialized Christmas. It is so important to "Keep Christ in Christmas". Please plan to attend "Lessons and Carols" on Sunday, December 17th at 10:30 AM. Invite your friends and family as we prepare our hearts for the birth of Christ. PLEASE PLAN ON JOINING US. The Trumpet is published monthly with the exception of a combined July/August issue. Comments may be directed to the church at office@stmichaelsligonier.org. Articles must be submitted to the church office by the 15th of each month to be included in the next month s edition.