First United Presbyterian Church 102 North Main Street, Houston, PA 15342 Ordered Ministries On October 10, 2015, I was ordained as a Teaching Elder and a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Quite a few of you made the trek into Pittsburgh to attend and participate in this service of worship. It was an amazing day and I want to thank each and every one of you for sharing that day with you and to the entire congregation of FUPC, Houston for calling me to serve as your interim pastor. I was ordained as a Teaching Elder because you folks called me! This ministry that you have called me to is categorized in the Book of Order as an ordered ministry: The Church s ordered ministries described in the New Testament and maintained by this church are deacons and presbyters (teaching elders and ruling elders). Ordered ministries are gifts to the church to order its life so that the ministry of the whole people of God may flourish. The existence of these ordered ministries in no way diminishes the importance of the commitment of all members to the total ministry of the church. (G-2.0102) I think the last sentence in that paragraph might be the most important it acknowledges that everyone plays a part in the total ministry of the church. Some of you have served as Ruling Elders or Deacons. Those jobs are defined in the Book of Order and that s partly why they re called ordered ministries. While these ordered ministries occupy the most visible positions in any congregation, their work rests on the foundation of an active and involved membership. The Book of Order doesn t define jobs like greeter or usher or Sunday school teacher, it doesn t explain who is responsible for serving meals at the church or who cleans up afterwards. Yet each and every one of those jobs is vitally important. Teaching Sunday school is a ministry. Watching babies in the nursery is a ministry. Visiting the sick and the shut-ins that is also a ministry and you don t have to be a Deacon to visit anyone. This is your congregation. Yes, I am here to teach you and to help lead you; I am here to serve you. In fact, there are only two things in the life of a congregation that may only be performed by an ordained Teaching Elder: the administration of the sacraments and moderating a session meeting. That s it. We are a ground-up organization, not a top-down organization. Leaders come from within the group and are elected by the group to make decisions. It s very democratic. I love that about the Presbyterian Church. So remember, all of you are ministers. You all have your own unique gifts and talents for ministry! Go forth and use those gifts! Talk to your friends and family; they may see gifts in you that you do not yet see! We are all called to serve, so talk to one another to discern your call! Inside this issue: Birthdays 2 Church Calendar 3 Rev. Olson Recognition 4 Church Information 5 Web Information Pumpkin Festival 6 Serving the Church 7 Youth 8 Deacon News 9 Upcoming Events 10 Events Continued 11 Giving and Remembering 12 Pastor Alan Olson
THANKSGIVING DAY By: Margaret Cagle Near the end of November in the USA Is our national Thanksgiving Day. We close stores, schools, and banks And give to God our special thanks. It is a time for us to celebrate From coast to coast and state to state. We think of when the Pilgrims came To these shores in freedom s name. The first Thanksgiving was long ago This bit of history we all know. A time for thanking their God above Was set aside to show their love. When blessings came they had a feast They were not sorry in the least. For coming to this vast, barren land. For freedom to worship, they did stand. From that first Thanksgiving Day Until the present one we can say, Thank you, God, for blessings great! Your are the reason we celebrate! Page 2 11/02 Bo Lesjak Sr. 11/03 Edward Zeiler Jr. 11/03 Connor Simms 11/04 Don Scott 11/04 Jean Brytus 11/04 Austin Arnold 11/04 Catherine Jardini 11/05 Andy McIlvaine 11/07 Brian Jeffers 11/08 Jackie Orbich 11/09 Rev. Alan Olson 11/10 Seth Spinnenweber 11/11 John Myers 11/11 Reagan Campbell 11/13 Jeff Mitchell 11/13 Harlan Shober 11/14 Noonie Templeton 11/14 Lois White 11/14 Kevin Scears 11/15 Maggie Havelka 11/16 Lynn Myers 11/17 Casey Rungo 11/18 Brian Zendt 11/21 Matt Wylie 11/22 Colette Molinaro 11/22 Brandan Smith 11/23 Brian Myers 11/24 Kevin Stevens 11/25 Joan Susko 11/28 Linda Baker 11/28 William Washabaugh 11/29 Nancy Isiminger 11/29 Jeremy Durkacs 11/29 Chris Foster 11/29 Randi Greely 11/30 Rich Puskarich 11/30 Marc Scarcell
Sun Nov 1 Tues Nov 3 Wed Nov 4 Sun Nov 8 Tues Nov 10 Wed Nov 11 Thurs Nov 12 Tues Nov 17 Wed Nov 18 Thurs Nov 19 Sun Nov 22 Tues Nov 24 Wed Nov 25 Thurs-Fri 26,27 Sat Nov 28 Communion will be celebrated Bible Study from 10:00 a.m. to noon in Family Room Deacon Meeting at 6:00 p.m. Bible Study from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Family Room Last Day for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes Blood Pressure Screening in Library before and after worship Bible Study from 10:00 a.m. to noon in Family Room Property Committee Meeting at 6:00 p.m. Bible Study from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Family Room Special Giving Plan Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in Family Room Bible Study from 10:00 a.m. to noon in Family Room Session Meeting at 6:30 p.m. Bible Study from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Family Room Girl Friends Night at 6:00 p.m. Communion will be celebrated Assembling Thanksgiving bags Bible Study from 10:00 a.m. to noon in Family Room Bible Study from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Family Room Office will be closed for Thanksgiving Holiday Hanging of the Greens from 10:00 a.m. to noon Baptized in Faith On Sunday, October 25, 2015, Dexter Robert Demian and Lennox Elias Stevens were baptized. Dexter Demian is the son of Shannon Arnold and Kareem Demian. The loving grandson of Robert and Kimberly Arnold III. Lennox Stevens is the daughter of Tamra and Kevin Stevens and sister to big brother Lincoln. The loving granddaughter of Becky Stevens, Buddy and Sherry Jeffers Congratulations to both families. Page 3
Rev. Olson s Ordination Recognition Rev. Olson and his mother, Kay Olson. Page 4
2015 SESSION COMMITTEE CHAIR CONTACT INFORMATION Clerk of Session, Nurturing Becky Washabaugh: 724-745-2910 or 412-576-0871 and Special Giving: Treasurer, Personnel & Cherie Kisla: 724-554-2433 Budget/Finance: Nominating and Nurturing: Dan Coppola: 724-678-9480 or 724-719-0325 Christian Ed: Karen Jones: 724-948-3041 Music and Worship: John Jones: 724-948-3041 Property Committee: Al Nagy: 724-745-0266 Mission and Stewardship: Gloria Schmalz: 724-986-5945 Memorial and Bequests: Bill Kelley: 724-356-2327 Special Giving: Dawn Jardini: 724-206-0760 or 724-851-1046 Page 5
Check out our new website at www.houstonpresbyterian.org! There are lots of pictures of our church members and our beautiful church, as well as church news. If you have notices of church events, photos, or anything else to add to the website, please contact Terri Jeffers - tlj@hky.com. Help us show the community how great our church is! The Love of the Lord is the Heartbeat of our Mission Pumpkin Festival A special thank you to everyone who participated in this year s Pumpkin Festival activities. The FUPC were the second place winners for their float in the annual parade thanks to Kristie and Dan Coppola and Ron and Emily Anestis. Thanks to all the cookie bakers who supplied sugar cookies for the decorating booth, to the youth that volunteered their time at the booth and to all the Presbyterian Pumpkin Patch workers. To everyone who participated in the special worship service, especially Karen Jones and the choir. The Deacon booth was a great success even though it rained the first day. Thanks to everyone who baked and donated all the delicious desserts for the Deacon s booth and to everyone who volunteered their time for such a great Deacon fundraiser to support their mission projects. It was all done in great fellowship and a very rewarding event. Page 6
SERVING THE CHURCH IN NOVEMBER 2015 GREETERS Deacon Greeters: Nov 1 Jackie Orbich (GV) Nancy Ward (MV) Virginia Bayne (GH) Renee Poland (MH) Elder Greeters: Nov 1 Cherie Kisla (GH) Al Nagy (GV) Dan Coppola (MH) Pastor Alan (MV) Nov 8 Sandy Wallace (GV) Bob Blough (MV) Anna Mae Myers (GH) Mindy Kelley (MH) Nov 8 Pastor Alan (GH) Jerry Skowvron (GV) Gloria Schmalz (MH) Bill Kelley (MV) Nov 15 Lala Patsch (GV) Jami Craig (MV) Vicky Lesjak (GH) Inez Patsch (MH) Nov 15 Karen Jones (GH) Pastor Alan (GV) Leon Young (MH) Jerry Skowvron (MV) Nov 22 Janice Blosel (GV) Virginia Rockwell (MV) Virginia Bayne (GH) Vicky Lesjak (MH) Nov 22 Cherie Kisla (GH) Becky Washabaugh (GV) Pastor Alan (MH) Leon Young (MV) Nov 29 Sandy Wallace (GV) Jami Craig (MV) Anna Mae Myers (GH) Mindy Kelley (MH) Nov 29 Karen Jones (GH) Gloria Schmalz (GV) Al Nagy (MH) Pastor Alan (MV) Liturgist: Shirley Pohl Money Counters: Roger Nixon John Jones Communion will be celebrated on November 1st and 22nd Infant/Toddler Nursery Schedule for November Nov 1 Vicky & Bo Lesjak 8 Paige & Courtney Zanaglio 15 Dawn & JJ Jardini 22 Jami Craig 29 Sandy & Haley Wallace Page 7
Hymn Dingers The Hymn Dingers played Now Thank We All Our God by Charles Maggs for the Special Music at worship service on October 25th. They are under the direction of Kristie Coppola and Helpers are Patti Nagy, Linda and Larry Baker. Hand bell ringers are: Michael Bayne, Amber Habe, Lily Coppola, Kayleigh Valley, Jillian McCarty, JJ Jardini, Abigail McCarty, Rinnie Jardini and Brian Bayne. Page 8
DEACON UPDATE The Deacons have had another busy month and still continue to make plans for the months ahead. The big news, I guess, would be the Pumpkin Festival. Friday was a rainy day but the stalwart Deacons stayed their course and even made some sales even though a small river was flowing through the booth. Saturday and Sunday were much better days weather wise and sale wise. We did not have a lot of leftovers as far as food is concerned which is a good thing. In fact, things went so well we have already been discussing what we can do next year. This wasn t just a Deacon event. We couldn t have done as well as we did without the help of so many members of the congregation. From donations of food, drinks and supplies to volunteers manning the booth, everything went very well. We realized a profit of $1239.37 which we feel very good about especially since this was our first time participating. Thank you to all who donated, baked pies and baked goods, worked the booth, set up and took down the booth, etc. We couldn t have done it without everyone working together. The Deacons will sponsor another dine and donate on November 16 at Max and Erma s. Flyers will be provided and when you go to eat if you show the flyer our church will receive 20% of your bill. We will also have one in December at Buffalo Wild Wings. Keep watching your bulletins and newsletters for more information. The Deacons will be filling and delivering gift bags to our shut-ins for Thanksgiving. All Deacons should meet in Fellowship Hall following the worship service on November 22 to fill the bags. We are sponsoring a Girlfriends night on November 19. You can find more information in this newsletter. The last day to turn in Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes is December 8. Our Christmas Tea is coming up soon, on December 5. Look for more information in this newsletter. Tickets are $5.00 and we will begin at 2:00. Hanging of the Greens will be on November 28 at 10:00. Come and join us. Many hands make the work go faster. Lunch will be provided. You can have your blood pressure checked the second Sunday of the month in the Library by either Virginia Rockwell or Jami Craig. We continue to accept donations of cans and boxes of soup for the food pantry. Virginia Bayne will see that the soup is delivered. Jackie Shober has a new Rada catalog for you to check out. Many nice items for Christmas gifts and food for entertaining are included as well as the usual cutlery. Scrip orders are still being accepted by Janice Blosel. These also make good gifts especially for that hard to buy for person. I neglected to mention in our last newsletter that the Deacons served a dinner following the funeral service for Jude Pohl. We continue to pray for Shirley and her family. The next meeting of the Deacons will be on Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at 6:00pm. Blessings, Mindy Kelley, Moderator Page 9
GIRLFRIENDS NIGHT FIRST UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HOUSTON, PA THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2015 6:00 p.m. Come join us for a fun night of making a fresh flower arrangement with Jan from Malone s Flower Shop. She will help us make a fresh flower arrangement, just in time for Thanksgiving Day. The cost is $30.00 and includes the arrangement, drinks and snacks. The doors will open at 6:00 p.m. and Jan will instruct us at 6:30 p.m. If interested please contact: Vicky Lesjak 724-746-2389 (home) 724-207-3509 (cell) Mindy Kelley 724-356-2327 (home) 724-344-9292 (cell) PLEASE COME AND JOIN US!! It s A Christmas Tea! Given by the Deacons - $5.00 FUPC Fellowship Hall Sunday, December 6, 2015 Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Tea at 2:00 p.m. Deadline for tickets Monday, November 30 th Page 10
Operation Christmas Child It is that time of year to start shopping for items to fill shoeboxes. Begin with one wow toy such as a doll, stuffed animal etc., then add another fun toy or book and finish it off with hygiene items and school supplies. Most importantly pray for the child who will receive your gift. Remember do not include toy guns, knives or military figures; seeds; chocolate or food; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; no glass items or aerosol cans. Please remember to include $7 for shipping costs. Be sure to mark your box with the boy or girl sticker located on the back of the brochure. Shoe boxes and brochures are located in the front pew of the sanctuary. Deadline to have boxes returned is Sunday, November 8th. Contact Jackie Shober at 724-225-8281 for further information. Have fun shopping for a deserving child. Pie for Thanksgiving Dinner The Greater Canonsburg/Houston Ministerial Association is hosting its 32nd free Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner on Thursday, November 26, 2015, at the Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church, 112 West Pike Street in Canonsburg (next to the post office). Last year, thanks to generous donations, we served over 400 slices of pie! That s a lot of pie! You can be a part of this community outreach by baking or buying a pie (or pies) and donating to the Dinner. Pies (any filling) can be delivered to the Canonsburg U.P. Church Fellowship Hall on Wednesday, November 25 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. or Thanksgiving Day between 8-11 am. Any pies not used for the Dinner will be sent to Meals on Wheels in Houston. Please complete the following and turn into your church office for planning purpose. Name I will donate (number of pies) Thank you! Page 11
First United Presbyterian Church 102 North Main Street, Houston, PA 15342 Nonprofit organization U.S. Postage PAID Houston, PA 15342 Permit #4 How to reach us: Church phone number: 724 746-3040 Church Office 310 Open Door Nursery 311 313 Meals on Wheels 314 Church fax number: 724 746-3041 Email address: fupc@houstonpresbyterian.org Website: www.houstonpresbyterian.org THE LOVE OF THE LORD IS THE HEARTBEAT OF OUR MISSION!