Cornerstone THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF WESTFIELD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH NOVEMBER 2017 Exercising Our Gratitude Muscles Ancient Jewish sages urged people to count out and speak at least 100 blessings, or statements of gratitude, each day. What would happen if we intentionally listed 100 blessings daily? Can you imagine?! Expressing gratitude isn t just a good thing to do; it also appears to be good for us! Indiana University researchers found that participants who performed gratitudefocused writing exercises felt uplifted, and were more likely to express gratefulness through generosity, even weeks later. strengthened through exercise. If so, there may be more than we thought to the popularity of gratitude journals and Mom s insistence that we write thank-you notes. Not to mention the biblical call to give thanks to the LORD, for he is good (1 Chronicles 16:34, for example). Furthermore, brain scans revealed increased gratitude-related activity even months down the road (New York Magazine). Might God have hardwired us for gratitude not only at Thanksgiving but year round because it s good for us as well as for those we thank? To that, we respond, Thanks be to God! Though the study was small, we seem to have a gratitude muscle that can be Project Informational Meetings The session is happy and excited to bring news about the building project to the congregation. A series of informational meetings have been scheduled for you to view the plans, make comments, ask questions and to discern God s will for your decision in this process. You are invited to attend any of the informational meetings (dates and times are listed at right). We ask that you seek God s direction for our church and the mission and vision that is before us. Informational Meetings Thursday, November 2 7:00 P.M. Sunday, November 5 12:00 p.m. (after worship) Thursday, November 9 1:30 P.M. (after JOY) Monday, November 13 7:00 P.M. A congregational meeting will be held on Sunday, November 19, immediately after worship. We will elect new officers and at that time we will ask for your support to make our new ministry center a reality.
Work as Worship Westfield to host 1-day local church retreat to explore what it looks like to connect faith and work God has a purpose for us on this earth. That calling is to be on mission for God where He has placed us. And since many people spend the majority of their waking hours on the job, we have to stop compartmentalizing life into spiritual activities and work activities. How are we living examples of the gospel while we work? You re invited to the 2018 Work as Worship Retreat, where eleven influential business leaders and pastors will discuss what it looks like to connect faith and work. Taking place as a 1-Day Westfield Church Retreat on February 23, 2018, the live event in Dallas will be web-streamed to over 2,000 churches around the world. Join Patrick Lencioni (Author, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team), Joel Manby (CEO, SeaWorld), Phil Vischer (Creator, VeggieTales and Jellyfish Labs), Wendy Family Event Join us at the Heinz History Center on November 11 and honor veterans Enjoy a Saturday at the Heinz History Center on November 11. Admission is $16/adults, $6.50 for those age 5-17, $14 for seniors age 62+, and free for those 4 and younger. We will gather in the History Center s Great Hall just before noon for a moving and patriotic flag ceremony. Join local veterans and other museum visitors to help to unfurl a giant 36-foot American Flag. During the ceremony we will participate in the National Anthem and a moment of silence for those who served our country. You can sign up on the sheet in the back of the church or contact David Champ at youth@westfieldchurch.org. Watch for additional details in the bulletin. Davidson (President, US Specialty Channels Kellogg Company), and others in a day filled with real-life stories, biblical teaching, and practical wisdom that will equip believers in the marketplace to see their work as an opportunity to care for their families, fulfill their calling, and bring glory to God. So, save the date: Friday, February 23, from 8:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. $25 registration fee includes event ticket, digital program and details. More information is available HERE on our web site and will be in upcoming bulletins soon. You can also stop in for our preview day. See details at right. 1 Corinthians 10:31...whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. You are invited to an introductory preview of Work as Worship on Friday, November 17, at Westfield 12:00 P.M. Lunch provided RSVP by November 13 to the church office 724.667.7045 or office@westfieldchurch.org New To Our Family New member Shirley Miles is not a new face to Westfield. She lives in Mount Jackson and works at Mohawk Elementary. Shirley has 2 daughters and 4 granddaughters. She likes to hike and travel. Her favorite place to go is Las Vegas. Please Welcome Shirley! Also, welcome Sam Ealy (Shirley s son in law). He lives with wife Stacy and their 1-year old daughter Anne Marie in New Castle. Sam is a crane operator and a jack of all trades for New Castle Recycling. He likes to spend time with family, work on cars and cut down trees. Special Friends Russ & Judy Bryan at their residence Alice Fullerton in Sun City Center, Florida Shirley Gibson at Carriage Court Eleanor Gwin at her residence Harry Jolley at his residence Mary Lou Williams at her residence Ann Marie, Sam and Stacy Shirley and Ann Marie
Mission and Outreach Update Please pray for each of our missionaries and their situations, locally and internationally. John and Cathy Rug have returned to Chile. Their daughter Junaita is in Kansas City to train for a job and son Benjamin is studying for his bar exam. Pray for wisdom as they seek to address challenges with the church plant there and look for opportunities to proclaim and share Christ with others. Splendor Above the Heavens Our friends in Indonesia are laying the groundwork to move permanently to a new island. This requires much travel, meetings with local farmers, house hunting and physical stamina. Pray for this transition and for the new relationships that will develop. Did you know that there are 54 fourteen thousand foot mountains in Colorado? They are referred to as fourteeners. If you ve climbed a fourteener you have something to brag about. One of those fourteeners, Mount Antero, stands just south of the central Colorado Collegiate Range which includes Mount Princeton, Mount Harvard, Mount Oxford, Mount Yale, and more. What does it feel like when believers from Syria, Iraq, Kurdistan, Jordan, Lebanon, Somalia, UK, Germany, Brazil, Nigeria, America and more join for prayer and strategy for Europe s least-reached? In a word - it is GLORIOUS! Kevin Mason declares, The Lord is at work in brilliant ways among the ethnic groups in these countries. His wife Wendy continues as teacher of English Language Learners at the International Christian School of Budapest, often helping students with no ability to communicate in English at the moment.. We have news from Kwetu Faraja in Ethiopia. There has been an incident in the school with one of their children, so they pulled all their elementary-age children out of the school and are teaching them at home. They are in great need of a school building and have even started making the bricks themselves. Lauren and Paul feel they can build a school for $210,000. The Mission and Outreach Committee has created a Welcome Brochure for new people in the area. We will make it available at the Township Building, Mohawk Schools and the church. It contains an area map, information on local agencies, churches and points of interest. Each Sunday School class is receiving information about specific areas of mission. As they learn about each mission entity they can encourage and pray for them. by Rev. Paul Votaw I mention this because I have stood on the peak of Mt. Antero. But I got there by Jeep and climbed only the last 1000 feet so I have nothing to brag about. Nevertheless, it was one of the most awe inspiring moments of my life (next to marrying Marcia). In every direction snowcapped peaks stretching toward the heavens; the feeling that you can touch the clouds; wind that grabs at your clothes and threatens your equilibrium; an eagle soaring below you; the air so fresh that it takes your breath away; a feeling of insignificance married to a realization of God s majesty and glory; knowing as never before that God is real, yet yearning for more. We have moments like that don t we? Moments so profound and exhilarating that we don t want to let them go. Moments when God seems so present that we expect to hear the thunder of his voice or a whisper of his love. As we approach the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, my prayer for you is that you will have a mountain top experience no that you will have many mountain top experiences. And in those experiences may God reach deep within you to assure you of his watchful care, his faithful promises, his redeeming love, and may he fill you with joy inexpressible. Read Psalm 8 and rejoice in the God of your salvation.
Cookies for a Cause Prayers of Thanks Support The Touched by Nathan Foundation by donating items and/or baking with us The Bible s close connection between prayer and praise caused 19th-century preacher J.C. Ryle to proclaim, I dare not call that true prayer in which thankfulness has no part. He points, for example, to Paul s words in Philippians 4:6 ( By prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God ) and Colossians 4:2 ( Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful ), both NIV. The Touched by Nathan Foundation in the Greater Mahoning Valley supports families with babies born with fragile conditions. Formed in memory of Nathan Pavalko by his parents in 1999, it offers education, help, and comfort to inspire hope in an understanding and compassionate way. cookies to support the fo u nd a t i on (l i gh t lu n ch provided). 50-60 dozen cookies are needed. Bake with us and/or donate ingredients for the cookies. A post it board will be displayed on November 5 with ingredients you can buy and bring in by November 19. On Saturday, November 25, from 9-12 Westfield will bake Happenin Place Angel A s got the scoop on past and present happenings at Westfield It seems like I just reported on the busy activities at Westfield. Trunk or Treat and The Golden Pumpkin Award and the Rally Day picnic are over. Time is flying by too quickly. Next up is Reformation Sunday on October 29. The Discipleship and Membership team will really outdo themselves with a unique meal in the fellowship hall after church. Not sure about how using no utensils will go over! Brunch in the parlor will honor our Veterans on November 12. Let s all wear Red White and Blue to salute them! Touched by Nathan baking is November 25 12. A post it board displayed November 5 can donate ingredients cookie from 9will be so you needed for the cookies I know there are a lot of great bakers at Westfield. It is such fun to bake as a group for a good cause. Also, if you are helping please bring your tart pans. (I have not had much cookie baking experience on Cloud 5 so I will be surprised). Oh, almost forgot a light lunch will be provided. DINNER THEATRE! Dinner theatre will be at Highland Meadows Farm (White s Stables) at 6:00 P.M. on Saturday, December 16. We are so excited and thankful for this yearly event! Fly on over to the box at the right to learn how you can p arti cip at e in this production. Whenever we speak to God, Ryle adds, thoughts of his mercy and the hope of heaven should be at the forefront of our minds. Surely, he writes, we should never open our lips in prayer without blessing God for that free grace by which we live, and for that lovingkindness which endures forever. Help Needed for Annual Dinner Theater Here are some ways you can lend a hand with this year s dinner theater event. food preparation at church food transport to and from stables use of your truck or van for transport set-up at stables (Friday) clean-up at church clean-up at stables Server Hostess parking attendant stage crew 40 fruit pies are needed for dessert (and Westfield has the reputation for the best pies!) Look for offer-to-help sign-up slips in our worship bulletins. You can place them in the offering plates. Please consider a way in which you would like to be part of our church s production. We appreciate you and are so grateful for your help!! Thank you!! P.S. Helping out ensures a front-row or a back-row seat for the theatre or in my case a cloud s eye view. Please help!
Music Notes by Sarah Phillips, Director of Music/ Organist. October was a fabulous month for music at Westfield. The Reformation service featured Ein feste Burg ist Unser Gott A Mighty Fortress Is Our God which was written by Martin Luther, and was truly the Battle Hymn of the Reformation. I was fortunate to see the play Martin Luther on Trial at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio. This is the second largest theatre district in America only Lincoln Center in NYC is larger. The play was created by Fellowship for Performing Arts which is a group whose mission is: to present theatre from a Christian worldview that engages a diverse audience. The play is set in the afterlife to add a supernatural dimension in the hope of sparking the imagination and inspiring dialogue toward renewal and reconciliation. Flashbacks offer sensitive insights into Luther s tussles with authority and scripture. Martin Luther s soul is on trial. Lucifer is the prosecutor. Luther s wife Katarina von Bora is for the defense. St. Peter officiates. Witnesses range from Adolf Hitler, Sigmund Freud, Rabbi Josel, Michael the Archangel, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Pope Francis the current Pope. The objective is to explore Luther s legacy and impact from the vantage point of 500 years later. I was inspired by the music, performed by Amy Shreve. The play drew an audience split evenly between Protestants and Catholics. A group of 80 Jewish prep school boys from a conservative Yeshiva attended and gave it a standing ovation. It was a five star performance. Even as 2017 marks 500 years since Luther ignited the Protestant Revolt against Rome, he continues to spark intense debate. In the final scene, Pope Francis proclaims to Martin Luther: GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN US, THAN HE THAT IS IN THE WORLD! November will bring more worship opportunities to Westfield Veteran s Sunday and Thanksgiving Sunday. May we all experience joy as we honor our veterans and give thanks for our many blessings! Martin Luther s Coat of Arms Youth and Family Ministry Update by Rev. David Champ We have had an absolute blast this fall and will continue to be busy throughout the rest of the semester. So far we have been meeting regularly on Sundays and Wednesdays, held our 5th Quarter Bon fires, and enjoyed a Fall Party at CoolSpring Corn Maze in Mercer. On Sundays we have been working our way through the book of Romans and on Wednesdays we are continuing our series on church history and wrestling with the theological issues that have surrounded the Church and her development over the centuries. Please continue to pray for the students as they study these two difficult subjects. We are looking for people to volunteer to provide snack for Sunday YO! and dinner for Wednesday YO! Our Sunday attendance is about 25 and on Wednesdays it is about 15. If you are interested in helping out in this way, please check out the bulletin board in the church office hallway or speak to me about it. I want to highlight our upcoming retreat in November. We are headed back to Camp Frederick for the weekend of Nov. 3-5. Cost is $25/student. We are going to camp in cabins and in tents, hit up the zipline and climbing tower, and cook our own meals (some on an open fire!). Signups for this retreat close on Sunday, October 29, so please contact me right away if you d like to attend. As always, it is a huge blessing and encouragement serving in this church. The passion you have for Christ and to serve the students in this community is infectious!
Thank You, Veterans! Jumping for JOY! by Doreen Hietsch On Veterans Day, we honor men and women who ve served and sacrificed in one of America s armed services. On November 11, 1918, America and her allies signed a truce with German leaders, ending World War I. In 1919, President Wilson decided the United States should remember with gratitude the end of that war and honor military members by marking Armistice Day, or truce day. In 1954, Congress changed the name to Veterans Day, honoring veterans of every era. Veterans Day highlights our country s quest for peace, justice and freedom throughout the world. Followers of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, pray for unity among all nations and for the day when nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore (Isaiah 2:4, NIV). Westfield will recognize our veterans on Sunday, November 12, with a brunch in the parlor following worship. Please wear red, white, and blue to salute them. Just Older Youth is in full swing as we had a busy October and look forward to November, a month to give thanks. Our apple butter was delicious, we learned more about sports through an interesting collection, and Angie Urban helped us to get more acquainted with The Confluence in downtown New Castle. Jill Trotter was available for blood pressure readings (she ll be back the first Thursday of every month) and Sue Schweikert is going to get us in better shape through exercise! Some in our group have expressed an interest in learning how to play bridge. If you know someone who would be willing to help us get started with that, e-mail doreen@westfielschurch.org. Our lunches have been delicious. Thanks to a team of wonderful cooks and their helpers. Thank you so much, everyone, for helping us launch this new ministry for the Over 50 s. Spread the word, bring your friends, multiply the JOY! JOY-ful Helpers Needed Do you have Woodworking skills? A hobby you ve love to tell us about? Knowledge of the ins and out of playing bridge? Please contact doreen@westfieldchurch.org or the church office at 724.667.7045. We ve love to have your help with planning some future projects and events! UPCOMING EVENTS Sunday, November 5th Shoebox Dedication Sunday. Please return your packed shoebox for Operation Christmas Child. We will pray over the boxes and for the children who will receive them. Sunday, November 19th 7 P.M. Community Thanksgiving Worship Service at St. Anthony s in Bessemer Wednesday, November 29th Our free community meal will be served from 5-7 on November 29. Invite some friends and join us for delicious food and wonderful fellowship