Volume XX Issue 4
The Caller
Summer 2011
Volume 22, Issue 6
Inside this issue:
2-3
Letter from Pastor Brenda
4
Birthday, baptism &
wedding; A new vision;
Graduates
5
Praise at the Pavilion
5-8
Christian Education
corner
9
Rummage Sale report;
Pastor Brenda’s
Pentecost letter
10
Stewardship Committee;
Blood drive; Oasis teacher
needed; April Session
Snip-its
11
Mission dollars; Letter
from Union Presbyterian
Church
12-14 Youth Group
Announcements
14
Pastor Brenda’s summer
letter
16
Calendars
The Presbyterian Church of
Plum Creek
June 2011 Worship Schedule
June 5, 2011 – 10 a.m.
Graduate Sunday
“Answered Prayers”
Rev. Brenda Barnes
June 12, 2011 – 10 a.m.
Pentecost
New Members and Confirmation
VBS Commissioning
“Who Are We?”
Rev. Brenda Barnes
June 19, 2011 – 10 a.m.
Trinity Sunday
Fathers' Day
“Triune God of Grace and Glory”
Rev. Brenda Barnes
June 26, 2011 – 10 a.m.
Outdoor Service with Day Camp
Commissioning
"The Wilderness Transformed"
Rev. Brenda Barnes
550 Center-New Texas Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15239
[email protected]
www.plumcreekchurch.com
Summer 2011
Volume 22, 6
Page 1
The Presbyterian Church of Plum Creek publishes The Caller monthly (with the exception of July and
August). If you have an item to contribute, please email it to [email protected] or
place it in The Caller mailbox in the church office. To submit a newspaper or magazine article to be
reprinted in The Caller, include the name and date of the newspaper or magazine where the article was
originally published. The deadline for all articles is the 15th of the month. Please provide
submissions in computer-ready (WORD 2002 or text) format when possible. Thanks!
Church Address:
Presbyterian Church of Plum Creek
550 Center-New Texas Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15239
Office Phone Number:
(412) 793-4525
E-mail Address:
[email protected]
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday,
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Minister
Reverend Brenda Barnes
Director of Educational
Ministries
Meredith Hedeen
Director of Youth Ministries
Tori Campbell
Worship Services
Sundays at 10:00 a.m.
Sunday School Classes
Sundays 8:45 a.m.
Summer 2011
Volume 22, 6
Page 2
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Amendment 10-A has now been approved by a majority of the presbyteries within the PC(USA). This is
a revision to our governmental standards held in the Book of Order [Part 2 of the constitution of the
PC(USA)] which will take effect July 10th. The amendment changes the ordination standards for
deacons, elders and ministers of Word and Sacrament from the biblical standard of fidelity in marriage
(defined as a covenant agreement before God and witnesses between one man and one woman) and
chastity in singleness. It is a very significant change in the covenantal life of our denomination and a
great change from the beliefs and practices of the historic church. This change will be a primary factor
in the decision for many congregations to leave the denomination.
The approval of this amendment has not come easily, nor has it come quickly as we have been voting
for over 10 years on the issue. And, it is not just the “gay amendment”, as many have named it. The
amendment certainly allows for homosexual and transsexual persons to be ordained; however, there
are heterosexual implications as well because this amendment opens the door for interpretation of what
behavior should be disciplined. For example, what should happen to an elder who has heterosexual
extra-marital activity while he or she holds office? What should happen to an unmarried minister of
Word and Sacrament who “dates” many? The bottom line is, we have a whole section of the Book of
Order, the “D” section, which explicitly tells us how we should apply biblical discipline to all those who
are members of the body of Christ, including deacons, elders, ministers AND members. Friends,
Amendment 10-A passing is not just about gay-rights but is rather a further erosion of the lack of
discipline within the church.
John Calvin says that there are three marks of a “true” church –
1. The Word of God is faithfully proclaimed AND heard (in other words, the Word of God is
heard and acted upon)
2. The sacraments are rightly administered (by an ordained person) and celebrated by the
people regularly
3. The members are disciplined with the love and justice of Jesus Christ as found in the
Holy Scriptures.
Remember that “discipline” is not meant to be a censure or to forbid anyone from being involved in the
life and ministry of the church. Rather, discipline is meant to bring people back into a “right” relationship
with Jesus Christ. Sin is present always, even in the life of the church, and being made into disciples of
Jesus Christ is our primary mission as the Body of Christ.
The Session at PCPC is committed to holding fast to the clear teaching of Scripture and we are praying
that our work to discern how to move forward with biblical faithfulness will be clear for our future as a
congregation. We ask that you pray with us for repentance for our own unfaithfulness and for wisdom
for the future.
However, all is not “lost”: We must affirm what has not changed (adapted from Presbyterians for
Renewal):
Summer 2011
Volume 22, 6
Page 2
• Jesus Christ is Lord! This has not changed and can’t – ever! Remember Jesus’ words, “I will build
my church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)
• The ultimate victory of Jesus Christ over sin and death has not been compromised! No action
taken by the denomination (or the session) can threaten God’s redemptive purposes in the
world!
• Scripture still clearly teaches that God intends the gift of marriage to be expressed within a
lifelong covenant between a man and a woman.
• Our congregation has the right to elect Deacons and Elders and the Session has the right and the
responsibility to examine each candidate in the standards as set in the Book of Order; however,
the new constitutional language does not require us to violate our own understanding of biblical
standards.
• The Book of Order is subject to constant amending as we grow in our relationship with Jesus
Christ.
Finally, we are also waiting for a second amendment to be passed by a majority of the presbyteries.
This amendment is meant to replace the whole first section of Part 2 of the constitution – the Form of
Government (FOG), with a “new Form of Government” (nFOG). As the amendments were brought
separately to the General Assembly from two different task forces, the two amendments indicate
differing ways to relate their individual missions. As a result, more clarification will be required and
potentially more amendments will be written to help us implement them.
This is not a time for panic or for ill-considered actions that could potentially damage our mission and
the witness of Jesus Christ in our midst. Instead, it is an opportunity for us at PCPC to really
understand what Christ is doing and how we can be a part of his ministry, wherever he may lead us.
We see his faithfulness as we look around in our pews on Sunday morning and in all that we do for his
glory. Let us remember that God is at work and that work cannot be stopped by any man, amendment,
or lack of resource.
AMEN!
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Brenda Barnes
Summer 2011
Volume 22, 6
Page 3
AUG. 7
AUG. 14
AUG.23
BIRTHDAYS
JUNE 7
JUNE 25
Florence Lott
Jim Doyle
JULY 10
JULY 14
JULY 30
Robert Berringer
Twila Barnhart
Jean Manzuk
AUG. 4
Howard Edwards
Clyde Bradley
Dorothy Nesbit
Eileen Siems
BAPTISM
May 8 James Andrew Berkebile
WEDDING
May 7 Elizabeth Martini & Benjamin Bucholz
Are you a church officer?
Do you belong to a committee?
Do you attend a Sunday school class?
Are you a member of PCPC?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then you should be part of our visioning process to move
PCPC into the future. Please plan to attend a discussion session about “who we are”. We will be looking
through scriptures to help us understand where we are in the fuller body of Jesus Christ and what he
might be calling us to be in the future. Large group and small group discussions will take place.
th
Please join us in the sanctuary on Saturday, June 4 at 8:45 am.
Congratulations, Graduates!
We would like to congratulate this year’s graduating seniors. Please join us in
celebrating their achievements!
Summer 2011
High School
Adam Ofstun
Jake Udanis
College
Mark Mills
Abby Painter
Ben Ream
Thomas Wood
Graduate School
Wade Campbell
Volume 22, 6
Page 4
Praise at the Pavilion is
a fun-filled evening of
Christian fellowship that occurs on Sunday nights during the
summer. It is an opportunity to socialize, eat and praise God through the music of local bands.
Where: The Presbyterian Church of Plum Creek (in the pavilion behind the church)
When: Sunday nights from July 3rd- August 14th
Time: 6 – 8 p.m. (cookout type food will be provided for dinner from 6-7, music from 7-8)
Schedule
July 3rd- African Christian United Fellowship
July 10th- Intent
July 17th- Rob Krogh and Barrett Hendrickson
July 24th- AX 1:8
July 31st- FIRSTthursday with special guest Behold the Armada
August 7th- Dave Longstreth
August 14th- Hymn Sing- led by Gloria Mayo
*Bring the whole family and lawn chairs if you wish!
Prepare for a relaxed and uplifting experience.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CORNER
Hey Kids, You’re Invited!
There is a Sunday School Luau Celebration on Sunday, June 5th from 8:459:45AM, and YOU are invited!
We are going to play games, run relay races, eat snacks, and just have a
good time outside (weather permitting, will move inside if it rains). PLEASE
wear clothes and shoes that can play in the sand, run races, etc. We will meet at
the pavilion (triple classroom downstairs if raining). Hope to see you there!!!
We also have a mini mission project for this luau party…
Summer 2011
Volume 22, 6
Page 5
In order is show our love of Jesus Christ and our gratitude for all the blessings received this
Sunday school year, a food collection for the Plum Food Pantry will be included in the Plum
Creek Sunday School Luau Party on Sunday, June 5th. We are asking each student to bring a
non-perishable food item or personal care item to the party to help provide nutrition and basic
comfort for those in need within our community.
As many already know, the Plum Food Pantry has been in operation as a local food bank since
1982 and is located at the Holiday Park United Methodist Church. The Plum Food Pantry, a
non-profit organization of concerned, caring volunteers, is committed to providing individuals
and families in Plum Borough with nutritional food and grocery products. The Pantry works with
the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank and local schools, scout troops, the US Post Office and
churches like ours to collect food, paper products, and personal care items for distribution to
those in need.
If you are wondering what to bring, the following is a list of the top items (no glass) most needed
by food banks to help end hunger:
• Cereal (high fiber, low sugar)
• Tuna, Canned Salmon (packed in
water)
• Fruit and Vegetable Juice (100%, any
size)
• Canned Beans (kidney, black, navy)
• Canned Vegetables
•
•
•
•
•
Peanut Butter (15 or 18 oz.)
Canned fruit
Toilet, Facial Tissue
Laundry Detergent
Diapers (baby and adult)
Cash donations and gift cards are also accepted as well. Thank you for your donation, and we
look forward to seeing you on June 5th.
Welcome, Confirmation Class!
On Sunday, June 12th, we welcome the Confirmation Class as members of the
Plum Creek Presbyterian Church congregation. Please take a moment to
congratulate the following Confirmands and encourage them as they begin their
next steps as confirmed members within our church family.
Caroline Crossey
Kathleen Crossey
Patrick Crossey
Matthew Geib
Adam Hearn
Summer 2011
Ian Kist
Andrew Marzullo
Dillon Matta
Amanda Mayo
Donna Mayo
Volume 22, 6
Nathan Polacek
Krystin Racki
Chelsea Wilkins
Page 6
A HUGE THANK YOU to Sunday School teachers and leaders!
As the official Sunday School year draws to a close, I would personally like to thank
every one of the wonderful Sunday School teachers and leaders who have faithfully
served the Lord and His children of all ages. Thank you for allowing me the
opportunity to work with you this year. You truly have been used by His hand to bless
our congregation in so many ways. Thank you for sharing the Word and your faith!!!
~Meredith
REMINDER: NO Children’s Summer Sunday School
There will not be a formal children’s Sunday School program this summer. For children, aged 5 and
older, whose parents attend adult summer Sunday School classes, there will be an adult available to
watch a movie, play games, go outside, do coloring pages, etc. Nursery care may be available for
children under age 5.
Adult Summer Sunday School Plans
There will be adult Sunday School this summer. The Year of the Bible adult and
young adult classes will combine, beginning on Sunday, June 5th in the large
classroom across from the office. The adult class that gathers in the Fellowship
Hall will continue to meet there to study participant-chosen topics. Both classes
will meet from 8:45-9:45AM.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL is here, and you can still join in!!!
Who: Two-year-olds through children who have completed 6th grade
What: Take a trip to Hometown Nazareth
When: June 13-17 from 9:00AM to Noon
Where: Plum Creek Presbyterian Church, meet in the pavilion
Why: Learn more about what life was like when Jesus was a kid and do some
of the things He might have done!
Our theme this year is “Hometown Nazareth.” Join us as we take a trip back
to Nazareth to experience a week in Jesus’ time, doing and making things like Jesus did, playing
games like Jesus might have played, hearing stories about Jesus’ life!
Try the Pottery or Carpentry Shops, the Rock Quarry, the Olive Oil & Spice Shop, or the Bakery…
Snack at the Food Market and the Candy Shop… Check out the Bead Bazaar and Jewelry-Making
Shop… Learn the Hebrew alphabet at the Synagogue School… and more!!! Invite your friends, family
members, and neighbors!
Complete the registration form on the next page, and return it to Meredith or the CE Office ASAP!
Summer 2011
Volume 22, Issue 6
Page 7
Hometown Nazareth VBS 2011 Registration Form
Name(s) and age(s): _________________________________ ____________________________________
_________________________________ ____________________________________
_________________________________ ____________________________________
Street address:___________________________________________________________________________
City:__________________________________
Home telephone: (_______)_______________
State:____________
ZIP:______________________
Cell phone: (_______)________________________
Home e-mail address: _____________________________________
In case of emergency, contact: ______________________________Relationship______________________
Contact phone number: (______)____________________________
Allergies or other medical conditions: _________________________________________________________
Home church: ____________________________________________________________________________
Name of a special friend your child might like to be with: _________________________________________
Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Hometown Nazareth Clip Art & Resources CD granted for local church use. Copyright © 2011
Group Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 481, Loveland, CO 80539. group.com/vbs
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
VBS & PCPC Church Family Potluck Picnic
PLEASE join the VBS families and volunteers for one of PCPC’s infamous potluck
meals on Friday, June 17th! We will be gathering for some great food and fun
fellowship that evening, from 5:00-8:00PM. Come whenever you can!
A sign-up sheet will is in the Narthex and on the VBS bulletin board in the main
hallway. Be sure to let us know that you are coming! Anyone of any age is
welcome to attend as part of our PCPC faith family.
Some surprise activities are being planned for the evening, so be sure to join us for a wonderful
evening!
__________________________________________________________________________________
A LOOK AHEAD: Fall Sunday School Kick-Off will take place on Sunday,
September 11th. Fun activities for kids of all ages are being planned. So mark your
calendar and plan ahead to join in the friendship and fellowship of Kick-Off day.
We look forward to seeing you! Feel free to bring a friend!
Summer 2011
Volume 22, Issue 6
Page 8
Rummage Sale 2011 Report
A great big thank you to all those who helped set up the rooms for the sale, sort and sell the
rummage, deliver the posters, pickup and deliver donations to the church, put up and take down
the tent, prepare the food and sell it, clean up after the sale, and to everyone else who helped in
any way during the busy week. Over 83 people from Plum Creek Church and our neighborhood
were involved in making this community event happen. The results of the sale are as follows:
2011 Department Totals:
1,746.27
Clothing / House wares
667.27
Appliances
329.76
Bake Sale
389.05
Children’s (Toys)
252.80
Furniture
293.25
Jewelry
306.72
Kitchen
527.65
Something Special
Disbursements:
451.28
10% Current Expenses
1,000.00
Music Ministry
3,061.49
Day Camp
4,512.77
Total
It was a pleasure chairing the sale again this year and getting to work with all the wonderful
people at Plum Creek Church. Thank you for allowing me to participate in this yearly event.
~~Carolyne Ressler
Pentecost (which literally means “the 50th day”), is the day which the
Church commemorates the receipt of the gift of the Holy Spirit as described in
Acts 2. It is for this reason Pentecost is known as the “birthday of the Church.”
With Christmas and Easter, Pentecost could be considered one of the three
most important holidays for the Church to celebrate.
The importance of Pentecost is two-fold:
1) Pentecost underscores Christianity’s image of God as Trinity. The Holy Spirit represents
God as living and active in the world today after Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension.
Pentecost signifies the fact that Christian faith is not just about past history, but about the
present and the future. Without the presence of Christ’s Spirit, the Church is dead.
2) Pentecost is our celebration that we are continually being equipped by the Triune God of
grace and glory to witness to the life of redemption found only in and through the Lord Jesus
Christ. We celebrate that Christ’s Holy Spirit bestows gifts to each person (and congregation)
for use by God to build up the Kingdom of Christ on earth until the Final Resurrection. (See 1
Corinthians 12-14). Pentecost reminds us that we have these gifts, individually and as the
Church. These gifts are not for our use, but are given by God for God’s use. We should identify
these gifts in each other and equip one another to use those gifts in ministry for our
community. BUT, we are also endowed with “fruit” of the Spirit (Galatians 6). These nine fruit
are common in every Christian, but sometime they are not evident in the way we behave,
especially with one another. A Christian comedian once said, “Yes, I have the fruit of patience,
I just choose not to use it.”
~~Pastor
Brenda
Summer 2011
Volume 22, Issue 6
Page 9
Stewardship Committee is sponsoring a special Pentecost Offering on June 12, 2011 - A special Pentecost
offering will be held be the Stewardship Committee in support of the Plum Food Bank on June 12, 2011. This
offering will be either food stuffs or financial. This offering will be to support those in Plum that are in need of
special help in these tough financial times. This will be in addition to the Deacon’s Plum Food Pantry support.
Stewardship Tip:
Be a Good Steward!
Before you buy ask yourself:
1) Do I really need it?
2) How many hours will I have to work to pay for it?
3) Are the resources that went into it renewable?
4) Could I borrow it from a friend or neighbor?
5) How long will it last?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plum Creek Presbyterian Church
Blood Drive
Sunday September 25,
2011
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Social Hall
To schedule your life
saving appointment,
please call Wilma Elicker
at 412 793-6246.
Teacher or teachers for
OASIS youth class
The Evangelism committee is
seeking a person or persons to teach the
elementary aged youth class during the adult
class time at OASIS. This could be done by
one person or a group of people on a rotating
basis. The curriculum will be provided. OASIS
meets from 5:30 - 7:30 PM on Wednesdays
beginning September 14, 2011. The class will
begin at 6:30 PM. Please prayerfully consider
this opportunity to work with the youngsters in
the church. If interested please contact Ed
Smith or Bonnie Caliendo.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Session Snip-its from April Meeting
Praises and blessings at PCPC: Believe, Al Tresco back in church, Northside Commons dinner coming
up, Bible School, Communicants Class, Pictorial Directory sign-ups, New Members class starting,
National Day of Prayer coming up, New deacons activities being well received and planning in
progress, Doing Believe numbers for LGAR was a wonderful evening.
Christian Ed Committee:
Motion by Laura to not have formal classes for summer Sunday School, but there will be activities and
a volunteer available in case someone comes.
Mission Committee:
Send a check to Tri-City Life matching the amount donated by the congregation for the Baby Bottle
Campaign.
Provide up to $250 for items needed for Northside Commons Dinner on April 25, 2011.
Deacon's want approval for a blood drive on Sept. 25th
By-laws Committee - Motion by Laura C. to elect Dave Forrest as chair of this committee.
Intern for PCPC - Brenda explained the duties, time, and cost of taking on an intern. Discussion
followed. Motion by Ed Smith for Brenda to look into PCPC having a student assistant.
Summer 2011
Volume 22, Issue 6
Page 10
YOUR MISSION DOLLARS AT WORK
CROSSWORLD – was founded in 1931 with 36 missionaries serving the Congo and Brazil. Today
over 320 missionaries serve on 80 teams in 27 countries around the world. They serve the church by
mobilizing teams to make disciples, train leaders, and foster reproducing churches where God has sent
them. The General Fund supports the work of recruiting the next generation who will go, training and
supporting their teams, and the research and planning for new initiatives. Our church supports
missionaries in Afghanistan.
Summer 2011
Volume 22, Issue 6
Page 11
youth news!
Hello Everyone!
Here is the information packet for June through September. Please remember that Youth Group will
end June 5th and will kick-off again on September 10th. Everything that you will need to know will be
answered here. If you have any other questions or concerns, feel free to call or email Tori Campbell.
Ohiopyle Bike/Raft Trip
When? June 25th
Where? Ohiopyle
Details:
Our event in June is a trip to Ohiopyle, where we will bike and white water raft. We will
meet at the church at 7:45 a.m. and will leave by 8:00 a.m. We will get there around
10:00 to check in. Everyone will get a bike and ride 9 miles upstream along the river.
When we get to the end, we will exchange our bikes for rafts, and will white water raft 9
miles down-stream to where we began.
Don’t worry! Tori chose the lowest class rapids, which is class 1 and 2 (Which is fast flowing water and
small ripples). Rapid classes run from 1 to 6 (Class 1 being a beginner level and class 6 being an
expert level).
Everyone will be required to wear lifejackets.
The cost of the trip is $31 a person. I want everyone to be able to go, so if there is anyone who might
have a problem with the cost, please see me privately and we will come up with a solution.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WATER WARS!
When? July 24th
Where? Plum Creek Church
Details: Be prepared to get soaked! We will be launching water balloons, sliding down
a slippery slide, having a water gun fight, and relay race doing crazy tasks.
We will meet at the church at 3:00 p.m. and start the activities. We will end at 5:30 p.m.
Bring dry clothes to change into because Praise at the Pavilion starts at 6:00. Dinner is
provided.
There is also awesome praise and worship music, so I encourage everyone to participate after Water
Wars. Our church members and the surrounding community is invited, so parents: YOU are invited
too!!
Youth Group Info
Regular Youth Group will resume on September 18th. Our study topic is going to
be “The Gospel according to the Simpsons.” Tori will be holding a preview
lesson for anyone who wants to come and see what it’s all about. Please
contact me for more information regarding this preview.
Summer 2011
Volume 22, Issue 6
Page 12
Mission Trip
.
.
The Pittsburgh Project
Cut this out and stick it to your
refrigerator so you know what’s
coming up.
When? August 7th – 11th
Where? 2801 North Charles Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15214
.
.
The Pittsburgh Project's campus is nestled in
a residential
neighborhood on Pittsburgh’s North Side, across from Fowler Park and
Pool, which they operate. The facilities include a three-story converted
school building that houses the offices and classroom space, a renovated
former church Sanctuary which seats up to 275 people under sweeping
arched-glass windows, and features a full sound and video system, and a
recently-constructed Guesthouse, an environmentally "green" facility that
sleeps 280 in dormitory-style bunkrooms and 44 more in furnished suites.
The staff members provide meals, lodging, construction materials, and
tools. They also establish contact with homeowners, set up the worksites
ahead of time, and provide technical guidance on site. They will train our
group’s participants in safety guidelines and lead morning and evening
activities.
Upcoming Youth
Events
th
June 25
7:45 a.m. at Church
Arrive at Ohiopyle at 10:00 a.m.
Use biking and white water rafting
to experience God’s amazing and
beautiful creation.
th
July 24
Water Wars
3:00 p.m. at Plum Creek Church
Fun in the sun!!
What will we be doing?
We will spend our 5 days in service to the city’s elderly, poor, shut-in,
widowed, and disabled, addressing home repair needs. Projects
usually include painting, drywalling, carpentry, and yardwork. They
often include minor plumbing or masonry tasks, building wheelchair
ramps, fortifying retaining walls, or replacing doors, floors, and
windows. You’ll see the difference you’ve made by the end of
your week. You’ll know that God worked through the relationships
you’ve built and the work you’ve labored to finish.
I am so excited for our group to experience this awesome opportunity.
There are still spaces available, so please contact me for more
information.
th
th
August 7 – 11
Pittsburgh Project Mission Trip
An awesome opportunity to help
our surrounding community, make
new friends, and grow closer to
Christ.
th
September 10
Youth Group Kick-Off
Disco Dance Party
6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Groove the night away in your best
70’s/80’s clothes.
Disco Dance Party!
Let’s get GrOoVy! To welcome all of the new youth (going into 7th grade),
and the returning youth, we will be holding a Disco Dance Party! The
surrounding churches’ youth groups will be invited to celebrate along with
us. We will have pizza and snacks, along with music and 80’s decorations.
Here’s the fun part: Dress in your best 70’s/80’s costume and you could
have a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the mall.
Come and show off your best disco moves, meet some new friends, and
enjoy free snacks and refreshments.
When? September 10th (Saturday)
Where? Plum Creek Church
The fun will start at 6:00 p.m. and end at 10:00 p.m.
Summer 2011
Volume 22, Issue 6
Page 13
Final Thoughts on Youth Ministry
Tori is extremely excited for the upcoming events that we will be holding for the Youth Group. There are many
more exciting events coming up which will be in the next newsletter. Here is a list of things that will be included in
the next newsletter:
• October Corn Maze
• Living Nativity
• Fundraising Information
• Winter Retreat
• Calendar and List for Fall Youth Group
~~Tori Campbell
Director of Youth Ministries
412-913-6693
[email protected]
Youth Group is still being held every Sunday night until June 5th. Look in the bulletin for
information regarding Oasis.
************************************************************************************************
Friends –
It’s summertime and sometimes we forget to “stop and smell the roses”! Spiritual growth comes from
our spiritual disciplines – reading and studying Scripture, prayer, fasting, worship, etc. Any activity that
allows the Spirit of Christ to lead us helps our spiritual growth. Take time this summer to spend an hour
or two doing just ONE of these things below that you create time to allow Christ’s Spirit to work in and
through you in a new way…and ENJOY it!
• Write a song, poem or parable (Ephesians 5:19)
• Invent or choreograph a dance to a Christian song or hymn (become “undignified like David – 2
Samuel 6:22)
• Create your own Holy-Day (holiday) that means something to your faith growth (Psalm 99:5)
• Write a letter to the Lord – tell him EVERYTHING! (1 John 2)
• Take a hike, boat ride, canoe paddle, kayak to see God’s creation in a new way (Matthew 14:13)
• Find ten different “life forms” outside your house (flowers you’ve planted don’t count!) (Luke 12:27)
• Visit the zoo to see God’s creatures (the tiger cubs are fun to watch!) or make a bird feeder (Psalm
104:27)
• Go to a ball game (yes, Christ can work there, too!) (Genesis 1: In the big-inning…groan here)
• Learn a new hobby (knitting, crocheting, woodworking, gardening…this is a limitless possibility!) or
just doodle with colored pencils or crayons (Ecclesiastes 11:6)
Friends, let Christ’s Spirit do something fun in you this summer – and be sure to journal about your
experience of Christ so you can share with us what he did for you!
Blessings on your summer,
Summer 2011
Pastor Brenda
Volume 22, Issue 6
Page 14