March 2015
A NOTE FROM THE PASTOR
“Must Jesus bear the cross alone, and all the world go free?
No; there’s a cross for everyone, and there’s a cross for me.”
Thomas Shepherd wrote those words to reflect the passage in Matthew 16:24…”Anyone who would follow me must take up their cross.”
During the season of Lent we focus much of our attention on the cross of Christ. Perhaps that is not always a good thing. Perhaps we might need to take time and ask ourselves, “what is the cross I am asked to carry?”
Some confuse a cross with a burden. A burden is something you have to do because that is just the nature of life. Some things are more difficult than others. But, a cross is something we intentionally take upon ourselves because we know it is the right thing to do, even if it is far from the easy thing to do.
Lent is a time of self-reflection so it is appropriate for us to raise the question of just what is God in Christ asking me to do that perhaps I’d rather not do? Perhaps it is a change in our attitude towards others. Or a need to seek forgiveness from someone we have wronged in word or in deed. It might even be that we are being called to be more consistent with our worship attendance and our private time of devotions. If Shepherd is correct than what is the cross for you and me?
Your Pastor and Friend in Christ,
Dr. Dan
WORSHIP THEMES FOR MARCH, 2015
March 1st SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT
“Promises, Promises”
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 Romans 4:13-25 Mark 8:31-38
March 8th THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT
“Rules, Power, and Worship”
Exodus 20:1-17 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 John 2:13-22
March 15th FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
“Three Personalities of Faith”
Numbers 21:4-9 Ephesians 2:1-10 John 2:13-22
March 22nd FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT
Re. William White Preaching”
March 29th PALM/PASSION SUNDAY
“Anointing and Palm Branches”
Isaiah 50:4-9a Philippians 2:5-11 Mark 14:1-11
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
The monthly breakfast will begin at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday, March 1. We will also be celebrating February birthdays and anniversaries. After breakfast – why not try out a Sunday School class?
FOOD PANTRY
Our collection for the Ellwood City Ministerium Food Bank will be on Sunday, March 1. Donations of food and paper products are greatly appreciated. Donations can be left in the narthex. Please see Dr. Dan is you would be willing to take a turn delivering the donations to the food bank.
HUMANITARIAN FUND
Our monthly collection for the humanitarian fund will be held on Sunday, March 1. All loose monies in the offering are given to this fund, which is used by the pastor to help those in need. The balance is currently around $500.
LENTEN DINNERS
We will be having Lenten dinners during March beginning at 6 p.m. The schedule is as follows:
- Wednesday, March 4: The Congregational Life and Mission Committees will be preparing a pasta meal.
- Wednesday, March 11: The Building and Grounds and Finance Committees will be preparing a pizza meal.
Plan now to attend.
INDOOR YARD SALE
Are you looking for something to do? Plan to come to the church on Saturday, March from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for our first indoor yard sale. Tables have been reserved by people selling great items. See Kristin Minkus for more information on tables. Delicious food will be served from the kitchen. See Cindy Rosaci for more information on donating or volunteering your time. A bake sale table will also have a great variety of bake goods. So – come that day to shop, buy bake goods, eat lunch, donate some time and know that you are helping to raise money to pay back the roof loan.
COMMITTEES AND SESSION
The next committee meetings will be held on Sunday, March 8 following the worship service. A lunch is provided. Session members will gather at 1 p.m.
COOKIE TIME
It’s soldier cookie collection time again. The soldiers enjoy receiving homemade cookies from home. We will be wrapping cookies on Sunday, March 8 following the worship service. A lunch is provided. Help from ALL ages is greatly appreciated. This will be our last collection until the fall.
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
A special offering will be received on March 29th for One Great Hour of Sharing. Please read the weekly Bulletin inserts prayerfully and be prepared to respond generously.
Financial Report
(Through January)
Year to date received $6,231.94
Year to date expenses $5,981.26 (+250.68)
1. We have lost approximately $5,000 in giving over the last five years through death but our giving has improved and the church family has been faithful. We have been able to pay our missions in full, work on the roof project and increase salaries. We were $1,200 in the red at the end of January 2014 but are $250.68 to the good at the end of January 2015. Thank you for your generous support!
2. We continue to make monthly roof loan payments to the Presbytery office. We have received donations of $13,957.56 through February 8. Thank you for your faithful support!
3. The 2015 Per Capita apportionment breakdown is as follows:
Presbytery of Shenango $28.06
Synod of the Trinity 2.20
General Assembly 7.07
Total Apportionment $37.33
The total amount due for our congregation is $4,852.90.
COMFORTING THE BEREAVED SERVICE
It can be difficult when you lose a loved one. Your church family is here to support you in many ways.
A few years ago we began a time of “comforting the bereaved service”. We as a church family come together at your first visitation time at the funeral home and offer a time of support through scripture and prayer. A grapevine cross is also presented to the family.
How can you receive this? Call Clerk of Session Cindy Rosaci (724-758-6785) and let her know that you would like us to come to the funeral home and she will make the arrangements with the board of elders and deacons. We are also trying to pass the arrangements through the prayer chain to involve all church members. Please let Cindy know if you would her to call you also.
QUILT FOR SALE
Our quilter’s have been busy! They have pieced and quilted a log cabin design quilt. The quilt is 7’8” by 68” and is on display in the narthex. They are selling the quilt for $225 with the proceeds to be given to the roof fund. Please see Helen Blinn or call the church office for more information.
WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK
The church has had a facebook account for some time. Are you a friend? Check it out at Wurtemburg Presbyterian Church.
We recently began a website. It is still a work in progress but check it out at www.wurtemburgpresbyterianchurch.com