Author: Pastor Bob Schaefer

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Are you ready for some baseball fun? ⚾

We are excited to invite you to join us for a special outing on Sunday June 11, 2023, at 1:35 pm. We will be cheering on the Pirates as they face the New York Mets at the beautiful PNC Park. ⚾

This is a great opportunity to enjoy some fellowship and family time with your church community. Plus, it’s Kids’ Day, which means there will be lots of activities and giveaways for the little ones. 🎁

We have reserved a lower-level block of seats so we can all cheer together. The tickets are only $31 each and include $10 for a hot dog, chips, a drink, or whatever concessions you like. 🌭

But hurry, because we have a limited number of tickets and they are going fast. If you want to join us, please fill out a registration form and return it with your payment to the church office or Laura Mauser by May 10th.

Don’t miss this chance to have a blast with your church family and support our hometown team. Go Pirates! 🏴‍☠️

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Fun and faith come together in the annual Easter egg hunt

We had a wonderful time at our church’s annual Easter egg hunt last Sunday. It was a joy to see so many children and families participate in this fun and meaningful event – the Fellowship Hall was packed with over 200 people!

We want to thank everyone who helped make it possible: the volunteers who hid the eggs, the donors who provided the candy and prizes, the team who organized the activities, and of course, the parents and kids who joined us.

The Easter egg hunt is more than just a game. It is a way to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again on the third day. The eggs symbolize the new life that we have in him. The candy and prizes remind us of the gifts that he gives us. The activities help us learn more about his love and grace.

We hope that you had a great time at the Easter egg hunt and that you felt the presence of God in your lives. We invite you to join us again for our regular Suday services and other events throughout the year. We are a family of faith that welcomes everyone with open arms. Thank you for being part of our church community. God bless you!

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Prayer Vigil shifts are still available

We invite you to join us in our Holy Week prayer vigil, a time of reflection and devotion to prepare for Easter. Shifts are still available on Saturday and Sunday for those who wish to participate in this sacred experience. Please sign up online or contact the church office to reserve your spot. Thank you for your commitment and faithfulness!

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It’s Holy Week – spend some time in worship and prayer

As we enter the most sacred time of the year, we nvite you to join our church family for Holy Week worship and the prayer vigil. Holy Week is the final week of Lent, when we remember the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

On Palm Sunday, April 2, we celebrated Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem with a procession of palms.

On Maundy Thursday, April 6 at 7 pm, we will commemorate Jesus’ last supper with his disciples and his commandment to love one another with a service of Holy Communion.

On Good Friday, April 7 at 7 pm, we will meditate on Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross with a Tenebrae service of readings, prayers and hymns.

On Easter Sunday, April 9 at 10:30 am, we will rejoice in Jesus’ victory over sin and death with a festive service of praise and thanksgiving. All our services will be livestreamed on YouTube.

In addition to these worship services, we also invite you to participate in our prayer vigil from 8:00 pm on Good Friday to 10:00 am on Easter Sunday. During this time, we will keep a continuous prayer chain in our prayer chapel, praying for our church, our community and our world. You can sign up for a 60-minute slot online or by calling the church office. Shifts are available for much of Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning. This is a wonderful opportunity to deepen your relationship with God and to intercede for others in need.

We hope you will join us for this meaningful journey through Holy Week. May God bless you and your loved ones as we prepare to celebrate the mystery of our salvation.

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Pray with us this Holy Week

As we enter into the the holiest time of the church year, many of us are searching for ways to deepen our spiritual journey and connect more deeply with our faith. One such opportunity is the Holy Week prayer vigil, a time of quiet reflection and renewal held in our prayer chapel.

Introspective and moving.
A renewal for all.

Michele, past participant

Beginning after the Good Friday worship and running until Easter morning, the prayer vigil offers a sacred space for individuals and families to spend time in prayer and contemplation. Our attendants are present during nighttime shifts to ensure the comfort and security of all participants.

In the prayer chapel, a variety of prayer resources are available, including hymnals, devotionals, and other materials to help guide your spiritual journey. We also provide a private restroom and light refreshments for your convenience.

This is a time for quiet reflection and renewal, a time to step away from the busyness of life and connect more deeply with God. Whether you come alone or with a friend, the transformative power of prayer is waiting for you in our prayer chapel.

We invite you to sign up for a one-hour shift and experience the grace and beauty of this sacred space. Allow prayer to transform your heart and spirit during this holy season of Lent, and discover new strength and renewal for the journey ahead.

Join us for the Holy Week prayer vigil and find solace, peace, and grace in the transformative power of prayer.

Learn More and Sign Up
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Announcements

Special council meeting called

The church council has called a special meeting of the council for Monday, March 13 at 8:00 p.m. on Zoom. The sole item of business will be to consider a proposal by Golden Triangle Construction of Pittsburgh to rent our eastern parking lot along Old William Penn Highway and the community garden terrace, as well as to place clean fill in designated sections of our property. Golden Triangle is managing a construction project on Business 22 this summer and next summer.

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Lent and Easter 2023 schedule

purple leaf
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

We are pleased to announce our schedule for Lent and Easter:

40 Days of Lent

Ash Wednesday – February 22

11:30am – 1:30pmAshes to Go (Drive-In Style)
7:00pmWorship w/Holy Communion and Imposition of Ashes

Every Week During Lent

Daily Prayer on YouTube
Daily Devotional from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Weekly devotional activities in your Lenten booklet

Palm Sunday – April 2

10:30amWorship w/Holy Communion

Maundy Thursday – April 6

7:00pmWorship w/Holy Communion

Good Friday – April 7

7:00pmGood Friday worship

Prayer Vigil – April 7-9

Learn more…

Easter

Easter Egg Hunt

Learn more…

Easter Sunday – April 9

10:30amFestive Worship w/Holy Communion
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Upcoming Youth and Family Events

Here are several upcoming events for youth and their families. You can check our Calendar of Events at any time for all the goings-on at church!

  • February 5th   –  Pre-k thru 5th Grade Sunday School – immediately following worship
  • February 12th –  Middle/High School Sunday School – Time TBD
  • February 19th –  Pre-k thru 5th Grade Sunday School/Pretzel Sunday – immediately following worship 
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Announcements

Annual Meeting and Refreshments, January 29

Our 2023 Annual Meeting will be held Sunday, January 29, 2023 following the 10:30 worship service. Refreshments and fellowship will be offered in the Fellowship Hall after our work is complete. Copies of the Annual Report are available at the church, or you can email the office to request a digital copy. If you’re attending online, please use the worship Zoom link to join.

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Special meeting of council called for Monday, January 23

people discuss about graphs and rates
Photo by fauxels on Pexels.com

A special meeting of the Congregation Council has been called for Monday, January 23, 2023 at 8:00 pm. The meeting will be held on Zoom. The purpose of the meeting is to consider the offer we have negotiated with our prospective buyer, as authorized by the congregation.