September 2018

Christ United Church of Christ, 1414 Ligonier Street

Worship Services for September 2018

9/2 - Sunday Morning Worship, 11:00 AM, Holy Communion

9/9, 9/16, 9/23, 9/30 - Sunday Morning Worship, 11:00 AM

Sunday, September 9 - Rally Day

Sunday, September 16 - Ordination of Shirley Musick

3:00 PM with dinner following in Fellowship Hall

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey you are welcome here.

Concerns of the Congregation Please pray for: Family of Katie Baker, who passed away, Marcie Baker, Scott

Barr, Kristen Disciascio, Barry Harr, Pam Hedman, Rosella Holzer, Treasure Keys,

Ron King, Zoe Klug, Leanne Lehosky, Donna Lenz, Lorraine Mickinack, Patrick

Miller, Emily Murray, Brian Musick, Joan Musick, Bob and Evelyn Neighly, Betty

Newman, Duane Noel, Richard Porembka, Joyce Puzak, Louise Quitko, Shirley Robb, Bailey

Robinson, Emily, Eva and Graeme Sautter, Terri Selembo and Lori Cramer, Jean Sheffler, Judith

Short, Ken Sible, Laken Smith, Rick Stahl, Kathleen Swartz, Ray Wible,

Bob Zeiders, Frank Zook.

Praying the roll: Everyone on the church roster will have a turn at experiencing the comfort and

peace of intentional prayer. We are family . . . .and families pray for one another! Please keep

these families in your thoughts and prayers for the entire week.

Week of September 2 - Sarah Moyer, Randall Murray, Brian and Shirley Musick

Week of September 9 - Joan Musick, Jodi Musick, Evelyn and Bob Neighly

Week of September 16 - Rosella Nessmith, Betty Newman, Harvey Noel

Week of September 23 - Jim and Karen O’Connor, Dorthy Paulovich, Sandy and Blaise Pezek

Week of September 30 - Bonnie Pickle, Dorothy Piper, Louise Quitko

We especially hold in prayer the Family of Russell Upholster

who passed away on July 4, 2018 and

The Family of Reatha Young, who passed away on August 10, 2018

USHERS LIST - September September 2 - Sally Walker and Harvey Noel

September 9 - Jim and Elena Sillaman

September 16 - Rich Baker and Art Dira

September 23 - Bob and Carolyn Stutzman

September 30 - Marsha Ackerman and Larry Staruk

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO THE USHER LIST, SEE SALLY WALKER

OR CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE

GREETERS LIST - September September 2 -

September 9 - Ellen and Wayne Sautter

September 16 - Needed Art Dira

September 23 -

September 30 -

Communion Servers for Sunday, September 2 Elder/Assistant … Kenny Repko, Loretta Staruk

Deacons/Main Servers … Gerry Boring, Rick Kunkle, Don Burd, Elena Sillaman

Deacon/Auxillary Server. . .Loretta Staruk

A Message From Pastor Dick

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be ac-

ceptable in Your sight O Lord, our God, our strength and Redeemer?” Do

those words sound familiar? I begin each sermon with this prayer which

is a continuation of my prayer before sermon preparation. Oh! You

thought my sermons began with jokes or amusing stories. That’s just to

get you ready with a positive feeling before we get to the good news of

the gospel. Did you also notice that you are included in the prayer, “the

meditation of our hearts? I look forward to your participation in the

sermon.

The entire worship experience is a participation of all present. Worship is not like TV where

we watch and are entertained. We respond in the Call to Worship. We pray together the con-

fession, and we respond to the Assurance of Pardon with the Gloria. You respond to the hear-

ing of the scriptures and the Gospel. After you’ve heard the word of God in the reading of

the scripture and the sermon you respond to the Lord with your offering. The offering is a

symbol of our lives dedicated to the Lord. When the ushers bring the offering forward, while

you respond with the Doxology, they are symbolically bringing your dedicated life to God.

You are always welcomed to respond to all prayers with a sincere “Amen”. Sometimes I re-

mind you by ending a prayer with “and the people said”.

So you see, you are an active part of worship, not only singing hymns but throughout the en-

tire service. Come and worship. Come and join in the conversation with our Lord.

See you in church. God bless,

Pastor Dick

THE JOURNEY www.thejourneygirlz.net

Please continue to pray for Terri Selembo and

Lori Cramer. A note from Lori told us that they

needed to cut the trip a bit short. Terri was experi-

encing some problems so they made a trip to her

doctor in Arizona while they were in Colorado. Terri

had a scan and needs to start treatment again. They

did say that they did get to every National Park and

monument they had planned to visit. They said they

had an incredible journey and ask for your continued

prayers.

A Note from Julie

I am so glad that it is time for the fall schedule to

begin here at Christ United Church of Christ!

It was a busy summer musically, here at church, and I would like to

thank all of the people who were kind enough to share their musical

talents with the congregation. I greatly appreciated it and I know from

the kind words, the congregation also enjoyed it.

The adult choir has begun to practice and we are rehearsing every

Thursday night at 7:30 at the church. We practice in the choir loft.

I would really like to encourage anyone who feels the spirit moving

them, to join us. Just come and give choir a try. You do not have to read music. All you need is a

desire to praise God through song.

The bell choir will be starting rehearsals after Labor Day. There will be an announcement on the

weekly bulletin sheet concerning the day bell rehearsals start. Practice was at 6:30 last year on

Thursday evenings and I think that's what it is going to be this season. Bells are a lot of fun to

play. Again, you do not have to be able to read music to play. Come and join us!

I have chosen a Christmas Cantata for the 2018 Christmas season. It is called, "Night of Mira-

cles". It is an SATB cantata that beautifully tells the story of the prophecy and birth of Jesus

through text and song. I am looking forward to starting to rehearse the cantata with the choir. It

is a cantata that is dear to my heart and when I found it in our library, I knew immediately, it was

the cantata I wanted to work on this season.

I will be looking for narrators in a couple of months, so if you are inclined, let me know!

The choir will also be singing on Sunday, September 16th for Pastor Shirley's ordination here at

Christ Church.

Praise God for all the opportunities that He has given us to share our music!

"Where words fail, music speaks"! Andersen

Join us, won't you, and be part of the music as we praise our Almighty God on Sunday

mornings!

THANK YOU to all who donated clothing to the Harvest

Assembly Outreach. The response was overwhelming. So many

people were blessed by your giving.

Ordination of Shirley Musick

September 16 at 3:00 PM at Christ Church

Come celebrate with us as Shirley Musick is ordained by

the Westmoreland Association to the Ministry of Word

and Sacrament on Sunday, September 16 at 3:00 PM in

the sanctuary of Christ United Church of Christ. Shirley

has accepted a call to be the next settled Pastor of Trinity

United Church of Christ in Greensburg.

Shirley is a life-long member of Christ Church and re-

sides in Latrobe with her husband, Brian and her daugh-

ter, Jodi.

All are invited to join the celebration as Shirley is or-

dained. Rev. David Ackerman will be preaching and we

will also be hosting several other pastors from the West-

moreland Association.

There will be a dinner following the ordination that will be hosted by Christ Church.

Make your dinner reservation by emailing christchurchucc@verizon.net or calling the

church office at 724-537-4901.

Search Committee Update

During July and August the Search Committee reviewed two new

ministerial profiles, contacted references, conducted phone interviews

with the two candidates and a personal interview with one candidate. The

committee asks for your prayers as it continues through the discernment

process.

September 9 is Rally Day

A brief overview of classes will be given before the service.

Please stay for light refreshments following the service to

celebrate our education opportunities. Plan to join one of the

classes listed on the following page. Everyone is welcome.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION UPDATE

Sunday School for Children

The new material is All in One Sunday School for ages 4 through

12. The bible-based lessons include special material for seasons

and holidays. Take home handouts will be given to the children.

Sunday School will be offered on the second and fourth Sundays

after the children's sermon. The dates for September are the 9th and the 23rd.

Postcards will be sent to the families of Sunday School age children the first week in

September.

Wednesday morning bible study continues each week at 10:00 AM. We are studying

‘The Books of the Bible.’ New members are always welcome.

Wednesday evening bible study will resume on Wednesday, September 5 at 6:30 PM un-

til 8:00 PM with a study on “Meeting Jesus.” Please come join us!

Adult Sunday School begins on September 9. The class will read and discuss “If Grace

is True” by Philip and James Mulhalland McGulley. Rev. Wayne Sautter will lead the

discussion.

Rally Day is scheduled for September 9. A brief overview of education opportunities

will be announced before the service. Light refreshments will be served after the

service.

Worship, Fun, Food and Fellowship

Picnic 2018

CHRIST CHURCH’S BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP will meet on Tuesday, September

11 - 11:00 AM - The book discussion is Under the Wide and Starry

Sky by Nancy Horan - This novel tells the improbable love story of

Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson and his tempestuous American

wife, Fanny. Upcoming readings - On Tuesday, October 9 - 11:00

AM - The Opposite of Hate by Sally Kohn and on Tuesday, November 13 - 11:00 AM -

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman.

BIENVEUE will meet on the first Wednesday of each month at

12:30 PM. On September 5 we will meet at Jioio’s on Route 981 in

Latrobe. On October 3, we will gather at Eat’n Park in Mountain Laurel

Plaza, Latrobe. All the ladies of the Church are welcome.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED to help with Senior Food

Distribution on Tuesday, September 25

at 8:30 AM. Thanks so much for your help as always.

MINISTERIUM FOOD ITEMS FOR SEPTEMBER

The Greater Latrobe Ministerium asks churches to donate items for the

Food Pantry distributions each month. The needed item for September is

toothpaste. Thank you so much for your generosity. A box is in the sanc-

tuary to collect these items.

SUPPER CLUB! Christ Church has formed a monthly supper club for all

foodies to enjoy good food and great fellowship! Each month, we will meet for dinner at

a different local eatery. All are

welcome. Please join us for good food, lively conversation and

Christian fellowship. On September 21, the Supper Club will

meet at Giannilli’s II on Route 30 at 6:00 PM. All are wel-

come. Please let Pastor Dick know if you are going to attend.

Email him at rseigfried@msn.com or call the church office at

724-537-4901.

Lay Life and Mission Committee Update

BABY BOTTLE CAMPAIGN 2018

The Lay Life and Mission Committee has chosen to promote the Life-Way Preg-

nancy Center as the mission of the month in September and October. The center

has provided plastic baby bottles for us to take home and fill with loose change or

folding money. Life-Way provides life affirming alternatives, pregnancy and par-

enting support and social/community referrals. Save your change to help change the lives of

the women in our community. Please take a baby bottle and fill it with your loose change

and return it by the end of October. This campaign not only helps to raise funds, but it also

helps to raise awareness in our surrounding communities as to the work that is being done.

Look for the baby bottles in the back of the church.

FLEA MARKET / BOOK SALE

THANK YOU to everyone who brought in books

and flea market items for the Annual Flea Market

and Book Sale. To all who helped with the set up

and the Saturday sale, “Job Well Done.” The Lay

Life and Mission Committee sponsors this event,

but it is a whole Church event and one of the larger

fund raisers for the year. We are happy to an-

nounce that the total amount raised from the

2018 Flea Market and Book Sale was $1,964.13.

We extend a special Thank You to the ladies of

St. John’s, Darlington for coming with delicious food and home made baked goods that

were enjoyed by both shoppers and workers. St. John’s brought in a profit of $202. which

they in turn donated to the Flea Market Book Sale of Christ Church.

SAVE THE DATE!

October Soup and Salad Bar

The last soup and salad bar of the season will be held on Wednesday, October

10. As always, there will be delicious food. Mark your calendars and be sure to

attend this event of food and fellowship. See you there!

CONTACT US Newsletter Editor, Loretta Staruk - 724-879-8631 - cocoakitty2001@gmail.com

Administrative Assistant, Caryn Dettling

Church Email: christchurchucc@verizon.net

Church Office Phone: 724-537-4901

Christ UCC Website - www.ucclatrobe.org

ARTICLES FOR THE OCTOBER NEWSLETTER ARE DUE ON

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

Please send to cocoakitty2001@gmail.com or give to Loretta Staruk

HELP SUPPORT CHRIST UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST MISSIONS

WITH A $5.00 DONATION!

This beautiful quilt is on display in the Chapel.

When you make your donation, place your name

and phone number on one of the slips of paper

along with $5.00 (per name) and put it into the

container.

A name will be pulled from the box on Novem-

ber 1st and someone will receive this fall quilt.

(You can place your name/phone number and

$5.00 into the box as many times as you want.

Remember, $5.00 per name) Thank you!

Neighbors in Need (NIN) is a special mission offering of the

UCC that supports ministries of jus-

tice and compassion throughout the

United States. One-third of NIN

funds support the Council for Ameri-

can Indian Ministry (CAIM). Two-

thirds of the offering is used by the

UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries

(JWM) to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects

through grants. The NIN offering will be collected on Sunday, October 7, World Communion

Sunday.

THANK YOU!!!! Below is a copy of a letter written by one of the youth who attended the

Regional Youth Event at California University in July. Rev. Dave Mears, who worked with

the youth, describes this as an amazing event where the lives of young people were changed.

They engaged in incredible workshops, did service work and were stirred by incredible

speakers and preachers and praised God! Pastor Dave thanks you for your generosity and he

want you to know that these young people truly appreciate the gift they received!.

Christ Church Consistory Geraldine Boring Kenny Repko

Don Burd Elena Sillaman

Art Dira Loretta Staruk, Secretary

Judy Holden , Vice President Carolyn Stutzman, President

Rick Kunkle

September 2018 Church Calendar

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2 11:00 AM Worship

Holy Communion

3 Labor Day

Church Office Closed

4 6:30 PM Lay Life

and Mission

5 10:00 AM Bible

Study

12:30 PM Bienvenue at

Jioio’s

6:30 PM Evening Bible Study

7:00 PM Long

Range Planning

6 7:30 PM

Chancel Choir

7

8

9 11:00 AM Worship

Rally Day

Children’s

Sunday School

Worship and

Music following worship

10 6:30 PM

Consistory

11 11:00 AM Book

Discussion

12 10:00 AM Bible

Study

6:30 PM Evening Bible Study

13 7:30 PM

Chancel Choir

14

15 Penn West

Conference Women’s Retreat

*Newsletter

Deadline

16 11:00 AM Worship

Baptism

3:00 PM

Ordination of Shirley Musick

Penn West

Conference Women’s Retreat

17

18

19 10:00 AM Bible

Study

6:30 PM Evening Bible Study

20 7:30 PM

Chancel Choir

21 6:00 PM Supper

Club at Giannilli’s II

22

23 11:00 AM Worship

Children’s

Sunday School

24

25 8:30 AM Senior

Food Bank

26 10:00 AM Bible

Study

6:30 PM Evening Bible Study

27 7:30 PM

Chancel Choir

28

29

30 11:00 AM Worship

Mission Statement: To reflect Christ’s love in everything we do

Vision Statement: Not our will, but God’s

September 2018 Prayer Calendar

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Go before us, O Lord, in all our doings with Your most gracious favor and further us with Your continual help; that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in You, we may glorify Your holy name and finally by Your mercy obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Adapted from the Book of Common Prayer – (1662)

1 Pray and give thanks for those willing to serve on school boards.

2 Pray for parents of school children.

3 Labor Day – pray for

the unemployed.

4 Pray for those whose daily work is hard or monotonous.

5 Pray for wisdom for those whose professions call for accurate skill and critical decision making.

6 Pray for those who are taking their first steps in their skill, trade or

profession.

7 Lift up school support staff – teaching assistants, secretaries, custodians, and food service workers.

8 Pray for those who endeavor to stop bullying in schools.

9 Remember Pastor Dick and his family in prayer.

10 Lift up the leaders of the church in prayer.

11 Pray for those who are in abusive relationships.

12 Pray for those who are struggling with teenage rebellion and self-will.

13 Pray for those who work long hours.

14 Remember those who are under stress at work.

15 Pray for those learning to walk again.

16 Pray for those struggling to find God in this world.

17 Pray for students struggling to pay for school.

18 Lift up those who have provided support to you in times of need.

19 Pray for all who teach children about God.

20 Praise God for the lovely countryside around us.

21 Keep the members of St. John’s in prayer today.

22 Ask for strength and reassurance for those who are bringing up families.

23 First Day of Autumn Praise God for the beauty of the seasons

24 Pray for those with no access to Bibles.

25 Pray for students who struggle in school.

26 Pray for those who recently lost jobs.

27 Remember the choir and those who share their musical talents for God.

28 Pray for those who struggle to pay their bills.

29 Pray for those seeking discernment about a job.

30 Pray that God will surround our children and schools with God’s protection.