The Christian faith has a wide variety of symbols by which it is identified. On the front of our newsletter is one of the most ancient and iconic the Chi-Rho. The Chi-Rho is at the heart of each cross that hangs front and center in the Christ Church Sanctuary, Wilson Hall, and Oliver Chapel. Also, at the center of the Christ Church crest is the Chi-Rho. So, you might ask, What is it, what does it mean, and where does it come from?

The Chi-Rho was created by taking two letters of the Greek alphabet Chi X and Rho P, and joining them as a single symbol,

Why do that? X and P are the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ. The CH (Chi) and the R (P), therefore, as they are blended together, stand for Christ in Greek XPISTOS.

On the evening of October 27, 312 AD, the Emperor of Rome, Constantine I, saw a vision in the sky of The Cross and heard the words, Conquer in this sign! Later that night Constantine had a dream in which he was commanded to use the sign on the shields of his army. He obeyed and marked the shields with a sign denoting Christ. This event marks the conversion of Constantine and thereby the beginning of the Christianization of the Roman Empire. The Chi-Rho was later placed on the banners of the Roman armies of Constantine, and on the minted coinage of Constantine. The Chi-Rho then entered into the traditional Christian symbolism as standing for Christ.

The Front Cover. As we move toward the 20th anniversary celebration of Christ Church, we are anticipating a whole new and exciting surge of energy and ministry! The Chi-Rho (Christ) symbol with the doves bursting out beyond its borders and taking flight up, up and away, signifies our prayers and hopes for the Holy Spirit of God to take our lives and witness to joyful new horizons! Let us pray for it and go for it!

Your brother in Christ,

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Christ Church News

If you would like to be a contributing writer or photographer for Christ Church News, contact Nancy Kramer at 412-741-4900, ext. 156 or nkramer@ccgf.org.

Editor: Nancy Kramer Design: Michele Bender

Contributing Writers: Rev. Doug Raraigh, Marie Britsch, Darlene Greico, Kathy Klein Joshua Mordern, Charlotte Gerdes, Janet Long, Jayme Barone

Labarum of Constantine I Coinage of 337 AD

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S inging in the choir has given me a wonderful opportunity to utilize my talents to serve the Lord and be a blessing to others. This past December, our choir had the privilege of singing Christmas music at the Wintergarden in PPG Place. I felt so amazed at the great turnout, and it was a lot of fun to know that those in attendance were enjoying our music and witnessing the message of Christ. This kind of experience is the reason I always look forward to rehearsal and singing on Sunday. It brings me great joy to worship the Lord with music alongside others who are passionate for Him. I am very thankful for the choir ministry! - Joshua Morden

S inging in the church choir is a special ministry for me. I have been involved in this ministry since my teen years. I was also involved as a teacher/director of primary and junior age children's choirs. There are times in everyone's lives when stress, worries, etc., trouble the soul. I discovered to my delight that choir practice becomes the vehicle for release as we sing the praises and adoration to our Lord over and over again. Yes, there are technicalities to perfect, but there is so much more as the words reach into our hearts and minds. Our

worship and music pastor always has words of wisdom and compassion for us from God's Word. The choir becomes a place of cohesion and fellowship as we share our needs and prayer requests and praises. Singing praises and helping to lead worship is a God-given privilege. We all extend a warm welcome to new and returning singers. Come and join in the giving and receiving of blessings. -Charlotte Gerdes

M usic has been important to me throughout my life. My personal experience with sacred music has been a mainstay of my spiritual life since I first sang in church choirs in fifth grade. Music touches my soul, livens my emotions, and by doing so enhances my worship. To praise God as I sing, especially in such a fine choir as we have at Christ Church, lifts my spirit, and I think, the spirits of the others who sing, and all those who listen. It is powerful to become part of corporate worship in this way, for me personally, and I believe for the whole congregation. Christ Church is blessed to have vibrant, spirit- filled music in the Sanctuary services. The variety and quality of music that is sung and played touches the hearts of a wide spectrum of people. I am very glad to have Keith as the director of the choir, who is directly responsible for this superb music ministry. He does it so well. But more than that, as the spiritual leader of the choir and praise team, Keith connects the music to the Word. He helps us understand and express the music so that our offering

conveys, as well as we are able, the love, glory, and majesty of God. - Janet Long

F or as long as I can remember, music has been a part of my life. As a child, I sat every Sunday listening to my mother play the piano in church. As I myself became involved in music, and later went on to receive a music degree at Grove City College, I always felt that God wanted me to serve in music ministry wherever and whenever possible. I first came to Christ Church at Grove Farm in 2007 as a senior with my college choir. The next year I moved to Pittsburgh and began visiting regularly, and quickly became involved in both the chancel choir and playing trumpet in the praise band. Joining the choir and praise band gave me the opportunity to meet people, have fellowship, use my passion for music, and most importantly serve my King in a unique and specific way. I felt, and continue to feel, fulfillment both from giving back to the Lord and from being such an integral part of our worship services. We are to live our lives as an act of worship, but there truly is no other worship experience quite like creating music with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. It is both a joy and a privilege. -Jayme Barone

JOIN

US

Choir rehearsals are

Thursday Nights at

7:00 pm in the

Choir Room. If you

would like to sing

with us, call

Pastor Keith Currie

at 412-741-4900,

ext. 147.

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Orphan Alliance

at Christ Church By Darlene Grieco

The Orphan Alliance of Southwestern Pennsylvania (OA of SWPA) is a group of local churches working together to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves, namely, the orphan, who is broadly defined as any vulnerable, at-risk or abandoned child or youth. We advocate for and support local and global efforts to make a difference for the orphan. The OA of SWPA meets once a month. Representatives like me then make the local church community aware of orphan ministry opportunities. Christ Church has two representatives who are part of the Orphan Alliance. I am an adoptive mom to a daughter from Ethiopia and have started a non-profit to assist the impoverished women and children in Ethiopia (www.SomethingBeautifulEthiopia.com).

The other representative is Donna Krebs, an adoptive mom of a sibling group of 3 from Columbia. We met years ago at an adoption small group in Monroeville, PA and are thrilled God has crossed our paths once again here at Christ Church.

For information on adoption, foster care, respite care, or just to have questions answered, please get in touch with us. You can reach Darlene at 724-538-0088 or grieco37@gmail.com. The Orphan Alliance will have ministry opportunities occasionally listed in the Weekly Updates, as well as orphan related information at the Welcome Center in the Commons.

Pure religion in the sight of God our Father is to take care of orphans and widows in distress and to keep oneself from being corrupted by the world. James 1:27

New Volunteer Missions Coordinator

By Kathy Klein

There are pivotal moments in life when choices determine our future path. For me one of these moments came in 1986 while I was attending a Bible study led by Holly Campbell at St. Stephens Church in Sewickley. Holly called us to lay our troubled pasts and sins at the foot of the cross and make a new or recommitment to Christ. I did, and He has led me on an amazing journey.

My husband and I owned and operated a business, called X-Cel Gymnastics for over 20 years. God grew our business to over 1,700 students and approximately 50 employees. I have been involved for 25 years at Choices Pregnancy Services, a pro-life organization that helps individuals make informed life choices, and provides free medical services and education. I have served as a hotline volunteer, counselor, chairman of the board for seven years, and development director. Our family became members at CCGF in 1998. I have been married for 30 years and have 3 children.

I have always wanted to be more involved in mission work, to help those who are in need, and to share the good news of Jesus Christ. My desire is for all to know the grace, forgiveness, hope, and salvation you can find through a personal relationship with Christ. God has prepared me for the position of Missions Coordinator at CCGF through my leadership experience in business and in a Christian non-profit organization. I am excited to see all that God has prepared for the future of the Christ Church missions programs.

My theme verse for this year is Joshua 1:9: This is my command- be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Business with Heart By Marie Britsch

Having been gifted with the abilities of business administration and public speaking, Cliff Cartwrights journey began as a businessman, but, having been raised and called to be a man of God, he struggled with incorporating the two until July 17, 2003. "My business life could no longer be separated from my spiritual life." With a Bachelor's degree in Theology, Cliff began a pastoral ministry in Clearfield County where he served for eight years helping young pastors in small churches learn how to thrive.

Though successful, he was disheartened by the ever-growing number of young pastors lacking direction and eventually leaving their churches. He was led back to Geneva College where he completed a Masters degree in order to diversify his areas of expertise with young adults, graduating in 2011. In March of 2012, the position of Recruiting Director was posted at the Christian Coalition Organization (CCO), and this is where we find Cliff joyfully serving today.

The CCO's mission is "Transforming College Students to Transform the World ". By interviewing, then training, selected individuals to serve in partnership as ministers on college/church campuses, CCO offers college students a full-time spiritual base with training, support, friendship, and a place to grow in faith. Cliff loves his work with CCO where he makes the most of his gift for business and love for the Lord.

Cliff partners with Brenda Roethlisberger and CCGFs College-Age Ministry. CCGF has chosen to partner with Cliff as he raises his own support for his mission work with CCO.

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Youth With A Mission By Rev. Doug Raraigh

On Saturday, March 7, 2015, 20 young people from the High School Ministry (HSM) of Christ Church at Grove Farm worshipped the Lord Jesus on top of Mt. Washington overlooking the city of Pittsburgh. They had every reason to worship. The Lord had just blessed them with an amazing day, viewing the city in a whole new light. The HSM that day had partnered with Youth With A Mission, more commonly known as YWAM. YWAM began in 1960 with a focus of getting teenagers involved in missions. They were met with much resistance, being told that teenagers were too young. Today, YWAM has more than 1,100 locations in 180 different countries with a staff of over 18,000! Over the last several years, the Pittsburgh chapter of YWAM has been established and growing. YWAM Pittsburgh is staffed by young missionaries, some from Pittsburgh, others from other US cities, and some from places like Australia, the Virgin Islands, and the Canadian Tundra. All of them have given up their lives for several years to teach teenagers how to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others through local and international missions. Our first stop with YWAM was a school for the children of many refugees who have been relocated to Pittsburgh. There, our teens learned that Pittsburgh is home to over 10,000 refugees who have been given three months to learn the language, get a job, and begin to pay back the

thousands of dollars it took to relocate their families to America. YWAM hosts this school for 50-100 children every Saturday. We learned that most of the particular children we were working with were Nepoli and from Hindu families, who believed in millions of gods, who were willing to pray to almost any object or thing. What a joy it was to watch our teens share the Gospel with these children. Elaina Sadd sat with a group of young girls and explained Christs sacrifice for them and the celebration and remembrance of that sacrifice through communion. Ryan Wager and Gretchen Eckert performed a silent dramatic experience of Christs death on the cross and Him breathing new life into those who accepted His message. Allison and Meredith Mawhinney, along with Jennie Morris, Rachel Koontz, and Rachel Leech, taught the passage on the Last Supper using pictures, since many of the children could not read English. Erik Fisher, along with others, led sports and games for the children. From the school, we traveled to YWAMs home base, which was once a church. It has since been converted to YWAM dorms, offices, dining areas, and a chapel. In the chapel, we learned of the many, many ministries and missions YWAM organizes and leads. We were also taught by the many missionaries about our testimony and how to share it with others, whether it is friends at school or strangers on the street.

Next, we traveled in three different groups to downtown Pittsburgh where we were challenged to get out of our comfort zone and meet people on the street. We asked them to share their story with us, looked for opportunities to share ours, and asked if we could pray for them before we left. I had the privilege of sharing in this mission with Malachi Mawhinney and Kendall Coleman. All of us were amazed as our eyes were opened by the Lord when we spoke with the homeless, men freed from addictions, clergy, and people in tremendous pain. How wonderful it was to hear other stories over a peanut butter and jelly dinner, too. Lenel Berfield, Kennedi and Rayna Stevenson, and Lia Ferraccio shared amazing stories of stepping out of their comfort zone to share the Gospel. These girls are part of our High School Ministry due to the invitations of Lauren and Lindsay Bosco, who have brought dozens of their friends to our youth program, and continue to share the Gospel in many ways during our partnership with YWAM that day. We closed our day by driving to Mt. Washington and praying for our city in specific ways after worshipping God through song. Even then, we had an opportunity to witness for Christ as those who passed by asked us what we were doing and why we sang so joyfully. Since that day, we partnered with YWAM a second time, when we brought their Boston Chapter to our High School Sunday Night Youth Group on March 22. They presented the Gospel in a two-hour dramatic presentation they called Encounter. Our HS ministry had been so moved by our partnership with YWAM, we have committed to serve with them on mission days like these 5-6 times a year. In addition, we are planning to send a group of adults and students to cook a meal for the YWAM missionaries at their dormitory-cathedral.

A Great Place to Raise a Family 249 Duff Road

Sewickley, PA 15143 412-741-4900 www.ccgf.org

Happy Upcoming Sermon Series

Acts: The Church on Mission

MAY 24 Empowered by the Holy Spirit

MAY 31

The Way to Greatness

JUNE 7 Courage Born of Conviction

JUNE 14

The Prayer for Boldness

JUNE 21 Leadership Born of Courage

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Happy Birthday

Christ Church! Anniversary Celebration:

July 18 & 19, 2015