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THE
MIDDLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
FOUNDED
1772
SCHEDULE
CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP SERVICE - WEDNESDAY 7:00
PM
WORSHIP SERVICE - SUNDAY 9:30 AM
SUNDAY SCHOOL - SUNDAY 10:45 AM
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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DATES TO REMEMBER
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November 7 - Trip to Bible
Walk
November 8 - 5:30 PM -
Dinner/Family night
November 14 - 2:00 PM - Mission
Circle Meeting (See Mission Circle page for minutes)
November 14 - Ring the bell for
the Salvation Army
December 4 - 6:00 PM - Ladies'
Christmas Party December
4 - 6:00 PM - Parent's Night Out December
5 - 7:00 PM - Christian Music Concert December
20 - 6:30 - Christmas Program
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LADIES’ CHRISTMAS PARTY - The Helper’s Guild is again sponsoring a
Christmas Party for the ladies of the church. It is scheduled for Friday,
December 4th at 6:00 P.M. The cost is $13.00 per person. The dinner will be
catered by Ligonier Catering with a choice of pork chops or chicken. Mark your
calendar! Information for reservations will be available soon.
CHRISTMAS CARD EXCHANGE - Once again the Helper’s Guild will be
sponsoring the Christmas Card Exchange. The exchange will begin the first Sunday
in December. The exchange is a way that the people of the church can exchange
Christmas Cards without the expense of mailing them. Tables will be set up in
the annex with a location on the table for every family. If you wish to send a
Christmas card, simply put the name of the person (or family) to receive the
card on the envelope and place the card by their marker. Everyone is encouraged
to frequently look for cards addressed to them and pick them up.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CREATIONS/PARENTS NIGHT OUT - Attention MPC
kids! Christian Ed is planning to host a Parents Night Out.
Parents can bring their children to the church, while they go shopping, out for
dinner or just relax at home. We are offering the opportunity for children
to make handmade gifts for parents, grandparents, or siblings. We encourage all
children of the church to participate in this "secret workshop".
Snacks will be served. Adults, who would be willing to help (and do not
have youngsters) with the crafts are welcomed. A sign up sheet is on the
bulletin board for attendees and helpers. Any questions, please contact
Susan Mough. Friday, December 4
PARENTS NIGHT OUT - A
"Parents Night Out" is available the first Friday of the month for families with
youngsters. Parents could bring their child/children to the church and
have an evening out knowing that their child is in a safe, fun and loving
environment. If you are a parent interested in participating in this
program, or just willing to offer your time to support our young families in
this way, please contact Carrie Geyer or Susan Mough.
SALVATION ARMY - The
Deacons are once again looking for volunteers to ring the bell for the Salvation
Army. The date is November 14th and the location is the Open Pantry in
Norvelt. Please consider volunteering. The sign up sheet is
posted in the annex.
MISSION TRIP TO WEST VIRGINIA - Through the week of Thanksgiving this
year, I will be taking people from the area and from our church for a week of
service to southern West Virginia. The plan is to help recondition some living
spaces for needy families and if possible build some ramps for those who are
handicapped. Why the week of Thanksgiving? What a great way to show how blessed
we really are! Yes, the kids will have to make up some homework, but the timing
is perfect. We will still have a Thanksgiving meal there. We are working out
those details. We are also going to be serving meals to those who can’t really
afford a meal like we are accustomed to. It will be an eye opener. We have space
for 32 people and right now we have about 20 signed up. You can come on your own
if you would like or if that is all your schedule will allow. You can support
this trip in many ways; the first is being in prayer before and while we are
there. You can donate bottled water for the team since we have to take our own.
We can buy it there, so if you want to provide us with gift cards that is but
one way to bless the trip. I hope that this will be the first of many trips that
our church makes for the sake of the Gospel. Lenise Hauser and I are talking
about an international trip, wouldn’t that be great! So let us take this first
step together, and discern where God might be leading us. Remember, we serve a
God who said “Go!”. —Pastor Stu
BLACKBURN CENTER COLLECTION - The Deacons are sponsoring a collection
of paper products for Blackburn Center during the month of November. A list of
items needed will be posted on the bulletin board in the annex. Blackburn Center
provides services for victims of domestic abuse, sexual harassment, and sexual
assault, including child sexual abuse and incest; and for the people who care
about them. Blackburn Center also provides the following services for the
community:
- Student
awareness programs in Westmoreland County schools, preschool through 12th
grade, and area colleges
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Community
education programs including speakers for organizations and community groups
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In-service
trainings for police, medical personnel, teachers, counselors, social
workers, and other professionals
WORSHIP COMMITTEE - We are looking to form
a committee to assist the Session for weekly worship services. We
would help with music, acolytes, communion, member involvement, etc.
Anyone interested please see Kathy Higgins or Carol Riddle.
CHRISTIAN MUSIC CONCERT TO BE HELD AT MIDDLE
- Aaron Greer Band will be holding a concert to benefit our D.A.R.E. Youth
Ministry at Middle on Dec 5th 7pm. Aaron is a contemporary Christian
musician with a passion for Jesus Christ. He has been signed to a national
recording contract. Come out and enjoy the music and fellowship.
Seating is limited for this event, and we will be selling tickets on a first
come, first served basis. See you there!
BIBLE WALK TRIP - We are planning a trip to Bible Walk at Mansfield, Ohio on
Saturday, November 7. We are inviting the Presbytery in order to fill the motor
coach. We will leave the Presbytery Office at 8 AM. The Presbytery Office is
located on Mount Pleasant Road next to the Maplewood Presbyterian Church at the
Route 30 bypass in Greensburg. Bible Walk presents 70+ life-size dioramas of
biblical scenes and there will be a noon dinner theatre featuring a biblical
play and a turkey dinner with all the trimmings. We will be returning after
dark. If you need a ride to the Presbytery Office or don't want to drive after
dark, see Jim Vaughn or Sue Mough. Pick up a reservation form in the annex or
print one from our website. A Bible Walk brochure with additional information is
on the bulletin board in the annex. A wheelchair is available at Bible Walk if
you are concerned about too much walking. Click here
for a printable reservation form. Bible Walk website: www.livingbiblemuseum.org
DINNER/FAMILY NIGHT SUNDAY, NOV. 8TH - Remember "board
games”? Relive those old fashioned days by joining us for an evening of good
food and fellowship. Bring a covered dish and favorite board game to
share. Dinner begins at 5:30.
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM - A Christmas program will be held on Sunday, Dec.
20th, beginning at 6:30. A time of fellowship and sharing in
"Christmas goodies" will follow the program.
ATTENTION ALL SHOPPERS - Bon Ton Coupon Books - The Mission Circle is sponsoring a
"Community Day 2009" shopping event on Saturday, Nov. 14th. The
proceeds of this fundraiser will be added to our Heifer Project donation.
Coupon booklets will be available at a cost of $5.00 each. The coupons and
offers are good only on "Community Day" (Nov. 14th) and are
valid on top of the One Day sale prices at any BonTon department store.
Coupon booklets contain a $10 coupon good on almost any merchandise item, a 30%
off Early Bird coupon and additional coupons for up to 20% off and offers
for special bonus items. What a great way to start your Christmas shopping and
help the mission work of the church !
OFFICE HOURS - Pastor Adams
will be happy to meet with you at a mutually convenient time. Call him at
724-542-9755 (Home) or 724-312-4405 (Cell) to arrange an appointment.
FAIR TRADE COFFEE -
The Mission Circle is purchasing Fair Trade coffee to use during our Sunday
morning coffee hour on a trial basis. A signup sheet will be available if anyone
wishes to purchase any of the coffees. More information will be available soon.
Purchasing Fair Trade coffee is a way of helping farmers in Latin America,
Africa and Asia earn a fairer share of income, thus helping them to build a
better future for themselves and their communities. The next meeting will be
Saturday, March 14th at 2:00 PM at the church. Everyone is invited!
NURSERY - The nursery will
open after Children's Moments. Children from age 1 through 2nd grade are invited to the
nursery. Older children are encouraged to sit and listen with their
parents in the sanctuary.
MISSION CIRCLE MEETINGS - Meeting
dates for 2009 will be the 2nd Sat. of Jan., Mar., June, Sept., & Nov. at 2
PM.
CARE CELLS - Our care cells
divide the congregation into 4 smaller groups primarily formed based on
geography. There is 1 Deacon and 1 Elder assigned as the care cell leaders. The
leaders roles include keeping in touch with the members within their care cell.
We encourage individuals within care cells to keep in touch too, by phone,
email, letters/cards, or visits. If anyone has a specific need, please call your
Elder or Deacon in addition to Pastor Stu. As new members join Middle
Presbyterian Church, we will add them into a care cell. We will update/revise
care cells annually or as needed. We hope the care cells unite our
congregation and also help Pastor Stu in his ministry. We encourage care cells
to unite for gatherings, such as picnics, luncheons, game night, etc. We would
like all members of the care cell to share their helping hands. This could be
done by driving someone to an appointment, helping with house or yard work,
running errands, preparing meals, child care or any other assistance.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY - Anyone
interested in joining the Prayer Shawl Ministry is welcome! Meeting schedule to
be announced. If you know anyone who could use a shawl, please
contact Janet Clark, Diane Hauser, Kay Guidas or any member. To date, over forty one prayer shawls have been given away!
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY - All
interested people who like to knit or crochet (or weave or quilt) are invited to
come and learn about this caring ministry. We will make prayer shawls for
those in need of prayer and compassion. Invite a friend and bring your
yarns, needles, hooks and prayers to the church. Let us make this an opportunity to expand our loving outreach in our
community. The Prayer Shawl Ministry is in need of dress boxes (large
enough for a shawl). If you have boxes to donate please bring them to the church
or give them to Janet Clark or Diane Hauser.. Click
here to visit the Prayer Shawl Ministry website.
THE GOOD SAMARITAN CENTER - The Good Samaritan Center. Located at 15
Eagle Street in Mt. Pleasant, the volunteers of the center are dedicated to
reaching out to families and individuals in our communities who are facing hard
times. They try to help them find immediate relief and also guide them into
taking the steps necessary to improve their situation. The Center is sponsored
by the Mount Pleasant Ministerium.
BLACKBURN CENTER NEEDS VOLUNTEERS - Blackburn Center is offering a
volunteer training class for people interested in providing supportive services
to victims of domestic and sexual violence. The training class will begin in
early 2008. The class meets twice a week for 3 hours per session. Total class
time is 69 hours, plus a practicum. Volunteer counselors answer Blackburn Center’s
24-hour hotline and offer options, information and referrals to victims of
domestic violence and sexual abuse. Blackburn Center offers additional training
for volunteers interested in helping at our shelter or with advocacy services.
Volunteers are able to work flexible hours, and may do some work from home. In
addition — and most importantly — they made a difference in the lives of
victims of domestic and sexual violence. Call (724) 837-9540 for information or
visit the website at www.blackburncenter.org.
SAVE YOUR PRINTER CARTRIDGES - The next time
you change the printer cartridge in your ink jet printer, bring the used one to
the church. There is a box in the annex to collect used cartridges.
These cartridges will be taken to Pine Springs Camp where the camp will send
them to be recycled and will receive money for each one. What an easy way
to do something for the environment and Pine Springs Camp.
| 2009
COMMUNION DATES |
| November 22 |
Christ the King |
| December 24 |
Christmas Eve |
1 John 2:8 ...the true light now shineth.
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