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February 2016
Christ United Church of Christ, 1414 Ligonier Street
Latrobe, Pennsylvania 15650
Worship Services for February
2/7 11 AM Sunday Morning Worship, Holy Communion
2/10 Ash Wednesday Noon Worship, 5:30 p.m. Souper Supper, 7:00 p.m. Worship
2/14 11 AM Sunday Morning Worship
2/17 5:30 p.m. Souper Supper Study, 7:00 p.m. Lenten Worship
2/21 11 AM Sunday Morning Worship
2/24 5:30 p.m. Souper Supper Study, 7:00 p.m. Lenten Worship
2/28 11 AM Sunday Morning Worship
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey you’re welcome here.
Communion Servers for February
Communion Elder/Assistant - Stephanie, Ellen
Deacons/Main Servers - Ellen, Dorthy, Art, Jim
Deacons/Auxiliary Servers - Mick, Brian
Ushers are needed for February
February 7
February 14
February 21
February 28
Please pray for: Connie Baker, Rich Baker,
Jr., Rich Baker, Sr., Bella and her family, Edith
Bridge, Douglas Facemyer, Lois Feather,
August Heining, Ken Hitchman, Frank Jobe,
Keith, Thomas Kellner, Ava Klug, Louisa
(Nan) Mattern, Evelyn Neighly and the Neighly
family, Jean Noel, Walter Obstarczyk, Irene
Patty, Paul Petrazonni, Louise Quitko, Mildred
Repko, Walter Robb, Terri Selembo, Sillaman
family on the death of James Sillaman Jr.,
Laken Smith, Kathy Somerville, Russ Upholster
and Kit and Eddie Young.
We are praying for:
The families of members who have recently
passed away:
Betty Brinker 11/10/2015
Robert Neighly, Jr. 12/12/2015
Ann Adams 12/24/2015
Baptisms
Bonnie Pickle - January 10, 2016
Concerns of the Congregation
You are asked to keep these families in your
thoughts and prayers for the entire week.
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!
Week of February 7
Kenny Repko
Linda Repko
Mildred Repko
February 14
Leroy and Janet Reynolds
Walter and Shirley Robb
Rodney and Betty Lou Ruby
February 21
Jason, Ginger, Nicholas & Addison Rudy
Rev. Wayne & Ellen Sautter
Helen Schirf
February 28 Aloysius II, Aloysus III Schmucker
Terri Selembo
Jean Sheffler
SINCERE THANKS - Dear Friends in
Christ, thank you for the many expressions
of sympathy following the death of our
father James W. Sillaman, Jr.. We felt the
love and support from our Church family.
Sincerely, Jim and Elena Sillaman
Joys of the Congregation
New Members Addresses
Chris Nash & Tina Henry
Children: Bryce, Paytonn, Keegan & Mallorie
407 Spring Street
Latrobe, PA 15650
Elizabeth Visnesky
225 East 4th Avenue, Apt. 4
Latrobe, PA 15650
Thank you to Larry
Staruk, Sally Walker
and Dottie Piper for
their service as
financial secretary,
treasurer and newsletter
editor.
Thank you to Don Brinker who is now
serving as the Church Treasurer.
From Your Pastor
Dear Church,
It’s all about the journey, isn’t it?
We began this year journeying with the magi who traveled hundreds of miles through treacherous roads and wilderness. After our Epiphany worship service,
I was approached by two women who told me about the incredible journey they had been on; a journey that led them to many other churches, a journey that led
them back home to Christ Church. We watched the season after Epiphany unfold with the baptism of Jesus, who is
identified by the Holy Spirit as God’s beloved. We experienced God’s love first hand through the baptism of Bonnie and were reminded of God’s love for each
one of us. Along our journey, God continues to reveal God’s self to us in so many ways.
As we consider what it means to be disciples we are invited to see our world and ourselves as God sees us.
With Lent beginning this month we will continue our journey, one that leads us
toward Easter. Will it be an easy journey? Probably not. Journeys tend to change us, to take us places we might not be willing to go. Will it be a journey free from strife and conflict? Again, the answer is no. Our church families are
made up of many different types of people and each person has his or her own ideas of how we should worship God, of how we experience God and of what
God is calling us to accomplish as God’s people, the church. As we journey together, let’s promise to be kind to one another. Let’s promise to
listen to one another. Let’s promise to forgive one another, and be patient with one another and love one another.
Because journeys are difficult enough on their own, without the added baggage we contribute: fear, anger, prejudice, dishonesty, self-righteousness.
When we focus on God and God’s will for our church family we can stop for
awhile and remember how far we’ve come, remember our history, retell our stories and take time to renew ourselves before beginning our journey once again.
May you be blessed by God’s overwhelming abundant blessings as we journey
together!
Your servant in Christ, Pastor Cindy
What is Lent?
L ent is derived from the Middle English
“Lente” which means “springtime.” It is
the 40 day period of repentance and renewal
that comes before Easter. Lent begins on Ash
Wednesday and ends with the Easter Service.
We celebrate Holy Week to remember Christ’s
last week of life on Earth. It is the final, most
important part of Lent. Lent is a special time
for meditation, prayer and penitential practices,
an increased understanding of Christ’s sacrifice
and resurrection, renewal of our baptismal vows
and recommitment to the Christian life.
Why is Lent important?
The Lenten period allows us time to remember
the Easter story: that Christ lived and died to
redeem the world from sin. Christ’s death and
resurrection allows our lives to be renewed so
that we can turn away from sin and begin to live
for God. While we observe Lent, we are
preparing ourselves to celebrate Easter more
fully through:
Penitential practices such as fasting and self-
denial enable us to better understand the
full meaning of Easter.
Remembering that we are not perfect as well
as our baptismal vows can help lead us
to repentance and inner renewal.
Worship during the time of Lent and Holy
week can help prepare our hearts and
minds to renew and strengthen our faith.
How Lent came to be
Moses fasted and prayed for 40 days-during this
time God gave him the Ten
Commandments. Read Exodus 34:27-28.
Elijah fled for his life through the wilderness,
fasting 40 days and nights until he came to
Mt. Horeb. There God appeared to him.
Read 1 Kings 19:1-18.
After his baptism, Jesus withdrew into the
desert to fast and pray for 40 days before
beginning his public ministry. Read
Matthew 4:1-2; Luke 4:1-2.
In the early church, baptism and penance were
important Lenten themes. During Lent,
candidates prepared for their baptism on Easter
day and people did public penance for serious
sins. As time went on, penance became a
private time. Lent became a time of
forgiveness and reconciliation for people to
acknowledge their sinfulness.
During the Middle Ages, strict 40-day fasts
(where people did not eat meat and other
foods) or attend festivals were obligatory
for Christians. Over time these practices
became less rigid.
Today the emphasis of Lent has shifted from
long periods of fasting to prayer, meditation
and reflection on the meaning of Easter.
Lent remains an important time of
preparation for and renewal of baptismal
vows.
What can I do?
Begin with self-examination: set aside this
period to examine and evaluate your life
as a Christian. When you get in bed
think about your day. When did you
feel closest to Christ? When during the
day did you feel farthest away from
Christ?
Repent of your sins: changing your life
begins when you admit that Christ
suffered and died for your sins.
Commitment: realize that commitment to
God is more than just going to church-it
involves carrying out God’s will daily,
whatever the circumstances.
Perseverance: keep your hope and faith in
Easter’s promises alive all year long,
every year!
Prayer: prayer means speaking with God in
spiritual communion. Lent offers a
perfect opportunity to withdraw from
the busy world and pray and reflect
quietly. Set aside a specific time every
day so prayer becomes a habit. Journal
your thoughts, pray the Psalms or use a
devotional guide like the Upper Room
and the enclosed prayer calendar.
Study: Reading your Bible daily and
discussing what you’ve read with others.
Participate in Bible Study or read
Christian books and magazines. Don’t
know where to start? Ask Pastor Cindy!
Observing Lent can help you EXPERIENCE
THE FULL JOY OF EASTER!
Souper Study begins February 10th at Christ Church!
Beginning on Ash Wednesday, which falls on February 10th this year, the evening
Bible study members would like to invite you to join them for a simple supper of
hot, homemade soup and warm bread before their study on Luke’s gospel.
The members chose this study on Luke’s Gospel because it is the Gospel we are
hearing in worship on Sunday mornings and they wanted to learn more about Luke
and why he wrote what he did.
The Souper Study will run through the six weeks of Lent, beginning on the 10th of
February and continuing through March 16th.
Join us at 5:30 pm for a simple supper of soup and bread afterwards we’ll study
from 6:00-6:45 and then worship together in the chapel at 7:00 pm. We hope you’ll
join us!
February 10- Hope for All People Luke 3:21-4:13
February 17-Outrageous Claims Luke 4:14-5:16
February 24-Opposition to Authority Luke 5:17-6:11
March 2-Character of Kingdom Citizens Luke 6:12-49
March 9-Five Kinds of Faith Luke 7
March 16-Hearing God: First Step of Faith Luke 8:1-21
Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper Help the kids get to Florida this summer! In case you didn’t know, the United
Church of Christ has a HUGE gathering every four years for kids ages 13-18 which
is called The National Youth Event. For 2016, this event will be held at Disney
World in Orlando, Florida!
Thanks to your generosity, the kids have earned enough to pay for their
registration to the event which is $549 per person! Now they are working on
earning monies to cover the cost of transportation to the event and YOU can help!
Join us on Tuesday, February 9th from 4:00-7:00 pm at Christ Church to feast
on pancakes and sausages all made with love by our youth! Donations will be joyfully
accepted! Please invite your friends and neighbors and pig out before Lent starts
on Ash Wednesday!
Worship Opportunities for Lent
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent and falls on February 10, 2016. Once again
there will be two opportunities to worship our Lord this year:
12:00 noon in the chapel of Christ UCC
7:00 pm in the chapel of Christ UCC
Both services will be quiet, meditative services of worship with the opportunity for
worshippers to receive ashes as we face our brokenness and also the opportunity for
redemption at the Lord’s Table.
Evening Lenten services will begin on Ash Wednesday and continue through March 16th,
please mark your calendars for the following dates:
February 17-Lenten Service of Evening Prayer with Communion by intinction
February 24- Lenten Service of Evening Prayer with Communion by intinction
March 2- Lenten Service of Evening Prayer with Communion by intinction
March 9- Lenten Service of Evening Prayer with Communion by intinction
March 16- Lenten Service of Healing with Communion by intinction
Palm/Passion Sunday worship will be celebrated at both churches on March 20th at 9:00 am
& 11:00 am
Maundy Thursday worship service will be held at St. John’s UCC, Darlington on
March 24th at 7:00 pm
Good Friday worship service will be held at Christ UCC, Latrobe on
March 25th at 7:00 pm
Easter worship will be celebrated at both churches on March 27th at 9:00 am & 11:00 am
CONTACT US Cindy Parker, Pastor - 724-787-4230
Belva McKlveen, Church Secretary
Church e-mail [email protected]
Elizabeth Visnesky, Organist/Choir Director -
724-672-6674
Our website:
www.ucclatrobe.org
Check it out today!
It’s hard to believe that Christmas has flown
by us and we are now awaiting the Spiritual
Journey of Lent. Ash Wednesday Services
will be held in the Chapel area at noon and
7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 10th,
2016. Lent is one of my favorite times of
year. The meditation, chants, songs, and
story of Jesus’ death and Resurrection is
truly one of the most powerful things about
being a Christian.
Please join us Wednesday evenings during
Lent for our Mediative Services in the
Chapel. Every Wednesday is a different
type of Service and Order of Worship, sure
to help lead you through your own personal
Lenten Journey with our Lord and Savior.
Musical prelude for these services will begin
at 6:45 p.m. with the Service beginning at 7
p.m.
For myself and many other members of this
Congregation and around the world, music
truly sets the moods, experience and
memories of Worship. The Chancel choir
will be offering their music gifts every
Sunday to the Lord through Easter. The Bell
Choir will be offering musical praise Palm
Sunday and Easter Sunday. If you are
interested in sharing your musical gift as
part of one of our choirs or a special musical
offering, please see Elizabeth so we can
together, make this Lenten Journey and
Easter joy one of the most memorable.
Prayerful Blessings,
Elizabeth Visnesky
….we say goodbye to
It is with a heavy heart that we say good
bye to our new secretary Belva, who is
after much thought and consideration,
leaving to accept a position as the
church secretary at St. Michael’s Church
in Rector on February 1st. Belva wishes
to express her gratitude for the
kindness shown to her during her short
stay and is very happy to have the
opportunity to have met so many
wonderful people.
Lay Life/Mission Committee
Heifer International is dedicated to providing resources and training for struggling small-
scale farmers in order to give them a chance to change their circumstances. Their belief
that solving hunger and poverty on a global scale requires focus on sound, community-
based work aligned with a long-term commitment to achieving self-reliance has led to
success on all continents. They create deeper impact in the lives of their project partners
by improving access to income, education, water sources, health care and infrastructure.
It is for these reasons that the Lay Life and Mission Committee has chosen this worthy
organization as our mission for the months of February and March. Envelopes are
available in the pews and on the table in the chapel for your contributions to this mission.
Thank You for the helping hands
Thanks to everyone who helped to
decorate and undecorated the
Sanctuary and Chapel for the Christmas Season. It is gratifying
to have so many people willing to help with these projects.
Also, a special thank you to Bob & Pam George and Brian &
Shirley Musick for the beautiful luminarias outside the church
on Christmas Eve.
On the Radar...
It is time to clean the kitchen again. Stay tuned for the date which
will be during the week of March 28th.
The first salad bar of the season will be held April 20th. More details
to follow.
KIVA helps budding entrepreneurs world wide
Imagine you have a great idea but no seed money to make it happen. Friends and family can't help and commercial banks won't give you a chance. That's where KIVA's microcredits are a godsend for talented artisans in developing regions. KIVA is a non-profit, internet based, organization which provides loans to help people improve their lives. Individuals can help by donating money at www.kiva.org. A donation of as little as $25 can go toward improving a person's life. You are able to choose the entrepreneur who will receive your donation. Once the loan is repaid, you may withdraw your money or relend it. The Lay Life and Mission Committee has been lending money through KIVA since 2009. One of our loans went to Pedro in Guatemala to help him expand his hand-crafted jewelry business. Contact Stephanie Albaugh if you would like more information.
What We Believe
We believe in the triune God: Creator, resurrected Christ, the sole Head of the church, and the Holy
Spirit, who guides and brings about the creative and redemptive work of God in the world.
We believe that each person is unique and valuable. It is the will of God that every person belong to
a family of faith where they have a strong sense of being valued and loved.
We believe that each person is on a spiritual journey and that each of us is at a different stage of that
journey.
We believe that the persistent search for God produces an authentic relationship with God,
engendering love, strengthening faith, dissolving guilt, and giving life purpose and direction.
We believe that all of the baptized 'belong body and soul to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.' No
matter who – no matter what – no matter where we are on life's journey – notwithstanding race, gender
identity or expression, sexual orientation, class or creed – we all belong to God and to one worldwide
community of faith. All persons baptized – past, present and future – are connected to each other and to
God through the sacrament of baptism. We baptize during worship when the community is present
because baptism includes the community's promise of 'love, support and care' for the baptized – and we
promise that we won't take it back – no matter where your journey leads you.
We believe that all people of faith are invited to join Christ at Christ's table for the sacrament of
Communion. Just as many grains of wheat are gathered to make one loaf of bread and many grapes are
gathered to make one cup of wine, we, the many people of God, are made one in the body of Christ, the
church. The breaking of bread and the pouring of wine reminds us of the costliness of Christ's sacrifice
and the discipleship to which we are all called. In the breaking of bread, we remember and celebrate
Christ's presence among us along with a 'cloud of witnesses' – our ancestors, family and friends who
have gone before us. It is a great mystery; we claim it by faith.
We believe the UCC is called to be a united and uniting church. "That they may all be one." (John
17:21) "In essentials–unity, in nonessentials–diversity, in all things–charity," These UCC mottos
survive because they touch core values deep within us. The UCC has no rigid formulation of doctrine or
attachment to creeds or structures. Its overarching creed is love. UCC pastors and teachers are known
for their commitment to excellence in theological preparation, interpretation of the scripture and justice
advocacy. Even so, love and unity in the midst of our diversity are our greatest assets.
We believe that God calls us to be servants in the service of others and to be good stewards of the
earth's resources. 'To believe is to care; to care is to do.'
We believe that the UCC is called to be a prophetic church. As in the tradition of the prophets and
apostles, God calls the church to speak truth to power, liberate the oppressed, care for the poor and
comfort the afflicted.
We believe in the power of peace, and work for nonviolent solutions to local, national, and
international problems.
We are a people of possibility. In the UCC, members, congregations and structures have the breathing
room to explore and to hear ... for after all, God is still speaking, ...
February 2016 Prayer Calendar
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
Praise God for the beauty of nature.
2 Pray for the youth of our church and the community.
3 Pray for Native American churches.
4 Pray for the choirs and Elizabeth.
5 Thank God for church volunteers.
6 Pray for those suffering from depression or mental illness.
7 Pray for victims of human trafficking.
8 Pray for an end to human trafficking.
9 Pray for those living far from their families.
10 Ash Wednesday
Thank God for everyone who makes Jesus real to other people.
11 Pray for all who are alone and without people to love them.
12 Thank God for those who love you.
13 Pray for missionaries and those who support them.
14 Pray for cardiac patients.
15 Pray for Christian Churches – that they may be faithful witnesses to the Gospel.
16 Pray for radio ministries around the world.
17 Praise God for answered prayers.
18 Thank God for those who respond to natural disasters.
19 Pray for victims of natural disasters.
20 Thank God for blessings you have received.
21 Pray for church leaders everywhere that they may work together.
22 Praise God for the amazing world in which we live.
23 Praise god who shares our joys and sorrows.
24 Pray that each member of the church would commit to praying daily.
25 Ask for forgiveness for our failings.
26 Pray for Pastor Cindy and her family.
27 Pray for church leaders everywhere that they may promote unity among Christians.
28 Remember those who will be unhappy today.
29 Thank God for loving you.
As the hand is made for holding and the eye for seeing, you have fashioned me, O Lord, for joy. Share with me the vision to find that joy everywhere: in the wild violet’s beauty, in the lark’s melody, in the face of a steadfast man, in a child’s smile, in a mother’s love, in the purity of Jesus. Scots Celtic Prayer
