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March 2013
WVUMC Viewpoint
O PE N HEA RTS , O PE N MI NDS , OP E N DOO RS . . .
Sermon Series Feb. 17 – March 31
Feb. 17: What Makes a Hero?
Feb 24: Christ Recues Us…
From Ourselves.
March 3: Trouble in the Metropolis.
March 10: Act Justly
March 17: Love Mercy
March 24: Palm Sunday: Walk Humbly
March 31: Easter:
Where O’Death is Thy Sting?
Christ is Victor
The first week of lent, I began a sermon series exploring the theme of Christ as Victor. We began with this understanding: God is good and we belong to God our creator. But, evil manifests itself in many ways including idolatry, self-worship, injustice, oppression, greed, and acts of violence. Evil is a powerful foe and the enemy of God’s intentions of free will, love, mercy, justice for all humanity. Humanity was (and is) in need of rescue from evil for the conse-quences of evil and sin is death and alienation from God. To de-feat such a powerful foe, humanity needed a powerful hero. The resurrection Christ from the dead reveals that the power of evil is an illusion. Through his death on the cross and resurrection Christ is the victor of over death and through Christ we are indeed saved from the evil in this world and we are saved from the evil and sin that resides within us.
I began this series asking the congregation the question, “What makes a hero?” There are many kinds of heroes, some are found in the movies and comic books. And then there are heroes like firemen or soldiers who serve our country. Finally there are every-day heroes that include teachers, and parents. Maybe you agree that all heroes, whether they have x-ray vision and wear a cape, or wear a badge and keep our streets safe, or help sit at the dining room table and help with homework, - all these heroes share the quality of being self-sacrificing. This month you are invited to con-sider again how Jesus the Christ has sacrificed for you.
Pastor Brenda
Viewpoint Page 2
All Church Novena Prayer
The season of Lent begins 40
days prior to Easter. This year
Lent begins on February 13th. As
part of your Lenten preparation
for Easter, you are invited to par-
ticipate in a Passion Novena
which will focus on nine points in
the story of Christ’s journey to the
cross.
The word novena comes from the
Latin for nine. The nine-day peri-
od of prayer has its origin in the
Book of Acts. After Jesus’ Ascen-
sion into heaven, the Disciples,
Mary the mother of Jesus, his
brothers, and Jesus’ other follow-
ers all “joined in continuous pray-
er” (Acts 1:14) for nine days, until
the dramatic coming of the Holy
Spirit on Pentecost.
To pray a novena is to commit
oneself to nine days of intentional
contemplation and prayer with a
particular focus – in this instance,
the passion of Christ. Novenas
usually include a daily scripture, a
set prayer, time for meditation
and reflection, and conclude with
the Lord’s prayer.
In general, we pray novenas for
the same reason that we pray at
all: because God desires our at-
tention, and because we need
God’s grace. This particular form
of prayer, however, has some
special characteristics. First, a
novena is a vehicle for meaning-
ful dialogue with God. Some-
times, we are so sad, anxious, or
busy that it is hard for us to find
the words to express ourselves.
Second, participating in the Pas-
sion Novena can help us to stay
in synch with our church fami-
ly. Praying this novena is one
way we can prepare ourselves
individually and as a church to
engage in the celebration of East-
er more fruitfully and less superfi-
cially.
We are hoping for 100% partici-
pation in this meaningful form of
prayer. You may choose to use
the novena 9 days prior to Easter
or you may choose any series of
nine days within Lent that you are
able to commit to. The prayers
will be available in booklet form in
the narthex and Townsend Hall.
They will also be available online
at wvumc.net. You may request
that a booklet be sent to you by
contacting the church office.
Pastor Brenda
The word novena comes from the Latin for nine. The nine-day
period of prayer has its origin in the Book of
Prayer Stations And Maundy Thursday Worship
Prayer Stations Thursday, March 28 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Friday,
March 29 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Prayer stations will feature artwork depicting scenes from Christ’s journey
to the cross. Please note that the
doors to the church are locked during
the day so you are encouraged to sign
up for a specific time so that we can
arrange to let you in.
Maundy Thursday Worship
March 28 7:00 p.m. Townsend Hall
Townsend Hall will be transformed to help us imagine the gathering of the disciples and Jesus in the upper room. This service will feature crea-tive scripture readings, reflection on the Last Supper, and communion.
Prayer Station in Sanctuary
from 2012
Maundy Thursday Worship Service
set-up from 2012
Page 3 Open hearts, open minds, open doors
Church Leadership 2013
Church Council 2013
Church Council Chairperson: Robert Dangel Church Council Secretary: TBA Lay Leader: Richard Wehling Lay Member to Annual Conference: Nancy Jones Church Treasurer (Para. 258.4b): Peggy Huwe SPRC Co-Chair: Barb Waronek SPRC Co-Chair: Kathy Winters Trustee Chair: Glenn Ulrich Finance Chair: Jeff Baumbach UMW President: Nancy Jones UMM President: Bill Neusch Members At-Large: David and Sheila Postell Pastor: Brenda Walker
Nominations & Leadership
Development Committee 2013
Lynne Campbell Dick Wehling Jan Johnson Pastor Brenda Walker
Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee 2013
Co-Chair: Barb Waronek Co-Chair: Kathy Winters Arlene Smith Billie Jo Kennedy Dan Rohlshouse Jan Johnson Linda Weismann Thom Freese
Board of Trustees 2013 Chair: Glenn Ulrich Asst. Chair: John Campbell Lois Ramsey Ron Riggs Mary Morris Jack Fickes Darlene Calhoun Lynne Campbell * denotes members without vote
Committee on Finance 2013
Chair: Jeff Baumbach Lay Member to Annual Conference: Nancy Jones SPRC Co-Chair: Barb Waronek SPRC Co-Chair: Kathy Winters Lay Leader: Richard Wehling * Church Treasurer: Peggy Huwe Memorial Committee: Virginia Kryl and Barb Lucot Church Council Chair: Rob Dangel Trustees Chair: Glenn Ulrich * Financial Secretary: Tina Hudak Sally Bird Pastor Brenda Walker * Brian Weaver
Staff 2013
Pastor: Brenda Walker Music Director/Program Coordinator: Brian Weaver Organist: Patty Neeper Handbell Choir Director: Darlene Calhoun Saturday Worship Accompanist: Cathy Li Financial Secretary: Tina Hudak Treasurer: Peggy Huwe
Church School 2013
Superintendent: Debbie Dangel Children’s School Teachers: Linda Weismann, Michele D’Ambrosio, Dacia Pross, Anne Marie Herm, April Franco Adult Classes: Jeff Baumbach, Richard Wehling, Pastor Brenda Walker
Worship Leaders 2013
Usher Captain: Bill Neusch Head Ushers: Janet Klages, Ron Riggs, Bill Wire Elevette Steward: Ron Riggs Communion Stewards: Janet Klages, Barb Swisher Acolyte Coordinator: Renee Mandell
Pastor Emeritus Reverend Lee W. Parker, Jr.
Below you will find a list of which person is serving on which committee, as well
as their title. Use this as a guide to direct you to the correct person if you have
a specific question or idea. Of course, you can always contact either the
Pastor Brenda or Brian in the church office. Also, please keep each of these
people in your prayers as they look for guidance and direction for our church
through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Viewpoint Page 4
Spring Share With North Hills Community Outreach
Hello. My name is Melanie Zeitler. I am an independent Girl Scout. Currently I am a Ca-dette. In the spring I plan to fly up to Senior. Right now I am working on my Silver Award. For my Silver Award I am work-ing with North Hills Community Outreach. Coming up is the Spring Share program. I will be collecting the following items.
Preassembled baskets
Baskets with plastic grass
Wrapped candy and candy
bars
Juice boxes
Snack-size treats
Granola bars
New small toys and stuffed
animals
Financial contributions
Grocery store gift cards and
Department store gift cards
(not used)
If you have any questions about donating you can contact the church office. All donations go to families that don’t have the money to buy the Easter gifts. I have had great experi-ence with my donations before. I hope to just as well this year. Donations are due by March 17, 2013 (St. Patrick’s Day) in the boxes at church.
Midweek Communion Service Wednesday Evenings in March Sanctuary Chapel 7:45 p.m. This service includes time for quiet mediation, prayer, a short reflection offered by the pastor or a church member, and com-munion. The pastor will also be available to pray with individuals who are seeking healing. Service is ½ hour.
Join us for a community worship
service combining the
congregations of North Hills
United Presbyterian, Faith
Lutheran, Christ Lutheran,
St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran
and West View United Methodist
Churches.
This is an ecumenical service
that will feature each of the
pastors from their respective
churches.
Music performed by a
combined choir with
representatives from each
church is yet to be determined.
Good Friday Community Worship
Where: St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
305 Center Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15229
Page 5 Open hearts, open minds, open doors
Last year our youth group, Faith Monkeez, sponsored an Easter egg hunt on the front lawn of the church on Palm Sunday. History repeats again this year as they will do it again. They are inviting all the younger children to join in an East-er egg hunt on Palm Sunday, March 24 at 9:30 a.m. Children, along with their families are asked to meet in the community Room for a short lesson at 9:30 a.m. Following the lesson, we will go out-side for a time of fun as we collect Easter eggs hidden all over the front lawn. Rain location will be Townsend Hall.
Scout Sunday
On Sunday, February 10,
2013, the Boy Scouts from
our Troop 83 participated in
our worship service during
Boy Scout Sunday. They
read scriptures, led unison
prayers and collected the
Offertory. During the
service, they presented us
with the charter for 2013
and made a monetary
donation. Sam Santi did an awesome job as he led Children’s
Time and also prepared a sermon speaking of Jesus as the ultimate
Boy Scout Eagle Scout project. They have been meeting here at
WVUMC for 63 years!
Easter Egg Hunt
From 2012: Our Youth Group, Faith Monkeez,
sponsored an Easter Egg hunt for the Sunday
School classes on Palm Sunday.
Viewpoint Page 6
Name Date
Amy Brunick 12th
Sharon Miller 12th
Abigail Huwe 12th
Sarah Seibert 13th
Vincent D’Ambrosio 13th
Debbie Dangel 14th
Nancy Hammond 14th
Courtney Seibert 14th
Andrew Warrick 15th
Jason Faust 15th
Brandon Cyrus 15th
Kay Szczublewski 16th
Dottie Parish 16th
Chuck Gerhart 16th
Christian Helbling 19th
Michele D’Ambrosio 20th
Alice Feitl 20th
March Birthdays
Name Date
Michele Colville 20th
Frank Schell 21st
Phyllis Gee 22nd
Crystal Regan 22nd
Amanda Hammond 23rd
Danielle Thomas 23rd
Kaily Herm 24th
Thomas Phillips 25th
Jessica Atkins 25th
Leah Myers 26th
Savanna Stanley 27th
Robert Atkins 28th
John Bearer 28th
Theron Myers 28th
Grace Eichelman 28th
Emily Ward 28th
Travis Herm 28th
Paula Hasek 30th
Name Date
Gary Kirsch 1st
Lisa Abraham 1st
Jeffrey Marzolf 2nd
Grace Freese 3rd
Billee Jo Kennedy 5th
Carl Rhule 6th
Robert Murphy 6th
Shirley Warrick 6th
Jill Seapker 7th
Jeffrey Hammond 7th
Joshua Trujillo 7th
Kenneth Medlin 8th
Jackson Pross 8th
Brian Weaver 10th
Jenna Franks 10th
William Remele 11th
Luise Sommers 11th
Name Date
Andrew & Shirley Warrick 26th
Keith & Rebecca Bodenlos 26th
March Anniversaries
Page 7 Open hearts, open minds, open doors
If you have never been to a fair before, then this is your chance! Join us for a fun and relaxed environment where children and adults can come together and learn more about God, our faith, and each other. Each day we will travel to different parts of the world as we experience new foods, new customs and different ways of life. We are looking for volunteers to help out through the week as well as children to participate. In the coming month, online registration will be available at our website www.wvumc.net. VBS is FREE for participants, but dona-tions are gladly accepted to offset costs.
Menu:
Egg Casserole,
French Toast, Orange Juice,
Coffee, Tea
Mini-Meal for kids
Adults—$10.00 Kids—$6.00 (under 6 FREE)
Pay at the door
Reserve attendance on blue pew card or
contact the office with name and number
attending.
Food prepared by U.M.W.
Executive Board
VBS Is Coming...
Viewpoint Page 8
Just For Fun
The Taxi Driver and St Peter
One Easter a priest and a taxi driver both died and went to heav-en. St. Peter was at the Pearly gates waiting for them.
'Come with me,' said St. Peter to the taxi driver.
The taxi driver did as he was told and followed St Peter to a man-sion. It had everything you could imagine from a bowling alley to an Olympic size pool.
'Oh my word, thank you,' said the taxi driver.
Next, St. Peter led the priest to a rough old shack with a bunk bed and a little old television set.
'Wait, I think you are a little mixed up,' said the priest. 'Shouldn't I be the one who gets the mansion? After all I was a priest, went to church every day, and preached God's word.'
'Yes, that's true.' St Peter re-joined, 'But during your Easter sermons people slept. When the taxi driver drove, everyone prayed.'
Maria Told Her Mother Gladly
Maria came home from Sunday School on Palm Sunday and told her mother that she had learned a new song about a cross-eyed bear named Gladly.
It took her mother a while before she realized that the hymn Maria had been singing was really: "Gladly The Cross I'd Bear."
A New Twist on Lot's tale
A father was reading Bible stories to his young son. He read, 'The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city, but his wife looked back and was turned to salt.'
His son asked, 'What happened to the flea?'
Quotes Suitable for Grace on
Easter Sunday
Easter Peace: It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. - Author unknown
Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life. - S.D. Gordon
Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up. - Jesse Jackson
I ask not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders. - Jewish Proverb
At the end of the day, love and compassion will win. - Terry Waite
Easter tells us that life is to be interpreted not simply in terms of things but in terms of ideals. - Charles M. Crowe
"Easter says you can put truth in a
grave, but it won't stay there."
- Clarence W. Hall
Page 9 Open hearts, open minds, open doors
You might confuse this hymn with Charles
Wesley’s “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”. The
theme is the same, the structure is similar, and
Wesley also had a hand in this hymn. But this
hymn is based on a medieval Latin text.
Alleluia is the perfect word for Easter Sun-
day. It simply means “Praise the Lord”. It is
used throughout Scripture (especially in Psalms
and Revelation) to glorify God for the mighty
acts He has done. And what mightier act is
there than this: the resurrection of Christ from
the dead.
Interestingly, this hymn speaks more about
Christ’s death than His new life. Both are vital
aspects of God’s redeeming work. Christ en-
dured the cross and rose from the dead. His
death and resurrection are inseparable, and the
hymn singers exult in all of it. During this Easter
season, let us praise the God who made it hap-
pen. Alleluia!
For Christ also died for sins once for all, the
righteous for the unrighteous, that he might
bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh
but made alive in the spirit.
1 Peter 3:18
New Food Pantry
Jesus Christ Is Risen Today
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once, upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as His love, Alleluia!
Praise Him, all ye heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
Latin Hymn (fourteenth century)
Translated in Lyra Davidica, 1708
Stanza 2, John Arnold’s Compleat Psalmodist, 1749
Stanza 3, Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Hymn Devotional Reading
Our own youth group, Faith Monkeez, led by April
Franco, have set-up our own in-house Food Pantry.
The group met and cleaned and re-organized shelves
in our copier room to make room for this newest ad-
dition. It was decided by our Church Council that
another way we could better serve our immediate
community (and those that use our building weekly)
was to have some food on hand right here, rather
than sending someone in need away and making
them search for a close by food bank. Thanks Faith
Monkeez for your hard work. The youth group meets
on Sunday evenings at 6 p.m.
Viewpoint Page 10
New Music Program
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner Tuesday, February 12, 2013 brought us to our an-
nual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner. It was diffi-
cult to say exactly how many attended as we ran
the dinner differently this year. This year , instead
of beginning at 6:30 p.m. and trying to feed every-
one all at once, we ran the dinner from 5 to 7 p.m.
This allowed us to serve a few meals to families
that are involved with our daycare and preschool
program. On the menu was pancakes/syrup, sau-
sage, orange juice, coffee and to round out the
meal, an Ice Cream Bar (where you could create
your own personalized ice cream sundae).
After expenses, the profit for the event was,
$278.00. Thanks to everyone involved as the money will be used for Vacation Bible School expenses, allow-
ing us to continue to offer VBS to the church and
Jenna Woelke, Jackson Pross and Jack Fickes help out at
the ice cream bar. Who’s in charge?
Ron Riggs, Carl Rhule, Glenn Ulrich, Jim Miller & Tom Long
prepare the pancake batter and sausage.
People filed in and out of Townsend Hall from
about 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Beginning March 10, 2013, a new music program will be implemented. After a
recent meeting with parents, it was brought to my attention that their chil-
dren don’t know the “old” bible/church songs. Following the choir anthem on
Sunday mornings, children of all ages are invited to the Parlor for a choir re-
hearsal. I will teach the children songs like, the B-I-B-L-E, Zacchaeus, This
Little Light Of Mine and the like along with proper singing technique. The
songs are performed on CD and DVD by the Cedarmont Kids. The children will
participate in the worship service approximately once a month as they share
the music that we learn together. Peace, Brian Weaver Sing to the Lord a new song!
Psalm 96
Page 11 Open hearts, open minds, open doors
This month we travel back
to the Lent/Easter 1983 View-
point issue. One of the arti-
cles featured spoke of a Feb.
28th Trustees meeting where
plans were being finalized for
creating a handicap entrance,
putting in a “lift” from the
first to second floor and mak-
ing the restrooms handicap
accessible.
Stop by the office and
check out some of the news
from the past. It helps us see
where we are heading.
Viewpoint History
Sunday Thursday Friday Sunday
March 24
9:30 a.m. -
Easter egg hunt
during Sunday
school hour.
11 a.m. - Palm
Sunday Wor-
ship . Saturday
worship (Mar.
23) at 6:30 p.m.
Noon - Palm
Sunday Brunch
in Townsend
Hall.
March 28
9 a.m.– 9 p.m. - Prayer stations
will feature the artwork depicting
scenes from Christ’s journey to
the cross. Located upstairs in the
Sanctuary.
7 p.m. - Maundy Thursday
Worship Service: Townsend Hall
will be transformed to help us im-
agine the gathering of the disci-
ples and Jesus in the upper room.
This service will feature creative
scripture readings, reflection on
the last supper, and communion.
March 29
9 a.m.—2 p.m.– Prayer stations
continue.
Noon - Community Good
Friday Service at St. Luke’s Ev.
Lutheran Church on Center Ave.
Churches from Ross and West View
will participate in this service of
remembering Christ’s ultimate
sacrifice for each of us.
March 31
11 a.m. -
Traditional
Easter Worship
Service.
HE LIVES!
Holy Week Schedule
West View United Methodist Church
146 Cornell Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15229
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
NON PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PITTSBURGH, PA
PERMIT #1842
We’re on the web!
www.wvumc.net
Pastor
Brenda Walker
Pastor Emeritus
Lee W. Parker
Program Coordinator
Brian Weaver
Church: 412-766-2223
Parsonage: 412-421-0221
We will be a visible, praying, caring and
loving church praising and glorifying God, the
Creator of the universe.
We will strive as members to follow the path
to salvation and eternal life taught by Jesus
Christ, the Son of God. Alive with the Holy
Spirit, we will demonstrate our faith to oth-
ers by our words and actions.
We will join with other Christians in carrying
Christ’s gospel, love and grace throughout our
community and the world.
Vision Statement
