More About the Clarion Church of God...

When visiting our church, please fill out a Friendship & Communication card that is located in back of each pew; place it in the offering plate or hand it to an Usher.
Also, for those worshiping with us for the first time... we have a gift for you. Please stop @ the Welcome Center in the Narthex by the Main Entrance to pick it up.


Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Welcome to Liberty Street Church of God - Congregation Information

LIBERTY STREET CHURCH OF GOD
Rev. Bruce Wilson, Senior Pastor
Rev. Angela Mitchell, Associate/Youth Pastor

WELCOME!
  



"The purpose of the Liberty Street Church of
God is to impact people for Christ!”


Church Office: 814.226.8672
Church email: tammy_mcclaine@yahoo.com
Pastor Bruce Wilson: pastorbruce53@yahoo.com

Associate Pastor Angela Mitchell :  pinkribboneagle1@gmail.com
Church Blog: www.clarionchurchofgod.blogspot.com
Church of God, Anderson: chog.org

I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Psalms122:1 (NIV)

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WELCOME!

Dear Friends,

Welcome to the Liberty Street Church of God! We are glad you chose to worship with us. There is a great spirit of worship here and we hope that you are sensing the Holy Spirit in a most powerful way.

If you are searching for a church home, I hope you will get to know us better so that you will make this your church home. We have lots of opportunities for you worship, to grow spiritually and to get involved in ministry.

Our desire is to see you lifted up spiritually, and that you will find encouragement from God and from one another. There is a great manifestation of the Holy Spirit in this congregation with regard to the “Unity of the Spirit” and we are blessed by it.

We give you a warm and hearty welcome to the Liberty Street Church of God. I hope that we can get to know one another in the weeks and months ahead.

God bless you and thank you for allowing us the privilege of ministering to you.

Pastor Bruce

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WORSHIP AND SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE         

Sunday Worship – 10:00AM
Sunday School - 9:00AM
Under ager 3: Nursery is available
Pre-K thru 4th grade: CE Wing
Jr. Youth – 5th & 6th Grade meet in Counseling Center
Youth – Meet in the Youth Room (Office basement)
Home Builders/ Young Married: CE Wing
Adult Studies: 3 classes - two in the Fellowship Hall-1 in Prayer Room behind front of Sanctuary, left side.

NURSERY
Located in CE Wing off the Fellowship Hall. There are changing facilities, rocking chairs and people on staff during all Sunday Services.

RESTROOMS
There are restrooms located in the Fellowship by the water fountain. You can also find a single restroom in the Office in the hall by the stairs. There is also a single restroom at the top of the stairs. Watch for signs.

LARGE PRINT SONG SHEETS
Are available from time to time. Please see ushers for one.

LIVE FEED
The morning worship service can also be seen on a Live Feed located in the fellowship Hall.

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YOUTH

1 Timothy 4:12 says "Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set all example for the believers in speech, in life, in faith and in purity.”

People often say that our youth are the Church of tomorrow, and I would have to agree with that. But all too often I think we forget the impact our youth have on the church now! Our chances at impacting people for Christ drastically diminish after the age of 18. Therefore we need to be proactive in our teen's lives, taking every opportunity we have to disciple them and equip them to take the Gospel with them in their everyday lives.

At Liberty Street Church of God we are blessed with youth who are not afraid to set an example in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity just as Paul admonished Timothy to do all those years ago.

We meet every Sunday night from 6:00-8:00 PM and do a variety of activities throughout the year including: camping trips, lock-ins, dinners, putt-putt, and lots of' cool games during our weekly meetings.

Our youth group consists of teens from several different School districts including: Clarion, Clarion-Limestone, Keystone, North Clarion, Immaculate Conception and East Forest. We invite anyone to come and join us
studying God's word and having fun.

Pastor Angela

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NEW LOCATION

Here at the Liberty Street Church of God, we have been striving to know and do the will of God. To do what the Bible says by “keeping in step with the Spirit.” (Gal. 5:25). We are excited about what God is doing in the life of our congregation! Not only are we experiencing growth, we believe God is leading us to relocate and build a new facility. We will be starting the project in the spring of 2012 and it will be the Trinity Point Church of God, located out by the interstate at the Trinity Point Development. We purchased property by the Tractor Supply Store.

We believe that God led us to one of the best locations in Clarion County to build on.  We also believe that God is giving us a great opportunity to reach further into our community and to network with many of the community leaders to make a difference.  He is using us not only for the ministry today, but also for the ministry for future generations. By building a new facility that will enable us to have more tools to reach our community for the Lord.

This is an exciting time in the life of our congregation and it is our hope that you will catch the vision and that God will lead you to be a part of expanding His kingdom here in our community. As more families become a part of the congregation we want to invite you to participate in the vision. Every person here is an important part of our church family and we welcome you to join us and we will all do our best to minister to you.

God bless you,
Pastor Bruce

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SPECIAL MINISTRIES

Caring Hands - this ministry prepares and delivers meals to those families who attend Liberty Street who are ill/hospitalized.

Church Blog – Melanie Finotti is doing our church blog and does a great job. It is filled with updated information about the church and our activities.

The Media Ministry - records CD's and DVD’s of each Sunday Worship Service to those who are unable to attend or anyone who would like to receive a copy of the service.

Library – We have an extensive collection of books and tapes. The library is located behind the front of the Sanctuary.

Connecting Points Ministry – follows up on newcomers and visitors, and sends cards of encouragement to all in our congregation.

Parents Night Out – September thru May on the third Friday night of the month. Parents have free baby sitting and children have an evening of fun at the church.

Prayer Meeting – each Wednesday at 7:00PM in the sanctuary.

Prayer trios – groups of three who study and prayer each week. If interested see Judy Wilson.

Men’s Bible Study – Men meet on Mondays @ 7:00PM at Joe’s Gym October thru April to fellowship, study God’s Word and Pray.

Women's Ministry – arranges small group Bible studies in the fall, have spring retreats and tea parties.

FELLOWSHIP

Bon Fires - scheduled throughout the year at the new building site at Trinity Point where we enjoy food, games and fun.



Thanksgiving Dinner - we meet and enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner.



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OUTREACH
  
Live Nativity – Two evenings the presentation of the Live Nativity, including live animals, is depicted in the Park across from the Court House.

Food for Friends - Three evenings at various times throughout the year we supply, prepare and serve dinner to Clarion folks.

Blessing of the Bikers - Meet in May for a luncheon, prayer of protection for the bikers, and fellowship on a mapped cross country ride.

Teacher Recognition Sunday - Sunday School students are instructed to write a letter about their favorite school teacher or Sunday school teacher. That teacher is then invited to a Sunday Morning Worship Service and the letters are read by the student. The teacher is presented with a flower. Light refreshments are served and a time of fellowship is enjoyed after the service.

Invite a Friend Day - One Sunday, usually in the fall, we invite a friend, neighbor, or acquaintance to Sunday Service.

Missions - our missions include Church of God missions, AAA Life Services, and the mission work at the Heart for Uganda Children’s Village in Kyenjojo, Uganda under the supervision of Elissa Copper Saunde from Strattanville.

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Financial Contributions to the Capital Funds Campaign (CFC)

Several people from our congregation that have started to worship with us since the start of the last CFC have been asking how to get involved in the CFC giving. Our current CFC is raising $23,000.00 per month. That is an amazing amount that our folks have committed to giving. Every dollar that is given goes to the building of the new facility and this is giving over and above our tithes and offerings.

If you would like to make a commitment, we want you to have that opportunity to do so. Just fill out a commitment card (in the book rack of the pew) and just drop it in the offering plate.

We want to be sensitive to our new families with respect to your participation in the CFC. We are so glad that you are a part of the Liberty Street Church of God family, soon to be the Trinity Point Church of God family, and our desire first and foremost is to do our best to meet your spiritual needs. It is because of our desire to grow both spiritually and numerically that we believe that God is leading us in this direction and we will be better able to serve our community. We hope that you will catch the vision and will be an important part of this ministry. There is only one person who sees the commitment cards and that is our recording secretary, Diane Gross. No one else will see the cards and/or the financial commitment individuals and families make.

God bless you as you prayerfully seek what God would have you do in serving Him.

Greetings from Pastor Bruce - December 2011

Dear Friends,

Amazingly the Holidays are upon us. We just passed through Thanksgiving, and I hope you all had a wonderful time with family and friends, and Christmas and New Year’s is right around the corner.

The prophet Isaiah spoke these words several hundred years before the birth of Christ and they are some of the most powerful words in the Old Testament. (Isa 9:6 NIV)”For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” George Frideric Handle put this verse to words, “For Unto Us a Child is Born” from the Messiah. I think that this can help us appreciate the awesome inspiration of the power of these words from Scripture.

“For unto us a Child is born, to us a Son is given,” is the best thing that ever happen to fallen man. Literally for thousands of years after the Fall of Man, there was no way to reconcile man to God once for all. For years and years they made the animal sacrifices continually, but the Scripture says that the blood of bulls and goats can never take away the sins of man (Heb. 10:4). But PRAISE THE LORD! God provided a onetime sacrifice, through Jesus Christ so our sins can be taken away, and we can be cleansed, and we can be purified, and we can be a new person with a new heart and a new attitude!

The Scripture goes on to tell us that, “the government will be on His shoulders.” I believe this to mean that Jesus will carry the burden of being our King of kings and Lord of lords based on His love for mankind. That He would be the head of the church. One commentator writes, “This child is born to royal dignity; he is King of saints; his government consists in ruling in the hearts of his people.” This is an honor bestowed upon Christ by God the Father and Christ willingly accepted this weight of responsibility. I love the words to the old hymn we sing, “There’s a theme that is sweet to my memory, there’s a joy I cannot express, there’s a treasure that gladdens my being, tis the kingdom of God’s righteousness. Tis the kingdom of peace, it is reigning within. It shall ever increase in my soul; we possess it right here when He saves from all sin. And twill last while the ages shall roll.”

Finally this verse tells us, And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Words make up languages. That’s all we have to describe our Lord and Savior. These words describe some of His attributes and supernatural abilities. He is KING of all of the words that we use to describe Christ. He is able to accomplish all of these gestures of love toward us because He is all of these attributes and characteristics. The Bible says He, (Eph 3:20 NIV)”……is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

I hope that in the days and weeks ahead, that you will use the time to grow in Christ and that it will be an experience that will change you for the rest of your life. God bless you as you experience Christ and His supernatural love and concern for you and me.

Pastor Bruce 

Youth News from Pastor Jonathan - December 2011

would really like to thank everyone for the gift cards, gifts of money, and other gifts we received for pastor appreciation month!  It is nice to know that we are appreciated and loved by all of you.  Over the past year we have had the opportunity to meet with several of you and spend some time together.  It is such a great opportunity for us to serve you and take part in molding your youth!  We hope and pray that God will continue to guide us and bless us as we strive to move His Kingdom forward.
I am happy and relieved to say we made it safely home from the state youth convention, “Thirst” in Erie.  We had a great weekend of fun, food, fellowship, and growing closer to God.  We were blessed to have nice weather; we all know what the weather in Erie can be like in November.  Over the course of the weekend we were challenged to make an impact in our communities, to be the hands and feet of Christ.  Please continue to encourage you’re youth to volunteer or sacrifice their time to help make this community one that will be known by its fruits.  As a last thought, and side note, I don’t recover from being up all night as well as I use to!
For those who haven’t heard, we raised almost $900.00 at the bake sale during our annual Thanksgiving dinner.  That is Awesome!  Thank you all for participating in the auction and supporting the youth who will be going to the International Youth Convention in Denver, CO this coming summer.  A special thanks to Matt Bates for being our auctioneer! Thanks Matt!

Sunday, November 27, 2011

December 2011 - Monthly Planner

1 - Divorce Care Grp.  6 - 7:45PM - Highland Oaks @ 6:30PM
2 - Live Nativity 6 - 8PM
3 - Live Nativity 6 - 8PM
4 - SS @ 9AM - Worship @ 10AM - Youth 6 - 8PM
5 - Men's Group @ 7PM
6 - Play Group 10 - 12PM - Liberty Towers @ 2PM
7 - Prayer Meeting @ 7PM
8 - Divorce Care Grp.  6 - 7:45PM
9 -
10 -
11 - SS @ 9AM - Worship @ 10AM - Youth 6 - 8PM
12 - Men's Group @ 7PM
13 - Play Group 10 - 12PM - Liberty Towers @ 2PM - Gideons Christmas Party @ 6:30PM
14 - Prayer Meeting @ 7PM
15 - Divorce Care Grp.  6 - 7:45PM
16 - Parents Night Out 6 - 10PM
17 -
18 - SS @ 9AM - Children's Musical during Worship @ 10AM - Youth Christmas Party
19 - Men's Group @ 7PM
20 -
21 - 1st day of Winter - Prayer Meeting @ 7PM
22 - Divorce Care Grp.  6 - 7:45PM
23 -
24 - Candlelight Christmas Eve Service @ 7PM
25 - Merry Christmas - SS @ 9AM - Worship @ 10AM - No Youth
26 - Office closed - Pastor Bruce on vacation
27 -
28 - No Prayer Meeting
29 - Divorce Care Grp.  6 - 7:45PM
30 -
31 - New Year's Eve

Announcements - November 2011


If you are new to Liberty Street C.O. G. (in your mailbox is a blue sheet with needed family information). Please place these in the secretary's mailbox. Also, please check your mailboxes for any information we may have placed in there.  The mailboxes are located in the Narthex.  If you are unsure if you have a mailbox or you do not have a mailbox, call Tammy @ 226 - 8672. You are important to us & we need to keep you updated on all activities!  Also, your monthly newsletter will be placed in the mailbox assigned to you.
Finally, please let the Church Office know if you would like a copy of any of our Sunday morning sermons. We send to our shut-ins on a weekly basis.
We are offering a "Live Worship Telecast" in the Fellowship Hall to help accommodate the seating needs of our growing church!  Praise the Lord!  Anyone is welcome to check it out & share in this new Worship extension.   With video recording of the service in this way, we will also be able to improve our outreach to our shut-ins by giving them our worship on DVD.

Are you new here @ LSCOG??  We have Sunday School classes for all ages.  Nursery , Preschool, K-2nd, 3rd - 5th, Jr. Youth, Sr. Youth & 3 Adult classes... check us out today!  


WWCH Channel 1300 on AM Broadcasting @ 10AM every Sunday...  The first Sunday if every month a pre-recorded service from Liberty Street Church of God with Pastor Bruce will be heard.  If you are unable to attend church on any Sunday morning, tune in to AM 1300.


All Church Annual Holiday Dinner - November 13th @ the Limestone Fire Hall @ Noon.  Please sign up with the Church Office @ 814 - 226 - 8672 if you have not handed in your response card.  Don't miss this "turkey dinner w/all the fixins" & wonderful time of fellowship!!  We want to include you & your family in this celebration with new friends & old.  Also, the Youth will once again be having their Dessert Auction.


Operation Overcoat - Take your children's outgrown coats to any Northwest Bank Office.  We will have them cleaned & distribbuted to area children in need.   Deadline is November 18th.


November 18th - Parent's Nite Out - Please sign up in the Welcome Center.


Saturday, November 19th - We need DINGALINGS!!!  We need people or families to ring the bell for the Salvation Army.  Sign-up in the Welcome Center & watch for details & plan to help this holiday season!

This year's Christmas program will be a musical titled  "A Shepherd's Story".  It will be performed Sunday, December 18th during our morning service by our children.  Come prepared to be in awe of the wonderful talent these children express.  A love for the Lord & a love for all of you, "their church family".  Celebrate this joyous season with The Shepherd's Story.  You won't want to miss this!!!
All children in grades 2 - 6 who are interested in being part of this year's musical should attend all practices, starting on Sunday October 23rd.  All practices will be held on Sundays during Sunday School @ 9AM & will continue thru worship until Sunshine Club begins around 10:30AM.   We will be including the younger children as well.  Please contact Diane Troutman @ 724-867-0905 or Wendy Ferguson @ 814-379-3385 for any questions about the Christmas musical.
Christmas Program Update:  All children need to attend the dress rehearsal in the Sanctuary, Saturday, December 17th from 9:30 - 12:30.  At that time, they will receive their costumes & run through the musical with scenery.  It is important your child attends as we will be adding the instrumentalist, showing them when to enter, where to stand during the scenes & where to move when singing.  Each child has a part & will be costumed.  Some have speaking parts that need to be memorized if possible.  I hope you are looking forward to our gift to the congregation... "The Shepherd's Story"!

Sign-Ups for Live Nativity in the Welcome Center - we need your help in all areas.  You are an important part of this ministry.  We need singers for the choir along with Angels, Kings, & etc.  Everyone is welcome to participate.  Sign up today!!  We can always use a large choir of angelic (& not so angelic) voices!  December 2 & 3 (Friday & Saturday) 6 - 8PM


Choir Ladies...  Thank you "hosts of angels" - what a wonderful rehearsal last Sunday.  We will not meet on Nov. 27th, but please plan to rehearse December 4th & 11th immediately after church in the Fellowship Hall  & Saturday morning December 17th in the Sanctuary with children.  Please let Bonnie know if you cannot attend.  Our gift, "the Shepherd's Story" musical, will be presented to the congregation December 18, 2011.


Christ's Birthday Offering - The Christ Birthday Offering will be taken on Sunday morning, December 18th during our morning worship.  Envelopes will be in your bulletins on December 11th.

Life Saving Screenings:
Where:  LSCofG
When:  Friday. December 16th
Pre-registration is required ~~ Call 1 - 800 - 679 - 5192  or go to www.lifelinescreening.com/community-partners
Priority Code:  HSC4623



Community Thanksgiving Service - Wednesday, November 23rd @ 7PM @ the First United Methodist Church in Clarion 

Operation Christmas Child - Samaritan's Purse Shoebox Ministry

*** Monday, November 14 - Sunday, November 21 ***
We are the collection site for the Shoebox Ministry in our area.  We are in need of individuals that can be here at the church during drop-off times in the event other churches come to drop off their shoebox collections.  You will show them where they go & have them complete a card.  The employees of our church will be here during the week, daytime shifts, but it would be nice if we also had someone on hand as well ~ see volunteer schedule below...  Thank you for your assistance.  

We have lots of brochures available with gift suggestions & suggestions of what not to pack in your shoebox.  For more information stop @ the table in the church Narthex or call John Henry @ 814 - 797 - 5962 or email: www.samaritanspruse.org   
Every child deserves to have a memorable Christmas & the opportunity to know Jesus as their Lord & savior.  Please join us!  It's what Christmas is all about... Giving the Love of Jesus!!
Volunteers needed - Sign-up sheet is in the Narthex....
Monday, Nov. 14 - 10AM - 2PM
Tuesday, Nov. 15 - 10AM - 2PM & 6 - 8PM
Wednesday, Nov. 16 - 10AM - 2PM
Thursday, Nov. 17 - 10AM - 2PM & 6 - 8PM
Friday, Nov. 18 - 10AM - 2PM
Saturday, Nov. 19 - 10AM - Noon
Sunday, Nov. 20 - 1 - 3PM
Update - Samaritans Purse Shoebox Ministry 
We collected a grand total of 1,798 shoeboxes!!  Last year (2010) 1,494 shoeboxes were collected from local churches.  In our church alone, we collected 153 in 2010.  AND... this year,  367 were collected from LSCofG.
Thank you to all who participated & a special thanks for all the people who helped pack the 1,798 boxes!!!



Something New:
A Sewing Group for women of all ages, beginners to experienced, wanting to get together for great fellowship.  We can learn from each other.   Anyone interested in knitting or crocheting is welcome, also!   Ideas for making sewing creations for ourselves, our children, & as gifts or donations.  
Friday Nov. 11, Saturday Nov. 19, & Fridays December 2 & 9 from 6:30 - 8:30PM @ the church.  For November & December we are going to make some simple hand sewn items to donate for Christmas. Materials you can bring (if able) include sewing needles, straight pins, embroidery floss, thread, & sheets of felt.
Starting in January we will begin doing projects including bags, quilts, pillows, & more.  Make something for yourself or as a gift for someone you love.  We will start meeting on the 2nd & 4th Fridays in 2012.
We are always taking donations of fabric, buttons, tread, felt, yarn, & any sewing related items.
Childcare provided on site - $2 donation is requested.
Any questions, please call Ame Pentz @ 724 - 747 - 5590 or email Ame @  Hebrews11_1@hotmail.com.


Poinsettias - there is an insert in the bulletin.  These poinsettias will be used to adorn our sanctuary @ Christmas.  You can place it in Memory or in Honor of someone.  Deadline is November 27th.


Thank You ...
Terry & I would like to thank everyone that helped make his concert benefit a success.  And also a special "Thank You" to the Buchwitz Family for doing such an awesome concert for us.  Your kindness shall long be remembered.  Terry & Deb Aites


Women of Faith Conference 2012 - September 28 & 29 in PGH, PA.  We are hoping to get as many women as possible signed up to go to Women of Faith next year.  It will be a geat time of fellowship & growing in our walk with God.  More info to come, but if you are interested... please see Blair Spencer.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

November 2011 - Monthly Planner

November
1 - Play Group @ 10AM
2 - Prayer Meeting @ 7PM
3 - Divorce Care Group @ 6PM - Highland Oaks @ 6:30PM
4 -
5 -
6 - S.S. @ 9AM - Worship @ 10AM - Unity Service "We Cry Out for Revival" @ Brookville COG @ 6:30PM
7 - Weight Watchers @ 5:30PM - Ladies Bible Study @ 6PM - Men's Bible Study @ 7PM 
8 - Election Day - C.E. Mtng @ 6PM - Business Mtng @ 7PM
9 - Prayer Mtng @ 7PM
10 - Divorce Care Group @ 6PM
11 - Veteran's Day
12 -
13 - S.S. @ 9AM - Worship @ 10AM - All Church Holiday Dinner @ Noon @ Limestone FireHall - Ladies Bible Study @ 6PM
14 - Weight Watchers @ 5:30PM - Ladies Bible Study @ 6PM - Men's Bible Study @ 7PM 
15 - Play Group @ 10AM - Council Mtng @ 7PM
16 - Prayer Mtng @ 7PM
17 - Divorce Care Group @ 6PM
18 - State Youth Convention in Erie, PA - Thirst
19 -  State Youth Convention in Erie, PA - Thirst
20 -  State Youth Convention in Erie, PA - Thirst -  S.S. @ 9AM - Worship @ 10AM - Ladies Bible Study @ 6PM
21 - Weight Watchers @ 5:30PM - Ladies Bible Study @ 6PM - Men's Bible Study @ 7PM 
22 - Play Group @ 10AM
23 - No Prayer Mtng - Please attend the Community Thanksgiving Service @ the Methodist Church @ 7PM
24 - Church Office closed - Happy Thanksgiving

25 - Parent's Nite Out @ 6 - 10PM
26 - 
27 - 1st Sunday in Advent - S.S. @ 9AM - Worship @ 10AM - Ladies Bible Study @ 6PM
28 - 1st day of Deer Season - Weight Watchers @ 5:30PM
29 - Play Group @ 10AM
30 -  Prayer Mtng @ 7PM