Monthly Planner - February 2014

1 -
2 - Sunday School @ 9AM - Worship @ 10AM
3 - Weight Watchers @ 4:30PM - Men's Bible Study @ 7PM
4 - Play Group @ 10AM
5 -
6 -
7 - Whitehall Winter Camp 3 - 6PM
8 - Whitehall Winter Camp 3 - 6PM
9 - Whitehall Winter Camp 3 - 6PM - Sunday School @ 9AM - Worship @ 10AM - Baby Bottle Boomerang Collection today - Sr. Youth @ 6PM - No Jr. Youth
10 - Weight Watchers @ 4:30PM - Men's Bible Study @ 7PM
11 - Play Group @ 10AM - Gideon's Mtng @ 6:30PM
12 -
13 - Building Committee  Mtng. @ 7PM
14 - Happy Valentine's Day - Parent's Night Out from 6-10PM
15 -
16 - Sunday School @ 9AM - Worship @ 10AM - Souper Sunday following Worship -
17 - President's Day - Weight Watchers @ 4:30PM - Men's Bible Study @ 7PM
18 - Play Group @ 10AM
19 -
20 -
21 -
22 - Ladies Prayer Retreat - begins @ 10AM
23 - Sunday School @ 9AM - Worship @ 10AM - Dominican Republic Mission Update @ 7:30PM with Josh Wilson & Josie Davis speaking
24 - Weight Watchers @ 4:30PM - Men's Bible Study @ 7PM
25 - Play Group @ 10AM - Ladies Night Out 6-8PM
26 -
27 - Worship Committee Mtng. @ 6:30PM
28 - CCHS meet for Family Night @ 4:30PM in the Fellowship Hall

Prayer Concerns - February 2014

Most Recent Concerns - 

2/27 - Laura Burford's Uncle Bob - is able to swallow soft foods - it's going to be a long healing process, but this have given him great encouragement 
2/23 - Jim Moelk (Pat Long's (& Brent's) brother in law) - begins Chemo treatments today
2/22 - Janet Morrison (Pat Radaker's cousin) - has cancer
2/21 - Ben Rice (Jenny Bates 8-year-old nephew) -  has been having digestive problems for several months - from the results of blood work & other tests, the doctors think it looks like Crohn's disease - he has a colonoscopy next week to confirm this - they are praying for supernatural healing
2/20 - Update from Lisa Buchwitz...Dale and I want to thank everyone for praying for Dale's dad.  He went to a followup appointment & his hemoglobin levels are back to normal, his oxygen level is back to normal & he is doing okay.  He is only on Asprin now.  Please pray that there will be no more clotting blood, that is what was causing his strokes.  We are praising the Lord.
2/20 - Penny Hynd (Lisa Buchwitz's sister) - had emergency surgery last night & is in Mount Nittany Hospital in State College - she had a ruptured hernia
2/20 - Jim Huber (Lisa Buchwitz's Dad) - Cat Scan showed he does have a cyst & will be going to see a ears nose & throat specialist to get a biopsy done - we are praying it is benign  
2/14 - Ochs Baby - is stable on medication - they have a consultation w/the cardiologist panel today
2/14 - Matt Herrington - has a tumor on his kidney - they have put him on a chemo pill to shrink it - it is only in this area
2/13 - Ochs baby - has congestive heart failure; they are trying medication & if that doesn’t work, they will operate
2/10 - Dale Buchwitz's dad - is not doing well at all; bleeding internally
2/10 - Dale Buchwitz's father - has COPD & is having a difficult time - he is seeing the doctor today

2/10 - Jim Uber (Lisa's father) - has a small mass & going for a CAT scan today

2/7 - Cindy Emery's mom, Betty Hawthorne - in UPMC Seneca; she had a mild stroke

2/7 - John Swanger (close friend of Pastor Bruce & retired pastor) - had a heart valve replacement on Thursday; he's doing well/hopefully will come home Monday

2/7 - James Roskos (Pastor Bruce's cousin) - had back surgery a few weeks ago & is recovering - however, his wife Robin had a stroke & just came home from rehab on Thursday of this past week - she has double vision & some memory loss

2/7 Nancy Zacherl's grandchildren, Archer and Alivia - both have strep throat really bad & can't eat, because their throats are so sore

2/7 - Clarence Evans - was diagnosed with cancer

2/7 - Jim Huber (Lisa Buchwitz's Dad) - has some fluid running from his spine to his brain stem - can be treated with medications - also he has a small mass on his gland & will be going for a cat scan
2/6 - Pastor John Swanger (Pastor Bruce's friend) - from Punsxy is having a heart valve replacement today @ Shadyside in Pittsburgh
2/5 - Travis Aites - possibly has a mild concussion - he'll have an Impact test on Thurs. then we will know - he also has a fractured orbital of his right eye - has been resting this afternoon & should rest all of tonight/tommorrow - it's going to be tough to tell a teenager no tv, pc,etc... for 24 hrs
2/4 - Travis Aites - picked up from school & taken to the Doctor for a possible concussion - we will let you all know how he is doing once we hear more

Praises

Prayer Concerns

 Burden for the Lost - Our Government & Leaders (local, state, national) -  Donna Oberlander (State Rep) - President of the U.S.    Spiritual Growth for our church family  - The Unsaved - Pastor Bruce & Family - Our Community - Other Churches in our Community - Our Military - Our College Students - Unspoken - REVIVAL - Construction workers & Delta Contractors @ Trinity Point - Building the Trinity Point Facility

Terry Aites (waiting for kidney transplant) - Arianna Evans - Phyllis Traister - DuWayne & Thelma Miller - Jon Fye (Dawn Christie's brother) - Jamie Best - Melissa McCloskey (cancer) - Jeremy Willy - Brian McGarrity (cancer) - Jack Hiles - Michelle Blauser - Clarence & Shirley Evans - Judy Fiscus - Janet Young - Connie Minich - Debbie & Dave Jordan - Jessica Henry (MS & Chemo treatments) -  Don Barger - Mike Roach (cancer Pastor & Judy's brother-in-law) - Frances Hile - Judy Schwab - Don Norris - Pat Radaker (fell) - Matt Harrington - Pearl Manross - those w/cold & flu - Dori Lawrence - Kathy Ealey - Vonnie Tiley - Rudy Tesch (Brenda Smith's Dad) - Jennifer Morgan (pregnancy) - Aly Johnston (pregnant) - Sgt. Seth Long (Afghanistan) - Tom Buzard (cancer/Park Hill Congregation) - David Guess (Duane Troutman's grandson) - Sarah Switzer (Jim & Joann Switzer's granddaughter) - Julie Mays (H1N1 Virus) - Mark Kahle (heart transplant) - John Swanger - Ronald Crosswaite - Ben RIce - Janet Morrison (cancer - Pat Radaker's cousin) - Penny Hynd - Jum Huber

Snowbirds
Fred & Martha Glosser - Nancy Yates - Bill & Lois Brandenstein - Ray & Marian Peltcs

Upcoming Events

Building new "Trinity Point Church of God" 

Missions and Outreach
Whitehall Camp & Conference Center  - AAA Life Services - WPA Ministries of the COG - COG Ministries Anderson, IND - Food For Friends - Koinonia (CUP campus) - Alyssa Cooper Sande (Africa) - Jessica Wilson (Dominican Republic) - Clarion Ministerium - Rebecca New-Edson (WPA COG Ministries Dir.) - Rev. Jim Lyon (Gen. Director Elect)

Nursing/Personal Care Home/Rehab Patients
Nila Minich (Gene Minich’s Mom) – Clarview, Sligo
Pearl Manross - Golden Living Shippenville
Edna Burford - Golden Living Shippenville
Sue Foust - Laurel Brook Brookville
Alice Ferguson - Laurel Brook Brookville

Ministries & Leaders of Our Congregation
Children & Youth Ministries - Our Boards & Committees - Sunday School - Sat. & Sun. Worship Services - Women of the Church of God & Women’s Ministries - Pastor Bruce & Family - Church Staff

Bulletin Announcements - February 2014

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.  The church mailboxes are located in the Narthex & arranged alphabetically.  Please check your mailboxes for information we may have placed in there.  If you are unsure if you have a mailbox, or you do not have a mailbox & want one, call Tammy @ 814 - 226 - 8672. You are important to us & we need to keep you updated on all activities!

For all that have a computer... go to the Church Blog for your September Newsletter. You can find us @ www.clarionchurchofgod.blogspot.com.  Subscribe to the church blog, & all posts/updates will be delivered right to your email address Inbox.

Also, 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!

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. Finally, if you are absent from church on Sunday & would like a copy of any of our Sunday morning sermons, please call the church office. We would be happy to send you one. 

WWCH Channel 1300 on AM Broadcasting @ 11AM every Sunday...  The first Sunday of 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.

WEATHER CANCELLATION - if we have bad weather or if it is calling for bad weather, please go to radio station WCCR 1300 AM for church cancellations.  We will also put out cancellations by email.

Group Activities:

Men’s Group - every Monday night @ Joe's Gym

Ladies Nite Out - the last Tuesday of the month from 6-8PM

Youth Group - 7-12th grade... every Sunday night @6PM - Youth Kick-Off Sept. 29th

Jr. Youth Group - 4- 6th grade... Sunday nights @ 6PM
Parent's Night Out - 3rd Friday of the month from 6 - 10PM

Fellowship Opportunities  & February Special Events 

Be sure to check your email & the Church Blog!!

February 9 - end of Baby Bottle Boomerang AAA Life Center Fundraiser - We need your help!

February 14 from 6 to 10PM - Parents Night Out - Sign-up in the Welcome Center

February 14 - 15 - Becoming One - Join Jimmy & Karen Evans for the latest live simulcast from Marriage Today.  Cost is $30/couple & includes a catered dinner on Friday & all printed materials.  Registration locally @ Brookville Church of God or available online @ Eventbrite.com:BecomingOneBrookville.Evenbrite.com.  Deadline to regiester is February 9th.     Doors open Friday @ 6PM, dinner @ 6:30PM.  Saturday doors open @ 9AM, Simulcast from 10 - 12:30PM.  Host site:  Brookville Church of God 814-849 - 0923 pr www.BrookvilleChurchofGod.com.

February 16 Souper Sunday - Although the Super Bowl is past, it's not too late to enjoy the Youth Group's Souper Sunday Luncheon to raise funds for the International Youth Convention (IYC) in Nashville this summer.  Youth parents are asked to make a soup, salad, &/or dessert.  Sign-up in the church foyer or see Kim callendar or Jenny Bates to let us know what you can contribute.  We invite the church family to join us for Souper Sunday after Worship on the 16th.  Donations will be accepted for IYC.  Thank you for your support!

Ladies Prayer Retreat - February 22nd from 10AM - 1PM - plan to attend - the  sign-up sheet on the Welcome Table in the Narthex or see Judy Wilson - cost is $5.00.

February 23rd - Dominican Republic Presentation - Josh Wilson & Josie Davis will be here showing their DVD of their trip to the DR & will be presenting information on the upcoming Churches of God Mission Trip planned for October 2014.  We invite you to attend & bring a guest with you. 

March 2nd - April 21st? ... Spring Bible Studies.  Please sign up in the Welcome Center for childcare if needed.

His Needs/Her Needs:

Sundays 6-8PM @ the following locations:

Mark and Karen Hazlett’s home with Nancy Jeannerat leading

Joe and Bonnie Ferguson’s home with Joe and Bonnie leading

Pastor Bruce and Judy’s home with Pastor Bruce and Judy leading

or Wednesdays 6-8PM starting March 5th @ 6PM @ Whitehall (location to be determined) with Randy and Sue Evans leading.

**An alternative study: Real Relationships-From Bad to Better and Good to Great will be held Wednesdays from 6 - 8PM in the Church Fellowship Hall with Clyde and Trish Bish leading.

                                        

February 25th - Chocolate... Ladies Night Out - Serving God,     Serving Others and on this evening we will be serving chocolate.

                                        

General Announcements:

Pasta Fundraiser for Jamaica - We have 10 people from Liberty Street going on a Mission trip to Jamaica in August.  We are having a "Pasta Fundraiser".  If you would like to place an order online go to www.funpastafundraising.com/shop/liberty-st-church-of-god.  Please note, if you order pasta online, you will need to pay shipping.  We recommend that you browse online & pick what you like & then give us your order @ the church so the shipping will be free.  We will be in the foyer again next Sunday.  The fundraiser closes on 2/17/14.

Tithing Envelopes - If you are in need of tithing envelopes please see Diane Gross or call the Church Office @ 814-226-8672.

How to go Online to see the Church Directory....

To see the Church Directory online you have to go through this blog because the directory is a PDF file. Click on the link   http://directory.instantchurchdirectory.com/73945862/churchdirectory.pdf.    To obtain the password, please contact the Church Office.  Once you enter the Church Directory, you can open the PDF file for viewing.  You may also load a free App for your smartphone.  In the App Store... search  instantchurchdirectory & follow the instructions to download.  If you wish to have a printed hard copy, contact Tammy in the Church Office @ 226 - 8672. There are also some available in the Welcome Center. This is an ongoing process as we add new families weekly.  Please let us know of any updates or corrections.

The Library has a lot if duplicate books.  If you would like to check the book truck in the Library to see if there are any you want, please help yourself.  More will be put out over the winter.

If you are interested in being in a Women's Prayer Group, there is a sign-up sheet in the Welcome Center.

Are you looking for a Ministry to be involved in?? - We are in need of men & women that would be interested in transporting elderly to appointments occassionally.  Sometimes they may need to go to Pittsburgh.  Please let the Church Office know if you would consider being on a list of names for us to call when the need arises.

Attention: Teachers, Nursery Workers & Volunteers -  If you have received your Child Abuse Clearance in the mail, please bring it to the church office ASAP. Watch fort updates & events on the Church's or Youth Group's Facebook page http:www.facebook.com/groups/173856376044348 -- Liberty Street Church of God Youth Group. Check out these exciting stories on Clarion Sports Zone - posting by Dave McClaine (http://www.clarionsportszone.com/) We are in need of additional: 1) Nursery Workers - We are so blessed with lots of babies that we need more adult help.  Please see Michelle Aites if you are interested in helping w/Sunday School Nursery or Worship Nursery. 2) SonShine Club Workers - We are being blessed with more children in our Sonshine Club Ministry!  We are asking that anyone willing to come out of retirement (teaching Sonshine Club) or looking for a new ministry (teaching Sonshine Club) , please see Hayley Jeannerat.  You can call her @ 764-5390 or the church office @ 226-8672 or email her @ hayleydj@windstream.net.  There are 2 groups - Younger (3yr. - Kind.) & Older (1st - 3rd gr.).  Because of age, helpers are placed with the younger group.  No need to worry about preparing a lengthy lesson.  Hayley makes a 6 month rotation schedule & currently teachers are teaching every 5 - 6 wks., but if there were more volunteers you would teach less often.  What a blessing to see children learn of our wonderful Savior.  3) Welcome Center Volunteers - Please see Tammy Lerch or call 226-9680 if you are interested. Coming Up… Liberty Street's Got Talent - Saturday, March 8 @ 7PM in the Sanctuary - we are blessed to have so many talented people in our congregation.  How fun would it be to have an evening where we got to enjoy all that talent at once!  Make plans to attend "Liberty Street's Got Talent" when all of us will get to enjoy the God-given talent of those in our church family.  Refreshments will be available & a love offering will be taken to help the team from our church going to Jamaica for a mission trip this sumer.  If you have a talent you'd like to share, please sign up @ the Welcome Center desk.  See Matt or Jenny Bates if you have questions. Wii Bowling Tournament - March 16th - $5 to play... come & enjoy the fun & lots of food!! You are invited to the Wedding Ceremony of Duane & Tiffany Troutman on April 12th @ 2:30PM @ the Whitehall Tabernacle w/Reception to follow.  A sign up sheet willbe inthe Welcome Center.  We need your RSVP by March 23rd.  THe couple requests your presence & no gifts please. Mission Trip to Jamaica 2014 It’s time to start planning for Jamaica!   If you would like an opportunity to serve God on the mission field and are ready for a life-changing adventure, we invite you on a one-week mission trip to Harmons, Jamaica.  We’re working with an organization called Won by One to Jamaica to plan a trip for our church August 10-17, 2014.  Anyone age 13 and over is welcome. Harmons is a small mountain village of 3,000 people in south central Jamaica.  It’s an impoverished community with around 75% unemployment.  Quality medical treatment is lacking and money for basic needs is limited.  One practical objective of our trip will be to help alleviate some of the physical hardships the citizens of Harmons experience every day. Our jobs there may include tasks such as: *constructing houses *carrying marl (basic ingredient for making concrete)  *helping at “Blessings In Store,” a second-hand store created by the Won by One ministry, now run by local Jamaicans *repairing homes *assisting school teachers Now is the time to make a commitment to going on the trip.  If you are interested, please see Matt & Jenny Bates at the table in the church foyer.  A $100 per person deposit will be required to secure your spot.  Each team member must raise an additional $1,350 to cover trip expenses (airfare, ground transportation, meals/accommodations, etc.)  Passport not included.  The deposit will be due September 15.  If you have questions, contact Matt & Jenny Bates at 814-764-6056 or at - mrbates_2000@yahoo.com.

Birthdays & Anniversaries - February 2014

Birthdays                                                   

2/4 - Clyde Bish & Vonnie Tiley

2/5 - Shawn Morgan

2/8 - Deneen Collier

2/9  - Judy Schwab & Mattie Vickers

2/12 - Taylor Aites

2/14 - Don Norris

2/15 - Jacob Henry, Janet Norris & Leatha McClaine

2/16 - Gene Minich

2/17 - Evelyn Lerch & Rich Kropp

2/19 - Beth Grenci & Lynn Manville

2/21 - Mary Reed

2/22 - Brooke Bowser & Fred Workman

2/23 - Bev Pangallo

2/24 - Dennis Finotti

2/25 - Brenda Smith & Mary Beth Allen

2/26 - June (Sue) Stark

2/27 - Ethan Burford

 

Anniversaries

2/17 -  Rich & Lorie Kropp   

2/20 - Jeff & Tammy Ferringer

2/22 - Jim & Bev Pangallo

2/25 - Ray & Bonnie Dunkle

Pastor's Message - February 2014

Psalms 23:1-3 ESV A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  (2)  He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.  (3)  He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

 

Dear Church Family,

I have been thinking a lot lately about many of the things we all deal with in everyday life and all of the things that either potentially can or do cause confusion, frustration, and discouragement. There is no doubt life is hectic and we are all trying to muti-task as we try to accomplish what is on our   schedules.

I would love to give advice, including advice to myself, on how to deal with all of those things. I’m not sure it would be received well, or that anyone would being willing to listen or change. The paradox of it all is that we seem to know it is happening, but we rarely do anything about it. That is, changing our life styles because what we are doing and how we are living, in many cases is not working for us. I’m not saying that all of the things of life that we deal with are sinful. In fact, many of the things in this life that take up so much of our time are good things. For example, raising our children and being with them in their activities, serving in the community and serving for the Lord.

One of the things that has been bothering me lately is, and I have mentioned this to you before, and I am probably more confused than ever about the issue. For me, I am feeling like I am on information overload. I feel like the more I learn the more I do not know, and I feel completely inadequate to stand before you on Sunday mornings to give a message. I struggle with making sure I am doing my best to “rightly handle the Word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). That’s because there is so much information  available on any subject that we can talk about, so many books that can be read, thousands of       articles that can be read if we “Google” the subject, I am wore out just writing about it.

There is, however, good advice that comes from God. It is perfect, and it can, through the power of the Holy Spirit, change our lives if we honestly and truly take the advice to heart and listen to the Holy Spirit.

The first three verses of Psalm 23 gives us the answer to calming down and taking a deep breath. The LORD is my SHEPHERD! Praise the Lord, A shepherd leads and guides and protects the sheep. That’s what God wants to do for us, just like a parent with their child, wanting to make sure they are taken care of with respect to giving direction for life, protecting them and making sure of their         well-being. That verse one goes on to say, “I shall not want.” Oh for the day we could all get to the point of living life not wanting anything except more of our Savior.

Verse two says, “He MAKES me lie down in green pasture.” Notice the word MAKES? It seem to be really important that we get ourselves in a place where, at times, we can be at peace and be          refreshed. Green pastures gives us a picture of peace and tranquility. It gives us the ability to just take it easy and focus on the One who is MAKING us be there.

“He leads me beside still waters.” That word “still” is translated “abode.” In other words we need to make our abode, our residence with our Lord. That the place of protecting and the place of safety, spiritually speaking.

 

And I love the result. Verse three says, “He restores my soul.” There seems to be times in our lives, no, may I say there are times in our lives, when our soul needs restored! The reason? Just as are bodies get run down physically from all of our activities, so our souls get run down, from the spiritual battles that we fight, the spiritual war that is being waged against our souls. “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul” (1 Peter 2:11ESV). There seems to be those temptations, those fleshly desires that we constantly have to deal with. We needs at times, to recharge, to get ourselves built back up, to be restored, so we can continue to win the spiritual battles that come our way. We are told, “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war          according to the flesh.  (4) For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4 ESV). 

We will be having many challenges that are before us as a congregation. We are going to be full steam ahead with our new facility in the weeks ahead and for the next 18-24 months. I can’t tell you how excited I am to finally see the structure start to be built.

Please be praying about who the next person will be to be on staff as our Associate Pastor. We are developing a ministry description with many responsibilities along with Family Life Ministries.

We are being challenged, but at the same time, it is really fulfilling to see God working in the life of our congregation. We are in the people business and we need to keep that focus and remember that all that we do all that is being built is to be better equipped to meet the spiritual needs in our community.

Don’t forget, take time and be still in 2014.

 

God bless you all.

Pastor Bruce