We encourage you to please attend the remainder of these Lenten services, not only to show unity and solidarity
with our local churches, but also so we can more faithfully draw close to Christ and his cross together as his larger,
corporate people.
Robinson Presbyterian
7:30 PM
March 21
Rev. Keith Clark
Center U.P. Midway
7:30 PM
March 28
Rev. Craig Kephart
Irons Memorial Presbyterian
12:00 Nn
April 6 Good Friday
Rev. Charles Puff
McDonald Baptist
7:30 PM
April 6 Good Friday
Rev. Brian Kilbert
Palm Sunday – On Sunday April 1st, the Youth Group/Sunday School will be performing a mini-drama on the
triumphal entry entitled, “Who Are We on Palm Sunday?” and we enthusiastically invite you to join us and invite
others to witness and worship Christ, the humble Messiah.
Maundy Thursday – We will celebrate Communion on Thursday, April 5th. Please encourage our other
members who live near you to join us for the gift of God to us and to remember the meal Christ instituted for
us to remember together.
Easter – Please join us Sunday, April 8th at 11 AM to celebrate the greatest miracle of all – and
please invite many others to join us, not just other members, but family, neighbors, friends, even
strangers to come hear the good news that has changed everything. We exist to spread the gospel –
and the gospel in a special way shines brightest on Easter day – do your best to share it with others,
especially those who may need it the most
Center United Presbyterian Church
PO Box 563
110 Washington Avenue
Midway, PA 15060
Don’t forget about our website –
there’s lots to see at www.centermidway.com.
Center United
Presbyterian
Church Newsletter
April/May 2012
Salutations from the Pastor
Grace and peace to you all in the name of Jesus, the Holy One who gives us our identity as His holy ones. We
are now halfway through Lent. We just recently – with the E100 project - started the narrative in Exodus about
Moses and God’s people. Exodus is a very good book to read through during Lent – it opens with dark and somber
tones; it involves a very particular figure who is called to be God’s agent of deliverance; the people in it progress on
a journey that’s difficult but transformative, and it develops toward a climax of redemption, liberation and victory.
And by the way, the gospel is found in the book of Exodus too. God sent Moses (a prefigure of Christ) to
deliver his people out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. But this salvation was not for Israel’s sake alone; it was
for the nations. Moses relates the LORD’s own words to Pharaoh, “But I have raised you up for this purpose: that I
might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth” (9:16). Do we believe that God
wanted His name proclaimed in all the earth for just a generation, maybe two? Of course not!
Our God is not a system, an idea, a movement or a doctrine. Our God is a person who is in the same business
today as He was 3,000 years ago. But surpassing Moses, His Son Jesus not only carries our sorrow, He bears the
sin of the world. The book of Exodus proclaims (and for us today) that Israel’s salvation, far from meaning the
rejection of other nations, is the means of their deliverance. Do we truly realize this is still true for us as God’s
people; that God’s mission to the world has never stopped? Ex. 19:5-6 states, “Now if you truly listen to me and
keep my covenant … to the whole earth, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
Lent is a season of reminders that God has brought us out of the slavery of sin so that as His priesthood of
believers (1 Pet. 2:9), we may also testify to the world that He alone brings life and salvation, through the deliverer,
Jesus Christ. I pray that this time of Lent will help us together reclaim our part in God’s mission to the world.
May we follow Christ to the cross and be ready to carry our own,
Pastor Brian
Office Hours & Contact Information:
Monday:
9 AM - Noon
Wednesday:
9 AM – 11:30 AM
Thursday:
9 AM - Noon
Other times by appointment – call (724) 796-1797 (home phone)
We are now almost one quarter through our Bible Reading goal – to read 100 essential
passages by the end of 2012. If for some reason you haven’t started the E100 readings, it’s not
a problem – we still want you to join us. The E100 planners are still be available in the foyer. The
pattern is usually 2 readings per week, so if someone were to start in mid-March doing 3 readings per week, they
would be caught up by summer and could transition down to 2 per week with the rest of the congregation. We
cannot encourage you enough to join us so that as a whole church we see God’s big picture a little clearer
together.
In addition to our Scripture reading, as a spiritual practice for Lent, Center U.P. is encouraging all its
members to take on another challenge – to spend a significant portion of your music-listening time
each day listening to Christian music, whether from your own collection or using radio stations like
K-LOVE (Channels 98.3 and 88.7). When we fast from something for Lent, the purpose is to help us
focus on God and that’s sometimes more easily done when we fill the gap with something Christ-centered. So,
let’s be open to music and inform our hearts and minds with God’s grace.
Dartball
Our Midway team has finished the regular season in
first place with the best record: 37-23! Wish us luck in
the finals … “Go Muskrats.”
Family Promise
The next Family Promise (IHN) week will be April 2229th. Like before, we need people to provide meals,
evening hosts, overnight hosts and drivers. We’re
especially in need of overnight hosts and drivers.
Those who have helped in the past I’m sure would be
grateful and feel supported if a few new people signed
up to help this time. Please sign up in the foyer when
the schedules are available or contact Jan Demnyan to
help get scheduled. Thank you again.
Mariners
Thanks to both the volunteers who helped prepare for
the Shrove Dinner and all the people who came to
make it a success – we raised over $1,000 to support
the mission of the Mariners. Thank you!
CUPYs
The youth group plans again to participate in the 30hour famine (with Burgettstown and Hickory U.P.)
over the weekend of April 20-21st. Our youth are
looking for help to sponsor their fasting to help
alleviate hunger among children internationally. We
encourage you to seek out one of our youth and offer
your support (financially and through prayer while
they fast).
Vacation Bible School - This
summer we will be using
Group’s
Sky-themed
VBS.
We’re getting more excited
every day, but we need lots of help.
If you
volunteered last year, you know what an amazing
experience it can be, not just for the kids, but for us!
We’re looking for crew leaders – adults or high school
students who would like to help guide and interact
with a crew of 4-5 kids through the VBS stations each
day. Come and be part of the team this year. Sign
up in the foyer or call Pastor Brian - 724-796-1797.
Next VBS Planning Meeting – will be in mid-April
(date/time TBA). Please join us as we keep preparing
for another phenomenal week. Gift card proceeds
for March-July will be directed toward VBS.
Walking: In topsy turvey February the walking group
logged in 15 miles. 15 miles? But Wiebke you said it
is a 2-mile walk. Yes, it usually is. The group
challenged themselves to do a 3-mile walk and
decided it wasn't too bad! Come join us any time you
can. We can promise a little bit of sweat and a great
time!
Treasurer’s Report - January
General Fund
Balance 12/31/2011
Receipts
Expenses
Balance 1/31/2012
$14,825.96
9,580.75
-7,545.58
$16,861.13
Southwest Bethel Synod
Center U.P. will be blessed to host a visitor from Ethiopia
(perhaps two) on Sunday, May 20th for the 11 AM
worship service. Sisay Tomas is the Vice President of
SWBS and Gezahegn (Ge-zine) Bahiru is the Director of
the Development & Social Services Commission. This
is an excellent opportunity to have face-to-face
fellowship with a representative from the SWBS. We
can’t encourage you enough to come to show hospitality
and unity with our brothers in Christ. There will also be
a special collection taken in worship that Sunday to
support the work and mission of the Ethiopian
Church in the SWBS – a vital opportunity to show
support of our partnership. This offering will replace the
One Great Hour of Sharing offering. Invite your friends
and neighbors and hope to see you there.
Deacons
We wanted to thank everyone for the generous support
of the Bradley Center. The art supplies collected will be
used in therapy allowing children who have experienced
terrible things to learn to express themselves in a
positive way.
Coupon clipping is all the rage these days. There is
even a TV show dedicated to super coupon clippers.
Did you know that by clipping coupons you can help our
military men and women? The Deacons collect all
coupons, even the expired ones and send them to a NY
radio station that sorts them and then sends them off to
different military bases. The average salary of a private
in the Army is under $20,000! While you are clipping
coupons please consider cutting out those that you aren't
going to use and donating them to this worthy cause.
The collection box is on the small table in the entrance
hallway.
Trustees
Help us take care of our church grounds! It has
become apparent that our parking lot and sidewalks are
in need of significant repair, including an entirely new
layer of asphalt. This will entail a large-scale capital
drive, including not only fundraisers (e.g., steak dinners)
but various other opportunities to give throughout the
year. We also ask you to brainstorm creative ideas for
fundraising and offer leadership. Remember, our
grounds are a tool of our mission. We invite you to join
us in seeing this as a faith challenge for our whole
congregation to tackle together to be good stewards of
the gifts we have.
Sunday Sermon Series
“Values of the Evangel” So far we have covered the
first three: 1) Jesus-Shaped Identity, 2) Biblical
Integrity and 3) Thoughtful Theology (copies are
available if you miss any of the messages). We have
several more to cover, so please join us for worship
on Sundays as we continue to examine the core
values of the Fellowship of Presbyterians and how
they can help us reclaim our Reformed Presbyterian
heritage in a time of increasing religious ambiguity.
For the sake of Christ’s gospel!
9 Core Values
Jesus-Shaped Identity Missional Centrality
Biblical Integrity
Center-Focused Spirituality
Thoughtful Theology
Leadership Velocity
Accountable Community Kingdom Vitality
Egalitarian Ministry
Women’s Association
We received the following note from the St.
Alphonsus Church for our Christmas donations: “If I
had but one wish, it would be that each of you could
witness that big hug, the feeling of those warm tears
and hear those words, ‘thank you and whomever
made this all possible for me and my family. We are
so grateful.’ So I ask that each of you tuck these
warm thoughts into your memory bank and pull them
out when you are having one of those not so nice type
of day.”
You are invited to an Afternoon Tea and 90th
Birthday Celebration to discover the new Horizon
Bible Study at Faith UP Church on May 20th from 2 –
4 PM. There is no charge for the event, call 724-2254023 for reservations.
The Presbyterian Women’s Spring Gathering will be
held on Saturday, April 14th at the Presbyterian Senior
Care Chapel from 9 AM – 1:30 PM. Lunch is $8. For
reservations call 724-225-4023.
The Shelter of God's Promises Women's Bible
Study: So far we have studied the promise of Jesus,
provision and peace. We will be studying God's
promise to us for confidence, love, grace, hope,
strength, more and home. If you are interested in
joining this study please let Wiebke Kilbert know.
Each lesson stands on its own so you can join us at
any time.
An Opportunity to Help: Is getting out and visiting
people high on the list of things you like to do? Do
you find that you can talk to just about anyone? If
you answered yes to either of these questions the
Deacons could really use your help. We would like to
start a program where teams of people go to visit our
shut ins and members that haven’t been feeling well.
We would like to team a congregation member up with a
Deacon to make each visit. Visiting those who cannot
join us on Sundays helps them feel connected to our
congregation.
We ask that you all please prayerfully
consider if God is asking you to use your talents and
skills to help make this program successful. Please
contact Wiebke Kilbert t 724-799-3323 if you are
interested in helping. The more volunteers we have the
more impact we can make.
Spotlight on VBS:
It is easy to assume that I volunteer for VBS
because my husband is the Pastor. It might even be
assumed that I should volunteer for VBS because I’m the
Pastor’s wife. I wanted to share with you all though the
real reason I volunteer for VBS.
VBS matters. VBS
makes a difference. When I need a mood boost I find
myself humming VBS songs. A round of “Father
Abraham” anyone? I very clearly remember the joy I felt
each day when I arrived at VBS and the sadness when
those short hours were over.
When I was no longer a
participant I volunteered as a helper and then a teacher.
VBS matters: it can show you what spiritual gifts
you have. When you tell a Bible story and a child is
watching and listening to every detail you know the Spirit
is working in them. You are planting little seeds with each
activity. Little mustard seeds that may one day move
mountains. Have you ever had a child rush up to you in a
store because they remember you from VBS? They have
learned that adults other than their family members can
love them and teach them. When they want to share
with you that they still know the songs; that’s the message
of God’s love taking a more firm hold on them with every
note. When they come home and climb into their Dad’s
lap to explain what the day’s craft represents; that’s the
Lord speaking through a child to someone who may
otherwise not be open to the message of love.
VBS matters. This is truly a scary world. There is
violence and indifference and hate everywhere around us.
Families are in shambles and struggling to survive. VBS
matters because it shows children that there is another
way. VBS tells them that who they really are; treasured
children of the Living God. VBS may be the only time
that child hears the message of love. We may never
know what they will do with the message they received
we are called to spread the message. Have you
volunteered for VBS yet? What is holding you back? Do
groups of small children frighten you? No worries we
have older kids that need to be reached too. Do those
pre-teens scare you? We have delightful kindergarteners
that will gladly climb into your lap and sing to you. Not
sure if you can commit to all 5 days. No problem we can
match you up with another volunteer that also needs to
split their time. Think back to your own youth. Did you
attend VBS? What is your strongest memory of that
time? Does it bring joy to your heart? Can you remember
any of the songs you learned? Do you know that Jesus
loves you because the Bible tells you so? See, I told you.
VBS matters. Come help us plant some seeds.
What has changed so much in the PC(USA)?
Center U.P. members have requested information explaining why the Fellowship of Presbyterians
and ECO have developed – particularly specific details about the state of the PC(USA) that has
precipitated the mass response. The session has collected the below facts and statistics to help explain the
state of the PC(USA).
*Source: The Presbyterian Panel 2005 Survey
1. Few panelists (Members 18%, elders 17%, pastors 5%, specialized clergy 2%) believe that "the Bible
is... to be taken literally."
2. Majorities "strongly agree" or "agree" that "the only absolute Truth for humankind is in Jesus Christ"
(members 63%, elders 71%, pastors 68% specialized clergy 51%)
3. Fewer than half agree that "salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone" (41%, 46%, 36%, 22%)
4. Few panelists agree that the PC(USA) "has a clearer understanding of the church's mission than do
most other denominations" (members 19%, elders 24%, pastors 26%, specialized clergy 27%)
5. Only a minority agree with the statement "I have a sense of excitement about the future of the
PC(USA)" (members 39%, elders 42%, pastors 32%, specialized clergy 29%)
6. About half of members (49%), elders (53%) and pastors (47%) agree that "PC(USA) ministers should
be prohibited from performing ceremonies that bless the union between two people of the same sex."
7. Around a third of members (33%) and elders (35%) but more pastors (46%) would either "definitely"
or "probably" like for the PC(USA) to "permit sexually active gay and lesbian persons to be ordained" to
the office of elder. Slightly fewer, however, would "definitely" or "Probably" like to see ordination of
such persons to the ministry (26%, 24%, 44%, 58%)
*Source: www.pcusa.org/today Jack Marcum ~ December 2010
1. In 2009 there were 10,657 congregations, a net drop of 1,005 (9 percent) from the 11,662 in existence
at the denominations founding in 1983.
2. For the last 26 years, far more congregations were closed than started - the annual net loss avg. is 36.
3. Over the same period, more members were lost than gained in every year, falling from 3,131,228 to
2,077,158, a decline of more than one million (34 percent)
4. The net loss in members averages over 40,000 per year.
5. In relative terms, membership has dropped an average of almost 2 percent annually, ranging from 0.8
percent (1998) to 3.1 percent (2008).
*Source: General Assembly Comparative Statistics 2010.
1. From 2009 to 2010 there was a net change in membership of -61,047 or 2.9% loss.
2. From 1999 to 2010 there has been a net loss of 544,110 members.
3. From 2009 to 2010 there were 77 churches that were dissolved.
4. In 2010 the majority of churches had membership size of 1-50 (3,001).
5. In 2010 there were 24 congregations that had no members.
One Significant Change to the Book of Order
G-4.0403 Full Participation (old version)
F-1.0403 Unity in Diversity (current version)
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) shall give full
The unity of believers in Christ is reflected in the rich
expression to the rich diversity within its
diversity of the Church’s membership. In Christ, by
membership and shall provide means which will
the power of the Spirit, God unites persons through
assure a greater inclusiveness leading to wholeness
baptism regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex,
in its emerging life. Persons of all racial ethnic
disability, geography, or theological conviction.
groups, different ages, both sexes, various
There is therefore no place in the life of the Church
disabilities, diverse geographical areas, different
for discrimination against any person. The
theological positions consistent with the Reformed
tradition, as well as different marital conditions
(married, single, widowed, or divorced) shall be
guaranteed full participation and access to
representation in the decision making of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) shall guarantee full
participation and representation in its worship,
governance, and emerging life to all persons or
groups within its membership. No member shall be
denied participation or representation for any reason
other than those stated in this Constitution.
church. (G-9.0104)
The two statements above may seem similar, but the first (original) indicates that theology is a point
where the church does make distinction – needs to be consistent with the Reformed tradition, whereas the
second allows for much greater theological difference (really does not set specific boundaries) –
extending to beliefs not only outside Protestantism but wholly outside historical Christianity.
Other Facts
Current regulations in our Book of Order and other current mandatory requirements:

Amendment 10-A now provides for the ordination of practicing, affirming homosexual men and
women as leaders of the church (this opens the door in the future for lawsuits over discrimination
since the biblical/theological precedent is no longer in our government).

As part of the Pension dues all churches must pay, medical benefits are now given to same-sex (staff)
couples as part of the Benefits plan.

Some new overtures that will be considered at the upcoming General Assembly in August are:
1) To change the definition of marriage from between “a man and a woman” to between “two
people.” 2) To allow same-sex marriages to be performed by PCUSA pastors on PCUSA property.
Even if these overtures are not approved, the vote will be close, and the same kind of overtures will
continue to come before the General Assembly every two years.
Reasoning – Why has all this happened? Well in addition to the continual decrease in evangelism …

Since our Form of Gov. states the church is led by the authority of Scripture, and the above changes
conflict with the traditional interpretation of passages such as 1 Corinthians 6:9 and Romans 1:26-27,
the logical conclusion is that a very large number of churches (and the majority of those who vote at
the presbytery level) now have a different approach to interpreting Scripture. And this “modern
approach” of interpretation has much greater far-reaching effects than just the few issues above; this
is NOT just about opposition to practiced and affirmed homosexuality.

Specific Results of this new biblical approach:
1) Far less teaching/preaching on concepts like “sin” and “hell,” with what has been described as a
movement toward universalism (i.e., more and more, the teaching in PCUSA churches is that God
is too loving to condemn people to hell, and since all truth is God’s truth, that other religious
systems can lead people to eternal life with God as well).
2) Less teaching on Christian concepts that are distasteful to other religious bodies. Example – since
the idea of one God in three persons is objectionable to Muslims and many modern minds, the
Trinity is not taught or it is explained as 3 “sides” of God, and not three persons.
3) Preaching and teaching on Jesus Christ in the denomination is now primarily focused on
“following his example” – in other words, Christ is set forth as one we aim to imitate in our
actions. The main thrust of preaching and teaching is not first on redemption and salvation by
what Christ has done for us – apart from our works – but our own practice of social justice and
righteousness by us attempting to be like Christ.
4) Putting other sources of authority on par with the Bible (cultural trends, modern advancements,
etc.)
5) Individual Churches lose connection with other churches since they have different interpretations
(and authorities) and move toward “doing their own thing” largely on their own.
A Devotional for You
Read Exodus 14:1-31 (recent reading from E100)
This is a devotional about nothing. Perhaps, this will be the most “nothing” devotional you’ve ever read. I begin
with this warning, not to encourage blank stares, closed eyelids or low expectations. No, I tell you this because
when the Israelites were surrounded, Moses gives the people a shocking battle strategy: “Do nothing” – or more
literally – “The LORD will fight for you; you need only be still” (Ex. 14:14). Israel is basically told to do nothing!
Jesus found great pleasure in a little bit of nothing. He once used five loaves of barley bread and two small fish
to feed the multitudes – think of feeding a mega-church (like Joel Olsteen’s) with 5 scones and 2 Starbuck’s
Frappaccinos. On another occasion, the Savior said, “The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, which is the
smallest seed you plant in the ground” (Mk. 4:31). And on another he healed a man’s blindness with nothing but
some dirt and spittle.
It says in Philippians that Jesus “being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be
grasped, but made himself nothing” (2:6-7). And as we learn in many other places in Scripture, Christ did this to
teach us, as created and fallen beings, that we must first become nothing before God makes us something. This is
the message of Lent - “nothing” is good news.
Think of the Egyptians closing in on the Israelites … What enemies have surrounded you? Who do you feel
breathing down your neck? I no longer have the math skills I had in college – would you believe I majored in
Physics – but I’ll try to answer an equation that eludes us so often. Here it goes: Jesus plus absolutely nothing
equals absolutely everything! We’re being reminded of this through our Lenten Wednesday services (with all those
big fancy words): substitution – Christ takes our place of guilt, and needs no one else to make the scales balance;
sufficiency – God’s grace in Christ is sufficient for all our needs, and nothing else is needed to fill the cup;
justification – we are declared just and righteous before God by faith alone in Christ alone. No good works on our
part can do the job, so Christ finishes it; nothing else is needed.
And with such a light load, it becomes possible to walk the path of Lent with strength and resolve until we reach
the summit of Calvary … and at last find the amazing gift waiting for us in the tomb … nothing! Thanks be to God!
Amen
************************************************************************************************************************
Bible Trivia for the Family ~ Do you know …
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Whose entrancing dance proved fatal for John the Baptist?
Who held a feast with dancing when his son returned?
Who laughed at Nehemiah’s plans to rebuild Jerusalem?
Who danced with all his might when the ark of the covenant was brought to Jerusalem?
Who laughed when she heard she would bear a son in her old age?
Who was the father of the dead girl Jesus said was only asleep, and was laughed at for saying so?
(Read the next newsletter for the answers)
Please remember to visit our website to see new changes and updates: www.centermidway.com. If any articles are
out of date, please let us know. You can submit any item to the church office or centermidway@rocketmail.com.
When you’re finished with your newsletter, please consider sharing it with a neighbor or someone who may not have a church
home. If you are willing to receive your newsletter by email, please contact Pastor Brian or Karen Bartosh. We appreciate
everyone who chooses this option as it not only saves costs, but is an example of good stewardship of environmental resources.