July
2015
Sharon Church, The PCUSA & Marriage
In 2014 the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church (USA) took two actions that
have impacted many Presbyterian congregations,
including Sharon.
First, they approved an
“authoritative interpretation” of the Book of Order
(our constitution) that gives to pastors the ability to
decide whether or not they will conduct same-sex
marriages in states that allow them, and permits
congregations to host these ceremonies. It is my
understanding that Pennsylvania (along with 36
other states, I think) allows same-sex marriage.
Second, they approved an amendment to the Book
of Order that changes the definition of marriage
from “between a man and a woman,” to “two
people, traditionally a man and a woman.” By
March of 2015 enough presbyteries had approved
this that it will become part of our constitution.
The General Assembly also included a
clause intended to protect the consciences of pastors
and congregations. “Nothing herein shall compel a
teaching elder (pastor) to perform, nor compel a
session to authorize the use of church property for a
marriage service that the teaching elder or the
session believes is contrary to the discernment of
the Holy Spirit and their understanding of the Word
of God.” In other words, if a session believes it is
wrong they can’t be forced to allow a ceremony in
its sanctuary. Neither can a pastor be forced to
perform a wedding.
This controversial decision has caused a
great deal of stress and conflict, along with much
soul-searching. Some strongly support this
decision, believing that this is God’s will and that
homosexual marriage is supported by the biblical
teaching on covenant partnership and life-long
fidelity. Others strongly disagree, believing that the
Bible teaches that marriage is only between a man
and a woman and that homosexual behavior is a sin
against God. Still others are confused and not sure
what to think about this issue. At a session meeting
several months ago the Sharon session showed this
diversity, with many different viewpoints. The
challenge for us as a session, and as a congregation,
is this: How are we going to stay connected to each
other as the body of Christ, even with our
disagreements and differing viewpoints?
Right now we are not being forced to make
any decisions – no one has asked that a homosexual
marriage take place at Sharon. One factor that
might lead Sharon to the need to make a decision is
the search for a new pastor. (I’m not sure exactly
when that will start, but session will start to look at
this in the September). I believe that the challenge,
and the opportunity, before us is the one at the end
of the previous paragraph. It’s okay that we
disagree on issues. Life would be boring if
everyone agreed on everything, in the same way
that Baskin Robbins just wouldn’t be the same with
only vanilla ice cream. In spite of our differences
and disagreements, how can we stay connected to
each other as a family, as the body of Christ?
In Christ,
Doug
SERMON SERIES
The sermons this summer (with a few breaks
for vacations and special events) will be focused on
one of the greatest characters in the Bible – David.
David is one of the two most important Old
Testament figures (along with Moses) and for
many, the most beloved person in the Bible, after
Jesus. His story takes up a large section of the Old
Testament. His Psalms make up most of the Psalter
and are favorites (Psalm 8, 23, 24, 51, 103, etc.) To
prepare for these sermons you are invited to read
David’s story. As background material you might
want to read the first part of David’s story; 1
Samuel 16 – 2 Samuel 4. The sermons will focus
on the second half of David’s life, from the time he
became king to near the end of his career and life.
6/28
2 Samuel 5:1-10
Uniting Israel
7/5
2 Samuel 6:1-19
Dancing and
Celebrating
7/12
2 Samuel 7:1-14a
When God Says No
7/19
Guest Preacher – Sharon Stewart
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 Pay Attention to the
One Who is Speaking
OUR NEW MISSION STATEMENT
Adopted by Session on 6/9/15
The mission of Sharon Community Presbyterian
Church is to share the Good News of Jesus Christ,
welcome and encourage all who want to grow in
faith, care for those in need and celebrate the
glory of God in worship and in our daily lives.
What most excites you about this Mission
Statement?
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
In what ways do you see Sharon Church carrying
out this Mission Statement?
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Are there changes that we need to make in how we
“do church” to carry out this Mission Statement?
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
7/26
Hymn Stories
Singing Our Faith
8/2
2 Samuel 9:1-13
Mephibosheth
How do you sense God is calling you to help
Sharon Church carry out this Mission Statement?
8/9
2 Samuel 12:1-15
David and Bathsheba
__________________________________________
8/16
2 Samuel 13-14
David and Absalom
__________________________________________
8/23
2 Samuel 15:13-37
David’s Friends
Other comments? Questions?
8/30
Guest Preacher – Judy Yeck
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Scientists have discovered that sound travels faster in
the summer than in the winter. Sound travels through
the hot summer air at 1,266 feet per second. In cold
air, sound travels as slow as 1,066 feet per second.
So this means that sermons preached in the summer
will naturally be shorter, right?
We invite you send to your comments and
questions to Pastor Marshall at
pastor@sharoncpc.com
Session Highlights
2015 SESSION MEMBERS OF SHARON CHURCH
Melissa Bigelow, Doug Busch, Chris Cratsley, John
Devey, Dave Doughty, Robert Jackson, Mark Killmeyer,
Lucie Lenz, Grace Peters, Barbara Ploy, Debbie
Prostko, Jeanne Sergi, Susanne Udvari, and Debbie
Williams.
Session met June 9, 2015 at 7:00pm with the
Moderator, the Rev. Dr. Doug Marshall. Ten (10)
session members were present. Elder Susanne
Udvari conducted devotions and led the opening
prayer.
The Clerk’s report was submitted and
approved. The rolls currently show 275 members.
Average attendance was 128 for the month of May.
Average weekly attendance for Sunday School was
11, Children’s Music was 12, and Adult Education
was 15. This was based on only three weeks due to
other church activities. The next Session meeting is
scheduled for September 8, 2015 at 7pm in room
202.
Rev. Marshall led us in a discussion
regarding a church mission statement and vision
statement.
Session approved a new mission
statement. We invite to share your thoughts with
session members on how you see us carrying out
this statement. What changes do you see happening
in the church to help fulfill the statement?
Mission Statement: The mission of
Sharon Community Presbyterian Church is to
share the Good News of Jesus Christ, welcome
and encourage all who want to grow in faith,
care for those in need and celebrate the glory
of God in worship and in our daily lives.
Session is still reviewing and revising a new
vision statement for our church.
The Christian Education Committee is
gearing up for Vacation Bible School.
The
committee has adopted a new curriculum for next
year. It has an online component so both parents
and teachers will have access to it. It also is
organized in such a way that the children will find it
easier to follow while using their new bibles. Also,
work has begun in planning the Women’s Retreat to
be held next October.
Ron Bernhardy has accepted additional
responsibilities at SCPC. We had monies set aside
in our budget specifically to compensate Ron for his
additional work. The session agreed this should be
paid to him over the course of the remaining months
of the year. We are grateful for his talents!
Under Property & Maintenance, vent fans in
the attic have been repaired which will help with
cooling the building more efficiently. The parking
lot has about 2-3 years before replacement will be
needed. We will be receiving an estimate for
budgetary purposes soon. We have a Jobs-To-Do
list in the narthex. Members are asked to check it
out and sign up for any jobs they would like to do.
As of the end of May, expenses exceeded
income by approximately $2,874.00, which is better
than our year-to-date budget. The Nominating
Committee is also working on locating volunteers
for next year. If you are interested in volunteering
for the church, please contact the church office.
The meeting concluded with a closing
prayer by Lucie Lenz at 8:55pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie Lenz, Clerk of Session
FROM THE DEACONS
2015 DEACON MEMBERS OF SHARON CHURCH
Richard Bigelow, Ryan Busch, Sherri Busch, Terry
Doughty, Kathy Hamsher, Megan Hamsher, Nancy
Handerhan, Jan Gorr, Lorraine Keith, Janet Loadman,
Kathy Nicastro, LaVerne Petrie, Lori Painter, Gladys
Sanderbeck, Joe Sharkey and Jan Weber.
The Deacons will not be meeting over the summer.
Their next meeting will be on September 15th.
MISSION MILESTONES AS OF 7/1/15
Sharon mission dollars have been on the
march spreading the word and meeting the needs of
God’s
children
locally,
nationally
and
internationally.
As reported in the May, MISSION
MILESTONES article, we sent $822.66 from the
One Great Hour of Sharing offering to Presbyterian
Disaster Assistance to promote the SelfDevelopment
of
people
in
vulnerable
circumstances. Another $1500.00 from our first
quarter mission fund allotment was also given to
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Fund to aid in their
response to the many natural disasters, floods,
earthquakes, etc., occurring here in the US and
around the world. The congregation at SCPC
stepped up enthusiastically in response to the
Presbytery’s West Branch effort to make toiletry
kits for the people in Nepal. We filled a large bin at
least 6 times and sent eight people from our
congregation to the meeting where over 500 kits
were made for Nepal with many items left over to
help the Pleasant Valley Shelter right here in
Pittsburgh.
We gave $100.00 to Andrew Hardison, a
RMU student who regularly attends Sharon. One of
the small groups also individually donated $150.00
to Andrew’s trip to help the victims of Katrina, in
New Orleans.
The final total from our Pocket Change
Offering was $1700.00.
Many families and
children in Haiti are drinking clean water as a result
of the efforts of our children and the generosity of
our congregation
Some Sharon church members already
volunteer for Meals on Wheels in Coraopolis and
Moon Township and we have taken a special
offering to help them provide milk and dairy
products to the meal recipients.
Our donation of $500.00 to the Samaritan
Counseling Center of Western Pennsylvania is
another expression of our commitment to meet the
needs of God’s people who may be in crisis or
hurting.
Christian Literacy has also received $500.00
from our first quarter mission allotment. This
agency spreads God’s love and word by teaching
people to read.
God’s word will further be spread by our
donation from the Reuel E. Johnson Scholarship to
a seminary student.
We continue to explore Family Promise a
compelling ministry to help “houseless” families to
be able to find and sustain homes again.
We will welcome, Herb Bailey, from the
Uncommon Ground Café in Aliquippa as our guest
preacher on Sunday, September 13, 2015 with a
reception to follow. Our congregation will have the
opportunity to respond to specific skills, talents and
items needed in this ministry that reaches out to
show God’s love to “the least, the last and the lost.”
We praise God for these mission opportunities and
pray for more to come!
Grace Peters, Gladys Johnston, Pete McGuire, and
Wayne Schuliger welcome your ideas and
support!!!!
ONE CAN MINISTRY
The needs of the community do not end
during the summer – donations of
canned foods are still appreciated and
needed. Please remember to bring your
donation for the Food Pantry each week to worship.
====================================
Calling all Women!
Save the date!
Women’s Retreat
Saturday
October 3rd, 2015
At Raccoon State Park
from 9:30am to 3pm
More Information to come
Dear Sharon Church Family,
I would like to thank everyone for their
prayers, cards, phone calls, visits, flowers and meals
after my recent surgeries. I greatly appreciated your
kindness and thoughtfulness. Sharon is truly a
caring family.
Sincerely, Nancy Bush
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Sharon Church Family,
The love and support given to our family at
this time of grief has been overwhelming. We thank
you for holding us in your prayers.
We appreciated the cards, phone calls and
visits.
Dorothy Bower and family
Dear Sharon Church Family,
I am so thankful for all of the expressions of
caring that you have extended to me since my knee
surgery. The prayers, the cards, the church flowers,
the visits and the meals made me feel so loved and
strengthened.
Along with Pastor Doug, you have again
demonstrated that SCPC is a caring and engaged
congregation.
Gratefully, Grace Peters
To the members of Sharon Church,
I celebrated my one year anniversary as your
secretary/accountant by reading through all of the
wonderful cards and notes that I have received from
you these past few weeks. I could not have
imagined, when I walked through the door for the
first time, the amount of love and grace that this
congregation would give to me. I am so very
thankful to our Lord for bringing me here, and to all
of you for sharing with me your love for our Lord
with all of the cards, gifts, prayers and support.
My recovery is going well, just more slowly
than I had hoped. It has been a lesson of patience
on all levels, but your support has been a
tremendous help in keeping a smile on my face.
Many Blessings, Beckie Price
A great big Thank You to a number of volunteers
that have been busy around the church over the past
few weeks:





Sara and Bob Lintner, Gladys Johnston, Sandy
Hershberger, Melissa and Jacob Saloom; who
spread mulch around the church.
Doug Busch; who rebuilt the sunken drain grate
in the parking lot.
Lud Reim; who scraped and painted the
windows outside the Narthex.
Rob Hamsher, who has been replacing bulbs in
the gym, and arranging to replace fixtures in the
portico.
Dorothy Bower, Janet McGuire, Chris & Chira
Cratsley, Jeanne Sergi, Susanne Udvari, Dave &
Terry Doughty, Sandy & Melissa Hershberger,
Gladys Johnston, and Sara Lintner; who all
adopted flower beds around the church, and
are lovingly working them into shape.
There are still lots of jobs that people can take
on around the property, on their own schedule. For
example, the Behm Memorial garden on the bank
above the office parking area, and the rock gardens
outside the Narthex are both in need of weeding. A
more detailed list is available on one of the tables in
the Narthex. Please consider agreeing to take on
one of these jobs around our church. Your help is
needed and appreciated.
Would you like to help with
Vacation Bible School?
VBS SUPPLY DONATION LIST
Sand paper
Egg beater drill (1)
3/16 inch drill bits (2)
plaster of paris (1 container)
Toy hammers (5)
Portable canopies 10 x 10 ft (2)
Small bowls (200)
Large cardboard boxes
12 x 36 inch pieces of white muslin (10)
virgin olive oil (2 bottles)
1/3 inch mailing labels (100)
rock salt (5 lb bag)
mortars and pestles (1)
grass seeds
potting soil WITHOUT fertilizer (3 bags)
large tubs (6)
various grains (dried corn, wheat, oats)
heavy river rocks
paving stone (flat)
drying racks (3)
yard sticks (6)
large rubber bands (200)
kiddie pools (2)
sand (10 lbs)
wisk brooms (4)
bandanas (12)
socks (10)
large foam pointer hand (1)
striped sheets – will not be returned (14)
tan sheets – can be returned (8)
fake greenery
woven or old looking rugs
clay pots
decorative bowls
baby name book
wooden beads
bread basket
sponges (10)
windex (5 bottles)
FOOD
lemon juice (5 bottles)
grape juice (3 bottles)
Flour
Matzah bread
Carton of brown eggs
Fruit loops cereal (2 boxes)
Herbs: basil, dried rose petals, dried lavender
Crusty bread loaves (5)
Grated cheese (2 containers)
Olives (5 cans/jars)
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
STILL AVAILABLE
Tribe Leaders and Teen Helpers – 4-5 tribe
leaders and 4-5 teen helpers needed to lead their
tribe in fun activities that help them make the
connection between what they learn in Nazareth and
their every day life. You will also participate with
your tribe as you sing in the celebration opening
and closing, play at fun and games, talk with
shopkeepers in the marketplace, and visit Mary’s
house. You will reinforce each day’s Bible story,
key verse, and Bible point.
Rock Quarry Leader - work station for 1 hr. Each
day as tribes enter the marketplace, you’ll welcome
a different group of kids and their leaders to the
quarry. You’ll help your apprentices make stone
necklaces. You may also help them layer different
colors of sand in a bottle, create silly rock critters,
or test out their crayon rocks. You will use the
historical background provided to help the kids
understand the importance of quarrying and use of
the unique “Jerusalem stone” in ancient Nazareth.
Your character doesn’t like Mary. You will play
the role of someone who thinks Mary is just
bragging about her son.
CHURCH CALENDAR – JULY 2015
Sunday
June 28
Monday
June 29
10am –Worship with
Communion
11am - Fellowship
on the Portico
11:15am – Property
& Maintenance
Committee Mtg.
11:30am – Sharon
Quilters
July 5
Tuesday
June 30
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
S at u r d ay
July 1
July 2
July 3
July 4
July 8
July 9
July 10
July 11
12:30pm – Sharon
Quilters
6:30pm – Bicentennial
Committee Meeting
July 15
July 16
July 17
July 18
9am–Food Pantry
July 6
10am –Worship with
Communion
11am - Fellowship
on the Portico
July 7
9am–Food Pantry with
4th of July Picnic
July12
July 13
July 14
10am –Worship
11am - Fellowship
on the Portico
8am- Food
Pantry Truck
9am–Food Pantry
VBS – 6pm
– 8:30pm
VBS – 6pm –
8:30pm
VBS – 6pm –
8:30pm
VBS – 6pm –
8:30pm
July 20
July 21
July 22
July 23
July 24
July 25
July 29
July 30
July 31
Aug 1
VBS – 6pm –
8:30pm
July 19
10am –Worship with
Guest Preacher, the
Rev. Sharon Stewart
9am–Food Pantry
11am - Fellowship
on the Portico
July 26
July 27
July 28
9am–Food Pantry
10am –Worship
11am - Fellowship
on the Portico
COMMUNITY CALENDAR - JULY 2015
Sunday
June 28
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
S at u r d ay
June 29
June 30
July 1
July 2
July 3
July 4
7pm - Boy Scouts
8:30pm –Mon VB
9pm - AA
9am–Food Pantry
6pm- Cub Scout
Mtg
7:30pm Tues VB
6pm- Futsol
6pm-Moon Area
Dupl. Bridge
8pm–St. Phillips BB
7pm–AA
6pm–Mens BB
10pm -10 Dads BB
7pm – TGIF
A.S. Group
2pm-St Philips
July 6
July 7
July 8
July 9
July 10
July 11
8am- Food Pantry
Truck
7pm -Boy Scouts
8:30pm – MonVB
9pm - AA
9am–Food Pantry
with 4th of July
Picnic
11am –Storkbites
6pm- Cub Scout Den
Meeting
7:30pm -Tues VB
6pm- Futsol
6pm-Moon Area
Dupl. Bridge
8pm–St. Phillips BB
1pm-AARP Bd Mtg
7pm–AA
6pm–Mens BB
10pm–10 Dads BB
7pm – TGIF
A.S. Group
2pm-St Philips
July 13
July 14
July 15
July 16
July 17
July 18
7pm - Boy Scouts
8:30pm –Mon VB
9pm – AA
9am–Food Pantry
11am –Storkbites
6pm- Cub Scout Den
Meeting
7:30pm -Tues VB
6pm- Futsol
6pm-Moon Area
Dupl. Bridge
8pm–St. Phillips BB
1pm-Food Pantry
Mtg
7pm–AA
6pm–Mens BB
10pm–10 Dads BB
7pm – TGIF
A.S. Group
2pm-St Philips
VBS – 6pm –
8:30pm
VBS – 6pm –
8:30pm
VBS – 6pm –
8:30pm
VBS – 6pm –
8:30pm
July 19
July 20
July 21
July 22
July 23
July 24
July 25
7pm - Boy Scouts
8:30pm – MonVB
9pm – AA
9am–Food Pantry
11am –Storkbites
6pm- Cub Scout Den
Meeting
7:30pm -Tues VB
6pm- Futsol
6pm-Moon Area
Dupl. Bridge
8pm–St. Phillips BB
1pm – AARP Mtg
7pm–AA
6pm–Mens BB
10pm -10 Dads BB
7pm – TGIF
A.S. Group
2pm-St Philips
July 27
July 28
July 29
July 30
July 31
Aug 1
7pm - Boy Scouts
8:30pm –Mon VB
9pm - AA
9am–Food Pantry
11am –Storkbites
6pm- Cub Scout
Mtg
7:30pm Tues VB
6pm- Futsol
6pm-Moon Area
Dupl. Bridge
8pm–St. Phillips BB
7pm–AA
6pm–Mens BB
10pm -10 Dads BB
7pm – TGIF
A.S. Group
2pm-St Philips
July 5
July 12
July 26
VBS – 6pm –
8:30pm
THOSE SERVING IN THE ARMED SERVICES
Donnie and Brett Gordon (brothers of Holly Henry)
Jarod Oliver (Barbara Ploy’s nephew)
Janet Loadman and family on the recent death of
her son, Robert Montgomery
The Zalucky family on the recent death of Gail
The Garcia family on the recent death of Nancy
Jane Schuliger
Jim Windsheimer (Cindy Zwergel)
Family of Devon Dulaney (Sherri Busch)
CJ Connelly (Jan Weber)
Theron Williams (Carol Musgrave’s brother)
Family of Hilda Pflug on the death of her husband
(Shaffer family)
Reese Altmeyer (Michele Shaffer)
Kenneth C. Bowden (Grace Marie Bowden’s son)
Pat Smith
Amy Kovatch
Shane Corcoran
Arlene Johnson
Grace Peters
Glenn Baird
Marjorie Johnson
Tom and Barbara Cain
Donald Scott
Patricia Strupp (friend of George Hollis)
Joan Behm
Mary Kalman
Pat Reed (Judy Yeck’s daughter in law’s mother)
Beth (Lori Painter’s daughter-in-law)
Thomas Champ (friend of George Hollis)
Anneliese Endress
Joanne Hagar
Ruth Ralston
Dale Gass
Pat Hersh
“Hank” Erskine
Mary Ann Sirney
Paul Von Stein
Joe (friend of Judy Yeck)
Ralph Hogsett (Kathy Hamsher's father)
Ian and Mimi Cain and her father Bud
(son,daughter-in-law of Tom &Barbara Cain)
Michael Ritter (working in Haiti)
Nancy (Myra Tokar)
Rick Redpath (Lorraine Keith)
Barb Fries (Cratsleys)
SHARON PRAYER CHAIN – Prayer requests may be
submitted on the church website at www.sharoncpc.com,
emailed to sharonprayerchain@yahoo.com, by contacting the
church office at 412-264-7400, or by mailing in the following
notice. Prayer concerns will be listed for two months, at
which time you will be contacted by the church office to see if
there is still a need for prayer.
PRAYER AND JOY REQUEST
A prayer request or joy you wish to share
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Reason (if you wish to share)
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Your Name______________________________
Your Telephone Number ___________________
Date of request_____________
We are
excited to announce
this year’s Vacation
Bible School
program
"Hometown
Nazareth, Where
Jesus was a Kid."
This year’s program will feature a "village" where
the children will get to explore a small town and
experience what it was like for Jesus growing up.
The program will be from Sunday, July 12th
through Thursday, July 16th in the evenings
from 6pm to 8:30pm.
Register your children today for free. We
also encourage parents to volunteer or if not
volunteer, to stay through the program and explore
the village with their children. VBS is a great way
for families to grow closer to God together!!
Please register online or contact the Church office.
If you have any questions please call 412-264-7400.