C l i f f ’ s N o t e s

March 2013 Volume 37 Issue 3

Congruity Connection

As I write these words the wind is blowing and the snow is falling covering the grass (but not the roads). It is a visual reminder for me of the Season of Lent. As we journey towards the empty tomb of Easter, the Lenten Season affords us opportunity to spend some time reflecting on all that Jesus has done for us. Through his life, death and resurrection the way is open for us to experience God’s forgiveness and through our faith we are given a fresh start.

As I look out the window, I can’t help but be reminded of those words from Psalm 51. David says, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” One of the truths of snow storms at this time of the year, is that it will not last long—before long daylight will last longer, the temperatures will stay above freezing and a transformation will be displayed before our eyes. How much excitement do you feel when you see the first robin or see the crocuses, daffodils and tulips begin to poke through the ground. I would challenge each one of us, to think about that springtime excitement and to let the excitement of Easter fill our lives as well!

Like the signs of spring that will soon be burst forth all around us, may our faith and our lives be like the springtime to those around us. May the new life that God gives us through our faith in Christ enable us to bloom and blossom into the people that God wants us to be, doing the things that God wants us to be doing.

We continue our Community Lenten Services throughout March. March 6th at CUP; March 13 at No Walls; March 20th a Dan Schall concert at UMC. The Holy Week services are as follows: March 24th Palm Sunday; March 28 Maundy Thursday Communion; March 29th Good Friday Community Service at UMC and Easter Morning worship at 8AM and 11AM.

I wish each of you a very Happy Easter.

Yours in Christ,, Cliff

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ELDERS

Laura Blank

Sue Blank

Gene Brant

Tim D’Aurora

Dave Foresman

Phyllis Frye

Bob Schweppe

Janet Rugh

Linda Youngbauer

Tylor McDonald Y.R.

DEACONS

Dorothy Brant

Dotty D’Aurora

Becky Davis

Sue Derek

Evelyn Foresman

Scott McIlnay

Debbie Perino

Jay Perino

Sarabeth Stopansky

Liturgists

3/3 Ronda Weinell 3/10 Ced Stopansky 3/17 Phyllis Frye 3/24 Doug Stine 3/31 Carol Hohman

If you would like to serve as a liturgist please see Cliff.

If you are interested in becoming an acolyte please see Dave or Pam Foresman.

Those scheduled to serve communion on March 28th (Maundy Thursday) are:

Laura Blank Phyllis Frye Jay Perino Debbie Perino

The congregations and pastors from Neighborhood 1 for our prayer support during

the month of March are as follows:

3/3 Apollo, Pine Run

� Lanny Mellinger, Pastor

3/10 Apollo Poke Run

� Pete Goetschius Pastor

3/17 Avonmore

� Larry Armstrong, Interim Pastor

3/24 Delmont

� Cliff Buell, Pastor

3/31 Redstone Member-at-Large

� Meredith Yuckman

W o r s h i p L e a d e r s F o r

M A R C H

S e p a r a t e d B y S p a c e

U n i t e d I n P r ay e r

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M A R C H C e l e b r a t i o n s

B i r t h d ay s

3/2 Jason Orr 3/3 Janet Rugh 3/4 Karen Dudek 3/7 Jacob Derek 3/8 Geri Kaufman Debbie Marchelletta 3/9 Alicia D’Aurora Sue Kepple 3/10 KenWalters 3/11 Jessica D’Aurora 3/13 Nancy Walters 3/14 Alison Derek Janet Henry

3/18 April Hawkey Dana Kaufman 3/19 Michael Kaufman Betty Murphy 3/25 Pam Foresman Lana Munsell 3/26 Bill Heasley 3/28 Robert Watt 3/29 Nancy Kifer 3/30 Perry Miller IV

3/28/1981 Tom & Rosemary Orr 3/29/1981 Ron & Mary Ann Kaufman 3/30/1960 Gene & Dorothy Brant

A n n i v e r s a r i e s

March 6, 7PM Community UP ~ Cliff Foster preaching

March 13, 7 PM No Walls ~ Rhea Summitt preaching

March 20, 7PM UMC concert by Dan Schall (free will offering to be taken)

Palm Sunday ~ March 24th at 11 AM

Maundy Thursday ~ Communion ~ March 28th at 7:30 PM

Easter Sunday March 31st:

Sunrise Service 8 AM

Sunday School at 9:45 AM

Easter Service at 11:00 AM

L e n t e n a n d E a s t e r

S e r v i c e s

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T h a n k Y o u s

Thanks to all who sent cards and prayed for my family during my Aunt Carole Ocepek's illness and her recent passing. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated by me and by my family. In Christian Love, Pam Foresman Thank you to my great church family for all the cards, prayers and concerns following my recent surgery. Love you all, Dorothy Martz

Thank you to everyone for the cards, prayers and concerns while I had pneumonia. Nancy Schweppe

Letter received from The Mantle House Mission Dear Congruity Members, On behalf of Mantle House Mission, we would like to thank you for your generous giving this Christmas season. It was because of you , and your obedience to our Lord and Savior that two young men experienced Christmas in a way that touched their hearts immensely. It was such a blessing to share in this with you, as they unwrapped your gifts of Love. The greatest blessing is that without knowing that one of the young men would be with us, that you all had supplied two of everything for the both of them. Our God is Good and Faithful!! He supplied abundantly as he promises in his word. We ask that you keep these two young men in prayer as they grow in their faith, as I am sure they will always remember your kindness. May God continue to Bless You as You Bless others. Marci Elsbury

S y m p a t h y

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C o n g r e g a t i o n a l L i f e

P h y l l i s F r y e

Come along down Memory Lane as we listen and sing along with Janet Henry and Kathy Fink to the tunes of the ‘40s and ‘30s etc. (Pre Rock & Roll). On March 10, we will be having another Sandwich Sunday after church. We will be needing volunteers to bring sandwiches and cookies. Please contact Phyllis or Janet Rugh if you would like to donate.

M i s s i o n

P h y l l i s F r y e

Thank you to all who helped or donated in any way and to the public who came to the Pancake Dinner. We made a profit of $1,700.00 to use toward our trip in April to Jamaica NY. Most of us will be leaving early on Sunday, April 14 to drive to Jamaica and return Saturday, April 20. We will be commissioned at Congruity on Sunday, April 7 during the worship hour. So far we have 18 volunteers from eight different churches.

New Windsor Trip

It’s time to sign up for the New Windsor trip on September 26th to October 1st, 2013. The cost is $100.00 plus traveling expenses and some meals. There are twenty–five slots available, open to both men and women, so get your reservations in early. A $25 non-refundable deposit is required, payable to the Mission Trip Fund by May 1.

CWS is still in great need of hygiene kits, clean up buckets and baby kits. Lists of the items needed for these kits are in the greeting room. They would be taken to New Windsor in September.

We extend our sympathy to the following families:

The Davis/MacDonald family as they walk through the valley of the shadow of the death of Catherine Klingensmith.

The Selembo family as they walk through the valley of the shadow of George’s death.

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The Deacons would like to thank all those who participated in the White Elephant Sale. A special thank you to our auctioneer and helper, Tim D’Aurora and Dave Foresman. A total of $1,100.00 was raised! Thank you again for your support.

Easter flowers are now on sale. We have a variety of flowers to offer listed below. If you are interested in ordering, please send your check, made out to Congruity Deacons ~ memo Easter flowers, to the church. There will also be order envelopes in the pews. The deadline is March 11, 2013. Flowers will be available on Easter morning after worship. Thank you…. Lily $9.00 Hyacinth $9.00 Tulip $9.00 Mums $9.00 All plants in 6" pots

D e a c o n s

S c o t t M c I l n a y

Remember if you need a ride to or from any activity at Congruity, we will be glad to arrange for someone to pick you up. Please call

the office to make arrangements.

World Day of Prayer World Day of Prayer ~ Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 9:30AM. Hosted by United Methodist Church.

Wa l k F i t

Walk Fit with Angie will resume at Congruity on Tuesday evenings at 6:30PM starting on March 5th. Come and join us for some Fitness Fun!

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W o m e n ’ s A s s o c i a t i o n

P h y l l i s F r y e

Rummage Sale ~ April 6, 9AM-2PM ~ Bake Sale & Lunch

Besides all of your rummage, we need donations of baked goods. Please have all donations of rummage brought in by Friday noon. Bake sale items may be brought in at 8AM Saturday. We will need help every day, all week long. Lunch will be provided Monday through Friday for the workers.

P. W. Spring Gathering

Saturday April 13, 9AM-2:30PM at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greensburg PA. (see flyer on the bulletin board) Speakers will be on the Youth Triennium and Haiti. The mission project is for Pine Springs kitchen. We are asking for donations of pasta, oatmeal and raisins. They use 200 lbs. of pasta (spaghetti, rotini or penne) and 150 lbs. of macaroni each summer for dinner. For breakfast they use mountains of quick oatmeal and lots of raisins. There will be a box in the greeting room for donations of these items. Oatmeal must be in the 42 oz. round container (any brand as long as it is quick oats). We will be collecting the pasta, oatmeal, and raisins until April 7 and taking them to the gathering on the 13th.

Also ladies, if you haven’t been to Pine Springs Camp lately, you might want to join you Presbyterian friends there for their Spring Retreat. (see flyer on the bulletin board) the subject is Prayer and the mission project this time is also Pine Springs but the product is s’mores. We will be needing regular size Hershey bars, graham crackers and marshmallows (not mini). Those will be collected until May 26, and taken to the retreat on the 28th.

Samaritan’s Purse ~ Operation Christmas Child

The Women’s Association has agreed we should sponsor the Operation Christmas Child boxes again. We have a basket in the back Sunday School room for any small items you might want to donate for these boxes. School supplies, hygiene items, small toys or small electronics are acceptable—for both boys and girls, ages from 4-12. I know its early but sometimes things are on sale at different times of the year (school supplies in July and August) Last year, five women made eight boxes which we learned were sent to Ecuador. Lets try to exceed that goal this

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D e a c o n ’ s W h i t e

E l e p h a n t S a l e

Tim D’Aroura & Dave Foresman our Auctioneers with great hats! Tim

in action with his helper Scott McIlnay. Lots of laughs were had by all.

M i s s i o n T e a m ’ s

P a n c a k e D i n n e r

The Mission Team hard at work serving 225 people!

Guess who? Sue Derek getting into the Mardi Gras spirit.

T L C

L i s a H e a s l e y

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TLC will be meeting on March 13, 2013 at 6:00pm at The Roadhouse (log cabin) in New Alexandria. We are meeting to restructure the group. Please RSVP to Lisa Heasley 724-668-2094 by March 10th. Salty snacks are still very much appreciated at the Arnold Palmer Cancer Center. TLC will be taking them to the Center every three months.

TLC has meals prepared. If you know of someone that is feeling under the weather or just had a baby, or any other reason and may need a prepared meal, please talk to a member of TLC or Cliff.

C h r i s t i a n E d

P a m F o r e s m a n

Well, the calendar may still say Winter but we are already having thoughts of Summer here at Congruity...yes it's time to start thinking about VBS!! The name of this year's VBS is KINGDOM ROCK, "Where Kids Stand Strong for God" and it looks like it will be lots of fun. It will be held from June 24-28, 2013 from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. Also, it will be a community VBS this year with several churches combined and will be held at Community United Presbyterian (CUP) Church, New Alexandria. There will be more information to follow in upcoming newsletters and bulletins. If anyone is interested in helping out at VBS this year, please contact anyone on the Christian Ed. Committee. Also, there will be a meeting at C.U.P. church on March 5, 2013 for anyone interested in helping.

There was a joint meeting of the Deacons and Session held following worship on 2/17/13 and the following items were discussed:

1) Committee assignments for 2013

2) The Church Register and Session Minute Book were discussed by the Clerk of Session

3) Rev. Foster discussed the Book of Confessions and the Book of Order

4) The Clerk of Session discussed the responsibility to report allegations of child abuse and distributed copies of the Sexual Misconduct Policy approved by session.

5) All Ruling Elders, Deacons, Sunday School Teachers, and Employees are to sign the “Self-Certification.”

6) Rev. Foster discussed the procedures for serving communion.

Session met on February 17, 2013, following the Joint Meeting of the Deacons and Session, and reports the following:

1) Approved the Clerk’s, Treasurer’s, and Moderator’s Reports

2) Noted that Sue Blank and Linda Youngbauer were installed as Ruling Elders on 2/17/13

3) Noted that there will be a special meeting of Redstone Presbytery on 2/23/13 and elected Sue Blank as Elder Delegate with Phyllis Frye serving as alternate.

4) Approved participation in the Community Vacation Bible School to be held at Community United Presbyterian Church from 9-12 during the week of June 24-28, 2013

5) Approved the following goals for the special offerings during 2013: OGHS - $850; Pentecost - $400; Peacemaking - $400; and Christmas Joy - $450 with local share amounts to be designated at a later date.

6) Approved the following dates for fundraisers: Hoagie Sales – 5/16/13 and 9/19/13 & Spaghetti Dinners – 4/13 and 11/9 with the proceeds to be designated at a later date.

7) Noted that videos and Minute’s for Mission have been scheduled for the OGHS (One Great Hour of Sharing) offering.

8) Noted that the Property Committee will hold an open meeting to discuss the purchase and placement of a sign on Route 22.

9) Approved an Eagle Court of Honor to be held for Corey Weiman on 4/14/13 at 2 PM.

10) Agreed to read and study Chapters 1-3 from the Foundations of Presbyterian Polity from the Book of Order for the next session meeting.

11) The next regular meeting of session is scheduled for 3/18/13.

The Mission of Congruity Presbyterian Church is to lead all persons to a biblical and theological understanding of reformed faith, to glorify God, to bear witness to Jesus Christ and to be the channel of God’s saving power, so that His Kingdom may come and His Will be done in all the earth. We are the family of God. Therefore we focus on living as a loving family. Fellowship and worship will be the heart of our loving, caring church. (4/18/05)

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I t e m s f r o m S e s s i o n

J o h n B l a n k

HELP WANTED

We are in need of some folks to learn how to operate the video projection system. No experience with Power Point is needed, but volunteers would need to be comfortable with using a computer.

If you are interested, contact John Blank: jblank@frsfcu.com

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T r e a s u r e r ’ s R e p o r t

J o h n B l a n k

General Fund

NET NET Actual To Date

Receipts Expenses Balance Balance

Balance as of January 1 (Adjsuted) $ 15,829.23

January $ 6,940.21 $ 6,737.87 $ 16,031.57 $ 202.34

First Fruits

Received Pledged Balance

January $ 643.00 $ 725.00 $ (82.00)

Previous This Month To Date

Souper Bowl of Caring $ - $ - $ -

Cents-Ability $ - $ 38.00 $ 38.00

Change for the Future $ - $ 13.21 $ 13.21

Received GOAL Balance

One Great Hour of Sharing $ 850.00 $ (850.00)

Pentecost $ 400.00 $ (400.00)

Peacemaking $ 400.00 $ (400.00)

Christmas Joy $ 450.00 $ (450.00)

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance $ - $ -

A t t e n d a n c e

Worship 1/27 53

2/3 53

2/10 64

2/17 66

Sunday School Y A Total

1/27 5 17 22

2/3 8 16 24

2/10 13 18 31

2/17 10 17 27

Cliff Foster Pastor

John Blank Clerk of Session

Scott McIlnay Deacon’s Moderator

John Blank Treasurer

Michelle Kepple Financial Secretary

Dorothy Martz Church Secretary

Janet Henry Music Director

Yvonne McIlnay Newsletter Editor

John Blank Webmaster

Dorothy is in Monday & Thursday mornings. Cliff is in the office most mornings.

Please put newsletter items in the folder at the church or email to ydmcilnay@yahoo.com

Congruity Presbyterian Church

136 Fenneltown Road

New Alexandria PA 15670

C h u r c h S t a f f

a n d O f f i c e r s

Non Profit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid

Permit No 5

New Alexandria PA 15670

Sunday School 9:45AM

Worship At 11:00AM

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congruitychurch.org