This Lent – We’ll Practice, Practice, Practice

As I write this newsletter article, I am yet again at another practice for

one of my kids. Running, dribbling, flipping, balancing, they do it over and

over again. Even after they seem to perfect that shot or that choreography, the

coach insists yet more practice. Why? Because sooner or later the practice will

need to become muscle memory so that the move will become second nature.

In the same way, this Lent we will seek to practice our faith in such a

way that we change the muscle of our spirit so that we can affect how we live

out the gospel. Embracing spiritual disciplines will allow for two opportunities,

namely to practice faith and help us keep company with Jesus. We know from

the gospels that as much as Jesus did things that he also needed to retreat so to

re-center and reframe and be reformed again by faithful practices of prayer,

Sabbath-keeping, fasting, etc. And, only then could Jesus keep realizing the

kingdom of God in the midst of God’s people

Beginning on March 10th – April 14th, we will experiment with these

ancient practices so to affect our hearts and our spirits in a training workout of

sorts. We will do so in worship. We will have an opportunity to explore

further at our Spirituality Centers each week in Lent, taking one practice at time

from Thankfulness, to Fasting, to Contemplative Prayer and Reading of

Scripture, to Hospitality and to Sabbath Keeping. By doing so, we hope that

begin to change our hearts and ready them for work of the kingdom.

Delaney and Pastor Jessica Will Go to Malawi This July

Sometimes our practice, practice, practice invites us to new places.

Delaney Williamson and I have been invited to join the East Liberty Church and

the Pittsburgh Presbytery for the Youth Pilgrimage to Malawi. The goal of the

trip is to foster relationship among the youth from Pittsburgh and Malawi, as

well as be an opportunity for both to encourage one another in faith and

practice. This is intentionally not a mission trip. There will no projects to be

completed. Rather the focus will simply to be … to be present with one

another … to be present with God.

Additionally, Delaney and I will go with the hopes of exploring a

possible partnership for Sampson’s Mills to a sister church in Malawi. Our goal

is learn about the benefits that the churches share in partnering with one

another. Then, to see what it would take and look like for us to form a

partnership.

As we prepare for the trip, we will be working with both the Mission and Christian Education

teams for their support and to work collaboratively in making this a whole church experience. For

instance, we will be gone during Vacation Bible School. We hope to connect the mission project for VBS

to Malawi in some way, as well as connect electronically, so the kids can receive messages from me and

Delaney. We have established a Malawi Mission Fund. If folks would like to support the endeavor

financially, they can do so by simply directing it to the Malawi Mission Fund.

Blessed Practicing!

Pastor Jessica

Join us for Bible Study on Wednesday

evenings at 7:15 pm in the Choir Room.

The study is led by Lisa Addington and

Liz Jones. The study topic is “Women

of the Bible.:

Lent 2019

40 Days for Feeding Your Soul

March 6th Ash Wednesday

6 to 9 am Ash and Go at Faith Lutheran

12 pm Service at Faith Lutheran

7 pm Worship

March 10th – Introduction to Spiritual Disciplines

and Practicing Thanksgiving

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Sermon: “Journey to the Wilderness”

March 17th – Practicing Fasting/Welcoming New Members

Scripture: Luke 13:31-35/Psalm 27

Sermon: “The Lord is my Light and my Salvation”

March 24th – Practicing Contemplative Prayer

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9/Isaiah 55:1-9

Sermon: “The Fallow Field of the Heart”

March 31st – Practicing Contemplative Scripture Reading

Scripture: Luke 15:1-, 11b-32

Sermon: “Lost and Found”

April 7th – Practicing Hospitality – Congregational Breakfast at 10 am!

Scripture: John 12: 1-8

Sermon: “Poured Out Hospitality”

April 14th – Palm Sunday - Practicing Sabbath-Keeping

Scripture: Luke 19: 28-44

Musical Presentation – “From Palm to Passion”

Maundy Thursday (4/18) – Dinner & Drama Join us for our Stew Dinner at 6 pm followed by a drama

and communion at 7 pm

Good Friday (4/19) – A Service of

Darkness featuring the Seven Last Words of

Jesus at 7pm

A Word from Your Stewardship and Finance Ministry Team

The offerings to the General Fund for the month of February:

2/3/2019 3872.56

2/10/2019 4322.81

2/17/2019 1926.56

2/24/2019 2410.56

Thank you!!

Butch Andrews, Chair

February Session Meeting Highlights

Again we are working diligently on our Bridge Goals.

We voted to approve the rental ag reement for the manse at

$700/month.

We were sad to hear of the passing of Anna Mae Mansfield.

We approved the Mission Trip to Jackson County, Ohio, on June

9-14.

Happy day! We will baptize Abby and Ryan Serena on

March 3, 2019. Two more beautiful children for our church!

We voted to allow a Malawi Trip for Pastor Jessica and Delaney

Williamson, July 2-18. More info to come.

Put this on your calendar: Ash Wednesday Service on March 6

at 7:00 pm.

Nancy Swanson

Clerk of Session

CHURCH KEY NEWS Dear Church,

Since the summer, the church has experienced minor security

breaches, particularly around the church office. These have

included missing and disturbed mail, missing small office

equipment and keys to a filing cabinet. Last week church keys

to the outside entrance went missing from the secretary’s desk.

This prompted an immediate call to the chair of Building and

Grounds, which led to a call to the locksmith. The doors to the

outside of the church as well as the church office have all been

re-keyed.

In the fall, Session had already approved that the church be re-keyed as recommended

by Building and Grounds. At that time, Session began to grapple with policy decisions

regarding key distribution, as the current one had grown to be inadequate. (i.e. many keys

that had been distributed were not returned and/or accounted for.) Unfortunately, this policy

hadn’t had time to take root prior to the emergency need to re-key the church last week.

In the immediate future, key distribution has been limited to staff, the Building and

Grounds Chair and the Clerk of Session. We understand that this will be problematic for

some. We deeply apologize for any inconvenience this has or will cause. However, we hope

for some forbearance as the session, staff and Building and Grounds assess the gaps in

building accessibility for congregants and other usage. We also recognize that some folks may

need keys, and thus, we are determining the good and proper way for key distribution as well

as for the accounting of said keys. However, all of these concerns will need to be matched

equally to our need of providing a safe space for volunteers, members, friends and staff as well

as building security.

At the March 15th Session Meeting, it is my hope that we will formalize a key

distribution policy. Afterwards, a notice will be sent out to the congregation. We give thanks

that we can share in community in many ways, even when working out the best things, ideas,

decisions, and practices for our life together as a church. Thank you for your patience and

understanding. As always, my door is open for your feedback and questions.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Jessica

Our 2019 flower calendar is in the Narthex next to a Pastor Jessica ‘s office. There are plenty of openings if you wish to purchase flowers for the alter in honor or in memory of a loved one. Please sign the appropriate date with your name and the information you would like placed in the bulletin. The cost is still only $15.

Annual Deacon Luncheon and White Elephant Gift Exchange was a great success! Everyone had a wonderful time of fellowship and sharing a delicious meal. Thank you to Bev Ekaitis and all of her hard work for the Board of Deacons. Easter Flower sale will soon be upon us. Stay tuned for details. Next Deacon Meeting is Sunday, March 10 at 9:30 am.

Everything was new once!

Where our hymns came from.

Breathe On Me, Breath of God

written by Edwin Hatch in 1886 When a person becomes a Christian, he or she receives the Holy

Spirit within. Often, however, the Holy Spirit does not have con-

trol of that life even though He resides there. The Scriptures

teach that we are to be filled with the Holy Spirit if we are to

live Godly lives. This is not some emotional, mystical event. To

be “filled with the Spirit of God” means in a very practical way

that a believer has surrendered completely to the Lordship of

Christ. This hymn was written as a prayer to God to invite the

Holy Spirit to command our lives and actions. As we explore

and experience spiritual practices through Lent, let us remember

this hymn and likewise invite the Holy Spirit to fill our minds and

hearts with life anew.

Ready to join the fun of the music ministry??

Bell Choir Rehearsals:

Thursdays 6:00pm to 7:15pm in the Sanctuary

Adult Choir Rehearsals:

Thursdays 7:30pm to 8:30pm in the Choir Room

JYG and God Squad JYG continues to work on their stop-motion animation project. They are creating

characters, scripts, backgrounds, and will begin filming soon. All 5th, 6th, 7th,

and 8th graders are welcome to join in! God Squad will be completing their explo-

ration of the Star Words this coming Sunday and then will start learning and ex-

periencing spiritual practices through Lent.

March Schedule March 3rd: JYG 5:30pm to 6:30pm / God Squad 6:30pm to 8:00pm

March 10th: God Squad 6:30pm to 8:00pm

March 17th: JYG 5:30pm to 6:30pm / God Squad 6:30pm to 8:00pm

March 24th: God Squad 6:30pm to 8:00pm

March 31st: JYG 5:30pm to 6:30pm / God Squad 6:30pm to 8:00pm

Youth Club Youth Club has been working on rotations that explore the story of Joseph and

his brothers. The kids have a new rotation every week of Art, Bible Skills &

Games, Cooking, and Science. During Worship Arts, they have been working very

hard to learn the story and prepare a presentation of The Transfiguration to be

shared with the congregation on March 3rd.

Youth Club meets every Wednesday from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.

March 6th: NO YOUTH CLUB ~ ASH WEDNESDAY

March 13th: Dinner Theme: St. Patrick’s Day

Meal: Baked Potato Bar with toppings & Lime Punch

March 20th: Dinner Theme: Spring Fling

Meal: Sandwich Bar & Fruit Salad

March 27th: Dinner Theme: Hat Night

Meal: Taco Night w/ Chips & Salsa

Children’s Worship Children’s Worship has begun a new curriculum. “Godly Play” is an encounter of

Biblical Storytelling through the use of props and imagination. The kids get to

explore the stories creatively and discuss them in depth. To learn more about

Godly Play, check out their website: www.godlyplayfoundation.org

If you are interested in getting involved in Children’s Worship,

please email Jo: jo@sampsonsmills.org

March Schedule March 3rd: Family First Sunday, Kids stay downstairs

March 10th: Jesus the King

March 17th: Jesus and Zacchaeus

March 24th: Jesus and the Children

March 31st: Jesus and Bartimaeus

Learning Our Faith Living Our Faith

MISSION TRIP! Guess what! WE are going on a Mission Trip! And guess what else!

YOU could be part of that WE! This year’s trip is to Jackson County,

Ohio where we will aid in some home restoration as well as lead a VBS

for the area children. This is a great opportunity for everyone!

Sunday June 9 through Friday June 14

Registration has begun and it’s not too late to sign up!

Please visit www.sampsonsmills.org/missiontrip for more information.

Our food pantry, The Cupboard Stretchers, always welcomes new

volunteers. Join us on the 3rd Friday of each month either from 8:30 to

11:30 am or 11:30 am to 2:30 pm at Sampson's Mills, and we'll give you

a job. You can also help us keep our pantry stocked by food donations

of non-perishable items as well as household paper products.

Donations are accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 – 4:30 and

Sunday mornings.

Ladies breakfast is the first Monday of each month at 9:00 am.

The ladies meet at Patti’s Pasticceria for good food and fellowship.

Men’s breakfast is the first Tuesday of each month at 8:30 am at

Denny’s, join the men for a delicious breakfast and fellowship.

The Miller’s Daughter’s Book Club meets on the

third Tuesday of each month at 6:30. For more

details contact Linda Lawrence.

On the 4th Saturday of the month, a team of volunteers serves at the Blessing Board in McKeesport. The Blessing Board distributes furniture to our neighbors so to make their homes feel like a home. They are in dire need of queen sized sheets, blankets and comforters as well as silverware. Anything that you might provide would be greatly appreciated by all. Place items in baskets in the narthex

The Community & Mission Team serve dinner at the Sonshine Community

Ministries on Evans Street in McKeesport every three months. The menu is

meatball hoagies, cole slaw, cheese & crackers, tangerines and cookies.

They serve between 80—100 people, a lot are children. Please pray for this

wonderful ministry that they can continue their good works.

Theresa Hillmar 5 Bill Rhodes 8 Diane West 10 Patty Nelson 11 Nancy Swanson 11 Leila Wertz 11 Laverne Dobos 13 Rich Peters 14 Butch Andrews 15 Jan Ellenberger 17 Ben Seiler 19 Max Keefer 20 Chris Graham 21 Jeff Carroll 21 Brian Reagan 25 Carol McDowell 27 If you have a birthday this month and it’s not listed, please call the office and let us know.

1665 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131 Phone: 412-678-5355 Email: sampsonsmillspc@verizon.net Website: sampsonsmills.org