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UM messenger

Vol. 23 Issue 10 Monroeville United Methodist Church October 26, 2020

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth…

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise…”( Psalm 100)

Dear friends,

Singing the prayer above, people would come to worship in the Temple long ago. “Remember the steadfast love of the Lord” and give thanks! Thanksgiving was more than something they were to do in the Temple; it was the way they were to live in the world when they left at the end of the service.

As Christians today, that doesn’t change. We are to be people who live each day open and aware of the many ways God’s love, grace, and peace surround us each moment. We are to be people who respond to that presence by sharing the gifts given each moment with others. As we do, we make a “joyful noise” with our lives and people can see the very presence of God in us.

This year has been one of constant challenges and changes, yet in the midst there have been places of blessings; places where we see evidences of God’s grace and presence. There are calls to share prayer and concerns. There have been gifts given to provide support and ministry. There have been new opportunities to reach out with our ministry across the internet to a broader community. It’s in the midst of darkness that the light becomes visible. We give thanks!

Usually at this time of year I am writing about how we can just go through the motions during the holiday. Somehow, this year, I don’t think “going through the motions” will be much of an issue. Things will be different. Yet, the rhythm is the same. We will be remembering the Saints who are now in the Church Triumphant at Christ’s Table; this year you can join us online. We will be lifting up our emphasis on Stewardship; this year we are saying thanks for your gifts and remembering why we share. We will be giving our Thanksgiving to God who has brought us this far and end the month preparing to receive anew the Light of the World at Christmas. Even in a year of challenge and change the faithfulness of God and the story of our faith remain. We give thanks!

Thanksgiving is not a “day” it’s “the Way.” It’s “the Way” of following Jesus, who we believe was the very presence of God living with us. Jesus’ Way was to serve others and Jesus calls us to follow. It’s “the Way” to find the greater purpose for which God has created us, redeemed us, and continually empowers us. It IS “the Way” to an abundant life of grace, peace, and joy.

May thanksgiving be more than just a “holiday” this year; may it become our way of life!

Blessings and Thanksgiving, Pastor Ed

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219 Center Road, Monroeville, PA 15146-1748

Phone: 412-372-7474 Fax: 412-372-5232

www.MonroevilleUMC.org

Church Staff: Staff E-mail Addresses:

Senior Pastor - Ed Schoeneck ....................................................... PastorEd@MonroevilleUMC.org

Director of Congregational Care - David Quel ........................... PastoralCare@MonroevilleUMC.org

Director of Christian Discipleship - Amanda Gilligan ............... Discipleship@MonroevilleUMC.org

Coordinator of Adult Ministries - Dona Todarello ..................... AdultMinistries@MonroevilleUMC.org

Administrative Assistant - Karen Marci ...................................... MUMC@MonroevilleUMC.org

Coordinator of Financial Ministries - Leslie Thorsen ................ FinancialSec@MonroevilleUMC.org

Coordinator of Communications - Betty Henderson .................. Communications@MonroevilleUMC.org

Youth Leader - Emily Antonich .................................................... MUMYouth@MonroevilleUMC.org

Director of Choral/Trad. Ensembles - Lynn Bruhn..................... Music@MonroevilleUMC.org

Organist/Director of MUM Rings - Lynn Bruhn ......................... OrganBells@MonroevilleUMC.org

Director of Praise Worship Ministries - Nick Filotei .................. Praise@MonroevilleUMC.org

Nursery Attendants - Heather Wilmotte, Dan Matthews

Custodian - Orrie Loughner; Kitchen Custodian - Joan Brown

Lay Leaders:

Chairperson of Program

and Administrative Council - Nathan O’Connor

Lay Leader - Susan Burkett

MUM Preschool

Becky Weiler (Director)

E-mail……..Director@MUMPreschool.org

Phone……. 412-372-8819

Website…...www.MUMPreschool.org

Church staff may be reached by phone, 412-

372-7474 or email. If you need assistance, the

church phone will be answered during office

hours. At other times, please leave a voicemail

message for whomever you are trying to reach,

and someone will get back to you as soon as

possible.

PLEASE CALL, if you need us!!!

You may also reach staff members through the

email addresses listed above.

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219 Center Road Monroeville, PA 15146 Phone: 412-372-7474 www.MonroevilleUMC.o

NON-PROFIT ORG.

US POSTAGE

PAID

PITTSBURGH, PA

PERMIT NO. 4039

Monroeville United Methodist Church

Serving God . . . Sharing Love . . . Changing Lives!

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MUM YOUTH --- Grades 6 - 12! Contact Emily at MUMYouth@MonroevilleUMC.org

for information on how you can meet with other MUM youth and for our Zoom link!

The youth met virtually on October 17 to discuss upcoming events and have some fellowship

time together! We discussed Matthew 13:44-46 during our time together.

We will be meeting via zoom November 14 at 7:00 PM! We hope to see YOU!

SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH WITH SPECIAL NEEDS!

Starting on Sunday, November 8 there will be an additional Sunday school class for those indi-

viduals who have Special Needs. The class will be held downstairs in the youth room and will be

taught by a volunteer, Nancy Davis. Mrs. Davis has been working with Special Needs individuals

for a very long time and is a retired teacher from Easter Seals. If you are interested or have any

questions, please contact Dave Quel our Director of Congregational Care at 724-289-0572 or

PastoralCare@MonroevilleUMC.org.

Opportunities for kids, youth & young adults

We are looking for volunteers to help with Sunday School. Clearances will be required. Let

Amanda know if you can help! Discipleship@MonroevilleUMC.org or 412-372-7474.

Young Adult Bible Study ages 19-30 (or so) years old MUM is offering a Young Adult Bible Study led by Director of Discipleship, Amanda Gilligan.

We will meet Wednesday nights at 7:00 starting November 4 in the church parlor, but will also offer an online option on Zoom at the same time for anyone not able to be in person.

We will be using the curriculum: Dialogues on ... on Race (Check it out at www.cokesbury.com/search?q=dialogues&pagenumber=1)

Let Amanda know that you have an interest in joining this class, 412-372-7474 or Discipleship@MonroevilleUMC.org.

JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL! In-church (9:15 a.m.) or Zoom (7:00 p.m.)!

ALL students age 3-12th grade meet in rooms 3 & 5 of Fellowship Hall. Go directly to Room 3

when you enter the church for the 9:15 service. Parents pick students up as they leave the church.

We wear masks, sanitize, practice social distancing and have individual bins of supplies

If you are not ready to bring your children to the church, please contact Amanda at Discipleship

@MonroevilleUMC.org if they would like to attend our Virtual Sunday School at 7 p.m. on Sun-

day evenings. Amanda will send you a Zoom link to Virtual Sunday School, if you contact her at

Discipleship@MonroevilleUMC.org! We would love to see you in-person or virtually!

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Worship with us

Sunday Worship 9:15 a.m. Worship in the church or online via Facebook.com/Monroevilleumc

(or Vimeo at https://vimeo.com/event/262848 )

9:15 a.m. Sunday School for Children & Youth in room 3 and (Youth Room for those with Spe-

cial Needs) or 7:00 p.m. via Zoom (contact Discipleship@MonroevilleUMC.org for a link)

11:00 a.m. Worship in Sanctuary

Both Sunday services are available to listen to at 9:15 or 11:00 a.m. in the church parking by

tuning to 87.7 FM on your car radio.

Sermons are available via phone at any time during the week by calling (412)-200-5177.

Weekly Devotions Online (Facebook)

5:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Weds. Nov. 12, the devotion time will be our online Taizé Service at 5 p.m.

Weds. Nov. 19, Oasis devotion online with contemporary music, reflection & prayer

November 2020 Worship

Sunday Nov. 1: Communion of Saints

“Bread of Hope” (Jeremiah 31:27-34)

Theme: “Because We Love”; Foundation for Stewardship

“A New Commandment I give you… that you love one another as I have loved

you… by this all will know you are my disciples.” (John 13)

Sunday Nov. 8: “Grace and Gratitude” (Luke 17:11-19)

Sunday Nov. 15: “Sharing love and Life” (1 Thessalonians 2:1-8)

Sunday Nov. 22: “Opening a Place for the Future…” (Genesis 7:1-6; 17-24)

Advent Season : “A Light in the Darkness”

Especially in the midst of this year of challenges and darkness we Christians need

to remember our faith story. It begins with a promise in the midst of the darkness.

That Light will come! Will we be prepared to see it? Will be open to share it? The

Light will Come!

“… and the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it!“

Sunday Nov. 29: First Sunday in Advent! “Waiting in Hope” (Mark 13:24-37)

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Notes to note

ADVENT WREATHS

If you attend church virtually

and want to participate in our

church Advent wreath lighting

while at home or would just like

to enjoy a wreath, Lydia Circle

has Advent Wreaths available for $20 each. We

made these last year and can make more! The

first Sunday of Advent is November 29, so we

need orders by November 20. Please call Vicki

Zezzo to order your wreath and to schedule a

pick-up time. If you didn't get one last year,

add one for your Advent season. Proceeds go to

missions.

INVITATION TO SING! Did you ever want to try singing

with the choir, but were afraid to

do so? Well, since we now meet

on Thursdays at 8 p.m. on Zoom,

I can't hear you nor can any other

singer. You can only hear me! It's a very

strange way to hold a choir rehearsal, but is

what's necessary now. So, if you'd like to give

it a try, email me at Organbells@ Monroeville-

UMC.org with your contact information (email

and cell phone number), and I'll send music and

a rehearsal link to you. It's that easy! Hope

you'll give it a try. Our group would love to

have you join us! ~ Lynn Bruhn, Director Choral/Trad. Ensembles

TREE OF LIFE

Medallions have been purchased

in love, memory, celebration or

honor of the following: Stella

Duskey, David Irwin, Bob Patter-

son, For the Love of Parents, For

the Glory of God, Elizabeth Sagan, Brian Mar-

chesani, Sara Jean Brown, Marge Schell, Betsy

Bahleda, Helen Martin

Medallions may be purchased by using the or-

der forms in the box in the back of the sanctu-

ary or by calling Vicki Zezzo. We are unable to

sell medallions in the narthex at this time. Pro-

ceeds will go to missions.

TECH STUFF

We now have WIFI capabilities

throughout the main floor of the

church, including the sanctuary

and library. If you need to use

your WIFI device to teach a

class, search the internet, donate online, look

up something during a sermon (NO! we don’t

recommend that, but we have the capability),

find MUMC-Guest in your WIFI settings

and get the password from the office. Other

networks are for staff use only.

Soon, we will have our new cameras installed

to enhance our online video presentations.

Thank you to all who have given to our Endow-

ment Fund - income has been designated by

PAC for these enhancements.

Monroeville United Methodist Church Conference will take place on Tuesday, November 10 at

7:00 p.m. via Zoom. We will send a link via church email to everyone on our email list. If you cur-

rently don’t receive our weekly email updates, please send me a note at Communications@ Mon-

roevilleUMC.org so that we can add you to the email list, if you plan to Zoom the conference. If

you cannot attend virtually and wish to participate in person, please call the church office, 412-372-

7474, so we can plan for that.

The conference is our annual meeting to set salaries, elect officers and conduct other church busi-

ness. This year we will vote on changes to the MUM Church Charter.

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SEEKERS ADULT CLASS via Zoom Monday Evenings at 7:00 p.m.

Current Text: Christ in Crisis by Jim Wallis

INVITATION TO ALL MUM MEMBERS AND FRIENDS

Jim Wallis, author of Christ in Crisis (being read by the Seekers class) will be with MUM via

Zoom on November 23 at 7:00 p.m. We are thrilled to present this renown guest to all of our

church members and friends. To receive the Zoom link, please contact Dona Todarello,

AdultMinistries@MonroevilleUMC.org or Leslie Thorsen, FinancialSec@ Monroeville-

UMC.org with your name and email address.

“Jim Wallis is a globally respected writer, teacher, preacher, justice advocate, regular international

commentator on ethics and public life, and mentor for a new generation. He is a New York Times

bestselling author of twelve books, including Christ in Crisis, America's Original Sin, God's Poli-

tics, and The Great Awakening. Wallis is the Founder of Sojourners. He served on President

Obama's White House Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.”

Opportunities for adults

ADVENT STUDY led by Pastor Ed Incarnation: Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas by Adam Hamilton.

Wednesdays, December 2, 9, 16 & 23

Mornings, 10:30 a.m. in-person at the church; Evenings, 6:30 p.m. on Zoom Adam Hamilton "examines the names of Christ used by the gospel writers, explor-

ing the historical and personal significance of [Jesus] birth." This is a video and

book discussion class. Books will be available for $10.00. Please contact Dona

Todarello, Coordinator of Adult Ministries at the Church Office 412.372.7474 or

AdultMinistries@MonroevilleUMC.org to reserve your copy and get a Zoom link.

Pack a bag of THANKS (for) GIVING! For GCUM Food Pantry Sponsored by MUM’s Adult Ministry - (Blessed by Stacy Mazak, Outreach Chair)

Adult Ministries is providing you an opportunity to stock the shelves at the Garden City United

Methodist Church’s Food Pantry with Thanksgiving donations! Each day add one item to your

donations. Return your box (or bag) of donations to MUM in or near the shopping cart by the

back entrance by November 15. A REMINDER NO GLASS CONTAINERS or PERISHABLES.

Items will be distributed at the pantry Nov. 12 and Dec. 10

October 27 - box of cereal

October 28 -peanut butter

October 29 -stuffing mix

October 30 -boxed potatoes

October 31 -mac & cheese

November 1 -can of gravy

November 2 -box of crackers

November 3 -brown sugar

November 4 -dessert mix

November 5 -applesauce

November 6 -canned sweet

potatoes

November 7 -cranberry sauce

November 8 -green beans

November 9 -can of pumpkin

November 10 -evaporated milk

November 11 -canned corn

November 12 -package of pasta

November 13 -spaghetti sauce

(canned)

November 14 -chicken noodle

soup

November 15 -tomato soup