April 2007

Emmanuel Christian Church

April 2008

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Elementary (K-grade 5); Leviathan (grades 6-8); 4Twelve (grades 9-12)

When I first stared (almost, but not quite, four months ago), several people asked me what my ‘plan’ was. And my answer was something like, ‘don’t know’, ‘not sure’, ‘haven’t really thought about it’, or that famous eight ball reply, ‘ask again later’.

Well, I have one, now. Maybe not a ‘plan’, per se. More like a ‘direction’, an ‘inkling’, or a ‘reasonably well-defined suggestion’. And I don’t think it’s going to come as much of a surprise.

I think it’s time to go Local. That’s right – Google Earth/Nazareth/Brighton Heights Local. Riding Roy’s Donkey Down Benton Avenue Local. It’s time to think about what it would mean if, as a group of God’s people, we decided to give ourselves to the community in which our building sits. To do that incarnation thing – to be Jesus’ hands and feet right where we are.

The chief difficulty with this ‘reasonably well-defined suggestion’, of course, is that, while the building ‘lives’ in Brighton Heights, most of the people who currently worship in that building don’t! A significant minority of us do live in the Brighton Heights/Brightwood area, but it is a minority, nonetheless. And I can well understand why those of us who don’t live in the community might think that our own interests might be better served by ministering elsewhere. But that begs the question, doesn’t it? Where?

We could, I suppose, simply encourage everyone to do their best to ‘live for Jesus’ in their respective neighborhoods (and I’m not, for a moment, suggesting that you shouldn’t). But then our efforts would be scattered right across Allegheny (and Clarion!) county. Surely it makes more sense to gather and focus our efforts in one community, so that when people ask, ‘What’s ECC all about?’ we’ll have an answer, and we’ll be able to point to specific work in one community that gives a sense of our identity and purpose.

In my sermon a couple of weeks ago, I referenced Bellevue Christian Church as a successful model for what happens when community outreach becomes a church’s focus. Chuck, the minister there, told me that the change in direction he introduced was helped by the fact that most of his people came from that community – that 75% of them had 15202 zip codes. I know it was an exaggeration, but I chuckled in response to that statistic, and told him that 75% of our people did, as well! Myself, included!

And that’s why I think a more appropriate model for us might be ACAC, down on the Northside, or Covenant Church in Wilkinsburg. In those churches, a combination of Christians, some from the local community and some from outside, work together in a specific community to bring Jesus to life for that community, to show what it means when The Kingdom of God is near. And as a result, people know what those churches are, what they stand for, and what they are about.

So where do we start? We start by getting to know this community. And, fortunately for us, there are a number of local events coming up in the next few months that will help us to do just that!

There’s a community clean-up day on April 19^th, House Tours on May 18^th (with a tidy-up the day before), a community Pirates game on May 23^rd, and an American Legion Service at Legion Park on May 26^th. Volunteers are needed for all of these (well, not the Pirate game – but then, given the way they’ve been playing, who knows?), and I think it would be amazing if significant numbers of us turned up and helped out and got to know the other folks from the community who were helping, too. In fact, I think it would be amazing if, for the next year or two, we saw our mission primarily as getting to know this community and understanding its needs, so that God could then show us exactly where he wants to use us.

It’s a shift of focus, I’ll admit – although we have been moving in that direction, as the church’s involvement with Riverview Manor suggests. That has been a wonderful experience. (And yes, we do need more volunteers for the senior lunches. And yes, you will have a blast if you come and help!). And I think there are more wonderful experiences in store. The upcoming events I listed don’t require any particular expertise, and participating in them won’t be hard. There’s something that every one of us can do!

The question is – do we want to? Is this a ‘reasonably well-defined suggestion’ that we want to take on board? The only way to find out is for us to talk about it.

I’ll be in the UK for a couple of weeks, starting the 2nd of April. So while I’m away, would you do just that? Would you talk about this idea – in your home groups, among your families, down at The Vault, wherever! And could you let me know what you think when I get back?

I think we’ll need God and the community itself to reveal to us the long-term specifics of this ‘plan’. But in the short term, we can make the decision to move in that direction. I’m looking forward to your ‘reasonably well-defined response’!

Congratulations to Tim Yeager who was baptized by Bob Hartman on Sunday, March 2^nd, 2008. God bless you, Tim, and welcome to the Emmanuel Family.

Come join us on Saturday, April 26^th at 7:00 p.m. for the Crossbearer Café. Invite some friends and meet in the Sanctuary for a great praise and worship session led by Ron Zanski. Afterwards, come downstairs to the Fellowship Hall for some coffee, dessert, music, games and fellowship. Please bring a dessert to share. Questions? See or call Tim Lego.

The April Senior Luncheon is being held on Monday, April 7^th at 11:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Come join us for soup, rolls, dessert, beverage and fellowship – Free! Be a friend and bring along a friend for lunch! If you have any questions regarding this lunch or wish to help in some way, please call Peg Hartman.

Spring Work Days! Jesse Justice, our Deacon of Building and Maintenance, has scheduled two work days – Friday, April 18^th from 7:00 p.m.-? and Saturday, April 19^th from 9:00 a.m.-?. Lots and lots of help is needed. You can either sign up ahead of time or just show up to help. If you have any questions, please see Jesse.

In sympathy . . . we would like to express our heartfelt sympathy to Nadine Robbins. Mrs. Robbins’ brother, Deke Winterhalter, passed away on Saturday, March 15^th, 2008. Please keep the family in your prayers.

Mark Hartman is playing ‘The Beast’ in Avonworth High School’s Spring Musical, Disney’s “Beauty And The Beast”. Performances are April 11, 12, 18 and 19. Please see Mark if you have any questions.

Congratulations to Jim and Kathy Miller on the birth of their granddaughter, Marena Rose Miller, daughter of Jimmy and Mary Ann Miller. Marena was born on Wednesday, March 19^th, weighing in at 6 lbs. 1 oz., 19-1/4” long. God bless this brand new life and the Miller Family.

Congratulations to Kelly Lowry, our 2008 Emmanuel Christian Church Soup Chef! Kelly won with her delicious Cheeseburger Soup. Please see Kelly if you would like the recipe!

Beginning April 1^st you can begin bringing in your donations for the Flea Market. Just place all donations in the Fellowship Hall. Questions? Please see Peg Hartman.

Youth News! Donna Ford is our Deacon of Youth and sends along the following:

This year, the Youth will be attending a CIY (Christ In Youth) conference at Milligan College near Johnson City, Tennessee. This could be a banner year for attendance by Emmanuel with the potential of 20 youth attending. What a fantastic mission that would be!

We will leave on Monday, June 30^th and return on Saturday, July 5^th. Don’t worry about fireworks, our experience has been that wherever there are Emmanuelites, there are sparks and celebration!

Please be in prayer for this mission and the folks that are attending. The total cost per youth is yet to be determined, but will be around $340, so fundraising will be necessary in order to allow all that wish to attend to do so. If you feel led to sponsor a young person or the group as a whole, please see Mark or Donna Ford. Donations of any size are appreciated and will be distributed as you instruct.

DEPOSITS OF $50 ARE DUE NO LATER THAN SUNDAY, APRIL 13^TH. The Youth are encouraged to find a means by which to earn the deposit without asking for it from their parents. How much sweeter is something when your own sweat equity is involved. If you have a job that one of the youth can help you with and earn a few bucks, please either see one of the youth, Mark or Donna, and the job will be coordinated.

Did you know that a Teen Bible Study (with dinner included!) meets each Monday from 5:15 PM -6:30 PM in the ECC Parlor? If you haven’t attended one of our studies, you are missing out. Questions? See Donna Ford.

Elementary Youth Group (K-5^th Grade) – First and Third Sunday of each month – 6 PM-7:30 PM (Chris and Mandy Basel)

Leviathan Youth Group (6th-8^th Grade) – Sunday Evenings – 6PM-7:30 PM (Mark Ford)

4Twelve (Senior High – 9^th-12^th Grade) – Sunday Evenings – 6 PM-7:30 PM (Donna Ford)

April 13^th – Youth Sunday – Youth will present the worship and message on Sunday morning. From 6 PM-7:30 PM Leviathan – Regular Youth Group; 4Twelve – Special Outing/Details to follow

Week of April 27^th-May 2^nd – Youth Group Set-Up for Flea Market – details from Peg forthcoming – in order to receive financial credit for CIY, you must work a required number of hours which will be determined soon.

May 3^rd – Flea Market – Everyone start saving your treasures and bring them to the church beginning in April.

Everyday, the Ronald McDonald House provides a place for families to stay while their children are being treated in nearby hospitals for serious illnesses. Donated pop tabs are submitted for recycling to obtain funds to support the operating costs of the House. It takes 1,267 tabs to equal 1 pound. More and more canned goods are using “pop” tabs. You may include tabs from canned soups, fruits, dog or cat food, canned meats, pop, etc. The collection bins are at the tables at the front and back of the Sanctuary.

Thanks so much to everyone who signed up to be a part of our Church Rotation. Please note that if you are unable to serve on your scheduled Sunday, you must contact someone else in the rotation to be your substitute or to switch with you. Thank you for serving. Also, if your name is not on our Church Rotation, please consider helping out wherever you feel led . . . greeter, projection, junior church, nursery, elevator operator, Sunday School teacher, communion preparation/clean-up.

First-Time Visitors…Our Gift Of Thanks To You … As a thank you for visiting with us at Emmanuel Christian Church, we will send you a card for a free 12 oz. drink from The Vault, a coffee and tea bar in Brighton Heights at 3619 California Avenue. This offer is being made to all first-time visitors to our Sunday services who give us their contact information. Even if you’re not a first time visitor, The Vault is a great place to stop any time. The hours are Monday-Saturday, 7 am-8 pm.

Be Environmentally Responsible! Our church is partnering with Abitibi Consolidated, the world’s largest newspaper manufacturer and world’s largest newspaper recycler. A bright green and yellow paper retriever bin is located in our church parking lot. Here is a list of what is acceptable to put in the bin:

Newspaper, Magazines, Catalogs, Mail, Envelopes, Folders, Fax and Copy Paper, Colored Paper, Shredded Paper. Please, no phone books or cardboard, plastic, glass, metals, trash.

Our Annual Flea Market will take place on Saturday, May 3^rd from 8-2 in the Fellowship Hall. As you clean out your closet, garage or junk drawer, please bring in unwanted, sellable items for our sale (please – no clothes). If you have any questions and/or would like to help with the Flea Market in any way, please see Peg Hartman. Help is needed the week before, during and immediately following the flea market. All proceeds will benefit our young people attending the Christ In Youth Conference with summer.

Pregnancy Care Centers Walk For Life, Sunday, May 4^th at North Park Harmar Grove near the pool. Lunch is at 12:30 p.m. and the Walk will follow. The Annual Walk For Life raises thousands of dollars each year that directly help women facing unplanned pregnancies. These much needed funds insure that women can see an ultrasound image of their unborn child and choose life! Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to participate in a Walk that saves lives! Registration forms are available for you at each church entrance.

The 16^th Annual Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure is on Sunday, May 11^th (Mother’s Day) at Schenley Park, beginning at 8:45 a.m. Entry forms to register are available at each church entrance or you may register online at www.komenpittsburgh.org

The Annual Memorial Day Picnic will be on Monday, May 26^th from 12-8 at the Air Force Reserve Base in Moon Township. You must sign up if you plan to attend or even think you may attend. If your last name begins with A-N, please bring salad and vegetables. If your last name begins with O-Z, please bring dessert and drinks. Meat and buns will be provided. Also, please bring snacks to share if you wish along with board games, bats, balls, tennis equipment, roller skates/blades, chairs, blankets, etc. Questions? Please see or call Tim Lego.

The Annual Community Partners Concert, featuring the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra with Isaac Hayes, and the Sphinx competition winner is Thursday, June 26^th at 8:00 p.m. at Heinz Hall. Proceeds from all tickets sold through the His Place website are being donated to His Place. Tickets start at $21.50. Order online at www.hisplace.org

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