May 2007

	Emmanuel Christian Church News May 2008
Pittsburgh, Pa.

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

Well, it’s Neil Diamond Week here on Brighton Heights Idol, and we’ve picked two songs for you to sing.

The first one is Diamond’s classic, ‘You Don’t Bring Me Flowers’. If you would like to sing this with us, we invite you to join the Citizen’s Federation as they plant flowers in the neighborhood on Saturday, May 10 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. If you’re interested, you can either contact me, ring Debbie at the office, or email Susan Benn at brightonheights@yahoo.com. Maybe poor Neil didn’t get flowers, but with a little help from some of us, our community can – and we can find out just a little more about our neighbors and what makes this neighborhood tick.

Our second song selection is ‘Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show’ – one of my all time faves (check out the version on Hot August Night). It’s a bit of a stretch, actually, but since Neil doesn’t have any songs about ‘Chocolate’ or ‘Houses’ or ‘Tours’, it was as close as I could get. May 18 is the day, and all we are looking for are people to stand on corners and point the way at the annual House Tour (that’s where the traveling bit comes in). The ‘Chocolate’ bit is a new wrinkle apparently, as visitors will receive some kind of chocolate at each house. The cost of the tour is 10 bucks in advance and 15 bucks on the day, but if you volunteer to help, then you can go on the tour (and eat the chocolates) for free! There are two shifts (1-3 p.m. and 3-5 p.m.), and, once again, this is an excellent and pain-free way of getting to know our community. I need to know if you are interested, as soon as possible. Or you can contact Jeff Worsinger at brightonheights@yahoo.com.

(Except for poor Brooke, of course. Why oh why did they make that girl sing at the end? Sad. And how did Michael Johns get eliminated? What were people thinking? And don’t even get me started about Jason. I mean, the kid’s got a nice smile, but c’mon…)

It’s Flea Market Time! Please join us on Saturday, May 3^rd from 8-2 in the Fellowship Hall. You are sure to find a few treasures, plus you can pick up a goody or two at the bake sale and enjoy a delicious lunch at the snack bar. All proceeds from the flea market help our young people attend a Christ In Youth Conference this summer.

Baubles, Buttons ‘n’ Beads! A jewelry sale will be happening at the same time and place as the Flea Market – Saturday, May 3^rd from 8-2. All proceeds from the sale of the jewelry will benefit Lisa Bruno’s “Missions Alive” Native American trip to Montana this summer. You can bring your broken costume jewelry for repairs. There is a $1 discount if you bring non-perishable food for the local food bank.

The Pregnancy Care Centers Walk For Life is Sunday, May 4^th at North Park Harmar Grove near the pool. A free lunch is being served from 12:30 through 1:45 p.m. with the Walk following. 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! Register at www.mypregnancycenter.org-click on the 1^st giving link. Directions to the Walk For Life from McKnight Road North: Turn right onto Babcock Boulevard (this is the first turn after Peebles Road), pass UPMC Passavant, proceed one mile and turn right on Hemlock. Make first left into Pool Parking Lot and follow signs to Harmar Grove.

The Elders are meeting on Sunday, May 4^th at 6:00 p.m. in the Parlor. Please contact any elder prior to the meeting if you have a need or concern.

April Showers bring May Flowers … and it’s time for the May Senior Luncheon! Come join us for a lunch of soup, sandwiches, dessert, beverage and fellowship on Monday, May 5^th at 11:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall – Free! Please contact Peg Hartman if you wish to help with the lunch in any way.

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. Register at www.komenpittsburgh.org

The ECC Book Club is meeting on Tuesday, May 13^th at 6:30 p.m. at The Vault Coffee & Tea Bar, 3619 California Avenue. We’ll be discussing “Gilead” by Marilynne Robinson. Please have the book read in its entirety prior to our get together. Everyone is welcome!

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.

Pick a date, any date . . . let’s help Jesse Justice (our deacon of building and maintenance) cut the grass and/or trim the hedges and weeds. All yard work should be done prior to the Sunday you sign up for. A sign up sheet is posted on the bulletin board in the Sanctuary. Thanks for all your support. Please call Jesse at 412-766-4938 with any questions you may have.

You will be missed . . . Mark Ford’s last Sunday with us is May 11^th. Mark has accepted a position as a Youth/Associate Pastor at Central Christian Church in College Station, Texas. We would like to thank Mark for all his hard work within the church, particularly in the youth groups and in Sunday School. God bless you, Mark. Please stop by the Fellowship Hall between 10:30 and 11:00 a.m. to wish Mark all the best personally and share a piece of good-by cake with him on Sunday, May 11^th.

Come join us on Memorial Day (Monday, May 26^th) from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. for The Emmanuel Christian Church Annual Memorial Day Picnic at the Air Force Reserve Base in Moon Township. Bring frisbees, footballs, baseballs/bats, tennis equipment, volleyballs, board games, chairs, etc. Meat and Buns will be provided. Please bring snacks to share and the following: if your last name begins with A-N, please bring salad and vegetables to share; if your last name begins with O-Z, please bring dessert and drinks to share. Sign up in the back of the Sanctuary if you will be or think that you will be attending. Due to security reasons, we need to have a list of people who will be or may be attending. Directions from Emmanuel to the Air Force Reserve Base are available in the back of the Sanctuary. If you have any questions, please see or call Tim Lego.

It’s A Girl! Congratulations to James and Sarah (Abbott) Wedgbrow on the birth of their daughter, Melanie Rose, born on Friday, April 18^th, 2008 at 6:35 p.m. and weighing 7 lbs. 8 oz. Melanie Rose had a happy welcome home from her big brother and sister, Callum and Molly-Sue. All God’s blessings on this new life and the Wedgbrow family.

Lauren Ford is graduating in June from North Hills High School. Lauren currently attends CCAC and LaRoche College, and will continue at LaRoche in the Fall.

Mark Hartman is graduating in June from Avonworth High School. Mark is planning to attend Edinboro University in the Fall.

Leah Soroka is graduating in May from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Leah is currently looking for employment as a Family & Consumer Science Teacher.

Mollie Orr graduated in April from the University of Pittsburgh. In June she will begin her job as a registered nurse at UPMC Magee in the ICU.

The next Education Ministry Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 27^th at 7:00 p.m. in the Church Parlor. Susan Hartman is the Deacon for this ministry and sends along the following agenda for the meeting to let you know what will be covered and all that falls under this ministry. Even if you have never been on this ministry before, new faces are always welcomed and needed. Here is the agenda:

2. Times for Sunday School to begin – website – how can we get the classes starting on time and no kids running in the hallways?

3. Nursery – any needs? Should we be staffing it during Sunday School? Could we get volunteers to work in it then?

4. Junior Church issues – number of teachers and curriculum being used – can we get this to be weekly? Are there more people who could serve as teachers once a month?

5. Combining classes in Sunday School to save on teachers and maybe allow some of them to serve in Wee Worship (if we restart it) and Junior Church?

6. Should we restart Wee Worship now that more children are in/coming up to that age bracket?

a. As of the beginning of June for the Senior High Class (taken care of through the end of May by Bill Caye).

b. As of the 1^st Sunday in June for the Junior High Class (Mark Ford and subs until then) or should we combine those two classes for the summer?

c. For Lois Allshouse’s class (1^st and 2^nd grades) beginning the 1^st Sunday of June.

8. Teacher Training Program - and police clearances? Diana Hartman will be teaching this class. People have to have turned in applications and been approved by the elders before they take the class.

9. New Ideas? Things to do with the Brighton Heights Citizens Federation in the community?

The Brighton Heights Citizens Federation May Meeting is Thursday, May 8^th at 7:00 p.m. at the Brighton-McClure Presbyterian Church, 3737 Brighton Road.

His Place News! During the month of May The Shepherd’s Door is donating 5% of their total sales to His Place. The Shepherd’s Door, located at 563 Lincoln Avenue in Bellevue, is a non-profit bookstore owned by Bellevue Christian Church. In addition to their regular inventory, the Shepherd’s Door is able to order in books and other materials, such as Sunday, Vacation Bible School, etc. You can e-mail the store manager at info@theshepherdsdoor.org.

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)

“Thank you Emmanuel Christian Church! Your Baby Bottle Campaign raised $457.02 for the Pregnancy Care Centers. Those coins really add up. Your gifts directly help moms and their babies. Thank you! Pregnancy Care Centers”

It’s Camp Time! Please check out the bulletin board in the Sanctuary for the 2008 camp dates for Deep Valley Christian Camp and Camp Christian. You are sure to find the perfect camp date just for you! Please call the church office with any questions.

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.

All are invited to Lauren Ford’s Graduation Celebration on Sunday, June 15^th at the Fireman’s Pavillion at Denny Park on Jacks Run Road just east of the Grove Tavern and Parker’s Gas Station – from 1:30 p.m. until dark. In the event of rain, the celebration will move to Keating Fire Company, 39 West View Avenue, off of Route 19 behind the PAT bus garage.

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. “His Place” is a Christian outreach ministry to the inner city of Pittsburgh and a mission our church supports regularly.

“Ask the loveliness of the earth, ask the loveliness of the sea, ask the loveliness of the wide airy spaces, ask the loveliness of the sky, ask the order of the stars, ask the sun, making daylight with its beams, ask the moon tempering the darkness of the night that follows, ask the living things which move in the waters, which tarry on the land, which fly in the air; ask the souls that are hidden, the bodies that are perceptive; the visible things which must be governed, the invisible things that govern – ask these things, and they will all answer you, Yes, see we are lovely. Their loveliness is their confession. And all these lovely but mutable things, who has made them, but Beauty immutable?

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