Christian Church of Wilkinsburg


The Visitor - May 2004
Notes on the Journey

     On Sunday, May 9 we will dedicate our Estimate of Giving Cards and our Love Offering to the church during the morning worship service.  As you pray about what you can give to help us eliminate our deficit this year and what you can pledge for next year's budget, please consider the following which I have adapted for our church.  It is entitled, THE CHURCH IS ALWAYS ASKING FOR MONEY! 
     Sometimes I hear people say, "The church is always asking for money."  This statement is not true, at least not at the Christian Church of Wilkinsburg.  It's the world that is always asking for money, not the church.  When did you last go to the supermarket and the checkout person failed to ask you for your money?  Your electric company, your gas company, and even your TV cable company asks you for money on a regular basis.  If you are like most people, each month brings a new collection of bills.
     There is no free lunch -- except at church if you think about it.  You attend the Lord's Supper each Sunday, and there is no admission charge.  If you are sick, the pastor will visit you in the hospital without a charge.  Does your doctor do that?  Where else can you get free counseling if you need it?  When a loved on dies, the church is honored to offer our services for worship and hospitality without a bill.  Does the funeral home do that?  You have to pay taxes to provide your children with a "free" public education.  Our church operates a Sunday school program, youth activities and the One Step after school program for free.
     Is there any other organization in the world which gives so much and asks for so little in return?  I don't know of any.  You see, the truth is, that the church "asks for money" LESS than anything you can think of.  Compared to the government and the bill collectors, the church almost NEVER asks you for money.
     Of all the things your money could be used for, none are more important that what the church provides.  For very, very little money, we bring good news to the poor in spirit and the poor in wealth.  We feed the hungry of body and heart.  We comfort those who mourn,.  We stand by those who are sick.  We advocate for those who have no voice.  We teach God's word.  We deliver the captives from bondage.  We inspire the apathetic.  We challenge the young and gently care for our seniors.  We love every person as a precious child of God despite our differences.  We forgive.  And we do all of this for Almighty God and not for the so-called almighty dollar.
     I can think of no better place to invest my money than we the church.  Can you?

                                                                                                                                                   Blessings, Pastor Janet
Talent Show - Sunday, May 2

12:30 pm - Flock Lunch
  1:15 pm - Talent Show

Get your act together and support our youth camp fund.  We need singers, dancers, instrumentalists, comedians, dramatic readers, poets, etc.  No talent required, just a willing heart.

Youth Rally & Lock-In, Saturday, May 22

6:00 pm - Sunday Worship

Our youth are are inviting other youth in the region to join them in a lock-in and dedication of Kanae's Youth Room.  Snack foods and cookie donations are appreciated.

Revival, Thursday, May 13

7:00 pm

Pastor Janet will be preaching at the Living Waters Ministry at 4th and North Braddock Avenues.  Come and be blessed!

One-Step Celebration, Thursday May 27

Our One-Step after-school program will be wrapping up another wonderful year with a family cook-out.  Donations of food are needed.  See Peggy Blackshire.

Mid-Week Study, The Power Letters

The General Electric Power Co. Letters

     Galations        Ephesians
     Philippians     Colossians

Eight-week study until June 9th.
Wednesdays, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
All are welcome and please bring friends!

Mother's Day, Sunday May 9

All mothers and mothers in the faith will be honored in worship.

Big Outreach Events:

The Outreach Ministry Team is hard at work getting the word out about our wonderful church family.  Come and help get the word out about our unique family at these three events:

    Prom Night, Friday May 28
   5:00 - 7:00 pm

    While hundreds gather in front of our church we will be distributing free water bottles, balloons and information about our church.  The Youth Team will be selling pop and snacks.  Come and help us reach out to our neighbors!

    Revival Weekend, Friday June 4 - June 6

    Each evening we will have a special Christian performer and worship as we open our doors to the community.  More details to come.

    Community Days, June 25 - 26

Help us staff a table for our church at Wilkinsburg's annual Community Days.

Pentecost & Memorial Sunday, May 30

In celebration of Memorial Sunday you are invited to write the name(s) of a loved one who has passed away on an angel.  These angels will be displayed in the sanctuary as we remember the great cloud of witnesses who support our ministry.  Also, since May 30th is Pentecost Sunday, you will be invited to write your vision for our church on a dove, which will also be displayed in the sanctuary.  Come and see on May 30th!

Pentecost Offering Sundays, May 23 & 30

Giving will lift your spirit!

When the first Pentecost came and people were touched with the Holy Spirit, they found their spirits lifted!  That is why your region and the New Church Ministry Team are inviting you to LIFT YOUR SPIRIT with a celebration of Pentecost, new believers and new Disciple churches.  Disciples are starting congregations in record numbers.  In the Christian Century Magazine it was recently noted that Disciples are enjoying a high growth rate with 82 new congregations just in 2003 alone.  In just three years we have started more than 200 congregations, with more than a 90% success rate.  Whether you've been a Disciple for a long time, or are new to the faith, that should LIFT YOUR SPIRIT!

Just think of it, more than 11,000 Disciples gather in worship each Sunday in auditoriums, schools, funeral homes, community centers and movie theaters.  They are excited about a church that practices an open communion table, and empowers all to be ministers of the faith.  That should LIFT YOUR SPIRIT too!

May Meetings

Youth Team - Tuesday, May 4, 5:00 pm

Worship Team - Wednesday, May 5, 7:00 pm

Outreach Team - Tuesday, May 11, 7:00 pm

Pastoral Care Team - Wednesday, May 12, 3:30 - 5:00 pm

Board Meeting - Sunday, May 16, 12:30 pm

Reconciliation - Sunday, May 23, 12:30 pm

Leadership & Elders - Wednesday, May 26, 7:30 pm
    Hear report from Darwin Collins and discuss our Revitalization Plans.

May Prayer Concerns

- Prayers for the Peacemakers of the world
    For all working for peace in Iraq, Israel and Palestine, Lyberia and other troubled places in our world.
- Prayers for our church
    To grow in our love for Jesus and for each other
    For our stewardship and nominating processes
    For our Outreach Team as the work to bring us visitors and new members
- Prayers for healing
    For those recovering from recent hospitalizations
- Prayers for Homebound Members
- Prayers for our Ministers and Ministries
- Prayers for our Wilkinsburg Community

Mission Trip, July 18-24, Kinston, North Carolina

Youth and adults are invited to join us for a Disciples work project in Kinston, North Carolina.  We will be working on building a church for the Grove Park Christian Church which is a small African-American congregation.  Grove Park was flooded during Hurricane Floyd in 1999 and now needs to build a new building for its ministry.  During the day, we will be working and in the evening we will be relaxing and enjoying the area.  Both skilled and unskilled workers are needed.  Please see Pastor Janet if you are interested in going or stop by the registration table after worship during May.  We will be deciding soon the cost of the trip per participant.  Registrations need to be in by the end of May.  If you are not able to go but would like to support one of our youth or adults, you can make a contribtion to the trip fund.  Missions trips are not only fun, but a faith-enriching experience for people of all ages.  Come on!  Let's get dirty for Jesus!

Regional Assembly, June 25-27
University of Pittsburgh in Johnstown

"Greater Than We Imagine"

Come and worship, study and fellowship with Disciples from across the state of Pennsylvania at our bi-annual regional assembly.  Dr. Richard Hamm, our former General Minister and President will be our keynote speaker and there will be many wonderful workshops to choose from as well.  The Christian Church of Wilkinsburg will once again be well represented at this Assembly: Sharon Barrax, Darae Calloway and Katie Hellner-Burris will be helping to lead the youth gathering,  Minister Denise Angell will be leading a workshop on addictions, Carol Calloway will be leading a workshop on anti-racisim, Pastor Janet will be leading the worship service on Sunday Morning, and Helen Long will be back in the nursery with the wee ones.  Registration is due no later than June 10 and there are special rates for those who register by May 15.  Please see Pastor Janet for a registration form or stop by the registration table after worship each Sunday during May.

Youth Camps at Laurelview

Mini-Camp for grades 1-3                        June 30 - July 2
Pastor Janet and Pastor Tracy Muffet Mills will be directing!

Junior Camp grades 4-6                           Camp A: July 11 - 17      Camp B: July 25 - 31

Chi Rho for grades 7 - 8                            Camp A: July 18 - 24      Camp B: August 1 - 7

CYF Conference I for Grades 9 - 10        July 4 - 10

CYF Conference II for Grades 11 - 12    June 19 - 25

All camp registrations are due by the end of May.  Please register after worship in the Library.


Our Church - Our Home - God's Dwelling Place

Commitment Sunday, May 9

Please bring your Estimate of Giving cards and Love Offerings to worship to dedicate to God.  If you are unable to come to worship please mail them to the church office before May 9.  If you are behind in this year's pledged giving, we need you to get caught up.  The bills keep coming and we are running a deficit!