OCTOBER 2014
MEET OUR NEW INTERIM PASTOR
We are pleased to welcome Pastor Doug Marshall who has come all the way from California to be our interim pastor– well sort of.
Doug (as he likes to be called) was born and raised in the San Jose and Silicon Valley area of California. He received his BA Degree from Humboldt State University at Arcata, CA and his Masters of Divinity from the Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA. Studies at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary earned Doug his Doctor of Ministry, followed by a variety of continuing education studies up until the present.
As a pastor, he has led several churches in Colorado. More recently, he was the Interim Senior Pastor at the John McMillan Presbyterian Church in Bethel Park.
Doug was married in 1994 to Tanya Koshuta of Paradise, PA where Tanya was born and raised. They met at the Buckhorn Children's Center in Kentucky where they were both Volunteers-in-Mission at the Center.
Tanya is a social worker, and coordinates a program that arranges supervised visits for parents who have lost custody of their children for various reasons.
The Marshalls live in Plum Borough and have three children: Laura, who graduated last May from Colorado State University with a degree in Music Education and teaches music in Gilcrest, CO; Brian lives in New Castle, PA and is a landscaper; and Alli is entering her senior year at the University of Northern Colorado majoring in International Studies.
Pastor Marshall begins as our Interim Pastor October 1 and will preach his first sermon at Sharon on October 5. A welcoming reception will follow the service.
A Word of Encouragement From Our Moderator
Dear Friends in Christ,
Although our time in ministry together was short, it has been a great blessing to me.
Transition is never an easy time in the life of a congregation and Sharon Church is no exception. Yet, the leaders and staff I have had the privilege to work with as your temporary moderator have shown great faithfulness, courage and strength. They have made decisions prayerfully, conscientiously, cautiously, and lovingly. I pray you will take the time to thank and encourage your Interim Minister Search Committee, elders, deacons and staff.
As you are eagerly anticipating the arrival of Rev. Doug Marshall remember that the transitional journey is not over! There will be much work to do in the coming months and all the saints of Sharon Church will be needed to do the hard work of ministry in a changing environment. My hope is that you will keep your minds and hearts open to new things God is doing in your midst.
Extend the grace God has given you to others.
Be patient and know that God has called Rev. Marshall to lead you into the future.
Embrace the journey!
I will continue to keep you in my prayers and thank you for allowing me to serve with you!
In Christ’s Service,
Rev. Jeri-Lynne Bouterse D.Min
Temporary Moderator
Paul’s Prayer [Ephesians 1:15-19 NLT]
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason, I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.
Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. God lifts you up, takes you in and washes all the dirt off of you. He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff – including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see. Happy Fall!
Ronald J. Bernhardy has answered the call to be our new Director of Music Ministries following Session approval on September 22. Ronald is currently organist for the Elfinwild Presbyterian Church in Glenshaw. He will assume his new position at Sharon October 19 and will direct the Chancel Choir, Bell Choirs and will teach children's music during their Sunday School classes.
Ronald and his wife and family live in Crafton. He has three children ages two, four and six. He worked fulltime as Director of Musical Outreach at the Emanuel United Methodist Church prior to his current position. While there he provided music for all services and events, directing the choirs, adult and youth, as well as handbell choirs, praise team, a quartet and weekly special music – soloists and duets.
In addition to his music, Ronald is the Founder and Executive Director of the Creative Arts Renewal Effort (C.A.R.E.) programs from 2008 until the Present. Through this program free classes in the creative arts are offered to children in grades K-8 along with free piano lessons for children. The program coordinates volunteers for classes in such fields as culinary arts, drama, dance, art, music, and creative writing. Many of these programs have been eliminated from the general school curriculum and so are available through CARE.
Ronald has studied under August Frisch (a Moon Township resident at one time) of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra; Charles Wilson, organist with St. Winifred's Church; and John Henninger, former Music Director at Sharon Church.
Heather Schermerhorn headed the Music Director's Search Committee, along with Doug Busch, Bruce Thompson, Ron Schermerhorn, George Hollis, Dan Peters, Rebecca Wiley and Kathy Hamsher.
Ladies, there is still time to sign up for the Women's Retreat on Saturday, October 11 at Raccoon State Park. Take the day off to spend time with friends and to hear the Rev. Allison Bauer's presentation on the book “Unglued” - “Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotion”.
Sign up today by emailing the church office at , or Joan Hubler at , or by calling the church office at 412-264-7400 by October 6.
You can pay the $20 fee at the door. Carpooling is available by meeting at the church parking lot prior to the event.
Attention all Snow Birds: Please remember to contact the church office before you migrate south so that we can have your mail sent to the correct address. You don’t want to miss hearing about all of the exciting things happening at Sharon.
News from the Christian Education Committee
UPCOMING EVENTS
Celebrate the Fall Family Fun Night
Saturday, October 25th
from 5:30 to 7PM (rain or shine)
Join the members of Sharon Church for this fun family event. Trim yourself with costume and/or your car trunk for the occasion with lights, decoration and candy! We'll park our cars in a circle and invite families from our church and community to trick or treat with us!
Hot dogs will be served to all who attend and weather permitting we'll have a campfire too!
Register your car trunk with Heather Schermerhorn () or Rebekah Wiley (), so we know how big to make our circle. Then INVITE everyone you know to stop by for a little fun.
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Four Square Family Event and Campfire, Fellowship Hall and our new Campfire Area
Saturday, November 15th
from 6:30 to 8PM
Stayed tuned for more details…..
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION SCHEDULE
10:15 AM Every Sunday-
for PreSchool & School aged children! [following Children’s Time segment in worship service.] Where – First floor of Christian Ed/Office part of red church. Children will be escorted down from the Sanctuary or parents may bring them to the Sunday School Rooms.
11:15 AM Every Sunday in the Choir Rm.
Children’s Music time – children sing, learn to play chimes and bells and most important, they learn that they can use their gifts and talents to praise God!!! Parents please bring your child from the Sunday School room to the Choir room behind the sanctuary.
11:15 AM Every Sunday in Room 202
Adult Christian Education. If we are to give spiritual nurture to our children, we too need to be nurtured and educated! Thus far, the Adult Education topics will be:
Oct. 5-WELCOMING RECEPTION FOR PASTOR DOUG MARSHALL
Oct. 12 - Palliative Care Team Ministry, led by Judy Lentz, Ron Schermerhorn and Karen Killmeyer
Oct. 19 - “History of Sharon Church”, led by Kathy Hamsher. Oct. 18th is the 50th Anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone for our present Sanctuary!
Nov. 9 - “Stuff You Should Know About the Early Church”, led by Joan & Roy Humphrey.
Nov. 16 thru Nov. 30 - To be announced
Dec. 7, 14, and 21 - Current Events and International Affairs “Ukraine”, led by Bill Markus.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE THANK YOUS!
SUNDAES ON SUNDAY! “It was so nice!” “Great chance to relax and just talk to each other.” “I hope that we do more things like this.” “This was fun!” These are some of the responses to our Rally Day event and the following people need to be thanked for preparing this event: Debbie Williams, Judy Lentz, Jan Bernard, Gladys Sanderbeck, Carol Musgrave and Ann Lenz.
We also want to thank all of those serving on our teaching and childcare [nursery] teams.
PRE-SCHOOL TEAM: Chris and Chira Cratsley, Garrett and Bekah Wiley, Karen Fedin, Debbie Williams, Donna Kovatch and Jan Weber
SCHOOL-AGE TEAM: Sarah Cripe, Emily Grambo, Tom Capkovic, John Grambo, Mark Killmeyer and Karen Killmeyer, Grace Peters
SUB TEAM: Debbie Prostko, Heather Schermerhorn, Jeanne Sergi
Resource Manager: Terry Doughty
CHILDCARE/NURSERY TEAM: Terry Doughty, Jan Gorr, Joan Hubler, Judy Lentz, Susanne Udvari, Kathy Nicastro, Grace Peters
MUSIC TEAM: Lucie Lenz and Terry Doughty
Office Helper: Megan Hamsher
Attn: Middle School students and parents, we have a “New Life Application” middle school curriculum which can be very useful in providing Christian principles to guide our children through probably the most challenging time in their lives! If Sunday morning does not fit your schedules, we would be open to making this a small group at a more convenient time. If you are interested or would like more information, e-mail .
We are here to Spread the Word to our children and we welcome their coming anytime!!!!!
SMALL GROUPS
Small Groups are gearing up for their fall sessions. Small Groups provide an opportunity for Christian study in supportive groups. They afford a chance to build closer relationships with others on our faith journeys. If you have never been in a Small Group and would like to join one, please e-mail .
Existing Small Groups are as follows.
Sunday
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Leaders: Gladys Sanderbeck
and Ann Mizer
“Significance Understanding God’s Purpose for Your Life” by Bill Hybels
Meeting Dates for this group are October 5 thru Nov. 9
Group meets in Room 100
Monday
6:30 pm to 8:00 p.m.
Leaders: Pam Charles
and Donna Kovatch
“The Applause from Heaven”
by Max Lucado
Meeting Dates TBA: watch e-news and bulletin
Group meets in the Library
Thursday
9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Leader: Joan Hubler
Details to be announced: watch e-news and bulletin
New group members are always welcome, and if need be, additional groups can be formed.
THOSE SERVING IN THE ARMED SERVICES
Donnie and Brett (brothers of Holly Henry), Jared Oliver (Barbara Ploy’s nephew)
CONTINUING PRAYER CONCERNS
Brenda Galbraith (friend of Joyce Zalucky), Anita (neighbor of Al Zalucky), Bernice Diyanni (neighbor of the McGuires), Tom Loeffler (Meanors’ son-in-law), Mary McClellan and Allegra Frank (friends of Carol Musgrave), Joey O’Rico (child with health issues), Henrietta Kalman, Bea Quirk (niece of the Taylors), Robert Montgomery, Donald Scott (former member), Kathy Wintner (Elisa Messner’s aunt), Henry Mores (Janet McGuire’s brother-in-law), Caleb James Painter (Lori’s grandson), Evan Harrenstein (Thanet Kisow), Esther Schermerhorn (Ron’s mother), Lois Neely (Melissa Bigelow’s grandmother); John Doutt, Lauren and Ralph Hogsett (Kathy Hamsher’s cousin, niece, and father), Finn Roessler (2 yr. old with cancer) Carl, Nancy (Kathryn Roth), Mary Godfrey and Sue (friend and sister of Joe Sharkey), Debbie Sherwood (friend of Pam Wieland), Eliza Mazeka and Jordan (child with brain tumor – and friend of the Shaffers), Kitty and Dorothy (friend and sister of Gladys Sanderbeck), Amy Dunlap, Mimi Cain and her father Bud (daughter-in-law to Tom and
Barbara Cain), Art Waters, Janet, and Michele (Joanne Hagar’s friends), Debbie McCutchen, Glenn Jackel, (The Waltschott’s daughter, Jan’s brother), Shirley Lintner (Bob’s mother), Christina Schuliger (Wayne and Jane’s granddaughter), Ed Balchon and Bob Moore (friends of Bruce Thompson), Doug Arndt (friend of Myra Tokar), Ann (Nancy Handerhan’s aunt), Rev. Ed Bowen, Peg Behling (former member), Enos Abel (friend of the Campbells), Paul Wasko (friend of George Hollis), Jennifer Smith (Lorraine Keith’s granddaughter), Duane Sprott (friend of Lorraine Keith), Frank Behm (brother of Roger Behm), Martha Van Beers (Dick Shirra’s aunt), Pauline Christian (Sally Shirra’s cousin), Kenneth Bowden (Grace’s son), Tim (Janet Loadman’s nephew), Darla Johnson (Betty Stewart’s daughter), Michael Ritter (working in Haiti). (9/22/14).
SHARON PRAYER CHAIN
You can now submit your prayer requests through the church website at www.sharoncpc.com,
or you may continue to send them to
or call the church office at 412-264-7400.
Dear Sharon Church Members,