Pittsburgh Volume 2 Seventh-day Number 5 Adventist Church May 2017

At the Core (Part 4) Dependence Living in a culture of rugged one of dependence. We go to when we’re dead, there is nothing individualism, it can be difficult church to share with and lean on we can do to dig our way out to accept dependence. From the each other. We know that when from six feet under. Only Jesus time we’re little children, can do that. And hardest we’re told to “get up” if we “Dependence — Knowing of all for us to accept is fall; to work harder when we that we can do nothing in day to day, when we’re fail. We culturally under- and of ourselves, we will be able-bodied and healthy, stand that our success is up surrendered and dependent our salvation and our to us. We intuitively know on God. It is because of Je- sanctification are de- that the person most respon- sus’ sacrifice that we have pendent on Jesus. salvation and His work in us, sible for me is me. In fact, which enables us to serve May God help us to this is a necessary mindset Him. (John 15:1-9)” accept the sacrifice of for freedom, as we know it Jesus—His life in our in America, to exist. So the place. And in response idea that we must be dependent is Jesus comes, we can’t fly a space- to this gift, may we live our lives almost anathema to us. ship up to meet Him—either He Christ’s way. But the message of Jesus is takes us or we don’t go. And —Pastor Stewart Pepper

Saying “Yes” to Jesus by Horace Davidson

I was first drawn to Austin by his mom, Jackline Oduogo, who came to me one Sabbath and told me her son would like to ask me a question concerning the Bible. I said, “Sure, I would love to answer his question." We all sat down together and searched the Scripture for the answer. A few weeks later, I was approached by Austin, concerning another scripture. After the third time, I noticed that Austin has a crav- ing for the word of God. We then continued our studies along with his mother. After 3 weeks of studies, Austin decided he wanted to go all the way with Jesus in watery baptism. Thus on April 1, with his fellow Pathfinders and Adventurers looking on, he was baptized by Pastor Pepper.

Two weeks after my arrival in Pittsburgh, I asked church secretary Donna Igersheim for a list of inactive members. After receiving the list, I began calling each person on the list. Unsuccessful, I realized I had one family name left to call. I called the number, and to my surprise a lady picked up and identified herself as Marcia Chase. She told me about her experience being an Adventist and that she had not attended for the past 3 years. I began to pray with her, and told her we missed her and would be very happy to have her back. I asked if I could pay a visit and she told me yes. On my first visit, I was introduced to her brother who also had not attended church for the past 3 years. While I was there, I noticed a gen- tleman who was also a part of their household. I introduced myself and asked him his name. He told me his name was Ernst and he was a Jehovah's Witness. That following Sabbath the Chase family was in church, along with the Ernst. The next time I visited Ernst shared his experience with me. I invited him to the Faith for Family series conducted by Pastor Pepper. We then began Bible study. And because of the relationship we built during our studies, Ernst decided to follow Jesus and became a part of His Remnant church through Profession of Faith on April 22. Coming Events Western PA Youth Rally Had Unexpected Results When the Pittsburgh Church was asked to support the Western PA Youth Rally on April 8 with food preparation, we were told that lunch and dinner would be re- quired for about 70 youth ages 13-31. The hand picked team of 6 Pittsburgh mem- Mark your calendar for Sabbath, May 6. bers, (Derek Baich, Dan and Vicki Conner, Bill Erstfeld and Kemi Malauri) guided by Our new conference president, Elder Gary team leader Rich Baich, prepared a lunch of meatless hot dogs, baked beans, cheese Gibbs will be speaking for the 11:15 a.m. packets, fresh fruit, yogurts, granola bars and cookies and dinner with a baked potato worship service. Then plan to stay after our bar (sweet and white potatoes), salad and corn chips with salsa. Ice cream was on the Fellowship Dinner for the “Get Acquainted” evening dessert list. A greater challenge came from the Carnegie Elementary School, session with Elder Gibbs at 2:30 p.m. where the event was held, that did not have appliances for hot food preparation. With Attention Pathfinders and Adventurers: no stove top burners or ovens, much of the hot food had to be prepared off-site at the We will travel to BMA on Sabbath after- Carnegie outreach center, then transported to the school for serving. noon, May 6, for the Pathfinder Fair and As the morning program progressed, we observed a definite trend develop- Adventurer Fun Day on Sunday, May 7. ing: there were relatively few youth from the planned age group >13 arriving but a We’re going for a Bike/Hike at Mo- growing number of younger children <13 arriving. By lunchtime, Derek had a con- raine State Park on Sabbath afternoon, servative count of 58 with the majority being under the age of 13 and not Advent- May 13. Meet at the park at 2:30 p.m. ists. The young people attending were the children from the Carnegie neighborhood Grab your work gloves! We need all where Pastor John leads his ministry--the youth had the invitation but soon there able-bodied men, women, and children. Our were extended family members joining in for the day's speaker and activities. annual Church Clean Up Day is slated for The planned Western PA Youth Rally transformed into an unexpected communi- Sunday, May 21. This is a Pathfinder and ty outreach to the young people from that Carnegie neighborhood. They were Adventurer Club project, but the kids could blessed with hearing the message to young people from use your help getting the church in shape. the speaker Pastor Steve Conway, while being served The fun begins at 9:30 a.m. and continues some healthy food choices including the introduction until 12:00 p.m. (although you are welcome of meatless hot dogs to many of the children. As one to show up early and stay late). of our team members stated we fed a lot of hungry chil- Hey Pathfinders! Get your camping dren that day. Several children asked to take home the gear together. Your Spring Campout will leftover fruit and yogurts for their families. be held May 26-28. We would like to thank our Pittsburgh team for there hard work and dedication in supporting this pro- Join us for a gram with special thanks to Carol Tygard for her gen- Bike/Hike erous food donation that made the meals more special for the children. at Moraine State Park Hey, Kids! Join us at Kidsville: a place where we'll learn about Jesus' May 13 @ 2:30 p.m. love in a variety of unique ways! The journey begins Monday, July 24 and continues through Friday, July 28, everyday from 10:00 a.m. -12:15 p.m. A light snack will be provided each day. Our VBS is open to children ages 3 to 10. Registration for this is FREE and can be done online. Go to http://www.myvbs.org/ pittsburghsda and click the “Register a Child” button to register for this awesome experience. The forms are also available in the church office. Meet at the park. We are looking for volunteers!! If you would like to volunteer, Check with Elizabeth Shniper for the go to http://www.myvbs.org/pittsburghsda and click the specific location. "Volunteer" button below to fill out the required information. A background check is required for volunteers 18 and over.

Special Treats for a Special Event Ladies, The Resurrection is cause for celebration! Remember to join us on Thus many Pittsburgh members and friends Monday, May 8 at 10:00 a.m. gathered before Sabbath School for a delicious For our monthly breakfast in the fellowship hall which was decorated very nicely for the occasion. Women’s Bible Study. This special treat was followed by another one during the worship service—the debut of our newly formed choir. Under the direction of Jonathan Mapesa, Nadege Lockley, and Tiffany Musabyimana, the choir sang two songs—Who Am I? and Hallelujah for the Come spend some time with other women, sharing your praises, your thoughts, your Cross! Both were beautifully done. prayer requests, your love. Come be a bless- Thank you to all who made this Resurrec- ing and gain a blessing! tion season meaningful for everyone. Children are welcome!

The Bridge and The New Brighton Spot are monthly publications of the Pittsburgh and New Brighton Seventh-day Adventist churches. Pastor—Stewart Pepper. Editor—Kathy Pepper. If you have questions, comments, or news items, you may contact her at 304-992-5920, [email protected], or 4023 Evergreen Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15214. On May 6 Pathfinders and And the Winners Are . . . Adventurers will be taking a Prayer Walk from 1:30- On April 1, a large group 2:30 in their field uniforms. After this we will of Pathfinders and Adventur- head to Blue Mountain Academy for the Path- ers met in the Church Board finder Fair and Adventurer Fun Day. room with the task of writing an essay entitled “Why I Would Like to Go to Sum- On May 7 Pathfinders will partici- mer Camp.” The completed pate in the Pennsylvania Conference essays were then judged and 2017 Pathfinder Fair at Blue Moun- voted on tain Academy. Please bring at the April 12 Church your Class A uniform and your Board meeting. The win- field uniform. ners, Stephen Erstfeld (Pathfinders) and Lachlan Hamel (Adventurers) were announced at the Club On May 20 Pathfinders and Adven- meeting on April 23. Both turers will host the Visitor boys are now excitedly Haystack Fellowship Din- looking forward to receiv- ner. After the meal they will ing a free week of summer camp at Laurel Lake. meet from 1:30-3:00 p.m. for Club/Class Time. Please wear your field uniform.

Small But Mighty For a group of four families from our Adventurer Club the weekend of April 7-9 was spent with lots of other kids and their families at the Adventurer Family Retreat at Laurel Lake. Guest speaker, Jennifer Miller (Chesapeake Conference Dover School teacher), and her daughter, Katie, used the stories of Little Maid and King Joash to empha- size the theme Small but Mighty. Mrs. Miller’s hus- band, Doug portrayed Captain Naaman and our own Lachlan Hamel played the role of King Joash. Prior to the start of the program, all of the Ad- April 7-9 venturers dressed in Class A uniforms and paraded across the campground. Later there were several activities for the kids to participate in—these included decorating their own crowns, assembling care packages which will either be taken to the Food bank and given to the needy or will be giv- en to a homeless shelter to be given out and making paper mission elephants whose ears were removable hearts on which each child could write the names of people for whom they wanted to pray. And a great time was had by all as they learned how to be Small But Mighty missionaries right in their own back- yards!

May 21 Pathfinders and Adventurers 9:30 a.m. — 12:00 noon Others are welcome to come early and stay late!

Pathfinders

Don’t Miss the

Spring Campout at Laurel Lake

May 26-28

We’ll be working on the Mammals Honor and the Camping Skills Honor. Pennsylvania Conference Bulletin Board

Need to Contact the Office? 720 Museum Road Reading, PA 19611 Phone: 610-374-8331 Fax: 610-374-9331 Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm

Adventurer Camp Ages 7-9 June 18-25

Junior Camp Ages 10-12 June 25-July 2

Tween Camp Ages 12-14 July 2-9

Teen Camp Ages 14-17 July 9-16

URGENTLY NEEDED Do you have a tithing story—a story where the Lord has blessed you in some way because you tithe? Would you be willing to share your story with members around the Conference? Each month the Con- ference Office issues a DVD filled with these types of stories to be shown on Sabbath morning in churches around the conference. At the present time, we are low on stories and need to replenish our supply. If you can think of a story you could share, please contact your pastor as soon as possible. He will film you and send your story on to us. If you have been blessed, won’t you please share that bless- ing with others, so they can be blessed as well. Thank you in advance. New Brighton Seventh-day Adventist Church Volume 2 Number 5 May 2017

Note: The information on this page pertains to the New Brighton Church only, although anyone is wel- come to attend any of their events.

A Communion Observation Mark your calendar for Sabbath, May 6. One of the most sacred services in the Seventh-day Ad- That’s the day new conference president, El- ventist Church is Communion. During the der Gary Gibbs will be speaking for the 9:30 recent Foot Washing service that proceed- worship service. Then plan to attend the “Get ed Communion, Daniella had the privilege Acquainted” session with him at the Pitts- of washing her mother’s feet. For those of Church at 2:30 p.m. us who were privileged to watch this 8- The next Church Business Meeting will year-old serving her mother it was a bless- be Tuesday, May 9, at 5:30 p.m. ing. Shouldn’t we all be willing to do for our mothers, our fathers as much if not more than they have done for us? Isn’t that what Jesus did for us?

A Day Full of Learning It’s 5:30 on a Sunday morning and several people are on their way to Summersville, WV, to attend a Church Officer Training session. The day began with a rousing devotional given by Frank Bondurant, Columbia Union Conference VP for Ministries Development. By 10:00 a.m. Tonya Young was in a class learning about the responsibilities of Church Clerk and Kathy Pepper was discovering more about Children’s Minis- tries. After a delicious haystack lunch, Tonya joined the Deaconess class and Kathy gleaned information about a Children’s Health Expo. Both spent time on the way home reviewing the lessons learned during the day and are looking forward to putting their new knowledge to good use in the church.

New Roles At the most recent Church Business meeting it was noted that due to the death of Eleanor May, the church was in need of a new Church Clerk. Thus the members voted to ask Tonya Young to carry on Elea- nor’s tasks and Tonya graciously accepted the position. She has since contacted the Pennsylvania Confer- ence office and has been given all the tools she needs to begin her work. Also at that meeting, Chris and Doug Campbell asked to be replaced as the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer. The members reluctantly accepted his resignation and voted to ask Neth O’Brien to be the Treas- urer. She has accepted and she and Doug have begun the training process. We greatly appreciate what Eleanor and Chris and Doug have done and what Tonya and Neth will be doing moving forward.

Pittsburgh Seventh-day Adventist Church New Brighton Seventh-day Adventist Church 4021 Evergreen Road Pittsburgh, PA 15214 ● 707 5th Street ● New Brighton, PA 15066 pittsburgh22.adventistchurchconnect.org ● 412-939-2437 Sabbath Prayer Group: 9:30 a.m. Fellowship Dinner: 1st Sabbath of each month Worship Service: 9:30 a.m. Fellowship Dinner: 2nd Sabbath of each month Sabbath School: 10:00 a.m. Prayer Meeting: Thursdays 7 p.m. Sabbath School: 10:45 a.m. Prayer Meeting: Tuesdays 7 p.m. Worship Service: 11:15 a.m.

4021 Evergreen Road

Pittsburgh, PA 15214

4021 Evergreen Road Pittsburgh, PA Pittsburgh, Road Evergreen 4021

Church Pittsburgh

“Get Acquainted and Listening Tour” Listening and Acquainted “Get pm 2:30

Pennsylvania.

your mission goals. Don’t miss this opportunity to express your insights, concerns and vision for the work in in work the for vision and concerns insights, your express to opportunity this miss Don’t goals. mission your

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churches in western PA, are invited to a “Get Acquainted” session with Elder Gibbs, as he seeks to get to to get to seeks he as Gibbs, Elder with session Acquainted” “Get a to invited are PA, western in churches

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9:30 a.m. 9:30 Church Brighton New

2017 6, May

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Pennsylvania Conference President Conference Pennsylvania

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