APOLLO UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH



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When my niece and nephew were young and traveled with Grandma or Aunt Lea, we had occasional glitches in our travel plans. The first time Grandma had a dead battery in the parking lot of the Cambridge Cracker Barrel, she told Michael they were having an “adventure.” So when I picked up a nail causing a flat tire while traveling with Leanne, we were having an “adventure.” Instead of paralyzing fear, we faced the event with clear heads and trust.

I do not want to minimize the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic and the danger it poses for many vulnerable people! But I do want to suggest that our perception of this event will have an effect on our response and how we get through this.

Scripture continually reminds us, “Do not be afraid” because God is with us. When I spoke with the children on Sunday, I said that it’s OK to be afraid. But we don’t need to live in fear because:

1. God is with us.

2. We have good people to help us when we need it – medical folks, emergency folks.

3. We have our families and one another in the church to help and care for us.

The challenge for us right now is how to be the church when we can’t gather together as the church. The Session has decided to suspend all church activity for 2 weeks following the guidelines given by our state and federal government. On Monday, March 30th we will meet again to reevaluate the recommendations.

Until then:

1. Pray – pray for family and friends, pray for our church and Session, pray for wisdom for our government, pray for safety for all first-responders and medical personnel

2. Stay connected with the church family. Make phone calls to see that everyone is all right especially those who are older. The Session will be making contact to see how we can best stay in touch and how the church can serve you.

3. Take part in “virtual” prayer, study, and worship. I am exploring the possibility of using Facebook for a live or recorded message. In the very least, I invite you to join with me at 10:45 a.m. Sunday morning to worship together through the Holy Spirit using the order that follows this column. I will be sitting in the sanctuary.

Remember God’s words through Isaiah:

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through fires of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God…you are precious to me. You are honored and I love you.” (43:1b-4, NLT)

Faithfully and lovingly,

Pastor Lea

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Sunday, March 22

• Close your eyes and imagine sitting in the sanctuary for worship…

• Opening Prayer: Holy God, we sense your involvement in our lives. Like a shepherd, you watch over us and provide abundantly beyond our needs. You lead us in the right paths when we are tempted to go astray. You refresh us with living water that overflows with your generosity. Let your light shine on us now to reveal truth we have not yet seen and open our eyes to possibilities we may not have realized. May we be receptive to learn from you and from one another. We pray through Jesus, Amen

• Hymn – “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” or “God Is Good, All the Time” (contemporary on You Tube)

• Scripture – Psalm 23

• Music – “Gentle Shepherd” (You Tube – especially Fountainview Academy version)

• Meditation: Go through the each promise or statement in Psalm 23. What does it mean to you now?

• Prayer – pray for:

o Needs of world> country

o Needs of community> church

o Needs of family> yourself

o Lord’s Prayer

• Hymn – “He Leadeth Me” or “God Will Make a Way” (contemporary on You Tube)

• Benediction – 2 Corinthians 13:13

Sunday, March 29

• Close your eyes and imagine sitting in the sanctuary for worship…

• Opening Prayer: God of steadfast love, bring new life to this community of your people. We are eager to hear your voice and be filled with your Spirit. Bring vitality and purpose to us while we are scattered that we might be encouraged and united in spirit. Hear our voices, lifted in praise and crying out from our need. Be attentive to our needs so we do not die apart from you or one another. We pray through Jesus. Amen

• Hymn – “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” or “Light of the World” (contemporary on YouTube)

• Scripture – John 11:1-45

• Music – “Lazarus” (YouTube – especially Sanctus Real)

• Meditation: Think about this story from each person’s perspective – Jesus, disciples, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. With whom do your personally identify? Why?

• Prayer – pray for:

o Needs of world> country

o Needs of community> church

o Needs of family> yourself

o Lord’s Prayer

• Hymn – “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” or “Lord, Be Glorified” (contemporary on You Tube)

• Benediction – Numbers 6:24-26

Another Opportunity…

Online Church with Max Lucado:

Starting Sunday, March 15 at 10:30 AM via Facebook Life at:



Birthdays

4 Sara Kerr

6 Amy Shupe

7 Sean Hilty

8 Lynn Hemke, Arlene Leah

14 Don Summerhill

15 Dolores Hilty, Richard Miller

16 Kenneth Hileman, Jerri Mollick

19 LaRue Mumaw

22 Carl Zukas

23 Tatiana Shurina, Jackson Snedecor

30 Sean George, Cassie Snedecor

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Coronavirus Discussion

• The church will be closed to worship & all church activities through March 30 when the Session will meet to reevaluate.

• The church office will remain open for communication Mon-Fri, 9:30-2:30 p.m. but the building will be closed to nonessential foot traffic.

• April newsletter is being sent early.

• Session members have divided the list of folks in the directory to make personal contact for communication and individual needs.

• The office has an email list for quick updates and will use postcards for the rest. (If you have an email address that is not listed in the directory, please contact the office.)

• The meeting with Boiling Springs Session has been postponed to April 27

Other Actions

• Approved the purchase of a 25 hand-chime set with case in memory of Linda Hilty

• Approved distribution of Food 4 Kids weekend bags from the church if needed

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During these challenging times, IF YOU ARE ABLE, please continue your envelope giving. You may mail your envelope or drop it through the mail slot.

As of February 29, 2020:

Year-to-date income - $22,346.46

expenses - $24,084.54

Bottom line - - $1,738.08

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

We are hopeful that the following events will be possible!

Saturday, April 4

Children’s play rehearsal

At 10:00 AM . . . .

. . * Easter Party will

immediately follow the

play rehearsal.

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Our Children’s Sunday

School proudly presents

a play for Lent

“The Last Supper”

on Palm Sunday

Sunday, April 5

during worship.

Tell your family,

tell your friends.

EVERYONE WELCOME!

Dare to Dream has been suspended until regular church activities resume. Please keep in touch with the church office regarding schedule changes and normal schedule resumption.

A Small Group

Study Beginning

Thursday, March

5 at 7:00 PM

EVERYONE

WELCOME!

Thursdays in March

In concert with

Pastor Lea’s Sermon

Series “Dare to Dream”

MEMBERSHIP AND OUTREACH

When our normal schedule is no longer suspended:

2ND FRIDAY OF EACH

MONTH ~ KIDS KRAFTS

4TH FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH ~ FAMILY

GAME NIGHT

BOTH NIGHTS

@ 7:00 PM

~ FREE ~

AND NOT JUST FOR MEMBERS!

An incorrect telephone number for Bill and Shirley Mumaw was inadvertently put in the new church directory.

The correct number is 724-352-0236. Please make note of this change. Thanks!

MISSION

Local Mission Happenings….

• Remember to pass along the message while you DO the mission.

Meals-on-Wheels (412-400-0975) – drivers, cooks, prep people daily on weekdays.

St. Vincent de Paul (724-478-1113) M-Sa

• Food bank opportunities:

o Apr. 3 (Fri) Westmoreland County Food Bank – 7:45 AM – St. James Catholic Church Activity Center (behind the Church)

o Apr. 20 (Mon), Apollo-Ridge Food Bank (packaging) – 7:30 AM – Glenn Bush Ford, right side, around back

o Apr. 22 (Wed), Apollo-Ridge Food Bank (distribution) volunteers at 7:30 – 8:00 AM - public at 8:00 AM – Glenn Bush Ford (see above)

o During Corona virus restrictions,

Please be mindful that the food bank will be “drive thru”.

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The first of this year’s four Special Offerings, “One Great Hour of Sharing”, is received during the season of Lent. The gifts you give help to improve the lives of people in challenging situations while giving the opportunity to share God’s love with those in need. OGHS is the single, largest way that Presbyterians come together every year to work for a better world. The offering is distributed to three areas; Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) 32%, Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP) 36%, and Self-Development of People (SDOP) 32%. PDA works alongside communities as they recover and find hope after the devastation of natural or human caused disasters and support refugees. PHP takes action to alleviate hunger, care for creation, and the systemic causes of poverty so all may be fed. SDOP invests in communities responding to their experiences of oppression, poverty and injustice and educates Presbyterians about the impact of these issues.

Our OGHS gifts will be received here on Easter Sunday ~ Join us in giving and in celebrating

the Risen Christ. (In the event that we are not physically able to worship with one another, due to continued covid-19 closings, the office remains fully functional and your OGHS donations and/or regular contributions may be mailed or dropped in the mail slot on the door of the educational building. We are prayerful and hopeful that our Holy week celebrations and Easter gathering will be together.)

A Family Reunification Story

February 11, 2020

Minda Schweizer, an ordained Presbyterian minister and pastor to refugees, founded Home for Refugees USA after witnessing the heartfelt impact resettlement partnerships had on both families and volunteers. The nonprofit, which received some initial funding from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), builds collaborative relationships between faith groups, communities, and refugee families, helping to ease the tragedy of displacement and loss as well as assisting them in rebuilding an independent, self-sufficient life in their new home in the United States. We are sharing Home for Refugees USA’s recent story in its entirety to demonstrate how our connectional church is working toward reunifying separated refugee families.

A Family Reunification Story~ Home for Refugees is coming alongside 29 families whose children were separated from their parents at the United States-Mexico border. This past year these moms, dads, and kids have been reunited and are now being resettled around the country. Here is one of the families’ stories.

The Jimenez Family Akron, Ohio~ Sancho Jimenez* had a happy life with his wife, Bella, and four kids. They lived in Jalapa which is outside of Guatemala City. One afternoon that all suddenly changed for Sancho after his middle son, Juan was targeted by local gang members. Sancho had to flee his home with Juan to make sure his son could be safe because Sancho knew that once you become a target in Guatemala by a gang, your life is in danger because you are always a target. He and Juan started their journey alone, for it was far too expensive for all the family to go. They made their way to the United States-Mexico border, where they were hoping to ask for protection and to be considered for asylum. Sadly, they were met at the border with an executive order that broke them apart. Sancho then was deported, while his son remained in the United States

On March 2, 2019, a year after the separation, the Jimenez family were brought to the United States-Mexico border again, but this time with the organizational backing of Home for Refugees, Al Otro Lado, Together Rising, Matthew 25, and World Relief. Sancho hoped to ask for asylum to be reunified with Juan. This time the Jimenez family got accepted into the United States asylum-seeking process, reunified with their son, and was settled by our collaborative project in Akron, Ohio. The Jimenez family is being cared for during their asylum-seeking legal process by their Home Team, mostly from Akron Christian Reformed Church, led by Nicole Herbert-Hale

Safety Situation in Guatemala~ The Northern Triangle of Central America, composed of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, is considered one of the most dangerous places on earth, which has caused unprecedented levels of migration. The United Nations High Commissioner for refugees has called this a humanitarian crisis. Many Central Americans are refugees who, like Syrians, fled for their lives to another country for protection because the governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras are unable to protect their citizens from the systemic gang violence caused by years of civil wars. Women and children are the most vulnerable in this crisis as they can easily become victims of rape, kidnapping, torture, or murder

From Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Blog

NEWS FROM RWANDA

March 2020

Dear Friends and Family,

Greetings from Rwanda. God has blessed me with so many opportunities. Every month I receive requests from students and former students to visit their churches. As I am preparing to be gone for a few months, the requests have increased. This month I was out twice, in two entirely different settings but both had wonderful similarities. Both were interdenominational, international and to students’ home areas. The beginning of the month I went to a former student’s parish in the north. Ernest is Methodist, so this was an interdenominational from the outset, as I took several of Ernest’s friend with me to see where he is now assigned as a pastoral intern. Our delegation of Presbyterians, Anglicans and Pentecostals from Rwanda, Burundi, DRC and US made the 4-hour trek and were warmly welcomed. Since this is his home area, his mother, several brothers and a sister were present to welcome us, along with his supervising pastor. Worship across Rwanda is much the same, regardless of the denomination, so we felt at home as we sang and danced and heard the Word of God. I was blessed to be given the task of sharing the word of God. After, we shared a meal and conversation and laughter. We felt the strong bond of Christ that binds us together across all differences.

This past weekend we took a longer trip to the extreme east. We left Butare late Saturday afternoon, spent the night in Kigali, 3 hours from Butare, and left at 5 a.m. for a 9 a.m. service. My student Alphonse wanted me to visit the chapel he had served before coming to study theology. It has been closed by the government two years ago, needing to meet government standards of safety. I had helped them put a roof in place and they wanted to thank me. Since the building is not yet finished, we had to worshipped at a neighboring chapel of the parish. He wanted some of his friends to experience the church, so again we were a cross-section of Presbyterians, Anglicans, Pentecostals, Rwandans, Burundian and America. Because of the distance from PIASS, Alphonse had not been home in over 6 months, so it was a homecoming. His parents, brothers and sister were there to greet him and us, as well as his former congregation. The worship was lively, and spirit filled. After a wonderful meal and fellowship, we went to the chapel he had served to see the building. A small congregation was waiting for us, singing until we arrived. They took a risk, since the chapel is not yet opened by the government, but they wanted us to see the progress. They had prepared gifts for Alphonse and me, to thank us. They escorted us in and out with singing. They understood that we only had a short time, since we had a 7-hour trip to get home. That did not stop the warmth and generosity of spirit that greeted us.

This is part of the building of unity that is happening in the body of Christ here and it is contagious. My hope is to bring some of this spirit of unity back with me to share with all of you as I visit in your congregations and with you individually over the 3 months I will be in the States. I ask that you pray for the final preparations for the trip and for my small congregation here as they prepare to carry on ministry without their pastor. Looking forward to seeing many of you in April, May and June.

Blessings, Kay (Cathie to the family)

Second year and going strong!

During school closings, due to the Corona virus, we have made special arrangements for weekend food to be distributed. If you are or you know a parent of a child in the Food 4 Kids Program, you may call 724-478-1861 for more information.

APOLLO AREA MEALS ON WHEELS

New contact number for Meals on Wheels is 412-400-0975. Diabetic desserts are needed on a regular basis such as cookies and angel food cakes. They can be dropped off between 7 am and noon on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays at the Apollo Lutheran church 3rd Street entrance. Extra drivers and meal prep workers are needed.

Mugombwa

Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Rwanda especially the Mugombwa congregation as our world faces COVID-19. We’ve left the photo this month to help us remember that everyone is affected by this pandemic.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

If you’re looking for unique cards for any occasion, please check out the variety available in the vestibule made by our own Craft Ladies. Cost is 3 for $2 or $.75 each.

STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE

DON’T FORGET AUPC

and use AMAZON SMILE any time you order from Amazon.

Facebook Marketplace

Recently, Glenna Hall volunteered to head-up the selling of some old items that were in a storage room upstairs. After approval of Session, Glenn advertised items on Facebook’s Marketplace page. One of those items were the old, stained-glass, block-pattern windows from the educational building. After numerous inquiries, and Glenna being stood-up a few times, the windows were sold and netted the church $245. Still available for sale are metal and wood, small children’s chairs that were used for Sunday school. If you or someone you know are interested in one or more chairs, please contact Glenna.

WORSHIP AND MUSIC

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We have not scheduled monthly greeters. Please be aware that you may be called on to serve when the current health situation is resolved.

Bulletin Covers

Weekly Bulletin Covers may be purchased throughout the year “In Memory” or “In Honor” of your special someone. Dates may be reserved by stopping in the office or calling 724-478-4807

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Communion Schedule:

Sunday, April 5 ~ 10:45 AM

Gifts have been received In Memory of Donald Williams from

Barbara Lugar, Ron and Suzanne Lugar, Ted and Brenda Kaskan, Norma Jean Hill, Nancy and Charlie Allen, Diane Melinis, Carlton and Marcylyn Spillers, Lea Austin, Amy Shupe, Tom Manspeaker and Alex Berzanskis.

An unsigned Easter card was

left on my desk in the office with a very generous gift enclosed. Thank you from the bottom of my heart ~ your gift is very timely and appreciated more than you know.

Linda

The next Lenten service is scheduled at noon, as follows. After the service a lunch will be provided.

DATE HOST PREACHER

April 1 New Life Baptist Rev. Sara Wrona

Sunday, March 22 & Sunday, March 29

No Services. The following events are dependent upon the corona virus situation.

Sunday,April 5 ~ Palm/Passion Sunday

Thursday, April 9 ~ Maundy Thursday ~ Service 7:30 PM

Friday, April 10 ~ Good Friday ~ Community Cross Walk

12 PM

Sunday, April 12 ~ Easter ~ One Great Hour of Sharing

Prayer List! How it works: Please list prayer concerns on the back of the attendance card found in your bulletin. We will place these names on our “Immediate” prayer list for three weeks. The newest names will appear in italics. On the third week we will ‘bold’ the name. The prayers of concern will then move to the “Continuing” list and will remain there three

more weeks and then rotate off, unless otherwise requested. If you don’t see a name

that had previously been there and that person still requires prayer, please list the name again.

Also, please list spelling corrections, if needed. IF WANTING TO ADD NAMES TO THE BELOW

LIST DURING THE WEEK, PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE. Thank You.

IMMEDIATE Dwight Guthrie, Katie Goughenour, Lori Bowser, High School Musical (, A-R Band to Disney, Coronavirus victims, Joyce and Frank Dariancik, Preece family, Lynn Hemke, Butch Beard family, Gary Fryer, Cheryl Quinn, Bryan, Rob Boyles, Family of Don Williams, Martha Jane Wilkinson, Marshall French, Miller family.

CONTINUING Jamie Gray family, Sherry Orkwis family, Sarah (, Colleen, Joe, Shelly Hilty, Delores Stewart, Fred Thacker family, Joel Brown, Family of Della Johnston, Diane, Jerry Fryer, Michael Van Der Weele, John Hacohanish, family of Edith, Vicki Bowersox, Cheryl Leard.

ONGOING Mary Harbison, Gary and Laura Uncapher, Bill Slicker, LaRue Mumaw, Martha and Ed Bortz, Jane Kness, Chris Hilker, Joyce Mollick, Sue Arnoldy, Carol Gallagher, Joanne Cyphert, Linda Gould, Snedecor family, Jim Hendberg, Alan Shockey, Bonnie Machak, Lani Knox, Jacob Dunmire, Nick Arnoldy, Benjamin Mumaw, Sean George, Faye Jones.

MINISTRY All those affected by the Corona virus and those working in the health care field, research, and government. Food 4 Kids, Support for our church, EPR Mugombwa; Victims of violence and natural disasters; President Donald Trump, our country, other world leaders, our church and its leaders, the war & military personnel, wounded military at home and in hospitals, terrorist victims, Kiskiminetas’ Rwanda Partnership.

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