North Park

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WORSHIP CONNECT IMPACT
April, 2016
A Publication of North Park Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Volume 105
VBS: TAKE ACTION, ATHLETES!
HELP!
As Olympic Adventure gets closer
and closer, there are a few reminders.
One is a request for help! The following
are still critical holes in our VBS
program planning:
 Water Day Coordinator:
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
 Off-Site Coordinator:
2 days to plan
 Jr. Camp Recreation Rotation Leader:
Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
We still need additional volunteers
for the following:
 Nursery (children of volunteers):
Monday-Friday, 8:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
 Work Crew:
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
 Decorating Committee:
Days leading up to camp
 Registration (sign-in/sign-out):
Monday-Friday, 8:45 a.m.-9:15 a.m.
 Counselor/Aides:
See Kristen Smalley or Kelly Stitt
to discuss current needs.
REGISTER!
 Forms will be available at the Information
Counter starting Sunday, April 17.
 OR register online at
http://www.northparkepcvbs.com/.
 All registrations are due by June 1.
 Camp runs through 5th grade.
Junior Campers:
 must turn 4-years-old by September 1, 2016
 $35-Early Bird discount; $45-after April 30
Senior Campers:
 must have completed 1st grade
 and turn 7-years-old by September 1, 2016
 $45-Early Bird discount; $55-after April 30
INVITE!
All NPC children will receive an invitation
postcard for VBS. There will be additional
postcards at the Information Counter
next to the registration forms for those
of you who would like to take one
to send your own personalized
invitation to a friend.
Contents
Front Page
Olympic Adventure VBS
2
Spring Sunday School
World Vision
3
Pastor’s Corner
Officer Nominations
4
Next Generation Planning
Reflection and Intercession
5
Did You Know?
Student Ministries
6
Blended Worship
April Memory Verse
7
Children's Ministry Committee
Back Page
We have three great options for
Adult Sunday School
for the eight-week period beginning April 3.
Pick one to attend and GROW!
1. The Kingdom Concealed and Revealed: The Parables of
Jesus in Matthew’s gospel. Led by Taylor Brown.
2. The Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis: Led by Adam
Bright. Study the devil's strategies for spiritual warfare and how
to counter them.
3. Ways of Wisdom in a Wacky World: Led by Dan Hendley.
We will examine how to live Christianly in a world hostile to our
values and examine issues such as the sexual revolution and
religious liberty.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Come One,
Come All To Serve!
Where: World Vision,
210 Overlook Drive, Sewickley, PA
When: Saturday, May 21, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Who Can Serve: Men, Women, Teens and Children
(must be over 11 years old)
What We Will Doing: Packing of Supplies that will
be housed in the warehouse in World Vision for Third
World Countries.
For a current look at the NPC calendar,
click the calendar link above the
newsletter link on the web.
North Park Church
600 Ingomar Rd.
Wexford, PA 15090
412-367-5000
www.northparkepc.org
Group Size: 15 people
Sign-up Deadline: April 22
Contact Person: Donna Castor at
[email protected]
(once all 15 people respond we will designate
transportation needs)
Goal of The Project: To serve our Lord through
intergenerational relationships as a Church body.
3
Pastor’s Corner
Among the songs the Lord has used to minister to my soul in a timely and helpful manner I
have to list Lincoln Brewster’s “Everlasting God.” The song begins with a paraphrased
quote from Isaiah 40: Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord. That line is repeated
over and again in the song and the repetition helps it sink into my heart. Waiting on the
Lord means trusting in Him even if that requires patience rather than attempting to make
things happen on our own apart from the Lord’s appointed means. In 2008 this song
helped me endure the long wait for a new pastoral call. In 2016 it speaks to my wait for
additional staff for North Park Church.
This Spring promises to be a very interesting season of change as we anticipate hiring a
new Associate Pastor and a new Director of Children’s Ministries. For me it means many
interviews and mucho prayer as we seek to discern the Lord’s provision. Then, it means
folding into our team some new personnel. It is exciting, with a little bit of fright included.
But I am buoyed by this confidence—when we operate by the word and pray with
dependent hopefulness good things may be expected.
For now, I am working ahead on my preaching for Spring as I know some busy days of
executive leadership lie ahead. Please join me in waiting and praying and believing that
strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord.
OFFICER
NOMINATIONS
Open April 3-May 1
Once again we have the opportunity as a church body to
work with the Head of our church to select those who are
being called to serve in church office. As Presbyterians
we look to elect qualified persons for the office of elder
and deacon. Elders are those who govern and shepherd
the members of the church. Deacons lead in key areas of
service: mercy, maintenance and hospitality. Scripture
describes both positions and the qualifications for each in
I Timothy 3. Please read this portion of God’s word
carefully and pray about those who come to mind as
qualified candidates. You do not need to speak with the
nominee ahead of time. Just submit your nomination on
the appropriate form in the box at the info table. Your
elders will filter the nominations, train potential nominees,
interview them carefully and present a slate for election in
late August.
Your current ruling elders (9) are:
Ben Burkholder, Grant McKinney, Kevin Sanders, Brian
Altmyer, Dan Dupee, Andy Stites, Phil Van Sickel, Mark
by
Dan Hendley
Sharpnack and Wayne Castor. Of these, Dan Dupee,
Wayne Castor and Andy Stites have finished six
consecutive years on Session and must take a year off. In
addition, Brian Altmyer, Kevin Sanders and Phil Van
Sickel are serving an expiring term and must be
renominated and elected if they are to continue to serve.
Our Session has determined to limit the active Session to
nine ruling elders. This means that going into this election
season we have only six open spots that may be filled.
Your current deacons (8) are: Bethany Mitchell, Dan
Sherwin, Chad Morley, Beth Morley, Stacy Tessaro, Pat
Hargest, Terry Meeneghan, Susan Meeneghan. Of these,
the terms for Dan Sherwin and Bethany Mitchell are
expiring. They will rotate off the diaconate unless renominated and re-elected. We are open to the addition of
several new deacons as the Lord leads.
North Park Elders are expected to:
1. Be engaged in a NPC small group or
equivalent both prior to and during his active
season as an elder.
2. Have a recognizable area of service in the
church prior to becoming an elder.
3. Be available to attend at least two-thirds of
anticipated session meetings.
4. Be a male adult member in good standing.
North Park Deacons are expected to:
1. Be a male or female adult member in good
standing.
2. Have a history of service in the church prior
to becoming a deacon.
3. Be available to attend at least two-thirds of
anticipated deacon meetings.
Next Generation Planning
by Shelly McGlothlin
To do lists. We all have them. There’s
something gratifying about crossing off clear,
tangible items. It feels like progress,
improvement, a step in the right
direction. However, the goal of raising the next
generation to stand firm in the faith demands a
more multi-faceted approach than any simple
“to-do” list will allow.
Once again, on February 13, some of our
ministry leaders met to discuss the results of a
brainstorming session geared towards
equipping the next generation to stand firm in
the faith. Ideas ranged from scripture
memorization to family service projects to
sharing testimonies to creating forums where
we discuss ideas hostile to our faith. The
diversity of ideas had the potential to pull
conversation in too many directions. Yet, as we
discussed the various ideas we found ourselves
being pulled toward the importance of mentoring
and relationship-building.
God provided clear direction by narrowing our
focus to mentoring and relationship building. It
became clear that while many of the ideas from
the brainstorming sessions had great merit and
incredible potential, the overarching principle to
which we kept returning is that God created us
to be in relationship.
It is through strengthened
relationships that we’re going to
encourage the next generation to
stand firm in the faith.
The importance of mentoring cannot be
overstated. Scott McConnell, Director of Lifeway
research states, "Church leaders should
passionately and consistently challenge church
members to maximize their influence with youth
and young adults. Frequent and intentional
contact can either prevent or counteract the
tendency of some to drop out of church"
(www.lifeway.com). At NPC, while there is
opportunity for improvement in student to
student mentoring (student leadership will be
discussing this!), our team has chosen to focus
on creating situations for adults to intentionally
get to know kids.
How are we going to do this?
First, as we plan for our monthly events to
encourage a contagious, Christian community,
we will be intentional about creating
opportunities for adults and youth within the
(Continued on page 7)
Reflection and
Intercession
by Mark Sharpnack
As the seasons of Lent
and Resurrection Sunday
are behind us this month,
permit me to share two
things; Reflection and
Intercession, that I
hope are not behind us.
Both of these were
re-emphasized to me
last month during
some time away from
work and home. Each
came from reading an
old book, and seeking
the Lord in prayer. I
would like to share with
you briefly about John
Bunyan's The Holy War
and Andrew Murray's
Teach Me to Pray.
You may be familiar with Bunyan's famous
work, The Pilgrim's Progress. The Holy War is
also an allegory, focusing on the spiritual war
for Mansoul rather than the spiritual journey of
Christian. Subtitled The Losing and Taking
Again of the Town of Mansoul, the novel
contains as many battles as J.R.R. Tolkien's
books. An epic tale of good versus evil, The
Holy War is a masterpiece of religious
literature, as well as an entertaining story.
Mansoul is the name given to a utopia built to
exalt the greatness and honor of King
Shaddai, its creator and leader. However the
wicked Diabolus, a former high servant of
Shaddai, assaults Mansoul so that the town
forgets its benevolent king and falls under
Diabolus' wicked rule. With the citizens of his
beloved city lost to sin and vice, Shaddai
sends his son, Prince Emmanuel, to deliver
them from Diabolus' tyranny.
Yet happily-ever-after does not follow. A
terrible foe named Mr. Carnal Security sneaks
into Mansoul when things are going well. As I
have done in the past, Mansoul focuses on the
gifts of Emmanuel and loses focus on the
giver. The Prince departs and the story
continues. Repentance, forgiveness, vigilance,
and righteousness all follow as the citizens
(Continued on page 7)
5
Did you Know?
Did you know that Hattie Elizabeth Lukas was born to Rich and Kirstin on
March 2…..that Andrew David Shirk was born to Jonathan and Kristen on that
same day…..that Philip and Carla Rooke, and Manny and Denise Velarde
have become confirmed members of our church….that Joseph Fienes, who
played Clavius in the recent movie Risen, also played Martin Luther in the film
by that title….that Hope Bolibruck played her cello at our Bleak Mid-Winter
Extravaganza in February….that April Sanders whistled with her dad at the
same event….that the bolo tie is the official neckwear of the state of
Arizona….that Peter, Paul and Mariachi performed as a guitar trio at the talent
show….that Duncan Hopkins also played guitar and sang….that Jeff Mattson
blessed everyone at the talent event with a recitation of John 4….that several
toads sitting together are called a “knot” of toads…..that Tirzah Hopkins did a
song at our talent show self-accompanied with a ukulele… that Adam and
Nicole Bright played and sang the song Questions for Heaven…that Olivia
Hopkins did a brilliant gymno-dance with aerial somersaults….that Kiki Brown
did a demonstration of how to safely use a veggie slicer….that the Brazilian
anteater’s tongue is 18 inches long….that Taylor Van Oss has taken a job in
Minneapolis starting in June….that Yvonne Darville got a letter to the editor
published in the Trib-Review….that people who earn the lowest wages take
the most vitamins….that Dan Dupee’s book, It’s Not Too Late: The Essential
Part You Play In Shaping Your Teen’s Faith was just released by Baker
Books….that Emily Altmyer is about to graduate from Ohio University….that
turkeys are prone to have high blood pressure…..that those who read the FYI
are 19% less likely to have high blood pressure than those who do not? Did
you know these things? I thought you should.
STUDENT
..............
z
MiNiSTRiES
Schedule for April
..............
April 3 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) – Youth Group
April 6 (7:00-8:30 p.m.) – High School Care Groups
April 10 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) – Youth Group
April 15 – April 16 (5:30 p.m. -9:00 a.m.) – Overnight
ITALIAN
COOKING
for
April 17 – No Youth Group
April 20 (7:00-8:30 p.m.) – High School Care Groups
April 24 (11:45 a.m. -1:00 p.m.) – Italian Cooking For Christ
April 24 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) – Youth Group
After service on April 24, we will be
holding our annual fundraiser lunch for
the youth group’s summer mission trip
to Chicago. During the lunch we will be
auctioning off items and gift baskets
from local businesses and
organizations. Tickets for the event are
$10 per person or $40 for a family of
four or more. Please drop by the table
in the lobby after service to sign up to
donate an item or gift basket for our
silent auction.
............................................
By Brooke Hopkins
Blended Worship
Our worship at North Park is what is known as
“blended.” We mix traditional hymns with more
contemporary worship music. Other churches
might be either all traditional, or all contemporary,
or they might have an 8:00 contemporary service
and an 11:00 traditional. Never the twain shall
meet, I guess. I wonder if the traditional people are
late risers, or something.
Since I’m the director of worship at NPC, with the
responsibility of planning our services, I guess you
could call me the “Blender.” Our family has a long
history with blenders, so it seems somewhat
appropriate. Because of their constant use in our
house, we early on gave up on the consumer level
brands and went full industrial: our K-Tec Kitchen
Champ lasted for about 20 years, eventually held
together with duct tape and super glue, enduring
many dis-assemblies and cleanings, and
countless replacement pitchers before the gears
finally gave up the ghost. Then Duncan, with his
appreciation of redneck technological household
hints, found a way to continue on with a cordless
drill. But, proving somewhat more labor-intensive
than his inspiration was willing to take him, he
gave up on that. Subsequently, last year the Vita
Mix 5200 made its glorious debut.
Our son Luther, inspired by a lively demonstration
witnessed at Costco, has become a connoisseur of
the smoothie. He deftly adds various ingredients;
experimenting, tinkering, expertly maneuvering the
stirring tool while the 600 horsepower motor (or
whatever it is) reduces the container’s contents to a
uniform texture. Strutting his confident swag
combined with an “act like you’ve been there
before” look of nonchalance, he delivers to us a
healthy treat rivaling any upscale bistro offering.
The blender pitcher is where it all happens. Maybe
that’s what I am when I submit a worship order for
consideration for next week’s service—the “Blender
Pitch-er”. Or, that could be someone like Doug
Drabek—one pitch away from a no-no, that one
time... Whatever. Now—can you imagine what it’s
like inside the blender pitcher? AAAAAHHH!!! And
life is like that sometimes, right? Total chaos—
everything spinning out of control, getting ripped
apart by the tornadoes of life. Feels almost like God
is no longer in charge, right? But, He promises He
will never leave or forsake us, so He’s right there
through it all, whether we know it or not.
Okay, now imagine operating the blender. Except
for the noise, everything is calm and serene—as it
should be. God is there, too—and actually, He
happens to be the One in charge. He sees and
directs all that’s going on—the wars, rumors of
wars, earthquakes, famines, floods, terrorist
attacks, political upheavals—from the vantage point
of perfect peace and total serenity. And on that Day
when He’s finished, and the blender stops, He will
have made us—His chosen people—into the best
purée ever: the unified bride of Christ. Isn’t it
comforting to know that the word purée actually
comes from an early 18th century French word that
means purified? So take heart. Praise our God,
with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs—ancient
and modern. All is well.
April Memory Verse:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
(Continued from page 4)
Children’s Ministry
Committee Formed
As we await the provision of a new Director of
Children’s Ministries we are pleased to
announce that a Children’s Ministry Team has
been established to supply this element of our
mission with ideas, energy and oversight.
Participating on the team are Susan Burke,
Beth Morley, Kristen Satariano, Susan
Meeneghan, Shelly McGlothlin, Lauren Fowler
and Kristen Smalley. Please pray for their
work and pass on to them any ideas you have
for how to make our ministry to
children and their parents
excel still more.
(Continued from page 4)
effectively pursue sanctification.
I appreciate that the Gospel is presented clearly
in this engaging story. I believe the battles
remind us not to become complacent as we
age, and hopefully mature, as a Christian. I
need these times of reflection, uninterrupted by
texts, emails and other things I let distract me
from what is most important.
Secondly, you may already know that "Time
alone with the Lord Jesus each day is
indispensable." Daily Devotional Insights (365
devotions) on Intercessory prayer from Andrew
Murray can remind us. As I strive to live one day
at a time, I recognize my own inadequacy and
God's sufficiency for everything we need. This
encourages me to be an intercessor for those I
love, including my church family. Murray writes
six marks of a true intercessor: "a sense of the
need of those without Christ, a Christ-like
love, an awareness of personal inadequacy,
faith in the power of prayer, courage to
persevere in spite of refusal, and the assurance
of an abundant reward."
Let me encourage you with these words to join
me in prayer. "God still seeks for men and
women who will, with all their other work of
ministering, specially give themselves to
persevering prayer." Our sovereign Lord is
faithful and more than worthy to receive our
praise, as we Reflect and Intercede.
church to interact.
Additionally, we plan to utilize the FYI and ministry
highlight time during services to encourage members
and friends to get to know one another. From the use
of conversation starters during our greeting time to a
spotlight FYI article featuring different people from
month to month, we hope to intentionally create
connections so that adults can get to know the youth
of our church. These connections plant the seeds for
relationship building and mentoring at a deeper level.
Next, student ministry leaders will be meeting to
discuss needs and opportunities for adults to get
involved with specific student ministries. Here are
some questions to consider:
Are you impassioned and excited about the idea of
serving as a youth ministry leader?
Are you interested in stepping up to plan a specific
event for the youth group or Trekkers?
Do you play an instrument and want to join the youth
ministry band for a night of worship?
Are you willing to share a testimony and speak into
the lives of the children at NPC?
Could you or your care group plan and execute a
game for youth group? Bring a snack?
Keep your eyes open for opportunities to get to know
our students here at NPC. Say hello. Take an interest
in their lives. Intentionally reach out. Attend a sporting
event. Go see the school play. Host a
Summer Sunday. Create opportunities to get to know
their names and faces, and from those simple points
of contact, relationships and mentorships will grow.
While there is action implied in each of these
suggestions, the goal is relationship.
When are we going to do this?
This is no easy task. As I stated previously, “to-do”
lists are clear and easy to follow. Relationships are
real. They’re messy and raw and complicated. The
focus we’ve identified—adults intentionally getting to
know and speak in to lives of kids—involves more
than a list. It’s a culture change. It means sacrifice of
time and intentionally making time to connect with a
child. It starts immediately.
How can I help? (I’m so glad you asked!)
Keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities to
connect with children and youth. Our ministry leaders
will be working to orchestrate these opportunities, and
we plan to keep this important focus in mind as we
plan for the future of our various ministries. However,
our greatest need are adults willing to begin seeking
out opportunities to mentor. As our formal plans come
together, let’s begin organically growing a culture of
mentoring in our church.
And, of course, if you have any ideas to share or you
feel called to invest in this process, contact our
church office or the leader of a specific ministry.
Stay tuned…for “to Him who is able to do
immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to His power that is at work within
us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen”
(Ephesians 3:20-21).
April Birthdays
April 1
April 5
April 6
April 8
April 9
April 10
April 11
April 13
April 14
April 15
April 16
April 18
April 21
April 25
April 26
April 27
April 29
Jeanne Safreed
Allison LaBarre, Joseph Wanninger,
Yvonne Darville, Susan Burke
Eva Louisa VanderWeele
Daniel Fox
Tim LaBarre
Tom Loar
Kelly Laird, Donna Castor, Paige Daly
Laura Daly, Emily Faber
Paige Stitt
Dennis Johns
Madison Graner
William Wickard
Debbie Zieger
Deborah Holt, Rebekah Stites, April Sanders
Andrew David Hoover
Lily Heistand
Joyce Kish
April Anniversaries
April 11 Jonathan and Heather Grainger
April 15 Joseph and Joyce Wanninger
April 17 Rich and Donna Beleski
April 27 Carl and Carol Shoemaker
If you would like your name included on the birthday/anniversary list (in each month’s FYI), please make sure you have
filled out a card with your family’s information. These are available at the Information Counter. Human error does occur,
so please let us know if we misprint your information.