November 2011

Open hear t s Open minds

Investing for Time and Eternity The Lord Jesus said, Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also Matthew 6:19-21). As managers and stewards of what God has entrusted to us, we have a responsibility to manage well what rightfully belongs to God. By storing up treasures in heaven, we safeguard that which we value. There, our treasures are not subject to destruction, damage or even inflation. Nor are they subject to theft since God provides the universes greatest security system! Theres nothing wrong with saving or investing here on earth. In fact, Jesus gave a commendation to faithful stewards for that very action. But the primary place to invest is in what might be called Gods Eternal Bank. There are many ways to invest in that special bank. When given in the name of the Lord Jesus and for His sake, even a cup of water can be an investment in Gods Eternal Bank. Our financial resources can also be used in this way. Each time we give our tithes and offerings at Oakmont United Methodist Church for the glory of God, we are storing up treasure in heaven, investing for time and eternity. The universal principle of giving is found in 2 Corinthians 9:7 We are to give as we have decided in our hearts to give. In other words, giving (including when to give and how much to give) is a matter of the heart. It is the same principle Moses expressed in Exodus 25:2 We are to give willingly from the heart. Dr. George W. Truett was invited to dinner in the home of a very wealthy man in his congregation. After the meal, the host led him to a place where they could get a good view of the surrounding area. Pointing to the oil wells punctuating the landscape, he boasted, Twenty-five years ago I had nothing. Now, as far as you can see, its all mine. (Continued on previous page)

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

Open door s

When upon lifes billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly, And you will keep singing as the days go by. When you look at others with their lands and gold, Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold; Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. So, amid the conflict whether great or small, Do not be disheartened, God is over all; Count your many blessings, angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journeys end. Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God hath done! Count your blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Many of you may know the song printed above it has been around for a long time! I was thinking about November - and having a little trouble believing it is already upon us! While I was thinking, this song began to wander through my head. Then I remembered a story I once heard. It seems a woman was feeling quite down and didnt know what to do. She happened to hear someone suggest we ought to count our blessings, so she decided to give it a try. She figured she could think of one or two blessings. To her amazement she found she could identify several blessings. After that she would pull out her list when she began to feel down and remind herself how blessed she was. There are several references to blessing and blessings in the Bible. My challenge to you this month is to think of a blessing each day and see if you can write down one blessing daily all month. Thirty blessings are not too many and we are all blessed beyond thirty times because God loves us just as we are and wants to be a part of our lives to make us even better. Galatians 6:9 So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. New Living Translation Blessings this month, Pastor Linda

CHILDREN AND YOUTH Investing for Time and Eternity (Continued from last page) Well it has been a busy year already! The little ones had a harvest festival and even though it was a very, very rainy day {we ended up inside the church} it was a wonderful time. At the end of October we had our annual trunk or treat which is always a big hit. Thanks to all of the college and youth group kids who helped us out! And thank you for dressing up! We tried to come up with a name for our group, but everyone was being very silly. So we go into November still nameless. Working on it. Our next meeting will be Sunday November 6th at the church 12:001:30pm. The post high school group met for the first time in October and had a wonderful turnout for our bonfire at the Turners house. We had great weather {yeah} and although I had a program planned we just had some fellowship. It was so good to have everyone together in the same place! I look forward to our next gathering November 4 th at the Sweeneys at 7:30. This group also tried to come up with a name, but like the little ones, people were just silly. So we also go into November nameless. STILL working on it. The youth group continues to study hunger/poverty both in America and Internationally. We watched the movie The Pursuit of Happiness with Will Smith and looked at some surprising statistics. Were planning a trip to the SouthSide in November to cook and serve the community meal for the homeless. Also thinking about a trip to one of the food banks to volunteer. Dont forget about our Fundraiser Sat., Dec. 3 spaghetti dinner & auction to raise money so that we can attend the Spark conference in January. We are looking for items to auction from our OUMC familyhomemade goodies (or gift certificates for them to be made at a mutually agreeable time), or gifts displaying your time/talents. Please volunteer when you see a youth member on Sunday mornings. Dinner will be served from 4:00 pm5:45 pm, and the auction/fun part of the evening will begin at 6:00 pm. Come for part of the evening or for all! Dinner tickets can be purchased in advance. Looking in the opposite direction at his sprawling fields of grain, he said, Thats all mine. Turning east toward huge herds of cattle, he bragged, Theyre all mine. Then pointing to the west and a beautiful forest, he exclaimed, That, too, is all mine. Dr. Truett simply placed one hand on the mans shoulder and pointed heavenward with the other. How much do you have in that direction? he asked. Thats a good question, isnt it? No matter what our wealth and financial holdings here on earth may be, what really counts is what we have in store in heaven. As you consider our annual stewardship emphasis, Investing for Time and Eternity, and as you consider how God has blessed your life, to use Dr. Truetts question, How much do you have in that direction? And perhaps even more importantly, as you consider the year which lies ahead and your commitment to the Lord to give to this ministry, what will you by faith promise to give in the coming year? Please plan to be present on Harvest Celebration Sunday, November 13, 2011, as we offer our Estimate of Giving Cards in thanksgiving for Gods blessings in the past and in anticipation of Gods provisions in the future. . . . the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:6-7).

NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER

REPORT FROM TINA WHITEHEAD I just arrived home from an evening in the Old City of Jerusalem. Nothing unusual about this, except were now at the end of the 3 weeks of the Jewish High Holy Days. The Old City, especially around the Jaffa Gate was alive with celebrations, Jews celebrating Succot, the Festival of Booths, which lasts a week and ends October 19. I was having tea in the Christian Quarter, at a Muslim coffee house. Just a few feet from where I was sitting, security guards had put up barriers while, on the other side, Jewish musicians set up a stage and began playing. People gathered in the plaza in front of them, again just a few feet from where I was, and the dancing began. The music seemed to get louder and louder; it was non-stop and joyful. Quite a contrast to the men sitting quietly nearby, playing cards, having their coffee and smoking their water pipes. Every so often armed soldiers would pass by, M-16s strapped around their shoulders, a reminder, even in the midst of celebration, of the oppressive occupation. October is always an interesting time to be here. 3 weeks ago the celebrations began with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Ten days later, on October 7, was the observance of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the year for the Jewish faith. While these days are holy for the religious Jews living in Israel, they can be tense and disruptive for the Palestinians and others trying to go about their daily lives. Especially Yom Kippur, when everything closes down from sundown to sundown. I had read the day before that the Ben Gurion Airport would be closed from 2:30 p.m. on Thursday the 6 th until 9:30 p.m. Friday the 7th. The borders with Egypt and Jordan were also closed, as were many of the checkpoints to and from the West Bank. Buses stop running, and no motor vehicles are allowed in the streets in West Jerusalem. I was coming home from work on the 6th, leaving early because I was afraid I wouldnt be able to find a bus to take me back through West Jerusalem to my apartment. I was meeting friends in Bethlehem and found out that the last bus was scheduled for 3:30 p.m. I met a friend for coffee in East Jerusalem, nervously checking my watch to make sure I wouldnt (continued on next page)

Please submit articles for the December/ January newsletter by November 14 . GENERAL FUND NUMBERS FOR SEPTEMBER: Income $ 17,718.46 Expenses $ 17,596.42 Balance 9/30 $ - 11,714.91 The Mission Share has been paid through September. WENDYS FUNDRAISER The Finance Committee has approved a dinner fundraiser at Wendys in Harmarville the third Monday of each month. 20% of all orders (drive through also) between 5-8 pm on that night will be contributed to OUMCs General Fund. You do not need to take a bulletin insert or any paperwork with you. Just mention that you are from OUMC when you order. MAX & ERMAS FUNDRAISER This popular fundraiser is November 8. Take the flyer available in Sundays bulletin to the RIDC location for lunch or dinner, and OUMC will receive 20% of the sale.

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Katie Houston Jennifer Stapko Bill Siebart Marlene Hennings Robert Whyte Lou Miljanovich Zoey Hawk Isabella Caruso Jo Stephenson Deborah Casarcia Susan Hobaugh Dorothy Wolslayer Cindy Kircher James Lloyd Blair Biery Mark Harley Dorothy Means Robert Mitcheltree Julie Trenn

If we inadvertently missed listing your birthday, please call the church office and let us know.

SECOND SUNDAY COVERED DISH LUNCHEONS November 13 there will be a luncheon immediately following the 11:00 am service as part of our Harvest Celebration Sunday observance. The Trustees will be putting up tables following Morning Star, and the Witness Team will host the event. Please plan to bring your own table service and a dish to share and join in the fellowship.

(continued from previous page) miss the bus. I caught the last bus to Bethlehem met my friends for dinner, and then we drove back through the checkpoint to our neighborhood just minutes from Bethlehem. It was around 10 p.m. No cars were in sight. But the main street, a 4 lane major thoroughfare, was filled with Palestinian children playing, riding bikes, enjoying the novelty of a traffic-less 24 hours. The next morning when I woke up, I was struck by the silence-no cars, no noise. I couldnt go anywhere, so I just stayed home and enjoyed the quiet every few hours broken by the call to prayer from the local mosque. In a few days the celebrations will end, and the tourist buses will begin arriving. Then in 2 weeks, well break again, this time for the Muslim holy celebration of Ei al Adha. Nothing is ever normal here; everyday is an adventure. What a privilege to be here!

WOMEN OF FAITH Our group of women had a wonderful 2 days at the Women of Faith at the Consul Energy Center. We heard great speakers, sang, worshipped and had fellowship together. We especially thank the United Methodist Women who provided funds for our transportation and some goodies for our adventure. There will be a similar experience for teen-age girls in Oakland in March. We look forward to helping our young teens attend this event as well. MOMMY, DADDY & ME OUMC Mommy, Daddy, and Me Playgroup meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at 9:30 AM at the play area at Pittsburgh Mills or in the church nursery. Hope to see you there! For more information or to be on our email list, contact Joy Cottrill and Willow (Age 2) @ [email protected]. DISCIPLE ANYONE? Several persons of the congregation have been through the DISCIPLE program an intense 30+ week course of Bible Study, discussion and reflection. We have several of the materials available here in the church and trained leaders. If you would like to know more about DISCIPLE or are interested in a DISCIPLE group starting here at Oakmont, please contact Pastor Linda by phone 412-8289499 or e-mail [email protected].

HOPE CIRCLE Hope Circle will meet on Monday, Nov. 14th, at 7:00 PM in the parlor to discuss Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand. Young Louis Zamperini was a juvenile delinquent, a rebellious, cunning, and defiant teenager. Louis turned his energies toward running, eventually qualifying for the Berlin Olympics. His next stop was the Army Air Corps and a crash landing in the Pacific. Crewmates died in the ordeal, but Louis lived through it only to be captured by the Japanese and held under inhumane conditions for the remainder of the war. Once home, Louis turns to alcohol as he suffers from survivors guilt. A chance encounter with Billy Graham at a revival meeting turns his life around. Today, at the age of 93, Louis is still active as a Christian motivational speaker and is a shining example of the resilience of the human mind, body and spirit. There will be no meeting in December, but we will be reading a book suggested by Bill Hall. Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog & the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero. This story of trust and faith can inspire each one of us. Please join us in reading these two amazing true stories. Copies are available through Allegheny County public libraries.

HANGING OF THE GREENS Advent is the time when we begin to prepare for the coming of the Christ Child. We are already beginning to see signs of preparation for Christmas in the secular sections. On Sunday, November 27th, we will need volunteers after the 11:00 Worship Service to decorate the Sanctuary. We especially need some men to put up the trees. If you are able, we would appreciate your help as we prepare the church to reflect the Joy of the Christmas Season.

GREETINGS TO YOU FROM THE OAKMONT UNITED METHODIST WOMEN November is upon us and that means our annual Christmas Bazaar is right around the corner. This year we will be serving lunch from 11 am -1 pm. The cost of the lunch is $6.50 per adult and $3.00 per child under 12. The menu consists of our homemade biscuits and Chicken a la King along with a full salad bar and dessert. Also, dont forget those one-of-a-kind crafts that would make wonderful gifts for friends and family. The Attic Treasures have some special items this year so be sure not to miss out. The crafts, baked goods, homemade soups, hard candy, homemade pickles, and caramel sales begin at 10. So come join us Saturday, November 19th from 10 am 2 pm and let us help you get in the holiday spirit! We could always use help at the end of the day to pack up items not sold. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Julie Trenn at 412-651-0228. We continue to have caramel cooking and wrapping until November 9th. So if you are looking for some nice fellowship and a lot of fun, come on down to the church Mondays or Wednesdays from 8:30 am to around 1:00 pm. Lunch is provided on Wednesdays caramel wrapping days, with an extra special lunch on the last day. We do sell some caramels on the day of the Bazaar, but they sell out fast! You may have noticed that we are advertising the days and times of the United Methodist Womens board meetings. There is an open invitation to any woman who is a member of the Oakmont United Methodist church and who wishes to learn more about how the board operates and distributes mission dollars to sit in on any of our meetings. I thank you for your continued support of the events that we sponsor and the charities that we support. Yours in Christ, Julie Whyte Trenn MEMORIAL GIFTS Gifts recently received for the Memorial Fund were in memory of Wayne Delchambre from EmmaLee Crannell and in memory of Harper Edwards from: Jeanne Pfaltzgraf and Anthony & Marjorie McCarty.