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Christ United Church of Christ, 1414 Ligonier Street
Latrobe, Pennsylvania 15650

April 2018

Worship Services for April 2018
4/1 - Easter Sunday Worship, 11:00 AM, Holy Communion
4/8, 4/15, 4/22, 4/29 Sunday Morning Worship, 11:00 AM

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey you are welcome here.

Concerns of the Congregation Please pray for: Katie Baker, Scott Barr, Edith Bridge, Carol Gerhard, Treasure Keys, Zoe Klug, Donna Lenz, Lorraine Mickinack, Patrick Miller, Emily Murray, Bob and Evelyn Neighly, Betty Newman, Duane Noel, Joyce Puzak, Louise Quitko, Shirley Robb, Emily, Eva and Graeme Sautter, Terri Selembo, Jean Sheffler, Judith Short, Ken Sible, Laken Smith, Bob Stutzman, Kevin Svidron, Kathleen Swartz, Russ Upholster, Reatha Young, Amy Zomisky, Frank Zook
Praying the roll: Everyone on the church roster will have a turn at experiencing the comfort and peace of intercessory prayer. We are family . . . .and families pray for one another! Please keep these families in your thoughts and prayers for the entire week.
Week of April 1 - James G. and Joan Banocy, Richard and Janet Baumgardner, William Berkey
Week of April 8 - Ronald Berlin; Levi Boring; Mathew, Amanda, Alayna, and Kylie Boring, Week of April 15 - Robert and Geraldine Boring, Seth Boring, John and
Donna Brajdic
Week of April 22 - Edith Bridge, Donald Brinker, Lawrence Brinker Week of April 29 - Don and Amy Burd, Richard and Ruth Burns, Randy and Tiffany Cagle, Zaine, Bryse, Gaige, Chase and Qwynn

USHERS LIST - APRIL
April 1 - Marsha Ackerman and Larry Staruk
April 8 - Rich Baker and Art Dira
April 15 - Sally Walker and Harvey Noel
April 22 - Jim and Elena Sillaman April 29 - Mick Mattern and Judy Holden
GREETERS ARE NEEDED Please sign up in the Chapel

Communion Servers for Easter Sunday, April 1
Elder/Assistant … Judy Holden/Jim O’Connor
Deacons/Main Servers..Jim O’Connor, Don Burd, Loretta Staruk, Elena Sillaman Deacon/Auxillary Server. . .Art Dira

A Message From Pastor Dick What a wonderful parade it was on Palm Sunday as we remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. It was a better parade than the one on St. Patrick’s Day. Where you there when they shouted Hosanna? Maybe not, but we remember.
Then the following week we sober up and cringe at the events that unfold. We remember the Last Supper as we gather around the Lord’s Table on Thursday. On Friday we cry out “Oh no”,as our Lord is crucified. We mourn the loss of God’s only Son. We are in darkness Friday evening when life turns to darkness. Saturday is no better for we know that Jesus is dead and not with the heavenly Father. We ask, “How can this happen?”
Then on Sunday a whole new world opens up when the women find the tomb empty. Yes, He is risen. A new life begins as the good news is spread. We begin to realize that the prophecies come true. Christ died for us and now He lives and so do we.
So here we are today, the Easter People, worshipping a risen Lord. We share in the Good News and we are called the Church of Jesus Christ. We are encouraged; no we are compelled, to take the Good News out into a dark world. We celebrate Easter every Sunday. May you fulfill your calling as survivors of the cross.
See you every Sunday as we worship the risen Lord.
God bless you the Easter people.
Pastor Dick

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS, STEVIE AND ASHLEY BATSA
Pictured are Stevie and Ashley Batsa and their daughter, Scarlett Mae. The Batsas joined the family of Christ Church on March 18. Their daughter, Scarlett, who is the great granddaughter of Alzene Heining and the great niece of Sherry Heining was baptized on Palm Sunday, March 25. A sincere welcome to the newest members of our church family.

Welcome to our new Organist/Choir Director, Julie Sexton!
We are excited to welcome our new organist and choir director to Christ Church. Julie is a resident of Greensburg, and prior to coming to Christ Church was employed as Music Director of Anne Ashley United Methodist Church, Munhall, PA. She has a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Julie began her duties at Christ Church on March 25. If you haven’t met Julie yet, please introduce yourself and welcome her to our Christ Church family.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION UPDATE
Sunday School for children will be held on the second and fourth Sunday of each month until May. April dates are the 8th and 22nd. On Easter Sunday, each child will receive an Easter treat bag. VBS will be held at Christ Church on June 19, 20 and 21 from 6 to 8 PM. Stay tuned for more information.
Adult Sunday Class
Rev. Wayne Sautter has assumed the leadership of the "God Is Still Speaking" adult Sunday school class. We meet at 9:30 AM in the conference room and are learning about the history of the United Church of Christ as well as its vision for the future. If you want to learn more about our faith and other facets of Christianity as it relates to listening to God speaking in today's world, please join us. Rev. Sautter is very knowledgeable about the denomination, the Bible, and how it has been interpreted through the ages. Please, join us for these meaningful discussions. No class on April 1.
Bible Studies
Wednesday morning Bible Study - Join us at 10:00 am as we begin a new study on the Books of the Bible. This is a systematic overview of all the books of the Bible. This study is ideal for persons who feel “new to the Bible”. Participants will gain confidence and familiarity with the overall text of the Bible and will attain a solid basis for further Bible study. So if you have thought about joining a Bible study, but think you don’t know enough about the bible, this is the study for you!
Wednesday Evening Bible Study will be held every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Conference Room. We will continue our study on "Romans". Please come join us!

Bienvenue will meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 12:30 PM. On April 4 we will meet at Michelle's Lair (originally The Black & Gold Grill) 1433 Main Street in Latrobe. On May 2 the ladies will meet at Racers, 2236 Lincoln Avenue in Latrobe. All the ladies of the Church are welcome.

CHRIST CHURCH’S BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP
Book Discussion group will meet on Tuesday, April 17 at 11:00 AM. The selection is The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion. Fannie Flagg is at her hilarious and superb best in this comic mystery about two women who are forced to reimagine who they are.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED to help with Senior Food Distribution on Tuesday, April 24 at 8:30 AM. Thanks so much for your help as always.

MINISTERIUM FOOD ITEMS FOR APRIL
The Greater Latrobe Ministerium asks churches to donate items for the Food Pantry distributions each month. The needed items for April are granola bars/breakfast bars. Thank you so much for your generosity. A box is in the sanctuary to collect these items.

CONTACT US
Newsletter Editor, Loretta Staruk - 724-879-8631 - cocoakitty2001@gmail.com
Administrative Assistant, Caryn Dettling
Church Email: christchurchucc@verizon.net
Church Office Phone: 724-537-4901
Christ UCC Website - www.ucclatrobe.org

ARTICLES FOR THE MAY NEWSLETTER ARE DUE ON
SUNDAY, APRIL 15.
Please send to cocoakitty2001@gmail.com or give to Loretta Staruk

LAY LIFE AND MISSION COMMITTEE UPDATE

MISSION FOR APRIL/MAY—”FOOD FOR THOUGHT” The Latrobe Rotary Club supplies food for children from kindergarten through grade 6 who do not have adequate food in their homes. These children routinely come to school hungry on Mondays. Simple microwavable dishes as well as other food items are included (now in paper bags so that the children do not have to carry two backpacks). This need has increased from 53 children in 2015 to 105 children this year. The grants that allowed the program to begin are no longer sufficient to keep it going. A donation of $500.00 is requested from area organizations to supplement " Food for Thought" expenses and to insure that it will have funds for the future needs. The Lay Life and Mission Committee is asking for your support as the committee also works to meet the nutritional needs of these children.

EASTERN REGIONAL YOUTH EVENT / MEALS ON WHEELS
The Lay Life and Mission Committee has sent $700 to Penn West Conference for the Eastern Regional Youth Event. Thank you to all who donated to this worthy cause. Your support also allowed us to pack 207 meals for Meals on Wheels in March.

SOUP AND SALAD BAR
Join us as we welcome Spring with the first Soup and Salad bar of the year on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 from 11 AM to 1 PM. Soups, salads, rolls, beverages and desserts will be served. Tickets are available at the door for $7.00. This event allows the committee to support many worthy missions both locally and abroad. For your convenience, the new chair lift is operational. A second Salad bar is being planned for June with the date to be announced.

KITCHEN CLEANING
Thank you to all of the women who helped to clean the church kitchen on Saturday, March 10. In three hours, we were able to prepare for the upcoming soup and salad bar and for the kitchen inspection which is due soon. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Flea Market/Book Sale
Mark your calendars now for the annual flea market/book sale to be held on August 18, 2018. It’s not too soon to begin putting aside flea market items and used books. These can be brought to the church in early summer. As in the past, clothing, textbooks and reference material cannot be accepted.

KIVA Makes a Difference
The Lay Life and Mission Committee continues to make monthly loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries as well as the United States through Kiva.org. Here is one story of how the loans make a difference.
For Phyllis in Zimbabwe, changing the direction of her life was about survival. After enduring years of domestic abuse, she made the bold decision to leave her marriage, returning with her daughter to the homestead where she grew up. She began a small cattle business as a way to put food on the table, but being a woman in her industry meant that potential partners often dismissed her, or tried to overcharge her. With a Kiva loan funded by 35 lenders, Phyllis was able to purchase more livestock and expand her business. She is now able to support her extended family, and she has forged a path for young women in her community.

Christ Church Consistory
Don Burd
Art Dira
Judy Holden
Rosella Holzer, President
Brian Musick
Jim O’Connor, Secretary
Elena Sillaman
Loretta Staruk
Carolyn Stutzman, Vice President

Search Committee Update
The Search Committee continues to review profiles from candidates for the pastor's position. Three candidates have been interviewed by phone.

Pentecost - Sunday, May 20
A Red Geranium may be placed in Honor or Memory of a loved one this day.
$8.00 6” Red Geranium ______ (Qty) In Memory of __(x) In Honor of __(x)
Name ________________________________________
Given by ______________________________________
Firm deadline is Sunday April 29. Please include payment with your order and place it in the offering plate or turn in to the church office.

THE EMMAUS COMMA CLUB REUNION GROUP
This group will meet on the third Sunday of each month from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM in the Conference Room. The next meeting will be on April 15.

From the Penn West Conference Save the Dates!
The Penn West Conference Annual Gathering & Meeting will be held on June 8-9, 2018, at California University of Pennsylvania. Mark your calendars!
The Eastern Regional Youth Event of the United Church of Christ will be hosted by the Penn West Conference at California University of Pennsylvania from July 19-22. Mark your calendars and spread the word! To register, visit the Penn West Conference wesbsite www.pennwest.org and click on the link on the main page.

Mission Statement: To reflect Christ’s love in everything we do
Vision Statement: Not our will, but God’s

Lay Life and Mission Committee Update

News From Penn West Conference

Special Note Regarding the Security of Christ Church
To bring a level of security to our building while we are gathered for Sunday morning worship, the doors at the Parking Lot Entrance will be locked at 11:05 AM. Anyone arriving after that time is asked to enter through the St. Clair Street entrance. A sign will be posted on the doors as a reminder of the change. Thank you.

Note to the Congregation: Minutes of Consistory Meetings will no longer be posted in the chapel area. Approved minutes are available to the congregation in the church office.