1. family and parenting
2. children

Gospel Fellowship Presbyterian Church
Presbyterian Church in America
161 McFann Road; Valencia, PA 16059
724-898-3322
724-586-6025
Fax: 724-898-3455
[email protected]
www.gospelfellowshippca.org
Rev. Dr. Nick E. Protos, Pastor
Volume XXXV No. 10
October 2014
1
PASTOR NOTES
I See Living People
How many people do you see each day? Neighbors walking by your home or
neighbors you drive by in your car or people at the local grocery store,
convenience store, bank, post office or coffee shop or at the soccer or baseball
game.
Do you say hello only if you accidentally make eye contact with them? Or only
nod the head if they say something to you? For the most part we don’t pay very
close attention to them, do we?
Have you ever thought they could be people God has put in your path to love and
minister to?
Jesus took notice of people, even in large crowds. There were no invisible
people for Him. Think of the times he focused on one person in a crowd, like a
blind man, a tax collector or a woman who touched his robe. In Luke 7:11-17 He
was on His way to Nain. In the midst of a crowd he saw a mother grieving the
death of her son. He stopped to comfort her and brought her son back to life.
Now we can’t bring dead people back to life but we can reach out to those with
needs who cross our paths. In fact isn’t that the biblical definition of “a
neighbor?”
Jesus saw hungry people, lost people, hurting people and reached out to meet
their needs.
How are we going to minister to a community full of living people with real needs
if we first don’t look to see them?
We don’t need a “Sixth Sense” just eyes to start seeing people.
-Pastor Nick
2
INTERN INSIGHTS
Often parenting seems like it has one main objective: survival – that of the
children, even that of the parents. Certainly this sense is not unique to parenting.
In the midst of such a struggle to survive there is constant opportunity to reflect
upon Paul’s words in Romans 8:28: “And we know that for those who love God
all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his
purpose.” This can be both a reminder to offer thanksgiving for the various
blessings the Lord gives, as well as a comfort when such blessings remain
hidden from view. God is, after all, the God of providence. He directs all things
according to his most holy and perfect will.
There is, however, a danger in the way we sometimes view this verse, whatever
good intentions we may bring. The “good” towards which God works all things is
not the various material blessings and present comforts we enjoy. If you read the
rest of Romans 8 Paul talks a lot about suffering! This suffering characterizes
everything in “this present time” (v18), and can include “tribulation, or distress, or
persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword” (v35). The “good”
toward which God directs all things is far greater than anything in this creation; it
is sharing with Christ in glory (v17). Nothing short of this does justice to the
“good” toward which God directs all things.
How then does God direct all things towards this end? This question is perhaps
the root of our many questions regarding God’s providence, particularly hard
providence: how does this lead to that? And how do bad things lead to good
things?
In answer to this, we must not be content with simply an acknowledgment of
God’s providence. God does not direct all things simply as the Creator; he directs
all things in Christ our Savior! Ephesians 1:22 says that in his resurrection, all
things have been subjected to Christ for the church! The payoff for Romans 8:28
is that “all things” includes even those things that bring us suffering. All of the
“sufferings of this present time” cannot help but lead to the glorious “revealing of
the sons of God” (vv18-19). For as children of God we suffer with Christ that we
might also be glorified with him (v17).
Rejoice in your Savior, that though you suffer, you suffer as children of God
whose end is nothing short of glory with Christ.
In the Hope of Glory,
David O’Leary (Pastoral Intern)
3
PRAYER CHAIN
We offer our sympathy to the Speidel family. Bill and Barb’s brother-in-law, Mike
Singer, was killed in an accident with a deer while riding his motor scooter home
from work. He leaves behind his wife, Sherry, son Eric and a grandson.
We continue to pray for Gertie Marshall who is on hospice care. She likes to get
cards, so it would be good if we could send her more. She will be 102 years old
on Oct. 1.
Riley Roxbury continues to need prayer as does her family and for the outcome
of a custody hearing to be favorable for the girls.
John Temoshenko is now at Manor Care in Wexford. He is able to take a few
steps with assistance and is still on a feeding tube with strained food at breakfast
and lunch. Pray that he won’t have to leave Manor Care before he is ready
because of insurance coverage.
Seth Montgomery is doing much better but he has a way to go in recovering from
his illness. He has a new job and needs prayer that it will go well for him.
Seth Swope, 6 year old great grandson of the Jeuthers is in need of surgery to
remove a growth from his ear. There will be follow-up procedures as well.
We have been praying for John Rug, missionary in Chile. He has made it safely
to and from Cambodia where he was speaking at a conference. While gone his
service dog was poisoned and died. Pray he will be able to find a new dog
quickly.
Amy Gray has Lyme disease and along with it she had pneumonia. Thankfully
she is doing better but could still use our prayers.
Samuel Hagen had oral surgery on September 18th. Pray for complete healing
for him.
Ben Alderink was hospitalized overnight with anemia and bleeding. He will be
undergoing further tests.
We also prayed for a co-worker of Brian Hortert’s. Paul has aggressive cancer.
He has a wife and 3 children.
Megan McMillen’s grandmother, Sally, who is hospitalized with a staph infection
and testing to see if her cancer has returned.
4
Praise for answered prayer for Grace Titus’ niece’s 3 month old baby who had a
heart attack and had swelling on his brain. An MRI shows that there is no
damage at all and that the baby will be fine.
Harold and Janice Cunningham’s grandson, Brendan had a tonsillectomy and
they cut arteries on both sides. He bled a lot and was transferred to Children’s
Hospital where he spent a couple days. He returned to the hospital when he
started to bleed again. He is home now but is having difficulty swallowing even
liquids. Pray for healing.
Alice Ross asked for prayer for her sister’s grandson, Levi, who had a very
serious asthma attack and was in an induced sleep to calm him down.
Pray for our expectant mothers Lindsay Martin and Samantha Miller.
Remember our shut-ins listed elsewhere in this newsletter and send them a card
to let them know you are thinking of them.
Thank you for being prayer warriors.
Jan Hohmann, Coordinator
If you have a prayer request, Jan can be reached at
724-443-3517 or [email protected]
Calls and e-mails received at the church office
will be forwarded to her.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Julie and Dan Jenny on the birth of their son, Jeremiah Mark
on Monday, September 8th. He was 8 lb. 3 oz. and 20.5 inches long.
Congratulations also to the happy grandparents, Jan and Dan Jenny.
5
SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES
Fall Quarter: September – November 2014
Gospel of Mark, taught by David O’Leary in the Sanctuary
Managing Your Finances (Ron Blue), led by Kevin Hagen in Choir Room
Pilgrim’s Progress by Derek Thomas, led by Nick Protos in Room U2
Book Study: Walking with God through Pain and Suffering by Tim Keller
Led by Ralph Allen in Room U3
Junior and Senior High School Westminster Class, taught by Nathaniel Sheetz
in the youth room.
NURSING HOME, SHUT-INS,
ASSISTED LIVING MEMBERS
Ben Alderink
Concordia Ministries; Lund Building #1939
134 Marwood Road; Cabot, PA 16023
Lillian Girdwood
148 Marwood Road, Apt. # 1302
Cabot, PA 16023
Jackie Holland
Vlg. at Hampton Fields, Apt. 306
4480 Mt. Royal Blvd.; Allison Park, PA 15101
Gertie Marshall
Concordia of Wexford
125 Brown Road; Wexford, PA 15090
Virginia Miller
Concordia Ministries; Lund Building # 2255
134 Marwood Road; Cabot, PA 16023
Martha Paraska
Concordia Ministries; Lund Building # 2135
134 Marwood Road; Cabot, PA 16023
John Temoshenko Manor Care Health Services
1105 Old Perry Hwy.; Pittsburgh, PA 15237
6
THANK YOU’S
Thank you to our church family for your prayers during the last weeks of
pregnancy, for a safe delivery, and a healthy baby. Prayers were answered
when Jeremiah made his grand entrance into this world on Monday as a
perfectly healthy baby boy. As always, it is God who provides.
Thank you again,
Danny and Julie Jenny
Thanks to the Building & Grounds Committee chaired by Steve Baird for
their leadership in recruiting skilled workmen from our congregation to
construct the new Sunday School rooms in the Fellowship Hall. A lot of man
hours have already gone into the project. You may not be building the
Tabernacle but you are just as gifted craftsmen. Thanks brothers and colaborers.
Thanks to Chrysa Hortert for heading up the refurbishing of the U1-U3
rooms, the church offices, the kitchenette and the upstairs hallways. New
floor coverings, window coverings and the painting of the U1-U3 rooms has
spruced everything up. Thanks to those who helped move everything out of
the rooms and also put them back, no small task. We couldn’t have done it
without you.
7
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES
OF GFPC MEMBERS
OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS
1
1
2
3
4
4
4
5
5
Gertie Marshall
Monica Hohman
Dean Girdwood
Samantha Arnold
Kendal Speidel
Grace Titus
Joe Lupnacca
Ben Hortert
Jan Jenny
6
6
7
7
8
9
9
12
15
David Hahn
Sara Lake
Keith Baird
Karen Tollerton
Sara Fleeger
Bill Sickenberger
Elijah Hahn
Abby Parsons
Sara Hagen
17
17
27
29
29
29
30
Patrick Wadding
Ezra Kenyon
William Morley
Harold Cunningham
Alyssa Tollerton
Kathy Woolner
Leah Sheetz
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
1
2
3
3
3
4
5
6
7
Erica Robbins
Sarah Arnold
Brian Hortert
Carolyn Mihalevic
Rebekah Parsons
Dale Hohman
Anna Shoenthal
Christopher Wadding
Mona Gourley
10
11
11
12
13
16
18
18
19
Abby Hagen
John DeMarco
Lydia Arnold
Phil Barton
Rusty Hohman
Clark Marshall
Al Jeuther
Blair Starr
Edith Bartell
8
19
20
22
25
26
29
29
Will Speidel
Anna Martin
Jill Matter
Curt Starr
Lillian Girdwood
Bill Speidel
Kevin Baird
OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES
1
6
9
9
15
18
23
Dean and Pauline Girdwood
Tom and Michelle Davis
Al and Nelda Jeuther
Bill and Barb Speidel
Jason and Sara Fleeger
Richard and Grace Grimm
Jim and Christie Stevenson
NOVEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
16 Cy and Wilma Sedlak
20 Tom and Tina Beam
24 Howard and Jan Hohmann

SCRIPTURE VERSE AND HYMN OF THE MONTH
VERSE:
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one
another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7
HYMN: Trinity Hymnal # 92 – A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
9
PRIMARY DEPARTMENT UPDATE
Keep me as the apple of your eye.
Psalm 17:8a
After an unsuccessful search, my mom and I were approached by the Christian
Education (CE) Committee to take the role of Primary Department Directors two
years ago. Not knowing what to expect, we committed to the 1st year with an
agreement to consider the 2nd year. We quickly found that it was a privilege and
a joy to work with our covenant children. Over the past 2 years there have been
some changes in the way we do things in Sunday School: attendance is taken in
opening, the kids keep individual attendance charts on the bulletin boards
downstairs which are updated quarterly, we have new offering and birthday
songs, we wear birthday stickers, we enjoy a variety of adult guests, we are
learning new Scripture songs, and we moved to combined summer classes.
As we approached the end of our 2 year term, we began to seek replacements
so that everything could be kept fresh and new for our children. When our search
was unsuccessful, my mom suggested that I continue and we seek a
replacement for her. The thought of doing this was difficult as my mom and I
worked well together, and I enjoyed the opportunity to minister along with her. I
will miss working with her, but I am thankful that God provided another codirector. One of our faithful Sunday School teachers stepped forward to assist
me in this role for another year. I would like to welcome Karen Tollerton to her
new role of Primary Department Co-Director. Karen is great with kids, and I am
looking forward to working with her. Her background, creativity, and experience
with children will be a great asset.
Our attendance theme for this quarter is apples. Each of our students will receive
an apple to put on their bushel basket each week they are in attendance. To kick
off the new quarter, Mrs. Tollerton brought apples for all of the children to enjoy. I
am excited with the increased attendance in opening, the great team of teachers
that we have, and with the number of people who have stepped forward to help
our teachers in the classroom as needed. If you would like to help, let us know!
10
Last quarter we only had 12 children who were in Sunday School 75% of the time
or more: Samantha, Sarah, & Lydia Arnold, Charli Doverspike, Samuel, Abby, &
Mark Hagen, Joshua Jenny, Lydia O’Leary, Christopher Pelczarski, Ariana
Stevenson, and Zachary Tollerton. We hope to see this number continues to
increase this fall!
In addition to our year around Sunday School program, please remember our
other children’s ministries that are starting up for the school year:
 Wednesday evening Children’s Program – Children will be working on the
Children’s Catechism. (Mrs. Jenny reminded the children in Opening of the
program that the CE Committee has that children can earn credit toward
purchases from the church bookshelf, CRP & Tumpline Trips when they
recite the answers.)
 Kids in Training (KIT) - This program assists parents in training their
children to participate in worship and the life of the church. With this
program now meeting twice a month, additional help will be needed.
Please remember that these programs are designed to supplement and
reinforce, not be substitutes for, the training that parents should be doing at
home. Parents, make it a priority to have your children involved in the life of the
church.
For Him and His Kids,
Nikki Hagen
MISSION OPPORTUNITY
The Missions Committee would like to send a team from Gospel Fellowship to
work in France with Bibles and Literature in French (BLF). BLF is a ministry that
prints Bibles and evangelical literature in French and sends these materials to
many French-speaking countries. Clark and Esther Marshall have worked with
BLF when they lived in Belgium. BLF has already filled their schedule for 2014.
Our team would be planning for a trip in spring/summer of 2015. BLF limits the
size of teams to 8 people and they serve for about 10 days. We are looking for
an individual or couple to organize and lead our team. If you are interested in this
opportunity, please contact Dan Jenny or Nathaniel Sheetz.
11
THE CHILE CHICO
SEPTEMBER 2014 – Vol. 42
Michael and Willem taking an afternoon work break overlooking Valparaiso
“My family looks to me in times of trouble” Eugenia lamented, “but I was starting
to sink into depression!” Eugenia was recounting her experience after the fire in
Valparaiso to a small gathering of fire survivors hosted by John and Cathy Rug
at CEMIPRE in nearby Viña del Mar.
“I had almost given up hope,” she continued, “but then John Rug visited us and
said he could help. A week later a team came and built a beautiful set of steps for
my elderly parents as well as building a bathroom!”
This account and several others was typical of the ten families the disaster team
heard at the dinner that evening. It was good to hear the people “vent” as they
dealt with this disaster. They were also appreciative of being able to thank the
Rugs and the disaster workers in attendance. Following the thank you’s, John
gave a devotional from John 3: 1-8 and the Gospel was presented.
We had been busy. The team had framed and roofed a house for a family of five
who had been living in one room. They also plumbed out a bathroom and built a
new roof for a lady who was handicapped. John had also arranged to pass out
12
several much needed hot water heaters called calefonts and some specialized
equipment for a man who lost all his dental tools during the fire.
It had been a good week. I enjoyed getting to know the people we helped as well
as the team pictured below. Once again, we are indebted to our brothers in
Christ from Puerto Octay in southern Chile. We can also pray that the Rug’s
hope of starting a Bible study in Valpo will be realized!
L to R: Radford, Jessica, Dan, Jan, Willem, John, Dave, Ernest
Thanks for all your hard work!
In His service,
Dan and Jan
Account number: 13663
Mission to the World, P. O. Box 116284, Lawrenceville, GA 30368-6284
13
WIC EXECUTIVE BOARD NOMINATIONS
WIC is now accepting nominations for the positions of Vice-President, SecretaryTreasurer and Bible Study (Devotional) Leader for 2015. If you wish to nominate
someone for any of the positions (you may even nominate yourself!), please see
Nikki Hagen.
WOMEN IN THE CHURCH OCTOBER MEETING
Ladies, please join us for the next WIC meeting on Thursday, October 2 at 7 PM.
We have invited David O’Leary to speak to us and lead us in devotion based on
the theme, “For Where Your Treasure Is, There Your Heart Will Be Also”.
CONCERTS
We are so happy to have John Cannon III on our music staff at GFPCA. He is a
gifted musician, a wonderful brother in the Lord and a compliment to the others
doing music ministry here.
We are planning two concerts for the church and community so John’s talents
and our music ministry might be shared with a larger audience. The first will be
Sunday November 5th and the second on Sunday December 7th, the latter will be
a Christmas Concert. Mark your calendars, invite your friends and keep your
eyes open for more information.
14
GFPC COMMITTEES & GROUPS
Administration: RE Kevin Hagen, Chairman
Buildings & Grounds: Steve Baird, Chairman
Christian Education: TE Nick Protos, Chairman
Men’s Group: RE David Gibson, Chairman
Missions: RE Nathaniel Sheetz, Chairman
Music: RE Don Shoenthal, Chairman
Nursery Coordinator: Julie Jenny
Shepherding: RE Bill Sickenberger, Chairman
Special Needs Ministry: Rob Olszewski, Chairman
Sunday School Directors: Nikki Hagen and Karen Tollerton
Widow’s Ministry Coordinator: Lena Barth
Women in the Church: Tammy Abel, President
Youth: RE Glenn Ogershok, Chairman
THE SESSION
Nick Protos, Moderator
Class of 2014
Glenn Ogershok
Donald Shoenthal
Nathaniel Sheetz
Class of 2015
Brian Hortert
William Speidel
William Hohman
Class of 2016
Kevin Hagen
Dale Hohman
Bill Sickenberger, Clerk
THE BOARD OF DEACONS
Class of 2014
John DeMarco
David Hahn, Chairman
Jon Snyder
Class of 2015
Matthew Martin
Bill Montgomery
15
Class of 2016
Rob Olszewski
Dale Parsons, Vice-Chair
Jon Tollerton, Secretary
ANNUAL
FALL PARTY
Saturday, October 25
5:00 PM
We need someone or a small group of people to step up
to be the Coordinators of this event. Contact Pastor Nick if you are interested.
16