Applying Bible Principles There are some wonderful principles in the Old Testament which apply to present-day Christians.

One of these is in Deuteronomy 8:10-18. Stated in contemporary language, it says, When you have eaten and are full, when your cars, houses and bank accounts multiply, dont forget where it came from: Remember the Lord your God. In truth, all that we have comes from God. He determines what we will receive, whether it be money, gold, silver, houses, land, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, etc. It all belongs to Him in the first place, and He entrusts it to us. According to Davids prayer in 1 Chronicles 29, riches, honor, power, and wealth all come from God. Thats why there is no such thing as a self-made man or woman. Oh, we have to do our part. Gods plan is not that we just sit around praying and reading the Bible all day long so that what we need to survive will miraculously drop into our hands. Were not just to pray for our daily bread, but were also to get up each day and work for it! Thats why the Apostle Paul stated clearly, Anyone unwilling to work should not eat (2 Thes. 3:10). But in reality, the amount of money and wealth which we receive is determined by God. According to His divine will and knowledge, He entrusts to each of us the amounts which He knows will be best for us. What should be our reaction to our financial state? Some might pray, Dear Lord, you must have made a mistake concerning me and my finances. Please give me more money. Others might try to circumvent Gods design for their lives by trying to win the lottery or to obtain large sums of money through some other means. Mature Christians, however, will realize Gods infinite wisdom far surpasses their limited perspective. They will accept with a thankful spirit what God has entrusted to them and seek to honor God by their living and by their giving.

February 2012 Post-it Notes Post-its or sticky notes are real memory savers for me, and I use them on a daily basis on the calendar, on papers for a meeting, marking a place in a book, when leaving items for Karen in the office, and even on a bill I am paying! I use them as reminders of appointments, phone numbers and to -do items.
Open minds Open door s

Open hear t s

Now I can use them on my computer screen! The new computers I use at home and in the Pastors office have a feature that allows me to post a sticky note on the screen of my computernot outside on the actual screen, but on the screen I see when working on the computer. The other kind of sticky notes falls off the computer monitor because I cant put them on the screen! As with the handy paper notes we use , I need to remember to read them and do what they remind me about! And it pleases me to be able to have these reminders. Thinking about using the post-it notes led me to look for reminders from God, in life and in the Bible. I found several places in the Bible that mention reminders from God putting the rainbow in the sky as a sign (reminder) of his covenant with Noah not to flood the entire earth again, to the cup and the bread as of Jesus life, death and resurrection in the New Testament. Several Scriptures also mention remind or reminder. Here are a few: Exodus 13:9 New Revised Standard It shall serve for you as a sign on your hand and as a reminder on your forehead, so that the teaching of the Lord may be on your lips; for with a strong hand the Lord brought you out of Egypt. John 14:26 New Revised Standard But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Whether it is a scrap of sticky paper, a Bible verse or something physical, there are many ways we can be reminded. Make an effort to note the reminders from God that he loves you and has things under control. Note, too, the ways the Scriptures remind us to look to God in our daily lives. Blessings and love, Pastor Linda

NEWSLETTERS Postal bulk mailing rates have climbed, and OUMC is investigating alternatives to using bulk mailing. If you would like to receive your newsletter by e -mail, please send an e-mail to the church office. One change that will occur is that you will not receive offering envelopes. However, they are always available in the pew racks or on the table at the rear of the sanctuary or by calling the church office. This change will also save a tree! Of course if you do not have e-mail, you will continue to receive your newsletter from your mail carrier.

BIBLE STUDY Detective Stories from the Bible is a new study we are beginning January 31 for the Tuesday morning and February 1, for the Wednesday evening Bible Studies. Each lesson is a stand alone unit which will allow us to switch to Easter from the Backside for Lent. Both studies are written by J. Ellsworth Kalas. Come and join us 10 11:30 AM on Tuesday morning, or 7:00 8:00 PM on Wednesday evening in the Parlor.

A PERILOUS NIGHT AT PIRATES PERCH Mystery Dinner Theater This years play will be presented Fri., Feb. 10 at 6 pm ($17), Sat., Feb. 11 at noon ($12) and Sun., Feb. 12 at 5 pm ($17). The dinner menu is salad, rolls, beverage, marinated chicken breast, potatoes, vegetable and dessert. The lunch menu is salad, beverage, chicken, egg or tuna salad on a croissant and dessert. Reservations are due Feb. 8 although we do sell out quickly so dont wait too long! Pirates Perch is a rickety old country inn situated on a cliff off the coast of Maine that has recently gone up for sale. The intrigue involves New York buyers, smugglers, a Beacon Hill author, an archaeologist, a Florida timeshares salesman and some local yokels. Each table of 8 tries to solve the mystery first to each win a $5 gift card. 50% of the proceeds will benefit the Verona Summer Camp, and the other 50% will be split between our missionary, Tina Whitehead, Bethany House and No More Malaria. Volunteers are always needed to run the elevator, take tickets and help in the dining room. Please call Karen Jacobs @ 412.828.9499 or 412.828.3854 if you can help. ASH WEDNESDAY February 22 there will be Ash Wednesday Worship at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. Both communion and receiving ashes will be options for those attending.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH FROM STAFF-PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE Did You Know? The Staff-Parish Relations Committee is OUMCs administrative team, made up of lay people and clergy. We integrate staff and congregational interests to focus on the mission of the church. You may be thinking, what does that mean?! Some examples of our responsibilities are to: Handle proper screening of lay employees by contacting references and doing background checks and support the training and education of the Pastor and Staff Identify individuals within the congregation whom God seems to be calling for ordained ministry Review staff job descriptions Evaluate the ministry of our church Review employee salary and benefits Celebrate the work of our staff, all of whom do so much to build the mission and vision of our church Please welcome our new members: Christine Smith, Bob Whyte and Deborah Casarcia. Bill Jackas term is complete and he has our thanks for his work on the team. The remaining members of the SPRC Team are: Bill Hall, Becky Houston, Laura Lowe, David Fichte, Emma Lee Crannell and Nancy Harley. Becky Houston Chair Hope you all had a wonderful holiday! Youth group enjoyed a Christmas Party/ Lock-in on New Years Eve eve! It was a lot of fun. Thanks to all who attended and those of you who helped! Our big project for December was to make Christmas bags for a 4th grade class in Coal City, West Virginia. The kids were just overwhelmed, and we plan to continue our relationship with them. Thanks to the UMW for donating money for us to buy them some warm things for winter. January 6-8 was the SPARK conference. What a weekend! Fantastic worship and a powerful speaker! Its always fun to spend that much time together. I especially enjoyed our dinner out on Saturday night! A special thank you goes out to everyone who supported our Dinner/Auction fundraiser for this event. We raised $2,010.39 which gave us a little more than our expenses. THANK YOU!!! We will be hosting the homeless dinner sometime in February, as well as putting together Valentines Day baskets for the shut-ins. Any young ladies between grades 6 and 12 are invited to join us for The Revolve Tour on Saturday, March 17th at Soldiers and Sailors from Noon 7:00pm. Sponsored by Women of Faith, it includes bands and inspirational speakers. Tickets are $60. $10 by Jan. 29 will hold a ticket for you. More details are available by seeing Pastor Linda, Rosemary Pennington or me. The Post High School Group continues to meet at 7 pm the first Friday of the month at the Sweeney home with great turnouts! We are studying the book Love Wins by Rob Bell and are looking for a service project. Little Ones will meet Sunday, February 5 th after the 2nd worship service until 1:30. Come on out for some fun and fellowship!

MOMMY, DADDY & ME OUMC Mommy, Daddy, and Me Playgroup will not be meeting for awhile. For more information or to be on their email list, contact Joy Cottrill and Willow (Age 2) @ joycottrill@gmail.com.

OAKMONT UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

REPORT FROM TINA WHITEHEAD I am back again at the Bethlehem Bible College as of Monday, Jan. 9. What confusion greeted my return! Before I left in December, the Bible College Choir had applied to Israel for a permit to go to Gaza to do a Christmas concert. At church last Sunday, during the prayer requests, we were asked to pray for a permit as nothing had yet been done, and the choir had to leave Monday if they were to go at all. Monday morning, at 7:30 a.m., the call came and the permit had been granted. But the semester hadnt begun, so it meant contacting students from Bethlehem, the West Bank, Jerusalem and Israel to be ready to leave that afternoon. As they went through the permits, they realized that none of the Jerusalem residents had been given permission to go; the Ramallah students didnt have time to get to Bethlehem and students who lived in Israel hung onto the slim hope that they might be allowed in. Teachers and students rushed around all morning, making phone calls, packing instruments and suitcases and at last, at 1 p.m., they left. Later that afternoon, we heard that the 4 students from Israel had not been allowed to enter but Israeli security had allowed the thirteen other students to pass through the checkpoint. From Facebook blogs, we read of their experiences. Everyone was ecstatic to have the chance to be in Gaza. You have no idea how difficult it is to get permission to go there. Gaza is less than an hour from Bethlehem, but none of the teachers or students had ever been there. Their accounts were so positive, and they shared how warmly they were welcomed. How different from the media reports that describe only a violent and dangerous place. They stayed Monday and Tuesday nights but as they tried to return Wednesday morning, the Israeli border guard forced them to wait for 4 hours on the Gaza side of the checkpoint before refusing to allow them back into Israel. The reason? Their permits were for 3 days and they were told they had to stay the full 3 days! Thursday afternoon they returned, tired but full of stories and grateful for the experience. You can read about their story at http://www.bethbc.com/news/bbc-choir-visits-gaza and also see the pictures they took of this beautiful but tragic place. We take so much for granted. We can go where we want, when we want. We can make plans to visit friends and family without much thought. But here, nothing is simple, nothing can be taken for granted. Please pray that someday this will change. Blessings, Tina

The Oakmont United Methodist Women are pleased to announce that our total mission giving for 2011 was $19,830.12. We extend our profound thanks to the Oakmont United Methodist Church for all of their support! Can we break $20,000 in 2012? Let's try together. Praise God. Thank you to all who supported the Carol Walk. What a wonderful testament to Marti Kistler and the Annual Carol Walk. We always knew the Methodists were great cooks, but you all outdid yourselves this year in providing so many delicious cookies for the reception. It seems like we are constantly putting out a call for support, and you never let us down. Nine boxes of cookies were also given to shut-ins after the Carol Walk. The remainder were frozen and are supplementing the Sunday morning receptions. Once again, Thank you! We hope we can rely on continued support for the Annual Mystery Dinner. This is a project that involves the whole church, so whether you want to help us in the kitchen or dining room, try your talents out as an actor, or participate as a guest, lets all look forward to another great event that ultimately encourages so much great fellowship. Janet Bowman has graciously accepted the task of organizing and directing our UMW spring luncheon program. It will be extra special this year with emphasis on children and our own UMC children will be a part of the program. Mark your calendars for March 24 and plan on joining us. Yours In Christ, Julie Trenn UMW President

WITH SYMPATHY We remember and express our sympathy and prayers to the family and friends of Anne Lewis who passed away December 4, and Al Wygant who passed away December 5. GENERAL FUND NUMBERS FOR DECEMBER : Income $ 37,066.86 Expenses $ 20,736.81 Balance 12/31$ 10,319.19 The 2011 Mission Share has been paid in full. 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. In 2011 Wendys donation to us was over $1,300. NEWSLETTER Please submit articles for the March newsletter by February 13 .

HOPE CIRCLE BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

FEBRUARY

The next meeting will be Monday, February 13th, at 7:00 PM in the parlor. Pictures of You, by Carolyn Leavitt, is the book that will be discussed. Two women running away from their marriages collide on a foggy highway, killing one of them. The survivor, Isabelle, is left to pick up the pieces, not only of her own life, but of the lives of the devastated husband and fragile son that the other woman, April, has left behind. Together, they try to solve the mystery of where April was running to, and why. As these three lives intersect, the book asks, How well do we really know those we loveand how do we forgive the unforgivable? According to one reviewer, Pictures of You is a thoughtful read that just might encourage you to start saying all those things you keep meaning to tell your loved ones. Please consider joining the group for an hour of discussion and fellowship.

1 Thelma Lloyd Jacqueline Pennington 2 Mary Stapko 3 Barbara Marcus 4 Ralph Mayhorn, Jr. 5 Breanna Venanzio 7 Richard Grimes Sally Brownfield 8 Mitchell Allen Laura Caruso Thomas Ritter 10 Bill Kennedy 12 Kristen Parkins 14 Patrick Steimer 15 Lisa Allen 16 Gabrielle Casarcia Marilyn Siebart 17 David Fichte 20 Lisa Parkins 21 Dieter Stammer 22 Daniel Caruso Susan Peoples 23 Elizabeth Rajkowski 26 Marigene Nelson We apologize if we inadvertently missed your birthday. Please call the church office and let us know

LIBRARY NEWS Our church library has just received a beautiful donation: 17 copies of new hardback Christian fiction. They are on display now. We have authors Carolyne Aarsen, Kristin Eckhardt, and Robert Elmer. Another current additon is "Daily Guideposts 2012." Come see our new selections! Barbara Marcus and Dottie Wolslayer, Church Librarians . This number appears many times in Scripture, often indicating a time of trial or testing, or simply marking something significant. It rained 40 days and nights during the Great Flood. Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. Jesus fasted for 40 days and was with the disciples for 40 days between his resurrection and ascension. Taking this symbolic number to heart, the Christian church has long observed 40 days of Lent (not counting Sundays).

COVERED DISH LUNCHEONS Church Council recently voted to change the schedule and have Sunday covered dish luncheons on the 5th Sunday of the month. The next luncheons will be Jan. 29 (Witness Team) and Apr. 30 (Nurture Team).