February 2014

UP on the Hill
Newsletter of The Hill United Presbyterian Church Butler, PA

PASTORAL MINISTRY

Worship, Study and Fellowship With Us!

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP, STUDY AND FELLOWSHIP
9:15 A.M.J.A.M. Session and Adult Study 9:30 A.M.30 Minutes (!) For Youth 10:30 A.M.Worship Service 11:30 A.M.Coffee / Fellowship Time in the Fellowship Hall

Rev. Clark T. Sawyer

PROGRAM MINISTRY
Kathy O. Sawyer

MUSIC MINISTRY
Kathy O. Sawyer, Director of Music Margaret E. McGuirk, Organist Thomas P. Walters, Director of Handbells and Instrumental Music Nancy Slezak, Memorial Handbell Director and Assistant Organist Jessica E. Sanzotti

CHURCH OFFICE
Jennifer Gilliland, Financial Secretary Lyn Goehring, Treasurer

CUSTODIANS

2014 Hill Youth Chorale!

John Whittington Bobby Jo Sullins

Happy Valentines Day!

The Hill United Presbyterian Church 501 Second Street Butler, Pennsylvania 16001 724-287-5427 E-mail: hillup@zoominternet.net www.hillup.org

WORSHIP SCHEDULE
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP SERVICES 10:30 - 11:30 A.M.

FEBRUARY 2, 2014 4th Sunday after Epiphany Lords Supper - Traditional Sermon: The Blessings of Living a Life With God Rev. Clark Sawyer Scripture: Micah 6: 6-8; Matthew 5: 1-12 FEBRUARY 9, 2014 5th Sunday after Epiphany Sermon: On Being Salt and Light Rev. Clark Sawyer Scripture: Isaiah 58: 1-9; Matthew 5: 13-16 Congregational Meeting - 11:35 a.m. FEBRUARY 16, 2014 6th Sunday after Epiphany Sermon: On Anger and Reconciliation Rev. Clark Sawyer Scripture: Exodus 20: 1-17; Matthew 5: 21-26 FEBRUARY 23, 2014 7th Sunday after Epiphany Sermon: On Getting Even and Love Rev. Clark Sawyer Scripture: Leviticus 19: 1-2, 17-18, 33-34; Matthew 5: 38-48

FEBRUARY 2014
FROM THE PASTORS DESK Dear Brothers and Sisters, Members and Friends of the Hill United Presbyterian Church: As a Church, we are becoming involved with the Acts 16:5 Initiative sponsored by the BeaverButler Presbytery and The Vital Churches Initiative. In his book, Twelve Dynamic Shifts For Transforming Your Church, Stan Ott, quotes Michael Warden from The Leadership Network about the life of the Church today: In the last half of the twentieth century, the American religious landscape was transformed. Commitment to traditional church structures steadily waned, while at the same time our hunger for spiritual fulfillment inched its way into the forefront of the cultural dialog. For the first time in our history as a nation, the concept of Truth began to lose its status as an independent reality. Instead Truth became relative, dependent on an individuals circumstance or perspective. This is a sign of the times...only one among many. The culture is shifting. And many of the established paradigms by which churches have operated for decades can no longer support a populace that is looking for Truth outside the box created by our predecessors. By necessity, the twenty-first-century church is becoming more flexible and organic, adapting and changing to engage the culture that surrounds it. This new environment is giving rise to a fundamental re-design of how the church carries out its mission. To be effective, churches once thought (and many still think) that all they needed to do was maintain certain expected church programs, provide a sanctuary where members could gather for worship, perhaps send out work teams into the community, or support missionaries at various locations around the globe. Effective missional churches in todays culture are breaking new ground, trying new approaches, and going back to the blueprint provided in Scripture to show them how to become an authentic city on a hill that cannot be hidden. there is: The Good News Of The Kingdom of God in Jesus Christ? We will pray, think and act toward that goal! Yours in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Pastor Clark Rev. Clark Sawyer
3

WORSHIP ATTENDANCE IN DECEMBER 2013 AND JANUARY 2014

Sunday 12/01 12/08 12/15 Christmas Musical - 7:00 p.m. 12/22 - Cantata 112 110 109 200 253 55 228 96 115 102 107 104

12/24 - Christmas Eve - 4:00 p.m. 12/24 - Christmas Eve - 8:00 p.m. 12/29 1/05 1/12 1/19 1/26

It is often said that God lives in the praises of Gods people! Certainly, we can praise God in Jesus Christ as individuals as we go throughout a day and God does love that!

However, God also wants us to praise Him as we gather together in our gatherings for worship, study, fellowship, The question is, how do we engage the changing service and outreach. culture around us with the greatest message Come and praise God in our gatherings at Hill Church. See you in worship!

FINANCIAL SUMMARY Receipts and Disbursements

FOR MONTH ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2013

Actual Envelope Offerings ** $231,380

Budget

Variance Favorable (Unfavorable)

BIBLE READING FOR FEBRUARY

Morning
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Ex. 27, 28 Ex. 29, 30 Ex. 31, 32, 33 Ex. 34, 35 Ex. 36, 37, 38 Ex. 39, 40 Lev. 1, 2, 3 Lev. 4, 5 Lev. 6, 7 Lev. 8, 9, 10 Lev. 11, 12 Lev. 13 Lev. 14 Lev. 15, 16 Lev. 17, 18 Lev. 19, 20 Lev. 21, 22 Lev. 23, 24 Lev. 25 Lev. 26, 27 Num. 1, 2 Num. 3, 4 Num. 5, 6, 7 Num. 8, 9, 10 Num. 11, 12, 13 Num. 14, 15, 16 Num. 17, 18, 19 Num. 20, 21, 22

Evening
Matt. 21: 1-22 Matt. 21: 23-46 Matt. 22: 1-22 Matt. 22: 23-46 Matt. 23: 1-22 Matt. 23: 23 39 Matt. 24: 1 - 28 Matt. 24: 29 - 51 Matt. 25: 1 - 30 Matt. 25: 31 - 46 Matt. 26: 1 - 25 Matt. 26: 26 - 50 Matt. 26: 51 - 75 Matt. 27: 1 - 26 Matt. 27: 27 - 50 Matt. 27: 51-66 Matt. 28 Mark 1: 1 - 22 Mark 1: 23 - 45 Mark 2 Mark 3: 1 - 19 Mark 3: 20 - 35 Mark 4: 1 - 20 Mark 4: 21 - 41 Mark 5 Mark 6: 1 - 29 Mark 6: 30 - 56 Mark 7: 1 - 13

Receipts
$233,764 ($2,384)

Other Offerings & Receipts Total Receipts

111,594 342,974

106,996 340,760

4,598 2,214

Disbursements
Personnel Buildings & Grounds Capital Improvements Office Operations Stewardship Mission Support Christian Education Nurture Worship Discipleship Total Disbursements Net of Receipts over Disbursements Unrestricted (Deficit) Designated Total General Fund 204,901 42,127 0 9,424 12,950 23,655 16,881 4,308 14,827 18,069 347,142 203,665 41,870 0 9,600 11,505 23,920 17,000 5,800 11,200 16,200 340,760 (1,236) (257) 0 176 (1,445) 265 119 1,492 (3,627) (1,869) (6,382)

(4,168)

0 ($48,370) 33,823 (14,547)

(4,168)

Fund Balance

Kids Club will resume on Wed., February 5th at 5:30 P.M. Invite kids you know to be part of a fun way to learn about the love of Christ in their lives. If youd like to help in any way, contact Kathy Sawyer or Nancy Daugherty.

** Note: Unpledged offerings includes $5,700 from the Esther Bauer Estate.
The above amounts represent the 2014 financial transactions in the general operating fund. This summary does not include any of the special and endowment funds. You may help the work of the Lord and your Hill family of faith by staying current on the payment of your tithes and offerings. Our ministries, programs and mission commitments go on throughout the year regardless of the season.

The next newsletter deadline is FEBRUARY 15, 2014!

The 2014 Pulpit Flowers sign up sheet is now available on the bulletin board in the Overflow Room. Please note that the florist has increased the price of the flowers to $30 (instead of the $27 it has been). Please be sure to fill out your form(s) clearly and attach your payment. Thank you!

MAD (Music, Art and Drama) camp signups begin February 1st. MAD Camp will be presenting "Fiddler on the Roof" (JR) this summer dates are July 20-27. The show will be presented on Saturday, July 26 at 6pm and Sunday, July 27 at 10:30am.

Our Youth Mission Trip will be with the Pittsburgh Project this summer. Steve Arn will be leading the trip which will take place June 30-July 4. Through the generosity of the Bauer Education Fund, scholarships are available for any youth interested. Please let Kathy Sawyer know if you want to claim one of our reserved spots.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who helped in any way - big or small - with the Hill Youth Chorale Cabarets on Jan. 24 & 26. It was a greatly successful event, both in lives touched and funds raised. A special thanks to Barb Graham for heading up the Friday kitchen and Barb Sarvey for heading up the Sunday kitchen. See page 9 for photos!

Per Capita (about that blue envelope in your box of weekly offering envelopes). In case you are wondering what the blue envelope near the beginning of your 2014 offering envelope box is for, you are not the only one. Per Capita is the assessment each congregation pays for each church member recorded on their membership rolls. It is assessed by our denomination (Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.) to cover the required administrative expenses to operate the Presbytery, Synod and General Assembly offices of each judicatory. These expenses are $34.22 per member for 2014. Since the Per Capita is included in calculating our operating budget, not everyone contributes extra to this source. Others prefer to do so in order to help ease a little of the financial burden that this places upon the church budget. A little extra giving does make a difference when our congregations total Per Capita assessment is $12,114.00. Thank you to those who choose to help. Blessings In Christ, The Stewardship and Mission Support Committee.

The Presbyterian Women want to thank the congregation for their support throughout the past year. Most recently, we appreciate your help in decorating our Keep Me Warm Trees. The beautiful, warm clothing you brought was just wonderful. Some of the things were given to Arlene Roths Headstart children. We delivered the rest of the clothing to VOICE in mid-December. The folks at VOICE were very happy to receive them. We appreciate your help; we couldnt do it without you! P.W. Moderator, Bea Welch

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is

Thank you to everyone who ordered from Amazon.com through the church website! We received a total of $446.36 for the year 2013!
6

abundant through Christ. 2 Corinthians: 3-5

GHANA MISSION TASK FORCE REPORT In a note received on December 10th, it was reported that Emmanuel Akorli, the Catechist at Odorkor, completed his studies and was ordained a minister. Emmanuel has been assigned to a congregation in the Volta Region which is north of Accra. His temporary replacement is Daniel Dzunu, currently a Presbyter(Elder) in that congregation. Effective in January, Emma Gebrosky and Miranda Brady joined our Task Force. Young and new ideas are appreciated, so the pressure is on girls. Welcome. Bernard Daddy reported that 40 young women have recently been selected for scholarships. His committee spent a lot of time processing applications and determining qualifications. His joyful work was possible because of the generosity of Hill Church folks like you. Isnt it amazing what $5000 can do for education? Thank you so very much. But guess what? The work is ongoing, so please continue to save your dollars or coins over the next several months for future scholarships. The Bubiashie District extended Christmas greetings to the Hill UP congregation. If any of you received Christmas greetings from Ghana, please let Jim Ihlenfeld know. Please keep the Bubiashie District churches, Bernard Daddy, chairperson of the Bubiashie scholarship committee, as well as the students in your prayers. Stewardship and Mission Support Report " For Jesus said, I am among you as one who serves." Luke 22 :7 was the basis for the 2014 Stewardship Campaign message, Called to Follow, Challenged to Grow, Sent to Serve. The campaign ran from October through December 2013. During that period Hill Church received 96 "estimate of giving' cards" totaling $179,375. For those who have not yet filled out an estimate of giving card please feel free do so. If you need a card please contact Elean at the church office. Phase II of the capital campaign, entitled Hill Church: Our Present-Our FutureLighting the Way for the Next Century was undertaken to finance additional needed repairs and upgrades to the churchs aging facilities. Phase II began in April 2011 and ran through April 2013. Work to be completed during Phase II included the renovation of the fellowship hall, installation of energy efficient lighting, upgrades to the churchs electrical system and new flooring and carpeting. $124,722 was pledged for Phase II. As of December 31, 2013, $115,437 in pledge payments and other gifts had been received. A separate giving statement, summarizing gifts made since the start of the campaign was mailed to anyone who pledged or contributed to Phase II of the campaign. Members of the Hill Church family of faith were also advised that it was perfectly acceptable to extend the time frame for payment of the balance of their pledges as personal circumstances dictated. The Stewardship and Mission Support Committee is grateful to everyone who responded so generously to both the 2014 Stewardship Campaign and to Phase II of the Centennial Fund Capital Campaign.

Dear Members: The staff, parents and children of the Butler County Childrens Center, Inc. would like to thank the members of the Hill United Presbyterian Church for purchasing Christmas presents for our Head Start children. The children were delighted to receive the wonderful gifts. The Childrens Center is a private non-profit agency that provides Head Start, Child Care and Pre-K Counts to families living and working in Butler County. The Center is dependent on the generosity of our supporters. Thank you again for your generosity and for thinking of the children. We wish all of you a happy, healthy and safe New Year. Sincerely, The Staff, Parents and Children Butler County Childrens Center, Inc.
Dear Members: Mars Home For Youth Family Services is tremendously grateful for your donation of $975.00 that we received on December 24, 2013. This funding will go a long way in allowing MHY to continue providing superior services to each and every child and family who needs our help. MHY Family Services is facing challenges all nonprofits are facing with insufficient reimbursements and higher cost of service. With community friends like you we are able to pull through these difficult times and continue to provide the highest of quality care. Thank you for your generous support! Blessings in this New Year! With much gratitude, Lisa M. Schiller, LCSW Executive Director
Dear Friends in Christ, As we approach the fall, I want to pass along my gratitude once again for your generous gifts to the Christmas Joy Offering totaling $1,605.00 last year. Because of your generous gifts, the Presbyterian Mission Agency was able to help provide brighter educational opportunities for students at historically Presbyterian racial ethnic schools and colleges, a longstanding tradition of the church. Gifts to the offering also support the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions, a fund that stands in the gap to assist retired church leaders and their survivors in difficult times. Together, they make the Christmas Joy Offering a tribute to the leaders of our church - past and present. In Christ, Sam Lock, Director Special Offerings Presbyterian Church, USA

Dear Friends, May the spirit of Christmas find a home in your heart. My belated, but good wishes to all my good and dear friends at Hill Church Gerry Hull Fountain Hills, Arizona

Hill Youth Chorale Cabaret 2014!

10

VOLUNTEERS for FEBRUARY 2014 SUNDAY

USHER TEAM GREETERS BEFORE GREETERS AFTER (DEACONS) COUNTING ELDERS NURSERY ACOLYTE COFFEE HOUR

FEB. 2

Ladies Team

Chad Provident Janet Edinger Carole Hall

Steve Arn Pete McElhaney Peg Dumbaugh Lois Minich Corah Hawk Tim Moses Carolyn Street Marsh Miller Arlene Roth Anne Miller Carol Gadsby Bryce Hawk

Carol Gadsby and Janet Edinger Will not be held today due to the Congregational Meeting Deacons

FEB. 9

Bob Scotts Team

Bea Welch Judy Birch Sharon Montag Jack Montag Pam Lentz David McCrea

FEB. 16

Junior Team

Anne McCaw

Jim Kamerer

Declan Graham

FEB. 23

Don Lanes Team

Audrey Nossokoff

Kerry McElhaney

Emily Rogers

Volunteers Needed

COMMUNION TEAM Team C NEWSLETTER TEAM in FEBRUARY (for March) Team B (Willing Workers) VAN DRIVER for FEBRUARY ~

KEITH SWANK 724-282-6546

PULPIT FLOWERS
FEBRUARY 2 Donated in loving memory of Ada M. and Robert V. Scott by their children and grandchildren FEBRUARY 9 Donated by Patti Donaldson and Cathy Zarnick in memory of Alberta Moser Cooper and Mildred Halasy FEBRUARY 16 Donated by Clark and Kathy Sawyer in Honor of our parents Bill and Gretchen Oakes and Mary Louise and the late John Sawyer. FEBRUARY 23 Donated in memory of Todd Dougherty by Ray and Loretta Dougherty and family

PEW GREETERS
Hill Church for many years was known as The Glad Hand Church. The Nurture Committee wants to continue this tradition. Pew Greeters will now welcome visitors, encourage them to sign the guest registry, and invite them to Fellowship Hour on Sunday.
MIDDLE SECTIONBRADY STREET SECTION FEB 2 FEB 9 FEB 16 FEB 23 Sharon Montag 724-285-3231 Nancy Daugherty 724-285-1013 Lois Minich 724-283-1875 Dennis Hawk 724-285-6355 PEARL ST. SECTIONOVERFLOW AREA Karen Shultz 724-283-2413 Janet Edinger 724-282-7782 Barb Bishop 724-282-2737 Peg Dumbaugh 724-789-7331

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat
11am - AA Meeting

2
9:15am - Adult Sunday Sch 9:15am - JAM Sessions 9:30am - 30 Minutes! 10:30am - Worship Rev. Clark Sawyer Preaching 11:30am - Fellowship 12:15pm - HYC 12:15pm - Womens Book Club 9:30-11:00am Womens Bible Study 7:00pm - Deacons Mtg 7:00pm - Potpourri Rehearsal

4th Sunday After Epiphany Lords Supper Traditional

4 5

7:30am - Stewardship 9:30am - Willing Workers Mtg Clearview Mall Eat N Park 8:00am - Women @ Macs Caf 5:30-7:00pm - Kids Club 7:00pm - Delve 912 & Jumpstart 78

9:30am - Hill Quilters

10:00am - Potpourri Rehearsal 11:00am - AA Meeting

9
5th Sunday After Epiphany 6:30-8:00pm - Master Classes in Sanctuary 9:30-11:00am Womens Bible Study 11:05am - PWCT Mtg 6:30-8:00pm - Master Classes in Sanctuary 9:15am - Adult Sunday Sch 9:15am - JAM Sessions 9:30am - 30 Minutes! 10:30am - Worship Rev. Clark Sawyer Preaching 11:35am - Congregational Meeting

10

11

8:00am - Women @ Macs Caf 5:30-7:00pm - Kids Club 7:00pm - Delve 912 & Jumpstart 78

12

7:30pm - Chancel Choir

13

14

11:00am - AA Meeting

15

16
9:15am - Adult Sunday Sch 9:15am - JAM Sessions 9:30am - 30 Minutes! 10:30am - Worship Rev. Clark Sawyer Preaching 11:30am - Fellowship 12:15 pm - HYC 6:30-8:00pm - Club 56 &4th graders Chuck E. Cheese 7th Sunday After Epiphany 5:30-7:00pm - Senior Night Out - Fellowship Hall

6th Sunday After Epiphany

17

9:30-11:00am - Womens Bible Study 1:00pm - Betsy McCormick Circle

18

8:00am - Women @ Macs Caf 5:30-7:00pm - Kids Club 7:00pm - Delve 912 & Jumpstart 78

19

9:30am - Willing Workers 6:30pm - Memorial Bells

20

21

11:00am - AA Meeting

22

23

24

FEBRUARY 2014

9:15am - Adult Sunday Sch 10:30am - Kids Club Sunday 10:30am - Worship Rev. Clark Sawyer Preaching 11:30am - Fellowship

9:30-11:00am Womens Bible Study

25

8:00am - Women @ Macs Caf 5:30-7:00pm - Kids Club 7:00pm - Delve 912 & Jumpstart 78

26

6:30pm - Memorial Bells 7:30pm - Chancel Choir

27

28