FEBRUARY 2020

IS
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“Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” - 1 John 4: 7

Rev. Leigh Benish

Pastorleigh.hillup@zoominternet.net
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP
10:30 A.M.—Worship Service Elder Louise Evans
11:30 A.M.—Coffee, Snacks, and Fellowship Time in the Fellowship Hall
Jenny Martin, Choir Director

Nancy Slezak, Memorial Handbell

Director and Organist

Kathleen Davis

Elean Heist, Administrative Assistant

and Financial Secretary
Elean.hillup@zoominternet.net

Lyn Goehring, Treasurer

John D. Whittington
Chancel adorned with Christmas Poinsettias
given in honor of or in memory of loved ones

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.

SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 2, 2020
4th Sunday After The Epiphany
Lord’s Supper - Traditional

Rev. Leigh Benish

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1: 18-31; Matthew 5: 1-12

FEBRUARY 9, 2020
5th Sunday After The Epiphany

Rev. Ellie Johns-Kelley

Scripture: Jeremiah 31: 31-34; John 1: 1-5

FEBRUARY 16, 2020

6th Sunday After The Epiphany

Rev. Leigh Benish

Scripture: Matthew 5: 13-20; Isaiah 58: 1-12

FEBRUARY 23, 2020
Transfiguration Sunday

Rev. Leigh Benish

Scripture: Psalm 99; Matthew 17: 1-9

 “When Jesus turned and saw them following, he asked, ‘What are you
looking for?’ They said, ‘Rabbi (which is translated Teacher), where are
you staying?’ He replied, ‘Come and see.’”
–John 1:38-39a

For years, research has shown that the vast majority (think, 60-80%) of
people who visit a church do so because they were personally invited. For better or for
worse, gone are the days when we could expect someone to just stop by to check us out. As
Christianity continues to be portrayed in modern culture as divisive, intolerant, or irrelevant,
fewer people are willing to step foot into a church. That is, unless, they are invited.

Jesus modeled this for us in this exchange presented to us by John. Immediately after his
baptism, as Jesus calls his first disciples, Andrew and Simon Peter, they begin to ask him
questions. Originally disciples of John the Baptist, they are intrigued about what John
proclaimed about Jesus, and want to know more. Jesus notices them following him,
literally, and ask them that they are looking for. When the respond with a question, Jesus
invites them to find the answer for themselves: “Come and see.”

It has been a joy to see in our pews folks who we have not seen in a while, or people attend
more regularly than before. To me, this is a sign of growth. But I am not oblivious to the
fact that we added no new members to our rolls in 2019. This is not alarming to me, as the
entire concept of church membership has shifted in the last generation and does not mean
what it used to. But I know, for some, this is an object of concern.

My best response to this concern is to encourage you, our faithful members, to invite people
to come and see what’s happening on the Hill. If they don’t want to come in person, share
with them our podcast so they can get an idea of the messages that we proclaim (https://
soundcloud.com/hillup or “Hill UP Sunday Sermons” on Apple Podcasts). Or, perhaps
invite them to a non-worship event: Senior Night Out, Women’s Book Club or Bible Study,
Community Dinners. Encourage others to experience for themselves what we are all about.

It could be easy to get bogged down in all of the reasons why it is difficult for churches,
especially in this time and location, to grow. I admit that even I get discouraged sometimes.
But if we commit ourselves to being an authentic community of faith, of refusing to remain
insular, but being open to new ideas, new insights, and new ways of doing things, there is no
reason why we can’t grow our family.

This month, I encourage each and every member to invite a friend, a family member, a
neighbor or an acquaintance to church. Help them to see what you already know – that we
are a joyful community of believers, ready to serve God and one another in love. And may
they, without hesitation, come and see.

Peace-
Rev. Leigh

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 BIBLE READING S FOR FEBRUARY

Morning Evening
1 Ex. 27, 28 Matt. 21: 1-22
2 Ex. 29, 30 Matt. 21: 23-46
3 Ex. 31, 32, 33 Matt. 22: 1-22
4 Ex. 34, 35 Matt. 22: 23-46
5 Ex. 36, 37, 38 Matt. 23: 1-22
1st - Miranda Brady and Jordan Davis 6 Ex. 39, 40 Matt. 23: 23– 39
7 Lev. 1, 2, 3 Matt. 24: 1 - 28
2nd - Marsh Miller 8 Lev. 4, 5 Matt. 24: 29 - 51
9 Lev. 6, 7 Matt. 25: 1 - 30
8th - Kathy Nevel 10 Lev. 8, 9, 10 Matt. 25: 31 - 46
9th - John Anderson 11 Lev. 11, 12 Matt. 26: 1 - 25
12 Lev. 13 Matt. 26: 26 - 50
10th - Daniel Miller 13 Lev. 14 Matt. 26: 51 - 75
14 Lev. 15, 16 Matt. 27: 1 - 26
11th - Lydia Reeger 15 Lev. 17, 18 Matt. 27: 27 - 50
16 Lev. 19, 20 Matt. 27: 51-66
12th - Arlene Roth 17 Lev. 21, 22 Matt. 28
19th - Norbert Slezak 18 Lev. 23, 24 Mark 1: 1 - 22
19 Lev. 25 Mark 1: 23 - 45
20th - Dan McKnight 20 Lev. 26, 27 Mark 2
21 Num. 1, 2 Mark 3: 1 - 19
Session Notes
22 Num. 3, 4 Mark 3: 20 - 35
23 Num. 5, 6, 7 Mark 4: 1 - 20
The Session met on Monday, January 13, 2020 for its 24 Num. 8, 9, 10 Mark 4: 21 - 41
monthly meeting. The following actions were taken: 25 Num. 11, 12, 13 Mark 5
26 Num. 14, 15, 16 Mark 6: 1 - 29
++ Approved the motion to dissolve the 27 Num. 17, 18, 19 Mark 6: 30 - 56
partnership between Hill Church and the 28 Num. 20, 21 Mark 7: 1 - 8
Bubiashie Scholarship (Ghana) after current 29 Num. 22 Mark 7: 9-13

obligations have been met.

++ Approved that Hill Church will pay its full 2020 per capita
amount, and agreed to the Presbytery match of monies for Hill's
portion of the General Assembly assessment and the Synod of the
Trinity assessment. WORSHIP ATTENDANCE
++ Elected Maryanne Puente and Barb Kamerer as elder IN DECEMBER AND
commissioners to the January 25, 2020 Presbytery meeting. JANUARY
++ Accepted the minutes of the December 9, 2019 Session minutes.
Sunday
The next Session meeting will be Monday, February 10, 2020 at 6:45 p.m. 12/1 62
12/8 84
Respectfully submitted, 12/15 112
Louise Evans, Clerk
12/22 106
The Hill Church Annual Congregational Meeting will be Sunday, February 12/24 - Happy
2, 2020, immediately after worship. The purpose of the meeting will be to Birthday Jesus! 45
Party
receive the budget approved by Session, receive and review annual reports,
and approve Rev. Benish's terms of call for 2020. The Annual Meeting of the 12/24 - Candlelight 145
Service
Corporation will also be held. 12/29 84
On our picture pages you will see photos of the two blankets made for Jenny 1/5 87
and Zach Martin from donated squares made by our members. Our Yarn 1/12 88
Group would like to keep a few blankets in reserve for emergencies. They are 1/19 59
asking that those interested donate 12” blocks of worsted weight acrylic yarn. 1/26 69
If you have any questions, please see Barb Graham. 4
 Reservation form
SENIOR NIGHT OUT
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020 at 5:30 P.M.

I / We will attend Senior Night Out:

Name(s)_______________________________________
#Attending _________ # Gluten Free _________
Ride Needed? _________ # Dairy Free _________
Donations accepted
DEADLINE for RESERVATIONS: Wednesday, February 12th

Senior Night Out will be held on February 17th at 5:30 p.m. The meal will be catered by
Simply Catered and will be chicken cordon blue, oven roasted red potatoes, California blend
vegetables, pasta salad, and a dessert. This ministry is for those ages 50 and over to enjoy
fellowship, a catered dinner, and a special program. Please mark your calendars and use the
reservation form in your bulletin or the one above. Put your reservation form in the
collection plate or turn it in to Elean in our Church Office on or before Wednesday, February
12th.
Fifty-seven community dinner guests braved the wind and snow to join us for dinner on
January 8. Fifteen faithful volunteers came out to serve ham barbecue, mixed vegetables,
chips, bananas or applesauce, and cake or brownies. Special thanks to Judy Birch, Jane
Kennedy, and Sharon Montag who helped with the baking this month.

Christian Education News

The TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY FOR WOMEN enjoyed their Orthodox Christmas lunch
out at the Monroe on January 7. Most of the 20+ women who participate were able to attend. We
have done it! Or soon will. We have fought our way through the highly poetic imagery of Revelation,
witnessed the fall of the Roman Empire and pressed on to the beautiful promises of the Kingdom
Come in the final chapters. Next we are beginning a study of the role of angels in Scripture.
Over half the WEDNESDAYS ON THE HILL kids in the Scooter, Bolt 1 and 2, and Blaze groups
signed up for the pizza lunch/ bowling trip to Sherwood lanes on January 20. What a great response!
We have missed everyone so much! We will kick off our Spring Term on February 5 at 5 pm. The
theme for this session is Putting God First. We’re trying a simpler format that still includes all our
favorite things. Our nights will be divided into four parts: Food and fun, Bible study, mission
activities, and worship.
We’re looking ahead to summer and getting the plans for the YOUTH MISSION TRIP underway.
We are hoping to go to Big Creek Missions in southeast Kentucky. We will have our choice of
construction, community or children’s ministry projects. So far all of our Jesus gang have expressed
an interest in attending the trip.
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Every year Hill Church is asked to support the work of the Beaver-Butler Presbytery, the Synod of the Trinity
and the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA. This support is made through a per-capita
assessment of church members. This assessment has been used for over 150 years to fund the essential work of
the Presbyterian Church.

As we have done in past years, we are inviting members of Hill Church to contribute to the support of the
shared work of the Presbyterian Church USA. The per-capita assessment for 2020 is $40.79 per member which
includes all those who have been baptized and have made their profession of faith. For example, a single
member would contribute $40.79, a couple who are both members would contribute $81.58, a couple with one
confirmed child would contribute $122.37, and so on.

Hill Church’s 2020 per-capita assessment for 2020 is based on a census of 256 members and totals $10,442.24.

For your convenience in making this offering, a special envelope has been included in your regular box of
envelopes, appearing between the January 26th and the February 2nd envelopes. Or you may mark the memo
line of your check “per-capita” and this offering will be properly credited to your giving statement.

Thank you for your continued generosity and support.

Pipes & Bells

The organ at Hill U.P church is a Schantz Pipe built by the Shantz Company of Orville, Ohio. (You
think of Smucker's jelly and Orville, Ohio.) This pipe organ was installed in 1983 and the console is in its
second location. The actual organ is in the pipes behind the grill cloth and on the cantilevered case
extending over the chancel.

The grill cloth one sees now is a replacement for what covered that area behind what some will
remember as blue pipes. These colored pipes were not speaking pipes. They covered the speaking pipes
which were part of the previous Moller Organ. That organ is long gone and may not have been the
original instrument with the church.

Many confuse the console as “the organ” but it is merely the part of the organ which controls the
speaking pipes. The blower is located in the basement behind several doors. Years ago, the console
(Moller) was located in the area which is used for vocal and handbell choirs. At that time there was no
raised area there but merely a flat space next to the chancel. Before the raised vocal choir loft was removed
the console shared the space with the vocal choir. (Quite crowded!!) Eventually it was moved into its
present location in the chancel. If there had not been a case built around it this console it could be moved
into other areas in the chancel space.

More to come next month about the “Care of the Organ”.

GHANA MISSION REPORT
The Hill United Presbyterian Church Ghana Mission Committee as well as the Session’s Mission Committee and our
Session, has made the regretful decision to opt out of our mission partnership with the Bubiashie Scholarship
Committee (Ghana). This was no easy decision and it was prayerfully considered for many months. Except for some
directed gifts still in our treasury, we will no longer distribute funds for this very important work.
The main reason concerns a lack of communication from the Bubiashie District, as well as extremely rare
communication from the vast majority of these young women in the past many months. We were always interested in
what these young women did, what they liked, what was happening in school, about their life in Ghana, and what their
dreams were for the future. That communication was Bubiashie’s gift to us so that we could better understand life in
Ghana. We received very little. Communication has been a particular problem for the past three years.
This may also be a situation where something has run its course. We have had a good ten years of our partnership.
We thank God for this blessing.
If any members would like recent non-distributed contributions returned, please contact our financial secretary, Elean.
Otherwise remaining gifts wll remain in our mission treasury for future use….and we are looking for future mission
possibilities in Ghana. Any questions may be directed to Jim Ihlenfeld.
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7
 SUN MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT
1
11:00am - AA
God’s
Unconditional
4th Sunday
After The Epiphany
2 Lord’s Supper - 3 4 5 6 7 8
Traditional
10:30am - Worship - Rev. 9:30-11:00am - Women’s 8:00am - Women’s 1:00pm - Stewardship 9:00am - Hill Quilters 11:00am - AA
Leigh Benish preaching Bible Study Fellowship Breakfast at Meeting
11:30am - Fellowship Hour 11:15am - Staff Meeting Mac’s Café
11:45am - Annual Meeting 7:00pm - Deacons’ 9:30am - Willing Workers
11:45am - Handbell Practice Meeting 5:00-7:00pm -
Wednesdays On The Hill

“For God so
5th Sunday
After The Epiphany
LOVED the
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
9:30am - Community 6:45pm - Session Meeting 9:30-11:00am - Women’s 8:00am - Women’s 11:00am - AA
world that he Lunches Bible Study Fellowship Breakfast at
10:30am - Worship - Rev. 11:15am - Staff Meeting Mac’s Café
Ellie Johns-Kelly preaching 5:00pm - Community
11:45pm - Legacy Giving Dinner
Workshop with Lunch 5:00-7:00pm -
12:15pm - Women’s Book Wednesdays On The Hill
gave his only
Club

Son, so that
6th Sunday
After The
everyone who Epiphany
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
10:30am - Worship - Rev. 5:30pm - Senior Night Out 9:30-11:00am - Women’s 8:00am - Women’s 11:00am - AA
believes in Leigh Benish preaching 7:30pm - Butler Area Bible Study Fellowship Breakfast at
11:30am - Fellowship Hour Presbyterians at St. 11:15am - Staff Meeting Mac’s Café
11:45am - Handbell Practice Andrew’s 11:30am - Betsy 5:00-7:00pm -
12:00pm - Yarn Group McCormick Circle at Mac’s Wednesdays On The Hill
him may not Café

perish but
Transfiguration
Sunday
may have 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
9:30-11:00am - Women’s 8:00am - Women’s 11:00am - AA
10:30am - Worship - Rev. Bible Study Fellowship Breakfast at
Leigh Benish preaching 11:15am - Staff Meeting Mac’s Café
eternal life.”11:30am - Fellowship Hour 7:30pm - Ash Wednesday
Worship Service

February 2020
John 3: 16
Cut out the picture and Bible verse and use it as your bookmark for your Bible for the month of February!