APPLYING BIBLE PRINCIPLES A Christian business owner once observed, I would rather do business with a non-Christian any day

than with a Christian. His statement was a descriptive commentary on a sad state in the lives of some Christians who fail to pay their bills or to deal with their debts as promised. A debt simply represents a promise to pay. Nothing more. Nothing less. Whether the debt is to purchase a car, a house, braces for the kids teeth, or to facilitate a purchase by using a credit card, the issue is the same. By creating a debt, we also create simultaneously an obligation and promise to pay. Larry Burkett wrote this, To define debt is not simple, but basically, its an obligation to pay that cant be kept. . . .Probably forty percent of all American families are in debt in a typical year. Theyre unable to make the monthly payments on the money they borrowed. Many actually borrow more money to make payments on the money theyve already borrowed. We who are Christians of all people should pay our debts, not only for our reputations and personal integrity, but also because what we do is a direct reflection on our Lord. Or as the Apostle Paul expressed it so clearly in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, we are to behave properly towards people who are outside the family of God and outside His church. Psalm 37:21 says that to borrow (to create a debt) and then not repay it is wrong. But on a positive note, this same verse also says that the person who is righteous shows mercy by repaying debts and by giving to the needs of others. By the way, do people know youre a Christian by how you pay your bills and by how you give to others?

MAY 2013

Open hear t s O pen minds Open door s

WHAT I REALLY KNOW ABOUT MAY FLOWERS

By Donna L. Gestri, Sayville, N.Y.

I was 6 years old, visiting my grandmother one May weekend. In her garden, tulips were fading, roses were full of promise, and anemones were swaying in their glory. But I was entranced by the tiny yellow flowers that grew all over the front yard. Unaware that they were weeds, I gathered a luscious bouquet of dandelions for Grandma and proudly marched into the house. Aunt Jennie, Grandmas unmarried sister who lived with her, saw me first. Childless, Aunt Jennie lacked for macaroni necklaces, finger-painted portraits and lopsided Play Dough figurines, but she never tired of prepping her nieces and nephews for special occasions, from the Easter bunnys visit to recital bows and curtsies. She specialized in big hugs and kisses. Aunt Jennie sat in her armchair reading a magazine, a cup of tea by her side. With a flourish I thrust the bouquet of weeds at her, Look at what I picked! I shouted excitedly. Aunt Jennies hand fluttered to her chest. For me? she ex claimed. They are beautiful. Thank you so very much Ill get a special vase to put them in. I blanched, Im sure, but there was no way I could tell Aunt Jennie that the flowers were meant for someone else. Her eyes shone as she ran to show my grandmother. I followed, afraid Grandma might be hurt by my betrayal. I found Grandma with her arm around Aunt Jennie, who was wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. Grandma nodded at me with approval for the kindness that I had unintentionally spread. I learned that day how simple, thoughtful deeds can turn winter into spring and weeds into vibrant May flowers. I share this story with you for May as a reminder that a kindnesseven for an unintentional recipient, is never wasted. Your kind deed may not be received just the way you intended or hoped, and it will not be wasted. He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 NRSV Pastor Linda Blessings,

MAY WORSHIP May 5 May 12 May 19 May 26 Holiness in Life Ephesians 4:7-21 Communion Responsibilities at Home Ephesians - 5:22-6:9 Pentecost /Combined Worship @ 10:30 am Conduct in Conflict Ephesians 6:10-24 Luncheon to follow Summer Schedule Begins: 9:00 am Informal Worship 10:30 am Traditional Worship WITNESS TEAM Lets Get Together Paneras in Oakmont Saturday, April 27 10:00 am If you enjoy going to a movie, concert, play etc. and are looking for someone to attend with you, please join us. Everyone is welcome for this initial discussion of a new adventure. No RSVP required just show up!

UMW NEWS I would like to send out my thanks to everyone involved in the Annual UMW Spring Luncheon in April. We had almost 70 women in attendance for an afternoon of wonderful food, fellowship and entertainment. Thank you especially to the volunteers who worked together in the kitchen & dining room and during cleanup. It truly was a Joyful day. Once again we are working toward a very successful Indoor Yard Sale. Clothing and other items may be delivered to the Primary Room beginning Sunday April 28 throughout the week. Items for the bake sale should be delivered to the downstairs kitchen Friday during the day or Saturday morning. Help is always needed for set up and break down. The actual sale is Fri., May 3 from 5 pm 8 pm and Sat., May 4 from 9 am1 pm. It takes so many people to make an event like this a success, with many hours of work involved. Thank you so much for all of your help. Yours in Christ, Julie Whyte-Trenn Oakmont UMW President HOPE CIRCLE BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP Hope Circle will meet on Monday, May 13th at 7:00 PM in the parlor. The group will discuss The Devil Amongst the Lawyers by Sharyn McCrumb, the 8th novel in the authors acclaimed Ballad series set in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Its 1935 and schoolteacher Emma Morton is accused of murdering her father. Reporters from the big city newspapers descend on coal town Wise, VA to report on the current crime of the century. Truth is not their goal they are there to sell newspapers by writing sensational stories based on stereotypes and rumors. McCrumbs atmospheric story, based on a real life incident, is part mystery and part courtroom drama, but is also a compelling study of character and place. While the setting and superstitions of Appalachia are central to the story, the reader comes to see that there is less difference between city folk and country folk than we think, and that everybody lives in a little place. Please consider joining the group for an hour of discussion and fellowship.

Talent Show/Ice Cream SundaesWe are planning a night of fun and ice cream some time during the summer months date to be determined. We are hoping some of our talented students from Annie and Seussical will play/sing a song or dance. A repeat of the dance choir number from the Spring Luncheon would be great too. Anyone who plays anything from the spoons to the tuba, likes to sing, read poetry, tell jokes or perform a skitwe are looking for you! Sign up sheets are on the bulletin boards.

GENERAL FUND NUMBERS FOR MARCH MAY 1 3 4 5 8 14 16 18 19 22 23 26 29 30 Lori Huha Rich Lear Scott Ashbaugh, Jr. Erin Kennedy Maggie Morrison Allison Klinsky Carol Burrows Daniel Burdelski Sam Steimer Joshua Stammer Christianne McCall Abigail Kelley Dennis Casarcia Kim Anderson Earl Barnes Allan Jones Eric Mannas Income $24,109.87 Expenses $21,034.67 Balance 3/31 $912.93 Connectional Apportionment (new name for Mission Share) is paid thru March. NEWSLETTER Please submit articles for the JUNE newsletter by MAY 15. If you would like to receive your copy by e -mail, please send us a message at oakmontumc @verizon.net. NEW MEMBERS April 14 was a joyful day as we received 4 new members to our church family. Frances Allison, Gillen Geary, Sherry Lauffer & Barbara Pelligrino were welcomed into membership during the 11:00 am service. HOSPITALIZATIONS Terri Aubele and Linda Sweeney were recently hospitalized and are recovering at home. MEMORIALS Donations to the Memorial Fund in memory of Ted Eden have been received from Helen & John Crawford, Susan & Bill Peoples, John & Lynn Hohman, Jim & Geraldine Seiss, Dave & Kathy Foley & Family, Don Kistler, Nancy Oberholzer, Ray & Jane Simpson & Bill & Joy Matesich.

HOMEMADE PIE AUCTION TO BENEFIT GENERAL FUND Our program following the covered dish luncheon Sunday, May 19 which will begin after the combined worship service (at 10:30 am) will be a pie auction. Sign-up sheets for those willing to bake a pie are on the bulletin boards, you can leave a note in the offering plate/bag or you may tell Donna Jacka or Karen Jacobs. If you cant bake a pie to be auctioned that day, consider offering a gift certificate for a pie to be baked at a mutually agreeable time with the buyer. We have held auctions in the past for different reasons, and they have always been a lot of fun. The Witness Team will be hosting the luncheon serving pork barbecues. Please join us for the first picnic of the summer, bring your favorite picnic side dish to share and join in the fellowship.

NURTURE COMMITTEE NEWS Chairwoman Thelma Lloyd reports that the group will remove spring decorations from the sanctuary Friday, May 17 in preparation for Pentecost Sunday, May 19. They want to remind everyone to wear red that Sunday and there will be only one worship service that day in the sanctuary at 10:30 am. The committee has decided that there will be three combined worship services a year on Pentecost Sunday, on our annual church picnic Sunday in September and on the Sunday between Christmas Day and New Years Day.

We apologize if we inadvertently missed your birthday. Please call the church office and let us know about your very special day!

ENDOWMENT FUND COMMITTEE The committee met and discussed innovative ways to publicize the fund. Stay tuned for further developments. Look for brochures to be displayed. For those who are computer savvy, watch for ways to access information via computer. There are new ways to donate your required distribution from an IRA directly to the Endowment Fund and/or the Church and avoid paying taxes on the transfer.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH

I am writing this the Tuesday after I fell backward down the stairs at church and bashed my head in. This girl will do ANYTHING for attention. And while the last thing I needed was a brain injury to make me even more forgetful and scattered, it has certainly made me appreciate my church family which maybe I had been taking for granted. Every one of you has been so wonderful whether it was helping me after the fall (which I dont remember Thelma, its all a blur) or comforting Angela who called 911 and witnessed my graceful dive into the wall, supporting my son, whose face was one of the first I saw and who looked very upset, waiting for the ambulance at the door, cleaning up the blood on the wall and floor so I wouldnt see it, and lifting all the prayers. I promise you that I felt them immediately and I wasnt scared. I probably should have been, ha ha. So many of you helped me or my family, and I am so grateful. I love you all so much. My house is full of flowers, food and homemade cards. I am the luckiest person in the world. I pray that God will bless you all the way you have blessed me. Grace and Peace to you. Youth group is going great! We are having a work day Sunday, April 28th at Bell Chapel in Buena Vista, PA. This is a beautiful, charming little chapel Jim Walker stumbled across that was for sale. He convinced the conference to keep it, but now is responsible for fixing it up and making it self-sustainable. I just fell in love with it when Larry and I went to help and I would love for our group to be involved. I believe it has great potential for ministry. So. We are leaving after youth/Sunday school that day and carpooling up there. I will be cooking lunch outside for us, and we will return sometime in the evening. There is a lot of work to be done so if anyone is interested in being involved let me know. This work day is for both the youth and post high groups. Youth group is also getting ready for a mission trip in June with Trinity Tower to Vermont. We are leaving the weekend of June 22/23 and returning the 29th. This is going to be a great trip, and we need to get some things in place. So if you are interested please let me know ASAP. The Post high group is going to West Virginia over Memorial Day for our annual mission trip to Beckley. We have a full house but always welcome more participants. If you want more information or are interested please contact me. 412-889-4589. We need to fund raise yesterday because this group does not have a budget and will be funding this completely on its own. If you have any work for us - odd jobs, cutting grass, mulching whatever - no job is too big or too small, contact me. Vacation Bible School is going to be so awesome this year! We are writing our own curriculum. (Thank you for supporting that pastor Linda!) It will be Backpacking Around the World with Jesus. You do not want to miss it - July 29th thru August 2nd. Tell your friends! I am so happy to be alive and serving you through Jesus Christ. DeColores! Grace and Peace!

TRUSTEES The Trustees have the contracts and insurance funds in hand to begin the reconstruction projects relating to the sanctuary of the church. The work should commence in mid to late April and is being handled by Keystone Waterproofing and Church Restoration Group. Four separate work days will be held this year, one each season, to assist Mark/ Cindy in small projects that they don't have the manpower to accomplish themselves. We will be asking for volunteers to assist with some yard work, pruning, and other clean up tasks at the parsonage. We will keep the congregation informed of when this will happen. The Trustees will pursue new outlets on the stage area of the social room, are pricing baseboard heaters for the area above the double doors leading in from the parking lot and are pursuing different electrical and gas rates to see if there is an opportunity to reduce some of our utility expenses. The Trustees, at the advice of Fire Chief Bill Peoples, will have a lockbox installed on the exterior of the church to assist emergency responders in gaining access to the church. The Trustees thank Marilyn Siebart, who graciously agreed to serve on the Endowment Committee for this calendar year. The Trustees also reviewed a proposal for the organ and are seeking other opinions/bids. Jim Anderson

Ive been thinking a lot lately about my time here and I remember speaking to you at a Sunday worship service six and a half years ago when I was making preparations to come here to stay. I shared with you my feelings about being comfortable in Oakmont and hoping that my coming to Jerusalem would help me to feel uncomfortable. I remember sharing a story that morning about a program I had just attended about John the Baptist and his mother, Elizabeth. Elizabeth had heard people making fun of her son, of his style of dress and diet and her response was this: Sometimes you have to be uncomfortable to hear the voice of God. Ive thought of that story many times since. And guess what? My concern is that I realize that I have now become comfortable here and Gods voice has again become difficult to discern. Ive been struggling recently with what Im being called to do here. Dont get me wrong. I love it here. But I seem to have lost my sense of call. Last week I was reading the United Methodist Faith in Action weekly email and I came across an article on discipleship. In the article was a quote: God has a way of preparing us and positioning us for God's greater purposes. Our task is to be faithful and to hear the voice of God and sometimes it comes from the least likely places and through the least likely people. So, after reflecting on the quote, I decided to look more closely at people and opportunities where God might be speaking. Last week at work I was given an email that no one wanted to deal with. It was from a group of American women who wanted to meet Palestinian women and share their spiritual journeys. I was intrigued, especially after recognizing the name of the sender, a woman who had studied in the same graduate program with me at Duquesne, over 20 years ago. We werent able to make the meeting happen, but I was able to spend a day with 4 of the women, all of whom work in areas of counseling and spiritual direction. It was a wonderfully refreshing time for me, and one of the women, a former nun and a retreat leader in the Boston area, offered me the possibility of making an extended retreat under her direction on one of my trips home. I cant help but think that this, and the article that I read, are tied to my search to more clearly hear the call of God. My prayer is that you will join me on this search. His call is to you as well. Blessings and peace, Tina