LENTEN

SOUP AND
STUDY

FIVE
WEDNESDAYS
BEGINNING
FEBRUARY 21

SOUP—6 PM
STUDY—6:45 PM
 Musings from the Craig Room

I would like to thank all in my LPC family for your cards, prayers, hugs and kind words this
past December. It is never easy to say goodbye to someone you love – especially your mom.
Your support and understanding as I have needed to be in Michigan is very much appreciated.

Of course, I have been thinking a lot about my mom the last few weeks. Our family is
spread throughout the country – I have a sister in Dallas, TX and one still ‘home’ in the Detroit
metro. Over the years, this has made it difficult to spend holidays with each other. Thankfully,
we learned what to do about this from my mom’s family, which is also spread out. She was one
of six; one in California, one in Kentucky, one in Florida, two in Detroit, and one in western
Michigan. The six, now five, of them are very close. They have a family text group on their
phones and they communicate almost daily. Before that, they had an email group. Before that,
they spent lots of money on long distance phone calls! They always planned to be together
every two to three years as a group, perhaps for a holiday or a wedding or just for fun. From
them, we learned that a holiday is just a day on a calendar – that anytime we are all together is
a holiday. My sisters and I have gotten in the habit of spending the time between Christmas and
the New Year together every three years. 2017 was the year. My mom was so excited and
looking forward to having all the grandchildren with her. While we feel a bit cheated, perhaps
God’s plan was to make sure our mom didn’t suffer any post-holiday let-down.

My mother was always willing to add people to her family. The girls in her local Rainbow
Assembly (Masonic group), the kids in the neighborhood, the band kids, the church youth
group, a cousin found late in life that had been given in adoption, all the in-laws. She proudly
displayed graduation photos of her Florida neighbors and Rainbow friends in her apartment.
In fact, her apartment walls were nearly covered in photos and artwork by family members
and friends. She collected elephants and Christmas ornaments. A burst of inspiration led to us
to take many of her elephants and ornaments to the funeral home to share with visitors as a
memento of Marilyn. At the end of the evening, we had very few to pack up – her friends and
family were happy to take one.

Marilyn’s faith was strong and she kept her lamps trimmed and burning. I hope one day
my children will say the same of me.

Blessings to all your families in 2018!

Dawn

2
 JANUARY, 2018

I said to the man at the gate of the year,

“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied, “Go into the darkness and put your hand in the hand of God –
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”

Sisters and Brothers:

Greetings to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! As you receive this newsletter, a new year
will have begun, full of hope and expectation. You may know that the month of January is named for the Roman
god Janus. He is unique in that he had two faces, one looking forward and one looking backward. This time of
the year is a bit like that for us – remembering the year just passed, with its blessings and disappointments, and
anticipating the year ahead, with its promises and challenges. This is true in our families, and in our church
family! As the year of our Lord 2017 becomes the year of our Lord 2018, we reflect on births and deaths, joys
and sadness, opportunities seized and opportunities missed.

The coming year promises new challenges for us – the world is confused and muddled and there is much to be
concerned about. Wars and rumors of war, economic uncertainties, poverty and injustices – we have much to
do and much to pray about. However, as people of faith, we go forward as a family, secure in the love of God
and power of Jesus Christ – not one of us is alone!

Together, as the body of Christ, we move boldly into a new season, following the Christ whose incarnation
fulfills the great promises of God and calls us to salvation and service. We move from a year of renewal and
revitalization, both of our faith and our Christian community here at LPC. We move into this New Year,
seeking deeper relationships with Jesus Christ and with one another, filled with love and grace and forgiveness.
We move forward following Paul’s admonition that, as far as it depends on us, we will live peaceably with all.

Let us pledge this year to share in one another’s joys and sorrows, blessings and disappointments, loving each
other even as Jesus loves us. Let us respond to the direction of the man who stands at the gate of the year:

“So I went forth and finding the Hand of God,

trod gladly into the night. He led me toward the hills
and the breaking of day in the lone east.”

In Christ, there is no darkness, but only light. Let us join hands with God, and with one another, as we walk in
the light in this New Year. And today, and always, may God bless us, everyone!

A Happy & Blessed New Year!

Your Pastor and Friend,

Rev. Clark R. Kerr

3
 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS

Sunday School for all ages began again on January 7. Of particular interest is the Adult
Sunday School Class. It will be led by a team consisting of Rev. Kerr, Doug Harvey,
Matt Sweeney and Paul Prichard. The study is about the Bible: Strange Book of Books. It
comes from Theocademy – a project of the Synod of Mid-America and other PC(USA)
partners to develop high quality video curriculum for Faith Formation.

Wednesday Morning Bible Study continued on January 17 at 10 am.

The Men’s Bible Study is back in full swing on Thursdays at 6:30 pm.

Our Soup and Study this year will feature a different kind of video study: “What
Makes a Hero? The Death-Defying Ministry of Jesus.” Matt Rawle mixes the Gospel and
popular culture to present a unique way of thinking about Jesus and his impact on the
world. Please join us on Wednesdays during Lent – Soup at 6 – Study at 6:45, beginning
February 21.

Opportunities for youth service:

Chili Cook-Off – Saturday, January 27. Youth are needed to work at
this annual fellowship and fundraising event. We need ticket sellers,
quarter counters, dish dryers and all-round helpers. CEN Committee
members will be there to assist!

Souper Bowl of Caring - Sunday, February 4 - the youth will greet the congregation
in the narthex with their soup pots for donations to support this program. Funds are used
locally to help fight hunger within our communities.

Valentine Gala – Saturday, February 10, 11:30 am. Several young people are needed
to help serve lunch. Lunch will be provided to all helpers. Please let Dawn know your
availability as soon as possible.

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 VALENTINE GALA
Hosted by JOY
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 10, 2018
NOON VOGELSANG ROOM
With the installation of the Class of
Enjoy appetizers and a delicious 3-course 2020 Deacons, we welcome new and
meal of salad, Italian bread, homemade renewed class members: Lindsay Balliett,
lasagna with meat sauce from Rizzo’s Rose Flodin, Cecilia Long, Sukey Jamison,
Malabar Inn, dessert and coffee/tea!
Jan Mills, Linda Parker, JT Soltys, Mary Lou
Listen to special entertainment Townsend and Karen Zimmerman.
and take part in a Valentine sing- A reorganization took place at the
along!
last meeting and the chairs of the many
Your payment in the amount of Deacon programs are:
$10 per person is due by January
28. Moderator—Tyler Stewart
Hospital Visitation—Susan Mough
The Meals-On-Wheels Coor dinator has extended an invitation Caring Christians—Nancy McKinnon
to anyone who would like to become a part of this great service
project. Needed are in-town route drivers and runners as well as Love Meals—Rose Flodin / Jan Mills
out of town routes for the Derry Area.
You would volunteer about one and one-half hours Prayer Chain—Jen McNerny
maximum on your assigned day. You report to Excela Health at
10:30 am to receive your route, pick up a cooler with hot food and College/Military Connection—Lisa
sandwiches, deliver to the names on the list and return the cooler McCracken
to the hospital when finished. Each car has a driver and a runner so
the delivery goes faster and smoothly. Outreach Brothers/Sisters—Diana Adams
If you can spare two hours a day, Chairperson of the Day
positions are available. With this position you would coordinate
Meals-On-Wheels—Sukey Jamison
the deliveries from the hospital. Food Pantry/Fresh Express—Mollie
For more information contact Sally
Sweeney at 724-539-0806. Sylvania

Blood Drive—Susan Mough

Dove Tree—Karen Zimmerman
Christmas Graduate Tea—Lisa McCracken
Eve
Prayer
Garden Our Deacons are to be commended
Luminary for their caring hearts and willingness to
Display. serve the congregation and community
with enthusiasm, dedication and profes-
Note the
sionalism. We are blessed to have each
outline of
the cross.
and every one of our Deacons.

5
 BUILDING SECURITY

At this month’s Session meeting, we had a good discussion about

building security here at LPC, both during the week and on Sunday
morning. Many good ideas were discussed and Session decided to
move forward as follows:
On Sunday morning, the door from the alley to the Vogelsang Room, the office door to
the right of the building (looking from the back parking area) and elevator door will
be open from 8 am through 11 am. The Sanctuary outside doors will open by 9 am.
As Worship begins, both the outside door to the Vogelsang Room and the outside
office door will be locked, leaving the main doors and the elevator door as access
points for Worship (for late arrivers). You may always exit by any door.
During the week, the outside Vogelsang Room door nearest the parking lot will remain
locked during business hours. We ask that you enter through the outside office door
or the elevator door. Both will be open. You may always exit by any door.

The door on the Battaglia side of the church (to the left from the parking lot) will always
be locked. This is the least visible door in terms of monitoring.
If you have questions, please give us a call at the church – 724-537-3631. Session believes
these new procedures will add to the overall security of both the congregation and the staff.

Thanks for your cooperation.

To the cookie and sandwich makers, table decorators

and all the kitchen helpers, thank you for making the
Women’s Tea a lovely affair. We had almost 90 in
attendance who enjoyed the food, fellowship and a
performance by the Latrobe Junior High School
JANUARY Choral Cats, directed by Nicole Wolfgang. The entire
Tuna Fish / Canned group also enjoyed a carol sing-a-long directed by
Chicken Susannah Calvo.

Thanks to all for making this a special afternoon.

FEBRUARY
Canned Stew / Chili Lorraine Burd

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 HOSPITALITY TABLE
Janet Harvey
Melissa Capozzi
Anne Levri
Team 4/5 January 21 Deana Mauro
Beth Maxwell
Betty Ann McHugh

Emily McMahen
Diane McNealy
Team 6 January 28 Jenny McNerny
Jan Mills

Kay Musick
Marilyn Hauser
Team 7 February 4 Lisa Orr
Susan Patchin

Ginny Perry
Nancy McKinnon
Team 8 February 11 Janet Ressler
Susannah Calvo

Robin Robl
Susan Snyder
Team 9 February 18 Pat Speedy
Billie Stevenson

Beth Ann Vreeland

Jean Wright
Team 10 February 25 Tessie Gleckl
Judy Hauser

HOSPITALITY TABLE HOSTS

Evangelism and Membership Committee Hospitality Table Host
for January / February
January 21 Rose Flodin February 4 Diana Kreiling
January 28 Jason Huska February 11 Nancy McKinnon
February 18 Dorris Parker
February 25 Matt Sweeney
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 GREETER SCHEDULE
DATE ELDER DEACONS USHER
TEAM

January 21 Scott Kroh Helen Auman / Lindsay Balliett VI

January 28 JoAnn Lightcap Lindsay Balliett / Rose Flodin I

February 4 Douglas Harvey Rose Flodin / Elaine Hudimac II

February 11 Adam McMahen Elaine Hudimac / Sukey Jamison III

February 14 Scott McNerny Sukey Jamison / Cecilia Long IV

February 18 Steve Mills Cecilia Long / Lisa McCracken V

Lisa McCracken / Jennifer

February 25 Jerry Musick VI
McNerny

February February 8 February 20

Hospital Ed McKinnon Diana Kreiling
Visitors
February 13 February 22
Pat Speedy Marge Buerger
February 1
Eileen Lint
February 15 February 27
Billie Stevenson Susannah Calvo
February 6
Sarah Rock
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9
-Unity Chapel
 DATED MATERIAL-DO NOT DELAY
Latrobe Presbyterian Church
428 Main Street
Latrobe PA 15650
Ash Wednesday marks
the beginning of the season of
Lent. Lent is a time when many
Christians prepare for Easter
by observing a period of fasting,
repentance, moderation and
spiritual discipline.
Ash Wednesday empha-
sizes two themes: our sinfulness
before God and our human
mortality. The service focuses
on both themes, helping us to
realize that both have been
triumphed through the death
and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
It is traditional to save
the palm branches from the
previous Palm Sunday service
to burn to produce ashes for
this service. The ash cross on
the forehead is an outward sign
of our sorrow and repentance
for sins.
The MAINSTream is the Newsletter
of Latrobe Presbyterian Church located
on Main Street at the top of downtown
Latrobe. Parking is beside the church,
one block west off Depot St. Office
hours are Monday through Friday 9:00
AM to 12 Noon and 1 PM to 4:00 PM..
Voicemail is available when the office
is closed.
Every Sunday from September through
May we offer Christian Education for
all ages at 9:45 AM, Worship at 11 AM
at Main Street and child care is provid-
ed.
During the summer (June through
August) we worship at 8:30 AM at
Unity Chapel and 11:00 AM at Main
Street.
Our Main Street Service is broadcast
on WCNS 1480 AM every Sunday.
We are a part of the Presbyterian
Church (USA) and a church in
Redstone Presbytery.
10
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit #91
Latrobe, PA
Our Pastor is:
Rev. Clark R. Kerr at
pastor@latrobepc.org
Our Director of Music and Organist is:
Michael Long at
music@latrobepc.org
Our Coordinator of Christian
Education and Family Ministries is:
Dawn Prichard at
dce@latrobepc.org.
Our Main Office may be contacted at
office@latrobepc.org.
Questions and information about
financial support:
financialsecretary@latrobepc.org
Bulletins, maps, and information are
available at www.latrobepc.org
or by phone at 724-537-3631