Cross Roads Connections A monthly newsletter of the

Cross Roads Presbyterian Church “Where Monroeville Meets Christ” 2310 Haymaker Road, Monroeville PA 15146
412-372-2226  crossroadspresbyterian.com Vol. 9 Issue 9 October, 2016

Dear Friends in Christ, Cross Roads folks love to celebrate together. In early September, we crowned the champions of the Cross Roads Bocce League. There were thirty teams competing against each other for many weeks over the summer months. On the final night of play, there were two semi-final games and then the finals match was played to crown the champion. On that night, eight people were needed to play in the match – two teams for each semi-final match. However, on that night over fifty people gathered to see the champions crowned. Folks wanted to be present to cheer on each team and celebrate a great time that was enjoyed together throughout the summer. A cookout was held prior to the finals match. This group had a great time together watching the father/son duo of Tim and Chris Sinback win the championship game. While only eight people were needed, many people gathered on that evening to celebrate the bocce season. We do this a lot, don’t we? We enjoy gathering together to celebrate our lives together. In 2017, Cross Roads will celebrate 50 years on Haymaker Road. I’ve mentioned before that we are seeking a group of people who are interested in planning a year-long celebration for this momentous occasion. We need your assistance in making this celebration a success. 2017 will be here before you know it and plans must be made. Perhaps you are interested in serving on this team? Perhaps you have idea for an event during the year? The bottom line is that Cross Roads requires your help to make our 50th Anniversary year one to remember. Thus, we are seeking individuals that can participate on this team to help us plan for this very special milestone in our church's history! If you are interested in joining this team, please notify the Church Office, either via email or in person at the church. We are also searching for folks to serve on the committees and teams that drive our ministry forward. Following worship on Sunday, October, 9, 2016, Cross Roads is holding a Ministry Fair in Fellowship Hall. This will be a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the ministries of your church. Make yourself available to serve on committees and other organizations at Cross Roads. Find out where it is that you are able and willing to serve this faith community in order to put Cross Roads in a better position moving forward. Friends, Cross Roads is your church. You are a valuable member of the Cross Roads Team. Let’s take the floor, together, and work on the basics of what we do. Let’s serve Christ with the gifts and talents that God generously provided to each of us. In Christ,

Pastor Rob

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October, 2016

Worship Opportunities for October Worship is offered at 10:0 10:00 :00 a.m. each Sunday morning in our Sanctuary. Join us! October 2 – World Communion Sunday – Pastor Rob’s sermon will be “Faithfulness and Forgiveness,” based on Luke 17:5-10. Jesus speaks to his disciples about forgiveness and faith, concluding with a parable about dutiful servants. Jesus makes large demands upon his disciples. Great faith is needed. And yet, Jesus gives his followers what they need in order to faithfully serve him. Faith is a gift, not our personal achievement. We servants of Christ are given the faith we need to faithfully follow Jesus. Our depth of faith may seem small to us, yet Jesus promises that only a small amount of faith is enough. We will celebrate Communion together, and present Bibles to our third grade students and eighth grade confirmation students. October 9 - Receive New Members – Our morning message will be “The Mission You Have Chosen,” based on Luke 17:11-19. Out in Samaria, out beyond the boundaries of Israel, Jesus meets ten lepers. He heals them and is amazed by the gratitude of one. Christianity is about following Jesus, praising Jesus in all that we do. Jesus is a healer, but he is more than a healer. He is also Lord, Savior of the World, Master, and Teacher. Too often, the Christian faith is presented as a means of getting what we want from Jesus. Discipleship, the fullness of the Christian faith, is about getting what Jesus wants from us! We will receive a class of new members in worship this morning.

October 16 - Today’s texts are Luke 18:1-8, and Pastor Rob’s sermon will be “The Bias of God.” The perversion of justice was a common theme in the Hebrew scriptures. The parable contrasts the judge who gave in to the widow's pleading (vss.2-5) with God's sense of justice (vss.6-8). The passage makes the point that if persistence brings results in human relationships, how much more so will God respond to persistent prayer? October 23 – Today’s message is “The Eye of the Beholder,” based on Luke 18:9-24. Jesus tells a shocking story in which the bad tax collector is justified and the righteous Pharisee is unjustified. Jesus tells this story to those who trust in themselves for their righteousness and look upon others with contempt. It is a great challenge to see ourselves, and to see our neighbors, as God sees us. God looks upon us all as beloved children in need of forgiveness, mercy, and grace. Our hope is in the mercy of God. October 30 - Reformation Sunday – We will read Luke 19:1-10, and Pastor Rob’s message will be “We are all Guests.” Jesus goes through Jericho and dines at the house of a sinner named Zacchaeus. The crowd criticizes him for being the "guest of one who is a sinner" and Jesus responds, "Today salvation has come to this house." Jesus has great passion for the lost those who are pushed to the margins, those who fail to live up to the standards of the good and the just.

Alternative Ministry Project Our Alternative Ministry Project continues to offer alternative worship experiences the third Tuesday of every month. We’ll meet on Tuesday, October 18 in Fellowship Hall at 6:30 p.m. for a shared meal. At 7:00 we move into a time of worship with high energy songs you may already know, and can learn quickly if they are new to you. It’s a service to invite your friends to join, with opportunity to talk and visit over dinner and an informal worship time that isn’t intimidating for visitors. Dress is casual, and a different speaker offers the message each month.

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October, 2016

October Is

Staff Appreciation Month This October, the Session and Personnel Committee invite you to join us in honoring the caring, sacrifice, and service demonstrated by our dedicated Cross Roads staff. Think about what you can do personally to recognize and honor Pastor Rob, Pastor Lori, Randy Broker, Martha Wintersgill, Barry MacDonald, and Diane Testa during Staff Appreciation Month. Consider offering a kind word, a simple card, an invitation to lunch, a promise to pray for them, or an offer to assist them in their work. We will celebrate our dedicated staff at a special Coffee Hour on Sunday, October 23. Keep an eye out for more information on the special love offering we will present to our staff before Christmas.

Ministry Fair October 9 Following Worship Join us for a special Fellowship Hour, hosted by all of the Ministry Teams of the church! Visit each team at their table, sample a different food item, and learn about ways you can serve! We have opportunities to meet people and join in the work of the church as leaders for our children and youth, as planners for special church events, as guides in financial matters, stewardship and evangelism, and much more! Plan to stay after worship, enjoy terrific refreshments, meet new people, and find a place to serve at Cross Roads!

“Will We Make it By Christmas?” Christmas?” This was the headline in a fall issue of the church’s newsletter, the Herald, as 1966 approached its close, 50 years ago. With the vantage point of history, we know that in fact the church building was not occupied until March of 1967, but hopes were high for a Christmas worship in the “new” building. Here’s what the newsletter had to say: “Are we really going to be into our church by Christmas? The only honest answer at this point is that no one knows for sure. According to those closest to the construction work, such as the architect and members of the building committee, it is possible. Such a possibility, however, requires many favorable “ifs.” Under these circumstance we still hope but will not make any definite statement. We are at the point in construction when major changes can appear quite rapidly, as loose ends begin to fall into place. So it is that the answer to the above question will be reserved for a special Christmas newsletter that will reach the congregation the week before Christmas.” In fact, the first worship service in our present location was held on March 5, 1967. We will celebrate our Golden Anniversary this spring!

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October, 2016

From the Director of Children’s Ministries Fall Sunday Morning Schedule Reminder 8:45-9:45 Adult Faith Works (childcare is still available for ages 0-6th grade) 10:00 Families attend worship together (childcare is available for ages 0-2 in nursery) 10:15-11:15 Preschool and Elementary age children are dismissed from worship to God’s Kids and Kingdom Kids 11:15 – 11:45 Elementary age has three options a. Remain in Kingdom Kids for more fun and games b. Attend fellowship time with parents/guardian c. Attend Children’s Choir with Mrs. Broker 11:15-11:45 Preschool age has two options a. Remain in God’s Kids for more fun and games b. Attend fellowship time with parents/guardian Please note: a small snack will be provided during the 11:15-11:25 time to help ease the transition as some kids will be staying and some will be leaving.

J.A.M. (Jesus And Me) (4th-6th grade) Normally 2nd Wednesday 6PM-8PM J.A.M. is a youth group for tweens that meets monthly in the evening. Our next meeting is October 12! We will have a Halloween Party! You can dress up or not. Costumes must not depict violence or gore. We will have games and talk about fears. What is your biggest fear? How did the people in the Bible deal with fear? Dinner is $5 donation but pay what you can. RSVP so we have enough supplies!

Bible Presentations October 2 We will have our annual Bible presentations for third graders on the first Sunday in October. Our third graders on our roles are Megan Ditter, Allison Krier, Colton Reinhart, and Gunner Raymer. If your family is newer to our church and your child never received a Bible, please let Pastor Lori know so she can add you to the list.

Acolyte Serving this Year! We are so proud of the service our children perform on behalf of Christ in worship! Here are the list of acolytes this year: Kolin Ditter, Wesley Lucas, Nick, Joe, and Tom Nikou, Ciara Rhea, and Bailey Steele.

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October, 2016

Wish List for Children’s Ministry Here are some things that I would love to have for our children’s ministry program. Our rotation curriculum calls for some things that we can use over and over. Look around your house – you may find some of these items there! Music Rotation: 2 large rain sticks Drama Rotation: more basic Bible costumes, especially for older sized children. Art Rotation: Christmas material, fronts of religious Christmas cards, foam wreath circles, long unused purple candlesticks Computer Rotation: 10 tablets/ipads (does not matter which) with the capacity to get on the internet, has a paint program, word processing program, and publishing program, a compatible printer we can keep upstairs where the students will be using the notebooks. Games: Head Banz, Connect Four, Battleship, checkers, chess, Twister, Sorry Sliders

Trunk or Treat Saturday, October 29 On Saturday, October 29 at 6:30 PM, Cross Roads will host our Annual Trunk – or – Treat in the back parking lot! Kids from the community will be invited to come in costume and parade around the lot from car to car receiving a treat from each of the trunks. Games, crafts, food, and activities will be offered in Fellowship Hall. This year, we expect around 250 children! As with all things of this magnitude, we need your help! We’ll need families to bring their cars and provide treats – remember to decorate those trunks! We’ll offer camp fires to make s’mores and help tending them will be needed. We’ll need some help with activities in Fellowship Hall. And, we need help to clean up when it’s all over. Sign-up sheets are on the Current Happenings Board in the office hallway, or you can contact Pastor Lori to let her know you are willing to help. Note: Every car must be registered. Car registration forms are also on the Current Happenings Board. Pastor Lori Director of Children’s Ministries [email protected]/ 412-737-1412

He's Everywhere! A mother asked her little boy to please get the broom from the back porch. “But it’s dark out there!” he protested. “Don’t be scared,” Mom said. “Jesus is out there. He’ll take care of you.” When the child looked skeptical, his mother continued, “Jesus is everywhere. You’ll be safe.” After a moment, the boy went to the back door and cracked it open. Peering into the dark, he called, “Jesus, if you’re out there, will you please hand me the broom?”

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October, 2016

Youth News You Can Use! Our events for junior and senior high youth are continuing under the direction of parent volunteers. The search committee is interviewing candidates for the Director of Youth and Young Adults Ministry position, and hope to fill that staff position soon. In the meantime, there are still many activities every month for our students! Join us!

Community Every month our students gather for a fun, social time together. In September, we enjoyed a game night with swimming at Emily Sommer’s home. In October, all junior and senior high youth are invited to visit Lonesome Valley Farms for a trip to their corn maze on Saturday, October 15. We’ll meet at the church at 6:30 p.m. to car pool to the farms, located at 180 Fairgrounds Road in Greensburg. They have a not-haunted “get lost corn maze” attraction for $10, which covers more than five acres. For the brave of heart, there are two “intense” haunted attractions, a haunted hayride and maze trail and the Slotter farm haunted house and barn. A combo ticket for both haunted attractions is $23 per person. Students must bring cash as credit cards are not accepted. Visit lonesomevalleyfarms.com for a look at the haunted attractions. Please RSVP to Kelley Rupchak at [email protected] or to the church office, 412-372-2226 or [email protected] so we can arrange car pools. All junior and senior high youth and friends are welcome!

Mission We will have two mission events for our youth this month. On Sunday, October 2 we will host our annual Stock Holders’ Luncheon for those who purchased stock in our summer mission trips. If you attended the mission trip, please plan to be at the luncheon to answer questions and tell about your experiences. Other youth are encouraged to come help serve and clean up, and to help sell stock in next year’s mission trips. This is a great opportunity for us to come together and support one another in living out the mission of the church On Saturday, October 22, we will help the trustees with the all-church work day. This is a wonderful day to give back to our church family by helping to rake leaves, clean up the yard and do projects around our church building. We will meet at 8:00 a.m. to help the trustees with our fall work day!

Word Word will meet once this month, on Sunday, October 16. Junior High will meet from 5:00-6:15 pm and Senior high will meet from 6:45-8:00 pm. We meet in the youth room, 205 upstairs. Students are always welcome to bring friends for this time of sharing and study. Thanks to Lori and Bryan Bass-Riley for leading our Bible Study groups.

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October, 2016

Young Adult Ministries - YAMS Young adults age 18-40 gather once each month for a social activity. On Sunday October 16, all of our YAMMERS are invited to a fun afternoon at Schramm’s Farm, 1002 Blank Road, Jeannette PA, for their fall festival. We will pick our own pumpkins, and bring them back to the church to carve. Feel free to bring your kids and enjoy the hay rides, corn maze, pony rides and more. Hot apple cider and fall foods are available for purchase. We’ll return to the church for pizza and carve our pumpkins in Fellowship Hall. There’s no need to sign up in advance, just stay after the worship service on October 16 and join us! In November we are planning a laser tag event, and in December we’ll experience Christmas at Kennywood! Other upcoming events include: January ~ Outdoor Skating at PPG Place February ~ Go-Karts March ~ Game Night April ~ Bowling May ~ Pittsburgh Zoo – Bring your kids! Information on dates and times will be in the bulletins and “Connections,” so stay tuned and plan to join us!

Coming soon! COOKIE WALK 2016 on December 10! DO YOU LIKE TO BAKE? DO YOU LIKE TO DECORATE? ……AND DO YOU LIKE TO EAT COOKIES? IF YOU ANSWER” YES” TO ANY OF THE ABOVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE JOIN THE DEACONS for all the fun associated with our HOLIDAY COOKIE WALK! This event benefits our Church’s mission projects, and provides everyone with many avenues to participate, such as 1.

DONATIONS OF NON-PERISHABLE BAKING INGREDIENTS – the list will be posted in early October, based on the selected cookie recipes for this year.

2.

BAKING EVENTS - AT THE CHURCH KITCHEN in November. We will have several “cookie baking parties”, so come join the fun, as we use the donated ingredients to make an assortment of delicious cookies. Sign-up sheets will be posted for each baking time/date. We'll supply the ingredients but feel free to bring any cookie cutters, jimmies, colored sugar, etc. that you may have on hand. Sign up for a sweet time of fun, fellowship, and flour!

3. BAKE AND DONATE YOUR OWN HOMEMADE COOKIES – If you can’t join us on any of our scheduled baking times, just bake SIX DOZEN (or more!) of your favorite cookies. We would be delighted to have your own special Holiday cookies! Or, if you would like to bake the same cookies as we will bake in November, our recipes will be available to you. Questions? Please contact: Jeanne Smith 412-915-4340 or Amy Farren, 412-337-3865, Deacon CoChairs of this tasty event!

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October, 2016

Malawi Partnership Recap Zikomo Kwanberi/thank you very much to everyone in our congregation who greeted, hosted, transported, and sang “happy birthday” to BEATRICE “BEA” MFUNDE. Bea brought greetings from Cross Roads’ partner church THUNDU, CCAP in Malawi. What an amazing young woman. She shared her joy for the Lord with her bright smile, laughter, song and dance as she lived among us during the International Partnership Journey to Pittsburgh July 19 until August 2. So many people were involved in this mission opportunity: the McGowan-Schwartz and Metz families hosted for overnights; the Teaman, Fraelich, Fowler, Race, Winter, Ashley, and Schirm families hosted meals and community activities including our Food Pantry. Bea participate in Vacation Bible School where she gratefully received the $520 donated by the VBS families and staff for the A-maizing Grace Hunger Relief Program in Malawi. Bea attended the New Wilmington Conference with Shannon Schwartz, Ashley Ashley, and Marie Fowler, fed birds at the National Aviary, went to the VBS Swim party and spoke at our AMP picnic at Monroeville Park where her birthday was celebrated. On July 24 Cross Roads also hosted Rev. Dr. Silas Ncozana (the former General Secretary of the Blantyre Synod in Malawi and co-founder

of the Malawi Partnership with Pittsburgh Presbytery, now the International Partnership which includes South Sudan). Silas and Beatrice were honored at a brunch after that service. Gifts were exchanged during the July 31 worship service. An inscribed Bible with a bookmark commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Partnership plus a long banner with photos highlighting our connections were given for the Thundu Church congregation. Bea received a t-shirt of the banner and a t-shirt from VBS plus a 2017 Pittsburgh calendar. Attending the International Partnership 25th Anniversary Gala at East Liberty Presbyterian Church on July 31 was a special evening. Bea joined her delegation in song at the evening worship service. Shannon Schwartz and Ron Fowler joined in too (check the bulletin board for the photo). Bea was also was introduced to Andrea Hoerner who was the first member of Cross Roads to visit Thundu Church in 1993. Bea expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the wonderful blessing of traveling to Pittsburgh and sharing God’s love with so many members of Cross Roads. She in turn touched the hearts of so many people in our congregation.

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October, 2016

Upcoming Events At Cross Roads Stockholders’ Luncheon

Lydia Circle

October 2

October 18

Did you purchase stock in our youth summer mission trip? It’s time to collect your dividends! Join our annual Stockholders’ Luncheon on Sunday, October 2 in Fellowship Hall at 11:15 am, following worship. Our youth will provide a light lunch, and tell you in words and pictures about the work they did with TeamEffort in Altoona, June 12-18. Hear the youth tell about their experiences and enjoy a delicious meal!

The Women’s Lydia Circle will meet on Tuesday, October 18 at 10:00 a.m. in the church parlor to continue our study of “Who Is Jesus,” by Judy Yates Siker. Pastor Rob will lead us in our study of lesson two, “According to Matthew.” Please read Matthew chapters 5-7 and 13. All women are welcome.

Men’s Dinner October 11 Don’t miss the next Men’s Dinner, on Tuesday, October 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Our speaker will be Officer Pierre DeFelice of the Monroeville Police Department. Officer DeFelice was the first officer on the scene after the shooting at the Monroeville Mall in February 2015. Officer DeFelice will share with us his experiences during this incident, as well as other of his experiences as a Monroeville Police Officer. Chefs Betsy Hughes and Maureen Hill and their team will prepare a wonderful dinner for us. Cost of the evening is $10 per person. All men are welcome, and you are welcome to bring a friend!

Lunch Bunch October 14 The Women’s Lunch Bunch will meet on Friday, October 14 at 11:30 a.m. at the Fireside Grill on Route 30. Open to women of all ages, the Lunch Bunch meets the second Friday of every month at different area restaurants. Reserve a place with the group by signing up on the Women’s Bulletin Board, across from the church office. .

Sewing Continues Women’s sewing for missions will meet at 9:30 a.m. on October 4, 11 and 25 in the choir room, on the sanctuary level. All women are invited to join us as we sew baby quilts. Helping hands are needed cutting fabric and tying knots, so even if you don’t regularly sew we have a place for you!

Theology & People October 17 Our TAP group will meet again on Monday, October 17 at 7:00 pm at the Papa Rock’s Pizza in Haymaker Village. Stop by, enjoy some great food, a large drink menu, and discuss some of life’s most interesting theological questions. Dave Anderson will be our discussion leader this month. Please RSVP to the church office at 412.372.2226 if you are planning to attend so we can reserve enough seats. All are welcome!

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October, 2016

Faith and Fiction October 2 Faith and Fiction, our new book club, will meet the first Sunday of the month at 6:00 p.m. Our first book is A Memory of Violets by Hazel Gaynor. If you would like to borrow the book, the Monroeville library computer system indicates that there are 17 copies available, but not necessarily at our building in Monroeville. Head over to the library desk and ask for it, and the librarians will have it sent here from another library for you. It may take a few days to a week for it to arrive, but you’ll still have plenty of time before October 2! If you don’t finish the book in time, don’t worry – you’ll still be able to join in our discussions. Everyone is welcome – men and women, all ages, although young teens probably wouldn’t enjoy the book very much. If you’ve read the book and decided you didn’t like it very much, join our conversation anyway - sometimes books we don’t like or disagree about lead to the best discussions! There is no need to sign up, there is plenty of room in the parlor for everyone, just join us. Our next read will be The Light Between Oceans, by M.L. Stedman, for November 6.

Faith and Film October 25 If you prefer your stories on the big screen, don’t miss our monthly Faith and Film events, held the fourth Tuesday of each month. We’ll see a matinee movie at the Phoenix 18 Cinema in North Versailles, and then gather at King’s Family Restaurant for an informal discussion. Movie selections are printed in the bulletin and on the Facebook page the weekend before the event. Everyone is welcome!

Church Work Day October 22 All are welcome to the fall workday on Saturday October 22, beginning at 8:00 a.m. We will be preparing the church for the winter with both indoor and outdoor maintenance projects. The old adage is true: “many hands make light work,” so the more, the merrier! Please join us as we care for our building and grounds. Hope to see you there.

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October, 2016

December Dinner Theater Joe Thursday and Frank Cannon return in “Bethlehem PD,” a dragnet-style retelling of the Christmas story! Join us on December 3 and 4 as they investigate a celestial disturbance and encounter the shepherds and wise men, and visit the inn and the stable. We will start selling tickets in November. Cost is $10 per person, and includes a fantastic meal and the show. All proceeds from our dinner theater are used to help fund our summer mission trips. Save the date and plan to enjoy a great evening for a great cause!

Lazarus Fund Offering There was a rich man who lived in luxury every day. At his gate was a beggar named Lazarus… longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table.” Luke 16:19-31. The Lazarus Fund exists to help local families in times of crisis. Each month grants are given to prevent the shut-off of utilities, or to pay rent or mortgage to prevent evictions. This very tangible, real aid means a great deal to the families in need, and gives us a wonderful opportunity to live out the love of Christ in our world. Cross Roads will be taking an offering for the Lazarus Fund each Sunday through the month of October. Please prayerfully consider giving to the fund, and give generously.

Food Pantry Fund Drives During the upcoming United Way campaign you can designate Cross Roads Food Pantry, agency 1838, to receive your donation. Please consider this: every $1 you donate purchases $5 worth of food and every $1 you contribute provides 5 meals for a child. If you or someone you know is a federal employee, a contribution to the Cross Roads Food Pantry can be made during the annual CFC - Combined Federal Campaign. The food pantry is agency 20131. Your contributions really make a difference! The first Sunday of each month continues to be a Food Intake Sunday for our Food Pantry. You are encouraged to bring a donation of nonperishable foods to worship with you on October 2, November 6 and December 4. Items of special need are printed in the church bulletin the week before our collection. .

Per Capita Now Due The “Per Capita” fee due to Pittsburgh Presbytery in 2016 is $29.10 for each active member. We ask you to please pay the per capita above and beyond your regular pledged giving, to help offset this significant bill. If you have not already done so, please pay your per capita for each active member, including confirmed children, in your household. Special “per capita” envelopes are provided in your boxed envelope set. Thank you.

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October, 2016

Adult Education All adults are invited to our Faith Works class at 8:45 on Sunday mornings in Fellowship Hall. Child care is available for children birth through sixth grade. October 2 and 9 – Join Elder Dave Anderson for a look at the Reformation. October 16 – Rev. Dr. Sheldon Sorge will join us to discuss the 2016 General Assembly. October 23 – Our finance and stewardship teams will update us on the finances of the church. October 30 - Dr. Ron Tappy will join us from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and update us on the discoveries he has made as the project director and principal investigator of The Zeitah Excavations, an archaeological field project at Tel Zayit, Israel.

Dear Cross Roads, Your gift of $300 helps us make an investment in a future that fits the vision of our ministry: to build a community of opportunity in the East End of Pittsburgh. At East End Cooperative Ministry, we invest in people. Take Lynda. She came to our Education and Employment program in 2015 with no job and limited skills. Our caseworkers helped her discover her talents and build workplace skills, and now she has a full time job as a Team Leader in our WorkForce program. Through the generosity of donors like you, we were able to make an investment in her. Now she can return the favor and use her talents to bring out the best in others. We want to make sure that these new opportunities extend to everyone who wants them. With your support, we’ve invested this community for 46 years. Every year, our investments provide 1,200 children and youth with the tools to own their lives and succeed, 450 families with healthy groceries each month, 62,000 hot meals served in the community kitchen, 500 men and women improving their futures through stable housing and employment training. Sincerely, Michael J. Mingrone, President and CEO, East End Cooperative Ministry

Honors and Memorials The Planned Giving Ministry Team gratefully acknowledges the following contributions to our Honors and Memorials program: Special Music Given By: Bonnie Meanor

In Memory Of: Russ Maxwell

Undesignated: Given By: Robert and Betsy Maxwell

In Memory Of: Russ Maxwell

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The Church Staff Pastor: Rev. Robert J. Marrow Director of Children’s Ministries: Rev. Lori Bass-Riley Organist/Music Director: Randal Broker Children’s Music Director: Debbie Broker Office Coordinator: Martha Wintersgill

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October, 2016

Notes from the Church Office Articles for the November issue of the Cross Roads Connections are due in the church office on Wednesday, October 19. Martha Wintersgill will be out of the office on October 5, 14 and 17. If you are available and willing to serve as an office volunteer, helping to answer telephones and greet visitors while the office coordinator is away, please email the office at [email protected]. Training will be provided!

Custodian: Barry MacDonald Preschool Director: Kelley Rupchak Nursery Caregiver: Diane Testa Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Office Telephone: 412-372-2226 Office FAX: 412-373-6199

August 28 September 4 September 11 September 18

123 92 116 156

 Directory Changes:

E-mail: [email protected]

Web Page: Crossroadspresbyterian.com

In Our Father’s House: John Spear passed to eternal life on September 2.

Video Recording of Sermons Video recordings of recent sermons are now available on line. They can be accessed from the link on the “Sermon” page of Cross Roads Website. Direct access to the link is: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi0-8KFzZYUCfuaKVQoqXBg

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October, 2016

… 2 – Nora Kosko 2 - Kim Shafer 2 - D. J. Zappa 3 - Ginny Cochenour 3 - Ray Robinson 4 - Stuart Herrmann 5 - Les Bass 5 - Alice Leighton 5 - Kathy Mayhue 7 – Cassidy Stemmerich

11 – Tara Nikou 12 - Theo Brennan 13 – Jesse Miller 14- Ron Fowler 14 - Lucia Lomeo 14 - Jo Wheat 15 – Sadie Fazekas

17 - Samantha Grieve 19 – Ralph Boyd 19 - Denise Patterson 22 – Nicolas Nikou 22 – Joseph Nikou 25 – Michelle Cook 28 - Don Ditter 31 – Tim Sinback

Wedding Anniversaries Jim and Dara Brown Beth and Rob Marrow Eric and Kelley Rupchak Ken and Martha Wintersgill

10/17/98 10/21/89 10/22/94 10/22/95

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October, 2016

October at Cross Roads Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Every Sunday At Cross Roads 8:45 a.m. Faith Works 10:00 a.m. Worship Service 11:00 a.m. Fellowship Hour

Sat 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

World Communion Sunday 11:15 a.m. Stockholders’ Luncheon 6:00 p.m. Faith and Fiction Book Club

7:00 p.m. Yoga 7:00 p.m. Stewardship Team Meeting

9:30 a.m. Sewing 6:00 p.m. Brownies 7:00 p.m. Deacons

12:00 p.m. AA 12:00 p.m. Monroeville Interfaith Ministerium 6:30 p.m. Chess Club 7:00 p.m. Boy Scout committee meeting

6:30 p.m. Bell Choir 6:30 p.m. Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts 7:15 p.m. ACOA 7:30 p.m. Choir

9:30 a.m. International Women’s Club 11:30 a.m. Food Pantry board meeting 1:30 p.m. Watercolor painting class 7:00 p.m. PAS

9:00 a.m. Dustbusters Team E

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

11:30 a.m. Ministry Fair

Columbus Day

9:30 a.m. Sewing 6:30 p.m. Men’s Dinner

12:00 p.m. AA 6:00 p.m. JAM 6:30 p.m. Chess Club

6:30 p.m. Bell Choir 7:00 p.m. Christian Education Team Meeting 7:00 p.m. Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts 7:15 p.m. ACOA 7:30 p.m. Choir

11:30 a.m. Lunch Bunch 1:30 p.m. Watercolor painting class 7:00 p.m. PAS

8:00 a.m. Produce to People 8:00 a.m. Chess Tournament 3:00 p.m. “Alternative to Death Penalty” fundraising dinner 6:30p.m. Youth to Lonesome Valley Farms

7:00 p.m. Trustees

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11:30 a.m. CCI 11:30 a.m. YAMS to Schram’s 4:00 p.m. YAM pumpkin carving 5:00 p.m. Junior High Word 6:45 p.m. Senior High Word

7:00 p.m. Cub Scout Committee 7:00 p.m. Yoga 7:00 p.m. TAP

8:30 a.m. Men’s Breakfast 10:00 a.m. Women’s Circle 6:30 p.m. Brownies 6:30 p.m. AMP

Connections articles due 12:00 p.m. AA 6:30 p.m. Chess Club 7:00 p.m. Session

6:30 p.m. Bell Choir 7:00 p.m. Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts 7:15 p.m. ACOA 7:30 p.m. Choir

1:30 p.m. Watercolor painting class 7:00 p.m. PAS

8:00 a.m. Work Day Begins

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Staff appreciation Sunday

7:00 p.m. Yoga

9:30 a.m. Sewing Faith and Film

12:00 p.m. AA 6:30 p.m. Chess Club 7:00 p.m. Worship and Music team meeting

6:30 p.m. Bell Choir 7:00 p.m. Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts 7:15 p.m. ACOA 7:30 p.m. Choir

1:30 p.m. Watercolor painting class 7:00 p.m. PAS

6:30 p.m. Trunk or Treat

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31 Happy Halloween

Cross Roads Cross Connection Roads Connections Cross Roads Presbyterian Church 2310 Haymaker Road Monroeville, Pa 15146

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Return Service Requested

October, 2016 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. Postage Paid Pittsburgh, PA PERMIT No. 4034 Time Value Material

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Don’t Miss Trunk or Treat!

6:30 p.m. Saturday, October 29 All are welcome!