www.westfieldchurch.org 1

APRIL 2016

The CORNERSTONE

2 Pastor Paul Votaw

2 Thinking Globally

2 Movie Night

3 New Staff

4 New Covenant Partners

4 David Champ and YO!

5 Photo Gallery

A Publication of Westfield Presbyteian Church

Newly Trained Stephen Ministers to be Commissioned Potluck lunch follows worship service “Bear one another’s burdens, and in this

way you will fulfill the law of

Christ.”(Galatians 6:2)

Stephen Ministry, Christian lay caring

ministry for those in need, is a vital part of

our congregation's mission. On Sunday,

April 17, we will commission Pat Byers,

Bryan Cunningham, Anne Kephart, Susan

Schweikert and Marcia Votaw to begin

service as Stephen Ministers in our con-

gregation. Join in the celebration! Come

pray for and show your support for this

caring ministry and these gifted people

whom God has called and equipped for

this important role in our congregation.

Immediately following worship you are

invited to a potluck lunch celebrating

these dedicated volunteers and highlight-

ing the avenues of service that our

boards and committees support through

projects, functions and activities.

Chicken salad sandwiches and dessert

will be provided. Please bring your table

service and a side dish to share.

What’s INSIDE

Operation Kindness Partner with Mohawk Elementary

students as they collect items to

assist deployed members of the

United States Military and our

military heroes. Donation boxes

will be out at Westfield from April

17 - May 8. See page 6 for the list

of items requested and help show

our deployed troops that they are

never far from our thoughts and

prayers.

Informational Meeting April 10

Our Session has called an informational meeting of the con-

gregation to be held immediately after worship on April 10.

The purpose of the meeting is to make sure all members are

aware of some proposed changes that will occur over the

next year with our pastor, Paul Votaw, and our Director of

Youth and Family Ministries, David Champ.

Invite some friends and neighbors and join us for our April free com-munity meal from 5-7 P.M. on Wednesday, April 27.

Community Meal

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Mission & Outreach Updates

Dan and Kim Scheel have returned

to Ethiopia. We hope Dan will be

able to resume his work load with his

new knee replacement.

Kevin and Wendy Mason will wel-

come their son Cameron home for

spring break. He is responding well

to counseling for depression. He

wants to find a job in the U.S. as an

intern for a coffee roasting business.

As Director of Expansion, Kevin

continues to work towards bridging

the gap between unbelievers around

the world. He is seeing Christians

interacting with refugees along the

migration path and witnessing to

them. He sees wonderful things hap-

pening.

Our Partners in Indonesia are still

experiencing crop loss, even after the

drought and insects have passed. The

land has been severely stressed.

Even now the rats are attacking the

rice, sweet potatoes, and peanut

crops. Pray for faith to grow with the

workers, for a graduation and future

plans for these partners to once again

work together as team.

Juanita Rug reports that she is fully

funded for her trip to Belgium. She is

grateful for all the support and asks

for your continued prayers that the

Lord will guide her and prepare her

for the trip.

Tanzania. Look for an update on our

GLAD Offering in next month’s

newsletter. Monies raised on Palm

Sunday will be sent to support the

Kwetu Faraja Children’s Home in

Mwanza. Visit their website at kwe-

tufaraja.org

In October of 2015 I began highlighting a

Westfield ministry in each newsletter. So

far there have been articles about

Stephen Ministry, Community Food Dis-

tribution in North Beaver Township, our

2016 Mission Trip and Meals on Wheels.

This month I would like to share some

information and thoughts about our Com-

munity Meal that takes place the last

Wednesday of each month. This ministry

was initiated by the Board of Deacons

about two years ago and the Deacons con-

tinue to prepare the food and organize

volunteers. On any given Community

Meal night you will find up to 20 people

helping to set up, greet, cook, serve, and

clean up.

The meal is free to anyone in the commu-

nity and continues to grow in attendance

as awareness grows. It is interesting to see

how this ministry has evolved over the

two years since its inception. Originally

intended to provide a meal for those in

need it has also become a place for the

community to gather to catch up on the

news, for friends to spend time together,

and for old friends to get reconnected.

We are currently serving between 175

and 200 at each meal. This includes

meals that are delivered to various

homes. If you have not attended please

plan on joining us sometime soon. The

meal is served from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. and

takes place the fourth Wednesday of

each month. This is a relaxing way to

end the day and not worry about prepar-

ing a meal at home.

If you need a ride please call 724-667-

7045 by the Monday prior to the meal.

We look forward to serving you.

Thank you to all who work so hard to

make this ministry possible.

Peanuts Movie Featured

The CORNERSTONE APRIL 2016

Our next family movie night is planned for Friday, April 22, at 7:30 P.M. We are featuring The Peanuts Movie. This animated G-rated film introduces a whole new generation to the characters of Charlie Brown, Linus and Snoopy! Popcorn and drinks will be available. Please bring other snacks and your own comfy chair if you like. Invite a friend to share the laughter, joy and wonder of the Peanuts gang.

Next in our series on Westfield Ministries

Westfield Ministries: Community Meal by Paul Votaw

Look for the new Christmas Shoe Box

Corner in the Narthex. You are welcome

to look for deals and sales on things that

can be packed in a shoe box and leave

them in this location all year round. The

committee will be happy to pack extra

boxes with these items when the time

comes. This corner will also be a con-

stant reminder to pray for the recipients

of boxes sent out in December. Some

boxes are still traveling to their destina-

tion.

New Shoebox Corner

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The CORNERSTONE APRIL 2016

Our newest staff member, Financial Sec-

retary Stacy Cosgrove, started in March.

Here’s some interesting information about

this charming and hard-working woman.

Tell us about your family. I’m married

to Rob and we have 4 kids: Michelle,

Maggie, Marissa, and Brian

First job? Making ice cream cones at

Double J in Ellwood City

Dream job? Being a mom!

Favorite verse: “For I know the plans I

have for you, “ declares the Lord, “plans

to prosper you and not to harm you, plans

to give you hope and a future.”

- Jeremiah 29:11

Personal hero? My mom

Favorite food? Anything Italian

If you could travel anywhere, where

would it be? The Bahamas. My husband

and I took an anniversary cruise there a

few year ago and had a great time.

City or country? country

Coffee or tea? tea

Shark diving or bungee jumping? neither!

What was the last photo you took on

your phone? The morning sunrise ear-

lier this week. It was beautiful.

What is your perfect pizza? Chicken,

Bacon Ranch at Pizza Joe’s

Favorite TV show right now: Fuller

House. It’s an update on the show Full

House that my kids and I watched to-

gether years ago when they still offered

family-friendly shows every Friday

night.

Volunteering is....fun! My friends con-

vinced me to get involved at MoCo

House and I’ve been working there since

they opened in November of 2014

If you could master one skill you don’t

have now, what would it be? To speak

a foreign language.

Java Jog Training Starts April 18

Join our Solid Grounds team and partici-

pate in MoCo House’s annual Java Jog

fundraiser on May 30. This 5k run and 2

mile walk, held each year on Memorial

Day weekend, benefits MoCo House in

Bessemer.

Our “conditioning” schedule begins on

Monday, April 18, at 6 P.M. at the pavilion

and is open to all ages and fitness levels.

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes and

come and share the fellowship!

Registration for the Java Jog is $20 and

forms can be obtained at MoCo House

or online at

www.mohawkcoffeehouse.com.

A Quick Take on Stacy Cosgrove

JAVA JOG 2016 MAY 30

Westfield’s Team is walking and running

ON SOLID “GROUNDS”

Graduate Information Needed

In the June issue of The Cornerstone we will feature information about our graduates.

Please submit a photo and biographical information no later than Sunday, May 15, to

office@westfieldchurch.org. We look forward to honoring your accomplishments and we

are anxious to know your plans for the future!

Promotion and Graduation Sunday is May 22 at Westfield. Local baccalaureate service is

scheduled for May 22 at 7:00 P.M. at Mohawk.

Welcome to Financial Secretary

Stacy Cosgrove!

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Items for the Project HOPE Food Pantry in May

are paper products: Kleenex, toilet paper, paper

towels, napkins. Items always in need are coffee,

laundry detergent, dish soap, cereal and juice.

Please leave your donations in the coat rack area.

One of the things I love about Westfield is

the passion and desire you have for this

community and the members here. You

are a vibrant part of the spiritual develop-

ment of the students of our congregation

and those we are trying to reach.

In March we continued our study of Mere

Christianity and the Book of Revelation.

We had a traditional Passover Seder Meal

on the Wednesday before Easter and par-

ticipated in the Easter Egg Hunt on Palm

Sunday Weekend.

At our first 6th Grade Open House we met

a new group of students who are energetic

and passionate about their faith. We look

forward to seeing them again at our sec-

ond Open House on April 24 and we are

excited about them joining our program

full time in June!

Over the next month we will have a “1-

Day-D-Now” with Bethel’s youth group

on April 16 from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. Our

theme this year will be “Who am I?” as

we continue our discussion from Light

of the City on Identity in Christ and how

we are valued by Him. Please pray for

this free event as we try to get as many

students from our churches and commu-

nity to participate.

Thank you for your support and prayers

over these wonderful students. Continue

to pray and support the church’s mission

trip to Portland, Maine as plans are final-

ized and we get closer to sending 33

people, adults and youth alike, to serve

God and African refugees in New Eng-

land.

Thanks for Your Partnership by David Champ, Director of Youth & Family Ministries

The CORNERSTONE APRIL 2016

Confirmands Welcomed as New Covenant Partners

On Palm Sunday Westfield welcomed

three new covenant partners: Victoria,

Marissa, and Hayden. Since September

these students, along with

dedicated teachers

Lorraine Book and Delta

Stoner, have explored the

meaning of their baptism,

learned about steward-

ship, spiritual practices,

worship and mission.

Together they completed

a Corporate Statement of

Faith which states in part, “ We are

called to be passionate about our faith

and be missionaries to the world and

help others believe.”

A special thank you to the parents and

families of these students who have

supported them. Your love and encour-

agement has been a vital part of their

decision to be committed disciples of

Jesus Christ.

Russ & Judy Bryan at their residence

Alice Fullerton

Sun City Center, Florida

Shirley Gibson at her residence

Needs for Project HOPE

(photo by Kaylee Vastano)

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The CORNERSTONE APRIL 2016

Walk With Jesus and Egg Hunt

Bible Quiz

What was the name of Esther’s cousin who raised her after her parents died?

A. Hegai

B. Haman

C. Mordecai

D. Ahasuerus (also known as Xerxes)

A HUGE thank you to everyone who par-

ticipated in our Easter event on March 19.

Many volunteers were part of the Walk

With Jesus, our Spring Carnival and

Easter Egg Hunt. Thank you for the bless-

ing of your time and resources!

Answer: C (See Esther 2:7

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WOW’s “Can-Do” Attitude

Women of Westfield (WOW) will have their Spring Fling

on Saturday, May 7, at noon. We are committed to having a

fun and casual ninety minutes of fellowship with guest

speaker Marcia Votaw, a children’s choir, and a variety of

salads for lunch. This event is free and all we need is your

reservation! Watch for a bulletin insert coming soon or con-

tact Mary Mikesell at 724.336.5192.

Hygiene Items (New): Shaving Supplies

Shampoo

Shower Gel

Lotion

Deodorant

Hand Sanitizer

Baby Wipes

Chapstick

Travel Sized Toothpaste

Toothbrushes

Entertainment Items (New or Gently

Used): CDs

Board Games

AAA and AA Batteries

Cards

Puzzles (Sudoku, Crossword,etc.)

Sports Equipment

Magazines

Food: Prepackaged Snacks: beef jerky nuts

tuna packets beef sticks

trail mix popcorn

granola bars

Individual serving packets of the

following: Powered Drink Mixes,

cookies, crackers, chips, pretzels, etc.

Operation Kindess Donation List Collection runs through May 8 at Westfield

The CORNERSTONE APRIL 2016

The Cornerstone is a monthly

publication of Westfield

Presbyterian Church.

We are a congregation of the

Covenant Order of Evangelical

Presbyterians.

We worship together every Sunday at

11:00 A.M. We welcome all members,

friends, and visitors to join us.

Editor & Office Secretary:

Maribeth Jones

Church Staff:

Rev. Paul Votaw

Temporary Pastor

David Champ

Director of Youth & Family

Ministries

Sarah Phillips

Organist/Choir Director

Stacy Cosgrove

Financial Secretary

Dave Micco

Custodian

We draw people to Christ not by loudly discrediting what they believe,

by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them

a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it.

—Madeleine L’Engle

Continued from front cover