News from the Edge
news from the
120 East Swissvale Avenue | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15218 | 412-241-4613 | [email protected]
June Worship Schedule
SUNDAY,JUNE8Wearred!It’sPentecost.Atthistimelastyear,welefttheworshipservicewithwarmheartsandabigsmileonourfaces.Wewillagainthisyear:YouthSunday!Let’sfollowasouryoungleadusintoworship.Let’ssupporttheadultswhogiveofthemselvestoourkidsallyearlong.
SUNDAY,JUNE15WorshipMovesto10:00AMfortheSummerFather’sDay.Dadsrule!(Andno,IdidnotsaythatwhenIwas16either!)ButamanhumblebeforeGodisaman
worthyofourhonorandthanks.PleasebringyourDad,yourGrandpa,yourUncles.AfterworshipenjoyDonutsforDadandgiveToolsforHope.
SUNDAY,JUNE22God‐willing,wewillemergefromthesanctuaryandhaveaspiritedEmergingWorshipexperienceonthelawn.
SUNDAY,JUNE29Afteramonthofcreativeworshipexperiences,wewillreturntoourClassicworshipservicewithhymnsandliturgy.SEEYOUINCHURCH!
ASHOUTOUTTODADSAllIcanthinkof
isbeing iveyearsoldfollowingbehindyouatthebeach
tracingyourfootprintsinthesandtryingtowalklikeaman.‐BruceSpringsteen
AsIstruggledthroughadolescenceintoyoungadulthood,Ispentmanylongdaysworkinginthe ieldformyDad’sconstructioncompany.Mynextoldestbrother,DavidandIareprettysurethatDadharboredtheunspokenhopethatonedayoneofuswouldbecometheCEOofthe ledglingfamily irm.OnoccasionDadwouldpullmefromthe ieldtoaccompanyhimtoaconferenceofcivilengineerswhospentthedaydiscussingconstructionstuff.Thosewerelongdaysforme...verylong.Inevercaughtconstructionbug.
“Pastor’sPointofView”continuedonpage2→
2 0 1 4
Believing we are called together by
God’s love through Jesus Christ,
our mission as the
First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood
is to love God, to love each other,
and to love our neighbors.
WORSHIP
Sunday Mornings 11:00AM (til June 8)
10:00AM starting June 15
www.fpcedgewood.org
This month’s
news from the is sponsored by
YOU? Sponsorship is available.
News from the Edge 2
STAFFDIRECTORY120EastSwissvaleAvenue
Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania15218Phone:412‐241‐4613www.fpcedgewood.org
InterimPastor...............................TheRev.MichaelP.Rucker
mprucker@fpcedgewood.orgPastorEmeritus...............................Dr.GeraldHollingsworthMinisterofMusic..................................................ShaunCloonan
Organist/Pianist........................................................SunnySakaisunnysakai4@gmail.com
SectionLeaders...................................................TylerMcGuigan MandyRineerOf iceManager.............................................................JudyMysels
of ice@fpcedgewood.orgBuildingManager........................................................RobMyselsNurseryAttendant................................................KristiCloonan
SummerOf iceHours:Monday–Friday
9:00AM–1:00PM(begin6/16)
NewsfromtheEdgeisthemonthlynewsletterofthe
FirstPresbyterianChurchofEdgewood.Ifyouhaveinformationyouwouldlike
toincludeinthenextissue,emailJudyMyselsatof [email protected].
Sponsorshipisavailablefor$40permonth.
AcoupleofweeksagoIattendedaconferenceonlypreacherswouldenjoy:“TheFestivalofHomiletics.”SometimesIwouldthinkhowtiringthis
conferencewouldhavebeenforDad.Henevercaughtthe“church”bug.Yet,whenitcomestopreaching,IremembersomethingIheardyearsago:“Theonlysermonmanypeoplewilleverexperienceisthewayweliveourlives.”Dad’slifewasoneofthebestsermonsI’lleverexperience. Ididn’tfollowinmyDad’sfootsteps.Hewasbefuddledbymydecisiontobecomeapreacher.Buthecametohearmepreacheverytimehecould.Heneverceasedasking,withoutatraceofsarcasm,“SoMichael,tellmeagainwhatitisyoudoduringtherestoftheweek?” Insomeways,DadandIneverreally“got”eachother.Duringmyteenyears,wemetfrequentlymetontheverbal ieldofbattle.ButthemoreIponderthefootprintsheleftinthesand,thelargertheybecome. OnetimeJesusposedaquestiontohisdisciples:Whatdoyouthink?Amanhadtwosons;hewenttothe irstandsaid‘Son,goandworkinthevineyardtoday.’Thesonanswered,‘Iwillnot;’butlaterchangedhismindandwent.Thefatherwenttothesecondandsaidthesame.Thesonanswered,“Igo,sir’;butdidnot.Whichofthetwodidthewillofhisfather?(Mt21:28‐31)
Here’sashoutouttotheDadsandGrandpasandUnclesandothersigni icantmeninthelivesofyoungpeople:tothosewhodon’tunderstandchurchandchurchythings;tothosewhodecidetostayathomeonSundaymorning,haveanothercupofcoffeeandacigarettewhilereadingtheSundaypaper;tothosetooembarrassedtoaskwhattheBiblereallymeans;tothosewhobelieveprayerisakintotalkingintotheemptysky.Makenomistake,Iwouldratheryoubewithus.Butwhenyouaren’t:Preachit.
Pastor Michael
WORSHIP MOVES TO 10AM ON SUNDAY, JUNE 15
PA
ST
OR
’S
News from the Edge 3
COMMUNITYDINNERSETFORWEDNESDAY,JUNE115:30‐7:30PM,SIDELAWN*
TheEvangelismministryteamisonceagainplanningtoconnectwithourcommunity.
SpreadthewordthatwewillbeopeningourdoorsforaFREEmealthatisopentoALLinourEdgewoodandsurroundingareas.
Wanttohelpout?ContactJimSegedyorsignuponthelistsinthesideentrance.
*Ifweatherisnotcooperating,wewillmoveintotheSocialRoom.
HonoraspecialmaninyourlifeonFather’sDaywhenFPCEdedicatestheCWSToolsofHopeoffering.Seebulletininsert.
News from the Edge 4
VBS INVITES ALL KIDS 3 AND ABOVE
JUNE 23-27— 6:00-8:00PM DearParents,Grandparents,Friends: AtWeirdAnimalsVBS,kidsdiscoverthatJesus’loveisone‐of‐a‐kind.WeirdAnimalsisahabitat illedwithincredibleBible‐learningexperienceskidssee,hear,touch,andeventaste.Sciency‐FunGizmos,team‐buildinggames,coolbiblesongs,andtastytreatsarejustafewofthestandoutactivitiesthathelpfaith lowintoreallife.Besuretosendtheminplayclothesandsafeshoes—itmaygetalittlemessy!Plus,we’llhelpkidsdiscoverhowtoseeevidenceofGodineverydaylife—somethingwecallGodSightings.Yourkidswillalsoparticipateinahands‐onmissionprojectthatwillletthekidsinourcommunityshowGod’slove. Parents,GrandparentsandfriendsareinvitedtojoinusinTheTailEndFriendssectioneachdayat7:45PM,becausethat’swhenwe’llbehavingTheTailEnd—adailycelebrationofJesus’loveyouwon’twanttomiss. SomarkJune23‐27onyourcalendar.Thefunstartsat6:00andwillendat8:00PM.Call412/241‐4613toregisteryourchildrenforthislife‐changingadventure!Suggesteddonation:$10
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 6:00-8:00PM • Side Lawn
TheBoardofDeacons’StrawberryFestivaloccurseachyearduringJune—rainorshine!Foodincludesgrilledhotdogs,cold
drinksandstrawberrydesserts!Takeoutmealsavailable.
Thisisanoutdooreventheldonthesidelawn,unlessweatherrequirestheeventto
beheldinsidethebuilding.
Costs:3.00forAdults2:00forChildren
Andhalfpricere ills!
HELLO FROM THE BOARD OF DEACONS! OnJune15,wewillhostfellowshipon
Father’sDay—sobringyourdad,grandfather,uncle,nephewtochurch,thento“DonutsforDads”intheLounge.
ApplicationsfortheMelfardDouglassScholarshipwillbeavailableatthechurchof ice.(Ifyouneedanyinformation,contactoneoftheDeacons).TheMelfardDouglassScholarshipwasstarted19yearsagoinmemoryofMelfard,whowastragicallykilledinaplaneaccident;hewasalongtimememberofourchurch,adeaconandavolunteer ireman.Thisisascholarshipawardedtochurchmemberswhoareenrollinginsecondaryeducation/college.Wewasamanthatalwaysgaveandlovedhisfamilyandfriends.
CongregationalmembersareencouragedtohelpsupporttheMelfardDouglassfund,thefoodpantryandbringafriendortwotochurchtojoinourchurchfamily—whatawonderfulfamilywehave!
God’sBlessingstoyouandyours‐MaryAnnHartman
Moderator,BoardofDeacons
News from the Edge 5
DR.GERALDHOLLINSWORTHHONORED
From1959through1989thecongregationoftheFirstPresbyterianChurchofEdgewoodthrivedundertheministryandserviceofReverendDoctorGeraldHollingsworth.Manyofyouholdaspecialplaceinyourheartsforthiscapableandcompassionateleader.OnThursdayevening,theEastBranchofthePittsburghPresbyteryhonoredDr.Hollingsworthforhis65yearsofordainedministry.Wearegratefulforhisin luenceandleadershipandprayforhiminhiswell‐deservedyearsofretirement.
P.W. CORNER ByLoriStutz,PresbyterianWomenModeratorIthoughtthatImighthandoffthisarticlethismonthtosomeoneelse,butIjusthavetoomuchtosayaboutPWthismonth.Wejusthadour irstquarterlymeeting;itcameontheheelsofourverysuccessfulFleaMarket.InfactweallhadsomuchfunattheFleaMarketthere'sideasbuzzingabouthowwecouldevenmakeitabiggereventnextyear.Weraiseda
lotofmoneyforPW.SpecialthankstoeveryonewhoparticipatedonewayoranotherattheFleaMarket.IespeciallywanttothankConnieBlack,whoseemstohaveaverysuccessfulgroupofpeoplewhohavetakenmuchtimeoutthereschedulestoworkthere.Itranlikeawelloiledmachine.
Ourmeetingon5/18,wasmainlyaboutold/newbusiness.Wedecidedontwonewsub‐committeesforPWcurrently.OneistohelpplantheupcomingPeachFestivalinmoredetailandtheotherisfornewideasforeventsforPW.WealsowillbetryingtogetanideaofwhomightconsiderormightwanttobeanactivememberofPW.Therewillbethingscomingoutatchurchinthenearfuturethatwillaskifyouareafemalememberifyouwouldliketobeonouractivelists.However,ifyouareunabletobeatchurchlatelyandwanttobeconsideractivepleasecontactthechurchof icewithyourphonenumberandemailaddress.ThiswasthelastmeetingforDebbiePikeasshewillbeleavingthechurchsoon.Wehavealsotalkedaboutmaybedoingaday‐timecircle.It'sjustoneofthemanyideaswehaveforournewcommittee.Iwillkeepintouchviaemailorphoneforupcomingevents.
Hopeyouallareenjoyingthebeautiful,warmdaysofsunshinewe'vebeenhaving.WewillbelookingforwardtotheDeacon'sStrawberryFestivalthismonthandarelookingforwardinworkingwiththemonourPeachFestivalinAugust.
CALLING ALL GRADUATES Thechurchlikestohonorstudentsgraduatingfromhighschool,college,andotherprograms.Pleaseinformthechurchof iceassoonaspossibleifanyoneinyourfamilyiscelebratingagraduationthisyear.
ALittleChurchHistory…Whilegoingthroughsomeoldpapers,FlorencePickelscameuponaprize‐winningessaywrittenin1947byMaryPurdyaboutthe irst56yearsoftheEdgewoodChurch.Intheearly90’s,thechurchcelebrateditscentennial,atwhichacontinuedhistorywascompiledbyMabelHolliday.Inthisdocument,shequotedMs.Purdy’sessay.Nextmonth,we’llprintMs.Holliday’saccount,butsothatyouknowwhatsherefersto,hereistheoriginal“HistoryoftheEdgewoodChurch”astoldbyMaryPurdy.Enjoytheread,andthanksFlorence! ThehistoryoftheEdgewoodChurchandthehistoryofthecommunityofEdgewoodareverysimilar.AftertheincorporationoftheboroughonDecember1,1888,theresidentsfelttheneedofaplaceofworshipnearerhomethanWilkinsburg,Swissvale,Pittsburgh,orAllegheny.Prayermeetingshadbeenheldinvarioushomes,andasmallSabbathSchoolwasheldatthehomeofMrs.AlexanderGordon,Sr.AsaresultofthisneedforachurchameetingwascalledonMarch26,1891,atthehomeofMr.andMrs.W.N.TayloronMapleAvenue.Manymoremeetingswereheldinthenextsevenmonths,and inallyacharterwasobtainedfromtheCommonwealthof
News from the Edge 6
Pennsylvania,propertypurchased,andacommitteeappointedtoprepareandpresentapetitiontothePittsburghPresbyteryfortheorganizationofthechurch.Itwasaccidentallydiscovered,though,thattheEdgewoodborougheastofthePennsylvaniaRailroad,andthereforethepropertypurchasedforthechurch,waswithinthelimitsofthePresbyteryofBlairsville.ItwasgenerallyfeltthatthechurchshouldbelocatedwithinthePresbyteryofPittsburgh,soitwasnecessarytopetitionboththePittsburghandBlairsvillePresbyteries,andtheboundarylinewaschangedtoincludetheentireboroughofEdgewoodinPittsburghPresbytery.OnDecember1,1981,exactlythreeyearsaftertheincorporationoftheborough,thePresbyteryofPittsburghreceivedandgrantedtheEdgewoodpetitionsignedbysixty‐ ivepersons,andanorganizationcommitteewasappointed. The irstrulingeldersoftheEdgewoodChurch,asitnowcametobecalled,wereJohnstonBaldwin,MatthewBigger,RobertC.Moore,andWilliamN.Burt.The irstboardoftrusteesconsistedofA.W.Cadman,C.M.Thorpe,WilliamG.Gordon,EdwardJ.Lloyd,W.N.Taylor,andJ.H.Harlow. OnDecember17,1891theorganizationcommitteemetintheframebuildingonEdgewoodAvenuebetweenElmStreetandMapleAvenue,sincetorndown,wheretheTexacoServiceStationnowstands.Thisbuildingwastheof iceoftheHomesteadLoanandTrustCompany,butthetrusteeshadacceptedthecompany’soffertouseitfreeofrent.Herethe irstchurchservicewasheld,withRev.SamuelJ.FisheroftheSwissvalePresbyterianChurchconductingtheservicesandMr.E.J.Lloyd,whohadgiventheorgan,asorganist.The irstsermonwaspreachedbyRev.JohnGordonofOmaha,Nebraska,sonofAlexanderGordon,Sr.ofEdgewood,onDecember20,1891.OnJanuary3,1892theSabbathSchoolwasorganizedwithJohnF.Millerassuperintendent.The irstSabbathSchoolhadtenteachersand iftypupils.ThefollowingSunday,January10,the irstcommunionwasobserved,theservicesbeingconductedbyDr.W.J.Holland,ChancelloroftheWesternUniversityofPittsburgh.OnMarch9,1892,atacongregationalmeeting,Mr.EarnestL.McCartneywaselectedpastoroftheChurch.HewasinstalledonMay18,1892atexercisesheldinthenewlyerectedEdgewoodPublicSchoolbuildingandconductedbyRev.S.H.MooreoftheFirstPresbyterianChurchofWilkinsburg. The irstannualmeetingofthecongregationwasheldonJanuary13,1892andonApril13,1892theplansforthebuildingofthechurchwereapprovedandthetrusteesauthorizedtoproceedwithitserection.Thecornerstoneforthe irstchurch,whichwason
SwissvaleAvenuewherethepresentchurchnowstands,waslaidSeptember20,1892,andthechurchwasdedicatedonMay28,1893.TheorganwasdonatedbyMr.C.C.MellorandthenewfurnishingsbytheDorcasSociety. Manywomen’sorganizationswereformedin1892whichgreatlyhelpedinthefurnishingofthenewchurch.In1913theseorganizationsweredisbandedandtheWomen’sAssociationwasformedtodoalltheworkofthechurch.InthissameyeartheCotClubwasorganizedforhospitalwork,itsmainpurposebeingtomaintainabedatthePresbyterianHospital,butsincethenitsobjecthascometoincludeothercharitableworksandsocialactivities. In1910,duetothegreatincreaseinthemembershipofthechurch,thetrusteesrenovatedandextendedtheSundaySchooltothebasementofthechurch.Fiveyearslaterthecongregationdesiredanewstructureandplanswereconsideredforanewandlargerchurch.AlthoughthemembersoftheEdgewoodChurchheldservicesinthreebuildings,theyhaveownedonlytwo.GroundwasbrokenforthepresentchurchonApril9,1917,andthecornerstonelaidJuly22,1917.ThededicationserviceswereheldNovember17,1918,andthenthreedayslatertheorgantheorgan,presentedbyMr.GeorgeS.Davison,wasdedicated.Thechimes,whichweregivenbyMr.andMrs.GeorgeC.Blackmore,werededicatedonDecember15and16,1929.At irsttherewasconsiderabledebtonthisnewbuilding,butthelastofthisdebtwaspaidinMarch1930.Thetotalcostofthechurchanditsfurnishingswasaboutonehundred iftythousanddollars.TheEdgewoodChurchisoneofthefewinthewholedenominationwhichhasnopresentindebtedness. The irstmansewasatthecornerofLocustStreetandHawthorneStreet.Thisbuildingwassoldin1925topurchaseanothermoresuitableinsize.Threeyearslaterthepresentmansewaspurchased(onLloydAvenue). Thechurchhashadsixpastors:E.L.McCartney,fromMay18,1892toOctober1,1896;WilliamR.Farmer,fromDecember4,1896toDecember14,1907;DuncanS.Cameron,fromFebruary1,1908toFebruary1,1925;RalphW.Lloyd,fromSeptember1926toNovember23,1930;VictorA.Rule,fromFebruary5,1932toMay31,1932;andWalterL.Moser,whowasinstalledFebruary24,1933.Rev.C.C.BerryhillservedasassistantpastorduringDr.Moser’sserviceasachaplainintheNationalGuard. Asitcompletesits ifty‐sixthyear,we indtheEdgewoodChurch,theonlychurchinacommunityofivethousandpeople,servingthepeople.Mayitcontinuetodoso.
News from the Edge 7
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 11:00 Worship (S) 12:15 Fellowship (L) 12:15 VBS Mtg (GP)
10:00 Book Club (L) 7:00 AA (SR) 7:00 Deacon Mtg (L)
8:00 AA (SR)
8:30 AA (SR)
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 YOUTH SUNDAY 12:15 Fellowship (L)
7:00 Men’s Group
10:00 Book Club (L) 7:00 AA (SR) 7:00 Session Mtg.
6:00-7:30PM Community Meal (Side Lawn)
8:00 AA (SR)
8:30 AA (SR)
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 FATHER’S DAY 10:00 Summer Worship (S) 11:15 Donuts for Dads (GP)
10:00 Book Club (L) Strawberry Festival set-up
6:00-8:00 Strawberry Festival (Side Lawn)
7:00 Grief Support Group (L)
8:00 AA (SR)
8:30 AA (SR)
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 10:00 Summer Worship (S)
7:00 Men’s Group
10:00 Book Club (L) 7:00 AA (SR)
8:00 AA (SR)
5:30 Joy Circle Picnic at the home of Tina Nine 8:30 AA (SR)
29 10:00 Summer Worship (S)
6:00-8:00PM Vacation Bible School
SUMMER OFFICE HOURS begin June 16 9AM-1PM Monday-Friday
News from the Edge 8
First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood Rev. Michael Rucker, Interim Pastor
120 East Swissvale Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15218
412-241-4613 [email protected] www.fpcedgewood.org
A monthly support group for people surviving the
loss of a love
GRIEV ING SPACE at the First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood
Here, we understand that finding the space to grieve can sometimes be every
bit as challenging as the loss itself.
Should you need us, our support group is here.
Meetings: every third Thursday of the month, 7pm
Call us to let us know you are coming: 412-241-4613
Individual support with a certified grief counselor is also available through:
Edgewood Psychological Services
120 E. Swissvale Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15218
Ifyouwanttobetakenoffthemailinglistfor“NewsfromtheEdge,”calltheChurchOfficeat412‐241‐4613.Toreceiveitviaemail,leaveyouremailaddresswhencalling,orsendamessageto<[email protected]>.
