Pastor

Rev. Dr. Stephen Franklin

pastorsteve@meridianpres.org

Dir. of Youth & Family Min.

Mike Barton

mbarton@meridianpres.org

Secretary

Nicole Vislay

secretary@meridianpres.org

Treasurer

Honey Royer

treasurer@meridianpres.org

Media Director

Laura Franklin

Choir Director

Vicki Georgic

Musician

Debbe Picerno

Custodian

Dave Fox

Nursery Coordinator

Sarah Murtha

“So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member

belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:5 (NIV)

Continued on page 2...

Meridian Presbyterian Church

4150 HIGHLAND AVENUE

BUTLER, PA 16001

WWW.MERIDIANPRES.ORG

724.482.2630

February 2020 Meridian

The Lens & Mirror

The Light

of

Recently my wife, Laura, had a minor surgery to remove something

from her back. While it was an issue that needed to be resolved, the

doctors led us to believe that it would be a minor inconvenience.

However, after the surgery had ended, they informed Laura that she

was not allowed to lift more than 10 pounds for the next 2 weeks. I

probably do not have to explain to most of you that this just doesn’t

work for our lives at the moment. With 4 young kids, especially

15-month-old twins, it’s hard to have those kinds of limitations.

This is one of the many moments in our 10 years at Meridian when we

have thanked Jesus that we live in the church parking lot. For 2 weeks

I’ve walked back and forth to put the kids down for naps, get them out

of their cribs, into high chairs, and just about everything else. I’ve had

to take on a good portion of the load because that’s what you do for

your family and the person that you love. However, I’m looking forward

to things getting back to normal because the truth is my wife and I

make a great team, we’re better together.

From the Desk of Pastor Steve…

New To Meridian Presbyterian Church Please welcome Dave Fox to Meridian

Presbyterian Church as our new custodian.

Dave comes to Meridian after taking an early

retirement from Medical Social Work after 33

years. Most recently, Dave worked in Skilled

Nursing Social Services at Concordia Lutheran

Ministries for the past 19 years. Dave and his

wife, Becky, have been married for 32 years and

have three beautiful children. Their family has

lived in Meridian for over 20 years. In his spare

time, Dave enjoys family outings and get

togethers, church activities, home projects, and

cars. With his children, he has also done some

acting and has been involved with the stage

crew for local productions. Dave has also been

filling the pulpit at many Presbyterian churches

since 2004 and plans to attend the Allison Park

Church Northeast School of Ministry.

In February we’re going to be working through a sermon series entitled, “Better

Together.” As the church, if just a couple of people are carrying the majority of

the load, we’re not faithfully living out our calling. We are communal beings.

There are no loan rangers in the kingdom of God. In a culture obsessed with the

self, the Christian life is a call to surrender self for the glory of God. We’re better

together. We belong to each other. The church lives out its mission as the body

of Christ when everyone does their part.

In Christ,

Pastor Steve

1 John 4:16

“God is love.

Whoever lives

in love, lives in

God, and God

in him.”

Article Continued...

We live in an individualized culture. We often hear others say that they don’t need the church to be-

lieve or have faith. That’s false. Part of being a Christian is about being in a community with others.

It is part of our hardwiring. You many not need a specific church or building, but you do need com-

munity with other believers. We’re better together.

Services

February Sunday Morning

Better Together

February 2nd

“The Body of Christ”

Focus Passage: Romans 12:3-10

Secondary Passage: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Synopsis: The church is the body of Christ.

Just as there is one body with many parts, there

is one church with many members. Each

member offers something unique to the

kingdom of God and it is the church’s

responsibility to help people discover what that

is. You are a part of the body of Christ. We need

each member to do its job. Are you doing

yours?

February 9th

“Devoted to One Another”

Focus Passage: Acts 2:42-47

Secondary Passage: Leviticus 19:15-18

Synopsis: The fours pillars of the early church

were Scripture, fellowship, communion, and

prayer. When people converted to Christ they

weren't left to figure out this Jesus thing alone.

They were brought into the community to learn,

to share, to worship, and to grow. The

community of the church isn't just about serving

the Lord. We must also care for one another.

When one person suffers, we suffer with them.

When one person rejoices, we rejoice with

them. This is community.

FEB 2ND

FEB 23RD

TO

Pastor’s Pen February 16th

“The Way of Love ”

Focus Passage: 1 Corinthians 13

Secondary Passage: Leviticus 19:34

Synopsis: The Corinthians were a deeply dysfunctional

and divided community. Paul wants to teach them a

different way, a more exceptional way. This is a way of

love. At the root of Christian community is love. It

doesn’t matter what we accomplish as individuals or as

the church if we’re lacking in love, we have failed in our

kingdom's work. May we walk in the way of love.

February 23rd

“Spur One Another On”

Focus Passage: Hebrews 10:19-25

Secondary Passage: Deuteronomy 31:8

Synopsis: As a church we have a responsibility to meet

together. However, this isn’t just about an hour on

Sunday. The call of the gospel is to spur one another

on toward the work in the kingdom of the world. We

should be building each other up, not tearing each other

down. We should be encouraging one another, not

discouraging each other. Do not be afraid, do not be

discouraged, the Lord is with you. May we remind each

other of that daily.

February 26th

Ash Wednesday

“Come, and Follow Me”

Focus Passage: Mark 1:15-20

Synopsis: When Jesus calls his disciples to follow him,

he doesn’t give them a plan. He simply says, “The

Kingdom of God is near.” What do they do? They drop

their nets and follow. Answering that call is not one that

leads us to an easy life. To answer that call is one that

will lead us to sacrifice, and eventually the cross. To

follow Jesus is to walk that difficult road. However it also

means that we will eventually experience his glory!

• The session held its annual retreat in

January. As we look forward into 2020,

we’re planning on launching prayer

groups, Bible reading plans, parents and

technology seminars, and local mission

opportunities.

• Financially, we finished the year in a very

strong position. If you would like a

detailed report of the 2019 financials,

please request one from the office.

• We voted to move forward in negotiating a

rental contract with the Montessori

Preschool of Meridian for the 2020-2021

school year. Copies of the New Database Questionnaire

are still available in the Library. If you have

not turned one in, please fill one out and

place it in Nicole’s mailbox or email it to

secretary@meridianpres.org. We would like

to have one for every member and every

regular attender please! Thank you!

Once again our church and our presbytery

are partnering with Hosanna Industries on a

mission trip from February 29th—March 7th,

2020. We will be traveling to Mexico Beach,

Florida, near Panama City, to aid in the

hurricane recovery. The trip is free for

volunteers. We hope that you will join us!

If you are interested in joining us, please

contact Pastor Steve or signup in the

church Library.

Faith and Fellowship is starting Wednesday,

March 4th! Join us for our annual Lenten

dinners and classes throughout the season.

We gather for an all church meal, provided for

you, and then break off into age specific Bible

studies. All are welcome and there is

something for everyone! Please join us!

Confirmation Class

A Letter From

The Trustees 1 John 4:12

“If we love one

another, God

lives in us

and his love

is made

complete

in us.”

At the annual Congregational meeting the Trustees presented a new

approach to identifying and funding capital improvements projects.

In the past we have relied on allocations from the General Fund, or more

recently loans, to fund these projects. Beginning in 2020, we are asking the

Congregation to consider giving to the Capital Improvement Fund via the

new monthly green envelopes. Monies collected via those envelopes will be

set aside and used exclusively by the Trustees for capital improvements.

The Trustees have attempted to identify what projects are likely to need

funding in the future and hope to plan for those needs by setting money

aside prior to the actual project date.

The most pressing need now is the remolding of

the kitchen at the Manse. The kitchen/dining room

area at the Manse is original to the house and in

serious need of replacement. A complete make

over, including combining those two rooms

together is being planned. Estimates for the cost is

being collected and the projected time frames

would be late spring to early summer.

Contributions via the green envelopes will also

dictate timing.

During a recent appraisal of the church property,

the value was estimated at $500,000 and said to

be in sound condition. In order to maintain that

value, it is imperative we continue to invest in its

upkeep. Therefore, please consider making a

monthly contribution via the green envelope so we

can meet that objective. However, please do not

divert your general offering toward capital. If we

have general reserves, they will be allocated to

these projects. Thank you.

Mentor’s are needed for this year’s confirmation

class. Beginning Wednesday, February 23rd after

church and then continuing every Faith and

Fellowship dinner, you will be asked to meet with a

youth to confirm their baptism and join the church.

All mentor’s will be given discussion starters ahead

of time. This will consist of five meetings between

the mentor and the mentee. If you are interested

please signup in the Library or see Mike Barton for

details.

Our Club 35 program

enjoyed an afternoon of

bowling! We had 13 3rd

- 5th graders join us for

an afternoon of bowling

in January. The top

bowler was Levi!

Everyone did a great job

and the kids enjoyed

trying to beat the

adults! The parents and

Mike are starting to

figure out dates for this

summer’s SUMMER

BLAST day camp!

February 16th, 3:00 PM

IT’S A FUN MONTH! Ladies

will be invited to a SPA

afternoon. The guys will be

having BRO TIME with

grunting and guy time!

Coming in March! Kingdom Kids returns on our Faith

and Fellowship Nights during Lent. Dinner will begin at

5:45 PM and our program will begin around 6:30 PM.

This year’s theme is Elements of Faith! The evening

will be centered around a really cool science

experiment as we focus on the five key things that we

can put our trust and faith in God. Signups will be in

the church library. We are also looking for volunteers

to help out.

The Teens will be focusing on Confirmation Class!

Those that are ready to join the church will participate

in a 5 week confirmation class. Signups are also in

the library. We are looking for some adults who would

like to partner with one of our confirmation students.

Talk to Mike if you are interested and want to hear

more!

Youth Group February Calendar:

Sunday, February 9th, Youth Group

Sunday, February 16th, Community

Lunches Pack at 8:45 AM

and delivered at 11:45 AM

Saturday, February 22nd, Ski Trip

Sunday, February 23rd,

Confirmation Class Meeting

Youth Group Ice Skating!

In January the youth group hit

North Park for some ice skating

and Wendy’s for some lunch.

The youth did a pretty good job

skating around the rink and

enjoyed some time hanging out

in the actual cold weather! We

will look forward to some skiing

in February!

Club 35 Bowling! 13 of us had an awesome afternoon!

02/01 Alicia Palmiero

Laura Jordan

02/02 Steven Monnie

Jim Swidzinski

02/03 Levi McGeeney

02/05 Amy McGeeney

02/08 Cooper Rauschenberger

02/09 Jeff Orsborn

02/11 Robert Martin

02/13 Elizabeth Rishor

02/17 Scott Longdon

02/18 Susan Hilliard

02/19 Michael Barton

02/20 Julie Barton

Amy McCombs

Azara Johns

02/21 Joshua Boettner

02/22 Makayla Meckley

02/23 Jeff Woller

Dale Lyons

02/24 Lori Henderson

02/26 Adam McGeeney

02/28 Mark Jordan

02/05 Robert & Gladys Martin

02/07 Richard & Sue Boettner

02/12 Richard & Carol McClean

02/17 Bob & Jackie Wells

02/25 Jack & Mary Jane

McDowell

If your birthday or anniversary is missing

or incorrect, please call the office

(724-482-2630) or email Nicole at

secretary@meridianpres.org

so it can be corrected.

Thank you!

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

9:45 AM Joan &

Dave’s Group

12 PM Youth Group

Mission Trip

Meeting

3

6:30 PM M.O.M.S

412 Noon-Bible

Study

1 PM Quilting

2 PM Charlotte’s

Group

6:30 PM Deacon’s

& Trustee’s

5

8AM Coffee and

Conversation

10:30 AM

M.O.M.S

6

6 PM Bells

7 PM Choir

7

8

9

9:45 AM Joan &

Dave’s Group

12 PM Youth Group

10

6:30 PM Men’s

Study

11

12 Noon-Bible

Study

1 PM Quilting

2 PM Charlotte’s

Group

6:30 PM Session

Meeting

12

8 AM Coffee and

Conversation

13

6 PM Bells

6:30 PM Mike

Barton’s Group

7 PM Choir

14

Happy

Valentine’s Day

15

16

8:45 AM Community

Lunch Packing

9:45 AM Joan &

Dave’s Group

12 PM Community

Lunch

3 PM Club 35

17

6:30 PM M.O.M.S

18

12 Noon-Bible

Study

1 PM Quilting

2 PM Charlotte’s

Group

19

8AM Coffee and

Conversation

10:30 AM

M.O.M.S

5 PM Community

Dinner

20

6 PM Bells

7 PM Choir

21 22

Meridian Ski Trip

@ Peek’ n Peak

23

9:45 AM Joan &

Dave’s Group

12 PM Confirmation

Class Meeting

24

6:30 PM Men’s

Study

10 AM—2 PM

Sewing Group

25

12 Noon-Bible

Study

1 PM Quilting

2 PM Charlotte’s

Group

26

8 AM Coffee and

Conversation

7 PM Ash

Wednesday

Service

27

6 PM Bells

6:30 PM Mike

Barton’s Group

7 PM Choir

28 29

*WEEKLY

SUNDAY

EVENTS

9:45 AM Sunday

School

11 AM Worship

Meridian Presbyterian Church

4150 Highland Avenue

Butler, PA 16001 Join us for our Ash Wednesday

February 26th

Worship Service

7:00 PM

at