MARS MEMO

Christian Education

The children are panning = some special presentations for Mother’s Day between the worship hours. Plan on being = in the sanctuary at 10:15 a.m. on Mother’s Day, May 8^th. <= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> The theme is “I’m crazy about Mom because…” The program, which should run 25-30 minutes, will be followed by the special congregational meeting at 10:45 a.= m. We will also begin to hear about t= he exciting plans for the Vacation = Bible School that we will be conducting July 18th - 22nd along with the shared leadershi= p of St. John’s Lutheran Church here in Mars.

Alma Staskiewicz is hosti= ng a family afternoon on Sunday May 22^nd at 1:30 PM for the Angels and their families with fun, fishing, and food - weather permitting. Please check the bulletin board in= the back hall to choose an item to bring and come join in the fellowship with t= he families of young children at Mars United Presbyterian. Please call = Alma with a heads up on how many to exp= ect and to get directions if you don’t know how to find their home.

The flea market is schedu= led for June 10th and 11th. The Christian Education committee is providing oversight. Jim Gray is lining= up volunteers for everything and Mike Bocheff has once again offered to assist= in the collecting of larger items. Please call the church office if you need assistance, and we will put you in touch with the right person.

The spring “Young-A= t-Heart” retreat, sponsored by Presbyteries at Westminster Highlands, is fast approaching on May 10th, 2005. Check with the office for more information about this low cost opportunity for those over 50 years of age.

3D"Text May 1, 2005 = Volume 30 = ; Number 9

**Congregational Meetings**

Please don’t forget= to join us for a congregational meeting Ma= y 8th at 10:45 a.m. in regards to two items concerning R.B.&= #8217;s retirement:

Also, a congregational me= eting for the election of officers is scheduled for June 12th, 2005 at 9:30 a.m. between the worship services during our summer hours. The nominat= ing committee is busy working on a complete slate of officers, plus additional nominees. Plan on attending t= he congregational meeting and remember that additional nominations from the fl= oor are allowed if fair and adequate representation has not been developed by t= he nominating committee.

**Summer Hours**=

The Session and Worship C= ommittee discussed and deliberated the several options for worship hours during the summer season. The decision was made to continue the current custom of two worship services, which will change to 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. beginn= ing the first Sunday of June and continue through the holiday weekend in September. Normal worship will resume at 11:00 a.m. on September 11th, 2005.

The Amen Corner

The Lenten and Easter Sea= sons are a busy time in the life of Mars U.P. and most other churches. The schedule here has not slowed d= own very much. We hosted the Kiwa= nis Club for the weekly dinner meetings during April. We also celebrated a wonderful wedding when Irma Ghost became Mrs. George Barker on Friday, April 22nd, 2005 with a small but elegant reception in the fellowship hall.

Helen Cook has informed m= e that this is as far as she can go with dinners, such as the Kiwanis, as she continues to battle her physical limitations. Helen has set a high standard of excellence in the kitchen here at Mars, with food that is the best on the planet. A new leader of kitch= en fellowship is a priority for the regular operation of Mars U.P.

The Kiwanis and wedding population was made up of mostly older people, but young people were also b= usy in April. They enjoyed a movie night on Friday after the wedding, and a spa= ghetti dinner on Sunday April 24^th before the River Boat Cruise, which = was sponsored by the Beaver-Butler Presbytery for the youth.

This month’s Memo (= which I did most of the drafting for) should let you in on some of the many activit= ies coming up beginning in May and continuing through Vacation Bible School in July. Many hands make the work lighter a= s we not only feed ourselves, but worship, celebrate, learn, and reach out in mission to both friend and strangers half way around the earth.

I expect R.B. to share so= me parting thoughts with you next month, and I look forward to many more month= ly chats with the friends of ministry at Mars United Presbyterian Church (USA)= .

In His Service,

Pastor John Rickloff

Muffin Crew Summer Hours

The muffin crew is going = to take the summer off. Tarry and Tal= k is a vital function in the life of this congregation and is in need of volunteers for summer cookies, brownies, etc. Our first estimate of quantity for both services is about 12 to 15 dozen cookies.&= nbsp; We are looking for three volunteers for each week, baking at home or here at the church if it is more convenient, each providing 4 or 5 dozen ta= sty treats. Look for the sign-up = sheet in the Tarry and Talk area.

Building and Grounds

The need for additional h= andicapped parking was made known to the building and grounds committee of session, and you have probably noticed the addition of two more handicapped designated parking places near the rear door. We now have five spaces: one near the lower entrance into the fellowship hall and the other four near the rear entrance to the church. = The greatest concern for handicapped access is on Sunday mornings; but whenever people use the church building, it is possible for handicapped persons to h= ave need of those designated areas.

Did you notice the new co= at of wax on the floor in the fellowship hall? That was just one of many A-Team projects accomplished this spring.

Church and Community

The mission outreach of t= he Mars Church is overseen by our Church and Community Committee. We hope you all have heard that we= are emphasizing Tsunami relief all of this year as the need to rebuild and care= for people is a long term project, not just a brief emergency operation. The work of Brothers Brother has impressed our committee, and we are forwarding the $661.00 Easter season offering to them.

The middle school youth o= f the church, along with some of their parents, will be reaching out in mission locally as we join the group from the Glade Run Food Bank to serve at a Pittsburgh Soup Kitchen once each month.&n= bsp; We will gather at the church at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 14^th=, and meet the rest of the team at Glade Run. We should return to Mars betwee= n 2 and 3 p.m. Please let Pastor = John or Elder Keith Nichols know if you are planning on participating.

Hosanna Industries is a l= ocal ministry that builds and repairs homes for needy people. We have supported them over the ye= ars and continue to look for ways to support and participate in their ministry = to people in our area. They have two fund raising opportunities that may be of interest to baseball or golf fans:

Hosanna Industries Night at PNC Park on May 20t= h, 2005. The Pirates play the Colorado Rockies at 7:05 p.m. with fireworks following the game. The tickets for the left field grandstand are $8.00 each with Hosanna receiving $4.00 of each ticket sold. If you like Pirates baseball, this= is the most economical way to take in a game and support a deserving mission at the same time. Information is= floating around some of the Sunday school classes, or it may be picked up from the church office.

84 Lumber Classic is a big time golf event played at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort from September 12th through September 18th, 2005. Spectat= or tickets are $10.00 each and are a super bargain for those interested in the golf and entertainment provided. The entire $10.00 will benefit Hosanna Industries. If you are interested, contact Hos= anna to purchase tickets before June 4th, 2005, at 724-770-0262.

Membership Committee

The membership committee has been working on compiling a list of all of the mem= bers who have achieved 25, 50, or 75 years of active membership in the Mars Church family. We plan to honor 25 a= nd 50-year members and have found no new 75-year members for this year’s recogni= tion on Mother’s Day. <= /span>

The committee has developed a new attendance registration procedure using yellow cards that will be collected with the offering. Look for the new cards beginning M= ay 1, 2005. Let the committee membe= rs know how you feel about the new process and the prayer request opportunity = that is included on the cards.

Worship

Mother’s day is also a special worship opportunity. Beyond the children’s prog= ram at 10:15 and the recognition of long time members, we will be treated to a special all-male chorus. The = women of the choir are being given the day off to sit with the congregation as an expanded male chorus is to sing the Anthem. Pastor John will preach a message entitled “Joy in Heaven” from Luke Chapter 15.

Summer Communion is scheduled for Father’s Day, June 19^th, with Pastor John preaching.   = May 29^th and June 26^th are both scheduled as Baptism Sundays with R.B. officiating. June 26th, 2005 will be Robert Brierly McCrumb= ’s final Sunday in the pulpit of Mars United Presbyterian Church. The choir will re-assemble from its summer break, and everyone should arrange their summer schedule to be present for the last Sunday of 35 years of worship and pastoral leadership.

Sunday, June 5th has been set aside to honor graduates. If you know of a member receiving a degree, please call the church office and let us know so that we don’t overlook anyone.

Membership Committee

The membership committee has been working on compiling a list of all of the mem= bers who have achieved 25, 50, or 75 years of active membership in the Mars Church family. We plan to honor 25 a= nd 50-year members and have found no new 75-year members for this year’s recogni= tion on Mother’s Day. <= /span>

The committee has developed a new attendance registration procedure using yello= w cards that will be collected with the offering.&= nbsp; Look for the new cards beginning May 1, 2005. Let the committee members know how= you feel about the new process and the prayer request opportunity that is inclu= ded on the cards.

Worship

Mother’s day is also a special worship opportunity. Beyond the children’s prog= ram at 10:15 and the recognition of long time members, we will be treated to a special all-male chorus. The = women of the choir are being given the day off to sit with the congregation as an expanded male chorus is to sing the Anthem. Pastor John will preach a message entitled “Joy in Heaven” from Luke Chapter 15.

Summer Communion is scheduled for Father’s Day, June 19^th, with Pastor John preaching.   = May 29^th and June 26^th are both scheduled as Baptism Sundays with R.B. officiating. June 26th, 2005 will be Robert Brierly McCrumb= ’s final Sunday in the pulpit of Mars United Presbyterian Church. The choir will re-assemble from its summer break, and everyone should arrange their summer schedule to be present for the last Sunday of 35 years of worship and pastoral leadership.

Sunday, June 5th has been set aside to honor graduates. If you know of a member receiving a degree, please call the church office and let us know so that we don’t overlook anyone.

Membership Committee

The membership committee has been working on compiling a list of all of the mem= bers who have achieved 25, 50, or 75 years of active membership in the Mars Church family. We plan to honor 25 a= nd 50-year members and have found no new 75-year members for this year’s recogni= tion on Mother’s Day. <= /span>

The committee has developed a new attendance registration procedure using yellow cards that will be collected with the offering. Look for the new cards beginning M= ay 1, 2005. Let the committee membe= rs know how you feel about the new process and the prayer request opportunity = that is included on the cards.

Worship

Mother’s day is also a special worship opportunity. Beyond the children’s prog= ram at 10:15 and the recognition of long time members, we will be treated to a special all-male chorus. The = women of the choir are being given the day off to sit with the congregation as an expanded male chorus is to sing the Anthem. Pastor John will preach a message entitled “Joy in Heaven” from Luke Chapter 15.

Summer Communion is scheduled for Father’s Day, June 19^th, with Pastor John preaching.   = May 29^th and June 26^th are both scheduled as Baptism Sundays with R.B. officiating. June 26th, 2005 will be Robert Brierly McCrumb= ’s final Sunday in the pulpit of Mars United Presbyterian Church. The choir will re-assemble from its summer break, and everyone should arrange their summer schedule to be present for the last Sunday of 35 years of worship and pastoral leadership.

Sunday, June 5th has been set aside to honor graduates. If you know of a member receiving a degree, please call the church office and let us know so that we don’t overlook anyone.