December 2022 Evangel

the EVANGEL

Christmas Fest 2022!

I Will Sing of the Goodness of God!

By Nancy Jo Demolin

December 9th & 10th

7:00 - 9:00 PM FREE activities for all ages!

✦ Live animals

✦ Fireside refreshments

✦ Kid Zone Carnival

✦ Puppet Band Concert

✦ Photo Shoot for family and friends

✦ Live Nativity performances at 7:00, 7:45 & 8:30 pm

Please invite your family, friends and neighbors! We hope to see you there!

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

I chose this Bible verse as my ‘life verse’ in 1985 for it was then that I was intentional in my desire to ‘walk in’ God’s purpose for my life. I had resigned teaching music in Steubenville, OH and was headed to Japan as a missionary with the Evangelical Free Church of America. I would be teaching a variety of subjects at Kansai Christian School which, of course, included music.

Though my family was not a family that would be considered ‘musical’, from a very young age I wanted to play the piano. My dad bought me a small organ (pictured) where my right hand would play a melody and my left hand would push buttons that created accompaniment chords. By the time I was six, I was taking formal piano lessons and for a year walked across the street to Mrs. Martin’s house to practice on her piano. After a year of lessons, my dad saw my interest in music continuing to

Christmas Eve Service

Join us for our Christmas Eve candlelight service, beginning at 5:00PM, as we celebrate the coming of Christ, our Savior and King!

Please note that childcare will not be provided.

grow so he bought me my own Wurlitzer spinet piano. I did not know it then, but God was preparing me for the ‘good works’ He would lead me to walk in.

I am so thankful to God for making me a musician and for parents that fully supported me along the way. I have been a performer, director, accompanist, and teacher but my greatest joy has been to lead God’s people in His praise. Now that I am retiring from my ministry position at First Free, one thing I know for sure is “as long as I am able I will sing of the goodness of God”. To God be the glory!

Thanksgiving Service

Student Ministry Fall Retreat 2022

This year’s retreat couldn’t have been more beautiful! Our students and leaders enjoyed hiking, rock climbing, playing, eating and learning together. What a privilege it is to get to know these students and help them to know Christ! Special thanks to our DEDICATED youth leaders!

(I Will Sing of the Goodness of God! continued)

Senior Achievers Thanksgiving Luncheon

Christmastime in Student Ministry

By Pastor Alex Ielase

December is my favorite month of student ministry! We get to put “feet” to our faith. Jesus calls us to go into all the world, shining His light wherever we go. When people see our good works, we pray they would praise and glorify our Heavenly Father.

Each week, we head out of the church building to bless and serve others in some way. On week 1, students bring their own money to help buy presents for community families in partnership with Sonshine ministries. We travel to area stores to buy the gifts (always an adventure taking 70 people to Walmart!) then head back to First Free to wrap them up.

For week 2, we work with the GriefShare ministry to identify folks we can visit. Church members bake delicious cookies, box them up, and we split off into groups. Traveling to about a dozen homes, student groups will spend time with some lovely people singing Christmas carols and getting to know each other.

For week 3, we hit the streets of McKeesport and White Oak. Going door to door, we sing carols, pray for folks, share the Gospel and invite them to our Christmas services.

All of these ministries are inspired by the Commission of Jesus to “Go into all the world, making disciples….” We want people to hear the Gospel and see it loved out. By His grace, we believe that will happen this year. Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmastime with Griefshare

Griefshare will continue to hold its regularly scheduled meetings on December 1, 8, 15, and 22. Please note that on December 15th, there will be a GriefShare Christmas Luncheon in the Fireplace Room at 12:15 pm. On December 22, GriefShare will be viewing a film "Why the Nativity" followed by a pizza lunch in the Fireplace Room.

Additionally, on December 4th, GriefShare will be going to an East Wind Symphony Concert at Gateway High School at 3:30 pm. Transportation will be provided from the church at 2:30 pm.

If you would like more information on how to get connected to our GriefShare program, please contact our church office at 412-678-6655.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Griefshare

December 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd

Director of Worship and Creative Arts Candidate Brunch

December 3rd - 10:00 AM

Christmas Fest

December 9th - 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Christmas Fest

December 10th- 7:00 - 9:00 PM

White Cross

December 20th at 9:00 am

Officer Nomination Period Ends

December 24th

Christmas Eve Service

December 24th - 5:00 PM

Christmas Day Worship Service

December 25th - 10:45 AM

*No Bible Fellowship Hour

ANNIVERSARIES

Bill and Timberly Painter

38 years

Jack and Marilyn Ashoff

53 years

George and Roxie Buck

38 years

Michael and Judy Davie

53 years

Robert and Deborah Dyer

53 years

William and Diane Eckenrod

39 years

Roy and Cindy Laux

50 years

Andrew and Nancy Mauro

37 years

Stephen and Audrey Nagy

52 years

Samuel and Pamela March

52 years

Buzz and Alice Saxon

53 years

Tom and Cynthia Toia

31 years

Tim and Karen Troutman

37 years

Congratulations

To Nathan & Liz Barr on the birth of their son, Jackson Wright Barr on November 10, 2022! Grandparents are Jack & Marilyn Ashoff.

To Robert & Theresa Lea on the birth of their daughter, Rayelyn Loretta Lea on November 11, 2022!

Grandfather is Ed Kulasa.

UPCOMING SENIOR ACHIEVER SCHEDULE

Christmas Luncheon

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

11:00 am fellowship

11:30 am luncheon

Cost: $19.00

Program: Mr. Andy Jinks

Devotions: Pastor Kirk Albrecht

Menu

Salisbury Steak, Virginia Baked

Ham, Scalloped Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Rolls/Butter, Cake

MEMORIAL GIFTS

Clyde Hennon

Anonymous

Laurie Bezeck

Deanna Strednak

Ruth Lyons

Laurie Bezeck

Wayne Nelson

Anonymous

Laurie Bezeck

James Charlesworth

Ed Pavuk

Vilma Pavuk

Diane Pavuk Ruhe

Vilma Pavuk

SYMPATHIES

Our sympathy and love to the family and friends of Ruth Lyons at her passing.