Camp Lutherlyn...
The following people will be attending Camp Lutherlyn this year:

Kelly Guerrieri
Caitlin Berardinelli
Jessica

And the following will be working at Camp Lutherlyn this year:

Jono Adams
Jacob Defassio
Elysia Defibaugh

Pastor will also be going to camp for one week during the summer.

Change of Address Request...
Please take a moment and verify your address and phone number in the new church directory. If your information is incorrect, not complete, or simply not there, please complete a change of address request form and place it in the offering plate, mail it to the church office, or contact the office by phone (724-523-4378). It is important that our records are as accurate as possible to allow prompt response and mailings. **For those affected by address changes for 911 purposes, please be sure to contact Norma! **

Communion Wine...
The Altar Guild is looking for sponsors for cases of communion wine. The cases are $50.00 each. We need your support and will appreciate any donations.

Congregational Celebrations...

Burials
Our condolences and prayers go out to the family and friends of

• Julia Jones who entered the church triumphant on Wednesday, May 6th.
  
• Mildred Cavada who entered the church triumphant in May.

Fellowship Schedule...

Any interested individual(s) or Committee/Team who would like to host a Fellowship during the year, please contact Norma, the church secretary. As for a Committee/Team, this would allow your group more exposure to other parishioners and allow you an opportunity to explain and/or promote something your committee/team is doing; or, to simply have a time of true fellowship and sharing. Please remember that this is not to be a money making event but a time of camaraderie. **If money is collected during a fellowship, please be sure to reimburse your Committee/Team for all expenses; left over monies can be kept by the Committee/Team to cover expenses for a future fellowship or can be donated to the church.

Fellowship has traditionally been held the second weekend of each month following both the Saturday AND Sunday church services. We ask that you please keep to the second weekend of each month to hold a fellowship eliminating confusion as to when these events will be held. Fellowship can be as simple or as complex as you would like to make it but please be sure to hold your events BOTH Saturday night AND Sunday morning. If an individual wishing to host a fellowship can not attend both Saturday and Sunday events, please team up with another parishioner so that both days are covered. If you need any assistance or suggestions regarding fellowships, please feel free to contact any member of the Transformation Team.

Fellowship Hall Rental...
Church Council reminds the congregation that the Fellowship Hall can be rented. The price is $35 for members, $50 for non-members. Renters provide clean-up unless other arrangements are made with the church office. The church secretary keeps the schedule and the key. There is a $25 cash deposit, in addition to the fee, which is returned when the key is brought back. Maximum capacity is 104 people.

Food For Thought...

• Love Him in the morning when you see the sun arising, love Him in the evening 'cause He took you through the day, and in the in-between times when you feel the pressure coming. Remember that He loves you and He promises to stay.
  
  
• No matter what others are doing, my friend, or what they are leaving undone, God's counting on you to keep on with the job 'til the very last battle is won. He's counting on you to be faithful; He's counting on you to be true. Yes, others may work or others may shriek, but remember - God is counting on you.
  

Homebound List...
Here is a list of our homebound congregation that you may contact with a phone call, card, or visit. Please note that this is not a complete list of our homebound members but only those who agreed to have their information printed in the newsletter.

• Evelyn Baughman
  309 Margaret Street
  Jeannette, PA 15644
  (724) 523-3147
  
  
• Eleanor Ernette
  Rehab & Nursing at Greater Pittsburgh
  890 Weatherwood Lane
  Greensburg, PA 15601
  (724) 834-4431
  
  
• Elizabeth Errett
  Ridgeview Residential Care
  122 Ridgeview Street
  Youngwood, PA 15697
  (724) 925-0212
  
  
• Dianna Machado
  IHS at Mountain View
  R.D. #7 Box 249
  Greensburg, PA 15601
  (724) 537-7360
  
  
• Margaret Woloshun
  136 Brown Street
  Grapeville, PA 15634
  (724) 523-3192

In Burkina Faso, your gifts to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal are implemented through Lutheran World Relief (LWR) and its local partner Venegre. Laurentine is a member of Venegre, a cooperative of seed producers. With better tools, storage, and training on how to market their product, farmers like Laurentine are realizing significant increases in profits, providing much-needed income to support their families.
"In this region it's not possible to find an activity this good," says Laurentine, "that will pay you so well for three months of labor." Laurentine and the other members of Venegre are able to send their children to school, buy food and other needed items, and survive the dry season.

-ELCA World Hunger Appeal
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
God's work. Our Hands.

I've learned that sometimes the best advice in the world to give someone is no advice at all; just an available ear, a box of tissues and a warm embrace.

I've learned that we all have times in our life when we fall; it's what we do when we get back on our feet that counts.

I've learned that sometimes ignorance truly is bliss and that if you don't want to know the truth, don't ask the question.

I've learned that you can be in a room full of hundreds of people and feel alone; but true happiness if found when you can be in a room alone and never feel lonely.

I've learned never to leave a project unfinished, for tomorrow you might lose the ability to get it done.

I've learned that the faith and belief from a child is more valuable than any luxury money can buy.

I've learned to never be afraid to sing loud; even if it's off-key, it's beautiful in God's ear.

I've learned to never pray for patience; God likes too much to teach us by using life lessons.

I've learned that when all else fails, sing, dance and laugh, then start anew.

Membership Committee Update...
The meeting on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 was very interesting with a lot discussed and much decided upon.

1. We received the signs to be used to advertise the Flea Market and members placed them around town. They can be used again because the letters and numbers can be changed as needed.
   
   
2. The committee agreed to provide a sheet cake for the dinner on Saturday, June 6, 2009 to honor Tom for his 50 years as organist -choirmaster. We will help the choir in serving also - God bless you, Tom, and Thank You!
   
   
3. A service hymnal has been purchased for use at the church piano and will be dedicated in June.
   
   
4. A motion was made to purchase Altar Flowers for Pentecost on May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2009. They are in honor of the new members who will be received then.
   
   
5. PLEASE NOTE - The annual church picnic will be held at Altman Park on Saturday, August 15, 2009. Start planning your baskets for the raffle and your choice of good food to bring.

More to come on this and other projects discussed via the Sunday updates.

We pray you will continue to support the different activities being offered and make them a success.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. Come join us - we'd love to have you.

Yours in Christ's Work,
Membership Committee
Keep on - Keep on going - Working for God.

If interested, please go down the following list of prayer chain members between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. until someone answers the phone in person. If there is an answering machine, please leave your message, and call the next name in our prayer chain.

If you need to contact Pastor Defassio, please try to contact the church office during regular business hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In case of an emergency, please call his home phone at 724-853-6595. Thank you.

Summer employment description:

• The positions are for 18 to 24 year olds.
  
• Job experiences in various local communities.
  
• Positions include clerical work, road crews, maintenance, park crews, and more.
  
• Job experiences will last between 10 to 14 weeks from May to September.
  
• Participants must be income eligible.
  
• The local Careerlink will review the applications and determine eligibility.
  
• Applications can be found at www.faywestwib.org

Toothpick - to remind you to pick out the good qualities in others... Matthew 7:1

Rubber Band - to remind you to be flexible, things might not always go the way you want, but it will work out... Romans 8:28

Band-Aid - to remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours or someone else's... Colossians 3:12-14

Pencil - to remind you to list your blessings everyday... Ephesians 1:3

Eraser - to remind you that everyone makes mistakes, and it's okay... Genesis 50:15-21

Chewing Gum - to remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything with Jesus... Philippians 4:13

Mint - to remind you that you are worth a mint to your heavenly father... John 3:16-17

Candy Kiss - to remind you that everyone needs a kiss or a hug everyday... 1 John 4:7

Tea Bag - to remind you to relax daily and go over that list of God's blessings... 1 Thessalonians 5:18

1. For the church youth group with the most accumulated volunteer hours on the Thrivent sponsored dates, $100 will be awarded to that group for their use.
   
2. For the church youth group with the second most accumulated volunteer hours on the Thrivent sponsored dates, $50 will be awarded to that group for their use.
   
3. And, on an individual basis, for each volunteer hour at the Hunger Garden you will be given an entry form to enter to win a basic Wii.

So, gather up your youth group and your friends to set aside the following dates to volunteer:

Hunger Garden (Madison, PA) - 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Thrivent Join Hands Day, Jun 29, July 27, Aug 31, and Sept 28.

Westmoreland County Food Bank (Delmont, PA) - 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (must be 14 years of age or older and in good health - no open toe shoes) Maximum number of volunteers 10 - please call to register for these dates - Sept 19, and Nov 12.

Fresh Express - 3:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. July 21 at St. Mark's in New Stanton.

Any questions or concern about the inclement weather, please contact Debbie Morris at 724-834-7708 (morris7708@msn.com) or Mary Nelson at 724-423-1628 (nelmars2003@yahoo.com).

Come and help the Hunger Garden exceed the 2008 year of 24,000 lbs. of produce!!

Please note that the Hunger Garden, Food Bank and Fresh Express have many more dates available for you to volunteer. The Hunger Garden meets every Monday between May-Sept from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. weather permitting. Please contact Lyn Hunter at 724-744-4961 or 412-398-1193 directly or bilynhun@comcast.net. For the Food Bank/Fresh Express, please contact Louise Wilhelm at 724-468-5894 or www.westmorelandfoodbank.org.

• Pastor:Daniel Defassio
• Church Secretary:Norma Varsafsky
• Council: Jim McCullough (Pres), Rich Seybold (VPres), Karen Davis(Sec), Debbie Defibaugh, Jenny German, Malcolm Shuster
  
• Treasurer: Terri Ketter
  
• Transformation: Ken Busato, Pastor Defassio, Debbie Defibaugh, Anita Durst, Penny Myers, Wayne Rogan, Joyce Wertz
• Aaron's Ministries:Debbie Defibaugh, Annette French