Author: Lora Stafura

The Steeple

May 2020

From the Pastor's Desk
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.”
(Psalm 46:1-3)
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the name of Jesus! The psalmist wrote that he would not fear even though the earth should change. The basis for peace or lack of anxiety in the middle of a changing world is faith in a strong God. The Lord is present even when there is great difficulty.
Our earth has not literally crumbled nor have the mountains fallen into the sea. But it feels like they have! Our world is much different from what it was a few months ago. We cannot worship or meet in ways we are used to. We are not able to be together. We are unable to plan for events that are part of our normal life together. The earth has not literally changed but our world and the way we live our lives has.
I must confess that I am a person who does not handle change well. The stay at home orders, self-quarantines and social distancing symbolize how different things are today. In addition to changing the ways we live our lives, the Covid 19 pandemic makes it clear that we are not in control. There is fear that comes with change and dealing with things out of my control.
It might have appeared as though we had enough change and uncertainty in our lives as a church family. Whether or not that was true, we received more of both recently when Pastor Luke announced that he will be appointed to serve the Faith Community and Riverview churches in Beaver county effective July 1, 2020. Pastor Luke and Rachel have served us well for a number of years and their ministry among us will be missed.
While these times bring anxiety, I must remind myself that Covid 19 and pastoral transitions are no match for a mighty, ever present God! The Lord will lead us through these challenging times.
Your Staff Parish Relations Committee will be considering the best way to meet the children’s, youth, contemporary music ministries and technology needs of our congregation. Please join me in praying for God to lead us in creating the right staff positions for our church. We will also be praying for God to lead the right people to us as we hire to fill those roles.
These are indeed challenging times for our church and our world! I believe that God is with us and can lead us through these days. I am looking forward to seeing what God has in store for us!
Blessings,
Pastor Keith

Join Us for worship! ON Sundays at 8:30 & 11:00 AM
Sunday School at 9:45 am Sunday Nursery ALWAYS available!

Page 2

May Birthday’s and Anniversaries

05/02 Keith Vulhop
05/02 Genelle Smith
05/03 Gary Torick
05/03 Nathan Perriello
05/05 Tori Barrett
05/05 Nadia Hines
05/10 Katie Lowell
05/10 Olivia Rommes
05/12 Jennifer Humenik
05/14 Lindsey Soxman
05/14 Skip Lancaster
05/15 Vicki Justus
05/15 Ken Haselrig
05/16 Jaison Rinker
05/16 Stephanie Swisher
05/19 Mary Ann Wilson
05/22 Joyce Gindlesperger
05/27 Nancy Parris
05/27 Jack Redman
05/29 Derek Zynn
05/30 Susan McGrath
05/30 Chuck Waite
05/31 Roger Cramer

05/05/1973 Wally & Sherry Swarmer
05/13/1978 Jim & Charlotte Episcopo
05/15/1982 Bob & Bonnie Rodgers
05/16/1987 David & Kimberly Zynn
05/19/2007 Parvez & Jamie Khambatta
05/25/2013 Jake & Hannah Daugherty
05/26/1973 Gary & Sherry Torick
05/27/2006 Al & Marsha Kolbe
05/28/1989 Lake & Camille Barrett

Video and online devotionals: if you haven’t had a chance to watch any of the videos or look at the online devotionals the church is doing every week, head over to our website www.bakerstownumc.org or to our facebook page and check them out. If you are not on the church wide emails about the videos or devotionals and would like to be, please contact the church office and let me know and I will add you to the email list.

February 2020 YTD February 2020 YTD February 2019
Donations: $32,833.00 $71,631.50 $65,881.25
Expenses: $33,013.37 $66,768.02 $60,197.32
Thank you for your continued support of your church. We are working hard at being good stewards of your money. There was nothing funded to our savings for the Major Project Fund nor the Future Endeavor Fund as March will have some insurance bills to pay. Our connectional support was paid as well as support to our Trustees. Work has begun on the new sound system.
March 2020 YTD March 2020 YTD March 2019
Donations: $39,691.00 $111,322.50 $109,021.79
Expenses: $40,144.96 $106,912.98 $102,987.45
Hello Church family. Here we are social distancing. It's not something I like at all, but it is for the good of everyone so we do not spread this virus. I want to thank all of you who have mailed in your contributions, or found other ways to send in your donations to the church. We all are doing what is best for our families...praying that we all come out on the other side with stories of how God's people looked out for the well being of those around them.
All the bill were paid in March. Nothing was funded to our savings for the Major Project Fund nor the Future Endeavor Fund. Any questions, please call me. Kay Cramer, financial secretary 724-443-2847

Prayer Corner….

Page 3

From the Prayer Corner - Prayers from the Psalms
Often when we wake up in the morning, our minds can already start racing before our feet even touch the floor. Hearts burdened, spirits heavy, worry begins to creep in before we’ve fully started our day. There’s so much in this life we can feel anxious about, even when we know truth and believe God is in control. Fear, anxiety and depression can be a daily battle, and we may wrestle with feeling great pressure under the weight of responsibilities we’re carrying.
If you’ve found yourself there recently, especially in the midst of this global Coronavirus pandemic, while we are all “social distancing” and staying safe at home, here’s hope from God’s word. The Psalms offer countless verses of real-life struggles and prayers for God’s peace and protection. No matter what we may be facing today, we can choose to set our hearts and minds on His truth, believing that He’s with us and giving us strength every step of the way. Open your Bible up to the Psalms and try it yourself. Here is an example of turning the words of a Psalm into a prayer:
From Psalm 23 - This beautiful Psalm reminds us that God is our constant, caring Shepherd and faithful Guide. In Him alone do we have hope, both in this life and through eternity: “The Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:1-6
Dear God, Thank You that You are our Good Shepherd and we can trust You with our lives and the lives of our loved ones. We’re so grateful for Your leadership and Sovereignty, for Your guidance and care in all our days, especially in these difficult days we’re going through now. Thank You that You restore our souls, give us Your peace, and bring us hope in all our tomorrows. Your protection and strength surround us like a shield. We pray that you would surround all your children with your protection and your strength, especially those on the front lines during this pandemic. Thank You for Your goodness and love that follows after us, chases us, even when we’re unaware. In You alone is true rest and peace. We praise You and worship You for being our God, and for the assurance that we will dwell with You forever. In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.
(Adapted from Debbie McDaniel, Daily Encouragement, Crosswalk.com)
Join the Email Prayer Team!!!! It’s easy. Here’s how:
Contact Lora Stafura lstafura@bakerstownumc.org, or Cathy Dambach hwdambach@consolidated.net, or Heather Brown hlrdab@hotmail.com and the monthly prayer list will be emailed to you. Occasionally we also have weekly urgent requests that are sent out as well. Thank you!
Wednesday Morning Prayer – 8:00am-8:30am
Prayer is a powerful way for us to receive the grace of God in our life. As we pray God moves. God moves in response to our requests. God moves closer to us in relationship. God moves on our hearts so that we more deeply experience his love. These are powerful things we don’t want to miss as a church community. Come join your pastors every Wednesday in the sanctuary, as we set aside time to pray to our God. Make the effort to come before work! Come as a way to jumpstart your day!

The Church Continues to Live and Move
“It’s alive!” is the famous cackle Dr. Frankenstein yells when he sees his once dead creation rise from the table. We, as your pastors, are feeling the same enthusiasm as the manic physician. Our church, like churches all across this world, was faced with the abrupt call that everything must be waylaid. No more services, small groups, Sunday schools, or in person ministries. If you think of the church as a body, as the Bible encourages us to do, we did have in front of us a body that would not move. An organism stuck on the table. However, we have been blessed as your pastors to see ministry continue in new and adapted ways. While we recognize that our church, in this moment, does not feel the same - there are things we all would say that we deeply miss - yet at the same time, the church continues on! It is alive and it moves!
Perhaps, we should not be surprised. There have been many moments throughout history that any Christian living through would likely say, “this feels like the death-knell of the Church.” There have been terrible wars, plagues, persecution, natural disasters, and much more that have halted and disrupted the regular life of worshipping Christians. However, in all circumstances the Church of Jesus Christ has continued. Today, we are just living through another moment that reveals God’s sovereign provision and care for His people.
This is not to diminish the sadness and frustration of being apart as a church. We miss each other. Neither is this an attempt to gloss over the real pain felt by people who have lost jobs and are struggling. I’ve been struck, recently, by the images of the thousands of cars waiting in line at local food banks. People are hurting. People are succumbing to this virus. Our young people are hurting as those rite-of-passage experiences like sports, proms, concerts, and graduations are being cancelled. Yet in the midst of hardship, God’s glory and grace shine through the church.
So what has been happening with Bakerstown UMC over the last 5 weeks? During these weeks we’ve continued Sunday worship as led by your pastors and ministry team, and we’ve added a weekly devotional from a lay person each week via online video and mailers (if you have not seen those videos, they are on our website!). In addition, Sunday school and small groups have remained active through video conferences.
We have continued to reach out to our communities and church members in different ways. In March, we provided a meal to the Homestead community with the ministry of 8th Ave. Place. At the beginning of April, we organized a small parade on Palm Sunday for the residents of St. Barnabas. For Easter, we made take-home boxes for the young families of our church. Our preschool continues to operate by having virtual class meetings and emailing materials to the families registered. We continue to serve in missions by financially supporting our sister church in Costa Rica, as they are facing hardship with stay-at-home orders in their country. We have had online prayer meetings, administration meetings, numerous phone calls to one another, a new pen-pal club for church members, and much more. All of this is evidence that the church is very much alive! We are, truly, resurrection people – not left for dead, but alive in and through the power of Christ.
So continue on church! Have patience in this season, but we also encourage you to celebrate how God continues to work through you. For we do not always have control of the circumstance we face, but our call is always to “run the race set before you” (Hebrews 11:1). Therefore, run church! Continue to run towards Jesus Christ with hope and eagerness to worship and serve Him. We see you doing this as your pastors, and we marvel.

Packed Easter boxes for young families

Cars lining up for a Palm Sunday Parade

Bakerstown United Methodist Church
5760 William Flynn Highway
Gibsonia, PA 15044
724-443-3184
www.bakerstownumc.org

Staff:

Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Rev. Keith Dunn
Senior Pastor
kdunn@bakerstownumc.org
Rev. Luke Whipple
Associate Pastor & Youth Director
lwhipple@bakerstownumc.org
Joyce Gindlesperger
Director of Music
jgindlesperger@bakerstownumc.org
Rachel Whipple
Children’s Ministry
rwhipple@bakerstownumc.org
Lora Stafura Office Administrator
lstafura@bakerstownumc.org

Giant Eagle Grocery Cards, if you would like to purchase Giant Eagle Grocery cards, I would be happy to set-up contactless pick up. Please contact the church office if with the amount you need and the day you want to pick them up and I will make sure they are ready.

UPPER ROOM: if you usually pick up an Upper Room devotional and want one, please contact the church office and I will mail them.

Day School Chalkboard

Page 6

We still have some openings in the following classes for the 2020/2021 school year.
Two Year Old Class-- Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. or Monday, Wednesday, Friday Afternoons from 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. This program is available to children who have reached the age of three before September 1st and are potty-trained. While the primary focus of the program will be on fostering the child’s social and emotional development, our activities and games will include the mastery of basic, developmentally-appropriate cognitive skills. Maximum 12 children
Three Year Old Class -- Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. or Monday, Wednesday, Friday Afternoons from 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. This program is available to children who have reached the age of three before September 1st and are potty-trained. While the primary focus of the program will be on fostering the child’s social and emotional development, our activities and games will include the mastery of basic, developmentally-appropriate cognitive skills. Maximum 12 children
3 Day Pre- K Class --Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 – 3:00 p.m.
This program is available to children who have reached the age of four before September 1st. There will be a much more defined emphasis on cognitive development, including developmentally-appropriate literacy and mathematical skills, with the ultimate goal of kindergarten readiness. Activities will continue to address the child’s social and emotional development as well. Maximum 12 children
4 Day Pre-K Class -- Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 – 3:00 p.m.
This program is available to children who have reached the age of four before September 1st. The focus of this class is kindergarten readiness. Journal writing, reading and math readiness, Pre-K sight word recognition as well as social and emotional development will all be covered daily. Maximum 12 children
Full Day Kindergarten -- Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
A Christian based Kindergarten program that will offer students unique experiences every day that foster creativity, discovery, academic, social and emotional growth and a genuine love for learning. The warm, Christ- centered environment and closeness between day school families and staff will provide a quality, nurturing program that allows every child to be happy and successful. Children will participate in several service projects throughout the year impacting our local community and the world. Maximum 12 children with 2 certified teachers

Page #

Calendar of Events

Apr. 1 — Safety Committee Meeting, 7:00pm
Apr. 2 — The Neighborhood Table, 2:30pm
Apr. 7 — Parent’s Bible Study, 6:15pm
Apr. 9 — Maundy Thursday Worship, 7:30pm
Apr. 10 — Kingdom Kids, 6:00pm
Apr. 10 — Good Friday Men’s Breakfast, 7:30am
Apr. 10 — Good Friday Women’s Breakfast, 8:00am @ First Presbyterian of Bakerstown
Apr. 10 — Good Friday Worship, 7:30pm
Apr. 13 — Grub & Stuff, 6:30pm
Apr. 15 — PrimeTimers, 11:30am
Apr. 15 — Church Council Meeting, 7:00pm
Apr. 16 — Women’s Fellowship, 10:00am
Apr. 18 — Pancake Breakfast, 8:00am
Apr. 18 — A Stitch and A Prayer, 10:00am
Apr. 20 — Finance Team Meeting, 7:00pm
Apr. 21 — Parent’s Bible Study, 6:15pm
Apr. 22 — Trustees Meeting, 7:00pm
Apr. 25 — Junque Sale, 8:00am
Apr. 27 — Care and Share Meeting, 7:00pm
Apr. 27 — Grub & Stuff, 6:30pm
Apr. 29 — SPRC Meeting, 7:00pm

Sundays:
Worship – 8:30 & 11:00 am
Adult Small Groups, 9:45am
Ignite, 6:30pm
Mondays:
Grub and Stuff, 6:30pm (2nd & 4th Monday)
Tuesdays:
Jeremiah Bible Study, 7:00pm
Parent’s Bible Study, 6:15pm (see bulletin for dates)
Wednesdays:
Wednesday Morning Prayer, 8:00am
Jeremiah Bible Study, 9:00am
Grief Share, 7:00pm (March 4) starts
Thursdays:
Women’s Bible Study, 9:00am
Rhythm of Grace Practice, 7:00pm
Sanctuary Choir, 7:00pm

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On behalf of the Finance Committee of the Bakerstown United Methodist Church, I wanted to report that our audit of the church books for 2019 has been completed. Each of our accounts are in order!
I also wanted to thank each of you for your faithful giving to our house of worship. Our church finances are on solid footing! I am humbled to report that Bakerstown was able to fund all our obligations for 2019. We also made significant contributions to our Major Project Fund as well as our New Endeavor Fund, which is dedicated to spreading the gospel through new projects. This was accomplished because of your regular tithes, gifts and offerings. Thank you!
We were also blessed by the gift of an anonymous donor. This gift with help from our major project fund will replace the roof on our entire facility. In addition to the roof project, the special gift will be applied towards reducing the mortgage on our Senior Pastor’s parsonage.
I am blessed by how God works in our church. I continue to be in awe of the generosity of our members and guests. I don’t know who our faithful donors are, but God does and that’s the only one that matters.
Thank you for the support of our church with your gifts, talents, and prayers.
God Bless,
Lake Barrett, Finance Committee Chairman

We are still collecting and sending coupons for the troops and their families around the world. If you can cut-sort or bring them in, please put them in the box on the information center. Please contact Joyce Koval at 412-327-8890.

Route 8

Route 8 - William Flynn Highway

Rt. 910—West Rt. 910—East

Happenings….

Page 3

Events & Small Group Opportunities….

Page 4

I will be printing a new phone directory soon. Since I will include a phone directory in the new photo directory, I’d love to have everyone’s updated information!!!!
If you have moved, have a new email address, or had a change in your phone number, please contact the church office at 724-443-3184 or email me at lstafura@bakerstownumc.org or fill out a friendship registry sheet.
I noticed the last few times I sent a phone tree that I have some telephone numbers that are no longer valid. If you want to continue to receive messages from the church about events, funerals and other happenings, please email me or call me with your new phone number. If you are not on the phone tree list and would like to be added, please let me know, and I will add you to the database.
If I am missing your birthday or anniversary and you would like it to appear in the monthly newsletter/bulletin, please contact the church office so I can update the church database.
Thank you! Lora Stafura

Bakerstown Youth Group
If you want to be involved in our Youth Ministry Program, or have questions concerning a program, contact Luke Whipple at 724-443-3184 or
lwhipple@bakerstownumc.org
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram. We put new content nearly every week on our facebook and Instagram accounts. Find us on facebook @ www.facebook.com/bakerstownyouth/ or on Instagram @ ignite_youth_bumc
PANCAKE BREAKFAST VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Pancake Breakfast has become a true community event as we now average over 300 customers a month.
The BUMC Men have been doing a great job, and more volunteers are always needed and welcome.
If you want to experience the true joy and happiness of seeing the smiles of the happy customers, join the list of breakfast volunteers.
Monthly emails are sent for volunteers, so send your request to be added to the list to: bakerstownumm@gmail.com

Did you know that after each service on Sunday you can purchase Giant Eagle gift cards at face value? These can then be used for groceries or to purchase any of the gift cards Giant Eagle sells. For instance The Home Depot...purchase gift cards from the church and then get the Home Depot from Giant Eagle to then go to Home Depot and get your home improvements.
The proceeds were originally used to fund the mortgage of the church. They now help with ongoing maintenance, which we all know can be costly the older our building gets.
Shop and Save Perks to Pray and Play
When Shop and Save did away with their gift card program for the church, this took its place. There are sheets on the information center in the narthex that need to be filled out and returned to the store service desk for this program. The church will benefit from everyone using the Perks card.

Enjoy the Convenience of Electronic Giving
Bakerstown United Methodist Church wants to remind you that we offer electronic giving as a convenience for individual congregation members and provides much-needed donation consistency for our congregation.
Direct Debit Giving is used to automatically transfer funds from your checking or savings account to the church’s bank account. This service is offered for a once a month donation for withdrawal on the first business day of the month.
Online Giving lets you go to www.bakerstownumc.org at any time to set up an automatic donation plan, change your donation plan, make a one-time donation or view your online donation history. As you contemplate the future contributions, please consider electronic giving. Authorization forms and additional information are available from the church office or by contacting Kay Cramer, financial secretary at 724-443-2847.

Offering envelope update!!!!!Offering envelopes were not mailed to those who did not pick them up. If you would like Kay Cramer to mail them to you, please either call her at 724-443-2847 or email at Kay.4.cramer@gmail.com.

Phone Directory Update…..

The Bakerstown United Methodist Men --Grub & Stuff | June 10th & 24th | 6:30-8:00pm | New Fellowship Hall Bakerstown men-- Bring your appetite and your questions, but most importantly enjoy some time with the Men of Bakerstown UMC! Please plan on joining us for a great dinner and thought provoking study of God's Word the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month.
All-U-Can-Eat Breakfast! Mark your calendars now for Saturday, May 18th (8:00 - 11:00 AM) and a great price (Adults = $6, kids age 6-12 = $2.50 and under age 6 eat for free). Enjoy all you can eat of made-to-order pancakes, sausage, bacon, home fries, eggs, and beverages. Be served by our wonderful Bakerstown United Methodist Men. All proceeds support their outreach efforts. Contact Roger Cramer at 724-443-2847 if you have questions, or if you wish to join our UMM Group!
A Stitch and a Prayer Saturday, May 18th at 10am to 2pm. Sewing, knitting and crocheting blankets and prayer shawls for Linus Project, baptisms and ill in our church. Need help sorting, sewing, ironing, pinning, cutting......all hands welcome. Bring a lunch!!!!
If you sew, crochet, or knit your talent can be used in making quilts for Project Linus, shawls for shut-ins or even lap robes for people in nursing homes. If you are not able to join us when we meet on the 3rd Saturday of the month from 10-2, please contact Louise Himes, Mary Pouchot or Marge Kirkpatrick if you have questions regarding how you can help.
Bible study for parents with young children| Thursday, April 4th |6:15-7:30 pm | Library Come join us bi-weekly for fellowship, encouragement and small group discussion at our new Bible study geared toward parents of young children. There is no time commitment- come as you are and as you can. Childcare will be provided. If you are interested in attending or have any questions please contact Katie Lowell at klowell33@gmail.com or 412-760-2682.

Greeters need Sunday 11:00am service
If you have 20 minutes and would like the opportunity to greet church members, please take a moment and sign the sheet at the information desk. You may greet either as an individual, couple or family. This is a great opportunity to serve our church.

ELECTION DAY SPAGHETTI DINNER
DONATIONS NEEDED!
The Youth will be sponsoring their annual spaghetti dinner on Election Day, November 5th. They are in need of the following items:
1/2 gallon salad oil
48 lbs spaghetti
25 gallons spaghetti sauce
500 meatballs
2 large containers of Parmesan cheese
1 medium container of Parmesan cheese
300 butter pats
1 box of creamers
1 can decaf coffee
1 can regular coffee
If you wish to make a food donation or a monetary donation, please contact: Luke Whipple at
lwhipple@bakerstownumc.org or 724-443-3184

Box Tops for Education
Clipping box tops is an easy way for you to help our school buy what it needs. Box tops are worth $0.10 each, and they quickly add up to real cash for our school. Simply collect them in a baggie and place them in the collection boxes at the North and South entrances of the church. Contact Kim Szelc with any questions, 412-980-4723.

Directory and Phone Tree Updates Needed!