More About the Clarion Church of God...

When visiting our church, please fill out a Friendship & Communication card that is located in back of each pew; place it in the offering plate or hand it to an Usher.
Also, for those worshiping with us for the first time... we have a gift for you. Please stop @ the Welcome Center in the Narthex by the Main Entrance to pick it up.


Monday, April 16, 2012

April 2012 - Bulletin Announcements

If you are new to Liberty Street C.O. G. (in your mailbox is a blue sheet with needed family information). Please place these in the secretary's mailbox. Also, please check your mailboxes for any information we may have placed in there.  The mailboxes are located in the Narthex.  If you are unsure if you have a mailbox or you do not have a mailbox, call Tammy @ 226 - 8672. You are important to us & we need to keep you updated on all activities!  Also, your monthly newsletter will be placed in the mailbox assigned to you.  
Also, we have Sunday School classes for all ages.  Nursery , Preschool, K-2nd, 3rd - 5th, Jr. Youth, Sr. Youth & 3 Adult classes... check us out today!  


Finally, if you are absent from church on Sunday & would like a copy of any of our Sunday morning sermons, please call the church office. We would be happy to send you one. 

We are offering a "Live Worship Telecast" in the Fellowship Hall to help accommodate the seating needs of our growing church!  Praise the Lord!  Anyone is welcome to check it out & share in this new Worship extension.   With video recording of the service in this way, we will also be able to improve our outreach to our shut-ins by giving them our worship on DVD.
**************************************************
WWCH Channel 1300 on AM Broadcasting @ 11AM every Sunday...  The first Sunday if every month a pre-recorded service from Liberty Street Church of God with Pastor Bruce will be heard.  If you are unable to attend church on any Sunday morning, tune in to AM 1300.


Please check your mailbox for the April Newsletter “Connections”.  All the mailboxes are now in alphabetical order.  DID YOU FIND YOURS?  Let the
office know if you do not have one.


Come to Prayer Meeting!!
As a church body, we have just finished studying the Holy Spirit, & what the role of the Spirit should be in our church & in our lives.  Jim Cymbala, the author of When God's Spirit Moves, says "The power of the Holy Spirit comes when people pray."  
We have an opportunity now to put this into practice corporately at our weekly prayer meetings on Wednesday nights @ 7PM here @ Liberty Street.  We suspended prayer meetings while studying the Holy Spirit for the past 6 weeks, but the time has come to seek the Spirit for ourselves & to ask Him to move in out midst.
Starting Wednesday, April 11 @ 7PM... let us seek together His will for us, His healing, His hope, & His power.  As Cymbala encouraged us, "God's not dead; he's still alive.  And what he's done through the centuries when people have prayed, he can still do today.  Let's ask the Holy Spirit to come & grant us a new spirit in our churches, in our small   groups, & in our individual lives."
"In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people..." Acts 2:17
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us..."  Romans 8:26


Thursdays - Choir Practice @ 7 - 8:30PM.  This will run thru June 3rd.  If you are interested in being in the choir, please contact Bonnie Ferguson @ 764 - 5423.


Chili Cook Off - April 15th - We will be having a chili tasting lunch w/bread, dessert & drinks to be included.  Donation will be $5.00.  This will be a fundraiser for our kids going to Youth Camps.  See Laura Burford or call her @ 226-9750 if you are interested in the "Challenge".

Women of ALL ages 18+ (and up +++)!  Save the date -- April 24th (Tuesday evening) from 6-8 PM... Ladies Night Out! This will be held at the church Sanctuary due to voting being help in the Fellowship Hall. An evening of devotions, prayer & socializing with others. You won't want to miss it!  Dessert will be provided. This month's theme will be "THe Garden of Prayer". Developing a deeper prayer relationship w/Jesus Christ & finding the balance in our lives as women to be able to do so.  Questions... contact Tracy Miller.
Future date for Ladies Night Out --- May 15th for Ultimate Survival (Christian Survival)

PARENTS NIGHT OUT – April 20th @ 6:00 p.m – 10:00 p.m.  Please sign up in the Welcome Center and be sure to include your telephone number in case of cancellation due to weather.


Brookville Spring Youth Convention - "Spring Break" - April 20 & 21 - see Pastor Jonathan or Blair if you are interested in going.

REVIVE 4th Annual Ladies Retreat @ Whitehall Camp & Conference on April 27 & 28, 2012 - Speaker:  Susan Reichart (the Spiritual Formation Director at Pine Valley Camp, a ministry serving Urban Youth in the Pittsburgh area) - Leading Worship:  Alanna Story - 2 sisters from Anderson Indiana.
Registration Early Bird (pd. by April 6th)  $40.00
Registration Regular (pd. after April 6th)  $45.00
Lodging prices are separate.  Brochures available in the Welcome Center.  Visit the website @ www.whitehallcamp.org or call (724) 867-6861

Men’s Bible Study on Monday nights at Joe’s Gym @ 7:00 p.m.  Open to all men.  This is a great time to fellowship & study the Word with other Men willing to learn what it means to be a Man of God!

We Need Volunteers…The Welcome Center is looking for more Volunteers!  Please see Tammy Lerch or call 226-9680 if you are interested.

Military Mission Update... from Tracy Miller
 I want to personally thank all of those who have donated monies, prayers, & items for this mission.  We've sent 12 boxes to support military service members in need of supplies w/our mission.  Much gratitude has been expressed from the recipients and families/friends.  This project is now coming to an end.  Thank you again for all your support. 
Military Thank You Note:
Tracy,
This is a bit overdue, but I wanted to write & thank you for the care package my husband & I received.  The Army's been keeping us both busy the past couple years.  Since his return from Iraq last spring (a deployment I sat out due to the arrival of our baby boy halfway through his tour), we've both been taking turns training away from Ft. Carson, so we haven't had as much time together as we'd like.  Needless to say, your thoughtfulness & prayers are very much appreciated!  Please pass along our thanks to everyone at the Church of God, as well.
Sincerely,
SGT Seanna Fisk & SSG Mike Fisk

Need motivation or just social companionship to exercise?  If you have any interest in getting together with other women to exercise on your level with your interest...please contact Tracy Miller by e-mail or phone: tmhm72@yahoo.com or 223-4717. This idea was brought up by one of our Christian sisters. Once we have an interest we will meet and conquer and divide according to interest, level, time constraints, and locations!

AAA Life Services Report - LSCofG has graciously given $1, 142.20 through Baby Bottles Boomerang.  The financial donations received help the AAA provide many services.  Some find themselves struggling in different situations & circumstances.  A reminder ... all services are FREE & CONFIDENTIAL.

Ladies Sewing Group: "Sewful"
For women of all ages, beginners to experienced, wanting to get together for great fellowship.  We can learn from each other.   Anyone interested in knitting or crocheting is welcome, also!   Ideas for making sewing creations for ourselves, our children, & as gifts or donations.  
Starting in January we will begin doing projects including bags, quilts, pillows, & more.  Make something for yourself or as a gift for someone you love.  
In 2012, we'll meet in the Fellowship Hall on the 2nd & 4th Fridays from 6:30 - 8:30PM.  $5 - $10 requested to get supplies for a group project.  Also, we are always taking donations of fabric, buttons, tread, felt, yarn, & any sewing related items.  Childcare provided on site - $2 donation is requested.  
Any questions, please call Ame Pentz @ 724 - 747 - 5590 or email Ame @  Hebrews11_1@hotmail.com.


Thank You Church Family for all the support & prayers during the past few weeks.  Brent & Pat Long

The Counseling Center is in need of a small couch or love seat that is gently used - anyone who can help them, please contact Tracy Miller @ 814 - 223 -  4717.

Coming up.....

Calling All Graduates --- please call the church office @ 226 - 8672 or email Tammy @ tammy_mcclaine@yahoo.com if you are graduating from High School or College.  We will be recognizing our graduates in our morning worships on June 3rd.

Summer Youth Camps - www.whitehallcamp.org - see Tammy for registration form.  If you received a form in the mail, please still hand it into the Church Office.  We want to send them all in together with one check.  All campers that attend church here & or youth will be eligible to attend camp free.  We believe Youth Camp is a vital part of young lives.  Deadline to have Registration in the Office is May 6th, 2012.
Senior High 9th - 12th grades ...........June 10 - 15
6th - 8th  grades ..........June 17 - 22
3rd - 5th grades ..........June 24 - 28

Women of Faith Conference 2012 - September 28 & 29 in PGH, PA.  CELEBRATE!!  "Be happy & full of joy, because the Lord has done a wonderful thing."  Joel 2:21 NCVWe are hoping to get as many women as possible signed up to go to Women of Faith next year.  It will be a geat time of fellowship & growing in our walk with God.  More info to come, but if you are interested... please see Blair Spencer to save your spot today.

Knox Ladies Seminar....  
After 25 years, the Knox Ladies Seminar committee felt they were called to step down & serve the Lord in other ways.  A new group of women have been led to step up & follow His call.  Their goal remains to continue the mission of witnessing to & exhorting a diverse group of women with a heart to seek closer & more committed walk with the Lord.  
On October 20, 2012, they have secured Ellie Lofaro; a national speaker & author.  Please mark your calendars now & continue to pray for the committee.  
They are starting over with no funds to grow on.  They are requesting a one-time donation to use as seed money to get started $10, $20, $30 or another amount.  Please make your checks payable to Knox Ladies Seminar & mail it to:
Knox Ladies Seminar
c/o Gretchen Cochran
707 Main Street
Knox, PA   16232

Monday, April 2, 2012

Pastor's Page - April 2012

Dear Friends,

I hope that coming up to Easter that no matter what situation you or I are in, that we have a renewed hope and a renewed understanding of God’s love not only for us, but for mankind. To think about that verse we have learned and quoted so often, (John 3:16 ESV)For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. That’s awesome! I’m not sure that I can even fathom the depth of His love, the depth of His concern for us, and the depth of His desire to be with us.

I hope that you have been praying for those you know who are without Christ in their lives. I believe that if we keep praying, we will see God move on their lives and that we will see many come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  That is our mission, that is our mandate, which is one of the reasons we exist. (Prov 11:30 NIV)  The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.

There is something very special that is going on here at the Liberty Street Church of God. We are experiencing a move of God that quite honestly some folks never experience in their lives. It is a move of the Holy Spirit on our lives and that has made the difference. We need to continue to be obedient and He will do the rest. What a remarkable experience to have God’s presence in our lives and the life of the church body.

I want to encourage you to be preparing for our upcoming “Ground Breaking Service” that we are going to have on Sunday June 10 @ 4:00PM. We are going to have all kinds of festivities, but we want to especially honor God for what He is doing and we want to be a positive witness to our community. I believe that this is one of the most significant events that have come to our community and I believe that God will use us to have a great influence to Clarion and the surrounding communities. We are going to be moving out to an area where, in the years to come, much of the commerce of Clarion will be and we will be right there in the midst. Anyone that has been up on the property has seen the beauty that surrounds us and the excitement just keeps building. 

There are lots of activities coming our way for the summer, VBS, Youth Camps, International Youth Convention, Camp Meetings just to name a few. Please be praying for all that are participating.

I want to also mention the “Spring Revival Small Groups” that are just ending. What a positive influence on those who have attended. I am grateful to the Growth Department for suggesting this study and the impact it has made. We have to have the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the life of the Church. That is why we are seeing good things happening. We are willing to surrender to Him.

There will be more information forthcoming about all the spiritual growth opportunities. God bless you as we labor on.

Pastor Bruce  

Youth News - April 2012

If you have not already noticed, the trees are starting to blossom and I have noticed some daffodil’s popping up out of the ground.  It’s a sure sign that spring is here to stay!  With spring comes a busy schedule for all of us.  Many of the spring sports will be starting if they haven’t already, vacation planning begins, not to mention all of the spring yard work that I am sure our youth will be participating in.  Here is what’s coming up for the youth at the church….
We will be wrapping up the Easter Peanut Butter Egg sale in the next week so make sure you let us know if you want more eggs and we can make one final push before finishing up.  Thank you to all the parents and youth who have helped make the eggs, without your help this would not have been a success.
Redbank Valley Bible Club is hosting the Skit Guys on April 3rd at 7:00pm.  The doors open at 6:00 and from what I have heard, you need to get there at 6:00 or you won’t get a seat.  Admission is free, and anyone who wants to go is welcome.  I will not be able to make this trip, so it will be an on-your-own trip; I just wanted everyone to know about it.
In late April we will be doing another hoagie sale, so please be listening for updates and start thinking about who you will sell them to.
Summer youth camps are:  June 10th – 15th for 9th-12th , June 17th – 22nd for 6th-8th grade, and June 24th – 28th for 3rd-5th grade.  All youth who plan on going this year, please have your registration turned in to Tammy by May 6th.  If you don’t have a registration form, see Jonathan or you can get one online at http://www.whitehallcamp.org/
As you know IYC is just around the corner.  July 1st is the day we will be leaving for Denver.  Please make the most of the egg sales and upcoming hoagie sale! 
With growing numbers of youth at ages from 10-18, we are posed with the challenge of having something for everyone!  Please know that we are in the process of breaking up age groups so that we can be more effective in reaching all the youth at their current spiritual level.  It is exciting to see the growth we are experiencing, and we pray that it will continue into the future.  

Sunday, April 1, 2012

April 2012 - Monthly Planner

1 - Palm Sunday - last small group for Spring Revival - Youth 6--8PM
2 - Weight Watchers @ 5:30PM - Men's Bible Study @ 7PM
3 - Play Group @ 10AM
4 - Lenten Service @ 12:05PM
5 - Maundy Thursday Service Seder Meal @ 6PM w/foot washing & Communion to follow
6 - Good Friday Prayer Walk 12 - 3PM
7 -
8 - Easter Sunday - No Youth
9 - Weight Watchers @ 5:30PM - Men's Bible Study @ 7PM
10 - Play Group @ 10AM
11 -
12 - Choir @ 7PM
13 -
14 -
15 - Chili Cook Off after Worship - Youth 6 - 8PM
16 - Weight Watchers @ 5:30PM - Men's Bible Study @ 7PM
17 - Play Group @ 10AM - CC Homeschoolers
18 -
19 - CC Homeschoolers - Choir @ 7PM
20 - Parent's Night Out 6 - 10PM - Youth @ Brookville Convention
21 - CC Homeschoolers Play - Youth @ Brookville Convention
22 - Youth @ 6PM
23 - Weight Watchers @ 5:30PM - Men's Bible Study @ 7PM
24 - Play Group @ 10AM - Ladies Night Out @ 6PM
25 -
26 - Choir @ 7PM
27 - Whitehall Ladies Retreat
28 - Whitehall Ladies Retreat
29 - Youth 6 - 8PM
30 - Weight Watchers @ 5:30PM - Men's Bible Study @ 7PM

April 2012 - Birthdays

Happy Birthday
1 - Joann Switzer
3 - Hannah Allen - - Michaela Callender
7 - Hannah Henry
10 - Brad Harriger - Kalaya Edmonds
11 - Maya Thornton - Robert Gates
12 - Noah Morgan
14 - Mike Bailey - Johnette Shick
15 - Jennifer Morgan - Ame Pentz
20 - Clarence Evans
23 - Sarah Shick
25 - Alicyn Burford
27 - Dean Papke
28 - Rich Atherton

March 2012 - Bulletin Announcements

If you are new to Liberty Street C.O. G. (in your mailbox is a blue sheet with needed family information). Please place these in the secretary's mailbox. Also, please check your mailboxes for any information we may have placed in there.  The mailboxes are located in the Narthex.  If you are unsure if you have a mailbox or you do not have a mailbox, call Tammy @ 226 - 8672. You are important to us & we need to keep you updated on all activities!  Also, your monthly newsletter will be placed in the mailbox assigned to you.  
Also, we have Sunday School classes for all ages.  Nursery , Preschool, K-2nd, 3rd - 5th, Jr. Youth, Sr. Youth & 3 Adult classes... check us out today!  
Finally, please let the Church Office know if you would like a copy of any of our Sunday morning sermons. We send to our shut-ins on a weekly basis.
We are offering a "Live Worship Telecast" in the Fellowship Hall to help accommodate the seating needs of our growing church!  Praise the Lord!  Anyone is welcome to check it out & share in this new Worship extension.   With video recording of the service in this way, we will also be able to improve our outreach to our shut-ins by giving them our worship on DVD.
**************************************************
WWCH Channel 1300 on AM Broadcasting @ 11AM every Sunday...  The first Sunday if every month a pre-recorded service from Liberty Street Church of God with Pastor Bruce will be heard.  If you are unable to attend church on any Sunday morning, tune in to AM 1300.


Please check your mailbox for the March Newsletter “Connections”.  All the mailboxes are now in alphabetical order.  DID YOU FIND YOURS?  Let the
office know if you do not have one.

March 4th following Worship there will be a Bridal Shower for Samantha Schwabenbauer.  All women are invited to attend.   Sam us  is registered @ eRegistry.com


Our Youth are selling Peanut Butter Easter Eggs for $1.00 each.  Please see a youth to purchase your.  A table is in the Narthex.  Stop by today!!!


March 15th (Thursday) - Choir Practice @ 7 - 8:30PM.  This will run thru June 3rd.  If you are interested in being in the choir, please contact Bonnie Ferguson @ 764 - 5423.


Thank You Church Family for all the support & prayers during the past few weeks.  Brent & Pat Long


PARENTS NIGHT OUT – March 16th @ 6:00 p.m – 10:00 p.m.  Please sign up in the Welcome Center and be sure to include your telephone number in case of cancellation due to weather.

Women of ALL ages 18+ (and up +++)!  Save the date -- Tuesday evening March 20 from 6-8 PM... Ladies Night Out! This will be held at the church. An evening of devotions, prayer & socializing with others.  On the agenda is Pizza, movies, & sundaes!!  Questions... contact Tracy Miller.
Future dates for Ladies Night Out ---
April 17th for Spring Clean Up for the Heart & Soul
May 15th for Ultimate Survival (Christian Survival)

SCRAPBOOKING DAY” MARCH 24TH
As part of our new Women’s Ministry, Liberty Street will be hosting an all-day crop on Saturday, March 24, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.  There is no charge for this event.  Come & scrapbook your heart out!   Heather Gourley, Creative Memories Consultant, will have supplies available for purchase.  The host credit from the sales will go towards scrapbooks for the children of Violet Martin, who recently passed away. 
Bring a dish to share for lunch.  No childcare will be provided.  If you plan to attend, please sign up at the Welcome Center desk or see Jenny Bates (764-6056) if you have any questions.

THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE…
LADIES PRAYER CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY MARCH 31, 2012 from 10AM - 2PM. The speaker sharing will be Liz Rossey.  This is open for all women & their friends.  Cost: $10.  Child care will be provided for children ages 1 - 3 @ a charge of $5 per child.  Lunch will be provided.  Registration is due by Sunday, March 11th.  Registration forms/brochures are available @ each visitors table.  Please feel free to hand out the brochures.  If you have any questions, contact Judy Wilson.


40 Day Spiritual Adventure - 6 week study - Spring Revival Small Groups
Theme:  When God's Spirit Moves by Jim Cymbala
Meetings:
Wednesdays @ the Church @ 10AM & 7PM w/Pastors Bruce & Jonathan leading the study
Wednesdays  @ Whitehall Camp (Fallen Oak Bldg) @ 6:30PM with Don Barger leading the study
Sundays @ Mike & Wendy Ferguson's @ 6:30PM w/Ferguson's leading the study
Sundays @ Matt & Tammy Lerch's @ 6:15PM w/Keith Allen leading the study

Men’s Bible Study on Monday nights at Joe’s Gym @ 7:00 p.m.  Open to all men.  This is a great time to fellowship & study the Word with other Men willing to learn what it means to be a Man of God!

We Need Volunteers… The Welcome Center is looking for more Volunteers!  Please see Tammy Lerch or call 226-9680 if you are interested.

Samaritan's Purse - Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ministry
Have you heard the good news?  The count is in!  God exceeded the goal set of shoeboxes to be obtained.
Samaritan’s Purse’s National Shoebox collection goal for 2011 was 5.8 million, but God did 6,051,799!!
At home here in Clarion area, 25 churches put together 1,798.   Of them, 367 shoeboxes were from our Liberty Street Church of God.  (Our youth packed about 100).
You are encourage to continue praying for the 6,051,799 children who receive the shoeboxes.  Mat their hearts be opened to the Good News of Jesus Christ and that the children would receive Him, as their Savior and Lord (John 1:12).  May they also share Jesus with their families.
Also, this past year our Vacation Bible School collected offering for Samaritan Purse.  The Youth helped them decide what to purchase.  Two water filters & one freshwater well was bought & provided to a foreign land, where it was needed.  Praise the Lord!
It is indeed a privilege to serve together spreading the love of Jesus to hurting boys & girls throughout the world!  Thank you for your part in making this all possible.
John & Beth Henry

Military Mission Update... from Tracy Miller
 I want to personally thank all of those who have donated monies, prayers, & items for this mission.  We've sent 12 boxes to support military service members in need of supplies w/our mission.  Much gratitude has been expressed from the recipients and families/friends.  This project is now coming to an end.  Thank you again for all your support. 

Need motivation or just social companionship to exercise?  If you have any interest in getting together with other women to exercise on your level with your interest...please contact Tracy Miller by e-mail or phone: tmhm72@yahoo.com or 223-4717. This idea was brought up by one of our Christian sisters. Once we have an interest we will meet and conquer and divide according to interest, level, time constraints, and locations!

Ladies Sewing Group: "Sewful"
For women of all ages, beginners to experienced, wanting to get together for great fellowship.  We can learn from each other.   Anyone interested in knitting or crocheting is welcome, also!   Ideas for making sewing creations for ourselves, our children, & as gifts or donations.  
Starting in January we will begin doing projects including bags, quilts, pillows, & more.  Make something for yourself or as a gift for someone you love.  
In 2012, we'll meet in the Fellowship Hall on the 2nd & 4th Fridays from 6:30 - 8:30PM.  $5 - $10 requested to get supplies for a group project.  Also, we are always taking donations of fabric, buttons, tread, felt, yarn, & any sewing related items.  Childcare provided on site - $2 donation is requested.  
Any questions, please call Ame Pentz @ 724 - 747 - 5590 or email Ame @  Hebrews11_1@hotmail.com.

The Counseling Center is in need of a small couch or love seat that is gently used - anyone who can help them, please contact Tracy Miller @ 814 - 223 -  4717.

Coming up.....

Calling all graduates --- please call the church office @ 226 - 8672 or email Tammy @ tammy_mcclaine@yahoo.com if you are graduating from High School or College.  We will be recognizing our graduates in our morning worships on June 3rd.

Chili Cook Off - April 15th - this will be a fundraiser for our kids going to Youth Camps - get out your recipes!  Also, it will be for lunch & open to the congregation.  See Laura Burford or call her @ 226-9750 if you are interested in the "Challenge".

Summer Youth Camps - www.whitehallcamp.org - see Tammy for registration form.  If you received a form in the mail, please still hand it into the Church Office.  We want to send them all in together with one check.  All campers that attend church here & or youth will be eligible to attend camp free.  We believe Youth Camp is a vital part of young lives.  Deadline to have Registration in the Office is May 6th, 2012.
Senior High 9th - 12th grades ...........June 10 - 15
6th - 8th  grades ..........June 17 - 22
3rd - 5th grades ..........June 24 - 28

REVIVE 4th Annual Ladies Retreat @ Whitehall Camp & Conference on April 27 & 28, 2012 - Speaker:  Susan Reichart (the Spiritual Formation Director at Pine Valley Camp, a ministry serving Urban Youth in the Pittsburgh area) - Leading Worship:  Alanna Story - 2 sisters from Anderson Indiana.
Registration Early Bird (pd. By April 6th)  $40.00
Registration Regular (pd. After April 6th)  $45.00
Lodging prices are separate.  Brochures available in the Welcome Center.  Visit the website @ www.whitehall camp.org or call (724) 867-6861

Women of Faith Conference 2012 - September 28 & 29 in PGH, PA.  CELEBRATE!!  "Be happy & full of joy, because the Lord has done a wonderful thing."  Joel 2:21 NCV - We are hoping to get as many women as possible signed up to go to Women of Faith next year.  It will be a geat time of fellowship & growing in our walk with God.  More info to come, but if you are interested... please see Blair Spencer to save your spot today.