Please bring a mask and keep in mind social distancing rules.
Social distancing, also called “physical distancing,” means keeping space between yourself and other people outside of your home. To practice social or physical distancing:
We want to express our deepest sympathy to the families of Betty Woodring who passed away on November 27, 2020 and Judy Banjak who passed away on December 8, 2020. They meant much to our church and congregation. Betty’s constant concern for her family was so very admirable. We spent many conversations trying to help her help them. Them there is Judy Banjak, always a smile on her face and an uplifting hello when she saw you. Having known her for many years it can be said that she put a smile on the faces of all she met. She will be sadly missed and our most sincere sympathy goes out to her family. Our most sincere sympathy goes out to Betty’s family as well. May our Lord comfort them and give them peace and comfort at this most difficult time.
It is very difficult to ask for flowers for the Altar because we might be having virtual worship with Holy Trinity, Greenville. It is impossible to know what the next month will bring. Therefore how do we move forward or plan ahead. Until we get this Coronavirus under control are hands are tied. Everyone will have to check in on our web-site to get an idea of what is going to happen. Thank you all so very much for your patience and understanding. God’s Peace and Love.
A remembrance of a great man…
Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, GA. His birth certificate listed his first name as Michael, but this was later changed to Martin. His Grandfather and then his Father both served as the pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.
Martin graduated from Morehouse College in 1948 with a degree in Sociology. He further received a Bachelor’s of Divinity in 1951 and then a Ph.D. from Boston College in 1955. He had stepped onto the world stage. He met with Pope Paul VI in 1964 and then was honored as the youngest person ever to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. He was awarded this on December 10, 1964 at the age of thirty-five. He gave the entire amount of the prize money to help with the Civil Rights movement.
While speaking from a balcony at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King was assassinated. While James Earl Ray was arrested and charged with the assassination, there have been and still are questions to his guilt and whether there was a larger conspiracy at work.
What we all can agree about is that he was a special man from God. His wisdom, understanding and Love for all
really touched everyone’s hearts. Our office will be closed in remembrance.
You are invited to check out the Holy Trinity Web Site at www.holytrinityhermitage.com The site is ongoing and we are asking for your help. If you have any pictures of activities of the church in a digital format please send them to info@holytrinityhermitage.com for possible inclusion on the Web Page. Don’t forget to check it out. Again we want to thank Chuck Foltz who manages it for us. We are all very grateful for keeping us in the loop.
Joshua’s Haven
We here at Holy Trinity are supporting
Joshua’s Haven. It is a faith and gospel based City Mission on Stambaugh Ave. for the area’s homeless men. If you would like to help support this mission, please put any of the needed items in the bin that is placed in the narthex. Monetary donations to purchase items and or a home cooked meal that serves at least five people will be gratefully accepted. Please call the office if you have any questions. The following are some of the items needed:
Shampoo (bulk size bottles)
Body Wash (bulk size bottles)
Coffee, Canned goods (staples)
Styrofoam cups & paper plates
Plastic forks, knives, spoons & napkins
Battery clocks with batteries
Antibacterial spray
Flannel or fleece pants (jogging pants)
T-Shirts
PS: We want to again thank Stephanie Banjak for taking the donated items to Joshua’s for us. It is a really big help.
Meatball Sandwich Casserole
You will need:
1 bag of frozen meatballs (use Mama Lucia)
1 jar of marinara sauce or spaghetti sauce
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 cup Italian blend cheese, shredded
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
1 loaf of fresh Italian bread, sliced
To prepare:
Preheat oven to 400. Place entire bag of meatballs in pot with sauce (I also add garlic, onion powder, salt and pepper to taste) and cook over medium heat until warmed completely through, about 10 minutes. Stir as needed to keep meatballs from sticking to pot. Once heated through remove from heat. Place meatballs in the center of a 9×13 baking dish, layer mozzarella and Italian blend cheeses over meatballs topping off with the Parmesan. Take the slices of Italian bread and line the pan all the way around with them so that they are kind of keeping the meatballs toward the center of the pan. The bread slices will be standing up in the pan. You have creative freedom here with the bread…you can lightly butter and garlic the bread prior to placing it in the pan if you prefer or even brush lightly with olive oil and garlic. The choice is yours. Place in oven and bake for approximately 25 minutes or until cheese is melted &bubbly, remove from oven, serve and enjoy!
Thank you, Mike Boldish for a great recipe!
We will be doing an On-Line Stream for the Christmas Eve Service this year.
WE ARE
WOVEN TOGETHER
The Christmas Hat & Mitten Tree was up for Bethesda Children’s Home. Many wonderful gifts were put on and under the pretty Christmas tree. Melvin and Dorothy Slezak are delivering all those special gifts everyone gave so they could be readied for the children. Thank you everyone for helping make the children’s Christmas extra special. And thank you Dorothy and Melvin for helping us carry on the tradition. You make it all possible.
The new 2021 Flower Chart is up for the Standard and the Altar. The cost is still only $15.00 and a beautiful way to remember a person or event. Please be sure to stop by and fill in those special dates before they get taken.
Attention All Committees and Societies… Time seems to just fly by doesn’t it? If only we knew what tomorrow will bring. As of right now only the Lord knows. How are we supposed to plan anything with this Covid-19 running rampant? We will just have to have no plans for right now. Believe you me none of us can wait until this virus is under control.
Please don’t forget to check out our website, www.holytrinityhermitagepa.com. It has the December Newsletter articles along with many interesting things concerning our church. Thank you to Chuck Foltz who continually updates it for us.
We would like to express our deepest sympathy to the family of John E. Tomko.
May the strength and devotion of your faith comfort you at this most difficult time. John did so much around this church that he loved so much, and he will be missed more than words could say.
Some of our fondest memories are of John, Jason and his grandson Landen ushering on Sunday mornings. He was so proud of Landen and how well he did his job. John and Jason both were so very proud. And then when Landen started to acolyte John sat in the pew with a big smile on his face and as we recall his chest was puffed out a little too. John had a love of his family and a love of his church that few have.
Well done, thou good and faithful servant…enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Matthew 25:21
A Prayer for Patience
given by Betty Frye & Kathy Crisan
God, teach me to be patient;
Teach me to go slow.
Teach me how to wait on You
When my way I do not know.
Teach me sweet forbearance
When things do not go right
So I remain unruffled
When others grow uptight.
Teach me how to be quiet
My racing, rising heart
So I might hear the answer
You are trying to impart.
Teach me to let go, dear God,
And pray undisturbed until
My heart is filled with inner peace
And I learn to know Your will.
Helen Steiner Rice
We wish we could name everyone who gives the church of their riches, time and talents. Our church is filled to the brim with wonderful helpful people. We are going to name some more of those wonderful people again this month. It is a very stressful time here at Holy Trinity. Marlene Sypolt wants to celebrate Jesus every Sunday with the children. All while she is striving to keep them the children and teachers safe. A very tedious nerve-racking job to say the least.
She wipes and cleans and tries to practice the virus guidelines. A very tall order but she manages to do it. The children leave church on Sunday all giggly and happy. How very special is that! What would we do without her? Then there is
Sheila Susen what a monumental job she does for us every year.
She makes sure all the offering envelopes, memorial gifts and flower orders are recorded for each of us, then she prints out a statement for all of us and puts them in an envelope in alphabetical order. Talk about time consuming. She is phenomenal. She is a double check for our income reports every week.
Kathy & Chuck Long help wherever needed, go around fixing stuff, painting stuff and even replacing stuff. You should see the huge ceiling fan they put up in the church kitchen. Wow! is it large. They also help cook and bake. They are a dream team that we have for our church. In other words, we couldn’t dream up a team that would be any better than them. Then there’s James Antel, people have told him he should be a Pastor because he does such a wonderful job helping his Uncle Ron Tomko.
The reason everyone thinks he should be a Pastor is because he does everything he does perfectly with his heart and it
exudes from him. A blessing from above that is for sure. How about our “Lay Distributors of Holy Communion” twice a month they help Ron and James with the worship service. They are Joanne Gerda, Sandy Kimmel and Cindy Kapusta. Thanks to them we can have communion on the Sunday’s Pastor Seeley isn’t with us. Our most sincere thank you to them for helping to keep our service as close to the same as we can.
(Over)
How about Chuck Foltz…He is magnificent. We have one of the best church’s websites in the valley. Chuck has forgotten more than most of us even remember about computers. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Computers actually scare me just thinking about the possibility of it breaking down. Talk about a nightmare! And to think Chuck is all ours, Yea! We must also sing praises about Ruth Klein who has been our church treasurer for many years. Sometimes I say, “You’d think it was her money!” That is how special she does her job. We never have to worry about getting taken advantage of. She writes every check, balances all the books, pays the staff their paychecks every month, works on the yearly budget, sits on our church council and has a work ethic that can’t be matched and always has a beautiful smile on her face. Please know, she takes her job seriously and the books balance and every penny is accounted for. She is awesome.
One thing all these people have in common is that they work from their hearts. To them it isn’t a job it is a privilege and honor to work for us and the Lord. We know this because they never complain and when we see their smiles it makes us smile too. Thank you all so very much for all you have done and still do, for all the yesterdays, the todays and for the tomorrows to come. We are grateful and acknowledge that we are truly blessed to have so many wonderful caring people that are a part of our church family. Now if I forgot to mention you, please know our Lord knows you and what you do for Him and our church. Thank You Thank You! And a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year to all! Let us pray that 2021 will bring us all, the entire world a world of good health and a special love for each other that brings us even closer than we were before this nightmare even started.
Christ’s ministry to bring healing to the world continues even more today. Bringing Nurse Ministry to the congregation fulfills that call. A special thank you to Karen Borden, Kathy Long and Cindy Kapusta who on the first Sunday of every month give blood pressure screenings. Of course until Covid-19 is under control we will not be checking blood pressures. God willing we will be down the road soon.
Guess what? The Dorcas ladies are collecting toys for Salvation Army to give to needy children for Christmas. They have to receive the gifts here by Sunday December 6th. They request that they not be gift wrapped. There is a tote in the entrance way to the church. The list of toys that they are requesting is on the table by the bulletins. You can take one with you if you wish to get an idea of what toys are wanted. What a very special way to give back and thank God for all He has blessed us with. And it puts smiles on the faces of children in our own community.
Sunday School News
Well here we are approaching December and the Christmas Season. Things are so different this year for the Sunday School. We will not be doing a Christmas play this year because of the Masks and Social Distancing. Sadly, we won’t be able to have our usual Christmas Party. But Christmas will still go on and we will still celebrate the birth of Jesus. It will just have to be a little different this year. We are just happy that for right now we are able to meet and be together.
Our wish for you is that each and every one of you stays safe and healthy. We are looking forward to 2021 and brighter days ahead.
I saw this and thought it was worth sharing.
A Prayer for Putting On a Face Mask…
Creator God, as I prepare to go into the world, help me to see the sacramental nature of wearing of the cloth. Let it be a tangible and visible way of living love for my neighbors, as I love myself.
Christ Jesus, since my lips will be covered, uncover my heart, that people would see my smile in the crinkles around my eyes. Since my voice may be muffled, help me to speak clearly, not only with my words, but with my actions.
Holy Spirit, at the elastic touches my ears, remind me to listen carefully and caringly to all those I meet. May this simple piece of cloth be shield and banner, and may each breath that it holds, be filled with Your love, In Your name and in that love, I pray. Amen
God Bless, Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year
Marlene Sypolt
Sunday School Superintendent
There will not be any Sunday School on November 29th, December 20th, 27th and January 3rd. We will resume on January 10th as long as it is still safe to do so.
We have some wonderful news!!!
Chuck and Candice along with their daughters, Makayla & Alyssa just welcomed into this world their son and brother, Parker Jay Foltz. Parker weighed seven pounds two ounces, was Twenty1/2 inches long and came into this world on November 18, 2020. Mother and son are doing fine. Congratulations! May our Lord bless him with good health and much happiness always.
This is the famous Breakfast Bake. Thank you Michael Boldish for sharing.
10 eggs
1/2 cup milk
16 oz refrigerated breakfast biscuits (I used the Pillsbury flakey kind)
***DO NOT COOK FIRST***
4 scallions or onions
2 cups shredded extra sharp cheddar
If you’re into the meats – cooked center cut bacon or cooked sausage
11×17 pan, sprayed with cooking spray (Note: I think a 9×13 works better, but it might need to bake a little longer)
1. Mix your eggs and milk in a large bowl. Cut each biscuit (I’m all about scissors in the kitchen) into fours and add it to the bowl. I like to do this before I cook the bacon or cut up the scallions – give the biscuits some time to really soak in the eggs.
2. Cut up your scallions, shred your cheese, cook and break up your bacon (or sausage). Add everything to the bowl.
3. Mix it all up and pour into your pan. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes ..
closer to 30 so it isn’t runny
YUMMY!! Serve with Fresh Fruit Salad and lotsa coffee/tea and assorted juices
*** BLC Hint/Tip *** – if you want to make this the night before leave it in the mixing bowl in the fridge covered with saran. In the morning, give it a good stir then pour into prepared baking dish and proceed to bake as directed!!! —
**Last hint ** – NOT low carb or low calories – it’s about portion control here! Great for brunch, big families, Sunday breakfasts.
You could always divide it in half if it is too much.
Wise words to maybe live by.
1. Prayer is not a “spare wheel” that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a “steering wheel” that directs the right path throughout.
2. So why is a car’s windshield so large and the rear view mirror so small? Because our past is not as important as our future. So, look ahead and move on.
3. Friendship is like a book. It takes few seconds to burn, but it takes years to write.
4. All things in life are temporary. If its going well, enjoy it, that won’t last long. If its going badly, don’t worry, that won’t last long either.
5. Old friends are gold ! New friends are diamond! If you get a diamond, don’t forget the gold ! Because to hold a diamond, you always need a base of gold!
6. Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, God smiles from above and says, “Relax, sweetheart, it’s just a bend, not the end!”
7. When God solves your problems, you have faith in His abilities; when God doesn’t solve your problems, He has faith in your abilities.
8. A blind person asked St. Anthony, “Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight?” He replied, “Yes, losing your vision!”
9. When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them; sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.
10. Worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles, it takes away today’s peace.
This came to us from Karen Blosz. It is a conversation with God from one of His children.
Me: Okay, God, here’s the thing. I’m scared. I’m trying not to be, but I am.
God: I know. Want to talk about it?
Me: Do we need to? I mean, you already know.
God: Let’s talk about it anyway…We’ve done this before.
Me: I know, I just feel like I should be bigger or stronger or something by now.
God: *waiting patiently, unhurried, undistracted, never annoyed.
Me: Okay. So, I’m afraid I’ll do everything I can to protect my family and it won’t be enough. I’m afraid of someone I love dying. I’m afraid the world won’t go back to what it was before. I’m araid my life is always going to feel this unsettled.
God: Anything else?
Me: EVERTHING ELSE.
God: Remember how your daughter woke up the other night and came running down the hall to your bedroom?
Me: Yes.
God: You were still awake, so when you heard her running, you started calling out to her before she even got to you … remember? Do you remember what you called out to her?
Me: I said, “You’re okay! You’re okay!
You’re okay! I’m here.”
God: Exactly. I hear you my child. I hear your thoughts recing like feet down the dark hallway. There’s another side to all of this. I’m there already. I’ve seen the end of it. And I want you to know right here as you walk through it all, you’re okay. I haven’t gone to sleep and I won’t.
Me: *crying. Can we sit together awhile? Can we just sit here a minute before I go back to face it all?
God: There’s nothing I’d love more.
I hope and pray everyone reads this. Because it gives us the hope that Covid will end and boy do we need that hope.
Thank you so very much Karen for sharing this with us.
Dorcas notes from their last meeting on November 16, 2020
November 16th 12:00pm Noon
Attendance 12
President Kathy Long called meeting to order at 12:15pm
Chairlift permit is approved waiting to be installed.
Have older AED looking into buying another one. Walter Cowan will check with doctors that work at fire station
Fresh peppers in refrigerator there are hot, mild and sweet peppers that are in oil or sauce. Price per pint will be $5.00 with money going to Dorcas
Old Business- Cindy Kapusta did a demonstration on the AED and CPR.
Cookies for Shut-in’s date to make them will be December 1st at 9:00am
We can bring from home also.
We read a thank you from Pastor Nelson for providing him with meals etc.
We got a toy wish list from Salvation Army’s Stephanie Childs. Copies of the list were placed on the table upstairs where the bulletins sit.
There will be a tote in the narthex for donations to be placed unwrapped. All donations must be given by December 6th.
Motion made by Kathy Crisan
Seconded by Stephanie Banjak
ELCA- we will buy one goat and chicks totalling $60.00 Motion made by Betty Frye, seconded by Kathy Crisan.
Christmas Donations:
Dorcas will buy four poinsettias
$750.00 to General Fund
$750.00 to Building & Maintenance
$100.00 to Community Food Warehouse
$75.00 to Prince of Peace
$50.00 Turkey Fund
$100.00 Patty Boldish
$100.00 Meals on Wheels
$75.00 Salvation Army
$75.00 Aware
$75.00 Joshua’s Haven
$100.00 Ron Tomko
On December 1st when we bake cookies, we will do a $5.00 gift exchange
Motion to close meeting made by
Kathy Crisan and
seconded by Stephanie Banjak
We closed with the Lord’s Prayer
Respectfully Submitted
Joanne Gerda
For all our Slovaks out there…The traditional Christmas Eve dinner consisted of Oplatky, Mushroom Soup, Fish, Pirohy, Peas and Kolac.
In our grandmother’s home on Christmas Eve we would dine on the most delicious Pirohy ever made. My grandmother would fill them with mashed potatoes, fried sweet cabbage, cottage cheese and some kind of prunes. (Truthfully) I ate mostly mashed potatoes and the sweet cabbage ones. My Baba was the best cook and baker to ever live. Oh what I wouldn’t give to enjoy sitting with her and eating until I couldn’t eat anymore. It was her birthday too which made it even more special. Our entire family came, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends you name it. Oh, what a Merry Christmas it was. I also remember my mother’s cousin Sue Banjak having the traditional dinner every year. I would take my Mom to her house where there were a full house of family and friends gathering to share the Vilija Dinner. Then everyone would be off to church. What wonderful memories they are for sure.
Ever hear of Kapustnia
(Christmas Eve Soup)?
It is a traditional part of the Christmas Eve meal that was shared by Slovak families. The recipe came to us from a newsletter sent to us from ASCA of the Mahoning Valley.
The author was Loretta Ekoniak. She writes…Here, I have included several ways to make it and several variations. Hopefully one will be similar to your Christmas memories!
in Slovak (Keep the liquid for use in the soup): One pound fresh mushrooms, cleaned, cut and cooked in about one quart of water, or three ounces dried mushrooms soaked overnight, or one eight ounce can of mushroom pieces.
Sauerkraut juice to taste
½ cup or so of sauerkraut
Vinegar to taste
WE ARE
WOVEN TOGETHER
IN CHRIST
“November 2020 Worship Team”
Rev, James Seeley, Supply Pastor
Ronald Tomko, Worship Leader
One service—10:00am
Sunday School at 9:00am
Phone: 724 981-2050
Worship Assistants:
James Antel
Ronald Tomko
Lay Distributors:
Sandy Kimmel
James Antel
Joanne Gerda
Cynthia Kapusta
Ronald Tomko
November 1st–
Ronald Tomko will lead worship
James Antel will assist
Cynthia Kapusta will be Lay Distributor
November 8th
Rev. James Seeley will lead worship
James Antel will assist
November 15th
Ronald Tomko will lead worship
James Antel will assist
Joanne Gerda will be Lay Distributor
November 22nd “Christ the King”
Rev. James Seeley will lead worship
Ronald Tomko will assist
November 29th “1st Sunday in Advent”
Ronald Tomko will lead worship
James Antel will assist
Sandy Kimmel will be Lay Distributor
Thank you everyone for your help with our weekly worship service. What would we do without you? We tremble just thinking about it. Please, if you can’t make your assigned Sunday just call the office, 724 981-2050 Thank You so much.
The Christmas Hat & Mitten Tree is going to be up for Bethesda Children’s Home on Sunday, November 1, 2020. We want to thank Michael Boldish for making sure the tree is in place. It is already to get filled up. The children just love receiving new hats and mittens. They are requesting that we give for children 12 to 18 years old, for that is the ages that reside there. Any other article of clothing for that age group will be gladly accepted also.
PS Please remember that they must arrive here at the church by December 6th. This way Melvin & Dorothy Slezak can deliver them, so the staff has time to select who is getting what and then wrap it. Our heartfelt thank you to the Slezak’s for their help.
Attention All Committees and Societies… If you would please prepare a calendar of events for your group and or committee concerning next year and give it to the office so it can be written on a 2021 Calendar of Events. We are not sure if we will be able to do anything because of Coronavirus but having a tentative schedule will help even if we have to cancel everything at least we tried to plan activities. We will greatly appreciate your help. Thank you
Some items that are continuously for sale here at Holy Trinity
Nut or Apricot Horns $6.00 a doz.
Frozen Pigs in a Blanket $7.00 a ½ doz.
$14.00 a doz.
Cooked Pigs in a Blanket $7.50 a ½ doz.
$15.00 a doz.
Frozen Chicken Pot Pies $10.00 each
Pint & Quart container of Cabbage & Noodles… $2.50-pt. & $5.00-qt. sizes
There are also other items for sale you can call the office for more information.
ADVENT BEGINS, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020…
Advent is a word which means “to come.” The season lasts for four weeks leading up to Christmas. During these four Sundays we prepare ourselves for the coming again of the Messiah, as we light a candle on the Advent wreath each week. During this new liturgical year, the color is blue (the color of hope) and most of the Gospel readings will be from Luke.
Our Wednesday night Advent services that we have done in the past with Christ Lutheran Church will not happen. Because of the Coronavirus and not having a Pastor we will have to forego them this year. If things should change, we will notify everyone. Thank You
Soon, the angel will announce to the shepherds, “Fear not! I bring you good news of great joy.” As we await the coming of Christ, may the God of our salvation grant us peace, joy, hope and gladness. Come join us in our journey to His birth. Please remember we will have only one candle-light service on December 24th at 7:30pm.
JOIN US FOR ALL SAINTS SUNDAY ON NOVEMBER 1st
During our 10:00am service we will celebrate All the Saints and especially honor those who have gone before us since last All Saints day. They are as follows:
Anna Voyda August 21, 2019
Anne Jones November 9, 2019
Susan E. Cowan December 3, 2019
Thomas Keryan December 16, 2019
Martha Krizancic December 27, 2019
Mildred Krivak February 17, 2020
John Bottenfield March 5, 2020
Robert J. Belles April 19, 2020
John R. Miller April 29, 2020
Ronald Haun May 6, 2020
Constance DePreta August 7, 2020
Evelyn (Elsie) Ondich Sept. 12, 2020
Their name will be read and a candle on the altar lit in remembrance of them.
It seems like we do a lot of Thank You’s every month doesn’t it? We are so very blessed to have so many people care about our church and they step up to the plate and hit it out of the park month after month. Here are just a few.
Linda Chalupka counts the offering every Sunday, buys and plants spring and summer flowers, is our Financial Secretary, helps our beloved Dorcas with getting cabbage, donut mix, fruits etc. when they need them. Just about any-thing they need she is there.
Kim Kaszowski helps Linda count the offering every Sunday. She also keeps the office stocked up with colored paper that is used when printing the newsletter. How wonderful is that!
Sharon Bryan helps count money also and she is the right-hand lady for the Dorcas, whether it is making Apple Squares, Pigs in the Blanket, whatever is needed, and she is the treasurer of the Dorcas. She also serves on our church council which she takes very seriously. Even after getting her hip replaced, she is helping. Just amazing!
Ron Tomko is almost a superman. All you have to do is ask him and he does it or at the very least gets someone who will do it. And the most remarkable thing about Ron is that he does it with a happy heart. He does so much around here that I would need another page if I were to list it all. Also, just amazing!
We have many more people who give of their time and expertise to help. Just a few off the top of my head are,
Marlene Sypolt is the best Sunday School superintendent anyone could ask for. Wonderful! Myron Jones heads up property and is a jack of all trades and is the first person called when trouble strikes. Fantastic! More next month.
After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.
When he was standing before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side. When he was close enough, he called out, ‘Excuse me, where are we?’
‘This is Heaven, sir,’ the man answered.
Would you happen to have some water?’ the man asked. Of course, sir. Come right in, and I’ll have some ice water brought right up’. The man gestured, and the gate began to open.
‘Can my friend,’ gesturing toward his dog, ‘come in, too?’ the traveler asked.
‘I’m sorry, sir, but we don’t accept pets.’
The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog. After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence. As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.
‘Excuse me!’ he called to the man. ‘Do you have any water?’
‘Yeah, sure, there’s a pump over there, come on in..’
‘How about my friend here?’ the traveler gestured to the dog.
There should be a bowl by the pump.’
They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it. The traveler filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog. When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree.
‘What do you call this place?’ the traveler asked. This is Heaven,’ he answered. ‘Well, that’s confusing,’ the traveler said. ‘The man down the road said that was Heaven, too.’
‘Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That’s hell.’ ‘Doesn’t it make you mad for them to use your name like that?’
‘No, we’re just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind.’
~Anonymous Author
Thank you, Michael Boldish, for this really nice short story. Any pet lover will just love reading this.
Last night I rode my bike to bar here in town and I had a few beers, followed by a few bourbons and a number of shots….
I still had the sense to know I was over the limit. That’s when I decided to do what I have never done before, I locked up my bike in a secure place, and I took a cab home.
Sure enough, there was a police check point on the way home, and since it was a cab, they waved it past. I arrived home safely without incident. This came as a great relief and a surprise because I had never driven a cab before, I don’t even know where I got it from, and now that it is in my garage, I don’t know what to do with it.
What a knee slapper…thanks Mike Boldish
for sharing.
Christmas Candy for sale by the Dorcas Ladies. To buy must do so by deadline November 16, 2020.
A message about the Philadelphia Candy that our Dorcas ladies is selling…deadline to order is November 16, 2020. There are order forms placed around the church. Call Kathy Long 1-330-637-6406 if you have any questions or concerns.
One Bowl Apple Cake
This cake is so moist and rich and just perfect for this time of year, and easy to make!
Ingredients:
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 heaping teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 cup oil
6 medium Gala or Honey Crisp apples
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, mix the eggs, sugar, cinnamon and oil. Peel and slice the apples and add to mixture in bowl (coating as you go to keep apples from turning brown.) Mix the baking soda and flour and add to the ingredients in the bowl. Mix well (best with a fork) until all the flour is absorbed by the wet ingredients. Pour mixture into a greased one 9×13 or two 9″ round pans. Bake for approximately 55 minutes.
***Please be sure to mark your calendar Christmas Eve Candle-light service is at 7:30pm.
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to gather with family and friends and reflect on the blessings of the last year. Many of us experience renewed hope and faith during the Thanksgiving holiday because we turn our eyes onto what is most important. What if we spent time each day in giving thanks and prayer? How could God grow out faith and trust if we lived a life of thanks through all seasons and not just Thanksgiving time? When your heart is filled with gratitude, there is little room to worry or complain.
“Dear God, thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives, thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over us. Thank you for your great love and care. Thank you for your sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life. Forgive us for when we don’t thank you enough, for who you are, for all that you do, for all that you’ve given. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh. Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy. We love you and we need you, this day and every day. We give you praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
I wish the world was peaceful
And no one had to die
I wish to banish agony and pain
So, no one had to cry
I wish for no violence
No shrapnel in the thigh
I wish for more respect in the world
So, soldiers could get by
I wish the world was pure and good
So, no one had reason to lie
Veterans Day poem by
The Dorcas had a work-day meeting on March 6th.
Betty Frye made a motion, Stephanie Banjak seconded it to pay for Blood Kits to put in the First Aid Kits in the church.
New Ceiling Fan for the kitchen was motioned by Ruth Klein and seconded by Stephanie Banjak. The cost will come from donations made from Ann Usko memorial fund.
New commode for the men’s bathroom, motion made by Ruth Klein and seconded by Stephanie Banjak. Dorcas will pay for the new toilet.
Minutes from the October 19, 2020 meeting.
Attendance 10 members
Thank You’s:
Meals on Wheels- $100.00 for Easter
Food Warehouse Lori Weston -$100.00
Joshua’s Haven- $100.00
Ron & Wendy Tomko-Thank you card
Chairlift waiting on permit.
New Business will help local children by
Arranging with Salvation Army to get slips off Christmas trees. Will decide by next meeting. The meeting will be held on November 16th at 12:00 noon.
Motion to close meeting Karen Borden and seconded by Marlene Stebelsky.
We closed with the Lord’s Prayer
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne Gerda
It is with much sadness that we announce that one of our members have been diagnosed with the Coronavirus and at the time of this writing is hospitalized. All our prayers are being sent out to him and his family. May our Lord heal him quickly and take away all the covid-19 from his body.
Having a case of this deadly virus hit so close to home it is prompting me to institute a new happening here in the church office. Until it is safe to do so the office will be closed to members and friends of our church. I will be glad to help everyone the best I can with a simple phone call or email. If you need to drop something off no problem…you can just set it in the box on the table outside the office and I will take it after you leave and do whatever you want me to do with it. I hope you understand that I am doing this abundant amount of caution because the Coronavirus seems to do harm to people my age, people having a pre-existing condition and people being overweight which all apply to me. The bottom line though is that I am here to help, guide, listen, do reports, etc. but most importantly care and comfort you and I
want to make sure I will be able to do just that. Thank You all for your understand- ing and love.
Most Sincerely,
Patty
Pray, pray, pray for all of this to go away.
Jesus Calling
I am perpetually with you, taking care of you. That is the most important fact of your existence. I am not limited by time or space; My Presence with you is a forever –promise. You need not fear the future, for I am already there. When you make that quantum leap into eternity, you will find Me awaiting you in heaven. Your future is in My hands; I release it to you day by day, moment by moment. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow.
I want you to live this day abundantly, seeing all there is to see, doing all there is to do. Don’t be distracted by future concerns. Leave them to Me! Each day of life is a glorious gift, but so few people know how to live within the confines of today. Much of their energy for abundant living spills over the timeline into tomorrow’s worries or past regrets. Their remaining energy is sufficient only for limping through the day, not for living it to the full. I am training you to keep your focus on my presence in the present. This is how to receive abundant life, which flows freely from My throne of grace.
This came to us from Sarah Young’s book “Jesus Calling” In memory of our beloved Martha Krizancic
Happy Fall from Sunday School
We are finally all back together in Sunday School. Thinks are much different with everyone wearing masks and staying 6 feet apart and hand sanitizing a lot. The students are just happy to be back together again.
We welcome Coner Laverty to our little group. We hope someday soon to have Brantley and Harper join us but they don’t want to wear masks so we will just wait for them when this is all over.
We also want to welcome Erin Sypolt to our teaching staff.
We learned about God creating Day and Night, Sky and Land, Stars, Sun and Moon, Sea creatures and animals and humans and on the seventh day he rested. We learned how God made each of us unique and about Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit. We can’t wait to continue learning about the many things that God has done for us.
We hope that everyone continues to stay healthy and safe. Much love and caring,
Marlene Sypolt
*Standard and Altar Shelf – 2020
We offer beautiful Flower Memorials to remember a loved one, honor a person, event or whatever you wish to acknowledge. The charts are posted on the wall in the narthex. They are only $15.00 and so beautiful!
The Christmas Hat & Mitten Tree will
be up on November 1st for Bethesda Children’s Home. The age group of boys and girls for receiving hats, mittens and any other new clothing are 12 to 18 years old. What a unique way to share our blessings with these special children. Please put your donations in the box under the Christmas tree. Let’s fill that box up and once again put big smiles on the children’s faces at Bethesda this holiday season.
PS: The tree is up on November 1st because Bethesda needs the gifts by the early part of December so they can determine who gets what gift for Christmas. We want to thank Melvin & Dorothy Slezak for delivering our gifts to Bethesda. We are truly blessed to have them.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to
What lies within us.
A message from Elsie & Ernie Laslow…We want to thank everyone who sent cards and warm wishes to us in celebration of our 72nd wedding anniversary. Please know it touched our hearts with feelings of caring and love. We are so blessed!
Most sincerely, Ernie and Elsie
Thank you also goes out to Joe Turney and Myron Jones who catered but more importantly thought of having a free Pasta Dinner. They not only bought most of the ingredients, cooked and packed them up but delivered them to the striking NLMK (old Sharon Steel) workers, where they stood to protest unfair treatment from employers at three locations and the Union Hall in Wheatland as well. Joe and Myron said they had a lot of assistance and are so very thankful for all the helping hands from so many members. It isn’t very often that we get anything free. Is it? Not to mention how delicious everything was as well. The pasta was cooked just right, the tomato sauce was so very flavorful, the salad was crisp and as fresh as can be and the Italian dessert Tiramisu was outstanding as well. That was made and donated by Karen Blosz and Donna Pavcik. That Italian dessert got rave reviews. Consequently, the recipe is in the newsletter. The entire meal was one of the best meals ever served. Thank you to everyone who helped create such a masterpiece. And again…Thank you to Joe Turney and Myron Jones for having the idea to begin with!! See it takes a village!
We will be celebrating Reformation Sunday on October 25th. Please be sure to “wear red” the traditional color for Reformation Sunday and come celebrate with us. I don’t know about you, but I am so proud to be a Christian and a Lutheran.
“Reformation Day” is celebrated the same day as “Halloween” October 31st.
At the time of this publication we are not sure if our towns will be celebrating Halloween because of the pandemic. We sure hope that it will not be cancelled because the children just love getting dressed up in their favorite costume then getting their trick or treat bag and going door to door and receiving candy. What a really fun time for them and the neighbors giving the candy out and admiring their special costumes. I hope for the children’s sake they approve Halloween this year. We’ll see, fingers crossed.
October 25, 2020
REFORMATION SUNDAY
Before the Truth Is Finished
“You will know the truth,” Jesus said, “and the truth will make you free” (John 8:32).
“The truth will set you free,” David Foster Wallace wrote, “but not until it’s finished with you.”
Before the truth is finished with us, it demands that we admit that we are not already free. We are enslaved to sin. This is the part of the truth that Luther called the law: the hard part that points out that we are controlled by our fears and desires, our self-absorption and self-doubt, our addictions and facades.
Here’s the truth: You are not your Sunday best or your Facebook profile. You are broken and enslaved by your attempts to cover it up. That can be hard to hear, but until it sinks in, we are unable to be released and receive the truth of the gospel, the good news of grace.
As we celebrate Reformation Sunday, and in the spirit of Martin Luther the church must be always reforming, always pointing beyond itself to God’s grace.
The temptation is always there to settle for so little: a cozy collective of our most presentable selves, the right side of social issues, pat answers to incomprehensible mysteries of the universe.
Jesus’ invitation is to bring the mess that we’re in, the mess that we are. We are called to show up as our true selves, fears and regrets and doubts and all. God can handle it. The communion of saints—that is, us, the people of God—can handle it. You are loved. You are forgiven. You are free.
The truth of God that sets us free first tears us open. Church can and must be a place where we bring our broken-open selves and encounter the healing power of a God who sees us, knows us, loves us as we are, and sets us free.
Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress.
We will not be blessing any animals this year for a couple reasons…the first and foremost reason is that we are currently still in a Pandemic and it is unsafe to do so and secondly, we do not currently have a Pastor. Maybe next year???
Francis of Assisi, renewer of the church, died 1226
Born into the family of a wealthy merchant, Francis gave up his inheritance to serve poor people. He formed the Order of Friars Minor (called Franciscans), who took on poverty and the task of preaching “using words if necessary.” Francis had a spirit of gratitude for all of God’s creation.
St. Francis was a remarkable man who lived from 1182 to 1226AD and is renowned for his love of animals. It is believed that once he even preached a sermon to a field of sparrows. He told the birds how lucky they were that God had made them to fly and that they always had feathers for clothing and that God had given them beautiful rivers and streams for water, and tall trees in which to nest and all varieties of food.
Joyful Diversion’s delicious version of Tiramisu
Ingredients:
1 box of yellow cake mix
A cup of strong coffee with added sugar to make it syrupy
Box of Instant Vanilla Pudding
A square of cream cheese (soften)
Cool Whip
Cocoa (use a small strainer)
First you make the cake mix as directed and pour half of the batter into two cookie sheets.
Bake until done
Cool
Next you poke holes in the cakes and pour the coffee syrup in the holes
Then you spread the prepared vanilla pudding that has been mixed with the cream cheese on top of one of the cakes
Then you take the other cake and put it on top of iced cake
Then you ice that top with cool whip and sprinkle with cocoa
And you are ready to cut and serve!
Yummy!!!
This is the recipe of the dessert that was served for the Free Pasta Dinner that Joe Turney and Myron Jones made on September 13th.
Dorcas News
Dorcas decided not to have a meeting in September due to Covid-19.
Sunday School News
After taking a survey of the Parents it has been decided that we will be starting Sunday School back on October 11th. There is a change in the time of Sunday School due to only having one church service at 10:00. Doors will open at 8:45 and Sunday School will begin at 9:00 and will end at 9:45.
We will be having Sunday School in the fellowship hall so that we can try our best to Social Distance. We are requiring that the everyone wear face masks.
We look forward to seeing everyone again on October 11th. We have missed you all so much.
“Back to School Prayer”
This is my command. Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
We are pleased to announce that the camera club will be using our fellowship hall again this year. They will be meeting the first, second and third Tuesday of the month beginning on September 1, 2020 from 6:30pm until 9pm. The following is the schedule for October, November and December 2019.
Oct. 6-Category-Black & White
Oct. 13-Category-Tech Tuesday
Oct. 20-Category-Moving Water-
(Including ice)
Nov. 3- -No Meeting-Election site
Nov. 10-Category- Tech Tuesday
Nov. 17-Category- Churches, Steeples,
Stained Glass
Dec. 1-Category-Old signs/Road signs
Dec. 8-Category-Tech Tuesday
Dec. 15-Christmas Banquet/No
Competition
Again, our most genuine welcome to Camera Club! We are so glad to be able to provide a nice place to meet. We heard through the grapevine that they welcome all who want to learn how to Smile for the camera!
Which means new members are welcome to join.
Our Deepest Sympathy…
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Evelyn (Elsie) Ondich. As everyone knows, we all called her Elsie. She taught Sunday School here at Holy Trinity
for over fifty years. How awesome is that! We remember her smiling face that somehow lite up her eyes and the room. She loved Holy Trinity Lutheran and the people, and they loved her. May our Lord comfort her family at this most difficult time.
I Wonder Why
Why do we wait till a person’s gone
Before we tell of their worth?
Why do we wait, why not tell them now
They are the finest person on earth?
Why do we wait till a person’s gone
To send them flowers galore?
When a single rose would have meant so
Much if we’d taken it to their door?
Why do we wait till they cannot hear
The good things we might say?
Why put it off, why not tell them now
And share in their joys today?
Of course we’re busy – that’s our excuse
But why, oh why do we wait?
To tell a person our love for them
Until it becomes too late?
Anonymous
A Request from the “News Desk”
Church groups and individuals with information about activities or personal achievements are welcome to submit them to the Church Office. Our readers are interested in the happenings in our church and in the lives of our congregation.
Please have articles for the November Dorcaszette in the church office by
October 18th.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact the office during normal business hours. 724 981-2050
9:00am to 3:00pm
Thank you
We have a message from Myron Jones…he is requesting that people who have Loved Ones buried in our cemetery and have flowers etc. on gravesites to please remove them for winter. We don’t know what kind of winter we will be having. Winter winds can be very strong which would blow gravesite items everywhere. Thank you for your kind consideration with this matter.
AA message from our Council President,
Ron Tomko
Dear Members of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church,
Since Pastor Gary Nelson resigned his Call to retire as of September 1, 2020 from the ministry of our church, please be advised that he is no longer available to service our congregational members or their families. If you have pastoral emergencies please contact the church office and we will find a solution.
Our congregation is in transition. We are in contract with Bishop Lozano for assistance. Thank you for your prayers during this situation.
God’s Peace,
Ronald Tomko
Council President
We would like to clarify something that has been brought to our attention. Our church council approved giving Pastor Nelson a retirement gift of $500.00 but of course that monetary gift came from our congregation not the council. Please forgive for any misconception. Thanks 
“Valley Alive Festival 2020”
Joshua’s Haven is celebrating the Feast of the Tabernacles with worship and praise. Valley Alive call a sacred assembly and cry out to the Lord. It will be held on Saturday October 3rd from 3 to 6pm. Joshua’s is located at 1230 Stambaugh Avenue in Sharon, PA. All are welcome to come.
We would like to thank Chuck Foltz for maintaining our website. If you haven’t gotten to explore our 2020 Holy Trinity site yet, please make the time and read and see what our website has. Please go to www.holytrinityhermitage.com and see what we mean. Thanks to Chuck.
celebrating the Feast of the Tabernaclesaven.org/
