This Sunday- Worship at 10am ONLY |
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August 4, 2022 | ISSUE #121 |
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Love. Share. Grow. Serve. |
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Dear Bellefield Family,
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…
A time where it becomes just a bit harder to find a seat in the pews. A time when the average age of a church service lowers. A time where traffic becomes a bit more hectic in Oakland. That’s right, I’m talking about Welcome Back Week - the most wonderful time of the year!
On Saturday, August 20th, first year Pitt students will start moving in to prepare for orientation week. We must remember that while some are excited to finally “be on their own,” many are confused and lonely.
22 years ago, I set foot on WVU’s campus as a first year student. Little did I know that my identity, my worldview, would be shattered in college. Everything that I had once held dear was miles away. I no longer knew who I was, so I went on a path of self-discovery asking, “Who am I?” I looked to others to identify me, anything that would make me feel worth. This is where I was in college. I was insecure and lost, and so I turned to what everyone else said I should identify with: alcohol, drugs, and sex. "This is where I will find fulfillment," I thought. "This is where I'll gain some worth." But I didn't. I realized that all of these could not fulfill. I was even more insecure and lonelier than before.
It was during my sophomore year of college that I came to realize that I was identifying in the wrong things - things that did not define me. I found that Christ and Christ alone defines me. Who am I? I am one who is made in the image of God, His child, and am deeply loved.
When you come across that individual student sitting alone, or a group of newly made friends who are attending church together, we must remember that these students are defined by Jesus Christ. They too are made in the image of God, His child, and are deeply loved.
So you might be asking, “What can/should I do?” A quick answer would be to talk to them. Find out their major, their hometown, ask them what brought them to Bellefield, or ask them a fun fact about themselves. Point them to a Cornerstone staff person or a Cornerstone student. Make them feel welcomed and wanted.
- Also, be invitational. Invite them out to lunch or to a Cornerstone event. What Cornerstone events? I’m glad you asked.
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Invite them to the lemonade stand taking place right after the 11:00 service on the 21st.
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Invite them to our orientation week events. They will all be on our calendar on our website: www.cornerstone220.org
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Invite them to our Welcome Back Cookout on August 28th from 1:30pm to 4:30pm. Students love free food, but more importantly someone to share that food with.
- Invite them to our Large Group starting August 31 at 8:40pm in Fellowship Hall.
There are a plethora of ways to make students feel welcomed and wanted. Remember, there is a chance that you could be the first person that they have met since setting foot on campus that have made them feel that way. We must be the lights of Christ to them!
It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.
Andy Moore, University Minister
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COMMUNITY CARE
In need of help? Looking for ways to get connected?
Connect
If you are looking for ways to connect with our community, please reach out to us using this connect form. One of our staff or leaders would be happy to talk with you.
Small Groups
If you would like to grow in your faith through joining a small group, there are a number of groups to choose from! Email Julie for more information.
Prayer
Our Prayer Team will offer prayer after our morning service. Contact Greg if you need to talk or would like prayer during the week.
Deacons
If you or your family have been experiencing spiritual, financial, or physical hardship during this time, please reach out to our Deacons who are here to help care for you.
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Introducing New University Ministry Staff |
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Sara Kaempf
CCO Associate
Sara is excited to join the University Fellowship as a CCO Associate, as the ministry had a profound impact on her faith during her time as a student at Pitt. Sara recently graduated with a MSW and has just entered the field as a full-time therapist. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, being outdoors, and training her puppy, Koda, to be better than everyone else at the dog park. Her number one priority in life is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and encourage people live in relationship with God. She shares teachings and testimonies on her podcast, titled And That's True, where she teaches what it means to live your life according to the knowledge that God loves you. Sara is grateful for the Lord's work in her life and for all He will do through the lives of the college students and young adults she will serve.
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Joel Hinkle
University Ministry Intern
Hello my name is Joel Hinkle, a recent graduate form the University of Pittsburgh with a Mechanical Engineering degree. I will be working with Bellefield Church, specifically the Campus Ministry Team, and the college ministry that stems from Bellefield called Cornerstone. I am so very excited to step into this position and see what God leads me to do with college students over the next year. I will be focusing a lot of my efforts on the men of Cornerstone and building up a strong community between them. I want to lead studies that will demonstrate how Christian men should present themselves and be set apart from the world according to the Bible. Along with that I will be leading three discipleship groups and am so excited to grow closer with those I am discipling. I look forward to the time I will spend with the staff and students and the relationships that will grow from these interactions.
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"If I Could Tell You One Thing"
Eddie Jones, This Sunday
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We have the opportunity to worship all together at 10am in the Sanctuary and online this week. Eddie Jones of Eternal City Church continues our series this Sunday, August 7th. Abby Opal, EPC Mental Health Chaplain concludes the series on August 14th. |
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Saturday August 6th
- Women's Small Group @ 10:30am, Offsite, email Jessica for information
Sunday, August 7th
Monday, August 8th
- Chatham University Bible Study @ 5:30pm, Chatham University. Please contact Jessica Bonzo for details.
Wednesday, August 10th
- University Summer Bible Study @ 6pm, Conference Room
Sunday, August 14th
To watch our worship service online after Sunday morning, head over to our YouTube page, click Videos and then Past Live Videos. On Monday mornings you can find the recorded live stream on the front page of our YouTube channel.
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Women's Small Group
August 6th & 20th
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Our women's small group will be meeting offsite this Saturday, August 6th and also on Saturday, August 20th. All women are welcome to join!
Email Jessica for more information. |
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PRISM Garage Giveaway
August 20th
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Our partners in mission, PRISM, host an important household goods giveaway each year for new international students and scholars.
Volunteers and items are needed!
Visit their website for a list of Items Needed and for Volunteer Sign Ups. Setup volunteers needed August 16-18 and many Extra Hands are needed on Garage Giveaway Day, Saturday August 20.
Contact Bernadette with any questions: bernadette@prismpgh.org
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August Orientation
Children in Worship
Starts August 7th
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Orientation for rising 4-year-olds (preschool) kids in Children in Worship begins on August 7. These class sessions teach incoming 4-year-olds our class routines. If you have a child who will be 4 by September 1 please have them attend! Parents who want to come upstairs with their children and observe the class are welcome as well! Contact Tanya Carter with any questions or concerns.
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Fall Worship Schedule
begins August 21st
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As university students return to local campuses and K-12 grades return to classes, we also begin our Fall Schedule!
Beginning on August 21st, join us at any of our three in-person worship services or watch our 11am service live streamed.
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Over the past two years, our elders and leadership have made it our practice to promote the local CDC guidelines for mitigation strategies. Here are the current recommendations:
- The CDC COVID-19 Community Level for Allegheny County is currently MED, and people may choose to wear a mask at any time.
- Those who are sick or may have recent exposure are encouraged to remain at home and participate in our online options when available.
- Please be mindful of your interactions with vulnerable populations.
- We will maintain a fully masked and distanced seated section in the sanctuary for any who choose to sit there.
- If after attending an onsite event you test positive for COVID, we encourage you to let the group leader know so they can inform those who may be impacted.
Thank you for helping us to care for one another!
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Bellefield Presbyterian Church | 4001 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 | 412-687-3222 |
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