NOVEMBER 2020

“O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 118: 29

Rev. Leigh Benish

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP Pastorleighb@gmail.com

10:30 A.M.—Worship Service

Elder Louise Evans

Nancy Slezak, Memorial Handbell

Director and Organist

Elean Heist, Administrative Assistant

and Financial Secretary
Elean.hillup@zoominternet.net

Lyn Goehring, Treasurer

John Whittington

World Communion Sunday

501 Second Street
Butler, Pennsylvania 16001
724-287-5427
E-mail: hillup@zoominternet.net
www.hillup.org
The photo of Orchard Christian Fellowship Church in Londonderry, N.H. at the top of this page was taken by Jackson Scourick, used with his permission.
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
SUNDAY MORNING
WORSHIP SERVICES
10:30 - 11:30 A.M.
Doors Open at 10:00 A.M.

NOVEMBER 1, 2020
All Saints Day
Lord’s Supper - Traditional

Rev. Leigh Benish

Scripture: Jeremiah 18: 1-11; Psalm 139

NOVEMBER 8, 2020
23rd Sunday After Pentecost

Rev. Leigh Benish

Scripture: Luke 10: 25-37; Psalm 82

NOVEMBER 15, 2020
24th Sunday After Pentecost

Rev. Leigh Benish

Scripture: John 3: 13-17; Psalm 98

NOVEMBER 22, 2020
Christ The King Sunday

Rev. Leigh Benish

Scripture: Psalm 95: 1-7a; Ephesians 1: 15-23

NOVEMBER 29, 2020
First Sunday Of Advent
Deacons’ 5th Sunday

Rev. Leigh Benish

Scripture: Psalm 146: 5-10; Luke 1: 5-25

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 “Be strong and courageous,” David said to his son Solomon. “Get to work. Don’t be afraid
or discouraged, because the Lord God, my God, is with you. He’ll neither let you down nor
leave you.” -1 Chronicles 28:20

A dear clergy colleague and I were talking the other day about how both of us are constantly
carrying around some heavy emotions, including anger, weariness, and fear. I’m angry at
how we are all treating one another. I’m weary after nearly 8 long months of pandemic
living. And I’m especially afraid of what the future holds.

Fear is a theme that runs throughout scripture. Almost any time an angel visits someone, they say “fear not!”
And one of the things Jesus said most was “do not be afraid.” Even though this is a command we’re given a lot,
it’s still much easier said than done.

Over the next couple of months, we will be facing our fears head on, and discovering courage. On November 5
at 7:00 PM, the Butler Clergy Network is hosting a virtual, interfaith post-election prayer service, which will be
streamed from Hill Church. Right on the heels of one of the most divisive presidential elections in history, our
hope is to provide space for everyone – whether we have a clear winner or not – to recenter. We will pray for our
nation, our community, and ourselves, and we will be addressing our fears as part of that service. The Zoom link
and phone number are in this newsletter, and will be available in Sunday bulletins, on our website and Facebook
page, or by calling the church office.

For the Advent and Christmas seasons, we will also be looking at fear. Our Advent theme this year is “Fear
Not!” and we will be looking at stories in which angels visit the characters of our Christmas story (Zechariah,
Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds) and tell them they do not need to be afraid. But I think I am most excited about the
virtual Christmas pageant, “Do Not Be Afraid” by Illustrated Ministry, that we will be putting together for
December 20. There is more information in the newsletter if you’d like to be a part of the fun!

Friends, there is much to be afraid of right now, and I’m a firm believer that a healthy dose of fear (especially
when it comes to things like a global pandemic) is good. But scripture tells us over and over again that we cannot
let this fear paralyze us. God is with us, and even if God is calling us into something that scares us, we can trust
that we will have the guidance we need to make it through.

Marie Curie once said that “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to
understand more, so that we may fear less.” May we not let our fears overpower us. May we be willing to listen
with open ears and open hearts, seeking understanding. And may we never forget that our Triune God – Creator,
Emmanuel, and Spirit – is with us always.

Peace-
Pastor Leigh

This year we will be putting on a Virtual

Christmas Pageant, "Do Not Be Afraid," from
Illustrated Ministry. We are looking for
volunteers to record scenes which will then be
edited together for the pageant. We will need
people to play: Grown-up(s) and child(ren);
Mary; Joseph; Elizabeth; Caesar Augustus; King
Herod; shepherds; angels; sheep; Magi; a
dancing star; and even a donkey! Roles are
*NOT* limited to children, or even
humans! Friends of all ages and
species are invited to join in the
fun. For more information, please
see Rev. Leigh (before she starts
assigning roles!).
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 HARVEST HOME 2020

It is that time of year when our Deacons will be collecting food for the
community for the Thanksgiving season. The food will be distributed through
St. Vincent de Paul in time for the November holiday. For three weeks food
will be collected in the overflow area. The following are suggestions of food
items by weeks—though it's not a strict guideline.

It is the Deacons’ hope that our congregation will continue to be generous in

bringing in food items and/or money donations (please make checks out to Hill U.P.
Church with “Harvest Home” in the memo) to support our Harvest Home Project, and as a
result, benefit St. Vincent de Paul.

For those wishing to donate food but not attending church you may drop off your donations
in our church parking lot on November 8th from 11:30 a.m. to noon.

October 25: Canned and jarred foods; vegetables, fruits, soup, jelly, spaghetti sauce, tuna,
salmon, peanut butter, beef stew, pumpkin.

November 1: Boxed and bagged food; flour, sugar, macaroni and cheese, pancake mix,
cereals, rice, cake mixes, pie mixes, crackers.

November 8: Three-pound bags of apples and five pound bags of

potatoes which require the least cold storage time. Other fresh
vegetables and fruits cannot be collected due to the lack of cold
storage areas.

As in past years, it is time to think about our keep me warm tree. Once again, we
are asking for your help to decorate our tree. We will have only one tree located
in the Overflow Area in the church. Since we are asked to go directly to our seats
when entering the church on Sundays, we plan to have a large box for your
contributions located in the Second Street vestibule. Presbyterian Women will
place your articles on or under the tree. Jackets, mittens, caps, scarves, gloves,
and hand knitted caps and mittens will be gratefully accepted. Our boxes will be
there for four Sundays beginning November 22nd through December 13th. This
will allow us to get the items to our recipients. Thank you for your
response in years past and we appreciate your help this year also.

Barb Kamerer has offered to pickup your donations if you are not
coming in to church for worship. Please call her at 724-283-2248.
On behalf of Presbyterian Women,
Bea Welch, Moderator
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 “Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy.”

Dear Friends,

By now everyone at Hill Church should have received information about our
upcoming stewardship campaign entitled: Together in Joy! The stewardship message
for this campaign comes from Psalm 98:8 which reads: “Let the floods clap their
hands; let the hills sing together for joy.” And even though the COVID 19 pandemic
has made it challenging for us to safely be together, we remain committed to each
other through our love for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The information you received about this year’s campaign included a letter from our
pastor, Leigh Benish, as well as a letter and pledge card from the stewardship
committee. If you have not already done so, please prayerfully consider how you can
support the mission and ministries of Hill Church. Please complete the pledge card
that came with your stewardship letter and return it to the church office in the
envelope provided. As we have done in past years, we will also be sending you your
giving summary for the period January-September 2020. Hopefully this information
will be helpful as you consider how you wish to support Hill Church in 2021.

If you have misplaced your pledge card you may use the form included with this
newsletter article. You may return your pledge form by mailing it to the church
office or placing it in the offering plate during worship. Pledges will be consecrated
to the glory and honor of God on Sunday, November 15, 2020.

We understand that the pandemic has presented challenges and hardships for many
in our family of faith. Please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support
of Hill Church during these difficult times.

As we prepare for 2021 let us come together in joy to serve the Lord by supporting
the mission and ministries of Hill Church.

In Faith and Service,

The Stewardship Committee

E S T I M AT E O F G I V I N G C A R D
Because of God’s great love and grace for me/us, I/we wish to help
share his love throughout the year with my/our ongoing financial sup- Name
port of the mission and ministries of Hill Church. To help fulfill our _____________________________________________________
ministry opportunities in the coming year (2021), I/we hope to give:
Address ______________________________________________
$ _________ per WEEK, totaling $___________ for the Year
$ _________ per MONTH, totaling $___________ for the Year City __________________________________Zip____________
$ _________ per _______, totaling $___________ for the Year
Telephone ____________________________________________
In addition, to personally serve God through the ministry opportuni-
ties of the church in the coming year, I/we hope to give ______ hours Signature ______________________________Date ___________
of my/our time ___ weekly or ___ monthly in support of the follow-
ing ministries Note: Please remember that you may change your estimate of giving
________________________________________________________ at any time by notifying the Financial Secretary.

____I/we commit to support the church in prayer; however, at the Directions: Please complete this Estimate of Giving Card, and
present time, I/we cannot commit to give financially or of my/our bring it with you to worship November 15 or mail it to our Church
time on a regular basis. Office. All the cards will be consecrated during worship. Thank
you for your participation.
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The Mission Support Committee thanks you for your
generous contributions to the hygiene kit project last spring.
In September, 128 kits were delivered to St Paul‘s Lutheran
Church in Zelienople. From there they will be taken to New Windsor,
Maryland for distribution by Church World Service. Thanks also to Deacon
Jim Kamerer who helped to pack and deliver the kits.
Jim and Barb Kamerer served 25 bagged lunches and
100 Community Dinners in October. Lunch included a
sandwich, fruit, cookies, chips, and a drink. Dinner was
pasta, tossed salad, roll, cookies, and a drink.
Chancel Flowers and Communion Details from the Worship Committee

Whether you have returned to worship in the sanctuary or are worshiping virtually, we hope you
agree, the flower arrangements add a comforting, familiar touch of color and life to our sanctuary
space. At this point, if you have signed up to donate flowers, either while the building was closed or
during the remainder of 2020, you most likely have been contacted to discuss your desires and
options. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the church office or Maryanne Puente
at 724-991-6144.

As a reminder, due to concerns related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Deacon’s ministry
no longer includes the delivery of chancel flowers to members at home or to any residential care
facility. If you have donated flowers, they will be left for you to take after worship. If you are
comfortable doing so, perhaps consider making a surprise, socially distanced front porch flower drop
-off to brighten someone’s day. Alternately, you may call the church office to indicate you will not
be taking them, or contact Maryanne directly. If they are left, the worship committee will attempt to
have these flowers bring joy to others.

Concerning communion, each month for the foreseeable future, we will continue to ask that
sanctuary worshipers BYOE - Bring Your Own Elements. However, should you forget, do not fret!
Each of the three worship tables will a have basket with a small supply of pre-filled juice cups and
individually packaged, gluten-free crackers. In conjunction with COVID precautions, please use the
hand sanitizer first and try to touch only the elements you will be taking. THANKS!
NOVEMBER 1 NOVEMBER 8 NOVEMBER 15 NOVEMBER 22 NOVEMBER 29
Donated with love Donated with love
Donated with love Donated with love
in honor of all those Donated with love in memory of Elroy
in honor of Dixie in memory of
who have served in memory of the and Crystal Beisheim
and Ivan Reimold’s Jack Street on his
and are serving as birthday of and Richard “RB”
51st Wedding birthday
deacons Rachel Plymale Beisheim, Jr.
Anniversary by Carolyn Street
by Susan by Becky Plymale. by Dick and Maxine
by the Freeze family. and family.
Catanzarito. Beisheim.

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 N D H A E C Y L I M A F T K W C S P H P
Q A L A O I W R D K Z U H O T U T D M U
H K T L R N P W V A M G A O D B U P J M
Q E O I R V Y S E B F K N C M M F Q O P
A N W O V E E E F E F A K T D V F Q E K
Y C C C K E M S L P I H S D N E I R F I
E I I R O O A L T F O J G K A C N C P N
N C U R D R O M W C H Z I W L Z G B J W
R T A E E W M X E T Z Y V S G S E G Y T
J E E E S M F Q U R C I I Q N M X X H Z
S R W H P L A O Z R I E N V E I K Q Z R
F I I O Q B M K P M E C G Z Q R E P O H
Y P C G L Y V O C A B Y A W A G J V F H
R W H K L F T E Z I A M A N D L W M E Y
F Z Q P N A Y S E T T L E R S I M H A A
F A L L T E G A W O R S H I P P F S S M
S I I O V R S L M S S E N D N I K A T S
S A E T A G M S G I V I N G S G Z U N P
M S I V H Z S P R U B J L H Q Q S Q J I
K H Y L N O V T Y B K F L C U T U S G U

AMERICA FISH NATIVE AMERICANS SICKNESS

COLONY FREEDOM PEACE SQUASH
COOK FRIENDSHIP PIE STUFFING
CORN GIVING PILGRIMS THANKSGIVING
ENGLAND GRAVY PLYMOUTH TURKEY
FAITH HARVEST POTATOES WORSHIP
FALL HOPE PRAYER YAMS
FAMILY KINDNESS PUMPKIN
FEAST MAIZE SAIL
FELLOWSHIP MAYFLOWER SETTLERS