In short, “WOO HOO!” This is not just my reaction after the fact but was actually what naturally erupted from me during the service when I was officially presented as an ordained Teaching Elder (minister). With God’s leading through years of preparation, the day had finally arrived. At that moment when the church confirmed God’s redeeming work in and call on my life, I had no words just a shout of joy!! What an amazing experience.

Everything about the celebration and service exceeded my expectations and was beyond what I had ever hoped. What a holy time of worship?! The service was long (sorry for those with little ones) but it was filled with the power, passion and presence of our living Savior, Jesus Christ. Pastor John preached on Isaiah chapter 6 and we who gathered together were like those seraphs in the passage calling to one another as we sang and prayed, “Holy, holy , holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory” (Is. 6:3).

After the service we moved the party out of the sanctuary and into the great room. I was amazed to see the room bursting with people; kids, my own very much included, running amuck (as we love to see here at Bethany), folks seated around tables enjoying each other’s company, and a steady stream of my brothers and sisters in the Lord greeting my family who were visiting from out of town. The rich fellowship continued as we shared an incredible meal together and those who left hungry did so of their own accord because there was an abundance of food as we reveled in God’s amazing provision.

The pie kept my attention longer than I had intended but once I finished I had the chance to visit with so many of you at the tables. Thank you for patience as I made my way, but even more, thank you for being a huge part of this milestone day in my life. Your support and encouragement was so moving. I was amazed to see your excitement and joy for what God has done in me and your faith in what God will do as we minister together in the years to come.

God used so many people in my journey toward ordination and during the celebration. My wonderful wife Abby has been strength when I had none, accountability when I needed it, encouragement when I have doubted myself and my call, and laughter when I started to take myself too seriously. Wesley and Ella have given their dad a lot of grace and patience as I have written lots of papers, learned and continue to relearn how to be the dad that they need, and brought them on the great adventure of moving to Pittsburgh. I was blown away by the support of my family who came in from out of town.

I also want to thank those folks who led us so well in worship: my friend Bill Stephens, the Reverend Jeff Tindall (on behalf of the moderator of Pittsburgh presbytery), Elder George Krock (Westminster Presbyterian Church), the Reverend Chris Brown (The Upper Room new church development), our own Becky Yanak and Melany Hamilton, as well as the choir under John Henninger’s leadership.

I don’t know all of the individuals involved but I know that there was an incredible effort from the Bethany family in making this day a reality. Some of you were involved in the planning and many, many were involved in the execution. So, thank you Presbyterian Women, deacons, B.O.B’s, staff, and others for your work in setup, cleanup, bulletins, invitations, flowers, linens, china, sound, lighting, serving, praying, and all those other things you did to make this a great day. Finally, I want to thank the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee. These folks worked so hard in the process of getting me here. They sought the Lord in scripture, listened and pleaded with the Him in prayer, diligently considered possible candidates, questioned me, listened well to me but even more to God, and have supported us through every part of this transition including this ordination and installation party.

I still don’t think words have done justice to the day but I was incredibly blessed through my ordination and installation celebration; but I was most gratified by the fact that in the end it was not about me but about the Lord. Together we worshipped, we served, and we partied because God is good and he has plans for you, me and his kingdom!

Peace-
Robbie Ytterberg

FASHION SENSE?

Ladies join us on May 15, @ 7:00 p.m.
For a funny evening of fashion and fellowship.

We will gather in Fellowship Hall to have a short business meeting.

Then it will be time to unwrap some of the latest fashions for all TYPES of women.
You will meet Tessie True Brew, Bertha Bachsholder, Sally SweetTooth and many more beautiful models.

We will then share some wonderful desserts and spend time just enjoying fellowship.

BIRTHDAY OFFERING COLLECTION The Birthday Offering is a PW offering collected in the spring of each year to celebrate the blessings in the lives of Presbyterian Women. The offering funds up to five projects that are not included in ongoing General Assembly mission support, such as agricultural development, child care, community organization, criminal justice, drug counseling, economic justice, elderly care, employment training, homelessness, literacy, violence and women’s concerns. We will take an offering at each table.

Please RSVP by email to pw@bethanypresby.org.

“Silver and gold have I none. But what I have I give to you. In the name of Jesus of Nazareth rise up and walk.”

The man rose to his feet and walked. And danced. And shouted praises to God. And showed the religious authorities and the crowd that he was healed – inside and out.

I concluded that we – Bethany Church – can be a gate that is beautiful to the broken, lost and lonely. All that is needed from us is to do what Peter and John did: know the source of our power – Jesus Christ. See the heart – look at the person, not through them. And give our best – give from the bounty that God has given you and me. Do that , I said, and we will see miracles at this beautiful gate called Bethany.

Monday morning around 6:00am I got a call to come to West Penn Hospital. A child of one of our members was stillborn. I raced to the hospital and gathered with the grieving parents and grandparents. I held the tiny lifeless body and with tears prayed him into the arms of God. As I left the hospital later in the morning I received a call that Paul Bonosky had died in the early morning. Soon the news rippled through much of the church, stunning each one who would hear it. Paul was a beloved servant leader in the church – from sound tech to bell ringer, from Deacon to leader in men’s ministry. Two wrenching deaths on a Monday morning. I was overcome with a deep sense of helplessness. I – and we – could not make the loss or the pain go away. We could not make it all better.

Then I thought of the words that Peter spoke to the beggar at the gate. And now I paraphrase, “There are some things I do not have and cannot do. But what I can do and what I do have, I give to you now. In the name of Jesus Christ rise up and walk.” In the days that have followed I have seen people do what they can , give what they have, as little as that may seem. I have heard prayers, seen acts of kindness and embraces of grace, and have witnessed the body of Christ at work. And though we could not make the loss and pain go away, I have seen the broken and grieving begin the healing process, begin to slowly “rise up and walk.”

Do not discount what you can do for others in their time of need. Do not wait for someone else to step up and serve. Do not surrender to despair. Do not assume you cannot make a difference in someone’s life. Do what Peter and John did: Know the source. See the heart. And give your best.

And the gate called Bethany will be beautiful. Miracles will happen.

See you on Sunday at the beautiful gate.

John Hamilton

On the afternoon of our time away we took a long walk through the camp grounds, to the far end of the property. We shared our lives, what makes  us laugh and weep, who has shaped us in our faith, and what gets us most excited about our calling as pastors. The winds were whipping up in a storm, the sky was spitting rain, and we were in awe of the power and beauty of God. But the conversation continued even as we walked back faster than we had gone out.

That evening we took a drive through the surrounding hills, taking in the elegant beauty of the sun setting on the hills. Suddenly Robbie noticed something bounding through the fields. It was a red fox. He paused, stuck his head in the air to get a sense of the intruders, then continued exploring the field. Later, on a very narrow and desolate road, we spotted a large dark figure in the road. We stopped and emerged to come face to snout with a huge turtle. He had climbed from the marsh below up a steep bank to the flat of the road. I knocked gently on his shell, spoke to him about the meaning of life, and he barely moved – did not even go back into his shell. Hey, he would make a good parishioner- taking in my message with such alertness! Finally we left him alone and returned to the camp.

As we drove back to the church and our daily responsibilities, we realized how vital it is to get away and be with God…to listen to the quiet…to enjoy creation…to grow deeper with others in the Lord…to balance our working with the blessed rhythm of worship, prayer and study. I want you to know that such time for your pastors is time well invested, as it is for you, for us all.

In our time away we were visited by a fox, a turtle…and God. And God stayed.

See you on Sunday,

John Hamilton

Here are some important notes for your calendar: the Spaghetti Dinner Youth Mission Fundraiser this Saturday at the church, from 5:00 to 8:00pm. Please come and support your youth and our church. Camp Rally Day this Sunday for the children and youth- in the Great Room between services for both children and parents. And please remember the Ordination and Installation Service for Robbie Ytterberg on Sunday the 29th at 4:00pm. It will be a great celebration, with a dinner to follow.