If you can make the church service all are welcome but be sure to join us at 12pm. Please bring a dish if you are able. There will be many Dominican mission trip alums (Men, Women & Young People) to share their experience and answer questions by first-timers. This opportunity will deepen your faith and awaken an appreciation and compassion in you through God’s mighty work and the Haitian children we serve. This meeting is a first step to obeying the Spirit’s leading in missions. Please R.S.V.P. to Rachel: Rachel@whitefieldsfoundation.org

We will meet at Bistro Soul located at 417 E. Ohio St., PGH, 15212. The cost for the hot breakfast buffet is $15. Doors open at 6:30am. Please R.S.V.P. to Rachel Jorgensen, rachel@whitefieldsfoundation.org . For questions call Leo Wisniewski (412) 445-8842.

Ladies Bible study: Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted by Priscilla Shirer What do we do when God interrupts our lives? Many times, like Jonah, we run! In this 7-session Bible study, Priscilla redefines interruption and shows that interruption is actually God’s invitation to do something beyond our wildest dreams. When Jonah was willing to allow God to interrupt his life, the result was revival in an entire city.  Please join us if you’ve never attended a study or if you’ve done every study under the sun.  I am sure that this will be a blessing.  We will meet EVERY OTHER Wednesday evening from 7-9pm in the fireside room at Ascension Lutheran Church (8225 Peebles Road near McIntyre Square). Please email me to let me know if I can order you a workbook ($15). dawngaertner@comcast.net

Young Women’s Bible Study:  The girls will study the Bible and discuss certain excerpts from the book, Lies Young Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.  There are many lies young women face each day as the culture continually bombards them with beliefs contrary to the word of God, such as the thought that the external appearance and possessions are everything.  This will be a wonderful opportunity for young women to encourage each other, and learn how to stand confidently in the truths found in God’s Word.  No purchase is necessary.

Once again, the study will begin on September 7th, at Ascension Lutheran Church, from 7-9pm, and will be held every other Wednesday evening for the fall season.  The dates are as follows: September 7 and 21, October 5 and 19, November 2, 16, and 30.

If you would like to attend, please contact Dawn Gaertner at dawngaertner@comcast.net or 412.310.6388/412.369.7649.

Please join us every Tuesday morning at The Priory Hotel in the down stairs conference room(614 Pressley St., Pgh, 15212). Our series will run for 24 Weeks. You will grow from both this important teaching and the experience of authentic Christian community. It will bring about deep, personal renewal to you and maybe even your church. We’ll have hot coffee and Priory pastries waiting! Please download and print off the pdf of our series:

“Cherishing, Proclaiming and Defending the Gospel of Jesus” – A Study in Paul’s Letter to the Galatians Unit 1

“Cherishing, Proclaiming and Defending the Gospel of Jesus” – A Study in Paul’s Letter to the Galatians Unit 2

Basketball

White Fields launched a weekly basketball program in partnership with the Homewood-Brushton YMCA on November 9^th, 2010 that ran through March 1^st 2011. The goal was to utilize basketball as a fun outlet and a relationship-building tool to earn trust with young men in the Homewood community. As we have learned this trust leads to great opportunities to share Christ and disciple men.  Every Tuesday evening WF staff and a team of 3-6 volunteers played hoops and built relationships with 40-50 young men ages 10-17. The young people were divided into 2 groups based upon age and skill level with weekly volunteers remaining constant for continuity reasons. After an opening shoot around time for 15 minutes we would open with prayer, then break down into our groups for a 20 minute drill work time working on basketball skills and team-building. Following this period we would coach and officiate 2 short-court games with the young men. At times volunteers would play to demonstrate how to “lead” as an unselfish player. Emphasizing the often ignored aspects of basketball in the hood, we stressed playing team defense, rebounding, passing and other aspects of a team first approach. After an initial period of resistance it was received well. Many life-skills like reliability, persistence, sportsmanship, and unselfishness were stressed in our basketball times together.

After our basketball time we shared pizza and a message with the boys each week. Leo and Brennan along with some of the volunteers took 15 to 20 minutes each week through personal testimony and the Word of God bringing a message. Sharing the gospel in a context that the guys could relate to was the goal of this time. The calling of the gospel to be a whole-hearted follower of Christ was stressed through some powerful messages from some of our volunteers who grew up in Homewood and overcame great adversity in their journey to walk with Christ. Messages on sexual purity, taming the power of the tongue, serving others were presented as well. At Christmas time we were able to have a special celebration and give Dick’s Sporting Goods gift cards to all of our participants. We also participated with another Homewood ministry, House of Manna, in coaching 2 teams in an 8-week YMCA travel league that ran from February 12 to April 2^nd. This was an opportunity to go deeper with 16 young men in 6^th through 8^th grade.

The outcome of our 14 weeks together was a much greater depth cultivated in relationships with the young men, the YMCA staff, our volunteers, and our LAMP partner Bryan McCabe. The YMCA and Bryan continue to be very important to our work in Homewood as they are trusted gatekeepers in the community. Seeing young people come to Christ and our men follow up in formal mentoring relationships through LAMP or informally through their own intentionality we celebrate the Spirit’s work in our midst!

Two of the boys involved with basketball, Keyshawn and Joe, with whom Leo has a good relationship, were also on the YMCA travel team.  They are both seventh grade boys who are strongly drawn towards men who can support them in a relational capacity.  Leo continues to meet with them on a weekly basis to provide mentoring during the baseball season.

Baseball

In April of 2011 White Fields kicked off its 2^nd year of partnering with Homewood Community Sports for Little League Baseball. We continue to be in a “servants role” with respect to the league providing uniforms, equipment, and volunteers to the (2) T-ball, (3) little league, and (1) Pony teams. We are building good relationships with the Homewood coaches (there are 10 coaches involved at this point, most of whom are not believers), assisting them and working with them to provide special days for the boys that include: a fishing trip, Pirates game, “Heritage Day farm experience”, baseball clinic with ex-Pirates, and a camp day. We have often coordinated with volunteers special cookouts at Stargell Field providing hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, and drinks to players and family members. We view our presence with baseball to be a “salt and light” kind of presence as we are limited not having a real leadership role. Matthew 5:16 states “Let your light shine before men so that they might see your good deeds and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” By serving, cooking, preparing fields, meeting practical needs for the league, praying with our teams, sharing devotional messages, and encouraging sportsmanship over an unhealthy competitive attitude we believe that we are being salt and light. A full report will be provided after the season concludes in July. We are very grateful for the support of Concordia Lutheran Ministries that allows us to administer these programs in the Homewood community. Your support allows us to have an ongoing ministry presence in the community, providing important outlets for young people to stay involved in recreational sports and get connected in life-giving relationships centered in Christ and the gospel.

Testimonies from volunteers in the baseball ministry:

“I feel so blessed that Concordia Lutheran Ministries is supporting baseball in Homewood.  As one of the assistant coaches on the Tee-ball team and a part of the White Fields Foundation, I see all the kids dressed in nice Mariners uniforms for each game provided by Concordia.  Several of the children do not have baseball gloves, and having the resources to supply gloves, bats and other equipment is so helpful.  Our cook outs that have been funded by Concordia have also blessed the kids.  To have time to eat a hamburger and hotdog and connect with the kids has been great.  I have had a chance to talk with the kids about the love of Christ regularly through this outreach and pray with the children at the games.  Without the generous financial support from Concordia and the commitment of volunteers from White Fields Foundation, the baseball program in Homewood would not be anywhere near what is today.” –John Cullen

“We at White Fields are blessed to have the opportunity to enjoy fellowship with the fun people of the Homewood community.  We held our first “Community Cookout” on May 27th in the parking lot of the Homewood-Brushton YMCA and served 180 hot dogs, chips and drinks!  None of it went to waste as we shared a beautiful evening with some pretty hungry folks that ranged in age from newborn to elderly.  We were so blessed to share the gifts of our Lord with them through our “service with a smile” and the generosity of the Concordia.  The fine people of Homewood are a blessing to us all as their gracious attitudes and welcoming actions do not go unnoticed.  We gave thanks to those that were not able to join us but made the evening possible.  Leo, Wayne, Jerry, Bryan, and other’s had a great time and look forward to sharing our Lord with all who join us at coming events.  Thanks to all and God Bless.” –Joe Goldcamp

1. Forgive one another…………….Colossians 3:13
2. Spur one another on to love and good deeds…………. Hebrews 10:24
3. Offer hospitality to one another………………………….I Peter 4:9
4. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ……..Ephesians 5:21
5. Agree with one another that there be no divisions among you…I Corinthians 1:10
6. Teach one another…Colossians 3:16, Romans 15:14
7. Admonish one another……Colossians 3:16
8. Bear one another’s burdens…Galatians 6:2
9. Confess your sins to one another…..James 5:16
10. Love one another….(the world will know we are his disciples) John 13:34-35, (with brotherly affection) Romans 12:10, 13:8, (the one who loves is born of God and knows God) I John 4:7
11. Honor one another above yourselves….Romans  12:10
12. Rejoice with one another…Romans 12:15
13. Weep with one another….Romans 12:15
14. Bear with one another in patience…Ephesians 4:2
15. Serve one another humbly in love…..Galatians 5:13
16. Encourage one another daily, build each other up…Hebrews 3:13, I Thessalonians 5:11
17. Live in harmony with one another……Romans 12:16
18. Stop passing judgment on one another….Romans 14:13
19. Accept one another, just as Christ has accepted you…Romans 15:7
20. Sharpen one another as iron sharpens iron…Proverbs 27:17

It is important to remember these commands are expected of us beyond our immediate family to extend to our intentional community-building efforts in small groups and individuals the Lord has called us to reach. The goal is quality and quantity to some respect. Some of these commands may be fearful or difficult for you: confession of sin, submission, weeping with others, admonishing a brother, or forgiveness. Review each command (look them up) prayerfully.

Consider them slowly one each day. Ask yourself, how am I fulfilling this command in my life? Is there a fear of rejection that is a block to my obedience, an unwillingness to forgive, an indifference towards others in me to be overcome? Is my pride keeping me from receiving from others? Is my need to be right more important than my need to love and serve others? Am I compassionate towards others in the way Jesus intends for me?

2011 has also brought significant growth to the women’s ministry under Dawn Gaertner’s leadership.

“It was incredible to walk into a room full of women I had never met before and instantly feel welcomed and loved- there was no judgment- only love, respect and sympathy.  It was such a comfort to be able to be open and not be afraid of how they would think of you, because at some point in their lives, someone in that room had gone through exactly what you were struggling with.

The study itself was on listening for God’s voice in your life.  It amazed me, once I fully opened my heart to hearing Him, how clear He was with His direction. If there is another study offered it is something I will definitely participate in again.”  -Megan

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