February, 2003

Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind

535 North Neville Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15213

412-682-1800, Bob Mates, Director

The CENTERPIECE is a monthly publication of the Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for Center for the Blind Terri Watson, Editor

The Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind seeks to reach out to the blind of Pittsburgh, feeling their needs and touching them with the love of Jesus so that they can reach out to and touch others with the love of Jesus.

FROM THE EDITOR

A man knelt on the ground and poured his heart out to God.

"God," the man began: "I've never had a problem living my life in a way that would be pleasing to you. I pray; I attend church regularly, and I study Scripture. Since I've tried my best to do what you've asked of me, why can't I forgive? People I've tried to help have responded by hurting me; people I've been kind to have cut me to the quick with slander, and people I gave my all to put their all in abandoning me!" Spent from lamenting, the man turned his tear-stained face to a nearby tree, and what he saw there overwhelmed him. The man saw a cross, some blood and a mysterious Presence he believed could only be Christ. In a gentle yet firm voice, Jesus began: "I came to bring life everlasting; yet, those whom I loved took my life. "I came to bring truth to a world gone astray; yet, those who felt threatened by my Father's truth condemned me with lies." "Have you ever lied?" the Lord asked. "Yes, Lord," the man answered meekly. Each time Jesus asked the man about ways he had wronged others, all he could say was "Yes, Lord," as his tears flowed and his sobs intensified. Although forgiving someone who has wronged us is easier said than done, may we strive always to follow the example that Christ set for us by the life He lived; the cross he endured, and the resurrection that robbed death forever of its victory and its sting.

Blessings,

Terri Watson JANUARY'S MONTHLY MEAL

And Pre-meal Bible Study

A primary focus of Bob Mates' pre-meal Bible study was Adam being the source of sin and Christ being the source of salvation. Additional points which were made and discussed included being saved by God's grace and not by our works, and the suffering in our world being the consequence of our sinful nature. After Pastor Spittel's blessing over the food and all that so capably prepared it, meal attendees enjoyed roast beef, mashed potatoes, peas, apple crisp, a variety of desserts, regular pop, diet pop and coffee. (Although I almost forgot to mention chili being served as an appetizer, a given at monthly meals is that the fellowship is never chilly.) The marvelous meal was followed by the director's devotion entitled, "New Year's Resolutions." After Bob's insightful devotion, volunteers distributed January's newsletter and everyone lifted people and a variety of situations up in prayer. (Two situations that are especially worth noting are Bob Taylor, a frequent meal attendee, not feeling well, and the terminal illness of Bob Flanigan (see the Prayer Request section of this newsletter for an update on the Flanigans' situation).) Finally, Director Mates encouraged everyone to stay for a 7:00 PM chapel service, The theme of which was, "Saint Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus."

VICTIM OR VICTOR

By Bob Mates

Are you a victim? Seemingly, everyone is the victim of Something or other. You're not doing as well as you think you Should be, but it's not your fault! It's those darned sighted folks, or foreigners, or white folks, or blacks, or Christians, or Jews, or the capitalists, or the communists, or your parents, or the educational system, or society, or, ultimately, God. In any case, someone else is to blame for your misfortune.

Is there something wrong with this picture? There certainly is! Because of sin, no one is born into perfection; indeed, the opposite is the case. Everyone can point to some "bad breaks" in his or her life. The question is: what will you do about them? Will you control them, or will they control you?

By today's standards, Jesus Christ would qualify as a victim. He was rejected by the people he came to help; was falsely accused of things He didn't do; was beaten almost senseless; was tried by a "kangaroo court"; was sentenced to death by crucifixion, the Cruelest means of punishment known in that day; was mocked and jeered as he dangled from the cross, and died a blameless, innocent man. If He was going through this today, He would be considered a true victim. Every attorney would want His case!

And yet, He was not a victim, but a victor! He willingly went

through all of this for you and me! And, not only that, but He

rose from the dead, overcoming death and the devil. In doing so, He showed that He was not a victim, but, rather, a victor.

We all have obstacles to overcome. Many of us have already overcome great obstacles, to get where we are today. Let me assure you that we'll all have many more obstacles to deal with. The good news, though, is that the Lord has promised that He'll never leave or forsake us, but will always be with us. Romans 8:31-39 says it better than I ever could. It says:

What, then, shall we say in response to this If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all--how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ ?Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(NIV)

Pretty exciting and inspiring words! Just think: we're not only victorious, but nothing can ever separate us from God's love.

So, which do you want to be: a victim or a victor. The choice is yours.

Amen.

PERSONAL PROFILE

Though everyone who is familiar with the Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind probably knows that Bob Mates has been the director since March, 1999, Pittsburgh's blind community may not know that Sherri Crum is the center's assistant director. How the Lutheran Center has impacted Sherri's spiritual life and how Sherri contributes to the center's day-to-day operation are the key points which the editor will address in March's CENTERPIECE.

RULES FOR ATTENDING PLCB MONTHLY MEALS

Dear Friend,

The Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind is pleased to host a meal for the blind of the area, which is held on the last Saturday of each month. We think it's a time for good food, good fellowship and good fun. The more people who come, the better we like it!

While we certainly understand that things can come up, which might force you to cancel your reservation, it's important to understand that your reservation for the dinner is a commitment you have made, and these commitments shouldn't be taken lightly. After all, you've reserved a spot, and have also reserved a plate. When you fail to show, that's a spot that could have gone to somebody else, and food that now may be wasted. Like everyone else, we're under an economic crunch, and thus, we have to be good stewards of our resources.

Therefore, we are instituting some new rules. We don't think these rules will be burdensome, but are simply common sense and common courtesy. If everyone goes along with them, the dinners will run much more smoothly. Here they are.

1. All sign-ups must be completed two days before the day of

the meal.

2. After that, the dinner list is closed!

3. Last minute sign-ups are no longer going to be accepted.

4. If possible, cancellations should be made the day before

the meal, and ABSOLUTELY MUST BE MADE by 2:00 p.m., the day of the meal.

5. If you fail to come, and fail to call or e-mail to

cancel, you will be given a warning by the director, and placed on three months' probation.

6. If you violate this rule, during your probationary

period, you will be barred from attending two subsequent meals.

While we hate to implement rules of this sort, we believe them to be necessary. PLEASE HEED THEM, AS THEY WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED!!!!

God bless. See you at the meal.

Your brother in Christ,

Bob Mates, Director

CONTRIBUTOR'S CORNER

Contributions to the CENTERPIECE can include poems, prayers, prayer requests and articles about a Lutheran Center or First Trinity CHURCH event you have attended. To contribute, or to discuss a possible contribution, call Bob Mates at 412-682-1800.

BIBLE BITS

The following questions are followed by the answers and references to

Scripture:

1. Who speaks the following words which can be found in Luke 2:30-31: "With my own eyes I have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all the nations?" 2. Who asked King Herod to behead John the Baptist? 3. In Job Chapter 7, Job says many things about man's life on earth. Name at least two things that Job says about man's earthly life. 4. In Chapter One of Mark's Gospel, whose fever does Jesus heal? 5. In Mathew chapter five, verse five, we read: "Happy are the sorrowing; they shall be consoled." This is one of many verses that are part of Christ's Sermon on the ---?"

ANSWERS:

1. It is Simeon who sees the Christ Child (Israel's salvation) as God promised. 2. It is Herodias, King Herod's wife and wife of Herod's brother, Philip, who asked that John the Baptist be beheaded. (See Mark 6:14-29) 3. One thing Job says about man's life on earth is that it is "drudgery." Job goes on to say that his days come to an end without hope; his life is like the wind, and he shall not see happiness again (see Job 7:1-4, 6-7). 4. It is Simon's mother-in-law whose fever Jesus heals. In Mark's Gospel we read, "Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him (JESUS) about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them." 5. When Jesus talks about those who sorrow being consoled, this is part of the Sermon on the Mount. (Collectively, these verses from Matthew Chapter Five are also known as the Beattitudes.) The Scriptures cited above are from the Lectionary for Mass, copyright 1968, 1981 and 1997.)

PRAYER REQUESTS

1. We thank you, Lord, for the complete recovery from a blood clot of Sherri Crum's niece. 2. Praise and thanksgiving for the positive outcome of Terri Watson's job interview in January. 3. For Louise Flanigan: That God will comfort her as she grieves the death of Bob, her husband, on January 25th. (May perpetual light shine upon Bob.) 4. For Bob Mates: that he will be healed of the health challenges he has been having this winter. 5. We thank You, Lord, and we praise You that Judy Goldman's husband continues to recover from bypass surgery in December, 2002.

PRESENTATION PRAYER

Dear Jesus, your mother, Mary, and your earthly father, Joseph, presented you at the temple according to Jewish custom. Because of your perfect and sinless nature, you WERE presented like a lamb without blemish. However blemished we may be when we present ourselves to you, MAY WE ALWAYS WORK HARDER TO STUDY SCRIPTURE, LIVE ITS TEACHINGS, AND SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRIST'S LOVE!

A LITTLE HUMOR: VERY LITTLE

Whether or not you're aware of this, Max, my Leader Dog, is a very religious animal. In fact, he was going to become a Lutheran, until he found out he had to attend cat-echism classes. He put all four feet down, saying that he wouldn't attend the classes, unless they changed the name to "Church Dogma"! What a bonehead!

One day, Max sauntered up to our Kantor, Dr. Schnaible, and asked him if he'd play his favorite hymn. Curious, Dr. Schnaible asked Max what hymn this could be. Max gave him a "Don't you know anything?" look, and said, "Why, the Dogsology, of course!"

To show just how religious Max really is, I have to tell you about the time he applied to Concordia Seminary. He had his interview, and, at the end, the President of the seminary said, "Well, Max, I really don't see how we can allow you to attend Concordia. After all, as a dog, you couldn't possibly know any scriptures!" "oh, yes, I do," said Max, proudly. "I know the verse about the dog food." "Max, there's no verse in the Bible about dog food," said the president. "Sure, there is," said Max. "It's the one that

says: I am the Alpo and the Omega." Needless to say, Max didn't get in!

Now, for the last thing, (Don't sigh with relief: it's not over yet.) I want to give you something I found on the Internet. It's called "A Labrador's Bible Reading." Enjoy!!

> MY APPETITE IS MY SHEPHERD

> My appetite is my shepherd, I always want.

> It maketh me sit down and stuffeth myself.

> It leadeth me to my bowl repeatedly.

> Sometimes to the table and trash can too.

> It leadeth me in the path of Petsmart for a treat.

> It destroyeth my shape.

> Yea, though I knoweth I gaineth, I will not stop eating,

> For the food tasteth so well.

> The ice cream and the pizza, they comfort me.

> When the table is spread before me, it exciteth me.

> For I knoweth that when backs are turned, I soon shall dig in. As I

> filleth my belly continuously, My harness runneth smaller.

> Surely bulges and pudgies shall follow me

> All the days of my life.

> And I shall be pleasingly plump forever.

> LET'S EAT!

> Author Unknown

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

GUIDE DOG USERS GROUP:

First Thursday of each month

11:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.m.

PRAYER SERVICE

First Thursday of each month

1:00 to 1:30 p.m.

BIBLE STUDY

First and Third Thursday of each month

1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

LIFE GROUP: (Living in Faith and Encouragement)

If re-convened, will meet on Wednesdays

5:00 to 6:00

MONTHLY MEAL

Last Saturday of the month

5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

MONTHLY PRE-MEAL BIBLE STUDY

Last Saturday of the month

4:00 to 5:00 p.m.

NOTE: OTHER EVENTS WILL BE ADDED AS SCHEDULED. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL BOB MATES at (412) 682-1800.)