The CENTERPIECE

April, 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 the Blind, Terri Watson, Editor

FROM THE EDITOR

One Easter Sunday morning, the pastor of a small town church in New England caused congregational eyebrows to raise when he placed an old, rusty and empty bird cage on the pulpit. Realizing that his congregation was puzzled by this unusual addition to an Easter service, the pastor began to explain. "Recently," the pastor began, "I saw a boy carrying the old, rusty bird cage you see here. As he walked, the boy, who appeared to be about ten or eleven, swung the cage in such a way that the bird hanging from it was shivering with fear. The pastor then related how he asked the boy what he was planning to do with the bird. "oh, not much." (By the tone of voice in which the boy answered, the pastor sensed a callous detachment that troubled him.) "When I take the bird home," the boy continued, "I'm going to have fun with it. I'm going to torment and tease it." "How much do you want for that bird?" the pastor asked. "oh Mister," replied the surprised boy, "you don't want him. He's not pretty at all; he can't even sing, and he just doesn't seem to be good for much of anything," the boy concluded. But the pastor was persistent. "How much do you want for him?" the pastor asked again. "Oh, I don't know," the boy answered. "I still don't see why you want him 'cause, like I said, he sure isn't worth much. But if you really want him, I guess I could sell him for $10. "Sold," the Pastor said as he reached into his deep pockets and pulled out a crisp $10 bill. "Thanks," the boy said as he took the money and then quickly walked away.

One day, while he prayed and fasted in the desert, Jesus encountered Satan. Knowing how unhappy and confused humankind was, Jesus asked the devil what he was planning to do with us. "I'm gonna have fun with them!" the devil exclaimed proudly. "I'm gonna teach people how to hate and how to kill each other." "How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked. "Oh, you don't want them," the devil answered scornfully. Human beings will turn on you, hate you and have you killed," Satan added. "How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked insistently. "Your blood," was the devil's response. "Done," Jesus said without hesitating. Seeing how willing Jesus was to shed His blood for an ungrateful world, the devil demanded one last sacrifice. "I want you to give your life for the world!" the devil sneered with a cruel note of finality. "Done," Jesus said yet again. the congregation was so quiet as they reflected on the pastor's every word that you could have heard a pin drop.

Christ, the godly, did indeed shed His precious blood and sacrificed his life for the ungodly. How blest we are that God so loved the world that He sent His only-begotten Son, and how overwhelming the reality that inspires us to sing: "Lord, by your cross and resurrection, you have set us free! you are the Savior of the world." We have God's gift of everlasting life--a gift that keeps on giving the blessed assurance that our Redeemer lives. This Easter, may our voices make "a joyful noise unto the Lord" as we

proclaim: Jesus Christ is risen today!

Alleluia! Blessings,

Terri Watson

MARCH'S MONTHLY MEAL AND PRE-MEAL BIBLE STUDY

When we participated in the fellowship of March's meal on Saturday the 29th, the Iraqi war was a gloomy cloud that hovered over all of our minds. for this reason, Bible study participants discussed their feelings and fears about the Iraqi war. Before the meal began, Bob welcomed everyone and mentioned that this meal marks the fourth anniversary of the Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind (PLCB). After letting us know what the meal would be, Bob said a grace in which he thanked God for the nourishing food we were about to eat and for the dedicated hands that so lovingly prepared it. Everyone then enjoyed a hearty and delicious meal of turkey, stuffing, cranberries, corn, broccoli and spinach soufflé, croissants, tossed salad, angel food cake, marble cake, regular pop, diet pop and coffee. (I heard that crack, Bob: No, having turkey doesn't mean that they cooked the editor!) After giving us an ample amount of time to feel fuller (and, for this editor, also fatter), our fearless director got the evening program off to a good start by welcoming first-time meal attendees Millette Reid and Louis Schreiber. Bob then presented Millette and Lou with answering machines as a thank-you-for-coming gift. An insightful devotion as only Bob can lead them came next. the very timely theme of this spiritual reflection was, "our need for God in these difficult times." (Bob also included this devotion in March's CENTERPIECE.) BEFORE BOB CONCLUDED WITH PRAYER REQUESTS, PIANIST EXTRAORDINARY LOUIS SCHREIBER PLAYED SEVERAL HYMNS' THE LAST OF WHICH WAS "AMAZING GRACE." (ALTHOUGH ALMOST EVERYONE SANG THE HYMNS THAT LOU PLAYED, CATHY WEBER SEEMED TO BE OUR SPECIAL SERENADER FOR THE EVENING.) After all of the volunteers were properly thanked and the prayer requests prayed for, the meal and program came to an end for another month.

IMPORTANT!!! PLEASE READ!!!

While this is not specifically PLCB related, it is of such importance, that I urge all of you to read it carefully, and make your voices heard!!!

State Budget Cuts Threaten Allegheny County's Transportation Services!

If you use either Port Authority bus & light rail service and/or ACCESS service, you need to know how the new state budget may affect your transportation service.

As a result of significant reductions in transit funding to Allegheny County, the lowest level in nearly 10 years, drastic changes in BOTH your bus/light rail & ACCESS service will be necessary. Without adequate state funding, MANY or ALL of the following service cuts may be necessary:

* No bus service after 9 p.m.

* No ACCESS service after 9 p.m.

* No bus service on Saturdays, Sundays, & holidays.

* No ACCESS service on Saturdays, Sundays, & holidays.

* Many additional Port Authority routes may be cut - including some of the local "mini-bus" service

It may also be necessary to increase fares for Port Authority and ACCESS - raising the price of a book of yellow ACCESS tickets to $13.50, green and brown ACCESS tickets to $10.00, and the base Port Authority fare to $2.00.

Without adequate, predictable funding for transportation, Port Authority and ACCESS will have no choice but to propose substantial service reductions. They will have a drastic impact on the thousands of older adults and people with disabilities who depend on ACCESS and Port Authority to get around our community.

If you wish to tell your elected officials how important your ACCESS and bus service is, and what effect these cuts would have on you, a friend or a member of your family, please make your voice heard!

* Write, call, and/or e-mail your elected representatives in the State House of Representatives and the State Senate plus Governor Rendell to insist that adequate funding for public transportation is provided immediately.

* Attend, and testify at the Public Hearing to be held by Port Authority Wednesday, May 21, noon- 8:00 PM at the Convention Center. To schedule a time to testify, call (412) 566-5103 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Need help in finding the address and/or phone number for your elected officials? You can call the Allegheny County Bureau of Elections at (412) 350-4510 or the League of Women Voters at (412) 261-4284 for assistance.

CONTRIBUTOR'S CORNER

The following is the new feature discussed in March's newsletter: Kathy Susany's health column:

In Sickness and in Health

The Power of Prayer

by Kathy Susany

Hi. This is the first in a series of articles pertaining to health and medical science. 1what will these articles be about? Well, in part, that will be up to you. This is really your column as much as it is mine. Perhaps you would like to know about a particular disease, illness, or condition. Maybe you are interested in learning about a test, procedure, or treatment. You might be wondering about the medications that you or your friends are taking. Please feel free to submit your questions or topics of interest to the director; call 682-1800. My hope is to answer your inquiries in this column. Otherwise, I will choose an area or subject to write about each month. Although this column is of a scientific nature, this newsletter is of a religious bent; so I wish to say a few words this month about the power of prayer. Modern medical science has provided us with many miraculous wonders, but there still remains a place for such old-fashioned virtues as prayer, faith, and visualization. Studies have shown us that prayer is a very powerful influence in the healing process. Indeed, God is very much alive and well in the healing arena. People have also been trained in the use of such techniques as relaxation, visualization, and hypnosis to facilitate healing. In fact, I know a blind woman in Massachusetts who has been taking courses in hypnotherapy; she really seems to be able to bring about accelerated healing in many of her clients. If nothing else, she can foster relaxation and stress reduction in her patients. True health is not a physical thing; rather, it is a wellness in body, mind, and spirit. So keep on praying, hoping, and believing; God will answer you. I will see you next month. Keep well, and God bless you.

FROM THE DIRECTOR

Regular readers of CENTERPIECE know that a monthly devotion is one of our dashing, dedicated director's three newsletter columns. Without any further ado, then, here is Bob Mates' April devotion:

SHOCK AND AWE

by Bob Mates

In the recent war with Iraq, the phrase "shock and awe" came into prominence. It was used to describe the early bombing campaign by the coalition forces. Whether or not the campaign was successful, the phrase itself certainly was a success. I understand that around seventeen companies have applied for copyrights on the name, as a title for everything from video games, to women's undergarments!

The "shock and awe" campaign was designed to produce great fear and dismay in the Iraqi government and people. Did it work? That's a question to which we'll probably never know the answer.

Why am I speaking about this in a devotional message? Well, it's because I believe that the resurrection of Jesus Christ was the greatest "shock and awe" campaign ever launched. It was launched against Satan, and achieved all of its objectives.

Satan really thought he had things going his way. He knew exactly who Jesus was, and knew He had to be disposed of. To that end, he got the chief priests stirred up, who, in turn, stirred up the rest of the people. He even got one of Jesus' disciples, Judas Iscariot, to betray him. Oh! How he must have gloated, at pulling that one off! He knew that, even if Pilate didn't really believe that Jesus was guilty of anything, he was too afraid and too spineless to stand up for his convictions. So, as they say, "the fix was in." Jesus was tried by a "Kangaroo court", convicted, and then crucified. How Satan must have celebrated each time the hammer rang! What a wicked sneer must have crossed Satan's face, as Jesus cried, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?" And then, to top it off, Jesus descended into hell. I can almost hear Lucifer shouting, "Stoke that fire, boys! We got us THE BIG one!"

But, then, things began to go awry for old slew-foot. He soon realized that Jesus wasn't like everyone else. He hadn't come to hell to be subjected to punishment, but, rather, to show his authority. He opened the door to hell, and let all of the captive souls out. He showed the devil that He had authority over him.

And then, as if that wasn't enough, He rose from the dead! Even the devil had to be in severe shock, and filled with total awe. Why? Because he knew that he was beaten. His best plan hadn't worked. Christ's resurrection was the ultimate victory over sin, death and the devil! Now, that's what I call a successful "shock and awe" campaign.

And, what's more, it's still going on today! Every time someone trusts in Jesus, Satan is defeated anew. Every baptism is water on the flames of hell.Every time we recite the Confession and Absolution, we attest to the forgiveness, which can only come from faith in Christ. Every Lord's Supper testifies to our salvation, made possible by His death and resurrection. Take that, Satan!

Wars come and go! So do catchy names for battles. But the victory of Jesus, as celebrated every Easter,will last forever.

Christ is risen!

He is risen, indeed!

Hallelujah!

A Little Humor, Very Little

by Bob Mates

Again, those of you who are familiar with CENTERPIECE are aware that Bob is as good at gathering jokes and puns as he is at gathering us members of the blind community for friendship and fellowship. So, ready or not, here's this month's compilation of jokes:

NOTE: I was sent this, and thought you'd enjoy it as much as I did!!!

THINGS NOT TO SAY IF YOUR GUIDE DOG SCHOOL DOES FOLLOW-UP VISIT:

10. He was putting on a little weight so I switched him to lite beer. 9. Can you believe they charge $100 to get a dog out of the pound in this town even if it's a guide dog? 8. No, I never let strangers pet him. Not since that incident on the bus. 7. This is Fido's favorite restaurant right here. He just loves the lasagna. 6. Guide dog? What guide dog? Oh yeah, him. He's around here somewhere. 5. I've found he really prefers melted butter to water on his kibble. 4. I haven't really taken him out much lately. What's that command you use when you want him to go left? 3. My herbalist says those heart worm pills are a scam and a clove once a month works just as good. 2. Yeah, this is the same dog as the one you gave me in class. Honest. AND, THE NUMBER ONE THING NEVER TO SAY, IF YOUR DOG GUIDE SCHOOL DOES A FOLLOW-UP VISIT IS .....

1. Man! this dog is the best fighting dog I ever had!! !

BIBLE BITS

After you read the Bible quiz below, you will find the answers and their scriptural references. 1. Early in the morning on the first day of the week, which Mary went to the tomb where Jesus had been placed? 2. Which psalm contains the words, "My God, my God, O Why Have You Abandoned Me?" 3. After His death on the cross, who went to Pontius Pilate to request Jesus' body? 4. Name the three disciples who were unable to stay awake with Jesus while He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane.

5. What does Jesus say to Thomas in John 20:27?

ANSWERS

1. In John 20:1, we are told that it is Mary of Magdala who comes to the tomb early in the morning. 2. It is in Psalm 22 that we read the words, "My God, my God, O why have you abandoned me?" (Psalm 22 is often sung or recited on Palm Sunday.) 3. In each gospel account of Christ's passion, we are told that it was Joseph of Arimathea who went to Pilate to request Jesus' body. In the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark, we read, When it was already evening, since it was the day of preparation, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a distinguished member of the council, who was himself awaiting the kingdom of God, came and courageously went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 4. Whether we are reading John's Gospel or one of the Synoptic gospels, we are told that Peter, James and John could not stay awake with Jesus while he prayed. (The Gospels according to Matthew, Mark and Luke are sometimes referred to as the "Synoptic" Gospels.) 5. In John 20:27, Jesus tells Thomas, Put your hand here and see the place of the nails. Doubt no longer, but believe. (The above Scriptures were taken from the Lectionary for Mass for use in the Diocese of the United States, copyright 1970, 1997, and 1998.)

PRAYER REQUESTS

1. Chuck Ridley asks us to pray for world peace.

2. Terri Watson requests prayer for those who were baptized during this joyous Easter season. 3. Thank You, Jesus, for the continued success of the Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind. As the Lutheran Center East reaches out to the blind and deaf-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," may God grant it success by blessing it abundantly. 4. For the emotional healing of a close friend, her daughter and her ex-husband. 5. For Maggie, who is ill and was to have come to April's meal as a first-time attendee. 6. For Larry, a friend of Jim Winaught's who recently had a stroke: May Larry's recovery continue to be quick and comfortable. 7. May your hearts be resting places where God's love can always linger. 8. Thanks be to God, for the safe return to Pittsburgh of Bob Taylor, with his new Leader Dog, Cole. May God grant them many fruitful years of teamwork.

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.)