THE CENTERPIECE
May, 2006
 The newsletter of the
Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind

535 North Neville Street
Pittsburgh, Pa 15213
PHONE: 412 682-1800

Bob Mates, Director
Sherri Crum, Associate Director

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

THE CENTERPIECE is available in Braille, large print, and on
cassette tape.  You may also read it online, at our web site:
www.plcb.net.

Terri Winaught, Editor The CENTERPIECE
May, 2006
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FROM THE EDITOR

"Keep the faith," and "have faith," are expressions we've all
both said and heard, but how easy is it--especially during bad
times--to have and to keep the faith? (I know for me personally,
it is often more difficult than I wish it were.)
Do only the most holy men and women among us keep the faith
during difficult times, or do even the saints among us sometimes
wonder why?
To explore this theme further and answer some of these difficult
questions, consider the following from my cousin, Ruthie, which
also includes the struggles and responses of several Biblical
characters:
WHEN WE DON'T UNDERSTAND
The story is told of the only survivor of a shipwreck who was
washed up on a small, uninhabited island.  He prayed feverishly
for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for
help, but none seemed forthcoming.
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of
driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his
few possessions.
But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to
find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. 
The worst had happened -- everything was lost.  He was stunned
with grief and anger.  "God, how could you do this to me?" he
cried.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a
ship that was approaching the island.  It had come to rescue him.
"How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his
rescuers.
"We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
It is so very difficult to find anything good in the midst of
tragedy.  If we could look into the future to see how things turn
out in the end, we could have peace of mind, but all we can see
is the bad that is happening in our lives right now.  Part of
faith, though, is trusting that God will work everything out in
time.
I think of Bible characters who must have struggled with this. 
Joseph, for example.
Do you suppose Joseph ever said, "God, why is this happening?"
After being sold into slavery by his brothers, shipped to a
foreign country where eventually he was thrown into jail for a
crime he didn't commit, don't you suppose Joseph ever prayed to
God and said, "I don't understand"?
We understand but, of course, we have the benefit of seeing how
the story turned out.
  I don't think it's wrong to ask God tough questions (there
certainly were plenty of great Bible characters who did that!). 
But even if we don't receive any answers, we maintain our faith
in a God who is bigger than our trials.  We need to allow God to
be the Lord of the good days and the bad days.
Habakkuk was one of those Bible characters who wanted to know,
"Why?"
He was given some explanation, but ultimately he was led to close
his prophecy with this beautiful expression of faith:
"Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no
food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be
no herd in the stalls -- Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will joy in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17-18)
Allow God to be the Lord of the good days and the bad days.
Have a great day! ...disddand keep looking up!
If you have a submission or suggestion for me, I'd love to hear
from you through our Dashing Director.  To reach Center Director
Bob Mates, phone 412-682-1800 or e-mail Bob at bluesbob at
earthlinkddnet.
May God's richest blessings and Christ's peaceful presence be
with you always.
  Terri Winaught,
  Editor
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APRIL's MEAL
Twelve people attended April's meal on Saturday the 29th, and
they all enjoyed the chicken, the pasta, and the even greater
fellowship.
As it always is, the meal was followed by Bob thanking everyone
for attending, and then delivering a Bible-based devotion, the
theme of which was, "Christ's resurrection." More specifically,
Bob explained that, instead of seeing Christ as a pathetic figure
who died a horrible death on the cross, we, as Christians, need
to see Christ as a symbol of hope.  Bob went on to say that
Christ is such a symbol of both hope and comfort because, by His
resurrection from the dead, he removed the sting from death and
won victory over it.
This spiritual evening was concluded with Bob raising joys and
concerns in prayer, (see Prayer Requests at the end of the
newsletter), and Pastor Spittel leading a Vespers service around
the theme of Jesus as shepherd since Sunday, April 30th, was
Shepherd Sunday.  And, speaking of shepherds we certainly have to
thank the Youth Group, from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, who so
graciously and ably helped serve at April's meal.  (Many Thanks
to Bob Mates for always making Vespers materials accessible.)
(Also regarding Vespers services, a correction to April's
CENTERPIECE is that the March Vespers service was beautifully led
by Pastor Andrae, not Pastor Spittel.)
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CONTRIBUTOR's CORNER

  Twenty Thoughts

NOTE: The following was submitted by dear friend, and CENTERPIECE
reader, Rhonda Clark, from Taylor Springs, IL.  I hope you find
them as thought-provoking and inspiring as I did.  Thanks,
Rhonda!
1.  Faith is the ability to not panic.
  2.  If you worry, you didn't pray.  If you really believe and
you pray there is No need to worry.
  3.  As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home
every day.
  4.  Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of
shape.
  5.  When we get tangled up in our problems, be still.  God
wants us to be still so God can untangle the knot.
  6.  Do the math.  Count your blessings.
  7.  God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.  AMEN.
  8.  Dear God: I have a problem.  It's me.
  9.  Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.
  10.  Laugh every day, it's like inner jogging.
  11.  The most important things in your home are the people,
(and the cats and dogs).
  12.  Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.
  13.  There is no key to happiness.  The door is always open.
  14.  A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.
  15.  He who dies with the most toys is still dead.
  16.  We do not remember days, but moments.  Life moves too
fast, so enjoy your precious moments.
  17.  Nothing is real to you until you experience it, otherwise
it's just hearsay.
  18.  It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and
again.  Just be sure to flush when you are done.
  19.  Surviving and living your life successfully requires
courage.  The goals and dreams you're seeking require courage and
risk-taking.  Learn from the turtle -- it only makes progress
when it sticks its neck out.
  20.  Be more concerned with your character than your
reputation, because your character is what you really are, while
your reputation is merely what others think you are.
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IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH
  by Kathy Susany
Those of you who read April's newsletter know what an excellent
job Kath did discussing the human eye's various conditions and
diseases.  What also makes this column so excellent is the skill
with which Kathy combines the spiritual and the scientific.  So
sit back, relax and enjoy Kathy Susany's words of wisdom as she
talks a little bit more about "the eyes having it" in, "In
Sickness and in Health":

When The Eyes Don't Have It
by Kathy Susany

What is the difference between an ophthalmologist and an
optometrist?  What does the term 20/20 mean?
How can you make your home more low-vision-friendly?  How are the
eyes examined by either an ophthalmologist or an optometrist? I
shall answer these questions in this article.

To begin with, let's differentiate among the three various
eye specialties.  An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who
specializes in the treatment of eye diseases and conditions;
he/she also performs eye surgery.  He may also prescribe
such optical aids as glasses and contact lenses.  Ophthalmo
means eye and ology peans the study of; therefore, literally
speaking, an ophthalmologist studies the eye.  He/she may
also prescribe medications and use drugs when examining the
eye.  His/her training is quite extensive.  After graduating
college, he must attend, and graduate, medical school.  He
then goes through a period of internship and residency. 
Some ophthalmologists subspecialize in a particular aspect
of the eye, or in a particular eye disease or condition,
such as the retina or cataracts.  For more information on
eye diseases and conditions, please see my column entitled
The Eyes Have X.
An optometrist is also a doctor, but not an M.D.  After
graduating college, he/she attends a school of optometry where he
learns how to be a doctor of optometry.  Opto means eye, and
metry means measure; therefore, literally speaking, an
optometrist is one who measures the eye.  Optometrists treat the
eye through the use of lenses and eye exercises; they prescribe
glasses, contacts, etc.  They focus--no pun intended--on eye
conditions or disorders which are amenable to treatment through
the use of lenses or eye exercises as opposed to drugs and
surgery.  Optometrists may subspecialize in low-vision optometry,
that is, treating patients who have low vision.  An optometrist
may, when necessary, refer patients to an ophthalmologist.
An optician fills the eyeglass or contact prescription that is
ordered by either an ophthalmologist or an optometrist.
Now that we have these professionals straightened out, insofar as
who does what, the next logical question one might ask is: how
does an eye doctor go about examining the eye?  After a detailed
medical history is taken, the doctor, or his/her technician, will
get a general sense of what you can see by asking you to "count
my fingers," or, "How many fingers am I holding up?"  (From now
on, when  using the pronoun he or his, I mean he/she or
hissthers.)  He will repeat the finger test at various distances
from your eyes.  If you have any functional or usable vision, he
will ask you to read various letters on the Snellen eye chart on
the wall across the room.  This chart has lines of letters of
various sizes.  If he deals with low-vision patients, he may also
have you hold a card up to your eyes and read what's on it, or he
may hold such a card at various distances from your eyes have ask
you to read it.  He may also ask you to look at a card called an
Ansler Grid.  In this test, you look at the dot in the center of
the grid pattern and see if you can identify all the squares, or
if you notice that any of the squares are missing--not visible. 
The purpose of this test is to determine whether or not macular
degeneration is present.  (see The Eyes Have X)  From your
responses to these reading tests, and perhaps other tests as
well, the doctor will determine your visual acuity, or, how well
you are able to see.  Normally-sighted people have 20/20 vision,
that is, they can see at 20 feet what a person should be able to
see at 20 feet.  If your vision is 20/40, that means that you see
at 20 feet what is normally seen at 40 feet.  Legal blindness is
defined as having a visual acuity of 20/200, that is, you can see
at 20 feet what can be seen at 200 feet.  Another definition of
legal blindness is that your visual fields are 20 degrees or
less.  Your visual field is what the eye can distinguish when you
look straight ahead.  In people with normal vision, the visual
field for each eye is 180 degrees.  Either, or both of these
parameters combined, will indicate that the person is legally
blind.  Actually, in terms of functionality, the visual acuity
doesn't really tell you much, that that's how legal blindness is
defined.  Anyway, when your visual acuity and fields are
determined, the doctor, or technician, will test you out with
different kinds of lenses to see which may be right, or best, for
you.  If you are in need of corrective lenses, the doctor will
prescribe what he feels you should have.  If you are a low-vision
patient, he may suggest a microscopic lens for reading or close
work and a telescopic lens for distance vision.  He may also
recommend a hand-held or stand magnifier, or a closed-circuit-TV
system for you.  Somewhere in the course of the examination, the
doctor or tech will measure your ocular pressure to see whether
or not you have glaucoma.  After applying a numbing drop to each
eye, the doctor will gently touch your corneas with an instrument
to see how much they are flattened by such instrument.  (see The
Eyes Have X)  An alternate, somewhat less accurate method of
measuring intraocular pressure is to measure corneal flattening
using a pu! of air.  If your pressure is too high, he might
prescribe medication--drops or oral--or recommend surgery to
lower it.  He may shine a penlight into your eyes  to see how
well your pupils dilate or constrict to the presence or absence
of light.  He may wish to use drops to dilate your pupils--make
them bigger--and look into your eyes with an instrument known as
an ophthalmoscope.  Ophthal means eye; scope means to see or
view.  The ophthalmoscope allows him to see into the back of the
eye and to observe the blood-vessels and the retina.  (see The
Eyes Have X)  For a more detailed view of the eye, layer by
layer, he may use something called a slit-lamp microscope.  You
place your chin in a rest, and the doctor shines a bright light
into each eye and views each one through a system of lenses and
mirrors that make up the ophthalmoscope.  If unable to sight
through to the back of the eye, or if he feels it is advisable,
he may do an ultrasound test by holding a special probe against
your eyeball and obtaining pictures of your retina and other
aspects of the eye.  If necessary, he may wish to use a special
dye called fluorescein to get an image of the eyes' vascular
system; it is either applied directly to the eyeball or injected
into an arm vein.  It makes the blood vessels flow on the
picture.  These are the most important tests and procedures
conducted during a thorough eye examination.  Your doctor may
wish to perform other tests as well.
What can you do to make your environment more
low-vision-friendly?  If you don't see anything, and have
never seen earlier in life, the following discourse may not
have much meaning for you, but, anyway, here goes.  What one
is able to see is dependent on such variables as: the
lighting of the surroundings, how close one is to the object
in question, the size of the object, and the color contrast
of the object with the surrounding area.  Looking at things
from a distance is not the same as looking at things up
close.  Some people can see better bar away, and some, such
as I, must be close to the object at which I am looking. 
Even then, it must be big enough to be able to distinguish
it from the rest of my surroundings, and, even then, it must
be even larger for me to pick up any visible details of the
object.  I mentioned lighting.  I know someone whose home,
from a lighting standpoint, is very visually unfriendly. 
(Since she's completely blind, it doesn't much matter to her
or her sighted housemates; it does matter to me, however.) 
Throughout her house, the lights are just bare bulbs; they
have no shades.  If you are within the purview of the
lighted area, you encounter a harsh glare, whereas the unlit
areas seem dark and in the shadows.  Thus, it can be very
hard to get around her house.  Such a problem is easy to
solve; use lamps with shades so the light may be diffused
over a broader area.  For me, at least, I find it better
that the lightbulbs be at least 40 watts, preferably 60, or
even 75 watts.   For reading, or close work, the light
source should be directed over your shoulder directly on to
the page, or whatever.  A goose-neck lamp is such a good
light source.  The color contrast of an object with its
surroundings can be critical to one's ability to see said
object clearly.  Brighter colors reflect light, so, for
instance, walls painted a bright color, such as yellow, can
make it easier to see things.  Here are some additional
suggestions pertaining to color contrast:  If you are
pouring a dark-colored liquid, such as coffee or tea or
cola, use a light-colored glass.  If pouring a light-colored
liquid, such as milk, use a dark-colored glass.  Serve
light-colored foods, such as potatoes, on a dark-colored
plate.  Use white, or yellow, paper with bold-tipped pens or
markers when writing print.  In other words, use opposing
color combinations--light/dark, and visa versa.  My cat, for
instance, shows up better on my carpeting because it's a bit
lighter-colored than is she; she blends more into the
background, though on my cough since it more strongly
resembles her color.  She really shows up well, though, on
my kitchen floor because it is white linoleum, and the cat
or darker in color.   See what I mean?  I will not discuss
aids, appliances, agencies, or organizations here.  It would
take too long, and such matters are really beyond the scope
of this column.
Well, last time I discussed when the eyes have it; this time I
wrote about how the doctor finds out that the eyes don't have it;
I hope my coping strategies I mentioned will be of value to you. 
See you next time.
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A LITTLE HUMOR ...  VERY LITTLE by Bob Mates
One of the many things that makes our Dashing Director DASHING is
his never-ending ability to come up with plenty of puns and just
the right jokes.  What will Bob offer to help us go out with a
bang since this will be the last newsletter until September? To
find out, let's read and be prepared to laugh as Bob gives us
what I call, "A lot of humor ...  quite a lot!"
 I live in a semi rural area.  We recently had a new neighbor
call the local township administrative office to request the
removal of the Deer Crossing sign on our road.  The reason: "Too
many deer are being hit by cars out here! I don't think this is a
good place for them to be crossing anymore."
  From Kingman, KS.
FOOD SERVICE: My daughter went to a local Taco Bell and ordered a
taco.  She asked the person behind the counter for "minimal
lettuce." He said he was sorry, but they only had iceburg.  He
was a Chef? Yep...F Kansas City!
I was at the airport, checking in at the gate when an airport
employee asked, "Has anyone put anything in your baggage without
your knowledge.  To which I replied, "If it was without my
knowledge, how would I know?" He smiled knowingly and nodded,
"That's why we ask." Happened in Birmingham, Ala.
The stoplight on the corner buzzes when its safe to cross the
street.  I was crossing with an intellectually challenged
coworker of mine.  She asked if I knew what the buzzer was for. 
I explained that it signals blind people when the light is red. 
Appalled, she responded, "What on earth are blind people doing
driving?!" She was a probation officer in Wichita, KS
At a good-bye luncheon for an old and dear coworker.  She was
leaving the company due to "downsizing." Our manager commented
cheerfully, "This is fun.  We should do this more often." Not
another word was spoken.  We all just looked at each other with
that deer-in-the-headlights stare.  This was a bunch at Texas
Instruments.
I work with an individual who plugged her power strip back into
itself and for the sake of her own life, couldn't understand why
her system would not turn on.  A deputy with the Dallas County
Sheriffs office no less.
When my husband and I arrived at an automobile dealership to pick
up our car, we were told the keys had been locked in it.  We went
to the service department and found a mechanic working feverishly
to unlock the drivers side door.  As I watched from the passenger
side, I instinctively tried the door handle and discovered that
it was unlocked.  "Hey," I announced to the technician, "its
open! His reply, "I know -- I already got that side." This was at
the Ford dealership in Canton, Mississippi!
Even though Bob is humorist extraordinaire, I like to also
contribute when I can.  To see if I had anything worthwhile this
time, I searched my saved e-mails and selected the following
Funnies from Physicians:
  a man comes into the ER and yells, "My wife's going to have her
baby in the cab!" I grabbed my stuff, rushed out to the cab,
lifted the lady's dress, and began to take off her underwear. 
Suddenly I noticed that there were several cabs -- and I was in
the wrong one.
  Dr.  Mark MacDonald, San Antonio, TX


 At the beginning of my shift I placed a stethoscope on an
elderly and slightly deaf female patient's anterior chest wall. 
"Big breaths," I instructed.  "Yes, they used to be," remorsed
the patient.
  Dr.  Richard Byrnes, Seattle, WA


 One day I had to be the bearer of bad news when I told a wife
that her husband had died of a massive myocardial infarct.  Not
more than five minutes later, I heard her reporting to the rest
of the family that he had died of a "massive internal fart."
  Dr.  Susan Steinberg, Manitoba, Canada


 I was performing a complete physical, including the visual
acuity test.  I placed the patient twenty feet from the chart and
began, "Cover your right eye with your hand." He read the 20/20
line perfectly.  "Now your left." Again, a flawless read.  "Now
both," I requested.  There was silence.  He couldn't even read
the large E on the top line.  I turned and discovered that he had
done exactly what I had asked; he was standing there with both
his eyes covered.  I was laughing too hard to finish the exam.
  Dr.  Matthew Theodropolous, Worcester, MA


 During a patient's two week follow-up appointment with his
cardiologist, he informed me, his doctor, that he was having
trouble with one of his medications.  "Which one?" I asked.  "The
patch.  The nurse told me to put on a new one every six hours and
now I'm running out of places to put it!" I had him quickly
undress and discovered what I hoped I wouldn't see ...  yes, the
man had over fifty patches on his body! Now, the instructions
include removal of the old patch before applying a new one.
  Dr.  Rebecca St.  Clair, Norfolk,
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DEVOTION by Bob Mates
  Although I forget when this song was out, Carlee Simon sang,
"Nobody Does It Better." And that's exactly what's true of the
timely, informative and Bible-based devotions that Bob Mates
offers: Nobody does it better.  So without further ado, let's
learn from and reflect on another great devotion from Bob Mates:
"Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!"
That is the way in which we greet one another, in the Lutheran
church, around Easter.  We also say it at the beginning of each
service.
As is the case with anything, often repeated, this greeting could
almost become a cliche; something you say, and tonight, forget
about.  So, it's important to examine this greeting, and find out
whether or not it's more than just empty words.
In this greeting, there is both exultation and comfort.  There is
exultation, because this is a victory cry! Christ is risen! Sin,
death and the devil have been conquered! He lives; therefore, we
live! Death couldn't bind him, and hell couldn't hold Him, and
it's the same way with us! He's not a pathetic figure, hanging on
a cross.  He's our risen Lord, who gave His life for us, and now
sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding on our behalf!
He shed His blood so that our sins would be forgiven, and rose,
so that we might reign with Him.  Christ is risen! We have won!
There is also great comfort in this greeting.  Because Christ has
risen, we, along with our loved ones who died in Christ, will one
day be re-united.  Death isn't the end; it's just the beginning. 
We don't say Goodbye; just See you later.  How reassuring and
comforting, to know that those we love are waiting for us, minus
their physical and mental infirmities; happy and rejoicing! The
family circle can be whole, because of Jesus's resurrection. 
What could be more comforting than that?
So, the next time you hear someone say, "Christ is risen!", you
can answer with the greatest of gusto, "He is risen indeed!
Alleluia!".
Amen.
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PERSONAL PROFILES
Although most of you probably know Rich Lynch, you may not know
him as well as some of the other people I've profiled.  So that
you can get to know him better, the following profile is of Rich
Lynch:
  Question: How did you hear about the Lutheran Center for the
Blind and the monthly meals they have?
Answer: Although you mentioned the Center once, it was Sherri
Crum who really encouraged me to start coming to the Center.  I
guess I've been coming for about a year now?
Question: In addition to the monthly meals, in what other
programs or ministries do you participate?
Answer: Sherri Crum recently started teaching a Braille class,
and I'm in that.  Also, if I get to the Center early enough for
monthly meals, I go to the pre-meal Bible studies.  If I get
there early for the Braille class, I then participate in that
day's Bible study.
Question: As you know, the mission of the Lutheran Center is to
feel the needs of Pittsburgh's visually-impaired community, and
touch them with the love of Jesus? What more could the Center do
to carry out that mission?
Answer: All of the people at the Center are so wonderful that I
really think that they do all that they can, so there's nothing
else that that they could do to reach out and touch us with the
love of Jesus?
Question: Since some meal attendees may not know you very well,
what are some things that you would like us to know about you?
Answer: Well, let me see: I volunteer two to three days a week at
the Library for the Blind on Baum Boulevard.  The things I do
there include listening to cassettes to monitor their quality and
help with mailings.  I am also a member of Western PA BOLD.
Question: Is there anything not covered in the above questions
that you would like to say?
Answer: No.  I think that about covers it?
Would you like to be brave like Rich just was and be profiled? If
so, let Bob Mates know by calling him at 412-682-1800 or by
e-mailing bluesbob at earthlinkddnet.
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BIBLE BITS

In April's CENTERPIECE, I chose Peace as the theme for Bible
Bits, and cited verses from John's Gospel.  As I continue with
that theme this month, I will be using excerpts from Paul's
letter to the Romans, so enjoy the following streams of living
water, and may they fill you with Christ's peace:
ROM 2:10 But glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good:
first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we
have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
8:6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by
the Spirit is life and peace;
10:15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is
written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good
news!"
12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at
peace with everyone.
14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and
drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace
and to mutual edification.
15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you
trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of
the Holy Spirit.
33 The God of peace be with you all.  Amen.
Questions FOR DISCUSSION AND Reflection
1.  In the first passage from Paul which I selected, we read that
peace for everyone who does good was to go first to the Jew, and
then to the Gentile.  What do you think that Paul's reason was
for saying that?
2.  Not long after that first sentence from Romans, Paul talks
about being justified.  What is your understanding of the concept
of justification?
3.  How can you make every effort to do those things that lead to
joy and peace at home, in the workplace or in your Church? (In
whatever setting I'm dealing with, perhaps the best way to bring
about joy and peace is to be a living witness to Christ's love,
joy and peace by treating people the way I would want to be
treated.)
Do you have a Bible Bits idea for me? If so, please contact our
Dedicated Director via e-mail at bluesbob at earthlinkddnet, or
by phoning 412-682-1800.
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LOOKING AHEAD
  May's meal, which will take place on Saturday the 20th from 5
to 7 PM, will also be the last one until September.  To sign up
for that very special meal, at which picnic-style foods will be
served, call Bob Mates at 412-682-1800 by 6 PM on Thursday the
18th.  (As much as I'm sure that we'll all miss the special
occasions that these monthly meals always are, the positive
aspect of it will be the much-deserved break for Trinity's
dedicated volunteers.)
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A HELPFUL RESOURCE.
  Since several meal attendees have recently lost loved ones, I'd
like you to know that the Good Grief Center can help.
Located in the Homestead branch of the Carnegie Library at the
Waterfront, this agency's hours coincide with those of the
library.  What makes this resource so helpful is that it is
staffed entirely by peers by which I mean people who have
experienced losing loved ones.  In addition to being able to
receive both over-the-phone and face-to-face support, the Center
also has a library which includes audio cassette resources.
For more information about the Good Grief Center, which also has
an extensive database of bereavement support groups and
therapists who specialize in death and dying issues, call
412-461-1976.
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PRAYER REQUESTS
As you pray for the following people and their intentions,
remember that you and they were fashioned, formed, minted and
mined in God's unconditional and everlasting love.
1.  For physical, emotional and spiritual healing for Peggy Walsh
as she struggles with an injured hand and depression.
2.  Continued comfort and consolation for Ellie Goldfon as she
works through the grief of her mother's death.
3.  For Christ's consolation for Bob Mates as he continues to
grieve the loss of his wife, Arlene, and adjust to life without
her.
4.  For a quick, comfortable recovery for good Friend Margie who
recently had surgery.
5.  Thanks be to God for the Lutheran Center for the Blind, Bob
Mates, Sherri Crum, Pastor Spittel and the Spittel family.
6.  For Comfort for Jim Winaught whose 51-year-old brother, Jeff,
died on April 21st; also, for the repose of Jeff's soul: May he
rest in peace.
7.  Thank You, Lord, for the Lutheran Student Fellowship (LSF)
volunteers who did a commendable job serving at March's meal but
whom this editor forgot to thank in April's newsletter.
8.  Praise be to God to volunteers from Abraxas, First Trinity
Church, Olivia Ford, LSF and everyone who helped at the meals
from September, 2005, to May 2006.
9.  God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot
change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to
know the difference (Serenity Prayer which is often recited at
12-step recovery group meetings such as AA and Ala-Non).
10.  Since our Orthodox brothers and sisters celebrated Easter a
week after we did, we express our heartfelt hope that they had a
blessed, holy and joyful Resurrection Day!
11.  May everyone with birthdays from May through August be blest
with the happiness that God wants for them as He blesses them
with another year of life.
12.  For health and happiness for my grand-daughter, Alexa Marie,
who will turn 1 on June 6th; also, blessings for her parents.
13.  For the repose of the soul of Arthur Mae Sally, a Moorhead
Tower resident who recently died.
14.  May Christ's healing hands touch someone whose mother had
surgery on Monday, May 1st.
15.  For divine intervention to help the Peer Support and
Advocacy Network Warm Line overcome several recent obstacles and
blossom into the much-needed, caring service it was established
to be.
16.  For Divine guidance, strength and wisdom for the Warm Line
Director and operators.
17.  THANKS be to God for how much better Carol Summers' mother
is getting now that she is on a new medication regimen.
18.  Thank You, Lord, for Reege Sullivan's rapid recovery from a
recent illness.
19.  Prayers and a complete recovery for Sue Ziegler who has been
very ill for several months.
20.  Dear Lord, help Joan Zukiewicz to recover from a recent leg
injury and place your gentle hands on Joan's back which causes
her constant pain.
21.  for safe travel for all of the meal attendees who will
attend Beacon Lodge Camp this summer: May their time there be
fun-filled.
22.  may the Lord of life and love bless all of you with an
enjoyable summer and safe travel to and from any vacation
destinations.