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We are delighted to have you with us this morning as we gather to worship the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you are visiting today, we are glad you are here! Whether you are visiting from out of town , seeking a new church home, or for any other reason, thank you for choosing to worship with us. We would love to get in touch with you. Please fill out your contact information in the red folder at the end of your pew, or fill out the information on the back cover of this bulletin, and place it in the offering plate as it passes before you.

About Us: Since her opening service on Christmas Eve in 1948 and her charter the following year, Ruthfred Lutheran Church has been a congregation rooted in the conviction that the Bible is inspired by God, living and active, capable to produce faith in its hearers, and true and faithful in all its parts. As such, our preaching and teaching aim to be faithful to its correct interpretation and is central to our

worship of God.

Our Divine Service, called the “Common Service,” possesses a rich history that stems from the early days of the Lutheran Reformation. It is centered upon God’s Word, and proclaims the realities of God’s abundant grace in Jesus Christ from its start to its close. If this is a new form of worship for you, this bulletin will serve as a welcome companion. The order of service begins on

page 3.

The Divine Service begins as our organist begins the Prelude. When the music starts, please quiet your hearts

as you prayerfully prepare for worship.

Our cover is a paper cut or scherenschnitte created specially for our church by our very own Kathryn Carr. The artwork will reflect liturgical and Ruthfred-specific themes that occur

throughout the year.

Welcome to Ruthfred Lutheran Church! Member of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations (www.aflc.org)

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The Divine Service of the Word The Tenth Sunday After Pentecost, August 9, 2020

Prelude:

Air from “Water

Music”

(Handel)

“Intrada”

(Ireland)

“Deck Thyself, My Soul”

(Callahan)

The Opening

Hymn:

“When Morning

Gilds The Skies” (SBH416) (Please stand as we join our hearts in song)

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We confess our sins at the beginning of each service, because we are coming into the presence of a holy God. Though we are sinners who daily struggle with sin , we are invited to come to Him to receive the forgiveness of sin earned for us by Jesus. Through this forgiveness, we are given a right standing before a holy God. Because sin is both corporate and personal, we confess our sins together, and privately in the silence of our hearts.

The Call to Worship

Pastor (P): We open this service in the name of the Father, and of the

Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Congregation (C): Amen

The Confession of Sin (SBH, p. 41)

Pastor (P): Beloved in the Lord, let us draw near with a true heart, and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching him, in the

Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to grant us forgiveness.

Our help is in the name of the Lord

Congregation (C): Who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:8)

P: I said, “I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord.

C: And Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. (Psalm 32:5)

P: Let us bow or kneel for the confession of our sin.

Almighty God, our Maker and Redeemer, we poor sinners confess unto thee, that we are by nature sinful and unclean, and that we have sinned against thee by thought, word, and deed. Wherefore

we flee for refuge to thine infinite mercy, seeking and imploring thy

grace, for the sake of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

(Silent Prayer of Personal Confession)

Together:

O most merciful God, who hast given thine only-begotten Son to die for us, have mercy upon us, and for his sake grant us

remission of all our sins; and by thy Holy Spirit increase in us

true knowledge of thee and of thy will, and true obedience to

thy Word, that by thy grace we may come to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Absolution:

P: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, has had mercy upon us, and has given his only-begotten son to die for us, and for his sake forgives us all our sins. To those who believe on his name, He gives the power to become children of God, and bestows upon them His Holy Spirit. The one who believes and is baptized shall be saved.

Grant this O Lord, unto us all.

C: Amen

The Absolution is based upon God’s instruction in Luke 24:47 that repentance and the forgiveness of sins should be widely proclaimed in the name of Jesus. (See also John 1:9).

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The Introit (Read Responsively; Please stand)

P: Behold, God is my helper.

C: The Lord is with them that uphold my soul. He shall

reward evil unto my enemies.

P: Cut them off in your truth. Save me, O God, by your name.

C: And judge me by your strength. (Psalm 54: 1, 4, 5)

The Gloria Patri (Sung in Unison; SBH p. 47)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world

without end. Amen.

The Kyrie (Sung in Unison; SBH p. 48)

P: Lord, have mercy upon us.

C: Lord, have mercy upon us.

P: Christ, have mercy upon us.

C: Christ, have mercy upon us.

P: Lord, have mercy upon us.

C: Lord, have mercy upon us.

“Introit” means “to enter into,” and is a responsive reading meant to lead God’s forgiven children into the worship of Him. The words are from Scripture, and relate to the theme of the day in the liturgical calendar.

“Kyrie” is from the Greek word for Lord, which is the first word of the prayer. Distinct from the confession of sin, it is a prayer for God to grant His mercy in every aspect of our lives and to supply us with all our needs, personally, corporately and for the whole world.

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The Hymn of

Praise:

“Praise God, From

Whom All Blessings Flow”

(SBH602)

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The Collect:

P: The Lord be with you:

C: And with thy spirit.

P: Let us continue to pray: Let your merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of your humble servants; and, that they may obtain their petitions, make them to ask such things as shall please you; through your son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with

you and the Holy Ghost one God, world without end..

C: Amen

The Old Testament Lesson: Job 38: 4-18 (NASB)

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding,

5 who set its measurements? Since you

know. Or who stretched the line on it? 6

“On what were its bases

sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, 7

when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

8 “Or who en-

closed the sea with doors when, bursting forth, it went out from the womb;

9 when I made a cloud its garment and thick darkness its

swaddling band, 10

and I placed boundaries on it and set a bolt and doors,

11 and I said, ‘Thus far you shall come, but no farther; and

here shall your proud waves stop’? 12

“Have you ever in your life commanded the morning, And caused the dawn to know its place, 13

that it might take hold of the ends of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it?

14 “It is changed like clay under the seal; and

they stand forth like a garment. 15

“From the wicked their light is

withheld, and the uplifted arm is broken. 16

“Have you entered into the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep? 17

“Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?

18 “Have you understood the expanse

of the earth? Tell Me, if you know all this.

The “collect” is a prayer of the day for each day in the liturgical calen-dar. It is meant to “collect” the prayers of God’s people.

God’s chief means of extending His grace to His children is through His Word. Hearing it and learning it are central to His proper worship.

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The Psalm: Psalm 18: 1-9 (NASB) P: “I Love You, O Lord, my strength.” The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

C: I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am

saved from my enemies.

P: The cords of death encompassed me, and the torrents of

ungodliness terrified me.

C: The cords of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death

confronted me.

P: In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry for help before Him came into His ears.

C: Then the earth shook and quaked; and the foundations of the mountains were trembling and were shaken, because He

was angry.

P: Smoke went up out of His nostrils, and fire from His mouth devoured; coals wre kindled by it.

C: He bowed the heavens also, and came down with thick

darkness under His feet.

The Epistle Lesson: Romans 10: 5-17 (NASB) For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness

which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. 6

But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down),

7 or ‘WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?’ (that is, to bring

Christ up from the dead).” 8

But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,

9 that if you confess with your mouth

Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

10 for with the heart a person believes,

resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

11 For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN

HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” 12

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him;

13 for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF

THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” 14

How then will they call on Him in whom

they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?

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How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!”

16 However, they did not all heed the good news; for

Isaiah says, “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?” 17

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

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The Gradual:

O Lord our Lord, how excellent is your Name in all the earth. Who has set your glory above the heavens. Alleluia, alleluia. Give ear, O my people, to my law. Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

Alleluia. (Psalm 8: 1; Psalm 78: 1)

The Alleluia (Sung in Unison)

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

The Holy Gospel Lesson: Matthew 14:22-33 (NASB)

The Congregation shall rise and sing, “Glory be to Thee, O Lord.”

Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead

of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away.23

After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.

24 But the

boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary.

25 And in the fourth watch of the

night He came to them, walking on the sea. 26

When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear.

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to

them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” 28

Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29

And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

30 But seeing the wind, he

became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of

him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32

When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33

And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s

Son!”

The Congregation shall sing, “Praise be to Thee, O Christ.”

The “Gradual” (Latin for step) is a liturgical reading bridging the readings of the epistle and the Gospel. It is comprised of Scripture, mostly the Psalms.

“Alleluia” is Hebrew for “Praise the Lord.”

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The Apostles’ Creed is a statement of Christian belief used since the early Church. It’s not specific to any one Chris-tian denomination, but used by the Church as a whole. We choose to confess it together as a unified reminder of what we believe to be true about God, and His car-ing service to us.

The Confession of Faith: The Apostles’ Creed (Confessed in Unison)

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and Earth

And In Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence

he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost; The Holy Christian Church, the Com-munion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the

body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.

The Special Music

8:30 & 11:00: Sue Swan—His Eye Is on the Sparrow (Martin/Gabriel)

Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows fall? Why should my heart be lonely and long for heav'n and home

When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free. For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

"Let not your heart be troubled," His tender words I hear, And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubt and fear.

Tho' by the path He leadeth but one step I may see. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free. For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise, When songs give way to sighing, when hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free.

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free.

For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

The Announcements

The Children’s Object Lesson

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The Sermon Hymn:

“Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” (SBH363)

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The Sermon is the central component of our Worship. In it, we hear God’s word taught and explained. We hear His Law, convicting of sin and guiding the believ-er. We also hear the promis-es of His Gospel, the Good News of Christ’s work for us—His redemption, for-giveness and provision of life eternal.

The Sermon:

“Do Not Be Afraid. Come” | Matthew 14: 22-33

Sermon Notes:

The Offertory Response (Sung in Unison; Please Stand)

Create in me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit

within me. Cast me not away from thy presence: and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salva-

tion: and uphold me with thy free Spirit. (Psalm 51:10-12)

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The Closing & Silent Prayer (Please bow or kneel in prayer)

The Lord’s Prayer (Prayed in Unison)

Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name; Thy

kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; Give

us this day our daily bread; And, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; Lead us not into

temptation, but deliver us from evil; For thine is the kingdom

and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

The Benediction

P: May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May he make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you

May he lift up His countenance upon you and give you His peace.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Numbers 6:24-26)

C: Amen.

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The Closing Hymn:

“Eternal Father!

Strong To Save” (SBH338)

The Silent Prayer &

Chimes

The Postlude:

“Trumpet Tune in D” (Purcell)

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Announcements

The altar flowers are presented by Jim and Judy Agnew. I (Judy) once thought marriage took just two, when Christ is asked to enter with Jesus at the center. Those unions really work, for marriage still takes three. In praise and thanksgiving to God as we celebrate our 53rd wedding

anniversary.

Known to be hospitalized: Vic Massack and Cindy Ausefski are now home. Pearl

Weifenbach—hospice care at home; Bob Thomas—hospice care at home.

Official Act: Last Sunday, August 2, 2020, after the 11:00 service, the Christian rite of baptism

was bestowed upon Allen Donald Hobaugh, son of Kristen and Allen Hobaugh.

Bible Readings for the Week of Sunday August 9th:

Sunday, 8/9 Isaiah 59-63 Thursday, 8/13 Jeremiah 7-9 Monday, 8/10 Isaiah 64-66 Friday, 8/14 Jeremiah 10-13 Tuesday, 8/11 Jeremiah 1-3 Saturday, 8/15 Jeremiah 14-17

Wednesday, 8/12 Jeremiah 4-6

Preschool Update: Praise the Lord! Our committee is presently interviewing a couple potential

teachers for this upcoming year.

Digital Friendship Folder: A digital friendship folder can be found and filled out online at

friendshipfolder.ruthfred.org. The form can be completed anytime on Sunday after 8am.

The next Women’s Ministry Meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 18th at 7:00 p.m. Mark your calendars and then plan to attend and tell us what you would like to see this ministry

accomplish in 2021. We hope to see you there!

Deb McGivern / Samaritan Ministry: We are thankful that Deb McGivern has done such an outstanding job as Samaritan Ministry Coordinator. Unfortunately, she has decided that she

needs to resign from this vital position. If you feel you can coordinate this ministry, please call

Pastor Carlson or Paula and let them know you are willing to help.

2020 Lutherans For Life Regional Conference: Ruthfred will be hosting this conference on

Saturday, September 26, 2020. Please see the information sheet with your bulletin for more

details.

Pastors Fund: Given by Mary Habovick in honor of the marriage of her granddaughter Athena

Cardiges and Andrew Valentine.

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Adult SS Class Today In The Fellowship Hall

The adult Sunday School class continues today as Pastor McMinn leads us through the 4th and final chapter of the Book of Philippians following the 8:30 AM service. Come along! Bring some

coffee and a snack. BRING YOUR BIBLE too!

Sunday, August 16, 2020

Next week Pastor McMinn begins a series on the Books of First and Second Thessalonians. God offers much comfort and guidance to the family of the Faith here at Ruthfred through these writings of Paul to the congregations in Philippi and Thessalonica. Come along for the ride, and

join us in these classes! They'll bless you and your family.

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The 2020 Ruthfred Lutheran Church Picnic is TODAY, Sunday August, 9th from 4 PM to 7 PM on the ballfield behind the church! Dinner at 5 will be followed by a time of music and devotion. This year’s picnic will NOT be a potluck. All food and drinks will be provided. Brandon is setting up a giant slip n slide. Anyone wishing to partake is encouraged to bring bathing suits/change of clothes. For questions or concerns contact April Glasser Blackston by the

number listed in the church directory. We hope to see you there, Ruthfred Family!

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“Praise in the Park!!”

A contemporary worship concert is going to be held on Saturday, August 22nd

, at the Peterswood Park Amphitheater in Venetia, PA. Our Ruthfred Praise & Worship team will be presenting this concert. There is no cost for the concert. Schedule of events:

4:30pm: Food vendors open. 5:00pm: Bible lesson will be shared.

5:30pm: Concert begins. This is a great opportunity to praise God and enjoy some wonderful fellowship together! Invite your friends and come! (There is plenty of space for social distancing.) Please see our ruthfred.org site for more details.

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GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through

one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving

process alone.

Widowed? Help is here and hope is possible

Do you dread the lonely days and nights? Wonder what to do with your spouse’s belongings? Feel like your brain is in a fog? Unsure of how you’ll go on?

At a Loss of a Spouse seminar you’ll discover:

• Other people understand and have found ways to make it through

• Why it won’t always hurt so much

• Reasons for hope

• Practical tips for coping with the death of a spouse

What to expect at the event

A Loss of a Spouse seminar lasts about two hours. Here’s what to expect:

• Video seminar: You’ll view a 35-minute video with encouraging, practical advice from counselors, pastors, and widowed men and women.

• Sharing time: Then you’ll get to talk with other widowed people about what you learned from the video. (There’s no pressure to share!)

• A guide to bring home: Everyone receives a booklet with more than 30 short readings on how to live with grief and eventually rebuild your life.

Join us for this one-night seminar at Ruthfred on Monday, September 28, at 7 p.m. Please register by September 21 with Pastor McMinn at (412) 835-7140 X226, or pastormcminn@ruthfred.org. Group size will be limited to 12 and social distancing will be practiced. Contact Jill or Roger Kurtz with any questions.

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YOUTH NEWS:

Covid-19

All of our youth events will observe the current guidelines set by local government in

dealing with the current covid-19 situation. Most activities this summer will look

different than previous years as we try to keep some sense of normalcy while also

exercising an appropriate amount of caution.

SWAP (6-8 Grade)

There Is NO SWAP tonight as the church picnic is this evening, and everyone should

go to that!

TNT (9-12 Grade)

We will be having TNT every Tuesday from 7-9pm. Please make sure to bring a mask.

This week’s TNT will be hosted at the Hunter’s home. Tune into the TNT remind app to

get the details.

SAVE THE DATE

August 8 – TNT Canoe Trip

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Questions/concerns?

Contact Brandon Fouks : Fouksanator@gmail.com

(c) (715)-781-6063

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Prayer Requests

Please use this space to let the

pastors, elders and/or church

know of your prayer needs.

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

Please keep this request

Private (to be kept amongst the

pastors and vicar only).

Please make this request

known to the Ruthfred prayer

team and announce it to the

congregation when

appropriate.

This Week At Ruthfred

Today (8/9) 8:30 a.m.—Worship Service 9:45 a.m.—Adult Sunday School 11:00 a.m.—Worship Service

4:00-7:00—Church Picnic

Monday (8/10) 7:00 p.m.—Elders’ Prayer Time

7:30 p.m.—Council Meeting

Wednesday (8/12)

2:00 p.m.—Esther

Sunday (8/16) 8:30 a.m.—Worship Service 9:45 a.m.—Adult Sunday School 11:00 a.m.—Worship Service

Welcome to worship at Ruthfred Lutheran Church as we gather in the name of our heavenly Father, Jesus

our Savior and the life-giving Spirit. Amen.

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Ruthfred Lutheran Church 3401 South Park Road Bethel Park, Pennsylvania 15102 Phone: (412) 835-7140 Email: ruthfred@ruthfred.org www.ruthfred.org

Ruthfred Staff

Rev. Steven P. Carlson| Senior Pastor (412) 835-7140 (ext. 229) PastorCarlson@ruthfred.org

Rev. Bryce C. McMinn| Associate Pastor (412) 835-7140 (ext. 226) PastorMcMinn@ruthfred.org

Paula Mikulan| Office Manager (412) 835-7140 (ext. 222) PaulaMikulan@ruthfred.org

Ron Thorhauer| Business Manager (412) 835-7140 (ext. 224) RonThorhauer@ruthfred.org

Patricia Lutz| Administrative Assistant (412) 835-7140 (ext. 225)

PatriciaLutz@ruthfred.org

Brandon Fouks| Director of Youth Ministry (412) 835-7140 (ext. 240) BrandonFouks@ruthfred.org

Brian Lyskava| Custodian

Andrew Vogel| Multi-Media Coordinator (412) 568-3215 AndrewVogel@ruthfred.org

David Compel| Digital Outreach Coordinator (412) 609-9098 DavidCompel@ruthfred.org

Robert Vogel Senior & Bell Choirs

Frederick Schell Organist

Melissa Manzo Children’s Choir

Lauren Compel & Denise Stutzman Kid’s Time Leaders

Ruthfred Lutheran Church 3401 South Park Road Bethel Park, Pennsylvania 15102 Phone: (412) 835-7140 Email: ruthfred@ruthfred.org www.ruthfred.org