"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news." - Isaiah 52:7
Pittsburgh Area Lutheran Ministries
Annual Report 2022
PALM
PALM's Mission Includes: The initiation of new congregations and ministries. The support of new ministries or of ministries that are inherently unable to support themselves. The publication of periodicals and special information letters for reporting on the work and affairs of the organization or of its constituents. The conducting of joint celebratory worship services and other meetings involving all or several of the members. The management of local assets owned jointly by the members or by entities within the LCMS. The preparation, maintenance and publishing of calendars and/or schedules to minimize conflicts and interference among entities found within the Pittsburgh Area Community of member congregations. The collection of contributions from member congregations, from individuals, from Trusts and Foundations and from any other appropriate source for the support of the organization’s activities. The allocation of available resources among prospective and existing ministries. The application of criteria established by the appropriate District of the LCMS to allocation of funds given by that district.
Our purpose and mission
Pittsburgh Area Lutheran Ministries was incorporated to assist the member congregations in their various ministries and foster, encourage and expedite those activities too large or too comprehensive for one congregation, such as missions, publications, chaplaincies, etc.
The Reverend Dr. Douglas H. Spittel
THE LORD ADDED TO THE CHURCH DAILY
In May, the Pittsburgh Pastoral Conference hosted a stewardship workshop sponsored by The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod to which every parish was invited to send their pastor and key lay leaders. The Reverend Heath Curtis, LCMS Stewardship Coordinator spoke to us through the day-long workshop with encouragement for every congregation to recommit to in-depth Bible study and attentiveness to Luther's Small Catechism, especially the Table of Duties. Rev. Curtis noted that the recent pandemic had a deleterious effort on Christian churches nationwide with a decline in attendance by even those who previously had reported attending church weekly. He also reported that the LCMS is prepared for one in seven congregations to close over the next two years. Indeed, we are experiencing this very phenomenon nationwide as churches that were small and struggling before the pandemic are succumbing to the added pressures of the past two years along with the attendant economic crisis. This is especially concerning to us in the Pittsburgh area as we have congregations across our region that are working to cope with significant changes to their attendance and finances. This is a cautionary narrative, but not necessarily a frightening one. Just because our congregations are facing new challenges, they are not facing imminent doom. While demographics and economics may change, the Gospel of Jesus Christ remains the same. While the devil, the world, and our own flesh devise new way to vex us, the power of the Holy Spirit and the prayers of the Church remain strong. Yes, we have some congregations in our area that may experience significant changes in the months and years to come. Yet even during the pandemic and these challenging economic times, we have mission congregations that are growing and thriving along with at least two other mission outreach efforts that are beginning. Small congregations are opening up new conversations and agreements for working together to continue Word and Sacrament ministry and outreach in their parishes. The PALM Board of Directors has discussed and assigned a committee to consider how we can help to fortify our congregations against future vulnerability to closure or other loss of ministry. PALM, along with the circuits of our three constituent LCMS Districts, is building bridges and pathways for our congregations and missions to remain faithful and strong in the Word of God and in mission outreach. PALM enjoys good relations with the Eastern, English, and SELC Districts along with the LCMS Office of National Mission and our sister RSO, Concordia Lutheran Ministries. Even though the national economy is suffering, the effects of the recession have been minimized for PALM and we have been able to maintain a stable financial outlook. It is my prayer and expectation that our Lord will continue to bless the congregations of the Pittsburgh Area and the mission work of PALM as we move forward in the 21st Century. It is the Lord who will gather His people wherever the Word is proclaimed and the Sacraments are celebrated. I invite your prayers and volunteer efforts for our missions and congregations. May all we do be to the greater glory of our Lord Jesus Christ!
From the President
the WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.
October 31, 2021 Annual Reformation Service held at First Trinity Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh (Shadyside). New Member Congregations St. John, Morrisdale and St. Mark, Steubenville were both received as new member congregations by the PALM Board of Directors. January 6, 2022 Board of Directors appoints the Pastoral Care Committee to explore ways to offer guidance and assistance to congregations in providing for healthy and robust pastors. February 3, 2022 Board of Directors creates the new Small Mission Grant Fund to supplement the Annual Grant Fund and be more responsive to immediate mission needs of our congregations. March 14, 2022 PALM's status as a Recognized Service Organization of the LCMS officially renewed. July 3, 2022 Vicar David Wenndt is installed as the fourth full-time missionary to Hazelwood Neighborhood in the City of Pittsburgh. August 27, 2022 PALM co-sponsors the fifth annual Holy Cross Community and Parish Festival with Holy Cross and Concordia Lutheran Ministries on Mansion Street.
Milestones
The Structure of PALM
MARYLAND Accident - Zion Lutheran Church (Town) and St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (Cove)* OHIO Steubenville - St. Mark Lutheran Church PENNSYLVANIA Arnold – John Huss Lutheran Church Beaver Falls (Chippewa Township) – Mount Olive Lutheran Church Brentwood – Concordia Lutheran Church Bridgeville – Zion Lutheran Church Cabot (Hannahstown) – St. Luke Lutheran Church (Cabot and Butler Sites) Central City – St. Peter & St. Paul Lutheran Church Fairhope – Trinity Lutheran Church of Glen Savage* Forest Hills – Christ Lutheran Church Freedom (New Sewickley Township) – Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Glenshaw – Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church Johnstown – Holy Cross Lutheran Church McCandless Township – Ascension Lutheran Church McMurray – Peace Lutheran Church Millvale – St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Morrisdale/Munson – St. John Lutheran Church Murrysville – Calvary Lutheran Church New Castle* – Christ Lutheran Church New Kensington* – St. Paul Lutheran Church Oakmont – Redeemer Lutheran Church Oil City* – Christ Lutheran Church Penn Hills – Grace Lutheran Church City of Pittsburgh: Allegheny – St. Matthew Lutheran Church Hazelwood* - Holy Cross Evangelical-Lutheran Chapel Lawrenceville – Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Lincoln-Lemington – Faith Lutheran Church Shadyside/Oakland – First Trinity Evangelical-Lutheran Church Punxsutawney – Martin Luther Lutheran Church Sharon – Ss. Peter & Paul Lutheran Church Slippery Rock – All Saints Lutheran Church State College and Huntingdon – Good Shepherd Lutheran Church West View – Mount Calvary Lutheran Church Whitehall – Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of South Hills Wilkinsburg – Trinity Lutheran Church of the Deaf WEST VIRGINIA Bridgeport – St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
Area and Member Congregations (non-members in italics with *)
David McElroy - Mount Calvary, West View Former President, Barnett Davis, Inc. (retired)
The Rev'd. Brian P. Westgate - Redeemer, Oakmont Parish Pastor
Board of Directors
Rick Crain - Peace, McMurray INCUMBENT NOMINEE Senior Software Engineer, Carnegie Mellon University
The Rev'd. Jacob T. Deal - Saints Peter and Paul, Sharon Parish Pastor
Justin Spittel - Peace, McMurray Associate Signaling Functional Design Engineer - Hitachi Rail STS
The Rev'd. Dr. Douglas H. Spittel - First Trinity, Pittsburgh INCUMBENT NOMINEE Parish Pastor
Timothy Panzigrau - John Huss, Arnold Construction Project Civil Engineer, PennDOT
Kristi Price - First Trinity, Pittsburgh Physician Assistant
The Rev'd. Robert E. L. McCanless - Concordia, Brentwood TERM ENDING Parish Pastor
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Banking Services provided by PNC Bank - Pittsburgh, PA Investment Services provided by Lutheran Church Extension Fund - St. Louis, MO Legal Services provided by Fiffik Law Group, P.C. - Pittsburgh, PA Insurance Services provided by Church Mutual Insurance Company - Merrill, WI
Financial Report
PALM is a gold-level Guidestar participant committed to transparency. PALM's IRS Forms 990 are available at www.GuideStar.org.
Investment Services provided by Fidelity Brokerage Services, LLC - Smithfield, RI Endowment Fund management services provided by JFS Wealth Advisors - Pittsburgh, PA
The Rev'd. Brian Westgate, Secretary
Board Business
Changes to the Board of Directors Since the Last Delegates Meeting Additions: None. Subtractions: None. Changes to PALM Member Congregations Additions: St. John’s Morrisdale, 09/02/2021 St. Mark Steubenville, 06/02/2022 Subtractions: None. Activities by the Board of Directors 09/02/2021 (Held before Delegates Meeting but after printing of the 2021 Annual Report)– The Board approved the 2022 PALM Unrestricted Budget to be ratified by the Delegate Assembly. The Board approved the 2022 PALM Restricted Budget to be ratified by the Delegate Assembly. The Board approved a typographical amendment to the PALM Bylaws to be ratified by the Delegate Assembly. 10/06/2021 The Board elected officers for 2021-2022 and selected duties The Board members signed the Confidentiality Agreement and the Conflict of Interest Questionnaire St. John’s Morrisdale was approved as a member congregation of PALM 11/04/2021 No official business to report. 01/06/2022 The Board approved the Chair’s appointment of a PALM Clergy Care Exploratory Committee, intended to explore options for PALM to offer support to congregations in supporting their pastors. 02/03/2022 The Board met with Deaconess Dorothy Krans online as part of the process of the renewal of PALM’s LCMS RSO status. The Board approved the creation of a Dedicated Mission Fund, to make available to mission endeavors grants of up to $500 each throughout the year (starting capital of $3000, to be maintain a balance of $2500 through donations and 10% of annual earnings from the PALM Endowment Fund). 03/03/2022 The Board authorized a Small Mission Grant of $500.00 (cf. the previous month’s meeting) to Peace Lutheran Church for Uniontown Mission Work (Means of Grace Lutheran Church). 04/07/2022 The Board made determinations of the recipients for special offerings in 2022. The 175th LCMS Anniversary service offering will be given to Synod. The annual offering to be collected on the day of the Annual Delegates Meeting will be given to Holy Cross Chapel. The Reformation Service offering will be given to Revive @ Penn State, the campus ministry of Good Shepherd State College. 05/05/2022 No official business to report. 06/02/2022 St. Mark Steubenville was received as a PALM member congregation. The Board designated Church Mutual as PALM’s insurer until further notice. It was announced that Mileposters is no longer eligible to be a PALM mission. 07/07/2022 The Board approved a transfer of $1500.00 from the LCEF Mission Grant Fund to the PALM Small Mission Grant Fund. The Board approved a Small Mission Grant of $500.00 to Pittsburgh Lutheran Deaf Ministry for the monthly Second Sunday Deaf Social.
Justin Spittel, Urban Ministries Director
Urban Ministries
By the grace of God, the urban congregations of PALM continue to grow and thrive in 2022! Visitations to the Urban Congregations “Your mission is to teach the faithful, to care for all, to be a cornerstone in this community! Our mission - PALM’s mission - is to support you in those endeavors. PALM is at your side to help you fulfill your ministry.” The Urban Ministries Director visited member congregations with focus on urban outreach, encouraging communication and discussion of ongoing missions within the parishes’ neighborhoods and their plans for the future. Many of the congregations share similar challenges - limited resources, engagement, and participation - but they also share similar opportunities for outreach in their communities. The Director emphasized PALM’s presence, resources, and support, and thanked them for their presence in their communities.. Holy Cross Evangelical-Lutheran Chapel - Hazelwood Neighborhood; Pittsburgh, PA “We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee, because by Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.” Holy Cross Evangelical-Lutheran Chapel continues to grow strong in the Hazelwood community! The mission welcomes new confirmands and members, new persons served through the Holy Cross Lutheran Food and Clothing Distribution, and maintains strong relationships within the neighborhood. The missionaries and saints of Holy Cross continually demonstrate that they are a cornerstone in this changing community. Vicar Janssen completed his vicarage assignment in June 2022. He is succeeded by Seminarian David Wenndt from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, who is joined by his wife Hannah. The annual Community Day changed yet again: On 27 August 2022, Holy Cross held a wonderful community festival on the street adjacent to their building, offering door prizes, food, and entertainment to hundreds of attendees. The festival was organized and run by Vicar Wenndt and the congregation; this was the first time that they (not PALM) took charge of this annual event! The festival brought the community together in a new and exciting way, and Holy Cross opened its doors to many people who had never previously visited. Holy Cross continues to be a sterling example of mercy, witness, and love to the Hazelwood community, and none of this is possible without your continuing support. Please consider supporting this mission with your time, talent, and treasure thankfully and often in the coming year. All glory be to God! Sts. Peter & Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church - Sharon, PA In Sharon, PA, the Rev’d. Jacob Deal and the saints of Sts. Peter & Paul will conduct their annual Community Day celebration in September. Their mission is simple yet wholesome: offer their neighbors a free, family-friendly gathering in a safe environment. Sts. Peter & Paul stands as both a positive influence and a safe haven in their neighborhood. We give thanks to God for their continued success as they reach out to their neighbors in faith, hope, and love. -- Please continue to support the saints of our urban ministries with your prayers, time, talent, and treasure as you are able, and join us in wishing them all continued success in the years to come.
The writer to the Hebrews states: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Chapel in Hazelwood lives out this confession as we continue our mission being the only Sacramental and Creedal congregation in the Hazelwood neighborhood. Holy Cross is excited to announce that all our ministries and community events in Hazelwood have ramped back up in the past year. To start this off we held a parish festival where hundreds of people from our community attended and enjoyed games, a food truck, balloon animals, a raffle, bingo, and open tours of the church for everyone. Then in August, we teamed up with UPMC and Mill 19 in Hazelwood and hosted our annual community day. We held this event at the plaza at Mill 19 with many of our partnering non-profits represented. Following the Community Day, Holy Cross spent the next few months gearing up for our annual toy drive. We are excited to announce that the Heinz endowments also supported our toy drive by granting us money to buy brand new winter boots and winter coats for the children in Hazelwood. On top of the monthly and semi-monthly events we host on a regular basis, the Parish Festival, Community Day, and Toy Drive were our largest and most impactful outreach events of the year. However, as we reflected on the past year, we have decided to merge the Holy Cross Parish Festival into the Hazelwood Community Day for the foreseeable future. This will allow us to focus our efforts on one day, rather than divide our efforts. We are excited to announce that Jesus has brought three more souls into communicate membership at Holy Cross over the last year (one membership transfer and two adult catechumens). We are truly blessed that our congregation continues to grow in a neighborhood where other congregations continue to close. As the only Sacramental and Creedal congregation in Hazelwood as well as having the only clergyman both living and serving in Hazelwood, Holy Cross truly stands out as a beacon to our neighbors. Following the tragic loss of a neighborhood child who, while playing on his bike, was struck and killed just up the street in the Glen Hazel area of Hazelwood, the vicar has been involved with our neighbors who are shocked and in mourning. During the memorial set up for the child he was approached a number of times by people in the area saying that the residents need Jesus and asking him to continue to be involved in Glen Hazel. After this heart-wrenching experience, the vicar at Holy Cross has started to walk that area of Hazelwood, greeting and praying with these neighbors young and old, inviting them to join our church services and Bible studies, reminding them of the food and clothing outreaches we offer, and extending Christ’s love to them. He hopes to begin a local, weekly Bible study specifically in Glen Hazel in the coming months. We continue to have Sunday Services at 9:30, with Bible Class at eleven; Matins Tuesday-Saturday at 9:30, Wednesday Bible Study at Noon, and our Stations of the Cross Fridays at Noon. We pray that the Lord will continue to send His Word out into the Hazelwood community with the promise that it will not return empty (Isa 55:11), but will continue to flourish and grow within the Hazelwood neighborhood.
Seminarians Benjamin Janssen (2021-2022) and David Wenndt (2022-2023) at Holy Cross, Hazelwood
The Vicars of PALM
Zoë Huelsmann
PALM's Deaconess Intern
Pittsburgh Area Lutheran Ministries brings the gospel to our region through many diverse ministries. In my deaconess internship, I was privileged to serve in a wide range of activities. I was blessed to practice visitation with Concordia Lutheran Ministries; engage in outreach to those with housing and food insecurity through First Trinity Homeless Ministry; learn American Sign Language with Pittsburgh Lutheran Deaf Ministry; minister to those with visual impairment through monthly dinners with Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind; and teach English to international students and disciple college students through Lutheran Student Fellowship. The pastors, deaconesses, and directors at the helms of these ministries were boundlessly gracious as they shared their experience and insight with me. Often, ministry translated into coming alongside people in the ordinary moments of life. As PALM Chaplain, I conducted Bible studies at facilities across the greater Pittsburgh region. At one of the locations, a dear woman would ask me the same several questions each and every time. They were questions that ruminated in her mind day after day, questions about God and seeking him in prayer. Each time, month after month, I would try to reassure her from Scripture and point her to God as we see Him revealed in Christ. I treasured this familiar interchange. How many times do I need God to remind me of the truth of the gospel? Over and over again, day after day, month after month, year after year. Christ is present in our ordinary moments. Other times, my ministry meant walking with people through moments of crisis. I counseled couples with marital conflict. I shared Scripture and prayer with family members as they prepared to remove loved ones from life support. I prayed with dying patients. Christ is present in our trials and travails. Over and over again he proves himself faithful. Day after day, month after month, year after year. I thank God for the ministry of Pittsburgh Area Lutheran Ministries and I thank you for the honor of serving as your intern throughout the year. May you rest in God’s faithful provision.
Mission Churches: Holy Cross Evangelical-Lutheran Chapel Hazelwood Neighborhood Pittsburgh, PA Means of Grace Lutheran Church Uniontown, PA St. John's Evangelical-Lutheran Church (Chartered but listed as a mission by the English District.) Bridgeport, WV St. Mark Lutheran Church (Established SELC Congregation reaching out to far western PA, the northern panhandle of WV, and eastern OH.) Steubenville, OH Campus Ministries: All Saints Slippery Rock Campus Ministry Slippery Rock University LCMS-U Campus Ministry of Pittsburgh Carnegie Mellon University University of Pittsburgh Chatham University Carlow University Duquesne University Point Park University Community College of Allegheny County Robert Morris University Revive @ Penn State Penn State University - Main Campus Outreach Missions: First Trinity Homeless Ministry Oakland Holy Cross Lutheran Food and Clothing Distribution Hazelwood Outreach to Nepalese Immigrants Brentwood Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind Shadyside Pittsburgh Lutheran Deaf Ministry Shadyside Trinity Lutheran Church of the Deaf Wilkinsburg
Pittsburgh Area Missions
Pittsburgh Area Lutheran Schools This year, our website, www.pittsburghareallutheranschools.org, was redesigned by GoDaddy Services. There now is an interactive map with pinpoints locating each of our schools. and a directory that links the user with each school’s email and webpage. Our schools are: Redeemer Lutheran School (Preschool in Oakmont to 12th grade in Penn Hills). St. Luke Lutheran School in Cabot (PreK to 8th grade), Calvary Early Learning Center in Murrysville (PreK to Kindergarten). Our stand-alone preschools include: Good Shepherd Christian Preschool (Whitehall), Good Shepherd Lutheran Preschool (State College), Holy Trinity Lutheran Preschool (Albion), St. John Christian Preschool (Morrisdale), and Zion Lutheran Preschool (Bridgeville). Holy Trinity Lutheran Preschool was most recently added to our website. St. John Preschool in Millvale is pausing their program for the 2022-2023 school year. We pray that they reopen the following school year. This year we renewed our large colorful advertisement in the new 2022 “The Real Yellow Pages” directory on page 395. It is in full color and most noticeably covers nearly 1/3rd of the top right corner of the page. This directory is distributed all through Allegheny County and Butler County. Included with this contract is an online ad as well created by DexYP. Online Zoom classes are held by Thrive, an online small business software service. In addition, email lessons are provided to instruct in building relationships with your audience, marketing and maintaining an effective online presence.
Lutheran Education
PALM Functions
The Rev'd. Dr. Douglas H. Spittel, Functions Director
Terry N. Taylor, Pittsburgh Area Lutheran Schools Secretary
Celebratory Services 2021-2022 October 31, 2021: Annual Reformation Vespers at First Trinity, Shadyside. The Rt. Rev'd. Dr. Jamison Hardy, English District President and Bishop - Preacher. May 1, 2022: Solemn Vespers celebrating the 175th Anniversary of the founding of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod at Redeemer, Oakmont. The Rt. Rev'd. Dr. David P. Stecholz, Bishop Emeritus, English District - Preacher. UPCOMING - October 30, 2022: Annual Reformation Vespers at First Trintiy, Shadyside. The Rt. Rev'd. John Pingel, Eastern District President and Bishop - Preacher. PALM Website www.palmpa.org continues to be maintained and updated. Most recently our on-line giving portal was upgraded and made more usable for mobile devices. Minersville Cemetery Annual Services continue to be held at Minersville Cemetery in Pittsburgh's Hill District on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. A flag replacement program is ongoing, including acquisition of flag-holders as well as a firefighters' flag; a donated American flag and a new LCMS flag now flies above the cemetery. There is some thought to forming a Friends group for the care of the cemetery. Minserville
Dr. Ross Betts Elder Bethel Lutheran Church
The Rev'd. Jacob Deal SELC District Representative PALM Board of Directors
Mr.Michael Fenger Treasurer First Trinity Lutheran Church
Mr. David McElroy Mission Director PALM Board of Directors
Recently some concern has been raised among our congregations about their ability to adequately provide for the living needs of their pastors and families. This concern has to do both with the congregations meeting their duty to provide for their called pastors in accord with 1 Corinthians 9:14 and with our continuing ability to provide for Word and Sacrament ministry in the churches of our region. On January 6, 2022, the PALM Board of Directors directed President Spittel to appoint a committee to study the varying ways in which our area congregations provide for the needs of their pastors. The committee is charged with developing ways in which PALM can be of assistance to our congregations in being aware of the various options that exist for calling and retaining pastors as well as caring for their pastors so that their work will be a joy and not a burden (Hebrews 13:17). This is no small task set before the committee and the members wish to be as prayerful, deliberate, and thorough as possible. So far, they have produced a draft document for the Board of Directors and they hope to have materials and technical support available to our congregations in 2023. Please watch The Pittsburgh Lutheran for more updates on the work of this committee.
Clergy Care Committee
The Rev'd. Dr. Daniel Hahn Regional Vice-President Eastern District - LCMS
The Pittsburgh Lutheran highlights PALM News, Campus Ministries, Mission News, Upcoming Special Events, School News, News from Area Congregations, Houses of Worship (highlighting one Area Congregation) and Concordia Lutheran Ministries in each issue. There are ten monthly newsletters with no newsletters published for the months of January and July. A Call for News email is sent out the first of each month requesting articles to be submitted between the 10th and 15th. If anyone would wish to be added to our mailing list to receive this Call for News or to receive the newsletter itself, please send a request to pittsburgh.lutheran.editor@gmail.com. We currently have 167 Subscribers. According to reports provided by Mail Chimp, between 60% and 70% of our subscribers open this newsletter monthly. This compares with an average performance of 55% for our peers. This is very good news! The Pittsburgh Lutheran is only as good as its content so we encourage all to participate and submit your articles and pictures. Because we are now digital, there is no cost for a subscription. Go to www.palmpa.org/pittsburgh-lutheran to subscribe.
The Pittsburgh Lutheran
Editors: Nancy Koester, Mary Lou Rilee and Layout Editor Megan Migyanko
Make a Generous Contribution to PALM for the Next Generation of Missions
The Pittsburgh Area Lutheran Ministries Board of Directors has created and manages several ways in which your donations help to further the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the Pittsburgh area. Our Endowment Fund was established in 2019 to provide for the long-term funding of PALM mission and ministry projects. Originally funded by a generous gift of stock, the endowment is a professionally managed investment portfolio. The aim of the endowment is to protect and grow the principal while using yearly earnings to fund mission projects through grants. While annual fund growth will vary from year to year depending on the economy and market performance, historically endowment funds such as ours have been shown to enjoy positive growth over time when properly managed. The Small Mission Grant Fund provides quick grants up to $500 to help congregations and missions with projects that reach out to the community with the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. This fund is an LCEF Steward Account that relies on your donations. The PALM Operating Fund not only pays for the modest administrative expenses of PALM, it most importantly serves as an incubator fund for mission plants. PALM is presently administering the financial needs of Holy Cross Lutheran Chapel in Hazelwood and Means of Grace Lutheran Church in Uniontown. One hundred percent of donations earmarked for these missions are used for that purpose with no administrative fees for PALM. The PALM Board of Directors encourages you to prayerfully consider giving generously. For more information, please speak with our Treasurer. Gifts may be made electronically at www.palmpa.org or by check to Pittsburgh Area Lutheran Ministries 535 N Neville Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." - Ephesians 3:20-21 The Lord is faithful and His Gospel of salvation in Christ Jesus is proclaimed from generation to generation. Just as the Church has proclaimed and taught the Faith to us, we are also privileged to proclaim and teach the Faith to future generations. PALM exists so that we can do this joyfully together. The Lord will continue to bless His work and many will be brought to Him and be saved.
Photos: ©Erik Lunsford, LCMS Communications, The Pittsburgh Lutheran, Douglas H. Spittel, Elizabeth Janssen, Hannah Wenndt, Justin Spittel, and the Public Domain. Front Cover Photo: Altar and Pulpit at Trinity Lutheran Church of Glen Savage, Fairhope, Pennsylvania Rear Cover Photos: Members of Redeemer Lutheran School National Junior Honor Society, Penn Hills, Pennsylvania and Zion Lutheran Preschool, Bridgeville, Pennsylvania
To all generations