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http://www.gatewaynewspapers.com/theherald/57621/
Despite the frosty chill in the air, the Rev. Mark Ruppert has spring fever.
The new pastor at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sharpsburg says he can't wait to spring forward -- and into the lives of his parishioners.
"I can't wait until we can have the doors open and people start stopping in to say hi."
Ruppert, originally from Illinois, came to the 140-year-old church to fill a vacancy that had stretched two years. The absence of a permanent leader was beginning to wear on members of the congregation, according to Ruppert.
"They missed that sense of having 'their' pastor," he said. "It's nice for me and them."
He plans this spring to renew a sense of unity, within the church and the community. The church, and its adjoining school building, which closed last year, will offer its facilities along Clay Street to residents in hopes of building faith.
For example, Ruppert hopes to host a family-fun night each month where residents can visit the unused gymnasium for games and movies. He wants to reach out with services that unite all ages.
"Members are itching to do some of that," he said, from his office inside the now-vacant school building. "It's been too long not knowing what we're about, since the school closed."
The site, Ruppert says, was very active in the past. At its peak, the church boasted 200 members that has since declined.
Youth activities are a way to recoup some interest.
"We're working on building vision," says Ruppert, who received his Master of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary in Indiana.
In just one month, Ruppert says the response has been inspiring.
"It has been neat. I'm enjoying the people," he says. "I think there's potential. We just have to figure out how to use this beautiful facility to meet the needs of worship but also for services for the community."
Ruppert is no stranger to overcoming adversity. He first came to Pittsburgh in 1997 when he was called to serve as a missionary pastor for the region's deaf population. He worked seven years as pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church of the Deaf in Wilkinsburg until funding was cut short. He continues to serve as New Life Christian Education teacher at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.
He and his wife, Kathy, are both accomplished in sign language. They live in Pittsburgh's Observatory Hill section and enjoy hiking in their spare time with their five children.
The church is a member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. The site offers bible study at 9 a.m. Sundays for adults and children.
Ruppert invites everyone to services that follow at 10:30 a.m.
Despite the frosty chill in the air, the Rev. Mark Ruppert has spring fever.
The new pastor at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sharpsburg says he can't wait to spring forward -- and into the lives of his parishioners.
"I can't wait until we can have the doors open and people start stopping in to say hi."
Ruppert, originally from Illinois, came to the 140-year-old church to fill a vacancy that had stretched two years. The absence of a permanent leader was beginning to wear on members of the congregation, according to Ruppert.
"They missed that sense of having 'their' pastor," he said. "It's nice for me and them."
He plans this spring to renew a sense of unity, within the church and the community. The church, and its adjoining school building, which closed last year, will offer its facilities along Clay Street to residents in hopes of building faith.
For example, Ruppert hopes to host a family-fun night each month where residents can visit the unused gymnasium for games and movies. He wants to reach out with services that unite all ages.
"Members are itching to do some of that," he said, from his office inside the now-vacant school building. "It's been too long not knowing what we're about, since the school closed."
The site, Ruppert says, was very active in the past. At its peak, the church boasted 200 members that has since declined.
Youth activities are a way to recoup some interest.
"We're working on building vision," says Ruppert, who received his Master of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary in Indiana.
In just one month, Ruppert says the response has been inspiring.
"It has been neat. I'm enjoying the people," he says. "I think there's potential. We just have to figure out how to use this beautiful facility to meet the needs of worship but also for services for the community."
Ruppert is no stranger to overcoming adversity. He first came to Pittsburgh in 1997 when he was called to serve as a missionary pastor for the region's deaf population. He worked seven years as pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church of the Deaf in Wilkinsburg until funding was cut short. He continues to serve as New Life Christian Education teacher at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.
He and his wife, Kathy, are both accomplished in sign language. They live in Pittsburgh's Observatory Hill section and enjoy hiking in their spare time with their five children.
The church is a member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. The site offers bible study at 9 a.m. Sundays for adults and children.
Ruppert invites everyone to services that follow at 10:30 a.m.
