Epistle We are a small congregation, part of God s larger family, teaching and living God s Word, and sharing God s love throughout the community.

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1 Epistle We are a small congregation, part of God s larger family, teaching and living God s Word, and sharing God s love throughout the community. Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Valatie Reverend Kathi L. Jones, Pastor P.O. Box 267, 3212 Church Street, Valatie, NY ifirstpresbyter1@nycap.rr.com Website: January 2018 From the Pastor s Pen With a new year upon us, we tend to think about the year past and the fresh slate the new year presents. Yet, from Sunday to Monday is just the passing of a day; it happens to be the turning of the page of the calendar or even having to find a new calendar, but the days don t change Monday follows Sunday and is followed by Tuesday just as it has been for centuries. We look at what is past and wonder how we could have/should have done things differently or better or not at all. We see the new year ahead, full of undisclosed opportunities, possibilities and, if we are honest potential hazards and sorrows. When Simeon greeted Mary and Joseph at the temple when they brought Jesus to dedicate him, Simeon had wonderful words for the hope that the child would bring to the world. He was so overjoyed that he felt his life was complete and he was ready to die. God had fulfilled Simeon s wish to see the Messiah. All that had been in his life had led him to that moment. What joy he felt! We don t know much about Simeon other than what this passage seems to tell us. He was a devout man who spent much time in the temple praying. But with his joy was the prophecy that he shared with Mary that her child was destined to bring salvation and turmoil. And that she would endure pain in that a sword will pierce your own soul, too. What kind of way is that to greet a new mother? Certainly, she and Joseph had plenty of anxious moments throughout the pregnancy, even from the beginning. Now a stranger tells her that this beautiful child is going to bring her unspeakable pain. Yet, they go home and determine to live their lives. We know that soon after they are forced to flee in order to save their baby. Their lives will never be normal. God has other ideas for them and for us. We often think we have it all figured out and know exactly how our lives will go. But, God sometimes has even more wonderful plans, ones we wouldn t dare to dream or expect. Sometimes with them comes incredible disappointment, even pain. But God is with us every step of the way. What an amazing way to start a new year to look for God s plan! And maybe, just maybe, it will give more, require more and be more for us than we could imagine! Have a Happy God blessed New Year! Kathi

2 Christian Nurture Worship services will be held in the Fellowship Hall during the months of January, February and March and we will return to the sanctuary on Palm Sunday, March 25 th. On February 4th the children in the church will be participating in the Souper Bowl of Caring. Souper Bowl of Caring was originally founded by a church youth group. Even though the movement has since expanded from the faith community to many types of participating groups, we continue to be fueled by those coming together to worship and make a difference in their community. Souper Bowl of Caring is youth across the nation working to fight hunger and poverty in their own communities around the time of the Super Bowl football game. In the weeks leading up to or on Super Bowl Sunday, young people take up a collection (many use a soup pot), asking for a donation of food or money for people in need. They give 100% of their donation directly to the local hunger-relief charity of their choice within their community. All proceeds will be going to the Valatie Ecumenical. The St. Luke s Outreach Dinner will be held on January 9 th. Steve Hadcock is the chairman and volunteers are needed. Please contact him if you are able to help. Our Boy Scout troop will be participating in the worship service and host the coffee hour on February 11 th. Presbyterian Women In 2017 members of the congregation donated 80 calendars to Barnwell nursing and rehabilitation facility and 470 magazines of which 144 were taken to Barnwell and the remaining 326 to the medical imaging department of Columbia Memorial Hospital for their waiting room. Thank you to all who contributed to this mission and please continue to bring magazines that you are finished with to the church for distribution to these two facilities. They are greatly appreciated by the recipients. Our January PW meeting and lesson 5 of the Bible study will be at 10:00am on Thursday, January 4. We have two year planners for located on the table that are for sale for $1.00 each. Congregation and Community We thank everyone who contributed to our Alternative Christmas. These gifts of money that were given in memory of or in honor of someone have helped 4 organizations provide needed relief efforts. Chatham Cares 4 U: $ Hurricane Relief: $ (Puerto Rico and Maria) Heifer: $ ( heifer, llama, chickens, boost of nutrition, bees, rabbits, fish and a goat) Southwest Indian Foundation: $1, (5 Christmas baskets and 2 stoves)

3 Deacons Doings The deacons held their December Afternoon Social on December 13. It was a festive time of fellowship and fun. Word scramble games, Guess the Carol and other puzzles kept everyone working hard to find the answers (thank goodness for the internet!). There were tiny beanie ornaments to make and wonderful refreshments of ice cream and brownies, plus tasty quick breads were a gift to each guest. Our next social will be in the spring. We hope you will join us! JANUARY BIRTHDAYS 1/12 Aaron Behrens 1/13 Cheryle Paglialonga 1/21 Jerry Dymond 1/22 Steve Hadcock 1/22 Jason Arenshorst 1/22 Carol Matthews 1/24 Neil Behrens 1/28 Gale Bury JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES Prayer List We pray for: Unity in the world Accepting those that are different from you Students returning to classes after the holidays Those who need assistance for heating Those who work outside in winter conditions Those alone We are thankful for The opportunities the new year brings The beauty of Columbia County Those who support the food pantry 1/14 Mary and Charles Heermance CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL If we have missed your Birthday or Anniversary on our list, please give Naomi in the office a call. We want to celebrate with you and let others know about your special day. If you are reaching some other significant milestone let us know. LECTIONARY FOR JANUARY Jan. 7: Genesis 1:1-5; Psalm 29; Acts 19; 17; Mark 1:4-11 Jan. 14: 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 11-20; Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; John 1:43-51 Jan. 21: Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 62:5-12; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20 Jan. 28: Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28

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5 First Presbyterian Church January 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 New Years Day Closed 2 Congregation & Community 3 6:00pm. 4 10:00 am. Presbyterian Women 5 6 9:30am. Undecorating the church 7 11:00am. Worship - Sacrament of Holy Communion 12:15pm. Deacons Meeting 8 10:00 am. Christian Nurture 9 3:30pm. Set up for St. Luke's Dinner 5:30 pm. St. Luke s Dinner 7:00 pm. Buildings & grounds 10 Annual Reports Due am :00am. Worship - Ordination and Installation of Officers 12:15pm. Coffee Hour Finance & Stewardship 17 6:00pm. Session 18 2:00pm. Warm Up America! :00am. Worship Epistle Deadline am :00am. Worship 12:15pm. Lunch 12:45 Annual Congregational Meeting :00pm. January Hours Mondays - 12noon to 2pm except Christmas Day Wednesday - 1/3, 1/17, 1/ pm Saturday, 1/13 and 1/ am Church Street Pre-School meets Monday through Friday from 9:00am. to 11:30am.

6 3212 Church Street P. O. Box 267 Valatie, NY Phone: TIME SENSITIVE INFORMATION-PLEASE DELIVER PROMPTLY The Annual meeting of the congregation and corporation of the First Presbyterian Church, Valatie, NY, is called for Sunday January 28, 2018, following worship and lunch, for the purpose of: reviewing reports for the year 2017, electing the 2018 Nominating Committee members-at-large, approving the 2018 terms of call for the pastor, and conducting any other business that may properly come before the body. By Order of the Session We will have worship, as usual in the Fellowship Hall. After worship, the room will be set up for lunch and the congregational meeting. Lunch will be served by the Deacons. Sandra Hohneker, Treasurer Bill Ring, Financial Secretary Naomi Handley, Secretary Melissa Barton, Clerk of Session Ardelle Stewart, Organist Virginia Becker, Sexton