News of the Family from The United Presbyterian Church at Whitinsville

Transcription

1 News of the Family from The United Presbyterian Church at Whitinsville Update from the Boards As we near the end of our fiscal year, our church boards have been busy serving and preparing for the future. Our Session continues to discuss the financial situation of the church, and to look at options for the future. They have currently created a short term Task Force to investigate various short and long term options to help meet our financial needs. This Task Force will consist of two members of session, two trustees, two members of the stewardship committee, Pastor Renn and up to four members from the congregation at large. They will meet throughout the summer to gather input from the congregation and research various options and then make a recommendation to the Session in the September. Please be in prayer for this group, and share any ideas or questions you may have with them. Our Deacons have had a wonderful couple of months. They hosted a wonderful Second Sunday Social in April, and we feasted on delicious picnic food. They also sent out care packages to all of our college students during finals, and shared our love and care on behalf of the congregation. They continue to visit and minister to our homebound, and to be the loving extension of our church. The Trustees headed up a major fundraiser this past month, and raised over $4,700 to support the life and ministry of our congregation. Thank you to everybody who donated, shopped, moved donations, cooked and baked and helped out on the day of. And a special thank you to Don Mateer for his leadership and all he does throughout the year to help make our yard sale a success. It was a wonderful day of meeting our neighbors, serving our community and having some fun with our church family! And as always, a BIG THANK YOU to all of you for all the ways that you serve our church. Your gifts of time, talent and treasure are such a blessing to our congregation, and do so much in building God s kingdom. June 2016 The United Presbyterian Church at Whitinsville 51 Cottage St. (church) - 7 Spring St. (office), Whitinsville, MA Phone: Website: Office Office@whitinpres.net Pastor Aaron rev.aaron.serna@gmail.com Pastor Renn rev.renn.serna@gmail.com Office Hours: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Monday & Wednesday 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Thursday & Friday

2 Birthday Corner Eric Schelin Kevin Brandriff Lydia Brandriff Mike Sabourin Christine Staples Bob Platt, Jr. Kristen Stone Bob Platt, Sr. Cameron Staples Mary Spalton Don Mateer Barbara Plays Gaye Shannon 6/1 6/4 6/13 6/15 6/15 6/16 6/23 6/24 6/24 6/26 6/28 6/29 6/30 Anniversaries Gene & Kelly LaCava Jim & Pat Remillard Anthony & Anna Santoro Ken & Diana Pedersen Dave & Kathy Miedema 6/5 6/7 6/8 6/9 6/22 Summer Worship Schedule Summer Worship Schedule will remain at the usual schedule this year. 9:30am - Adult Education 10:30am - Worship & Kid's Own Worship Ministry Volunteers for the Month of June Ministries Worship Leader Greeter June 5 June 12 June 19 June 26 July 3 G. Shannon S. Phoebe M. Thomas R. Thomas A. Reichert L. & N. Joyce K. Miedema J. Baker L. & N. Joyce Welcome Center B. Keeler Offering Counters D. & S. Mateer Children s Sermon H. Platt Communion Sunday S. Mateer J. Baker C. Pilibosian & J. M. Reynolds & Baker G. Giemza L. Reichert C. Matchett M. Spalton C. Matchett G. Giemza & T. Schelin D. & S. Mateer A. Reichert Your service is very important. If you cannot serve on the date listed, please switch with another person and inform the church secretary ( ) of the change. **Sunday Morning Worship Schedule** Morning Worship Service 9:30AM - 10:30AM For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them Page 2 Matthew 18:20

3 June 2015 The Pastors Piece I have a confession to make, I spend a lot of time online. And I mean, a lot (just ask Aaron!). Between my laptop and my cell phone, I am rarely disconnected from the wonders of the internet. I must admit that I have a love-hate relationship with it, but for better or worse, it is here to stay. The internet has become a way of life, and everyone from schools to doctors offices to community groups have an online presence, and if we as a church want to continue to engage our culture, we must find a way to embrace it as well. But I have to say, this excites me. There are so many wonderful things about the internet. The ability to connect with others at any time of the day or night, having a plethora of information available right at my fingertips and the opportunity talk and share ideas about exciting new ideas. The internet has helped us connect worldwide in a way that we never have before, and this provides a lot of opportunities for our church. The internet has become the new town square. It is where people go to connect with others, to find out about what is happening and to learn about new businesses and opportunities. I cannot imagine going to a doctor without first seeing what the internet has to say about them. It is the same with churches. I can almost guarantee that every single visitor who steps through our front doors has first checked us out our website, Facebook page or Youtube channel. Our online presence is our front door into the community and without thoughtful care, we will be overlooked. Remember what the Apostle Paul said. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some. Now I do all this because of the gospel, so I may become a partner in its benefits (1 Corinthians 9:22b-23). With the internet, we have a wonderful new tool at our disposal to help share the Gospel and engage with our community, and I have just loved helping create our online presence this past year. Consider this: did you know that over 1100 people saw our Facebook post about Jesus Christ Superstar? And that we had 50 kids come to our Easter Egg Hunt, most of who were first time visitors who heard about it through Facebook? Or that 75 people watched Laurie Sabourin share about Peace of Bread last year? Or that information about our church and upcoming events are available on our newly redesigned website? Going online is a free, easy and fun way to share about what our church is doing and to connect with our community. Here are some ways that you can help grow our online impact: Like our Facebook page to receive updates about what is going on in our church and to get involved Share upcoming events on your own Facebook page to let your friends know what is going on Like or Comment on our Facebook posts to help these posts be seen by more people (yes, even something as simple as commenting on a Facebook post helps to get the word out!) Review our church on Google or Facebook and let visitors know what you think about us Direct people our church website when you invite them to a service or event Follow our Youtube channel to watch sermons, special music and Minute for Missions Listen to sermons on your smartphone at Signup for the Scoop to receive weekly updates on what is happening in our church family. Page 3

4 June 2015 Dear Friends, I hope this letter is finding you well and you are enjoying the beginning of spring! This past year I have been prayerfully seeking an opportunity to use my skills in communications in a service context abroad. God has answered my prayers as I was recently chosen to represent Grove City College as a student missionary through the Red Box Mission Program (which annually selects eight students for summer-long missions around the world). I will be serving with the Harvest Bridge mission organization in locations in India this summer. Harvest Bridge partners with the local ministries in areas of Asia including India, the Andaman Islands, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Tibet, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. Harvest Bridge works to equip their missionary partners with pastor training, child sponsorship, vocational programs, gypsy and tribal empowerment and disaster relief. They seek to come alongside their Asian partners and assist them in ways that can promote spreading the gospel. You can learn more about Harvest Bridge at This summer I will be living with and learning from these missionaries about the work they are doing. My work will center on the use of photo-journalism, videography and blogging to shed a light on the incredible things God is doing in Asia. I will be based in Chennai, India and traveling to different partnering locations and documenting their work while also assisting in their various ministries. While the Red Box Program will cover my personal expenses, I am raising additional funds to increase the impact of the trip. These funds will enable me to travel to and report about missionary work in more remote locations. Any excess funds will directly support local missionaries who are doing incredible work with very little resources. As I am seeking to follow God on this mission I would love for you to be a part of this experience with me by investing in various ways. Ways you can help include: 1. Your prayers 2. Giving Financially 3. Sharing this with your church If you would like to financially support this mission you can go to the Harvest Bridge website on the Ways to Give page ( You will have the opportunity to send money via check, debit or credit cards. If you are giving with a check, please write summer journalism in the memo line and send directly to Harvest Bridge. These are tax deductible as long as my name does not appear on the check in any way. If you are planning to give with a debit or credit card you will find the Project Support Section on the Ways to Give page. After selecting Vision Trips: Photo/Video Journalism, Summer 2016 on the bottom of the page you can fill out the rest of the Information needed. Please follow my trip through social media on my Facebook page ( Instagram ( I would greatly appreciate your prayer support this summer. I ask that you would pray that I will be spiritually filled and strengthened by the joys and trials that I face this summer. I ask for prayers for wisdom as I am taking a step out in faith for God s call this summer. And I also ask for prayers for the people in India, that they would come to know the love of Jesus Christ this summer. With much love and thanks, Lindsey Reichert Page 4

5 June 2015 What is Serve? Serve is a five to seven-day mission trip that sends high school age students out to care for and restore their world in an environment where they ll encounter the concepts of justice and missional living. All Serve projects approach service realizing all relationships were broken by sin (to God, ourselves, each other, and to all creation) and are in need of transformation by his grace and the Gospel. Thus, each Serve works to join in with what a local church or faith community is ALREADY doing in their own community, such that students do not approach Christian service with an us and them / white horse mentality. More than just a short trip, Serve is a faith-forming experience where the communities, congregations and students involved all experience lasting transformation. Serve Sites are the places where Serve is offered again, hosted by a local church, where students from four or more Sending Churches help with community outreach and revitalization. Specific dates, Serve Sites, and more information can be found at youthunlimited.org/serve. Short Term Missions Trips Utilizing Christian Reformed Theology At a Glace Need more information? What? Who? Where? Serve is a mission trip being hosted right here in Whitsinville High Schoolers from our local community as well as from around the country Staying at Pleasant Street Church, serving with local organizations throughout the community 1. Check out Youth Unlimited s website ( 2. Get in touch with Pastor Renn at rev.renn.serna@gmail.com 3. Get in touch with Annika Bangma (Director of Youth Ministry at Pleasant Street CRC) annika@pscrc.org Serve is a faith-forming experience where the communities, congregations and students involved all experience lasting When? July 9-16, 2016 transformation. Cost? The entire mission trip costs $410. Talk to Pastor Renn for more information or signup online! Page 5

6 June 2015 Superkids June The fun SuperKids program of games, music, Bible-based skits, and Bible discussion will be held Sunday through Thursday evenings, June 26-30, at the Fairlawn Christian Reformed Church Annual Meeting of the United Presbyterian Church At Whitinsville The 143rd Annual Congregational Ecclesiastical and Corporate Business Meeting of the United Presbyterian Church at Whitinsville will take place on Sunday, June 26, 2015 following the morning worship service. The meeting will be held in the sanctuary. This free program begins at 6:00 pm and ends at 8:00 pm. Kids ages 4-12 are invited, and encouraged to bring friends. This program has been held in Whitinsville since 2004 and is a big hit with kids and their parents. Contact Kevin or Liz Redden for more info. Piece of Peace Over the years at Peace of Bread Community Kitchen there have been so many wonderful stories of giving. Folks who bless our ministry efforts by truly sacrificially giving their time and talents in ways both large and small. It is awesome to see and a blessing to us all. Peace of Bread Community Kitchen, Wednesday s 5:30 pm One of the sweetest examples of giving we've had recently is from two young girls. They are sisters who have been coming to Peace of Bread annually around Mother's Day for several years. Each year they come they bring a monetary donation for Peace of Bread in honor of their mom. When they were real little it was a few dollars of allowance money, and as they have gotten older their donation has gotten bigger! Now they are teenagers earning money and still giving in honor of their mom for Mother's Day. So precious and good. What a gift their mom gets every year seeing her daughters give to others. We are thankful for ALL the giving hearts & hands that bless the Peace of Bread ministry. Honestly we couldn't do all we do to reach out to our community if it wasn't for all the volunteers and folks who donate to our ministry. It is an amazing thing to behold. We give God all the praise and glory. Laurie Page 6

7 June 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 5 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Service 11:30 Coffee Fellowship 6:30 PM FPU Class 12 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Service 11:30 Coffee Fellowship 6:30 PM FPU Class 19 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Service 11:30 Coffee Fellowship 6:30 PM FPU Class 26 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Service 11:30 Coffee Fellowship Annual Meeting 6:30 PM FPU Class 6 7:00 PM Session Prayer Meeting 13 7:00 PM Trustee Meeting 20 7:00 PM Session Business Meeting 27 7:00 PM Deacon Meeting 1 4:30 PM PoB Bible 7 8 4:30 PM PoB Bible :30 PM PoB Bible :30 PM PoB Bible :30 PM PoB Bible 2 3 6:30 AM Men s Bible :30 AM Men s Bible 6:30 PM Ice Cream Social 16 6:00 PM KH Annual Dine Out 17 6:30 AM Men s Bible 6:30 PM Book Club :30 AM Men s Bible :00 AM Revelation Bible 11 8:00 AM Revelation Bible 18 8:00 AM Revelation Bible 25 8:00 AM Revelation Bible Page 7

8 The United Presbyterian Church at Whitinsville Church Office: 7 Spring Street Whitinsville, MA NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 27 Whitinsville, MA «AddressBlock» Attention, All Church Ladies! If you haven t made reservations for the annual Kathryn Huston Dine-Out at the Whitinsville Golf Club on June 16th, please contact Harriet Platt ( ) by June 6th. This will be an evening of Super food, Super fellowship, and Super entertainment by Chris and Company. The evening commences with appetizers at 6 pm, the Deluxe Italian Buffet ($20) at 6:30 followed by our special entertainment. If you have any food restrictions, contact Harriet. Let s Celebrate 81 years o the Missions Circle s Ministry as well as 21 years of the Secret Prayer Pals Ministry To God Be the Glory! Note: Homespun Holidays is Saturday, November 12, 2016 from 10 AM - 2 PM. Food, Fun, and Fellowship in the Summer! We are taking a break from our usual Second Sunday Socials during the summer but we are still going to have opportunities for us to enjoy some fun and fellowship with our church family and friends. When you hear summer, don t you think of ICE CREAM??? Join us on the second FRIDAYS of each summer month for our Ice Cream Social: June 10, July 8, and August 12 6:30-8:00 p.m. We will gather out behind the church office (weather permitting- if not come on down to our fellowship hall). We will enjoy some ice cream, play some games, and enjoy each other s company. Hope to see you there!