2 a.m. Nov. 5. for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing,

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1 Glen Reformed Church State Highway 161, Fultonville, NY in the hamlet of Glen, 4 miles south of Fultonville glenreformed@nycap.rr.com a.m. Nov. 5 November December See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5: December 3 9:00 a.m. First Sunday of Advent December 10 9:00 a.m. Second Sunday in Advent Sunday School Presentation: New Star Community pot-luck brunch celebration December 17 9:00 a.m. Third Sunday in Advent December 24 Christmas Eve (Fourth Sunday in Advent) 10:30 a.m. Worship at Fultonville Reformed Church 7:00 p.m. Candlelight Worship at Glen Church December 31 New Year s Eve 9:00 a.m. worship Inside this Issue: Message from Pastor Tom... p. 2 Congregational Meeting...p. 3 Decorating the church...p. 3 Evening of Thanks & Praise... p. 3 Birthdays.....p. 3 Worship details: Nov-Dec...p. 4 Sunday School & Youth Group.... p. 5 Christmas Caroling p. 5 Advent & St. Nicholas Day..p. 6 Missions, Outreach, Choir.....p. 7 Insert Pancake Supper Back Page: Fitness Happy Hour, Servant opportunities, Thanksgiving scripture & prayer

2 . A Few Moments with Thomas Wow! I am astonished! Big word for me, right? Well, that's how I feel, dumbfounded. As of this writing it is the end of October. The newsletter you are receiving and reading covers the months of November and December. The next one you will receive will be in the New Year. I always try to write to you something to ponder upon, something you can add to your life, and something to edify and encourage you. But where do I begin. Between now and the next newsletter we will have participated in and/or celebrated. Halloween, Daylight Savings Time, Election Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, First Day of Winter, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Oh, and Advent is in there too! This is just a few, you may have more to add to it from your own family. It doesn't just stop there either. Hallmark Christmas movies start Friday October 27th at 2 pm. Plus, Dollar General has three aisles dedicated to three different holidays all at the same time. Wow! Stop the madness. Breath. Open the word! Turn to Psalm 96 and read: 1 O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples. 4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. 6 Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary... This season remember to take time to praise God. Sing about Him, tell others about Him, worship Him, give Him glory, bring offerings to Him, and live holy lives. Instead of being overwhelmed by the cares of the world, be overwhelmed by all that God has done. Give Thanks, God Bless, and Merry Christmas, from my family to yours. "Joy to the World" Pastor Thomas J Flander, Jr 2

3 Sunday, November 12 immediately following worship Among other items the agenda will include the presentation of a financial budget for 2018 and election of two deacons and two elders to serve on Consistory. All members are urged to attend this meeting and actively participate in the responsibility of caring for God s business for our church in Glen. The nominating Committee is currently contacting congregation members to fill positions of elders and deacons for consistory. Please prayerfully consider this honor and opportunity to faithfully serve the Lord here in Glen. The first Sunday in Advent this year is December 3rd. To prepare the church for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, we will gather immediately after worship on Sunday, November 26th for the greening of the church. Following the festivities everyone is invited downstairs for a hot soup luncheon and... Advent Wreath Making Workshop: Please plan to make this a family event as each family can go home with an Advent wreath to use in your home. Evening of Praise & Thanksgiving Fonda Reformed Church invites the public to lift their voices, prayers, and praise in thanks to our Lord together. Sunday, November 19th 7:00 p.m. November 4 Mike Sowle 10 Andrew Taylor 13 Madison Houser 14 Nancy Smith 25 Jeanne Smith 28 Richard Sheldon December 2 Carolyn Hart 4 Jack Summerfield 9 Tina Taylor 12 Daryl Kosinski 17 Norma Sheldon 18 Pastor Tom 21 Gregory Kirk 26 Cindy Yurkewicz 29 Sue Summerfield 3 Our sister-in-christ and member at Glen Reformed Church, Susan Baird Blackwood, is in a battle with cancer. Her family has organized a way that we can all help her with the enormous expenses that accompany this disease. Saturday, November 18, 1-6 p.m. Town of Glen Volunteer Firehouse Food, Raffles & Music $15 per person/$20 couple Pastor Tom & Kim have tickets to sell. Come, show your love. Donations of food & raffle items accepted.

4 November & December Calendar Clip, save & post at home. Worship Schedule for November Date Worship Leader Greeter Lay Reader November 5 Holy Communion Pastor Thomas Fander, Jr. Kim Flander Norma Sheldon November 12 Pastor Thomas Flander Jr. Kim Flander Sue Summerfield Semi-annual congregational meeting November 19 Guest Preaching Elder Melissa Allan Taylor Lee Smith November 26 Pastor Thomas Fander, Jr Allan Taylor Karen Kosinski Greening of the Church & soup luncheon with Advent wreath making activity November 2 Fitness Happy Hour, 6:00-7:00 p.m. November 3 Junior Youth Group, 6:00 p.m. November Set up for Pancake Supper, 6:00 p.m. Consistory Meeting, 7:00 p.m. November 7 Pancake Supper, 4:30-7:00 p.m. November 9 Fitness Happy Hour, 6:00-7:00 p.m. November 12 Semi-annual Congregational Meeting November 16 Fitness Happy Hour, 6:00-7:00 p.m. November Sr. Youth Group Retreat November 18 Fundraiser for Sue Baird-Blackwood November 19 Evening of Thanks & Praise, Fonda Reformed, 7:00 p.m. November 23 Thanksgiving Holiday November 26 Greening of the church, soup lunch & Advent wreath workshop November 29 Worship committee, 1:30 p.m. November 30 Fitness Happy Hour, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Worship Schedule for December December 3 Holy Communion Date Worship Leader Greeter Lay Reader Pastor Thomas Flander Jr. Katie & Sydney Sheldon Lay Reader Needed December 10 Pastor Thomas Flander Jr. Allan Taylor Sunday School Youth Christmas Program: New Star followed by community potluck brunch December 17 Pastor Thomas Flander Jr. Allan Taylor Lay Reader Needed December 24 Pastor Thomas Flander Jr. Greeter Needed Karen Kosinski 10:30 a.m. worship at Fultonville Reformed; Evening Candlelight Service, 7:00 p.m. at Glen Reformed December 31 Rev. Charles Hesselink Karen Kosinski Lay Reader Needed Have you suffered the loss of a loved one, a job, a relationship, or another loss? Has your loss made it difficult for you to feel joy during the Christmas season? It s not uncommon. Please watch for details about a Blue Christmas worship service designed especially for those who have suffered loss and feel blue during this time. December 4 Consistory meeting, 7:00 p.m. December 7 Fitness Happy Hour, 6:00-7:00 p.m. December 10 Youth Christmas Program: New Star December 14 Fitness Happy Hour, 6:00-7:00 p.m. December 17 Christmas Caroling in the hamlet, December 21 Fitness Happy Hour, 6:00-7:00 p.m. December 24 Shared morning worship, Fultonville Reformed, 10:30 a.m. December 24 Shared Traditional Candlelight Service, Glen Church, 7:00 p.m. December 28 Fitness Happy Hour, 6:00-7:00 p.m. 4

5 Our Sunday School is a busy, sometimes hectic and noisy place to be on Sunday morning. That s because the students are engaged in hearing and reading God s Word, learning first-hand how His Word is relevant for us today and every day. The students are reading from their Junior Bibles, asking questions, learning, and becoming more confident in how their faith can carry them day after day. The Sunday School students will sing during worship on November 26th. We have been working on our Christmas presentation on December 10th. We re hearing the story, understanding the lessons from it, and learning our lines so we will be ready to do the best we can do. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend. Please have your child invite other family and friends to come and be blessed by the warm message. The service will be followed by a pot-luck brunch. Everyone is invited. Friday, November 3rd 6:00 p.m. Calling all area youth in grades 3 thru 5! Come join us! The Glen Gazetteer is created bi-monthly Copies are distributed by mail or by individual preference. Submissions due by the 20th of Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sept, Nov. Contributors: The Congregation; Editor: Karen Kosinski Remember this? Christmas caroling 2016? We ll do it again this year! Join us on Sunday, December 17th as we sing our way through the hamlet of Glen, cheerfully shining the light of Christ from within each of us in celebration of His birth. Consistory 2017 Thomas J. Flander, Jr. ( ) Clergy Supervisors: Rev. Karen Patterson & Rev. Jay Hine Elders: Arlene Macek, VP ( ) (Worship) Jen Wilmot ( ) (Education) Karen Kosinski ( ) (Missions) Olive Taylor ( ) (Clerk) Deacons: Ron Burch ( ) (Outreach & Missions) Kimberly Flander ( ) (Property) Margaret McRedmond ( ) (Outreach) Michael Sowle ( ) (Finance) 5

6 Advent Sometimes Gets Lost Amid the Joys of Christmas The season of Advent is a period of both repentance and celebration. Christians spend time in spiritual preparation for the coming of Jesus at Christmas. As believers, we remember not only Christ s first coming to earth as a human baby, but also celebrate his continued presence with us today through the Holy Spirit. It is also a time for worshipers to anticipate His return at the Second Coming of Christ. The Advent wreath is a traditional custom that originated in 16th-century Germany. On the branches of the wreath are four candles: three pink and one purple. In the center of the wreath stands a white candle called the Christ Candle. Each Sunday in Advent another candle is lighted until on Christmas Eve the Christ Candle is lighted. Advent begins on the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas Day, or the Sunday which falls closest to November 30 and lasts through Christmas Eve. When Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, it is the last or fourth Sunday of Advent. In 2017 Advent Sundays are December 3, 10, 17 and 24. At Glen Church, the Advent wreath is lighted each Sunday. This year as in the recent past, a different family will gather together around the wreath, read the traditional symbolic meaning of the week s candle and light the candles. You are invited to make an Advent wreath for your home on Sunday, November 26 after worship. Dutch Settlers Brought St. Nicholas to America Glen Church can trace its heritage to Dutch settlers. Santa Claus seems to be bound together with St. Nicholas as the same jolly old elf, but make no mistake, St. Nicholas was a real and ancient saint of the Christian church from the fourth century whose feast day is December 6. He was from what is now known as Turkey, became archbishop of the metropolitan church of Myra, was imprisoned for his faith under emperor Diocletian, and was released by Constantine. Many legends about the Bishop of Myra, known as St. Nicholas, have endured, but most point to him as a special protector of young women and children. From saving the honor and lives of three daughters of a poor nobleman by throwing gold coins through his window at night to provide the man a dowry for each daughter to praying over the bodies of deceased boys, which were miraculously restored to wholeness. Every time the Bishop insisted on giving all the glory to God who had done the miracle. St. Nicholas has been revered throughout Europe as a patron saint. His feast day is an important festival in many places and nearly universally associated with gift-giving, but it is from the Dutch celebration that we in the U.S. draw much of our Santa tradition. After a festive family dinner at which St. Nicholas (Sinterklaas) often makes an appearance, he takes to the skies on a white horse, on which he is said to jump from roof to roof and down the chimney of each house. He exchanges hay left in a basket for his horses for candy, toys, and gold foiled chocolate coins placed in children s shoes, which he hides for finding the next morning. Early Dutch settlers in America brought their beloved Sinterklaas with them, where he eventually evolved into the cultural symbol we know today. Reviving the festival of St. Nicholas on December 6th may be one way for parents and families to retain the fun and generosity of gift-giving without eclipsing the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day. Based on and paraphrased from two articles by Mary Fairchild (Advent) and Laurie Baron (St. Nicholas) found on 6

7 Christmas Mission Project Glen Church will again fill Christmas stockings for women, men and children of the greater Glen area who may need a helping hand financially or may need a friendly lift of heart, or just need to feel God s love at this time. Stockings will be hung at the rear of the sanctuary with an attached card telling something about the person. The mission team asks you to remove a stocking, fill it using the information provided as a guideline, and return it to the church no later than December 17th. If you know of someone who should be a recipient of a stocking, please contact either Karen Kosinski or Katie Sheldon by November 15th. It is expected stockings will be delivered between December 18 and 22. Please mark your calendar for Saturday, January 6. The Outreach ministry at Glen Church will team up with the senior youth group to present a free community ziti dinner. Watch for more details and help us spread the word to the community. Outreach strives to help Glen Church be a good neighbor and a vital connection to the greater community of Glen. Please help us spread the word by inviting people and bringing them to the supper. The Winter Outerwear Giveaway held on October 14th provided 16 people with warm coats, jackets, fleeces, hats, scarves and mittens/gloves. During the week after the 14th, another 9 people were served with the help of the generosity of the congregation. All were very appreciative and sometimes overwhelmed at the grace shown them. Some items leftover were donated to the ALPHA program and Mountains to Miracles. Thank you for your generosity and assistance. The Choir meets on Thursday evenings at the church at 7 pm. We are always looking for voices and those who can play an instrument. If you are interested in joining us please call Kim Flander at (518) for more information. 7

8 A new year will be upon us soon. Please consider serving God by giving the gift of greeting your fellow worshipers on a Sunday morning, reading scripture and/or hosting a fellowship coffee hour in There is guidance for you to help you feel comfortable in your role. A brochure for readers is available, guidelines are provided for coffee hour hosts, and you can tag team with a greeter on any Sunday you wish. These roles are very important for the congregation. They connect us. They embody the fellowship of man in God s house. Sign up sheets are available on clipboards in the back of the sanctuary. Please select a date or two to share your time and talent with God s people. women, families to fellowship together while getting some important exercise. We will meet in the parking lot at the high school and walk outdoors until the school is open for indoor winter walking. Thursdays, 7:00-8:00 p.m. Glen Reformed Church P.O. Box 227 Fultonville, NY TO: Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving Day and a joyful Christmas holiday! Join us for our weekly Fitness Happy Hour! This is a time for men, Jesus said, I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10: 9-10 NRSV Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name. Psalm 100: 4 NRSV Lord, thank you for being our gate. Thank you for providing for our needs abundantly. Thank you for giving us each other a community in which to give and take, live and love. Thank you for going ahead of us, preparing the way, and acting on our behalf. In Jesus name, we pray.