Pres Clippings. Inside this issue: Inside this issue: Pledge. Calling Team 4. Operati 6. * Early Bird 2 Pledges! Racism. the Yankee Trader?

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1 Pres Clippings Dear Friends in Christ, On October 29, our worship service will celebrate before God our relationship with the Hokusei School System of Sapporo, Japan and the Rose Kindergarten of Otaru, Japan. The seven people who were commissioned by our congregation to represent our church at the recent anniversary festivities that have taken place at these schools will lead worship. Following worship, you are invited to lunch served in the Hoffman Great Room at which time the group will continue to share thoughts on their experiences as well as a power point of photos. Today, Christians make up one-third of the world s population. It is the world s largest religion. It is estimated that over 60% of the world s Christians live in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Moreover, the vast majority of the world s Christians are not white, Western, male or middle-class. With such diversity, how can we have the kind of unity that Jesus prayed for? To me such unity begins by getting to know Christians in other parts of the world. That s just what our seven missionaries have done recently. Their stories will help all the rest of us get to know our brothers and sisters in Christ in Sapporo and Otaru. They will also help us all consider ways we can become more involved in building relationships with Christians near and far, including our brothers and sisters in Christ in Sapporo and Otaru. Isolation from other Christians in the world only serves to diminish and weaken us all. The collective voices and actions of Christians working and serving together across national and cultural lines can touch hearts and change lives in ways that governments and NGO s cannot. I hope you will make it a point to be present in worship on October 29 and then stay for lunch for this important opportunity. Love and peace, Betsey First Presbyterian Church October 17, 2017 Inside this issue: Inside this issue: * Early Bird 2 Pledges! * Unite Pledge Against 3 Racism * Who Movie Will Night Host 4 the Yankee Trader? Calling Team 4 * Rummage Women s Sale 54 Information Operati 6 * Fundraising 6 Event for Puerto Rico * Minute for Mission Please Remember! FEED MY SHEEP October 22nd: 7 PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY & CEREALS

2 THIS WEEK S SUNDAY SERVICE October 22, 2017 ~ 10:30 a.m. 20th Sunday after Pentecost The Rev. Dr. Betsey Crimmins will lead us in worship and preach in the sanctuary. The Chancel Choir will sing. The Greeters and Ushers will be Barb Squires, Mike Crimmins, Dennis and Nancy Cooper. A Minute for Mission will be given by Claire van den Blink. The Lay Reader will be Jane Ivanick. The Sunday School leaders will be Kera and John Stanley. Childcare will be available. All are welcome to attend! COMMITTEE FAIR After Worship ~ October 22, 2017 In the narthex and kitchen Some of our committees would like to get your input and hear your ideas. After worship on October 22, representatives of the Worship and Music, Mission, Deacons, Youth Christian Education, and Hospitality Committees will be at tables in the narthex area looking to have conversations with you. In addition, the Kitchen Renovation Committee will be in the kitchen, ready to show you the plans for the kitchen, to answer your questions, and hear your thoughts. Please plan to stay for the Committee Fair which will be taking place during the Fellowship Hour. NEXT WEEK S SUNDAY SERVICE October 29, 2017 ~ 10:30 a.m. 21st Sunday after Pentecost The seven who represented us at the schools in Japan will lead worship and offer the morning message. The Chancel Choir will sing. The Greeters and Ushers will be Barb Horton, Andrew LaVere, Connie and Rich LaVere. A Minute for Mission will 2 be given by Greg Lamb. The Sunday School leaders will be Kera and John Stanley. The Fellowship Hour will be hosted by Connie LaVere. Childcare will be available. All are welcome to attend! THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the Sunday worship service on October 15th...the Chancel Choir for singing... Pat Houghton, Donna Hutchison, Tom and Betsy Stegbauer for Greeting and Ushering...Kathy Menges and Mike Stanley for giving the Minutes for Mission...Sherry Green for Lay Reading John and Kera Stanley for leading Sunday School during worship...barb Cacciotti for giving the chancel flowers, The Chancel Flowers are given in loving memory of Bob Cacciotti....Pam Mathes for hosting the Fellowship Hour. EARLY BIRD PLEDGES! OUR JOURNEY WITH JESUS, TOGETHER MAKING A DIFFERENCE Greg Lamb, Stewardship Chair This is a reminder to get in your pledges for this year s Stewardship Campaign as they will be met with additional donations from those people who have elected to be Early Bird Sponsors. Those pledges either received in the church office by Sunday, October 22 nd or arriving in the mail on Monday, October 23 rd will count as Early Bird Pledges. The impact is as per this example: Assume we have 20 pledges received which constitute Early Bird Pledges. Assume we have 12 Early Bird Sponsors. In this example the total additional donations from the Early Bird Sponsors will be: $1200. (20 pledges x $5.00 per pledge) x 12 sponsors. Now

3 CHURCH FAMILY Our prayers of sympathy and comfort extend to God on behalf of Anne and Warren McGee on the recent passing of Anne s brother, Ted Hartford, on September 22, Our prayers of joy and congratulations for a Happy Belated Birthday to Joseph Ivanick who celebrated his 95th birthday on October 11, You are cordially invited to a memorial service given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Anna Ivanick on Saturday, October 21, 2017, at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. A luncheon reception hosted by the Deacons will follow. assume 43 pledges and 14 sponsors: (43 x $5.00) x 14 = $3010. So your early return of your pledges makes a measurable impact on the Stewardship Campaign. Please consider being an Early Bird Pledger. Also, if you want to be an Early Bird Sponsor, please contact Mud Grund at Thank you. UNITE AGAINST RACISM Crossroads Antiracism Organizing and Training At the 222nd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in June 2016 our Co-Moderators, the Rev. Denise Anderson and the Rev. Jan Edmiston challenged each presbytery to address the sin of racism in a more intentional way than it has in the past. Toward that end, the Presbytery of Geneva has joined with the Presbyteries of Genesee Valley, Western New York, and Utica to sponsor a day of training by Crossroads Antiracism Organizing and Training on Saturday, October 21, 2017 from 9 a.m. 4:30 p.m. at Gates Presbyterian Church in Rochester (1049 Wegman Rd, Rochester, NY 14624). The training will help us expand our understanding of systemic racism and the ways we many be contributing to racism without intending to do so. Online registration is at: 3 crossroads-workshop/ For further information call Beth Weaver at ADULT BIBLE GROUP "BIBLE BASICS: ABOUT GOD" STARTS NOVEMBER 5, 2017 "Bible Basics" is a new Bible group for adults who desire to deepen their understanding of God, the Bible, and living the Christian life. The first five-week series "Bible Basics: About God" is Sundays at 9:30 from November 5 through December 10 (no class November 26). Nursery care is provided. "Bible Basics: About God" explores the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus, and the humanity of Jesus as Christmas approaches. Adults are welcome to join any or all gatherings. For more information, please contact the church office or Patricia Kapusta at (607) or patricia.kapusta@outlook.com. ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL The Adult Sunday School class invites you to join them at 9:30 a.m. in the parlor area. The class will be discussing the lectionary readings for each Sunday. The lectionary readings for Sunday, October 22nd: Exodus 33:12-23 and Psalm 99; Isaiah 45:1-7 and Psalm 96:1-9, (10-13);

4 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; and Matthew 22: SUNDAY SCHOOL IS COOL! It s time to come to Sunday School!! Sunday School for all youth will take place during the worship service at approximately 10:45 a.m. Children will be dismissed from worship to Sunday school class immediately after the children s sermon to a multi-age curriculum. Please come and join us! HELP WANTED! Our church is looking for Nursery Care Givers and a Nursery Director. These are paid positions. The time is Sunday mornings, approximately 9:30 to noon. If you or someone you know would like to apply, please send a resume and cover letter to the church. Anyone 14 years (with working papers) and older is welcomed to apply. Also, please help us get the word out about these open positions. Please mention it to someone you know who might be interested. Thank you. WHO WILL HOST YANKEE TRADER IN DECEMBER? The Hospitality Committee seeks a host for the annual Yankee Trader party in December. A perennial favorite of the Young at Heart, the Yankee Trader party is an evening of casual fellowship followed by an anonymous gift exchange. The host sets the date, decorates the house, and provides hot beverages. The Hospitality Committee and the guests take care of the rest. A previous host will gladly coach any first-time host. To offer to host or get more information, please contact the church office or Patricia Kapusta at (607) or patricia.kapusta@outlook.com. 4 CALLING ALL THOSE WHO HAVE A SERVANT HEART The Mission Committee of FPC is looking for anyone who would like to be a part of changing lives and increasing participation within our First Pres family and beyond. By joining the Mission Committee, you are not signing up to participate in specific mission trips, although you may wish to do so. You are only agreeing to help organize mission opportunities locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. Experience is not necessary, nor is physical strength. We welcome teens through senior citizens. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 17 at 6:30 p.m. Contact Joanne Tunison at or lalocat@aol.com. KITCHEN RENOVATION UPDATE Kitchen Renovation plans are basically in place. The Committee would love to share the plans with you and get your input. You have three opportunities to meet with the Committee to chat with them about the project: 1.) Sunday, October 22 after the worship. 2.) Monday, October 23 at 1 p.m. 3.) Monday, October 23 at 7 p.m. Select one of the three to attend. The meetings will take place in the kitchen (of course!). GRIEFSHARE Mondays ~ 6:00 8:00 p.m. GriefShare is a thirteen week videobased Christian seminar and support group for those who have lost a spouse, a parent, a child, a family member or friend. It is a place where you can be around people who understand how you feel and the pain of your loss. At GriefShare, you ll learn

5 valuable information that will help you through this difficult time in your life. The next GriefShare meeting is on Monday, October 23rd GriefShare leaders are Meredith Tifft, Barb Squires, and Patricia Kapusta. The only cost is $15 for the workbook. For more information, call the church office at RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE Thursday, October 26th 1-6 p.m. ~ Hoffman Great Room When was the last time you thought about donating blood? A momentary inconvenience can save a life! There is a great need for blood in our area. Walk-ins are welcome at any time. You may schedule an appointment by calling RedCross or by visiting CARS NEEDED FOR TRUNK & TREAT! The Youth Christian Education and Youth in Action committee is holding a Trunk and Treat event on October 27 th from 6-8 p.m. We expect this event to be as much fun for the helpers as it will be for the Trick or Treaters! Helpers will decorate their cars and hand out treats to the treaters. If decorating isn t for you, we also need help making and handing out food and help with clean up after the event. Please come in costume. The sign up clipboard is on the table near where we enter and exit the church. We d love to have you! Thank you! AED/CPR TRAINING There will be an AED and CPR training on Saturday, November 4 at our church in Room 10 from 9 a.m. 12 noon(ish). There is 1 slot available on a first come, first serve 5 basis. If you d like to sign up, please call the church office at RUMMAGE SALE INFORMATION We had a great turnout for our first rummage sale meeting. We have assembled a group who will be the people who are picking up rummage and that will be in early November. We will give more information about that process in the near future. General drop-off for items will be after church on November 5th. We need people to work that day. Lunch will be provided. Please plan on staying for several hours and helping. We will be working Monday- Wednesday on set up and pricing and our Member Sale is on Thursday November 9th 6:30 p.m. 9 p.m. The general sale is on Saturday November 11th starting at 8:30 a.m. We will need many people to work that day and we need a clean-up crew at the conclusion. There will be more specific information as we get closer. Please help as this is a big job and we need many hands and we always have a good time. Thank you The CIRCLE OF WOMEN will have their next meeting on Monday, November 6th at 10:00 a.m. in the Hoffman Great Room. All women are invited to come VOLUNTEER AT THE FOOD BANK! Volunteers are needed to support the Food Bank of the Southern Tier. We have committed to the Food Bank to work a 6-8 p.m. shift on the 2nd Thursday of each month. The next volunteer time is on November 9th. If you are able and interested in helping our First Pres group help the Food Bank we would love to have you join us. If you would like to get a better idea about what the Food

6 Bank of the Southern Tier does you can go to their website at FUNDRAISING EVENT FOR PUERTO RICO RELIEF Friday, December 1 ~ 5:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. First Presbyterian Church will host a community fundraising event on Friday, December 1, 2017 from 5:00 7:30 p.m. (Please note the change of day.) There will be a dinner and a silent auction. We will need donations for the auction, which could be baskets, gift certificates, etc. We are in need of any and all who would be willing to volunteer to make this event successful. There will be an organizational meeting during the Mission Committee and First Pres Works combined meeting on Tuesday, October 17 at 6:30 p.m. where specific details will be discussed and decided. This is an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a time of critical need. It is also an opportunity to reach out and engage our greater community. Please consider this important calling. For more information, please contact Joanne Tunison at HOST A FELLOWSHIP HOUR! The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board in the hallway by the kitchen. The next upcoming available dates are October 22, and November 12, 19, & 26. The church provides the beverages; you provide the eats. Keep it simple-pretzels, cheese and crackers, bagels cut in bite size pieces, cut up apples and things like that, are always a hit! Or gather up some friends and host as a team! 6 FLOWER CHART The Chancel Flower chart is located in the hallway across from the kitchen. The next available dates are November 19, and December 3. Bouquets for the chancel are $40 each. The flowers are separated into bouquets after worship and then delivered to those who are sick or homebound, by the Deacons. Please sign up on the Flower Chart or call the office for assistance. Thank you. JOIN THE CHANCEL CHOIR! The Chancel Choir has rehearsals on Thursday evenings at 7:15 p.m. in the Betschen Music Room beginning September 7th. Sunday morning rehearsals are at 9:30 a.m. in the sanctuary beginning September 10th. Have you been thinking about joining the Chancel Choir? Then this is the time to do it! Speak to Melissa Moore for further information: KNITTING4PEACE Our Peace Pod meets every Tuesday, from 3 4:30 p.m. in the Genesis room. If you would like to learn to knit or crochet, please drop in. There s always someone there who can help you. If you can t make meetings, you are welcomed to knit or crochet at home. Hope to see you there! SHEEP CART FOOD DONATIONS We appreciate all the non-perishable food donations to the food pantry that is given to the North Presbyterian Church. Please check the USE BY/SELL BY DATES when donating food items. The food pantry cannot take any expired food. The food cart is located in the missionary lobby. Thank you. The TWO-CENTS-A-MEAL for October 2017 was $ Thank you for giving.

7 MINUTE FOR MISSION ~ October 15, 2017 Mike Stanley, Stewardship Committee Member We have one more week to get in our Early Bird Pledge Cards. These Pledges will receive a $5.00 match from our Early Bird sponsors and allow the Stewardship Committee to have an idea where we are financially. Everyone has their own reason to pledge. Some do it because the Bible says so and others are moved because of the personal support that this church provides. I consider this church a Miraculous Ship. I would like to share my personal reason for pledging. The first reason is the transformation of a soldier from Hell Bent to Heaven Sent via God s blessings and this congregation s love and encouragement and his development into a great father through the good examples and constant encouragement of his family and a divine Pastor. The second reason is a young man clinging to life with an illness that could not be diagnosed and a family devastated. For 19 days we had a busy pastor that never complained and the prayers of a loving congregation to comfort us and lift Robert s spirit and recovery. When I came to church the Sunday after Robert s recovery, Mr. Kelley heavy lifted my spirit and my family s by saying we love your family and we know everything is OK. The third reason is the congregation: a group of people who are, by most standards, every day people, who are inspired by the Holy Spirit and true grit, build houses not made with human hands, but houses whose floors are compassion walls of sincerity and roofs of courage and the great realization that someone cares for them. Let s remember the person who either, by loneliness or insecurity, finds this church as a beacon to strengthen their spirit and find hope and peace. This Miraculous Ship must be funded, crew paid, and necessary maintenance performed. Your pledges allow us to make sure the ship will keep on sailing and rescuing this congregation and offering love and hope to those on God s horizon. Thank you. AMAZON SMILE Did you know that you can earn money for the First Presbyterian Church just by shopping? Amazon.com has a program called Amazon Smile, which donates.5% of customers purchases to charitable organizations. It costs nothing to participate, and all you need to do is go to select First Presbyterian Church of Elmira as your charity, and then shop away. Refer to the 7 church website for instructions as to how to sign up for Amazon Smile. Thank you. FURNITURE SALE CONTINUES! There is still furniture for sale located in the Hoffman Great Room. If interested in purchasing any of this furniture, please stop into the church office or call Jane Ivanick at

8 THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK... From what we get we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life. ~ Arthur Ashe The Rev. Dr. Betsey R. Crimmins, Pastor Felix Perez, Outreach & Service Specialist Gary Tucker, Organist Scott Kelley, Instrumental Director Kelly Stewart, Church Secretary Fred Betschen, Church Treasurer Barbara Squires, Clerk of Session Melissa Moore, Director of Music James Stewart, Sr., Church Sexton Susan Weaver, Financial Secretary Paul Kingsbury, Assistant Church Treasurer Church Office (607)