The Herald February 2019

Transcription

1 2019 Volume 2 G r e a t K i l l s M o r a v i a n C h u r c h The Herald February 2019 On the first Sunday of the year we choose a watchword for the year as a form of encouragement or exhortation from scripture. Before we select our personal watchwords, I like to select a watchword for the congregation and the Joint Board. The congregational watchword for 2019 is from the letter of James 1:1, Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. There are several men by the name of James in Scripture. Though authorship is difficult to assign, the distinctive Jewish references point to an early date. The letter was likely written from Jerusalem with the author encouraging new believers who were often scattered (referred to as diaspora) but also largely poor and oppressed. In James culture, agricultural land and its produce was the main source of wealth. Those with great landholdings were by definition exploiters of the poor. James teachings on faith and discipleship turns this relationship around by saying that great wealth is found in the fruit (produce) of one s actions or deeds. Acts of Christian love are bound with genuine faith. The candy aisles at all the local grocery stores make it clear (since January 1) that Valentine s Day is approaching. School children love sharing treats with their friends but we don t often teach them that this day is a festival to a Christian martyr who was later declared a saint because of his acts of Christian love. Valentine was known for assisting Christians persecuted under Claudius II. He was imprisoned for marrying Christian couples and helping them escape the persecution. Valentine was arrested for his deeds and later condemned to death for his attempts to convert the Emperor. He was beaten with stones, clubbed, and finally beheaded on February 14, 269. The day February 14 was finally named as a day of celebration in his honor in the year 496. Because of the fruit that came from his courageous acts of love in the face of temptations and persecutions he is often referred to as the patron saint of engaged couples, beekeepers, happy marriages, lovers, travelers, young people, and greetings. We may not face imprisonment or death because of our courageous acts of Christian love but there are many in our world who live with genuine faith in the face of retaliation. Perhaps we can think of those in our own time whose acts of Christian love, in service to the poor and oppressed, are an inspiration to us. As we share greetings and treats with those we love on February 14, may we also find courage and strength in the face of worldly temptation. May our watchword for the year be a reminder that our words and deeds of Christian love are a blessing now and in the future that all may know we are Christians by our love. In Christ, Pastor Tracy

2 PAGE 2 THE HERALD 2019 VOLUME 2 Ministries and Fellowship Bible Study and bagged lunch Study the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Bring a lunch and join us following worship in fellowship hall. This year we will continue our reading with a focus on the writings of the Early Church and the New Testament. Book Study Group Meets on Mondays at 1:00pm, will not meet on 2/18. We will begin to read The Light Between Oceans by M.L Stedman. Our Aging Gracefully Group will not meet in February. Choir Rehearsals have resumed on Sundays at 10am. All are welcome to add your voices! Sunday School will not meet on 2/17, all other classes begin at 9:30am. Join us for worship at 11am. Community Outreaches Youth Group for Junior and Senior High students meet on Sunday evenings from 6:00pm-8:00pm sometimes at Great Kills Moravian, most of the time at Castleton Hill Moravian. Check bulletin for class dates. Growing with Baby play group meets on the second & fourth Wednesday of each month from 11am-1pm. Parents/Caretakers of children pre-school age are welcome to participate. Gatherings on Wednesday, February 13th and February 27th. Wellness at Great Kills Moravian Gentle/Chair-supported Yoga Wednesdays 9:30am-10:30am Pastor Tracy will lead a flowing yoga class to get the day started! No class on 2/27. Donations received go to GKMC. Tai Chi on Mondays Sensei Mike Poole, See above for class schedule. No class on 2/18. Thank you from Community Meals: We are very appreciative of the contributions to our December Community Meals. Thank you to Deborah Nasta for the Christmas goodie bags and helping out at the event. The boy scouts, led by Pam Bailey, brought dessert and helped cheerfully serve at the dinner. We appreciated the parent's participation too. Great Kills members were very generous in providing beautiful hand knitted and purchased hats, gloves and scarfs. And lastly thank you to the family that donated the gifts of personal items for our guests. Over 154 meals were shared in December and members and friends of Great Kills Church helped make that happen. Thank you to Pastor Tracy and the church's Board of Elder's support of this joint ministry. Please join us on the third Saturday of each month for a delicious meal and an evening of ministry and fellowship. Paula Presutti, Coordinator Community Meals. February 16th, 4pm-6:30pm at Vanderbilt Moravian Church is the next community dinner, please contact Paula Presutti, (347) if you would like to help. Tai Chi with Sensei Mike Poole Tai Chi will be held on Mondays. Classes are 1 hour. Fee is pay as you are able. Monday Class Schedule: 9am - Yang 8 10am - Seated Tai Chi 11am - Tai Chi for Arthritis 12pm- Tai Chi Fan 2:30pm - Meditation & Mindfulness 3:30pm - Tai Chi for Energy 6:30pm - Yang 24 Yoga with Gen Giles Wednesdays 7:00pm, $5.00. Please bring your mat for this beginner/ intermediate class. Free Adult Classes at the Great Kills Public Library The library offers free classes and events for adults: Quilting, Adult Coloring, Adult Crafts, Afternoon Movies, Knitting & Crocheting Club. Anyone interested can call (718) or visit the library. Great Kills Garden Club The Great Kills Garden Club meets on the third Wednesday, at Great Kills Moravian. Their next meeting will be on Wednesday, February 20th. These meetings are open to the community, all are welcomed.

3 2019 VOLUME 2 Church Business The church office will be closed on Monday, February 18th in observance of Presidents Day. Pastor Tracy will be traveling to N.C and attending Faith and Order Commission 2/25-2/28. Special Super Bowl Collection on February 3, in lieu of January Joyful Noise Offering. The February 3 collection will go towards Moravian Open Door, breakfast ministry-feeding our sheep's. Our Three Kings Celebration held on January 6 was well received. We had a lovely turn out and great fellowship for all ages. We look forward to new fellowship opportunities in the coming months. If you wish to reserve space in our facility for your event and/or ministry please see the Church Office for a Building Use application. The Boards must approve any new request. Unleash Your Power! 2019 Moravian Women s Conference June 20-23, 2019 Embassy Suites, Winston-Salem, N.C. Presented by the Interprovincial Women s Board, Moravian Church in North America Featuring best-selling author Rachel Held Evans plus Bishop Kay Ward, the Rev. Dr. Heather Vacek and the Rev. Christy Melby- Gibbons Register today atwww.moravianwomensconference.org Registration discounts available through Feb. 6, Questions? Call or moravianwomen@gmail.com This Conference offers an opportunity for Moravian women to learn, worship, sing and share ideas that strengthen faith and ties to the Moravian Church. During general sessions and Imagine Sessions (workshops), keynote speakers and workshop leaders will inform and challenge each participant to confidently live into the plan God has for her. THE HERALD Ministries and Events Upcoming Pysanky Egg Workshops at Great Kills Moravian Church Saturday, February 23, 10am Friday, March 1, 6:30pm Saturday, March 9, 10am Friday, March 22, 6:30pm Saturday, March 30, 10am Friday, April 5, 6:30pm Saturday, April 13, 10am Monday, April 22, 10am To register contact Janice Hermansen at , Nancy Walker or the church office Cost of each class is $20. PAGE 3 Valentines Day and February Birthday fellowship on February 10th following worship service. Please use the sign up sheet located in the Narthex. Crafts and fun for all ages. GKMC Upcoming Events and Worship Services March 2019 March 2 Family Game Night! Join us for fun, games and tacos from 4pm-7pm in Fellowship Hall. RSVP to church office. March 6- Ash Wednesday Pancake Dinner at 6pm. Worship service with imposition of ashes and Holy Communion, 7pm. March 17 St. Patrick s Day and March Birthday celebration begins at 12:30pm in Fellowship Hall. Food and fun for all ages. April 2019 April 18 Maundy Thursday Worship service with Holy Communion, 7:30pm. April 19 Good Friday Tenebrae Service 7:30pm April 21- Easter Sunday Sunrise Service 7am Easter Breakfast - 8am Easter Service 11am

4 PAGE 4 GREAT KILLS MORAVIAN CHURCH 62 Hillside Terrace Staten Island, New York Phone: Fax: pastor@greatkillsmoravian.org office@greatkillsmoravian.org *Office: Mon- Thurs 9am - 1pm (*office hours subject to change) "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, love." Website: We are also on: Facebook, Google+, Google Reviews, and Yelp. A Christian Church serving Staten Island since 1886 THE HERALD February Worship Team Elder for February: Laura Hepworth Trustee for February: Michael Crea Usher Schedule: 2/3: Barbara Feltus & Jimmy Jimenez 2/10: Angela Jordan & Claudia McGloin 2/17: Laura Hepworth & Michael Crea 2/24: Barbara Feltus & Jimmy Jimenez Prayers for: Adam, Amy Doersbacher, Bilbao Family, Joseph Buffcusco, Cascio Family, Steve & Cindy Cernak, Christopher, Diane, Tom Emery, Nancy and Harold Erwood, Frankie, Jason, Jen, Gail & Rob, Diane Gibbons, Nicole Gorsky, Bill & Sue Glynn, Henry, Jackie, Kathy, Kelly, Linda, Giulianna LaHara, Susan Maffeo, Chris Malchiodi, Susan Mathew, Donna Montanti, Claudia Morrison, Edith Nasta, Peter, Mary Petrocelli, Sam and all Caretakers, Catherine and Douglas Scannapieco, Rosemarie, Tara, David Weinlick. (Use the Praise & Prayer Request cards to add or remove names. A monthly update is helpful to keep our list current and to ensure the name does not get removed.) February Celebrations 2019 VOLUME 2 Birthdays: 2/2 Mathilde Gutierrez Jenna Jersek 2/6 Assibi Ali 2/9 Sophia Pisano 2/15 Brittany D Avino 2/16 Louise Brackett 2/17 Stephanie Smith Jamie Jersek 2/18 Louise Pezzengrilli, Jr. 2/26 Evelyn Jimenez Anniversaries 2/20 Ethel & William Ducey You won't want to miss the 2019 Camp Hope Kick-Off Dinner Join camp alumni, current campers and staff, family members, and friends to celebrate Camp Hope old and new! Enjoy dinner, auction, sale of camp gear, music, and much more. Saturday, February 9, 5:00 p.m. East Hills Moravian Church, Bethlehem camphope.org/adultfamily for ticket and sponsor info 2019 Great Kills Moravian Church Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 The Herald Newsletter All news, articles, and church information for the newsletter must be in to the Church office by the 15th of the month. If you would like The Herald ed to you, send an to: office@greatkillsmoravian.org

5 February 2019 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat *Tai Chi Class Schedule: 9am Yang 8 10am Seated Tai Chi 11am TCA 12 TC Fan 2:30pm M&M 3:30pm TCE 6:30pm Yang :30a Sunday School 11:00a Worship Service- Joyful Noise Offering 12:00pm Bible Study 10 9:30am Sunday School 11:00a Worship Service 12:30 Valentines Day/ Birthday Fellowship 17 11:00a Worship Service 12:30pm Bible Study 24 9:30a Sunday School 11:00a Worship Service 12:30 Bible Study TC = Tai Chi TCA = Tai Chi Arthritis TC Fan = uses fans TCE = Tai Chi for Energy M&M = Meditation & Mindfulness 4 *Tai Chi Classes 9am Fed Garden Club 1pm Book Study 8:00pm Gamblers Anon 11 *Tai Chi Classes 1:00pm Book study 8:00p Gamblers Anon 18 President s Day (Office Closed ) 8:00pm Gamblers Anon 25 *Tai Chi Classes 1pm Book Study 8:00p Gamblers Anon Website: Facebook Google+ Google Reviews Yelp 5 6 9:30am Gentle Chair Yoga :30am Gentle Chair Yoga 11:00am Growing w/baby :30am Gentle Chair Yoga 7:00pm GK Garden Club No Gentle Chair Yoga 11:00am Growing w/baby 7 14 Valentine s Day :30am Crafts 3:30pm Girl Scouts :30am Craft Group Girl Scouts: 3:30pm Troop :30am Craft Group 22 9:30am Craft Group :00pm Vanderbilt MC Community Dinner 23 10am Pysanky Egg Workshop

6 Great Kills Moravian Church 62 Hillside Terrace Staten Island, N Y Great Kills Moravian Church Worship Service for February February 3 Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany - Holy Communion Jeremiah 1:4-10; Psalm 71:1-6; 1Corinthians 13:1-13; Luke 4:21-30 February 10 Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany Isaiah 6:1-8(9-13); Psalm 138; 1Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11 Valentines Day and February Birthday fellowship following worship. Sign-up in the Narthex. February 17 Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany Jeremiah 17:5-10; Psalm 1; 1 Corinthians 15:12-20; Luke 6:17-26 February 24 Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany Genesis 45:3-11,15; Psalm 37:1-11,39-40; 1 Corinthians 15:35-38,42-50; Luke 6:27-38

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