COMMUNITY CHURCH OF DOUGLASTON ANCHOR. "Hope is like an anchor for our lives, an anchor safe and sure" - Heb. 6:19. January 2014

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1 COMMUNITY CHURCH OF DOUGLASTON ANCHOR Rev. Dr. Linden DeBie Senior Minister Rev. Adrienne Flipse Hausch Minister of Congregational Care "Hope is like an anchor for our lives, an anchor safe and sure" - Heb. 6:19 January 2014 Dearly Beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ: It s the New Year Wow, how fast time flies! And the media, as usual, bids us to follow our dreams. Friends wish our dreams come true. We Reformed folk don t believe in chance, so it must be providential that we re hearing so much about dreams lately. Or maybe it s just the New Year. It all started for me a few weeks back at one of our early morning Advent services in the sanctuary. After we read the Matthew account of Joseph getting a message from the angel, I said that Matthew s Christmas is all about dreams. Indeed, only in the Gospel according to Matthew does God communicate through dreams. It was then that Dennis Pidherny, our Christmas pageant producer, commented how interesting this was, because this year s pageant is all about dreams! In fact, the title of the pageant is, While They Were Sleeping. And indeed, each of the sleepers dreamed and God spoke to them in their dreams. Weeks later, we worshipped at Manhasset and Pastor Steve Pierce s message was about the dreamer Joseph. And I noticed a big movie just out, about that consummate dreamer Walt Disney. He had his alter-ego and conscience, in the character of a cricket, tell us to wish upon a star... and all your dreams will come true. Of course they don t, do they? And that in spite of the fact that Jesus said, If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it (John 14:14). I can t tell you how many times as a child I tried that with no success. As an adult pastor, I ve counseled many earnest friends despairing that their dreams were shattered. Doesn t God want our dreams to come true? It s always tricky business probing the depths of the more mysterious of the Bible s sayings, not to mention the mind of God, but I ve observed a pattern over the decades. It s as if St. Paul s glorious saying have this mind among yourselves, by which he meant the mind of Jesus, was a prophetic word to us all. Paul could be understood to be saying, Have this mind of Christ and all your dreams will come true. In other words, unless our dreams bring us further in our relationship with God in Christ Jesus, dreams are an illusion at best short-lived, maybe self-serving, but always conditioned by less than the full measure of God s wisdom, which alone can insure our future and enroll us in the Kingdom of God. That s likely what Jesus meant when he said, If you ask me anything in my name... In ancient days, 1

2 speaking in the name of Jesus meant speaking as if you were Jesus himself, and so with Jesus, putting your full trust in God, resting in God s plan and dreaming Jesus dreams, wishing his wishes and sharing his vision. And what might that look like? Well, it s just as Paul said. It looks like Jesus dreams for our planet. Having his mind means Christmindedness, such that his dreams become our dreams. And our prayers as much as our dreams come to reflect that onemindedness, such that both dream and prayer reflect God s unalterable plan for the future. So then, we dream and pray that the poor in spirit might find strength in the kingdom of God; that the ones who mourn find comfort; that the hungry be fed; that the pure in heart see God; that the peacemakers be found to be children of God (the Sermon on the Mount). We share with Christ that prophetic dream and vision that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the ones with leprosy be cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead be raised and good news proclaimed to the poor (Luke 7:22). If we dream these dreams and pray these prayers as Christ surely did, and do them as he did, then our wishes will come true. For in these unfold the plan of God for the age to come. CCD: MORE THAN A CHURCH COMMUNITY FOCUS & OUTREACH Located in the heart of Douglaston Village, CCD s facilities are used by many local groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, the Douglaston Garden Club, the Douglaston Civic Association, and the Tuesday Morning Music Club. Hearts in the Community, which offers short term financial and other assistance to those in need in our community as well as providing holiday dinners to local families each year, and the Blanton-Peale Counseling Center, which offers professional counseling services to the community, both call CCD home. In addition to hosting NYC's Department of Education's Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) from 8:30-11am and/or 12 pm to 2:30 pm; in September a Nursery School was added for 3 and 4 year olds during the same times; and CCD continues its partnership with Queensborough Community College to offer the After School Academy (ASA), which provides a program after school for students K-5. Blessed New Year, Linden 2 10:45 pm Christmas Eve Service Photo: Cindy Strauss

3 CHRISTMAS GREETINGS The CCD Family received Christmas cards, photos and greetings from: Marguerite Espada Joan Hoffman Linda Mulé Dennis, Kimberly, Kyria & Alexander Pidherny Polyphase Electric Inc Sarmiento Family: Alvaro & Barbara, Nina, Camila & Lea Philippe and Sarah Savary Ann Somerhausen These messages are displayed on the bulletin board and will be available through January. Stop by! A SERVICE OF COMFORT As with so many things we hear of as opportunities or valued events, we often think of them as being for others. We don't need the comfort or community of sharing. Grieving and melancholy at the holidays is one of the long standing shadows for many people. I have some very dear friends who have great pain regarding losses of friends and loved ones. Me--not so much! I'll soldier on. This week my dearest friend and love suggested that I go with her to a Blue Christmas service. So, why not go with her if it is something that she needs? It was one of the most comforting and cathartic experiences I have had as a Christian. The service was small, quiet, intimate. Communion, the anointing of oils, the lighting of small candles to each of my concerns and cares was an almost physical relief. I have a very dear friend who has recently been told of his having a 3 serious illness. I have a sister who won't be able to join us and her children because of illness and an inability to travel. Our home and family recently suffered the loss of a dear and comforting pet. I had no idea how much those things were weighing on me until they were lifted by the wonderful service I attended at Community Reformed Church of Manhasset. The service was quietly and gently led by three local ministers. Thank you to all who designed and created this experience for us this year. I plan that attending this service will be a holiday tradition for myself and I invite you to share with me this experience next year. Cliff Crocoll Editor note: On Friday evening December 20 th Pastor Linden along with Rev. Dr. Charles Colwell of the Christ Episcopal Church of Manhasset and Rev Dr. Steven Pierce of the Community Reformed Church at Manhasset hosted the Blue Christmas Service. STEWARDSHIP Have you turned in your Pledge card? Only 25 pledge cards have been returned. We are all Stewards of our beloved Church, and every pledge to the General Fund helps to further the work of our Lord at home, while pledges to Benevolences support worldwide missions and other charitable causes. Please return your 2014 Pledge Card, either by mail or in the offering plate. Cards are also available in the narthex or please call the church office: Thank you.

4 WHAT FOOD ITEMS CAN YOU DONATE? Someone asked recently if they can donate food to the emergency pantries operated by the Long Island Council of Churches that has passed its expiration date. Yes! We will take nearly anything, with this exception: Please do not donate rusted cans, cans dented along the seams, or baby food or infant formula that has passed the date stamped on the can or jar. Baby food and formula cannot be given to parents after they reach the expiration date, which is fairly easy to read on their labels. So please encourage parents you know to donate the baby food or formula that their children no longer need immediately, so that someone in need can use it. Here's another suggestion: donate the stuff at the back of your top shelf, which is where you probably keep the stuff you will never use. Give it even if you think it is too ancient..it will help someone else. We will even take fruitcake! Many thanks for all that you do at CCD to help your neighbors in need. The Rev. Thomas W. Goodhue Long Island Council of Churches COFFEE HOUR ON SUNDAY Please consider signing up to host a coffee hour during a Sunday following worship service. The Sign-up Sheet is in the hallway opposite the Library. What should you do with formula that has expired? Many animal shelters are glad to take this to supplement pet food. On other nonperishable items, it is difficult to decode the labels and what appears to be a do-not-use date may simply be a "pull-date" for warehouses or grocery store deliveries: the item may still be safe to use. The state issues the Long Island Council of Churches us a food salvage license, and we send our pantry staff to Island Harvest and Long Island Cares regularly for "food rescue" training to learn the intricacies of distinguishing pull-dates, best-if-used-bydates, and when-to-chuck-it dates. They can easily determine if it safe to distribute any donations you make RELIGIOUS CALENDARS Please pick up a complimentary 2014 CCD Religious Calendar from the Sanctuary entrance compliments of Doyle B. Shaffer, Inc., Funeral Directors. 4

5 THE ELDERS CORNER Receiving the Power of God through Prayer As we begin the New Year, let s consider one of the best resources for selfimprovement: Prayer. Prayer is so powerful because it joins the hearts of people on earth with the heart of God in heaven. When we pray, we connect with God, and He affects our daily lives beyond our comprehension. Prayer opens the door for God to work. It is the activity that you and I can engage in on earth when we need the power of heaven to come into our lives and bring wisdom, direction, encouragement or a miraculous breakthrough. Prayer connects us to the power of God, and that is why it is a greater force than anything else we can ever imagine. Even Jesus needed to pray and receive this power when He was on earth. Only God's power can bring peace, instill joy, grant wisdom, impart a sense of value and purpose to a person who doesn't know what to do in life, and work every kind of miracle. Do you want to see that power work in your life? Then make prayer a priority. A Spiritual New Year s Resolution Have you ever heard the biblical phrase "pray without ceasing"? To many, that sounds daunting and impossible. How could anyone bow their head, kneel, and pray 24 hours a day? If that's what you think, it might be time to change your definition of prayer. Too often we view prayer as a very specific process that can only happen once we ve gone to a private place and shut the entire world out. But do you realize that even directing a thought toward God qualifies as silent prayer? It's true. Prayer is communicating with God, so when the Bible says to "pray without ceasing" it means to always be open to communication with God. That could mean a two-hour prayer session, or it could be something as simple as being aware of His presence as you go throughout your day. God has not made prayer complicated. He intends for prayer to be an integral part of our everyday lives. Today, change your definition of prayer, and you can experience the joy that comes from constant communication with the God who loves you. Prayer Starter: God, help me change my definition of prayer and show me ways to communicate with You day in and day out. Lord, I want to connect with You and see You work in my life. I make a commitment now to remain in a constant state of prayer. Thank You for Your constant presence in my life. * * * Experience His grace. Surrender to His love. If Christ is your Savior, you are equipped, you are anointed and you are empowered. May 2014 be the best year in your journey with Christ. In His Service, Ed Palafox 5

6 COMMUNITY CHURCH OF DOUGLASTON S 100th ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU T he 100th Anniversary Committee is meeting in the Library on Thursday the 23rd of January. Anyone with any ideas about how we should celebrate our 100th birthday in please stop by--7:00 to 8:30 pm or transmit in writing to Pastor Adrienne at ahausch@optonline.net. LIBRARY LINES & PRAYER SHAWLS Warm greetings on this day after Epiphany! The gift givers came and left entertaining books and comforting shawls. Everyone has problems. Don t be shy. Help yourself to a shawl for one of those relatives or friends. That applies to all our 2,000 books too. Don t hesitate. There are some old ones and some new ones. There are some particularly beautiful ones. We have books for children, students, old and young. Things are quite clearly labeled, but if you want information or help, ask me, call me That s why we have the library and the prayer shawl ministry as well. I wish you good health, peace of mind, serenity and joy in 2014 A.D. /C.E. Joan Hoffman WANTED FOR PASTOR ADRIENNE S BENCH ANY AND ALL STAPLES OF LIFE Especially needed now: warm gloves, hats, scarves, boots and blankets Other Items needed are: Toiletries (hotel size to gigantic), feminine hygiene products, linens, towels, INFANT stuff--24 months and younger, all sizes of diapers (especially disposable ones) Donate your leftover diapers Formula--but not expired Items are desperately needed by Long Island Council of Churches for those who depend on donations and our good will. You can leave household items, small appliances and home furnishings. Please make special arrangements for larger items. If your supermarket has a sale or a coupon that your aren t using consider buying the items for a donation to LICC. Please leave items on the inside bench by the back Church door. Pastor Adrienne may be ahausch@optonline.net or

7 CHRISTMAS FLOWER DONORS The Christmas Flower Committee wishes to express their grateful appreciation to the following people whose generosity has made it possible to decorate our Church this Joyous Christmas Season. In loving remembrance of... In loving memory of our son, John Koko Barnes In loving memory of my parents, Paul and Elizabeth Crum In loving memory Douglas MacKay John and Mae Healy George and Pat McKay In memory of Bernard Kahn and Florence O Hare, my mother In Loving Memory of our Beloved Parents: Ally S. and Ursula M.S. Dadras, who loved the Community Church and our Douglaston community And with thoughts of all my family, friends and other loved ones In loving memory of George and Thomas Olson From... The Barnes Family Elizabeth Ehrler Maureen Healy Helen Kahn The Koerber and Dadras Family Marylyn MacKay Christina and George Miller In loving memory of Pat Battestin, Sue Bottomley, Claire Savary, and my parents Freida and Frank Denig, and brother Frank Denig Joyce Moyal In loving memory of Diana and Phil Mulé In loving memory of our parents: Jean-Pierre and Claire Savary Manuel and Sarah Garcia Greetings Merry Christmas To the Sunday School Students, Parents and Angels in the Wings Sing Lullaby Lula! Merry Christmas! The Mulé/Wolf Family Philippe and Sarah Savary The Fiechter Family The Pidherny Family Cindy Strauss Donors. Margaret King Florence A. Deering Daniel and Joan Savary Vida Vambutas Thank you to the Christmas Flower Committee for decorating the church: Victor Dadras, Jean Koerber, John Latella, Walter Mugdan, Marilyn Stone, and Cindy Strauss. And thank you all that pitched in on Sunday, January 5th to de-green. 7

8 SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2014 Welcome to SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY. "Whatever you do to the least of these my brothers, you do unto me"- Matthew 25:40. Souper Bowl of Caring - Loving God Loving our Neighbors. Begun in 1990 by a youth minister in Columbia, SC, who observed - if each person who watched the Super Bowl game gave one dollar back to the community then it would begin to make a difference. Throughout the month of February the Sunday School Classes will be collecting canned goods and cash at the front of the church. The cash donations will fund scholarships for classes of autistic and severely handicapped children to visit the Alley Pond Environmental Center. It costs $60 for each class to visit APEC. Please consider sponsoring a class visit. The canned goods will help to restock the Long Island Council of Churches (LICC). GREAT IDEA: If you are planning to watch the Super Bowl with a group of friends or family, please ask each person to contribute $1 for this worthy cause. Please bring the money you collect to church on Sunday, February 9 th. 8

9 IMMEDIATE PRAYERS THOMAS KRAWS, ISLAND NATIONS OF ST. VINCENT, ST. LUCIA AND DOMINICA, MURPHY FAMILY, JOAN STONE, GEORGE THOMAS, PAUL THOMAS, FAY PALAFOX, CATHERINE MCCUSKER, MARIAN FINNEGAN, MARIE S MOM AND DAD, ELLEN FAGEN, RHONA MARGOLIS. CONTINUED PRAYERS PATRICK, FAMILY OF COLIN MASON, NELSON COLLINS AND FAMILY, CLIFF CROCOLL, KATHY, BARNES FAMILY, KEITH, LAURA LEONE, VICKY, LYNDA, MS. DISTANT, LEA, JULIA, THE H.T. FAMILY, WALTER GRILL, ROD O CONNELL, SUSAN ROSE TRUSSUX, MAIA O DONNELL, SALLY. ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING SUNDAY, JANUARY 26, :30 am Please plan to attend this meeting. DOUGLASTON MEGA YARD SALE CCD IS COLLECTING Please save your once loved treasures for our annual participation in the Douglaston Mega Yard Sale. Please call the church office ( ) to arrange pick up or to drop off items. 9 Rev. Justin Meyers is the new Director of Education at the Al Amana Centre on the Arabian Peninsula in the country of Oman. The centre s mission is to seek deeper understanding and peace between Muslims and Christians in the Middle East. Rev. Meyers will be directing the centre s long and short-term educational programs. In the RCA mission statement we state that, as members of the RCA, our task is to follow Christ in missions in a lost and broken world so loved by God. Their missionaries and mission partners are carrying out that call throughout the world. CCD has pledged $3,000 each year to support this global mission effort. Many of us at CCD have met Justin and his family when he preached here. They need your prayers and support as they begin a new life in a new world where they will make a difference and, themselves, be changed.

10 PASTOR ADRIENNE S Page Continued from the back page wings to fly; you ll have everything you need, if you just believe. But this year, as if I had never heard the song before I heard the real key to real life: Trains move quickly to their journeys end Destinations, are where we begin again It hit me like a brick: Destinations are where we begin again. At 12:01 am on January 1, 2014 we began again. A year had ended and another begun. We were elated or deflated depending on what we expected to happen that day. We really were not planning for the year ahead; we were starting over once again. We need to recognize that each day IS a new beginning. Each day God gives us the power to change ourselves, the lives of others, the future of the world and the power of His kingdom. But he demands no overwhelming task: the silly bromides really work: don t change the world; just a small part of it; each journey of 1000 miles begins with but a single step; think globally work locally. Make your New Year s Resolution this: to know and appreciate how you, in your own way, can change your life and the lives of those you encounter in that life. Be good to yourself and others. Give your dreams wings. And believe in new beginnings. --Pastor Adrienne WELCOME TO OUR NEW CHURCH WEBSITE Margaret King has been busy creating a new wonderful website. Check it out! 10 WOMEN S MINISTRY BOOK CLUB Wednesdays, Jan.8-Feb.26, 6:30-8pm The women of the Community Reformed Church at Manhasset have invited the women of Community Church of Douglaston to be part of their Women s Ministry Book Club... a spiritual book club. Presented by a collection of Long Island churches, and committed to celebrating and inspiring women s lives, we will be reading An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor. Join us each week for meaningful discussion and personal reflection. In her New York Times Bestseller, Barbara Brown Taylor shares how she learned to encounter God far beyond the walls of the church. Through insightful reflection, winsome prose, thoughtprovoking stories and simple yet powerful spiritual practices, Taylor reveals meaningful ways to recognize the sacred in the small things you encounter every day. In a world where faith is often construed as a way of thinking, come be inspired to walk through life with greater attention, passion, freedom and true moments of human connection. Discover the altars in your life where God s grace and love abound. Refreshments provided. Please RSVP: LesleyMazzotta@gmail.com Jan at Brookville Reformed Church 2 Brookville Rd., Glen Head Feb at Christ Episcopal Church 1355 Northern Blvd., Manhasset

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12 COMMUNITY CHURCH OF DOUGLASTON Douglaston Parkway Douglaston, New York (718) NEW WEBSITE Non-Profit Org US Postage PAID Flushing, NY Permit No. 407 Change Service Requested Wishing You Happiness & Health for the New Year January 2014 PASTOR ADRIENNE S BACK PAGE It is now January 2014 and already today (January 2) some guy was on the radio telling us how to feel better about the resolutions we have already broken. I disapprove of New Year s Resolutions. I prefer recognitions. I will not resolve to do anything different. I WILL recognize that there are things I can do to make my life and the lives of those around me better and work to develop strategies to accomplish my goals. A mere semantical distinction? I think not. I believe that there is a real difference between setting goals we cannot possibly accomplish and trying to, incrementally and more than daily, trying to do better at all that we do. Not every letter, document, sermon or paper I write will be better but the letter I write today will be better thought out and more carefully penned than the one I wrote yesterday. We all fail. Sometimes it is our fault. Sometimes we are not to blame. But failure is failure and we must work at failing less. We will then resolve to better tomorrow. This year in watching those awful Christmas movies I got a chance to watch one that I had not seen in years which had a message I could not ignore: The Polar Express. The animation is super. The story simple. The theme song now THAT S a theme song. One word: Believe. When I first heard it I latched on to the obvious message: Give your dreams the Continues on page 10 12