The Pulse. First Presbyterian Church November Worship Christ, Teach Faith and Practice Love. November 2017

Transcription

1 First Presbyterian Church November 2017 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 11:00am 1 Nurture Council 4:00pm Community Meal 4pm 2 * Choir 7:00pm Christmas Concert rehearsal 8-9pm 3 4 The Pulse November :30am Church School 11am 12 10:30am Interfaith TG service 3:00pmFPC 19 10:30am Church School 11am Stewardship Pot-Luck Brunch 24 10:30am Church School 11am 6 7 * Interfaith Council Noon * Interfaith Council noon FPC Wine & Word 6:00 pm Buildings & Grounds 6:00 pm Local Mission 10:00 am 27 Session 6:00pm 28 * 29 8 Finance Comm. 6:00pm 15 Session Meeting 6:00 pm 9 * Choir 7:00pm Christmas Concert rehearsal 8-9pm 16 * Choir 7:00pm Christmas Concert rehearsal 8-9pm * Community Meal 4pm Thanksgiving Day 30 * Choir 7:00pm Christmas Concert rehearsal 8-9pm First Presbyterian Church 34 Brinkerhoff Street Plattsburgh, NY Phone Fax Pastor Rev. Dr. Timothy J. Luoma tluoma@presbyplatt.org Administrative Assistant Janet Booth office@presbyplatt.org Office Hours M. 1-4, T. & W. 9-4, Th. 9-2 Friday Website Pulse Editor Amber Baker pulse@presbyplatt.org Facebook Page Editor Catherine Keleher catherinejennings@gmail.com Christ, Teach Faith and Practice Love

2 A Letter from the Pastor Take Time Autumn is my favorite time of the year. The changing leaves and the cooling days are signs of the coming season. We are also preparing to enter a busy season as well, as Thanksgiving approaches and Advent looms right behind it, our schedules will tend to get fuller. In less than two months, Christmas will be here. That s why it s important to take time now to plan ahead for the hectic days to come. How do you want to look back on the end of 2017? What is most important to you? If we think about these things now, we have a chance to enter into the holiday season more thoughtfully and prayerfully than if we just get swept along. Jesus often took time to go off by Himself to pray, especially when demand for His time and attention were at their greatest. This shows the commitment and dedication that He had for this practice, to do it not just when he had the time but He would take the time for it. We have to be every bit as disciplined if we are going to maintain (or create) space in our lives for spiritual practices such as prayer. The time will not present itself to you; instead, you will have to take it for yourself and make use of it. My prayer for each of you is that the coming months may be filled with time spent intentionally developing your spiritual life. Most people find that when they take the time for the things that are most important, they still find time for all the other things they need to do. In fact, the things that you have to do can be even more meaningful when you do them after taking the time to maintain your spiritual life. If you don t already have a prayer habit, start with something small and manageable, maybe 5-10 minutes at the start or end of the day, and allow it to grow into something that you devote more time to as you get more used to setting the time aside. Be gentle with yourself. It may seem difficult or unfruitful at first, but don t be discouraged. It takes time. May your days be blessed, that you might be a blessing to others. Faithfully, Your Pastor, Tim UPCOMING EVENTS: November 2017 LMC meeting Tues. Nov. 14, 10 am Community meals at Trinity Episcopal Church will be on Nov. 1 and Dec. 6 The next 3 cents a meal, which funds our food purchase, will be collected on Sunday, Nov. 12. The next regular meeting of Session will be Wednesday, November 15, Wine, Water, and the Word devotion and fellowship time to be held on November 14th from 6 8pm at Terri Mahoney s Home (20 Dennis Ave., Plattsburgh). Open to all church members. We encourage you to bring a friend! RSVP with Terri Mahoney at or rossmom211@aol.com. Please bring an appetizer or bottle of wine/drink to share. If you need a ride or would like to provide one, let Terri know! Work Group discussing Youth Coordinator Nov. 12th after the church service. Please plan on attending a work group meeting directly after church service to be held in the Sanctuary. This action was requested by Session to come up with recommendations on how to proceed with this position. All those who are passionate about our youth and our church are invited to attend. In addition it would be of benefit for those who are currently parents of youth, those who serve on Nurture Council, Budget and Finance Committees to participate. If you are unable to attend please Teresa Mahoney rossmom211@aol.com with any recommendations you may have. At this work group meeting you will be provided with the job description, goals and expectations of the position and what has been done in the past to hire an individual. GREEN-GATHERING SCHEDULE: There will be two times for gathering greens this November, again at the Patnodes farm in Port Kent. Saturday morning, November 11, 8-12 a.m. and Thursday morning, November 16, 8-12 a.m. Without the greens, wreaths cannot be made on Saturday, November 18. WREATHMAKING SCHEDULE: Having had more than 30 men involved in making wreaths the past few years, and with Presbyterian Women counting on this important part of their fundraising (now about 25% of the total), all hands are needed for one of these three time slots: Saturday morning, November 18, 9-12; Saturday afternoon, November 18, 1-4 p.m.; Saturday morning, November 25, For those working on November 18th, there will be lunch served between 12-1 p.m. For gathering greens, making wreaths, or both, you can either call Stuart Voss at ( or him at sfvoss@charter.net)...or wait for him to corral you during coffee hour the third Sunday in November, or expect a call from him. Christmas Candlelight Service on December 17th at 4 pm; rehearsals begin Thursday, Nov. 2nd from 8-9pm. Every Tues : 12 AA; Every Wed. : 19h Table Tennis; Every Thurs. : 9:30 Parenting Class, and 12 AA; Every Fri. : and 12:30 Plattsburgh Duplicate Bridge Club Check the church website, or watch Facebook for calendar updates

3 A Letter From the Editor Hello Everyone! I want to thank everyone for being patient with me while I learned (and continue to learn) how to construct and send out the PULSE. I am now excited to say that with some help from our website provider, I can now access our submission pulse@presbyplatt.org. Feel free to send your submissions to this address. Also, after receiving some questions as to the timing aspects of the PULSE, I am informing all submitters and readers that I will accept submissions until the 27th of the prior month, so that there is time allotted for those who receive the Pulse through standard mail. Online readers can expect to receive each new edition on the first of each new month. Also, for those who are hosting events or meetings, please be encouraged to send pictures of your gathering. I received this as a suggestion, and I think it is a great idea! SESSION NEWS Session met in a regular Stated Meeting on October 18, The next regular meeting of Session will be Wednesday, November 15, In addition to receiving reports from the various organizations of the church and approving activities that have already occurred or are written up elsewhere in the PULSE, Session: Authorized an application to the Clinton County Health Department to renew the church s food service permit. Heard a report from Elder Commissioner Stuart Voss on the September Presbytery meeting, which focused on the newly adopted Confession of Belhar. Stuart and Pastor Tim are going to look at doing an adult study of the confession in fall of Learned that in response to several requests for a mid-week Bible study that Pastor Tim is planning a study of the Gospel of Mark on Tuesdays, the start dated to be determined. Learned that the church financials are generally in good shape, although it wa noted that the Reserve Fund was accessed for operating cash flow shortfalls. Approved a Bicentennial Legacy Fund grant of $4,000 to the New ping Community of Watertown for the purpose of financially assisting the development of a new congregational outreach to underserved parts of the community. Approved December 17 th at 4 pm as the date and time for the Christmas Candlelight Service. Learned that the Nominating Committee is at work seeking persons to fill upcoming positions on Session, the Board of Deacons and the congregation positions on the Nominating Committee. (If you are asked to serve, please prayerfully consider the request.) Catherine Keleher shared a draft Social Media Policy for Facebook. Catherine will also draft one for the website and possibly an opt-out form regarding children and the Christmas Pageant. The policies will be reviewed and acted on at the next Stated Session meeting. Referred the Red Cross request for the church to partner with that organization to present a free community Disaster/Emergency Preparedness Training to the Local Mission Council. Began a discussion of the Coordinator of Youth Programs and Church Events position and by consensus, decided that a work group of Personnel, representatives of Nurture Council and church leadership should dig deeper into the matter. Judy Bunnell Clerk of Session

4 2017 BI-CENTENNIAL LEGACY FUND GRANT AWARDED TO: Local Mission Council Community Meal Our next scheduled Wednesday community meals at Trinity Episcopal Church will be on Nov. 1 and Dec. 6 If you are able to help set up, prepare and serve food or even clean up please call Judy Bunnell at If possible arrive by 4 pm. There is always an interesting task waiting for you. We finish with clean up by 6:30 pm. The next 3 cents a meal,which funds our food purchase, will be collected on Sunday, Nov. 12. Interfaith Food Shelf The Interfaith Food Shelf continues to be busy. We recently passed inspection by a Food Bank offical who came from Albany. Please continue to donate any family garden surplus. Healthy canned food donations are always needed. Open hours are 9-12 please do not bring fresh food on Friday as it will not keep until Monday. Community Garden Plot #53. Currently we are picking a few Golden Nuggets and pulling only the biggest carrots. What a great season we have had! Tea and Bazaar Wreath Decorators needed: Strong fingers an asset. We affix bows and cones. Schedule: Sat. November 18 from 9-12 and/ or 1-4. Who says There is no free lunch? Yes, you will get a free delicious LUNCH! Please contact Nancy Olsen if you are able to assist. Thank you in advance. THE WATERNOWN NEW WORSHIPPING COMMUNITY Upon recommendation of the Finance Committee and approval by the Session, this year s Bi-Centennial Legacy Fund is being given to the Watertown New ping Community. The grant of $4,000 is most fitting this year, as the BCL Fund (created in 1997) was established to assist newly forming congregations and to re-vitalize existing congregations. This NWC one of many emerging across the Presbyterian Church in the USA began to take shape earlier this year, with a supporting Presbytery committee formed in June, and a $3,000 grant approved by Presbytery for initial funding needs. Under the leadership of the Rev. Sarah Lee, the Watertown NWC seeks to build a new congregation centered in young adults and those of mixed cultural/racial backgrounds, especially relevant given the large presence in the area of Ft. Drum. Nancy Olsen, LMC Chair.

5 Costs of Wreaths: Undecorated: Medium: $14 Large: $18 Extra-Large: $22 Decorated: Medium: $17 Large: $21 Extra-Large: $25 November Birthdays 1 Nov. Gil Duken 21 Nov. Catherine Keleher 3 Nov. Paul Laughlin 22 Nov. Carol Carpenter 4 Nov. Linda Gonyo 23 Nov. Audrey Petrie 4 Nov. TJ MiKinnon 26 Nov. Joy Mazur 5 Nov. Malcolm Fairweather 28 Nov. Elizabeth Scribner 7 Nov. William Haley 29 Nov. Mark Malchoff 8 Nov. Laura Merril 9 Nov. Linda Collins 9 Nov. Irene Cottrell 13 Nov. Amanda Smart If your name is not on the Birthday list please contact the Church office so that it may be noted in Giving Thanksgiving Thanks Let s All Give Thanks Together Interfaith Thanksgiving Service Sunday 12 November, :00 pm First Presbyterian Church 34 Brinkerhoff St. Plattsburgh KISS Keep It Sweet & Simple! Please find a date that is good for you and sign-up to host fellowship time. Bring a friend to help! Everything is available and ready to use. There is coffee, tea, sugar, lemonade, coffee cakes, paper cups, napkins, stirrers, tablecloths, even the table decorations! The information will be sent to you a week ahead of time along with the request that you bring a quart of half and half. So, you see, it is so simple! Just find a date that is good for you. There are many people available to lend a hand, or two! Rumor has it that there are coffee professionals willing to provide instruction. Thank you to everyone who helps make coffee hour a wonderful time for fellowship. Remember, we all benefit from our time together!

6 Work Group Nov. 12th to Discuss the Youth Coordinator Position Please plan on attending a work group meeting directly after church service to be held in the Sanctuary. This action was requested by Session to come up with recommendations on how to proceed with this position. All those who are passionate about our youth and our church are invited to attend. In addition it would be of benefit for those who are currently parents of youth, those who serve on Nurture Council, Budget and Finance Committees to participate. If you are unable to attend please Teresa Mahoney rossmom211@aol.com with any recommendations you may have. At this work group meeting you will be provided with the job description, goals and expectations of the position and what has been done in the past to hire an individual. 1) Saturday morning, November 18, 9-12; 2) Saturday afternoon, November 18, 1-4 p.m.; 3) Saturday morning, November 25, For those working on November 18, there will be lunch served between 12-1 p.m. For gathering greens, making wreath, or both, you can either call Stuart Voss at (or at (sfvoss@charter.net, wait for him to corral you during coffee hour the third Sunday in November, or expect a call from him. STEPPING DOWN AND PASSING THE TORCH AFTER 21 YEARS: This men s service project (now in its 21 th year) for the Christmas Tea and Bazaar began as a way for men in the congregation to get to know one another better, have a laugh or two and good fun, and make a real contribution to Presbyterian Women s varied and valuable mission projects. Over the past two decades, both of these objectives have more than accomplished. Through these years, I have enjoyed immensely seeing these objectives come to fruition. But for personal reasons (principally to be able to get away more during November while we still can), it is now time for me to step down as leader of the gathering-making side of the Tea & Bazaar Wreath-making Project. This will be my last year as leader. Some one now needs to pick up the proverbial torch for I intend to stay fully involved, helping to gather greens and making as many wreaths as time permits AND I will be glad to mentor and assist my successor next year. Staurt Voss

7 FIRST CALL FOR WREATHMAKERS URGENT NEED FOR DOUBLE-DUTY GREENS GATHERERS/ WREATHMAKERS: In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult for many of our faithful retired greens gatherers to continue. And many of them did double duty, coming in to make wreaths as well. In response, we first created a second green-gathering to accommodate younger men who cannot get off work on a weekday, on the Saturday before wreathmaking. The issue now is getting enough help to make the wreaths on the following Saturday. We have lost some of those double-duty seniors making wreaths as well. What we need is more of the younger men, who have been gathering greens, to step up for a morning or afternoon the following Saturday to make wreaths as well. GREEN-GATHERING SCHEDULE: There will be two times for gathering greens this November, again at the Patnodes farm in Port Kent.: 1) Saturday morning, November 11, 8-12 a.m. and 2) Thursday morning, November 16, 8-12 a.m. Without the greens, wreaths cannot be made on Saturday, November 18. Wine, Water, and the Word What: Devotion and When: Tuesday, November 14th from 6 to 8:00 pm Where: Terri Mahoney s Home 20 Dennis Ave., Plattsburgh Who: Church members and friends (bring one!) RSVP: Terri Mahoney at or rossmom211@aol.com Please bring an appetizer or bottle of wine/drink to share If you need a ride, or would like to provide one, let Terri know! **NOTE: The Passages Group will not be held at Church in November. We will share our passages at Wine, Water, and the Word. WREATHMAKING SCHEDULE: Having had more than 30 men involved in making wreaths the past few years, and with Presbyterian Women counting on this important part of their fundraising (now about 25% of the total), all hands are needed for one of these three time slots:

8 Choir Positions Open Contributor Guidelines: PHSICAL QUALIFICATIONS: Must be able to caryy light musical notes partway across the sanctuary. Must have sufficient vision to see the Choir director. EXPERIENCE: No applications will be accepted from persons who have not sung, hummed, or whistled in the bathtub or shower at some time. BEGINNING WAGE: Increased satisfaction and joy in the service of God. FRINGE BENEFITS: Social security. We promise you the security of social fellowship with other choir members. HOURS: Thursday evenings from 7-8 pm and Sunday mornings. There is occasional opportunity for overtime. RETIREMENT: Generally determined by the printed notes getting too small, the hymnal too heavy, the notes too high, the sanctuary too hot or cold, or the organist becoming unable to play the notes you sing. APPLICATIONS: Send applications to Vicki Washburn, (518) We are an equal opportunity employer. Silver Tea cookies are to be left in the Church kitchen on Saturday morning by 10:00 AM. (Cathy Ellis, ) Bake Shop goodies can be brought to Church on Friday morning, Dec. 1st or no later than 10:00 AM Saturday morning, Dec. 2nd. Please package in clear wrap and make note of nuts or other unusual ingredients. (Kathe Fairweather, ; Joy Mazur ) Crafts may be dropped off at the Church beginning Sunday, Nov. 26th. Items are to be left in the office. (Jan Stone, ; Jackie Curillo, ) Deli soups have to be made in the Church certified kitchen. Please call Judy Bunnell, to schedule kitchen time and for Deli information. White Elephant and Christmas Shop items can be dropped off beginning Sunday, Nov. 26th under stairs near choir room. White Elephant items are to be gently used and in good condition. Please consider any household treasures no longer in use. (Karen Merrill ).Christmas decoration items need to be in good repair and ready for the holiday season. (Joanne Weiss ) Fine Items drawing special attention such as: art work, upscale jewelry, fine china and glassware. (Linda Tripp ; Audrey Petrie ) Wreath orders are to be picked up Nov. 19th. Call Nancy Olsen( ) for additional information.