The Season of surrender

Transcription

1 The Peekskill Presbyterian Church March 2015 The Season of surrender Worship Sundays 10AM Church Office Hours: Tues - Fri, 9:30AM - 2:30PM Upcoming Events: March 18 Educators Roundtable 7PM (Upper Room) March 21 Men s Roast Beef Dinner 6:30PM (Social Hall) March 21 Bridge Club 7:30PM (Host: Tina Wileikis) March 24 Soup Kitchen Prep 5:30PM March 25 Connected Prayer 6PM March 26 Thirsty 7:30PM March 27 Book Club 7:30PM March 29 Holy Week Begins Palm Sunday 10:00AM April 1 April 2 April 3 April 5 Worship 7:30PM Maundy Thursday 7:30PM Last Supper Reenactment Good Friday NOON Worship 7:30PM Easter Sunday 10:00AM Worship (with Communion) Our Vision: The Peekskill Presbyterian Church is a faithful and diverse community of Christians with varied backgrounds, ethnicities, talents, and ages. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we are committed to nurture individual and corporate growth through Vibrant Worship, Committed Stewardship, Relationship Building Fellowship, Mission Focused Discipleship, and Servant Leadership. In This Issue: Pastor s Message Church News Session Update Prayer Info Deacons Daily Clerk s Corner Bible Verses Calendar

2 Messenger March 2015 Page 2 Invite your Family and Friends to Holy Week 2015 Sunday March 29, 2015 Palm Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. Wednesday April 1, 2015 Healing Service supported by the Church Diaconate Thursday April 2, 2015 Dramatic Reenactment of the Last Supper 7:30 p.m. 8:45 p.m. (Communion Served) Friday April 3, 12:00 p.m. Good Friday Service (Rev. Graham Preaching) Friday April 3, :30 p.m. -8:45 p.m. Seven Lasting Words (Homilies by Church Elders) Elder John Bishop, Elder Terrence Rooms, Elder Charlene Woods, Elder Ruth Garcia, Elder Philena Bolden, Elder Caroline Renaud, Elder Brenda Martinez Sunday April 5, :00 a.m. Resurrection of the Lord/ Easter Sunday (With an Easter Egg Hunt for children following) Chancel and Praise Choir Director: Matthew Russell also featuring Special Guest Musicians, Canters, and Singers. A Message from Our Pastor Sisters of the Spirit Just as there are seasons of the year, there are seasons of the soul; changes in the atmospheric pressure that sweep over the human spirit. We move in and out of them, often without being aware of them, almost unconsciously and without appreciation for the new experiences they bring our way. ~ An excerpt from Listening For God: A Ministers Journey, written by Dr. Renita Weems. March is women s history month. During this time of year, I am compelled to think about and pay tribute to the women of the Bible and the women of the church. So many brilliant and talented women laid the foundation for future generations. They did this with little recognition and in spite of the barriers they were up against. We must never forget the nameless women whose faith led them to support the ministry of Christ, spread the gospel, teach the Bible, and build, maintain and sustain churches throughout the centuries. One such woman has had a particular impact on my life. Dr. Renita Weems is a graduate of the Princeton Theological Seminary. She became an Old Testament scholar and through her first book, Just A Sister Away, she has enlightened women all over the world; helping us to understand the role of women in the Bible and in Christendom from a womanist perspective. Dr. Weems other books include, I Asked for Intimacy: Stories of Blessings, Betrayals and Birthing s; Listening For God: A Ministers Journey; Showing Mary: How Women Can Share Prayers; and Battered Love: Overtures to Biblical Theology As I was preparing to attend seminary, I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Weems and assist her as she presented the keynote address at the church of my initial formation. Dr. Weems continues to be a sought after preacher and speaker. She has been a part of the faculty at Vanderbilt University. Her books continue to provide insight into the role of spiritualty in everyday life. Dr. Weems lectures and sermons continue to challenge and inspire me. She is one of my most significant long-distance teachers. Thanks to Dr. Weems and other women scholars, teachers, missionaries, elders, deacons and others whose faithfulness we continue to depend upon to help us understand the significant roles of women in Biblical and Christian history. By Faith, Pastor Stephany

3 Messenger March 2015 Page 3 Session Update Highlights from the February Session meeting... The minutes from January 2015 meeting were approved. Two Abstentions due to absence. New Session Members are Susan Dahl, Caroline Renaud, Philena Bolden, and Ruth Garcia. Motion was presented to have Mission and Good News to discuss the proposal presented to the church by Karl Schumacher concerning establishing a Limited Meal Program in the church social hall. Unanimously approved. Elders, Caroline Renaud, Brenda Martinez, John Bishop, Philena Bolden, Ruth Garcia, Terrence Rooms, and Charlene Woods will participate in the Good Friday Service by presenting the Seven Last Words Educators Round Table Meetings are planned for the 3 rd Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. Baptism of Hudson Schwer on May 17 was approved unanimously. Good News was given permission to submit their Challenge-To- Change Fund application to Presbytery for consideration Approved Unanimously Charlene Woods was appointed as chair of the Nominating Committee. This is a two-year position. On Sunday March 8 th, there will be a substitute minister while Pastor Graham is on vacation. Presbytery does offer grant writing seminars available to those who are interested. ~ Submitted by Charlene Woods, Clerk of Session JELLY BEAN COLORS AND MEANINGS ORANGE IS FOR HEAVEN SO BRIGHT. (2 Samuel 22: 13-14) YELLOW IS FOR GOD S PERFECT LIGHT. (Revelation 21:23) BLACK IS FOR THE SINS WE VE MADE. (Romans 3:23) WHITE IS FOR OUR CLEANSING FROM SIN. S(Psalm 51: 1-2) GREEN IS FOR OUR NEW LIFE IN HIM. (Colossians 1:10) PINK IS FOR HIS FREE GIFT TO SHARE. (Mathew 28: 19-20) PURPLE IS FOR THE CROWNS WE LL WEAR. (2 Timothy 4:8)

4 Messenger March 2015 Page 4 Prayers & Sympathy Continued Prayer Polly & Don Brandes Dr. Edward Castner (for remission) Marge Crawford Joe Deutsch Elaine Galella Bruce Simon Bob Straub Dot Whitehouse Seaman Robert Woods The people of the Middle East and in all areas of conflict All those struggling with addiction For the prisoners Prayers for Comfort To the family of Mrs. Nellie Ruth Keller (Patricia Button s mother) To the family of Elsa Shapiro (Yselle Shapiro s mother) ~ If you have prayer requests for concerns or Thanksgiving, please contact Philena Bolden Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ~ Matthew 7:7 Prayer Ministries Wednesday Morning Prayer Call Join Pastor Stephany Wednesday mornings between 7:30 7:45 a.m. for the call. To participate, dial ; when prompted, enter code # Prayer Chain Members of this ministry commit themselves to offer up prayers requested by the congregation and the community. More participants are needed. To join the prayer chain, call or prayerrequests@peekskillpresby.org Connected Prayer Ministry A quiet space and time for meditation and prayer; held the 4 th Wednesday every month, at 6 p.m. in the Parlor. OUR MISSION In response to the profound love of God through Jesus Christ toward all, we welcome everyone to join us as we study and proclaim the gospel, seek the will of God, grow in spiritual maturity, share our resources, and respond in service to the needs of our members and our neighbors

5 Messenger March 2015 Page 5 The Deacons Daily Sometimes out of the mouths of babes we learn the greatest lessons. I would like to share a story I came across that proves this point. The author is unknown. Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:37-40 Please let us know what gifts you may want to offer to those in your congregation... A ride? Companionship? A meal? We still have information slips in the pews in the sanctuary. We ask that you fill them out and let us know how you can help or to let us know if you are in need of assistance. You might also choose to call or the church office to let us know. ( or office@peekskillpresby.org) We hope to compile a list of helpers who can be called on when a need arises. Thank you! Hebrews 13:16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged with man. Now the story goes thus: a little shepherd boy was watching his sheep one Sunday morning and he heard the bells of the church ringing. And watching the people walk along the pasture where he was, he happened to think to himself, I would like to communicate with God! But, what could I say to god? He had never learned a prayer. So, on bended knee, he began to recite the alphabet. As he was repeating this prayer several times, a man passing by, heard the boy s voice and peaked through the bushes. He saw the young boy kneeling with folded hands, eyes closed, repeating the alphabet. He interrupted the boy. What are you doing, my little one? he asked. The boy replied, I was praying sir, The man seemed surprised and said, But why are you reciting the alphabet? The boy explained, I don t know any prayers, sir. But I do want God to take care of me, and to help me care for my sheep. And so I thought, if I said all I did know which is the alphabet, He could put the letters together into the right words, and then He would know all that I need and what I meant to say! The man smiled and said. Bless your heart, I know God will hear you and put the letters together correctly! Knowing this, the man went on to church realizing that he had just heard the finest sermon he could possibly have heard that day and it came from the heart of a small child. Maybe if we thought like little children and let God put together all of our letters and forming the words that would represent what we wanted and what we should say, things would probably work out a lot better than we humans could ever have planned with our sophisticated words!!!

6 Messenger March 2015 Page 6 Join us for a review of the Bible, From Genesis to the Book of the Revelation of John. Meeting 11:30 a.m. In the Church Parlor

7 Messenger March 2015 Page 7 Scripture Memorization Challenge 1. Psalm 37:4, 5. Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act. 2. Psalm 16:8. I keep the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 3. Isaiah 26:4. Trust in the LORD forever, for in the LORD God you have an everlasting rock. 4. Exodus 15:2. The LORD is my strength and my might, and He has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him, my father s God, and I will exalt Him. ~ Thanks to Rosa Reed for the Memorization Challenge March Birthdays Marjory Stephany Mary Donald Kristin Beverly Grace Rebecca Jessica Miranda Diana Courtney Joan Walter Tracy Brianna Christina Robert Donald Brenda Marsha ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Serving with Mirth in March ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Date Elder on Duty Acolyte Ushers Christine Button..... Steven Denardo..... Linda Buckiewicz & Phyllis Froebrich CindyLou Bohler.... Chelsea Sackey Linda & Steve Johns Ray Brown Brenda Martinez..... Linda Buckiewicz.... Steven Denardo..... Diana Heaton & Lynne Nayman Marsha Vernon & Debra Campise Kathy Cerreta Marsha Vernon Jean Kaiser & Harry Percoulis

8 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 8 3 8pm: (Social Hall in Use) (Pastor - Vacation) :00pm Deacons 8:30pm Praise Choir 17 6:30pm AA Session 19 12:00pm Knitting Pastor: School (with Communion) 22 9:00am Stewardship Meeting 29 Palm Sunday 6:00pm Personnel 7:00pm - Performing Arts Ministry Rehearsal 23 7:00pm - Performing Arts Ministry Rehearsal 30 7:00pm - Performing Arts Ministry Rehearsal 8:30pm Praise Choir 5 6 ~ ~ ~ A P R I L ~ ~ ~ (with Communion) Easter Sunday (NO Mission Mtg.) 24 5:30pm Soup Kitchen Prep 8:30pm - Praise Choir 31 8:30pm - Praise Choir 7 8:30pm Praise Choir 6:30pm AA Educators Round Table 6:00pm Connected Prayer Meeting 6:30pm AA 6:15pm Thrift Shop Mtg 6:30pm AA 25 5:00pm Head Start Parent Mtg. (Social Hall) 26 Investment Committee Meeting Thirsty 12:00pm Knitting 12:00pm Knitting Book Club pm: Men s Roast Beef Dinner (Social Hall) Bridge Club (Tina Wileikis) Pastor: School ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ A P R I L ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Worship (Healing Service) C & B Meeting Last Supper Reenactment Maundy Thursday 12:00pm Worship (Office Closed) Worship (Elders Preaching) Good Friday * Remember that the church has other users, such as Head Start and. Please contact the office to confirm availability, before planning a building event. Thank you! * Thrift Shop: Wed, Thur & Sat 10AM 3PM NO Easter Vigil Church Office Hours Tues Fri, 9:30AM 2:30PM office@peekskillpresby.org Pastor Stephany Graham Office Hours Wed: 10AM 3PM, Thur: 4 7PM, Alternate Fri & Sat and Mon & Tues: 11:30AM 4:30PM Church Website: Find Us on Facebook: Peekskill Presbyterian Church