Epistle We are a small congregation, part of God s larger family, teaching and living God s Word, and sharing God s love throughout the community.

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1 Epistle We are a small congregation, part of God s larger family, teaching and living God s Word, and sharing God s love throughout the community. Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Valatie Reverend Kathi L. Jones, Pastor P.O. Box 267, 3212 Church Street, Valatie, NY ifirstpresbyter1@nycap.rr.com Website: May 2018 From the Pastor s Pen We sent a group of young people and adults to Nicaragua in While great strides have been taken, clearly there are still concerns. PC(USA) partners issue statements on the unfolding crisis By Kathy Melvin Presbyterian News Service April 24, 2018 MANAGUA, NICARAGUA Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) partners are asking for prayers for the unfolding crisis in Nicaragua. Last week, the Nicaraguan government rapidly approved radical legislation regarding its national social security, which is in crisis. Protests to the reforms began almost immediately followed by counter-protesters supporting the reforms. The situation escalated. The death toll has risen to at least 30 over the past several days. There was rampant looting and general chaos Sunday morning, and on Sunday afternoon, President Daniel Ortega announced a revocation of the changes to the social security system and showed openness to dialogue. Monday afternoon, more than 100,000 people marched in the capital city of Managua and other cities around the country waving the Nicaraguan flag and demanding change. It was a beautiful show of unity of the Nicaraguan people. Tuesday morning there is a feeling of calm, but also a lot of work yet to be done, said Tracey King-Ortega, World Mission s regional liaison for Central America. Two Nicaraguan partners, CEPAD (Council of Protestant Churches of Nicaragua) and CIEETS (Interchurch Center for Social and Theological Studies) issued statements and asked for solidarity and prayer for the people of Nicaragua. We encourage you to seek out information and know what is happening in Nicaragua, said Valdir Franca, World Mission s area coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean. We stand with the people in their pain and sadness as we watch what is still a developing situation that has broken into disorder and chaos. We pray for the families of the most affected, where the violence has taken the lives of too many of God s children, our Nicaraguan brothers and sisters. Enriched by decades of partnership, in times of trials and tribulations, PC(USA) will continue to walk with our mission partners to be witnesses and serve the people of Nicaragua. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will continue to hear the perspective of our partners and count on their guidance on how to support and respond to this crisis. Let us remember Nicaragua in our prayers. Kathi

2 Christian Nurture We will be honoring mothers and nurturing women on Mother's Day, May 13, with a token of appreciation during worship. The final class for Sunday School for both children and adults will be on May 20. We will be presenting Bibles during worship that day as we celebrate Children's Day. The children will be participating in the worship service including the telling of a biblical story dramatically, props and all. For this endeavor we would like to set up the stage around the pulpit, so we are asking for a few strong arms to gather after worship service the week before to help us set up the stage. Pentecost is also on May 20 this year and we encourage the wearing of red on that day. Let s celebrate the Holy Spirit! As an early heads up, We will be changing to our summer worship hour of 10:00 am starting on June 3. From the Mailbag April 4, 2018 Dear Parishioners, Thank you for your help with the Valatie Ecumenical Pantry Easter Baskets. This is a follow up to let you know that Easter Baskets were given to 103 families. An Easter dinner was enjoyed by 386 people thanks to your help. This is truly a community wide outreach and we thank you for your help. Any extra food and monies was put into the general fund and will be used for regular visits. Most Sincerely, Jean S. Norton for the Valatie Ecumenical Presbyterian Women We got off to a good start with donations of pennies for the Fellowship of the Least Coin in March. The collection container is on the table at the back of the sanctuary and small change in any amount is welcome. $20,000 of the 2017 grant money went to projects in North America. Of this amount, $5,000 went to Keeping Kids in School, Liberia, through the Women's Inter-church Council of Canada, $5,000 to LADO, Douglas Latinas, Oregon, $5,000 to Hyannis Supporting Our Youth Enhanced Summer Enrichment Project, Hyannis, Massachusetts, and $5,000 to Crime Victims Program, U.S. We plan to highlight an area of the world receiving grants each of the next six months with a listing of the programs receiving grant money so you can see how the least coin (pennies in the U.S.) add up to support mission when many people contribute. Our next meeting is Thursday May 3 at 10:00am. in the church Library. All women are invited to join us for this time of study and fellowship. Buildings and Grounds SAVE THE DATE!! Saturday May 5, we have the Annual Spring Clean-Up of the church and grounds. We begin at 9:00am. We will be raking gravel back off the lawn, cleaning the garden beds, filling in holes in the driveway and parking lot with crushed stone, washing windows, identifying junk that needs to be removed from the various parts of the building, etc. Bring clippers, loppers, rakes, gloves and shovels if you can. Please join us so we can look good for the spring and, in particular, our Plant and Bake Sale.

3 Deacons Doings SAVE THE DATE: The afternoon social in June is Wednesday June 13. The speaker, Ron Gabriele, will Speak on the History of War Dogs (The K-9 Corps). Prayer List We pray for: Mission workers The children of St. Joseph s Indian School in Chamberlain, SD College students studying for finals and looking for jobs Men, women and children who are homeless, that they may encounter an endless supply of compassionate people to help them navigate their way to a better place CROP Walk Safer laws for gun control Help our students feel safe at school DID YOU KNOW? From the Book of Order, The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA), part of the statement of God's Mission: "The Gospel of Jesus Christ announces the nearness of God's kingdom, bringing good news to all who are impoverished, sight to all who are blind, freedom to all who are oppressed, and proclaiming the Lord's favor upon all creation." Earth Day Reflection: What can you do to take care of God's creation? MAY BIRTHDAYS 5/8 Daniel Wloch, Sr. 5/9 Walter Gay 5/12 Richard Armstrong III 5/13 Sandy Hohneker 5/16 Elise Sayer 5/22 Alexis Hoffmann 5/26 Katelyn Armstrong 5/29 Jean Smith We are thankful for Mothers and special women in our lives Beauty of God s earth MAY ANNIVERSARIES 5/20 Hertha and George Matuszek 5/21 Alicia and Rob Albertson In Our Thoughts and Prayers Marc Petrie having a procedure done, May 3 Kevin Reilly Melissa Barton s father CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL If we have missed your Birthday or Anniversary on our list, please give Naomi in the office a call. We want to celebrate with you and let others know about your special day. If you are reaching some other significant milestone let us know. May Lectionary May 6: Acts 10:44-48; Psalm 98; 1 John 5:1-6; John 15:9-17 May 13: Acts 1:15-17,21-26; Psalm 1; 1 John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19 May 20: Acts pr Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Romans 8:22-27 or Acts 2:1-21; John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 May 27: Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 29; Romans 6:12-17; John 3:1-17

4 Pentecost: Building a Life of Faith O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. ~ Psalm 71:17 The Pentecost Offering unites us in a church-wide effort to support young people in Christ and inspire them to share their faith, ideas, and unique gifts with the church and the world. Each year on Pentecost Sunday this year on Sunday May 20 - we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the church. The Holy Spirit remains with us still, connecting us with the church of the past, continuing to inspire the church of today, and pointing us to the church of the future. Faith Development for God s Children Studies show that a foundation of faith established during childhood through young adulthood helps ensure lifelong faith and service. Psalm 71 testifies to this same truth. Verse 17 says, O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. The patterns and lessons established during these formative years continue to bear fruit throughout a person s life. These lessons might be taught through a congregation s commitment to ministries that shape a child s academic achievement, setting them on a path toward a stable future. They might be taught through one of the youth events sponsored by the national church that bring together young people from all over the country to share their experiences of faith with one another and learn how their faith can help them address challenges all over the world. Or our young adults may be guided through a year of intentional service where they discern God s call upon their lives by our Young Adult Volunteer Program. And There is More Presbyterian congregations are finding new ways to minister to children at risk in their own communities. General Assembly programs are advocating for children and developing youth and young adult leaders. By giving to the Pentecost Offering, we are nurturing the faith of those who are the church to come children, youth, and young adults. Our congregation is joining the whole church in building for our future, in building individual lives of faith. Won t you join in your support? If we all do a little, it adds up to a lot.

5 First Presbyterian Church, Valatie MAY 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Deacons Meeting 2 6:00pm. 3 10:00 am. Presbyterian Women Summer Lunch Meeting 4 5 9:00 am. Spring Clean Up 6 Sixth Sunday of Easter 9:30 Sunday School Adult Education 11:00 Worship - Sacrament of Holy Communion 7 10:30 am Christian Nurture 12-2pm. 8 Buildings & Grounds 9 6:30 pm. Pre-school House am. 13 Seventh Sunday of Easter Mother s Day 9:30 Sunday School Adult Education 11:00 Worship 12:15 Coffee Hour pm. C & C Meeting 15 Finance & Stewardship 16 6:00pm. Session 17 2:00 pm. Warm Up America! Pentecost Sunday 9:30 Sunday School Adult Education 11:00 Worship - Children s Day 12:15 Coffee Hour pm EPISTLE DEADLINE am :00 Worship 12:15 Coffee Hour 28 Memorial Day Closed Memorial Day Parade Kinderhook :00pm. 31 Church Street Pre-School meets Monday through Friday from 9:00am. to 11:30am. Except 5/28 Hours Mondays - 12noon to 2pm Wednesday - 5/2, 5/16, 5/ pm Saturday, 5/12 & 5/ am

6 3212 Church Street P. O. Box 267 Valatie, NY Phone: TIME SENSITIVE INFORMATION-PLEASE DELIVER PROMPTLY Join us for our annual Plant and Bake Sale and book sale. Saturday May 19 9:00am. 1:00pm. This year we are adding a Book Sale. We need your help! Start your seedlings, search your yard for plants you can donate or consider making a donation so we can buy flats of flowers. Dust off your recipes and find some goodies to help our bake sale. Save your used books and donate them this year. And don t forget our famous café where you can get your morning coffee and lunch. Sandra Hohneker, Treasurer Bill Ring, Financial Secretary Naomi Handley, Secretary Melissa Barton, Clerk of Session Ardelle Stewart, Organist Virginia Becker, Sexton