Gracenotes: May 2018

Transcription

1 Gracenotes: May 2018 What is Pentecost? According to Luke, the believers had gathered together after Jesus returned to the Father. Not just the disciples, but about 120 of them. They were talking, remembering, praying, wondering what was next. (They had just been through several of the strangest months there ever were.) On the morning of Pentecost, they came out of the room, and started preaching, lit up by the Holy Spirit. The streets were full of people from many places. When each of them heard the preaching, they heard it in their own language!what was preached, for the first time in full form, was the good news of Jesus and what it means for all people. But more than words: the words were being carried with power and authority by the Holy Spirit into the ears and the hearts of those who were listening. About 3000 new people join their ranks. This was the first fruits of a new kind of harvest, and the giving of a new covenant of grace that fulfilled the covenant of the Old Testament. On the day of Pentecost the Spirit took hold of the followers of Christ as a group or body, and came to stay. It was the first time the Spirit's raw power was there in anyone who followed Christ, not just the Twelve. It was the first time the believers had a complete message, an empowered mission or purpose, and a unity that came from beyond themselves. With the arrival of the Holy Spirit in force, to join them together, they had become the church. The church is not a hierarchy or a structure. The church is people called to be together in order to share Jesus love. If you believe in Jesus and are baptized, then you're a part of that called-together group, something much bigger than you are. Being a part of it means you have the Holy Spirit at work in you. And, that means you have tasks that the Lord wants you to do, and you have been given what it takes to do them. You are to listen for the Spirit's leading, through the Scriptures God gave for you. The liberating, ear popping spiritual event of Pentecost was the first fruit of something that continues to this day, and beyond. Pentecost holds the promise that God has something new in store. The believers from that first Pentecost day kept having faith, and kept telling about Jesus, and kept living His way. And many more would find the promise fulfilled in their lives; many more would be lit. So on Pentecost remember what the Spirit has done and continues to do, and trust that Spirit to lead you as the very first believers were led. (Taken from Robert Longman Jr. s web page on Pentecost Sunday The Fresh Blast of the Spirit: Be Lit! ) REMEMBER TO WEAR RED AS WE CELEBRATE PENTECOST ON SUNDAY, MAY 20!

2 May Anniversaries May Birthdays New Beginnings Thrift Store Time to Celebrate Received in March - $ Disbursed - shelves and supplies - $200 From Savings $ to Bainbridge Fire Dept. $ to Bainbridge Rescue Squad Donated 1 - $25 gift certificate Clothes and shoes - $40.00 Extra hands are always welcome to help price and display donations (which come in on a regular basis). If you have time and talent to share, please reach out to Carol Roberts either in person or at: cakelady 415@ gmail.com 11th Emily Nages 12th Doreen Laing 14th Christine Thornton 15th Reed Baker 22nd Jared Barnhart 29th Bert Banks 31st Roger Barnhart 11th Cyndi & Keith Closs 15th Cheryl & Dan Nages May 6: May 13: May 20: May 27: Rev. Dr. Barbara A. Renton Barry Downing Rev. Dr. Barbara A. Renton Ecumenical FPC Rev. Dr. Barbara A. Renton

3 Upcoming Events / Service Ushers / Greeters / Liturgists/Communion Servers Church Calendar Date Time Event Date Ushers/Greeters Liturgists 5/6 George & Carolyn Williams Paul Cliffe 5/13 Sue Fletcher & Ellen Bosworth Paula Gifford 5/20 Mike & Lori Davidson Mary Ellen Whitmore 5/27 Fred & Paula Epply Joe Bianchi 6/3 Blane & Sue Pixley Eileen Bianchi 6/10 Billie Jo Northrop & family Blane Pixley 6/17 Joe & Eileen Bianchi Paula Epply Mary Ellen Whitmore & Carol 6/24 Roberts Carolyn Williams 7/1 Marty & Evelyn Baker George Williams 7/8 Cheryl Nages & Karen Rozskowski Cheryl Nages 7/15 George & Paula Gifford Billie Jo Northrup 7/22 Pete & Brenda Bauerle Mike Davidson 7/29 John & Ann Baier Lori Davidson 5/2 9:30 a.m. Senior Yoga in fellowship hall 5/6 10 a.m. Rev. Dr. Barbara A. Renton 5/8 7 p.m. Session meeting 5/9 9:30 a.m. Senior Yoga in fellowship hall 5/10 7 p.m. Mission Committee Mtg 5/13 10 a.m. Barry Downing 5/16 9:30 a.m. Senior Yoga in fellowship hall 5/18 6 p.m. VBC Progressive Dinner (see pg 7) 5/19 Soup Kitchen at Methodist Church 5/20 10 a.m. PENTECOST Rev. Dr. Barbara Renton 5/20 Confirmation of Cameryn Northrup Coffee hour to follow service 5/22 7 p.m. Spiritual Nurture Committee mtg. 5/23 9:30 a.m. Senior Yoga in fellowship hall 5/27 10 a.m. ECUMENICAL SERVICE Rev. Dr. Barbara Renton 5/30 9:30 a.m. Senior Yoga in fellowship hall

4 We will be singing on May 6 & 20. If would like to sing please join us on Sunday mornings before worship for rehearsals at 9:15 am. New members are always welcome at any time. Come use your talents to praise God and lead our congregation in worship of our Lord. If you have any questions, please don t hesitate to call me (Cheryl Nages ). Hope to see you in choir! Sanctuary flowers Help bring color to the Sanctuary! Flowers and decorative arrangements are an important way that our church congregation shares the beauty and wonder of God s world with each other every Sunday. Opportunities are available to either sign up for a Sunday, a month of Sundays, or just for a special occasion that you would like to honor someone. If you would like to be part of this special ministry, please contact Ann Baier either in person or by at albstoneterrace@gmail.com. Our first turn at cooking for the Soup Kitchen went very well. We prepped for about 2 hours on Friday morning then finished up on Saturday. The regular volunteers are amazing and knew exactly what to do. Three of us were there but really didn't need that many as the long time staff did all the work! We learned a lot in a short time and should not have any problems next time- which by the way is May 12th as the Episcopal church has asked to trade days with us. As the date approaches please be watching for announcements regarding prep work. We also will be helping to prepare food for the luncheon following Frank Doolittle's service on the 11th. I am waiting for a call back from Frank's niece Donna and then will know more about what we will be providing and when we will be working on preparations. With these two food related events back to back we will definitely be needing extra help! The Chenango County Board of Elections is recruiting poll workers to work on Primary and General election days. Duties are to help prepare polling sites on the days of election. Guide voters on how to mark ballots and answering questions they might have. Communicating with the CC BOE staff about Election Day issues. Attend yearly training on your duties as a poll worker. Be paid for your time. If you are interested or have any questions please call us at (607) or us at boe@co.chenango.ny.us

5 YOUTH SUMMER OPPORTUNITY Session met on April 10 and after the opening and lighting of candle and prayer - - heard from Moderator on her activities, visits, Lenten and Easter services - learned that Cameron Northrop is the sold communicant - making plans for Frank Doolittle's memorial service on May 11th - approved Minutes and Treasurer's and Thrift Shop reports for March - heard the frustrations of the Pulpit Nominating Committee - making plans to meet at the end of April to make decisions moving forward - learned that this year is the 225th Anniversary of the Church - beginning plans to celebrate - had devotions shared by Mary Ellen Whitmore - learned that Vacation Bible Camp plans are progressing - approved the expenditure from Thrift Shop Mission of $1000 to Bainbridge Fire Department and $500 to the Bainbridge Rescue Squad - heard upcoming dates of Community Dinner on May 18 and Ecumenical Coffee Hour on June 8 - learned that Work project list will be posted soon and that work days will be planned when weather cooperates. - spent time reviewing What Presbyterian's Believe - Adjourned at 8:50 to meet next on Sunday April 29 following worship and then on May 8th for regular meeting. FINANCIAL PICTURE Received in March - $ Expenses - March - $ Remember your Per Capita - $37.83

6 Communication Please use the list below as a reference. As you can see we have many ways to communicate with our church family and the community. Don t assume that the people below already know what is going on, send them meeting dates and other information that you would like publicized. (Please note that there have been some changes to contacts! Need to contact Rev. Dr. Barbara Renton: phone , therentons1@gmail.com Session Evelyn Baker evelynmartinbaker@gmail.com Prayer Chain/ Announcements Paula Gifford pjggifford@yahoo.com Facebook Paula Epply paulatillapaugh@ymail.com Maya Cliffe monkeycliffe@gmail.com Newspaper Paula Epply paulatillapaugh@ymail.com Paula Gifford pjggifford@yahoo.com Gracenotes submissions to bainbridgepresbyterianchurch@gmail.com Church Website Mary Ellen Whitmore mencw29@gmail.com Cheryl Nages cnages@stny.rr.com Bulletin Karen Roszkowski kkdrosz@yahoo.com (please all requests to add someone to the bulletin prayer list to Karen) Sanctuary Flowers Ann Baier albstoneterrace@gmail.com Website is frequently updated please take some time to explore it. Notices and other information USHERS AND GREETERS Thank you to all members who continue to serve in these capacities. It is your service that makes our church a welcoming community that operates smoothly during each service! Please remember that if you are scheduled to serve as an Usher/Greeter, liturgist, or communion server on your scheduled date, reach out to another member of the congregation to switch dates or secure a replacement. The Spiritual Nurture Committee has decided to continue with 2 people per Sunday, who will greet as they hand out the bulletins and perform the other usher duties (light candles, place a glass of water on pulpit for the pastor, count attendance, and collect the offering). If you are currently not an usher/greeter but feel called to be part of this ministry, please contact Carolyn Williams at gcwilliams30@yahoo.com or by phone at Bulletins If you have any announcements, prayer requests, flower dedications, etc., please them to Karen Roszkowski, kkdrosz@yahoo.com, at the beginning of the week. Karen will also be notifying the liturgists or their readings and organists of the hymns as early as possible each week. If you do not receive your information for your assigned week by Thursday, please reach out to Karen. Our Church Website is frequently updated please take some time to explore it.

7 Thank You! The Twin Tiers Honor Flight would like to thank the session, mission committee, and congregation for their recent donations: $1,800 to send two veterans and their guardians on the upcoming trip to Washington D.C. in May and the Thrift store for donations of shoes for their current fundraising effort. THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE! Ever wonder how projects get done at the church? Who does them? Be sure to notice the flower beds either side of the Fellowship entrance. Ann Baier has been at work cleaning out dead leaves, trimming the plants that stay and mulching. It looks great! Ann also has been in charge of the Flower Comm. the past few years and maintains the new candles and other decorative aspects of the sanctuary. Special thanks to Ann for all she gives to keep our church looking beautiful inside and out! Memorial Day Celebration Our church is hosting the Memorial Day service on Sunday, May 27th. Join us for this ecumenical Sunday worship.