WESTERN SPIRE Dear Friends, March 2016 During our Saturday Bible Study, the topic of charitable giving came up: how do you know your money is getting to the right place? How do you know that the organization is legit? Well, there are websites you can go to, which will give you basic information on any given charitable organization. However, to find more information, you ll have to dig. But let me tell you about the one I know best: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. In years past, before personnel cuts, every dollar given to PDA went to the area of need for which it was designated. Now we take 5% out for administration to cover reasonable costs. This is well within the good evaluation on a charity website. But the most important thing is that PDA funds go through Presbyterian channels and are distributed with the help of Presbyterians who are already on the ground, and have been for some time, so that they know how to get monies and goods to the people in need. So how do you give to PDA? The really easy way is to give through our church any time there s a disaster that you want to send assistance. Just write PDA: US Floods, or PDA: Syria on the check, and we ll see that it goes where you direct it. But there s another way that will open your eyes to all the ways that our connectional denomination helps people all around the world. Go to http://pda.pcusa.org/. There you will find all the different areas of the globe where Presbyterians are currently helping out. You can click on any of the scrolling tabs at the bottom of the page, and information will be given to you about the area, what we re doing, who we re partnering with, how much is needed, etc. Then if you choose to give to any one of these disaster or crisis areas, you ll select whether to use a credit card, check, or your bank account. And under comments, be sure to list the name of our church! This isn t for a pat on the back. But if WPC were ever to apply for a low-interest loan through the denomination -- for a major project or in case of a disaster here we have to be able to show a certain percentage of money given away. You could think of it as the church s own tithe. Now back to all those choices. Here are some of the options I found on the website today: Flint Water Crisis, Burundi Refugees, U.S. Flooding, S.E. Asia Floods (Myanmar), Nepal Earthquake, Climate Change, Unaccompanied Children & Border Crisis, South Sudan, Superstorm Sandy, Syria, Backlash to Syrian Refugees, European Refugee Crisis, Western Wildfire Response, Response to Gun Violence. I have worked with PDA in Mississippi, Louisiana, and New Jersey. My only critique is that, due to age and safety restrictions, it is not open to younger youth mission trips. But the work that is done is done with professional oversight, compassionate intermediaries, and tireless volunteers. We re not the only ones with 95% and feet on the ground. But you have to do your research to learn that about other organizations. I can vouch for PDA. In Christ s shalom, Pastor Robin
March 6, 2016 Fourth Sunday in Lent Preaching and Worship March 2016 Reader: Peter Fadden Toddler Room: Rena Haigh March 13, 2016 Fifth Sunday in Lent Soup Cook Off Ushers: Sue Leonard Reader: Paul Powell Toddler Room: Maxine & Kelly Babcock Ushers: Sue Leonard March 20, 2016 Palm Sunday with Children s Procession, OGHS Offering Reader: Edie Chapman Toddler Room: Sue Pringle March 25, 2016 March 27, 2016 Easter Sunday Ushers: Sue Leonard Good Friday Service with Choir Communion Sunday and Cereal Sunday Reader: Sharon Marr Ushers: Sue Leonard Toddler Room: Carol & Andy Sloan Communion Elders: Bill & Elaine Hassler and Sue Leonard Sunday, March 20: Friday, March 25: Sunday, March 27: 10 AM Palm Sunday with Children s Procession, OGHS Offering 7 PM Good Friday Service with Choir 10 AM Festival Easter Worship with Communion Bring a Friend! Post to your Facebook Page! 2
The deadline for the next SPIRE is Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Thank you! We are in need of people to sign up for Sunday Coffee Hour. If you can help out, please fill in the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board or contact Sandy McMenamin (597-6181). Many thanks! Reminder: The Annual Spring Rummage Sale is in WPC Fellowship Hall April 28 th, April 29 th, and April 30 th. Set-up begins Monday night April 25 th and continues through Wednesday evening, April 27 th. Donations will only be accepted beginning Sunday, April 24 th and and continue through Wednesday evening, April 27 th. Soup Cook Off on March 13 th : We are asking the congregation to bring in their favorite soup to share. The congregation will then vote on the best soup! Fellowship Ministry Team will provide: salad and dressing, bread and butter, beverages and dessert. We hope everyone will attend even if they don t bring a soup. DID YOU KNOW? We have an AED an Automated External Defibrillator in Fellowship Hall. It s on the wall in the southwest corner of Fellowship Hall, so next time you re in that room, check it out... it s of no use, if you don t know where it is! Some folk have been trained to use it, but the unit guides you verbally, so ANYONE can use it! Special thanks to Patty Dlugosh for maintaining the AED with batteries, new pads, etc. Thanks, Patty! 3
RECYCLING REPORT PRESCRIPTION BOTTLES.. THE GOOD NEWS We ve done a fine job of recycling used prescription bottles! Our fourth and FINAL shipment containing 185 bottles has been sent that s a total of 527 bottles! In fact we, along with thousands of others have done such a good job that the project has now been suspended. According to an article in the Rochester D&C, millions of bottles were received. Unless we can find another use for these little bottles I guess it s back to the recycle bin for them! PLASTIC BAGS The Weekend Wellness Program has added 8 students at the Pal-Mac High School so we are currently serving a total of 81 students in the Pal-Mac Primary, Middle, and High School. We are currently using 162 plastic bags per week as we package food for hungry students. We appreciate all the bags you ve brought in. please keep them coming! Women s Association Blanket Sunday February 7 th was our designated Blanket Sunday appeal here at Western Presbyterian Church. A heartfelt thank you to all who contributed to this Church World Service ministry of the National Council of the Churches of Christ of the U.S.A. A blanket is the first item provided to people in emergency situations around the world. A blanket means We do care for you. If you missed Blanket Sunday, you may still make a donation with cash or check made out to WPC marked Blanket Sunday. $10.00 buys one blanket. 4
CALLING ALL KNITTERS AND CROCHETERS! With the help of Anita Adams, the Deacons would like to reactivate the Prayer Shawl Ministry here in our church. Prayer shawls are another way to bring comfort to those who might be suffering a loss, dealing with an illness, or going through cancer treatments, for example, and to show our care and concern. The maker of the shawl is asked to pray over it during its creation and pray for God s blessings for the recipient on completion. It can be made with a specific person in mind or to be given as needed. The prayer shawl display rack will still be located outside the church office. There you will find bags containing knitting or crocheting instructions, needles/hooks and yarn. There will also be a form in the bag which we ask that you fill out to let us know that you have taken a bag and place the form in Anita s mailbox. You will find this at the bottom of the right-hand row of boxes outside the church office. Instructions would be available, too, for those that might want to use their own materials. When you have finished making a shawl, please return it to the church in the original bag. A little poem and angel will then be placed on the shawl and it will be hung on the rack. Please see Anita Adams or Sandy McMenamin if you would like to give one of the completed shawls to someone or leave a note in Anita s mailbox, so we can keep track of the recipients. So, if you are an experienced knitter or crocheter or just want to try your hand at it, please consider picking up a bag. Thank you. 5
Canal Town Nursery School invites you to our annual At the Western Presbyterian Church, Palmyra Saturday, March 19th 8 10:30 am Breakfast includes: Pancakes, eggs, sausage, muffins, milk, and coffee Cost: Adults- $5 and Children- $3 Family- $15 Pictures with the Easter Bunny will be available for $2 and each child receives a special treat from the Easter Bunny 6
Y ou are Invited to a WPC B ible S tudy C onversation With L ou and R obin Who: Any interested Adult Where: Yellow Mills Restaurant on Rt 31 Time: 1:00 pm When: Saturdays March 5, 12, 19, 2016 Theme: Seeing Ourselves in Those Confronted by Jesus By Marianne Blickenstaff Discover the importance of those who were around Jesus. I n this Adult Lenten study, Christian s will learn about groups from Jesus time including the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essen es, and Zealots. They will also be challenged to consider who in the twenty - first - century church is like the members of these groups Hope to See You there! 7
Witnesses of Christ FINE ART EXHIBIT by Liz Lemon Swindle Share in the powerful testimonies of those who were close to the Savior during His life. These beautiful paintings invite us to feel the peace only He can offer. Hill Cumorah Visitors Center 603 State Route 21 Palmyra, New York 14522 OPEN DAILY 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. SUNDAYS 12:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. 315-597-5851 vchcumorah@ldschurch.org www.facebook.com/hillcumorahvc/ THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Weekly Sunday Musical Concerts February 28-March 27, 5:00 p.m. 8
Who s ready to gear up and dig into a one-of-a-kind SPELUNKING adventure???? Cave Quest Vacation Bible School ROCKS! Literally! This over-the-top underground adventure will ground kids and adults in the rock-solid foundation of God s love; a love that takes us through life s dark times. Cave Quest will guide kids most important discoveries from God s Word in exciting Deep Bible Quests. Imagination Station will ignite kids creativity. Spelunker Sports & Games are full of meaningful, energy-packed fun. We ll meet kids who shine for Jesus the light of the world in KidVid Cinema and everyday we ll stop by Cavern Café for tasty, kid-approved subterranean snack. So, save this date for a SUPER DUPER SPELUNKING adventure: August 1 st -5 th 9:00-11:30 am To give everyone a TASTE of Cave Quest, we will be hosting a Vacation Bible School Kick Off event on April 24 th at 9:00 am in Fellowship Hall. All are welcome! 9
Vacation Bible School is FAST approaching. During the 1 st week of August, our church will be transformed into Cave Quest: Following Jesus, The Light Of The World. We are looking for a few donations to make Cave Quest an enjoyable and enriching program for children and adults. All donations can be placed in the Cave Quest box outside the kitchen. Thank you in advance!! jump-ropes flashlights red glow sticks aluminum foil large glow stars large binder clips boxes of cornstarch feathers plastic flowers battery-operated, flameless pillar candles whistles 5-ounce plastic cups extra-large buckets hula hoops orange or yellow bandanas beach balls cotton socks bean bags sponge balls paint stir sticks roll of wide duct tape tennis balls 20-foot rope large car-washing sponges plastic eggs yellow table tennis balls laundry baskets bubble wands bubble solution 10
Presbyterian Youth Triennium is just around the corner. Every three years a gathering is planned by the Presbyterian Church USA, for Youth entering 9 th grade (current 8 th graders) through graduating seniors. It is held on the Purdue University Campus in West Lafayette, Indiana, the week of July 19-23, 2016. It is a gathering of youth, all with many of the same questions, concerns and beliefs. Triennium allows us to explore and learn ways to live closer to God and strengthen our faith. For more Info contact Jody Pruitt jody.pruitt@gmail.com The 2016 theme is Go : Jesus said, to faithful friends, new followers and the earliest of disciples, GO. Go in the world and make disciples! In July 2016 young Presbyterians from across the country and the world will hear this call, absorb the invitation and then will GO back into the world, in the church, walking with new energy and a deepened faith. http://presbyterianyouthtriennium.org/ 11
TODDLER SCHEDULE Below is the Schedule for staffing of the Toddler Room during the 10:00 AM Sunday morning service. Thank you in advance for your extremely important mission of providing infant and toddler care. Please arrive about 10-15 minutes early. Many thanks! P.S. Snack is in the closet. Let Jody know when we need more. Thanks again. 03/06/16 Rena Haigh 597-5971 03/13/16 Maxine & Kelly Babcock 986-0926 03/20/16 Sue Pringle 597-9533 03/27/16 Carol & Andy Sloan 597-5182 04/03/16 Irene Fadden 585-802-7594 04/10/16 Ruth Dantz 597-2143 04/17/16 Jody Pruitt 315-331-3211 04/24/16 Nancy Talma 597-5003 05/01/16 Logan & Kelly Babcock 986-0926 *If anyone or anyone you know is interested in joining the team in providing infant and toddler care during the 10:00am service please contact Jody Pruitt, we would love to have you! 12
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAPPY ANNIVERSARY March 4 Heather Dyer March 2 James & Jacqueline DeBrine March 4 Barbara Pieters March 17 Ronald & Barbara Pieters March 4 Ruth Dantz March 21 Bill & Elaine Hassler March 5 Lou Callerame March 11 Eric Chapman March 16 Shelby Hutton March 16 Sarah Hutton March 17 Collin Trapiss March 19 Doris Chriswell March 22 Susan Pringle March 22 William Bush March 23 Cory Trapiss March 26 Kurt Scribner March 26 Mary Beth LaBerge March 27 Tricia Owen March 29 Jacqueline DeBrine If you are an active member and we have missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact the office at 597-9171 so we can add it to our list next time. If your anniversary or birthday is missing, it means it was not in the Data Base, which is where we get the list. 13
MARCH 2016 SUN. MON. TUES. WED. THURS. FRI. SAT. 1 2 pm Deacons 2 7 pm Mission/Social Concerns 7 pm Scout: God & Church 3 4 5 1 pm Adult Bible Study Yellow Mills 6 Confirmation 7 5 pm CTNS 7 pm Fellowship 8 6-9 pm King s Daughter s FH & Kit. 7 pm Worship 9 7 pm Christian Ed. 10 11 5:30-7:30 pm CTNS Open House 12 1 pm Adult Bible Study Yellow Mills 13 Daylight Saving No Confirmation Soup Cook Off 14 15 6:30 pm Property SPIRE DEADLINE 16 7 pm Finance 17 18 19 8-10:30 am Easter Bunny Breakfast FH 1 pm Adult Bible Study Yellow Mills 20 Palm Sunday No Confirmation 21 22 7 pm Session 23 24 25 Good Friday 7 pm Service 26 27 Communion Easter Sunday No Sunday School No Confirmation 28 29 30 31 14
APRIL 2016 SUN. MON. TUES. WED. THURS. FRI. SAT. 1 2 2-4 pm 90 th birthday party for Dick & Bob Kirchhoff FH 3 Confirmation 4 5 pm CTNS Board 7 pm Fellowship 5 2 pm Deacons 6 7 pm Mission/Social Concerns 7 8 9 10 Confirmation 11 12 6:30 pm Property 7 pm Worship 13 14 15 16 17 Confirmation 18 19 Election Day SPIRE DEADLINE 20 7 pm Finance 21 22 Earth Day 23 10 am to 2 pm Set Up VBS Event 24 9 am VBS Kick Off Event FH Confirmation 1 pm Blessing of the Animals 25 6-7 pm Set Up Rummage Sale FH 26 6-9 pm King s Daughter s Parlor 6:30-9 pm Set Up Rummage Sale 7 pm Session w/confirmands 27 9 am to 9 pm Set Up Rummage Sale 28 9 am to 5 pm Rummage Sale 29 9 am to 5 pm Rummage Sale 30 9 am to 11 am Rummage Sale 11 am to 1 pm Tear Down 15