2018 Volume 12 G r e a t K i l l s M o r a v i a n C h u r c h The Herald December 2018 Do you recall receiving an Advent calendar when you were a child? Twenty four little doors or windows to open, one for each day of December and each containing a delicious chocolate wrapped in colorful foil. On the front an inspiring vision of what we were waiting for in the form of a Christmas tree with lights presents underneath, a snow covered village with candles in each window, or a view of that moment after Christ was born with choirs of angels singing and animals gathered nearby. Advent Calendars these days are not just for children and they go way beyond little chocolates and scripture verses. Whether yours are store bought or homemade the idea is the same. The Advent Calendar gives us a way to mark time as we wait for the fulfilment of what is to come. Each day holds the potential for a delicious surprise, each day gets us closer to the fulfilment of a vision full of joy and peace. The Advent calendar is not just a way to count down the days before Christmas each year, it provides a metaphor that teaches us how to live our lives in anticipation of all that is promised by God: the gathering up of God s household, the fulfilment of God s promises, and our reconciliation with all those who have gone on before us and all who will come after. This year at my house, we are making our own Advent Calendar by wrapping up a collection of winter and Christmas books. As we open a book for each day in December, we will acknowledge that we are moving closer to our celebrations of Christ s birth but we will also be cherishing the gift that each day holds. We will be reading more together and we will also be remembering the work of God s love in the gift of Jesus Christ. As a congregation, with each week of Advent, we are anticipating the celebration of Christ s birth and all that we hope for in salvation. As we worship each week may we also be learning to live each day with hope, peace, love and joy through the ever-growing light of Christ. Merry Christmas, Pastor Tracy
PAGE 2 THE HERALD 2018 VOLUME 12 Ministries and Fellowship Bible Study and bagged lunch Study the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Bring a lunch and join us following worship in fellowship hall. This year we will continue our reading with a focus on the writings of the Early Church and the New Testament. Book Study Group Meets on Mondays at 1:00pm. We continue the book by Bishop Kay Ward. Our Aging Gracefully Group will not meet in December. We will meet on January 28th. Choir Rehearsals have resumed on Sundays at 10am. All are welcome to add your voices! Sunday School Classes begin at 9:30am. Join us for worship at 11am. Youth Group for Junior and Senior High students meet on Sunday evenings from 6:00pm-8:00pm sometimes at Great Kills Moravian, most of the time at Castleton Hill Moravian. Check bulletin for class dates. Growing with Baby play group meets on the second & fourth Wednesday of each month from 11am-1pm. Parents/Caretakers of children pre-school age are welcome to participate. Gatherings on Wednesday, December 12th. Tai Chi with Sensei Mike Poole Tai Chi will be held on Mondays. Classes are 1 hour. Fee is pay as you are able. Monday Class Schedule: 9am - Yang 8 10am - Seated Tai Chi 11am - Tai Chi for Arthritis 12pm- Tai Chi Fan 2:30pm - Meditation & Mindfulness 3:30pm - Tai Chi for Energy 6:30pm - Yang 24 Wellness at Great Kills Moravian Gentle/Chair-supported Wednesdays 9:30am-10:30am Pastor Tracy will lead a flowing yoga class to get the day started! Donations received go to GKMC. No class on 12/26 and 1/2/19. Tai Chi on Mondays Sensei Mike Poole, www.earthandcup.com See above for class schedule. No class on 12/24 and 12/31. Community Outreaches Vanderbilt Community Dinner December 15th, 4pm-6:30pm. You are invited to Vanderbilt s monthly community dinner. If you would like to help in any way or need more information, please contact Paula Presutti, (347) 993-1769. Toys For Tots New Dorp Moravian Church is collecting toys for children of all ages for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. Please bring your new, unwrapped gifts to the New Dorp Church office, or place your gift in the Toys-For-Tots Christmas Box in the Parish House. Cutoff for donations is Friday, December 7th. with Gen Giles Wednesdays 7:00pm, $5.00. Please bring your mat for this beginner/ intermediate class. Free Adult Classes at the Great Kills Public Library The library offers free classes and events for adults: Quilting, Adult Coloring, Adult Crafts, Afternoon Movies, Knitting & Crocheting Club. Anyone interested can call (718) 984-6670 or visit the library. Great Kills Garden Club The Great Kills Garden Club meets on the third Wednesday, at Great Kills Moravian. Their next meeting will be on Wednesday, December 12th at 7:00pm. These meetings are open to the community, all are welcomed.
2018 VOLUME 12 Church Business The church office will be closed on Tuesday, December 25th in observance of Christmas Day and on December 26th. End of Year Reports Please start gathering the information you will need to prepare your end of year report for our Annual Church Council meeting. Ministry Reports are due in to the church office by Tuesday, January 8, 2019. Our Church Council Meeting to report and reflect on 2018, will be held on January 27th following our morning Worship service, alternate date: February 3rd. Trustee News from November: Treasurer/Bookkeeper Report for November October Total Income: $ 4,405 (offerings, building usage, church events) October Total Expenses: $ 15,205 If you wish to reserve space in our facility for your event and/or ministry please see the Church Office for a Building Use application. The Boards must approve any new request. Christmas Eve Worship Schedule Monday, December 24 Candlelight Service 5:00pm THE HERALD Ministries and Events Unity Prayer Watch December 12, 2018 Moravians have been praying around the clock for a long, long, time! (Elizabeth D. Miller, Provincial Elders Conference) PAGE 3 This year, the Staten Island Moravian Churches have been given December 12th as the day to be intentional prayer for the world. Please sign-up for one or more 15 minute time slots. Our times are: 2-2:15am, 6-6:15am, 10-10:15am, 2:30-2:45pm, 6:30-6:45pm, and 10-10:15pm. A list of suggested prayer topics is available in the Church. You can pick up a copy in the Narthex. Giving Tree We are accepting gifts for children in need. A Gift Tree is in the Narthex with nametags and suggested gift ideas. Please wrap your gifts and place the nametag on it. Contact the church office for additional information. Great Kills Moravian Church Candle Trimming and Cookie Exchange Thursday, December 6th at 7pm. Fellowship Hall. Three Kings Celebration Sunday, January 6, 2019 12:30pm - 2:30pm Join us for a potluck meal, games, crafts, and fellowship in the New Year. RSVP with the number of those attending. All ages welcome. Please sign up. Sanctuary Poinsettias Order forms are available in the Church Office for poinsettias that will help decorate the Sanctuary for our Christmas Services. Staten Island Moravian Annual Vesper New Dorp Moravian Church Saturday, December 8 th at 7:30pm (Alternate date for weather: Dec 15) Christmas Carols, Beeswax Candles, special music and a time of Fellowship in community hall following worship. Light refreshments served. Two servers are needed from each congregation. Additional information about combined choir will be shared soon.
PAGE 4 GREAT KILLS MORAVIAN CHURCH 62 Hillside Terrace Staten Island, New York 10308 Phone: 718-317-7788 Fax: 718-356-2826 Email: pastor@greatkillsmoravian.org Email: office@greatkillsmoravian.org *Office: Mon- Thurs 9am - 1pm (*office hours subject to change) "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, love." Website: www.greatkillsmoravian.org We are also on: Facebook, Google+, Google Reviews, and Yelp. A Christian Church serving Staten Island since 1886 THE HERALD December Worship Team Elder for December: Board of Elders will split the month. Week of 12/2=Ariana Sanchez, Week of 12/9=Claudia McGloin, Week of 12/16 = Lydia Langell, Week of 12/23= Deborah Nasta, Week of 12/30=Laura Hepworth Trustee for December: James Ruch, Jr. Usher Schedule: 12/2 Michael Crea & Jimmy Jimenez 12/9 Laura Hepworth & Barbara Feltus 12/16 Angela Jordan & Jimmy Jimenez 12/23 Laura Hepworth & Michael Crea 12/30 Barbara Feltus & Angela Jordan Prayers for: Adam, Amy Doersbacher, Baby Oliver, Bilbao Family, Joseph Buffcusco, Cascio Family, Steve & Cindy Cernak, Christopher, Diane, Tom Emery, Nancy and Harold Erwood, Frankie, Jason, Jen, Gail & Rob, Diane Gibbons, Bill & Sue Glynn, Claire Grasso, Henry, Jackie, Kathy, Kelly, Linda, Giulianna LaHara, Chris Malchiodi, Donna Montanti, Claudia Morrison, Edith Nasta, Charles Navarino, Peter, Mary Petrocelli, Sam and all Caretakers, Len Santaisera, Catherine and Douglas Scannapieco, Kenny Timari, David Weinlick. (Use the Praise & Prayer Request cards to add or remove names. A monthly update is helpful to keep our list current and to ensure the name does not get removed.) December Celebrations 2018 VOLUME 12 Birthdays 12/1 Claudia Morrison 12/5 Frances Wood 12/7 Erica Buell 12/9 Dennis Brackett Sonia Schories 12/10 Louis Pezzengrilli 12/16 Erin Gibbons 12/17 Margaret Van Nostrand 12/20 John Regis 12/23 Joseph Pezzengrilli 12/24 Nanette Yang 12/25 JESUS Enduela Korbeci 12/27 John Hertman Jim Jimenez Anniversaries 12/5 Lydia & Anthony Ruocco 12/13 Patricia & James Ruch 12/16 Linda & David Mercaldo A big THANK YOU to all who helped with our Christmas Fair. Our Elf Crafters who work all year for special ornaments and gifts, those that help set up, bake, cook, help sell and all the people it takes to make it all come together, you did a great job. With the work going on around the Church, the only complaint was the parking otherwise we were told once more that our Fair is the best. To all of you that helped in some way, I thank you! Well done good and faithful servants. Christine Peterson 2018 Great Kills Moravian Church They shall live in safety, and no one shall make them afraid. Ezekiel 34:28 The Herald Newsletter All news, articles, and church information for the newsletter must be in to the Church office by the 15th of the month. If you would like The Herald emailed to you, send an email to: office@greatkillsmoravian.org
December 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2 First Sunday-Advent 12:30pm Bible Study 6-8pm Youth Group @ CHMC 9 2nd Sunday Advent 12:30pm Bible Study 3:00pm Hospice Remembrance 6:00pm Youth Group 16 3rd Sunday- Advent 12:30pm Bible Study 6-8pm Youth Group @ CHMC 23 4th Sunday- Advent 30 10am Choir 11:00am Worship Service -Joyful Noise Offering 3 *Tai Chi Classes 9am Federated Garden 1:00pm Book Study 8pm Gamblers Anonymous 10 *Tai Chi Classes 1:00pm Book Study 8pm Gamblers Anonymous 17 *Tai Chi Classes 1:00pm Book Study 8pm Gamblers Anonymous 5:00pm Candlelight Service 4 5 9:30am Gentle Chair 11 7pm S.I. Referees 7:00pm w/gen 12 Unity Prayer Watch 9:30am Gentle Chair 11am Growing w/baby 7:00pm w/gen 7:00pm GK Garden Club 18 19 9:30am Gentle Chair Day 7:00pm w/gen 9:30am No Gentle Chair 11am Growing w/baby 7:00pm w/gen 6 10:30am Elders Mtg 7pm GKMC Cookie Exchange & Candle Trimming 13 20 27 9am Yang 8 10am Seated Tai Chi 11am TCA 12 TC Fan 2:30pm M&M 3:30pm TCE 6:30pm Yang 24 7 9:30 am Crafts 5:30-7pm G.S Troop 5508 14 9:30am Crafts 3:30pm G.S Troop 5508 21 First Day of Winter 9:30am Crafts 28 9:30am Crafts 1 8 7:30pm Vespers @ NDMC 15 4:00pm Community Dinner at Vanderbilt Moravian Church 22 29 **The Joyful Noise Offering for October, November, and December will go to Safe Horizons 24 Christmas Eve 31 New Year s Eve *Tai Chi Class Schedule: 25 Christmas 26 (office closed)
Great Kills Moravian Church 62 Hillside Terrace Staten Island, N Y 10308 December WORSHIP at GREAT KILLS MORAVIAN December 2 First Sunday of Advent December 9 Second Sunday of Advent Holy Communion 3:00pm Hospice Remembrance Service December 16 Third Sunday of Advent December 23 Fourth Sunday of Advent December 24 Christmas Eve 5:00pm Candlelight Service December 30 First Sunday after Christmas Day Lessons and Carols