PASTOR'S CHRISTMAS LETTER 2014 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ... Greetings and blessings of the Advent/Christmas season to you all! Each year seems to go more quickly. I am not sure whether this is an illusion or whether it is a process of age; perhaps the blessing is that things are very active and busy at Stephentown Federated Church, so the time seems to race by. Worship, prayer, hospitality and outreach to the community continue to be the hallmarks of this congregation. As we enter Advent, we allow ourselves the luxury of quiet, waiting time. We take time to reflect and prepare for the feast of the Nativity. Our Advent liturgies will focus on Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. I hope that wherever you are, your Advent provides a sacred time of reflection. I hope our celebration of the birth of the Christ provides fond memories of Christmases past with Candlelight and Carols. In the coming year, we hope to improve our Worship experience by installing a new sound/microphone system. Right now people have trouble hearing the Scripture and message; the patched-together system is simply awful. The details are included in a letter from the Sound System Committee. Please read it, and consider donating toward this in memory or in honor of someone; or even in gratitude for your memories of time here. All names of those mentioned in memory or in honor will be on a plaque in the church. As we make our Advent journey, we will remember all of those who have been part of our lives, who have shared all our Christmases. Know that we hold you in our hearts and prayers and ask that you remember us as well. With loving blessings and Christ's Light, Susan
Hanging of the Greens This year, Hanging of the Greens will happen on Sunday, November 30 th after Worship. Join us for soup. We hope everyone can join us in decorating the church for Christmas! Giving Tree This year we are hoping to collect gifts for seven families, from the area, through the Giving Tree. I am hoping to have the names with Christmas wishes ready for next Sunday Nov. 23 rd. There will be three Angels for each person. You will take an angel and buy a gift for them, wrap it and put the angel tag on it and return it to the church to be delivered to the family in time for Christmas. We would like to have them back by Sunday, Dec. 14 th if possible so we can sort them out and get them delivered. If you wish to participate, but you don't like to shop, I am willing to do it for you. Just pick an angel and give me a donation. See me in church or call if you have any questions my phone number is 794-0306. Thank you all Nancy Beal BLUE CHRISTMAS MEMORIAL SERVICE HE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE, A JOB, A PET, HEALTH OR ANY OTHER LOSS ALL ARE WELCOME SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED LOSS, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7 th, 3 PM TAKE THE TIME TO REST AND HONOR T A little bird informed me that our Sunday School has planned a couple of things to help with the Advent Spirit so keep an eye on them.
Christmas Cantata Come join us in getting in the Christmas Spirit. The Immaculate Conception Choir and the Federated Church Choir have joined together to practice Christmas music since the first of October to get ready for this concert. The first time we will present the concert will be at the Immaculate Conception Church in New Lebanon on Dec. 13 th at 1:30 p.m. We will again present this cantata at Stephentown Federated Church Dec. 14 th at 2:30 p.m. We hope you can find the time to join us to celebrate this special season of Christmas. The Stephentown Federated Church Men s Group Please join us for breakfast first Sunday of every month until June. Gather with us for good food and great fellowship. The 2014-2015 schedule is: December 7, 2014 Breakfast at 8:00am Discussion & Planning for Turkey Dinner January 4, 2015 Breakfast at 8:00am Start the New Year with the group! February 1, 2015 Breakfast at 8:00am More Discussion & Planning for Turkey Dinner February 21, 2015 Church family and friends Turkey Dinner 6:00pm March 1, 2015 Breakfast at 8:00am April 5, 2015 Easter Sunday Continental breakfast after Sunrise service May 3, 2015 Breakfast at 8:00am June 7, 2015 All Church Breakfast Everyone come and join us for a really big breakfast meal! This is the last breakfast meeting till fall! 8:00am The officers for the group were elected at the November 2nd meeting. President- Larry Eckhardt, Secretary- Rich Terpening, Treasurer-Ted Bears, Men s Rep to the General Committee-Malcolm Beal
The Big Event The Men s Group Presents The 12 th Annual Church Family and Friends Turkey Dinner Saturday, February 21, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. At the Church Hall This dinner has no ticket sales, just a free-will offering. Break the mid-winter blues and get out and enjoy the company of family and friends of our church community and the community at large. We will need volunteers to cook turkeys, bake pies, prepare food and help clean-up after dinner. Let Larry, Ted, Malcolm or Paul know in what capacity you might be able to help. All hands on deck!!! Mark your calendar!!! SonShiners We had a successful year fundraising. Many thanks to all! We will be taking December off (no meeting). Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas to all. We have a lot to be thankful for. Meetings will resume January 18 th at 8am. We will work on our planning for the new year. February 15 th 8am Choir Rehearsal 12/2 6:30pm Federated Church 12/9 6pm ICC Dec 13th 1:00p.m. Rehearsal gathering 1:30-3:00 p.m. Christmas Cantata Immaculate Conception Church Dec 14th. 2:00.p.m. Rehearsal gathering 2:30-4:00 Christmas Cantata Stephentown Federated Church 12/16-12/23 Rehearsal 6:30pm 12/24- Christmas Eve Service 7:00 Begins at 7:30 12/30- no rehearsal...happy vacation
It s time to place your poinsettia orders in memory of your loved ones for our Christmas services. Please fill out the form below and send checks to: Jessica Rontey at 1391 Garfield Rd. Stephentown, NY 12168. Please make checks out to Angels Trumpet Flowers and Gifts. All orders should be placed by December 14 th at the latest. This year each poinsettia is $12.50. Poinsettias will be placed in the sanctuary in time for our Christmas services. Your name (s) or family name (s) In memory of: Quantity Total number of poinsettias ordered at $12.50 a piece Total Amount Enclosed:
Updating Membership For the past year we have been earnestly trying to find and update addresses for people who are members but we seem to have no way of contacting them. We are posting some names below that we mailed info to, but the address was refused. If you know where these people are and can give us an address or email we would really appreciate it. You can send info to the Stephentown Federated Church, Box 10, Stephentown, New York 12168 or contact the church by phone at 518-733- 5813. Can you help us? Carol Sicily Scott Baxely David Sicily Linda Garner Susan Riggs James Garner Chris Riggs Trish Pysar Diane Baxely Chad Atwater Also, if you have a change of address, or email, phone or name, please put us on your list to change these. Thank you so much. Annual Meeting January 18, 2015 Reports Due by December 28, 2014 We are currently preparing for the 2015 budget. Please take the time to look at the enclosed budget and bring any questions to the Annual Meeting which will be held January 18 th following church. Reports are due to Church Secretary, Bev Westfall by Christmas so that the packets for the congregation will be ready to distribute by the first Sunday in January. That way people will have a chance to read and prepare for the meeting.
PROPOSED BUDGET STEPHENTOWN FEDERATED CHURCH 2015 2015 2014 2014 1. PROFESSIONAL MINISTRY 2. PASTOR'S SALARY $16,380.00 315/week $15,600.00 300/week 3. CAR ALLOWANCE $2,500.00 $2,500.00 4. HEALTH INSURANCE $0.00 $0.00 5. PENSION/BENEFITS $0.00 $0.00 6. BOOK ALLOWANCE $400.00 $500.00 7. CONTINUING EDUCATION $300.00 $400.00 8. SOCIAL SECURITY OFFSET $1,253.00 $1,194.00 9 $20,833.00 $20,833.00 $20,194.00 10. PROGRAM AND DENOMINATION 11. CHOIR MUSIC $850.00 $800.00 12. SUPPLY PASTORS $800.00 $800.00 540.00 13. SUNDAY SCHOOL/CHRISTIAN ED. $300.00 $300.00 14. TECKNOWLEDGE/LICENSES $600.00 $1,000.00 765.00 15. ORGANIST MILEAGE/SUPPLIES $1,400.00 $1,400.00 16. NURSERY SERVICE $1,144.00 22/week $1,040.00 Inc. 17. METHODIST APPORTIONMENT $3,936.00 benevolences $2,926.00 18. PRESBYTERIAN APPORTIONMENT $2,160.00 Plus Miss. 300/yr $1,305.00 19. ELDERS/CONFERENCE EXPENSE $600.00 $600.00 20 METHODIST RETIRE (CON. CHARG) $310.14? $310.14 Plus Miss.Of300/yr 21 $12,100.14 $12,100.14 $10,481.14 22. ADMINISTRATION 23. OFF.SUP/NEWSLETTER/XEROX $700.00 $800.00 24. CHURCH SUPPLIES non-office $500.00 $600.00 25. NURSERY SUPPLIES $100.00 $100.00 26 $1,300.00 $1,300.00 $1,500.00 27. BUILDINGS EXPENSES 28. ELECTRICITY-CHURCH $1,300.00 1127.12 last year $1,100.00 991.40 last year 29. ELECTRICITY-MANSE $900.00 873.34 last year $400.00 11400.00 last 30. TOTAL FUEL OIL $12,000.00 year $10,000.00 31. ISP internet/phone $800.00 750.31 Last year $500.00 352 in '12 32. WATER SOFTENER $0.00 $0.00 33. GROUNDS MAINTENANCE $120.00 $0.00 34 $15,120.00 $15,120.00 $12,000.00 35. BUILDING MAINTENANCE 36. CHURCH $3,000.00 $3,000.00 37. MANSE $1,000.00 $1,000.00 38. EQUIPMENT $6,000.00 $6,000.00 39 $10,000.00 $10,000.00 $10,000.00 40 41. INSURANCE $3,000.00 $3,000.00 42. CUSTODIAN & TRASH COLLECTION $4,300.00 $4,500.00 trash 348.50 in '13 43 $7,300.00 $7,300.00 $7,500.00 44 45. BUDGET TOTALS $66,653.14 $66,653.14 $61,675.14 $61,675.14
December 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thurs day 9:00 a.m. choir rehearsal 9:30 a.m. Service 10:30 a.m. Coffee Hour 10:00 a.m. Monday Morning Prayer Group 9:30 a.m. Heavenly Quilters Friday Saturday 9:00-11:00 a.m. Food Pantry Nov 30 Hanging of Greens Dec 7 at 3p.m. Blue Christmas Dec 14 last day to bring gifts for Giving Tree/Order Poinsettias Cantata SFC 2:30pm 7:00 p.m. Gen Com Dec 29 Choir Rehearsal see above for schedule 6:00 p.m. AA Dec 24 th Christmas Eve Service 7:30 p.m. Dec 13 Cantata New Lebanon 1:30 pm Each month: 1 st Sunday ---Communion 2 nd Sunday---Hymn Sing 3 rd Sunday---Healing 2 nd and 4 th Sunday---Contemporary Service 5 th Sunday---Surprise! Men s Group: 8 a.m December 7 Blue Christmas: Dec 7 th at 3 p.m. Dec. 14 th last date to order Poinsettias for Christmas Christmas Cantata Immaculate Conception Church in New Lebanon on Dec. 13 th at 1:30 p.m. Stephentown Federated Church Dec. 14 th at 2:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Service: Dec 24 th at 7:30 p.m.
Stephentown Federated Church Box 10 Stephentown, New York, 12022 Phone: 518-658-5813 Web site: stephentownfederatedchurch.org November 1, 2014 Dear Federated Church Family and Friends, As many of you know, the present sound in the Sanctuary is of very poor quality and inadequate. Many people have difficulty hearing the Scripture readings, prayers and message. Almost a year ago a committee was formed to find a sound system for the sanctuary. We have finally done so. We have a contract with Chip Winnard of Woods Brothers in Pittsfield. He has broad experience having done sound systems for many churches, Berkshire Community College, Tanglewood and other institutions in the Pittsfield area. We have chosen a bare bones system to start with that will allow us to add other features should we choose, such as a hearing system for the hearing impaired. This new sound system will give us a good quality sound for our services in the sanctuary. The sound system is to be organized in a roll top lockable cabinet that will protect the mics, mixers and other sound enhancers. We are looking to begin installation after March 7, 2015. The terms are one third down with the remainder due when the system is completely installed and training of our people has been completed. The total is $10,739.50 which includes labor. Monday night our General Committee unanimously approved this project. We are excited about being able to provide sound, so that all people can worship and hear God's word. We will have a designated fund should you care to contribute in memory of someone or in honor of someone. Those names will be posted somewhere in the church as a reminder of the people who helped us bring this to fruition.
We are excited about our new sound system and we would appreciate your help in making this happen. Please use the following form should you wish to contribute to our new sound system. In Memory/in Honor of...... By...... Please send to Stephentown Federated Church Box 10 Stephentown, New York, 12168 Peace and God's blessings Sound system Committee Bev Westfall Barb Terpening Tom Foody Rev Susan