THE MESSENGER The Peekskill Presbyterian Church February 2016 SPECIAL DATES ASH WEDNESDAY February 10, 2016 12:00 PM Worship & Imposition of Ashes (in the Sanctuary) CONGREGATIONAL MEETING February 21, 2016 11:30 PM (in the Social Hall) OFFICERS & LEADERSHIP TRAINING SEMINAR February 27, 2016 10:00 AM-12:00 PM (in the Social Hall) HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Let s Celebrate! INSTALLATION February 28, 2016 10:00 AM (in the Sanctuary) In recognition of our 190 th year of ministry, let s party all year long. Bring your favorite dish, your funniest (clean) jokes, your dancing shoes, and your games, to our monthly or quarterly (you decide).. ~ SENIOR Pot Luck Social~ ALL ADULT MEMBERS ARE INVITED Beginning Saturday February 13, 5 p.m. IN THIS ISSUE Pastor's Message......2 Mission Corner....3 Clerk's Corner....4 Prayer Corner...5 Whose Plan Is It Anyway?...6 Women of H.O.P.E....7 Calendar.....8 The Messenger - February 2016 - Page 1
OUR MISSION In response to the profound love of God through Jesus Christ toward all, we welcome everyone to join as we study and proclaim the gospel, seek the will of God, grow in spiritual maturity, share our resources, and respond in service to the needs of our members and our neighbors. If it s Broke, We Must Fix It! Well, maybe it s not broken, but it certainly could use some fixing up. No, I am not referring to the additional repairs needed on the building, nor am I making reference to the budget. I am talking about something much easier to repair. It s our commitment and follow through with worship leadership! Somehow there continues to be a breakdown in communication regarding some worship leadership. This is causing an inconvenience to those who attempt to schedule persons ahead of time for worship. Worship is central to our congregational life. It is an honor and a privilege to be a participant in it. Any aspect of worship should be approached with sincerity and commitment. After consulting with other worship planners the following adjustments will be made beginning the first Sunday in April 2016. Painted by R. Burns '86 Vision Statement The Peekskill Presbyterian Church is a faithful and diverse community of Christians with varied backgrounds, ethnicities, talents, and ages. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we are committed to nurturing individual and corporate faith through: Vibrant Worship; Committed Stewardship; Relationship Building Fellowship; Mission Focused Discipleship; and Servant Leadership Acolytes - This assignment will be handled by the liturgist, the clerk and the pastor (with the exception of youth participation whenever possible.) Elders - Active elders will be asked first to serve as Elders on the door. Liturgists - Assignments for Liturgists will be coordinated from the church office. Ushers Assignments for Ushers will be coordinated from the church office. It is our hope that this new way of scheduling will help to improve the accountability process. Let us all take the time to review our level of commitment to worship and to the ministries that we serve. Beginning this year, there will be an annual training session for all persons holding any leadership responsibility in the church. Everyone is invited to attend. The Officers and Leadership Training Seminar is scheduled for Saturday February 27 th, 10:00 until 12:00 p.m. Thank you for your participation and for your support. By Faith, Pastor Stephany The Messenger - February 2016 - Page 2
CHOIR CORNER I hope everyone is having a happy and healthy 2016 so far. After a busy December, we have been back to normal with regular rehearsals for the Chancel Choir, Praise Choir and Children's Music Group. However, in preparation for Easter, starting on Sunday, February 7th we are going to be re-starting the Hand Bell Choir rehearsals at 11:30am on the 1st, 2nd and 4th Sundays of the Month. As always, new members are always welcome. Hope to see you there, Matt Help!! Voluntaries Need Of Coffee Hour Sign-up sheets are available in the Kitchen Mission Corner In the past month the Mission Ministry has been the beneficiary of two wonderful gifts. First, the Christmas Dinner Committee donated their leftover bags of our groceries to our shelves and two hams to our community breakfast. Second, Acme made us the beneficiary of their last in store food drive. We are so thankful to both. There are still some things that we can always use. These include toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap and deodorant, as well as gift certificates. As always we are so appreciative for all you do to help us help others. BIBLE MEMORY VERSES FOR FEBRUARY 2016 1. Romans 6:23. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 2. Romans 5:8. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. 3. Romans 10:9b. If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 4. Romans 8:11. If the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his spirit that dwells in you. Submitted by Rosa Reed The Messenger - February 2016 - Page 3
Encouraging Bible Verses for Valentine s Day ( taken from) POSTED ON FEBRUARY 13, 2013 BY LYNN CLERK'S CORNER I hope these scriptures will encourage you and focus you on the One Who loves you more deeply and honestly than anyone else could. 1. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4 2. Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 3. The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26 4. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:4-15 5. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. Mark 12:33 6. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 7. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:12 8. And hope does not put us to shame, because God s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:5 9. Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18 10. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 11. Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:7-8 12. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 1 John 4:16 13. We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 14. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:14 15. Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37 39 Hopefully reading these verses will give you a new perspective on the true meaning of Love. May we all share our love for others as God did for us. Submitted by : Charlene Woods (Clerk of Session) The Messenger - February 2016 - Page 4
Tony's Tasty Treats Donald S. Straub March 8, 1937 - January 13, 2016 Prayers of Healing for Michael, Frances, Claire, Marie, Carmen, Aida, Sandy and Timothy. Continued Prayers for our youth as they grow up in this world of ours which often seems so torn and hostile. Continued Prayers for the people affected by the severe weather along the Eastern United States. Retha Gharzita announces that she is a grandma. Maya was born on January 12, 2016, 8lbs. 11 oz. Annual Birthday Sunday!! Invite your Family and Friends to attend our Celebration Sunday, February 28 th, 2016 Time: 10:00 A.M. Celebrating our Seniors during Worship Service Birthday celebration following Worship Place: The Social Hall Make this a great Celebration See you at Church The Congregational Life Ministry!! Sugar Cookies Ingredients The Messenger - February 2016 - Page 5 1 cup Butter Spread 1 cup sugar 1 large egg 2 tsp. vanilla extract 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt PREP 20 mins COOK 12 to 14 mins READY IN 3 hrs Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375. Beat Butter Spread with sugar in large bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla scraping sides occasionally, until fully blended. stir in flour, baking powder and salt just until blended. 2. Using lightly floured hands shape dough by 2 tablespoonfuls into balls. Arrange 3- inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Gently press balls into 2-1/2-inch circles. 3. Bake 12 to 14 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool 2 minutes on wire rack; remove from sheets and cool completely. Decorate as desired* *To decorate, stir 4 teaspoons warm water into 1 cup confectioners' sugar until smooth. Tint with food color, if desired. Spread on cookies and sprinkle with colored sprinkles.
WHOSE PLAN IS IT ANYWAY? Barbara Devir, CLP We set out in plenty of time to pick up Sharon. She was being released from Taconic Correctional Facility after spending 16 years in prison. We would be giving her some gifts, taking her to pick out some clothing and dropping her at the train to New York. That sounded like a plan, at least to us. We arrived and waited for her to come down the hill, eager to give her a hug and share a prayer. We did waited and waited, worried that we had somehow missed her. Three phone calls and two hours later she appeared. And we did give her presents and a big hug. Some things were going according to plan. Then Sharon asked us to drive her up the hill to pick up her bag, which was too heavy for her to carry down the hill. It took two of us to get it in my car. Sharon told us she would like us to drive her to her new home in Brooklyn to drop off her things. Well, for sure it would be impossible for us to drop her at the train station. She could not possibly carry that bag home! Phone call time. Luckily, she did have an alternative plan. She called a cousin who agreed to pick her up. It would take him 40 minutes to get there. Since we had been sitting in the cold for so long, we decided to go into town and get some coffee. We had a celebration of sorts with Sharon who delighted in using my iphone to take selfies. She had never seen anything like this. We wondered whether the meeting with her cousin would actually happen and in a timely fashion. Who knew? In 35 minutes her cousin Harvey pulled up, hugged Sharon and took some selfies with her. Before we knew, it we were transferring that very heavy bag and the presents into Harvey's car and hugging Sharon good-bye. And we even mangaged to squeeze in a prayer. So in the end it all happened, exactly according to plan, God's plan of course, not our plan. And isn't that the way it always happens? How simple our lives could be if we listened to what God had to say, instead of trying to make it happen our way! CHRISTMAS DAY DINNER 2015 Once again we, the Peekskill Presbyterian Church, have experienced a successful Community Christmas Dinner. It is only through the efforts of the congregation and volunteers from our community and surrounding area that this dinner has been successful for 18 years! After eighteen years of turkey being served baked ham, sweet potatoes, cornbread dressing along with the usual green beans, rolls and dessert was on the menu! Over 200 meals were served to guests as well as in excess of 100 meals delivered to shut-ins. The ham was a success receiving many compliments from our guests. Each family unit was provided with a bag of nonperishable groceries, warm clothing for adults as well as toys for the children. It is with heartfelt appreciation that thanks go to all the volunteers including the chefs, shoppers, dining room staff, delivery volunteers, clean-up and especially Ray Brown & Dutch and Larry Treptow. All of the above would not be possible without the generosity of our congregants and local businesses. When you have the opportunity please take the time to thank and support: C-Town Supermarket Key Foods Marketplace (Welcher Ave) Acme Market (Cortlandt Town Center) Stop and Shop Supermarket Shop Rite Supermarket The Rotary Club of Peekskill Cortlandt Hook & Ladder White Plains Linen Let s get together for a Pot Luck Dinner Day and Date: Saturday February 13th, 2016 Place: The Social Hall Time: 5:00 P.M. In need of Transportation Call the Church office Fun for all Singing and Dancing!! For additional information please contact: John Bishop, Dan Harrison and/or Marsha Vernon The Messenger - February 2016 - Page 6
AN APPEAL FROM THE WOMEN OF H.O.P.E. PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN of the Hudson River Presbytery A few of the Women of H.O.P.E. meet each week to make afghans. The afghans are given to members and friends of the congregation who are shutins, hospitalized, or in a healthcare facility. They also give a hand-made blanket to each child baptized at this church. These gifts are seen as hugs of friendship. Through the years, these hugs have gotten smaller, a reflection of what is happening to the group that makes them. Its size has been getting smaller and smaller. To keep trying to meet the need for afghans, the size of afghans has been reduced to the size of throws. Your help is needed. You can help if you crochet or knit; you can help even if you don t crochet or knit. Here are some things you can do: If you knit or crochet, become a part of the group that meets weekly. If you knit or crochet but cannot attend meetings, make 8-inch squares. You can likely do a square in less than two hours. You don t have to make enough for a complete afghan. Any number will be placed with others to make the finished product. Yarn, hooks, and/or needles will be provided if needed. If you don t knit or crochet, come to a meeting and offer to lay out existing squares no sewing required. This saves time for the afghan makers. If you need some help with your knitting or crocheting because you are out of practice, come for some assistance in doing it again. If you want to learn to knit or crochet, lessons are available. ASH WEDNESDAY RETREAT at Stony Point Center Conference Room A February 10, 2016 SNOW DATE February 17th 10:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Our Retreat leader will be the Rev. Katie Rivera-Torea Stirring the Dust: Spiritual Entry into the Season of Lent Plan to bring a sandwich. Beverage & cookies will be provided. If you can t do any of the above, you can still help: Donate some yarn. Any worsted weight, 4- ply acrylic yarn is acceptable. (Coats and Clarks Red Heart Super Saver yarn is inexpensive and frequently on sale at Michaels, JoAnn s, and A. C. Moore.) Ask a friend or relative for scraps or leftover yarn. Small quantities are always useful. You probably noticed that you can help without being able to attend weekly meetings. However, people at the meetings do enjoy working together. The group meets each Friday from noon until three in the Social Hall. (Meetings are temporarily on hold, but will resume in a few weeks. Watch for the announcement.) Your help will keep the afghan-making project alive. It is a vital part of the Women of H.O.P.E. and needs you and any assistance you can give. If you have questions, please contact Rosa Reed at 914 739-7843. The Messenger - February 2016 - Page 7
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all those who were born in the Month of February FEBRUARY 2016 Lord's Attic Thrift Shop Hours: 10 Am-3 PM Wed., Thurs, & Sat SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THUUSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY January 31 9:00am-Chancel Choir Rehearsal 11:30am-Adult Bible Study 7 8:30am-Community Breakfast 9:00am-Chancel Choir (with Communion) 11:30am-Adult Bible Study 14 9:00am-Chancel Choir 11:30am-Adult Bible Study VALENTINE'S DAY 21 9:00am-Praise Choir (with Communion) 11:30am- Congregation Meeting 5-6:30pm-Family Meal February 1 12:00pm - 2 Employee Meeting Christian Education FLOWER OF THE MONTH-Violet 8 15 PRESIDENTS' DAY WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY 22 GROUNDHOG DAY 6:30pm-Deacons Gates of Heaven 9 16 Gates of Heaven 23 Gates of Heaven 3 6:15pm-Thrift Shop Meeting 7:00pm-Chancel 8:00pm-Praise 10 12:00pm-Worship 7:00pm-Chancel Choir 8:00pm-Praise Choir ASH WEDNESDAY LENT BEGINS 17 1:00pm-Bridge (at the Button's) 7:00pm-Chancel 8:00pm-Praise 24 7:00pm- Chancel Choir 8:00pm- Praise Choir 7:00pm-Corporate & Business 5:00pm-6:30pm Head Start Parents Meeting "Thirsty" 4 11 5 3:30pm-8:30pm Bridge (L. Buckiewicz's) NATIONAL WEAR RED DAY 12 12:00pm-Women of H.O.P.E. 3:30pm-6:30pm LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY 18 19 3:30pm-8:30pm 25 26 3:30pm-8:30pm 7:30pm Book Club (Library) 6 13 5:00pm- Senior Pot Luck 20 FRUITS & VEGES OF THE MONTH Oranges, Star Fruit, Calabaza Squash, Chayote Squash, Bitter 27 10:00am-12:00pm Officers and Leadership Training Seminar 28 9:00am-Stewardship 9:00am-Chancel Choir Rehearsal (with Installation) 11:30am-Adult Bible Study BIRTHSTONE OF THE MONTH- Amethyst 29 March 1 Christian Ed Meeting Gates of Heaven ZERO DISCRIMINATION DAY 2 6:15pm-Thrift Shop Meeting 7:00pm- Chancel Choir 8:00pm-Praise Choir 3 7:00pm-Corporate & Business WORLD WILDLIFE DAY 4 3:30pm-8:30pm 5 WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH Church Office Hours Tues Fri, 9:30am 2:30pm 914-737-3322 office@peekskillpresby.org Pastor Stephany Graham Office Hours Wed: 10AM 3PM, Thur: 4 7PM On Call Friday and Saturday The Messenger - February 2016 - Page 8 Church Web site: www.peekskillpresby.org Find Us on Face Book: Peekskill Presbyterian Church 705 South Street, Peekskill, NY