WESTERN SPIRE September 2018 But be doers of the word ~James 1:22a Beloved of God, It is truly hard to believe that it is September! Where did this summer go? Of course, as I write this we are having a late summer heat wave, so it doesn t actually feel like summer is ending. I love the Autumn, and September always ushers in the excitement of crisp fall days, and the approaching harvest. A stanza from September, by Helen Hunt Jackson comes to mind: The golden-rod is yellow;/ The corn is turning brown;/ The trees in apple orchards/ With fruit are bending down. I can almost catch the sour-sweet smell of the apples at the Mott s Factory in Williamson. As children and teenagers prepare to return to school, as college students are already back in class, we, too, are in a time of beginnings in our congregation. While the liturgical calendar does not begin a new year until December 2, and our secular calendar does not begin anew until January 1, September always carries with it an air of fresh starts and new possibilities. Sunday school will start on September 23; a new class of confirmands will begin their journey into a deeper understanding of our faith; old programs and new ideas abound! I want to encourage you to really fully read this edition of the Spire. There are many things happening in the life of our congregation; many opportunities to deepen our faith through study, through service, and through fellowship. A former pastor of this church famously said, it s more than a Sunday morning thing, and that is so evident in all that we have planned for the fall. So I m going to cut it short this month and give you the chance to flip the page and see what we ve got going on: Family Promise! Coffee & Contemplation (what s that?!) W:espp (what s that stand for??) Rummage Sale! Progressive Dinner (yum!)! And so, so much more! And let s take James words to heart, and really be doers of God s word. I hope you ve had a restful summer! Time to get moving! Grace and peace, ~Pastor Kyle
Preaching and Worship September 2018 September 2, 2018 Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost Reader: Jody Pruitt Toddler Room: Ruth Dantz Usher: Sue Leonard September 9, 2018 Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost Communion Sunday Reader: Sharon Marr Usher: Ray & Sharon Marr Toddler Room: Jody Pruitt Communion Elders: Dave & Pat Pinkney and Norm Underwood September 16, 2018 Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost Canal Town Days Reader: Irene Fadden Toddler Room: Nancy Talma Usher: Sue Leonard September 23, 2018 Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost Welcome Back Breakfast & Teacher Commissioning First Choir Sunday Reader: Sue Pringle Toddler Room: Logan & Kelly Babcock Usher: Linda Pulcini September 30, 2018 Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost Sunday School Begins Reader: Peter Fadden Toddler Room: Carol & Andy Sloan Usher: Linda Pulcini The deadline for the next SPIRE is Tuesday, September 18th, 2018. Thank you! 2
It s Time: to clean out your closets, cupboards, garages, and everything else round your house! WPC Fall RUMMAGE - Bake Soup - SALE October 18th, 19th, and 20th, 2018 WPC Fellowship Hall Thursday 9:00 am 5:00 pm Friday...9:00 am 5:00 pm 50% off Sale starts at 1:00 pm Saturday.9:00 am 11:00 am $3 Bag Day Always Great Bargains Rummage Sale Donations Accepted Starting October 14, 2018 Please NO Large Appliances, Furniture, Computers, or TV s NOTES: 1) Please bring bake goods to WPC kitchen on Wednesday October 17, 2018. 2) Please bring donated soups in a crockpot on Thursday October 18th, at 8:00 am before the sale starts. 3) Please donate your old magazines we will use them at the Rummage Sale. Work Schedule will be out for Sign-Ups Soon. Thanks in advance. Questions or Volunteer to help: Contact - Jody Pruitt 315-331-3211 or jody.pruitt@gmail.com 3
Junia Gathering Saturday, September 29 @ 9 AM All women of WPC and the community are invited to attend The Junia Gathering's first meeting of 2018-2019 on Saturday, September 29 at 9 am. Join us in Fellowship Hall for a potluck breakfast, time of fellowship, and Bible study (we will begin with looking at the book of Nehemiah). If you have any questions, please contact Elena Delhagen. Coffee and Contemplation Mondays @ 9 AM Mornings are for coffee and contemplation. ~Chief Hopper, Stranger Things Have you ever been sitting in worship, listening to the sermon, and wondered about something the preacher said? Maybe something in the sermon left you feeling puzzled, or curious, but you never had an opportunity to follow up. Then come to Coffee and Contemplation on Monday mornings at The Yellow Mills Diner! Over breakfast and coffee (or tea!), we will take some time to talk about the sermon from the previous morning s worship service. Here s how it will work: Copies of Pastor Kyle s manuscript will be available following worship on a Sunday morning. You are free to take one, re-read, think about it, and re-re-read. If you have questions about something that was said, or about the scripture the sermon is based on, bring them to breakfast Monday morning! Even if you don t have questions and just want to enjoy conversation and good food, join us! We will meet at 9 am at Yellow Mills- just look for Pastor Kyle holding a hot mug! This will begin Monday, September 24th, so look for copies of the sermon to be available following worship beginning on Sunday, September 23rd. Join us also on Monday October 1 st, October 8 th, October 22 nd, and October 29 th. We will not be meeting on Monday October 15 th. A sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board outside the office (we would like to get an estimate on numbers for the first few weeks, so we can figure out how many seats we will need). If you have any questions, please see Pastor Kyle. 4
University of Rochester Protestant Chapel Community Sunday, October 21st, 5:00 PM On Sunday, August 12th, Rev. Dr. Laurie Tiberi was our guest preacher. She serves as chaplain for the Protestant Chapel Community (PCC) at the University of Rochester. She has invited our congregation to join with their community on Sunday, October 21st for worship, fellowship, and dinner. The students of PCC very much enjoy getting to interact with people from local congregations. They genuinely love the opportunity to worship with, and then share a meal with, people of faith from the area. We have signed up to bring them a meal, to worship, to eat, and to fellowship with them. Many of these students are away from home, some for the first time, and these opportunities help them to feel cared for, and bring a sense of home. There are about 25-30 students, and would usually involve something simple, like lasagna or another casserole, salad, and a simple dessert. If you are interested in participating in this outing, either through providing food, attending in person (or both!), please sign up on the sheet outside the office. If you have any questions, please see Pastor Kyle. Volunteer Needed Do you or someone you know practice the art of calligraphy? We are in need of someone to, from time to time, update the memorial book in the sanctuary. It takes a fine, steady hand, and a knowledge of calligraphy. Please see Pastor Kyle if you are interested. 5
Unfortunately events have to be eliminated or postponed as we continue to expand and grow in other ways. Due to lack of participation for organization this year, the WPC Beef on Wick will NOT happen at the September Canal Town Days. Mark your calendars! In case you haven't seen the sign-up sheet in the hallway, Fellowship Team is planning a "progressive dinner" in October. Please be sure to sign up if you are willing to host or attending. We really need a good head count, so we can work out the number of houses and other logistics. The date has been set for Saturday October 20th. The plan is to have one or two (depending on number of guests) houses do appetizers, then main course at Fellowship Hall and off again to desert! Come join the fun! 6
During the week of August 6-10, 2018, Western Presbyterian Church and Palmyra Reformed Church experienced an impacting island adventure. At Shipwrecked VBS, kids discovered how Jesus rescues us through life storms. This outrageous island adventure helped kids (and adults) deepen their faith by discovering that Jesus cares about them personally & rescues in life s toughest circumstances. Our Bible Points were: When you re lonely Jesus rescues! When you worry Jesus rescues! When you struggle Jesus rescues! When you do wrong Jesus rescues! When you re powerless Jesus rescues! We had many special guests: Wanda Worrywart (Rena Haigh) joined us and the children helped her let go of her worries. Chief Smith of the Palmyra Police Department reminded us to stay safe in our neighborhoods, to wear our bicycle helmets and to always wear our seat belts. The children participated in an interactive drama celebrating Jesus (Bill Bush) forgiveness for our failure and sin. Lifeguard Ms. Marie talked to us about water safety. She taught us how to float on our back, otherwise known as the survival float, and some techniques to help save a person who is struggling in the water. For the first year, we served a free lunch immediately following our VBS closing circle. To say it was a hit is an understatement! We served 30-40 lunches each day. A huge thanks to our Palmyra business for donating: Breen s, Mark s Pizzeria, and Nima s. Our WPC & PRC family **REALLY** stepped up with donations as well THANK YOU! And, thanks to our volunteers that came in to help cook and/or serve the lunches: Stacey Denniston, Gina Reybrouck-Landry, Janet Barager, Bob Ike, Denitha Joslyn English & Annmarie Priestley. Our free lunch program was a success because of all the teamwork!! 7
SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM SHIPWRECKED VBS 8
Family Promise News Western Presbyterian will host families the week of October 28 th. We will be using the toddler room and the room at the top of the stairs. There are 2 doors to that room which makes it perfect for two families with a dividing curtain. Sign-up sheets are available in the Fellowship Hall. The following link allows you to sign-up online. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xfudryqfhcrac-t- JcBNGJXGlBErSbxeMVN_Gl_zaIE/edit?usp=sharing For either manner of signing up, please sign your name and your e-mail address. If you do not use e-mail, please put your phone number. On the first Sunday, we will welcome the families with a potluck dinner at 5:30 pm. All are invited. On Saturday morning, we will be having a hot breakfast at 8:30 am with the families before they go to visit family, friends, or to the day center in Lyons. The families will be packed up by 9:00 am on Sunday morning so Sunday School rooms and the toddler room can be used. At 5:00 pm each evening, we will need two people or a family to greet the families, receive the supper from the cooks, set the table, serve the dinner, eat with families, and do all those after dinner jobs with the families such as washing dishes, making lunches, etc. and then be in the church while families do family activities such as play, homework, and such until 8:30 pm. Each night we will need two people preferably a man and a woman to sleep overnight in the church. We ask that you are there from 8:30 pm to 7:00 am. There will be futon mattresses for these people to sleep on. In the morning, these people will put out breakfast items for the families and be sure things are picked up and ready for the evening when they return to the church about 5:00 pm. Families will leave at 7 am to get to the day center in Lyons for the school busses. One recurring cost we will have is lunch fixings, snacks, and breakfast foods. We were told it runs about $150 each week. Anyone who would like to make a monetary donation, please put it in the offering plate with a memo that it is for Family Promise or put your change or currency in a box that will be put on the sign-up easel in the Fellowship Hall. Thank you in advance for signing up and participating in this ministry. 9
Family Promise Angels Want to be an angel? Whenever the families are at the day center in Lyons, it is necessary that someone is at the day center. Families could be there from 7:15 am to 5:00 pm each day, including weekends. The day center is the manse of the Lyons Presbyterian Church. There really are no requirements, except that someone is there while the families are there. It is always safer for two people to be there together. If you would like to be an angel, let Irene know that you are willing to help, and she ll get your name to the Family Promise office. Want to be a head angel? Family Promise is looking for someone to take all the angels and be sure the day center is always covered with volunteers. Let Irene know if this is a possible task you are willing to try, and she ll get your name to Family Promise. Hopefully someone will say, That s what I d like to do! and there will be 9 or 10 head angels. Mugs for Western Presbyterian Church Cost: $10 each If you d like 1 or 2 or 3 or more, they ll be available during coffee hours beginning September 16 th. 10
Beginning this fall WPC will offer a time of Eating, Study, Play, and Prayer on Wednesday evenings. It will be an opportunity for the whole congregation to come together and have time to enjoy each other as we eat, study, play, and pray over a passage in scripture. No play will be too strenuous for young or old. We can share our joy at being a disciple of Christ. We will begin October 10 th and meet the 2 nd and 4 th Wednesdays of each month from 6-8 pm. Each time will be a stand-alone event. In October, we ll play with Jesus is the light to the world and how we can let it shine because Jesus lives in us. Invite a friend! Come eat (maybe too much), study (but not too hard), sing (way too loud), play (hard with lots of joy), and pray (like you believe God is really listening). 11
The prayer concerns listed are current as of 08/26/18. Please remember that all prayer requests are automatically removed from the list after one month unless the giver specifically requests continuation. Our Prayer Concerns Grieving: Family & Friends of Alice Marks (requested by the Deacons) Family & Friends of Mary Decker (requested by Janet Manktelow) Family & Friends of Mark Fortunado (requested by Elena Delhagen) Family & Friends of Lola Lashway (requested by Bill & Elaine Hassler) Serving in Armed Forces: (Please contact church office if no longer serving) Jeffrey Bavis, Kyle Chapman, Tim Henderson, Jake Hewitt, Adam Hill, Sarah Jagger, Joe Krebbeks, Patrick Magno, Brandon Maxwell, D.J. Phee-Henderson, Adam Stephens, Adam VanNatta, Logan Warner, Shod Williams Expectant Mothers: Nicki Bush and husband Peter are expecting a baby due in late September. Peter is the son of Bill and Sara Bush. Others for whom prayers have been requested: All caregivers, All victims of violence, hatred and hunger, Pat Beato, Bethany, Eric Brewer, Dan Brotz, Josh Brotz, Beverly Brownell, James Callerame, Art Duel, Jody s brother, Jack Lamphier, Kurt Luechauer, Cim McFarlane, Matthew, Karen Pembroke, Wesley Pruitt, Bob Trox, Connie West Please pray for those who wish to remain anonymous as they, too, need our prayers. Others for whom we continue to pray: Gene Bassage, Barbara Bucknam, Doris Coffman, Tracy D Arduini, Harold M. Delhagen, Robert Griswold, Chris Laudise, Ashley Maragas, Luke Medina, Christie Romano, Keyna Sloan, Fran Storm, Mark Trombino, Marcia White Congregation members in nursing homes or shut-in: Peg Eskild, Jamie Hemmings, Bev Mouton, Grace Williams Please remember that all prayer requests are automatically removed from the list after one month unless the giver specifically requests continuation. In the event of an emergency for which prayer is requested, please call Deacon Sandy McMenamin @ Home 315-597-6181 smcmenamin@rochester.rr.com You may also call the church office 597-9171 to communicate your request through the Deacons Emergency Prayer Chain. Your Property Team would like to remind you that we have a monthly point person on call. If you spot an urgent issue that needs attending, please contact the appropriate person rather than the person you may have reached out to in the past. Month Name Home Phone Cell Phone Email Address September Steve N/A 860-471-5444 snrkennard@gmail.com Kennard Thank you! We appreciate all the members of our congregation being eyes and ears for our facility. 12
September 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. If you find you are not available on your assigned date, please find a replacement. Many, Many thanks! The Nursery is located on the second floor, room # 5 South Side- Snack will be in the cupboard and a vacuum will be hanging around. Age appropriate toys will be available as well as a changing table. Please let Jody know when we need to refill the snacks. Once again, Thank You for your help! 09/02/18 Ruth Dantz 315-597-2143 09/09/18 Jody Pruitt 315-331-3211 09/16/18 Nancy Talma 315-597-5003 New School Year Begins Please check your Calendars and be sure to find a substitute if you will be away on your Sunday. Thanks 09/23/18 Logan & Kelly Babcock 315-210-0368 09/30/18 Carol and Andy Sloan 315-597-5182 10/07/18 Katie Michell 315-597-5653 10/14/18 Sue Leonard 585-734-4027 10/21/18 Rena Haigh 315-597-5971 10/28/18 Maxine & Kelly Babcock 315-210-0368 11/04/18 Sue Pringle 315-597-9533 11/11/18 Jan Taylor 315-597-4293 11/18/18 Irene Fadden 585-802-7594 11/25/18 Ruth Dantz 315-597-2143 *If you 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! Also, if you are no longer able to help, please let Jody know as well. Thanks ~ the CE Team Jody Pruitt 315-331-3211 jody.pruitt@gmail.com 13
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAPPY ANNIVERSARY September 4 Barbara Bucknam September 3 David & Sheila Koeberle September 5 Bron Lawrence September 5 Ray & Martha Beato September 8 Elaine Hassler September 6 James & Susan Bush September 10 Andrew Sloan September 20 Tony & Amie Fabrizio September 13 Kathryn Hutton September 21 Wesley & Janet Barager September 18 Alicia Lynch September 20 Patricia Pinkney September 21 Esther Hargrave September 23 Oliver Koeberle September 28 David Koeberle If we have missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact the office at 597-9171 so we can add it to our list next time! 14
SEPTEMBER 2018 SUN. MON. TUES. WED. THURS. FRI. SAT. 1 2 3 LABOR DAY Office Closed 4 2 pm Deacons 5 1 pm Mission/Social Concerns 7 pm Christian Ed. 6 6-7 pm CTNS Orientation 7 8 9 Communion Sunday 10 4:30 pm CTNS Board 7 pm Fellowship 11 6-9 pm King s Daughter s FH & Kit. 7 pm Worship 12 13 7 pm Choir 14 Canal Town Days 15 Canal Town Days 16 Canal Town Days WPC Mugs available 17 18 SPIRE DEADLINE 7 pm Generosity Team 19 6:30 pm Property 20 7 pm Choir 21 22 23 Welcome Back Breakfast & Teacher Commissioning First Choir Sunday 24 9 am Yellow Mills Dinner Coffee & Contemplation 25 7 pm Session 26 27 7 pm Choir 28 29 9 am Junia Gathering FH 30 Sunday School Begins 15
1 9 am Yellow Mills Dinner Coffee & Contemplation 4:30 pm CTNS Board OCTOBER 2018 SUN. MON. TUES. WED. THURS. FRI. SAT. 2 4 5 6 2 pm Deacons 7 pm Choir 3 1 pm Mission/Social Concerns 7 pm Christian Ed. 7 World Communion Sunday 14 Rummage Sale Donations Accepted Guest Preacher: Alicia Alvarez 8 Columbus Day Office Closed 9 am Yellow Mills Dinner Coffee & Contemplation 7 pm Fellowship 15 6-7 pm Set Up Rummage Sale 21 22 9 am Yellow Mills Dinner Coffee & Contemplation 9 7 pm Worship 16 SPIRE DEADLINE 6:30-9:30 pm Set Up Rummage Sale 23 7 pm Session 10 6-8 pm Eat, Study, Play, Prayer 17 Noon-5 pm and 6:30-9 pm Set Up Rummage Sale 6:30 pm Property 7 pm Finance 24 6-8 pm Eat, Study, Play, Prayer 11 6 pm Bell Choir 7 pm Choir 18 9 am to 5 pm Rummage Sale 6 pm Bell Choir 7 pm Choir 25 6 pm Bell Choir 7 pm Choir 12 13 19 9 am to 5 pm Rummage Sale 20 9 to 11 am Rummage Sale 11 am to 1 pm Tear Down Progressive Dinner 26 27 9 am Junia Gathering FH 28 Reformation Sunday Western Horizons Sunday Family Promise hosting families 29 9 am Yellow Mills Dinner Coffee & Contemplation Family Promise hosting families 30 Family Promise hosting families 31 Family Promise hosting families 16