THE MESSENGER The Peekskill Presbyterian Church October 2017 For God So Loved The World The Constitution of the United States of America guarantees all of her citizens certain unalienable rights. These include freedom of thought, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and equality under the law without regard to race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, national origin, or age. There was a reason why the those who wrote the constitution were careful to emphasize the separation of church and state. Ironically, religion has the tendency to encourage divisiveness and prejudice; leader and member, saved and unsaved, tither and non-tither, first lady and other ladies, the 144,000 heaven dwellers and the new earth bound. As Protestant Christians, we understand that loving God above all else, helps us to become better people and our allegiance is to God before religion or country. The presence of God is not about our being under suspicion. On the contrary, the Commandments themselves are all about right relationships; love God, love your family, love your neighbor, and do not seek satisfaction in amassing what is not yours. Humility is the essence of obedience to the will of God. The humble no matter how great, do not spend their lives intent on controlling the rest of the world. On the contrary, once we learn to let God be God, and accept the fact that God s will is greater, broader, deeper, and more loving than our own, than we are content to learn from others and appreciate their value. The will of God for the whole world is peace and justice. When the will of God finally comes, we will all have everything we need. To become open to the rest of the world, to people of other colors, to countries with other customs, and to other religious traditions is the highest level of humility. We learn through acts of humility what religion seldom teaches: that being sinless is not enough. It s being steeped in the mind of God that s important. It s coming to see the world as God sees the world that changes things. Its understanding that we must be a part of ushering the will of God into this nation, and the world especially now. Its giving my life so that the mind of God for the world might actually become the way of life for the world not just for my tiny part of it. By Faith, Pastor Stephany The Messenger - October 2017 - Page 1
BIBLE MEMORY VERSES FOR OCTOBER 2017 Submitted by Rosa Reed 1. Psalm 126:5. May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. 2. Proverbs 22:8. Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of anger will fail. 3. Proverbs 11:18. The wicked earn no real gain, but those who sow righteousness get a true reward. 4. 2 Corinthians 9:6. The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 5. Galatians 6:7, 8. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. Continued Prayers. for Joe D, Don H, Ray B, Marjorie C, Joyce & Dutch T, Lenore M, and Odessa G. Continued Prayers. for all of the Congregants unable to join in our activities. Continued Prayers of Healing. for those affected by world tragic events and Our Nation, especially for the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Spanish Virgin Islands and the first responders and all those who are helping. WOMEN OF H.O.P.E. Annual Christmas Luncheon Friday, December 8, 2017-12:00 Noon - 3:00 PM Little Sorrento, Yorktown Heights $25/person Invite a Guest to join in the Christmas Spirit Theme: Women's donations for Christmas Brunch The Messenger - October 2017 - Page 2
Session Highlights - September 14, 2017 1. The minutes from the August 10, 2017 meeting were - Approved 2. The minutes from the August 27, 2017 meeting were Approved 3. The funeral for a member of the Lewis family will be held in the church on Monday September 18, 2017 from 11:00 1:30 including a brief repast Approved 4. Pastor Graham will be able to use her discretion for small groups who request usage of the church when a session meeting is not scheduled before the event. Pastor Graham will notify Corporate and Business and the Clerk of Session of these events. Session will be informed at the next scheduled meeting. Approved 5. Official audit will be held every three years Approved 6. Pastor Graham thanked Session for allowing the Prison Reform March to take place at the church. This was a delightful group of people who spoke about the hospitality of the Peekskill Presbyterian Church all the way on their journey to Albany. 7. Pastor Graham requested that Session members invite someone to attend Spirit Talk and the Family and Friends Sunday Service on September 24, 2017. 8. The counters should not walk alone with money over to the Fowler House after church. 9. On October 20, 2017 the NAACP will hold a Gala Celebration. Pastor Graham is receiving the Drum Major of Justice Award. 10. Elder Ruth Garcia was commissioned to attend and play the oboe at the next Presbytery Meeting in Scarsdale on September 19, 2017 11. Sheila DeRosa the treasurer and is doing a great job. 12. A part time gardener may have to be hired to take care of the memorial garden especially if the size of the garden is to be increased. 13. The condition of the piano in the sanctuary is a concern. The possibility is that a used or new piano may have to be purchased next year 14. Currently in the investment account there is a balance of $1,173,874. 15. The meeting was closed in prayer by Pastor Graham. Special Session Highlights - September 24, 2017 1. The Session approved a 2017 Christmas Brunch which will be held at the church. 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. 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. IN THIS ISSUE Clerk's Corner...........4 Music Corner........4 Deacon's Corner......5 Mission Ministry......6 Church Pot Luck Dinner.......7 Hudson Valley Gateway.7 Calendar..........8 The Messenger - October 2017 - Page 3
CLERK'S CORNER I read this excerpt from Iyanla Vanzant. It gave me something to think about. I hope it is meaningful to you also. Life will work for me when I realize within me is the essence of everything I am! Life produces plants that are exactly like the seeds. The essence of the seed will always be duplicated in the plant. The seed from which we have grown is the essence of God. God is spirit. You are Spirit. God is good. You are good. At every twist of life, we double, question and in some cases, deny the essence of God that does, without any doubt, exist within our being. The life within you is the very same essence that is God. In that essence, you have the same power, the same wisdom and the same love that God has. It is the presence of this God essence that is the truth and the essence of who you are. You also have a body. Chances are, you complain about it. If you consider for just a moment how you feel about and care for the part of you that you can see, what does that mean about the part of you that you cannot se4e? In other words, how much care do you give to your God Self? How much grooming do you do for you essence? Your God essence must be groomed. Not because God needs it, because you do! You must bathe your God essence in the spiritual waters of seeing and serving the God essence in everyone else. You must wrap your God essence in a blanket of self love. You must sweeten your God essence with the perfume of forgiveness. You must feed your God essence with hearty helpings of prayer. Every now and then you must give your God essence a treat silence. You must rest your God essence on a bed of faith. If you dress your God essence in spiritual clothing designed by kindness, compassion and humility, it will quickly outgrow all the limitations of being covered by your humanness. Until today, you may have focused your energy on changing your physical being. Just for today, be devoted to the care of your essence. If you do, something really wonderful and powerful will grow right where you are standing. Today I am devoted to nurturing the seeds of God s essence in me! Iyanla Vanzant Charlene Woods - Clerk MUSIC CORNER Congratulations to the Praise and Chancel choirs for their worshipful performances with the orchestra on Family and Friends Sunday. Aa a reminder, we are always open to new members, and have rehearsals on Wednesday nights from 7-8pm for Chancel choir and 8-9pmfor Praise choir. Remember there is never a better time than today to begin something new. The hand bell choir is having their first rehearsal on Oct 1 @ 11:45 following the service. If you are interested please be sure to talk with me and we'll get you started. Also this month there, there will be a special music session on Tuesday October 24. During this session there will be instruction on how to put prayer to music, and write your own hymns and Psalms. This is a beginners class. No music experience is required as long as you can count to 8. Come by and enjoy learning how. The Messenger - October 2017 - Page 4 All the best, Matt
The Redemption Store While traveling this summer, we turned into a shopping center, attracted by the sign that had a list of shops there. One of them was a deli. It was lunchtime, and we were hungry. Along with signs for a liquor store and a thrift shop, was a listing for a redemption center. At first that seemed amusing. Wouldn't it be great if there were a store where you could go and be redeemed, a shop that offered salvation? Of course, that wasn't what the store was for. I guessed that it was a place where you could bring bottles and cans and return them for a deposit. I checked to see whether I was right about that, and I was. I thought about it and decided that the store had nothing to do with redemption or salvation in Christian terms. And then I thought some more. What happens to the things that are brought to that store, all those bottles and cans? They are bought back as God buys us back. A bottle or can is redeemed for the price of the deposit. You and I are redeemed by the death of Jesus, who paid the price for our sin. Whenever I return cans or bottles the story kinds of ends for me when I get my money, but that isn't the whole story is it? One reason for recycling is to encourage people to bring these items in, avoiding litter, but another is to recycle and reuse the glass and metal for new purposes. Maybe the redemption store idea is not so far away from what I am always looking for, which is God's presence in my world. God takes us, empty, just like the soda cans and beer bottles. He redeems those who come to his redemption store. He pays a price for us. And then God reuses us for new purposes. Maybe it is not so terribly different from the cans and the bottles after all. And of course, even with the offer of money for redeemed bottles and cans, some are never brought in but lie along the roadside, on beaches, in garbage cans- and are wasted. Just like those who do not bring themselves to God's redemption store to be saved and repurposed. I want to bring myself to the redemption store! How about you? Barbara Devir, CLP For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3: 16) 1. The Congregational Life and Deacons Ministries will host Coffee Hour following the church service on October 29 during which there will be a viewing of a short video explaining the operation of our newly acquired defibrillator. A brief question and answer period will follow. 2. All Saints Day is coming up and as is customary, the church bell will be rung once in remembrance of the passing of each loved one in the calendar year November, 2016-November, 2017. Please share the names of loved ones to be remembered with your Deacon. The Deacons serve in a ministry of compassionate service to our congregation. Should a personal need for assistance or information arise, please feel free to contact your Deacon. Deacons and their congregant lists are posted on the bulletin board opposite the church restrooms, down the hall from the choir room. If ever any questions or concerns please contact your Deacon. The Messenger - October 2017 - Page 5
MISSION MINISTRY THANK YOU The Mission Ministry would like to thank everyone who contributed to our Hurricane Relief Drive. We raised over $1000 to send to Presbyterian Disaster Relief to help those affected by all of the recent storms. You are the BEST. The Messenger - October 2017 - Page 6
Ladies With Typewriters They're Back! Those wonderful Church Bulletins! Thank God for the church ladies with typewriters. These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced at church services: ------------------------------------- The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon. ------------------------------------- This evening at 7PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin. SAVE THE DATE CHURCH POT LUCK DINNER SATURDAY OCTOBER 21, 2017 6:00PM SOCIAL HALL SPONSORED BY GOOD NEWS MINISTRY The Messenger - October 2017 - Page 7
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all those who were born in the Month of October. OCTOBER 2017 Lord's Attic Thrift Shop Hours: 10 Am-3 PM Wed., Thurs, & Sat SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY October 1 8:30am-Breakfast 9:15am-Chancel (with Communion) Bible Study & Kids Choir 11:45am-Hand Bell WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY FLOWER OF THE MONTH - Calendula 2 3 6:30pm-Deacons 6:45pm-Fit Club Christian Education WORLD ANIMAL DAY 4 7:00PM- Corporate & Business NATIONAL POETRY DAY 5 6 GERMAN-AMERICAN DAY 9:00am-2:00pm Black Women's' Political Caucus Meeting Astrological Sign Libra (till 22nd) & Scorpio (23rd ) 7 8 9:15am-Chancel 11:45am-Hand Bell DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS 9 6:00pm-Personnel LEIF ERIKSON DAY COLUMBUS DAY 6:45pm- Fit Club WORLD MENTAL HEALTH 10 11 12 7:00PM-Corporate & Business WORLD SIGHT DAY 13 RUITS & VEGES OF THE MONTH Pears, Apples, Pumpkin, Ginger 14 11am-6pm-Wedding PKS Grand Prix 15 9:15am-Praise (with Communion) 11:30am-Kids Choir Bible 11:45am-Bell Choir 5:00pm-6:30pm- Community Dinner 16 17 5:00pm-6:30pm Head Start Parents 6:45pm-Fit Club. 18 19 BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH 20 6:00pm-Church Pot Luck Dinner 21 22 9:15am-Chancel 11:30am-Kids Choir 11:45am-Hand Bell NAT'L NUT DAY 23 6:45pm- Fit Club 7:00pm-Special Music Class 24 UNITED NATIONS DAY 25 26 7:00pm-Bridge (The Gardner/Scott Home) "Thirsty" Book Club 27 6:00pm- "Spirit Talk" NATIONAL CHOCOLATE DAY 28 Cider & Donuts 29 9:00am-Stewardship 9:15am-Chancel 11:30am-Kids Choir 11:45am-Hand Bell NATIONAL CAT DAY 30 6:45pm- Fit Club HALLOWEEN 31 November 1 ALL SAINTS' DAY 7:00PM- Corporate & Business ALL SOULS' DAY 2 3 4 Church Office Hours Tues Fri, 9:30am 2:30pm 914-737-3322, 914-737-7822 (fax) 914-737-6549 (kitchen) office@peekskillpresby.org Pastor Stephany Graham Office Hours Wed: 10AM 3PM, Thurs: 4 7PM On Call Friday and Saturday The Messenger - October 2017 - Page 8 Church Web site: www.peekskillpresby.org Find Us on Face Book: Peekskill Presbyterian Church 705 South Street, Peekskill, NY