THE MESSENGER The Peekskill Presbyterian Church February 2019 The More Excellent Way How can we help one another to become our most loving and compassionate selves? This was the question asked by our guest speaker, Brian D. McLaren at the January Presbytery meeting. He reminded us that becoming loving human beings is our primary mission as followers of the one who gave his life for the sake of love. He went on to remind us that the world is no longer in search of religious buildings, but instead, radical communities of love and acceptance. I purchased the book he wrote entitled, The Great Spiritual Migration: How the World s Largest Religion is Seeking a Better Way to Be Christian. As he spoke, I smiled; reflecting on us as a congregation and how much love and support I have felt as I have shared my joys, my sorrows and my righteous indignation about the injustices that exist in the world and in our nation. In chapter 10 of his book, The Broken-Open Heart, McLaren writes, Spiritual migration is difficult, start to finish. It s difficult to doubt, deconstruct, or decenter the system of beliefs you ve worked so hard to perfect. It s difficult to make love for neighbor, self, the earth, and God your highest ambition. Its difficult to retool our churches from service providers, museums of religious lore or climate controlled spiritual warehouses or country clubs into schools or studios of love. I am intrigued and challenged by McLaren's theology, but I am more intrigued by the fact that we are consistently becoming a place where love can be felt in the air. Yes, we still have our preferences and disagreements; but being able to express ourselves without doing harm to one s dignity and person hood, is a vital part of the love paradigm. Let s keep striving to help one another become our most loving and compassionate selves. Let s continue to share our broken open hearts as we continue in the true and loving way of Jesus Christ. Happy Valentines Day! But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. The Way of Love. 1 st Corinthians 12:31 By Faith, Pastor Stephany The Messenger - February 2019 - Page 1 IN THIS ISSUE In Memoriam....2 Prayer Requests.........2 Bible Memory Verses..........2 Our Mission....3 Vision Statement.....3 Session Highlights...3 Black History Month....4-5 Women of Hope...6 Music Ministry.....6 Sunday School......6 God Does Provide.7 Haiti Mission School........9 Calendar........10 The Messenger March 2019 Issue Deadline: February 22, 2019 10:00 AM
Roscoe Robinson January 29, 1919 - January 27, 2019 Continued Prayers. for Marjorie C, Peggy B, and all of the Congregants unable to join in our activities. Continued Prayers of Healing. for the people across the country affected by the extreme weather. Prayers of Sympathy. for Pastor Stephany and her family. for Marsha Vernon and her family. BIBLE MEMORY VERSES FOR FEBRUARY 2019 Submitted by Rose Reed 1. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13 The Lord is my strength and my might and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father s God, and I will exalt him. (Exodus 15:2) 2. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. (Psalm 73:26) Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord. (Psalm 31:24) 3. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. (Isaiah 12:2) He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. (Isaiah 40:29) 4. Let those who fear the Lord say, His steadfast love endures for ever. Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. With the Lord on my side I do not fear. What can mortals do to me? (Psalm 118:4-6) May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace! He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. (Psalm 29:11) The Messenger - February 2019 - Page 2
SESSION HIGHLIGHTS January 10, 2019 1. Minutes of the December 13, 2018 Session Minutes. Approved 2. Minutes of the Special Session Meeting of December 30, 2018 Approved 3. The Budget for the Peekskill Presbyterian Church as presented by Corporate and Business Approved 4. An Intern, Barbara Staton will be an intern at the church for six months Approved 5. Patrick Buckiewicz is to be offered one of the trips from the auction from Elite Travel as reparation for all the work he has done in preparing and running a successful auction in Nov. 2018 Approved 6. The newly established Grief Support group will be meeting once a month beginning in March on the third Saturday of the month from 10-12 Approved 7. The NA group will expand its meeting time to meet on Saturdays in the upper room of the Fowler House as an alternative space. Approved 8. The Nominating committee presented its slate of members. Session: Steve Lynn will be moving so cannot re-up, the committee needs to find a replacement Deacons: Marilyn Tropiano & Pat Rooms will serve another term. Diana Bishop, Christine Button and Liz Malloy will be new members Nominating: Pat Rooms will be the Deacon representative. Lynne Nayman will be the representative from Session. Two people are needed from the congregation. 9. Spirit Talk will be the primary sponsor for a city-wide youth conference in the Spring. Spirit Talk will be held at the Peek skill Coffee House in May and in July with the hopes of con tinuing there on a quarterly basis 10. Installation and Ordination Sunday will be held on Sunday, February 10, 2019 during the worship service. 11. Leadership Communications Training Workshop will be held on February 16, 2019 from 8:30 3:30 pm. All the officers and ministry leaders are asked to attend. Pastor Graham Walker will host a new members gathering at the manse on Saturday March 30 from 1-3. 12. We need an emergency weather plan for Sundays in case of snow to get the status of church opening/closing to the congregation quickly. 13. The Lay Ministry is being planned for September. 14. The next presbytery meeting is January 29 2019 at Stony Point. The March 26, 2019 meeting will be attended by Lynne Nayman. 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. The Messenger - February 2019 - Page 3
Little Known Black History Facts Did you know that enslaved Black people could not obtain patents for their inventions? Like many things in this nation, enslaved Black people did not have the right to their own creations. The Patent Act of 1793 and 1836 prohibited enslaved Africans from obtaining patents because Black people were not citizens and were excluded from all liberties. However, five years after the Civil War, in 1870, the U.S. government granted all inventors rights to their inventions. But for many, that was too little, too late. James Forten was born in 1766 as a free Black man in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Over the course of his lifetime, he would make an impact upon the fortunes of industries and the lives of his fellow man. Forten was the son of Thomas and Sarah Forten and the grandson of slaves. He was raised in Philadelphia and educated in Anthony Benezet s Quaker school for colored children. At age eight, James began working for Robert Bridges sail loft, and worked alongside his father. A year later his father died in a boating accident and James was forced to take on additional work to provide for his family. When he turned 14 he worked as a powder boy during the Revolutionary War on the Royal Lewis sailing ship. After being captured by the British, he was released and returned home to again begin working in Mr. Bridges loft. Pleased with his work and ambition, Mr. Bridges eventually appointed him to the foreman s position in the loft. In 1798 Bridges decided to retire and wanted Forten to remain in charge of the loft. He loaned enough money to Forten to purchase the loft and soon James owned the business, employing 38 people. Around this time, Forten began experimenting with different types of sails for ships and finally invented one that he found was better suited for maneuvering and maintaining greater speeds. Although he did not patent the sail, he was able to benefit financially, as his sailing loft became one of the most successful and prosperous ones in Philadelphia. The Messenger - February 2019 - Page 4
The fortune he soon made was enormous for any man, Black or White. Forten spent his money and lived a luxurious life, but he also made good use of his resources on people other than his self. More than half of his considerable fortune was devoted towards abolitionist causes. He often purchased slaves freedom, helped to finance and bring in funding for William Garrison s newspaper, the Libertarian, opened his home on Lombard Street as an Underground Railroad depot and opened a school for Black children. James Forten died in 1842 after living an incredible life. His early years were devoted to providing for his mother, his middle years towards building his fortune and supporting his family and his later years to uplifting his fellow man. He was not only a great inventor, but an even greater man. George Edward Alcorn, Jr. is a physicist whose work in the aerospace industry helped revolutionize astrophysics and semiconductor manufacturing. He is credited with 20 inventions, eight of which he received patents for. Perhaps his best-known innovation is for an x-ray spectrometer used to analyze distant galaxies and other deep-space phenomena, which he patented in 1984. Alcorn's research into plasma etching, for which he received a patent in 1989, is still used in the production of computer chips, also known as semiconductors. Dr. Patricia Bath is an Amercan ophthalmologist, inventor and academic. She received a doctorate from Howard University College of Medicine and was also the first African-American woman doctor to receive a patent for a medical purpose. In 1981 she received a patent for the Laserphaco Probe, which is used to treat cataracts. Dr. Bath s laser probe made cataract surgery faster and more accurate, and she has been credited with saving thousands of people from losing their sight. The Messenger - February 2019 - Page 5
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN/WOMEN OF HOPE CIRCLE Invite all men and women to celebrate the Month of Heart with us in the Worshipping Center Please bring a "Brown Bag" lunch, Beverages & dessert are provided. Friday, February 8, 2019 (12:00 PM to 3:00 PM) Harry L. Campbell, President of Biofeedback Resources International will present the topic "How Breathing Can Change The Heart" He will reference biblical texts. Come share some relaxation techniques. RSVP to the Hostess Committee Chair, Eartha Brown (Home) 845-565-4360 (Cell) 845-568-7082 ebrown7030@yahoo.com MUSIC MINISTRY I hope everyone had a happy new year, and a special thank you to our talented members of the music ministry including Susan Gardner, Lauren Lizzo and Fred Froebrich, who helped to make last weeks service extra special. As we look forward to February, we will be planning a Gospel Music Sunday on February 17th where we will celebrate the service with using Gospel music and some extra musical flare, be sure to join us and invite your friends. As always if you are interested in joining us we have rehearsals on Wednesday evening and Sunday morning before the service. All the best, Matt SUNDAY SCHOOL Greetings from your Sunday School teachers! In January we learned about "The Good Shepherd." In the Bible God says, "I will watch over my sheep and I will take care of them." Take a look below at a Psalm we wrote! As a reminder, Sunday School meets the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month. February Sunday School dates are as follows: February 10th; February 24th As always, the nursery is open for restless children and their parents. The service is broadcast in the nursery so families can stay tuned to the worship. Yours Truly, CE Ministry Sunday School Teachers, Bethany Sposato, Brenda Martinez, and Patrick Buckiewicz The Messenger - February 2019 - Page 6
CLERK'S CORNER February is traditionally associated with the month of recognition of love. The good news is that God is Love every month. He loved us so that we could go out and love others like He loved us. I wanted to share what Lynne Chapman wrote about God s Love for us. May you all be surrounded by love and continue to share your love for all those around you. I send my love to all of you not only this month but always. (Please be aware that the following bulleted comments are not bible verses. Each is the promise and encouragement that I receive from studying the indicated passage.) God is love God demonstrated His agape love. Even though we were of no use to Him - we had no value to the Creator of the universe - He sent His Son to die as a sacrifice for our guilt. I have never deserved God's love but He loved me anyway. Romans 5:8 God responds to those who love Him. He promises that if we look for Him we will find Him. God let Himself be found by me even when I didn't know what I was looking for. He knew what I needed and what my soul was longing for. Proverbs 8:17 Jesus loves me in the same way that God the Father loves Him. He wants me to feel secure in that love. When I obey Jesus, just as Jesus obeyed His Father, I remain feeling at home within His love. Jesus told us this so that we will be filled with joy. This is joy that Jesus gives and joy that is not dependent on our circumstances. It is joy that bubbles up inside of us no matter what happens. Jesus wants me to love others in the same way He loved me. He laid down His life - died for me. At the very least, I can put myself out or allow myself to be uncomfortable, for someone else. John 15:9-13 God is love. I know about God's love and I believe in how much God loves me. The Bible says that when I live in this love, I live in God and God lives in me. This is hard to understand but I have seen the results. I have seen the ability to love others grow in me. Because I love God, I can love other people. I love because God loved me first. 1 John 4:16,19 I show that I have love for Jesus by obeying Him. Since I love Jesus, I am loved by God the Father. Jesus promises that He loves me and is making it possible for me to know Him as He really is. John 14:21 Not much in this world lasts, but three things do - faith, hope and love. Faith is confidence and trust in God. Hope is joyful expectation of eternal salvation - expectation of a permanent home in heaven. Love is true affection for God and for others - affection that grows out of God's love for me. Three things last, faith, hope and love. The greatest of these three things is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 I am certain that nothing will ever tear me away from God's love. Nothing in this life or the next, nothing seen or unseen, not even my own fears or worries, absolutely nothing can separate me from God's love. That means that nothing, not even the powers of hell, will ever win out over God's love. It isn't because of my strength or anything that I do, but because of Jesus Christ who calls me His own. Romans 8:38-39 The Messenger - February 2019 - Page 7
God Does Provide! 'Twas two days before Christmas and my grandchildren were still without a Christmas tree. Their kitchen was undergoing renovations, which had begun just before Thanksgiving. Surely they would be finished before Christmas, and of course they were not. In a small apartment, renovating the kitchen meant all of the pots and pans and cabinet doors and more were on the floor in the dining room and living room. Just as there was no room at the inn for the Holy Family, there was no room in the house for a Christmas tree. And not much time to get one anyway. Well, perhaps there could be a small one in the girls' bedroom and, after all, they were old enough to understand the predicament. But still, a Christmas tree is a wonderful thing. It was two days before Christmas and my son-in-law came to borrow our van. On the way through the garage, he passed the trash area where people leave unwanted items. and there, next to an old mattress and a trash can was a perfectly lovely Christmas tree! Why would someone throw a Christmas tree away two days before Christmas? Going on a trip? Maybe. I can only guess. And so, there was the tree and the van to carry it home in. Needless to say, everyone was thrilled with this wonderful find. A space was found to fit the tree and the children, old enough to understand the predicament, were capable enough to trim the tree! So all is well, that ends well, I guess. But I like closure! The next morning, as I left the garage, I noticed someone checking out the trash. Looking for something in particular, I asked. Well no, he said. I was just wondering what happened to that Christmas tree that was here last night. And I was able to tell him. Now you can see that there were actually two trees in the trash on the day before Christmas. I am hoping the second one made someone as happy as the first one made my family. What a wonderful God we have. God really does think of everything! And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19) Barbara Devir, CRE Happy Saint Valentine's Day The Messenger - February 2019 - Page 8
News from the Haiti Mission School February 2019 Acts 9:17-18 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul s eyes, and he could see again. Haiti Mission School P.O. Box 445 Lake Luzerne, NY 12846 haitimissionschool@gmail.com www.haitimissionschool.org At one time it was believed that the sun, moon and stars revolved around planet earth. **** Fancy if you will The missionary heading to the third world. She imagines how she will help The poor hungry unfortunate And lift them from their poverty. Perhaps if the scales fall from her eyes, They will be opened to see That wealth consists of more than one s bankroll-- That Christ is alive and active In other parts of the world and mission work is a two-way street--a partnership. Poem by Tom Parsons* In this picture, JoEllen is eating Joumou, a special Haitian pumpkin soup, steeped in history, and made for us by our good friend Marie Claude. Over the years we have known her, Marie Claude has demonstrated in numerous ways what real faith is. Our own sense of hope and faith has grown tremendously as we have seen Haitians like Marie Claude live their faith daily. We believe this gift, given to us, is at least as valuable (if not more so) as the things we give them from our abundance. Other team members we have taken to Haiti have stated how much their own faith has grown through getting to know Haitians and experiencing how they live their faith. Team Heading to Haiti Howard Nicols and JoEllen Parsons will be accompanying a team to Haiti March 15-25. (Follow us on Facebook at JoEllen Parsons and/or Howard Nicols. Both are posted publically. It will take a couple of days to get up and running.) The primary purposes of the trip include following up on the fall trip, visiting the school, our secondary students (always a special treat), Howard s projects and assisting Dr. Jena Curtis in her work with our young women and others. More specifically, we will meet with both Inspector Kazy and the school committee. We are hoping to find the government is more faithfully committed to supporting the school, with completed staffing and books for both teachers and students. Everyone hopes we will be able to come together and begin the process of constructing a much needed building. We continue to remind ourselves that life (and our mission) is a process and things happen in God s time and in God s way, and that is the best time and way. (PATIENCE!) The committee has requested that we assist them with uniforms. Students at nearly all schools in Haiti wear uniforms. Uniforms instill a sense of school pride and result in a greater sense of equality among the students. The committee has asked us to help replace ¼ of the uniforms each year (we buy the material they make the uniforms). Material costs about $6.00 each at current exchange rates, and at current student levels that will cost about $250 per year. We are also continuing to provide a hot meal each school day for students, teachers and others at the school. Again, we thank you for your prayers and support for this mission and please remember to continue to pray for Sabrina and the other Haitian Restavec children. *Published in his book The Haitian Chronicles, available from amazon.com. All proceeds from sale of the book go to the ministry for the school. The Messenger - February 2019 - Page 9
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all those who were born in the Month of FEBRUARY. FEBRUARY 2019 Lord's Attic Thrift Shop Hours: 10 Am-3 PM Wed, Thurs, & Sat. SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 27 9:15am-Chancel 10:00am-Worship 11:30am-Coffee Hour 12:00pm-2:00pm COMMEMORATION VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST 7-9:00pm-NA 27 BIRTH DEFECTS PREVENTION MONTH 29 Astrological Sign Capricorn (till 19th) & Aquarius (20th ) 30 7:30am-Prayer Call 6:30pm-AA 7:00pm-Chancel 8:00pm-Praise NAT'IONAL CROISSANT DAY 31 FRUITS & VEGES OF THE MONTH Tangerines, Raisins, Quinoa, Yucca Root, Sun Dried Tomatoes February 1 4:30pm-8:30pm Youth Ministry NATIONAL WEAR RED DAY 2 8:30am-Breakfast 3 9:15am-Chancel 10:00am-Worship (with Communion) 11:30am-Annual Mtg. 12:00pm-2:00pm SUPER BOWL 7-9:00pm-NA WORLD CANCER DAY 4 5 7:30pm-Christian Ed - CHINESE NEW YEAR 7:30am-Prayer Call 6:00pm-7:00pm "Thirsty: Bible Study 6:30pm-AA 7:00pm-Chancel 8:00pm-Praise 6 7:00pm- Corporate & Business 7 12:00pm-Women 8 of Hope Meeting 4:30pm-8:30pm Youth Ministry 7:00pm-Bridge (at J. Kaiser's) 6:00pm- "Spirit Talk" NAT'L PIZZA DAY 9 10 9:15am-Chancel 10:00am-Worship (with Installation) 11:30am-Coffee Hour 12:00pm-2:00pm GRAMMY AWARDS 11 7-9:00pm-NA FLOWER OF THE MONTH-Violet 12 6:30pm-Deacons 7-8:30pm-Sharing w neighbors @ Drum Hill 13 7:30am-Prayer Call 1:00pm-Ladies Bridge (D. Heaton's) 6:30pm-AA 7:00pm-Chancel 8:00pm-Praise WORLD RADIO DAY 7:00pm-Session VALENTINE'S DAY 14 4:30pm-8:30pm Youth Ministry 15 8:30am-3:30pm Communications Workshop 16 17 9:15am-Praise 10:00am-Worship (with Communion) 11:30am-Coffee Hour 12pm-2pm-G/Heaven 3:00pm-Dinner Set up 5pm-6:30pm-Dinner 7-9:00pm-NA 18 19 20 7:30am-Prayer Call 6:30pm-AA 7:00pm- Chancel 8:00pm- Praise 5:00pm-6:30pm- Head Start Parents Meeting 21 22 10:00am-Womens Day of Prayer Rehearsal 4:30pm-8:30pm Youth Ministry 7:30pm-Book Club 23 9:30am-Gathering of the men 6:00pm- "Spirit Talk" 24 9:15am-Chancel 10:00am-Worship 11:30am-Coffee Hour 12:00pm-2:00pm ACADEMY AWARDS 7-9:00pm-NA 25 FRUITS & VEGES OF THE MONTH Oranges, Star Fruit, Calabaza Squash, Chayote Squash, Bitter Melon 26 27 7:30am-Prayer Call 6:30pm-AA 7:00pm-Chancel 8:00pm-Praise 7:30pm- "Thirsty" 28 Astrological Sign Aquarius (till 18th) & Pisces (19th ) March1 10:00am-3:00PM Women's Day of Prayer Festivities 4:30pm-8:30pm Youth Ministry 2 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 Walker Office Hours Wed: 10AM 3PM, Thurs: 4 7PM On Call Friday and Saturday The Messenger - February 2019 - Page 10 Church Web site: www.peekskillpresby.org Find Us on Face Book: Peekskill Presbyterian Church 705 South Street, Peekskill, NY