The Newsletter November 2017 Woestina Reformed Church 1397 Main St. P.O. Box 420 Rotterdam Junction, NY 12150 Telephone: (518) 887-5152 E-mail: Woestina@localnet.com Web Page Address: http://woestinareformedchurch.org Pastor: the Rev. Kent McHeard Telephone: (518) 843-9061 E-mail: kentmcheard@netscape.net McHeard Moment Thankful to be Van McHeard I have just returned from our fall gathering of the Reformed Church Commissions and General Synod Council meetings. One of the joys I have in these meetings is seeing people across our denomination from the US to Canada that I would not have an opportunity to see. This year we spent considerable time in our joint sessions reflecting on the future of our denomination. Some remain pessimistic I remain hopeful. This is not the first time Jesus stood on the side of a ship and said to the tempest peace be still! One of my pleasures is having conversations with people with whom I have the opportunity to fellowship with during our meal times. During one such meal I spoke with a fellow pastor in the Midwest who upon learning of my Baptist background asked the question I typically get was it difficult for you to go from being a Baptist to Reformed? No, was my answer my theology has always been reformed, was my reply. I enjoy watching the surprised look on the faces of some, well many who ask me that question. I went on to explain. I was an orphan who was a ward of the court in Washington, DC. That resulted in being placed in foster care just across the bridge in Alexandria, Va. I had no choice of where I went to church and I was placed in a home where the parent did not attend church. We were sent to church to give our foster mom some time alone without all those foster kids milling about. We were sent to a number of churches including Baptist. It was in this one Baptist church where I made a profession of faith in June of 1976 that we remained. Church became a refuge for me from the abusive foster home. I began to sense a call to ministry at the age of 12 a year after I made my profession of faith. I began preaching monthly at a Rescue Mission in Washington DC. I distinctly remember somewhat of a
disconnect with what I believed and what the Armenian theology embraced. I could not name that disconnect at that time. I was able to name it during my college years. I was ordained in 1989 in the Bible Baptist. I was the only minister of color, which as I look back was probably why I was accepted. I spent 10 years serving a congregation in that Baptist Church. I also accepted an invitation to serve as stated supply in an Associate Reformed Presbyterian church in Gloversville. I served both congregations for about a year and then went over to the Presbyterian church only. I remained there for 10 years as well. I had the joy of learning of an opening at Woestina Reformed Church and on October 28, 2001 I preached my first sermon. I have been there ever since. This October 29 th will mark my 16 th year at Woestina and my 40 th year of preaching the Gospel of Christ. I have titled this article Thankful to be Van McHeard. Most people who look at me (mainly my skin color) do not think of me as Dutch, but surprise I am! Since I am an orphan and have wanted to know my heritage since I was a teenager. I did a search of my DNA and guess what? I am 89 percent South African. I like to tell people that the remaining percentage comes from Irish and Scandinavian. I come from the areas of Africa where the Belhar came to us. So I am thankful to be Dutch. Respectfully Submitted Rev. Kent A. Van McHeard Special Prayers for Those in Need For Individuals: Paulyn Cox, Catharine Boyd, Elizabeth Irwin, Joe Bennett, Virginia Mastroianni & Cyndy McKay For Our Church Family: Shut-ins, Our Sunday School Children For Our Community, Nation & World Peace: Those serving in the Armed Forces Victims of War The Poor Widows and Orphans Victims of hurricanes, floods and earthquakes Christians throughout the World Please give your prayer requests to Pastor McHeard.
Adult Bible Study Sunday Morning Tuesday Morning Thursday Evening 9:30 am 10:30 am 6:00 pm Birthdays and Anniversaries November Birthdays 2 Nicole Brooks 3 Crais Cowsert 9 Elizabeth Irwin November Anniversaries 4 Al & Ellen Orlup 6 Laverne & Kathy Teaney 15 Robert & Gloria DeNice 26 John & Suzanne Havlik 9 Carol Mellon 17 Donald Brooks 23 David Freer 24 Jan Hunter 27 Debbie Woodward Mission of the Month Soldier On Foundation, Inc. Soldier On is an organization that provides veterans with shelter, support which includes treatment programs and help to transition them from homelessness to home ownership. Case workers assist veterans in designing individualized plans to meet their needs and goals. Their employment program provides specialized services such as financial assistance for education and training, resume planning and financial awareness. Food Pantry The food pantry will continue to be open on the 1 st and 3 rd Saturdays of each month from 9:00 until noon. The pantry is also open for seniors after Ginny s Lunch. Coffee, juice, canned meat, meal packages, complete pancake mix, syrup, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, paper products and laundry detergent are some of the items that always need replenishing. Thank you to all who contribute financially, donate food and personal care products and to Karin for coordinating this important community endeavor.
Ginny s Lunch The next Ginny s Lunch is scheduled for noon on Thursday, November 30 th. Please call 356-7178 for reservations by Monday November 27 th with your choice of soup, along with your name and telephone number. The menu choices for November will be Cream of Broccoli Soup and Chili, with corn bread, dessert and beverage. Thank you to the volunteers and your financial support that make Ginny s Lunch possible. + Christian Symbols + Crown A crown, of course, symbolizes royal authority. As a Christian symbol it represents both Christ as King of kings (Revelation 17:14, for example) and the eternal life promised to Christ s followers: Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life (Revelation 2:10, ESV). The NewsletterNewsletter November 2017 Time to Thank, Time to Share Thanksgiving is a time to share. A roasted turkey stuffed with care, potatoes, yams and buttered rolls are passed around in festive bowls. But first we thank our God above and share with others his great love. The dish served last is always best a slice of pie for every guest. MaryAnn Sundby The NewsletterNewsletter November 2017
Sunday School News
Here are a few dates to enter in your calendar books: Youth group first Sunday of each month, to be held during Sunday school. Also youth group activities will be held once a month on the 3 rd Friday, but this could change according to the planned activity. Age 10 and over are welcome unless it s a game night or other activity in which everyone is invited. Christmas Program rehearsal and baking cookies December 9, 2017 Christmas Program December 17, 2017 during church service Last Supper program during church on March 25, 2018 (Palm Sunday) Youth Sunday will be June 10, 2018. Vacation Bible school will be held July 16 thru July 20, 2018. We are still collecting used greeting cards to donate to St. Jude s Hospital. This is for their Recycled Card Program, they use the front covers to make new holiday and all occasion greeting cards. We also are continuing to collect cans and bottles for recycling as our Youth group fundraiser. You can drop them off at the Country Feed Store, 5040 State Hwy. 30, Amsterdam and tell them they are for the Woestina Reformed Church Youth Group. If you cannot get the cans there you can drop them off at the church and we will get them there. Thanks for your support. Don t forget to invite any child that you may know to come and experience God s great world, also offer a ride because they may need one. Thanks!!!! Nancy Gore Sunday School Director
Potluck Supper Mark Your Calendars You have shown interest in having potluck suppers again. Join us on Saturday, December 9 th at 5:00 pm for our first potluck supper. Please bring your own table service, plates and flatware to make clean-up easier, but if you forget we will provide them for you. Please bring a casserole, or dessert to share. Thank you, veterans! On Veterans Day, we honor men and women who ve served and sacrificed in one of America s armed services. On November 11, 1918, America and her allies signed a truce with German leaders, ending World War I. In 1919, President Wilson decided the United States should remember with gratitude the end of that war and honor military members by marking Armistice Day, or truce day. In 1954, Congress changed the name to Veterans Day, honoring veterans of every era. Veterans Day highlights our country s quest for peace, justice and freedom throughout the world. Followers of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, pray for unity among all nations and for the day when nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore (Isaiah 2:4, NIV). The NewsletterNewsletter November 2017
The Newsletter Team Ray Freer, Ken Brittain, Fran Kugler Thank you to everyone who contributed to this month s newsletter. Items for the newsletter may be placed in the Newsletter Folder in the church office or they may be sent as a Word document to my e-mail address lkugler@nycap.rr.com The newsletter is published September through June. Items for inclusion in the newsletter should be submitted by the 15 th of the previous month. Fran Kugler