United Methodist Church at Shrub Oak 1176 East Main Street Shrub Oak, New York 10588 Office: 914-245-4682 Fax: 914-743-1003 Parsonage: 914-245-3114 E-mail: umcso.ny@gmail.com OUR THIRD CENTURY IN SERVICE OF THE LORD Reverend Iwy Patel-Yatri, Pastor January 2019 Vol. 41, No. 1 Mailed on December 28, 2018 - Next Deadline 1/15/19 NOTE REGARDING HARD COPIES OF THE CHIMES IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE A HARD COPY OF THE CHIMES, KINDLY LET THE OFFICE KNOW IMMEDIATELY. ******************************************************************** Dear UMCSO Family, It feels as if the past year has gone before us in the blink of an eye! As the world prepares the countdown to 2019, I want to take a moment to reflect upon this past year at UMCSO. My heartfelt thanks to each one of you for your generous giving of your time, talents and resources to serve our Lord! As we begin looking ahead to the New Year, let us continue to be guided by the mission statement that we drafted together: We strive to GROW in a relationship with God through Worship, Prayer and Study. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we seek to make Christ s love known as we CONNECT and SERVE others. The following is not an exhaustive list by any means, but just some of the ways God has used us to make a difference in our community, nationally and globally: Crafts for a Cause: This faithful group made many blankets, shawls, squares, hats and scarves to be sent to the sick, and shut-in so they may feel wrapped in God s love. Midnight & Breakfast Runs: Some one hundred sandwiches served and clothes given to the homeless at each run. Thanksgiving Baskets: Fifteen families received harvest bags with food for Thanksgiving. Operation Christmas Child: One hundred & forty-two boxes packed & shipped for distribution to kids. Headstart & Angel Tree: Back to school outfits were given in the summer to children as well as Christmas gifts to 24 headstart children & 44 elderly folks. Mission Possible: Team of 25+ volunteers went out into the community to serve four homeowners with projects around their home. ASP: Five folks served on a week-long mission trip to help a family in Appalachia.
Healing Haiti: Kathy Schiavi served on the mission trip and our church donated $1,150 to provide water directly to people in need in Cite Soleil. As we give thanks to God for using us for His glory, we will continue to reflect upon our mission statement and engage in conversation as we ask ourselves: How are we Growing in a relationship with God and one another, Connecting and Serving together with our community? Another way to examine our lives is by using John Wesley s General Rules: to do good, to do no harm and attend on the ordinances of God (following Christ s teachings and direction). The other day Muriel shared with me about little J.J. who was kind enough to help carry an elderly man s tray to his table because he needed help. J.J. is only 3 years old, but he certainly understood that someone was in need and he immediately connected with that person s need and served them in a simple but profound way. It is wonderful to see J.J. growing in his understanding of how God wants him to live. When I told J.J. that God gave him a kind heart, I could hear J.J. repeat that as he walked away. It was the sweetest thing to hear. I was reminded how Christ can give us a purpose and use us when we give thanks for the gifts and talents he has given to us. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 1:27 that God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. If we rely on our strength, we will not accomplish much in the coming year. However, when we trust in Christ, who is the author and perfecter of our faith, God will do great things for His glory. Friends, God wants to use all of us to share the love of Christ to make a difference. But this will not happen if we rely on our own understanding, strength and might. I am humbled at the opportunity we have been given at UMCSO to point people to Christ. In Paul s letter to the Philippians, he writes, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. As we start another year, may we seek Christ s guidance and the power of the Holy Spirit to lead us in ministry and mission for the transformation of the world! In Christ,
UPCOMING EVENTS Friday Saturday, January 4 th & 5 th Youth Overnight lock-in. Jan. 4, 6pm Jan. 5, 11am Sunday, January 6 th during Worship Installation of New Committee Members. Jan. 6 th - After Worship, New Year s Pancake Brunch JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES Yvonne and Victor Chung 5 Marilyn and Glen Bucher 17 Lisa & Jaime Latasa 31 CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS IN THE SANCTUARY We would like to thank all our members who donated poinsettia plants. Many thanks for the help in setting up the Christmas decorations in our sanctuary. Joan Prentice and Grace Reynolds ------------------------------------- Let s celebrate the New Year together! Please sign up in the. Sunday, January 6 th, 4:00pm Confirmation class Cook & Serve Meal, Jan Peek Shelter. Sunday, January 27 th, after Worship ANNUAL REPORT MEETING Please submit your reports to the office by January 15 th so that we have time to compile the Annual Report booklet.. LEST WE FORGET Gertrude Dearman Our beloved sister entered life triumphant on December 1st, 2018. We will miss our dear friend but rejoice that she is with our Lord! Please keep the family in your prayers. JANUARY BIRTHDAYS Russ Reynolds 1 Mike Pereira 2 Brice Coleman 3 Laura Hoenig 4 Dominick Schiavi 4 Augustus Aryee 6 Bryan Weed 6 Robert Reynolds 8 Lillian Maskiell 9 Ruth Bush 12 Mary Ferreira 12 Tim Carey 14 Annette Reynolds 17 Elliot "Jay" Drisko 18 Linda Hoernes 21 Thomas Antonucci 23 Kiran Matthews 23 Peter Sutton 23 Sawyer Gilbert 24 Christina Montaldo 24 Shirley Thompson 24 Garrett Ayling 25 Ella Young 25 Michael Antonucci, Jr. 29 Tommy DeMartino 30 James Gale 30 Margaret Reid 31 ANGEL TREE A special thank you to everyone who contributed to the Angel Tree. The gifts were greatly appreciated by the Head Start kids and those receiving Meals on Wheels. It is wonderful that our church is able to help our local community and let them know we care. Thanks again! Linda Hoernes ------------------------------------- A special thanks to all our volunteers who so willingly give of their time and talent. Acolytes Michael Antonucci Sophia Stella Patti Scozzari Debbie Vesuvio
Audio Visual Marilyn Bucher Cliff Cullum Evan Yatri Chimes Mary Ferreira Communications Marilyn Bucher Communion Elements Patricia Scozzari Debbie Vesuvio Coffee Hour Hosts Caroline Matthews Donovan Matthews Jean Engel Fernando Arias Marshall Moseley Worship Committee Greeters Grace Reynolds Beth Gilleo & Don Hoffmann Kathy Schiavi Bill Carlock Glen & Marilyn Bucher Hospitality Jean Engel Maxine Haigh Grace Reynolds Rachel Ward Ushers Maria DeMartino Annette Reynolds Joy Santaroni Patti Scozzari Debbie Vesuvio Kathy Schiavi + + + + + + + + + + + FINANCE NOTES Leaving a Legacy - There are different ways to leave a legacy by remembering the church in your will. For more information, please read the Legacy trifold placed in the back of the pews. Please contact us if you would like us to email or mail you the brochure. Pledge Cards - If you have not returned your pledge card for 2019, please consider doing so in early January. You may put it in the offering plate or mail it to the church c/o Financial Secretary. There will be some in most pew racks for several weeks, and there are some at the back of the sanctuary. UMCOR - In the November CHIMES there was a summary of an appeal by Bishop Bickerton for a special offering to go to United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), for their relief efforts for those affected by Hurricanes Florence and Michael. In the month of November you contributed $885.00 in response to that appeal. In December we have sent that amount to the Conference office via a check payable to UMCOR. One hundred percent of that will go to relief efforts. Thanks for your compassion and generosity. Marshall Moseley for Finance Committee
NOTE FROM OUR LAY LEADER DIANNE BENINCASA The other day I read this story on the internet about a man who was driving and came across a cardboard box in the middle of the road. He swerved around the box to avoid it. When he looked back in his rear view mirror, he saw a young child crawling out of the box. He quickly stopped, grabbed the child and took the child back home to find out that his mother hadn t realized that the child had left the backyard. This story reminded me of a book I read which stated that if you want to walk on water, You have to get out of the boat. If you haven t read it, I suggest you do. Boat Box it doesn t matter. Sometimes we too need to get out of the box/boat we are in to realize the danger around us the danger of the loss of eternal life without a personal relationship with Jesus think about it. We are lost without Him. I started thinking about a person in my life, who doesn t believe in Jesus. That frightens me. I pray for him every night. He just doesn t realize the danger of losing eternal life. I will keep him in my nightly prayers in hope that he will someday, wake up and smell the coffee. Is there someone in your life that needs rescuing? Why not ask our heavenly Father to help him/her along with us to get out of our little boxes so that we too can have the courage to reach out to others. Reach out and touch somebody s hand It s a new year with new goals, let us reach out to our community together. Just like Diana Ross song which says, "Reach out and touch, somebody s hand, make it a better place, if you can." I believe WE can, with our heavenly Father, leading the way. Happy New Year to my church family!
SUNDAY SCHOOL CORNER... from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ~ 2 Timothy 3:15 As we move into the New Year, we can look back upon many wonderful holiday events, and we have many more to anticipate. December was busy, but exciting for our children and youth. We prepared for the season with our annual Trim-A-Tree event on Dec. 2 nd. Our children of all ages created beautiful ornaments to decorate the tree in the sanctuary. After a pizza dinner, the children hung the ornaments, and we all participated in a sing-along led by Rob Gutowski. In church, Rachel Pinto and Lisa Grace helped the children understand the story of Christ s birth through the Advent children s moments. The middle school class also created a bulletin board to teach us the meaning of the different candles that we lit each week. Our children and youth were blessed with many opportunities to celebrate the season with music and drama. On December 9 th, the confirmation class went Christmas caroling at the Cortlandt Healthcare nursing home. Thanks to the joint efforts of many people, our children narrated a pageant for our amazing, good-spirited adults to perform during the worship service on December 23rd. And on Christmas Eve, we had not one, but TWO bell choirs perform the Hallelujah Chorus and Joy to the World. Many thanks to Cory Casey for directing the pageant and bell choirs! Finally, mark your calendars for some important events to come in the New Year! On Sunday, January 6 th, we will be holding our annual New Year s Breakfast after worship. Chef Jack Flapjack Casey will provide pancakes, and there will be a sign-up sheet posted for other items. On the same day, our confirmands will be cooking dinner for residents of the Jan Peek House in Peekskill. We pray for a blessed New Year for all. Yours in Christ, The Sunday School Teachers
SINGING THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRIST! For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. CAROLING AT THE JV MALL On December 16 th, UMCSO traveled for the second time to the Jefferson Valley Mall to sing Carols reminding everyone of the reason for the season Christ! What a fun time we had as twenty of us gathered after church to bring a little Christmas Cheer to the busy shoppers in the form of Caroling. We were accompanied by our much-loved pianist, Alex, who is able to make everyone sound good. We sang traditional Christmas carols as well as a few secular songs and our joyful noise seemed to be well-received. Many shoppers sang along with us and/or smiled as they passed by. We were able to use the new UMCSO banner also which identified who we were and that UMCSO is alive and well in the neighborhood. Many thanks to Annette for setting this up. We hope to do this again next year and invite you to join us as we proclaim the good news of joy! + + + + + + + + + + + Memories of Christmas around 1938-1939 By Shirley Townsend (Originally published in Chimes 2005) My favorite memories of Christmas are of the evening programs held at the Shrub Oak Methodist Church about one week before Christmas. In a child s memory, there was always snow on the ground as my parents and I drove up to the church, past the library where the life size crèche was lit. The characters having been drawn by the Rosette family. The stained glass windows of the church were beautiful with the light coming through them. The church bells would toll out from the belfry to call attention to the fact that something special was going on at church that evening. The custodian would have fired up the coal furnaces and the two grilles in the floor of the main aisle would have warm air flowing up. For weeks the children of the Sunday school would have been rehearsing for the program. Mr. & Mrs. Bill Zugner, Miss Helen Dyckman, Mrs. Helen Purdy, Miss Agda Olsen to name a few, and the minister and volunteers would have been hard at work making scenery, decorating the huge, live, donated Christmas tree and placing greens in the sanctuary. The program, I remember so vividly was a playlet called, Santa s Workshop. We children were all dressed like toys and repeated poems called pieces, danced to Toyland and the wooden soldiers marched to the tune of the March of the Wooden Soldiers. It was an elaborate production with large blocks, out from which came the Jack in the Box.
Then came the traditional Christmas Story with the boys in their bathrobes portraying the shepherds, the three kings, angels and Mary & Joseph and baby Jesus. One year they used my baby doll for baby Jesus and I was so happy. The men of the church led by Bill Zugner had been at work for weeks to build the elaborate set so gaily painted. On the night of the program the Sunday School Superintendent kept getting these mysterious telegrams telling of the spottings of Santa Claus who was due to arrive at any minute. He would have been spotted in Jefferson Valley, or in Mohegan or Stony Street and we children would get more and more excited with each new telegram. When the story of Christ s birth had been told, and we children were ready to burst with excitement, hoof beats would be heard on the roof and sleigh bells jingling in the night. The superintendent would hush us all to listen and the church would grow silent, when all of a sudden the main doors would open and the jolly old elf himself appeared. As he came down the aisle he seemed to recognize so many adults and asked them if they had been good, or ask about some prank he would remember that they had done in childhood. Bill Geis, Sr., was often picked on by Santa and the adults would all be laughing. He finally made his way down to the platform and found a seat, teasing the minister about his behavior, as he took his place. Then came the best part, each child had a present, chosen by their teacher, that came out of Santa s bag which was refilled by busy teachers. Horne Insurance Agency and Judge Ennu Brown always supplied an orange and a box of candy for each child. I remember the year I received a blue, glass tea set. My teacher was Miss Alice Porter when I was five. At last when the presents had been distributed, Santa would say he had other stops to make and leave the church, shaking hands as he left. With oranges rolling around the floor and arms full of wrappings and the candy box held by its string handle, we would at last find our parents and make our way home. Shrub Oak was a working community and we did not have the huge Christmases with large quantities of toys that the children have today. But the memories of Christmas always include the Shrub Oak Church for me, bringing back such fond memories and I am sure many other people who grew up at that time include these precious memories when they think of Christmas.
Youth Group in New York City By Cory Casey On Sunday, December 16th, the Youth Group braved a very rainy morning to venture into New York City. We attended a Hillsong worship service, enjoyed $1 pizza slices and visited Rockefeller Plaza for a quick group photo in front of the tree. Although it was wet and cold, there were many smiles and positive attitudes. It was a great day had by all and we look forward to our next Hillsong service! + + + + + + + + + + + OVERNIGHT YOUTH LOCK IN Friday, January 4 th, 6:00 pm - Saturday, January 5 th, 11:00 am FUN, GAMES & PJ S IN THE CHURCH! Don t miss out on the fun! Mark your calendars
LECTIONARY SCRIPTURE READINGS (FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY, 2019) Sunday, January 6 th Sunday, January 13 th Sunday, January 20 th (Epiphany Sunday) (Baptism of the Lord) (2 nd Sunday After Epiphany) (Human Relations Day) Isaiah 60:1-6 Isaiah 43:1-7 Isaiah 62:1-5 Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 Psalm 29 Psalm 36:5-10 Ephesians 3:1-2 Acts 8:14-17 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Matthew 2:1-2 Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 John 2:1-11 Sunday, January 27 th (3 rd Sunday After Epiphany) Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 Psalm 19 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a Luke 4:14-21 In his recent visits to the six districts, Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton has been conducting a dialogue about the specially called session of General Conference, and urging a new round of daily prayer for the work of those who will gather in St. Louis. Inspired by the conference dates of February 23-26, 2019, the bishop has asked that members of the conference pause to pray for three minutes from 2:23 to 2:26 each afternoon. This renewed effort joins with the third phase of the Council of Bishops initiative called Praying Our Way Forward. That initiative s focus is two-fold: Praying that God will help us to fulfill the mission of the church, and praying to be one in Christ. Bishop Bickerton has also asked for continued prayers for the NYAC delegation: Delegates Laity: Frederick Brewington, Gail Douglas-Boykin, Jorge Lockward, and Dorothea Benz Clergy: Timothy J. Riss, Noel N. Chin, Kristina D. Hansen, and Alexandre da Silva Souto Alternates Laity: Tiffany French Goffe, Ann Craig, Roena A. Littlejohn, and Karen Prudente Clergy: Vicki I. Flippin, Sheila M. Beckford, Martha E. Vink, and Sungchan Kim The 864 delegates from around the globe will receive the report of the Commission on A Way Forward, and work on determining what direction the church should take in its longstanding debate over homosexuality. Additional information about the initiative and prayer resources, including a video invitation from Bishop Bickerton, may be found on the NYAC website. (www.nyac.com)
EVERY SUNDAY IS FOOD SUNDAY 1 New Year s Day JANUARY 2019 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2 3 4 5 Small Group 1 Prayer Group Small Group 2 10:30-11:30 am 11:00-11:30 am 10:00 am Chapel Men s Group 8:00-9:00 am Crafts for a Cause 11:00 am Small Group Leaders 9:30 am 6 Epiphany of the Lord (White) Communion Sunday 9:30 am Adult Sunday School 10:30 am Worship w/installation of New Committee Members; New Year s Brunch After Worship 12-1:00 pm Choir Practice 4:00 pm Confirmation Class Cook meal at Church for Jan Peek Shelter 7 Women s Small Group 6:30 pm Trustees Meeting 7:30 pm 8 Bible Studies 10:00 am & 8:00 pm 9 Small Group 1 10:30-11:30 am 10 Prayer Group 11:00-11:30 am Chapel 11 Youth Group Lock In Begins at 6:00 pm Small Group 2 10:00 am Crafts for a Cause 11:00 am Youth Group Lock In Concludes at 11:00 am 12 13 Baptism of the Lord (White) 9:30 am Adult Sunday School 10:30 am Worship 12-1:00 pm Choir Practice 12-2:00 pm Youth Group Upper Room 14 Women s Small Group 6:30 pm 15 Bible Studies 10:00 am & 8:00 pm Chimes Deadline 16 Small Group 1 10:30-11:30 am 17 Prayer Group 11:00-11:30 am Chapel 18 Small Group 2 10:00 am Crafts for a Cause 11:00 am 19 Men s Group 8:00-9:00 am Small Group Leaders 9:30 am 20 2 nd Sunday After Epiphany (Green) (Human Relations Day) 9:30 am Adult Sunday School 10:30 am Worship 12-1:00 pm Choir Practice 12-2:00 pm Youth Group Upper Room 21 Women s Small Group 6:30 pm Vision Table 7:30 pm 22 Bible Studies 10:00 am & 8:00 pm 23 Small Group 1 10:30-11:30 am 24 Prayer Group 11:00-11:30 am Chapel 25 Small Group 2 10:00 am Crafts for a Cause 11:00 am 26 27 3 rd Sunday After Epiphany (Green) 9:30 am Adult Sunday School 10:30 am Worship 11:45 am Annual Report meeting 12-1:00 pm Choir Practice 12-2:00 pm Youth Group Upper Room 28 Women s Small Group 6:30 pm 29 Bible Studies 10:00 am & 8:00 pm 30 Small Group 1 10:30-11:30 am 31 Prayer Group 11:00-11:30 am Chapel