Called by God to welcome, nurture, and serve in the name of Christ. Office 315-788-5630 Email Stonep@centralny.twcbc.com 2018 Stone Presbyterian Church 140 Chestnut Street Watertown, NY 13601 Sunday Worship Service 10:45 am Website www.stonepreschurch.com Facebook StonePresbyterianChurch Office Hours 9:00 A.M.- 1:00 P.M. Tuesday - Friday Worship Ministers Pastor The Reverend Elizabeth (Libby) Moses Organist Chris Hyde-Hall Choir Director Jeannie Greenwood Handbell Choir Director Nancy Boynton Church Staff Secretary Linda White Sexton Francis Conti Newsletter Contents Pastor s Pondering 1 Lectionary, Birthdays & Anniversaries, Flowers 2 November Meetings & Events, Hospital List 3 Session Updates, Election Day, Urban Mission Coat Drive 4 Poinsettia & Memory Tree Order Forms 5 Prayer Chain, Church Officers, Caring for the Congregation, Family & Friends Dinners 6 Events Calendar Prayer Calendar Pastor s Pondering It is November. The time of year we celebrate and give thanks for a time when those who came to America to live were supported by the Natives living on this land we now call the United States of America. It was not an easy time, and the newcomers lived with what we consider scarcity or a lack of abundance. Thanks to the Native Americans the newcomers were able to survive. There was an abundance of resources as together they sat down to share a meal. At times I feel there is a scarcity of resources in my life. At times I feel I do not have enough money. At times I feel I do not have the knowledge and skills that are needed to do what I feel and know needs to be done. At times I do not feel I have the support I need to be a single parent supporting a child with special needs. It all can feel overwhelming and to a certain degree like there is a lack of shalom/wholeness. Stone Presbyterian Church is entering into a season of Stewardship/Pledge dedication. At times, as a congregation, we may feel we do not have the finances we need. At times we feel like we do not have enough members to support the church both financially and also in terms of sharing our time, talents, and knowledge. We feel we live in a state of scarcity. I would suggest that we change our perspective as we view our personal lives and the mission and ministry of our congregation. I would suggest that we consider looking at our lives through the lens of abundance. So, I thank God for the fact that I have a salary that some people do not have. I am thankful for all the counselors, doctors, educators, church members, friends, and family that support me in my parenting. I am thankful for opportunities to go to conferences and for colleagues from whom I can learn and further develop my skills. As the pastor of Stone, I see abundance. I invite you to join me in giving thanks for all the gifts that the members and friends of the congregation have: cooking, sewing, woodworking, singing, playing musical instruments, understanding finances, sharing wisdom that comes with age, building maintenance skills, listening/caring hearts, etc. I am thankful for the gifts from those who passed away, the monies in our foundation. God s story tells us that out of even scarcity comes abundance. Jesus with two fish and five loaves fed thousands. The widow of Zarephath, who was about to run out of food, used the last of her flour and olive oil to feed Elijah and ended up with flour and olive oil that did not run out. Our God is a God of abundance not of scarcity. We are called to be thankful and give what we can. Peace and Grace, Pastor Libby
Lectionary Texts for November 2018 November 4 24th Sunday after Pentecost Ruth 1:1-18; Psalm 146; Hebrews 9:11-14; Mark 12:28-34 November Birthdays Page 2 November 11 25th Sunday after Pentecost Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17; Psalm 127; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44 November 18 26th Sunday after Pentecost 1 Samuel 1:4-20; 1 Samuel 2:1-10; Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18), 19-25; Mark 13:1-8 November 25 Christ the King/Reign of Christ 2 Samuel 23:1-7; Psalm 132:1-12 (13-18); Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37 Elizabeth Reed November 1 Heather Drew November 4 Nancy Keeney November 7 Ian Reed November 7 Jen Lewis November 9 Orvis Calhoun November 12 Alicia Dalton November 12 Kathleen Marks November 17 Maxine Perkins November 17 Francis Conti November 21 Barbara Milton November 29 November Anniversaries Sunday Flowers Sign Up The 2018 flower schedule is on the bulletin board in the hallway. The fee for the flowers is $10.00. Please give the office your bulletin information and the fee for the flowers. Please place your money in a yellow Flower Fund envelope found to the left of the flower schedule and put it in the secretary s mailbox or in the collection plate during worship. Do not leave any money on the secretary s desk. November Flower Delivery Jessica Branche Phillip & Kathie Compeau November 7 William & Barbara Milton November 12 Robert & Mary Schweitzer November 16
Meetings & Events Page 3 November 1 Thursday is All Saints Day. November 3 Family & Friends Dinner will be Saturday, at 5:30 pm. A presentation by a police officer about scams will be featured. November 4 Communion will be during our 10:45 am Sunday worship. November 6 Tuesday is Election Day. This general election day the polls open at 6:00 am and close at 9:00 pm. Our church will have a Bake Sale that this day until old is sold. November 7, 14, 21, & 28 Wednesdays at Noon we will have a Bible/Book Study. November 11 Sunday it is Veterans Day. The church office will be closed as usual on Monday, and also on Tuesday, November 13th. November 13 Tuesday there will be a Presbytery Meeting in Ogdensburg, NY. There will be a Pastoral Care Committee Meeting at 4:30 pm November 14 Wednesday there will be a Worship and Music Committee Meeting held at 4:30 pm. November 18 After the Sunday worship there will be a Fellowship Hour. Join us for refreshments and conversation. November 20 Tuesday there will be a Session Meeting at 6:30 pm. November 22 Thursday it is Thanksgiving Day. The church office will be closed that day. November Hospital Calling List Week of: Stuart Price November 4 Kathie Strader November 11 Jon Hall November 18 Bob Siver November 25 A Reminder Daylight Savings Time ends Sunday, November 4th. Turn your clocks back one hour.
Session Update From it s October 9th meeting: Jessica Branche opened the meeting with a devotion and prayer. Session members were reminded about the next step of the New Beginnings program which is a Come and See presentation on October 27. The Mission and Outreach committee reported that all is going forward for the Bazaar being held on Oct 13. Looking for donations of bake goods to be sold on Nov 6 th when the church serves as a polling site for the election. Money collected to be donated to the Volunteer Transportation Program. Nurture Committee reported that the next Family and Friends Dinner will be on Nov 3 rd. A police officer will come to share about scams. Worship and Music Committee reported that the average attendance in worship during September was 43. Pastor Libby shared information regarding the CROP Walk on Oct 28. Registration will be 1:30 pm at Stone Presbyterian Church and the walk to start at 2:00 pm and end at the church. Jeannie Greenwood volunteered to do the devotion at the next meeting on November 20. Page 4 November 6th (Tuesday) is the General Election Day. Stone Presbyterian Church is a voting location from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm for the local district. Election Day Bake Sale at Stone Presbyterian Church is from 7:00 am until the baked goods are gone. Volunteers to work are needed Baked goodies may be dropped off in the Social Room Monday evening November 5th from 6 8 pm or any time on the 6th. Sign up sheets are in Friendship Hall. Please contact Maxine Perkins with any question at 315-661-6860. Thank you. URBAN MISSION COAT DRIVE Winter Is On Its Way! The Critical Needs program at the Mission asks that you consider donating to those in need in your community. All size children's coats, snow pants, boots, mittens and hats. Also needed are new or gently used adult large sizes, both men's and women's XL, 2XL, 3XL, coats, sweatshirts, sweatpants and adult size winter foot wear. Please bring your gently used or new outerwear for a neighbor or neighborhood child. At Stone Church please leave your donations in the closet designated in Friendship Hall. The Watertown Urban Mission Food Pantry would like donations of canned gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, canned vegetables and dessert items in time for Thanksgiving.
Annual 2018 Memory Tree Order Form (bulbs $1 each name) Stone Church offers a special way for you to remember your friends and loved ones at Christmas time. It is our very own Memory Tree. You may purchase a Christmas light bulb in memory of your friends or loved ones for $1.00 each with funds going to Hospice. The red bulbs will be in honor of the living and the white bulbs in memory of the deceased. We will read the names and light the Memory Tree during the morning service on Sunday, December 9 th. Please make checks payable to Stone Presbyterian Church. Please return the completed form to the Church Office by Sunday, December 2 nd. We hope to have a brightly lit tree on the 9 th! Thank you. Your Name: Phone: In memory of: (deceased) In memory of: (deceased) In honor of: (living) In honor of: (living) Page 5 2018 order form for Poinsettias $10.00 each Checks payable to Stone Presbyterian Church These poinsettias will decorate our sanctuary and taken home after the holidays. Order deadline is Sunday, December 9 th to have the information in the bulletins for December 16 th and 23 rd Number ordered: Total Amount Enclosed: Name of Giver: In Memory of: In Honor of:
Prayer Chain Stone Church has an email Prayer Line to inform our members of special church news and prayer requests. Please e-mail (stonep@centralny.twcbc.com) or phone (788-5630) the office if you would like to be part of our prayer ministry or if you have a prayer request. Ruling Elders on the Session Class of 2019 Jessica Branche Jon Hall Kathie Strader Class of 2020 Jeannie Greenwood Stuart Price Bob Siver Class of 2021 Orvis Calhoun Chris Dear Maxine Perkins Clerk of Session Chris Dear C a r i n g f o r t h e C o n g r e g at i o n Now that we have your attention, please plan to attend the next Page 6 THIS IS NOT A SCAM! Family & Friends Dinner November 3rd. Our speaker will be Watertown police officer Shane Ryan, who will speak to us about strategies for fraud prevention. Most of us have either been a victim or know someone who has been a victim of a scam. And we all know that the elderly are vulnerable and aren't likely to suspect that the 'nice man' on the phone may be preying on them. Please come to ask questions and learn how to stay a step ahead of this evergrowing problem, and how to help law enforcement bring the crooks to justice. The Pastor and the spiritual leaders place a priority on visiting hospitalized members of the congregation. While Samaritan Medical Center Chaplain calls when he knows someone from Stone Presbyterian Church is in this facility, as a general rule hospitals no longer provide information on admissions and dismissals. Please notify the church office if someone you know should be visited in the hospital or while recovering at home or at a care center. Also, if you or someone you know would enjoy a visit from Pastor Libby or a Ruling Elder, or would appreciate receiving communion at home, please phone the church office (788-5630), e-mail the church office (Stonep@centralny.twcbc.com), or place a note in the collection plate on Sunday. IN DECEMBER The Family & Friends dinner on December 1st will include decorating the church for Advent. Come for dinner and decorating! There's no better way to get into the Christmas spirit!