COMMACK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Celebrating over 230 years of Christian Service 486 TOWNLINE ROAD, COMMACK, NEW YORK 11725 OFFICE (631) 499-7310 The Messenger December 2017 A Message from Our Pastor: One of my pastoral responsibilities is to teach. And so I take this teaching moment to share about St. Nicholas Day. St. Nicholas was a bishop in Myra, Turkey. St. Nicholas was a Christian leader who was personally committed to the care of people and families who faced poverty, particularly but not exclusively families with children. St. Nicholas felt that it was important for him to live out his faith in Jesus Christ by helping others. The scripture about loving and caring for the least of these comes to mind. And that is exactly what St. Nicholas did. He would leave money or gold wrapped up at the house of the people who needed them. And he wrapped them up because he didn t want people to know that it was him. His saints day in the Western Christian calendar is December 6. This past Sunday we gave out bags of gold wrapped chocolate coins. These bags of gold were given out as a reminder of the kind works St. Nicholas began generations ago. A reminder that it was St. Nicholas love for God that motivated him do these acts of kindness. Prayerfully consider the ways in which you can share the love of God. Whether it is through an angel tree gift, donations of food for the pantry, volunteering time, or striking up a conversation about the season. I invite you to search within yourself where and how is God leading you to be the hands and feet of God in this Christmas season? How can we as the Commack UMC share the light and love of God to all whom we meet? Blessings friends as you have been a blessing. Prayerfully shared, Your Pastor Roslyn
A Prayer for Christmas Morning By Henry van Dyke The day of joy returns, Father in Heaven, and crowns another year with peace and good will Help us rightly to remember the birth of Jesus, that we might share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men. Close the doors of hate and open the doors of love all over the world Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting Deliver us from evil, by the blessing that Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clean hearts May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children And the Christmas evening bring us to our bed with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven for Jesus sake. Amen 1 ST Mike Mallgraf 2 nd Destiny Divine 5 th Shawn Devine 5 th Pete Gamby 5 th Kathy Doss 6 th Maureen Kessler 10 th Margie Zoltowsky 12 th Paula Titolo 15 th John Muller 17 th Barbara Mondelli 19 th Tom Mazzola Evangeline Manjares James Sullivan Take time right now to enjoy this day, relax in knowing the promise God gave That you are a child of God up above, made in his image and made in his love. Happy Birthday KNIT & CROCHET GROUP We will meet again on December 16 th from 1:00-3:00, you are invited to join us to learn the craft or new techniques. This will be a busy day as we follow UMW cookie packaging and meet prior to the Christmas Carolers. Old Eye Glasses Needed: Dagmar will collecting used eye glasses. There is a basket on the back table in the sanctuary.
Lydia Circle The circle will not meet in December, our next meeting will be held in the parlor, 10:30-12:00 on January 3 rd. All women are invited to join us for some conversation, prayers and an occasional poem or reading. Dotty Megna will be our hostess for the morning All Women are Welcome, please join us Thursday, December 14th at 7:30 pm the women will hold their annual Christmas program and fellowship in the sanctuary and parlor. Everyone is invited to attend, men included. Matilda Gollatz will lead a short worship program Women of the Manger. Come and enjoy a meaningful evening with Christmas carols, fellowship and refreshments.special note to UMW members: please bring a plate of finger foods. Coffee and tea will be provided. CHRISTMAS COOKIE SALE Our annual Christmas cookie sale will be held in the parlor on Sunday, December 17 in the hall after service. The price will be $6.00 per plate of two dozen home baked cookies. Donation of home baked cookies will be appreciated. Please deliver to the parlor on Saturday. December 16 at 9:00 am. We start packaging at 10:00, if cookies arrive late then we are unable to package an assortment. Thanks to all, the proceeds go to support our mission projects. FYI: Our mission projects have included: Our pledge to UMW LIE District for world-wide missions: United Methodist Women have raised over 13 million dollars for mission with women, children and youth around the world Quarterly donation to help support our Appalachian family, including birthday and Christmas New underwear, socks, baby clothes for a local soup kitchen and for the SAFER Project which provides services for victims of rape, sexual assault, domestic violence. Hygiene kits for the homeless Donation for Days for Girls hygiene kits in undeveloped nations Heifer project; Moringa (tree of life) seeds for Africa
HISTORIAN S CORNER Submitted by: John Muller, Church Historian
The Troop held a Peanut Butter & Jelly drive in October and collected 896 pounds of peanut butter and jelly for the Church s Peanut Butter & Jelly Gang. The Troop donated 4 food baskets for the Church outreach to distribute for Thanksgiving. On November 25th a Court of Honor will be held for Ryan March to celebrate his advancement to the rank of Eagle Scout.
Thank you all for the visits, cards, flowers, calls, donations, prayers and support. We are so grateful for having such a wonderful church family. Love Jeff & Margie