The Newsletter June 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 Making Decisions General Synod will meet in Holland, Michigan June 8-13 th. I will attend a day earlier as I have been asked to participate as one of a few moderators for an all synod advisory committee. I served in that compacity last year at General Synod when we addressed proposed changes to the Book of Church Order. The list of proposed changes that elicited more attention than the others were the two that had to do with Same Sex Marriages. The two proposals involving Same Sex Marriage did not receive the required 2/3 rd support from the 44 (now 45) Classes, therefore they will not be voted on at this General Synod. The vote has been silenced but the conversation continues on. I embrace a theological view that envisions a traditional view of marriage. My view involves a Minister of Word and Sacrament officiating a marriage only between a man and a woman. I don t view churches or clergy who officiate same sex, transgender or bi-sexual unions as my enemy or in any way evil. A person who has faith in Jesus Christ is my brother or sister in the faith regardless of whether I agree with their theological understanding. The Rev. Dr. Norman Kansfield performed a marriage between his daughter Ann and her partner Jennifer in 2004. I attended NBTS while Jennifer and Ann were students. Dr. Kansfield was demitted as Professor of General Synod and consequently lost his job as President of New Brunswick Theological Seminary. I asked to meet with Dr. Kansfield while he was packing his belongings and was days away from vacating the President s House on Campus. I never shall forget being welcomed into his home and being led through the house amid packed boxes and finding a seat at the kitchen table with Dr. and Mrs. Kansfield. I was still a student at NBTS but I was also serving an RCA congregation by contract. During our conversation I said to Dr. and Mrs. Kansfield
that I am not where you are regarding same sex inclusion in the church, but I love you and I am sorry that you are going through all of this. Dr. Kansfield said that I was the only one from an RCA congregation who was talking to them at that time, everyone else was avoiding them. That is not the case today. I have made a decision a long time ago that I will not treat those with whom I disagree theologically as an enemy. Some of the most profitable theological conversations I have are with those who hold different views. The part of my title (Minister of Word) involves a faithful dependence in the sufficiency of Scripture like both our Confessions and Scripture affirms in 2 Timothy 3:16,17. I would hope that all of us will decide to speak with love to those we disagree instead of in hateful and degrading tones. Live with peace with all (Romans 12:16-21). Scripture does not say to live in peace with only those who agree with us theologically. Making Decisions what will your decision be? Respectfully Submitted Rev. Kent A. McHeard. Special Prayers for Those in Need For Individuals: The Cox family, Elizabeth Irwan, Joe Bennett Virginia Mastroianni, Cyndy McKay, Lance Kugler 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 Christians throughout the World Please give your prayer requests to Pastor McHeard. Adult Bible Study Sunday Mornings Tuesday Mornings Thursday Evenings 9:30 am 10:30 am 6:00 pm Please see the bulletin for occasional changes!
Summer Birthdays June Birthdays July Birthdays August Birthdays 3 Diane Bennett 5 Hailey Lamari 7 Zachary Dodd 8 Sandy Beloncik 10 Virginia Mastroianni 14 Tyler Cowsert 15 Frances Kugler 16 Lawrence Spring 18 Cora Phillips 20 LaVerne Teaney 20 Lorraine Van Wingerden 20 Rebecca Heppelle 21 Daniel Carr 22 Raymond Freer 25 Judy Schnitzer 25 Carter Irwin 5 Betsy Thelin 10 Tom Sinkora 13 Al Orlup 16 Nancy Hughes 22 Irma Skellie 24 Robert DeNice 26 Brian Kugler Summer Anniversaries 5 Kelly Mc Kay 11 Dawn Nathan 12 Stephen Pickney 13 Laura Brittain 14 Bea Ruback 18 Grace Demott 20 Michael Santuccione 22 Nicholas Decker 22 John Havlik 23 Mollie Borne 26 Nancy Spring 30 William Pickney June Anniversaries 1 Carl & Judy Schnitzer 3 Dick & Janine Lordi 9 Lance & Frances Kugler 12 Scott & Rebecca Dion 16 John & Sally Hemstreet 20 Larry & Carol Decker 25 Scott & Barb Dahlberg July Anniversaries 1 Larry & Jackie Borne 3 Dale & Christine Pennings 18 Kevin & Carol Mellon August Anniversaries 14 Stephen & Kandace Pickney 18 Ken & Laura Brittain
Annual Church Picnic Please join us for our annual church picnic! When: Sunday, June 25 th Where: Backyard of Education Center Time: Immediately following the church service Please bring a dish to share such as macaroni salad, potato salad, jello salad, cole slaw, baked beans etc. The church will provide hot dogs, burgers, chips and drinks. Stewarts is providing ice cream for sundaes. SHERRY ANNE MINISTRIES Missions of the Month June Sherry Anne Ministries is a specialized ministry that touches people of all ages, but is especially poignant for children. Her message for children is that they are all important and special and no one should be bullied. July COMFORT ZONE MINISTRY The Comfort Zone Ministry is an interdenominational effort in Amsterdam, to provide personal care items and cleaning supplies to needy families. This effort helps to provide essential items that cannot be purchased using food stamps, as well as a monthly worship service where all are welcome to attend. August JACK S PLACE Jack s Place is a home being built on Rosa Road in Schenectady, to house families of young patients being treated at Ellis Hospital or Sunyview Rehabilitation Center. It is anticipated that the home will be open in late summer or early fall. The house is in memory of Jack Falvo III, and his family hopes that others will find comfort there while they face difficult times. Food Pantry
The food pantry will continue to be open on the 1 st and 3 rd Saturdays of each month from 9am until noon. The pantry is also open for seniors after Ginny s Lunch which is usually held on the last Thursday of each month. Coffee, vegetable oil, juice, canned meat, meal packages, complete pancake mix, syrup, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, paper products and detergent are some items that need replenishing. During the summer months, there is a greater need for items that children can prepare on their own since schools will be on summer vacation during July and August. Canned pasta peanut butter and jelly, mac and cheese are some of the items that children might like. Ginny s Lunch The next Ginny s Lunch is scheduled for noon on Thursday, June 29 th. Please call 356-7178 for reservations by Monday June 26 th stating the number attending along with your name and telephone number. The June meal will be hot dogs with meat sauce and tuna-macaroni salad and pasta salad. A dessert of strawberry shortcake and a beverage will also be served. The July menu is Chef salad and roll with Ice cream sundaes for dessert. The August meal will consist of a tossed salad, Egg salad and tuna salad sandwiches, chips with Jello for dessert. The July dates are July 24 th for reservations with the meal served on July 27 th. The August dates are August 28 th for reservations with the meal served on August 31 st. +Christian Symbol+ Bee The bee symbolizes various traits across cultures and faiths, including community, industry and resurrection. Its sting may represent judgment, while its honey calls to mind the sweetness of divine riches. Multiple times in the Old Testament, the Promised Land is described as flowing with milk and honey (e.g., Exodus 3:8), and the Psalms declare God s words sweeter than honey (19:10; 119:103). The NewsletterNewsletter June 2017 Sunday School News
Another year of Sunday School is coming to an end. I would like to thank our teachers Mrs. Baker, Mrs. Decker, Mr. Brittain, Mr. Dobbs and Pastor Kent. You all did a great job and I appreciate your help. I also want to thank Emily, Garrett, Amy and Parker for doing children s ministry every Sunday. You also did a great job! Don t forget June 11 is Youth Sunday, come and hear the children preach! If any of the kids attending church and not Sunday school would like to participate, please just let me know because everyone is welcomed. Thank you to everyone who contributed to our chemo gifts bags. We will continue to collect cans for the youth group. You can still bring them to the Country Feed Store, 5040 State Hwy. 30, Amsterdam, NY. Tell them they are for the Woestina Reformed Church Youth Group. If you cannot get the cans there drop them off at church and we will get them there. Thanks for your support. Our vacation bible school will be July 17 21. Please invite children you may know. Our theme this year is Maker Fun Factory. Children 3 and older are welcomed. To register call 518-887-5152 and leave a message or email me at ngore7@ptcconnect.net. I hope to see everyone there! Don t forget to keep your eyes on our bulletin board (on the left when you come in the door) over the summer for other item and events. And last of all, but certainly the most important is a big thank you to the parents for bringing your children to Sunday school, Youth group and the other activities that we plan. See you again in September and enjoy your summer vacation and remember, our worship service starts at 9:30 am from July 2 nd through September 3 rd. We hope to see you in church throughout the summer months. Nancy Gore Sunday School Director The best Father
Unlike an earthly prince, God didn t take a high-and-mighty title, notes 17th-century British preacher Thomas Watson. Instead, God calls himself Father to encourage us to pray to him. But God isn t just any father. Watson offers these reasons why God is the best Father : He is the most ancient (Daniel 7:9). He is perfect (Matthew 5:48). He is the wisest (Romans 16:27). He is the most loving (Zephaniah 3:17; 1 John 4:16). He has unsearchable riches (Ephesians 3:8). He can reform his children (Acts 9:11). He never dies (1 Timothy 6:16; Revelation 1:8). The NewsletterNewsletter June 2017 Independence Day lessons for church life Return to the basics On July 4 we commemorate the origins of our country. In terms of faith, we also periodically need to hear again the foundational stories of Creation, the Israelites and, of course, Jesus. Honor the gift of freedom For freedom Christ has set us free do not submit again to a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1, ESV). We strive as citizens to preserve and live out our national freedom. Likewise, as citizens of God s kingdom we live gladly in the freedom of salvation and share that gift with others. Enjoy community July 4 is known for picnics, parades and other community gatherings. Similarly, the church is nourished by coming together for worship, meals and other special events. Be light in the darkness As fireworks brighten the sky with light and color, the church is called to display the Gospel s unique light in a dark world. Our word dynamite and the Greek word for power as in, You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you (Acts 1:8) share a root. Through God s power in us, we share Jesus dynamically! with others. Heidi Mann Summer Hours for Worship
Remember that we will start worship services at 9:30 am during the summer months from Sunday July 2 nd through September 3 rd. For the past six years Lance and I have spent part of the winter in Clearwater, Florida. We get to enjoy summer-like weather during the middle of our winter and of course there is no snow to remove. Our days are spent chatting with other snowbirds out by the pool, enjoying pastries at the local bakeries, riding our bikes up and down the Pinellas trail or walking and relaxing at the beach. I love the time spent walking for miles up and down the gulf coast from Indian Rocks Beach to Caladesi Island. I always find some treasures while taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the ocean. I ve collected many seashells during my excursions, some I keep and others are returned to the beaches in March when the young families vacation. I like to drop shells nearby children so I can share in their joy of discovery. Every day brings something different yet every day is awesome and I am continuously reminded of the incredibly beautiful world that our God created! I enjoy the solitude of the morning and also the personal connections made later in the day with fellow beach enthusiasts. Sometimes I ride my bicycle from beach to beach. I call this my BBB day since I ride over several bridges during my journey. I try to get up just as the sun is rising and while the world seems to be glowing, but never so early that I need a flashlight. One day I found a beautiful tiny whelk shell. I saw a woman picking up shells and I asked her if she would like it
since I was afraid it would be broken while riding home. She hugged me and said it was perfect. She explained that this was the first time she had been back to the beach since her husband had died and she was looking for something special to put on his grave. I filled a jar with shells called kitten paws the year our son Mark, injured his hand in the snow-blower accident. I prayed up and down the beach each time I found one of those tiny shells that look like a small hand. We know that God was guiding the surgeon s hands and He was with Mark throughout his painful recovery. Mark even quit smoking which is something that I had prayed about for years. God answers our prayers, not always the way we envision, but in His way. God knows what is best for each of us, He has a plan. Lance had a bicycle accident in February and wasn t able to walk as far or as frequently as normal for us. I slipped away while he was still sleeping and prayed for God to heal his injuries. I have always enjoyed the beach sculptures and sand art and decided to try to make something with shells. Several people voiced their appreciation and I saw a young man taking a picture before I had finished adding the shells. We shook hands and he said that we need to spread the message of God any way possible. I found two more treasures that day, the only true angel wing shells that I found all year. I knew that finding these paper thin, delicate shells were God s way of telling me that he would take care of Lance. I know that the presence of the Lord will be with Lance during his surgery and recovery. God is Love and He makes all things beautiful in His time!
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