MARCH 2 01 6 CIRCUIT RIDER PEARL RIVER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 130 FRANKLIN AVENUE, PEARL RIVER, NY 10965 (845)-735-2241 From the Editor's Desk... "Passing the Baton" In a relay race, have you ever watched the passing of the baton between racers? It is an intricate manuever that when done right allows the racers to remain in stride and not miss a beat. When done wrong, it can look very confusing and interrupts the smooth flow of the runners. I have had the pleasure of coordinating the Circuit Rider since late 2009, as with the encouragement and vision of Pastor Koob at that time, the newsletter transformed from a print format to an "e-newsletter", easily shared with those close to the church as well as friends who are now far away. In 2009, those doing the Circuit Rider were willing to pass the baton, and by the end of the year I am hoping to pass the baton to someone who will take this newsletter and move it forward and improve it to be a more useful resource to all members and friends of the PRUMC. I am putting this out there now so that like the sprinters referenced above, this can be done in a smooth transition and the newsletter will not miss a stride. I also hope that months of lead time will allow plenty of time for anyone interested to think about, talk about, ask about and pray about this. Richard Rose Worship for March March 6 th --4 th Sunday of Lent HOLY COMMUNION The Gift of Getting Lost Psalm 42 March 13 th --5 th Sunday of Lent The Gift of Temptation 2 Corinthians 5:16-19 March 20th--Palm/Passion Sunday An Easter Cantata: A Journey to Hope March 24 th --Holy Thursday 7:00 pm Messiah in the Passover HOLY COMMUNION Seder Meal and Service at Thiells UMC March 25 th --Good Friday Service 7:30pm HOLY COMMUNION & ANOINTING The Gift of Disappearing: A Dramatic Reading March 27 th Resurrection Sunday 8:30AM Tradition Easter Worship 9:30AM Continental Breakfast Fellowship Room Easter Egg Hunt Front Lawn 10:30 AM Tradition Easter Worship Where We Go From Here Mark 16 SEE PAGE 7 FOR HOLY WEEK DETAILS
Page 2 CIRCUIT RIDER--MARCH 2016 OUTREACH UPDATE Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD Proverbs 19:17 In March our Outreach Committee will again support the Safe Haven program in Rockland County where homeless guests are feed and house each night during the cold winter months. On March 10 th our outreach committee will prepare and serve dinner at New City UMC. New this year, our youth will prepare and serve dinner on March 13 th at Stony Point. Please continue your generous support of prayers and donating to our Pig any spare change or dollars over the next few months for this special mission. We ask that everyone continue to support our ongoing missions by bringing Campbell s soup labels supporting the Red Bird Mission, soda can tabs to support the Ronald McDonald House, and slightly used magazines for donation to the Rockland Psychiatric Center. Lastly, if you have purchased any towels recently and you don t know what to do with the old ones, please don t throw them away--consider donating them to High-Tor animal shelter. They are always in need. Please see Gloria Murphy for drop off. Thank you for everybody's help in these matters. These Outreach Missions can t continue without your support. Coffee hour is in need of coffee (any kind). We are also in need for volunteers for March, April and May. A big THANK YOU to everyone who has already given their time to host a coffee hour. You are greatly appreciated.
CIRCUIT RIDER--MARCH 2016 Page 3 There s a path and it winds its way through darkness We would choose to avoid it if we could We awake to an unexpected calling God says, come there are gifts in the Dark Wood There s A Path Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, This past summer my family vacationed by driving and camping our way from NY to Colorado. Our vacation happened to coincide with a meteor shower that we might never have seen if we had remained in NY. The lights of New York City too often obscure our ability to truly see the brilliance of the night sky, but out in the cornfields of Indiana and Kansas we could see it all so clearly. Several nights, Steve and the boys would camp outside just to see the dazzling display of light against the darkened sky. Throughout this season of Lent, we have been focusing on the experience of darkness in our lives. While most of us would rather not walk through these Dark Wood moments, we also realize that darkness trains our eyes to see more fully the light on our path. Without darkness in our lives we might never fully grasp the magnitude of the light. We are invited during the season of Lent to walk with Jesus on the journey to the Cross. We are reminded that in this journey Christ had his own moments of uncertainty, of emptiness, of rejection and loss. In this journey towards the darkness of the cross, we realize that Christ knows the depth of our own darkness. But darkness did not overcome the Light. It is the darkness of Good Friday that allows us to fully experience the bright joy of Resurrection Sunday. It is the darkness that opens our eyes more fully to see the bright light of God s love and presence with us always. In Christ s light, Pastor Cyndi HANDBELL NEWS You are invited: The Young Ringers Festival Saturday, March 12 Concert at 4:00pm Listen to 5 or 6 bell choirs of young people from 4th -12th grades. Our Wesley Ringers will be attending and ringing a solo! Sparta UMC, Sparta NJ Please support our Wesley Ringers! When: March 1st-----Time--9:30 AM Where: Hogan's Diner Why: A Chance to talk and connect. Circle of Sisters will be meeting on Friday, March 18th to discuss "The Uncommon Reader" by Alan Bennett. Sara Pafford will be our hostess. Please let either Sara or Maria Halzack know if you will be joining us.
Page 4 CIRCUIT RIDER--MARCH 2016 UMW news During the month of February we provided the bread and beverage for the Ash Wednesday soup supper. Several church members, Deb Stewart, Pete Slagan, Maria Halzack and Gwen Kendall made the delicious hot soups served. A $100.00 donation was given on Souper Bowl Sunday for People-to- People, also a $100.00 donation to the Historical Committee in honor of David Slagan. The Dining Car at the Train Show is doing well. A special thank you to Jo Ann Lee for setting up the work schedule and donations of supplies. We have had wonderful help from the UM Youth and friends each weekend. Circle members and Church family have come forward to help serve and clean-up. Donations to the UMW Memorial/Honor Fund have been given in memory of Mary Circle members, Jackie Stuerzel and Liz Pratt, also Charlotte Cully a Miriam Circle Member. The Craft Group/Miriam Circle will provide light refreshments on Sat. February 27, for Charlotte's family and friends in The Fellowship Room. Peace & Love, Helen D'Agostino Sunday, March 6, 6-7:30 PM: Regular youth meeting. We will be continuing our pre-trip planning for the mission trip. Please plan on attending this meeting if you will be attending the mission trip. Sunday, March 13, 5-9:30 PM: We will be preparing and serving dinner with the Outreach Committee for Helping Hands to individuals who are homeless. Please meet at PRUMC at 5 to prepare dinner. We will then be driving over to Stony Point to serve dinner. Save the Date! April 10 is the Pancake Luncheon. All mission team members are expected to volunteer their time this morning. Vigil and Service of Prayer and Healing Friday March 4 th The Sanctuary will be open all day for prayer and meditation on Friday March 4 th from 6am 7pm. At 7:30pm there will be a service of meditative music, prayer, and anointing. Whether you are seeking physical healing, emotional healing, spiritual healing, a healing of broken hearts or broken relationships, or other needs of healing, this time of prayer and anointing provides a space to experience God s healing touch. All are welcome.
CIRCUIT RIDER--MARCH 2016 Page 5 NURSERY SCHEDULE--MARCH March 6 - Diane Connor and John Connor March13 - Rena Gesner and Sydney Gibbs March 20 - Leigh Ross and Cristian Lagos March 27 - Easter - the Temple Thank You Lord/Recognition and Remembrance In Memory of JoAnn Conklin, by Peggy and Bob Anschick, Sean and Pamela Gunning In Honor of David Slagan, by the United Methodist Women In Memory of Elizabeth (Aunt Liz) Pratt, by Sean and Pamela Gunning Please consider a special offering when appropriate to honor, recognize or give thanks for a special occasion or a special someone. SAVE THE DATES--DETAILS IN THE APRIL CIRCUIT RIDER! APRIL 15-16 MAY 14--FISH FRY
Page 6 CIRCUIT RIDER--MARCH 2016 PEARL RIVER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH We are very excited about the added benefits and updates to our Affinity Program. In addition to the bonuses listed below, we have updated our web link that you may enroll online with your PRMC code already embedded for various fixed rate options in: NY, NJ, GA, IL, MA & PA. https://www.justenergydeals.com/prmc Please contact Miriam if you have any questions regarding all the available rate options for the various utilities at 845-228-3401 or email her at Affinity@justenergy.com To show our appreciation for your participation in our Affinity program, we will be giving the following cash bonuses to both members and the church for all NEW enrollments ONLY or residential conversions from Hudson Energy to Just Energy. To the members: A cash back to each enrollee of $25 per commodity Meaning if you enroll your gas or electric, you will receive $25 after your first bill is paid. If you enroll your gas & electric, you will receive $50 after your first bill is paid. APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE IN THE CHURCH OFFICE!
CIRCUIT RIDER--MARCH 2016 Page 7 HOLY WEEK EXPERIENCES PALM SUNDAY: A Holy Week Cantata: A Journey of Hope On Palm Sunday (March 20 th ) our Church Choir will be presenting a cantata by Joseph Martin entitled A Journey to Hope. This cantata tells the story of Christ s final days with the use of some of the most powerful and beloved Spirituals of our day. This is a great worship/musical experience to begin your journey of Holy Week. MESSIAH IN THE PASSOVER When: Holy Thursday March 24 th @ 7:00pm Where: Thiells UMC, 102 Rosman Road, Thiells, NY This presentation is a powerful visual message not only of Israel s freedom from slavery in Egypt, but our redemption of sin through Jesus Christ. Participate and experience the connection between the Passover Meal and the meal that we partake in as followers of Christ. GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE HOLY COMMUNION We will gather on Good Friday (March 25 th ) for a Tenebrae Service of Shadows. Join us as we move into the darkness of that night as we remember Christ s sacrifice and the depth of his love for us. Our service will include a time of Holy Communion and anointing. 24-HOUR EASTER PRAYER VIGIL Saturday, March 26 th at 6:00AM until Easter Sunday, March 27 th at 6:00AM This 24-hour silent vigil symbolizes the time of waiting following the Crucifixion. Sign-ups will be available during coffee hour starting in March. This is a wonderful opportunity to pray expectantly for our church, our neighbors, and our world. Prayer guides will be provided.
Pearl River United Methodist Church Phone: 845-735-2241 E-Mail: pearlriverumc@juno.com Website: www.pearlriverumc.com SAVE THE DATE!! We are a community rooted in grace, growing in faith and reaching out with God's Love. Our annual night out to see the Rockland Boulders will be Thursday, July 14th! Details next month! PRUMC 130 Franklin Avenue Pearl River, NY 10965 CIRCUIT RIDER--MARCH 2016