The New Covenant News of the Family from The United Presbyterian Church at Whitinsville Inside this issue: Easter Festival 2018 Front Commitment Sunday Front Volunteer Schedule 2 Book Club 2 Church on TV 2 Pastor s Piece 3 Coffee Fellowship 3 VBS 3 Easter Festival March 31, 2018 God blessed us again with an absolutely BEAUTIFUL SUNNY day for our Annual Easter Festival! Most of the snow from the 4 Nor'easters had melted and the ground was not too soggy. On the Saturday before Easter, we invited the community to come into our church to learn about Jesus, and to enjoy snacks, crafts, face painting, and a HUGE egg hunt. With the help of many hands, this wonderful Outreach Program included many of our church families as well as our community, approximately 60 children! I want to thank all the volunteers that helped out! The pre-planners, the donors of candy, the craft managers, the hospitality crew and the bakers, the welcome center folks, the Easter bunny, the Easter egg hiders, the face painters, and all of the people that helped break down and set up. Prayer of the People 4 Second Sunday Social 4 Piece of Peace 5 KMHMC 5 Graduation Sunday 6 Super Kids 6 Birthday Corner 6 Calendar 7 Saturday Bible Study Back Commitment Sunday Join us on Sunday, May 20, as we offer our gifts of time, talent and treasure for the coming year. Giving of ourselves and the resources that God has given us is a beautiful act of worship and a faithful pledge of support to the ministry God has given our church. 2018-2019 Commitment Cards are available at the Worship Center during the month of May and may be returned by mail to the church office if that is more convenient. Scholarships Back May 2018 The United Presbyterian Church at Whitinsville 51 Cottage St. (church) - 7 Spring St. (office), Whitinsville, MA 01588 Phone: 508.234.8220 Website: www.whitinpres.org www.facebook.com/whitinpres Office E-mail: office@whitinpres.net Rev. Dr. Susan DeHoff E-mail: sldehoff@verizon.net Office Hours: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Monday & Wednesday 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Thursday & Friday *The church office is CLOSED on Tuesdays. In case of emergencies, please call 774-246-6313
Page 2 Ministries May 6 May 13 May 20 May 27 June 3 PoM WL 5/9 PoM Power Point Worship Leader Welcome Center S. Phoebe 5/16 D. Redden ~ May ~ 5/23 G. Shannon 5/30 L. Redden 6/6 J. Vollmer L. Joyce L. Joyce L. Joyce L. Joyce T. Morin S. Phoebe G. Shannon R. Thomas A. Reichert M. Thomas B. Keeler R. Thomas H. Platt J. Baker M. Spalton Greeter S. Mateer J. Baker L & N Joyce K. Miedema A. Castonguay Offering Counters Power Point D & S Mateer M. Austin & T. Schelin C. Pilbosian & N. Joyce J. Baker & M. Thomas N. Redden N. Redden N. Redden N. Redden T. Giezma A Voice in the Wind Women s Book Club for May will be Friday, May 18th at 6:30 pm. They will be discussing Book 4, Bathsheba s Story, in the Lineage of Grace series by Francine Rivers. Miss Church? Watch our Services online www.whitinpres.org/sermons Live in Northbridge? Watch it on Charter Cable Channel 191 Wednesday s at 10 AM (or later). **Sunday Morning Worship Schedule** Adult Education Morning Worship Service Coffee Fellowship 9:30AM - 10:30AM 10:30AM - 11:30AM 11:30 AM For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them Matthew 18:20
On April 29 we kick off this year s stewardship campaign. The theme is Onward and Upward. In Philippians 3:13-14 Paul wrote, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. Paul s words describe what is the goal of Christ s Church represented by local congregations individually and by the union of congregations globally. We hold fast to the progress we have made but we continue to move onward and upward toward the goal of completing the high calling of carrying out Christ s mission of reconciling love in the world. Page 3 At the local level, our church is engaged in setting and meeting specific objectives that show forth God s love and concern for everyone: those who are blessed with financial means and those who are not; people who are frail and elderly; children and youth who are energetic, inquisitive, and in need of guidance; adults who are in the middle of raising children; adults who are approaching or already enjoying retirement. God is actively present in the lives of all these people, and as a church we are engaged in walking beside God, as the physical eyes, ears, hands, and feet that carry out God s ministry to people as we make our way through life. Given the nature of the church s outreach, it is easy to confuse the church with charitable organizations. But the church is not a charitable organization. It is so much more. Our outreach is not based on human charity alone. It is based on our sharing God s love and concern for others. Our outreach ministry is motivated and guided by the work of the Holy Spirit. Our caring is not just for the physical and psychological well-being of people, out of our own empathy or sympathy, but also for their spiritual well-being. There is the bread we place in their hands, and there is the Bread of Life we offer to their spirits. Sign up at church to volunteer for Coffee Fellowship That time of year again! Annual Reports are Due to the church office by May 27. What if the church were not here? What if it folded for lack of funds and for lack of people willing to contribute their time and talents to keep the mission of the church going? Those are the basic questions that are asked implicitly in every stewardship campaign. What if there is not enough to keep going? What if there is not enough to add programs and services that we see great need to add? In order to maintain our ministry both within and outside our walls, we must pay the monthly upkeep bills, staff salaries, program costs, and outreach costs. That means the church, like all of its members, must have reliable monthly income. It also means that the church, like the households of its members, must have people to do the various chores associated with being the church. It really does mean someone has to take out the garbage! But is also means someone needs to teach, visit, provide child care, sing, bake, and help with events such as spring cleanup, yard sales, Peace of Bread, Prime Time, the Emergency Shelter, and coffee hour. And that is not an exhaustive list. VBS Plans are being made for the Ecumenical Vacation Bible School which will be July 16 July 20. at the Village Congregational Church. We welcome all children who are age 4 through grade 6. For information, call Carolyn Mitchell at 508-234-3544. This stewardship season, consider the importance of the ministry of this church. Decide the ways you can contribute both financially and as a volunteer. Pray for awareness of the gifts and talents God has given you for the benefit of the church s ministry. Join us for Commitment Sunday, May 20, as together we pledge to continue to move Onward and Upward toward our high calling of God in the risen Messiah.
Second Sunday Social There will not be a Second Sunday Social in May due to Mother's Day. Husbands, sons and daughters, that means make mom's day special at home or take her out! Secret Prayer Pals The mystery will be solved on June 7th! You will discover who has been praying for you and sending cards that seem to arrive just when you need them in your Christian walk! Please remember a gift for your Secret Prayer Pal! Psalm 91:1-2 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Prayers of the People Our praises to God for: Page 4 Mark Thomas has been accepted in the Doctor of Ministry program at Gordon Cornwell. Please keep MARK and his family in your prayers as he juggles the demands of his job and his schooling, and also for RHONDA and CHRIS as they lend him their support. Please be in Prayer for: Leslie Reichert and her family on the passing of her Dad, Bill Martin, on April 26. David Miedema son of Kathy and Dave Miedema, who is having gall bladder surgery. Please pray for successful surgery and a speedy recovery. David, the 6 year old brother of Danielle s friend, Elizabeth. David has an abscess on his pelvic bone and is in the hospital while doctors determine if surgery is needed. Sarah, Katrina s friend, who recently had her gall bladder removed. The Burns Family whose 28 year-old son, Corey, passed away. The Lay Leadership Committee as they seek God s guidance in recruiting people to serve in open positions within the church. Annmarie Castonguay, as she continues her great progress toward complete recovery from her recent ACL surgery. Family of Mark Thomas former seminary classmate, Buddy, who was killed in a motor accident. Gay McCrea s daughter, Heidi Please keep Heidi in your prayers as she continues her chemo treatments. Baby Oliver Mary Sutton s grandson, who was born with spina bifida and had surgery shortly after his birth. Oliver came home from the hospital April 25th. He is recovering well from his surgery. He is currently a happy, growing baby, but will require additional surgeries and treatments in the future. Liz Redden and family--on the passing of her sister, Maria Teresa, after a long illness. Johnathan--Tanya Morin s brother who continues to suffer excruciating pain in his leg since his motor cycle accident. Doctors are considering additional surgery; possibly even amputation. Ray--Mary Spalton s brother-in-law, who suffers from COPD and has contacted pneumonia. Please also keep Ray s wife, Sue, (Mary s sister) in your prayers as she cares for Ray. Teddy Daley--Gay McCrea s friend, who requires daily oxygen for her pulmonary fibrosis. She also suffers from Crohn s disease. Amanda--Mary Spalton s niece, who is at home recovering from surgery for hernias. Pray for a speedy recovery and strength to keep up with her active 2-year-old son. Paul Friend of Annmarie Castonguay, whose esphogeal cancer has metastized to his lymph nodes. Please also keep Paul s wife, Barbara, in your prayers. Kim Brandy s neighbor who is in the hospital receiving treatment for a flare-up of her Multiple Sclerosis. Kim will be going to rehab before returning home. Please keep her husband, George, in your prayers as well. The Giemza Family The family of Dorothy Cutler on her passing. Dorothy was once the organist at UPCoW. The families of close friends, Orlando Allman & Earl Shankster, close family friends of Rhonda Thomas, who recently passed away one day apart. Remember Those in Hospitals, Rehab Centers and Nursing Homes: Pat Remillard St. Camillus Health Center, 447 Hill Street, Whitinsville, MA 01588 Leona Cook - St. Camillus Health Center, 447 Hill Street, Whitinsville, MA 01588 Marion Boyd Beaumont Assisted Living, 85 Beaumont Dr., Rm 21, Northbridge, MA 01534 Arlene Koopman - Beaumont Assisted Living, 85 Beaumont Dr., Rm 17, Northbridge, MA 01534
Page 5 Piece of Peace There is much to be thankful for every week at Peace of Bread Community Kitchen. We are consistently blessed by our dedicated volunteer groups (& individuals) and all the amazing community support our ministry receives. It truly does "take a village" to do the work God has called us to through the outreach efforts at Peace of Bread. Our community is incredibly generous. Recently Northbridge Boy Scout Troop #155 held their bi-annual, day long food drive to stock the shelves of our Food Pantry at Peace of Bread. The Scouts & their leaders set up donation tables outside at Walmart & Shaws Supermarket the Saturday before Easter. It was a huge success, as it always is, with over 2,400 non-perishable food & personal care items donated, and monetary donations just over $1,000!!! What a wonderful sight it was at the end of that day to Peace of Bread Community Kitchen, Wednesdays 5:30 pm see all our food pantry shelves full to overflowing! We are so grateful. Thank you to all the Scouts, their leaders & all who donated so generously. The tangible help that food represents is almost too hard to describe. Every Wednesday, our wonderful volunteer team that runs our food pantry, assists anywhere from 30-40 families to go through the pantry and pick out a grocery bag of food to help feed their family. Every Wednesday. That's a lot of food. That's a lot of need, that we are able to help. Recently at Peace of Bread we received a wonderful donation of clean blankets and sheets from Beaumont & Whitney Place. We were able to help so many folks with this donation. There were some blankets left at the end of the night which we intended to save to use in the future for The Emergency Shelter. However, just as we were cleaning up from the night at Peace of Bread, a young couple came in & asked for help. They explained that they are homeless, living in their car. Did we have anything to help them? Boy, we were so grateful to have those blankets to give them! We had leftover meals from the dinner & a well stocked food pantry they could get some non-perishable food items from. To say they were thankful is a huge understatement! The young man kept saying, "Wow, this is amazing! Thank you, thank you so much!" It is such a privilege to serve God through serving our community isn't it?! Thank you to all who give. No action of serving is too small. Blessed to be a blessing. God is so good! Laurie Sabourin Kathryn M Huston Mission Circle The Circle will meet at Suzanne Santoro s home on Wednesday, May 16th at 10:30 AM. It will be a time of doing crafts for the fair, praying, and enjoying a time of fellowshipping. June 7, 2018 is the KMHMC s Annual Dine-Out at the Whitinsville Golf Club at 6 PM chaired by Harriet Platt would like all reservations by June 1st, and Carol Pilibosian would like all ticket money in to her before the 7th. Once again the Bilodeau;s will provide the entertainment! Save Saturday, November 10, 2018 for Homespun Holidays, Suzanne Santoro. Will Chair this event.
May Birthday Corner Katie Matchett 5/1 Blythe Sabourin 5/2 Alex LaCava 5/3 Britten Bilodeau 5/5 Nathan Phoebe 5/13 Anthony Santoro 5/14 Jen Collins 5/15 Ken Pedersen 5/15 Jessie Schelin 5/16 Marion Boyd 5/19 Debbie Baker 5/20 Scott Szajna 5/20 Hannah Reynolds 5/23 Bill Skillen 5/23 Anniversaries Chris & Amy Nadeau 5/1 Bill & Mary Spalton 5/10 Mike & Laurie Sabourin 5/15 Chris & Gaye Shannon 5/16 Jack & Gloria Rauth 5/25 Greg & Brandy Giemza 5/25 Paul & Jen Johnson 5/29 If the church office doesn t have you/your family s birthday/ anniversary information, let your church family celebrate your special days with you. Please call Alice in the office at 508-234 -8220 or email the office at office@whitinpres.net so we can include your birthday/ anniversary dates in the Sunday bulletins and monthly newsletter. SuperKids Page 6 SuperKids is gearing up for this summer's event - "Luke: Good News for You!" -- and will need a few more volunteers to complete the Team. The event will take place evenings from Sunday, June 24 - Thursday, June 29, at Fairlawn Church. This year's program is designed around Luke, as a reporter, providing an account of the dramatic news story of His day: Jesus. SuperKids (http:// superkidsmission.com/) is a Scripture Union (http://betanew.scriptureunion.org/) program sponsored locally by Fairlawn Church and involves people from all churches in the area. Team members are still needed to help with the dramas, group games, singing, or leading Bible discussion. If any of these activities appeal to you, if you enjoy being around kids and have a love for the Lord, and if you want to share the Good News with the children of the Blackstone Valley, please contact Ria Jorritsma by phone (508-234-6974) or e-mail (bvsuperkids@gmail.com). Our Turn to Serve Our night to serve at the Peace of Bread is coming soon! May 9th! As always, we need people to help prepare the meal, serve the meal, and clean up. Cooking and prepping begins at 3 p.m., we need servers to arrive by 5:15, and clean up afterwards typically starts around 6 p.m. We are usually done by 6:45. Please talk to Gaye, call, or text 508.320.5723 or email gayeshannon@verizon.net if you can help in any way!!!! (Monetary donations are appreciated. Just note on your check for Presbyterian meal at Peace of Bread. Thank you.) Graduation Sunday Graduation Sunday, is when we honor our children and celebrate God's faithfulness to them throughout the years. If you know of any high school, college, or grad students who are graduating this year, please inform the church office by June 1st to recognize all of our graduates. Watch for the date of Graduation Sunday.
9:30 Sunday School 7:00 PM Trustee Meeting 5:30 Peace of Bread OUR TURN 6:30 AM Men s Bible Study 8:00 AM Bible Study 10:30 Worship Service 7:00 PM Session Prayer Meeting 6:15 Peace of Music 11:30 Coffee Fellowship 7:00 Sermon Discussion 9:30 Sunday School 5:30 Peace of Bread 6:30 AM Men s Bible Study 8:00 AM Bible Study 10:30 Worship Service 6:15 Peace of Music 6:30 PM Women s Book Club 11:30 Coffee Fellowship 7:00 Sermon Discussion 9:30 Sunday School 7:00 PM Session Meeting 2:45 PM PrimeTime 6:30 AM Men s Bible Study 8:00 AM Bible Study 10:30 Worship Service 5:30 Peace of Bread 11:30 Coffee Fellowship 6:15 Peace of Music 9:30 Sunday School 6:30 PM Deacons Meeting 5:30 Peace of Bread 10:30 Worship Service 6:15 Peace of Music 11:30 Coffee Fellowship 7:00 Sermon Discussion May 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 2:45 PM PrimeTime 3 4 5 5:30 Peace of Bread 6:30 AM Men s Bible Study 8:00 AM Bible Study 6:15 Peace of Music 7:00 Sermon Discussion 6 7 8 9 2:45 PM PrimeTime 10 11 12 13 Mother's Day 14 15 16 2:45 PM PrimeTime 17 18 19 20 Commitment Sunday 21 22 23 10:30 AM KMHMC Meeting 24 25 26 7:00 Sermon Discussion 27 28 Memorial Day 29 30 2:45 PM PrimeTime 31 Notes
NON-PROFIT United Presbyterian Church of Whitinsville U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 27 51 Cottage Street Whitinsvile, MA 01588 Phone: 508-234-8220 Email: office@whitinpres.org News of the Church Family from the United Presbyterian Church at Whitinsville whitinpres.org www.facebook.com/whitinpres/ Saturday Morning Bible Study For the first 3 Saturdays in May, we will ponder the question, Was God silent in the 400 years after Malachi and before Matthew? Come explore the question with us on Saturday mornings from 8 a.m until 9:30. For the summer, we will be reading and discussing the book, Searching the Scriptures by Chuck Swindoll. In his book, Swindoll teaches us how to dig deep into Scripture and uncover profound truths for our lives by teaching us to prepare our own spiritual meals by explaining the 10 tried and tested techniques for Bible Study that he has used his entire ministry, Come and join us on Saturday mornings. More information coming soon! Calling all High School Seniors and College Students Ruth P. Marshall Scholarship & Youth Excellence Award Did you know our church offers two scholarships? The first is from the Kathryn M. Huston Mission Circle. It offers a scholarship to a high school senior who plans on attending a fully accredited two or four year college. It is the Ruth P. Marshall Scholarship. Ruth was a teacher and a long time member of this church and the Mission Circle. The second is The Youth Excellence Award. This is available to students currently enrolled in a fully accredited two or four year college, and requires a student to be willing to give three hours of service to the church. Contact the church office at 508-234-8220 for applications. All applications must be returned to the church office by June 1st.