March 2019 Page 1

Inside This Issue…

Mission Interpretation 1 Weather Warning 1 Pastor’s Corner 2 Lenten Lunches 3 News from the Pews 3 Lent Offerings 4 Christian Education 5-7 Painting for a Purpose 6-7 Caring Ministry 8 Calendar 9 Presbyterian Women 10 Seeking Wisdom 10

Food Pantry Hours: Tuesday 11AM-12PM and 6:30PM - 7:30PM

Newsletter of the Marcellus First Presbyterian Church Main & North Streets, Marcellus, NY 13108

315-673-2201 March 2018

January Coat Drive

During the month of January, the Mission Interpretation Com-mittee invited the congregation to donate coats, mittens, hats & scarves to the Center for New Americans. These items are for new arrivals to our community who come from places that are not nearly as cold as this area. Most don’t have the warm outer clothing that is necessary for a Central New York winter. Once again, you all stepped up to the plate and donated a HUGE box (and several large garbage bags!) of winter clothing. This is what was in them: Gloves & mittens – 13 scarves – 8 Hats & earmuffs – 25 adult shirts – 3 Adult jackets – 15 kids’ jackets – 32 Snow pants – 1 blankets – 1 Kids’ sweatshirts – 11 kids’ boots – 10 Adult sweatshirts - 8 adult boots – 5 I’m sure that the people receiving these items are most grateful for the warmth and for the compassion that you have shown them. The committee thanks you also for your continued gener-osity. “As you have done for the least of them, you have done for me”.

March 10, 2019

Mission Interpretation

Occasionally winter driving conditions are so severe that it be-comes necessary to cancel Sunday morning worship services for safety reasons. In the event that this becomes necessary, plan to look on the home page of our church website http://marcelluspc.com/ for information about weather related closings. It will also be on TV via CNY Central, which should include channels 3,5, 9 and 68 or at https://www.localsyr.com/closings-and-delays

March 2019 Page 2

Lent ~ A Time of Learning Repentance, Reflection & Renewal

Lent was first documented in the Council of Nicaea, 325CE, however, the practice of a pre-Easter period of discipline is much older. A century earlier, Hippolytus of Rome mentioned a 2 ½ week fast prior to Easter. In some places this season was the intensified period of preparation for those who were to be baptized on the eve of Easter.

The season of Lent continues to be a special time in the Christian church today – a time of repentance, reflec-tion and renewal. All three happen on Sunday mornings – corporate and personal confession of sins; reflection on God’s word through sermon, scripture and songs; and renewal of faith as we pray together and break the bread, share the cup in the sacrament of Holy Communion. During this season of lent, there are other opportu-nities for repentance, reflection and renewal.

Repentance is usually personal but also corporate. Find time each day during the six weeks of Lent to serious-ly consider God’s amazing grace, ask for forgiveness, learn from your mistakes, and live a new life in Christ. And pray for our church, our community, our nation as we waver in living and loving as children of God’s realm.

Reflection will be offered on Ash Wednesday, March 6 at 7pm in the sanctuary of St. Francis Xavier Catho-lic Church when all four churches of Marcellus will lead us in this first worship service of Lent. Also each Wednesday at noon during Lent (beginning March 11 through April 10), the four churches of Marcellus will bring their people together to enjoy lunch, fellowship and meditation on our faith and life (note: stay alert – location changes each week!).

Renewal opportunities are also available. During this time of year, we sometimes experience the “winter blahs”. Take time to participate in the life of the church and experience a renewal of your mind and soul. Come and join us – share a warm cup of soup after worship and create beautiful works of art at the youth fund-raiser Sunday March 17; offer your assistance with the Lenten lunch here on Wednesday, March 27; sing in the choir this Lenten-Easter season (rehearsal Thursdays); attend a committee meeting and share your ideas (see calendar); discuss race relations on 2nd & 4th Tuesdays or “Seeking Wisdom” on Saturday, March 9.

It is also important to prepare your hearts for worship! Although lectionary based, the focus of the sermons during Lent will be from the Presbyterian Book of Order. A 6-week sermon series on the “Six Great Ends of the Church” (see Book of Order G-1.0200):

Proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind; The shelter, nurture and spiritual fellowship of the children of God; The maintenance of divine worship; The preservation of the truth; The promotion of social righteousness; The exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world.

If you follow this plan of Repentance, Reflection, and Renewal, you will be rejoicing on Easter morning with new enthusiasm! You will have a spring in your step, a smile on your face, and a song in your heart because of your experiences of repentance, reflection and renewal; your understanding of faith, especially in the life of this church, will be renewed. Come and refresh your mind and soul this Lenten season!

Lenten Blessings,

Rev. Anne Marie Rev. Anne Marie Meyerhoffer

Interim Pastor

Prayer: Almighty God, you who call us to prayer and who offer yourself to all, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us this season of Lent and deliver us from coldness of heart and a wandering mind. By the power of your spirit place within us steadfast love and devotion so that we may worship and serve you with all our heart, mind and strength; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pastor’s Corner

March 2019 Page 3

• Welcome our newest staff member, John Spears, our part-time custodian! John works as a full-time evening custodian at Marcellus Schools. He was raised in Camillus and still lives there, however, spent lots of time as a youth with relatives in Marcellus (his sister is Nancy Calley of Calley’s Hard-ware) and at the “Town Shop” youth center in Camillus. John, self-described as adventurous, enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking and fishing (has a life-time fishing license). John will work mostly late at night after his shift at school.

• Session has appointed the following corporate officers: President – Brian Gates, Secretary – Sue Bird, Treasurer – Karl Barner, Assistant Treasurers – Daphne Goldacker & Sue March.

• Committee chairs and Session Liaisons for 2019 include: Buildings and Grounds: Alan Beyel/Brian Abbot; Christian Education: Allison Ray/Brian Ray; Fellowship and Outreach: Charlie Smith/Dick Lautenslager; Finance and Stewardship: Karl Barner (both); Mission Interpretation: Sue Wegman/Sandy Manciocchi; Nominations: Brian Gates/Karl Barner; Personnel: Debbie Quick/ Nancy Holden; Worship Planning: Mary Heil (both); and Presbyterian Commissioners: Helen Stevens and Sandy Manciocchi

• An exciting experience singing with thousands of Presbyterian youth happens every 3 years at Youth Triennium at Purdue University July 16-20 (plus travel days). Check out this promo video: https://presbyterianyouthtriennium.org/2019-pyt-promotional-video Interested? Speak to Allison Ray.

• Our prayers with Geneva Hayden & her family. There was a fire at their home of 50 years on Mid-land Ave Feb 4. No injuries. They are temporarily living with Geneva’s daughter (Cheryl) in Syra-cuse while repairs are going on at the house.

• Our love and sympathy to the families of Howard Carey and Jane Amidon, who entered the Church Triumphant last month. We give thanks for their faith and dedication in this congregation. Thanks be to God who gives us the victory in our Lord the Risen Christ.

• Carol LaPointe-Knickerbocker, Clara and Cayden Knickerbocker have moved to Marathon, NY. • For Souper Bowl Sunday, we collected $155 in cash and 61 cans of food on Sunday morning! • Jerry Wickett retired on Friday, February 1st. Let the good times roll!! • A new laptop computer has been generously donated for the use of our congregation! If you'd like

to borrow it for use at home, or need it for a church project, or during a hospital stay, etc. please con-tact Rev. Anne Marie so arrangements can be made.

• Rev. Anne Marie will be away March 16-23. Rev. Lorrie Anson, 315-237-0783, will provide emer-gency pastoral care.

• Looking for Rev. Anne Marie? She welcomes unscheduled drop-ins on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 10 am to Noon, or schedule an appointment any day/time by either call-ing the church office (315)673-2201 or emailing pastor@marcelluspc.org.

Throughout Lent we gather together with our other Christian brothers and sisters in Marcellus for Wednesday Ecumenical Lunches at Noon to 1pm. Please come join us for a quick delicious meal! Date Location March 13 Marcellus United Methodist March 20 St. John’s Episcopal March 27 First Presbyterian church of Marcellus April 3 St. Francis Xavier April 10 St. John’s Episcopal

News From The Pews

Lenten Lunch Schedule

March 2019 Page 4

One Great Hour of Sharing “ Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever” Psalm 138:8

The theme for this year’s One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) Offering is: “You shall be called repairers of the breach.” A breach is defined as a gap in a barrier or defense. We are asked to repair it because that is what Jesus did. Jesus ministered to those who were most vulnerable. OGHS seeks to minister to vulnerable people today by providing relief to those affect-ed by natural disasters, providing food to the hungry and helping to empower the poor and oppressed.

The OGHS offering is divided equally among Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Self-Development of Peo-ple and Presbyterian Hunger Program. While we trust our OGHS programs to respond to the needs of our most vulnerable neighbors, those programs can only do so to the extent of our generosity. We will be collecting the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering throughout Lent and hope you will consider open-ing your heart to God’s love as we share our resources with our vulnerable neighbors throughout the world.

Opportunity to Give Extra During Lent

This year during Lent, in addition to our annual One Great Hour of Sharing Offering, we will have an opportunity to give guests at the Samaritan Center some supplies that they need. Listed below are items that can be brought to church at any time during the Lenten Season. There will be a box in the Gathering Space where you can place your items beginning March 6th.

Guest Needs: Gloves Reusable Water Bottles Shaving Cream Hats Deodorant Hand Wipes Scarves Toothpaste Soap/Body Wash Socks Shampoo Coffee Pots Sneakers Chap Stick Can Openers Sweatshirts Toilet Paper Pots & Pans Umbrellas Tissues Serving Utensils

Guests can’t use food stamps to buy these items, yet they are necessary. As always, thank you for your continued generosity. We do make a difference.

Lenten Offerings

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Christian Education

Easter Egg Hunt (HELPER NEEDED) For the last several years, the Christian Education Committee has organized an Easter Egg hunt for the children at church at 9:00am on Easter morning. The kids meet just before then in the Gather-ing Space outside of the sanctuary and are told how many eggs are hidden in the church, how many they can collect, and the areas of the church where they are allowed to seek. Then, they are set loose in the church to find their Easter treasures! We would like to offer this hunt again this year, but need to ask for a volunteer to meet the kids in the Gath-ering Space at 9am to give them the necessary info and send them off to search. Allison Ray has done this for several years, but will not be available at 9am. Is there another par-ent or church member who would be willing to do this?? The Rays will take care of stuff-ing and hiding the eggs in the church the week before, and will leave a note with the num-ber of eggs and any rooms that are off limits. All you’d have to do is count the kids partici-pating, let them know how many eggs they each can gather (yes, math!), and turn them loose. A few pictures of the participants and the hunt would be much appreciated, too! If you are willing to do this, please let Allison or Brian Ray know. Thank you, in advance.

Habitat for Humanity Bowl-A-Thon This year’s Habitat Bowl-a-Thon was a huge success! Organizers had set a goal to raise $7000 at the event, and at last count they had surpassed $7600! Our church con-tributed $450 to their efforts and had a great time bowling while we were at it. Thank you so much for your generosity in supporting this cause!

March 2019 Page 6

Painting for Purpose Farm Sunday, March 17th 11:15am-1:00pm

$40 includes painting and lunch Gift basket raffle & bake sale!

Our Love Month project is underway! The kids in the church school program take time in January to learn about different organizations, near and far, whose mis-sions involve the caring and compassion for others that we all seek to show as Christians, and settle on one mission each year to support. Some of the local organizations we have supported in the past include Light a Candle for Literacy, the SPCA, Dogs4Vets, and our very own Little Free Library. International organi-zations that we have supported include Children of the Father’s House in Uganda, and, last year, MUZIKI in Kenya. This year, we have decided to focus our atten-tion and efforts on a local organization that is doing some very important work for chil-dren in the central New York community. Tucked away in nearby Baldwinsville is an innovative program that most of you have probably never heard of. It is called Purpose Farm, and is a faith-based, family run, non-profit organization that mentors youth ages 6-18 from our local community who have suffered emotional trauma from neglect and/or abuse. Purpose Farm’s mission is to seek the child, show them love, and remind them that they were made for a purpose. These children are paired with rescued animals that came from similar circumstances of abuse and neglect. The rescued animals include horses, goats, pigs, alpacas, donkeys, chinchil-las, rabbits, guinea pigs, sugar gliders, a variety of birds and a camel! All of these animals have experienced neglect or abuse, but remain open to establishing and building trusting relationships with the humans they come into contact with. They help these abused and neglected children open themselves up, too. Through contact with human mentors and therapeutic interactions with animal mentors, the children gain a feeling of purpose, ex-perience genuine love, and feel a restored sense of hope, while building confidence and gaining empathy towards humans and animals. All services that Purpose Farm offers are FREE of charge, which means they rely on com-munity donations to keep their organization afloat so that they can provide local children with this important opportunity for healing and growth. When we learned about the spe-cial things they were doing for both children and animals in our community, we decided that this is an organization deserving of our support and admiration. We want to help Purpose Farm sustain what they are already doing and make it possible for more children to experience the programs they offer there, so we have come up with a fantastic fund-raiser activity that will be fun for ALL of us! On Sunday, March 17th, we are going to host an event right here in Shinaman Hall called PAINTING FOR A PURPOSE.

Christian Education

March 2019 Page 7

Christian Education

We are partnering with Everyday Art from Marcellus to offer a painting party and lunch-eon. If you’ve never been to a painting party, basically, every participant is provided all of the necessary supplies and step-by-step instructions from our guest art instructor to paint their own 11x14 masterpiece. You do NOT need to be an artist to create something beautiful! Everyone will be painting the same basic image, but you can get as creative as you want to make it your own! By the time you’re done, you’ll have a great piece of art for your wall or to give to someone else who might enjoy your creation. We kids will be serving a light lunch of soup and bread at no additional cost. There will also be themed gift baskets that will be raffled off and sweet treats baked by our youth and their families that will be for sale during the event. All of the proceeds will go to Pur-pose Farm to support their youth programming and animal care efforts. The cost of the event is $40 per person and it is open to the public. We would like you to reserve your spot in advance so that we can make sure to have enough food and supplies for eve-ryone. EveryDay art will be publicizing the event, as will Purpose Farm, so we expect a good crowd. A representative from Purpose Farm will be joining us that morning to share more information about what they do and how the money we raise will be used. In the weeks after our Painting Event, the kids from our church will head out to Purpose Farm for a tour and to offer hands-on help caring for the animals and doing chores to help the farm’s owners. We are excited to not only host an event here to support their youth programs, but to head over there to get our hands dirty helping out however we can. As we read in Peter, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve oth-ers, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” Please plan to join us in our service efforts this Love Month. We look forward to seeing you all on the 17th as we Paint for Purpose Farm! If you have questions or would like to reserve your spot at the event, you can talk to Mr. or Mrs. Ray, or visit www.eventbrite.com and enter “paint for purpose farm” in the event search bar. You can register and pay for your ticket from the event page.

March 2019 Page 8

Communion To Shut-Ins

The Deacons coor-dinate the offering of the Sacrament of Holy Communion to the home-bound on Sundays that we cele-brate the Sacrament in worship the first Sunday of each month. If you are homebound and would like to receive Communion, please call the Church Office, 673-2201, or Deb Swankey, Moderator of the Dea-cons, at 673-1403.

CONNECTIONS

Connections is published the first of each month by the Marcellus First Presbyterian Church. Deadline for materials is the 15th of the month preceding the month of publication. Submit materials and address changes to Church Office.

Marcellus First Presbyterian Church

PO Box 147, 1 East Main St. Marcellus, NY 13108 Phone: 315-673-2201

e-mail: office@marcelluspc.com website: www.marcelluspc.com

Worship: 10.00 AM Church School: 10:30 AM Views expressed are those of the authors and not official positions of the Session, unless noted.

Food Pantry Hours Tuesdays

11 am - 12 noon & 6:30 - 7:30 pm

Caring Ministry

IN OUR PRAYERS… -Family and Friends of Howard Carey -Family and Friends Jane Amidon -Geneva Hayden -Linda Ball -Hank Bartholomew and family -Jan Linderman -Julie Becker -Roger Hakes -Lyn Rice -Tom Brown -Mike Caster -Kathy Robinson -Tobey Casler -Friends and loved ones in need -Victims of all disasters -Our armed forces worldwide -Peace The Deacons

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Sue Bird 3/2 Ginny Smith 3/4 Daniel Heil 3/5 Jan Linderman 3/11 Donald Stalker 3/19 Deb Quick 3/22 Scott Brown 3/28 John Thorne 3/31

Worship Attendance

February 3 71 February 10 81 February 17 57 February 24 58

PEACE Luncheon Come join us for friendship, food and fun at the PEACE Luncheon, hosted every Thursday at the Methodist Church, The meal and fel-lowship is just $3.00. Res-ervations are requested so they know how many meals to make; call Darlene Hyde at (315)673-9052 to make a reservation. You must be at least 60 years young to join us.

March 2019 Page 9

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

9 am Zumba

3– Communion

10 am Worship

10:30 am Sunday School

11:30 am Christian Ed

Meeting

4

5 pm Personnel

Meeting

7 pm Fellowship

& Outreach Meet-

ing

7 pm Mission

Interpretation

Meeting

5 6—Ash Wednesday

7:30 pm Ecumenical

Worship Service At

St. Francis Xavier

8 pm AA Meeting

7

10:30 am Cof-

fee Group at

Marcellus Lanes

7:30 pm Choir

Rehearsal

8

9

9 am Zumba

10 am Seeking

Wisdom

10—Daylight Saving Begins

1st Sunday in Lent

10 am Worship

10:30 am Sunday School

11 am Intro to Finance

Committee

11:15 am Sandwiches for

the Samaritan Center

11

7 pm Deacons

Meeting

12

6:30 pm Wak-

ing Up White

13

10 am Finance

Meeting

Noon - Lenten

lunch at MUMC

7 pm Pastoral Tran-

sition Team Meeting

8 pm AA Meeting

14

10:30 am Cof-

fee Group at

Marcellus Lanes

7:30 pm Choir

Rehearsal

15

Newsletter

Deadline

16

9 am Zumba

17–Food Pantry Sunday

2nd Sunday in Lent

10 am Worship with Rev.

Banu Moore

10:30 am Sunday School

11:00 am Painting for a

Purpose

18

19

20

Noon - Lenten

lunch at St. John’s

Episcopal Church

8 pm AA Meeting

21

10:30 am Cof-

fee Group at

Marcellus Lanes

7:30 pm Choir

Rehearsal

22

23

9 am Zumba

24—3rd Sunday in Lent

10 am Worship

10:30 am Sunday School

25

7 pm Session

Meeting

26

6:30 pm Wak-

ing Up White

27

Noon - Lenten

lunch here, at the

First Presbyterian

Church

28

10:30 am Cof-

fee Group at

Marcellus Lanes

7:30 pm Choir

Rehearsal

29 30

9 am Zumba

2-5 pm Hall

Rental

31—4th Sunday in Lent

10 am Worship

10:30 am Sunday School

March 2019

March 2019 Page 10

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MARCELLUS P.O. Box 147 Marcellus, NY 13108 Address Service Requested

Please use P.O. Box 147 when corresponding with the Church

Presbyterian Women

There will be no regular meeting for Presbyteri-an Women in March. Everyone will be free to attend the Lenten Luncheon series. Next meeting will be April 10th.

Jackie Davies

SEEKING WISDOM BIBLE STUDY A Gathering for EVERYONE SEEKING to DEEPEN THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

and DISCOVER MORE about being a JESUS FOLLOWER

Saturday, March 9, 2019 - 10:00 - 11:30 AM - Fireside Room Led by Dr. Ginny Smith

Please join us Saturday, MARCH 9, 2019, for an enthusiastic and enlighten-ing discussion of God’s Word and how it applies to and can be lived out in our lives today. The Scriptures are amazing! Those who gather have found that Brian D. McLaren's book, We Make the Road by Walking, is an excellent guide in help-ing us dig deeper into what can often be unfamiliar territory.

On MARCH 9 we will be discussing chapters 27 (“A New Identity”) and 28 (“A New Path to Aliveness”). We’ll be digging deeply into Matthew 5:1-48 and re-flecting on how the beatitudes can be the key to living a Christian life. (This was originally scheduled for our February gathering, but due to Ginny being ill, it is postponed until March 9.) “Who are blessed? What kinds of people should we seek to identify with? . . . (Jesus) creates a new kind of hero: not warriors, corporate execu-tives, or politicians, but brave, determined activists for preemptive peace, will-ing to suffer with him in the prophetic tradition of justice. Our choice is clear from the start: if we want to be his disciples, we won’t be able to simply coast along and conform to the norms of our society. We must choose a different definition of well-being, a different model of success, a new identity with a new set of values.” Our next gathering times will be April 13, May 11, and June 8. Hope to see you on MARCH 9.

PEOPLE OF ALL AGES ARE ENCOURAGED TO COME.