the messenger 2016... · 2016-09-07 · the messenger -september 2016 -page 2 our mission in...

The Messenger - September 2016 -

THE MESSENGER The Peekskill Presbyterian Church September 2016

WELCOME BACK!

Grace and Peace to you through Christ our Lord. I pray that your summer

months have been filled with rest, relaxation, and reflection.

This summer the work of the ministry never slowed down. There was major con-

struction taking place on the campus, confirmation training lasted for eight

weeks, my doctorate of ministry classes resumed, “Spirit Talk was launched, I

officiated at four funerals, I made numerous hospital and nursing home visits, I

led a women’s retreat at Stony Point, sixteen members of my family came to visit

for four days, and Vacation Bible Camp rounded off the summer. It was a sum-

mer filled with all of the components of a vital ministry.

So, let me welcome all of you back to our regular church season. As usual, I am

excited about many things. This year promises to be our best years yet! Every

year it gets better! Our painting work bee is scheduled for September 10th, we

will soon dedicate all of the work that has been done on the building, our third

Sunday community meal will resume this month, our volunteer appreciation

luncheon will be held on September 24th, back to church Sunday with orchestral

music will be held on September 25th, the second “Spirit Talk” will take place

on September 27th,”Worship on the Water” will be held during the month of Oc-

tober, our new worshipping community planning team will begin meeting in Oc-

tober, our Gospel Festival will be held October 8th, our auction will be held No-

vember12, we will host the Presbytery training day on November 5th, and all of

this with our regular busy liturgical calendar and our six day a week busy sched-

ule.

As we embrace more ministry opportunities, there will be a need to re-evaluate

some of our long existing programs and events. We are small in number, but

large in vision and the desire to serve. Many of the same people have been doing

most of the work for many years. It will not always be possible for them to re-

spond to future calls at the same level that they have in the past.

It’s also time to plan for Christmas, Holy Week, and annual reports. The nomi-

nating ministry is hoping to identify new Deacons and Elders to lead this congre-

gation into the future. Please begin to pray about the ways that your gifts can

help the church live up to its full potential. New leaders are invited to share their

gifts and leadership abilities. The pastor cannot do it alone, nor can a small core

group. The more people involved, the more we will be able to accomplish for the

kingdom of God.

Continued on page 3.

IN THIS ISSUE

Mission………………………………..2

Vision…………………………………..2

Session Highlights….....…......….2

In Loving Memory………………...3

Prayer Requests…………….……...3

Pastor's Message continued…...3

Capital Campaign…….....…..…...4

Choir Corner……………....…........4

Women of HOPE…………………..4

PPC BYOB………………....…..…….5

Church News…………..…………...5

Knitting Group…………..………...5

Clerk's Corner……….........….…..6

Auction Update………….………...6

Bible Memory Verses..….….…...7

Wanted………………………………..7

Calendar………….……….….……..8


OUR MISSION

In response to the profound

love of God through Jesus

Christ toward all, we

welcome everyone to join as

we study and proclaim the

gospel, seek the will of God,

grow in spiritual maturity,

share our resources, and

respond in service to the

needs of our members and

our neighbors.

Vision Statement

The Peekskill Presbyterian Church is

a faithful and diverse community of

Christians with varied backgrounds,

ethnicities, talents, and ages. Guided

by the Holy Spirit, we are committed

to nurturing individual and corporate

faith through:

Vibrant Worship;

Committed Stewardship;

Relationship Building Fellowship;

Mission Focused Discipleship;

and Servant Leadership

Photo courtesy of K. Cerreta

Session Highlights from August 11, 2016

1. Minutes of the July 14, 2016 session meeting were Approved

2. The Peekskill Presbyterian Church will set up an account with Intellicorp at the cost of $125.00 and then a fee of $25.95 per person for background checks. Also to accept the policy that was amended from Presbytery. – Approved

3. The financials for January – July 2016 were Approved

4. Confirmation Sunday will be August 28, 2016.

5. Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon is September 24, 2016 at 11:30 in the Social Hall (Each ministry will nominate a member who goes above and beyond as a volunteer)

6. The Painting Work Bee is scheduled for September 10, 2016 from 9:00a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

7. The oil tanks for the CE Bldg. and Fowler House were re-moved without incident. When the tank at the manse was removed, it was determined that it had been leaking. The proper authorities have been notified, including the church’s insurance carrier, and remediation is under way.

8. More donations for the auction would be appreciated.

9. Back to church Sunday has been established as September 25th, and CE has Decided to have Sunday School start back up before that date on September 11th. CE to host coffee hour that day.

10. The car wash/bake sale, which was held on June 11, raised over $550 to help keep our shelves filled.We held a special collection to help those affected by flooding in W.V. A check was sent to the Presbyterian Disaster Relief Fund and ear-marked for West Virginia.The Labor Day Sunday break-fast is up in the air as we are unsure as to how many minis-try members will be available.

11. Please notice the work that has been done in the memorial garden

12. Prayer was offered by Elder Terrence Rooms and a Motion to adjourn was Approved

Lord's Attic Thrift Shop

Reopens on September 7th.

Hours: 10 Am-3 PM

Wed., Thurs, & Sat

Thank you for your support.


Continued Prayers….

Bruce and Denise S, Marge and Dick C, Larry and Marianne W, Don and Polly B,

Caroline R, Claire R, Erna F, Beverly P, Joyce T, Joe D, Don H, Richard N, and the Mercado Family.

Prayers of Sympathy….

for Rosa Reed and her family.

for Norman Haight.

Prayers of Healing….

for those affected by world tragic weather and events.

Pastor's Message continued from page 1

Romans 12:4-8 reminds us, For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then proph-esy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. By Faith, Pastor Stephany

Michael E. Griest

August 9, 2016

Robert L. Straub

August 17, 2016

Best Wishes

to

Chelsea Sackey and Kiara Mercado

on their Confirmation


Team Responds to Call for Help Weeding!

It was a sweltering 80’ in the shade last Friday when a team of young adults ready to help weed arrived with Rev. Stephany. Gardener John was on hand to explain the situation and moments later they set to work, clearing the area around the peppers of piles of invasive weeds. Bit by bit the progress became visi-ble, and by the time they left everyone agreed the area they focused on had been transformed. They helped harvest some produce for distribution and left having made a difference. Come join the fight to clear the weeds! The progress that has been made must be maintained, and additional rows must be cleared. Please spread the word – we need weeders!

WOMEN OF H.O.P.E. POTLUCK LUNCHEON

Friday, September 9, 2016 - 12:00 PM - Social Hall

Bring a dish that will serve 4 people - Refreshments will be provided.

Garden of Hope Hunger Initiative E-News - August 18, 2016

Steeple for the People

-Capital Campaign Update-

As of August 28, 2016

Total Amount Pledged: $12,049.00

Total Received: $8,369.00

Thank you for your support

I hope everyone has had a great summer.

As autumn begins we have several things

going on.

Wednesday evening rehearsals will begin

again for both the chancel choir and praise choir begin-

ning on Wednesday September 14th. Rehearsals will be

7-8pm for the chancel choir and 8-9pm for the praise

choir. As always everyone is invited to join.

Also on Sunday September 25th we will have the Peek-

skill Presbyterian Chamber Orchestra back to play for

the service. Make sure not to miss it and be sure to in-

vite any friends and family who would love to sing their

favorite hymns with our very own chamber orchestra.

See you all soon, Matt

CHOIR CORNER


SAVE THE DATE !!!

You are invited to attend the PPC BYOB PAINTHALL PARTY Saturday, September 10th

9:00 to 4:00

Jobs both small and a bit larger are on the menu as well as pizza.

9:00 too early? Come a bit later, stay for just part of the day. Conflict on the 10th? Alternatives available.

Please join us on the 10th for our

‘BRING YOUR OWN PAINT BRUSH PAINT HALL PARTY’

Many, many thanks!!

They say a man with many friends is rich.

That is so, and, in that respect,

I am a multimillionaire.

So many cards, so many flowers and plants,

so many visits, so many good wishes,

so many prayers.

I am indeed blessed and grateful.

Caroline Renaud

AFGHAN- MAKING TO RESUME

The Women of H.O.P.E. afghan makers will

resume weekly meetings on Friday,

September 16, 2016. The group meets from

noon to three in the Social Hall. If you are

interested in this ministry, your

participation would be appreciated. Free

lessons in crocheting and knitting are avail-

able. For more information, call Rosa Reed

at 914 739-7843.

From: Elaine Galella

Re: Thesis Defense by Joey Galella

Joey Galella was recently greatly blessed when he

successfully defended his Master's Thesis

"Slackwater Sedimentation at Laughlin Mill Dam,

Newville, Pennsylvania". His research for his degree

in Geo-environmental Studies involved taking core

samples of the accumulated silt behind the dam and

then using radiometric dating and satellite imagery

to determine the sediment mass accumulation rate

behind the dam. He and his family are overjoyed

and thank God for this blessing. Joey hopes to

pursue a PhD in this field and become a college

professor.


CLERK'S CORNER Now that a new school year is beginning and fall is close at hand, hopefully we will have some time to sit back and reflect on some very important facts. One of the most important and most self fulfilling pieces of information is

Knowing Who You Are in Christ. I came across this article while surfing the internet and felt I would like to share it with you my friends. Hopefully something in this list will strike a cord with you and help you better understand who you truly are in Christ.

“Do you know who you are? Knowing who you are in Christ is the key to a successful Christian life. The Bible says as a man thinks in his heart, so he is (Proverbs 23:7

When you accept Jesus as Lord and Savior you take on a new identi-ty. You are now everything God says you are. What Christ says about you trumps every negative word or name spoken against you. This is your inheritance as a child of God which makes knowing who you are in Christ important.

Below is a list of scripture statements. Begin discovering who you are in Christ. When someone speaks negatively of you, do not accept it. Cancel it out in the name of Jesus and confession what God says about you. If you are battling or struggling with something, use this list. If you are a new Christian and want to know who you are in Christ, use this list. Confess God’s word over yourself daily. God has given you power to speak and establish a thing. It is up to you to open your mouth and speak who you are in Christ.

List of who I am in Christ:

I am a child of God (John 1:12).

I am anointed by God (1 John 2:27).

I am loved by God (1 John 4:10).

I am free and free indeed (John 8:36).

I am a friend of God (John 15:15).

I am seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).

I am sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 11:3).

I am justified and redeemed (Romans 3:24).

I am more than a conquerer (Romans 8:37).

I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony (Revelation 12:11).

I am a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

I am blameless and free from accusation (Colossians 1:22).

I am a son of light and not a son of darkness (1 Thessalonians 5:5).

I am born of God, and the evil one does not touch me (1 John 5:18).

I am the head and not the tail; above and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13).

I am the lender and not the borrower (Deuteronomy 28:12).

I am redeemed the blood of Jesus and am forgiven for all my sins (Ephesians 1:7).

AUCTION UPDATE

How would you like to travel to Antiqua, St Lucia, Panama, or The Grenadines? These trips are available for bidding at our auction to be held on Nov 12, 2016 in the social hall of the church.

We currently have around 100 items which you can see posted on the bulletin board outside the social hall.

Mark your calendar and bring a friend.

We could also use your help. If you have any new items at your home that you do not want, consider donating them to our auction.

Get the word out about our event.

We will be selling wedge slices, chips and a drink, as well as sweets, and coffee.

In order for this to be a successful event we need everyone’s help.

Contact Charlene Woods or Patrick Buckiewicz if you have any questions.

Thank you in advance for your help. Charlene Woods, Stewardship Committee.

I am firmly rooted, built up, established in my faith and over-flowing with gratitude (Colossians 2:7).

I am healed by the stripes of Jesus (Isaiah 53:5).

I am strengthened with all might according to his glorious power (Colossians 1:11).

I am submitted to God, and the devil flees from me because I resist him in the name of Jesus (James 4:7).

I am part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people (1 Peter 2:9).

I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear fruit (John 15:16).

I am a son of God and one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26, 28).

I have been made righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21).

I have life (1 John 5:12).

I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).

I have the peace of God that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

I have victory through Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57).

I have no lack for God supplies all of my needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

I was predestined to be adopted as God’s child (Ephesians 1:5).”

http://2praisegod.com/how-to-be-saved-through-jesus-christ/


BIBLE MEMORY VERSES FOR SEPTEMBER 2016

1. Psalm 118:1. O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!

2. Psalm 125:1. Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.

3. Psalm 51:10, 11. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.

4. Psalm 69:30. I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Submitted by Rosa Reed

WANTED!

Do you have things you don't need?

Most of us do.

Recycle them with love.

CALENDARS This time of year many of us receive beautiful calendars in the mail. They are sent to thank us for donations to many worthy causes. If you have more calendars than you need, please donate them to men and women in prison. Last year, churches in our Presbytery collected more than 600 calendars. They were donated to several facilities, including Sing Sing and Bedford, where they were

distributed through the chaplain's offices. When someone receives a calendar and hangs it on a cell wall, there is a reminder each and every day, for an entire year, that someone in the community thought of him or her. Won't you reach out? Won't you share? The Presby-tery's Prison Ministry will be collecting calendars from now through November. Please note that calendars must be received by December 1

in order to get them to the prisons in a timely fashion. If you have some to contribute, they can be dropped off at Peekskill Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian (Ossining), Scarborough Presbyterian Church or the Presbytery office.

COMPUTERS

If you have an old laptop and don't know what to do with it, please consider donating it to Hudson Link. It will be wiped clean of all your information and refurbished for someone who has been released from prison. It can be old; it just needs to be able to access the Internet. Your donation will help someone write a resume, look for a job, reach out to friends and family and maybe even play a game now and then. There is even a reward for you. Your donation of a laptop, valued by the IRS at $400, will be tax-deductible. That is definitely something I would call win-win! For more information, please contact me.

Barbara Devir/ [email protected]/914-923-3517

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

(2 Corinthians 9:7)


SEPTEMBER 2016 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

August 28

9:00am-Stewardship

9:00am-

Praise Choir

10:00am-Worship

11:30am-Adult

Bible Study

CONFIRMATION

SUNDAY

August 29

7-9:00pm-NA

7:30pm-Mission

HEAD START STAFF

BACK

AUGUST 30

6:45pm-

Fit Club

7:30pm-

Gates of Heaven

August 31

7:30am-Prayer Call

6:30pm-AA

NATIONAL DOG DAY

September 1

7:00PM-

Corporate

& Business

2

8:00am-4:00pm

Head Start

Orientation

3:30pm-8:30pm

Youth Ministry

3

FLOWER OF THE

MONTH

Aster & Forget-me-not

4

9:00am-Praise Choir

10:00am-Worship

(with Communion)

11:30am-Adult

Bible Study

5

7-9:00pm-NA

LABOR DAY

6

10:00am-2:00pm

Head Start Parents

6:45pm-Fit Club

7:30pm-C.E.

7:30pm-

Gates of Heaven

7

8am-4pm-Head

Start Orientation

7:30am-Prayer Call

6:15pm-Thrift Shop

6:30pm-AA

8

7:00pm-Session

INT'L LITERACY DAY

9

12:00pm-

Women of HOPE

Potluck Luncheon

3:30pm-8:30pm

Youth Ministry

10

9:00am-4:00pm-

Painting Work Bee

PATRIOT DAY 11

9:00am-

Congregational Life

9:00am-

Praise Choir

10:00am-Worship

11:30am-Adult

Bible Study

12

7-9:00pm-NA

7:30pm-

Speaker's Forum

NATIONAL

PREPAREDNESS

MONTH

13

6:30pm-Deacons

6:45pm-

Fit Club

7:30pm-

Gates of Heaven

14

6:30pm-AA

7:00pn-Chancel

8:00pm-Praise

NATIONAL SUICIDE

PREVENTION

AWARENESS MONTH

15

DAY OF DEMOCRACY

16

12:00pm-Kintting

3:30pm-8:30pm

Youth Ministry

7:30pm-Bridge

(at the Button's)

CONSTITUTION DAY

17

OKTOBERFST

9:00am- 18

Chancel Choir

10:00am-Worship

(with Communion)

11:30am-Adult

Bible Study

5:30-8pm-Community

Dinner

NAT'L CHEESEBURGER

19

6:00pm-Personnel

7-9:00pm-NA

7:30pm-

Speaker's Forum

20

6:45pm-

Fit Club

7:30pm-

Gates of Heaven

NATIONAL SCHOOL

SUCCESS MONTH

21

7:30am-Prayer Call

6:30pm-AA

7:00pm-Chancel

8:00pm-Praise

INT'L DAY OF PEACE

22

7:30pm

"Thirsty"

WORLD RHINO DAY

23

12:00pm-Knitting

3:30pm-8:30pm

Youth Ministry

7:30pm-

Book Club

24

11:30am-1:00pm

Volunteer Recognition

Luncheon

FAMILY HEALTH &

FITNESS DAY USA

25

9:00am-Stewardship

9:00am-

Chancel Choir

10:00am-Worship

(11:30am-Adult

Bible Study

WELCOME BACK

APPLE FEST SUNDAY

26

7-9:00pm-NA

27

6:45pm-

Fit Club

7-9:00pm-

Spirit Talk

7:30pm-

Gates of Heaven

28

7:30am-Prayer Call

6:30pm-AA

7:00pm-Chancel

8:00pm-Praise

CHILDHOOD CANCER

AWARENESS MONTH

29

FRUITS & VEGES

OF THE MONTH

Nectarines, Figs,

Peppers: Cayenne,

Chili, Poblano,

Serrano, Jalapeno

30

12:00pm-

Knitting

3:30pm-8:30pm

Youth Ministry

October 1

INT'L COFFEE DAY

WORLD VEGETARIAN

DAY

Church Office Hours

Tues—Fri, 9:30am—2:30pm

914-737-3322

[email protected]

Pastor Stephany Graham

Office Hours

Wed: 10AM—3PM, Thur: 4—7PM

On Call

Friday and Saturday

Church Web site:

www.peekskillpresby.org

Find Us on Face Book:

Peekskill Presbyterian Church

705 South Street, Peekskill, NY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all

those who were born in

the Month of September.

Lord's Attic Thrift Shop

Hours: 10 Am-3 PM

Wed., Thurs, & Sat

the messenger 2016... · 2016-09-07 · the messenger -september 2016 -page 2 our mission in...

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