The MessengerFirst Reformed Church of Scotia

224 North Ballston AvenueScotia, NY 12302

The Rev. Craig J. Hoffman The Rev. Jan L. Hoffman

FromCraig’sDesk

January/February 2013Volume 65, Number 1

LEO DIDN’T SEE THIS COMING!A remarkable thing happened on Christmas Sunday morning, December 23. Do you remember? After 10:00 worship that day we were treated to a very special coffee hour with some amazing Middle Eastern delicacies like baklava. The people serving us that day greeted us with warm smiles and wishes of “Merry Christmas.” Now the remarkable thing is that these gracious people were strangers to many of us. Not only that, the woman wore a headscarf, a hajib. In fact, the people who so graciously hosted our coffee hour on our high holy day and who wished us all a Merry Christmas were Muslims – Iraqi refugees (actually Palestinians living in Iraq who were persecuted there and put into refugee camps). A mission group in our church helped settle them into a new home in Schenectady, and our extravagant Christmas coffee hour was their gift and their way of saying thank you -- not just to our mission group, but to our entire congregation. They were Mr. Rami Saidam, his wife Mrs. Linda Mofeed, and their children Saidam, Lula and Ramiza; and also Linda’s father Mr. Fawaz Mufid and his son Khalad. (Mrs. Mofeed and Mr. Mufid are father and daughter and have the same last name but were processed by different immigration agents, so the spellings are different. As author Kurt Vonnugut repeated so often in his novel, Cat’s Cradle, “So it goes.”)

But their gift went beyond their wonderful sweets and gracious hospitality. Rami also presented the church with a framed metalwork rendering of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous mural, The Last Supper. It was crafted in Syria where Christians are about 10% of the population. It is now prominently displayed on the north wall in Memorial Lounge. Make sure that you take special notice of it.

Sometimes you just have to smile, for who would have thought it? A 15th century mural from the wall of an Italian convent’s refectory becomes one of the most recognized and beloved icons of Christian faith. Six centuries later a Syrian craftsman reproduces it in metal, whereupon Palestinian Muslims living in Iraq come as refuges to this land of refugees and purchase it as a gift for a Protestant congregation that had long ago separated itself from the Roman Catholic Church of the above Italian convent. Merry Christmas, and thank you, they say!

I trust that God looked down and smiled that day, as do we all.

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Thank You Notes From TheCongregation

Since we published the last issue of The Messenger we received the following thank-you notes and letters. They are posted on the tack strip outside of Pastor Craig’s office. Read and enjoy them there for yourselves.

• From Eileen Quick, Scotia Food Pantry: Thank you so much for the monetary donation in the amount of $230 and for the generous food donations during the month of November. We appreciate all the help you give to our families at the Scotia Glenville Food Pantry.

• The Willoughby Family: Thank you so much for your prayers, thoughts and kind gestures to my family during the past year as we added two new babies to our family, struggling with unemployment, hospitalization and such. Your support and love have kept our faith strong and we look forward to a blessed 2013. Thank you.

• From Shirley Taft: Thank you for the lovely poinsettia plant delivered to me by Linda Willoughby and her granddaughter.

• From JoAnne Marcario: To Sunny Baldwin and all of the third thru twelfth graders that helped to bring a warmer, snugglier Christmas to children in our community who are sick or needy ---thank you!

• From Marjorie Edgar for St. Andrews Church: Thank you so very much for letting us use your wonderful facility for our post-ordination reception. You all were so welcoming to us, and the facility was perfect. We had a good turnout which was especially nice. Again, thank you so very much.

• From Vida Durnford: Thank you for the lovely Christmas poinsettia. It has been a great addition to my room.

• From Jim and Becky Penn: Thank you to the many people who have helped us and our family and continue to help us with their thoughts, prayers, financial support, meals and other kindnesses. All of these ways of helping us are felt and very much appreciated.

• From Bob Hummer: To my dear friends at First Reformed – Many thanks for the beautiful poinsettia that Jane Lansing delivered to my home during the holidays.

• From Blanche Gray: Thank you for the Christmas flowers. Thanks to Jane Lansing who brought them to me and all the other nice thoughts and concerns. Thank you also for all the flowers that were brought to Adrian. Also thanks go to the Eberle’s who helped to rake leaves this past fall and to Linda Lewis for all the delicious soup. Many thanks also to the Sharing and Caring Group for the beautiful poems. They are all read to Adrian. Thanks also for all your prayers. I am thankful to be a part of this church.

• From Rick, Jessica, Tony and Leo Crisci: With much love we extend a heartfelt thank you for the beautiful blanket for Leo. What a lovely gesture! He already loves to snuggle up with it. We feel so blessed to be a part of this wonderful church community.

• From Amanda, Bill and Micah Faulkner: We so appreciate the flowers delivered by Dan and Anita Brudos on behalf of the birth of Naomi Philomena. They are beautiful, as is she!

We were also honored to receive the absolutely beautiful prayer shawl knit for Naomi by Jennifer Westervelt! It is perfect and a loving reminder of the care that our congregation gives to us. We are blessed to be a part of this wonderful community.

• From Bill and Karen Faulkner: We appreciated the many expressions of sympathy expressed with the passing of Dad. Thanks also to Dan and Anita Brudos for delivering the beautiful flowers to our home. God’s blessings and peace be upon you all.

• From Sandra Suits: I would like to thank the church and especially the Blackmore family for sharing their memorial sanctuary flowers with me. It was a cheerful uplift that brightened a cold and windy January day.

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Dinner Will ProvideScholarships

We’ve set the date and hope you have marked your calendars for the Annual Fowler Spaghetti Dinner & Cake Auction. If you missed it, we’ve scheduled it for Saturday, March 16 from 4:00 to 7:00. This dinner, which raises money for Camp Fowler scholarships, helps more than twenty youth go to camp for a week. The Dinner is a time of serving, fellowship and fun! If you’ve never seen a cake auction, you really need to come. Volunteer sign ups will begin mid-February. We’re sure there’s a place for everyone.

We are holding a Men’s Retreat at Camp Fowler, March 1, 2, and 3. We will be staying in Pine Lodge beginning Friday evening (arrive anytime after 5:00), and will close the weekend with worship on Sunday morning following brunch. Pine Lodge has room for 20 people; the sleeping quarters are bunk beds, so you bring your own bedding -- sleeping bag, or sheets and blankets, and a pillow. We prepare our own meals, so I will be looking for teams to volunteer to prepare a meal; costs will be reimbursed.

It will still be the middle of winter at Camp, of course. There will be plenty of opportunity for outdoor activities, so bring your snowshoes, cross-country skis, etc. We will gather for discussions and conversation, but there will be plenty of free time -- this is a retreat, so you will have time to read and relax, sit and converse with new friends, or just rest. We may even have one or two small work projects around Camp.

Cost for the weekend is $40 per person, which covers the cost of the rental and provides for reimbursement of the costs to those who prepare meals. Checks can be made out to the First Reformed Church of Scotia and given to either Dave Walsh, or to Kathie in the church office. There will be a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board outside Craig’s office. Don’t delay! The group had a wonderful time last year, so the word has gotten around! If you have questions contact Dave Walsh at 370-2320 or sisudaw@gmail.com. See you at Camp!

Sign Up Now For Men’s Retreat

Lynn Makrin will display quilts she has made in Memorial Lounge from February 10 through the beginning of March to celebrate her 40th birthday. Some of the quilts will be auctioned off at Lynn’s blog site to benefit two of Lynn’s favorite charities – The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative and Camp Fowler. To bid on the quilts go to: http://thisquiltingmama.blogspot.com/. If you don’t use computers and want to bid see Lynn. Lynn will greet everyone outside Memorial Lounge on February 10, her birthday.

Quilts DisplayWill Benefit Alzheimers and Camp Fowler

FROGS, the church’s youth group for 3-8th graders, meets 1-2 times a month for fun & mission. These are the dates to get on your calendars:• Sunday, February 10: The FROGS along with the Senior High class are hosting their annual

Senior Luncheon for our church. Families will be asked to provide items for the luncheon, and youth will meet at 11:15 to set up.

• Saturday, March 16, 4:00 to 7:00: All youth are asked to serve at The Annual Fowler Spaghetti Dinner, which raises money for Camp Fowler scholarships. We hope all youth can help serve at the dinner and bake cakes.

As usual, we need parents to assist at the luncheon in February. We’ll post the donation list on the bulletin board. Call Coordinator of Christian Living Sunny Baldwin, 374-9276, or email her at frcssbaldwin@verizon.net with any questions or ideas for other events.

FROGS Plan Activities

This invitation is to all “Seniors.” WE DO NOT HAVE ANY AGE LIMITS, so you decide. The 3-12 grade youth invite you to join them for the Valentine Luncheon, which is Sunday, February 10 at 12 noon. Once again, we will have a time of fellowship followed by a piping hot soup luncheon served by some of the youth and parents in our church. This is a wonderful time to get to meet and learn about someone from another generation. Be sure to sign up on the board next to Pastor Craig’s office so we know how much food to prepare.

Valentine Lunch For Seniors Held In Brink Hall

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News On Our Discipleship Project

The Discipleship Project: Making Disciples finished itsp third cycle January 15. This program, which encourages the adults of our congregation to participate in Christian faith experiences, has shown remarkable growth since we started. Each year we set a goal for our members to reach and each year we have exceeded our goal. Our initial congregation goal was 500 credits and this year we will exceed 700 credits. If you haven’t turned in your cards, please be sure to do so by February 17. We’d love to celebrate our success later in the month!

Every week our bulletin lists the food most needed for the Scotia Food Pantry. Below are the items for February. Please place your donations in the container in the narthex or in the one outside Brink Hall. What a great offering we would give if everyone brought the weekly item!

There is always a need for bags and for monetary donations. Donations are used to purchase milk certificates and other items available at the Regional Food Bank for just 16 cents a pound. Make out your check to the First Reformed Church of Scotia and put “Food Pantry” on the memo line. Here are February’s food askings: • February 3: Canned Fruit • February 17: Dish Detergent • February 10: Peanut Butter • February 24: Toilet Tissue

The pantry needs volunteers who would get a check from the pantry and buy food to help stock the pantry shelves once a month. Contact Janice Cooper at 842-7951 to find out details.

Please Donate Listed Items For The Food Pantry

Here Are Milestones In The Lives Of Our Congregation

Pastor Jan Hoffman and Ella Campbell, a trained spiritual director and an elder at the First Church in Albany, will lead a Fowler retreat for men and women in the season of Easter, Tuesday, April 16 through Thursday, April 18. Called Come to the Water, this retreat offers a time of rest and renewal -- particularly for ministers, but for anyone who enjoys Word and worship, and the other disciplines of the spiritual life. You will stay in your own room in Chi Rho lodge and enjoy meals in the newly renovated dining room. The cost is $150. Check the flyer on the bulletin board, go to campfowler.org or call the Fowler office, 631-6789, to register.

Adult Retreat Will Be Held At Fowler During April

Here are some milestones in the lives of people in our congregation since the last issue of The Messenger.

Congratulations:• To Carolyn Norris on becoming a great grandmother. Her great granddaughter is named Rebekah

Maureen Anna and was born on Friday, December 1 in San Antonio, Texas.• To Bill and Amanda Faulkner on the birth of a baby girl, Naomi Philomena who was born

Sunday, January 6.• To Dennis Pelkey who ran in the Dartmouth Relays on Sunday, January 13. Dennis placed first

in his age group for the 60 meter dash. Dennis’s time was 8.43 seconds.• To Zilpha Kirk who turns 100 years old on February 12.• To Bill Wragg who turns 90 years old on February 17.

New Address:• Jane and Nelson Corby have moved to Florida. Their new address will be: 25 Knight Boxx

Road, Apt. 5308, Orange Park, FL 32065.

We express our sympathy to:• Karen and Dave Wentworth and their family on the death of Karen’s mother.• Joan Casper and her family on the death of Joan’s husband Augie.• Marianne Senneca on the death of her brother in January.• Dick Haight on the death of his brother in January.

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Did God give me cancer? Evolution makes sense; is that OK? Do I have to take the Bible literally? What mattered most to Jesus? What brings fulfillment? What is God’s dream for this world? Pastor Craig Hoffman offers a 10-week Lenten study of these and other topics using Martin Thielen’s book, What’s the Least I Can Believe and Still Be a Christian? Classes meet on 10 consecutive Wednesdays beginning February 20 and ending April 24. Three times are offered each Wednesday, 6:30 to 7:30, 12:15 to 1:30 and 7:15 to 8:30. The book costs $10. Sign up on the sheets outside of Pastor Craig’s office by February 10.

Lenton Study Offered

Ash Wednesday Service Scheduled

We report our monthly worship attendance to encourage you to faithfully gather on the Lord’s Day, and invite others to join you.

2012 2011December week #1 233 230December week #2 277 223December week #3 224 281December week #4 246 071December week #5 99 no week #5December Average 216 201

YTD Average 209 212 2013 2012

January week #1 219 149January week #2 195 262January week #3 237 217January week #4 239 224January week #5 None 252January Average 223 221

YTD Average 223 221

Each month we report our giving. Here’s how we gave in December and January.

GIVING 2012 2011 Change % Change

December $36,592 $36,745 (153) 0%

Total for the Year $317,334 $321,481 (4,147) (1%)

GIVING 2013 2012 Change % Change

January $24,724 $26,515 (1,791) (7%)

Total for the Year $24,724 $26,515 (1,791) (7%)

(Note: January 2012 had 5 Sundays and 2013 only had 4 Sundays.)

Attendance Reported

Offerings For December and January Annnounced

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the season of the Church Year when we look inward and take inventory of our spiritual lives and of the directions we are heading in life. This year Ash Wednesday falls on February 13. We will mark this beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday worship in our Sanctuary at 7:30. Join others from your church family for a quiet service of reflection and prayer. Those who find it meaningful will be able to have a mark of ashes placed on their foreheads as a sign of repentance and as a sign our mortality. Let Ash Wednesday worship help you begin an important and faithful Lenten season.

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Envelopes Available ForChildren

We offer our Sunday school children and youth their own special boxes of offering envelopes as a way to encourage regular giving. Sunday school students select a mission to support with their giving each term of Sunday school. Parents: these boxes of offering envelopes are an opportunity for you to teach your child the discipline of systematically giving to their church. Students in Children & Worship through Senior High have received their envelopes during their classes. If you have a younger child that you would like to have envelopes, see Sunny Baldwin.

Registration for Camp Fowler in Speculator, NY is open online at campfowler.org. Our church will again offer $125 scholarships to the youth of our congregation toward their camp registration. Please make sure that you let Pastor Jan know when you have registered! Since registration is through the Fowler office and not our church, we don’t know that you’ve registered unless you tell us. Email her at frcsjhoffman@verizon.net.

Camp Fowler needs adult volunteer cabin counselors, kitchen, and maintenance workers. Wendy Carpenter has signed up to be a cabin counselor. Pastors need to send recommendations if you volunteer – let either Pastor Craig or Pastor Jan know.

Every second year our church leads a week of summer camp. This is our year. Pastor Jan and Coordinator of Christian Living Sunny Baldwin will provide Christian education and lead worship for Week #60, Una Tierra – One World, July 28 – August 3. Youth in 3rd Grade through senior highs have fun together that week. We need cabin counselors to care for 8 boys or girls in each cabin. Ed and Kim Rosenberg have signed up and would love some more of you to join them. We already have a team of volunteers for the kitchen and maintenance staff, including Pam Walsh, Sheila Dort, and Linda Willoughby. Go online to the Fowler website and hear Aunt Tee Munson talk about why she loves Camp!

We raise Fowler scholarship money through our annual Spaghetti Dinner. This year it’s on Saturday, March 16. Read about it elsewhere in this issue of The Messenger. Plan now to help, by serving, buying tickets, or baking cakes for the cake auction. We need to raise at least $3,000. Join us for this good time and worthy cause.

Fowler Needs Adult Volunteers

Ever been to Camp Fowler in the wintertime? Young people in Grades 6 – 12 can go to the third annual winter camp over school break, Sunday through Tuesday, February 17-19, and stay in Pine Lodge or the Chi Rho House. Returning summer staff and volunteers lead recreation, familiar songs and program to get you in the mood for summer camp. The cost is $125. Register on-line. Your registration is complete when you mail in the check and the required permission slip.

How about Winter Family Camp? A new offering this winter, similar to summer Family Camp, Wednesday through Saturday, gives families a chance to spend time in Troost Lodge, Pine Lodge or Chi Rho during school break. Fees include lodging, meals and programming. Call the Camp office, 631-6789 to register or go online at campfowler.org/winter-family-camp.

Winter Camp Held At FowlerFor Students Grades 6-12

Our “Bottle Ladies” report that they have sent another check for $80 to Bethesda House and also one for $80 to the City Mission. This makes a total for the year of $1,016. These hard working ladies have been doing this for 9 years!! A big thank you goes to Betty Conde, Shirley Taft and Val Van Patten.

Bottle Committee Reports

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Caregivers Meet Again

Our Caregivers support group meets on the second Monday of every month at 12:15. We next meet on Monday, February 11. Many people care for parents, grandchildren, neighbors and others in a variety of ways. Pastor Jan leads this time for support and for an opportunity to talk honestly about what’s going on. This small non-threatening group makes a difference in people’s lives. Come see what we’re about. Speak to one of the pastors if you’d like to know more.

Our Refugee Resettlement family, Rami and Linda Saidam, is looking for a gently used swing set for their children. If anyone has a swing set they would like to donate to them contact the church office, 370-4751 or Jane Lansing at 372-6082. There will be a moving van available to pick it up on February 23.

Can You Donate A Swing Set?

The Mission of the Month for February is SALT (Schoharie Area Long Term) Recovery, www.saltrecovery.org, in Schoharie. SALT is the coordinating council of the various agencies that aid those affected by the Hurricane Irene and Storm Lee disaster. Sarah Goodrich, a member of the Schoharie Reformed Church, is the executive director. She hosted the Frasca family during their time of rebuilding and recovery from the flood.

We are glad to support this agency in the rebuilding of homes and community life in area towns. We hope to provide hands-on opportunities in the spring.

Use the specially marked envelopes in your boxes of offering envelopes to give to our Mission of the Month.

More than 90 of our church’s households already get their monthly issues of The Messenger by email. Doing so saves paper, postage, photocopier wear and tear, and secretarial time. It also insures that your issue of The Messenger is never late. Anyone who has Adobe Acrobat Reader software on a home computer can receive The Messenger this way. (Most computers come with this software already installed.)

If you would like to receive your issues of The Messenger electronically, just send Secretary Kathie Balser an email request. We’ll put you on the email list right away, and take you off the postal list. If ever you change your mind, a simple phone call to the office will put you back on the mailing list. Kathie’s email address is:

frcskbalser@verizon.net

MOM ForFebruary IsSALT

Get Your MessengerBy Email

Missions Reported For 2012

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Here’s how we supported missions in 2012 with our regular offerings, Mission-of-the-Month and communion offerings, special offerings, and with our time and effort.

WORLD-WIDE MISSIONS

Assessed RCA benevolences $3,072RCA Missionaries, the Otternesses $3,050Church World Service $1,047Theological Education:

New Brunswick Seminary $750Western Seminary $750

Albany Synod missions:Classis Ministries $1,000Fowler Ministries $6,647

LOCAL MISSIONSFlood Relief:

Reformed Church World Service $1,500Project Hospitality $3,952Middleburgh Reformed Church $410Prattsville Reformed Church $3,410Schoharie Reformed Church $410

Bethesda House $511City Mission of Schenectady $1,690Concerned for the Hungry $780Deacon’s Fund Disbursements $2,766Habitat for Humanity $730KIDS Hope USA $1,411New York AMVETS $100Refugee Resettlement $300Regional Food Bank $4,178Residents of Scotia Mansion $150Salvation Army $1,158Samaritan Counseling Center:

Care Fund $1,717Rent Subsidy $5,560

Schenectady Home Furnishings $1,732Schenectady Inner City Ministries:

General programming $1,211Food Pantry $6,338

Scotia Food Pantry $898Scotia Relief Association $886Souper Bowl Fund Drive $551

TOTAL MISSION GIVING $53,726 ( More on Next Page)

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Our 2013 consistory met for the first time on Monday, January 13 and organized itself for its work this year.

This year’s officers are: Craig Hoffman, President; Jan Hoffman, Vice-President; Pam Walsh, Elder Vice-President; and Sheila Dort, Clerk. Dan Brudos and Dave Schalekamp join them on our Executive Committee.

Councils assist our consistory in planning and organizing the ministries and activities of our church. Membership on one of our councils is open to anyone who is part of our worshipping community -- church member and friend alike. Unlike the consistory whose members are called and elected, council members can volunteer for consistory appointment. Are you interested in serving on one of our councils? Speak to Pastors Craig or Jan Hoffman. They’ll tell you more. Here are this year’s council leaders:

• Administration Council: Diane Faubion and Mike Carpenter

• Buildings & Grounds Council: John Pierce Jr., and Russ Garrison

• Christian Education Council: Pam Walsh and Chris Bodden

• Congregational Care Council: Beth Vaccaro and Sheila Dort

• Missions Council: Dave Schalekamp and Dan Brudos

• Worship Council: Pete Lewis and Brian Westervelt

Have you even wondered what your consistory does? The most recently approved consistory minutes are always posted on the bulletin board outside of the pastors' offices. If you ever have any questions about what you read, simply ask either of your pastors or any other member of your consistory. Their names are printed regularly in the bulletin and are part of the posted minutes.

But that’s not all.

Our special ladies redeemed over $1,016 worth of returned bottles and cans for Bethesda House and City Mission.

People from our church volunteered significant time and energy to Hurricane Irene flood relief efforts, Camp Fowler, Habitat for Humanity, Schenectady Home Furnishings, the Joan Nicole Prince House, SICM Food Pantry, Ellis Hospital, Sunnyview Rehabilitation Center, Baptist Retirement Center, Bethesda House, City Mission, the Salvation Army, Catholic Family Charities Refugee Resettlement Program, and to KIDS Hope USA at Sacandaga Elementary School,

All of KIDS Hope USA Director Tee Munson’s time and portions of Pastors Craig and Jan Hoffman’s time were also spent on one or more of the above missions. All together that accounted for $23,883 of our total staff salaries and benefits expenses.

Part 2 Of Missions Report For2012

New Consistory Has ChangeIn Council Leaders

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February 2013 Calendar

Room Code

ML – Memorial LoungeBH – Brink HallLH – Lakehill RoomOF – Church OfficeBR – Bell RoomS – SanctuaryRM1 – Room 1RM8 – Room 8RM9 – Room 9K -- Kitchen

Sunday, February 38:00 Worship –S9:15 Youth Music Group --RM810:00 Worship –S10:30 Sunday School --classrooms11:15 Coffee Hour –BH11:15 Te Deum Bells -- BR12:00 Confirmation Class -- ML

Monday, February 47:15 Administration Council -- LH

Tuesday, February 57:15 Christian Education Council -- ML

Thursday, February 79:00 Morning Bells -- BR7:00 J. Westervelt’s 4-H -- RM17:15 Sanctuary Choir -- S

Friday, February 85:00 Lynn Makrin’s Quilt Show -- ML

Sunday, February 108:00 Worship –S9:15 Youth Music Group -- RM810:00 Worship –S10:30 Sunday School --classrooms11:15 Coffee Hour -- BH11:15 Te Deum Bells -- BR12:00 Valentine Lunch for Seniors -- BH

Monday, February 1112:00 Care Givers -- ML7:30 Consistory -- ML

Tuesday, February 1210:00 Circle Joanna -- ML7:15 Stephen Ministry Supervision -- ML

Wednesday, February 137:30 Ash Wednesday Service -- S

Thursday, February 149:00 Morning Bells -- BR6:00 Choir Party -- BH7:00 J. Westervelt’s 4-H -- RM17:15 Sanctuary Choir -- S

Sunday, February 17, 1st Sunday in Lent, Communion8:00 Worship –S9:15 Youth Music Group --RM810:00 Worship –S10:30 Sunday School --classrooms11:15 Coffee Hour –BH11:15 Te Deum Bells -- BR

Monday, February 18* President’s Day -- Offices Closed7:15 Congregational Care Council --ML

Tuesday, February 197:00 Scotia Reformed Home Bureau --RM1

Wednesday, February 206:30 Lenten Study -- ML12:15 Lenten Study -- LH1:30 Sharing & Caring --ML7:15 Lenten Study -- LH

Thursday, February 219:00 Morning Bells --BR7:15 Sanctuary Choir -- S

Sunday, February 248:00 Worship –S9:15 Youth Music Group -- RM810:00 Worship –S10:30 Sunday School --classrooms11:15 Congregational Meeting --S1:15 Te Deum Bells -- BR11:30 Coffee Hour -- BH12:00 Confirmation Class -- ML

Monday, February 257:15 Women of Hope-- ML

Wednesday, February 276:30 Lenten Study -- ML12:15 Lenten Study -- LH7:15 Lenten Study -- LH

Thursday, February 289:00 Morning Bells --BR7:15 Sanctuary Choir -- S

February Birthdays

February Anniversaries

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Linda and Richard Lewis 21

Jackson Buff 1Tina Haldeman 1Kim Pierce 1Jessica Sharrow 2Simon Trbovich 2Jessica Kohout 3Amanda Faulkner 4Gordon Wright 5Kathie Balser 6Nick Bobrowich 7Walter Pfuntner Jr. 8Emma DeMasi 9Sophia DeMasi 9June Shaw 9Judy Vaccaro 9Lynn Makrin 10Joyce Gaudreau 11John Pierce Sr. 11Ellen Schultz 11Zilpha Kirk 12

Terry Paulson 12Michelle Pierce 15Susan Torelli 16Yvonne Boyd 17Jan Hoffman 17Bill Wragg 17Norma Hamm 20Jack Adam 22Viktoriya Falcon 22Emmett Hollenbeck 22 Betty Vikre 22Chris Bodden 23Terri McKenzie 23Jean Ellis 23Ellen Downing 26Eleanor Marks 26Maggie Pfuntner 27Dylan Getter 28Julia Penn 28

March Anniversaries

March Birthdays

Dick and Carol Haight 15Jack and Carol Arnold 20Jay and Judy Harlow 27Edward and Kim Rosenberg 28Bob and Nancy Konczeski 29Dennis and Sheryl Pelkey 30

Helen Eidens 1Emily Griffith 2Alexandria Benedetto 3Joya Clark 5Chic Gilgore 5Anne Fetter 7Kevin Crowley 8Betty Ehrcke 9Michael Kilgallen 9Bob King 9Dave Murray 9Ken Willcox III 9Joan Adam l0Colleen Benedetto 10Melanie Buff 10Georgia Grant 11Beth Worthley 11John Hoffman 12Megan Atchley 13

Kristin Libby 13Ryan Makrin 13Tom Pirigyi 15Anneliese Conley 16Jae Schalekamp 16Jaiden Shults 16Wayne Penn 17Stan Beran 18Bill Foos 19Beverly Canfield 23Val Morehouse 24Nancy Passer 24Stephanie Crisci 25Megan Carpenter 25Dick Hoskinson 25Jeff Taft 26Duane VanPatten, Sr. 26Gabriella Benedetto 31

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Please note: We list the birthdays and anniversaries of our local active members and friends. If we missed yours, please call the church office, 370-4751. Thank you.

First Reformed Church of Scotia Non Profit Org.224 N. Ballston Avenue U.S. Postage PaidScotia, NY 12302-2599 Albany, NY(518) 370-4751 Permit No. 744 Address Service Requested

Inside This Issue of the Messenger

Fowler Needs Adult CounselorsAsh Wednesday Service

Missions Report for 2012New Consistory

And More!