2 a.m. nov. 5 glen reformed...

Glen Reformed Church State Highway 161, Fultonville, NY 12072 in the hamlet of Glen, 4 miles south of Fultonville

[email protected] 518-727-5853

http://glenchurch.rcachurches.org November—December 2017

Inside this Issue:

Message from Pastor Tom………………...…p. 2

Congregational Meeting……………………...p. 3

Decorating the church………….……………..p. 3

Evening of Thanks & Praise..…………….…p. 3

Birthdays……...……………………….………….p. 3

Worship details: Nov-Dec.…………………..p. 4

Sunday School & Youth Group…….……...…p. 5

Christmas Caroling……..…………...…………..p. 5

Advent & St. Nicholas Day……………………..p. 6

Missions, Outreach, Choir……...……………..p. 7

Insert Pancake Supper

Back Page: Fitness Happy Hour, Servant

opportunities, Thanksgiving scripture & prayer

15 See that none of you repays evil

for evil, but always seek to do good

to one another and to all. 16 Rejoice

always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is the will of God in Christ

Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5: 15-18

December 3—9:00 a.m. First Sunday of Advent

December 10—9:00 a.m. Second Sunday in Advent

Sunday School Presentation: “New Star”

Community pot-luck brunch celebration

December 17—9:00 a.m. Third Sunday in Advent

December 24—Christmas Eve (Fourth Sunday in Advent)

10:30 a.m.—Worship at Fultonville Reformed Church

7:00 p.m.—Candlelight Worship at Glen Church

December 31—New Year’s Eve—9:00 a.m. worship

2 a.m. Nov. 5

.

2

A Few Moments with Thomas… Wow! I am astonished! Big word for me, right? Well, that's

how I feel, dumbfounded. As of this writing it is the end of Octo-

ber. The newsletter you are receiving and reading covers the

months of November and December. The next one you will re-

ceive will be in the New Year.

I always try to write to you something to ponder upon, something you can add to your life,

and something to edify and encourage you. But where do I begin. Between now and the next

newsletter we will have participated in and/or celebrated. Halloween, Daylight Savings

Time, Election Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, First Day of Winter, Christmas Eve, and

Christmas Day. Oh, and Advent is in there too! This is just a few, you may have more to add

to it from your own family. It doesn't just stop there either. Hallmark Christmas movies start

Friday October 27th at 2 pm. Plus, Dollar General has three aisles dedicated to three different

holidays all at the same time.

Wow! Stop the madness. Breath. Open the word! Turn to Psalm 96 and read:

1 O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.

2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.

3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.

4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods.

5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.

6 Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary....

This season remember to take time to praise God. Sing about Him, tell

others about Him, worship Him, give Him glory, bring offerings to Him,

and live holy lives. Instead of being overwhelmed by the cares of the

world, be overwhelmed by all that God has done. Give Thanks, God

Bless, and Merry Christmas, from my family to yours.

"Joy to the World"

Pastor Thomas J Flander, Jr

3

Evening of Praise & Thanksgiving

Fonda Reformed Church

invites the public to lift their voices, prayers, and

praise in thanks to our Lord together.

Sunday, November 19th

7:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 12 immediately following worship

Among other items the agenda will

include the presentation of a financial

budget for 2018 and election of two

deacons and two elders to serve on

Consistory. All members are

urged to attend this meeting and

actively participate in the re-

sponsibility of caring for God’s

business for our church in Glen.

The nominating Committee is cur-

rently contacting congregation

members to fill positions of elders

and deacons for consistory. Please

prayerfully consider this honor and

opportunity to faithfully serve the

Lord here in Glen.

The first Sunday in Advent this year is December 3rd. To

prepare the church for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, we

will gather immediately after worship on Sunday, Novem-

ber 26th for the greening of the church.

Following the festivities everyone is invited downstairs for a

hot soup luncheon and…....

Advent Wreath Making Workshop:

Please plan to make this a family

event as each family can go home

with an Advent wreath to use in

your home.

November

4—Mike Sowle

10—Andrew Taylor

13—Madison Houser

14—Nancy Smith

25—Jeanne Smith

28—Richard Sheldon

December

2 Carolyn Hart

4 Jack Summerfield

9 Tina Taylor

12 Daryl Kosinski

17 Norma Sheldon

18 Pastor Tom

21 Gregory Kirk

26 Cindy Yurkewicz

29 Sue Summerfield

Our sister-in-Christ and member

at Glen Reformed Church, Susan

Baird Blackwood, is in a battle

with cancer. Her family has orga-

nized a way that we can all help

her with the enormous expenses

that accompany this disease.

Food, Raffles & Music—$15 per person/$20 couple

Pastor Tom & Kim have tickets to sell.

Come, show your love. Donations of food & raffle

items accepted.

Saturday, November 18, 1-6 p.m.

Town of Glen Volunteer Firehouse

4

November & December Calendar

Clip, save & post at home.

Worship Schedule for November

November 2—Fitness Happy Hour, 6:00-7:00 p.m.

November 3—Junior Youth Group, 6:00 p.m.

November—Set up for Pancake Supper, 6:00 p.m.

Consistory Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

November 7—Pancake Supper, 4:30-7:00 p.m.


November 12—Semi-annual Congregational Meeting


November 17-19—Sr. Youth Group Retreat

November 18—Fundraiser for Sue Baird-Blackwood

November 19—Evening of Thanks & Praise, Fonda

Reformed, 7:00 p.m.

November 23—Thanksgiving Holiday

November 26—Greening of the church, soup lunch &

Advent wreath workshop

November 29—Worship committee, 1:30 p.m.


December 4—Consistory meeting, 7:00 p.m.

December 7—Fitness Happy Hour, 6:00-7:00 p.m.

December 10—Youth Christmas Program: “New Star”


December 17—Christmas Caroling in the hamlet,


December 24—Shared morning worship, Fultonville

Reformed, 10:30 a.m.

December 24—Shared Traditional Candlelight Service,

Glen Church, 7:00 p.m.


Date Worship Leader Greeter Lay Reader

November 5 Holy Communion

Pastor Thomas Fander, Jr. Kim Flander Norma Sheldon

November 12 Pastor Thomas Flander Jr. Kim Flander Sue Summerfield

November 19 Guest Preaching Elder Melissa Allan Taylor Lee Smith

November 26 Pastor Thomas Fander, Jr Allan Taylor Karen Kosinski

Greening of the Church & soup luncheon with Advent wreath making activity

Semi-annual congregational meeting

Date Worship Leader Greeter Lay Reader

December 3 Holy Communion

Pastor Thomas Flander Jr. Katie & Sydney

Sheldon

Lay Reader Needed

December 10

Pastor Thomas Flander Jr. Allan Taylor Sunday School

December 17 Pastor Thomas Flander Jr. Allan Taylor Lay Reader Needed

December 24 Pastor Thomas Flander Jr. Greeter Needed Karen Kosinski

December 31 Rev. Charles Hesselink Karen Kosinski Lay Reader Needed

Worship Schedule for December

Youth Christmas Program: “New Star” followed by community potluck brunch

10:30 a.m. worship at Fultonville Reformed; Evening Candlelight Service, 7:00 p.m. at Glen Reformed

Have you suffered the loss of a loved one, a job, a relationship, or another loss? Has your loss made it difficult

for you to feel joy during the Christmas season? It’s not uncommon. Please watch for details about a “Blue

Christmas” worship service designed especially for those who have suffered loss and feel blue during this time.

The Glen Gazetteer is created bi-monthly Copies are distributed

by mail or email by individual preference. Submissions due by the

20th of Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sept, Nov.

Contributors: The Congregation; Editor: Karen Kosinski 518-922-

6624

kosinski @frontiernet.net

Consistory 2017

Thomas J. Flander, Jr.

(853-3088)

Clergy Supervisors:

Rev. Karen Patterson

& Rev. Jay Hine

Elders:

Arlene Macek, VP (922-5464)

(Worship)

Jen Wilmot (518- 775-9322)

(Education)

Karen Kosinski (518-922-6624)

(Missions)

Olive Taylor (518-853-4233)

(Clerk)

Deacons:

Ron Burch (518-922-7051)

(Outreach & Missions)

Kimberly Flander (518-853-3088)

(Property)

Margaret McRedmond (518-844-5223)

(Outreach)

Michael Sowle (922-7030)

(Finance)

Remember this?

Christmas caroling 2016?

We’ll do it again this year! Join

us on Sunday, December 17th as

we sing our way through the

hamlet of Glen, cheerfully shin-

ing the light of Christ from with-

in each of us in celebration of His

birth.

Our Sunday School is a

busy, sometimes hectic

and noisy place to be

on Sunday morning.

That’s because the stu-

dents are engaged in

hearing and reading

God’s Word, learning

first-hand how His

Word is relevant for us

today and every day.

The students are reading from their Junior Bibles,

asking questions, learning, and becoming more confi-

dent in how their faith can carry them day after day.

The Sunday School students will sing during worship

on November 26th.

We have been working on our Christmas presentation

on December 10th. We’re hearing the story, under-

standing the lessons from it, and learning our lines so

we will be ready to do the best we can do. Please mark

your calendar and plan to attend. Please have your

child invite other family and friends to come and be

blessed by the warm message. The service will be fol-

lowed by a pot-luck brunch. Everyone is invited.

5

Friday, November 3rd 6:00 p.m.

Calling all area youth in grades 3 thru 5!

Come join us!

6

Advent Sometimes Gets Lost Amid the Joys of Christmas

The season of Advent is a period of both repentance and celebration. Christians spend time

in spiritual preparation for the coming of Jesus at Christmas. As believers, we remember

not only Christ’s first coming to earth as a human baby, but also celebrate his continued

presence with us today through the Holy Spirit. It is also a time for worshipers to anticipate

His return at the Second Coming of Christ.

The Advent wreath is a traditional custom that originated in 16th-century Germany. On the branches of

the wreath are four candles: three pink and one purple. In the center of the wreath stands a white candle

called the Christ Candle. Each Sunday in Advent another candle is lighted until on Christmas Eve the

Christ Candle is lighted.

Advent begins on the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas Day, or the Sunday which falls closest to Novem-

ber 30 and lasts through Christmas Eve. When Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, it is the last or fourth

Sunday of Advent. In 2017 Advent Sundays are December 3, 10, 17 and 24.

At Glen Church, the Advent wreath is lighted each Sunday. This year as in the recent past, a different

family will gather together around the wreath, read the traditional symbolic meaning of the week’s can-

dle and light the candles.

You are invited to make an Advent wreath for your home on Sunday, November 26 after worship.

Dutch Settlers Brought St. Nicholas to America

Glen Church can trace its heritage to Dutch settlers. Santa Claus seems to be bound to-

gether with St. Nicholas as the same “jolly old elf”, but make no mistake, St. Nicholas was

a real and ancient saint of the Christian church from the fourth century whose feast day is

December 6. He was from what is now known as Turkey, became archbishop of the met-

ropolitan church of Myra, was imprisoned for his faith under emperor Diocletian, and

was released by Constantine.

Many legends about the Bishop of Myra, known as St. Nicholas, have endured, but most point to him as a

special protector of young women and children. From saving the honor and lives of three daughters of a

poor nobleman by throwing gold coins through his window at night to provide the man a dowry for each

daughter to praying over the bodies of deceased boys, which were miraculously restored to wholeness.

Every time the Bishop insisted on giving all the glory to God who had done the miracle.

St. Nicholas has been revered throughout Europe as a patron saint. His feast day is an important festival in

many places and nearly universally associated with gift-giving, but it is from the Dutch celebration that we

in the U.S. draw much of our Santa tradition. After a festive family dinner at which St. Nicholas

(Sinterklaas) often makes an appearance, he takes to the skies on a white horse, on which he is said to

jump from roof to roof and down the chimney of each house. He exchanges hay left in a basket for his

horses for candy, toys, and gold foiled chocolate coins placed in children’s shoes, which he hides for find-

ing the next morning.

Early Dutch settlers in America brought their beloved Sinterklaas with them, where he eventually evolved

into the cultural symbol we know today. Reviving the festival of St. Nicholas on December 6th may be one

way for parents and families to retain the fun and generosity of gift-giving without eclipsing the birth of

Jesus on Christmas Day.

Based on and paraphrased from two articles by Mary Fairchild (Advent) and Laurie Baron (St. Nicho-

las) found on www.rca.org.

7

Christmas Mission Project

Glen Church will again fill Christmas stockings for

women, men and children of the greater Glen area

who may need a helping hand financially or may

need a friendly lift of heart, or just need to feel

God’s love at this time.

Stockings will be hung at the rear of the sanctuary

with an attached card telling something about the

person. The mission team asks you to remove a

stocking, fill it using the information provided as a

guideline, and return it to the church no later than

December 17th. If you know of someone who

should be a recipient of a stocking, please contact

either Karen Kosinski or Katie Sheldon by Novem-

ber 15th.

It is expected stockings will be delivered between

December 18 and 22.

The Winter Outerwear Giveaway held on October

14th provided 16 people with warm coats, jackets,

fleeces, hats, scarves and mittens/gloves. During

the week after the 14th, another 9 people were

served with the help of the generosity of the con-

gregation. All were very appreciative and some-

times overwhelmed at the grace shown them.

Some items leftover were donated to the ALPHA

program and Mountains to Miracles.

Thank you for your generosity and assistance.

Please mark your calendar for Sat-

urday, January 6. The Outreach

ministry at Glen Church will team

up with the senior youth group to

present a free community ziti din-

ner. Watch for more details and

help us spread the word to the

community.

Outreach strives to help Glen

Church be a good neighbor and a

vital connection to the greater

community of Glen. Please help us

spread the word by inviting people

and bringing them to the supper.

The Choir meets on Thursday eve-

nings at the church at 7 pm.

We are always looking for voices

and those who can play an instru-

ment.

If you are interested in joining us

please call Kim Flander at

(518) 853-3088 for more infor-

mation.

Glen Reformed Church

P.O. Box 227

Fultonville, NY 12072

TO:

Jesus said, “I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be

saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The

thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that

they may have life and have it abundantly.”

John 10: 9-10 NRSV

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with

praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name.”

Psalm 100: 4 NRSV

Lord, thank you for being our gate. Thank you for providing for our needs abundantly. Thank

you for giving us each other—a community in which to give and take, live and love. Thank you

for going ahead of us, preparing the way, and acting on our behalf. In Jesus’ name, we pray.

A n

ew y

ear

will b

e up

on

us so

on

.

Plea

se con

sid-

er servin

g G

od

by

giv

ing

the

gift o

f greetin

g

yo

ur fello

w

wo

rship

ers on

a S

un

da

y m

orn

ing

, rea

din

g scrip

ture

an

d/o

r ho

sting

a fello

wsh

ip co

ffee ho

ur

in 2

018

.

Th

ere is gu

ida

nce fo

r yo

u to

help

yo

u

feel com

forta

ble in

yo

ur ro

le. A b

ro-

chu

re for rea

ders is a

va

ilab

le, gu

idelin

es

are p

rov

ided

for co

ffee ho

ur h

osts, a

nd

yo

u ca

n ta

g tea

m w

ith a

greeter o

n a

ny

Su

nd

ay

yo

u w

ish.

Th

ese roles a

re very

imp

orta

nt fo

r the

con

greg

atio

n. T

he

y co

nn

ect us. T

hey

emb

od

y th

e fellow

ship

of m

an

in G

od

’s

ho

use.

Sig

n u

p sh

eets are a

va

ilab

le on

clip-

bo

ard

s in th

e ba

ck o

f the sa

nctu

ary

.

Plea

se select a d

ate o

r two

to sh

are y

ou

r

time a

nd

talen

t with

Go

d’s p

eop

le.

Jo

in u

s for o

ur w

eekly

Fitn

es

s H

ap

-

py

Ho

ur

! Th

is is a tim

e for m

en,

wo

men

, fam

ilies to fello

wsh

ip to

geth

er

wh

ile gettin

g so

me im

po

rtan

t exercise.

We w

ill meet in

the p

ark

ing

lot a

t the

hig

h sch

oo

l an

d w

alk

ou

tdo

ors u

ntil th

e

scho

ol is o

pen

for in

do

or w

inter w

alk

ing

.

Th

ursd

ay

s, 7:0

0-8

:00

p.m

.

Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving Day and a joyful Christmas holiday!

2 a.m. nov. 5 glen reformed...

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