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 9—Fitness Happy Hour, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
November 12—Semi-annual Congregational Meeting
November 16—Fitness Happy Hour, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
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.
November 30—Fitness Happy Hour, 6:00-7:00 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 14—Fitness Happy Hour, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
December 17—Christmas Caroling in the hamlet,
December 21—Fitness Happy Hour, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
December 24—Shared morning worship, Fultonville
Reformed, 10:30 a.m.
December 24—Shared Traditional Candlelight Service,
Glen Church, 7:00 p.m.
December 28—Fitness Happy Hour, 6:00-7:00 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!