october 2010 epistle

8/8/2019 October 2010 Epistle

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THE EPISTLEVolume 15 Issue 9 OCTOBER 28, 2010

Dreams and VisionsYour old shall dream dreams, and your

young shall see visions.-Joel 2:28

The words above, from the prophet Joel, areusually heard on Pentecost, but they resonatealso during this season of stewardship. Thechurch exists in the world as the Body ofChrist. It was here before we were and will behere after we are gone. God calls us into thisbody to accept the cost and the joy ofdiscipleship and to be Gods servants in theservice of the world. Each Sunday on the frontof our worship bulletin, we read:

First Congregational United Church of

Christ is a community of faith centered inJesus Christ which seeks to be faithful as a

continuation of his life on earth. While our

roots are deep, we seek ever new ways to be

the people of Christ here and now.

Gods dream for his creation brought thechurch into being. The dreams of our

forebears in the faith brought thiscongregation into being one hundred andeighty five years ago. What are our dreamsand visions for our church today? Whatwould we like First Congregational UnitedChurch of Christ to be like five, ten, twenty,one hundred years from now?

I have a vision of a congregation whichtakes seriously its commitment to worshipGod, grow in faith and reach out in love toits community and beyond. As Christianswe are called to lift our hearts and voices inpraise to God. Our common worship is atthe heart of our life together and we seekever new ways to give praise andthanksgiving to God. The Board of Elders isworking on making available a Saturdayservice beginning in January. This will takework and commitment, but it will allowanother opportunity to worship God.

I have a vision of a congregation whichkeeps its sanctuary doors open during theweek so that those seeking a place of quietand reflection have a place to go. This is aworld which doesnt allow much time andspace to be open to Gods spirit. We canoffer such a time and such a place.

I have a vision of a congregation whichoffers more opportunities for worship: midweek, Sunday evening.

I have a vision of a congregation whichtakes seriously growth in grace. God gaveus a mind to use and we can grow by usingour mind as well as our heart. Each Sundaywe offer Christian Education for children,young people and adults. What can we dothat we are not doing to enhance this


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2 THE EPISTLEministry? Over the past years we havedeveloped a more robust adult ChristianEducation ministry. Each Sunday we gather tolearn more about our faith. This needs tocontinue and be expanded. Over the years, we

have also had various mid-week adulteducation classes. I have a vision of regularadult classes and small groups to enhance ourfaith and deepen our fellowship.

I have a vision of a church which continuesto reach out in mission and ministry to ourcommunity and beyond. Over the past yearsour outreach has increased. We have workedhard on special Lenten outreach ministries andhave made a difference, from our localcommunity, our city, and beyond to Africa!

This work needs to be increased and more ofus need to be involved.I have a vision of a church which seeks to

share humbly and yet joyfully who and whatwe are. Churches attract new members whentheir existing ones invite others to join them intheir faith community. As we move forwardwe need to take this seriously. There are folksout there in our community, who are lookingfor a relationship with God; who are lookingfor a community of love and care; who arelooking to share their God given gifts withothers. How might we reach them?

All of this takes time, talent and treasure.You have probably already received yourpledge card from the stewardship committee.Please take the opportunity to sharegenerously and joyfully what God has givenyou. God have given so that we can give.Christian stewardship should not be a duty,but a joy.

We need to do more than just keep on wherewe have been. We need to boldly move out infaith. I trust you will do your part.

Youre Pastor,

JohnJohnJohnJohn

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Our Worship Life

Sunday: 9:30 AM, followed by ChristianEducation

Wednesday: Noon; Brief service of HolyCommunion

October 24

Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22; Psalm 84:1-7; 2Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

Our virtues or Gods mercy?

October 31: Reformation DayJeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 46; Romans 3:19-

28; John 8:31-36Freedom and Truth

November 7: All

Saints Sunday;

Consecration of

Confirmation

Candidates; Bible

presentation to fifthgraders

Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18;Psalm 149; Hebrews

12:2, 12-13Surrounded

November 14: Stewardship Consecration

Sunday

Deuteronomy 8:17-18; 2 Corinthians 8:1-7

You First

November 21: Heritage SundayThis years Heritage Sunday service willtake us back to a mid 19th century service

with a Thanksgiving theme


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~17th

Annual~

~Interfaith Thanksgiving

Service~Presented by the Perinton Lay Clergy Council

Tuesday, November 23th, 7:00 PMHosted by St John of Rochester

8 Wickford Way, Fairport

~Come join us for an evening of Thanksgivingwith contributions from the Iroquois, Muslim,Jewish, Hindu, Bahai and Christian traditions.The music will include an ecumenical childrenschoir, traditional Jewish music and more!

Questions: [email protected]

UPCOMING ADULT EDUCATION

CLASSES

October 24: IslamDr. Muhammad Shafiq, Executive

Director, Center for Interfaith Studies,Nazareth College

October 31: Islam and ChristianityNovember 7: Fundamentalism

November 14: Fundamentalism

November 21: Intergenerational Advent

Workshop

November 28: No class, Thanksgiving

Holiday

December 5: More than a baby

December 12: No class, financial meeting

December 19: More than a baby

December 26: No class

November 7th is All Saints Sunday. If you

would like a loved one listed in our bulletinfor this remembrance please submit thepersons name and date of death to thechurch office by November 1st. Thank you!

BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

UPDATES

HELLO GARAGE SALE

FRIENDS-

Please accept my most sincere thanks foryour participation and help with the Church-Wide Garage Sale. We met our fundraisinggoal of $2,000, so I consider this a realsuccess. Our total revenue was $2,548.85,which included a very generous donation.

Although we were successful this year,there are many opportunities for us tostreamline our process for future Garage

Sales. Please take a moment to send me ane-mail @ [email protected] withsuggestions for improvements to this event.

Thank you,Crista Deniz


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4 THE EPISTLECHRISTMAS BASKETS 2010

The Board of Missions will once again beproviding Christmas Baskets to between 8 and10 local families this year. Each basket willcontain a complete turkey or ham dinner and

more. To accomplish this, donations of foodand money are essential. Without ourcongregation's contributions nothing happens.Sign-up sheets for specific items like food,money and basket delivery will be available inFellowship Hall beginning Sunday November14th through the third week of December. Thedeliveries will be made on Saturday December20th. The value ofthe feeling that youget from these acts

of kindness isbeyond price.Thank you for yourgenerouscontributions.

BOARD OF DEACONS TO

SPONSOR ADVENT DINNERThe Board of Deacons will be sponsoring theAdvent Dinner on December 5, 2010, at 6:00 pm

after the Children's musical performance. Againthis year it will be a pot-luck dinner. Please bringa main dish, salad or vegetable, plus your tableservice. Dessert and drinks will be provided.Sign-up sheets will be posted in Fellowship Hallon November 7th.

TRUSTEES FALL WORK DAYThe Trustees Fall Work Day has beenscheduled for

Saturday,November 6 at9 AM. Manyprojects will beincludedpainting,raking andelectricalwork. ALL HELP IS APPRECIATED!!

MORNING CIRCLEMorning Circle will meet on TuesdayNovember 9th at 10 am. Our speaker willbe Linda Wagner from Ronald McDonaldHouse.

EVENING CIRCLEThe Evening Circle will meet November 8that 7 PM in the Fellowship Hall. FeliciaJohansen will lend her expertise in training

us to make decorative plates..

We would love to have you join us. In thisparticular case we would appreciateknowing ahead so we can have an accuratecount. Just give Norma Harrington or CarolMoran a call.

MISSION CORNERThe leaves are turning, the pumpkins are out,

the goblins are coming soon, and The Board of

Missions is in full swing. At our last meeting wemarked what hopefully will become a tradition,in that two young people from our Youth Groupwill become representatives to Missions. Thisyear Erin Hoover and Jill Weidman will act inthat capacity. Our hope is that both groups willbe able to more effectively communicate ourrespective goals and try to find ways that eachgroup can assist the other. In addition to Erin


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and Jill, we are joined this year by new membersEileen Slocum and Melissa Tieslink.

We have already completed a toy drive for TheSalvation Army. Plans are under way for ourAnnual Christmas Gift Giving to children from

Hillside (see article below), and donating giftbaskets for needyfamilies here inPerinton. Our goalsfor this year includeenhancing ourcommunication withthe congregation,

advertising volunteer opportunities, and enhancingour coordination of the Lenten CommunityProject(s).

As we did last year, we will continue to spotlight

one organization each month that the Board ofMissions sponsors. This month we are focusing onSaving Grace Ministries of Rochester. RandyClark is this months contributing writer and ourrepresentative to Saving Grace Ministries.

Saving Grace MinistriesThe mission of Saving Grace Ministries is to

provide a smooth transition to community life formen recently released from a correctional facility.

There are three Grace Houses in Rochesterserving up to 40 men who are on parole and

transitioning back into our community, GraceHouse provides a highly structured program forthese men based on Christian principles.

Statistics tell us that without help from SavingGrace 80% of these men would return to jail andof those who remain free 71% would be homeless.

With the support of area churches in theRochester area the story has a much differentending. Of the 100 men that Saving GraceMinistries has served to date, nearly half haveprofessed saving faith in Jesus Christ and 60% arenow living drug, alcohol and debt free.

The graduates of Grace House are eithergainfully employed, starting their own business orgoing back to school to improve their employmentopportunities. It is truly making a significantimpact on our community.

Hillside Christmas Tree ProjectThe Hillside Christmas Tree Project is coming

up again this year to provide Christmas gifts tochildren at the Hillside Childrens Center. AChristmas tree will be unveiled in theFellowship Hall with ornaments/gift requesttags on Sunday, November 21. This yearsHillside Christmas Tree project is headed up byMaureen and Randy Clark.

If you are interested, our board is still lookingfor one additional member. Please contactmyself, Pat May or Jim Weidman if you are so

inclined. Hope you continue to enjoy this greatfall weather. Our board looks forward tohaving another great year.

Ted AvgerinosChairperson

COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTEER

OPPORTUNITIES

SALEM SOUP KITCHEN

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDMark yourcalendars forTuesday, October26th and Tuesday,November 30 and

Tuesday,December 21 tohelp prepare a

lunch for those inneed. Volunteers

will meet in our parking lot at 9:15 AM andcarpool to Salem UCC, and returning mid-afternoon.


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RECYCLE YOUR SURPLUSTOOLS

Senior Options for Independence (SOFI) iscollecting used hand tools, yard tools and powertools in working order to be sold in a tool resaleshop slated to open this Fall. Nails, screws, nutsand bolts, and other handyman supplies are alsowelcomed.

Small items may be dropped off at the receptiondesk at Fairport Baptist Homes. For large items

please contact Ellen at 388-2304 [email protected] from the tool resale shop will benefit

Perinton seniors through the programs andservices provided by SOFI.

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS

Barbara Eaton, Crest Manor

Charlotte Jackson, Fairport Baptist Home

Shirley Sumner, Perinton Park Manor

Les Warren, Fairport Baptist Home

SERMONS AROUND US

William Shakespeare wrote of times

when our lifefinds tongues intrees, books in the running brooks,sermons in stones and good ineverything.

The month of October can preachbreathtaking sermons. It speaks inthe glorious colors of leaves, thesplendor of the abundant harvest, thegrass whitened by the first frost, the

honking birds flying to their winterhaven and busy squirrels gatheringnuts before snow covers their feedingground.

How wonderful Octobers sermonsare, and how they bless us. Thankyou, Lord!

NEXT EPISTLES DEADLINE IS

3 PM NOVEMBER 18, 2010!

october 2010 epistle

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