|
The Chronicle
is
Published by
First Presbyterian Church 49 South Portage Street Westfield, New York
2018 |
Church Office Hours 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
Office: (716) 326-2643 Fax: (716) 793-6019
Website:
E-Mail:
Pastor Ronald L. Sumption ronaldsumption@live.com (319) 432-8650 Administrative Assistant Polly M. Knopp
Custodian Daniel Dibble
Deacon of the Month December 2018 Judy Sumption |
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Don’t Forget Jesus
By M.S. Lowndes
Christmas is a special time
To reflect on Jesus Christ,
The wonder of His lowly birth
Brings meaning to our lives
There really is no other reason
We celebrate this day,
The birth of God’s precious son
And the life, He willingly gave
But so much seems to distract us
In the busyness of our lives,
We lose our focus in all the happenings,
Not knowing, we leave out Christ
We loose sight of the true meaning
As we endlessly rush about,
Trying to find that perfect gift
Seems to cloud our Saviour out
We need to stop and reflect awhile,
Remembering our precious Lord,
His birth, His life, His sacrifice
And all that He stands for
For though the world may celebrate
It seems, though, for other reasons,
Let’s keep in mind that Jesus Christ
Is the true meanning of the season
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Dear Saints and Friends of the First Presbyterian Church of Westfield,
The Advent season is upon us! Advent is that time before Christmas which proclaims the comings of Christ – whose birth we prepare to celebrate once again, who comes continually in Word and Spirit, and whose coming return in final victory we anticipate.
Recently, I was reminded of the following true story:
Some years ago underneath the Brooklyn Bridge on the Manhattan side, there stood an old, deserted tobacco warehouse. It had become a shelter to hundreds of the derelicts of the city – those down on their luck.
The city of New York asked the Salvation Army to do something for them. They provided some bowls of soup and some coffee. One day, Joseph Sizoo, a preacher, was asked to speak to them, a very difficult thing to do. Those broken pieces of humanity just stared at him with empty eyes.
Afterwards, one fellow with long hair, a stubby beard, and a very shabby coat held together by string and a nail came up to speak with Sizoo. The fellow had at one time been a teacher of New Testament Greek in a college. He was an excellent teacher, well respected. He became dean of the faculty. He had a lovely wife and three children and was a very active person, involved in the community and in his church.
But something happened to him. He began to lose sight of the right values. He began to lose perspective about what life was all about. Before long, things came down hard on him. Here he was in New York City in a tobacco warehouse, with no family, no friends, no money, no work – and, it seemed to him – no hope.
Sadly, there are this Advent season too many sad stories just like that. There are people who have made a mess of their lives, people who have found life to be too hard for them and who have given up, people who have had their dreams and hopes dashed to pieces.
How can we keep that from happening to us? How can we keep from becoming those who are among the world’s “hopeless?” How can we keep from coming to the end of our lives only to look back to see that we never really lived?
It can happen to us, you know. There may be some of you who are struggling desperately to find something worthwhile and meaningful in life. There may be those of you who are depressed about the way life has been treating you. Some of you may be tempted to give up, forget it, and leave it all behind. You may be wandering aimlessly, searching for life but not knowing where to find it. How in the world can life become alive for you? What’s the secret? Where is the key? Does Christmas have a word for you?
Here is the key for every one of our lives. If you and I want to really live and keep from becoming those broken pieces of humanity that so often lie around us, we need to be caught by a vision. Christmas comes to tell us what that vision is all about. Christmas comes to tell us that there is a purpose that’s worth living for: a worthy purpose called the kingdom of God.
Christmas comes to tell us that we can join in that vision by following the Christ who brings it. Each one of us, if we choose, can dedicate ourselves to the purpose of finding the kingdom of God here on earth as it is in heaven. It is a purpose that will burn in our souls and will never be extinguished as long as we live.
Often the tragedy of so many people’s lives is that they have quit following their vision. But we must never give up on it! We must never let it die!
One day we will discover the kingdom of God in all its fullness. We must ever be thankful to the vision because if we are faithful to that vision, God will let us have it.
All the joy, all the love, all the peace and goodwill we sing about at Christmas is real! It’s for real, and if we follow that star, one day we will know it.
The trouble with the man at the New York warehouse was that he had lost his dreams. But there was still hope for him. Christmas reminds us that the star is still shining. Christ can still be found and dreams can be recaptured and followed again.
What some of us need is to sift through the ashes of forgotten dreams, to let be born again in our lives a new determination and a commitment to follow the vision of the kingdom of God. We do that by doing what the Wise Men of old did and the wise ones of every age do, and that is to fall down and worship this newborn King we know as Jesus Christ and to follow him with every ounce of faith in us. It will keep us from coming to the point where we look back on our lives and say, “We never lived.”
See the Christmas star? It points to Christ. Keep him in your vision and keep going onward!
Yours because of Christ,
Rev. Ron Sumption
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Christmas Eve Service
7:00 p.m.
The shopping is done, presents wrapped and now it's time to stop and focus on the true reason for the season. Jesus Christ, who came to earth as a human child to forgive mankind for its sins, is why we gather on this holiest of nights. Join us for a special service; and light candles symbolizing Jesus as the Light of the World. We look forward to seeing you Christmas Eve!
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Special Coffee in Honor of Rev. Ron Sumption
Sunday, December 30, will be Rev. Ron Sumption's last Sunday here at First Presbyterian Church. Please join us in the Parlor for a reception in his honor following the 11:00 a.m. Family worship.
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Christmas is Coming!
Christmas Poinsettias - Now is the time to remember your loved one by donating to the Flower Fund. By giving a Christmas memorial, you will make possible the lovely display of poinsettias and the beautiful live wreaths on the outside doors as a gift to us and to the entire village.
If you would like to give a poinsettia as a Christmas memorial in honor of someone, or make a financial contribution for the decorations, please make your check payable to the First Presbyterian Church, earmarked poinsettia; and mail to the church office or place in the offering plate on Sunday. Include who the memorial is in memory of or in honor of and by whom the gift is given. Each poinsettia is $11.00.
After our Christmas Eve service, the Deacons will distribute the poinsettias to our
shut-ins. Should you elect to take your donation to one of our members or otherwise, PLEASE let the office know your intentions so enough poinsettias can be
ordered.
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Westfield Community Kitchen
Annual Fall Soup Supper
The Annual Westfield Community Kitchen Soup Supper will be held on Monday, December 3, from 5 p.m. to 7p.m. at the Westfield Methodist Church Community Room. Adults ~ $8, Children under 5 ~ $3, Family ~ $20. There will be a multitude of fabulous soups from local restaurants, chefs and soup lovers. The community is invited to attend.
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Mission/Outreach News....
ANGEL TREE
Sixteen (16) "Angels" were available for pick-up before and after the worship service on November 18.
By adopting an "Angel" you are making this season a bit brighter for many who would otherwise not have a Merry Christmas.
Guidelines for your "Angel" gift: Have your angels number taped securely to your gift(s). Union Relief requests that all gifts be UNWRAPPED; gift boxes or bags are acceptable.
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Operation Christmas Child - a project of Samaritan's Purse
~ The Power of Simple Gift ~
A heartfelt thank you to those members and friends who filled a shoe box(es). You have brought joy and hope to children in desperate situations worldwide through your gift-filled shoe box(es). A total of 15 shoe boxes were delivered to the collection center in Mayville. We will let you know when we are notified where our boxes were shipped.
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Chosen International Medical Assistance
Chosen International Medical Assistance needs your shoes! Everyone has shoes they are no longer wearing, and don't know what to with, right? Chosen International Medical
Assistance partners with funds2org to collect your used shoes. The shoes (including sneakers, boots, sandals, etc.) will be used to create and sustain micro-enterprise opportunities for low income entrepreneurs in developing nations. They will also stay out of landfills, AND, the more shoes collected, the more money Chosen IMA receives to continue its ministries! It's a Win, Win, Win! You can drop off your shoes at the church office or drop in a box located at the Portage Street entrance. Please rubber band each pair of shoes together. Thank you!
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SAVE THOSE DIMES!
"Dimes for Buckhorn." In September 2017 we began filling three 2 liter bottles with dimes. Each 2 liter bottle results in approximately $400. The bottles are located at the entrances to the sanctuary on Sunday mornings or you can bring them to the church office. One bottle is almost full!
Buck(s) for Buckorn Children & Family Services
There are boxes labeled "Buck(s) for Buckhorn" at the entrances to the sanctuary. One dollar at a time we can help financially support at-risk children at Buckhorn Children & Family Services. Since September 2017 a total of $1,006 has been received.
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Christmas Joy Offering
Every generous act of giving is from above. James 1: 17
In the lead up to Christmas, many of us spend time in search of the perfect gift — the gift that communicates to friends and family how much we know and love them. We search our memories for indications of what gift might cause the faces of our loved ones to light up. We scour the stores and shops, hoping to come across the thing that will communicate a depth of love that our words cannot.
As important as gifts to loved ones are, we have an opportunity to give gifts that help many people we do not know through the Christmas Joy Offering. These gifts in particular draw us back to the manger and God’s perfect gift to us — Jesus Christ.
Jesus came to live among us, bringing light into darkness, and reconciliation to God and to one another. A perfect gift from a gracious God.
During this Christmas and Advent Season, we celebrate leadership; past, present and future through support of the Christmas Joy Offering. We do so because church leaders greatly impact our lives of faith, walking with us down the path to be more like Jesus. We want those church leaders and their families who find themselves grappling with a critical financial need to have the resources they need which are provided through the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions. We also support the offering to help our future leaders in the church and world, like those educated at our Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. Supporting these students helps the whole church develop leaders who reflect the wideness of God’s intended diversity.
For those supported through the Christmas Joy Offering, this help is truly a gift from above. May our gifts, and the leaders who receive them, point us always to the truth of the one whose birth we celebrate, Jesus Christ — the truly perfect gift.
In gratitude to God for the wondrous gift of Jesus, please join in this celebration
of God's presence with us by supporting those in need of help and hope.
Envelopes for the Offering are available in the pew racks, or gifts can be mailed
to the church office at 49 South Portage Street, Westfield, NY 14787, earmarked "Christmas Joy Offering." Thank you for your gifts!
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Looking for a Unique Christmas gift?
The Church has available commemorative glass tumblers, goblets and ornaments. The glassware has an etched picture of the hcurch and the ornament is a
reproduction of the church building on porcelain. The cost for each is as follows: Ornament - $10.00, Glass Tumbler - $5.00 and Goblet - $6.00. To acquire a piece of history, please call the church office at (716) 326-2643. If you are not local - arrangements can be made to have item(s) mailed. Thank you for your support!
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SUNDAY FRESH FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS
WE continue the effort to have fresh flowers in Church every Sunday. The Church Sanctuary is a living place, a place to experience all that God has created. Therefore, artificial arrangements were discontinued. Another benefit of having fresh flowers available every week, the Deacon's deliver the arrangement to our shut-ins, those who are ill or those hospitalized.
The fresh flower arrangements are given by members and friends of the congregation throughout the year. Some are in memory of loved ones, or in honor or appreciation for a special person. Our Flower Calendar is in NEED of donors.
Flower donations are made directly to the church. A donation of $25.00 will cover the cost for one week. If you request "special" flowers, i.e. roses, you will be notified of the additional cost so a donation can be made to cover the overage.
Please call the church office/326-2643 or e-mail at onestpresby@fairpoint.net to reserve a special date.
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Clerk's Pen(cil) II
Following the call to order by Moderator Rev. Ronald L. Sumption and devotions and prayer by Marie Edwards the Session took up the work of the
church on Tuesday, November 20, 2018.
Actions taken at the meeting are summarized as follows:
~ Received the Treasurer and Deacon Reports.
~ Removed Jean Mead from active membership rolls due to death. (Death Sunday, October 21)
~ Removed Jeffrey Guest from active membership rolls due to death. (Death: Wednesday,
October 17, 2018)
~ Per his request, removed Chad Gollnitz from inactive membership rolls.
~ Approved the Letter of Transer for Thomas E. Lemke to Williamsville United Methodist Church, Williamsville, NY.
~ Removed the following from inactive membership rolls (unable to obtain forwarding addresses): Clara Wentworth, Timothy Drake, Sandra Drake, Jeffrey Smith
Kathy Smith.
~ Removed from active membership rolls: Annie Roy-Bertoldi (unable to obtain forwarding address), Kevin Powell.
~ Approved the 2019 Communion Schedule: Epiphany - January 6, February 3, March 6 - Ash Wednesday, April 18 - Maundy Thursday, April 21 - Easter, May 5, June 9 - Pentecost, July 7, August 4, September 1, October 6 - World Communion, November 3, December 1.
~ Approved to proceed with the selection of a Pastor Nominating Committee. Beginning in January we will have a guest preacher each Sunday. If there are any pastoral care
needs, members and friends are asked to call the church office.
Other Business...
~ The stairway wall leading up to the sanctuary from Fellowship Hall has been repaired by Tri-County Restoration.
~ Hanging of the Greens take place Sunday, December 2, 2018.
NOTE: Session minutes are available to read on the bulletin board just outside the church office.
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Prayer Concerns
A special prayer that you'll be blessed with tender care and needed rest, warm thoughts of friends that mean so much and most of all, God's healing touch.
REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR....
Members of Our Congregation
Kay Hall, Dorothy Near, Betty Reid, Bev Yeaney, Lillian Saunders, Mark Robbins, Laurie Diehl, Barb Lynn, Ople Gollnitz, Judy Sumption.
Family and Friends of our Congregation
Darrell Colgrove, Mary Grygier (Sister of Elaine Parker), Mike Strada (Brother of Elaine Parker), Abigail Jopek, The Pandolph/Peary Families (Friends of John Daily), Walter Brown, Dave Schutter (Brother of Carolyn Bills), Darlene Smith, Louise Young (Mother of Diane Scarpine) and Lou Barresi (Brother-in-Law of Pat Sciarrino)
Our Servicemen
Chief Petty Officer, James "JD" Watkins (Grandson of Betty Reid)
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Celebration of Eternal Life...
Our deepest sympathy as a congregation is extended to the family and friends upon the death of their loved one:
Gloria E Wakeley ~ Thursday, November 22, 2018
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with all who have lost loved ones recently.
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FINANCIAL REPORT
Income through October 31, 2018: $91,362.30
(2018 Pledges Paid to Date: $47,663.00)
Expenses through October 31, 2018: $129,434.57
Investment Funds used through October 31, 2018: $36,200.00
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2018 Stewardship Campaign ~ Update
"Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything you may share abundantly in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9: 7 - 8
To date, total pledging units 40 for a total of $47,600.
Pledges are essential to our church's planning process in order to determine our annual budget and determine how we will cover our operating expenses. Our Stewardship goal for 2019 is to cover the operating expenses of the church so we no longer draw from our investments.
There is still time for any and/or all of those members of First Church who have not pledged to do so. If you didn't receive a letter and pledge card and you would like one, please call the church office/326-2643. Please mail your pledge card to the church office earmarked "Stewardship."
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The simple solution to community fundraising
As a church we are continuing to participate in TOPS Markets "Cash for Causes" program by purchasing TOPS Cash for Causes gift cards that are available to church members and friends. You pay the cash value of the card and the church earns 5% on each card sold. We all buy groceries. There is no additional cost to you; you simply use the gift card. Cards will be available in $25, $50 and $100 denominations. Please call church office at 326-2643 or stop in the church office to purchase a gift card.
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'Donate Now' button
The church has a "Donate Now" button on our website ~ steeplesinthepark.com. To donate to our church and ministry simply click on the donate tab located on the right hand side of the Website. You will be directed to a secure Pay-Pal site to complete your donation. The Church greatly appreciates any and all contributions.
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December Event
Thursday, December 13 at 7:00 p.m. the book by Tom Hegg “A Cup of Christmas Tea” will be the highlight of the evenings program. The program will be held in the Church parlor—all women of the church are invited.
The book “A Cup of Christmas Tea” is an uplifting story of the onerous family obligations that often descend around the holidays. The narrator is almost perfectly happy as Christmas approaches, enjoy the "30 days reprieve 'til VISA could catch up
with me.” Unfortunately, he has received an invitation to tea from his great aunt, and he has no desire to go. He remembers the old woman “as vigorous, as funny and as bright” but she recently suffered a stroke, and he thinks it will be depressing to see her. Before long, though, he succumbs to “an acid rain of guilt” and forces himself to go, and the experience is ultimately rewarding. The author doesn’t employ continuous rhyme or meter, so the writing never becomes overbearing or stilted but rather has a conversational lilt. In its first edition, published in 1982, the book sold more than 1.5 million copies.
Please join us on Thursday, December 13 at 7:00 p.m. and bring a friend!
Friendship begins with a cup of tea!
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DECEMBER 
BIRTHDAYS
We all join in extending Greetings
and Best Wishes for a Happy Birthday.
May this day be Richly Blessed
With Peace and Joy and
Everything that makes for Happiness
December 2
Patty Robbins
December 3
Jake Freyn
John Merwin
December 4
Wendy Dyment
Victoria Patchkofsky
December 9
Jack Bills
Ashley Rosado
December 12
Darla Augur
Kristen Monroe
December 14
Tyler Wright
December 15
Don Eno
Sally Merwin
Betty Wilson
December 18
Holly Gollnitz
Erma Lloyd
December 19
Ann Deakin
Jim Scarpine
Ralph Wakeley
December 22
Emily Parker
December 24
Christian Deakin
Decmber 27
Jerry Kittle
Sherry Mead
December 29
Phil Young
DECEMBER 
ANNIVERSARIES
A special Anniversary Prayer...
That God's Eternal love
Will fill your heart this day
With joy and blessings from above
December 16
Diane & Jim Scarpine
December 31
Amy & Bob North
Sunday, December 2
10:00 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal
Christian Nurture - Adult Education
11:00 a.m.
Family Worship
~ Communion ~
12:00 Noon
Hanging of the Greens
Monday,December 3
6:00 p.m.
Deacon's Christmas Dinner
~ Webb's ~
Tuesday, December 4
7:00 p.m.
Mission/Outreach Meeting
Sunday, December 9
10:00 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal
Christian Nurture - Adult Education
11:00 a.m.
Family Worship
Thursday, December 13
7:00 p.m.
Presbyterian Women's
"A Cup of Christmas Tea"
Sunday, December 16
10:00 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal
Christian Nurture - Adult Education
11:00 a.m.
Family Worship
Tuesday, December 18
7:00 p.m.
Session Meeting
Wednesday, December 19
9:00 a.m.
Property & Finance Meeting
Sunday, December 23
10:00 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal
Christian Nurture - Adult Education
11:00 a.m.
Family Worship
Monday, December 24
7:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Tuesday, December 25
Church Office Closed
Sunday, December 30
10:00 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal
Christian Nurture - Adult Education
11:00 a.m.
Family Worship
12:00 Noon
Special Coffee Hour
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Christmas is forever, not for
just one day, for loving, sharing,
giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel,
in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others
Is good you do yourself
