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The Chronicle
is
Published by
First Presbyterian Church 49 South Portage Street Westfield, New York
JANUARY 2017 |
Church Office Hours 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
Office: (716) 326-2643
Website:
E-Mail:
Temporary Pastor Catherine Rieley-Goddard crgwestfield@gmail.com (716) 310-6860 Administrative Assistant Polly M Knopp
Custodian Brenda McCutcheon
Deacon of the Month January 2017 Carolyn Bills |
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Dear Friends,
As we close 2016 and open the days of 2017, we cannot help but wonder what lies ahead. I love the image in this poem of ringing wild bells to the wild sky. One cannot help but feel the lightness and joy of new life ahead when listening to the sound of bells.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, used these words in a poem, In Memoriam, to begin a new year.
Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
We often think of the changing of the year as a time for a new beginning. I love the idea of bells as they ring out the old and usher in the new. They clear the air and help us get a new kind of thinking in place. They let us know something has changed and we need to attend to the newness around us. Whether cheerful or somber, bells alert us to change. May you be aware of the bells in your lives during this coming year. May the changes ahead for all of us be filled with blessings greater than we are able to imagine.
Cathy
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Mission/Outreach News....
Christmas Joy Offering
~ The Wondrous Gift is Given ~
"And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel." Matthew 2: 6
The total to date for the 2016 Christmas Joy Offering, the 4th special offering of Presbyterian Church (USA), was $410. Half of your offering will support the assistance programs of the Board of Pensions that help faithful servants. The other half will go to support the ministries of racial ethnic schools and colleges with students trying to discover and develop the gifts God has given them. All of them will help to increase the joy of the family of God. Thank you to all who supported this offering.
ANGEL TREE
Thank you to each and everyone who helped support the 2016 Angel Tree Mission. The Angel Tree is also supported by other churches in our community. Children in the Westfield area received many wonderful gifts from this program for the holidays. Thank you for your generous support to this local mission.
"Yes, We CAN support Mission"
The Mission Committee extends its thanks to everyone for their donation of can deposits throughout the year. The "CAN" fund-raising project has been VERY successful! For 2016 we raised $347.95 (since July 2010, we have raised $1,608.75). We hope everyone will continue to donate your empty cans and plastic bottles that have a refundable deposit to help this Presbyterian Church continue its mission.
Pennies for Hunger
The "Pennies for Hunger" offering were received the last Sunday of each month during 2016. The total contributions received for 2016 was $213.77 and was divided between Westfield Community Kitchen and Food Pantry.
Winter Picnic
Sunday, January 15, 2017
The Mission Committee invites you to a picnic lunch after church on Sunday, January 15. The menu will be listed in the Sunday bulletin. If you plan to attend the picnic on January 15, please call the church office at 326-2643 to make a reservation.
January is our month to donate shelf and table products for the Pantry. They appreciate any and all donations. Please help anyway you can!
2016 Mission Giving
During 2016 the Mission Committee supported the following mission projects from donations, fund-raisers and the gracious gift from the Presbyterian Women from their October Harvest Dinners: Faith in Practice - $100, Buckhorn Children & Family Services - $500, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance - Louisiana Flood - $300, Medical Benevolence Foundation - Haiti Relief - $500, Postage for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes - $25, Chautauqua Area Habitat for Humanity - $300, Westfield Ministerial Association - $100, Blue Star Mothers of America NY4- $200, Chautauqua Jail Chaplaincy - $200, Presbytery of WNY - Mission Fund - $400, Presbyterian World Mission - Leith & Carol Fujii - $100, Marion Medical - African Shallow Well - $400, Chautauqua County Rural Ministry - $200, 2017 Vacation Bible School $125.00, Renaissance House - Kid's Escaping Drugs - $200, Buffalo City Mission - $200, Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation -RED - $200, Westfield Food Pantry - $200 and Westfield Community Kitchen - $200.
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PER CAPITA
The PER CAPITA is an amount of money assessed each member of the local church for the administrative costs of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Synod of the Northeast, and the Presbytery of WNY. The church pays approximately $35.00 per each active member of the congregation for the Per Capita.
Any contribution to help defray the cost of the Per Capita expense would be appreciated. Please make your check payable to First Presbyterian Church, earmarked "Per Capita ~ Ecclesiastical Apportionment" and mail to the church office or place in the offering plate on Sunday mornings. Envelopes will be available in the pew racks.
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Celtic Vespers Service
Thursday, January 19, 2017
7:00 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church of Westfield will host a Celtic Vespers service in November. This service is influenced by and based upon ancient Celtic worship as well as its modern survivals in worship communities much like the famous Iona Community in Scotland. Celtic Vespers is a beautiful service of evening prayer and will feature responsorial Psalms, prayers from the Carmina Gadelica, music based on Celtic tunes and a recitation of The Lord's Prayer in Gaelic. Please join First Presbyterian Church at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 19 ~ and bring your family and friends!
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Annual Congregation Meeting
The Annual Congregation meeting will be held Sunday, January 15, 2017 to approve the Annual Congregational minutes of January 17, 2016, Special Congregational Meetings of July 24, 2016 and September 11, to receive reports of the Committees of Session and Congregational Organizations; and to receive the report from the Nominating Committee and elect elders, deacons and congregation represetatives to the church officer nominating committee. Copies of the 2016 Annual Report will be available at the entrances to the sanctuary on January 8.
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Nothing quite like REAL flowers!
In 2017 we will continue the effort to have fresh flowers in Church every Sunday. The Church Sanctuary is a living place and a place to experience all that God has created. Flower donations are made directly to the church. A donation of $25 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 to request a week in 2017 for flowers in memory or in honor of a special person.
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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, Gwen Farver, Ruth Stacy, Doc Near, Betty Reid, Enid Beadle, Bev & Les Yeaney, Norma Vanderpool, Don Strobl, Tammy Rothwell, Betty Wilson, Mary Ann Buettner and Ethel Scarpine.
Family and Friends of our Congregation
Darrell Colgrove, Dee Jensen, Mary Grygier (Sister of Elaine Parker), Mike Strada (Brother of Elaine Parker), Jeff Greabell, Abigail Jopek, The Pandolph/Peary Families (Friends of John Daily), Lois Lindstrom (Mother of Kath.y Ricketts) and Cathy Vilardo-Strobl
Our Servicemen.
Capt. Christopher Kittle
Chief Petty Officer, James "JD" Watkins (Grandson of Betty Reid)
SGT2 Arnold Soto (Grandson of Darla Augur)
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FINANCIAL REPORT
Income through November 30, 2016: $167,617.42
(2016 Pledges Paid to Date: 67,601.00)
Expenses through November 30, 2016: $167,073.94
Investment Funds used through November 30th: $36,015.00
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2017 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.
2 Corinthians 9: 7
The 2017 Stewardship Campaign is up and running!
The dedication of your gifts was held on Sunday, December 11, during the morning worship. The dedication and prayer was given by Rev. Cathy Rieley-Goddard. There is, of course, still time for any and/or all of those members of First Church who have not pledged to do so. Please mail your pledge card to the church office earmarked "Stewardship".
To date, total pledging units 41 for a total of $49,260.00.
You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
2 Corinthians 9: 11
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Donate On-Line
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 contribution's.
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There are still a few items that need attention in the church building. We are reaching out to members and friends. If you would like to help in any way - by contributing your time, labor or resources - please contact the church office at
326-2643.
** Miscellaneous Painting
** Any fundraising suggestions
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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
1st
Joan Lemke
2nd
Steve Peters
3rd
Marie Edwards
4th
Mark Meleen
5th
Warren Colgrove
Kai Diehl
6th
Laurie Diehl
7th
Brittany Edwards
9th
Don Fritz
10th
Richard Barney
11th
Norma Vanderpool
12th
Jill Raynor
16th
Justin Ellis
19th
Cortland Knopp
20th
Alisha Ellis
Mike Ricketts
22nd
Charles Machemer
26th
Jennifer Barton
28th
Ricki Schofield
30th
Linda Drake
ANNIVERSARIES
A special Anniversary Prayer...
That God's Eternal love
Will fill your heart this day
With joy and blessings from above
14th
Jeff & Kathy Monroe
Sunday, January 1
11:00 a.m.
Family Worship
Monday, January 2
Church Office Closed
Tuesday, January 3
Church Office Closed
Wednesday, January 4
9:00 a.m.
Worship & Music Meeting
Sunday, January 8
10:00 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal
Sunday School
Christian Nurture - Adult Education
11:00 a.m.
Family Worship
~ Communion ~
Monday, January 9
7:00 p.m.
Mission/Outreach Meeting
Wednesday, January 11
11:00 a.m.
Presbyterian Women's Meeting
Thursday, January 12
5:00 p.m.
Session Meeting
Sunday, January 15
10:00 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal
Sunday School
Christian Nurture ~ Adult Education
11:00 a.m.
Family Worship
12:00 Noon
Annual Congregational Meeting
"Winter" Picnic ~ Hosted by Mission
Monday, January 16
~ Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday ~
Church Office Closed
7:00 p.m
Deacon Meeting
Wednesday, January 18
9:00 a.m.
Property & Finance Meeting
Thursday, January 19
7:00 p.m.
Celtic Vespers Service
Sunday, January 22
10:00 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal
Sunday School
Christian Nurture ~ Adult Education
11:00 a.m.
Family Worship
Sunday, January 29
10:00 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal
Sunday School
Christian Nurture ~ Adult Education
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When you look up, He looks
down
When you lift up, He opens up
When you step in the dance,
He leads
When you cry, He wipes the
tears
When you ask, He answers
When you rise up, He empowers
God is awesome!
