|
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 Dan Dibble
Deacon of the Month October 2018 Judy Sumption |
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Using Our Gifts
Lord, to all you have given,
gifts to which You’ve entrust
so many diverse talents
You have given each of us.
You have endowed us all,
with spiritual abilities
so many of us are blessed
with unique qualities.
You awarded each one,
with their own personality
so together we can be one
regardless of our specialty.
We all have the capability,
but, sadly not the desire
to use our gifts and talents
to enlighten and inspire.
Lord, if we chose to use,
the gifts You’ve given us
just think how many more . . .
in You, would place their trust!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"God has given each of us a Gift from his great variety of Spiritual Gifts use them well to serve one another." 1 Peter 4:10
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Dear Saints and Friends of the First Presbyterian Church of Westfield,
“Everyone should give whatever they have decided in their heart. They shouldn't give with hesitation or because of pressure. God loves a cheerful giver...You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous in every way. Such generosity produces thanksgiving to God through us.” 2 Corinthians 9:7, 11 (CEB).
Emphasize the benefits! According to my friends in marketing, this is the key to good advertising. Make sure folks see the benefits that accrue if they buy your product.
I imagine that makes it tough for an ad agency trying to sell cigarettes. And for a pastor trying to sell giving!
The Apostle Paul, however, was a master salesman. He stuck strictly to the truth. He didn't push. And yet he made it clear that joyful giving has tremendous benefits.
No one has to give. In fact, Paul didn't want any reluctant givers. A person who feels he or she has to give, or gives grudgingly, shouldn't drop a single coin in the collection plate. God doesn't need the money. And that kind of giving won't bring the giver any blessings at all. But if we want to give – ah, then we reap tremendous blessings.
So Paul reminded the Corinthians and us of the blessings that make Christian giving such a joy.
First, giving benefits you materially and spiritually. You see, it's impossible for us to out give God (see 2 Corinthians 9:6-11). God is able to pour so much grace into our lives, that having been “made rich in every way” we can be “generous in every way,”
(2 Cor. 9:11).
This isn't a “send in ten dollars and God will send you 100” kind of promise. It's simply a reminder that God is the source of bread as well as the inner joy we experience in Christ. We give only money. God meets our material needs, and gives us spiritual riches as well.
Second, giving permits us to bless others. What you give supplies the needs of God's people (see 2 Cor. 9:12). Even more, our giving deepens the relationship of others with the Lord. As they realize God prompted us to give, they will “give honor to God for your obedience to your confession of Christ's gospel," (2 Cor. 9: 13)
Third, giving stimulates others to pray for us. As others identify us as the means God used to meet their needs, they will respond with gratitude and appreciation. And each of us needs all the prayers we can get!
God wants the giver, then the gift. God doesn't really care about our money. After all, God's resources are infinite. God does care about the spiritual benefits that generosity brings to the giver and the recipient of this unusual grace.
Give joyfully, for you will be blessed.
Yours in Christ's love and service,
Rev. Ron Sumption
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
IMAGES OF THE CHURCH
As we prepare and Plan for the future of OUR church the Session has decided to participate in a workshop conducted by Rev. Dr. Gregory Hall and Rev. Dr. Cynthia Wickwire Lundquist, from the Presbytery Committee on Ministry. They will work us through a process of worship, small discussion groups and exercises resulting in an end product that will provide information and direction for the future of Our Church. This is similar to what previously was termed a Mission Study, but much more streamlined and user friendly. This process will begin with the September 30th sermon, delivered by Elder Marie Edwards, titled “Images of the Church”. Following the Sermon you will be asked to complete a brief survey. (So bring a pen) The surveys will be collected during the closing hymn. Please make an extra effort to attend and participate. On Saturday, October 20th, from 9 to 4 ALL Session members and ALL Deacons, as well as any interested members of the congregation will meet in the Church parlor to participate in the workshop led by Pastors Hall and Wickwire Lundquist. As a Session we cannot emphasize enough the importance of your participation. Come prepared to contribute and participate. OUR Church’s future is at hand. SEE YOU ON SEPTEMBER 30TH AND OCTOBER 20th. Lunch will be provided.
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
We welcome Carol Webster as a member of our church! Carol's membership was
re-instated at the Session Meeting on Tuesday, September 18, 2018.
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Mission/Outreach News....
SAVE THOSE DIMES!
"Dimes for Buckhorn." We continue to fille three 2 liter bottles with dimes. Each 2 liter bottle results in approximately $400. The bottles will be located at the entrances to the sanctuary or you can bring them to the church office.
Buck(s) for Buckorn Children & Family Services
There are boxes labeled "Buck(s) for Buckhorn" at the entrances to sanctuary. One dollar at a time we can help financially support at-risk children at Buckhorn Children & Family Services.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Operation Christmas Child ~ a project of Samaritan's Purse:
"The Power of a Simple Gift"
Since 1993, millions of boys and girls in more than 140 nations have experienced God's love through your shoe box gifts, enabling local churches and ministry partners to share the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ ~ God's greatest gift.
Operation Christmas Child is a life-changing outreach that brings joy and hope to
children in desperate situations worldwide through gift-filled shoe boxes and the
Good News of God's love.
We invite all members and/or friends to fill a shoe box. A pamphlet with
information on how to pack your shoe box and suggested gifts will be available
mid-October at the entrances to the sanctuary or the church office. Please have
your shoe box(es) returned on or before November 18, for a special dedication during the worship service.
Westfield Community Kitchen
For the months of October and November, we will be
collecting some much-needed items for the Community
Kitchen. The "Wish List" items are as follows: small dessert paper plates, napkins, paper towels, individual sugar packets, salad dressings, decaf and regular coffee, dry soup mixes, Jello, puddings, powdered creamer, chicken broth, biscuit mix, cake mixes, aluminum foil (wide), Sweet n' Low and bleach. The Community Kitchen greatly appreciates your help!
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!
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Peace & Global Witness
Now may the Lord of peace...give you peace at all times in all ways." 2 Thessalonians 3: 16
Sometimes it feels the world is coming at us so quickly that we don't know which way to turn, where to look, what to do next. In a chaotic world, we find strength in knowing that God is always near. Participating in the Peace & Global Witness Offering we are joining in Paul's prayer that God grant us "peace at all times, in all ways".
Peace. For our world, our family, our community our church and ourselves ~ peace at all times, in all ways.
When the peace treaty was signed between Egypt and Israel in 1979, President Jimmy Carter quoted the journalist Walker Knights, saying "peace is active, not passive; peace is doing, not waiting...peace, like war, is waged." The Peace & Global Witness Offering our church supports provides the tools and resources for us as we join together as active peacemakers.
The Peace & Global Witness Offering draws Presbyterians together and provides education and exposure to those who show us how to do this work well. It allows us to create resources for dealing with conflict and nurturing reconciliation, and stand in support of our global sisters and brothers, because the peace of Christ belongs to people everywhere. It has helped support our church partners in Madagascar recover from years of destructive development. Scriptural resources helped congregations, like the one in Old Bergen, New Jersey, find common ground with neighbors of many faiths, bringing their children together to learn from one another and to build a peaceful future. And the whole church lives together through this Offering, to work for an end to all forms of human trafficking, specifically, the sin of child soldiers.
As we work to share Christ's peace with one another, lets share that peace with those beyond our doors. Twenty-five (25%) of this Offering stays with our congregation, so that we can commit ourselves to active peacemaking. The Mission Committee will determine how best to use our gifts to support local peacemaking initiatives or community-based ministries.
Please join us on October 7, as our church celebrates World Communion Sunday, and we commit to being instruments of the peace we find in Christ. Please come ready to give generously to the Peace & Global Witness Offering. Offering envelopes will be available in the pews or you can mail your donation to the church office earmarked "Peace & Global Witness Offering".
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Friday, October 5
Roast Pork, Mashed Potatoes, Sauerkraut, Seasoned Green Beans, Warm Fruit,
Homemade Rolls and Assorted Desserts.
Friday, October 12
Chicken and Biscuits, Mashed Potatoes, Buttered Peas & Carrots, Cranberry Salad and Assorted Desserts.
Friday, October 19
Meat Loaf, Potato Stuffing, Harvard Beets, Sunset Salad, Succotash, Homemade Rolls and Assorted Desserts.
Friday, October 26
Baked Ham, Scalloped Potatoes, Vegetable Medley, Waldorf Salad, Homemade Rolls and Assorted Desserts.
Adult Dinner $11.00
All dinners include a beverage.
Sit down, take-out or delivery available.
For delivery ~ please call the church office/326-2643 before Noon on the day of
the dinner.
The dinner are benefitting Mission/Outreach Projects and the Presbyterian Women's Association.
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
2018 HARVEST DINNER
~ VOLUNTEERS ~
There are still opportunities to volunteer for the October Harvest Dinners
Volunteers are NECESSARY for the dinners to be successful
Please call the church office/326-2643 to volunteer for a date(s) listed below.
WEEK 2
Friday, October 5th
3:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m. ~ Clean-up
WEEK 3
Thursday, October 11th
1:00 p.m.
Friday, October 12th
3:30 p.m.
4:30 p.m. ~ Hostess
5:15 p..m. ~ Delivery
5:30 p.m. ~ Clean-up
WEEK 4
Friday, October 19th
4:30 p.m. ~ Hostess
5:15 ~ Delivery
5:30 p.m. ~ Clean-up
WEEK 5
Friday, October 26th
3:30 p.m.
4: 30 p.m. ~ Hostess
5:15 p.m. ~ Delivery
5:30 p.m. ~ Clean-up
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Clerk's Pen(cil) II
Following the call to order and prayer by Moderator Rev. Cynthia Wickwire and devotions Mike Ricketts the Session took up the work of the church on Tuesday, September 18, 2018.
Actions taken at the meeting are summarized as follows:
~ Received the Pastor's and Treasurer reports.
~ Per written request from Linda Drake - removed her name from the active membership rolls.
~ Approved the hiring of Dan Dibble as our Custodian.
~ Approved reinstating Carol Webster to our Active Membership Rolls.
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Update...
A heartfelt thank you to the volunteers and those who donated items to the Next-to-New Sale. The unsold items were donated to the Chautauqua County Rural Ministries and other various causes. The profit from the sale was $847.00.
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
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 $50 and $100 denominations. Please call church office at 326-2643 or stop in the church office to purchase a gift card.
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
'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 contribution
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
HALLOWEEN
5K RUN-WALK-JOG
Saturday, October 27
Our Halloween 5K Fun Run is sure to be a fun way for people of all ages to enjoy the Halloween season. Check-in will start at 9:00 a.m. in the Parlor and run/walk/jog beginning at 10:00 a.m. in front of the Church in Moore Park. Post-race fun will include treats for all! Pre-registration is $20.00 (by October 17) and will include a 5-K t-shirt. On the day of the event the fee is $25.00. To pre-register please call the church office/326-2643.
VOLUNTEERS are need for the event. They will help with registration, waivers, encouragers, setting up, taking down. To volunteer please call the church office/326-2643.
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Presbyterian Women's Association Upcoming Events...
Thursday, November 15, 2018
7:00 p.m.
Movie ~ Everyone invited!
"Wonder"
Thursday, December 13, 2018
7:00 p.m.
"A Cup of Christmas Tea"
More information will be listed in November & December newsletters as well as the weekly bulletins.
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
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, BevYeaney, Gloria Wakeley, Lillian Saunders, Mark Robbins, Barb Lynn, Ople Gollnitz,
Laurie Diehl and 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, Cody Crandall and Bill Best.
Our Servicemen
Chief Petty Officer, James "JD" Watkins (Grandson of Betty Reid)
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
FINANCIAL REPORT
Income through August 31: $73,488.06
(2018 Pledges Paid to Date: $38,741.00)
Expenses through August 31: $103,634.78
Investment Funds used through August 31: $30,200.00
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
OCTOBER 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
Beverly Carr
Irene Maxwell
Joanna Seminatore
3rd
Earl Saunders
4th
Zachary Johnson
Madison Schroeder
5th
Amy North
7th
Jan Wilson
10th
Jason Ellis
12th
Rick McCutcheon
Elaine Prince
13th
Bryan Kelley
14th
Dona Hayes
Gerry Rogers
Evan Rudewicz
15th
Paul Cleveland
18th
Emma Bishop
22nd
Janet Reid
23rd
Diane Scarpine
24th
Chester Machemer
26th
Brooke Helman
28th
Jay Northrop
29th
Daryn Coon
Cheryl Perkins
31st
David Luder
ANNIVERSARIES
A special Anniversary Prayer...
That God's Eternal love
Will fill your heart this day
With joy and blessings from above
5th
Richard & Anneliza Barney
6th
Bob & Wendy Dyment
18th
Tracy & Linda Bennett
29th
Warren & Gloria Colgrove
Monday, October 1
7:00 p.m.
Mission Meeting
Friday, October 5
5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Roast Pork Harvest Dinner
Sunday, October 7
10:00 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal
10:00 a.m.
Christian Nurture - Adult Education
11:00 a.m.
Family Worship
~ World Communion ~
Monday, October 8
Columbus Day
~ Church Office Closed ~
Friday, October 12
5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Chicken & Biscuit Harvest Dinner
Sunday, October 14
10:00 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal
10:00 a.m.
Christian Nurture ~ Adutl Education
11:00 a.m.
Family Worship
Monday, October 15
7:00 p.m.
Deacon Meeting
Tuesday, October 16
7:00 p.m.
Session Meeting
Wednesday, October 17
9:00 a.m.
Property & Finance Meeting
Thursday, October 18
7:00 p.m.
Presbyterian Board Meeting
~ Pat Sciarrino's home ~
Friday, October 19
5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Meat Loaf Harvest Dinner
Saturday, October 20
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
"Images of the Church"
Workshop
Sunday, October 21
10:00 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal
10:00 a.m.
Christin Nurture ~ Adult Education
11:00 a.m.
Family Worship
12:00 Noon
Coffee Hour
~ Hosted by the Deacons ~
Friday, October 26
5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Baked Ham Harvest Dinner
Saturday, October 27
5K Fun Run
~ Walk-Run-Jog ~
Sunday, October 28
10:00 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal
10:00 a.m.
Christian Nurture ~ Adult Education
11:00 a.m.
Family Worship
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
