|
The Chronicle
is
Published by
First Presbyterian Church 49 South Portage Street Westfield, New York
2019 |
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:
Administrative Assistant Polly M. Knopp
Custodian Daniel E. Dibble
Deacon of the Month March 2019 Nancy Smith March Greeters Trudy Gollnitz Laura Shearer |
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A Prayer for Lenten Grace
Loving God,
During the sacred season of Lent, bring me closer to you.
Prepare a place in my home and heart for silence and
solitude, so that I may re-discover the grace of a
prayer-full life.
Help me to fast from those things that threaten the
well-being of body and soul and remind me of the
grace of simplicity.
Enlarge my heart so that I give to those in need and, in
so doing, re-discover the grace of gratitude and
generosity.
May this season be a grace-filled time to
rekindle my love for and faith in you.
Amen.
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March Pulpit Supplies
Please join us in March for family worship at 11:00 a.m. - the pulpit supplies are:
March 3
Rev. Wendy Heinz
Wendy graduated from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1986 and was called by The First Presbyterian Church of Westfield New York as Stated Supply Pastor and then Interim Pastor for 16 months. The Westfield Church congregation was very understanding and forgiving of the first steps of a brand new pastor and she very much appreciated it! Wendy then became the Interim Pastor at The First Presbyterian Church in Edinboro, PA for 18 months. She was called as the Installed Pastor to The First Presbyterian Church in Dunkirk, NY and served for 15 years until retirement. She was called out of retirement to serve as transitional Head of Staff and one of a team of three transitional pastors at The First Presbyterian Church in Jamestown. She and her husband Charlie are now both retired much to the delight of their Goldendoodle, Pogo, who is even more spoiled than Bruce and Beth Archibald’s dog, Baxter! Charlie and Wendy also have two children and three grandchildren, who live in Reston, Virginia and Stockholm, Sweden.
March 10
Rev. Mary Lee Talbot
Mary Lee Talbot is a Teaching Elder in the Presbytery of Western New York. She is the moderator of the Wright Memorial Presbyterian Church on the Cattaraugus Territory of the Seneca Nation. She works for a non-profit, People Helping People International, that makes micro-loans in Rwanda. She is the vice-president of the Chautauqua Lake School Board. She lives in Chautauqua Institution and writes for The Chautauquan Daily covering the morning worship services.
March 17
Rev. Wendy Heinz
March 24
Rev. Mary Lee Talbot
March 31
Rev. Wendy Heinz
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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, the Synod of the
Northeast, and the Presbytery of WNY. The church pays approximately $31.00 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 the
First Presbyterian Church, earmarked "PEr Capita ~ Ecclesiastical
Apportionment" and mail to the church office or place in the offering plate on Sunday mornings.
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Daylight Saving time begins on March 10, 2019
Remember to spring ahead! Set your clock ahead one hour
before retiring on Saturday, March 9, 2018. We don't want
you to be late for Church!
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Proudly brings you the Westfield performance of
Chautauqua Chamber Singers
"Centuries of Love Songs"
Rebecca Ryan, Director
Charles F. Johnson, Accompanist
With special guests to celebrate St. Patrick's Day
Sue Tillotson and "The Bonnie Loch Fiddlers"
Saturday, March 16, 2019
First Presbyterian Church
~ sanctuary ~
Westfield, NY
4:00 p.m.
No Admission - Freewill Offering
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The Hands of the Master
~ Author Unknown ~
Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took her boy to a Paderewski concert. After they were seated, the mother spotted an old friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet her. Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy rose and eventually explored his way through a door marked "NO ADMITTANCE." When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing.
Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit." Keep playing." Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played. Only the classic, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."
Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful. The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit." "Keep playing." May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces. Remember, God doesn't seem to call the equipped, rather, He equips the 'called.' Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than by the things you acquire.
“...equip you with every good thing to do his will, by developing in us what pleases him through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory forever and always. Amen. Hebrews 13: 21
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the simple solution to community fundraising
As a church we continue to participating in TOPS Markets "Cash for Causes" program. We have purchased 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 are available in $50 and $100 denominations. Please call (326-2643) or stop in the church office to purchase a gift card.
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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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Mission/Outreach News....
Westfield Community Kitchen
For the month of March we will be collecting some much-needed items for the Community Kitchen. Their "Wish List" is as follows: Coffee - Regular and Decaf, Tea, Powdered Coffee Creamer, Sugar, Napkins, Paper Towels, Paper Plates (dessert size), Paper Bowls (8 oz.), Foil (wide), Gallon Size Freezer Bags, Bleach, Dish Soap, Non-stick spray, White Vinegar, Salad dressings - Italian, Ranch, etc., Mayonnaise, Ketch-up, Relish, Garlic Salt, Onion Salt, Celery Salt, Dry Onion Soup, Beef and Chicken Broth, Parmesan Cheese, Cream of Mushroom soup, Cream of Celery soup, Jello -- need 6 boxes of each flavor, Sweet Potatoes, Diced Tomatoes and Fresh Potatoes. The Community Kitchen greatly appreciates our help!
Medical Benevolence - Haiti Nursing Student
The Mission Committee has begun a campaign to raise funds for a scholarship to support the education of a nursing student in Haiti. This program is under the auspicious of the Medical Benevolence Foundation.
Fundraising projects will be undertaken throughout 2019 in support of the nursing student. There are specially marked envelopes in the pews for donations or you can send your donation to the church earmarked "Haiti Nursing Student". Also Pill bottles have been distributed in which participants are asked to contribute coins for designated “medical activities”. If you haven't picked up a pill bottle please contact the church or Marjory Fritz/326-4277. MISSION IS THE HEART OF THE CHURCH SO LET’S KEEP THE HEART HEALTHY!
Soles Healing Souls ~ Chosen International Medical Assistance
"A Christ ministry dedicated to improving the quality of life to all God's people
for His glory."
I know that many of you reading this article like to go barefoot when possible,
but can you imagine that being your only option? In many places, that is the reality. Chosen IMA continues to partner with Funds2orgs to make shoes available
to people in areas that have never had this perceived necessity. Chosen IMA
collects the shoes, and Funds2orgs processes and distributes them to entrepreneurs around the world who have received training on how to run a business. All shoes collected are used or re-purposed, and stay out of landfills. Did you know that it is estimated that 300 million pairs of shoes end up in landfills each year? Chosen IMA
also receives 40 cents per pound of shoes, and they are able to invest that back into the ministry and make a greater impact in Erie, PA and around the world. Our church will continue to collect used shoes, boots, sandals, etc. for Chosen IMA.
The container to deposit your shoes, is located at the Portage Street entrance to the church.
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Clerk's Pen(cil) II
Following the call to order by Moderator Rev. Cynthia Wicker-Lundquist and devotions and prayer by Marie Edwards the Session took up the work of the church on Tuesday, February 19, 2019.
Actions taken at the meeting are summarized as follows:
~ Received the Treasurer and Deacon Reports
~ Approved the use of the sanctuary by Lake Shore Center for the Arts for a community concert on Saturday, March 16 at 4 p.m.
~ Approved the use of the Sanctuary and Parlor for the wedding of Katie O'Neal and Mike Stratton on July 6, 2019
~ Approved the use of Fellowship Hall and the Kitchen by the Westfield Hospital Auxiliary for Monday, March 11 for community dinner.
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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
Dorothy Near, Betty Reid, Lillian Saunders, Mark Robbins, Barb Lynn, Ople Gollnitz, Sharon Bane, Pat Hayes.
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), Dave Schutter (Brother of Carolyn Bills)
Our Servicemen
Chief Petty Officer, James "JD" Watkins (Grandson of Betty Reid)
Lt. Victgor Gutirrez, U.S. Army Rangers (Grandson of Jack Beckman)
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Celebrations of Eternal Life...
Our deepest sympathy as a congregation is extended to the family and friends upon the death of their loved ones:
Paul H. Farver ~ Sunday, January 20, 2019
Kay N. Hall ~ Sunday, February 17, 2019
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with all who have lost loved ones recently.
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The Cookies
Imagine you are at an Airport. While you’re waiting for your flight, you notice a kiosk selling cookies. You buy a box, put them in your traveling bag and then you patiently search for an available seat so you can sit down and enjoy your cookies. Finally, you find a seat next to a gentleman.
You reach down into your traveling bag and pull out your box of cookies.As you do so, you notice that the gentleman starts watching you intensely. He stares as you open the box and his eyes follow your hand as you pick up the cookie and bring it to your mouth. Just then he reaches over and takes one of your cookies from the box, and eats it! You’re more than a little surprised at this. Actually, you‘re at a loss for words. Not only does he take one cookie, but also he alternates with you. For every one cookie you take, he takes one.
Now, what’s your immediate impression of this guy? Crazy? Greedy? He’s got some nerve? Can you imagine the words you might use to describe this man to your associates back at the office? Meanwhile, you both continue eating the cookies until there’s just one left. To your surprise, the man reaches
over and takes it. But then he does something unexpected. He breaks it in half, and gives half to you. After he’s finished with his half he gets up, and without a word, he leaves.
You think to yourself, “Did this really happen?” You’re left sitting there dumbfounded and still hungry. So you go back to the kiosk and buy another box of cookies. You then return to your seat and begin opening your new box of cookies when you glance down into your traveling bag.
Sitting there in your bag is your original box of cookies – still unopened. Only then do you realize that when you reached for your own cookies earlier, you had reached into the other man’s bag, and grabbed his box of cookies by mistake. Now what do you think of that man? Generous? Tolerant?
You’ve just experienced a profound paradigm shift. You’re seeing things from a new point of view. Is it time to change your point of view?
Many a times, we are clouded by our own instincts and predispositions.
These hamper our relationship with our peers, subordinates and superiors.
It helps to be non-judgmental and look beyond the obvious.
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JANUARY 2019 FINANCIAL REPORT
Income through January 31: $9,712.59
(2019 Pledges Paid to Date: $6,167.00)
Expenses through January 31: $9,305.82
Investment Funds used through January 31: $0.00
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TAKE TIME TO THINK: It is a source of power.
TAKE TIME TO PLAY: It is the secret of perpetual youth.
TAKE TIME TO READ: It is the fountain of wisdom.
TAKE TIME TO PRAY: It is the greatest power on earth.
TAKE TIME TO BE LOVED & TO LOVE: It is a God-given privilege.
TAKE TIME TO BE FRIENDLY: It is the road to happiness.
TAKE TIME TO LAUGH: It is the music of the soul.
TAKE TIME TO GIVE: It is too short a day to be selfish.
TAKE TIME TO WORK: It is the price of success.
TAKE TIME TO DO CHARITY: It is the key to Heaven.
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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
March 12
Andy Fochtman
Drew Norton
March 15
Ashlin Helman
Camden Rogers
March 16
Ann Weidman
March 17
Daxon Perkins
March 19
Bobby Udell
March 20
Scott Rogers
March 21
Jim Deakin
Linda Kelley
Felicia Lawson
March 22
Harry Barton
Lynnell Ellis
Bob Wilmarth
March 25
Carol Webster
Lisa Young
March 27
Marilynne Northrop
March 28
Mary Jo Gollnitz
March 30
Giana Long
Jaime Long
March 3
10:00 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal
Christian Nuruture - Adult Education
11:00 a.m.
Family Worship
~ Communion ~
12:00 Noon
Special Congregational Meeting
March 9
2:00 p.m.
The Family of Bev Yeaney will recieve friends in the Parlor
3:00 p.m.
Memorial Service for Beverly Yeaney
Sunday, March 10
10:00 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal
Christian Nurture ~ Adult Education
11:00 a.m.
Family Worship
Monday, March 11
5:00 p.m. ~ 6:00 p.m.
Westfield Hospital Auxiliary Dinner
Saturday, March 16
Lake Shore Center of the Arts Community Concert
"Chautauqua Chamber Singers"
~ in the Sanctuary ~
Sunday, March 17
10:00 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal
Christian Nurture ~ Adult Education
11:00 a.m.
Family Worship
~ Ordination/Installation of Church Officers ~
Monday, March 18
7:00 p.m.
Deacon Meetings
Tuesday, March 19
Session Meeting
Wednesday, March 20
9:00 a.m.
Property & Finance Meeting
Thursday, March 21
Presbyterian Women's Board Meeting
~ Church Parlor ~
Sunday, March 21
10:00 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal
Christian Nurture ~ Adult Education
11:00 a.m.
Family Worship
12:00 Noon
Coffee Hour
~ Hosted by the Deacon's ~
Sunday, March 31
10:00 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal
Christian Nurture ~ Adult Education
11:00 a.m.
Family Worship
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Stress...
makes you believe
everything has to happen
right now.
Faith...
reassures you that everything will happen
in God's timing.
Amen.
