PASTOR: THE REV. DR. NANCY A. McCLURE-LONG
PHONE: 518-828-5946 - 518-828-9778
EMAIL: divinemizn@aol.com
OFFICE HOURS: 9-10:30am - Tuesday
9:00 am-12:00 pm. W-Th or by appointment
Office Assistant - Lisa Andrews
Sexton: Penny Schertel
Sunday School Superintendents: Peter & Penny Schertel
Organist: Ethel Jones
Consistory: Vice President - Richard J. Leggett Sr.
Treasurer: Richard J. Leggett Jr.
Elders:Bonnie Pflegl, Sandy Wilson, Dick Leggett, Liz Grattan
Deacons: George Bednar, Robbie Keller, Nora Van Brunt
Newsletter of the Ghent Reformed Church
1039 County Route 22, Ghent, NY 12075; Phone: [518] 828-5946
Upcoming Events
May
May 5: Church Fun Day, $22 per person; 3 p.m. meet at church to carpool; 4 p.m. mini golf at East Greenbush Funplex with 5:30 p.m. supper at Super Buffet in East Greenbush [golf, tip, tax & soft drink included]
May 9: 1:30 p.m. House Church Bible Study at Pomeroys Consistory 7pm
May 12: 5:00 p.m. His Loving Hands International Heritage Pot Luck Dinner, bring a family favorite that came from your international ancestors
May 13: Mother’s Day [looking for a performer] Adult Discipleship study after worship
May 15: 7:00 p.m. Ghent Literary Society will discuss Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith
May 19: Dairy Dinner [Liz Grattan]
May 23: 1:30 p.m. House Church Bible Study at Pomeroys
May 27: Adult Discipleship study after worship
May 28: Memorial Day
June
June 2: Chicken BBQ [George Bednar & Robbie Keller]
June 3: Confirmation/New Members; communion
June 6: 1:30 p.m. House Church Bible Study at Pomeroys
June 10: GRC Children’s Day and Family Picnic, bring a dish to share; meat & soft drinks provided [NO Adult Discipleship study after worship]
June 20: NO House Church Bible Study at Pomeroys [Pastor Nancy away]
June 20-26: Pastor Nancy delegate to General Synod in Chicago.
June 24: Outdoor Worship with special guest
July
July 4 & 18: 1:30 p.m. House Church Bible Study at Pomeroys
July 29: Outdoor Worship at Taconic Lake, anointing for healing
August
Aug. 1, 15 & 29: 1:30 p.m. House Church Bible Study at Pomeroys
Aug. 6-10: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Splash in God’s Word Vacation Bible School, adult helpers needed for storytelling, snack preparation & service; activity helpers
Aug. 26: Outdoor Worship
Ghent Reformed Church
1039 ROUTE 22, GHENT, NY 12075
518-828-5946
www.angelfire.com/ny5/ghent_ref_church
CONSISTORY HIGHLIGHTS
e received the Treasurer’s Report for March [summary below]:
Checking Account:
Receipts in March 2012 $ 5,733.00
Expenses in March 2012 $11,695.92
Checkbook Balance end of March $ 1,276.78
Receipts:
Receipts to mid-April 2012 $ 5,454.27
Expenses to mid-April 2012 $ 1,811.85
Checkbook balance to mid-April $ 4,889.86
Other Accounts:
Benevolent Account $ 971.58
Legacy Fund (Building & Mem) $ 7,015.89W
We received a letter asking for support of the Camp Fowler Ministries Board. Consistory decided if we do not receive any requests for scholarships to Camp Fowler this summer we could use those funds as a donation. It was also suggested that the Deacons include Camp Fowler as a line item for donations. The other Synod arm, the Classes Ministries Board, which Pastor Nancy serves on, should also be considered a donation. Neither Board is supported by assessments; therefore, both have to raise their own funding, but CMB can only raise funds from the Synod churches, while FMB can approach wealthy individuals.
Easter Services went well, including the new Tenebrae service. We will do something like that again, but perhaps not every year. Guy Rivenburgh crafted a 7-candle holder and it worked perfectly.
Our internet problem has been solved with minimal expenditure. All emails are now going to Pastor Nancy at her home address. She purchased a flash drive only for newsletter emails, which she will save on the flash drive and hand off to Lisa when she is ready for it.
The property ministry is researching costs for 6 new tables and about 50 new chairs [because our oldest tables have started falling apart and many of our chairs are not being returned]. Windows in the Fellowship Hall have been reset. A nominating committee is being formed to come up with a slate for May elections. Terms are up for Liz, Frank, Nora, and Robbie.
Dates for upcoming events were discussed, chairpersons were chosen, and these events are reflected in the calendar for the month. The next Consistory meeting is May 9th at 7:00 p.m.
WE’RE LOOKING FOR A CHAIR FOR OUR ANNUAL CHURCH FAIR
We’re in need of a chair for our annual “His Harvest” Church Fair, which will be held this year on Saturday, September 15th. If you would like to volunteer for this fundraiser, please let someone on consistory know or you may contact the church office.
Ghent Reformed Church Fun Day
George Bednar has organized a day of fun on Saturday, May 5th, which will include 18 holes of miniature golf at Funplex and dinner at the Super Buffet in East Greenbush. The cost is $22.00 per person and includes mini golf and the buffet including tax, tip, and a soft drink.
Our plan is to car pool from the church at 3pm, play mini golf at 4pm and go to the buffet at 5:30pm.
A sign-up sheet is located outside the church office.
OTHER EVENTS:
Trinity United Methodist Church BLOOD DRIVE
Sponsored by the Hudson Lions Club on Thursday, May 10th from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Please call Guy Rivenburgh or 1-800-Red-Cross to schedule an appointment.
All presenting donors are eligible to enter for a chance to win a $50 Lowes gift card.
Shop with Local Artisans on Thursday, May 10th from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. In addition, a wrap lunch will be available for $5.00.
For more info, please contact: Eileen Pastore at 281-1046, epastore@whittierhealth.com, 1 Whittier Way, Ghent, NY 12075
GRC LITERARY SOCIETY
The Ghent Reformed Church Literary Society will meet again on Tuesday, May 15th at 7pm to discuss Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith.
Precious Ramotswe is the eminently sensible and cunning proprietor of the only ladies’ detective agency in Botswana. In Tears of the Giraffe she tracks a wayward wife, uncovers an unscrupulous maid, and searches for an American man who disappeared into the plains many years ago. In the midst of resolving uncertainties, pondering her impending marriage to a good, kind man, Mr. J.L.B Matekoni, and the promotion of her talented secretary (a graduate of the Botswana Secretarial College, with a mark of 97 per cent), she also finds her family suddenly and unexpectedly increased by two.
George Bednar Honored
On April 12, 2012, at Siena College’s 25th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King Lecture Series on Race and Nonviolent Social Change, our own George Bednar received one of the first MLK Recognition Awards. Pastor Nancy & Liz Grattan attended the banquet and lecture at which the award was presented to show their support for George.
This honor came in recognition of George’s 28 years as recreation supervisor for the City of Hudson Department of Youth. In this position George has helped to transform the lives of thousands of at-risk youth who have come through the doors of the Youth Center. Using sports as a venue, George has helped them to reach their goals and spurred many to attend college and become teachers, lawyers, doctors, and police officers. Get George to show you the beautiful certificate and statue he received. The recognition is long overdue and we are all so proud of you!
Lisa Jutkofsky [a friend of Nancy Stinard] has offered to put together a quilt (or could be used as a wall hanging) for the church to use as a fund-raiser. Her idea was, since this is sponsored by “His Loving Hands,” to make squares with hands on them. So, we will be meeting on Thursday, March 29, at 7:00 pm, at which time Lisa will cut out squares and distribute them for us to draw (or paint, or embroider, etc.) a hand on each square. We will have squares available to all members of the congregation. If we are able to make enough squares for two, one will be kept at the church and the other will be part of a drawing.
We have also received a beautiful quilt made by Ellen Davis, of Fish and Game Road, Hudson. The two quilts will be offered for a drawing to be held at the Holiday Gift Fair in November. So we hope to be selling tickets for them at our events at the church, and possibly at the Chatham Village Street Fair this summer.
It was greatly felt that we need to include our own church in our mission projects and hope that this will be a fun and meaningful way for all to participate in as a fund raiser. Again, we welcome your suggestions and ideas – just see Nora or Sandy.
“His Loving Hands”
In April we collected the quilt squares with the “hands” on them, to be sewn together for the quilt, to be put into a drawing to raise funds for our Ghent Reformed Church. Thank you so much to those who decorated the squares – we had a good variety of patterns, and look forward to seeing the finished product!
On Saturday, May 12, at 5:00 pm, we will be hosting a potluck dinner to kick off our May mission. Our “International Heritage Dinner” will introduce us to a project sponsored by Church World Service. It is to collect items for Hygiene Kits to be distributed around the world (and in the US) whenever natural disasters occur, or when there is a family crisis. Since these kits are sent world-wide, we thought it might be fun to celebrate our heritage by bringing a dish that we grew up with – a family favorite that may have come from England, Italy, Germany, etc., or even from the United States (like southern fried chicken). It can be any kind of food – a main dish, a vegetable, or even a dessert, for example. We'll have national flags on the food tables for you to put your dish by (we'll give you a card to mark down the country being represented, name of the dish, and your name; in case someone wants your recipe!)
For the each kit, we'll need new items as follows:
One hand towel measuring approx. 16” x 28” (no fingertip or bath towels)
One washcloth
One wide-tooth comb
One nail clipper
One bar of soap (bath size in wrapper)
One toothbrush (in original packaging)
Six standard size Band-aids®
Whatever item/s you are able to provide would be helpful. These kits can mean the difference between sickness and health for struggling families.
A box has been placed outside the church office for these goods. We'll be collecting items through May, and then will send them off to Church World Service for distribution.
So, we hope you'll all plan to come to the “International Heritage Pot Luck Dinner,” Saturday, May 12, at 5:00 pm., for a time of good food and fellowship!
As always, Nora and Sandy appreciate your support and welcome any ideas you may have for future mission projects.
(P.S.: Please let Sandy know if you will be bringing a dish from a country other than the following so she can try to get a flag for that country):
USA Canada England Scotland
France Germany Hungary Poland
Italy Ireland Scandinavian Countries
House Church Forming to discuss Revelation
Katie and April Pomeroy are opening their home for Bible study every other Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. beginning Wed., January 25th and continuing through June 27. Anyone interested in a study of the book of Revelation using Bruce Metzger’s Breaking the Code: Understanding the Book of Revelation [Abingdon Press, 1993], is invited. It should be possible to find inexpensive used copies through Amazon.com or even in used bookstores. Contact either Pastor Nancy 828-9778 or the Pomeroys at 822-1118.
Columbia-Greene Classis joint Youth Activities
Patti Varga at Kinderhook Reformed Church has volunteered to begin offering possible youth activities for all our churches in Columbia Greene Classis. By combining our resources and meeting in different locations, we are hoping to be able to have a real kickin’ group! This could be a good solution for our small churches who have only small numbers of young people.
Vacation Bible School
Patti Scofield Varga invites you to “SONRISE National Park VBS" at Kinderhook Reformed Church beginning Monday, June 25 at 9:00 a.m. It's time to save the date for Vacation Bible School! Perhaps you're willing to be a helper; perhaps you have kids, grandkids, or neighborhood kids who'd like to come! We're holding it in June this year, so we wanted to alert you ASAP! Hope to see you there! If you can help, just let me know - thanks – Patti
CAMP FOWLER
Any young people who are interested in spending a week at Camp Fowler this summer should send in their registration forms as soon as possible. Several weeks have already filled. If you wish to have GRC help pay for your week, please write a letter to us and put it in the consistory box before our next meeting on April 11th.
Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps: STR.
Read and Learn!
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S *Ask the individual to SMILE.
T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK
SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. It is sunny out today.)
R *Ask person to RAISE BOTH ARMS
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately, and describe symptoms to the dispatcher.
New Sign of a Stroke-Stick out Your Tongue
NOTE: Ask person to 'stick' out their tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked' or if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.
STORY BEHIND THE HYMN
Austin Miles (1868-1946) was a pharmacist turned hymn writer and church music director. He was also an amateur photographer. One day in March, 1912, while in his dark room waiting for filmto develop, Miles had a profound spiritual experience in which he saw an incredible vision of Mary Magdalene visiting the empty tomb. He saw her leave the tomb and walk into a garden where she met the Master and heard Him speak her name.
When Miles came to himself his nerves were vibrating and his muscles tense; the words to a new song were filling his mind and heart. He quickly wrote out the lyrics to In The Garden and later that evening composed the musical score. The song was published that same year and became a theme song of the Billy Sunday evangelistic crusades.
In The Garden was recorded on an album by Perry Como in 1950, was sung in the closing scene of the 1984 film Places in the Heart and continues to be a favorite of hymn lovers who treasure that quiet 'garden time' with their Savior.
In the Garden
I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses . . .
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other, has ever, known!
He speaks and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that he gave to me,
Within my heart is ringing . . .
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other, has ever, known!
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other, has ever, known!
“Thinking he was the gardener, she said, 'Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.' Jesus said to her, 'Mary.' She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, 'Rabboni!' (which means Teacher)” (John 20:15-16)
St. Patrick (385-461 AD) was a man zealous for the things of God. As a missionary, he defied an Irish King's edict that restricted the lighting of candles on Easter Eve. King Logaire of Tara had decreed that no one was allowed light any fires until a pagan spring festival was launched by the lighting of a fire on Slane Hill. Patrick chose to honor God in spite the threat of death. King Logaire was so impressed with Patrick's brave devotion, he let him continue his missionary work unhindered.
An 8th Century Monk, Dallan Forgaill penned the words to Be Thou My Vision, as a tribute to St. Patrick's wholehearted loyalty to God. The hymn was translated from Irish to English in 1905 by Mary E. Byrne. In 1912, Eleanor H. Hull arranged the song into the verse most commonly found in English hymnals today. The music to accompany the lyrics is an ancient Irish folk tune called Slane.
Be Thou My Vision
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul's Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven's joys, O bright Heaven's Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
PEOPLE IN THE PEWS
A TOUCH OF HOLLYWOOD IN COLUMBIA COUNTY
In March 1920, the residents of Chatham became obsessed by visions of stardom when the plump and talkative John S. Lopez, who identified himself as “Director, Sphere Motion Picture Co., New York City” placed placards in the village saying: “COME AND GET INTO PICTURES!
See yourself in the movies when the picture has its first presentation on the screen at Cady Hall, Chatham. Who knows but there is a Pick ford or Chaplin right here among you who only needs the opportunity?”
After two days of auditioning, Lopez selected a local cast of characters including Chatham housewives, their daughters, a local professor, an attorney and a Chatham Courier editor to star in the silent film By Man’s Law.
On March 17th the village of Chatham worked itself into a frenzy over the arrival of the evening train from New York City. It brought to town silent screen leading man Harold Forshey, 18-year-old Norma Shearer, who would earn an Oscar for her role in The Divorcee in 1930 and who would later turn down the role of Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With the Wind, and Chatham native Floyd Buckley. Buckley had made his 1914 silent screen debut in The Exploits of Elaine and went on to be the voice of Popeye on radio in the mid 1930’s. Chatham girls swooned when “Bud” Williams, a dapper former champion lightweight boxer and putative actor stepped off the train as well.
As filming began, according to the Chatham Centennial Souvenir Program, “All business on Main Street halted as the cameramen cranked and Director Lopez shouted through a megaphone. Horsemen thundered down the street, guns fired, women screamed, and Chatham basked in the glory of Hollywood.
The corny storyline of By Man’s Law, which was released the following March, New York City viewers derided it as lacking in plot. The Chatham Courier noted; however, on May 7th that the hundreds who showed up at Cady Hall for its’ Chatham premier “were pleased by the movie work of their fellow townsmen and women and by the beautiful scenery shown, but have expressed the opinion that the plot is weak and shallow.” Albert S. Callan, whose mother appeared as an “extra” in a ladies’ social scene shot on a lawn in Chatham.”
movie bug for Chatham residents began in the early 1900s when Cady’s Opera House, now Cady Hall, offered shows of sequential images created by the Antomotioscope, a machine which preceded the moving picture technology.
On November 27, 1907, residents paid 10 to 15 cents per seat, at Cady’s Hall in Chatham, to see Sublime Movie Pictures’ The Life of Christ, the first moving picture to be shown in Columbia County. By 1917 the Chatham Courier reports Charlie Chaplin was featured there “with his funniest side-splitting hits in “10 Big Reels of Photo-Plays De Luxe,” which included dramas, news, comedies and cartoons.
During the 1920’s, Cady Hall called at different times the Allenor the Orpheum Theater, showed “moving pictures” with Mary Pickford starring in Dorothy Verdon of Haddon Hall and John Barrymore in Beau Brummell. After it opened on Christmas Day 1926 with Jules Verne’s Michael Strogoff, Chatham’s current Crandell Theater provided competition for Cady Hall.
In 1921, Valatie had its big moment in movie history. Harry Houdini and his film company arrived in town to shoot the principle scenes of Haldane of the Secret Service. According to a September 1921 Chatham Courier article New York City actor Floyd Buckley, originally of Chatham, convinced Houdini’s entourage that the “old Beaver Mill there might answer their purposes.” The script called for a large, old fashioned water wheel, which they had to build at the Beaver Mill site. Houdini was lashed to the wheel and, of course, figured out a way to escape.
In September 1927, twenty-two-year old, Chatham-born actress Marguerite Chapman’s debut film On Their Own in 1940. Eight years later she starred with Randolph Scott in Coroner Creek before descending permanently to the “B” rank of actresses and ending her career by playing a tough, boozy tart in the cheaply made The Amazing Transparent Man in 1960. The movies of The Three Stooges, born in North Chatham, were popular as well in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s.
In 1959, according to Al Callan, in his book The Man in the Black Hat, “the city of Hudson shivered with delight,” when Chatham’s Harry Belafonte, “along with the late Robert Ryan and Ed Begley, arrived in the county to do a film version of William Mcgivern’s book, Odds Against Tomorrow [a crime caper with racial overtones].
Millay at Steepletop, a 1968 documentary about Pulitzer Prize winning poet Edna St. Vincent Millay, includes revealing interviews with her campy sister Norma Millay Ellis. It also gives a fascinating glimpse of the poet’s life with her husband Eugen and their friends at their 700 acre farm in the hills of Austerlitz. During the production, director Kevin Brownlow found two extraordinary 100-foot rolls of 16mm film in the barn on the estate — home movies — the only existing films of the poet and her coterie. Brownlow captured the essence of Millay, the feminine ideal of the jazz age, by combining images of the beauty of the poet’s farm with recitations of her famous poems including her best-known quatrain, “My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night. But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends—It gives a lovely light!”
In the early 1990’s former Columbia Historical Society President Rod Blackburn, an author and expert on Dutch architecture, was approached by a member of Martin Scorsese’s staff. Scorsese knew Columbia County well because in 1968 in Claverack, along with his actor friend Harvey Keitel, he had directed his first feature film. That film Who’s That Knocking at My Door told the story of a troubled relationship between a streetwise, Catholic tough guy and an independent woman. Now Scorsese needed an early Dutch home to use for a romantic scene in The Age of Innocence. Rod knew instantly that the historic Luykas Van Allen house would be perfect for the film, and convinced Mark Hopinsberger, Scorsese’s advance man. As the director needed a more visible fireplace for a scene
in which the engaged society scion Newland Archer (Daniel Day-Lewis) visits the Countess Lenska (Michelle Pfeiffer), Rod installed jack posts under the beams to hold up the fireplace. For three days the front lawn of the Van Allen house was covered with vans and satellite disks.
Hudson was the setting in 1987 for director Hector Babenco’s film adaptation of William Kennedy’s Ironweed, which had won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. Jack Nicholson was nominated for an Oscar for his performance as Francis Phelan, a drunken former baseball player running away from his life and the painful memories that haunted him. Meryl Streep was also nominated for her role as Francis’ longtime girlfriend in this film about depression-era hopelessness.
In Ironweed Hudson’s historic Allen Street, with its elegant mixture of Greek Revival and Victorian-era homes posed as Albany in 1938. During the filming of Ironweed, the State Grill on 7th Street in Hudson between Union and Warren Streets, was renamed the Iron Horse Bar for scenes that took place there. The owner, Frank Martino, liked the name and kept it. The Iron Horse Bar’s place in movie history was secured when it was also featured in the 1994 film Nobody’s Fool, adapted from Richard Russo’s novel, about the engaging characters of a small upstate town.
Paul Newman directed Bruce Willis, Melanie Griffith, and Jessica Tandy in the film and starred as Sully Sullivan, who spent his life drinking beer and avoiding responsibility. In one part of the movie, Jessica Tandy was shown walking out of the Columbia Diner on Warren Street.
Independent filmmakers are making their movies in the county with increasing frequency. In 2001 Peter Callahan shot his first film, a coming-of-age story called Last Ball, in Hudson. In November 2003 Dylan McCormick, a native of Claverack, and Chris Roberts shot Four Lane Highway in Spencertown, Chatham and Old Chatham. The film tells the story of a bartender, Sean, who falls in love with a student named Molly in a Maine college town. Sean meets Molly at Jackson’s Tavern, renamed the Crossroads Tavern for the movie, in Old Chatham.
This is an abbreviated history of film and actors from Columbia County. Many more could be listed here, but space does not allow. Were you ever in a movie?? Anyone in your family ever in one? Larry Van Brunt's mom was an extra in "Odds Against Tomorrow".
When eighth president Martin Van Buren was elected in 1836 he had been a widower for almost 20 years. His wife, Hannah, was the most obscure of all the First Ladies. Five U.S. presidents' wives died before they could become America's First Lady. One of these women was Hannah "Jannetje" (Hoes) Van Buren, wife of Martin. Hannah has been all but forgotten by history, primarily because she died at a very young age after having lived a life of obscurity. Nevertheless, she did impact the life of her husband, whom many historians consider the most capable-- albeit underrated-- man to call the White House home.
Hannah, the daughter of John Dirchsen Hoes and Maria (Quachenboss) Hoes, was born on March 8, 1783, in Kinderhook, New York. She was one of several children, and her parents belonged to the Dutch Reformed Church, an Old World Christian sect that believed in extreme piety and frugality. Kinderhook, an insular Upstate New York village whose name means "children's corner" in Dutch, retained all the customs of the Netherlands. For instance, Hannah spoke Dutch almost exclusively. When she did speak English, her heavy accent betrayed her heritage. (Interestingly enough, Hannah was the first presidential wife to be born an American citizen. Her predecessors were all born British subjects.)
Kinderhook was named for its large youth population. In Hannah's time, people lived there their entire lives, and everybody knew everybody. One of the other children Hannah grew up with was one Martin Van Buren. Hannah and Martin were especially close in that Hannah was a distant cousin of Martin's mother. Thus, Hannah and Martin knew each other since infancy. Since everyone knew everyone else, children who grew up together in Kinderhook more often than not married one another. This would eventually be the case with Martin and Hannah, but it would be a long time coming. Martin, a consummate politician, had to deliberate every decision and its consequences or rewards. When Martin finally decided to marry Hannah, he was 25, and Hannah was 24. According to the customs of her community, this put Hannah on the doorstep of spinsterhood.
Martin and Hannah's wedding took place on February 21, 1807. Instead of marrying in the couple's hometown amongst family and friends and marking the occasion with a long, boisterous Dutch celebration, Martin, fatigued from the contentious New York political scene, insisted that he and his sweetheart travel 12 miles to Catskill to make their union official. Only the couple's immediate families and close friends attended the ceremony.
Shortly after their marriage, Martin uprooted the painfully shy Hannah from the only place and people she had ever known. The Van Burens moved to Hudson where the young couple experienced major "culture shock," for Hudson was not a Dutch community. Rather, it had been founded by New England Quakers, who were actually far more worldly than members of the Dutch Reformed Church. (Hannah eventually joined the First Presbyterian Church, whose services were conducted in English.) This was a difficult period for Hannah, but a very happy event would make the transition smoother.
Being extremely religious and proper, Hannah gracefully and quietly accepted her traditional role as the wife of a rising political star. This role would soon be expanded to include that of mother. The first of Martin and Hannah's five sons-- four of whom would survive to adulthood-- was born on November 27, 1807. He was named Abraham. Second son John was born on February 18, 1810. Martin Van Buren, Jr. came along on December 20, 1812. In 1814, Hannah gave birth to a fourth boy, named Winfield Scott in honor of the Mexican War hero. Winfield Scott Van Buren died in infancy. Finally, Smith Thompson Van Buren, born on January 16, 1817, rounded out the family.
The births of her five sons, combined with her lifelong physical frailty, caused Hannah to become seriously ill. To make matters worse, Martin, called "The Red Fox of Kinderhook" on account of his shrewdness and fiery temperament, was hardly ever home and seemed to care more about his career than domestic issues. He was characteristically away from Albany, where the family had moved in 1816, a great deal during the winter of 1818-19. On February 5, 1819, Hannah took a turn for the worse and died of a condition now known as tuberculosis. She was a month shy of her thirty-sixth birthday and just 16 days short of celebrating her twelfth wedding anniversary.aa,pa.
Following his beloved Jannetje's passing, Martin retreated into a week-long period of deep mourning and then resumed his flourishing career. He never spoke of his wife publicly, and he did not even mention her once in his autobiography. Martin did not remarry-- those who knew him believed that no other woman could measure up to Hannah. While she is the most obscure of all first ladies, Hannah Van Buren did do one thing to leave her mark on American history: She was a calming, stabilizing influence on one of the most turbulent men who ever ascended to the U.S. presidencya,pa.
May 1. acts 8:32-40
george cornell bday-
crystal poucher bday
2. psalm 22:25-31-
steve mashaw bday
3. 1 john 4:7-16-
audrey pitt coon bday-
nancy stinard bday
4. 1 john 4:17-21
5. church fun day, 3pm mini golf & dinner; john 15:1-8
6. Fifth sunday of easter
9:00AM Worship & communion -
10:30AM Sunday School
7. acts 10:44-48
8. psalm 98:1-3
9. House Church Bible Study at Pomeroys, 1:30pm
Consistory meeting, 7pm
psalm 98:4-9
10. 1 John 5:1-6-
cHRIS & hEIDI HOWARD ANNIV
11. john 15:9-12-
Bootie fenoff bday-
seth walker bday
12. HIS Loving Hands International Heritage Potluck, 5PM; John 15:13-17
keilah ransford bday-
ashley whitbeck bday
13. Sixth sunday of easter-
Mother’s day
9:00AM Worship -
10:30AM Sunday School
Adult discipleship study after worship
Bob Cullen bday-
Matthew gile bday-
Bert Poucher bday
14. acts 1:15-17, 21-26-
ashlynn keller bday-
Larry VanBrunt bday
15. GRC Literary Society, 7pm;
psalm 1-
stan burch bday
16. 1 john 5:9-13-
heidi howard bday-
lester ogden, Jr. bday
17. ascension Day; acts 1:1-11
jim andrews bday
18. john 17:6-10
19. Dairy Dinner [Liz grattan]; john 17:11-19
20. SeVenth Sunday of easter
9:00AM Worship -
10:30AM Sunday School
21. acts 2:1-13-
bruce & cindy tipple anniv
22. acts 2:14-21
23. House Church Bible Study at Pomeroys, 1:30pm ezekiel 37:1-14
24. psalm 104:24-35
25. House Church Bible Study at Pomeroys, 1:30pm
romans 8:22-27-
wally & nancy ranft anniv
26. john 15:26-27, 16:4-15-
judy donnelly bday
27. pentecost Sunday-
9:00AM Worship
10:30AM Sunday School-
Adult discipleship study after worship
28. MEMORIAL DAY; -
isaiah 6:1-4
addison andrews bday-
april pomeroy bday
29. isaiah 6:5-8
30. psalm 29
31. ROMANS 8:12-17-
stephen leggett bday
June 1: JOHN 3:1-8
larry & nora vanbrunt anniv
2: CHICKEN BBQ;
JOHN 3:9-17
3: TRINITY SUNDAY-
9:00AM WORSHIP & COMMUNION
CONFIRMATION/NEW MEMBERS-
10:30AM SUNDAY SCHOOL
CLASSIS MEETING REPORT
The Classis of Columbia-Greene met at the Livingston Memorial Church in Linlithgo on October 18th. Pastor Nancy and Elder Dick attended for Ghent Reformed.
Our Classis dues will be $81.72 per member for 2012.
The Classis received word that the New Concord church sale has been completed and a contract has been signed on the sale of the Leeds church.
Rev. Van Oort was approved as a part-time minister for the Reformed Dutch Church at Muitzeskill.
Several reports were received from various committees. I feel that one of the most important was the report on Camp Fowler. They had a very successful summer program again this year.
Our church needs an alternate elder delegate in case Dick can’t attend a meeting.
______________________________________
Monthly Newsletter
If you have any information you’d like to share, whether it be personal information, news and/or articles that you think should be included in our monthly newsletter, please submit them to Lisa Andrews no later than the third Monday of each month for the next month’s newsletter.
About the Church Clock
By Nick Tipple
The clock on the south wall of the Ghent Reformed Church is a Seth Thomas-2 clock that was made in the 1880’s. Today it is a very desirable clock for collectors, and I was informed that it could easily be worth $2,000.
Franklin, who owns the “Amorous Clock” antique clock repair in Hudson, fixed the clock with a new cable to lift the weight that runs the clock, and delivered it to the church on September 3rd.
He hung the clock and balanced it by listening to the clock’s tick-tock. Once the clock was hung and running he reached up into the left side of the clock and adjusted the escapement to get the right sound that indicated proper balance. Franklin told me that he got a brass cable from Seth Thomas, and that those who wind the clock should be careful not to wind the weight hard against the stop because that is what caused the original cable to break. He said the
Getting to Know People in the Pews
The Job of a Deacon
The Greek word for deacon (diakonos) means servant, and in particular, waiter. It is used thirty times in the New Testament in a variety of ways, always in connection with serving, service, or servant hood.
Jesus provided the ultimate role model for servant hood. Throughout his ministry, he reminded his followers in word and deed that he was among them as one who serves.
When a dispute arose as to which one of them was to be regarded as greatest, Jesus said: “The greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves” (Luke 22.26-27).
The Reformed Church in America calls out particular people to hold the offices of deacon, elder, minister of Word and sacrament, and professor of theology. But it is important to remember that the ministry of God’s people is shared by all Christians, and the ministries of those who hold office arise out of this common ministry in order to serve it. (See the Preamble to the Book of Church Order, pp. 1-2.)
Deacons are called by the church to be leaders in ministries of service. The church recognizes that deacons have been given special “gifts” to prepare all God’s people for the work of Christian service in order to build up the body of Christ (Eph. 4.12, TEV). The Book of Church Order and the Liturgy provide more specifics as to what the role of the deacon should be.
Deacons are called by God for the ministry of mercy, service, and outreach.
They shall serve those in distress and need and shall minister to the sick, poor, hurt, and helpless. The Book of Church Order directs deacons to aid the victims of the world’s abuse and to express the social concerns of the church. The focus of their service is both in the church and in the world.
The Liturgy sets forth additional criteria for deacons. They are to show compassion and to manifest the love and care of Christ. Deacons are asked to gather and distribute the offerings of the congregation, giving personal attention to the distressed. In addition, deacons are to assist the congregation at services of worship.
With the elders, deacons are responsible for all congregational concerns such as providing for the support of the minister of Word and sacrament and exercising careful stewardship of all funds, goods, and properties of the congregation.
The Elders and Deacons are working on a lengthy consistorial report on the GRC, all its doings, the number of people attending, our mission work, consistory member’s names and addresses, and our finances, etc. All of this must be filed every January.
We are all working on the rough draft for Pastor Nancy. She then compiles the figures and data onto her final copy, which she submits to Classis.
A Deacon and an Elder are chairs of the Ministries of our church and work diligently keeping the workings of our church running smoothly. The terms of office are limited to 2 consecutive or 4 years. Next time you are asked to serve on Consistory give it some thought. It is a rewarding and eye opening, and can be a profound spiritual experience.
Story Behind the Hymn
Happiness Is The Lord
Ira F. Stanphill was born in Belview, New Mexico, in 1914. He has written more than 550 songs, the most popular of which are “Mansion over the Hilltop,” “Room at the Cross,” and, of course, “Happiness Is the Lord.”
On any number of occasions the Lord has given a song to a songwriter when he or she least expected it. Such was the case of Ira Stanphill one afternoon in 1974 after he left the church office where he was pastor in Fort Worth, Texas.
The car radio was on and, as he rode along, he listened to some commercial programs. Some were sponsored by establishments that advertised their happy hour and their alcoholic beverages. He also heard cigarettes being advertised in terms of how they bring happiness.
The word happiness was used several times in the ads. Ira related to me that he thought at the time that happiness does not come with these things, but with knowing Christ. He continued, as this thought really took over my mind I began to sing. I sang a new song, composing words and melody as I drove along. I sang it almost as it is published today.
Happiness Is The Lord
(1) Happiness is to know the Savior,
Living a life within His favor,
Having a change in my behavior,
Happiness is the Lord,
(2) Happiness is a new creation,
Jesus and me in close relation,
Having a part in His salvation,
Happiness is the Lord,
CHORUS: Real joy is mine,
no matter if tear-drops start;
I've found the secret-
it's Jesus in my heart!
(3) Happiness is to be forgiven,
Living a life that's worth the livin',
Taking a trip that leads to heaven,
Happiness is the Lord,
Happiness is the Lord,
Happiness is the Lord!
Story Behind the Hymn
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16
Doris Akers, born in Brookfield, Missouri, on May 21, 1923, was one of ten children. She learned to play the piano by ear at age six and by age ten had composed her first song. By the time she was twelve, she had organized a five-piece band that played music of the 1930s. When she was only 22 years of age, she moved to Los Angeles, where she encountered a thriving gospel music community. A year later, Doris joined the Sallie Martin Singers as pianist and singer. Two years later, with Dorothy Vemell Simmons, she formed the Simmons–Akers Singers and also launched a publishing firm called Akers Music House. In 1958, in a Los Angeles church, she started a racially mixed gospel group, the Sky Pilot Choir, which featured African-American gospel music. Many artists, including Bill Gaither and George Beverly Shea, have recorded Akers’s songs. Countless other Southern Gospel Music groups still record and sing her music. Millions of church members have sung her songs from many hymnals. She was a recording artist, music arranger, choir director, and songwriter and was awarded Gospel Music Composer of the Year for both 1960 and 1961.
One Sunday morning in 1962, while directing the Sky Pilot Choir, she said to her singers, “You are not ready to go in.” She didn’t believe they had prayed enough! They were accustomed to spending time with her in prayer before the service, asking God to bless their songs. She said, “I feel that prayer is more important than great voices.” They had already prayed, but this particular morning she asked them to pray again, and they did so with renewed fervor. As they prayed, Doris began to wonder how she could stop this wonderful prayer meeting. She said, “I sent word to the pastor letting him know what was happening. He was waiting in the auditorium, wanting to start the service. Finally, I was compelled to say to the choir, “We have to go. I hate to leave this room and I know you hate to leave, but you know we do have to go to the service. But there is such a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place.”
The next morning Doris went to the piano and began to put it all down. She had been given the now-famous “Sweet, Sweet Spirit.” In her song she recognized the “Spirit in this place,” as the “Spirit of the Lord.” She could see in the “sweet expressions” of the choir members that they also recognized the “presence of the Lord.”
To the end of her earthly life, Doris Akers believed that God wants His children to pray. Her songs have circled the globe, aiding Christians of all nationalities in their worship of the heavenly Father. She passed away on July 26, 1995, in Minneapolis.
“Sweet, Sweet Spirit”
There’s a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place
And I know that it’s the Spirit of the Lord
There are sweet expressions on each face
And I know they feel the presence of the Lord
Sweet Holy Spirit... sweet heavenly dove...
Stay right here with us
Filling us with Your love
And for these blessings
We lift our hearts in praise
Without a doubt we know
That we’ll have been revived
When we shall leave this place
Story Behind the Hymn
Having just passed Easter and looking forward to the wonder
A woman in white, with head bowed, hand clasping her throat, as if to choke back her sobs, walked slowly into the shadows. It was Mary. As she came to the tomb, upon which she placed her hand, she bent over to look in, and hurried away.
John, in flowing robe, appeared, looking at the tomb; then came Peter, who entered the tomb, followed slowly by John.
As they departed, Mary reappeared; leaning her head upon her arm at the tomb, she wept. Turning herself, she saw Jesus standing, so did I. I knew it was He. She knelt before Him, with arms outstretched and looking into his face cried, Rabboni!
I awakened in sunlight, gripping the Bible, with muscles tense and nerves vibrating. Under the inspiration of this vision, I wrote as quickly as the words could be formed. The poem exactly as it has since appeared. That same evening I wrote the music.
In the Garden
(1) I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear,
falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.
CHORUS:
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
(2) He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody
that He have to me
Within my heart is ringing.
(3) I'd stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go;
through the voice of woe,
His voice to me is calling.
Cradle Roll
GRC will be starting a cradle roll, a program to provide faith training ideas to parents for the first three years after baptism of their child until we have a Sunday School program for them. Gloria Autrey will facilitate this program. Please let Gloria know of anyone who is expecting.
GHENT REFORMED CHURCH
1039 ROUTE 22, GHENT, NY 12075
518-828-5946
www.angelfire.com/ny5/ghent_ref_church
Ghent Reformed Church
A Congregation of the Reformed Church in America
Pastor: Rev. Dr. Nancy A. McClure-Long
1039 ROUTE 22, GHENT, NY 12075
518-828-5946 www.angelfire.com/ny5/ghent_ref_church
”We come from where we are and as we are to worship God, to mirror Christ’s teaching and to go where the Spirit leads us; encouraging, informing, nurturing and sustaining those known to us and those whom we have yet to meet.”
Shout To The Lord
By Darlene Zschech
Shout to the Lord, all the earth.
Let us sing
Power and majesty,
praise to the king.
Mountains bow down
and the seas will roar
At the so-o-ound of your na-ame.
I sing for joy
at the work of your hands.
Forever I'll love you,
forever I'll stand.
Nothing compares
to the promise I have in you.
Chorus: My Jesus, my Savior,
Lord there is none li-ike you.
All of my days, I want to praise
The wonders of your mighty love.
My comfort, my Shelter,
Tower of refuge and strength.
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship you.
Repeat first two verses.
Nothing compares
to the promise I have in you.
Hillsongs Australia, Integrity Music, Inc.
Pastor: Rev. Dr. Nancy A. McClure-Long
Special Guest: Debbie Gulino
Organist Ethel Jones
May 13, 2012 Happy Mother's Day Easter 6B
*All who are able please stand
We Enter God’s Presence
PRELUDE
SALUTATION
CALL TO WORSHIP [sung]
“Shout To the Lord” [based on Psalm 98]
LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE
CALL TO RECONCILIATION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
We come now to you God, open about our weakness, open about our errors, open about our shortcomings, and turning to you, through Jesus, to forgive us, and to accept us totally, through your everlasting grace.
Forgive our sin, Father God. Forgive the things we failed to do, that we needed to do, and forgive the things we did, that we need not have done. Forgive us the sin of our youth, and of our riper years.
Forgive us the sin of misusing, or of not using, our souls and minds or our physical bodies in healthy and self-respectful ways. Forgive us the sin we try to keep secret and hidden, as well as the sin that is known more openly by others.
Forgive us our sin of ignorance; sin we may not have recognized until we considered it in the light of Jesus. Forgive us those things which we did more deliberately and knowingly, but which we tried to cover up, rationalize, or make excuses for. Forgive us the sin we know and remember and the sin we have forgotten. Forgive us, O God, for Jesus’ sake, Jesus, who died for our sin, and rose to show us, that love cannot be killed. Amen.
[Silence may be kept.]
KYRIE (sung unison)
Lord, have mercy upon us; Christ have mercy upon us; Lord have mercy upon us. Lord have mercy upon us.
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S FORGIVENESS
UNISON READING 1 John 5: 1-5
1-3Every person who believes that Jesus is, in fact, the Messiah, is God-begotten. If we love the One who conceives the child, we'll surely love the child who was conceived. The reality test on whether or not we love God's children is this: Do we love God? Do we keep his commands? The proof that we love God comes when we keep his commandments and they are not at all troublesome. 4-5Every God-begotten person conquers the world's ways. The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. The person who wins out over the world's ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE from the bag
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sin, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*GLORIA PATRI #559
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be.
World without end. Amen. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE Acts 10: 44-48
44-46No sooner were these words out of Peter’s mouth than the Holy Spirit came on the listeners. The believing Jews who had come with Peter couldn’t believe it, couldn’t believe that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on “outsider” non-Jews, but there it was—they heard them speaking in tongues, heard them praising God. 46-48Then Peter said, “Do I hear any objections to baptizing these friends with water? They’ve received the Holy Spirit exactly as we did.” Hearing no objections, he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay on for a few days.
SCRIPTURE John 15: 9-17
9-10“I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love.
11-15“I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.
16 “You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you. 17”But remember the root command: Love one another.
The music and witness of Debbie Gulino
will provide the message for this Mother’s Day!
OFFERING OUR GIFTS
OFFERTORY
DOXOLOGY
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
ANNOUNCEMENTS and Prayer Concerns
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & LORD’S PRAYER responsive
One: Dear God, who came among us as a child born of a woman, we give thanks to you for mothers who have given birth to children, giving them life and love.
People: Hear our thanks, O God.
Father God, who has received us in the spirit of adoption through Jesus Christ, we give thanks to you for mothers who have adopted children, nurturing and caring for them as their own flesh and blood.
One: Hear our thanks, O God. Nurturing God, we remember the mothers of the biblical stories: Sarah and Hagar, Naomi and Hannah, Elizabeth and Mary, all different women with different ways of mothering.
Women: We give thanks to you for the variety of gifts given to those who mother. O God, we remember the women of our lives who are not mothers, whether by choice or circumstance, who have mothered us as mentors, teachers, coaches, and friends.
Men: We celebrate these women who give birth to our hearts and our minds in their words of wisdom and nurture, strength and challenge. Hear our thanks, O God.
One: On this day when we celebrate mothers, we remember those who long to be mothers.
Women: We pray for women who are not able to bear children, and for women who wait for word of a child to foster or adopt. Hear our prayer, O God.
Men: On this day when many families celebrate with one another, we remember those who are not able to be together.
One: We pray for mothers and children who are separated by distance, whether the distance of miles, or the distance of hearts and minds.
People: We pray for mothers who have lost children and we pray for those who have lost mothers. Hear our prayer, O God.
One: We give thanks for your gift of love, embodied in Jesus, and reflected in the faithful lives of women who show your love as they share with us.
All: May we, too, reflect your love in both word and deed. In the name of the one who gives birth to hope, Jesus the Christ, we pray the prayer he taught: Our Father . . .
*HYMN Mother’s Day Hymn by Karen Christensen
The tune is AR HYD Y NOS [all through the night]
For the blessed gift of mothers, thanks be to God.
For this art of loving others, thanks be to God.
For the helping, holding, caring; for the blessing and the sharing,
For their courage and their daring, thanks be to God.
In the songs a mother sings out, God’s love is shown.
In the growing gifts she brings out, God’s love is shown.
In her teaching and her guiding; in her care and tender chiding,
Most of all in her abiding, God’s love is shown.
If our mothers disappoint us, God give us grace.
If the words they say disjoint us, God give us grace.
If their loving seems confusing, if unkindness is their choosing,
That we may forgive their bruising, God give us grace.
For all the women who have loved us, thanks be to God.
For the ways their hearts have tugged us, thanks be to God.
For this love we need not merit, washing us in God’s own Spirit,
For the grace to turn and share it, thanks be to God.
CHARGE AND SENDING FORTH
*BENEDICTION
Postlude
Will the members please remain briefly after worship to vote on the Nominating Committee’s slate of new consistory members.
tHe Ghent Reformed Church is a group of believers in Jesus Christ, the one who always welcomed sinners, healed the sick, fed the hungry, and preached good news to the poor. In an increasingly secular world, we consider our congregation, which attempts to follow Christ’s example, to be a mission outpost in our community. To that end, we support local food pantries, visit the sick and those in prison, volunteer in many community causes, welcome the downhearted to our church family, and offer Bible-centered preaching and learning for hungry souls. Come as you are. We do!
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 9 & 23: 1:30 p.m. House Church Bible Study at Pomeroys
May 12: 6:30 p.m. His Loving Hands International Heritage Pot Luck Dinner, bring a family favorite that came from your international ancestors. We will get information about the May mission: CWS Hygiene Kits
May 13: Mother’s Day [looking for a performer] Adult Discipleship study after worship
May 15: Ghent Literary Society will discuss Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith
May 17: W-Club trip to Hoogs & Crawford Modern Studio Glass in Canaan. Meet at church at 9:15 a.m. and car pool to the glass works. Call Bootie by May 15 to let her know if you are going. Possible cost $10 per person + whatever you wish to spend for lunch.
May 19: Dairy Dinner [Liz Grattan]
May 20: Kinderhook Reformed Tri-centennial Celebration. 2-3 p.m. Organ Recital in Sanctuary; outside Dutch cuisine tasting; butterfly release; ICHS music; book signing; 4 p.m. Worship Service in Dutch & English
May 27: Adult Discipleship study after worship
May 28: 9 a.m. Ghent VFW Memorial Day ceremonies [P. Nancy will do invocation & benediction]
June 2: Chicken BBQ [George Bednar & Robbie Keller]
June 3: Confirmation/New Members; communion
June 6: 1:30 p.m. House Church Bible Study at Pomeroys
June 10: GRC Children’s Day and Family Picnic, bring a dish to share; meat & soft drinks provided [NO Adult Discipleship study after worship]
June 20: NO House Church Bible Study at Pomeroys [Pastor Nancy away]
June 20-26: Pastor Nancy delegate to General Synod in Chicago.
June 24: Summer Worship with special guest, Perry Jones, Albany Rescue Mission
July 4 & 18: 1:30 p.m. House Church Bible Study at Pomeroys
July 29: Outdoor Worship at Taconic Lake, anointing for healing
Aug. 1, 15 & 29: 1:30 p.m. House Church Bible Study at Pomeroys
Aug. 6-10: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Splash in God’s Word Vacation Bible School, adult helpers needed for storytelling, snack preparation & service; activity helpers
Aug. 26: Outdoor Worship
What are classis dues?
The Ghent Reformed Church is a denominational church – we are part of the Reformed Church in America (RCA). Individual congregations such as ours are not independent entities but are integrally connected to this much larger organization. Funding for the RCA comes from a variety of sources but one of the most important is the Denominational Financial Responsibility (DFR) assessment (referred to as “Classis Dues” or “Classis Assessment” in our yearly congregational budget). The Ghent Reformed Church reported 62 active communicant members for 2011 which results in the following total member assessment: $5400 which is about $82 per person. We have to pay that total to Classis by the end of 2012. To date we have received and sent on to Classis only $1330, less than half of the amount due.
If you are at all able, we would appreciate it if you would please use the four designated envelopes to contribute ca. $20 at a time towards your share of the assessment by the end of the year. But any amount you put in those envelopes will be gratefully accepted.
Eddy Lifeline
Do you know someone who lives alone, has a tendency to fall or who is recovering from recent surgery? Perhaps this person can benefit from the security of Lifeline! This 2-way emergency response system obtains help for people when they are unable to get help for themselves. Eddy Lifeline is offering free installation ($50 value) during the entire month of April Please make the call to the Eddy: 833-1040. Don’t let an accident turn into a tragedy.
New Volunteer Training
The Community Hospice of Columbia/Greene will begin a new round of training for patient/family volunteers the end of May. Through Hospice, volunteers provide support to patients and families during the process of dying and grieving. Those who choose not to be with patients assist with other duties. Training will be held May 29, 31 (5-8 p.m.), June 2 (9-3 p.m.) and June 5 & 7 (5-8 p.m.) in Catskill [47 Liberty Street]. For more information call or email: Kelly Brandow, coordinator of Volunteer Services, 518-943-5425, Ext. 110; kbrandow@ communityhospice.org
His Loving Hands
On Saturday, May 12 at 6:30 p.m., HLH will be hosting a pot luck dinner to kick off our May mission. Our “International Heritage Dinner” will introduce us to a project sponsored by Church World Service, collecting items for Hygiene Kits to be distributed around the world (and in the US) whenever natural disasters occur. Since these kits are send world-wide, we thought it might be fun to celebrate our heritages by bringing a dish that we grew up with – a family favorite that may have come from England, Italy, German, etc. or even from the USA. It can be any kind of food – a main dish, a vegetable, or even a dessert. We’ll have national flags on different tables for you to put your dish on (we’ll give you a card to mark down the name of the dish and your name, in case someone wants your recipe!)
We will be collecting items for the Hygiene Kits all during the month of May and then send them off to Church World Service for distribution. For each kit we’ll need new items as follows:
one hand towel measuring approx. 16” x 28” (no fingertip or bath towels)
One washcloth
One wide-tooth comb
One nail clipper
One bar of soap (bath size in wrapper)
One toothbrush (in original packaging)
Six standard size Band-aids®
Whatever item/s you are able to provide would be helpful. These kits can mean the difference between sickness and health for struggling families. A box will be placed outside the church office for these goods.
Chairperson for the Church Fair
This is an appeal for someone to come forward to lead in the planning for the Church Fair which will be held on September 15th this year. If that person is you, or you and a co-chair, please let a member of consistory know soon.
House Church discussing Revelation
Katie and April Pomeroy have opened their home for Bible study on Revelation using Bruce Metzger’s Breaking the Code: Understanding the Book of Revelation [Abingdon Press, 1993]. Other house churches can be started in anyone’s home. Just pick a topic [prayer, a specific book of the Bible, some pressing problem for Christians in our society] and gather some like-minded people. Pastor Nancy will be glad to get your group going.
Columbia-Greene Classis joint Youth Activities
Patti Varga at Kinderhook Reformed Church has volunteered to begin offering possible youth activities for all our churches in Columbia Greene Classis. By combining our resources and meeting in different locations, we are hoping to be able to have a real kickin’ group! This could be a good solution for our small churches who have only small numbers of young people.
Vacation Bible School
Patti Scofield Varga invites you to "SONRISE National Park VBS" at Kinderhook Reformed Church beginning Monday, June 25 at 9:00 a.m. It's time to save the date for Vacation Bible School! Perhaps you're willing to be helper, perhaps you have kids , grand kids or neighborhood kids who'd like to come! We're holding it in June this year, so we wanted to alert you ASAP! Hope to see you there! If you can help, just let me know - thanks - Patti
Church Fair
Angie Burch has agreed to co-chair planning for the Church Fair on September 15th. Let her know if you can help her.
Please pray for the following individuals and families during the week of May 13-19: Jeff & Leah Prack family; Sean & Rebecca Preusser; Wally & Nancy Ranft; Ashlee Ransford family; Mike & Vicky Ransford family; Sherwood Rhines; Cindy Rivenburgh & family
For Medical problems: Esther Baker; Bootie’s son-i-law’s nephew Steve; Dot Bowes; Brenda Brooks; Madeleine Butterworth; Tim Cavenaugh; Ron & Sally Charron; Frank Cocca; Theresa Crego; Inez Dickens; Phyllis Dietrich; Bootie Fenoff, autoimmune; Barbara Gansowski’s sister Phyllis; Liz Grattan’s co-worker & son, Erica & Mason; Kathy Hotaling; Maureen Kennedy; Lisa Kinealy; Ralph Kring; John Lavalle; Maria Lawter; Martha Leggett’s cousin Madelyn; Dot Losee’s granddaughter Cindy; Anita Lowsaw; Petrena McCagg Craver’s baby granddaughter Abigail; Wendy McCarthy (Kathy Jones’ Mother); Sally Miller; Butch Mink; Glenn Mink; Sierra Mink; Stephanie Poucher’s dad, Maurice Mitchell tumors; Pat Nabozny; Tim O’Brian; Mary Prazma; Hope Prior; Debbie Pulcher; William Pulver; Zach Pulver, Karen Leggett’s nephew; Donna Scalera; Brian Sigler; Kelly Stevenson; Nancy Stinard’s adopted mom; Nick Tipple’s ex-wife Janice; Doug Torborg; Larry VanBrunt knee surgery in June; Rich Walker; Diane Weaver, Nancy S.’s neighbor; John Wishon.
For Healing from Surgery: Peter Carlson, Jan DiMello; Mark French; Mark Graziano; Mario Grimaldi; Dorothy Losee pacemaker; Kim Meade’s nephew Michael Klein; Frances Mabb; Peter Nelson; Yvonne Pulver, Elaine Rivenburgh’s sister; Hermann Schmidt; Elizabeth Stalker, Ariel’s grandmother at Barnwell
For those in mourning: family & friends of Florence Ina Felpel; Walt Nielson; Idella M. Picariello, Nina Poucher’s sister; and Jack Schroeder, husband of Pat and friend of many in Columbia County.
For those in distress: Bob & Marie Cullen Barnwell 602, phone 758-4898; Barbara Gansowski; Ashley Whitbeck; GRC Finances; RCA churches in Prattsville, Middleburgh & Schoharie damaged by flooding after Irene.
For support and strength: Brian Bednar in State Police training; Laura Felpel; Dan & Kathy Jones; Max Jones & Sarah baby; Linda Mottoshiski
Praise: Vern Blanchard; Bev Coon’s dtr. Chris; Brian Leggett graduating with MA; Rick Leggett’s 20-yr. award; Katie Pomeroy’s son graduating from St. Rose; Nancy Romanchuk’s nephew home; Virginia Schertel graduating from Paul Smith’s; Wishon’s new grandchild
Traveling Mercies: Bunny DeLong; Betty Graham; Danielle Keller to Aruba
Please pray for the following service men and women: President Barack Obama; Colin Burch; Shane Dillman; Kieren Dollard; Kelly Hiland; LtJG Michael Mahone, Pastor Nancy’s nephew, on USS McClusky; Adam Mason; Eric Mattice; Patrick Mayo; Steven Moore; Jeremy Page; Troy Perry; Debbie Spicer; Barbara Steven’s grandson Sean; Brian Vandenberg in the Marines [coming home May 2012]
READINGS TO PONDER
One day God was looking down at earth and saw all of the selfish behavior that was going on. So God called one of the angels. “Go down to earth. Find out what is going on.” The angel returned and reported to God. “Yes, it is bad on Earth; 95% are misbehaving and only 5% are not.”
God thought for a moment, and then decided to get a second opinion. So a second angel was sent. The angel returned and went directly to God. “Yes, it’s true. The World is in decline; 95% are misbehaving, but 5% are being good.” God was not pleased. “I will send an e-mail to the 5% who are good. I want to encourage them, and help them keep going. The future of the world depends on them.” Do you know what the e-mail said? No?
You mean, you didn’t get that e-mail either? aaa,pa.
Mondegreen
Do you know what a mondegreen is? If you do, reach around and give yourself a pat on the back but be careful not to dislocate your shoulder. “A mondegreen is the mishearing or misinter-pretation of a phrase, typically a standardized phrase such as a line in a poem or a lyric in a song.” Here’s a few I’ve collected.
* Blest Be the Binder Twine
* Amazing Face
* And deliver us from eagles ... (The Lord’s Prayer)
* Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Nine
* Bringing in the Cheese ... we shall come to Joyce’s, bringing in the cheese
* Blessed are the cheese makers… (Monty Python)
* Cheese Whiz Loves Me, This I Know
* Come, Christians, Join to Sin
* Give us this day our jelly bread ...
* Gladly, the Cross-eyed Bear
* God Sees the Little Sparrow Fall, Its Meat Is Tender Too
* Good King Whence Is Lost
* Good Mrs. Murphy shall follow me all the days of my life. (23rd Psalm)
* Good tidings we bring, to you and your kid
* Hark, the Hairy Angels Sing
* Harold be that name (Hallowed be thy name)
* He rules the world with Ruth and Grace, and makes the nations groove. (Joy to the World)
* Jesus, Savior, Pile on Meat (Jesus, Savior, pilot me …)
The Orchard of Your Life
A grapevine is a most productive plant. Spreading out its branches, each is intended to bring forth fruit. No vine grower is foolish enough to invest his time and effort in cultivating vines merely for the foliage on its branches. He looks for results. Fruits! As the branches of Christ in the Kingdom of God, we are expected to produce the fruits of spiritual life. And no, we’re not speaking of spiritual apples, grapes, pears, or peaches this morning. We’re talking of what’s going on in the orchard of your life. What are you producing? Paul said, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” How’s that for a fruit basket? A good list for the cultivation of life’s orchard. With these fruits in mind, what’s going on in your orchard? [Charles L. Koester, Mission Accomplished, CSS Publishing Co., Inc.]
N-Notes: Notes from Nancy at the eNd of the Newsletter
May 2012
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Ecclesiastes 3:12
I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; Proverbs 14:13
Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief. Proverbs 14:13
“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” [Opening of Tolstoy’s Anna Karinena]
And isn’t it a funny and fine thing to realize: that being whole nearly always requires not just the tending of ourselves, but the tending of our bonds with others? [Leah Hager Cohen about her novel The Grief of Others]
Life is a series of pulls back and forth. A tension of opposites, and most of us live somewhere in the middle. Like a wrestling match, yes, you could describe life that way. Which side wins? Love wins. Love always wins.” [Morrie Swartz in Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom]
If you follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. Wherever you are -- if you are following your bliss, you are enjoying that refreshment, that life within you, all the time. [Joseph Campbell]
Recently I’ve been thinking a lot about happiness, probably because the books I’ve been reading and the movies and TV I’ve been watching lately all address some aspect of happiness. In fact, this may be the basic human problem that underlies all cultural myths, all stories and philosophy.
It seems that many Americans have been pursuing the Wall Street version of happiness with a vengeance, encouraged by the 2006 blockbuster “Pursuit of Happyness,” in which Will Smith and his real-life son become best buddies in an epic journey from rags to riches. Our US Constitu-tion even has guarantee of the freedom to pursue happiness, so it’s no wonder that, in the minds of many Americans, the “pursuit of happiness” is unconsciously equated with the pursuit of wealth and security. We all know how false that sense of security that has turned out to be. We probably should have paid more attention to Benjamin Franklin who famously commented “The Constitution only guarantees you the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.”
Socrates thought that “happiness consisted entirely in doing well and being just.” The Hebrew Bible does not use the word “happiness” but speaks rather of living in accord with God’s wisdom and thus being blessed and joyful. For Jesus happiness is totally relational. Happiness and peace that passes all understanding result from love: loving & obeying God, loving and serving other people. Perhaps that’s why “family love” rates at the top of Christian values.
For Buddha, the path to happiness starts with understanding of the root causes of suffering and then following the eightfold path, which is all about control of the mind through meditation. Immanuel Kant said, “When a thoughtful human being has overcome incentives to vice and is aware of having done his bitter duty, he finds himself in a state that could be called happiness, a state of contentment and peace of mind in which virtue is its own reward.”
Online you can go to http://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org where you can read all about different views of happiness, take a happiness quiz to estimate how happy you are, and how you can become happier, register for a free webinar [web seminar] called Happiness 101 and even sign up for the organization’s newsletter.
When people come to me for counseling, most of them seem to be suffering lack of happiness, either because of their deep grief over the loss of a loved one, or their deep dissatisfaction with how their lives, jobs, families, or marriages have turned out. The details may differ, but most seem to be bound up in a net of suffering and dissatisfaction, looking to the past when life seemed happier, focusing on what they have lost instead of the blessings they still have. If the depression is severe, I will recommend that they consult a psychologist to get professional counseling and medication, to get themselves on a more even keel.
After that, my advice is almost always the same [perhaps because that’s what helped me in my own depression]: practice being happy by getting out of yourself. Stop navel gazing [focusing on yourself], and start thinking about other people and making them happy. It will put your life in perspective. You will begin to see where you fall in the spectrum of suffering; where you are on the ladder of success and wealth; how your family and your marriage stack up when compared to others. Almost always you begin to realize how much better off you are than millions of others in the world.
You can hasten this realization if you start giving abundantly. Giving generously, especially if it is something very special to you, brings such a rush of happiness and peace of mind, a feeling I can only compare to being in love [or being high on endorphins from drugs or a runner’s high]. Of course, I believe this approach is more compatible with Christian thought than any other.
Have I achieved “happiness”? Let’s just say I believe I’m on the right road—but I’m still on the journey just like everyone else. To me, being on the road to happiness is a lot better than being stuck in the hopeless morass of depression.
When I make a list of the promises in the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, I can’t find a single reason not to be happy. God promises in Jeremiah 29: 11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jesus promises in John 14 27: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. ”And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” [Philippians 4:7] Standing on those promises how can we be depressed?
Be happy then – In God’s BIG Love,
PASTOR NANCY
Sandy Wilson’s Faith Witness
Shared with GRC September 25, 2011
When I was a youngster I was never able to go to Camp Fowler -- yes, believe it or not, Camp Fowler was there when I was a kid! But I wanted our sons to be able to have that experience. After John, our older son, went there one summer and we saw how great it was, Jack and I wanted to volunteer as cabin counselors. So we did – for several years, and for different age groups. Jack even volunteered for a few out-of-camp conferences.
One year there were a couple of ministers there who really took Jack under their wing and mentored him. It was that summer that he really found his faith – not religion, but a personal relationship with Jesus. Another year we had hoped to volunteer for one conference and applied for it, but we were told they had already gotten enough volunteers for that week. Though disappointed we settled on another date. Shortly after that, my sister Jayne found out her husband had cancer and didn't have too long to live. We shared our faith literally for hours on the phone. I remember my sister saying if a problem arose, before she could turn around the Lord had a solution for it. As it turned out, Larry died the week we had originally hoped to be at Camp Fowler. I realized that the Lord knew my sister would need me and He had already worked things out for me to be here for her.
During another week at camp, at the beginning of the week we were all given a few cotton balls and asked to give them to different people throughout the week who we felt needed a “warm fuzzie.” It came down to the closing program Friday night. I had had a difficult time with my cabin of teen-age girls that evening. I was taking part in the closing program, so had to be at the chapel early. Another counselor was taking my girls over for the service. I knew I wasn't in the right mindset for devotions, so when I got to the chapel I began to pray that the Lord would change my attitude. Before I could finish my prayer a young boy who was going to read scripture at the service, quietly came over to me and gently pressed his last cotton ball in my hand – it was an immediate answer to prayer! So I'm glad our church supports our youngsters in going to Camp Fowler.
My other sister had a son who died a drug-related death when he was just 21. She also had two younger daughters. On the way to the funeral home I was so upset and prayed that the Lord would show me what to do to help my family. I felt a slight, gentle pressure on my shoulder and knew it was the Holy Spirit, filling me with peace. I instantly regained my composure and knew I was supposed to tend to my nieces.
We have a very caring congregation here at the Ghent Reformed Church. The first Sunday we came to worship here, Bonnie went out of her way to greet us. The next week I asked for prayers for my niece who was going to be undergoing serious neurological tests. The following week Sharon asked me how she made out. It meant so much to me that someone we had just met remembered – and cared. Each Sunday we feel the presence of the Holy Spirit during worship. We find joy here and uplifting sermons. I'm grateful for all the research Pastor Nancy puts into her sermons so she can preach on the scripture from the Lectionary – no matter how difficult it may be.
We've made many friends here, like Marion who comes up to our home to make soup and bread for the church to distribute to those who are home-bound. And Donna, who has helped me faithfully with the penny auction each year. We humbly support the Ghent Reformed Church and its many outreach programs, and are happy to be members of this congregation. Thank you.
Lisanne Jensen’s Faith Witness
Shared with GRC October 2, 2011
One afternoon in February 2008, I stood in our kitchen absolutely paralyzed by fear. I had placed one very small piece of food on my plate and was trying to force myself to eat it for lunch. But my heart was racing at such a terrifying rate, and I was so filled with panic that I just couldn’t. I suffered from hypochondria and depression and had myself convinced that a deadly heart attack was imminent. My grandfather had just passed away, and I had been dealing with an anxiety disorder since 2001. I stood there, my body trembling, and kept thinking, “I’m only 33 years old. I shouldn’t be living in fear.” At that moment, I knew that I couldn’t do it on my own. I needed help. I called my mom – then I called a doctor. After taking several different medications, I finally found one that worked. But that day, although I didn’t yet realize it, I also took a huge step along my faith journey.
How many of you have seen the movie “Angels and Demons” (or perhaps read the book by Dan Brown)? In the story, Tom Hanks plays the role of Robert Langdon, a symbologist from Harvard, and Ewan MacGregor plays a Catholic priest who is the pope’s closest aide. When the two speak together privately, he asks Robert, “Do you believe in God?” And Robert replies, “Faith is a gift that I have yet to receive.” That’s the way I used to feel.
I didn’t grow up with a faith background. My parents told me that they wanted to leave that decision up to me. The first time that I ever attended a church service, I was a junior in college. I was clueless, to say the least. I got married in June 2000, and my husband has a very strong faith. We didn’t go to church (probably because of my strong objections!). But in March 2005, just a few weeks before our first child was born, a friend invited me to attend a moms’ group meeting at a church. Having children caused me to give faith a little closer look. I wanted to expose our children to a church environment so that they could embark on their own faith journeys. Little did I know that I was also embarking on mine. In 2006, we started attending that church. I loved the pastor and his sermons. But gradually, I stopped going. The 29-mile drive from our house was certainly a factor, but more importantly, I felt like something was missing. I longed to feel inspired and grow close to God, and the worship style wasn’t for me. I knew plenty of people who exhibited such a strong faith, but I had no idea how to get there. I was definitely in a state of questioning.
Our children’s preschool was located in the lower level of a Catholic church about five minutes from our house. I was there every day, dropping them off and picking them up. I became curious and started feeling drawn to it – and looking back, I now know that throughout my life, the Holy Spirit was leading me to faith. I was so nervous to attend Mass for the first time. Afterward, when I got into my car to leave, a flood of tears came – and I knew that I was exactly where I was meant to be. One evening in February 2010, after a church Bible study group, I came home and my husband and I started discussing the topic of faith. I said to him matter-of-factly, “Oh, I believe.” His eyes got really wide, and he asked, “In Jesus?” And I replied, without a single doubt, “I believe in all of it.”
My faith journey has been gradual. I didn’t really experience one defining moment. It took 34 years for me to come to faith, but when you receive the best gift that you’ve ever been given, it’s more than worth the wait. I began faith-study classes in May 2010, and this Easter, I received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion.
Growing up, I used to think, “I’ve got it all taken care of! I’m in control! I can do it all myself!” Have you ever heard the phrase, “Let go and let God”? Fully placing my trust, my faith, and my entire life in Jesus Christ was life-changing. It’s something that’s still a challenge for me. An educator who I greatly admire, Elizabeth Ann Seton, wrote a passage that I’ve taken straight to my heart: “God has given me a great deal to do, and I have always – and hope always – to prefer His will to every wish of my own. The first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly, to do it in the manner He wills it; and thirdly, to do it because it is His will.”
Faith is a gift. And while others can teach us about it, in the end, our faith must be our own. Each of us is entrusted as a steward to care for this gift, to nurture its growth, to share it with others, and to be still and relax in its centering presence. In the First Letter of John (chapter 5, verse 4), the message is clear: “For whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world … our faith.”
What the Bible says:
· “The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.” Proverbs 11:25
· “Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
· Jesus said: “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." Luke 6:38
Story Behind the Hymn
What incredible faith in the face of adversity. Even though he lost his family and his wealth, he did not curse God. I am sure that he had questions, but even when suffering horribly from events that probably gave him cause to question his faith, he was able to look out and remember the great gift of God.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The hymn most often associated with Thanksgiving, "We Gather Together", also has an interesting history, according to yesterday's Wall Street Journal. In an article entitled A Hymn's Long Journey Home: The surprising origins of "We Gather Together," a Thanksgiving standard by Melanie Kirkpatrick, she reports that this hymn was originally transformed into a hymn from a folksong on or about January 1, 1597.
In 1712, Isaac Watts was invited to recuperate from a serious breakdown in the home of a former Lord Mayor of London, Sir Thomas, and Lady Abney.
Although he planned to remain there but three weeks, Sir Thomas invited him to stay indefinitely as post Chaplain, a position he filled for 36 years.
Lady Abney said of his long stay, “It seems the shortest visit a friend ever paid a friend.”
During his residence there, Dr. Watts wrote more volumes of hymns, and almost single-handedly changed the congregational singing habits of English-speaking Christendom.,p>
From his pen came these perennial favorites, ‘Alas! And Did My Saviour Bleed,” “Jesus Shall Reign,” and this hymn which is generally regarded as the most perfect ever written in our tongue.
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ, my Lord;
All the vain things that charm me most
I sacrifice them to His blood.
See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
Smiles
Shirley & Marcy
A mother was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He didn’t want his mother to walk him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence, but yet know that he was safe. So she had an idea of how to handle it.
She asked a neighbor if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he
probably wouldn’t notice her. The neighbor said that since she was up early with a toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed.
The next school day, the neighbor and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor girl he knew. She did this for the whole week.
As the two walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy’s little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week. Finally she said to Timmy, “Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week? Do you know her?”
Timmy nonchalantly replied, “Yeah, I know who she is.” The little girl said, “Well, who is she?”
“That’s just Shirley Goodnest,” Timmy replied, “and her daughter Marcy.”
“Shirley Goodnest? Who the heck is she and why is she following us?”
Well, Timmy explained, “every night my Mum makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers, cuz she worries about me so much. And in the Psalm, it says ‘Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life’, so I guess I’ll just have to get used to it!”
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift His countenance upon you, and give you peace. May Shirley Goodnest and Marcy be with you today and always.
KID FUNNIES,p>
A kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they drew. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's artwork. As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.
The girl replied, "I'm drawing God."
The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."
Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the little girl replied, "They will in a minute."
**************************************************
A Sunday School teacher asked her little children, as they were on the way to church service, "And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?"
One bright little girl replied, "Because people are sleeping."
****************************************************
A little boy opened the big and old family Bible with fascination, looking at the old pages as he turned them. Then something fell out, and he picked it up and looked at it closely. It was an old leaf from a tree that had been pressed in between the pages.
"Momma, look what I found," the boy called out.
"What have you got there, dear?" his mother asked.
With astonishment in the his voice, he answered, "It's Adam's Suit!"
**************************************************
The preacher was wired for sound with a lapel mic, and as he preached, he moved briskly about the platform, jerking the mic cord as he went. Then he moved to one side, getting wound up in the cord and nearly tripping before jerking it again.
After several circles and jerks, a little girl in the third pew leaned toward her mother and whispered,"If he gets loose, will he hurt us?"
*************************************************
Six-year old Angie and her four-year old brother, Joel, were sitting together in church. Joel giggled, sang and talked out loud.
Finally, his big sister had had enough. "You're not supposed to talk out loud in church."
"Why? Who's going to stop me?" Joel asked.
Angie pointed to the back of the church and said, "See those two men standing by the door? They're hushers."
******************************************
My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, "Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?"
I mentally polished my halo while I asked, "No, how are we alike?"
"You're both old," he replied.
"Bible Story"
A father was reading Bible stories to his young son. He read, "The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city, but his wife looked back and was turned to salt." His son asked, "What happened to the flea?"
**********************************************
A child was watching his mother sift through and delete a long list of junk E-mail on the computer screen. "This reminds me of the Lord's Prayer," the child said. "What do you mean?" the mother asked. "You know. That part about 'deliver us from
E-mail."
******************************************DO YOU KNOW YOUR HYMNS?
1) Dentist’s Hymn – Crown Him with Many Crowns
2) Weatherman’s Hymn – There shall be Showers of Blessings
3) Contractor’s Hymn – The Church’s One Foundation
4) The Tailor’s Hymn – Holy, Holy, Holy
5) Golfer’s Hymn – There’s a Green Hill Far Away
6) The Politician’s Hymn – Standing on the Promises!
7) Optometrist’s Hymn – Open My Eyes That I May See
8) The IRS Agent’s Hymn – I Surrender All
9) The Gossip’s Hymn – Pass It On
10) The Electrician’s Hymn – Send The Light
11) The Shopper’s Hymn – Sweet Bye and Bye
12) The Realtor’s Hymn – I’ve Got a Mansion, Just Over the Hilltop
13) The Massage Therapist’s Hymn – He Touched Me
14) Doctor’s Hymn – The Great Physician
For Those Who Speed on the Highway – a few hymns:
1) 55 mph – God Will Take Care of You
2) 75 mph – Nearer My God To Thee
3) 85 mph - The World is Not My Home
4) 95 mph – Lord I’m Coming Home
5) 100 mph – Precious Memories
Story Behind the Hymn
Today's hymn, "O Sacred Head Now Wounded," is so old that historians are not sure to whom to attribute the writing. Most people believe that a monk abbot by the name of Bernard (1091-1153) of Clairvaux, France was the man who put it together. It was first found in the Latin and the words can be found in a medieval poem which had seven parts. Each part of the poem would address a certain part of Christ's body, (feet, knees, hands, side, breast, heart and face.) These words were from the 7th part and were first entitled, "To the Suffering Face of Jesus Christ." Years later it was translated into English by James Alexander, and the music was written by a German composer during the Renaissance period. There are some people who do not care for hymns like this one which are written in a minor key and sound so sad. But read the words carefully; the message to us is very powerful.
O Sacred Head Now Wounded
O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded with thorns Thy only crown,
How art Thou pale with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish which once was bright as morn!
What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered was all for sinner's gain:
Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior! 'Tis I deserve Thy place;
Lord on me with Thy favor, vauch-safe to me Thy grace.
What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest Friend,
For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever! and, should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to Thee!
patients, assist with other duties.
SMILES
1) Sunday school teacher asked her little children, as they were on the way to church service, "And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?" One bright little girl replied, "Because people are sleeping."
2) The preacher was wired for sound with a lapel mike, and as he preached, he moved briskly about the platform, jerking the mike cord as he went. Then he moved to one side, getting wound up in the cord and nearly tripping before jerking it again. After several circles and jerks, a little girl in the third pew leaned toward her mother and whispered, "If he gets loose, will he hurt us?"
3) Six-year old Angie and her four-year old brother Joel were sitting together in church. Joel giggled, sang and talked out loud. Finally, his big sister had had enough. "You're not supposed to talk out loud in church." "Why? Who's going to stop me?" Joel asked. Angie pointed to the back of the church and said, "See those two men standing by the door? They're hushers."
4) My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, "Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?" I mentally polished my halo while I asked, "No, how are we alike?" "You're both old," he replied.
5) A lawyer-preacher leading a prayer before the service, made routine opening remarks. As he started on a special plea, he began, "Your Honor," instead of "Dear God."
6) I was trying to make a point that lack of communication is the major cause of divorce, but somehow things got mixed up and I said ‘marriage’ was the main cause of divorce.
7) Preaching from:
Matthew 5: "A hill set on a city cannot be hid."
Matthew 12: "as Jonah was in the welly of the bell."
Matthew 2: "they offered unto him gifts, gold, and Frankenstein."
8) During a Confirmation service, referring to the new converts, the pastor asked the 5 new "convicts" to come to the front of the church. He never knew what he said, but several people had to leave the building because they were laughing so hard.
9) As I awoke during a sermon the pastor said, "Where the scriptures speak, we speak. Where the scriptures are silent, we sleep."
10) While studying the intricate dress of the priests in the Old Testament, the preacher came to the part that describes how the priests put bells on the bottom of their robes. He asked, "Why do you suppose the priests had to tinkle." After a second of silence, the class broke up with laughter.
11) A ten-year old, under the tutelage of her grandmother, was becoming quite knowledgeable about the Bible. Then one day she floored her grandmother by asking, "Which Virgin was the mother of Jesus? The virgin Mary or the King James Virgin?"
12) A Sunday school class was studying the Ten Commandments. They were ready to discuss the last one. The teacher asked if anyone could tell her what it was. Susie raised her hand, stood tall, and quoted, "Thou shall not take the covers off the neighbor's wife."
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N-Notes: Notes from Nancy and the eNd of the Newsletter [October 2010]
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. [Ephesians 3: 17b-19]
By the time this newsletter reaches you, we will have celebrated All Saints’ Day, a time to think about the saints we no longer have with us, and ring the bells to honor those who have died since last year. These are just the funerals I conducted since last All Saints’ Day: Joseph J. Meaney d. Dec. 3, 2009; Francis John Gardner d. Dec. 21, 2009; Donald G. Bertram d. Jan. 12, 2010; Gordon H. Mottoshiski d. Jan. 16, 2010; Richard L. Bednar d. Jan. 30, 2010; Robert Richard Hoffman d. March 17, 2010; Bonnie Pflegl’s mom, Juanita K. Dallas Greiner 6/6/10 interment; Brian P. “Webby” Webster d. July 5, 2010; Angela Lynne Poucher d. Aug. 27, 2010; Janet M. Sigler Dobrowski d. Sept. 7, 2010; Marjorie Landeck Clarke, d. Sept. 25, 2010; Agnes Rizzi, d. October 14, 2010; James T. Beal d. Oct. 16, 2010.
And there were others, whose funerals I did not conduct, but whose deaths this year left us feeling bereaved: Karen Leggett’s mom, Margaret Skarka; John Ganzowski’s sister, Mary; Kathy Jones’ dad, Kevin Everingham, and her friend Al Vanderzee; long-time local friends Robert Pace, Carol Bartel and Zac Keyser, and my friend Don Stephens in Georgia [forgive me if I neglected to mention someone near and dear to you.]
On the plus side, I also performed two baptisms--my first boys--and two weddings this year: Noah Scott McCagg bap. March 14, 2010; Casey Dean Jones bap. July 11, 2010; Melissa Walker & Doug Torborg wedding: April 17, 2010; Rachel Mink & Randy Goold Wedding: July 9, 2010. Four happy events up against 13 sad ones. A typical year in the life of a minister, “hatching, matching and dispatching” God’s Saints. Here are the words to that modern classic, “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God”:
I sing a song of the saints of God,
patient and brave and true,
who toiled and fought and lived and died
for the Lord they loved and knew.
And one was a doctor, and one was a queen,
and one was a shepherdess on the green;
they were all of them saints of God, and I mean,
God helping, to be one too.
They loved their Lord so dear, so dear,
and his love made them strong;
and they followed the right for Jesus' sake
the whole of their good lives long.
And one was a soldier, and one was a priest,
and one was slain by a fierce wild beast;
and there's not any reason, no, not the least,
why I shouldn't be one too.
They lived not only in ages past;
there are hundreds of thousands still.
The world is bright with the joyous saints
who love to do Jesus' will.
You can meet them in school, on the street, in the store,
in church, by the sea, in the house next door;
they are saints of God, whether rich or poor,
and I mean to be one too.
May we all grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and be filled completely by the fullness of God long before we come to join them.
In God’s BIG Love,
Pastor Nancy
Congregation News
Katie and April Pomeroy have moved to 27 Apple Meadow Road, Apt. A4 Hudson, NY 12534. The phone number remains the same. And Katie is now working at Whittier. Please change the entry in your church directory.
Scott, Erica and Abigail McCagg are pleased to announce the birth of their son, Noah Scott on August 1, 2009. The red rose on the communion table is for them.
Bob & Marie Cullen have a new mailing address: 1898 Route 9, Stuyvesant, NY 12173. Please change your directories
Behind the Music
Battle Hymn of the Republic
It was the midst of the terrible U.S. Civil War. Deeply anguished at the growing conflict between the two sections of the country, Mrs. Julia Howe watched troops marching off to war singing “John Brown's Body,” a song about a man who had been hanged in his efforts to free the slaves.
At one time it was sung as a solo at a large rally attended by President Abraham Lincoln. After the audience had responded with loud applause, the President, with tears in his eyes, cried out, “Sing it again!” It was sung again. And after more than a hundred years, Americans still join often in proclaiming, “Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on!”
--Kenneth W. Osbeck
Battle Hymn of the Republic
(1) Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord,
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; ,p>
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword,
His truth is marching on.
Chorus:
Glory! glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on!
(2) I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps,
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps,
His day is marching on.
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat,
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat;
O be swift, my soul, to answer Him, be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on.
(3) In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His being that transfigures you and me;
As He died to make men holy let us live to make men free!
While God is marching on.
Because He Lives
God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives.
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
And then one day I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain.
And then as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone!
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives!
Today, millions of Americans and people around the world are coming to love southern gospel music, and a big reason is the popularity of the Bill and Gloria Gaither Homecoming concerts and videos. For more than 40 years, the Gaithers have been writing and performing Christian songs. "He Touched Me," "There's Something About That Name," and some 600 others are featured in many church hymnals. But "Because He Lives" is perhaps the best known.
In the late 1960s, while expecting their third child, the Gaithers were going through a traumatic time. Their first born, Suzanne, was 4, and her sister, Amy, was three months old. The timing for another baby wasn't ideal. On top of that, Bill was recovering from a bout with mononucleosis.
The breakup of the marriage of Bill's sister, Mary Ann, had left his family devastated. What's more, a close friend's accusation that Bill and Gloria were using their ministry just to make a buck blindsided the couple and plunged Bill into a deep depression.
Gloria also remembers it as a time of fear and sadness. The educational system was being infiltrated with the "God is dead" idea, while drug abuse and racial tension were increasing. The thought of bringing another child into the world was taking its toll.
But after a simple prayer by one of Bill's close friends—a prayer that commanded the devil to back off—both Bill and Gloria recall that the strength of the Holy Spirit seemed to come to their aid. Christ's resurrection, in all its power, was reaffirmed in their hearts. They were assured that the future, left in God's hands, would be just fine.
In July 1970 a healthy baby, Benjamin, was born. Inspired by the miracle of their son's birth, "Because He Lives" poured out of the Gaithers' grateful hearts. The song clearly affirms the hope believers have in Christ. We can face tomorrow, with all its uncertainty, as we realize that God holds the future and makes life worth living.
“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”
The author and composer of this hymn, Helen H. Lemmel, relates that one day, in 1918, a missionary friend gave her a tract entitled “Focused.”
The pamphlet contained these words—
“So then, turn your eyes upon Him, look full into His face and you will find that the things of earth will acquire a strange new dimness.”
These words made a deep impression upon Helen Lemmel. She could not dismiss them from her mind. She recalls this experience following the reading of that tract:
“Suddenly, as if commanded to stop and listen, I stood still, and singing in my soul and spirit was the chorus, with not one conscious moment of putting word to word to make rhyme, or note to note to make melody. The verses were written the same week, after the usual manner of composition, but none the less dictated by the Holy Spirit.”
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
(1) O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
CHORUS:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace.
(2) Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion-
For more than conquerors we are!
(3) His word shall not fail you- He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
It Is Well With My Soul
When peace like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot,
Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live: If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life, Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait, The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord! Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, Even so, it is well with my soul.
"It Is Well with My Soul" is a very influential hymn penned by hymnist Horatio Spafford and composed by Philip Bliss.
This hymn was written after several traumatic events in Spafford’s life. The first was the death of his only son in 1871, shortly followed by the great Chicago Fire which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer). Then in 1873, he had planned to travel to Europe with his family on the S.S. Ville du Havre, but sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sailing ship, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford's daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone." Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died. Bliss called his tune Ville du Havre, from the name of the stricken vessel.
The Spaffords later had three more children, one of whom (a son) died in infancy. In 1881 the Spaffords, including baby Bertha and newborn Grace, set sail for Palestine. The Spaffords moved to Jerusalem and helped found a group called the American Colony; its mission was to serve the poor. The colony later became the subject of the Nobel prize winning Jerusalem, by Swedish novelist Selma Lagerlöf.
Behind the Music
The strange and fascinating story of "O Holy Night" began in France, yet eventually made its way around the world. This seemingly simple song, inspired by a request from a clergyman, would not only become one of the most beloved anthems of all time, it would mark a technological revolution that would forever change the way people were introduced to music.
In 1847, Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure was the commissionaire of wines in a small French town. Known more for his poetry than his church attendance, it probably shocked Placide when his parish priest asked the commissionaire to pen a poem for Christmas mass. Nevertheless, the poet was honored to share his talents with the church.
In a dusty coach traveling down a bumpy road to France's capital city, Placide Cappeau considered the priest's request. Using the gospel of Luke as his guide, Cappeau imagined witnessing the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Thoughts of being present on the blessed night inspired him. By the time he arrived in Paris, "Cantique de Noel" had been completed.
Moved by his own work, Cappeau decided that his "Cantique de Noel" was not just a poem, but a song in need of a master musician's hand. Not musically inclined himself, the poet turned to one of his friends, Adolphe Charles Adams, for help.
The son of a well-known classical musician, Adolphe had studied in the Paris conservatoire. His talent and fame brought requests to write works for orchestras and ballets all over the world. Yet the lyrics that his friend Cappeau gave him must have challenged the composer in a fashion unlike anything he received from London, Berlin, or St. Petersburg.
As a man of Jewish ancestry, for Adolphe the words of "Cantique de Noel" represented a day he didn't celebrate and a man he did not view as the son of God. Nevertheless, Adams quickly went to work, attempting to marry an original score to Cappeau's beautiful words. Adams' finished work pleased both poet and priest. The song was performed just three weeks later at a Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.
Initially, "Cantique de Noel" was wholeheartedly accepted by the church in France and the song quickly found its way into various Catholic Christmas services. But when Placide Cappeau walked away from the church and became a part of the socialist
movement, and church leaders discovered that Adolphe Adams was a Jew, the song--which had quickly grown to be one of the most beloved Christmas songs in France--was suddenly and uniformly denounced by the church. The heads of the French Catholic church of the time deemed "Cantique de Noel" as unfit for church services because of its lack of musical taste and "total absence of the spirit of religion." Yet even as the church tried to bury the Christmas song, the French people continued to sing it, and a decade later a reclusive American writer brought it to a whole new audience halfway around the world.
Not only did this American writer--John Sullivan Dwight--feel that this wonderful Christmas song needed to be introduced to America, he saw something else in the song that moved him beyond the story of the birth of Christ. An ardent abolitionist, Dwight strongly identified with the lines of the third verse: "Truly he taught us to love one another; his law is love and his gospel is peace. Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother; and in his name all oppression shall cease." The text supported Dwight's own view of slavery in the South. Published in his magazine, Dwight's English translation of "O Holy Night" quickly found favor in America, especially in the North during the Civil War. Back in France, even though the song had been banned from the church for almost two decades, many commoners still sang "Cantique de Noel" at home. Legend has it that on Christmas Eve 1871, in the midst of fierce fighting between the armies of Germany and France, during the Franco-Prussian War, a French soldier suddenly jumped out of his muddy trench. Both sides stared at the seemingly crazed man. Boldly standing with no weapon in his hand or at his side, he lifted his eyes to the heavens and sang, "Minuit, Chretiens, c'est l'heure solennelle ou L'Homme Dieu descendit jusqu'a nous," the beginning of "Cantique de Noel."
After completing all three verses, a German infantryman climbed out his hiding place and answered with, "Vom Himmel noch, da komm' ich her. Ich bring' euch gute neue Mar, Der guten Mar bring' ich so viel, Davon ich sing'n und sagen will," the beginning of Martin Luther's robust "From Heaven Above to Earth I Come."
The story goes that the fighting stopped for the next twenty-four hours while the men on both sides observed a temporary peace in honor of Christmas day. Perhaps this story had a part in the French church once again embracing "Cantique de Noel" in holiday services.
Behind the Music
“Rock of Ages” was penned by Sir William Henry Hills when one day he was over taken by a thunderstorm, and took shelter between two massive piers of limestone rock a hundred feet high. He wrote “Rock of ages cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee.”
The hymn was sung at the funeral of William Gladstone in Westminster Abby and Prince Albert asked that it be sung to him as he lay dying. It was also sung at the funeral of President Harrison, because it was his favorite and the only one he ever tried to sing.
“Smiles” By Kids
Thank God for church ladies with typewriters. These items actually appeared in church bulletins, notices or newspapers:
Sign in the church basement: Last one out please turn off the Eternal Flame.
The cost for attending the Fasting and Prayer conference includes meals.
This morning's sermon ... "Jesus Walks on the Water" Tonight's sermon ... "Searching for Jesus"
Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 PM in the recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ the King.
Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "Hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you.
Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
Miss Charlene Mason sang "I will not pass this way again", giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. there will be an ice cream social. All ladies giving milk will please come early.
The Rector will preach his farewell message after which the choir will sing: "Break Forth Into Joy."
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What Is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice.
Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
Bible Confusion
The little girl was sitting with her grandmother, who had presented her with her first little children's Bible, in an easy-to-read translation, when she was very young.
Now, a decade or so later, the elderly lady was ready to spend a few sweet moments handing down the big old family Bible, in the time-honored King James Version, to her only grandchild.
Understandably excited, the youngster was asking a number of questions, both about the family members whose births and deaths were recorded therein, and about various aspects of the Scriptures themselves.
Her grandmother was endeavoring to answer all the child's questions in terms she could understand, but the one that stopped her cold was this sincere inquiry:
"Which Virgin was the mother of Jesus? Was it the Virgin Mary, or the King James virgin?"
The New Pastor
An older preacher told the story of a young minister interviewing for his first pastorate. The Pulpit Committee had invited him to come over to their church for the interview. The committee chairman asked, "Son, do you know the Bible pretty good?"
The young minister said, "Yes, pretty good." The chairman asked, "Which part do you know best?" He responded saying, "I know the New Testament best." "Which part of the New Testament do you know best," asked the chairman. The young minister said, "Several parts." The chairman said, "Well, why don't you tell us the story of the Prodigal Son." The young man said, "Fine."
"There was a man of the Pharisees name Nicodemus, who went down to Jericho by night and he fell upon stony ground and the thorns choked him half to death.”The next morning Solomon and his wife, Gomorrah, came by, and carried him down to the ark for Moses to take care of. But, as he was going through the Eastern Gate into the Ark, he caught his hair in a limb and he hung there forty days and forty nights and he afterwards did hunger. And, the ravens came and fed him. "The next day, the three wise men came and carried him down to the boat dock and he caught a ship to Ninevah. And when he got there he found Delilah sitting on the wall. He said, "Chunk her down, boys, chunk her down." And, they said, "How many times shall we chunk her down, till seven time seven?" And he said, "Nay, but seventy times seven." And they chucked her down four hundred and ninety times. "And, she burst asunder in their midst. And they picked up twelve baskets of the leftovers. And, in the resurrection whose wife shall she be?"
The Committee chairman suddenly interrupted the young minister and said to the remainder of the committee, "Fellows, I think we ought to ask the church to call him as our minister. He is awfully young, but he sure does know his Bible."
Forgiveness of Others
One of the most difficult things we Christians are asked to do is forgive other people for the very real injuries they have caused us. Even Jesus’ first disciples, including the rock of the church Peter, had trouble with this one.
[Quote Matthew 18: 21-22:] “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, if my brother keeps on sinning against me, how many times do I have to forgive him? Seven times?’ ‘No, not seven times,’ answered Jesus, ‘but seventy times seven.’”– what Jesus was trying to tell Peter is that there must be no end to the number of times one forgives.
Forgiveness is so basic to our faith that Jesus even made it part of his signature prayer—the basic prayer we say over and over, the Lord’s Prayer. “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” Did you ever really stop to think about that phrase when you say it? “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” We are asking God to forgive us to the extent we forgive others. I don’t know about you, but I want God to forgive me much, much more than I have ever forgiven others! So saying this phrase over and over in the Lord’s Prayer always reminds me of how high a priority forgiveness has in God’s plans.
I think I know why: because God wants us to live together with each other and with God in peace and harmony. Robert Frost said "To be social is to be forgiving." Community, society, cannot exist without forgiveness. "Without forgiveness, life is governed by an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation." [Roberto Assagioli] What is more, unforgiveness drastically limits our own freedom. Picture a wrestler, pinning an opponent to the mat, holding that opponent down with his body. True, he has his opponent pinned, but as long as he does not let go, he isn’t going anywhere either.
So it is with forgiveness. I must first let you go in order to free myself. As long as I refuse to forgive, I am attached to the pain and memories of whatever incident caused the pain in the first place. Not to forgive is to be imprisoned by the past, by old grievances that do not permit life to proceed with new business. Not to forgive is to yield oneself to another's control. But to forgive is to be free from the past; free from another’s control.
After my mother’s death in 1977, I sank into a deep depression. Now I, Pastor Nancy, loved my mother with all my heart, but it took me six months of counseling and anti-depressant medication to begin to admit that I was angry at her too. I was angry that she smoked cigarettes and did not go to a doctor on a regular basis so that by the time they discovered the cancer it had already metastasized. I was angry at her for dying and taking away my reason for being in graduate school. I was angry at her for not standing up for us when it came to her own sisters. Then, after uncovering all this unexpressed anger at my dead mother, I began to take the next step. I began to try to understand why she behaved as she did. Finally, I forgave her those very human shortcomings. Only then did my depression begin to lift; only then was I able to get on with my life.
The Bible says not to let the sun go down on our anger. This is because unresolved anger is an emotional poison. Someone once said: "Failing to forgive is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die". Physicians and counselors alike attest to the damage done by an unforgiving spirit. Some medical doctors estimate that the majority of physical illnesses they treat are related to emotional problems such as resentment, which is a lack of forgiveness. And counselors see resentment and bitterness reflected in depression, anxiety and destroyed relationships.
When I get to the root of my forgiveness issues, I notice that much of the disease that I experience - mentally, physically, financially and in relationships - disappears. In other words, in the wake of forgiveness, healing occurs on many levels.
That advice isn't new of course. The greatest physician who ever lived, Jesus, pointed out 2,000 years ago the importance of forgiveness. When he encouraged us to "forgive seventy-times seven", he was thinking of our emotional and physical well-being as much as our spiritual.
Experts on the subject of forgiveness observe that forgiveness is a process, like grief; it has stages that can be observed and described, though no two people go through the stages in exactly the same way. One description of the process of forgiveness comes from a little book called Forgive and Forget, by Lewis Smedes. Smedes says: "First we hurt, then we hate, finally we heal. We hurt: that is, we allow ourselves to feel the depth of an injury that has been dealt to us ~ we don't minimize it, or try to sweep
it under the rug. We hate: that is, we blame the one who has hurt us ~we don't condone or excuse the offense. Finally, when we are ready, we heal: we let go of the pain that is binding us to the past, and move on.
That is the process by which we human beings forgive. It sounds simple, but it always happens inside a storm of complex emotions. Particularly when the wound is deep, forgiveness comes slowly, and in fits and starts. It is a process that we may have to start anew each day. Yes, forgiveness may be the hardest, and healthiest, work that you and I will ever do.
Forgiveness is something we must choose to do, not for the sake of those who hurt us, but for the sake of our own healing. Forgiveness is something even better than fairness. It is the way we are restored to wholeness, to relationships, to community. It is God’s path to being healed and set free.
The good news is that we don’t have to go through this process alone. God is on the side of forgiveness. God already understands how difficult it is. Think about what it took for Jesus on the cross to say “Father, forgive them.” Because of the cross, God understands.
And God has already forgiven us more times than we can count. And because it is of such high priority, God will be with us during the process, no matter how long it takes; no matter how often we have to make the attempt.
It is only with God’s help that we are finally able to let go of our anger and resentment and begin to forgive in order to set ourselves free.
I leave you with this little rhyme credited to William A. Ward: "Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting."
The first book of the Bible is Guinessis, in which Adam & Eve were created from an apple tree.
Noah's wife was called Joan of Ark.
Lot's wife was a pillar of salt by day and a ball of fire by night.
Samson slayed the Philistines with the axe of the Apostles.
Unleavened bread is bread made without ingredients.
Moses went to the top of Mt. Cyanide to get the 10 commandments.
The 7th commandment is 'Thou shalt not admit adultery.'
Joshua let the Hebrew in the battle of Geritol.
David fought the Finkelsteins, a race of people who lived in Biblical times.
Solomon has 300 wives and 700 porcupines.
Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption.
The people who followed Jesus were called the 13 decibels.
The Epistles were the wives of the Apostles.
One of the opossums was St. Matthew.
Paul preached holy acrimony, which is another name for marriage.
A Godly person should have only one wife. This is called monotony.
Church Bulletin Bloopers
The Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.
The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday morning.
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.
Which Way to Heaven?
Reverend Billy Graham tells of a time early in his ministry when he arrived in a small town to preach a sermon. Wanting to mail a letter, he asked a young boy where the post office was. When the boy had told him, Dr. Graham thanked him and said, "If you'll come to the Baptist Church this evening, you can hear me telling everyone how to get to heaven."
The boy replied, "I don't think I'll be there... You don't even know your way to the post office."
“Smiles”
A Cat in Heaven
A cat dies and goes to heaven. God meets him at the gate and says, “You have been a good cat all these years. You can have anything you desire, all you have to do is ask.” “Well,” said the cat, “I lived all my life on a farm and had to sleep on hardwood floors.” “Say no more,” says God and instantly a fluffy pillow appeared.
A few days later, six mice are killed in a tragic accident and they go to heaven. God meets them at the gate with the same offer he made to the cat.
“All our life,” the mice say, “We've had to run. Cats, dogs, and women with brooms have chased us. If we had roller skates, we wouldn't have to run any more.” God says he can take care of it and, instantly, each mouse is fitted with a beautiful pair of tiny roller skates.
A week later God checks on the cat, which is asleep on its pillow. God gently nudges him awake and asks, “How are you doing? Are you happy here?”
“Never been happier,” says the cat, stretching and yawning. “And those meals on wheels you've been sending over are great.”
Favorite Hymns of Different Professions
The Dentist's Hymn ... Crown Him With Many Crowns
The Weatherman's Hymn ... There Shall Be Showers Of Blessing
The Contractor's Hymn ... The Church's One Foundation
The Tailor's Hymn ... Holy, Holy, Holy
The Golfer's Hymn ... There Is A Green Hill Far Away
The Politician's Hymn ... Standing On The Promises
The Optometrist's Hymn ... Open My Eyes That I May See
The IRS Agent's Hymn ... I Surrender All
The Gossip's Hymn ... Pass It On
The Electrician's Hymn ... Send The Light
The Shopper's Hymn ... In The Sweet By and By
The Realtor's Hymn ... I've Got A Mansion Just Over The Hilltop
The Pilot's Hymn ... I'll Fly Away
The Paramedic's Hymn ... Revive Us Again
The Judge's Hymn ... Almost Persuaded
The Psychiatrist's Hymn ... Just A Little Talk With Jesus
The Architect's Hymn ... How Firm A Foundation
The Credit Card Telemarketer's Hymn ... A Charge To Keep I Have
The Zoo Keeper's Hymn ... All Creatures Of Our God And King
The Postal Worker's Hymn ... So Send I You
The Waiter's Hymn ... Fill My Cup, Lord
The Gardener's Hymn ... Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming
The Lifeguard's Hymn ... Rescue The Perishing
The Criminal's Hymn ... Search Me, O God
The Baker's Hymn ... When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder
The Shoe Repairer's Hymn ... It Is Well With My Soul
The Travel Agent's Hymn ... Anywhere With Jesus
The Geologist's Hymn ... Rock Of Ages
The Hematologist's Hymn ... Are You Washed In The Blood?
The Umpire's Hymn ... I Need No Other Argument
The Librarian's Hymn ... Whispering Hope
“Smiles”
Letters to a pastor
Dear Pastor,
I know God loves everybody but He never met my sister. Yours sincerely, Arnold. Age 8, Nashville.
Dear Pastor,
Please say in your sermon that Peter Peterson has been a good boy all week. I am Peter Peterson. Sincerely, Pete. Age 9, Phoenix
Dear Pastor,
My father should be a minister. Every day he gives us a sermon about something. Robert, Page 11, Anderson
Dear Pastor,
Who does God pray to? Is there a God for God? Sincerely, Christopher. Age 9, Titusville
Dear Pastor,
I liked your sermon on Sunday. Especially when it was finished. Ralph, Age 11, Akron
Church Football
Benchwarmer - Those who do not sing, pray, work, or apparently do anything but sit.
Quarterback Sneak - Church members quietly leaving during the invitation.
Draw Play - What many children do with the bulletin during worship.
Halftime - The period between Sunday School and worship when many choose to leave
Backfield-in-Motion - Making a trip to the back (restroom or water fountain) repeatedly during the service.
Staying in the Pocket - What happens to a lot of money that should be given to the Lord’s work.
Instant Replay - The preacher loses his notes and falls back on last week’s illustrations.
Trap - You’re called on to pray and are asleep.
Blitz - The rush for the restaurants following the closing prayer.
End Run - Getting out of church quick, without speaking to any guest or fellow member.
Flex Defense - The ability to allow absolutely nothing said during the sermon to affect your life.
Two-minute Warning - The point at which you realize the sermon is almost over and begin to gather up your children and belongings.
Halfback Option - The decision of 75% of the congregation not to return for the evening service.
Sudden Death - What happens to the attention span of the congregation if the preacher goes "overtime".
recent survey revealed that 80% of teens say their greatest “hero” was . . . themselves. One of the most insidious songs ever written became the signature song of Frank Sinatra—Paul Anka’s “I Did It My Way.” There is so much wrong with it that one hardly knows where to begin. The last stanza—which proclaims that a true man tries to “say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels”—reveals where our culture puts its heroes. Heroes are people who don’t get on their knees, but tell it like they feel it. The notion that you kneel to know what to feel, that you don’t allow your feelings to get the best of you before you kneel in prayer and discern how you should be feeling, escapes this “Do It My Way” world. No wonder our “My Way” kids have themselves for their own heroes. [Leonard Sweet sermon]
READINGS TO PONDER
What Happens Next?
Jesus returns to heaven after His time on earth. The angels gather around Him to learn what all happened during His days on earth. Jesus tells them of the miracles, His teachings, His death on the cross, and His resurrection. When He finishes his story, Michael asks Jesus, “But what happens now?” Jesus answers, “I have left behind eleven faithful disciples and a handful of men and women who have faithfully followed me. They will declare My message and express My love.
These faithful people will build My church.” “But,” responds Michael, “What if these people fail? What then is Your other plan?” And Jesus answers, “I have no other plan!” Jesus is counting on you and you and you and me. But the good news is, we are not alone. The Holy Spirit is here to melt us, mold us, fill us, and use us. [James Moore, What do you do with such a gift?]
How the Holy Spirit Moves Today
In nudges and whispers.
Like a seed growing, imperceptible at first.
Like wind, invisible, refreshing, transformative.
Like water, cleansing, renewing, powerful.
Unpredictably. Uncontrollably.
Praying: for us, with us, in us, through us.
Convicting, like a judge in a courtroom.
Comforting, like a mother with a frightened child in the middle of the night.
We know her work by experiencing it.
She will not be pinned down, can only be described with analogies.
But wherever there is forgiveness, redemption, reconciliation, grace,
she leaves her fingerprints.
Always the one connecting, making us into the Body of Christ, God's hands in the world.
By Amy Julia Becker
Unless the eye catch fire, God will not be seen.
Unless the ear catch fire, God will not be heard.
Unless the tongue catch fire, God will not be named.
Unless the Heart catch fire, God will not be loved.
Unless the mind catch fire, God will not be known.
[William Blake]
The Trouble with Self-atonement
I share one of my favorite stories that I once clipped from the Readers’ Digest. A gentleman wrote in and told of this real life encounter. While I was sitting in my parked car on the street one day, a young woman in the car ahead came over and asked me if I had a hammer that she could borrow. When I said no, she got one from the man in the car in front of hers. She then proceeded to smash out the vent pane on the side of her car. After returning the hammer, she opened her door, took out the keys and waved them at us with a triumphant grin. As she drove away, the fellow who lent her the hammer came over to me and said, ‘‘If only she had told me what she wanted the hammer for I think I could have helped her. I am a locksmith.” Oh, the brokenness we bring into our lives when we try to do a self-atonement job and fix our own fallen nature. [Eric S. Ritz, www.Sermons.com]
The Impala Problem
One of the few creatures on earth that can out-jump Michael Jordon is the Impala. This is an African deer with a supercharged spring. It has a vertical leap of over 10 feet and can broadjump over 30 feet. You would think that the zoos of the world would find it impossible to keep such an animal enclosed. Not so! It’s rather easy. Because the experts discovered something about the Impala. It will not jump unless it can see where it is going to land. Therefore, a solid wall even 6 feet tall is a sufficient enclosure. Lots of Christians have the Impala problem. They won’t take a leap in faith unless they have all the answers in advance about where the leap will take them. But God is looking for some bold believers who, even in the face of the unknown, will leap when the Spirit says leap, will fly when the Spirit says fly, will launch when the Spirit says launch, all to the glory of the Lord. [Bill Bouknight, Collected Sermons, www.Sermons.com]
A PRAYER FOR EPIPHANY 5
Our boat is small and the waters unfriendly. We have been out on the seas a long time trying to make a living do our best trying to catch enough stay ahead.
It is crowded on the lake these days. We run into others who are fishing just as hard having the same problems. There are only so many fish to catch, success to be had, prosperity to experience. We keep pulling in our nets coming up half full or empty returning to the shore defeated. What can we do Lord! We have to fish to work feed our families give ourselves a good life! What are we to do Lord?
“Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch.”
You want us to push out, further away from what we know, from the safe waters we have always fished in. You want us to push out further; abandon the easy and routine; work harder and longer try different ways of fishing.
“Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch.”
You want us to push out further, but we are scared not knowing where to fish; afraid our lives will be one more failure. You want us to push out further, but we are frightened we will get lost, caught amidst pop-up storms, unable to make our way back.
“Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch.”
You are the Captain of the boat. We sail with you into the known and unknown.
You are the winds in our sail We can go out into the deep waters without fear.
Our nets are full Our lives graced Our future abundant. Hallelujah! Amen.
How long it takes to say things
Pythagorean theorem: 24 words.
The Lord’s Prayer: 66 words.
Archimedes’ Principle: 67 words.
The 10 Commandments: 179 words.
The Gettysburg address: 286 words.
The Declaration of Independence: 1,300 words.
Government regulations on the sale of cabbage: 26,911 words.
Readings to Ponder
“ponderous ponderisms!”
Does eating natural food mean I will die from natural causes? *The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement. *There are two kinds of pedestrians: the quick and the dead. *Life is sexually transmitted. *Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die. *The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth. *Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing. *The best cure for the blues is to start breathing again *All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism. *In the 60s, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal. *How is it that one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire? *Do illiterate people get the full effect of Alphabet Soup? *Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog’s face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him on a car ride, he sticks his head out the window? *Why doesn’t glue stick to the inside of the bottle?
Taking On Christ’s Likeness
A number of years ago Henry Drummond wrote a classic sermon titled “The Greatest Thing in the World.” He concluded his sermon by suggesting that if you put a piece of iron in the presence of an electrified field, that piece of iron itself will become electrified. And in the presence of that electrical field, it is changed into a magnet. As long as it remains in contact with that field of power, it will continue to attract other pieces to itself. We are like that piece of iron. In the presence of Christ, we experience his love and take on his likeness. We are changed, electrified by the Holy Spirit, to attract others to the same love of God that we experience. [Lee Griess, Taking The Risk Out Of Dying, CSS Publishing Company]
Didn’t Look Like an Elephant
There is a story about a man who had a huge boulder in his front yard. He grew weary of this big, unattractive stone in the center of his lawn, so he decided to take advantage of it and turn it into an object of art. He went to work on it with hammer and chisel, and chipped away at the huge boulder until it became a beautiful stone elephant. When he finished, it was gorgeous, breath-taking. A neighbor asked, “How did you ever carve such a marvelous likeness of an elephant?” The man answered, “I just chipped away everything that didn’t look like an elephant!” If you have anything in your life right now that doesn’t look like love, then, with the help of God, chip it away! If you have anything in your life that doesn’t look like compassion or mercy or empathy, then, with the help of God, chip it away! If you have hatred or prejudice or vengeance or envy in your heart, for God’s sake, and the for the other person’s sake, and for your sake, get rid of it! Let God chip everything out of your life that doesn’t look like tenderheartedness. [James W. Moore, Some Things Are Too Good Not To Be True, Nashville: Dimensions, 1994]
Give me a great, windswept field,
Green as Spring,
Shining with a golden exuberance of dandelions,
And drenched in the baptism of sweet morning.
This is where I will rise
On the day past time
And awaken to that bright day
When everything left of winter
Finally will be shed.
I will lie there for a minute,
Looking up at the sweeping arc
Of a million birds circling the sun,
Feeling the flowers tremble
Between my fingers,
And smile,
Savoring resurrection.
--Tim Haut, Deep River, CT
* * *
“KINGDOM WORDS / KINGDOM WORK” (John 13: 31-35)
He says, “Follow me” …. and nets are dropped …. and first faith-steps are taken…. and healings and teachings begin.
We say, “Lord, Teach us” …. and we are taught to pray … and we are taught to live … and we are taught to forgive.
He says, “I AM” … and the hungry hear “Bread of Life” … and the thirsty hear “Living Water” … and the lost hear “Good Shepherd.”
He says, “It is finished” … and love flows down from a cross … and out from an empty tomb … and we will hear, “Go and tell.”
He says, “Peace be with you” … and he breathes on us the Holy Spirit … and so we are sent out, as he was sent … and we say, “My Lord and my God.”
He asks, “Do you love me?” …. and waits for an answer. And he says, “Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep” … and hands us his own servant’s towel.
He says, “I give you a new commandment” … and “just as I have loved you” … and “love one another” … and “everyone will know you are my disciples.”
And suddenly, in these very words of this new commandment to love others as he has loved us, we become a part of kingdom work on earth.
THY KINGDOM COME … THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. Amen.
anna murdock, Broad Street UMC, Statesville, NC
READINGS TO PONDER
Tell the Cats to Turn Around
We despise people who challenge our cherished myths and kick us out of our comfort zones. The truth is that when Jesus sets about the task of saving us, he has to heal us of any myth or prejudice that is contrary to the spirit of Christ. Billy Sunday was the Billy Graham of a previous generation. He was conducting a crusade in a particular city. In one of his sermons he said something critical of the labor conditions for workers in that area. After the service, several prominent businessmen sent a message to him by one of the local pastors. The message was this---Billy, leave labor matters alone. Concentrate on getting people saved. Stay away from political issues. You’re rubbing the fur the wrong way.” Billy Sunday sent this message back to them: “If I’m rubbing
the fur the wrong way, tell the cats to turn around.” [Bill Bouknight, Collected Sermons, eSermons.com]
Preaching at Home
I want to let you in on a secret. Ready? Most preachers have a difficult time preaching in the congregations where they grew up. It is true for me. I was recently invited to preach in the church where I grew up. My mixed feelings about the invitation were justified. Before anybody heard a word I said, they remem-bered little Billy Carter, who made paper airplanes out of worship bulletins and dropped them from the balcony when nobody was looking. Even the newcomers who joined long after I moved away had been indoctrinated. They knew members of my family, and that became the filter through which they heard the content of my sermon. Before that congregation heard me, they already knew me. It is difficult for a preacher to go back home. Everybody knows you. That is the problem. Of all the sayings of Jesus, one of the few things he said that appears in all four gospels is that a prophet gets no respect in a prophet’s hometown. To put it another way, “You become an expert only after you move more than ten miles from home.” [William G. Carter, Praying for a Whole New World, CSS Publishing Company]
The Word
The Sanford Hotel in San Francisco reports that it never lost a single Gideon Bible in the 15 years it placed them at the bedside as a service to the guests. But, in one month after it started putting dictionaries in the rooms as well, 41 dictionaries disappeared. Now, I don’t know whether you can draw a solid conclusion from that, but on the surface, it seems obvious that persons apparently place a greater value on human words than they do the Word of God. So, there are words and The Word. Of course, the Bible is the Word above all other words. But we go even further than that in the Christian faith. Jesus is the Word -- the Word become flesh -- and by the Word that He is, we assess all other words including the Bible. We could have spent the entire sermon talking about the message that Jesus read from Isaiah when He took up the book in the temple. [Maxie Dunnam, Collected Sermons, www.Sermons.com]
What is the highest, most exalted act of intelligent life? It is to love. Love seeks no cause, no end, no reward beyond itself. “I love because I love; I love that I may love,” [St. Bernard of Clairvaux]
Readings to Ponder
Two men were riding a bicycle built for two when they came to a big, steep hill. It took a great deal of struggle for the men to complete what proved to be a very stiff climb. When they got to the top the man in front turned to the other and said, “Boy, that sure was a hard climb.” The fellow in back replied, “Yes, and if I hadn’t kept the brakes on all the way we would certainly have rolled down backwards.”
Remember the 1950s TV show “The Millionaire”? Each week an anonymous millionaire would give a one-million-dollar gift to someone. The gift was always free—but the gift always made a big change in the recipient’s life. That’s how grace is. You don’t change in order to receive God’s grace: you change as a result of experiencing God’s grace. Grace is like corrective surgery. We are helpless—but God gives us grace, and God’s grace changes what we cannot change.
Jesus Joined the Procession
You know, I passed a funeral on the road the other day: a hearse followed by a long line of cars all burning their headlights in broad daylight. I followed our quaint Southern custom of pulling off the road and stopping until they were past. Because I did not know the people involved, I continued on my way as soon as they were past. But Jesus, as it were, flipped on his own lights, turned his car around, and joined the procession to the gravesite. [Donald T. Williams, The Widow’s Son of Nain]
On a Journey: Meditation on God in Daily Life by Tom Ehrich
Compassion & Freedom – Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Compassion is a powerful force. It is far more powerful than revenge and cruelty. Harshness merely sows seeds of future war. Compassion changes the ground on which we stand. Because compassion is so powerful, it is rarely shown by the powerful. For they recognize its threat. If hearts can be won by compassion, then those who crave control cannot allow scandals such as Jesus’ compassion to occur.
Compassion tends to emerge among the weak and oppressed when they find solidarity in suffering. That’s why hospital waiting rooms are often scenes of kindness and shared ministry. That’s why such amazing goodness and nobility of spirit emerged immediately after the September 2001 attacks -- until the power-seekers showed up and took control.
The offense of Jesus wasn’t blasphemy, but compassion. He saw a human need -- in this case a widow burying her only son -- and he responded with grace. His compassion upset the prevailing order and took God out of the box where humankind so carefully stuffs God.
For a time, the early Christians shared that scandal of compassion. Then they became power-seekers and controllers, and compassion gave way to doctrine, hierarchies of power, and an intricate web of controls over human freedom. It was a tragic loss. Even now, the powerful demand strict limits on compassion. Only certain ones are allowed at the table of God’s grace, they insist. When will we learn? Human freedom and Godly compassion aren’t commodities that we control. They are the eternal scandal of a God whose nature is mercy.
READINGS TO PONDER
CANA WINE
At a wedding where no one had a care, All day long the guests did dance and dine.
But the wine ran out, father gave a shout, “Bring me more of that wedding wine!”
Refrain: So sweet, so fine, Give me taste of that Cana wine!
So sweet, so fine, Give me a taste of that Cana wine!
“Jesus has the power in this desperate hour,” Mary pointed to her son with pride.
He found water there, smiled and said a prayer:
Finest vintage for the groom and bride! (Refrain)
On this average day things seem plain and gray, Dull and dreary and without a spark.
Oh, Lord, won’t you come when I’m feeling glum;
Say the word and lighten up the dark! (Refrain)
When my life is through and I call on you, Come and help my weary spirit rise,
Then when all is past, save the best till last:
Once again it’s Cana’s sweet surprise! (Refrain)
Wish I’d Said That!
• The cure for the evils of democracy is more democracy. [H. L. Mencken]
• What lies behind us and what lies before us are inconsequential compared to what lies within us. [source unknown]
The New Greatness
There is deep down within all of us an instinct. It’s a kind of drum major instinct—a desire to be out front, a desire to lead the parade, a desire to be first. And it is something that runs the whole gamut of life. We all want to be important, to surpass others, to achieve distinction, to lead the parade. We have perverted the drum major instinct, but Jesus gives us a new norm for greatness. If you want to be important--wonderful. But recognize that the one who wants you to be great among you shall be your servant. That’s the new definition of greatness, it means that everybody can be great. Because everybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to be great. You don’t have to have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You don’t have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don’t have to know about Einstein’s theory of relativity to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. And you can be that servant. [Martin Luther King Jr. From the sermon, “The Drum Major Instinct” preached at Ebenezer Baptist Church, two months before his murder, February 4, 1968]
“IT WAS ON THE THIRD DAY”
(A wedding in Cana?) (Please read John 2: 1-11)
It was on the third day, when a mother heard her son call her “Woman”. It would not be the last time. It was on the third day, when people gathered and with a great thirst cried out, “What are we to do?” It was on the third day when the old ways of cleansing took on a new look and fragrance. The very best spilled out for all. It was on the third day When a miracle occurred. “Enough for everyone” was the miracle. “Enough of the best for everyone!” It was on the third day when the glory of the Lord was revealed. And the disciples believed. And it was on the third day when there was a great celebration at a wedding in Cana and at a tomb in Jerusalem and within us all ... Forevermore. Amen. [anna murdock Broad Street UMC Statesville, NC]
“IT WAS ON THE THIRD DAY”
(A wedding in Cana?) (Please read John 2: 1-11)
It was on the third day, when a mother heard her son call her “Woman”. It would not be the last time. It was on the third day, when people gathered and with a great thirst cried out, “What are we to do?” It was on the third day when the old ways of cleansing took on a new look and fragrance. The very best spilled out for all. It was on the third day When a miracle occurred. “Enough for everyone” was the miracle. “Enough of the best for everyone!” It was on the third day when the glory of the Lord was revealed. And the disciples believed. And it was on the third day when there was a great celebration at a wedding in Cana and at a tomb in Jerusalem and within us all ... Forevermore. Amen. [anna murdock Broad Street UMC Statesville, NC]
A Sense of Awe
I consider it divine good fortune that we have a scripture lesson so early in the year which encourages us to ponder a miracle. You and I need to become more sensitive to the possibility of miracles. Such a sensitivity will help us recognize present miracles, which we either do not see or which we take for granted; and it will prepare us to receive still more miracles. Walt Whitman felt that “each part and tag” of his own person was a miracle, and that “a mouse is miracle enough to confound sextillions of infidels.” He reminded us that we are surrounded by the glorious and the miraculous and do not know it. Science ought to have increased our sense of awe, as it has unfolded the marvels of the heavens above and mysteries of our bodies within; but we take the attitude that if we know how far it is to a given planet, we have, there-fore, encompassed all its significance. We need to know that God is at work in our world. The affairs of this world, and of our individual lives, often seem to be out of control. At such times we can be reassured by the knowledge that God has worked wonderfully in days past, and that God is still at work. [J. Ellsworth Kalas, Epiphany: A Faith to Work Miracles, CSS Publishing]
Water into Wine
As Augustine first observed—and as C.S. Lewis later enjoyed pondering—what Jesus did at Cana (as in many of his miracles) was really no more than a speeded-up version of what he does every year on a thousand hillsides as vines silently turn water into wine. Millions of people enjoy that wine every year without for a moment recognizing the divine origin of it all. It’s a reminder that we serve a God whose effusive overflow of providential gifts knows no bounds. It’s a reminder that God is also often content to watch people—sometimes even Christian people who should know better—from afar as they soak up the goodness of his creative work. [Scott Hoezee, comments and observations on John 2: 1-11]
Inviting Christ Brings Joy
Why do we bring Christ into the wedding ceremony? Because if we would only bring Christ into our marriages, we would have better marriages! A few years back psychologist Dr. Joyce Brothers was quoted as saying that for about half of all American couples, marriage is a “quiet hell.” Many other marriages have degenerated into a “tired friendship,” as someone put it. I submit to you that this is a tragedy, and in order to prevent such tragedies, we ought to take the traditional marriage ritual seriously and invite Christ to be a guest at our weddings, just as He was invited to the wedding at Cana in Galilee. Above all, in this quaint and lovely little story, John is proclaiming the Good News that Jesus Christ is the Life of every party, that he is the one who livens things up, brings life abundant for all, even anonymous brides and bridegrooms in an out-of-the-way peasant village located somewhere (where, we are not sure) in the Galilee. As William Barclay put it in his commentary on this passage: “...whenever Jesus comes into our lives there enters a quality which is like turning water into wine. The trouble with life is that we get bored with it. Pleasure loses its thrill. There is a vague dissatisfaction about everything. But when Jesus enters our lives there comes a new exhilaration!” [Donald B. Strobe, Collected Words, www.Sermons.com]
READINGS TO PONDER
ADVENT (Dr. Jody Seymour)
Before the evergreen of hope, there appears the wilderness of waiting. We desire to pour water down our throats quickly, but first our thirst must be noticed. “No one knows the hour of his coming,” go the ancient words with dusty sounds. And so we hurry around the “end” and create our own jingle-bell beginnings.
But the birth requires a waiting, unless it is a molded plastic baby that we really desire. The unwrapped manger child is not the real thing. Remember. Only through the Advent wilderness, where thirsty pilgrims journey, can the child who comes “out back” be found and rediscovered to be ours. Remember.
The Creator of all time still holds the ends and wonders if we will take the time to prepare a highway for a king who has come to take something away before he gives. Remember. The waiting wilderness leaves us dry so that later we may truly taste the water. Those who want to be pilgrims and not simply passersby need to not hurry by the Advent wilderness. In such haste the Christmas child will be missed. Remember.
So You Want To Go To Bethlehem, Do You?
Each year, during the season of Advent, the church sets off on a journey. We begin to prepare our hearts and our minds for the coming of the Christ-child, so that this time he will have a proper place to be born. And we think we know the way to Bethlehem. We can find it on the map. It’s not that far from Jerusalem, by today’s standards; shouldn’t be a problem. But the problem is that so much has changed since our last visit. A whole year has passed, a year that brought many changes in our lives, some of them good, some of them not so good, some of them heartbreaking. The geographic map of life has changed, and even old familiar places don’t seem the same any more. So maybe we could use a little help in finding our way back to Bethlehem this year. That is, if you still want to go. If we were to ask any of the writers of the gospels how to get to Bethlehem, I think we might be surprised by their answer. “So you want to go to Bethlehem, do you? Tell you what to do: go on out to the desert, outside of the relatively safe confines of Jerusalem. Keep going till you get to the Jordan River. You’ll know it when you see it. It’s the only river around these parts. You’ll find a man there - strange looking old coot - standing knee-deep in the water, just baptizing folks left and right, as fast as he can. That’ll be John the Baptist. You ask him how to get to Bethlehem. If you want to get to Bethlehem, you have to start there at the Jordan with John. He’s the only one who can help you get there....
Adams had been dead for many years and Cappeau and Dwight were old men when on Christmas Eve 1906, Reginald Fessenden--a 33-year-old university professor and former chief chemist for Thomas Edison--did something long thought impossible. Using a new type of generator, Fessenden spoke into a microphone and, for the first time in history, a man's voice was broadcast over the airwaves: "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed," he began in a clear, strong voice, hoping he was reaching across the distances he supposed he would.Shocked radio operators on ships and astonished wireless owners at newspapers sat slack-jawed as their normal, coded impulses, heard over tiny speakers, were interrupted by a professor reading from the gospel of Luke. To the few who caught this broadcast, it must have seemed like a miracle hearing a voice somehow transmitted to those far away. Some might have believed they were hearing the voice of an angel.
Fessenden was probably unaware of the sensation he was causing on ships and in offices; he couldn't have known that men and women were rushing to their wireless units to catch this Christmas Eve miracle. After finishing his recitation of the birth of Christ, Fessenden picked up his violin and played "O Holy Night," the first song ever sent through the air via radio waves. When the carol ended, so did the broadcast--but not before music had found a new medium that would take it around the world.
Since that first rendition at a small Christmas mass in 1847, "O Holy Night" has been sung millions of times in churches in every corner of the world. And since the moment a handful of people first heard it played over the radio, the carol has gone on to become one of the entertainment industry's most recorded and played spiritual songs. This incredible work, requested by a forgotten parish priest, written by a poet, who would later split from the church, given soaring music by a Jewish composer, and brought to Americans to serve as a tool to spotlight the sinful nature of slavery and tell the story of the birth of a Savior, has become one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever created.
READINGS TO PONDER
Is The Mule For Sale?
Once upon a time there was a woman married to an annoying man. He would complain about everything. One day he went to the creek with his mule. He complained so much that the mule got annoyed and kicked him to death. At the funeral, when all the men walked by the wife she shook her head yes and every time the women walked by she shook her head no. The minister asked “Why are you shaking your head yes for men and no for women?” Her response was, “The men would say how sorry they felt for me and I was saying, “Yes, I’ll be alright.” When the women walked by, they were asking if the mule was for sale . . . “ [Staff, www.eSermons.com]
“I Would Plant an Apple Tree”
Martin Luther was once asked what he would do if he knew that the world was coming to an end tomorrow, and he said: “I would plant an apple tree.” In other words, Luther, trusting in God’s gracious, unmerited mercy would live life just as he had been living it. When John Wesley was asked the same thing, being an obsessive-compulsive type, he said that he would arise at 4:00 AM, preach at 5:00 visit the sick at 7:00, go to communion at 8:00...etc., until the questioner realized that that was exactly what Wesley had planned to do tomorrow anyway! Because we believe that God is like Christ, we can dare to live in faith and hope and love now; trusting God for whatever the future holds, because we believe that God holds the future, and that God’s Name and God’s Nature are love. [Donald B. Strobe, Collected Words, www.Sermons.com]
I Predict
Here are some predictions of the future. All from people who could be trusted:
• I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.” -- Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
• “Where a calculator on the ENIAC is equipped with 18,000 vacuum tubes and weighs 30 tons, computers in the future may have only 1,000 vacuum tubes and weigh only 1.5 tons.” -- Popular Mechanics, 1949
• “While theoretically and technically television may be feasible, commercially and financially it is an impossibility.” -- Lee DeForest, inventor.
• “We don’t like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out.” -- Decca Recording Co. rejecting the Beatles, 1962.
• “The concept is interesting and well-formed, but in order to earn better than a ‘C’, the idea must be feasible.” -- A Yale University management professor in response to Fred Smith’s paper proposing reliable overnight delivery service. (Smith went on to found FedEx Corp.)
• “Who the h*** wants to hear actors talk?” -- H. M. Warner, Warner Brothers, 1927.
• “I’m just glad it’ll be Clark Gable who’s falling on his face and not Gary Cooper.” -- Gary Cooper on his decision not to take the leading role in “Gone With the Wind.”
• “Radio has no future. Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible. X-rays will prove to be a hoax.” -- William Thomson, Lord Kelvin, British scientist, 1899.
• “There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.” -- Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977.
• “With over 50 foreign cars already on sale here, the Japanese auto industry isn’t likely to carve out a big slice of the U.S. market.” -- Business Week, August 2, 1968.
• “Stocks have reached what looks like a permanently high plateau.” -- Irving Fisher, Professor of Economics, Yale University, 1929.
• “There is not the slightest indication that nuclear energy will ever be obtainable. It would mean that the atom would have to be shattered at will.” -- Albert Einstein, 1932.
• “The bomb will never go off. I speak as an expert in explosives.” -- Admiral William Leahy, U.S. Atomic Bomb Project.
• “There will never be a bigger plane built.” -- A Boeing engineer, after the first flight of the 247, a twin engine plane that holds ten people.
We Expect the Ground to Be Firm
Biblical writers were fascinated by earthquakes, and referred to them often to make their point. An earthquake is a good image for cataclysmic times when “everything nailed down is coming loose.” Earthquakes threaten our assumptions about the stability of life. We like to think of earth as rock solid, but sometimes the earth moves. Sometimes when people fear flying on a plane, they resort to the ancient Latin by saying, “Just get me back to terra firma.” We expect the ground to be firm. We want our buildings tied to the bedrock because our foundations need to tie to something that won’t move. We expect our lives to be “rock solid,” too, but then something traumatic happens and “everything nailed down is coming loose.” [Mickey Anders, Everything Nailed Down Is Coming Loose’]
The Lord Will Renew Their Strength
Kristi Denton had always relied on her husband, David, to take care of her. He was her source of strength, the one she relied on to keep their lives running smoothly. Then in December of 1995, David was in a horrible accident. He suffered massive brain damage. Kristi prayed for God
READINGS TO PONDER
Lowered Expectation
Would it surprise you to learn that everything in your life right now is pretty much the way you made it? That from hundreds of options you chose your responses to whatever situations presented themselves? Would you agree that you have exercised the capacity to choose what you have received? If so, doesn’t it stand to reason that if you made the choice in the first place, you can change it? What a powerful notion! Whatever happens to you, you can say, “I am the master of my life.” But just as the good that comes to you is a demonstration of your mastery, so is the negative. Consider how hopping fleas are trained. The fleas are put into a glass jar. As they try and jump in the jar, they bump their heads on the lid. Over time, they forget they can jump and, for fear of bumping their heads, never go beyond the limits of the jar, even though the lids have been removed. Through continued failure they have become conditioned to confinement.
So it is with us, if we let it be. Our self-made limitations sometimes cause us to forget that we can fly. WE RESPOND LIKE THE DISCIPLES, “WE ONLY HAVE FIVE SMALL LOAVES OF BREAD AND TWO FISH. We often needlessly confine ourselves to glass jars. We may yearn to use our lives creatively, but our invisible prisons remind us: “You can’t do that. It isn’t practical. You’re not smart enough. It will cost too much. People will laugh at you. You’re too young. You’re too old. Your health won’t allow it. Your parents won’t allow it. It will take too long. You don’t have the education.”
But suppose we could remember that we were made to achieve? SUPPOSE THAT WE COULD REMEMBER THAT MIRACLES DO HAPPEN? Suppose we really believed that we are children and heirs of this magnificent universe? Would we then still allow our jars to limit us to hopping just so far and no further? Suppose we became aware that resentments, hurts, hates, grudges, illness, greed and the like are glass jars that have been, or can be, removed, that, indeed, we may be hampered by the illusion of our own self-imposed limitations? We attract to ourselves whatever our minds are focused upon. Once aware, we can change and then we will no longer be confined to that glass jar. We will be ready and able to achieve. [John Marks Templeton, Discovering the Laws of Life, Continuum 1995, 242]
READINGS TO PONDER
Lowered Expectation
Would it surprise you to learn that everything in your life right now is pretty much the way you made it? That from hundreds of options you chose your responses to whatever situations presented themselves? Would you agree that you have exercised the capacity to choose what you have received? If so, doesn’t it stand to reason that if you made the choice in the first place, you can change it? What a powerful notion! Whatever happens to you, you can say, “I am the master of my life.” But just as the good that comes to you is a demonstration of your mastery, so is the negative. Consider how hopping fleas are trained. The fleas are put into a glass jar. As they try and jump in the jar, they bump their heads on the lid. Over time, they forget they can jump and, for fear of bumping their heads, never go beyond the limits of the jar, even though the lids have been removed. Through continued failure they have become conditioned to confinement.
So it is with us, if we let it be. Our self-made limitations sometimes cause us to forget that we can fly. WE RESPOND LIKE THE DISCIPLES, “WE ONLY HAVE FIVE SMALL LOAVES OF BREAD AND TWO FISH. We often needlessly confine ourselves to glass jars. We may yearn to use our lives creatively, but our invisible prisons remind us: “You can’t do that. It isn’t practical. You’re not smart enough. It will cost too much. People will laugh at you. You’re too young. You’re too old. Your health won’t allow it. Your parents won’t allow it. It will take too long. You don’t have the education.”
But suppose we could remember that we were made to achieve? SUPPOSE THAT WE COULD REMEMBER THAT MIRACLES DO HAPPEN? Suppose we really believed that we are children and heirs of this magnificent universe? Would we then still allow our jars to limit us to hopping just so far and no further? Suppose we became aware that resentments, hurts, hates, grudges, illness, greed and the like are glass jars that have been, or can be, removed, that, indeed, we may be hampered by the illusion of our own self-imposed limitations? We attract to ourselves whatever our minds are focused upon. Once aware, we can change and then we will no longer be confined to that glass jar. We will be ready and able to achieve. [John Marks Templeton, Discovering the Laws of Life, Continuum 1995, 242]
READINGS TO PONDER
I Am the One Jesus Loves
Author and speaker Brennan Manning came up with a slogan. The slogan is, “I am the one Jesus loves.” It sounds a little arrogant doesn’t it? But he is actually quoting Scripture. Jesus’ closest friend on earth, the disciple named John, is identified in the Gospels as “the one Jesus loved.” Manning said, “If John were to be asked, ‘What is your primary identity in life?’ he would not reply, ‘I am a disciple, an apostle, an evangelist, an author of one of the four Gospels,’ but rather, ‘I am the one Jesus loves.’“ What would it mean, I ask myself, if I too came to the place where I saw my primary identity in life as “the one Jesus loves”? How differently would I view myself at the end of a day?
Sociologists have a theory of the looking-glass self: you become what the most important person in your life (wife, father, boss, etc.) thinks you are. How would my life change if I truly believed the Bible’s astounding words about God’s love for me, if I looked in the mirror and saw what God sees? Brennan Manning tells the story of an Irish priest who, on a walking tour of a rural parish, sees an old peasant kneeling by the side of the road, praying. Impressed, the priest says to the man, “You must be very close to God.” The peasant looks up from his prayers, thinks a moment, and then smiles, “Yes, he’s very fond of me.” [Brett Blair, www.eSermons.com Adapted from Phillip Yancey, What’s So Amazing about Grace? 68-69]
Good morning...I must get ready for work, but I also must say this. I have written every Monday morning since June, 2001. This Monday, I couldn’t. Never mind that my Bible hit some weird button on my monitor (no, not the POWER button) and I had to shut down my 12-year-old computer to rest and reset (and by then, it was too late to write anything). I could have written something yesterday ... but still I didn’t. What has left me wordless are just a few words of the lectionary Scriptures... “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” I have read and reread those words over the years, and it was only this Monday morning when I realized that I cannot begin to fathom the depth of Jesus’ love for me (and for you) ... if it be the VERY SAME love that the Father has for Jesus. The very thoughts of the SAMENESS of this Love has removed my words. I hope that you find your own words adequate enough to be able to offer this to your congregations. Through this SAMENESS of Love is Jesus’ JOY and our JOY. I hope this was OK to put on Midrash, but it is the lectionary Scriptures that have rendered me wordless, have made my heart skip, have brought me joy. And yes, brought forth tears. Anna Murdock
Funnies
• A mother was preparing pancakes for her two sons, the older was five and the younger three. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson here. “If Jesus were sitting here,” she said, “he would say, ‘Let my brother have the first pancake. I can wait.’” Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, “Ryan, you be Jesus!”
• The more I see of man, the more I like dogs.
• A usually irate parishioner is said to have tackled the rector after church one Sunday morning. “I’m so glad you preached an historical sermon,” she said. The rector, shocked by this unusual praise beamed thanks. The parishioner continued, “Yes, because I am sick and tired of hearing about love all the time.”
• The father of five children had won a toy at a raffle. He called his kids together to ask which one should have the present. “Who is the most obedient?” he asked. “Who never talks back to Mother? Who does everything she says?” Five small voices answered in unison. “You win, Dad, you get the toy.”
Shhhhh. Mouth, be still. Heart, listen.
The Spirit is singing in the running stream,
crying in the hungry, calling in the lost and lonely,
and whispering within my soul.
Let my ears be unplugged, Lord so I can hear
Old Songs
we love the old songs:
we hum to ourselves about the old, old story
and feel like we are slipping on a frayed, comfortable shirt which will keep us warm;
we sing in the shower of all those places where the saints have trod, and wonder what ever happened to them;
the fears of aging jerk us awake in the middle of the night
and into the silence of our souls
we whisper ‘Jesus loves me, this i know, for the Bible tells me so . . .’
we love the old songs so much we might miss the new ones:
the sunrise announcing a new beginning each day;
the laughter of children, louder than despair’s dirge;
the softness of a parent’s love which smooths our rough edges;
teach us new songs, Joyous Heart, teach us new songs.
©2006 Thom M. Shuman
A man once went to his priest to complain that there was a lack of friendliness among members of their congregation. He felt that the people were reluctant to even greet one another, especially at the time of the Peace. They just stood there frozen. The priest agreed and devised a plan to solve the problem. He stood in the pulpit and looked straight at his congregation and said, “Next Sunday, at the time of the PEACE, everyone will take the time to greet one another in a friendly manner. Don’t just nod in their direction. But embrace your fellow parishioner with friendship and love. When the service was over, the man who had lodged the complaint decided to turn to the woman in the pew behind him and he extended his hand and said “Good Morning!” But the woman pulled her hand away and snapped, “That doesn’t begin until next Sunday!”
• I went out to find a friend, But I could not find one there. I went out to be a friend, And friends were everywhere!
• The North American Indians had no written alphabet before they met the white man, but that does not mean their languages were primitive. Many Indian languages contained vocabularies as large as the French or the English language. Plus, the Indian languages were more eloquent. For example, the English say, “Friend.” The Native American word is more descriptive: “One who carries my sorrows on his back.”
The Orchard of Your Life
A grapevine is a most productive plant. Spreading out its branches, each is intended to bring forth fruit. No vine grower is foolish enough to invest his time and effort in cultivating vines merely for the foliage on its branches. He looks for results. Fruits! As the branches of Christ in the Kingdom of God, we are expected to produce the fruits of spiritual life. And no, we’re not speaking of spiritual apples, grapes, pears, or peaches this morning. We’re talking of what’s going on in the orchard of your life. What are you producing? Saint Paul once enumerated in his writings what those fruits of the spirit were. He said, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” How’s that for a fruit basket? A good list for the cultivation of life’s orchard. With these fruits in mind, what’s going on in your orchard? [Charles L. Koester, Mission Accomplished, CSS Publishing Co., Inc.]
Our Fuel
C.S. Lewis wrote, “God has designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other. That is why it is just no good asking God to make us happy without bothering about religion. God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.” [C.S. Lewis]
The Best Connection
You and I live in the period of history where we have access to more information than ever before. We have so much information that it produces what has been called the “Paralysis of Analysis.” It was the poet T. S. Eliot who wrote: Where is the wisdom--we have lost in knowledge. Where is the knowledge--we have lost in information. The beauty of our faith is that God gave us more than information--he gave us Himself. He gave us more than rules and outward appearances. He gave us a relationship with him. Colossians 2:10, “In Him you have been made complete.” Only he can satisfy yourdeepest longing and bring order to your innermost being. In Jesus Christ, God’s word became flesh. He is alive! [Eric S. Ritz, Collected Sermons, Sermons.com]
Pruning Process
Merrill Tenney gives his observation about the work of a vinedresser and the pruning process in his commentary on John. In pruning a vine, two principles are generally observed: first, all dead wood must be ruthlessly removed; and second, the live wood must be cut back drastically. Dead wood harbors insects and disease and may cause the vine to rot, to say nothing of being unproductive and unsightly. Live wood must be trimmed back in order to prevent such heavy growth that the life of the vine goes into the wood rather than into fruit. The vineyards in the early spring look like a collection of barren, bleeding stumps; but in the fall they are filled with luxuriant purple grapes. As the farmer wields the pruning knife on his vines, so God cuts dead wood out from among His saints, and often cuts back the living wood so far that His method seems cruel. Nevertheless, from those who have suffered the most there often comes the greatest fruitfulness. [Merrill C. Tenney, John: The Gospel of Belief]
And That’s That!
Rosemary Brown is a highly respected minister in Tennessee. She has been featured a number of times on The Protestant Hour National Radio Broadcast. She tells a story about a little girl in her church named Mickey. Mickey is four years old. She is a precious, adorable, out-going little girl who loves to sing. One Sunday morning, Mickey ran down to the front of the Sanctuary just before the start of the morning worship service and with great excitement, she said: “Miss Rosemary Brown, can I sing a song this morning?” Not wanting to say “no”? or to be a stumbling-block to this vivacious little girl, Rosemary said: “Of course you can.” Then, Rosemary announced to the congregation that four-year-old Mickey would sing the call to worship to start the service. Rosemary Brown picked up Mickey and stood Mickey on the front pew. She turned her around to face the now expectant and smiling group of people in church that day? And Mickey sang: “Jesus wuvs me dis I know for da Bible tells me so. Yes, Jesus wuvs me.” And then, Mickey threw her hands straight up in the air (like she had just scored a touchdown) and with a triumphant voice she said: “And, dat’s dat!” And then Mickey sat down. (Rosemary Brown, Protestant Hour Sermon, “The Apple of My Eye,” p.3) Mickey was right on target, wasn’t she? What more do we need to know? Jesus loves us and that’s that. When we are scared or confused or lonely. When we have to make a hard decision or face a tough challenge. When we feel rejected or cast aside by someone. When we lose a loved one or face our own death? What more do we need to know? Jesus loves us and that’s that! [James W. Moore, Collected Sermons]
READINGS TO PONDER
Psalm 23 adapted from Japanese
[written by Sisters of Joseph for their Japanese congregation of sisters]
The Lord is my pace-setter; I can be tranquil. God brings me to the place of peace and refreshment, and provides for my needs. The Lord pours new life into my spirit and calls me into the place where I am most alive. Even though many pressures and anxieties surround me, I am able to be peaceful, because God is with me, guiding me through the hours and the days. You provide wonderfully for me, showing me beauty and good things; You console me when I am weary. Goodness and love will follow me, will be there for me, today and all my days. And I am confident of God’s presence my whole life long.
* * *
Psalm 23 – paraphrased by Jim Taylor
The only way to paraphrase such a familiar psalm is to take a totally different metaphor that still conveys the wonderful sense of trust of the original. One image that came to me was a small child walking down the street holding mother’s hand. 1 God is like my Mommy. My Mommy holds my hand; I’m not afraid. 2 She takes me to school in the mornings; She lets me play in the playgrounds and the parks; 3 She makes me feel good. She shows me how to cross the streets, because she loves me. 4 Even when we walk among the crowds and the cars, I am not afraid. If I can reach her hand or her coat, I know she’s with me, And I’m all right. 5 When I fall down and I’m all covered with mud and I come home crying, she picks me up in her arms. She wipes my hands, and dries my tears, and I have to cry again, ‘Cause she loves me so much. 6 How can anything go wrong with that kind of Mommy near me? I want to live the rest of my life with Mommy, in my Mommy’s home for ever’n’ever. –– From: “Everyday Psalms.” Wood Lake Books. For details, go to www.JoinHands.com
* * *
The Lord is my Counselor, I shall not try to solve things on my own. He encourages me to trust Him. He teaches me to listen in quietness & stillness to His voice; He calms my anxious heart. He guides me down the paths that are best for me, even when I think I know better. When I walk through the valley of frustration, worry, Fear and overwhelmingness, He reminds me that He never sleeps or takes holidays off. I need not fear being alone, for He is always with me. His wisdom and advice, they comfort me. He knows everything that is going on in my life, but it remains confidential with Him. Blessings overflow through my sessions with Him. Surely my future is secure as I dwell in the house of the Lord, leaving my problems at His feet, and follow His advice that is free of charge, all the days of my life!
[©2000 by Susan Secrest Waters http://www.encouragingwords.net/psalm23.htm]
* * *
Here is one reframing by Margaret Rogers of St. George’s United Reformed Church, Hartlepool, UK. It is used here with permission:
The Lord is my choirmaster, I shall never be out of step with the music. He leads me in songs of praise and thanksgiving as I remember all His love and goodness to me. He causes me to hum softly as I go about my daily tasks. He sings me a quiet lullaby to bring me rest at the close of the day. He teaches me a restful, quiet, air to sing which brings peace to my troubled spirit. Sometimes as I feel God’s power and majesty my soul is lifted up in a symphony of swelling music; I sing out in joy and praise, letting myself go and losing myself in the glorious sound of the orchestra, full of confidence, pride, happiness and enjoyment. But there are times when the music is silent, or strident, or unfamiliar. At those times I look to my choirmaster to guide me and keep me on the right note. Then once again there will be harmony. I shall sing happily and my song will bring me joy and inner peace, until the day when I shall join in that heavenly chorus above with those I have loved and lost awhile. Amen.
* * *
“Smiles”
Senior Health Care Solution
according to MAXINE.
So you're a senior citizen and the government says no health care for you, what do you do?
Our plan gives anyone 65 years or older a gun and 4 bullets. Your are allowed to shoot 2 senators and 2 representatives. Of course, this means you will be sent to prison. There you will get 3 meals a day, a roof over your head, and all the health care you need! New teeth, no problem. Need glasses, great. New hip, knees, kidney, lungs, heart? All covered.
And who will be paying for all of this? The same government that just told you that you are too old for health care. Plus, because you are a prisoner, you don't have to pay any income taxes anymore. And you get to do what politicians do . . . Sit around 24/7.
A mother was giving instructions to her three children as she sent them into Sunday school, "And, why is it necessary to be quiet in church?" Her son quickly responded, "Because people are sleeping!"
The preacher's 5 year-old daughter noticed that her preacher father always paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day she asked him why. "Well, Honey," he began, proud that his daughter was so observant of his messages, "I'm asking the Lord to help me to preach a good sermon." "Well then, how come He doesn't do it?" she asked.
After a church service on Sunday Morning, a young boy suddenly announced to his mother, "Mom, I've decided to become a minister when I grow up." "Well," said the little boy, "I have to go to church on Sunday anyway, and I figure it will be more fun to stand up and yell than to sit and listen."
A Sunday School teacher challenged her children to take some time on Sunday afternoon to write a letter to God. They were to bring their letter back the following Sunday. One little boy wrote, "Dear God, We had a good time at church today. Wish you could have been there."
A father took his 5-year-old son to several baseball games where The Star-spangled Banner was sung before the start of each game. Then the father and son attended a church on a Sunday shortly before Independence Day. The congregation sang The Star-spangled Banner, and after everyone sat down, the little boy suddenly yelled out, "PLAY BALL!!!"
A little girl became restless as the preacher's sermon dragged on and on. Finally, she leaned over to her mother and whispered, "Mommy, if we give him the money now, will he let us go?"
* * *
At a computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry and stated "If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving twenty-five dollar cars that got 1,000 mi/gal."
General Motors addressed this comment by releasing this statement:
"Yes, but would you want your car to crash twice a day?" And every time they repainted the lines on the road you would have to buy a new car.
Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason, and you would just accept this, restart and drive on. Occasionally, executing a maneuver would cause your car to stop and fail and you would have to re-install the engine. For some strange reason, you would accept this too. You would only have one person in the car at a time; unless you bought "Car 95" or Car NT". But, then you would have to buy more seats.
Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable, five times as fast, twice as easy to drive, but would only run on five percent of the roads.
Macintosh car owners would get expensive Microsoft upgrades to their cars, which would make their cars run much slower.
The oil, gas and alternator warning lights would be replaced by a single "general car fault" warning light.
New seats would force everyone to have the same size bottom. The airbag system would say "Are you sure?" before going off.
If you were involved in a crash, you would have no idea what happened.
MORE SMILES
I Don’t Regret A Mile
I’ve dreamed many dreams that never came true. I’ve seen them vanish at dawn.
But I’ve realized enough of my dreams, thank God, To make me want to dream on.
I’ve prayed many prayers, when no answers came, Though I waited patient and long,
But answers came to enough of my prayers To make me keep praying on.
I’ve trusted many a friend that failed And left me to weep alone,
But I’ve found enough of my friends true blue To make me keep trusting on.
I’ve sown many seeds that fell by the way For the birds to feed upon,
But I have held enough golden sheaves in my hands To make me keep sowing on.
I’ve drained the cup of disappointment and pain And gone many days without song,
But I’ve sipped enough nectar from the roses of life To make me want to live on.
~by Howard Goodman (gospel singer)
Excerpt from his song
INSPIRING
His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to eke out a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog.
He dropped his tools and ran to the bog. There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.
The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved. "I want to repay you," said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life." "No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer replied, waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel. "Is that your son?" the nobleman asked. "Yes," the farmer replied proudly. "I'll make you a deal. Let me take him and give him a good education. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll grow to a man you can be proud of."
And that he did. In time, Farmer Fleming's son graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin. Years afterward, the nobleman's son was stricken with pneumonia. What saved him? Penicillin. The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son's name? Sir Winston Churchill.
Someone once said what goes around comes around.
Jesus said it another way: KJV: Luke 6:38
"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down and shaken together, and running over, shall men give unto your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
Changing in Preparation: Forty Days of Love
Have you ever been confronted with a message that changed your perspective? One church chose as its Lenten theme, “Forty Days of Love.” Each week members of the congregation were encouraged to show their love and appreciation in different ways. The first week they were encouraged to send notes to people who had made positive contributions to their lives. After the first service a man in the congregation wanted to speak to his pastor. The pastor describes the man as “kind of macho, a former football player who loved to hunt and fish, a strong self-made man.” The man told his pastor, “I love you and I love this church, but I’m not going to participate in this Forty Days of Love stuff. It’s OK for some folks,” he said, “but it’s a little too sentimental and syrupy for me.”
A week went by. The next Sunday this man waited after church to see his pastor again. “I want to apologize for what I said last Sunday,” he told him, “about the Forty Days of Love. I realized on Wednesday that I was wrong.” “Wednesday?” his pastor repeated. “What happened on Wednesday?” “I got one of those letters!” the man said. The letter came as a total surprise. It was from a person the man never expected to hear from. It touched him so deeply he now carries it around in his pocket all the time. “Every time I read it,” he said, “I get tears in my eyes.” It was a transforming moment in this man’s life. Suddenly he realized he was loved by others in the church. This changed his entire outlook. “I was so moved by that letter,” he said, “I sat down and wrote ten letters myself.” Receiving that letter was a trans-forming experience for Mr. Macho. It came from a mailbox rather than a mountaintop, but the effect was the same - his perspective was changed. God breaks into our lives and we are changed. [King Duncan, Collected Sermons, www.Sermons.com]
Ann Weems: I See Your Pain
I see your pain and want to banish it with the wave of a star, but have no star.
I see your tears and want to dry them with the hem of an angel’s gown, but have no angel.
I see your heart fallen to the ground and want to return it wrapped in cloths woven of rainbow, but have no rainbow.
God is the One who has stars, and angels and rainbows, and I am the one God sends to sit beside you until the stars come out and the angels dry your tears and your heart is back in place, rainbow blessed.
The Psychiatrist and the Proctologist
Two doctors, a psychiatrist and a proctologist, opened an office together in a small town. They put up a sign reading, “Dr. Smith & Dr. Jones: Hysterias & Posteriors.” The town council was not happy with the sign so the doctors changed it to, “Schizoids & Hemorrhoids.” This was not acceptable either. In an effort to satisfy the council, the doctors changed the sign to, “Catatonics & High Colonics.” No good. Next, they tried, “Manic Depressives & Anal Retentives.” Thumbs down again. Then came, “Minds & Behinds.” Unacceptable, again! So they tried, “Analysis & Anal Cysts.” Not a chance. So “Nuts & Butts?” No way. How about “Freaks & Cheeks?” Still, no go. Maybe “Loons & Moons?” Forget it. Almost ready to admit defeat, the doctors finally came up with, “Dr. Smith & Dr. Jones: Odds & Ends.”
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
The Authority of Jesus
The church in the world is a lot like the story that E. Stanley Jones tells of the missionary in the jungle. He got lost with nothing around him but bush and a few cleared places. He finally found a small village and asked one of the natives if he could lead him out of the jungle. The native said he could. “All right,” the missionary said, “Show me the way.” They walked for hours through dense brush hacking their way through unmarked jungle. The missionary began to worry and said, “Are you quite sure this is the way? Where is the path?” The native said. “Bwana, in this place there is no path. I am the path.” Our path out of the jungle of this world is God in Christ. We may have some Rabbis, Masters, Father’s, Teachers, and Reverends but we are all like the missionary. We rely not upon men but Christ who is our path. [Brett Blair, www.eSermons.com]
Christ Has Come to Free Us
That man with an unclean spirit understands who Jesus is better than anyone else in the room. He is on the margins of society and the margins of sanity, but he knows exactly who Jesus is. Remember that the disciples don’t figure it out until Chapter 8, when Peter says, “You are the messiah, the one sent by God.” This man of unclean spirit is way ahead of everyone, and he wants to know, “What are you going to do with people like me? Are you going to destroy us?” “Be silent and come out of him!” And then the man convulses and cries out loudly and the unclean spirit leaves him. I still have no idea what an unclean spirit is, but I am impressed.
Mark still hasn’t told us a thing about what Jesus taught, but he has showed us that Jesus had a power over things that people label as unclean. Mark is making this point: that the will and purpose of God present in Jesus is engaging and fighting against the purposes of evil that exist among humanity. This battle is not fought just at the highest levels of government or industry, but right in the midst of common folk like us. The battle of good versus evil, right versus wrong, life versus death happens amidst the people who are gathered for worship. Christ has come to shatter the domineering designs that shackle people to lower standards for life than God intends. Christ has come to free us from the demons like prejudice and pride, greed and guile. Christ is among us, whenever we gather in church, to demonstrate a power among us. If we devote ourselves to anything less than a divinely directed destiny, we have missed the goal of faith. [Todd Weir, What Will You Do with Us, Jesus?]
Under New Management
A certain Army man had been a heavy drinker for 35 years. For all those years he had been angry - angry at everyone and everything. Finally, he encountered Christ and his whole life changed. He was speaking once before a group of medical people. He told them of his personality change, how he was now sober as he once had been drunk; considerate as he once had been severe; concerned for others as once he had been selfish and self-serving. A psychiatrist, who believed that personalities are so firmly set in early life that no one can change, protested to the Colonel that at his age a person could not have such a radical transformation. “Well,” replied the Colonel, “that may be true. But I am under new management - I answer to another authority - the highest and truest there is.” [Traditional]
Getting to Know People
in the Pews
Did you know that Judy Andrews and Dick Leggett are brother and sister? Ghent supervisor Larry Andrews is a retired Math teacher. Martha Leggett’s aunt M. (Matilda) Irene Ashley was a long time Latin teacher at Chatham high school.
Nancy Romanchuk and Frannie Schools (of Old Ghent Realty) are sisters. Nancy Berninger and Nora Van Brunt, once called Butchie, are cousins. Nancy’s brother Albert was a much loved pastor of the GRC.
Florence, Mildred, and Richard Felpel are related to Shirley Gibbons, (mother’s name was Laura Felpel), and Nora Felpel Van Brunt. Bunny is really Margaret De Long. Don Bertram and Marion Ozga are brother and sister and their baby brother is former sheriff, Jim Bertram.
Larry Van Brunt has native American heritage and is a Mayflower descendent of William Brewster. Robbie Keller is a math teacher, and Suzanne Hatch a house painter. Gerald Washington played professional football for the Seattle Sea Hawks.
Pastor Nancy was in Oklahoma when the Federal Building was bombed happened and again in 2001 when 9/11 happened—at which point people began to say, “Every time you come to Oklahoma, something blows up!”
Liz Grattan is an oncology nurse. Liz’s folks, Bob and Jeannette Mink owned the Val Kin restaurant for years. Ed Coon’s first wife Joyce and Booty (Eleanor) Fenoff’s husband Dick, (both deceased), were brother and sister. Bev Coon has a Masters degree in education.
Pastor Nancy lived in Germany for 2 years and worked as a bilingual secretary there, translating from German dictation to English.
Angie Burch is Christine (Burch) Blahut’s daughter in law. Bob Cullen was a school principal. Butch and Judy Harrison are parents of Sheriff David Harrison.
A little congregational trivia which was fun to do and we will again sometime, as there much more information to tell. The world is small and often related, so when you speak, make it a complement, ‘cause you never know
Last month we asked who was a “Fuller Brush Salesman?”
The answer is a consistory member.
Can you figure out which one?
Getting to Know People
in the Pews
Margaret Rose Bemiss was born September 6, 1935 to Charles and Margaret Bemiss of East Chatham. She was born in a hospital in Chatham on Rte. 203, but not the one where the drugstore is now. Even though her mom was Margaret she was named Margaret Rose after Princess Margaret of Great Britain.
A cute snow suit with a hood that stuck up at the corners like rabbit ears earned her the name “Bunny” and that was that.
Bunny attended school in East Chatham, Preston Hollow and then in third grade started at Chatham where she graduated.
Bruce and Bunny Delong were married in 1954, had 3 sons, Jim, Charlie, and Bob. Bruce left her a widow in 1987 and her younger sister Mary died in 2000.
Bunny worked for the NYS insurance fund and then at her sister-in-law’s business “Leona’s Tailoring” for 8 years. She loves the color blue, and yet collects “anything” with a red cardinal on it. Bunny’s real passion is dancing. “I loooove to square dance,” she says and that is how she met Don Bertram. They have shared their lives and a home since 1989.
Bunny also likes country music, 50s rock and roll and big band music too. She has been involved in the community and church for most of her adult life. She transferred her membership from Chatham Reformed to Ghent about 30 years ago and has been an active member at GRC ever since, volunteer-ing to work for and at events and was on consistory. Bunny was honored by the Town of Ghent with a certificate of appreciation last year for her participation in Cub Scouts, Little League, 4H, and the Ghent Recreation Committee.
Bunny has 5 grand children, and 2 step grands, 2 great-grands plus 7 step-great grands, and a step great-great grandchild. Family is most important but, working out side, knitting, crocheting, reading and eating pizza and spaghetti and meatballs are big enjoyments for her as well. Dosie-Do your partner Bunny.
Getting to Know People
in the Pews
Everything you always wanted to know about Bert, but afraid to ask. Bert was born in Coalburn, a coal mining town in south central Scotland, on 7/29/42 in the middle of World War II, the middle child of 5 (which explains a lot). He attended school to age of 15, then worked on a farm with Clydesdales. He apprenticed with the gas board while they were switching from coal heat to gas. Bert signed on with the British Army and served in Gibraltar, the Yemen, Germany, and Northern Ireland.
After a 14 year hitch he left the Army and had a number of short-term jobs, such as, building snooker tables, radiators, delivering potato chips, driving school buses, being a tour guide, bartender, among others [but not brain surgery].
In 1994 he came to the US to marry, yet again, and became a citizen in 1997. He has worked in “Slit and Peek” at INS in Vermont and was involved in an anthrax scare in 2001. On the upside, 2001 was the same year he met Nancy on line, and they married in 2002.
We all know Bert’s wonderful sense of humor, but did you know he mows our church and parsonage lawns as his contribution to the church? Thanks Bert! Need to know anything else? Ask him, he’s the guy with a beard and probably a tie. (editor’s note: Bert does not like to be told he sounds like Sean “my-daddy’s-a-milk-man” Connery, because the reverse is actually the truth!
P.S. If you would like to be the subject of next month’s column please let Pastor Nancy know and she will talk to the proper people.
Did you know?
Pastor Nancy graduated in the year 2000 from New Brunswick Theological Seminary in New Jersey. Her alma mater will be celebrating the 225th anniversary of its founding [by John H. Livingston] all during 2009. In 2010 it will celebrate the 200th anniversary of its presence in New Brunswick. Theme of the anniversary celebrations will be “Seeking the Welfare of the City” a prophetic passage from Jeremiah 29 which speaks to NBTS’s commitment to public theology and urban ministry. There may be some local events because of this area’s connection to the Livingston Family. Pastor Nancy will keep us informed.
GETTING TO KNOW PEOPLE IN THE PEWS
Lawrence Edward Van Brunt
was born and raised in Greenport just outside Hudson. He has one sister Linda who is four years younger. Larry attended Greenport and Hudson schools and Hudson Valley Polytechnical (Now HVCC) where he received a degree in Civil Engineering and met nora, his wife of 46 years. They have two grown sons and five grandchildren. Larry worked for NYDOT for 40 years retiring in the year 2000. He has worked part-time for the Sheriff's Department for many years and you can still see him at the Courthouse or at DMV. He is currently councilman and deputy supervisor for the town of Ghent, so Larry is one of the people to see for suggestions and questions having to do with town business. Larry is a passionate collector of NASCAR die cast replicas. He is a life member of the NRA and has a Federal firearms license. He is past master and former district deputy with the Masons. Larry is very interested in genealogy since discovering he is a descendant of pilgrim William Brewster. He has joined the Mayflower Society. Larry has held so many offices within Ghent Reformed Church consistory, board of elders and Classis that he is "the face" of GRC at Classis meetings. He was the only lay person to ever install a minister and has beenr eferred to often as Rev. Larry. Larry has a wonderful sense of humor and is especially fond of the old Andy Griffith shows. Next time you see Larry ask him about those B.N. dates with Sally C. (Nora agrees Larry has great taste in women.)
Getting to Know People
in the Pews
Dorothea Tina Mumm was born in Germany where her father worked on the Keil Canal, which was begun in 1887. It took 9,000 workers and eight years to complete the connection from the North Sea to the Baltic. When his health deteriorated the family decided to move to the United States, settling in Deerfield, Kansas.
Dorothea married Garrett Bruce Giphens and, together, raised their children William, Dorothea, and Barbara in Fowler, Colorado. The children attended first through 12th grade there.
After graduation, Dorothea Elizabeth attended the University of Colorado, studying liberal arts and "boys". In her sophomore year, she came back home to care for her ill mother. Betty, as she was called, because there were 3 Dorotheas in the house at that time, decided to take a Cosmotology course eventually working for and then, with sister Barbara, purchasing the "Barbet" Beauty Shop. It seems that fate had the name prearranged for Barb and Betty.
Betty met her future husband on a prearranged date by his Aunt; however, she was unimpressed and had a boyfriend at the time. Her family moved to Pueblo, Colorado where she met up with Harold Graham again. This time it was different. They married and had a family; Stephen, Brian and Marcia.
Harold and Betty owned and operated a wholesale petroleum business and a 20 unit motel with a little convenience store and gas pumps in Wyoming. Betty was the bookkeeper for the whole shebang.
At 59 Harold became very ill and, shortly after they sold the business, he died. The new owners failed to honor the agreement of the sale and Betty found herself owning and running the business again, this time alone, for 6 years.
Betty was active in the Community Church, which is Methodist affiliated, and was their treasurer for 41 years. Through the church she did "Volunteer Nation," which included trips to places like Mexico, Russia, and the Rosebud Indian reservations.
Dorothea Elizabeth Giphens Graham has suffered some great losses in her life. Her brother, William, died at age 45, her husband at 59, son, Stephen, at 39, and son, Brian, at 54. She says, "God never gives us more than we can bear. In grief, you must have something to look forward to. Always!"
Because of her daughter Marcia's long association with Continental Airlines, Betty has become a world traveler visiting Australia, Europe, Africa and the like. As long as there’s a seat open, she can fly for free. There’s a village in the south of France, not far from Spain, that she and her best friend like to visit together. Betty said, "The Safari in Kenya was the most impressive or maybe it was Costa Rica." She loves to travel and is grateful for the opportunity to do so.
Betty moved to Chatham, when son Brian died, and appreciates the friends she has made at GRC, who have have helped her work through her grief.
Betty is proud of her seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She says she has been especially blessed with good health.
You might think that by her appearance and demeanor she is a very conservative lady, but she likes country and classical music, reading, and spicy Mexican foods. Don't be surprised if you see her wearing hot pink because that is the color she likes best.
Our new office assistant, Lisa Andrews, formerly Lisa Nadeau, was born and raised in Troy, NY (Lansingburgh). She is the daughter of Bernard Nadeau of Rotterdam and Cheryl Quackenbush Hayden of Lansingburgh, and is the oldest of one brother, one half brother and three half sisters.
After graduating from Lansingburgh High School, Lisa attended HVCC where she received her associate’s degree in telecommunications. She then moved to Utica to further her education by attending SUNY IT at Utica/ Rome, where she earned a bachelor's degree in the same field.
Lisa worked for the US Postal Service for 7 years as a data conversion operator, letter carrier, and rural carrier before leaving to work, in her field of study, for the Richmond Telephone Co. as a telephone/computer network technician. She realized that being on call 24/7 and wanting to start a family didn’t go hand in hand, so she left Richmond Telephone. A few months later, she began working for The Kleeber Agency in Valatie where she worked for over two years as a Commercial and Personal Lines Customer Service Rep.
On February 26, 2005 Lisa married Jim Andrews (the son of Larry and Judy Andrews and the brother of Leah Prack). They have 1 daughter, Addison, who is 2 1/2. Lisa became a stay at home Mom when Addison was born on May 28, 2007. Other family members, she calls her "kids", are their two dogs: Coco a 6 year old Chocolate Lab and Roxy a Black Lab, 10 months.
Lisa loves traveling, yoga and country music. She also loves to watch American Idol with her husband Jim; although, her personal favorite is Private Practice. If Lisa could choose any place to be, it would be on the beach with her family.
Our new GRC secretary seems to be learning her responsibilities quite well. She accomplishes the bulletins, newsletters, correspondence, and telephone communication each week and is not opposed to taking work home, so she can do any emailing and be with Addison (that all sounds familiar).
If you’d like to meet Lisa, stop in Monday thru Thursday from 9-noon and say "HI".
She is not in our pew, but she is close by at the Chatham Rural Cemetery after passing away on May 13, 1971 at a nursing home in Valatie. Laura Virginia O’Hanlon Douglas was born in 1889 in Manhattan NY. Laura received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1910 from Hunter College, a Masters Degree in Education from Columbia University in 1912, and a doctorate from Fordham University. She was a school teacher in the NY City school system and a junior principal there before retiring in 1959. She was married and divorced and has a daughter Laura. She is not remembered for her education or her teaching ability. Virginia, as she was known, made a name for herself when she was only eight years old and wrote a letter to Frank P. Church, editor of the New York Sun. His answer, she said, shaped the direction of her life positively.
Dear Editor: I am 8 years old.
Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says "If you see it in The Sun it's so."
Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?
Virginia O'Hanlon.
Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, and no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world. You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, and romance can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank God! He lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
