September 2016 Page 1

Inside This Issue…

Join the Choir 1 Fall Worship Schedule 1 Gnagy Gnews 2 Calendar 3 Caring Ministry 4 Building & Grounds 5-6 Christian Education 7-8 Upcoming Events 9 Samaritan Center 9 Presbyterian Women 10 Samaritan Center 10

Food Pantry Hours: Tuesday 11AM-12PM and 6:30PM - 7:30PM

Newsletter of the Marcellus First Presbyterian Church Main & North Streets, Marcellus, NY 13108

315-673-2201 September 2016

Join the

CHOIR A fun and rewarding way to contribute to our

church’s ministry

Not necessary to be an expert music reader

Rehearsals: Thursdays from 7:30 – 8:30 PM beginning September 8 and Sundays before

church at 9:30

Questions? contact Alan Beyel 673-9635 or abeyel1@twcny.rr.com

Fall Worship Sunday, September 4 will be the last Sunday for summer worship hours. Worship time will be 10:00 a.m. beginning September 11.

Ecumenical Worship in the Park On Sunday, September 11, there will be an ecumenical worship ser-vice in Marcellus Park, in the Grove Pavilion, lower entrance. The ser-vice will begin at 10:00 a.m. and communion will be served. There will be a picnic following at 11:00 a.m. – please feel free to join us! Potluck only – No hot dogs this year, but beverage will be provid-ed. Please bring a dish to pass, your own table service (including a cup for your beverage), and a lawn chair.

September 2016 Page 2

Gnagy Gnews

September is upon us and, after the summer “break” when there are fewer activities, committee meetings and special events, we are get-ting ready to leap into fall. The last Sunday at summer worship time of 9:30 a.m. will be September 4, Labor Day weekend. After that worship will begin at 10:00 a.m., until Memorial Day weekend.

It’s time for the ecumenical worship service and picnic in the park at 10:00 a.m. on September 11th. So far the forecast for that Sunday is a good one, with a possibility of showers only later in the day, but we’ll see what happens! Nevertheless, I am hoping to experience my first picnic actually in the park with you and with our ecumenical friends, with worship, communion and a great potluck luncheon – but if it rains, we will still have a great time in Shinaman Hall!

Articles in this newsletter share the news of many projects that have been completed, such as those un-dertaken by Building & Grounds in recent months, with more projects underway as well. And we also have news of things that are about to happen – such as the kick off of a new year of Christian Education, looking ahead to the annual Harvest Dinner, and the resumption of choir rehearsals.

Much of this sounds like resuming our “normal” activities, doesn’t it? Yet there is also change involved. Sunday School classes are resuming – but they may be done in different ways. The Seeking Wisdom class continues to meet – but is beginning a new book, a new discussion, a new vision. Committee meetings are resuming – but membership on those committees is changing, and though many “usual” activities will occur there will also be some change. Work schedules change, new people join commit-tees, people need to leave due to changing work schedules, family commitments, health issues, or a de-sire to serve in new and different ways.

It is always a challenge to resume “normal” activities when things change and are no longer the same as they were before. Whether it’s having a child go off to college or losing a loved one, “normal” just doesn’t feel the same any more. So how do we proceed?

First of all, we turn to God, the One who, by the power at work within us, is able to do abundantly far more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). In the midst of all the changing circumstances we experience, God’s mercy, grace and steadfast love remain constant. Thanks be to God!

And we turn to one another – because as Presbyterians we do this together! We worship together, we serve together, we prepare and share meals together, we study together, we sing together – and togeth-er it all keeps happening, in new ways and old, in joy and in sadness, in new circumstances both excit-ing and sorrowful. One of the most powerful things I have found in my life in the church is the way we hold the faith, together, even when one or more of us is finding it hard to do so individually. We hold one another up in faith and prayer, as Jesus taught us. We find, even as his disciples did, that together we can go on, and together we will discern, find, and follow where God would have us go.

So as we kick off another September season, take time to pray and give thanks – and then jump in to-gether, as we find what things, both old and new, are in store for us!

Grace and peace,

Pastor Pam

September 2016 Page 3

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

10:30 am

Coffee hour at

First Cup Café

2

3

9 am Zumba

11 am Mary Jane

Fellows Memorial

Service

4

9:30 am Worship at

MFPC

5

6

10 am—Noon

Open Office

Hours

7 pm Mission

Interpretation

Meeting

7

8 pm AA Meeting

8 pm Al Anon

Meeting

8

10:30 am

Coffee hour at

First Cup Café

7:30 pm Choir

Rehearsal

9

10

9 am Zumba

11-Communion

10:00 am Ecumenical

worship in the Park

11:00 am Picnic in the

Park

12

7 pm Board of

Deacons Meet-

ing

13

14

8 pm AA Meeting

8 pm Al Anon

Meeting

15

10:30 am

Coffee hour at

First Cup Café

7:30 pm Choir

Rehearsal

16

17

9 am Zumba

18—Food Pantry Sunday

10:00 am Worship

10:30 am Church

School

19

7 pm Building

& Grounds

20

10 am Finance

& Stewardship

Meeting

21

8 pm AA Meeting

8 pm Al Anon

Meeting

22

10:30 am

Coffee hour at

First Cup Café

.

7:30 pm Choir

Rehearsal

23

.

24

9 am Zumba

25

10:00 am Worship

10:30 am Church

School

Samaritan Center

26

7 pm Session

Meeting

27

10 am—Noon

Open Office

Hours

28

8 pm AA Meeting

8 pm Al Anon

Meeting

29

10:30 am

Coffee hour at

First Cup Café

7:30 pm Choir

Rehearsal

30

September 2016

September 2016 Page 4

Communion To Shut-Ins

The Deacons coordinate the offering of the Sacrament of Holy Communion to the homebound on Sundays that we celebrate the Sacrament in worship.

If you are homebound and would like to receive Communion, please call the Church Office, 673-2201, or Deb Swankey, Moderator of the Deacons, at 673-1403.

CONNECTIONS

Connections is published the first of each month by the Marcellus First Presbyterian Church. Deadline for materials is the 20th of the month preceding the month of publication. Submit materials and address changes to Church Office.

Marcellus First Presbyterian Church

PO Box 147, 1 East Main St. Marcellus, NY 13108 Phone: 315-673-2201

e-mail: office@marcelluspc.com website:

www.marcelluspresbyterian.com Worship: 10:00 AM Church School 10:30 AM

Views expressed are those of the authors and not official positions of the Session, unless noted.

Food Pantry Hours Tuesdays

11 am - 12 noon & 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Caring Ministry

IN OUR PRAYERS…

...Family and Friends of MaryJane Fellows ...Gwenn Rice ...Lynn Rice ...Hank Bartholomew and family ...Linda Ball ...Jan Linderman ...Joanne Cramer ...Roger Hakes ...Mike Caster ...Tony Lombardo ...Our Armed forces worldwide ...Our friends & loved ones in need ...15th Anniversary of 9/11 The Deacons

Happy Birthday... Russell Gooden 08/01 Robbie Hakes 08/02 Kay Rice 08/02 Sara Rice 08/02 Lisa Vaughn 08/10 Faith Seeley 08/13 Emily Brown 08/13 Shawna Rice 08/17 Tyrone King 08/18 Alexandra Novak 08/23 Samantha Bentley 08/25 Samantha Gates 08/26 Charlie Smith 08/27 Alan Beyel 08/29 Mary Heil 08/31 Samantha Wickett 08/31 Robin Winoski 09/02 Meghan Barner 09/05 Howard Carey 09/06 Helen Stevens 09/11 Jane Horyl 09/14 Martha Cole 09/15 Jim Seeley 09/15 Mary DeSantis 09/16 Nicki Arnett-Burke 09/19 Marion Smith 09/20 Gabriella Hakes 09/20 Margaret Johnstone 09/22 Dean DeSantis 09/29

Worship Attendance

August 7 95 August 14 88 August 21 79 August 28 101

Happy Anniversary... Stu & Nancy Holden 08/04 James & Beth Seeley 08/11 Greg & Deb Quick 08/11 Keith & Bobbie Severson 08/15 Marty & Sue Wegman 08/18 Ed & Gladys Nelson 08/21 Al & Geneva Hayden 08/23 Tim & Deb Swankey 08/26 Karl & Mary Barner 08/28 Peter & Becky Hakes 08/28 Lou & Shirley Marble 08/29 Pat & Jane Tobin 08/31 Jack & Carolyn Rice 09/02 Garth & Gerry Snyder 09/06 Bob & June Laird 09/06 Bert & Shirley Gooden 09/07 Alan Beyel & Sue Bird 09/10 Brian & Deb Abbott 09/10 Tom & Hala O’Neil 09/11 Mike & Nicki Burke 09/25

September 2016 Page 5

Building and Grounds Committee

Accomplishments

The B&G Committee has been continuing to take care of our church and its grounds. Last year we re-

paired the parking lot giving us another 10 years before a major redoing on it. We also installed LED

lights throughout the church property to decrease our utility bills. A new front porch floor was added.

Concrete walks that were deteriorating or damaged were replaced. The choir room was completely re-

painted and improved. As much as these projects were needing to be done, there was still more to do in

2016.

This year we met and listed a number of things that needed attention. The downstairs toilets were be-

coming a costly plumbing problem. Some carpeting was deteriorating. The tool room was unorganized

and had materials and supplies that were no longer used or good. Carpets needed cleaning, and pew

pads had not been cleaned in many years. For several years there had been requests to make the Rose

Stained Glass Windows more visible. The front steps were showing rot. The Shinaman Hall roof had not

been reroofed in nearly 25 years, and we have had continuing ice problems. Some of our landscaping

was getting out of control.

September 2016 Page 6

Building and Grounds Committee

We made some changes already and more may be coming before the year is over. In the downstairs

bathrooms we replaced the paper towels with automatic air hand dryers. So far we have not found

paper towels plugging the sewer pipes. We replaced the toilets in those rooms with pressure assisted

toilets. Our plumber suggested that this may help prevent more plugging, and, so far, no plugs. Stanley

Steamer did our summer carpet cleaning and pew pads. The back row of pews in the balcony, have been

cut and reassembled to allow better visibility of the Rose windows. The tool room has been cleaned and

new lighting installed. The rotten boards on the front steps have been replaced with treated lumber

(we have to wait a while before they can be painted). There has been some weeding and new planters

were placed next to the front steps. Some of the cornish on Shinaman Hall has been power washed in

preparation for painting. We are looking into roofing estimates for Shinaman Hall and tile replacement

in our basement.

We have a beautiful church, but with age comes the need for mainteance. Thanks to you, our generous

members, and an active B&G committee, we are doing a good job of preserving this for another genera-

tion of Marcellians.

September 2016 Page 7

Christian Education

Welcome Back!

It is hard to believe another September has arrived already. it seems the summer passes more quickly each year. The kids are headed back to school, calendars are fuller than ever, and we are getting ready to settle in for the fall. Our regular church school programming will commence on Sunday, September 18, when we return to MFPC for our usual services. Nursery care will be available for the duration of each service on Sunday morning, as needed. The elementary class will be held downstairs in the classroom immediately following the Children’s Sermon. The youth group will be meeting in either the Fireside Room or the youth room, depending on the activity, immediately following the sermon. Students in the youth group should anticipate lessons will conclude toward the end of coffee time in Shinaman Hall. We are looking forward to seeing you all again in just a couple of weeks!

Volunteers Needed…That Means YOU!

As always, we are looking for volunteers to work with the wonderful youth of our church. Our program is very small, but the children make it fun to be a part of and we want to give them the most meaningful experiences we can. We often rely on the same people to lead youth group and teach Sunday school classes year after year. We are blessed to have people willing to serve

the church in this capacity, but it is vital to the energy and success of the groups to have new voices from time to time. If you have ever thought about teaching Sunday school or helping with the youth group and have held yourself back from doing so, now is the time!! Whether you’re new to the church, a long time member, a parent, have taught in the past or not….all are invited to be part of the Christian Education team and will be given any necessary support and guidance by the CE committee and current leaders. Please consider participating and contributing to the future of our church in this way! See or call Allison Ray with any questions or to express your interest. The Christian Education committee is always open to and seeking new members, as well.

Annual Apple Pie Sale

The MFPC youth will be holding their annual apple pie sale this fall to raise funds in support of youth activities throughout the year. We will plan to take all interested youth apple picking on the morning of Sunday, October 2nd and will return to the church to assemble pies after our visit to the orchard. Pies will be frozen and ready for pick up the next Sunday, October 9th. This year we are asking people to order their pies in advance so that we are sure to have enough for anyone who is interested. We will have extras available on 10/9 for those who decide to make an impulse purchase that morning! :) You will see a clipboard with an order form come around the sanctuary on Sunday mornings in September and an order sheet will be posted on the bulletin board outside of the Christian Education office in the main church hallway. Thanks, in advance, for your support of this fundraising effort!!

September 2016 Page 8

Christian Education

Christian Education Schedule Forthcoming

Brian and Allison Ray, leaders of the youth group, are currently planning out the schedule for the coming 9 months of Sunday school and youth group meetings, as well as for additional activities that will be part of this year’s program. The schedule should be complete by the first class meetings on September 18th and will be distributed to students in class, parents via email and to the church office for inclusion in the church calendar of events. Given the small size of our program, every person is very important to the vibrancy and success of our groups. With this in mind, we would ask that every effort be made to have students attend regular meetings and the special events that are planned. Certainly there will be times when another obligation may prevent a student from attending, but we hope that this will be the exception, not the norm. Thank you so much for continuing to emphasize to the children how important it is to be connected to and participatory in their own spiritual growth and development!!

Confirmation Class To Be Offered

Many thanks to Sandy Manciocchi, who has graciously agreed to teach a Confirmation Class for eligible students this coming Sunday school year. As soon as a series of dates has been set, this information will be communicated to the students and parents. Any youth in grades 8 and above who have not yet participated in a confirmation class are eligible to attend. If you have any questions, please direct them to Allison Ray or Sandy Manciocchi.

Early Call for New Advent Event Organizers

The Advent Event is a wonderful tradition at our church each holiday season and is a great way to help us all get into a festive mood as we approach Christmas. The Christian Education Committee has organized the event since its long-time fearless leader, Jackie Davies, retired from this responsibility. The CE committee did this with the intention of it being a temporary responsibility and would like to request that another congregation member (or several members!) consider taking on the tasks of organizing and offering the event. It’s extremely rewarding and a lot of fun to do!! We would like to see this event continue in someone else’s loving care.

September 2016 Page 9

SEEKING WISDOM Saturday, September 10, 2016 - 10:00 - 11:30 AM - Fireplace Room

Led by Dr. Ginny Smith

On Saturday, September 10, we will continue our conversations using Brian D. McLaren's book entitled We Make the Road By Walking: A Year-Long Quest for Spiritual For-mation, Reorientation, and Activation. Our discussion will combine Bible study and how God's Word impacts our lives as we live them today. In the words of Brian McLaren: “The road of faith is not finished. There is a beautiful land ahead, terra nova waiting to be explored. It will take a lot of us, journeying together, to make the road. I hope you'll be a part of the adventure. The Christian faith is still learning, growing, and changing, and so are we." Please join the conversation. Bring a copy of McLaren's book and a Bible. If you need a copy of either, Ginny will be very happy to get them for you. To derive the most out of our time together, it is recommended for this session and the one in October that you read the Preface, Introduction, and Chapters One and Two. For those who like to plan ahead, future meeting dates for 2016 include: October 15, November 12, and December 10.

Upcoming Events

Will be held on Saturday, October 1st at Long Branch Park. We are starting a team and hope you will join us as walkers or sponsors. See Jamie Johnston at church or call 673-1160.

Upcoming Events CROP Walk - October 23 Harvest Dinner - November 12

September 2016 Page 10

MARCELLUS FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH P.O. Box 147 Marcellus, NY 13108 Address Service Requested

Please use P.O. Box 147 when corresponding with the Church

Presbyterian Women

P.W. will meet on September

14th at

11:30 am in

the Fireside

Room.

Bring

a sandwich.

Dessert and

beverage will be provided. Also

bring any: “Thinking of You”, Get

Well, and Birthday Cards that you

may have.

Jackie Davis

Our next opportunity to serve the folks at the beautiful new Samaritan Center will be on Sunday, September 25, 2016. We will be making the meal AT THE CENTER in the expansive new kitchen. We will need 2-3 volunteers who would be willing to leave for the Center with us between 10 and 10:30 a.m. to start preparing the meal (You will miss worship!). In addition, we will need 16 more volunteers to be there at 12:15 and 16 cakes in 9” by 13” DISPOSABLE pans to be brought to the church Saturday or Sunday a.m. before worship. We will be passing around the clipboard for early and regular volunteers as well as cake sign ups over the next few weeks. Please consider getting involved. Thank you for your interest and participation in this church mission. Nina Wickett