Steeple Chimes

 

         

 

 

 

 

First  Presbyterian  Church            497  Pulaski  Road  

Greenlawn,  NY    11740    

                 Phone:  (631)  261-­‐2150   Fax:  (631)  261-­‐0348      Email:  fpcgreenlawn@optonline.net  

 April  2013  

ISSUE:  One  Hundred  Fifty-­‐Seven      

   

 

   

Message from the Pastor

When I was a child, my oldest brother used to throw me up in the air and catch me as I began to fall back down again to the earth. Sometimes he would run about while holding me aloft above his head with one hand. In response to all such delights I laughed giddily. And I screamed out the mantra of children in every time and place, “do it again!”

During the seven Sundays of Eastertide that culminate on the last Sunday before Pentecost, the church joins together in giddy shouts and squeals of resurrection laughter. It screams like little children in their delight, “do it again.” And God does! In God’s endless joy in recreating the world God first created in love, God makes Easter happen again and again and again. For, as Will Willimon once put it, Easter is not over until God says it’s over.

According to the Apostle Paul (1 Cor. 15:20-28) Christ’s resurrection has set in motion a chain of events that has unleashed both our present and our future. The promise of the Resurrection is that “in Christ all will be made alive.” This promise has both a present and a future dimension.

As we experience it in the present, what God has done for us in Jesus Christ is akin to what God had done for barren Sarah when he eastered her from her hopelessness to make her the matriarch of our faith. God joins us with this giddy one who proclaimed, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me” (Gen. 21:6).

Over the seven Sundays of Easter let us join together in hearty resurrection laughter, laughter that responds to the powerful word of God who breaks the grip of the death that is around us and in us. Let us join together in the giddy laughter that receives the newness that is outside our control and is neither to be explained nor explained away. Let us join together in the newness that is ours in Jesus Christ, the newness that we receive as sheer gift. For what the psalmist had said all along is true! “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning… You turned our wailing into dancing; you removed our sackcloth and clothed us with joy that our hearts may sing to you and not be silent” (Ps. 30:5, 11). See you in church!

Pastor Fred

 

Spring Cleanup Workday

Saturday, April 13

9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon

Please come and help us clean.

There is something for everyone to do!!!

Please sign up on the

Bulletin Board

Thank you!

Buildings and Grounds Committee

   

 

Church  Officers  Retreat:  Saturday,  April  27,  2013  

 Elders   and   Deacons,   both   new   and   returning,   don’t   miss   the  annual  leadership  retreat  coming  up  later  this  month  at  the  Presbytery  Center.    

As   in  the  past,   this  retreat  will  be  as   informative  as   it   is   fun,  and  there  will  be  good  food.  

 The  date:  April  27,  2011,  9:00  a.m.  to  2:30  p.m.  

 The   place:   the   Presbytery   Center,   42  Hauppauge   Rd,   Commack,  NY  (near  the  corner  of  Commack  Road,  just  west  of  the  library)  

 The   leader:   Elder   Marie   Zupka-­‐Ludder,   Associate   for  Congregational  Resourcing  for  the  Presbytery  of  Long  Island,  and  friend  to  our  congregation.  

Opera Returns to Greenlawn

On April 27th, at 7:30 p.m. Gina Colao Decker and her friends from “Opera Et Al” will be offering another concert of opera arias, Neapolitan classics, and American standards at our church. The theme for the April concert is “Spring Serenade.” As at our February concert, light refreshments will be served and a modest $10 admission charge will be collected.

Gina, a resident of St. James, has performed locally under the auspices of both Smithtown Methodist Church and the Smithtown Arts Council, and at other venues throughout New York State. She brings with her talented musicians from New York City and elsewhere who share her passion for the human voice. Come catch the excitement and joy of it, and simply to have a good time.

Submitted by Pastor Fred

 

 

Deacon  Yard  Sale  Saturday  May  18th  

Please   look   through   your   attics,   closets,   yards   and   garages   and   start   setting  aside  any  items  you  no  longer  use  or  need  BUT  may  be  just  what  someone  else  has  been  looking  for!    

Be  sure  that  the  items  you  donate  are  clean  and  in  good  working  order  before  making  a  donation.  

We  are  accepting  clothes,  toys,  electronics,  Christmas  items  or  any  type  of  odds  and  ends.  

*See  upcoming  church  bulletins  for  more  information  as  to  when  and  where  to  begin  dropping  off  your  items  

Thank  You  in  advance  for  all  your  contributions!    

 

 

 

Proving  Our  Mettle  

  A  strong  congregation  proves  its  mettle  in  the  way  it  cares  for  its  members,  carries  out  its  mission  in  the  world,  and  struggles  with  tough  questions.      Among  those  questions  are  the  following:    

  Who  are  we  and  what’s  our  story?  

  What  does  it  mean  for  us  to  be  a  church?  

  What  is  our  purpose  at  this  time,  and  in  this  place?  

  What  is  God  calling  us  to  do  right  now  and  tomorrow?  

  Who  are  our  neighbors  and  how  are  we  related  to  them?  

  What  resources  do  we  need  to  accomplish  our  purpose?  

  Faith  has  much   less   to  do  with  offering  easy  answers   than   living   faithfully  with  the  tough  questions.  Whether  or  not  you  are  a  deacon  or  ruling  elder,   join  the  conversation.    It’s  an  important  one.  

Submitted  by  Pastor  Fred    Session  Update  

• The  spring  Church  Work  Day  will  be  on  Saturday,  April  13th,  from  9:00  am  until  noon.  Come  out  and  help  us  spruce  up  our  church  facility.  

• There  will  be  an  Officers  Retreat  for  all  elders  and  deacons  on  Saturday,  April  27th  from  9:00  am  to  2:30  pm.  

• The  second  Gina  Calao  Deker  opera  concert  will  take  place  on  Saturday,  April  27th  at  7:30  pm  and  will  include  a  program  of  opera  arias,  neopolitan  classics  and  American  standards.  

• The  Deacons  spring  Yard  Sale  will  be  held  on  Saturday,  May  18th,  from  9:00  am  to  3:00  pm.  

• The  church’s  Policy  and  Procedures  Manual  is  being  revised  and  updated.  • The  May  meeting  of  Session  will  be  held  on  Wednesday,  May  22nd.  • The  pastor  will  be  away  on  Study  Leave  from  May  13th  –  21st.  

 

 

 

PRESS  RELEASE    

Hospice  volunteers  are  a  special  gift  to  those  overwhelmed  with  the  responsibility  of  caring  for  someone  who  is  at  the  end  of   life.    Volunteers  provide  companionship  to  patients  and  respite   to   families.     Visiting   Nurse   Service   and   Hospice   of   Suffolk,   Inc.   is   offering   our  community  a  Volunteer  Training  Program.    The  program,  which  is  held  in  Northport,  will  run  on   Wednesday   and   Thursday   evenings   from   6:00   p.m.-­‐9:00   p.m.   starting   May   15th   and  conclude  on  May  23rd.      Pre-­‐registration  is  required.    For  more  information,  please  contact  Amanda  Dubinsky,  Volunteer  Coordinator  @  631.930.9340  or  adubinsky@vnshs.org.  

If You See Something, Say Something

When was the last time when the church and the church’s God genuinely mattered to you? For me, that “last time” was only yesterday, and I am really glad because I know first hand that there is perhaps nothing sadder than to live out of a past-tense kind of faith.

For me that “last time” was just yesterday in worship (March 10th) when Michelle Perrotta spoke to the congregation about her recent trip to Nicaragua. Hearing her Sunday reminded me of why it is I come to church, why I serve as your pastor. Why? Because you never know when God is going to turn up and turn your life upside down!

The invitation I extended to Michelle I extend to all of you. Because if you see something, maybe you really should say something. This is the way our Directory of Worship puts it, “Worship should always offer opportunities to respond to Christ’s call to become disciples by professing faith, by uniting with the church, and by taking up the mission of the people of God, as well as opportunities for disciples to renew the commitment of their lives to Jesus Christ and his mission in the world. As the Holy Spirit has graced each member with particular gifts for strengthening the body of Christ for mission, so worship should provide opportunities to recognize these gifts and to offer them to serve Christ in the church and in the world” (W-2-5002).

The invitation I extended to Michelle I extend to all of you because God sometimes bursts forth into our lives unexpected and even unbidden. If you, like Michelle, notice that you are being swept up into a new kind of time, God’s time, don’t just stand there, do something. And maybe you need not only to do something, but also to just stand there… stand there before our congregation and testify to what you have seen.

We’re in this journey together and we need each other. And one of the reasons we need each other is because God grants it to us to see in each other the face of Christ. Encountering Christ in one another helps to keep our faith fresh, helps to keep it in the present tense. So if you see something, for God’s sake say something.

Submitted by Pastor Fred

 

 

 

My  Gift  

1. I  have  not  much  to  offer  Thee-­‐No  silver,  gold,  or  fame.  I  nothing  have  but  me,  you  see  –a  heart  to  praise  Thy  name.  

No  offering  but  a  stammering  tongue.  Two  eager  hands,  but  slow.  A  willing  mind,  a  ready  soul  to  weak,  and  this  you  know.  My  gift  so  humble  and  so  weak,  I  am  so  prone  to  fall.  If  Thou  canst  use  it,  take  it  please-­‐  I  give  to  Thee  my  all.  

Jennifer  Quartell  2. Carve  your  name  on  hearts  and  not  on  marble.  

Charles  Spurgeon    

3. Everyone  admits  that  love  is  wonderful  and  necessary,  but  no  one  can  agree  on  what  it  is.  

      Diane  Ackerman    

4. If  you  have  love  in  your  heart  you  always  have  something  to  give.  

Unknown              

“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known” The Deacons

                                                       April Happenings  

Saturday April 13 – Church Work Day

9 AM – 12 Noon – light refreshments will be provided

Come out and help us do “Spring Cleaning” of God’s House

Sunday April 14 P.A.C.K. Event 2-3 PM

~Planned Act of Christian Kindness~

Go into our community and give away a FREE item with a connection card for our church. All are welcome to join us!

Saturday April 27 – Opera Concert

7:30 PM Greenlawn Church ~ Cost $10/pp

“Friday Night Live” will meet;

April 5 & 19 7:30-9:30PM

Meet in the YG room ~ bring a friend!

 

 

PRAYER CORNER

APRIL 2013

A CHILD’S PRAYER

~M. Betham-Edwards

God, make my life a little light, within the world to glow;

A little flame that burneth bright, wherever I may go.

God, make my life a little flower, that giveth joy to all,

Content to bloom in native bower, although the place be small.

God, make my life a little song, that comforteth the sad,

That helpeth others to be strong, and makes the singer glad.

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GOD MADE THE SUN

~Leah Gale

God made the sun and God made the tree,

God made the mountains and God made me.

I thank you, O God, for the sun and the tree,

For making the mountains and for making me.

--------------------------------------------

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone

who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience,

so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior

in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

1 Peter 3:15b-16 NIV

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Lord, lay on my heart whom I should pray for today.

Show me how to encourage them, I pray.

Touch someone’s heart to pray for me, too,

And bless our friendship with each other and you.

~Nancian Davis Hall

 

Have  You  Named  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Greenlawn  in  Your  Will?  

A  properly  executed  will   permits   you   to  accomplish  goals  even  after   your  passing.    One  of  those  goals  may  be  to  create  a   legacy  for  the  First  Presbyterian  Church   of   Greenlawn.     A   bequest   in   your   will   might   be   a   specified   amount,   a  

percentage   of   your   estate,   or   a   residual   amount   (after   expenses   and   other  bequests  have  been  deducted).  

Speak  with  your  attorney  about  how  best  to  include  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Greenlawn  in  your  will  given  your  special  circumstances.    Although  your  attorney  can  assist  you  with  specific  language,  here  is  some  typical  language  that  might  help  you  get  the  conversation  started  with  your  attorney.  

General  Bequest.      A  general  bequest   is  among  the  most  popular  ways  to  make  a  planned  gift.    In  a  general  bequest,  you  leave  a  specified  dollar  amount:  “I  give   _________   (insert   dollar   amount)   to   the   First   Presbyterian   Church   of  Greenlawn,  497  Pulaski  Rd,  Greenlawn,  NY  11740  as  an  unrestricted  gift.”  

Percentage  of  Estate:  You  can  also  designate  some  portion  or  percentage  of   your   estate:   “I   give______  %   (insert   specific   percentage)  of  my   estate   to   the  First   Presbyterian   Church   of   Greenlawn,   497   Pulaski   Rd.,   Greenlawn,   NY   11740,  after   all   debts,   taxes,   expenses,   and   all   other   bequests   have   been   paid   as   an  unrestricted  gift.”      

Residuary   Bequest.     You   can   also   designate   what   some   describe   as   a  residuary  bequest:  “I  give  the  remainder  of  the  property  I  own  at  death  to  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Greenlawn,  497  Pulaski  Rd,  Greenlawn,  NY  11740,  after  all  debts,   taxes,  expenses  and  all  other  bequests  have  been  paid  as  an  unrestricted  gift.”  

The  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Greenlawn  has  a  proud  heritage,  and  your  gifts   and   bequests   can   assure   its   continuance   into   the   future.     Thank   you   for  keeping  the  promise  of  that  future  in  your  prayers.  

                                                                         Submitted  by  Pastor  Fred  

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WINNERS AND LOSERS ~Author Unknown

A winner says, "Let’s find out." A loser says, "Nobody knows."

When a winner makes a mistake, he says, "I was wrong." When a loser makes a mistake, he says, "It wasn’t my fault."

A winner isn’t nearly as afraid of losing as a loser is secretly afraid of winning.

A winner works harder than a loser and has more time; a loser is always "too busy" to do what is necessary.

A winner goes through a problem; a loser goes around it and never gets past it.

A winner makes commitments; a loser makes promises.

A winner says, "I’m good, but not as good as I ought to be"; a loser says, "I’m not as bad as a lot of other people."

A winner listens, a loser just waits until it’s his turn to talk.

A winner respects those who are superior to him and tries to learn something from them; a loser resents those who are superior to him and tries to find chinks in their armor.

A winner explains; A loser explains away.

A winner feels responsible for more than his job; a loser says, "I only work here."

A winner says, "There ought to be a better way to do it"; a loser says, "That’s the way it’s always been done here."

A winner paces himself; a loser has only two speeds -- hysterical and lethargic.

Submitted by Betty Chatfield

 

 

 

 

COME IN ~Mary Ann Allen

 Come into my home and be hugged, my friend, Where joys begin and troubles end. Our dreams and memories we’ll blend, And we’ll speak of God’s love that will never end.

Oh, praise His precious name! The curtains are drawn, the sash is up, The kettle sings of the warming cup. Together we will chat and sup, No cares of earth will our joy disrupt. Oh, praise His precious name! I’ll tell you how He’s been so true, You tell me all He’s done for you, And we’ll deeply drink of a heavenly brew God’s blessed love will there renew. Oh, praise His holy name. submitted by Betty Chatfield