Thanks begins with the small things in one's life at this moment for which we know we are not responsible,

and thank God for them. Our attention then is directed away from ourselves... our needs, problems, sins and outward toward God.

(John B. Coburn, 1957) After almost a year with Palmyra Presbyterians, I am planning to make November a month full of thanks-giving and prayer. I am thankful for life, love and meaningful work. The many specific people for whom I am thankful would take pages and pages to list. I am thankful for the people of Western Presbyterian Church and for your faithfulness, hospitality, and witness to our Lord. I give thanks for the good leadership here. During November, Session is planning a retreat to discuss membership, communication and coordination. There is work to do: places to go and people to meet. I give thanks for your dedication and hard work; for your mission mindedness. I give thanks that toward the end of the month our congregation will be welcoming new members! I give thanks for your generous donations of time, talent and treasure and am looking forward to another year of getting to know you even better. There is a quotation from Abraham Joshua Heschel that I love. It says that if the only prayer we ever uttered was one of thanksgiving that would suffice. I give thanks for life. It is a joy to be with you (most of the time!). This month I travel to Chautauqua and to Chicago for continuing education and a bit of vacation. I’ll be celebrating Thanksgiving with old friends. There are many reasons to give thanks. My dad used to say that life was meant to be shared. Thanks for sharing your life with me. Thanks for the small things of life! Thanks be to God for the gift of communion and the gift of life and yes, dear friends, Happy Thanksgiving. Soli Deo Gloria! Nancy J. Farrell

Nancy’s Nuggets

November 20089

Western Presbyterian Church

The Western Spire

We've all looked at busy, bouncing children and wondered, 'Where do they get all that energy?' Grandparents or adults in particular may feel daunted by the prospect of spending time with little ones. But intergenerational activities can be easy and fun, not to mention good for you, and all involved. Interactions with young people allow adults to relate to another generation, learn about new technology and trends and serve as role models for children growing into tomorrow's adults.

Church provides a natural opportunity for different generations to connect. Consider seasons in the church (like Advent) or sermon and Sunday School themes. Recently, our Sunday School children came together for a group event in Fellowship Hall. We talked about acorns and how they relate to God’s miracle inside all of us. We shared the story The Oak Inside The Acorn. In his touching picture book, master storyteller Max Lucado reveals that each one of us was created for a special purpose. The Oak Inside the Acorn is a heartwarming parable that encourages children to be the best they can be for God. This parallel reminds parents to focus on their children's God-given abilities, while children will see that all they need to do is to "Just be the tree God made you to be."

After reading this wonderful story, the children created their own acorn and explored tiny acorns with magnifying glasses. Each child took an acorn home to plant, to love and nurture. Hmmm…I wonder what will happen in the Spring?

As an adult, how can you participate in this learning?

Spend some time thinking, meditating, and/or journaling on the following thought

starters:

Think about your childhood. What do you remember about acorns?

How did you learn about them and what did you do with them?

What wonder do you feel today as we move through autumn?

How has that changed over the years?

As you reflect on the symbol of the acorn, think about how that connects to your faith.

Bring an acorn to worship and ask a child about it during coffee hour. Let the child share

what they learned in Sunday School. Then, share some of your reflections and experiences.

All adults are invited to participate in our next group project coming up on November 30th at 9:30am in Fellowship Hall. Come and reach out to a child who would love to be in your company. Come share your gifts and talents with the Sunday School program by connecting and enriching a child’s life.

We would love to see you!

Christian Education

Page 2 The Western Spire

The children are back and they are having a wonderful time this fall. Everyone is enjoying the nice weather outside. There has been much talk about pumpkins, nature, and the changing colors of the season. Preschoolers enjoyed a visit from the Palmyra Fire Department and learned about fire safety. The children loved touring the fire trucks and meeting real firefighters. One even dressed up in his official gear! A special thanks to our local heroes, for their time and effort. It is greatly appreciated!

The 4 year old classes went to the Apple Shed in Newark on a beautiful day, where they were shown many different types of apples. They also got to see how cider was made, and how apples are picked from the trees. The highlight of their trip was the hayride the students rode out into the apple orchard.

The 3’s and 4’s recently walked to the Palmyra Library, where they were treated to a special story time. They were also delighted to dress up for their Halloween parade. All of the children had great fun participating in Halloween parties and classroom festivities. The Mom and Tot program began on October 10th, with much success. Everyone is enjoying this inter-active time with their children. Songs, activities, and social time will surely keep the little ones busy! Please remember us when you have any Campbell’s or Tyson labels. We have a basket for them in each stairwell. Also, we are still collecting cans and bottles. Our “We Can” containers can be found in each stairwell too. Thank you!

Canal Town Nursery

Page 3 Volume 1, Issue 1

Plans are well underway for the 2008 Wee-R-Bazaar. I know many church members have been busy with projects since the last Bazaar. Don’t worry if you haven’t started or finished yours yet. This year’s Bazaar will be: Friday November 7, 2008 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Saturday November 8, 2008 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. … so there’s still time to complete your projects (but please get busy!) There will be a couple of new additions this year; a candy booth and Saturday’s luncheon will be replaced with an all day Brunch. We have talked about adding a fish pond but we need a volunteer to man that booth. So far, these young ladies have agreed to chair in the following areas: Advertising: Lois Daniels 986-1312 Friday luncheon: Janet Manketlow 597-4314 Sue Pringle 597-9553 Candy booth: Jane Culver 597-5818 Patty Dlugosh 597-2441 Emily Dlugosh White Elephant Sale: EthelMae Johnson 597-5957 and company Sewing,knitting Crochet projects: Mitzi Adams 597-4514 Baked Foods/Deli Tammy Abbott and 597-4021 “her girls” Saturday brunch Alicia Lynch 597-4849 (work,yes it’s ok to call me here) Woodworking Heidi Jarvis 597-0191 & other specialty projects: Cashiers: Tricia Owen 986-4021 This year we will set up for the Bazaar on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. Volunteers are needed (insert strong men here! to move furniture and set the tables up. Please no donations that evening. Donation drop offs, on Thursday at 7:00 p.m., will be a bit more organized this year. There will be workers to accept your donations, please use the form attached – it will help us to price your projects. Extra forms will be available at the door. If you are unable to drop off that evening, please call me to make other arrangements. Once again, we ask that there are no pre-sales… we’d like to have as much as possible for the sale when we open the doors on Friday. If you have projects ready or know what you’ll be bringing please call the appropriate chair as soon as possible to let us know. Likewise if you would like to work the luncheon, the brunch or as a cashier, please call that chair. It takes far less time for you to call them than it takes the chairs to call every church member. Last year, some of our more popular items were the quilted potholders, mittens, scarves, cro-cheted dish towels and afghans. I’m sure they’ll be just as popular this year. We can use everyone’s help with the advertising. We will have fliers available in the church office or by email. It would be wonderful if all church members could mail or email a flier to at least five friends or family members from out of town or at least outside our church family. We need to expand our horizons and get more of the “general” public to patronize our Bazaar. Questions or suggestions please call Alicia or Heidi.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

News you can use from Wee-R-Bazaar

Page 4

We are in need of red table cloth donations PLEASE~

Food/Craft Donation

Donator:______________________ Phone#__________ Address:________________________________ Items donated and any suggestions for pricing: _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ Are you willing to sell items @ ½ towards end of sale? Y or N Would you like your items returned if they do not sell? Y or N Comments:

Wee-R-Bazaar

Page 5

WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY

Saturday - December 6, 2008 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

WPC Fellowship Hall The WPC Women's Association is once again extending an invitation to all WPC women and their female guests to their upcoming 2008 Holiday Party. LOOK WHAT IS NEW THIS YEAR! We're holding it on a new day as well as a new time. (Saturday instead of Friday) This year's theme is "STARS". Got anything with a star? A sweater, a scarf, a piece of jewelry, etc.? To get in the spirit of the theme, why don't you wear it! Lets see the "stars" come out that night. As always, expect great "refreshments" throughout the evening Door prizes We will once again have the ever popular "White Elephant Exchange" that night. Just wrap up something you would try to sell in a garage sale for participation in the exchange. It's that easy! This event is always a lot of fun and you never know what junk, I mean treasure you could end up with that night!

• Optional Cookie Exchange (bring 2 dozen please put in individual plastic bags of 6 cookies ea.)

Our Holiday Party has now become a “look forward to” annual event. We hope that our change to a Saturday night will bring out even more of you for the party. We guarantee a relaxing and laughing good time. Look for sign-up sheets in or around Fellowship Hall. (Sign up not mandatory to attend Holiday Party, but appreciated.) Please note on sign-up sheet if transportation arrangements are needed to attend party. We wouldn't want you to miss the party for lack of a ride! We look forward to seeing you there. Tricia Owen President - Women Association

Women’s Association

Page 6

The Picture Directory is finally here! If you haven’t yet picked up your directory, please come to the church office during office hours and get your copy. PLEASE note—All copies MUST be signed for and they are in alphabetical order and labeled so PLEASE DO NOT just come in and take one. You have to find YOUR copy. Thank you for your cooperation. Please join us for a celebration of praise and thanksgiving on Thanksgiving morning. We will gather early at 8:30 AM in Fellowship Hall and share a continental breakfast while we focus ourselves on God and his great and plentiful gifts to us. Come in your apron, come in your hunting cap, or come in your lounge clothes. We just want you to come, praise God and have a bagel! Attention Crafty Ladies The Women’s Association is setting up a monthly Craft Circle starting Wednesday, November 12, from 7-9 p.m. Bring a craft to do or bring needles, a crochet hook and yarn. I have plenty of patterns to work from including mitten and scarf patterns for the Warm Winter Project, preemie caps for premature infants at local hospitals, Knit 4 Kids-the Guideposts ministry that sends warm sweaters to children around the world, and many Prayer Shawl patterns. Want to learn a new needlecraft skill or teach one? That’s very welcome too. Come share an evening of fellowship, fun and ministry. Contact Pam Hughes with any questions at 597-5048. Dave and I would like to thank the congregation at Western Presbyterian for all the cards, flowers, words of encouragement and especially for praying for us during his illness this summer. God has truly blessed us with such wonderful, caring people. We would also like to express deepest thanks to Rev. Nancy for being there every step of the way. I am not sure I could have made it as easily without her and I thank God for her every day. Sincerely, Sylvia Lyon

Announcements

Page 7

It’s the time of year to begin thinking about special events over the Christmas Season and a classic not to be missed and enjoyed by every age is Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. How fortunate we are to have church member Heather Dyer participating once again this year in the traditional holiday season ballet with The Studio for the Performing Arts of Newark at the Smith Opera House 82 Seneca Street Geneva on Saturday evening, December 6 at 7:30PM and Sunday afternoon December 7 at 2:30 PM. Tickets are: Adults $15 / Seniors & Students $10 / children 5 or under $5. Please contact Heather at 719-4570 or by email at jmdyerbsa29@aol.com if you are interested in purchasing tickets (she is required to sell at least 10—so if you can help it would be great!) Ticket requests and money both due by November 15th. Tickets sell fast, so let her know as soon as possible if you plan to attend. After the 15th, tickets are available by calling 315-781-LIVE 1-866-355-LIVE (5483) or emailing boxoffice@thesmith.org Heather will be performing in five parts: the Soldier Doll soloist in the Party Scene, a Fighting Soldier in the Battle Scene, a Snowflake in the Land of Snow, the Arabian Coffee Soloist and a Flower in the Land of Sweets. CONGRATULATIONS Heather for the privilege of dancing these roles and the honor of representing our church in the semi-professional arena of the Performing Arts. Prayer List Grace Ardietta (requested by Paul & Vicky Powell) Becky (requested by Ray McKeown) Paulette Bezazian (requested by Nancy J Farrell) John & Janet Byrne (requested by Amie McMullin) Doris Chapman (requested by the Chapman Family) Earle Eastman (requested by Dot Manske) Clara Fadden Coniff (requested by Peter Fadden) Andy Damiano (requested by the Powells) Dave Facer (requested by the Landgrebe Family) Marylyn Fadden (requested by Peter Fadden) Kathy Norsen Feary (Requested by Jan & Dave Taylor) Wendy Fowler (requested by Sara Bush) Larry Gold (requested by Nancy J Farrell) Ann Greenlaw (requested by the Beato Family) Bob Gunkler (requested by Deacons) Marie Garrison (requested by Deacons)

The Nutcracker

Page 8

Bob Krebs (requested by the Sloans) June Liebenow (requested by Paul Powell) David Lyon (requested by the Deacons) Menaguale Family (requested by Lynn Malboeuf) Kelly Manktelow (requested by Deacons) Justin Manning (requested by Marie Curran) Penny Miller (requested by the Landgrebes) Craig Miner (requested by Bev Tyler) Charles Rapp (requested by Dick Oakleaf) Calvin Scheuerman (requested by the Kirchhoffs) Dave Steensma (requested by Barb Gabriel) Christopher Strait (requested by Vicky Powell) Susanne Wassielewski (requested by Sharon Leere) Helen Williams (requested by Nancy Talma)

November 4 David Trombino November 5 Katie Mitchell November 6 Diane Hixson November 8 Gary LaBerge November 9 Donald Sinclair November 9 Elizabeth Lewis November 10 Susan Leonard November 12 Terry Gendron November 13 Terrence Goodwin November 15 Roger Wilbur November 17 Susan Coyle November 19 Jeffrey Severcool November 22 Lois Parsons November 24 Michael Ellis November 24 Rachel Leonard November 24 Kelly Palmer November 25 Eleanor Giles November 26 Randy Kennard November 27 Joan Wiedrick November 28 Anne Morrell November 1 Roger & Ruth Wilbur November 14 Betty & Ralph Stubbings November 17 Melissa & Dan Cooley November 22 David & Pat Pinkney November 23 Marc & Deanna Blankenberg

Birthdays And Anniversaries

Page 9

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November Worship

November 2, 2008 Guest Preacher The Rev. Fred Magley November 9, 2008 Guest Preacher The Rev. Tim Johnson

Stewardship & Thanksgiving November 16, 2008 Matthew 6:16- 24 “Where is your Heart?” November 23, 2008 Luke 16:1-13; Psalm 19

“Money, Mammon, and Real Life Thanksgiving” Advent Begins!

November 30, 2008 Psalm 68: 1-10; John 2:1-11 “Waiting to be Welcomed; the Host with the Most”

Assistant Readers 11:00 Nov 2 Don Dantz Nov 9 Katharine Smith Nov 16 Ruth Dantz Nov 23 Helene Scribner Nov 30 Edie Chapman Communion Elder 11:00 Jack and Dona Kadlecik Charlotte Oates Head Ushers 11:00 Don and Ruth Dantz Candle Lighters 11:00 Nov 2 Shelby Hutton Nov 16 Scott Bush Nov 23 & 30 Anne Pinkney

Schedules

Page 12

Coffee Hour Nov 2 Dick & Micky Kirchhoff Nov 9 Dave & Jan Taylor

One rainy afternoon I was driving along one of the main streets of town, taking those extra precautions necessary when the roads are wet and slick.

Suddenly, my daughter spoke up from her relaxing position in her seat.

“Dad, I’m thinking of something.”

This announcement usually meant that she had been pondering some fact for a while, and was now ready to expound all that her six-year-old mind had

discovered. I was eager to hear what she had to say.

“What are you thinking?”, I asked.

“The rain!”, she began, “Is like sin, and the windshield wipers are like God wiping our sins away.”

After the chill bumps raced up my arms I was able to respond.

“That’s really good thinking.”

Then my curiosity broke in. How far would this little girl take this revelation? So I asked, “Do you notice how the rain keeps coming? What does that tell you?”

She didn’t hesitate one moment with her answer.

“We keep on sinning and God just keeps on forgiving us.”

Remember this when you turn on your wipers!

The Rain

Page 13

Western Presbyterian Church 101 East Main Street Palmyra, NY 14522

Western Presbyterian Church

Phone: 315-597-9091 Email: office@wpreschurch.org Website: www.wpreschurch.org

More than a Sunday morning thing

Western Presbyterian Church Non—Profit Org. 101 East Main St U.S. Postage Paid Palmyra, NY 14522 Palmyra, NY Permit #38 Return Service Requested