Stone Presbyterian Church March 2020 Newsletter 140 Chestnut Street, Watertown, NY 13601 Sunday Worship Service 10:45 It is that time of the liturgical year, Lent. It begins on Ash Wednesday, February 26, and ends April 11, with Easter being April 12. Why do we celebrate during these forty days (not including Sundays) of Lent? We celebrate Lent to remember Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. We celebrate Lent in the spirit of Jesus who said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” We celebrate Lent to share together the meaning of Jesus’ gift to us of love and life. We celebrate Lent to recall the ministry of Jesus. With this in mind, I would like to suggest you take time to do a short scripture reading each day reflecting on Jesus’ ministry as shared in the Gospel of Matthew along with some Psalms. 3/15 Matt 16:21-28 Jesus Speaks About His Suffering 3/16 Matt 18:1-9 Who is Greatest? 3/17 Matt 18:10-14 Parable of Lost Sheep 3/18 Matt 18:21-35 Parable of Unforgiving Servant 3/19 Matt 19:16-30 The Rich Young Man 3/20 Matt: 20:1-16 Parable of Workers in the Vineyard 3/21 Psalm 95 A Song of Praise 3/22 Matt 21:1-11 Jesus’ Entry into Jerusalem 3/23 Matt 21:12-17 Jesus Goes to the Temple 3/24 Matt 21:23-27 Question About Jesus’ Authority 3/25 Matt 21:33-45 Parable of the Tenants in the Vineyard 3/26 Matt 22:1-14 Parable of the Wedding Feast 3/27 Matt 22:34-40 The Great Commandment 3/28 Matt 23:1-28 Jesus’ Warnings 3/29 Psalm 103 The Love of God 3/30 Matt 24:1-14 Troubles and Persecutions 3/31 Matt 25:1-13 Parables of the Ten Girls 2/26 Matt 4:1-11 The Temptation of Jesus 2/27 Psalm 23 The Lord is Our Shepherd 2/28 Matt 4:12-25 Jesus Begins His Work 2/29 Psalm 46 God is with Us 3/1 Matt 5:1-12 True Happiness 3/2 Matt 5:38-48 Teaching About Love 3/3 Matt 6:5-15 Teaching About Prayer 3/4 Matt 8:1-17 Jesus Heals People 3/5 Matt 10:1-15 The Mission of Jesus Disciples 3/6 Matt 12:1-8 Questions About the Sabbath 3/7 Psalm 63 A Prayer for Forgiveness 3/8 Matt 13:1-9 Parable of Sower 3/9 Matt 13:10-23 Purpose of Parables 3/10 Matt 13:23-34 Other Parables 3/11 Matt 13:44-56 More Parables 3/12 Matt 14:13-21 Jesus Feeds Five Thousand 3/13 Matt 16:13-20 Peter’s Declaration About Jesus 3/14 Psalm 51 A Prayer for Forgiveness (Will post the April reading in the April Newsletter.) May your Lent be willing with much inspiration from our Triune God through the Holy Word. Peace and Grace, Pastor Libby Pastor’s Pondering
Transcript
Stone Presbyterian Church
March 2020 Newsletter 140 Chestnut Street, Watertown, NY 13601 Sunday Worship Service 10:45
It is that time of the liturgical year, Lent. It begins on Ash Wednesday, February 26, and ends April 11, with Easter being April 12.
Why do we celebrate during these forty days (not including Sundays) of Lent?
We celebrate Lent to remember Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
We celebrate Lent in the spirit of Jesus who said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”
We celebrate Lent to share together the meaning of Jesus’ gift to us of love and life.
We celebrate Lent to recall the ministry of Jesus.
With this in mind, I would like to suggest you take time to do a short scripture reading each day reflecting on Jesus’ ministry as shared in the Gospel of Matthew along with some Psalms.
3/15 Matt 16:21-28 Jesus Speaks About His Suffering
3/16 Matt 18:1-9 Who is Greatest?
3/17 Matt 18:10-14 Parable of Lost Sheep
3/18 Matt 18:21-35 Parable of Unforgiving Servant
3/19 Matt 19:16-30 The Rich Young Man
3/20 Matt: 20:1-16 Parable of Workers in the Vineyard
3/21 Psalm 95 A Song of Praise
3/22 Matt 21:1-11 Jesus’ Entry into
Jerusalem
3/23 Matt 21:12-17 Jesus Goes to the
Temple
3/24 Matt 21:23-27 Question About Jesus’ Authority
3/25 Matt 21:33-45 Parable of the Tenants in the Vineyard
3/26 Matt 22:1-14 Parable of the Wedding Feast
3/27 Matt 22:34-40 The Great Commandment
3/28 Matt 23:1-28 Jesus’ Warnings
3/29 Psalm 103 The Love of God
3/30 Matt 24:1-14 Troubles and Persecutions
3/31 Matt 25:1-13 Parables of the Ten Girls
2/26 Matt 4:1-11 The Temptation of Jesus
2/27 Psalm 23 The Lord is Our
Shepherd
2/28 Matt 4:12-25 Jesus Begins His Work
2/29 Psalm 46 God is with Us
3/1 Matt 5:1-12 True Happiness
3/2 Matt 5:38-48 Teaching About Love
3/3 Matt 6:5-15 Teaching About Prayer
3/4 Matt 8:1-17 Jesus Heals People
3/5 Matt 10:1-15 The Mission of Jesus Disciples
3/6 Matt 12:1-8 Questions About the Sabbath
3/7 Psalm 63 A Prayer for Forgiveness
3/8 Matt 13:1-9 Parable of Sower
3/9 Matt 13:10-23 Purpose of
Parables
3/10 Matt 13:23-34 Other Parables
3/11 Matt 13:44-56 More Parables
3/12 Matt 14:13-21 Jesus Feeds Five Thousand
3/13 Matt 16:13-20 Peter’s Declaration About Jesus
3/14 Psalm 51 A Prayer for Forgiveness
(Will post the April reading in the April Newsletter.)
May your Lent be willing with much inspiration from our Triune God through the Holy Word.
Peace and Grace, Pastor Libby
Pastor’s
Pondering
Highlights from February 2020 Session Meeting
Page 2
On our Session Meeting held on February 18, 2020 Pastor Libby Moses began the meeting with prayer and then introduced Rev. Rachel Roberts and Rev. Betsy Westman to the Session members. They led the Session in an open and honest debriefing of the Annual Meeting which was held in
February. After the discussion Pastor Libby handed out copies of the Book of Order to everyone explaining what it included. The meeting was closed with prayer offered by Pastor Libby.
In light of the conservation at the Session meeting the Session is extending the following invitation...
Your Invited! On Sunday, March 22 after worship there will be a time of food (lunch!) and fellowship, along with a program introducing healthy communications. In this introductory session we will interact with one another, as together we learn a few techniques on how, as individuals and the church, we understand who we are as individuals and the church collectively, as we learn some new ways to care, talk, and interact with one another. This will also help in the home and work place. Rev. Betsy Westman, Pastor of Theresa Presbyterian Church will be the program leader. We encourage you to attend.
It will soon be Lent and that time of year when we will be doing our collections for One Great Hour of Sharing. For over 70 years, One Great Hour of Sharing has provided Presbyterians a way to share God's love with our neighbors in need around the world.
This year our campaign will run from March 1st through April 5th. Each gift to One Great Hour of Sharing supports efforts to relieve hunger through the Presbyterian Hunger Program, promote development through the Presbyterian Committee on Self-Development of People and assist the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Program.
This will be our second year of using the "World's People" to represent our gifts. Each $25 donated will represent one of our posted cut outs of the "World's People." In a world of disaster, hunger and oppression, let's do our share. May God Bless You.
One Great Hour of Sharing
Page 3
Family and Friends
Dinner and Program…
Saturday, March 7th, at 5:30 p.m.
Join us for a Turkey Dinner… Turkey will be provided. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.
Storyteller Lynn Morgan will share Folk Tales from around the world.
Lynn is a master in the art of storytelling and has 28 years of experience in enthralling audiences of all ages.
She specializes in telling traditional folk tales from around the world.
Family and Friends
Dinner and Program…
Saturday, March 7th, at 5:30 p.m.
Join us for a Turkey Dinner… Turkey will be provided. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.
Storyteller Lynn Morgan will share Folk Tales from around the world.
Lynn is a master in the art of storytelling and has 28 years of experience in enthralling audiences of all ages.
She specializes in telling traditional folk tales from around the world.
The Adult Bible Study is meeting on Monday evenings from 6 to 7 p.m.
Our next study will begin on 3/2/2020. It will be a 5-week study on the “Season of Peace” focusing on the inner and outer path to peace as a foundation to faithful discipleship. Come and join us we study God’s word and for some great discussion. All are
welcome to attend. Cindy Sealing
Monday Night Adult Bible Study
Page 4
March 1 Sunday at worship there will be Communion.
Today is the
1st Sunday of Lent.
March 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 This month on Mondays we will have an Adult Bible Study from 6:00—7:00 pm, exploring themes found in Gospel of Matthew.
March 3 Tuesday we will have a Pastoral Care Committee Meeting at 4:30 pm.
Later, at 5:15 pm. the Nurture Committee will meet.
March 4, 11, 18, and 25 Wednesdays in March we will have a Tai Chi Class from 10:30—11:30 am, and
a Noon Bible Study.
The Garden Club will have a meeting at our church at 6:30 pm on March 4th.
March 5, 12, 19, and 26 On Thursdays there will be Handbell Choir Rehearsals from 5:40 pm—6:40 pm.
March 6 and 13 Fridays in March the Tai Chi Class will meet from 10:30—11:30 am in Friendship Hall. They will not meet on Friday, March 20th, or March 27th.
March 7 Saturday evening at 5:30 pm there will be a Family and Friends Dinner/Program. See page 3 for details
March 8 Sunday Daylight Saving
Time begins.
March 10 Tuesday the Helping
Hands will meet at 6:00 pm.
March 15 Sunday after worship we will have a Fellowship Hour. Group A will be bring refreshments.
March 17 Tuesday the Memory Café
will meet from 10:30—12:30 pm, in Friendship Hall.
Session will meet
at 6:30 pm.
March 21 Saturday the Quilting Guild
will meet in Friendship Hall
from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm.
March 22 Sunday after worship we will have a Congregation Lunch and Program to be held at 12:00 noon. See page 2 for details.
March 24 Tuesday the Helping Hands
will meet at 6:00 pm.
Page 5
Community Garden News: We are currently planning for our 2020 season of the Community Garden. I will be calling current gardeners this month to see who wants to keep their beds this year. If anyone no longer wants their bed or knows of someone who would like a bed, if one is available, please let Pat Conti know. My number is 315-782-5847.
As always any ideas for improvement and help are most welcome. We look forward to a warm Spring and sunny days so we can start garden clean up work possibly the last week in April or first week of May.
Thank you all. Pat Conti
Please turn in your
orders for your Easter
lilies by March 25, 2020.
Look for order forms in
your upcoming bulletins.
Palm Sunday
is the first
week in
April on
April 5th, 2020.
We celebrate the Resurrection of
the Lord/Easter this year of
Sunday, April 12, 2020.
Order Deadline
Page 6
MARCH BIRTHDAYS
Mike Quirk March 2
Glenn Chapman March 6
Joanne Woodward March 8
Krystal Siver March 10
Alan Whitcomb March 12
Elsie Zehr March 14
Aubrey Reed March 15
Harper Reed March 16
JoAnne Reed March 16
Amy O’Connor March 22
Patricia Tyrrell March 25
Bruce Tyrrell March 27
William O’Connor March 28
Robert Schweitzer March 29
MARCH
ANNIVERSARY
Brendan & Elizabeth Hall
March 17
Seven Spiritual Gifts of Waiting is our theme for Lent.
Each Sunday we will explore
a different spiritual gift.
March 1 – Patience
Isaiah 40:27-31
Ephesians 1:13-12
March 8 - Loss of Control Genesis 18:1-12
Mark 6:6b-13
March 15- Living in the Present
Psalm 46
Matthew 6:25-34
March 22- Compassion
Psalm 139
Matthew 20:29-34
March 29 - Gratitude
Matthew 5:1-12
I Timothy 1:12-17
Lectionary for March 2020
The new Calendar for 2020 is ready for
your sign-ups on the hall bulletin board.
Please give the office your bulletin information and the fee for the flowers.
Please place your money in a yellow
Flower Fund envelope found to the
left of the flower schedule and put it
in the secretary’s mailbox or in the
collection plate during worship. Do not leave any money on the secretary’s desk.
The fee for the flowers is $10.00.
Flower Delivery for :
March—Debbie Siver
April—Jeannie Greenwood
May—Kathie Strader
June—Stuart Price
Sunday Flowers Sign Up
Worship Ministers Pastor The Reverend Elizabeth (Libby) Moses Organists Chris Hyde-Hall and Ghilyana Dordzhieva Choir Director Jeannie Greenwood Handbell Choir Director Nancy Boynton Church Staff Secretary Linda White Sexton Francis Conti
In Life and In Death We Belong to God... Condolences and prayers for the Cornish Family on the death of Edward Cornish. He died on February 17, 2020. His service was held at the church on Saturday, February 22, 2020 . Thank you to all those who helped with the service and the reception afterwards. Also, condolences and prayers for Kathie and Phil Compeau on the occassion of the death of Phil's uncle, James Hourihan, on February 18th.
Their baptismal vows are now complete. Thanks be to God.
Stone Church has an email Prayer Line to inform our members of special church news and prayer requests.
Please e-mail
([email protected]) or phone (315-788-5630) the office if you would like to be part of our prayer ministry or if you have a prayer request.
Class of 2021
Orvis Calhoun
Chris Dear
Maxine Perkins
Class of 2022
Kathie Strader
Class of 2023
Bob Siver
Roxanne Young
Clerk of Session
Chris Dear
Ruling Elders
on the Session
The Pastor and the spiritual leaders place a priority on visiting hospitalized members of the congregation. While Samaritan Medical Center Chaplain calls when he knows someone from Stone Presbyterian Church is in this facility, as a general rule hospitals no longer provide information on admissions and dismissals. Please notify the church office if someone you know should be visited in the hospital or while recovering at home or at a care center. Also, if you or someone you know would enjoy a visit from Pastor Libby or a Ruling Elder, or would appreciate receiving communion at home, please phone the church office (788-5630),
