The Messenger - February 2017 - Page 1
THE MESSENGER The Peekskill Presbyterian Church February 2017
Day: Saturday, Date: February 11, 2017
Time: 12:00 Noon to 3:00 P.M. Place: Social Hall at PPC
FEBRUARY 14, 2017
ALL DAY & NIGHT
FOR ALL PEOPLE
FEBRUARY 26, 2017
CONGREGATIONAL
ANNUAL MEETING
11:30 AM
SOCIAL HALL
MARCH 1, 2017
ASH WEDNESDAY
WORSHIP SERVICE
12:00 NOON
SANCTUARY
The Messenger - February 2017 - Page 2
"A More Excellent Way”
In the final verses of chapter twelve of 1st Corinthians, the apostle Paul
writes about the gifts that God has placed within the body of the church.
And while there are particular gifts of apostleship, government, helps,
and teaching among others, the common thread that weaves the body of
Christ together, is greater and more powerful than what distinguishes us.
Paul ends his letter to the church at Corinth and to us, by writing, "But
covet earnestly the best gifts; and yet I show you a more excellent way.”
In chapter 13, Paul defines this more excellent way as love, he writes, "If I have the ability to speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cym-bal." if I had the gift of prophecy, and understood all mysteries, and had all knowledge and faith to say to the mountains be removed, and have not love, I am nothing. Paul goes on to define what love looks like. Mountain moving faith is wonderful, bestowing goods to feed the poor is commendable, but with-out love it is meaningless. If love is left out of our endeavors, then the costliest services we might offer are of no value. In the times in which we live, we rarely see or experience true love. When we do, it stops us in our tracks. We have to take notice, because something deeply divine in us is compelled to respond. Our society imitates love, the kind of love we too often settle for, be-
trays, disappoints, abandons and abuses. Love is not a set of rules, laws,
displays of authority, or control.
Love is more than something we display once a year, it
is more than a kind gesture, and more than a monthly
meal. In our society today, love can be is risky, even
dangerous.
Love calls us to be counter cultural, it compels us to put
another’s interest above our own. Paul’s definition of
love is an extension of the love that Jesus exhibited to-
wards us and asked us to continue .
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Our savior invited us to love one another as he loved us. He
laid down his precious life for us. He endured, persecution,
betrayal, and abandonment for us; Jesus suffered, surrendered
and sacrificed his life for all of us.
We say we love one another, yet we fail to speak out or write letters when we witness acts of injustice. We
believe that we have chosen the more excellent way, but we continue to benefit from the labor of the undoc-
umented and the poor without attempting to help them change their conditions.
Has love failed in the church?
Like many of us, Paul had been blinded by religion, by doctrine, and by
tradition. It wasn’t until he had a true encounter with Jesus, that he could
clearly understand that relationship is more powerful than religion, that
people are more important that prominence, and that humility is more hon-
orable than superiority.
True love will never be bound by color, class, familiarity, income, gender,
geography, age, or sexual preference. Anyone can love their friends and
family members. We can even appear to love some church members for a
few hours once a week.
But can we entertain strangers? Can our love be manifested in how we
vote, how we treat our employees, how we volunteer, and how we show
hospitality to those who are different from us or to those who disagree
with us? Jesus even asked that we love our enemies.
We can develop the largest ministry, we can hire the best musicians, we
can balance our budget to the penny year after year, we can develop our spiritual gifts and serve a formal
meal to our neighbors every day; we can give everything we have away, but if we what we do is not rooted
in love, we make no worthwhile investments in the economy of God’s kingdom.
In god’s economy, love renders the highest dividend. It does not insist on its
own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking. Love is not arrogant, or
boastful, it does not rejoice at injustice or unrighteousness. When right and
truth prevail. Love never fails! Let us choose a more excellent way!
By Faith, Pastor Stephany
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IN THIS ISSUE
Session Highlights….....……………........….4
Prayer Requests…………………….....……....5
Pot Luck Luncheon……………..………….….6
Clerk's Corner…….………………….........…..7
A Heartfelt Thank You....…………….........8
Putting Faces with Name..................…...9
Calendar………….……….……………...….....10
OUR MISSION
In response to the profound love
of God through Jesus Christ
toward all, we
welcome everyone to join as we
study and proclaim the gospel,
seek the will of God, grow in
spiritual maturity, share our
resources, and
respond in service to the needs of
our members and our neighbors.
Vision Statement
The Peekskill Presbyterian Church is
a faithful and diverse community of
Christians with varied backgrounds,
ethnicities, talents, and ages. Guided
by the Holy Spirit, we are committed
to nurturing individual and corporate
faith through:
Vibrant Worship;
Committed Stewardship;
Relationship Building Fellowship;
Mission Focused Discipleship;
and Servant Leadership.
Session Highlights from January 12, 2017
The minutes of the Dec. 8, 2016 Session Meeting – Approved
Adopt the forward movement of joining the 1001 New Worshipping Com-munities and renovating the social hall – Approved
Thirsty will now become an individual ministry within the church with Jamel Haight being the chairperson. – Approved
The piano will be removed from the Parlor to make office space – Ap-proved
Send a check for $300. To the MLK Preservation Company's Fundraiser. –Approved
Jamel Haight stepped down as chairperson of Congregational Life Minis-try
Pot Luck Dinner is on the calendar for Feb 11, 2017 from 12:00 – 3:00
A bulletin board space will be established to inform and explain the pro-gress being made on the 1001 New Worshipping Communities
A form is being developed for people to fill out who are using the building in order to track responsibility for building condition.
The parking will be addressed.
To date 39 Pledges have been received equaling $83,925.00
God’s Disciples youth group will be selling greeting cards as a business endeavor
The Maundy Thursday production will be a repeat of the “Super Soul Thursday”: The Last Week With Jesus talk show to be held on April 13th and will feature new characters
The Church has purchased a laptop and wireless printer for ministries to use and recommends setting it up in the parlor where it can be stored safely.
F
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C
H
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P
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Continued Prayers….
for Joe D, Jay B, Don H, Warren D, Larry W, Dorothy B, Jennifer A
Richard N, George S, Odessa G and Roscoe R.
Continued Prayers….
for all of the Congregants unable to join in our activities.
Prayers of Healing….
for those affected by world tragic weather and events.
.
MUSIC MINISTRY CORNER
Hi Everyone,
As we get settled into 2017 we continue with both the Praise Choir and Chancel Choir. Some things to be on the lookout for in the next month or so would be a children's music group and a smaller bell choir group. If you'd like to be part of these groups or know someone who would be interested please make to let me know, so we can begin planning.
Happy Winter,
Matt
BIBLE MEMORY VERSES FOR JANUARY 2017
1. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)
2. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8)
3. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5, 6)
4. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (Mark12:30)
Submitted by Rosa Reed
The Messenger - February 2017 - Page 6
Suggestions for Lunch: Salads, Sandwiches, Cakes and Cookies Sign-up sheets will be available in the Social Hall
Bring your family and friends… Let’s have some fun!
Games, prizes and surprises for all…
Beverages will be provided
For Additional Information Contact Dan Harrison and/or Marsha Vernon
CONGREGRATIONAL COMMUNITY CLASSIFIEDS UGGS !!
Vintage made in Australia. Original packaging
Good condition Size 7 [US] $50.00
914 500 3803
ATTENTION
ALL CHAIRMEN & VICE CHAIRMEN
Annual reports were due to the office via email by
January 15, 2017.
Last call for report submissions.
Any questions, please call the office during the regular hours of 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM, Tuesday through Friday.
Thank you for your prompt response.
Day: Saturday,
Date: February 11, 2017 Time: 12:00 Noon to 3:00 P.M.
Place: Social Hall at PPC
The Messenger - February 2017 - Page 7
Since February is the month to focus on love, I read in the book “Jesus Aways” by Sarah Young about the importance of Jesus’ love for us. I thought you might like to read it also.
May God’s love surround you always.
“Let my unfailing love be your comfort. One definition of ‘comfort’ is a person or thing that makes you feel less upset or frightened during a time of trouble. Because you live in such a broken world, trouble is never far away. There are many sources of comfort in the world, yet only one of them is unfailing: My Love! Other sources will help you some of the time,
but My tender Presence is with you all of the time.
My perfect, inexhaustible Love is not just a thing that makes you feel less upset; it’s also a Person, Nothing in all creation can separate you from Me. And I am inseparable from MY
Love.
As My cherished follower, you can turn to Me for comfort at all times. Since you have this boundless Source of blessing – Me – I want you to be a blessing in the lives of other people.
You can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort you have received from Me. “
Further Reading
Psalm 119:76, John 16:33, Romans 8:38-39, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
CLERK'S CORNER
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN of the Hudson River Presbytery
ASH WEDNESDAY RETREAT
at Stony Point Center
March 1, 2017; 10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Our Retreat leader will be the Rev. Abbie Huff
Wilderness and Shadows
A Lenten journey reflecting on the shadowy, wilderness areas of life: examining what is broken and lost before
we are able to step into the experience of resurrection.
Plan to bring a sandwich. Beverage & cookies will be provided.
The Messenger - February 2017 - Page 8
A HEARTFELT THANK YOU
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful
unto him, and bless his name. (Psalm 100:4)
Do you write thank you notes for Christmas cards? I certainly don't. Do you ever
think that some things are scarcely worth the effort? Well, I do. And, in both cases,
I may be wrong! At Christmas time we sent cards to people who are in prison. We
don't know them or anything about them. It cost little effort to sign my name, a lit-
tle more if I wrote a short note. But what impact that little effort had.
We received cards back from many of those we wrote to. I would like to share one with you because its author, Ivan,
explains things way better than I ever could. I know it is hard to read, but it is definitely worth the effort!
Thank you all for your Christmas greetings, and thank you Ivan for letting us know how much they meant!
Barbara Devir CLP
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Putting Faces With Name
That is something I love to do. The Peekskill Presbyterian Church received a generous legacy from the es-tate of Norma Vogt. All of us are most grateful for her thoughtful gesture. Unfortunately, not many people remember her or her husband. They worshipped with us when they visited from Florida and that was long ago.
When I moved, I looked at (just about) everything I owned and there, among all the treasures was this photo of the Vogts. It was taken at my retirement party in June 2002.
Finally, we can put a face with the name.
We are grateful to Norma Vogt for the potential she has given our church with her generous gift. We pray that we will be good stewards of it and use it to bring glory to the God who brought her to worship with us.
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as
good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10)
Barbara Devir, CLP
DATES TO REMEMBER February 3, 2017 – 12:00 PM, Women of HOPE
Brown Bag Lunch, Heart Healthy Month (Social Hall)
February 11, 2017
12:00 PM-3:00 PM Pot Luck Social (Social Hall)
February 26, 2016 – 11:30 AM Annual Meeting (Social Hall)
March 1, 2017 - 12:00 PM
Ash Wednesday Worship Service (Sanctuary)
March 3, 2017 - 12:00 PM
Christian Women World Day of Prayer
Mount Lebanon Baptist Church 648 Harrison Ave, Peekskill
Ladies With Typewriters
They're Back! Those wonderful
Church Bulletins! Thank God for the
church ladies with typewriters. These
sentences actually appeared in
church bulletins or were announced at church services:
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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.
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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.
The Messenger - February 2017 - Page 10
FEBRUARY 2017 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
January 29
9:00am-Chancel
10:00am-Worship
11:30am-Adult
Bible Study
30
7-9:00pm-NA
31
6:45pm-
Fit Club
7:30pm-
Gates of Heaven
Presbytery Meeting
Stoney Point
February 1
7:30am-Prayer Call
6:30pm-AA
NAT'L SIGNING DAY
2
7:00PM-
Corporate
& Business
3
12:00pm-
Women of HOPE
Brown Bag Lunch
5:30pm-8:30pm
Youth Ministry
NAT'L WEAR RED
4
5
8:30am-Breakfast
9:00am-Chancel
10:00am-Worship
(with Communion)
11:30am-Adult
Bible Study
CHAPLAINS SUNDAY
6
6:00pm-Personnel
7-9:00pm-NA
7
6:45pm-
Fit Club
7:30pm-
Christian Ed.
7:30pm-
Gates of Heaven
8
7:30am-Prayer Call
6:30pm-AA
7:00pm-Chancel
8:00pm-Praise
9
7:00pm-Session
10
12:00pm-
Knitting
3:30pm-8:30pm
Youth Ministry
11
12:00pm-3:00pm
Pot Luck Luncheon
12
9:00am-
Congrgational Life
9:00am-Chancel
10:00am-Worship
11:30am-Adult
Bible Study
LINCOLN'S B'DAY
13
6:00pm-Personnel
7-9:00pm-NA
14
6:30pm-Deacons
6:45pm-Fit Club
7:30pm-
Gates of Heaven
15
7:30am-Prayer Call
6:30pm-AA
7:00pn-Chancel
8:00pm-Praise
16
5:00pm-6:30pm-
Head Start Parents
17
12:00pm-
Knitting
3:30pm-8:30pm
Youth Ministry
7:30pm-Bridge
(at J. Kaiser's)
18
19
9:00am-Chancel
10:00am-Worship
(with Communion)
11:30am-Adult
Bible Study
5-6:30pm
Community
Dinner
20
7-9:00pm-NA
PRESIDENTS DAY
21
6:45pm-Fit Club
7:30pm-
Gates of Heaven
FRUITS & VEGES
OF THE MONTH
Oranges, Star Fruit,
Calabaza Squash,
Chayote Squash
22
7:30am-Prayer Call
6:30pm-AA
7:00pm-Chancel
8:00pm-Praise
WASHINGTON'S B'DAY
23
7:30pm-
"Thirsty"
24
12:00PM-
Knitting
3:30pm-8:30pm
Youth Ministry
7:30pm-Book Club
25
26
9:00am-Stewardship
9:00am-Chancel
10:00am-Worship
11:15am-Annual
Meeting
ACADEMY AWARDS
27
7-9:00pm-NA
FLOWER OF THE
MONTH-Violet
28
6:45pm-
Fit Club
7:30pm-
Gates of Heaven
7:00pm-9:00pm
"Spirit Talk"
Division Street Grill
March 1
12:00pm-Worship
7:30am-Prayer Call
6:30pm-AA
7:00pm-Chancel
8:00pm-Praise
2
7:00PM-
Corporate
& Business
3
12:00pm-
Knitting
3:30pm-8:30pm
Youth Ministry
4
Church Office Hours
Tues—Fri, 9:30am—2:30pm
914-737-3322, 914-737-7822 (fax)
914-737-6549 (kitchen)
Pastor Stephany Graham
Office Hours
Wed: 10AM—3PM, Thur: 4—7PM
On Call
Friday and Saturday
Church Web site:
www.peekskillpresby.org
Find Us on Face Book:
Peekskill Presbyterian Church
705 South Street, Peekskill, NY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all
those who were born in
the Month of February.
Lord's Attic Thrift Shop
Hours: 10 Am-3 PM
Wed., Thurs, & Sat
