The Season of surrender
Our Vision:
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 nurture individual and corporate growth through Vibrant Worship, Committed Stewardship, Relationship Building Fellowship, Mission Focused Discipleship, and Servant Leadership.
The Peekskill Presbyterian Church March 2015
Worship Sundays – 10AM
Church Office Hours:
Tues - Fri, 9:30AM - 2:30PM
Upcoming Events:
March 18 Educators’ Roundtable – 7PM (Upper Room)
March 21 Men’s Roast Beef Dinner – 6:30PM (Social Hall)
March 21 Bridge Club – 7:30PM (Host: Tina Wileikis)
March 24 Soup Kitchen Prep – 5:30PM March 25 Connected Prayer – 6PM
March 26 ‘Thirsty’ – 7:30PM
March 27 Book Club – 7:30PM
March 29 Holy Week Begins Palm Sunday – 10:00AM
April 1 Worship – 7:30PM
April 2 Maundy Thursday – 7:30PM Last Supper Reenactment
April 3 Good Friday – NOON Worship – 7:30PM
April 5 Easter Sunday – 10:00AM Worship (with Communion)
In This Issue:
Pastor’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Church News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Session Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Prayer Info . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Deacons Daily . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Clerk’s Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Bible Verses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Invite your Family and Friends to Holy Week 2015 Sunday March 29, 2015 Palm Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday April 1, 2015 Healing Service supported by the Church Diaconate Thursday April 2, 2015 Dramatic Reenactment of the Last Supper 7:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. (Communion Served) Friday April 3, 12:00 p.m. Good Friday Service (Rev. Graham Preaching) Friday April 3, 2015 7:30 p.m. -8:45 p.m. Seven Lasting Words (Homilies by Church Elders) Elder John Bishop, Elder Terrence Rooms, Elder Charlene Woods, Elder Ruth Garcia, Elder Philena Bolden, Elder Caroline Renaud, Elder Brenda Martinez Sunday April 5, 2015 10:00 a.m. Resurrection of the Lord/ Easter Sunday (With an Easter Egg Hunt for children following) Chancel and Praise Choir Director: Matthew Russell also featuring Special Guest Musicians, Canters, and Singers.
The Peekskill Presbyterian Church 705 South Street, Peekskill, NY 10566 914-737-3322
Messenger – March 2015 Page 2
“Just as there are seasons of the year, there are seasons of the soul; changes in the atmospheric pressure that sweep over the human spirit. We move in and out of them, often without being aware of them, almost unconsciously and without appreciation for the new experiences they bring our way.” ~ An excerpt from Listening For God: A Ministers Journey, written by Dr. Renita Weems.
March is women’s history month. During this time of year, I am compelled to think about and pay tribute to the women of the Bible and the women of the church. So many brilliant and talented women laid the foundation for future generations. They did this with little recognition and in spite of the barriers they were up against.
We must never forget the nameless women whose faith led them to support the ministry of Christ, spread the gospel, teach the Bible, and build, maintain and sustain churches throughout the centuries.
One such woman has had a particular impact on my life. Dr. Renita Weems is a graduate of the Princeton Theological Seminary. She became an Old Testament scholar and through her first book, Just A Sister Away, she has enlightened women all over the world; helping us to understand the role of women in the Bible and in Christendom from a womanist perspective.
Dr. Weems other books include, I Asked for Intimacy: Stories of Blessings, Betrayals and Birthing’s; Listening For God: A Ministers Journey; Showing Mary: How Women Can Share Prayers; and Battered Love: Overtures to Biblical Theology
As I was preparing to attend seminary, I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Weems and assist her as she presented the keynote address at the church of my initial formation. Dr. Weems continues to be a sought after preacher and speaker. She has been a part of the faculty at Vanderbilt University. Her books continue to provide insight into the role of spiritualty in everyday life.
Dr. Weems lectures and sermons continue to challenge and inspire me. She is one of my most significant long-distance teachers. Thanks to Dr. Weems and other women scholars, teachers, missionaries, elders, deacons and others whose faithfulness we continue to depend upon to help us understand the significant roles of women in Biblical and Christian history.
By Faith,
Pastor Stephany
A Message from Our Pastor –
“Sisters of the Spirit”
The Peekskill Presbyterian Church 705 South Street, Peekskill, NY 10566 914-737-3322
Messenger – March 2015 Page 3
Session Update
Highlights from the February Session
meeting . . .
The minutes from January 2015 meeting were
approved. Two Abstentions due to absence.
New Session Members are Susan Dahl, Caroline
Renaud, Philena Bolden, and Ruth Garcia.
Motion was presented to have Mission and Good
News to discuss the proposal presented to the church by Karl Schumacher concerning
establishing a Limited Meal Program in the church
social hall. – Unanimously approved.
Elders, Caroline Renaud, Brenda Martinez, John
Bishop, Philena Bolden, Ruth Garcia, Terrence Rooms, and Charlene Woods will participate in the
Good Friday Service by presenting the “Seven Last
Words”
Educators’ Round Table Meetings are planned for
the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m.
Baptism of Hudson Schwer on May 17 was
approved unanimously.
Good News was given permission to submit their
Challenge-To- Change Fund application to
Presbytery for consideration – Approved Unanimously
Charlene Woods was appointed as chair of the
Nominating Committee. This is a two-year
position.
On Sunday March 8th , there will be a substitute
minister while Pastor Graham is on vacation.
Presbytery does offer grant writing seminars
available to those who are interested.
~ Submitted by Charlene Woods, Clerk of Session
JELLY BEAN COLORS AND MEANINGS
ORANGE IS FOR HEAVEN SO BRIGHT.
(2 Samuel 22: 13-14)
YELLOW IS FOR GOD’S PERFECT LIGHT.
(Revelation 21:23)
BLACK IS FOR THE SINS WE’VE MADE.
(Romans 3:23)
WHITE IS FOR OUR CLEANSING FROM SIN.
S(Psalm 51: 1-2)
GREEN IS FOR OUR NEW LIFE IN HIM.
(Colossians 1:10)
PINK IS FOR HIS FREE GIFT TO SHARE.
(Mathew 28: 19-20)
PURPLE IS FOR THE CROWNS WE’LL WEAR.
(2 Timothy 4:8)
The Peekskill Presbyterian Church 705 South Street, Peekskill, NY 10566 914-737-3322
Messenger – March 2015 Page 4
Prayer Ministries
Wednesday Morning Prayer Call
Join Pastor Stephany Wednesday mornings between 7:30 – 7:45 a.m. for the call. To participate, dial 1-559-726-1000;
when prompted, enter code 703 336 #
Prayer Chain
Members of this ministry commit themselves to offer up prayers requested by
the congregation and the community. More participants are needed.
To join the prayer chain, call 914-737-3322 or email [email protected]
Connected Prayer Ministry
A quiet space and time for meditation and prayer; held the 4th Wednesday every month,
at 6 p.m. in the Parlor
Continued Prayer
Polly & Don Brandes Dr. Edward Castner (for remission)
Marge Crawford Joe Deutsch Elaine Galella Bruce Simon Bob Straub Dot Whitehouse Seaman Robert Woods The people of the Middle East and in all areas of conflict All those struggling with addiction For the prisoners
Prayers for Comfort
To the family of Mrs. Nellie Ruth Keller (Patricia Button’s mother) To the family of Elsa Shapiro (Yselle Shapiro’s mother) ~ If you have prayer requests for concerns or Thanksgiving, please contact Philena Bolden
~ Matthew 7:7
“Ask, and it will be given
to you; seek, and you will
find; knock, and it will be
opened to you.”
.
Prayers & Sympathy
OUR MISSION
In response to the profound
love of God through Jesus
Christ toward all, we welcome
everyone to join us 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
The Peekskill Presbyterian Church 705 South Street, Peekskill, NY 10566 914-737-3322
Messenger – March 2015 Page 5
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when
did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and
give you something to drink? When did we see you a
stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and
clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison
and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever
you did for one of the least of these brothers and
sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:37-40
Please let us know what gifts you may want
to offer to those in your congregation . . . A
ride? Companionship? A meal? We still
have information slips in the pews in the
sanctuary. We ask that you fill them out and
let us know how you can help – or to let us
know if you are in need of assistance.
You might also choose to call or e-mail the
church office to let us know. (914-737-3322
We hope to compile a list of helpers who can
be called on when a need arises. Thank you!
Hebrews 13:16
“ Do not neglect to do good and to
share what you have, for such
sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
The Deacons Daily
Sometimes out of the mouths of babes we learn the greatest lessons. I would like to share a story I came across that proves this point.
The author is unknown.
Every child comes with the message that God is
not yet discouraged with man. Now the story goes
thus: a little shepherd boy was watching his sheep
one Sunday morning and he heard the bells of the
church ringing. And watching the people walk
along the pasture where he was, he happened to
think to himself, “I would like to communicate with
God! But, what could I say to god?”
He had never learned a prayer. So, on bended
knee, he began to recite the alphabet. As he was
repeating this prayer several times, a man passing
by, heard the boy’s voice and peaked through the
bushes. He saw the young boy kneeling with folded
hands, eyes closed, repeating the alphabet.
He interrupted the boy. “What are you doing,
my little one?” he asked. The boy replied, “I was
praying sir, “The man seemed surprised and said,
“But why are you reciting the alphabet?” The boy
explained, “I don’t know any prayers, sir. But I do
want God to take care of me, and to help me care
for my sheep. And so I thought, if I said all I did
know which is the alphabet, He could put the letters
together into the right words, and then He would
know all that I need and what I meant to say!”
The man smiled and said. ”Bless your heart, I
know God will hear you and put the letters together
correctly!” Knowing this, the man went on to
church realizing that he had just heard the finest
sermon he could possibly have heard that day and it
came from the heart of a small child.
Maybe if we thought like little children and let
God put together all of our letters and forming the
words that would represent what we wanted and
what we should say, things would probably work
out a lot better than we humans could ever have
planned with our sophisticated words!!!
Messenger – March 2015 Page 6
Join us for a review of the
Bible,
From Genesis to the Book
of the
Revelation of John.
Meeting
11:30 a.m.
In the Church Parlor
The Peekskill Presbyterian Church 705 South Street, Peekskill, NY 10566 914-737-3322
Messenger – March 2015 Page 7
Scripture Memorization Challenge
1. Psalm 37:4, 5. Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you
the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in
Him, and He will act.
2. Psalm 16:8. I keep the LORD always before me; because He is
at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
3. Isaiah 26:4. Trust in the LORD forever, for in the LORD God
you have an everlasting rock.
4. Exodus 15:2. The LORD is my strength and my might, and He
has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him,
my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
~ Thanks to Rosa Reed for the Memorization Challenge
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Serving with Mirth in March ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Date
1 . . . . . . . .
8 . . . . . . . .
15 . . . . . . .
22 . . . . . . .
29 . . . . . . .
Elder on Duty
Christine Button . . . . .
CindyLou Bohler . . . .
Ray Brown . . . . . . . . . .
Linda Buckiewicz . . . .
Kathy Cerreta . . . . . . .
Ushers
Linda Buckiewicz & Phyllis Froebrich
Linda & Steve Johns
Diana Heaton & Lynne Nayman
Marsha Vernon & Debra Campise
Jean Kaiser & Harry Percoulis
Acolyte
Steven Denardo . . . . .
Chelsea Sackey . . . . . .
Brenda Martinez . . . . .
Steven Denardo . . . . .
Marsha Vernon . . . . . .
Marjory
Stephany
Mary
Donald
Kristin
Beverly
Grace
Rebecca
Jessica
Miranda
Diana
Courtney
Joan
Walter
Tracy
Brianna
Christina
Robert
Donald
Brenda
Marsha
March Birthdays
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
8
10:00am – Worship
3 – 8pm: (Social Hall in Use)
(Pastor - Vacation)
9
7:30pm – Boy Scouts
10
6:00pm – Deacons 6:45pm – Fit Club 7:00pm – Chancel Choir 7:30pm – Gates of Heaven
8:30pm –
Praise Choir
11
6:30pm – AA
12
7:30pm – Session
13
12:00pm – Knitting
Pastor: School
14
15
10:00am – Worship (with Communion)
16
6:00pm – Personnel
7:00pm - Performing Arts Ministry Rehearsal
7:30pm – Boy Scouts
17
6:45pm – Fit Club 7:00pm – Chancel Choir 7:30pm – Gates of Heaven 8:30pm –
Praise Choir
18 6:30pm – AA 7:00pm – Educators Round Table
19
5:00pm – Head Start Parent Mtg. (Social Hall)
20
12:00pm – Knitting
21
5 – 8pm: Men’s Roast Beef Dinner (Social Hall) 7:30pm – Bridge Club
(Tina Wileikis)
22
9:00am – Stewardship Meeting 10:00am – Worship
23
7:00pm - Performing Arts Ministry Rehearsal
7:30pm – Boy Scouts
24
5:30pm – Soup Kitchen Prep 6:45pm – Fit Club 7:00pm – Chancel Choir 7:30pm – Gates of Heaven 8:30pm - Praise Choir
25
6:00pm – Connected Prayer Meeting 6:30pm – AA
26 7:00pm – Investment Committee Meeting 7:30pm – Thirsty
27
12:00pm – Knitting 7:30pm – Book Club
Pastor: School
28
29
10:00am – Worship
Palm Sunday
30
7:00pm - Performing Arts Ministry Rehearsal
7:30pm – Boy Scouts
31
6:45pm – Fit Club 7:00pm – Chancel Choir 7:30pm – Gates of Heaven 8:30pm - Praise Choir
1
6:15pm – Thrift Shop Mtg
6:30pm – AA
2
7:00pm – C & B Meeting
7:30pm – Last Supper Reenactment
Maundy Thursday
3
(Office Closed)
(Elders Preaching) Good Friday
4
5
10:00am – Worship (with Communion)
Easter Sunday
6 (NO Mission Mtg.) 7:30pm – Boy Scouts
7
6:45pm – Fit Club 7:00pm – Chancel Choir 7:30pm – Gates of Heaven 8:30pm –Praise Choir
Church Office Hours –
Tues – Fri, 9:30AM – 2:30PM
914-737-3322 [email protected]
Church Website:
www.peekskillpresby.org
Find Us on Facebook:
Peekskill Presbyterian Church
Pastor Stephany Graham
Office Hours –
Wed: 10AM – 3PM, Thur: 4 – 7PM, Alternate
Fri & Sat and Mon & Tues: 11:30AM – 4:30PM
Thrift Shop:
Wed, Thur & Sat
10AM – 3PM
845-538-2669
* Remember that the church has other users,
such as Head Start and Gates of Heaven.
Please contact the office to confirm availability,
before planning a building event.
Thank you! *
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ A P R I L ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ A P R I L ~ ~ ~
7:30pm – Worship
(Healing Service)
12:00pm – Worship
7:30pm – Worship NO Easter
Vigil