Commack United Methodist Church 486 Townline Road Commack, NY 11725-2026 - 631.499.7310
Web Site: http://www.commack-umc.org Emails:
[email protected] [email protected]
226 YEARS OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE IN COMMACK 1783-2009 Rev. Lynda Bates-Stepe, Pastor 631.499.4770 Carolyn Gehlbach, Editor January 2008
Open Hearts
Open Minds
Open Doors
might be filled with meaning and purpose and joy that no matter how wonderful or trying, both days and nights are filled with God’s glorious presence.
A Word from the Pastor
May the new year bring blessings of both joy and strength and may the Epiphany of Christ’s birth be a personal epiphany of God’s presence with you.
Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, And thick darkness the peoples; But the Lord will arise upon you, And God’s glory will appear over you. ~~Isaiah 60:1-2
Peace, Rev. Lynda One last time: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Our Advent and Christmas celebrations were wonderful expression of God’s gift of love and our devotion to God. But it took a lot of work and many people contributing their time, talents and help to bring it all about. Thank you to everyone who lent a hand to making it happen. And thank you to our staff, Dotty Arola, Carolyn Gehlbach, and Alex Alvarado for all their dedication and extra effort. It is appreciated!
Christmas has come and gone but still the light shines in the darkness. Our Advent and Christmas celebrations are culminated with Epiphany. Not only did God choose to come into the world in human form but also we have witnessed the Daystar rising in our own time, in our own lives. The natal star shines in many ways to lead us to a closer, more authentic relationship with the Messiah born to us that first Christmas.
A prayer for the new year: Now pardon, O gracious Jesus, what we have been; with your holy discipline, correct what we are. Order by your providence what we shall be, and in the end, crown your own gifts. Amen.
It may be hard to tell but already the nights are getting shorter and the days are getting longer. As we move into the new year, the lengthening days will become more evident. But even in the darkest night, we know that the light of God’s Spirit is ever with us. That brings us hope and joy. Hope that life
~~John Wesley 1
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
A NEW YEARS PRAYER: A new year is unfolding~like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within. Lord, let this year be filled with the things that are truly good~with the comfort of warmth in our relationships, with the strength to help those who need our help and the humility and openness to accept help from others. As we make our resolutions for the year head, let us go forward with great hope that all things can be possible~with Your help and guidance. Amen
CHRISTMAS COOKIE SALE: Thank you to all who baked, packed and bought our plates of cookies. It helped to add $300 to fund our mission projects which includes our adopted Appalachian family, Women's Advocate Ministry (for those imprisoned), local missions include fresh food for those in need, our pledge to LIE District missions among others. Ginny did a great job with her CHRISTMAS PROGRAM "Love's Pure Light" Paper buildings turned the altar into a little Bethlehem town. We all received paper slips with the title of a villager and a description of his work. We were farmers, census takers, shoe-makers, a camel keeper and various others. As the story of the townspeople visiting Bethlehem unfolded, we answered to our title by going up and lighting a tealight from a larger candle and placing it hither and yon among the buildings. Little Bethlehem town was aglow with flickering lights...such a lovely scene. Then all the lights but one were extinguished, "Loves Pure Light"...the love and light of God shone in the little town. A great reminder for us all.
EPIPHANY: JANUARY 4TH Our Advent and Christmas decorations will be removed during this week. I wish to thank the Tuesday Men for putting up the trees in the parlor and sanctuary, to Ginny and Nancy for the altar decorations, and to John for maintaining and hanging our pew banners. We hope all this, our putz and my collection of nativities, along with those of Mary Kopf, Martha Lockhart and Reverend Lynda enriched your experience in the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Kathy
Two solos were sung by Phyllis D'Amato and Nancy Gamby. We all sang hymns and joined in prayer . Following this inspiring worship, we adjourned to the parlor to partake of refreshments enhanced by fellowship. Twenty-eight people were in attendance.
JANUARY BIRTHDAY PRAYERS AND GREETINGS: Nancy Gamby
Kaylee Reddo
Carl Faber
Tracy Kopping
Martha Lockhart
Art Wilson
Betty Mascola
Matthew Colavito
Our JANUARY MEETING was held on Thursday, January 8 at 7:30 PM in the parlor. The program. "A Call to Prayer & Self Denial: Creating Communities Through Information Technologies" was be presented by Kathy Muller.
Karen Mallgraf Larry Sehringer
A special offering this evening will fund programs related to marginalized communities, such as the poor, the physically challenged and others, especially women, children and youth that don't have access to information technology.
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Prayers and sympathy go out to Joan Wanner and her family on the passing of Joan’s Mother, Eleanor Knoblock. Eleanor passed into God’s loving care on December 16, 2008, in her 95th year. May God, with his unfailing love, sustain this family. Rest in peace, Eleanor *
INSTALLATION of 2009 UMW officers will be led by our president and Betty Carson will serve as the evening's hostess. All the women in church and friends are invited to attend. Let us know if transportation is needed.
Florence Schneckenburger
INTERNATIONAL DINNER, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14 @ 6 PM 2
over 40 boxes of Chlriswtmas items?? Good News—most of it has sold. January is the only month that everything except clothing is half price. Our reopening date was January 6th with new price charts. Thank you Dagmar Mackay for your creative printing, and a special .....
We are looking forward to our Annual International Dinner in the fellowship hall. Each family is requested to bring a favorite (or heritage) dish to SERVE YOUR FAMILY PLUS TWO in ADDITION to a salad or dessert. A sign-up sheet will be available on the bulletin board. There will also be a sheet to sign up for some of the essentials: coffee, tea, sugar, milk, cold drinks, etc. We ask that you enter the number of family members who will (or might) attend, so we have a viable count for the table and chair set up. The time is 6 PM with a guaranteed dinner bell at 6:30 PM
To all the volunteers who donate many hours to our Church Thrift Shoppe.
If you have any souvenirs, items from your travels or treasures from "the old country", please bring them in so we have some lovely artifacts to display. Inform John of this, and he will have space available for you... and if you are concerned about safety, you may bring them in earlier in the day or just prior to our dinner.
Stop in!!! We can always use an extra hand to fold and stack clothing. If you would like to volunteer for a scheduled time, call Marge Wright 543-1873 We look forward to a wonderful 2009 Thanks Anne Tammaro and Patti Spory Co-Chairs ____________________________________ A HAPPENING IN NOVEMBER
Authentic foreign dress is always an eye catcher and in the past we have had a fashion show of Korean, Indian, Chinese, Bavarian and Philippine outfits~do not hesitate to dress according to your heritage...this is an International Dinner
We Wish everyone could have been with us on November1st!. The sanctuary was filled with wonderful music as Tom and Angela Stallone shared their program. The first half of the concert was spiritual music. lovely and some unfamiliar to most of us. After a brief intermission, they “took on Broadway” and Tom shared, from his opera experience, amusing and interesting anecdotes. Most people were not prepared for his rendition of the Toreador song from “Carmen” Powerful...or Angela’s lovely soprano offerings .from “South Pacific,” “Man of La Mancha” & familiar favorites. (“I’ll be seeing you”) found some of us wiping away a tear!). A coffee reception followed the program. At Sunday Coffee Hour, we were asked if they could come again. Plan to join us the next time they are here!!. The Committee Pat, Karen, Margie, Lisa, and Mike
ENTERTAINMENT~ENTERTAINMENT~ As you know there is no fee involved for CUMC's social event of the year, SO! We need some home grown entertainers! We are hoping for some very enjoyable surprises, So step up to the plate and show us your talents! Help will be needed in setting up and serving, we would be pleased to have you volunteer to help. John & Kathy Muller THRIFT SHOPPE The Thrift Shoppe will be open every Tuesday & Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The first and third Saturday monthly from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
THRIFT SHOP NEWS... Church Office: Messenger Deadline is the 15th of each month... Please email or write exactly what you would
Would you believe that the volunteers at The Thrift Shoppe unloaded and priced 3
like printed in the bulletin and/or The Messenger and forward via email or write the text and dates you want the announcement to appear. Be sure to include your name, phone number or email address. Please contact the church office a week before the appropriate deadline for the information you are submitting or for any copying you need. Thanks. Carolyn
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