Commack United Methodist Church 486 Townline Road Commack, NY 11725-7310 (631) 499-7310 Web Site: http://www.commack-umc.org Email: [email protected] Pastor’s E-Mail: [email protected] Rev. Dr. John E. Carrington, Pastor (631) 499-4770 December 2007

Open Hearts

Open Minds

A Word from the Pastor:

Open Doors

up to Christmas. The choir is preparing for its Christmas Musical, “The Living Light”, which will take place on Sunday, December 9, 2007, at 5:00 PM. On Sunday, December 16, 2007, at 6:00 PM the confirmation class will hold its first meeting. I am looking forward to teaching the class for the weeks that follow. Teaching the class is an opportunity, not only to get to know some of our young people, but to give me a chance to share the Christian faith with them. We are all invited to go caroling on Saturday, December 22 at 5:00 PM. Put on warm clothing and come and join us as we move around the neighborhood singing some of our favorite Christmas carols. Bring the children along. I am really looking forward to our three worship services on Christmas Eve, especially the 5:00 PM family service when the children’s Christmas program will be held in the sanctuary. At 7:00 PM, a candlelight communion service will be held in the 1789 Chapel.

When the members of the Staff, Pastor Parish Relations Committee met with me before the District Superintendent, Richard Rice, said that I was to be appointed Interim Pastor of Commack United Methodist Church, I was asked and answered many questions. One person asked if I would be here during the Christmas holidays and, of course, I stated that I would be. At the time, I did not know what specific plans and events that our church has for Advent and Christmas, but I knew that this season is one of the busiest seasons of the year, and I wanted to share it with you. I am eager to become acquainted with the special traditions that you have developed over the years. The church year begins with Advent. This is a season of preparation for the coming of the Lord. The worship committee has already ordered the special candles for the Sundays leading 1

It is such an appropriate place to celebrate Christmas where people have worshiped God for more than two hundred years. It is a gift that we still have. It is a holy place. We will have our 11:00 PM candlelight communion service in the sanctuary. The Long Island Korean United Methodist Church will worship on Christmas morning at 10:00 AM and we are invited to attend. Do your Christmas shopping early so that you can come and share the Christmas worship and events with our friends and neighbors at Commack United Methodist Church. Bring someone to church with you.

Sometimes my heart is very weak and I fall down but He lifts me up again and draws me into a good road. His name is WONDERFUL. Sometime, it may be very soon, it may be a long, long time, He will draw me into a valley. It is dark there, but I'll be afraid not, for it is in between those mountains that the Shepherd Chief will meet me and the hunger that I have in my heart all through this life will be satisfied. Sometimes He makes the love rope into a whip, but afterwards He gives me a staff to lean upon. He spreads a table before me with all kinds of foods. He puts His hand upon my head and all the "tired" is gone. My cup He fills till it runs over. What I tell is true, I lie not. These roads that are "away ahead" will stay with me through this life and after; and afterwards I will go to live in the Big Tepee and sit down with the SHEPHERD CHIEF forever. UMW's Christmas worship "The Christmas Tree", led by Ginny Eichenauer will be held on Thursday, December 13 at 7:30 PM in the sanctuary and all members of our congregation and friends are invited to attend.. A fellowship hour will follow in the parlor. All UMW members are reminded to bring a small plate of goodies.

Our annual Christmas sale will be held on Sunday, December 9 in the fellowship hall. Anyone wishing to bake and donate is requested to bring their homemade goodies to the fellowship hall between 8:30-9:30 AM on Saturday, the 8th. We will start packaging the cookies at 9:30 AM. Led by Ann Aupperle, the November program "World Thank~Sustainer's of Life " focused on the Native American Indian. Our worship center, dominated by the cross was surrounded by fruits of the harvest as well as authentic Indian-crafted dolls. Our prayers were delivered to the four corners of the compass. This meaningful program ended with an Indian version of the 23rd Psalm: The Great Father above a Shepherd Chief is. I am His and with Him I want not. He throws out to me a rope and the name of the rope is love and He draws me to where the grass is green and the water not dangerous, and I eat and lie down and am satisfied.

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Special thanks to our neighborhood merchants that donated food for the Country Kitchen at our Fall Fair: Bagel Boss, Mayfair Shopping Center Bagel Chalet, Veterans Memorial Hwy Dunkin Donuts, Commack Rd. Please remember to patronize these establishments. Pat Spory 2

Also missing since last winter’s cold season is a women’s black fulllength coat. If you realize you have it, please hang it on the hangers in the back of the sanctuary. Thank you.

NURTURE WORK AREA We would like to thank the entire congregation for all their love and support throughout the years. Even though we look forward to Maryland, it is hard to leave all our friends here. We want to thank the thrift shoppe for the coffee hour in our honor and the nice gift which we will be proud to display in our new home. The willingness of all the volunteers that worked in the shop made our job enjoyable and easier. The going away service was very special to us, and we appreciate it very much. It was very touching. We would also like to thank all the Trustees and their spouses for taking us out to dinner. We wish them luck with all the projects in the future. We enjoyed being involved in all the committees and appreciate the friendships that we received. We’ll miss you all. If any of you are in the Maryland area, we would love to have you come and visit. Love, Carol and Art Wilson

A big thank you to everyone who came to our Pancake Breakfast. Thank you also to those who gave us donations, even though they didn’t participate. We raised $359 towards the deposit for the 2008 Family Retreat. An even bigger thank you to the members of this committee who pitched in with all their time, energy and hearts. We won’t forget the friends from our church who pitched in and made cleanup easier or brought down the pots for coffee hour either. Thank you all. Ginny Eichenauer, Chairman A MISSION MOMENT Although December 25 is not an official holiday in Mozambique, Amelia, Director of the orphanage in Xai Xai, insisted on visiting her mother so she could say “Boas Festas” (Happy Holidays). And she insisted on taking all 26 children of the orphanage with her, 12 being 3 years or under. After a 6½ hour trip, they arrived hot and tired. As if on cue, members of Amelia’s family all came and held a baby. After baths, the babies all fell asleep. Amelia’s 98-year-old grandmother looked onto sleeping angels and said, “Can you doubt the Spirit of Baby Jesus is in this house?” Each baby had a mother of its own that Christmas Eve to rock them peacefully to sleep.

New address: 14533 Shirley Bohn Rd. Mt Airy, MD 21771 (301) 829-8926 MISSING Small artificial flower arrangement used by Lydia Circle, UMW and as an altar decoration, went missing from the parlor Sunday, November 11 or Monday, November 12. Please return it to the parlor as soon as possible. Thank you.

Lucille Bonaventure, Missionary

3

Mozambique

April 2008 – Family retreat @ Camp Quinipet Sept. 19-21, 2008: UMW retreat @ Camp Quinipet

DECEMBER BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO: Shaun Devine Phyllis Faber Maureen Kessler Mike Malgraff Barbara Mondelli Tom Mazzola Evangeline Manjares John Muller Lisa Rysdyk Dave Rysdyk James Sullivan Paula Titolo Margie Zoltowsky Jesus of Nazareth

ADVENT DECORATIONS Advent commences on Sunday, December 2. You are invited to add your old or favorite family Nativity to our display in the memorial cabinet. Please give them to Kathy Muller on Sunday. These Nativities will be in the locked cabinet until Epiphany on January 6, 2008. You will hear the open table display referred by many as "The Putz." Years ago, some of our church members took a bus trip to Bethlehem, PA to view the live Nativity and visit the area. While there, we attended a Moravian church to view their Putz. Our tradition started the following year. The Moravian "Putz" (German for decoration) is more than a nativity scene with adoring shepherds; for decorations are not confined by time of geography. It tells the story of Jesus' birth with a manger scene as the focal point; it is the gospel in miniature from Isaiah's prophecy and to the visit of the Wisemen and flight into Egypt. We have decided to “tell the rest of the story” and extended it to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. The essence of the putz tradition is found in the way each putz is built to tell the story. The joy comes in collecting and creating; we have used vintage figurines and many other items: stones, houses and animals, collected and added over the years by

On your birthday I wish you much pleasure and joy; I hope all of your wishes come true. May each hour and minute be filled with delight, and your birthday be perfect for you! By Johann Fuchs Thank our Lord that you are you! Happy Birthday! SOME DATES TO REMEMBER: Saturday, December 8 - 9:30 AM, UMW Christmas cookie donations and packaging Sunday, December 9 - 10 AM, UMW Christmas Cookie Sale Sunday, December 9 - 5:00 PM, Christmas Choral Program Thursday, December 13 - 7:30 PM, UMW Christmas Worship & Fellowship Saturday, December 22 – 5:00 PM Caroling CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES Monday, December 24th – 5:00 PM; Children’s Family Service, 7:00; Chapel Candelight Service, 11:00 PM Candelght Communion Service 4

our congregants, including a model of our Chapel and the Dome of the Rock. If you wish, you may add any meaningful item to our Putz. The Moravian Church even had a piece of the 'Berlin wall.' Our children are invited to 'play' with the scene, acting out the story by moving the Wisemen, animals, etc.

Have you ordered poinsettas yet? See the attached order form. HARVEST DINNER We hope you all enjoyed the Harvest Dinner, November 17th, and now it is time to thank all the people who made the dinner possible. First...our ticket printer, Mel Walker. Mel keeps track of the years dinner has been served. This was the 224th year!! Joan Svoboda, our ticket lady – selling and collecting at the door. Great job! Norma & Jack Adam, Marge Wright, Barbara Knippenberg, Dotty Megna, Tracy Donovan, Pat Ross. Marge Zoltowsky, Karen & Mike Mallgraf came early with their peelers and got busy on the vegetables. At the same time the tables were being set by Dagmar & Sarah Mackay, Betty, Carson, Matilda Gollatz. Robyn Bagno skated around helping everywhere. Art Titolo, made a house call to fix the dishwasher. The dessert table was full – thanks to our great bakers: Margie Zoltowsky, Matilda Gollatz, Kathy Muller, Norma Adam, Karen Mallgraf, Martha Lockhart, Patti Spory, Maureen Kessler, Dotty Megna, and Deb Hervey. Sobana Prasad had the sweet job of cutting the cakes and serving the desserts. At this time Jack Adam & Mike Mallgraf were mashing the potatoes. The food servers, Trish & Joan Nehlsen, Ben Fick, Barbara Knippenberg, Victoria Zinkarvitch, Joan Kopping, & Marge Wright worked well to get the food out – hot and tasty. The tables were served by BSA Troop 125. The musical entertainment was provided by the talented Mark Prasad. The beautiful piano music added so much to our eating pleasure. The CLEAN-UP CREW flew

THRIFT SHOPPE NEWS The Thrift Shoppe is welcoming you to our store. There are so many things available for Christmas celebrating. There will be a special TOY SALE taking place, Saturday December 8, 10-4. We are in need of helpers. If you can spare a few hours a month we can use people to fold clothes. Just stop in anytime we are open and volunteer. This is a constant need. Also please consider becoming one of the staff, which is a 3 hour, scheduled time, each month. Call Marge Wright, 643-1873 and she will arrange a time slot for you. Thanks! Anne Tammaro & Patti Spory FROM THE CHURCH OFFICE I knew this church family was special, but on Sunday, November 27, I realized just how much! What an event! If I were asked to say ANYTHING, I probably would have broken down. “THANK YOU” sometimes doesn’t seem to say enough. I can understand why Dick enjoyed his ministry so much among this congregation. But I won’t say goodbye. We never know what purpose there is to our time with different people except to maybe appreciate what time we have. See you soon! Donna Mills 5

into gear to finish off the dinner. Very, special thanks to Joan & Tricia Nehlsen, Jack & Norma Adam, Ben Fick, Al Svoboda & Gary Spory. We would like to invite you to join this happy crew. Next year it will be the 225th. See you there?

Share your belongings with your needy fellow Christians…" Romans 12:10, 13. As December approaches, we look forward to the joys of the Christmas season. One of these joys is our annual "Angel Tree". Everyone in the congregation has the opportunity to enrich and brighten someone's life with a Christmas gift by choosing an angel with the name and age of a recipient, as well as a suggestion for a suitable gift. Shopping and wrapping a gift for your special Angel is fun! I cannot think of anything sadder than a child without a gift to open on Christmas unless it's the parent who cannot afford a gift for that child. Let us share the joy of this Holy Season with those less fortunate than ourselves. Let us give the gift of love to Our Lord on His birthday by giving to His children. We will also provide special food boxes to provide holiday dinners. Christmas boxes are on their way to our military personnel in Iraq along with our prayers for the safe return of our troops. As a special treat the Sunday School Children sent their own special greetings. Penny’s Brownie Troop donated items and helped pack the boxes. My Samantha’s Brownies also made cards to send. We will continue collecting and mailing supplies to these men and women for as long as necessary. There is so little we can do about this war, but we will do whatever we can to show these brave men and women that we support them and appreciate their sacrifices for us. Special thanks go to Kathy’s ladies who provide a steady supply of warm mittens and hats. They are really appreciated now that the weather is getting colder. We delivered almost 200 to the soup kitchen in Brentwood for distribution to their guests. Please inform us of any need in the congregation or the community

MISSIONS WORKAREA Our "Peanut Butter Gang" made 1050 sandwiches in November, which were delivered by Deb’s Girl Scouts. This ecumenical project helps feed the hungry and homeless in the Long Island and NYC area. Everyone working together makes this ministry a success; those who supply peanut butter, jelly, bread, gloves, boxes, paper towels, paper plates, baggies; those who pick up, set up, clean up and deliver. A special thanks to Mary and Jerry for keeping us supplied with bread. We hope you join us on the first Saturday of each month at 8:30 AM to be a part of this heart warming ministry. The members of our congregation show the world that they are Christians with their “helping hands” not just with words. What better way to express our thanks for the Lord's bounty than by sharing with those less fortunate than us? Your donations have enabled us to provide Thanksgiving food boxes to families struggling for survival. A big thank you to Pumpkin Patch for the proceeds of their annual food drive, and to our Youth group for sorting the food. Add the fresh fruit and vegetables from the altar together with donated turkeys and we helped brighten someone’s holiday. Again, we thank you for reaching out and sharing God's love with others through your generosity. Let us continue to reach out to the hungry, the hurt, the lonely and the poor with Christian love. "Love one another warmly as Christian brothers…. 6

where we may be of assistance. We can only help if you keep us informed. Many times we are asked how we find the people we help, but we don't find them; they are usually referred to us by people who care. Contact the office, Gail or Anne, and we will do our best to respond. We wish you a blessed Christmas. Anne Tammaro & Gail Stroup Missions Workarea

Sounds too good to be true? There’s more! You can designate that the donations are made in your name then if you're donating to an organization that qualifies under section 170 of the IRS code as a nonprofit, your donation may be considered tax-deductible. HOW IT WORKS: 1. Join iGive.com to support Commack United Methodist Church It's free, safe, and easy to join. http://www.iGive.com/html/refer.cfm?m emberid=540070&causeid=44180 2. Shop through iGive.com OR just surf their stores Their online mall features over 680 online stores

Use Internet Shopping to Support Our Church If you shop on the internet then you might be interested in a new service that takes a part of the seller’s profits at certain stores and sends them to your favorite cause. IGive.com is a new way to give to your favorite cause, including Commack United Methodist Church. Once you register at http://www.iGive.com and follow the directions, certain internet purchases will go to your favorite cause, all without costing you any additional money. _________________________________

3. Watch the $$ roll in for Commack United Methodist Church! Up to 26% of EACH purchase is donated, plus a bonus $5 donation if you shop within 45 days.

_________________________________

7