Epistle - First Presbyterian Church in Valatie, NY

Epistle
“We are a small congregation, part of God’s larger family, teaching and living
God’s Word, and sharing God’s love throughout the community.”
Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Valatie
Reverend Kathi L. Jones, Pastor
Volume 3 Issue 4
P.O. Box 267, 3212 Church Street, Valatie, NY 12184
email: ifirstpresbyter1@nycap.rr.com
518-758-9658
April 2016
From the Pastor’s Pen
As I was growing up, one day during Vacation Bible School, the associate pastor’s wife called me
upstairs, took me to an empty classroom and asked me if I had accepted Jesus Christ as my
Lord and Savior yet. No one said “No” to Mrs. Bradbury, so I said I wanted to do that. Right then
and there she had me pray the “sinner’s prayer”. It was over in less than 5 minutes. I went down
the stairs and everyone was standing there waiting to hear what happened. I announced I
became a Christian and that was that.
I have since learned that one does not become a Christian “just like that.” It is a life-long process
as one learns and grows into becoming more like Christ. The disciples went through that
process. We sometimes wonder where their heads were when they did some of the things they
did. But they were growing into it just as we do. I could not think and act as I do now back when
I was 12 years old. And I know I have more work to do as I continue to grow into being what God
intended for me.
We all learn at different rates and we all make decisions as we are able. We also grow in our
faith in increments. The disciples showed us how they struggled throughout the process – as
they learned at Jesus’ feet on a hill, as they witnessed from afar at the cross, as they agonized
behind closed doors in the upper room, even as they were astonished at Christ’s appearance in
their midst after the resurrection.
How often do we have right before our eyes or in our hearing a sign or message that will give us
more insight or help us grow in our faithful witness? If we are preoccupied with our own thoughts
there is no room for these to enter our very being and we miss an opportunity from God to grow.
So, we progress slower. Other times we are open to the moving of the Spirit among us and we
have an epiphany, a growth spurt, if you will. They bring joy, peace, a sense of rightness to our
being. That’s what the disciples were desperately needing when in the upper room. When
Jesus entered, and then left, they still seemed unsure. But the experience continued to speak to
them and they grew. They took up the ministry of sharing the story of Jesus and God’s love for
everyone. And they grew in faith. It is in the doing that we grow.
As we find ways to do, may we grow in spirit and faith.
Kathi
Volume 3 Issue 4
Page 2
Walk. Give. Change the world.
2016 CROP Walk will be on May 1!
We need walkers who have sponsors to support Church World Service and local programs
which address the issues of hunger. In Valatie, we have seen an increase in the number of
people who are in need of help in feeding their families. Please consider walking – either the
1 mile or 5 mile course – and getting sponsors so that we can do our part for this worthy
ministry. If you cannot walk, please seek out a person or persons whom you could sponsor.
The CROP Walk funds that are retained for local use for the 2015 walk were distributed at a
meeting on March 31 at St. Luke’s. Each of the four food pantries in northern Columbia
received $750.00. Other funds, sent to Church World Service, will help in a variety of ways
such as:
$20 will supply a year worth of micronutrient packets
$60 will buy jerry cans for a small village
$100 will train 25 farmers
$500 will provide seeds and gardening supplies for a community garden
Get out and exercise. Encourage others to give - it’s good for the heart. Help others to be
able to live a healthy life. You can do that al on Sunday, May 1 in just a couple of hours.
WOW!
Please be generous
Volume 3 Issue 4
Page 3
Deacons Doings.
We hope you had a peaceful, reflective and
enjoyable Holy Week and Easter. We are
excited to be entering the spring season of
rebirth. We are starting to plan our afternoon
social for June. We welcome any ideas that
the congregation would have on topics that
you would enjoy hearing about.
The Board of Deacons
APRIL BIRTHDAYS
4/13 Toby Lauster
4/16 Susan Pienta
4/30 Nadean Behrens
APRIL ANNIVERSARIES
4/5 Yvonne and David Main
4/15 Tamara and Richard Armstrong
Prayer List
We pray for:








Better care of our environment
Financial planners, accountants
and tax specialists
People with chronic illness and
conditions
Protection for endangered species
Affordable dental care
Safety for young people during
school vacations
Maple syrup and honey producers
War-torn areas around the world
We are thankful for …

The beauty of spring

Church musicians especially our
organist Ardelle

Living in a peaceful area
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL
If we have missed your Birthday or Anniversary
on our list, please give Naomi in the office a
call. We want to celebrate with you and let
others know about your special day. If you are
reaching some other significant milestone let
us know.
LECTIONARY FOR APRIL
April 3: Acts 5:27–32; Psalm 118:14–29
or Psalm 150; Revelation 1:4–8; John
20:19–31
April 10: Acts 9:1–6 [7–20]; Psalm 30;
Revelation 5:11–14; John 21:1–19
April 17: Acts 9:36–43; Psalm
Revelation 7:9–17; John 10:22–30
23;
April 24: Acts 11:1–18; Psalm
Revelation 21:1–6; John 13:31–35
148;
Volume 3 Issue 4
Page 4
Save The Date!
Presbyterian Women
Presbyterian Women will meet on
Thursday, April 7 at 10:00am. in the
Memorial Room. We will discuss lesson 8
in the Bible Study “Come to the Water”.
Anyone needing a ride may contact Vieve
at 758-9865. All women are welcome.
The Spring Gathering of Presbyterian
Women in the Presbytery of Albany will be
held Saturday, April 23 from 10:00am. until
1:30pm. at Trinity Presbyterian Church in
Scotia. The Reverend Kathy GormanCoombs will talk about our Presbytery’s
partnership with the Mam Presbytery in
Guatemala and give a report on the water
filter project for which our church provided
three filters. She will also present
information on the Haiti Mission School and
the work that Tom and Joellen Parsons are
doing to promote education, provide safe
water, and improve the health of the
children in the remote Labastille area.
Rev, Josh Heikkila, a PCUSA mission
worker, who is the Presbyterian Church’s
regional liaison for West Africa, will be in
the Albany area April 21-24 and will be
speaking at the PW Spring Gathering also.
Everyone is welcome to attend! There is
a $5.00 registration fee and participants are
asked to bring a bag lunch. Drinks and
dessert will be provided by the host church.
Please contact Rosalie Hemingway at 7587886 or Ardelle Stewart at 766-3661 if you
plan to attend and wish to car pool from our
church.
Boy Scout Troop 114 is
hosting a Spaghetti Dinner on
April 16th, 5-8pm $8 Adults
advance tickets / $10 at the door, $5
Children 12 & under. Dinner is spaghetti,
meatballs, choice of sauce (red or alfredo),
salad, bread, drinks and dessert. Eat in or
take out is available. Speak with Pastor
Kathi about advance sale tickets.
The lost and found basket in the kitchen is
over flowing with items left behind. If you are
the owner of anything there, please pick it up
as soon as possible.
In Our Thoughts and Prayers
Malcolm Gay - as he continues to need
medical care.
Marge Laurie - as she continues to heal from
another shoulder surgery which was very
successful.
First Presbyterian Church, Valatie
April 2016
Sun
3
Mon
4
9:30 Sunday School 9:45 Adult Edication
11:00 Worship
Sacrament of Holy
Communion
12;15 Deacons’ Meeting
10
9:30 Sunday School
9:45 Adult Education
11:00 Worship
12:15 Coffee Hour
Tue
5
7:00 pm.
Congregation &
Community
7:00 pm.
Boy Scouts
11
12
9:30 Sunday School
9:45 Adult Education
11:00 Worship
12:15 Christian Nurture Mtg.
24
9:30 Sunday School
9:45 Adult Education
11:00 Worship
12:15 Coffee Hour
Thu
7
6
10:00 am.
Presbyterian
Women
4:30 pm.
Presbytery at
Schenectady
13
14
Fri
18
19
7:00 pm.
Finance &
Stewardship
2
8
9
15
16
7:00 pm.
Boy Scouts
25
26
5 - 8 pm.
Boy Scout
Spaghetti
Dinner
7:00 pm.
Summer Lunch
Meeting
20
21
22
2:00 pm.
Warm Up
America!
7:00 pm.
Session
27
Sat
1
7:00 pm.
Buildings &
Grounds
7:00 pm.
Boy Scouts
17
Wed
23
10:00 am.
PW Spring
Gathering
Earth Day
28
7:00 pm.
Boy Scouts
Food Pantry Hours
Monday 12noon to 2pm
Wednesday 3/1, 3/15, 3/29 6 - 8 pm
Saturday, 3/12 & 3/26 9 -11 am
29
30
3212 Church Street
P. O. Box 267
Valatie, NY 12184
Phone: 518-758-9658
Email: ifirstpresbyter1@nycap.rr.com
TIME SENSITIVE INFORMATION-PLEASE DELIVER PROMPTLY
Walk. Give. Change the world.
2016 CROP Walk will be on May 1!
Sandra Hohneker, Treasurer
Melissa Barton, Clerk of Session
Bill Ring, Financial Secretary
Ardelle Stewart, Organist
Naomi Handley, Secretary
Virginia Becker, Sexton