THE SEA CLIFF UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

HIGHLIGHTS
NOVEMBER 2010
Page 1
The United Methodist Church of Sea Cliff
Carpenter and Downing Avenues
P.O. Box 190
Sea Cliff, New York 11579
Rev. Kirtland M. Watkins, Pastor
Greetings in the name of our Risen Savior,
Mini-Mart over, Pumpkin Patch done for another year, the leaves collecting on our
lawns, and the shortening days begin to really matter… what’s next? Advent begins
this month on November 28th, then four short weeks and we will be in the midst of
Christmas celebrations; the time that we celebrate the joy in the gift of our Savior
and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Fall is also a signal to us to the return to the “regular schedule”, Sunday School is in
full swing, Confirmation class is gearing up, and it is time, yet again, for our
financial campaign. Never a pleasant subject is it, this discussion of finances,
finances for the church that we all love.
1 Corinthians 16:2 “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set
aside a sum of money in keeping with his income…” (NIV)
The Bible is specific about the need that we have to give, the timing, and the fact
that it is meant to be proportional… much, indeed, is said about money and finance;
so important an issue it is, that Jesus speaks more about it than about prayer. We
need to give, and your church needs for you to give… we have monthly obligations
that are not being met; this cannot continue. We cannot continue to just exist… we
need to be joyously outward-reaching, developing new programs and initiatives that
we might bring more of the people to Christ – we need to be a force for Him, in a
world that cries out for His leadership, and his peace.
I urge you to open yourselves to His instruction and guidance as you prayerfully
consider your pledges, and your giving, that we might as a Church, continue in
bringing the Kingdom of God to earth.
In His Name,
In His service,
Pastor Kirt
HIGHLIGHTS
NOVEMBER 2010
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......... UPCOMING EVENTS
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November 1st – Spirit Builders, 7:30 p.m. @ the Church
November 6th – OMEGA Concert, 8:00 p.m.
November 12th – “Home for the Holidays” Dinner and Preview, 6:30 p.m.
November 13th – “Home for the Holidays” Fair, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and
Luncheon, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
November 14th – Pledge Sunday
November 17th – Ecumenical Prayer & Healing Service, 7:00 p.m.
November 20th – Church Charge Conference, 10:00 a.m. @ Hicksville UMC
November 21st – Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service, 7:00 p.m. @ UMC of
Sea Cliff
......... FINANCIAL UPDATE
Current Expense Received to Date: $133,408.99
Current Expense Needed to Date: $153,972.00
Deficit: $20,563.01
In addition, $23,550.00 is owed for apportionments (our Conference obligations).
......... DIRECTORY CHANGE
The new phone number for Carol Perkins is: 516-801-2769
......... CHURCH FOOD BOX
Food deposited in our Church Food Box is delivered by Ed Stack on a monthly
of more frequent schedule to the Long island Council of Churches Food Pantry in
Freeport. As you know, food is more urgently needed during these economic hard
times. The lines are long, and you see the welcoming faces as the car filled with
groceries pulls up to the pantry. Also, we now hear that there is a need for plastic
grocery bags which can also be deposited in our Church Food Box.
The Church Food Box will be placed before the altar in the sanctuary during
November, and food donations can be deposited during the offering at the end of
the worship service.
We hope the UMC of Sea Cliff family will respond to this important NEED and
more trips to Freeport will be necessary.
......... CHURCH CHARGE CONFERENCE
Our Charge Conference date is Saturday, November 20 th @ 10:00 a.m. It
will be at the Hicksville United Methodist Church.
The address is: 130 West Old Country Road, Hicksville, NY 11801
Attention All Committee Chairpersons: If you haven’t already submitted your
report, please send it to the office A.S.A.P. Thank you.
HIGHLIGHTS
NOVEMBER 2010
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......... MEMORIAL FUNDS
A message from Nancy Nicholson, Memorials Chairperson:
A meaningful way to remember a loved one is to donate to one of the following
church funds.
Memorials – Endowment Fund
Contributions to this fund are permanently invested. Names of persons being
honored are recorded in the Church records and listed in the annual report to the
Congregation, assuring their everlasting recognition as part of the Living Church.
Endowment gifts are also placed in this fund. Income from these investments is
used to support Church activities.
General Memorial Fund
Contributions to this fund provide the Church with items of specific and lasting
value. These gifts may be designated by the donor, if accepted by the Trustees.
They may consist of support to a particular area of the Church program or to
provide a specific memorial.
Organ Fund
Methodists are known for their love of music. We are blessed with an excellent
pipe organ which enhances our musical program.
This fund helps with the
maintenance of the organ.
Special Music Fund
This fund is used to provide additional instruments for special services such as
Christmas and Easter.
.................... HEALING SERVICE.................... All
are welcome!
@
The United Methodist Church of Sea Cliff
Wednesday, November 17th at 7:00 p.m.
Carpenter and Downing Avenues
Sea Cliff
Phone: 671-0392
Holy Communion
Prayers
Laying on of hands and anointing for healing
“Scripture strongly affirms ministries of spiritual healing, which in recent
years have received renewed emphasis throughout Christ’s Holy Church.”1
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1
HIGHLIGHTS
NOVEMBER 2010
The United Methodist Book of Worship, p. 631
Page 4
......... UPCOMING EVENT
My Brother’s Keeper
People of Faith Confront Hate Crimes
Saturday, November 20, 2010
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
at
Grace United Methodist Church
125 W. 104th St., New York City
This event will include speakers Rosario Quinones, Terry Todd and Fred
Brewington. There will be a performance of “What Killed Marcelo Lucero?”, youth
workshops, group discussions, resources, and information. It is co-sponsored by
the Conference Board of Church and Society, the Conference Immigration Task
Force, the NY chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action, Methodists in
New Directions, the Conference Commission on Race and Religion, and the
Conference Committee on the Status and Role of Women.
Registration is $20 and youth under 17 are free. You may register online at
www.mindny.org or through the mail by contacting My Brother’s Keeper, c/o Sioban
Sargent, SPSA, 263 W. 86th St., New York, NY 10024.
........... JOIN OUR CHURCH CHRISTMAS CARD
Send a Christmas card to all your church friends the
easy way! Instead of buying cards, addressing them,
and paying postage, donate that amount of money to
*World Service, your Church’s mission arm. The “Card”
will be sent with the names of those who contributed to
all members and friends of the congregation to wish
them a joyous Christmas. Help us to help others as we
witness the true spirit of the season.
Please fill out this form, and return it to the church
office; or place it in the weekly offering plate by Sunday, December 5th. Make your
checks payable to the United Methodist Church of Sea Cliff and designate “Church
Christmas Card”.
*World Service is one of the apportionments in our budget.
Please include my/our name(s) as PRINTED BELOW:
Name:____________________________________________
Enclosed is a contribution of $ ______
for World Service.
Return to: United Methodist Church of Sea Cliff
P.O. Box 190
Sea Cliff, N.Y. 11579
HIGHLIGHTS
NOVEMBER 2010
Page 5
............. “HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS” FAIR
Roast Beef Dinner & Preview
Friday, November 12th, 2010
6:30 p.m.
Home for the Holidays Fair
Saturday, November 13th, 2010
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Luncheon, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Reservations Required
Adults $15 - Children 10 & under $5
Please call the church office to make a
reservation – 671-0392
Donations Needed
It’s time to start collecting treasures for
our Grandma’s Attic table & the Nearly New
table.
Needed are antiques, china, crystal,
jewelry, pottery, Wedgewood & sterling silver.
These items were in very short supply last
year. Are you in possession of one or more of
these items which you may be willing to
donate? Have you inherited something that
doesn’t quite fit with your décor or received
gifts that are not your taste? Also needed are
toys in very good condition. Please leave your
donations behind the curtains in the sanctuary.
- Prayer List –
Healing, Comfort, and Strength of Mind and Spirit
Richard Baase
Eve Haim
Connie Fisher
Mark
For those Homebound and in Health Care Facilities
Victor Johnston
HIGHLIGHTS
NOVEMBER 2010
Clayton Allen
Gladys Baxter
Joan Clark
Stewart Gaynor
Page 6
Bob Josephson
Jane Lockwood
Dot Sprague
Laura Valente
..........HELP WANTED
We need someone who is computer literate to set-up AND MAINTAIN – a
Twitter account, relating to the church. Please see Pastor Kirt.
Happy Annivers ary!
John & Marie Abbondondolo
Katie Sullivan
Janet Meyer
Brian O’Donnell
25th
13th
10th
November 5th
Marli Watkins
Linda Ninesling
8th
17th
.......... FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT
VEGGIE TALES MOVIE
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3RD
@ 7:00 p.m.
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF SEA CLIFF
It was the biggest football game of his life, and
Stewart (Larry the Cucumber) had a chance to win it
all. Injured in one bad play, his hopes of playing in the
Salad Bowl – and living a life of fame and fortune – are
dashed forever. Years later, silly-but-sweet Stewart
loves his family, friends, and job at the toy train
factory, but still wonders “what if” things had been
different.
When he meets a mysterious train
conductor who can turn back time, Stewart gets a
HIGHLIGHTS
NOVEMBER 2010
Page 7
second chance to have the life he always wanted. Will
he finally find all he’s been looking for? And what
does this mean for those he loves most? Find out in
this story of wonder that’s a lesson in being content.
.......... CHURCH CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT
Limited Edition
Treasured Scenes
Tree Ornament
Our Goal is to create a unique series of tree
ornaments that depict a new theme each year. By
doing so, we intend to preserve a different aspect of
our church. This year’s “Limited Edition” ornament is
now available and is pictured at the left. Collect the
entire series for your children or simply collect them
for your own enjoyment.
Actual Size is 3” diameter.
These beautiful ornaments are also the perfect gift
for friends or family that have moved out of the
area. These ornaments are sure to become a
cherished keepsake and heirloom. They are being
produced in a limited quantity. They will be sold on
a first come, first-served basis.
Don’t wait and miss out on
this unique collectible,
‘Treasured Scenes’
Tree Ornament.
To Purchase your Limited Edition Ornament, contact one of the following:
Bonnie Watkins 516-761-1847
Church Office
516-671-0392
All Proceeds will benefit the Education of our Youth.
The Light Side
A Beautiful Poem
Douglas Roesch, a former member and leader in our church, celebrated his 94th
birthday with many family members and friends around him in August. In a quiet
HIGHLIGHTS
NOVEMBER 2010
Page 8
moment, he shared this poem written by his wife, Jean, when their daughter,
Deriel, was about twenty-two months old. Jean was also a devoted former member
of our church.
I held my baby’s hand and felt the hand of God.
I watched my baby smile and saw the hope of the world.
I held my baby close and understood life’s meaning.
I watched my child at play and knew the joy of living.
Jean G. Roesch
HIGHLIGHTS
NOVEMBER 2010
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.......... OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
It’s that time of year again ………………
Please choose from the following:
____ Pray for the children who will receive the boxes and all
of the mission work that goes along with this project
____ Shop for and fill a box
____ Help wrap the boxes with the youth group on Sunday,
Nov 14th after church
____ Support a box with a $7 donation. Make a check payable to: Samaritan’s Purse
(note “OCC” on memo line), place the check in the provided envelope, and attach it to
the gift box.
MISSION STATEMENT
Samaritan's Purse is a nondenominational, evangelical Christian
organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around
the world. Since 1970, Samaritan's Purse has helped meet needs of people
who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with
the purpose of sharing God's love through His Son, Jesus Christ.
The organization serves the Church worldwide to promote the Gospel of
the Lord Jesus Christ.
Questions? Call Bonnie Watkins 516-671-1847
Find out more at www.samaritanspurse.org