| The Delmar Pres - December |
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The Delmar Prez Delmar Presbyterian Church 585 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY 12054 (518)439-9252 DECEMBER 2009 |
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Weekly events:
Sunday morning Worship Service – 10 AM
Background to the Bible Readings- Library
Will not meet in December, will resume in Jan.
Bells of Praise – Fellowship Hall
Thursdays at 6:15 PM
Choir Rehearsal - Sanctuary
Thursdays at 7:30 PM
Prayer Groups - Library
Wednesdays at 10:00 AM
Tuesdays at 7:00 PM
Banner Workshop – Library
Fridays at 10 AM (only on 12/4 in December)
a NEXT PREZ DEADLINE b
Sunday, DECEMBER 20, 2009
Church Office Hours:
Tuesday – Friday 9AM to 12Noon
DECEMBER LECTIONARY READINGS:
DECEMBER 6: Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 1:68-79; Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6.
DECEMBER 13 Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18.
DECEMBER 20: Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:47-55; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45.
DECEMBER 27: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26; Psalm 148; Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 2:41-52.
READERS
December 6 Youth
December 13 Mark Hansen
December 20 Gary Lind
December 27 TBD
DEACON IN CHARGE
December Irene Harbison
USHERS
December 6 Danika and Devin Jensen
December 13 Ted and Sherry Putney
December 20 Doug and Pam Hamlin
December 24 7 PM Jensen Family, Melissa Fleischut
11 PM Dan and Sarah Lewis
December 27 TBD
WELCOMING HOSTESS
December Sherry Putney
GREETERS
December 6 The Hansens
December 13 Randy Morse and Susan LaFlamme
December 20 Heidi Nicholson and Melissa Fleischut
December 27 The Geyers
ACOLYTES
December 6 Devin Jensen
December 13 Kevin Hansen
December 20 John Cheu
December 27 Hannah Lowry
COFFEE HOUR (volunteers needed)
December 6 MSPYs
December 13 Available
December 20 Drew Hyde
December 27 Available
COMMUNION SERVERS
Lee Hessberg, Drew Hyde, Kevin Jack, Betsy Katz, Trish McGinn, Shirley Simon.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS
I hope everyone will save the date for the presentation of our new Christmas Pageant on December 20 at 4:30 PM. Please join us in supporting the youth of the Church and get in the holiday spirit with the telling of the story of Christ’s birth. Our children enjoy seeing a strong and appreciative audience on the night of the Pageant, so please mark your calendars now for one of the wonderful Advent traditions of Delmar Presbyterian Church.
Our December schedule is:
December 6 Pageant rehearsal in the Fellowship Hall during worship service.
No Church School, report directly to Fellowship Hall.
MSPY Christmas Bazaar of Holiday Crafts.
2nd Sunday of Advent
December 13 White Manger Sunday – children process into church during the opening hymn with gifts wrapped in white tissue paper. After leaving their gifts at the altar, the children will go directly to Pageant rehearsal in the Fellowship Hall. No Church School.
3rd Sunday of Advent
December 19 Pageant Rehearsal at church from 9;30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Pizza and juice afterward. Children can be picked up at 11:30 a.m.
4th Sunday of Advent
December 20 Church School
Christmas Pageant 4:30 p.m.
Children arrive in costume
½ hour early at 4:00 p.m.
December 27 No Church School
Trish McGinn will be running the nursery for the month of December since Irene Harbison will be the Deacon in Charge.
Thanks,
Melissa Fleischut
Superintendent of Church School
RPM NEWS (High School Youth)
Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive of the RPMs! We had a busy fall and we are not about to slow down. October was filled with many community service projects including cooking for the Interfaith Shelter, helping out at the First United Methodist Church’s Fall Fair plus babysitting for the Delmar Presbyterian’s lecture series. November was focused on making our beautiful Christmas wreaths, going on our annual retreat to Sacandaga Bible Conference and of course our weekly meetings. Keep an eye out for even more updates on what we are doing, including our preparations for our annual mission trip. This year we will be embarking to the Appalachia region of the US to the small town of Dungannon, Virginia where we will help with home repair. Lots more details to come, we will start visiting church services after the New Year!
Upcoming this December we are, Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army and we will gather Christmas gifts for underprivileged families.
Look for donation boxes for our Midnight Run, which will be at each church starting in early December and will run through February. We need lots of WARM WINTER items, preferably dark colors.
Hats (Lots of these)
Gloves (Lots of these)
Coats (Lots of these)
Sweaters and Sweatshirts (large and x-
large)
Pants (sizes 32 – 40)
Boots and/or Sneakers (men’s sizes 9-12,
women’s sizes 8 plus)
Long underwear
Toiletries
Calendar
Friday, December 4th
Bell Ringing for Salvation Army
7:00pm –9:00pm
Saturdays December 5th 12th & 19th
Advent Adventure
DRC
Sunday, December 13th
Mayan Hands Fundraiser
8:30am – 1:30pm
Delmar Reformed Church
Sunday, December 13th
RPMs Meeting
7:00PM – 8:00PM
Delmar Reformed Church
Respectfully submitted,
Beth Hickox
RPMs Coffee House
Dear Church Friends-
Every April the local high schools take a week off for spring break, and many students spend this time relaxing at home or traveling on family vacations. One group that will be traveling but not relaxing is the RPM Youth Group. From April 3rd to April 9th they will spend their spring break in Appalachia, doing home repair projects for low-income families in Dungannon,VA..
Given the tight financial times we are in, we want to make sure that every RPM who wants to attend our mission trip this year can do so. To help increase revenue this year we are hoping to sell more ads for our coffee house fundraiser program.
Our ads are very reasonable and the coffee house attendance increases every year. Last March over 150 individuals viewed the program at the annual event. Not only will your ad be seen by potential customers who live and work in our community, more importantly your support demonstrates to our youth the importance you place on their volunteer efforts.
Of course, we would also love to have you attend the coffee house on March 6th, 2010 or contribute a silent auction item. In fact, any support you provide will be greatly appreciated.
Last year’s program is posted on the bulletin board along with the ad sizes and rates. For more information on the program booklet or to talk about layout considerations please call me at 475-7816. All ads must be received by February 15th to allow for setup and printing time. Thank you. Please mail them to:
Delmar Reformed Church
Attn: RPMs Coffeehouse
368 Delaware Avenue
Delmar, NY 12054
Or send a digital file preferable .jpg or .pdf to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Thank you,
Sue Kilgallon
Program Coordinator
SESSION DIGEST
The following motions were made, seconded, and approved at the October 2009 meeting of Session:
That session approve the building use request for a winter farmers market on Saturdays in the months of November and December 2009, from 9:00AM to 1:00PM (with the exception of 11/14/09 during which the building is already scheduled for use by another organization), contingent upon a satisfactory agreement being reached between DFM and DPC.
That on or about the 20th of each month, starting in October 2009, monthly repayments of $15,000 be paid out of the capital account to the Permanent Endowment Growth fund until the $99,000 principal is fully repaid; that also in October 2009, the $4,000 in dividends lost to the church up to this time because of the loan be transferred from the capital account to the operating account; and that the interest on the loan be repaid when the principal has been repaid.
That if the way be clear, Paul and Jacque McGinn be accepted into membership of the church by profession of faith, to be received and presented to the congregation on 10/25/09.
Lois Hessberg, Clerk of Session
NOTES FROM BUILDINGS
AND GROUNDS
Thanks to all who came out to help with the Fall Clean Up a few weeks ago. Those who came had fun, and the leaves didn't stand a chance! In the Spring I hope to see a few more from the younger crowd.
The Delmar Farmer's Market seems to be going well on Saturday mornings in the Fellowship Hall. Check it out if you get a chance; it will only be there into mid-December.
Submitted by Drew Hyde
NOTES FROM CONGREGATIONAL LIFE / FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE
Mark Your Calendars!
December
Sunday, 12/13/09 Cookie Festival and White
Manger Sunday
January
Sunday, 1/10/10 Un-hanging of the Greens
following worship
Sunday, 1/24/10 Annual Meeting
NOTES FROM OUTREACH
The next meeting of the Outreach Committee will be December 6, 2009 at 11:30 in the Library. Please feel free to join us.
Reminder- White Manager Sunday and the Cookie Festival are December 13.
The 2010 Mission Yearbooks are in. If you are interested in learning about some of the many causes we support, please look through a copy. There are a couple of copies in the Library for your use.
Respectfully Submitted by Betsy Katz
Pennies for Haven
We will continue collecting for Pennies for Haven throughout the month of December. Please put your donations in the jug in the Narthex. Thank you for “loving your neighbor” and helping those in need.
Mitten Tree
Please help us share the warmth this holiday season by donating items for our “Mitten Tree”. The “Mitten Tree” will be in the fellowship hall and ready for decorating November 29. We hope to cover this special tree with new hats, scarves, gloves and mittens for all ages and all sizes. These gifts will then be distributed to those in need. Thank you.
On behalf of Outreach, Betsy Katz
Mission Opportunity
Dear Church Friends,
I am helping a mother and her infant son from Haiti. They are currently living in Albany. Mom is financially struggling, not eligible for financial assistance from Social Services, works long hours and has a limited social support network.
She and her son are in need of clothes. If you know of someone who has gently used clothes which he or she is willing to donate to this family, please contact me at 439-6079.
Clothing sizes:
Women's size 18-20 "Extra Large"
Infant boy clothes size 18 months
Grace and Peace,
Liza Ahner
First Church in Albany
Give a Meal a Month
-December -
Cookies, crackers,
cocoa, and coffee.
Monetary donations are always welcome to help defray pantry expenses.
Senior Lunch
Monday, December 14th
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Our menu for the Senior Lunch on Monday, December 14th is:
Chicken/Vegetable Casserole
Quinoa Pilaf
Spinach, Cranberry & Apple Salad
Whole Wheat Artisan Bread
Cherry Cheesecake Pie
If you can help with any part of this luncheon, please tell Nancy Lynk, Diana Wildemann or Irene Harbison. Cooks and servers are invited to join us for lunch and the after lunch program, a
HOLIDAY SING-ALONG
with Ron Tweedie, Alice Parker
and Will Vail
The MSPYs are pleased to announce:
A Christmas Bazaar of Holiday Crafts
Sunday, December 6th
During Coffee Hour in the
Fellowship Hall.
a
The Middle School Youth are offering
handmade Christmas tree ornaments, earrings, and edible treats including
the popular peppermint brownie mix in a jar, which sold out very quickly last year.
You can treat yourself or
purchase items for gifts.
The MSPYs are donating all proceeds to
help the homeless in the Capital District.
We hope to see you there!
Homemade Cookies and Candy
Christmas Festival
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Fellowship Hall after worship
A new special table will be added this year. There will be cookies baked for you from some of our President’s and First Lady’s recipes.
The children also have a table filled with homemade cookies and candy. This is a great activity for the whole family to share together (including the clean-up!).
Come and enjoy Dave Howland’s beautiful piano playing of Christmas music. Join in with the singers around the piano.
We hope you will be pleased that again we will be giving our proceeds to the Senior Citizen Emergency Fund and the Bethlehem Festival Fund for their needs, too.
We also hope our fellowship together will bring Christmas joy and happy memories to each of you.
Eunice Jones, Karyn Rees and Lynn Taylor
Eleanor Norrix, Chair
Please note:
To our new and longtime dear friends –
Recently it has been noted that “Cookie Bazaar” has been used again to identify us. We have not been the Cookie Bazaar for the past eight years. It was changed to Christmas Festival in 2001 with the approval of Session.
The main purpose of this name change was to bring all of our church family together in loving fellowship at Christmas time. Our Christmas Festival activities are ones that we dearly love to share with friends, family and community and to work together to feel a special joy during the Holiday Season.
Thank you for your understanding.
Christmas Generosity
This year you will find two new items in our Christmas collection. The life sized holy family figurines gracing our lawn were given by Cynthia Kilgallon, Kevin Kilgallon’s sister. Also, the beautiful 9’ artificial tree in the fellowship hall was donated by former church manager, Kate Butler. Delmar Presbyterian thanks both for their generous donations!
Capital Area Council
of Churches
Dinner (at 6:15pm), Annual Meeting and Winter Assembly
Monday, Feb.1, 2010
Delmar Presbyterian Church
On Monday evening, Feb. 1, at 6:15pm (snow date, Tues. Feb. 2) DPC has the honor of hosting the Capital Area Council of Churches (CACC) Annual Meeting and Winter Assembly, preceded by a dinner for 75-80 delegates. The Outreach Committee will sponsor this dinner, assisted by Congregational Life/Fellowship Committee and the Ladies Who Lunch group. The dinner chairpersons are Irene Harbison, Carolyn Tweedie, Peggy Mull, and Nancy Scholes. Mary Ingraham will assist with the music leadership at the Closing Worship.
Capital Area Council of Churches is a fellowship of over 85 faith communities in the Albany County area, of which our church is a member. CACC has for over 70 years been directly involved in bringing congregations together in the Albany area as part of the ecumenical movement. In the spirit of living out our faith, CACC identifies critical needs in the Capital District and works together as a faith community to meet these needs. CACC’s accomplishments include starting the Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless on Sheridan Ave., the Emergency Overflow Shelter at First Lutheran Church, Albany, and the annual Albany CROP Walk in May, which is one of the largest and most successful Walks in the nation.
CACC sponsors monthly Peace and Justice Forums on current topics, changes lives by its Incarceration Prevention Program, reduces gun violence on the streets of Albany, supports a Campus Ministry at the University at Albany, helps maintain the Prayer Room at the Albany Int’l Airport, plans ecumenical worship services on Good Friday, Thanksgiving Day, and a Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Memorial Service. CACC also gives many scholarships and awards, and produces an ecumenical Musical Celebration each fall. CACC is a busy, productive organization, operating on a slim budget. Contributions are very welcome!
Please sign-up to assist with this dinner. Much help is needed and appreciated! Sign up- sheets will be posted in the Narthex in January. If you would like more information or to be involved on the organizing committee, please call Irene @439-3836, Carolyn @439-4463, Peggy @439-3052, or Nancy@439-7759.
Thank you,
Nancy Scholes for the Outreach Committee
Letters:
Dear Friends,
On behalf of the Capital Area Council of Churches and our partner agencies, I would like to thank you for the very generous gift of $250 for the Emergency Overflow Homeless Shelter. We expect another busy year. We have 19 beds and last year averaged 17 guests per night. We very much appreciate your willingness to reach out to those who are often left on the sidelines of our society. Your gift helps us provide them with a hot meal, clean clothes, toiletries, and a warm, safe place to stay, as well as referrals to appropriate services. May God bless you all, especially during this season of Thanksgiving!
Gratefully,
John U. Miller
Capital Area Council of Churches, Inc.
Dear Friends,
Your recent gift (of $1,000) in support of the mission and ministry of the PC(USA) makes it possible to be a visible presence of God’s redeeming love for all people. Your generosity is a true witness to the community of faith, to shared hope in the Resurrection, and to the commitment that the PC(USA) will continue to participate in God’s mission in the world.
Gratefully,
Karen L. Schmidt
Dear Outreach Coordinator,
Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless is celebrating its 25th anniversary and the Pennies for Haven Campaign is in its 18th year. With help from our community we are able to sustain programs and services necessary for homeless individuals to become self-sufficient. On behalf of our clients, thank you in advance for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Janine Robitaille
Executive Director
Dear Friends,
The pantry at First Church in Albany has been a busy place! In the past few months we have served almost sixty new families. When you add that to the numbers we have been serving, it is no wonder our hours are filled and our supplies are regularly depleting.
The cooler weather always brings an increased need as those we serve struggle to meet the additional expenses of keeping their families warm. Their budgets and ours are stretched.
The need is increasing but our funds are not. Doing more with less has become a necessity. We no longer provide some of the non-food necessities such as dishwashing and laundry detergent. Personal hygiene items are in short supply. We recently had to make special purchases of bathroom tissue when our supplier ran out!
Now the holidays are upon us. Thanksgiving and Christmas present their own needs. We hope to be able to provide Thanksgiving baskets for all families with children and refer all adult families to Equinox. Our Christmas Shoppe enables parents to select one or more gifts for all of their young children. Hats, mittens and warm winter clothing are also distributed at this time of year.
We have recently received two grants. One will enable us to replace an aging freezer with a new refrigerator-freezer and provide a bit more space for perishable items. The other is designed to provide health information and seasonal produce to those we serve. It should be an exciting few months.
There have been some remarkable donations this week alone. Third Reformed Church holds a monthly Community Dinner – admission is a food item for our pantry. This week they brought in 32 bags of groceries to replenish our supplies. Delmar Presbyterian Church arrived in the rain with boxes and bags of shampoo and personal hygiene items. We are grateful to them and to ALL of our partners in this ministry.
Month after month you provide for us – food and non-food items, those necessary plastic and paper bags, and your prayers. Without your support and prayers, our ministry to those in need would suffer greatly. Thank you all for your assistance to those in need.
In His service,
Barbara Morgan
CHRISTMAS TEA
Two women’s ministry teams, the Women-in-the-Middle and the Mary Marthas of the First United Methodist Church, 428 Kenwood Ave., Delmar will be hosting a Christmas Tea on Sun., Dec. 6, from 4-6 pm in Fellowship Hall.
Women of all ages are invited!
Please extend this invitation to the women of your congregations of all ages and friends and family. Take some time from your busy holiday season to enjoy the company of women, and to remember the real values embodied by the Christmas season.
A free-will collection for the Albany United Methodist Pantry will be taken. Please RSVP by calling Pam Tindall-O'Brien at 439-1672 after 5 pm, by Nov. 30. If childcare is needed, please indicate when you call to RSVP.
FOR CHRISTMAS
Orders are now being taken for the Christmas poinsettias that decorate our Sanctuary during the Christmas season. Poinsettias are available in your choice of red, white or pink for $9.50 each, and may be taken home after worship on Christmas Eve.
Please pick up a form in the Narthex and drop it off in the office by the deadline.
The deadline for ordering is
Sunday, December 6, 2009.
