Christian Community Church of Faith Monthly Newsletter – Issue #24 Page 1 of 6

February 2018 Newsletter

Dear Friends and Members of the Christian Community Church of Faith:

I am a little late sending out our Monthly Newsletter. Unfortunately, I have been a little sick so it took me a little longer to put everything together. I am trying out this new format for 2018 to hopefully improve the readability of our Newsletter. Please let me know what you think. We do have a lot going on this month at our church as you can see by the upcoming events. We hope you will join us at our Pancake Breakfast and at our Sunday morning church services – we would love to see you! As always, if you have anything you would like me to share in the newsletter, please send it to me by the 25th of the month.

God Bless!

-Kimberly Witkowski, Newsletter Editor – kswitkowski@hotmail.com or 518-788-4068

Quote of the Month:

Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. - 2 Corinthians 13:11

Upcoming Events

Saturday, February 17th:

Pancake Breakfast at the Seward Lutheran Church from 7:30 am to 10:00 am. This event is sponsored by the C.C.C. of Faith – Women of Faith Group

Monday, February 19th:

Women of Faith Monthly Meeting at the Church’s Fellowship Hall at 7:00 pm

Saturday, February 24th:

Ecumenical Men’s Prayer Breakfast at the Brick House Bakery in Cobleskill at 8:00 am

Sunday, February 25th:

4 Chaplains Service at the Christian Community Church of Faith at 8:30 am

Monday, February 26th:

Board of Trustees Quarterly Meeting beginning at 6:30 pm at the Fellowship Hall – Please note that an Executive Session is scheduled at this meeting and any church members in attendance will be asked to step out during this time.

Our services are held at 355 State Route 7 (P.O. Box 93)

Richmondville, NY 12149 at 8:30 am Sunday Mornings

Phone: 518-788-4068 Our Website is: www.cccoffaith.org

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Pastor Dave’s Monthly Message

LOVE IS IN THE CARE Ah February, the month when we will see the symbol of hearts everywhere signifying ‘love is in the air’. The heart symbol has become synonymous with love....I ♥ this, or I ♥ that. The this or that can be objects, places, or people as it is often used on Valentines day. Valentines Day, a holiday based on love, where the giving of cards, flowers, candy, and/or a romantic dinner have become the tradition.

From my early years in Elementary School when we exchanged cards with fellow class mates, to adult years when they were reserved for that someone special I remember the request most often found in the writings....‘will you be my valentine?’ I always had my interpretation of what that meant, especially with all of the ♥ symbols attached. The reality is that the holiday is named for someone who was martyred because of faith and defiance of the law at the time. The actual history of St Valentine is uncertain. The only verified facts are that he lived during the third century when Claudius II was Roman emperor. There are a number of legends which are given for St Valentines execution by the emperor. Components of which are recorded as true during this time period in history. It is said that St Valentine was a man with a tender heart that aided Christians who were under going martyrdom even though he himself was not a Christian. Another legend is that he was a priest in the temple who defied Emperor Claudius’ order that young people were forbidden from marrying. This order is documented that the emperor felt married men did not fight as hard as single men in his armies. A third legend was that St Valentine became a Christian during his ministry to the persecuted Christians, refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, and was then imprisoned himself. Like the Apostle- St Paul, St Valentine gave testimony while in prison which had an affect on the jailer and his family. Whether they are considered legend or historical they are all feasible and resulted in St Valentine being tortured, beaten, and beheaded because of his actions fueled by his faith.

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 1 John 4:8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

It has been said that ‘Jesus died for sinners, St Valentine died for lovers’. Let us remember the true meaning of love as defined by St Paul from 1 Corinthians 13 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. As we celebrate Valentine’s day and connect with others for romance or friendship, let us remember St Valentine. On the day of his execution a note was found that St. Valentine left for the jailers daughter whom he had prayed for and was miraculously healed from an infirmity, it was signed...‘Your Valentine’. His life and death a testimony of his faith. Lord we give thanks for the freedoms and privileges we have. We pray that we never forget those who have been and are still martyred for their faith. May our lives be blessed with such faith, as to have the Agape love described by St Paul, so we can pledge to you and our neighbors...we are your valentine.

In God We Trust / ♥ and Prayers, Pastor Dave

Christian Community Church of Faith Monthly Newsletter – Issue #24 Page 3 of 6

Member News from our Church & Community

Our Thoughts and Prayers for Healing Go Out To:

Linda Bean Richard Bean Les Brown

John Fleming Pauline Nirschl Lloyd Potter

Howard Rickard Mary Robinson Caitlyn Setterman Emily Thompson

Our Thoughts and Prayers for those serving in the Military:

Joshua Bean Joseph Witkowski

Our Thoughts and Prayers for Families Dealing with Loss:

Lillian Cooper Family Thomas Coyne Family John Dunne Family Mary Giangrande Family Leonard Haviland Family Sally Juan Family Marian Maurice Family Richard Schaefer Family Alfred Smith Family Janette VanSchiaick Family The Prezorski Family The Stoltfus Family

Our Thoughts and Prayers for Safe Travels:

For Barbara and Peter Melera as they travel for the next few months to the various flower shows throughout the East Coast.

Our “Thank You’s” Go Out To:

St. Marks Lutheran Church who donated dishes to our church. Women of Faith’s very successful January Pancake Breakfast which had 74 people in attendance! For Sue Davis’ talents in making our sanctuary so beautiful with her flowers and wreaths!

B

Birthdays and Anniversaries:

February Birthdays:

February 6th: Romine Davenport February 11th: David Hellijas February 12th: Linda Bean February 19th: Peter Melera February 20th: Peter Radliff February 24th: Matt Wilms

February Anniversaries:

February 22nd: Larry and Vickie McDonald Call, send a card, or find a way to recognize the many friends who are celebrating special personal days this month. Let Kim know of any errors or additions.

Christian Community Church of Faith Monthly Newsletter – Issue #24 Page 4 of 6

C.C.C. of Faith – Women of Faith News

Submitted by Kelsey Radliff

The Women of Faith did not meet as a group during the month of January. Our next meeting will be held on Monday, February 19th at 7:00pm, Hope to see you there! We would like to thank everyone who supports our pancake breakfasts either through food or monetary donations or attending the breakfast. Your support is greatly appreciated. The food donation item for February is a 1lb box of spaghetti or pasta. PANCAKES, EGGS, SAUSAGE GRAVY OH MY! It is that time of year again, join us for our delicious pancake breakfasts that are held at the Zion Lutheran Church in Seward. There are only TWO left!

SAVE THE DATES: February 17th March 17th

If you would like us to send a card to someone (thinking of you, get well, etc.) please let Sue Davis know so we can keep in touch with those who need our thoughts and prayers. If you have any questions or would like additional information about the women’s group, please feel free to contact Nancy Kniskern, Women of Faith Chairperson at 518-234-2370.

"...for with God all things are possible" -Mark 10:27

Women of Faith 2018 Goals:

Goal 1:

Further extend our Outreach Program

Goal 2:

Sponsor young children to attend a summer camp through the Salvation Army

Goal 3:

Winter Garment Giveaway in the Fall: Families will be invited to the Church Hall to take items they may need for winter.

Goal 4:

Collect Mittens, Gloves, Hats, and Socks for children to be donated to local schools for children lacking winter clothing.

Christian Community Church of Faith Monthly Newsletter – Issue #24 Page 5 of 6

More Important News

Summary of 2018 Annual Meeting – January 28th, 2018

We had a good turnout for our 2nd Annual Meeting. The following are the highlights:

• The 2018 Budget was approved; • The results of the elections were:

o Matthew Wilms was voted in for another 3-year term o Welcome to Melody Houck who is our newest Trustee

for a 3-Year Term o Thank you to Gary Davis who had volunteered to

serve out the remainder of the vacant Trustee position that ended in December 2017. o Jo Ann Wilms was voted in to continue as Secretary to the Board of Trustees. o Elizabeth Gaylor was voted in to continue on as our Treasurer.

• The members voted not to combine the deeds of the parking lot and church lot at this time. • The vote on the type of flooring for the Church Fellowship hall – which was graciously offered

to be paid for by Warren and Carol Beaven - was tabled until we get some samples for the flooring. Gary Morgan volunteered to get samples.

• Some Goals – both short-term and long-term – were suggested as follows by the membership: o Create a workable kitchen in our current Fellowship Hall; o Increase membership – ask members to invite friends to our Framily Sunday service and

share news about our church; reach out to the neighbors of our church as well; o At the same time, try to encourage members to stay with our church – try to work out

differences; o Don’t become stagnant – always look ways to improve; o Enhance the PA system in the sanctuary; o Enhance our Musical Leadership and look for special musical guests; o Continue recording Pastor Dave’s Meditation and Child in all of Us – work toward

eventually taping full service.

Supporting our Local Food Pantries Acts 20:35 “It is more blessed to give then to receive”

Please remember that we are continuing to collect food monthly for the various food pantries in the local area. There are many people who are homeless and desperate for food in our county. Any items you can provide are greatly appreciated, especially canned fruits, canned vegetables, and microwavable prepared meals. Please bring your items to church on the first Sunday of every month. Thank you for your continued support – we are making a difference!

Christian Community Church of Faith Monthly Newsletter – Issue #24 Page 6 of 6

4 Chaplains Service on Sunday, February 25th, 2018 at 8:30 am

Extremely Humbling and Spiritual Service!

We are blessed again this year to be able to have the 4 Chaplains Service at our church on Sunday, February 25th.

The pictures below of the Four Chaplains who were lost on The Dorchester on February 3, 1943. They are from left to right: Lieutenant Reverend John P. Washington; Lieutenant Rabbi Alexander D. Goode; Lieutenant Reverend George L. Fox; and Lieutenant Reverend Clark V. Poling.

We hope you will be able to join us for this very special service! A special thank you to Myron Kniskern who works hard to bring this service to our church!

And Finally… • 1 Corinthians 12:14• "For the body is not one member, but many." In essence, this is the simplest and clearest statement about teamwork in the Bible. The body of Christ, or the people that are the whole of humanity, are a team. The body is not supported by one person, but by all of us. We are one, we are strongest working together in unity. Teamwork is the key to living life in harmony, so that we can do God's will.