Volume 25 Issue 1

Message from Rev. Hale November / December 2015

Inside this issue:

“I would feed you with the finest of wheat, and with honey from the rock

I would satisfy you.” [Psalm 81:16]

The wheat’s been growing all summer long. Flowers have been blooming through-out the season. Bees have been collecting their nectar, pollinating as they go, (assuring there will be seed “set” for next year’s canvas of color), making and storing honey. Nature’s life-sustaining cycle percolates with an intentness we don’t always notice in the midst of our own summertime activity. We’ve been busy painting and de-constructing and wall-boarding and mudding, making way for new flooring; re-cycling, re-organizing, re-storing; adjusting and re-adjusting. And all the while getting in those sum-mer vacations and family gatherings and summer-time bits of renewal, pausing to say good-bye to Arlo and support her family…..gratefully baptizing Cheryl and welcoming her into the fold. And there’s the voice of our Creator, “steady on” as it draws out the eternal connec-tion God keeps with our lives; “steady on” as it engages with our worship, our keeping of September’s first Sabbath offering to the wholeness of our lives, to the strength and health of this Body. Look out across the great expanse of our lives spread across the weeks of summer. Look ahead into the Fall Season opening before us. Then look “up” and with a deep breath taken, hear again God’s promise spoken: “….the finest of wheat…..honey from the rock….” and let your thoughts sit for a few moments, there with our Rock and Sustainer. Thanks be to God for our life together….. Marilyn

First Presbyter ian Church - Por tv i l le, NY

July / August 2019

Lectionary Page 2 Worship News Page 5 Food Pantry/Condolances Page 8 Mission News Page 2 Property News Page 5 Birthdays Page 9 Mission Project Page 3 Jasmine Page 7 Missionary/Baptism Page 9 Christian Ed Page 4 Dates to Remember Page 8 Volunteers Page 10

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Sept. 1 - 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time Jeremiah 2:4-13 Psalm 81:1, 10-16 Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 Luke 14:1, 7-14

Sept. 8 - 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time Jeremiah 18:1-11 Psalm 139:1-6; 13-18 Philemon1-21 Luke 14:25-33

Sept. 15 - 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 Psalm 14 1Timothy 1:12-17 Luke 15:1-10

Sept. 22 - 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 Psalm 79:1-9 1 Timothy 2:1-7 Luke 16:1-13

Sept. 29 - 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 Psalm 91:1-16, 14-16 1Timothy 6:6-19 Luke 16:19-31

Oct. 6—27th Sunday of Ordinary Time Lamentations1:1-6 Psalm 137 2Timothy 1”1-14 Luke 17:5-10

Oct. 13 - 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 Psalm 66:1-12 2 Timothy 2:8-15 Luke 17:11-19

Oct. 20 - 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Jeremiah 32:27-34 Psalm 119:97-104 3 Timothy 3:14-4:5 Luke 18:1-8

Oct. 27– 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Joel 2:23-32 Psalm 65 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Luke 18:9-14

HANDS-ON MISSION PROJECTS It’s easy in our busy lives, as we march into church on Sunday, greeting friends as we enter, to walk quickly through the Quilt Room and Narthex and skip right by the baskets which have staked their place along the wall. Those bas-kets, however, are the gateway to the many ongoing, hands-on mission projects we sup-port throughout the year. We collect PERSONAL CARE ITEMS which will be distributed to children at the school who are in need of them; BABY CARE ITEMS such as infant clothes, bibs, and blankets which will be given to mothers in need at the hospital; MEDICINE BOT-TLES (washed and labels completely removed) which can be redistributed to developing nations; and our most recent mission project, CRAYOLA COLORCYCLE, where you can drop off your old, used-up markers to be repurposed, helping our beautiful planet in the process. Please take a moment to look those baskets over the next time you come to church and see where you may contribute to our HANDS-ON MISSION PROJECTS! MISSIONARY NEWS Leah Doty came to visit and participated in our July 21st worship ser-vice. She shared her journey of developing a partnership with a village where the lan-guage is not written down. Steve and Margie Doty are busy teaching students how to an-

Mission Committee News Julie McLarney Pagett

Lectionary for September / August

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alyze languages and to translate the Bible into them. They extend their thanks for our continued support of their Bible translation ministry. DONATIONS Two Presbyterian Disaster Assistance donations will be made (pending Ses-sion approval) from the Jack Shepard Memorial Mission Fund: $500 to aid the recovery ef-forts from the flooding in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe caused by cyclones Idai and Kenneth; and $500 to aid the recovery efforts from the spring flooding and tornados in the Midwest.

Baby Layette Update: Just a reminder that donations for the baby layette are gladly accepted for Olean General Hospital maternity patients. There is a basket in the Narthex for baby items. Last year, Susan Putt, our Baby Layette coordinator, delivered 45 Gift bags with a variety of baby needs. Donations such as blankets, clothing, sleepers, socks, washcloths, etc. are put in gift bags with a note stating the gift is from this church.

“Wash your face. Brush your teeth. Comb your hair” We’ve all heard these words from a parent and we all have said them to a child. Normal every day life. Not for everyone. There are children who can’t wash their faces, brush their teeth or comb their hair. They don’t have soap, toothbrush and toothpaste or shampoo and combs. There are some homes that don’t have all the products for every day personal care. Some of these homes are right here in our community, the Portville Central School District. We can help with that. Our congregation has been collecting all kinds of personal care products as an on-going mission project for several years. These items are then donated to Portville Central School to distribute to students-in-need to take home. The items that are needed for males and females are as follows:

Soap, Body wash, Shower gel, Deodorant, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Shampoo, Hair brushes and combs, Feminine products-pads and tampons, Disposable Razors, and Shaving cream.

These items should be placed in the square blue laundry basket in the Narthex. As the items accumulate they are then delivered to Portville Central School nurse. Thank you for your support of this important mission project.

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“Peace at all times in all way” is the theme for this year’s Peace and Global Witness Offer-ing which we, pending Session approval, will again be participating in. The Peace and Global Witness Campaign will begin on September 15 and continue through October 6th, World Communion Sunday, when you gifts to the offering will be collected. Our goal for the Peace and Global Witness offering has been set at $750. Our congregation retains 25% of the offering to support a mission of our choosing. During our Minutes for Peace and Global Witness you will hear stories about how the Offering has been used around the world and learn which local organization will receive our portion of your gifts to the Offering.

Get ready for OPENING DAY on Sunday, September 15, at 9 a.m.! Join us in the dining room for introductions and refreshments as we kick off the 2019-20 Sunday school year. Bizzy Woodhead will be teaching our preschool class using DEEP BLUE CONNECTS: Loving God, Loving Neighbor. This year’s stories focus on being people of faith in a diverse community and what we can learn about God from these relationships, teaching our children

about living faithfully and compassionately. Sara Talbot and Jess Wyant will be our teachers for the elementary class. Each class time, the kids watch an animated Bible story video, talk about the story, read their Bible Story-book, and try a creative activity. Classes will meet at 9 a.m. on September 15 and 22, October 20 and 27, and November 17 and 24. The adult class will be reading MOSES, In the Footsteps of the Reluctant Prophet, by Ad-am Hamilton. We will meet at 9 a.m. on September 15 and 20, October 20 and 27, and November 17 and 24. Following is an excerpt from the introduction to the book: “I hope this book will not only help readers come to know Moses, but see how his life and story speak to our lives and stories today. Moses’ story is an important part of sacred Scrip-ture; as such, Jews and Christians believe it reveals something to us about God, about ourselves, and about God’s will for our lives.” Please join us on September 15 at 9 a.m. in the adult lounge!

Christian Education News Stephanie Hill

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Mark your Calendars: On October 6th, World Communion Sunday, the Worship Committee is planning on our annual “Fall Outdoor Family Gathering” at Pfeiffer Nature Center. We will meet after church at the nature center for a light lunch and fellowship. Bring your phone or a camera for a photo scavenger hunt. Wear appropriate clothing and comforta-ble shoes to enjoy a walk in nature. It’s fun and accessible for all. Please make plans on joining us. Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me…” On October 20th, our Children’s Sabbath, we will be celebrating the children of our church. We hope all will join us to embrace the little ones.

Property News Norm King

The Property Committee is looking forward to the installation of the new doors at the back entrance to the church. Joe Hill recently cleaned the gutters on the church and not-ed that they were clogged on the manor side of the church. It was determined that there was a need for new dehumidifiers. Barb Fairbanks was able to purchase two new ones to replace the old ones that were not doing a good job. Additionally, the Property Committee is working on replacing the big light at the rear of the church parking area. Finally, we are looking for a contractor to replace the sidewalk in front of the church. We are thankful for all the people that took their time, this summer, to help with the painting in the basement. It was very much appreciated.

Worship News Diana Dunbar

Steps to A Huge Successful

Reno Job Step 1 ‐ Recruit as many people as possible (rumor has it there were 18 pairs of hands on deck) Step 2. Demo a closet, re‐move the small stage (in li room) replace wallboard and repair walls and tack‐ling the massive job of pain ng all the rooms in the basement of the church. Step 3: Contract out the installa on of the floor.

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Hi, everyone. I hope you all had a good summer. I know I did. I had lots of company from all the people working on the renovations in the basement. I had to keep scurrying around to find new hiding places especially when “the organizer” decided to clean out all the cupboards. But I’m fast and she never did find me. At night, when no one was around, I practiced sliding on the new floors. It was so cool – no holes in the floor or runners in the way to interrupt my slide. There were so many things to explore….among them, a new serving table in the dining room; new chairs, lamp and an end table in the lounge; a new car-pet and end tables in the adult Sunday school room and the room was total-ly rearranged- looks so inviting; a new kids table and chairs in the nursery and a colorful floor mat to play on; two new toilets, the higher kind, soon to be installed; and a new faucet in the maintenance room – one that mixes the hot and cold water. No more “yipes” from people either scalding or freezing their hands. A few projects yet to be completed – like the smaller bathroom that’s been closed for 2 months, but they hope to have it up and running soon and a new sink in the nursery. Thank you to the “floor commit-tee” (Stephanie, Vicki, Judy and Barb) for overseeing this major undertaking. A job well done. I heard that we have a “home run” champion in our midst. Ellie Spehar won the girls’ t-ball Home Run Derby in July at the American Refining Group’s fun night with 4 hits over the fence. Congratulations, Ellie! I am anxious to hear how our college freshmen (freshwomen?) are doing – Christine at Ohio State University and Hannah at Buffalo State and our non-traditional college student, Bizzy, who is going to back to school after a number of years to get a teaching degree. How exciting! Remember to keep me posted of any events in your lives that you would like to share with your church family. Love you all, Jasmine

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Dates to Remember

September

09/01 Worship Service/Communion, 10:00 a.m. September/October newsle er distributed

09/02 Labor Day, Church Office Closed

09/03 PWNY COM, 9:30 a.m. (M. Hale)

09/08 Worship Service, 10:00 a.m. GAB (Gi ‐a‐Book/Grab‐a‐Bite) a er worship Rev. Evon Lloyd Installa on (Hale), 4:00 p.m.

09/12 Session, 6:00 p.m.

09/14 Property Commi ee Mee ng, 8:30 a.m. 09/15 Sunday School Opening Day, 9:00 a.m.

Worship Service, 10:00 a.m. 09/18 Bible Study, 10.00 a.m. 09/19 Lec onary Grp. (Hale) Gowanda, 10:00 a.m.

09/22 Sunday School Classes, 9:00 a.m. Worship Service, 10:00 a.m.

09/25 Food Pantry open 10‐noon and 5‐6:30 p.m.

09/28 Jordan Spehar/Jessica Zawadski Wedding in Ellico ville, 4:30 p.m.

09/29 Worship Service, 10:00 a.m.

October 

10/01 PWNY COM, 9:30 a.m. (M. Hale)

10/02 Bible Study, 10:00 a.m.

10/06 Worship Service/Communion, 10:00 a.m. World Communion Sunday Peace and Global Witness Offering Food/Fellowship at Pfeiffer a er Worship

10/09 Bible Study, 10:00 a.m. Mission Commi ee Mee ng, 6:00 p.m.

10/10 PCFPC Mee ng, 6:00 p.m.

10/12 Property Commi ee Mee ng, 8:30 a.m.

10/13 Worship Service, 10:00 a.m. Pines Worship Service, 2:30 p.m.

10/16 Bible Study, 10:00 a.m. Session, 6:00 p.m.

10/17 Lec onary Grp. (Hale), 10:00 a.m.

10/20 Sunday School, 9:00 a.m. Worship Service, 10:00 a.m.

10/23 Food Pantry open 10‐noon and 5‐6:30 p.m.

10/27 Sunday School, 9:00 a.m. Worship Service, 10:00 a.m. November/December newsle er info due

10/30 Bible Study, 10:00 a.m.

September Food Pantry

Item:

Egg Noodles

October Food Pantry

Item:

Green Beans

Our deepest sympathy and prayers for God’s comfort and peace to the family of Arlo Wurster. December 21, 1927 to July 26, 2019

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Birthdates to Remember 9/4 Eliana Spehar 9/7 Sara Talbot 9/11 Bob Fairbanks 9/11 Chris Hellwig 9/12 Jesse Spehar 9/22 Wyatt Hosmer 9/23 Sean Gardner 9/24 Lindsay Gardner 9/24 Kathy Kern 9/26 Randy McClain 9/26 Drake Wiedemann 9/27 Carly Painter 9/27 Eric Talbot 9/28 Jacquie Hellwig

10/2 Kristin Woodhead 10/3 Charles Hildebrand

10/6 Cindy Keeley

10/7 Kelsea Gardner

10/10 Ron Pollock

10/10 Avery Woodhead

10/12 Carol Miller

10/22 Val Tigh

10/24 Dave Dunbar

10/30 Shirley Longbothum

Website: www.portville-presbyterian.org

Sunday School: 9:00am ages 3 to adult Worship Service: 10:00 am

F IRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - PORTVILLE, NY

19 North Main Street PO Box 765 Portville, NY 14770 Voicemail: 716-933-6426 Email: portville.presbyterian followed by @gmail.com

PAGE 10 VOLUME 25 ISSUE 1

Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22

Greeters and Ushers

Emmy Woodhead

Coni Coletti Buffy Pratt

Mary Ann Clark

Troy and Amy Spehar

Liturgist Stephanie Hill

Mark Hendrix Megan Pagett Buffy Pratt

Acolyte Communion Sunday

Sharon Hill-McLarney Judy McClain Stephanie Hill

Music Tech Vicki Schmidt Kari Kloss Jack Pagett Joe Hill

Elder of the Month: Stephanie Hill

Sept. 29

Bob and Barb Fairbanks

Kathy Hendrix

Barb Fairbanks

Judy McClain

Volunteers for September / October

Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27

Greeters and Ushers

Sharon Hill– McLarney Cso Woodworth Norm and

Connie King Buffy Pratt

Liturgist Diana Dunbar Ronda Pollock Buffy Pratt Jess Wyant

Acolyte Communion Sunday Megan Pagett Mark Hendrix Kari Kloss

Music Tech Julie Pagett Kari Kloss Jack Pagett Joe Hill

Elder of the Month: Diana Dunbar