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The Grapevine
October 2014
FROM THE PASTOR
Church Phone:
585-768-8700
Email/Website:
Rev. David Pepper:
[email protected]
Church Email:
[email protected]
Church website:
www.presbyLeRoy.org
Church Office Hours:
Mon., Wed, Thurs.
9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Inside this Issue:
From the Pastor
1, 5
Schedules
2
Birthdays/Anniversaries
2
Calendar
3-4
Session at Work
5-6
On Sunday, October 5th, Christians around the world will join together
in celebrating communion in an expression of unity and hope. For over 75
years, Protestant denominations have observed the first Sunday in October
as World Communion Sunday. Born out of the worries of the early 1930s, the
service originally spoke to a world experiencing widespread economic and
political anxieties. Does that sound familiar?
In 1933, as the world was living in fear in response to the rise of Nazi
Germany, the leaders and pastor of the Shadyside Presbyterian Church in
Pittsburgh, PA , designed a worship service aimed at uniting denominations
across the city. Dr. Hugh Thomson Kerr, the church's pastor, led the push for
a service that would eventually be endorsed by the National Council of
Churches. Historians say that the service gained more momentum during
World War II.
Presbyterian minister John Dalles has compiled a brief history of
World Communion Sunday. Dalles pays special attention to the deep seated
fears of the early 1930s and our world today. He reminds us that our job as
people of faith is to build up the body of Christ, not tear it down.
Years ago, our denomination would print brochures for World
Communion Sunday listing the approximate times when Christians across the
globe would be celebrating in the sacrament. I remember a young boy in my
first church asking me who was in charge of arranging the worship schedules
of all the churches in the world on World Communion Sunday, as if there was
someone in charge of making sure that the plates of evenly cubed bread
reached our hands just as they were passing by people in Africa, China, and
Europe. Afterall, isn’t that how a Presbyterian would do it, -decently, and in
order.
Obviously that's not the point, though it does make for a humorous
image. I doubt Dr. Kerr dreamed of a time when all Christians would receive
communion at exactly the same time. Instead, his passion was to help the
church in thinking about the meaning of the body of Christ during extremely
trying times. We ought to notice one another, pray for each other, and make
room for one another. At Christ's table, there is room for all. That was the
instruction Paul gave to the Christians at Corinth, and it is a helpful reminder
in our own time of division, anxiety, and fear.
On October 5th, our congregation will celebrate one table. We will
give thanks and proclaim the hope we have in Christ. It is a bold hope. And,
together, we will be the one body of Christ with all world. As you prepare for
World Communion Sunday, I invite you to reflect on the blessing for World
Communion Sunday, entitled “And the Table Will Be Wide.”
Continued on pg. 5
The Grapevine
Pg. 2
SCHEDULES
Date
Communion Servers /
Bread Bakers
Ushers
Pulpit Assistant
Ken & Mary Smith
Doreen Bortle
10/12
Karl Washington and Clarke Fitch
Elizabeth Bolton
10/19
Pat & Beth Patton
Sue Price
10/26
Frank & Martha Davis
Sandy Brady
Lynda Taylor and Jules Feltes
Ken Smith
11/9
Candy Bower and Darwin Matthews
Deb Shultz
11/16
John & Sue Doemling
Karl Washington
11/23
Jeanne Smith and LindaKay Beaumont
Dawn IrelandMonsees
11/30
Janet Fitch and Evelyn Taylor
John Allen
10/5
Servers: Steve & Robin Upson,
Pat & Beth Patton
Bread Baker: Mary Lichtenberger
11/2
Servers: Candy Bower, Karl
Washington, Sandy Brady, Alan Hoyt
Bread Baker: Millie Pepper
Celebrate
October Birthdays
1st: Donna Call
12th: John Weekes
6th: Millie Pepper
16th: Joshua Bolton
7th: Candy Bower
17th: Janet Fitch
11th: June Dusen
Bob Taylor
Don Higgins
23rd: Heiko Monsees
29th: Dawn Ireland-Monsees
October Anniversaries
2nd: David & Millie Pepper
27th: David & Marsh Martin
Flower
Chairperson
The Grapevine
Pg. 3
October 2014
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
1
Thu
Fri
Sat
2
3
4
9
10
11
16
17
18
23
24
25
30
31
7:00 Choir
5
6
7
6:45 TOPS
12
13
8
7:00 Choir
14
15
6:00 SESSION
6:45 TOPS
19
20
7:00 Choir
21
22
6:30 WinGS @
June Dusen’s
home
6:45 TOPS
26
27
6:45 TOPS
7:00 Choir
28
6:30 Girl Scout
Service
Unit meeting
29
7:00 Choir
The Grapevine
Pg. 4
November 2014
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
6:45 TOPS
9
10
17
6
7
8
13
14
15
20
21
22
27
28
29
7:00 Choir
11
6:45 TOPS
16
5
12
7:00 Choir
18
19
6:00 SESSION
6:45 TOPS
23/30
24
6:45 TOPS
7:00 Choir
25
6:30 Girl Scout
Service
Unit meeting
26
7:00 Choir
The Grapevine
Pg. 5
continued from pg 1
And the Table Will Be Wide
A Blessing for World Communion Sunday
And the table
will be wide.
And the welcome
will be wide.
And the arms
will open wide
to gather us in.
And our hearts
will open wide
to receive.
And we will come
as children who trust
there is enough.
And we will come
unhindered and free.
And our aching
will be met
with bread.
And our sorrow
will be met
with wine.
And we will open our hands
to the feast
without shame.
And we will turn
toward each other
without fear.
And we will give up
our appetite
for despair.
And we will taste
and know
of delight.
And we will become bread
for a hungering world.
And we will become drink
for those who thirst.
And the blessed
will become the blessing.
And everywhere
will be the feast.
– Jan Richardson
OCC kickoff will be Sunday, October
19th.
GO boxes will be available at that time.
The weekly collection of items will enable
the youth group to pack boxes from our
congregation's donations.
We look forward to sending Jesus' word
along with both necessities and toys to
children around the world.
October 5: washcloth
October 12: bar of soap
October 19: notepads
October 26: little toys
November 2: pair of children’s socks
November 9: washcloth
November 16: toothpaste
The collection date and dedication will
be on November 23rd.
Our Christmas Pageant will be held on
December 20. Practices will begin on
October 26.
The Grapevine
Pg. 6
The National Register of Historic Places
We received word that we have officially been placed on the National
Register as of September 24, 2014. (We received our State Designation on
June 12th.) Congratulations to us! If you go to “National Register of Historic
Places” on the internet and then find the “New York State” listing, you will see
a picture of the church and short description under “Genesee County” where
it is one of 22 entries listed alphabetically. Look for “First Presbyterian
Church of Le Roy”.
Red Cross Emergency Preparedness Seminar
Genesee County and the Red Cross have asked us to host a 1 ½
hour seminar on Tuesday, November 4th at 7 pm in Olmsted Hall.
The Red Cross will supply the speaker and the Power Point projector
and program. The church will advertise the program and supply simple
refreshments. This course is open to the public, but we are also asking
for a good representation from our Church Family. As part of our
mission to our community, our church building may be designated as a Emergency Preparedness
Center. We are hoping that our congregation will be interested in this mission and support it as
much as possible.
Presbytery Woman's Group:
We have decided to support the Presbytery Women's Mission Birthday
Fund in 2015. More info to come.
Faith Project II:
We are gathering a list of members who may like to be interviewed for a second edition of The Faith
Project. We all felt that having these stories gathered is of great importance. Imagine if we had not
had the opportunity to interview Sandra Jones or Carl Seaburg last year? We will be discussing this
at our next meeting.
Ugly Quilt:
Has anyone seen the Ugly Quilt? It appears to be missing from the Parlor over the summer. Please
let Deb know if you have seen it.
Did you know that the Grapevine is posted on our website every month (www.presbyleroy.org)?
Did you also know that you can receive your Grapevine via email? If you would like it sent to
your inbox, please send an email to [email protected].
The next Grapevine deadline is October 20 for the November edition.
The Grapevine
Pg. 7
SESSION MINISTRIES
2014 - 2015
CARE OF CHURCH FAMILIES/MISSION
Pat Patton
PRAYER CHAIN
Jeanne Smith
FINANCE
Tell your troubles and they are halved,
share your joys and they are doubled.
Candace Bower
Alan Hoyt
Even with our busy lives it is so very important that we do not
forget our friends who are ill or in harm’s way. Help lift up
their spirits with your prayers.
MAINTENANCE
Darwin Matthews
Deb Plath
Mary Lichtenberger
Kathy Fitch
Inez Tiede
Dorothy Papke
Loren Wetzel
Elizabeth Nevin-Brown
Ann VerHague
PROGRAM/CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Deb Shultz
Amy Bolton
Pauline Canty
Eloise Uhly
Tammy Mallaber
Joan Mills
You can initiate the Prayer Chain anytime by calling Rev.
Pepper (409-6929) or Lois Nicholson. Remember that patient
privacy laws prohibit hospitals from contacting clergy when
patients are admitted, so we ask that families notify the church
when a family member is admitted.
Music & WORSHIP
Lois Nicholson
Karl Washington
Treasurer
Equally important is the support of those individuals who care
for or visit these special friends….THE CAREGIVER’S
GROUP normally meets at Scooters Restaurant p.m. on the
third Tuesday of the month. As the schedule may
occasionally change, please call Lois Nicholson (768-7487) or
Sue Wakefield (768-7540) for more information.
Candace Bower
Clerk of Session
Mary Lichtenberger
Moderator
Rev. David Pepper
Music Director -
Henry Emmans
Office Administrator -
Katrina Wilkins
Sexton -
Don Pursel
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
PANTRY SUNDAY
The requested pantry item is: coffee, tea, powdered creamers
When you are grocery shopping, please add a few of these items to your grocery cart.
Help fill the donation box outside Olmsted Hall so these items can be donated to
the local food pantry.
The Grapevine
October 2014
Published by
First Presbyterian Church
Church phone: 585-768-8700
Email:
Rev. David Pepper
[email protected]
Office
[email protected]
Church Website:
www.presbyLeRoy.org
Church Office Hours:
Mon., Wed. & Thurs.
9 AM - 1 PM
Published by
First Presbyterian Church
7 Clay Street
LeRoy, NY 14482
“Fall It Day”: Saturday, October 18th, 2014
9:00 am to 12:00 noon
“It’s” Here, again!....That special day when we do Fall
Chores in (and around) the church building. Please
join us on the 18th. We need everyone’s help! The
Maintenance Committee will provide coffee, tea, and
donuts at 8:30 am.
To Do List: Please feel free to sign up on the sheet in
Olmsted Hall, or, just come and take an available job –
we’ll be glad to have you!) If you know about a job that
needs doing and is not on the list – don’t hesitate to just
dig in!!!!
Please bring your own cleaning supplies and tools
with you to do which ever job(s) you chose.