The United Methodist Church at Shrub Oak
1176 East Main Street • Shrub Oak, New York 10588 • (Office: 914/245-4682 Fax: 914/743-1003
Parsonage: 914/245-3114; E-mail: [email protected]
“OUR THIRD CENTURY IN SERVICE OF THE LORD”
JACOB SAMUEL DHARMARAJ, Ph.D., Pastor
February, 2015
Vol. 37, No. 2
Next Deadline 2/15/15
HOW TO READ THE BIBLE
According to calendars, February is shorter than the other months. But then calendars only measure days and
weeks, not life. In my opinion, February is a long, wide piece of gray flannel, stretching from the remains of
January's resolutions to the unseen promises and blessings of March's spring.
Despite the calendars, February is the longest month, because it is the month of disassembled dreams and
aching expectations. Caught between what has been and what might be - that is what living in February is.
In my experience, February, an otherwise drab and dismal month, is one of God's ways of slowing us down so
that God might speak deeply to our souls and plant significant seeds of thoughts into our minds. Without such indepth reflection, we find ourselves racing through our schedules, hitting only the high spots, and allowing the
urgent to eclipse the important.
In February, January's festivity has become the realization that the earth has traveled around the sun once
more and that we are petite passengers on one tiny planet in a universe of a billion suns, traveling a few more
miles, in the same old loop. After all, Christmas turns into a faded memory and New Year's celebration gets lost
somewhere between fixing leftover meals, shoveling yesterday's snow, and paying last year's bills.
But wait! I'd like to suggest an alternate attitude.
Think of February as God's special gift of time sandwiched between all the hubbub of past holidays and the
upcoming arrival of a busy spring. To me, February is the ideal month to regroup . . . to review where I've been
and to rethink where I'm going. I have found it is the best time of the entire year to pause for several concentrated
weeks of deliberate reflection.
Communion with God is a sacred and time consuming discipline . . . and there is every temptation to let it
slip. The result is nothing short of tragic. We become like that fast-moving, shallow river running over rocks - a
quarter of a mile wide and four inches deep.
When we take time to read, to pray, to be quiet, to reflect, and to prepare for whatever the Lord will choose to
send our way, we cultivate depth that will stabilize us through the gushing storms of spring and the blast-furnace
tests of summer. That is why your church encloses the Daily Bible Reading Guide in the CHIMES at the
beginning of every year. That is the reason Bible Study groups are offered at different places. Your church wants
you to connect with God and grow in Spirit by reading the Bible.
The Bible is the most astonishing book the world has ever seen. It claims to tell the future. It promises
human beings can "live forever.” It explains why human beings suffer and illustrates the real purpose of life. It
reveals the way to joy and happiness.
The Bible shows that God really cares about God’s creation. It announces that human beings are to join the
family of God.
The Bible was written by 40 independent authors, representing 20 occupations, living in 10 countries during
a 1,500-year span, working in three languages, with a cast of 2,930 characters in 1,551 places. This massive
volume covers every conceivable subject, expressed in all literary forms - prose, poetry, romance, mystery,
biography, science, and history.
The authors of the Bible include kings, statesmen, fishermen, priests, seers, a doctor, a tax collector, a farmer,
a general, and a tent-making rabbi. The Bible says that it is the Word of God – Jesus, God in human form. Just as
the body needs a regular feeding- time to maintain its energy level, so the spiritual human being must feed on the
Word of God.
Why do we need to read the Bible? King David says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet, and light to my path,"
(Ps.119:105). Prophet Isaiah writes, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God shall stand
forever," (Isa.40:8). Why don't you start reading the Bible from today?
If you would like to begin reading the Bible, I would like for you to do the following:
1. Set a regular reading time and go to a private and quiet place at home. Nothing should be allowed to
infringe upon this time.
2. Read with a pencil or pen at hand and highlight the verse that speaks to you.
3. Read the Bible expectantly. God speaks to us through God’s Word. Read it, therefore, reverently,
thoughtfully, calmly and with delight.
4. If possible, keep a devotional diary. Write down your thoughts, prayers, and concerns. If God gives you a
promise, believe in it. If God gives you a command, obey it. If God speaks to you in a definite way, listen
to the Word seriously and follow it.
5. Do not read it randomly. Read the Bible systematically. Pick up a book of the Bible and read it all the way
through. It is always good to start reading from the Gospel of Matthew and work your way through. After
you are done with the New Testament, go to the Old Testament and start from the book of Genesis. Even
if you do not understand the Old Testament, keep reading it. When you get to the end of a book or a
section, the earlier section may make sense to you.
6. Try to memorize a verse a day!
7. Finally, seal up all your reading by prayer.
From the Pastor’s Desk
UPCOMING EVENTS
BLACK HISTORY MONTH!
Please mark your calendars for
our upcoming events.
Sunday, February 1st
Souper Bowl Sunday
Sunday, February 8th
and March 15th
After worship, discussion on
Christianity and Islam
Sunday, Februray 15th
2:00 p.m.
Delivering valentines to shutins at the Cortlandt Health-care
Center
Details within.
--------------------------------
Our youth will join tens of
thousands of other youth
around
the
country
to
demonstrate God’s love by
loving our neighbors. They will
hold soup pots at the church
doors February 1st to collect
money for those who are
hungry and hurting. In 2013,
over 13,000 groups participated
in the Souper Bowl of Caring
generating over $12 million.
Our church will donate our
entire Souper Bowl collection to
our local food pantries at St.
Mary’s in Mohegan Lake and
Peekskill United Methodist
Church.
Please support us in this effort
to love our neighbors by
dropping your dollar (or more)
in the soup pot as you leave on
Feb. 1st.
Those who need help may not
know the name of the person
who cared, but God does. And
our
young
people
are
developing hearts for giving that
can last a lifetime.
Thank you.
…..Linda Hoernes
--------------------------------------
SOUPER BOWL
OF CARING SUNDAY
Sunday, February 1st, is the
football Super Bowl. That day
our church will have our
SOUPER BOWL OF CARING.
On February 1st it is expected
that 130 million people all over
the world will tune in to the
Super Bowl football game.
There will be parties with
abundant food, friendship and
fellowship. At the same time,
there will be people worrying
about clothing their families,
looking for shelter and hoping
for a warm meal.
BOY SCOUT SUNDAY
We will be celebrating Boy
Scout Sunday on February 8th
. Any boy scout, cub scout,
tiger scout or den leaders in our
congregation can participate in
this special Sunday time of
worship. It would be nice if they
wore their uniforms and
participated as, greeters, coffee
hour hosts, etc. Please call the
office at (914) 245-4682 and let
us know if you would like to
participate in this event.
---------------------------------------
PREVIOUS EVENT
New Year’s Brunch
After worship on January 4th we
had our UMCSO New Year’s
Brunch. We thank everyone for
their help and contributions to
this event.
A special thanks to our chef
“Pancake Jack” Casey for his
hard work and delicious
pancakes, and Tony Cappoza
who continues to help before
and after the brunch; and for his
fine photography of the event
which is posted in the GP
Room.
During the Brunch, there was a
special cake honoring Chet
Schoonmaker for his 50 years
of service to UMCSO. We are
all so appreciative of Chet’s
dedicated service to the church.
Thank you Chet!!
--------------------------------------MISSION TRIP
MICKEY LUPOSELLO
Maxine Haigh’s grandson,
Mickey Luposello, will be
embarking on his first mission
trip this March. The trip takes
him to Vladivostok, Russia
which is located in the eastern
part of Siberia. He goes with
several classmates from the
Bible School of Supernatural
Ministry which he attends in
Redding, California.
The
missions are supported by
people who choose to donate.
If you would like to donate,
please go to trips.ibethel,org
and type in Michael Luposello
under the search for a traveler
section.
---------------------------------------
FEBRUARY
ANNIVERSARIES
John Reed
Patty Robcke
Benjamin Robcke
Stephanie Spina
Stacey Twoguns
Laura Uribe
Linda Ann Stella
Nancy Mannino
Glenda A. Geis
Maria DeMartino
Michael Barnett, III
Suzanne Libfeld
Needa Socias
Nancy Semcken
10
10
11
12
12
14
15
16
20
23
26
26
27
28
Barbara & John Reed
16
Patricia&Michael Antonucci 20
Debbie & Richard Haigh, Jr. 25
VOLUNTEERS!!!
Acolytes
Michael Antonucci
Christopher Closi
Raina Anto
Soina Anto
FEBRUARY
BIRTHDAYS
Linda Everding
Beth Gilleo
Beverly Martinez
Robert Gutowski
Jaxon Weed
Bjorg Davis
Veronica Rosario
Stella Ganney
Timothy Kehlenbach
3
3
4
5
6
7
9
10
10
Coffee Hour Hosts
Susan Crookston/
Joan Prentice
Friends of the Church
Doug Gaylor
Marshall Moseley
Greeters
Marilyn Iglehart
/Connie Vollmer
Beth Gilleo/
Marilyn Iglehart
Joan Prentice
Hospitality
Dolsen Eccles
Jean Engel
Pat Golanec
Maxine Haigh
Marilyn Iglehart
Ushers
Chimes Mailing
Marshall Moseley
Communion Elements
Chet Schoonmaker
Patricia Scozzari
Raina Anto
Soina Anto
Chet Schoonmaker
Patricia Scozzari
Kevin Thomas
Debbie Vesuvio
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM
Sunday February 8 & March 15
11:45 a.m. - 12: 30 p.m.
Following Worship
Immediately after the Sunday services, we will have a discussion on Christianity and Islam in two parts. Dr.
Glory Dharmaraj will lead us through
-
The similarities and non-negotiables between these two religions
Witnessing to Christ through dialogue
Witnessing to Christ through apologetics for today
Lectionary Scripture Readings
for the month of February, 2015
Sunday, February 1
Sunday, February 8
Sunday, February 15
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Psalm 111
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Mark 1:21-28
Isaiah 40:21-31
Psalm 147:1-11, 20c
1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Mark 1:29-39
2 Kings 2:1-12
Psalm 50:1-6
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Mark 9:2-9
Sunday, February 22
Genesis 9:8-17
Psalm 25:1-10
1 Peter 3:18-22
Mark 1:9-15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday School Corner
Old Man Winter has arrived with c-c-c-o-o-l-l-d temperatures! Everyone comes to
church dressed in multiple layers, wrapped in scarves, mittens and hats. Inside the
UMCSO Sunday School, however, we are glad to report that the atmosphere is
warm and welcoming. Sunday School attendance has averaged 25+ due to wellprepared teachers devoted to their students, and to moms, dads and grandparents
who start up the family chariot ahead of time so it will be nice and cozy warm for
their young passengers!
The first Sunday of 2015 had, as a highlight, a New Year’s Brunch! Adults and
children alike enjoyed pancakes and sausages provided by our own “Pancake Jack
Casey,” with bacon, breakfast casseroles,
fruit and baked
goods of every kind brought in by church
family members.
What a delicious way to start the new
year, not to mention
the sharing and fellowship as friends
‘caught up’ on the
news of activities of family and friends
over the Christmas
holidays.
The Sunday school classes are going along well, as children learn more of the
goodness of God and the life of our Lord Jesus. They are also learning about the
Bible and its structure. They will be spending more time in the New Testament this
semester, as Lent begins on February 18, Ash Wednesday.
Also in February is a holiday the children look forward to sharing with others:
Valentine’s Day. The children will be making valentines in a one-room Sunday
school setting a week or two before Valentine’s Day, and then delivering them to
shut-ins at the Cortlandt Healthcare Center on Oregon Road on the Sunday closest
to Valentine’s Day. We usually are asked to come to the Center around 1:00 p.m.,
so we will probably order pizza and eat lunch at church before caravanning over.
Please consider accompanying your child(ren) to the Center. The kids hand out the
valentines and wish the residents a “Happy Valentine’s Day.”
It is lovely to see the children share Christ’s love and a smile with those who may
have been forgotten. They are seeing and participating in “Love in Action.” What
a powerful, hands-on ministry for our youngsters to participate in.
Brandon Britt, Lisa Grace and Patty Robcke are working together to establish a
pattern for youth group meetings. The past two meetings have been pretty well
attended and the teens and ‘tweens are looking forward to future events. Thank
God for the leaders who give of their time and creativity!
Birthday celebrations continue on the last Sunday of the month. We sing to the
honorees and Marilyn gives out ‘birthday badges.’
The little ones, and even the older children, enjoy this brief time of fellowship as a
whole group. Another moment that all the children enjoy is the Children’s
Moment. As each child scrambles to the front of the sanctuary to listen to the
lesson, we see faces learning of God’s love in their church. These are moments
when seeds are planted and where loving memories are made. No matter what age
you are, we are pretty sure you enjoy the Children’s Moment too!
So, although it may be cold and icy outside during the month of February, we can
rest assured that the children and teachers of the United Methodist Church at Shrub
Oak will continue to radiate the warmth and love of Jesus. May that warmth and
love seep into every one of us as we serve the Lord with willing hearts.
God bless you,
Marilyn and Lynne
The Children behind the Smiles
by Patty Robcke
Photo removed from
Web Edition
These lovely young ladies are some of our superstars at the United Methodist Church. Siona, Laura, Raina and
Pheby love to participate in many of the various activities here. Siona and her sister, Raina, have awed the
congregation on more than one occasion by reciting the scripture lesson of the day from memory. Laura and
Pheby have moved us with their liturgical dancing. All of them enjoy children’s moments and family nights.
Siona eagerly anticipates when Pastor Raj opens the mystery box and teaches a lesson on Jesus and the Bible.
Pheby likes having the chance to talk to Pastor Raj. Laura thinks the puppet shows are great and Raina has fun
with all of the lessons.
Teaming up with their parents, Siona and Raina love a little friendly competition on the basketball court. Not
only do they enjoy sports, but these girls have some musical talent too. They both play the piano and the violin.
Other activities they enjoy are reading, drawing, singing, dancing and gymnastics.
Let’s here for our cheerleader, Laura. She sings, dances, cheers and plays the drum. She loves surprises and
going to new places with her family. She has learned about Abraham and Sarah this year in Sunday school and
“how their family grew up in the word of God.”
Pheby enjoys music most by taking dance and gymnastics lessons. When she’s not dancing down the aisles in
church she is learning about God’s laws and the history of God’s people found in the Old Testament of the
Bible. She prays for her family and has fun when her dad is home from work.
We are blessed to have such beauty and talent shared with our congregation each week in church.
A FEW PICTURES FROM OUR NEW YEAR’S BRUNCH OF JANUARY 4TH
Please note, Tony Capozza has posted all the New Year’s Brunch pictures in the
General Purpose Room for your viewing.
Please note
February, 2015
Every Sunday is Food Sunday
Sun
1
Mon
2
BLACK HISTORY
MONTH
9:30 a.m. Adult Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship
Holy Communion
Souper Bowl of Caring
8
TH
5 Sunday after Epiphany
(Green)
3
Wed
4
Thu
5
Groundhog Day
7:30 p.m.Trustees
9
7
10:00 a.m.
Crafts for a Cause
in GP Room
Home Bible Study
10:00 – 12 Noon
11
12
8:00 p.m. Bible Study
17
13
Lincoln’s
Birthday
Home Bible Study
10:00 – 12 Noon
16
Sat
!
10
After worship,
conversation on
Christianity and Islam
Fri
6
8:00 p.m. Bible Study
Boy Scout Sunday
9:30 a.m. Adult Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship
15 Last Sunday after Epiphany
Tue
18
19
14
10:00 a.m.
Crafts for a Cause
in GP Room
20
21
Transfiguration Sunday
(White)
9:30 a.m. Adult Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship
“Chimes” Deadline
After worship, hand made
valentines will be delivered by the
children to shut-ins at Cortlandt
Healthcare Center
22 1
st
Sunday in Lent
Presidents’ Day
7:30 p.m. Vision
Table in GP Room
23
10:00 a.m.
Crafts for a Cause
Home Bible Study
10:00 – 12 Noon
8:00 p.m. Bible Study
7:30 p.m. – Holy
Communion Service
24
25
Home Bible Study
10:00 – 12 Noon
Lenten Cluster
Services Begins –
7:30 p.m.
26
27
(Purple)
Washington’s Birthday
9:30a.m. Adult Sunday School
10:30 a.m Worship
Washington’s
Birthday
8:00 p.m. Bible Study
10:00 a.m.
Crafts for a Cause
28