1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

STEEPLE CHIMES
Newsletter of The First Presbyterian Church of Greenlawn - March 2015- ISSUE: One Hundred Seventy-Six,
Pastor's Message
Jesus told his disciples that he had to go to Jerusalem where he would suffer, be killed, and
be raised to new life {Mark 8:31 ). But Peter had a better idea. Peter always has a better idea; that's
why we love him so.
Like Peter, what we often want is a way around pain, Jesus' pain and especially our own.
Masters at spiritual bypass, we would prefer to save Jesus and ourselves from the suffering that lies
ahead. But the God whom Jesus came to reveal could no more escape the pain of loving us than
could a parent in the love of her children. We may wish to protect our Lord and our God from being
God-with-us, but that would be to keep God from being God.
As we begin again to make the Lenten journey to Jerusalem with Jesus, let us own up to our
own ashes and ask once more what it might mean for us to become a cruciform people, a people
shaped by the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though it is not what Peter or any of us had in mind,
perhaps it is to participate in the pain of God. Perhaps it is to love others with the same love with
which God loves us, even if that love-God's love for us and our love for others-is sometimes, and
stunningly, without apparent effect. Hence the pain of love.
Although Scripture never holds up suffering for suffering's sake, it does anticipate that the
disciples, in taking up the cross, will participate in the suffering of the One they seek to follow.
Taking up the cross is hard for us because we have been misinformed that the purpose of faith is to
cancel out our suffering, secure a pain-free life, and make us happy. Only it doesn't work that way.
And if we make personal happiness our chief goal in life, we risk making an idolatry out of Jesus,
abandoning truth and ultimately increasing our world's pain-all of which makes us miserable indeed.
The cross is at the center of our faith not to legitimate pain or to glorify suffering, but to
open our eyes to the reality of God's own redemptive participation in them. So long as we suffer,
God shall suffer in God's love for us. So long as the creation groans, the Spirit shall intercede for us
with groans that words cannot express (Rom. 8:26). So long as the church is the "body of Christ," it
shall participate in God's suffering love for the world God's Son was sent to save.
(continued on next page)
(Pastor's Message continued)
Such participation does not spell happiness for us, but joy. In that joy we receive,
and in tum share, the assurance that we are not alone. ln that joy we accept the truth that we
are not God, and through that discover a new freedom, meaning and purpose in being simply human. And as we discover that we really have been redeemed for a purpose, we can
let go our grip on our own pain, and stop blaming God for everything that seems to have
gone wrong in our lives and the life of our world. We can get real about what life is and
what life is for: service in the name of Christ.
As we make our way along the Lenten journey, let us follow our Lord wherever he
leads us, and join God where God is already at work in our world ''to make and to keep human life human."
See you in church,
Pastor Fred
The Lenten Journey
The Lenten journey from the ashes of death to resurrected life is a time to
turn around and change direction. We are reminded during Lent that to be raised to new
life in Christ we need to be willing to die to our old selves, our old ideas, and our selfreliance. As we take the first step of this journey we are each called to acknowledge
and confront our mortality in our individual and corporate life.
And yet we trust in the "accomplished fact" of Christ's resurrection. We follow
Jesus as he makes his way to Jerusalem and to the cross that awaits him there. In following him, we tum around (the root meaning of metanota which we translate "repentance").
We change course from simply serving self. We yield ourselves to the self-giving way
of the cross. (Adapted from Companion to the Book of Common Worship, 109-110).
WHY A NAIL DUR.ING LENT?
To help you think about something ... specifically, about the suffering and
death of our Lord Jesus Christ. .. and about the meaning of that suffering and death for
you personally. The nail you see on the table or carry around with you is YOUR nail.
Think about that. Butit is also Christ's nail.. .. think about that!!!!
Your nail and a daily Lenten Meditation can be found on the hall table outside
the Church Office. They will also be available at each Soup Supper.
Missions Committee
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HAPPENINGS
The Prayer Shawl Ministry
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We extend a welcome invitation to all people who can
or want to learn to) knit or crochet. Bring your needles and
hooks and share in creating shawls, hats, scarves, baby caps
and booties and other hand stitched creations to be given to
those who need warmth, comfort, emotional support, and to
express the love of Christ for all. Meets 7 :30 pm on the 2nd
and 4th Wednesdays in the Parlor.
Call Trisha Ames (516) 987-2364 for more information!
FLOWERS FOR THE CHANCEL Each Sunday flowers beautify the Chancel of our
church. We would encourage any and all to donate flowers for birthdays, anniversaries, "in
memory of', etc. A check for $35 should be made to Greenlawn Presbyterian Church.
To order flowers, please call Corinne Burdett (631-261-4636), our new flower coordinator,
or the church office (631-261-2150)
BIBLE STUDY
We are proud to offer bible study twice weekly, where all are welcomed
to learn more about the Bible:
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Pastor's Lectienary Bible Study-Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. in the
Pastor's Study
Friday Morning Bible StudyFridays, at 10:30 a.m. in the Parlor
HAPPENINGS
The Prayer Shawl Ministry
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We extend a welcome invitation to all people who can
or want to learn to) knit or crochet. Bring your needles and
hooks and share in creating shawls, hats, scarves, baby caps
and booties and other hand stitched creations to be given to
those who need warmth, comfort, emotional support, and to
express the love of Christ for all. Meets 7 :30 pm on the 2nd
and 4th Wednesdays in the Parlor.
Call Trisha Ames (516) 987-2364 for more information!
FLOWERS FOR THE CHANCEL Each Sunday flowers beautify the Chancel of our
church. We would encourage any and all to donate flowers for birthdays, anniversaries, "in
memory of', etc. A check for $35 should be made to Greenlawn Presbyterian Church.
To order flowers, please call Corinne Burdett (631-261-4636), our new flower coordinator,
or the church office (631-261-2150)
BIBLE STUDY
We are proud to offer bible study twice weekly, where all are welcomed
to learn more about the Bible:
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Page3
Pastor's Lectienary Bible Study-Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. in the
Pastor's Study
Friday Morning Bible StudyFridays, at 10:30 a.m. in the Parlor
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JOIN THE CUB SCOUTS!
Greenlawn/Centerport Pack 877 is inviting your son to join Cub Scouting. In Cub
Scouts, your son will have lots of fun, learn new things and make new friends. But
Cub Scouts is much more than that; it isJun with a purpose.
Scouting is a family-oriented organization.
Scouting develops character, leadership, communications skills and good
citizenship.
Any boy in grades 1 through 5 can be a Cub Scout!
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If you'd like to learn more about Cub Scouts, please contact:
Rob Butler
Scott Cohen
Pack 877 Cubmaster
(516) 359-8116
Rbutler [email protected]
Pack 877 Committee Chair
(516) 987-7878
[email protected]
Page4
YOVTH
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Sunday, March 15
St. Patrick's Day Bake Sale
Immediately following the church service by the youth group
Youth Group-Please bring a baked item for the sale
We will be attending the Wednesday night Lenten Soup Suppers
whenever possible this month!
Meet at the church at 6:30 PM
Wednesday, March 4, 11, 18 & 25
Sunday, March 29
Palm Sunday Service 10:30 AM
Annual Easter Egg Hunt following the church service
On the front lawn
Please bring your own basket!
Friday, April 3
Good Friday Worship Service 7:30 PM
Don't leapfrog over Good Friday on your way to Easter!
Sunday, April 5
Easter Breakfast Hosted by the Youth Group
9:00 AM in the CE Hall
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Church service to follow at 10:30 AM
with Annual Flowering of the Cross
Want to know more about the Church
Youth Group?
Contact Youth Director Debbie Eitel at
[email protected]
Pages
GOOD FRIDAY WORSHIP
APRIL 3, 2015 7:30 P.M.
Here's a tip from your pastor: This year, don't leapfrog over Good Friday on your
way to Easter. Instead, join us for Good Friday worship on April 3rd at 7:30 p.m. Why?
Because there is no Easter without the cross. There is no good news without the bad news
for which our good news is such very good news indeed.
Then, after a wonderful breakfast on Easter morning at 9:00 a.m., join us for Easter
worship on Sunday, April 5th at 10:30 a.m. when we will again flower the cross.
Submitted by Pastor Fred
One Grtzat flour of ~haring
'l:>uring b!lnt Wll will once again b!l joeusing on our denomlnetíon's misslon
program Onz Eír!lat ttour of ~haring. Thil 0Eít1~ off zring will bz collected on Palm
~unday, Mareh 29th.
Our giftg; through this program support three Prll$byt!lrian Programg; Prll$byt!lrian 'l:>ig;ag;f!lr '(lg;g;ig;fanell,, the Prll11,bgf!lrian '!iung!lr Program, and <Î>!llf'E>llV!llopmll,nt of Pllopl!l.
May you find Joy through g;haringrzsoureee and ehanging lívcs with a Slln!lreus gift to OneEírll,at tíour of ~haring.
Thank you,
Your Mig;g;iong; Comrntttee
Page6
CORRESPONDENCE
Note received from Margaret Lee
Holiday greetings from Hidden Lakes Retirement for the second year. Ienjoy being in
Oregon. Son Mike, wife Pam and their family are 8 miles away. They pick me up on
Sundays for Church and Iusually visit with them the rest of the day. Ihave attended their
singing and piano recitals. Ihave heard all four of them: Hannah (16), Timothy (12),
Kate (12), Linnea (8). What a pleasure to be at their performances.
Margaret Lee
December2014
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Margaret can be re~h via mail at:
Hidden Lakes Retirement #204
400 Madrona Avenue SE
Salem, OR 97302-4685
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HELP MANAGE YOUR STRESS
BY REACfilNG OUT TO OTHERS
Most of us have experienced the delight that comes in helping and giving to
others. If we are operating from a faith perspective, that delight can be transformed
into joy and that joy can lead to a true inner peace.
When we put behind us the stresses that are weighing us down and offer our
help to someone in need, we have lightened our load. We will still return to the same
worries and frustrations as before, but we will come to them with renewed energy, a
sense of gratitude for all that we have been given, and a heightened awareness of the
steady and loving presence of God in our lives.
-Judy Ball
Care Notes
Letting Faith Help you Handle Stress
Page7
MARCH HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
3/3
3/8
3/8
3/9
3/10
3/10
3/16
3/16
Catherine Mahler
Russ Volmer
Nancy Jill
Erich Walter
Rolf Walter, Jr.
Terry Hammer
Andrew Schweighardt
Diane Kirchhoff
3/17
3/19
3/22
3/22
3/25
3/28
3/29
Nadine Heiligenstadt
Carol Nowicki
Maria Freidank
Michael Ramirez
Anthony Negrelli
Roger Kaufmann
Richard Heiligenstadt
SUBMISSIONS TO STEEPLE CHIMES
Messages, Poems, Prayers, Verses and inspiration, submitted by our members and our
readers are AL WAYS welcome! Did you find God somewhere in your life today?
Tell us about it! We welcome your submission to Steeple Chimes! It's EASY to do:
+
Send email to [email protected] with your submission. Please put "Steeple
Chimes" in the Subject!
•
Drop printed material in the Steeple Chimes mailbox, next to the entrance to the
parlor! Clippings are welcome, just please provide a note as to the
source!
REMINDER: ALL Submissions to Steeple Chimes are due
no later than the Friday following our Stated Meeting of Session ....
This is normally the 3rd or 4th Friday of each month!
Pages
MEMORIAL
ROLFWALTER
2/26/1929 - 12/05/2014
Rolf had the determination, the faith and the fortitude of a farmer mingled with the
elegance and beauty of an old world craftsman.
He kept the church going for many years with his down to earth 'know-how' and
innate ingenuity ... which kept our old boiler going for years on what seemed like nothing
more than 'spit and polish'. He also kept a lot of us going with tales of his family, the marvels of apple cider vinegar, his jovial and light-hearted remarks ... all the while delighting us
with his many hand crafted items (especially his remarkable Christmas Tree ornaments).
He helped open our eyes to the needs around us most every week at Friday Bible
Study. He's always had the 'heart for helping' demonstrating his patience, love and loyalty
to family & friends over and over throughout the years. He's reminded us that even while
struggling we are still greatly blessed.
We'll miss his delicious soups, outstanding BBQ' s, his wit, wisdom, generous
nature and many kindnesses. I know too we'll all miss the twinkle in his eyes under those
bushy, bushy eyebrows.
We were, and are indeed, blessed to have known Rolf.
Betty Chatfield
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Memortaí Servíce fer Rolî waíter
A memorial service for Rolf Walter will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2015,
vvtßlfl(f/11 in the Sanctuary of the Church. All are invited to join in remembering and
~ 't' celebrating the life of our brother in Christ. Time of the service to be announced at a later date.
Page9
MEMORIAL
Letter sent to Betty Chatfield from Polly Duncan,
former Pastor Robert Duncan's wife on 1216114
(before Everett Dodge's passing .... )
Dear Betty,
I am so very saddened to hear of Rolfs death, and of Everett's move to
Carillon because of weakness. Both of these men were and are very dear to
both Bob and me over these many years, and I surely will be praying for Rolfs
family in this sad time of his loss, for Margaret and her boys, and, of
course, for both Erich and Rolf, who will so greatly miss their beloved Father
and Grandfather. I will continue to pray for Everett and the Dodge family as
they mourn for Becky and try to provide all the help and support possible for
Everett at this time of special need in his life. He has gone through so many
struggles himself, I pray for God's comforting Presence in his life!
The Greenlawn Church prayer ministry is such a powerful one, and I
thank all of you who get out the news for prayer each week. I still feel very much
a part of the church's ministry even after all these years of not being actively
involved there, thanking God for each one, and praying for the many who are
struggling with physical needs for healing and comfort for those who have lost
loved ones. Thank you and God Bless you!
Love in Christ,
Polly
Page 10
PRAYER CORNER
"O God, overwhelm my anxious and troubled heart
with your love and peace. Deliver me from distractions
and free me from foolish anxieties to live
and serve in the center of your divine will. "
-Leslie Brandt Bible Readings for Troubled Times
DRAW ON OTHERS FOR PRAYER SUPPORT
God provides family and friends to support us in times of trouble. Ask for the
spiritual support of loved ones who might be willing to pray with you. Hold hands;
talk about what is worrying you. Be specific. Then ask the other person(s) to pray
aloud for you.
To hear a loved one asking God to help you, no matter how awkwardly, builds
faith and soothes jangled nerves. Remember, too, that in revealing your need you give
others the chance to serve.
-- Joan Wester Anderson Prayer Notes
Praying When You're Afraid
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~
Meg L. ;Terry H. ; Arlene C.; Bob B.; Diane H.; Maria H. & family;,
Honore W.; Jeff K.; Karen B.; Kim D.; Margaret B.;Peggi L.; all suffering financial, emotional & physical heartaches; our church and it's
leaders;. our nation & it's leaders; troops worldwide; all in harm's
way; and all who need HIS love
As Christians, we Believe in the power of Prayer. Please contact
Betty Chatfield by calling (631) 261-8104 or [email protected] to
have your praises and/or prayer requests e-mailed to our Prayer
Partners or to become a Prayer Partner
MEETINGS & EVENTS
Weekly Meetings:
CHANCEL CHOIR - Sundays at 9:30 AM, Thursdays at 8:00 PM
PASTOR FRED'S LECTIONARY BIBLE STUDY - Wednesdays at 2:00 PM
ADULT BIBLE STUDY-Fridays at 10:30 AM
Regularly Scheduled Monthly Meetings:
Personnel Committee
Deacon Board
Committee Night
Stated Meeting of Session
Prayer Shawl Ministry
7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM-
First Tuesday of the Month
First Tuesday of the Month
Second Tuesday of the Month
Third Tuesday of the Month
Second & Fourth Wednesday
Women's Circle Meetings:
Grace Circle meets on the Fourth Tuesday of the Month at 2:00 PM
Joy Circle meets on the Second Thursday of the Month at 1 :OO PM
UPDATE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESSES!
We've changed some email addresses! If you use email, please take note of the following
new emails to reach the church and its staff! Any previous email addresses you might have
stopped working as of January 1st, 2015!
Pastor Fred Woodward
Church Office Assistant
Clerk of Session
- :[email protected]
- :[email protected]
- :[email protected]
Page 12
OUR SERVING BOARDS
The Board of Deacons
Class of2015
Class of2016
Gloria Arelt
Patricia Ames
Debbie Eitel
Maria Francis-Henry
Craig Satterlee
Rosa Matos
The Session
Class of2015
Diane Hartmann
Class of2017
Barbara Small
Arlissa Dean
Kathleen Gerlach
Corinne Burdett
Diane Kirchhoff
Class of2016
Class of2017
Alexander Ames
Margaret Lawrence
June Spence
Roger Kaufmann
Robert Arelt
The Reverend Frederick H. Woodward, Pastor
Pastor Fred's Office Hours are from 1 l:OOam through 5:00 pm Monday through
Thursday... unless visiting or attending meetings. Outside the above hours, please call
(631)- 626-3702 for appointments and consultations.
OUR STAFF
Rev Frederick H. Woodward, Pastor
Catherine Mahler, Director of Music
Debra Eitel, Youth Director
Alex Ames, Clerk of Session
Ed Close, Asst. Treasurer
Betty Chatfield, Financial Secretary
Nancy Macintyre, Benevolence Treasurer
This is Your Church
As Christians, we are called to serve God
by serving others. Here at Greenlawn,
many members respond to that call by
volunteering their time and talents in one
or more of the activities that support our
church and community. Volunteers care
for our church and facilities, participate in
our worship and music services, nurture
each other in times of need, and reach out
to lend a helping hand in communities near
and far.
Ask yourself :
"How is God calling Me to His Service?"
Page 13
WELCOME to
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of GREENLAWN
We extend a special welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, gay, filthy rich,
dirt poor, yo no hables Ingles. We extend a special welcome to those who are crying new-boms,
skinny as a rail, or could afford to lose a few pounds.
We welcome you if you can sing like Andrea Bocelli, or can't carry a note in a bucket.
You're welcome here if you're "just browsing",just woke up, or just got out of jail. We don't care if
you're more Presbyterian than John Calvin, or haven't been in a church since little Joey's baptism,
or Sally's wedding, after which everybody, including Sally, got drunk.
We extend a special welcome to those who are over 60 but not grown up yet, and to teenagers who are growing up way, way too fast. We welcome soccer moms, NASCAR dads, starving artists, retired farmers, hedge fund managers, tree-buggers, latte-sippers, vegetarians, computer nerds,
and junk-food eaters.
We welcome those who are iu recovery, or still addicted - some of us have also been there.
We welcome you if you're having problems, or you're dowu in the dumps, or if you don't like
"organized religion" +we've been there too. We welcome you if you're "spiritual but not religious",
and if you are curious whether it is possible to be both at once.
If you blew your offering money in a football pool or online betting, you're welcome here.
We offer a special welcome to those who think the earth is flat, or was created literally in seven
days. We welcome you if you work too hard, or don't work at all. We welcome you if you have a
PhD, but are working at Trader Joes, or if you can't spel reel gud, and the job you have is killing
you. We welcome you if you're here today only because grandma is in town and wanted to go to
church, and you didn't want to disappoint her.
We welcome those who are iuked, pierced, or both. We offer a special welcome to those
who could use a prayer right now, maybe especially because they had religion shoved down their
throats as kids, or by somebody at the office after they grew np. We welcome you if you wound up
here by mistake, thinking this was the Catholic church (it's around the comer on Clay Pitts Road,
but since you're here already, you might as well stay for the service - we welcome Catholics tool).
We welcome tourists, seekers, doubters and everybody on the edge of faith, which includes,
well, pretty much all of us. Bottom line: We welcome You! And we welcome you because that we
know that no matter who you are, Jesus welcomes you. Oh, and also because we know that when we
receive the welcome that Jesus offers, everything begins to change for the better and keeps changing
so long as we do, and as long as we do the right thing, and welcome others, in his name too!
NOTE: This welcome message was adaptedfrom one used by Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic
Community Church in Daytona Beach, FL, and was adopted as the Official Welcome Message of the
First Presbyterian Church of Greenlawn, as approved by the Session on February I <Jf', 2013
Page 14
NONPROFIT
~@f'~~_t'~~
STANDARD MAIL
U. S. POSTAGE PAID
GREENLAWN, NY ll740
497 Pulaski Road
Greenlawn, NY 11740
Phone: (631)261-2150
Fax: (631) 261-0348
/
Sunday Worship
Please Join us every Sunday
at 10:30 AM for Worship!
Preschool and Sunday School are
offered for aß children!
'
Jesus said, "Let the little children come
to me, and do not hinder them,for the
kingdom of heaven belongs to such as
these." (Matt 19:14)
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