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The Good News-Letter
The First Presbyterian Church of Washingtonville
December 2013/January 2014
The Greatest Gift
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24
8:00 PM
First Presbyterian Church
of Washingtonville
Session Moderator
Rev. Bill Doster
Clerk of Session
Deborah Chedister
The Session
Hal Jones 2013*
LouAnne Blanchard 2014
Tim Erchick 2014
Chris Pasquarelli 2014
Bobbie Trager 2014*
Lois Dunikowski 2015
Nancy Bruscino 2015
Board of Deacons
Tanya Bray 2013
Beth Cooke 2013
Peggy Wright 2013
Steven Paulus-Youth 2013
Jorus Beasley 2014*
Mark Chedister 2014
Beth Tyrrell 2014
Carrie Maurya 2015
Debbie Woodmansee 2015
*indicates second term
**indicates youth deacon
Office Manager
Cynthia Carey
30 Goshen Avenue
Washingtonville NY
845-496-3814
Office Hours are:
Tuesday - Thursday
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
First Presbyterian Church www.fpcw.makeswebsites.com
Presbytery of Hudson River
www.hudrivpres.org
Food for Thought
Advent begins on the First Sunday of December this
year. Come and celebrate! But also come to think.
Sometimes symbols that once surprised us grow weak.
The lone first candle of Advent and the quietness of
expectation get smothered by the "December Frenzy
Syndrome” which now begins before Thanksgiving. Add
uncertain economic clouds—family problems—poor
nations locked in mortal combat; and the candle flickers.
Yet faith, hope, and love claim Advent as a time to
envision reality and possibility with new eyes. Hear the
prophet Isaiah:
GOD shall judge between the nations,
and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks:
nation shall not lift up sword against nation . . .
Neither conspicuous consumption (Santa holds the horn
of plenty.) not conspicuous intimidation (Might makes
right.) are the hopes and tools of God's Advent. These are
the choices of a world gone mad. Hear the prophet tell of
springs of power that heal. The lies and myths that reign so
loudly in this world have no power to heal. They do have
power to impoverish, to divide, to hurt, and to summon
darkness.
But on Advent's first Sunday we shall light one candle.
The candle burns. It becomes a holy sign. God would have
peace on earth near and on earth far. To strive for that lofty
possibility is to see by the light of that candle. To turn that
possibility into reality is to walk by the light of that candle.
The candle stands as a call of the Advent voice of God.
In the name of Him who is coming,
Pastor Bill
Worship
The Chancel Choir is busy preparing music for the Advent and Christmas seasons. Nancy
Popoloski has been working with the choir and will be our pianist on December 1st. Bill
Hooper will be with us for all the other Sundays in December, including Christmas Eve.
We are so fortunate to have both these talented musicians leading the choir and
congregation with beautiful music. Pastor Bill will also be singing with the choir, sharing
his musical talents with us, along with his exceptional, creative worship services.
December 1st is the first Sunday in Advent, and we will be serving Communion in the
pews. Please be with us for the beginning of this Advent Season.
Mark your calendars for Christmas Caroling at Valley View on Sunday, December 15th. We
will be meeting at the church at 1:30 p.m. to carpool or meet at Valley View at 2:00 p.m.
If you have questions, see Nancy Popoloski. This event is so meaningful to the residents
of Valley View. If you haven’t participated in the past, please join us and experience the
joy of seeing the happy faces of the residents as they sing along with us.
Christmas Eve is Tuesday night, December 24th. We are planning to begin this year’s
service at 8:00 p.m. so that many of you can have your dinners and come to church after
dinner. Please bring your whole family and visiting guests. All are welcome.
This is an exciting time of year. Let’s keep Christ in Christmas.
Important News: Pastoral Emergency Care
We have pastoral emergency coverage for our congregation. If you know of a need for emergency care
please contact Pastor Bill Doster at [email protected] or call him at 201-501-8951.
We have a church officer checking the answering machine at the office three times a day when
Cynthia is not working and in the evening on the days she is working.
Any questions please email Lois Dunikowski at [email protected]
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S T T SM W F
8:30 AM Choir
10:00 AM Worship
Lord’s Supper
8:00 PM A.A.
7:00 Ministry Night
7:00 PM Troop 416
9:30 AM Bible Study
7:00 PM Prayer &
Bible Study
8:00 PM A.A.
7:00 Venture Crew
7:30 PM N.A.
8:30 AM Choir
10:00 AM Worship
12:30-5PM Scouts
8:00 PM A.A.
9:00 AM Presbytery
at Stony Point
7:00 PM Troop 416
9:30 AM Bible Study
7:00 PM Prayer &
Bible Study
8:00 PM A.A.
7:00 Venture Crew
7:30 PM N.A.
5:00-7:00 PM Girl
Scouts #543
8:30 AM Choir
10:00 AM Worship
11:00 AM Taste of
Christmas
8:00 PM A.A.
7:00 PM Troop 416
9:30 AM Bible Study
6:30 Girl Scout #493
7:00 PM Prayer &
Bible Study
8:00 PM A.A.
7:00 Venture Crew
7:30 PM N.A.
8:30 AM Choir
10:00 AM Worship
8:00 PM A.A.
8:00 PM Christmas
Eve Candlelight
Service
Merry Christmas!
8:00 PM A.A.
7:00 Venture Crew
7:30 PM N.A.
5:00-7:00 PM Girl
Scouts #543
8:30 AM Choir
10:00 AM Worship
8:00 PM A.A.
7:00 PM Troop 416
Sundays - 10:00 am Worship Service
11:00 am Coffee Hour Church Office Hours are:
Tuesday - Thursday, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO
1 Harry Roosje
13 Tim Erchick
Katherine Pasquarelli
15 Samuel MacNab
17 Peggy Wright
18 Teresa Martinson
21 Deke Spierling
22 Amanda Martinson
23 Nina Pasquarelli
Carol Simpson
25 Jesus Christ
30 Holly Grove
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20
27
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8
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9
16
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3
10
17
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S T T SM W F
9:30 AM Bible Study
7:00 PM Prayer &
Bible Study
8:00 PM A.A.
7:00 Venture Crew
7:30 PM N.A.
8:30 AM Choir
10:00 AM Worship
Lord’s Supper
8:00 PM A.A.
7:00 Ministry Night
7:00 PM Troop 416
9:30 AM Bible Study
6:30 Girl Scout #493
7:00 PM Prayer &
Bible Study
8:00 PM A.A.
7:00 Venture Crew
7:30 PM N.A.
5:00-7:00 PM Girl
Scouts #543
8:30 AM Choir
10:00 AM Worship
12:30-5PM Scouts
8:00 PM A.A.
7:00 PM Troop 416
9:30 AM Bible Study
7:00 PM Prayer &
Bible Study
8:00 PM A.A.
7:00 Venture Crew
7:30 PM N.A.
8:30 AM Choir
10:00 AM Worship
8:00 PM A.A.
7:00 PM Troop 416
9:30 AM Bible Study
7:00 PM Prayer &
Bible Study
8:00 PM A.A.
7:00 Venture Crew
7:30 PM N.A.
5:00-7:00 PM Girl
Scouts #543
(speaker - 20
people)
8:30 AM Choir
10:00 AM Worship
8:00 PM A.A.
7:00 PM Troop 416
9:30 AM Bible Study
7:00 PM Prayer &
Bible Study
8:00 PM A.A.
7:00 Venture Crew
7:30 PM N.A.
J A N U A R Y Church Office Hours are:
Tuesday - Thursday, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO
2 Stephanie Imperato
5 Nancy Popoloski
8 Dylan Fuentes
Scott Zaccaro
11 Jessica Lipton
Sundays - 10:00 am Worship Service
11:00 am Coffee Hour
12 Margaret Steenrod
19 Riley Bray-Jones
Matthew Forsyth
27 Kelson Miller
The deadline for the monthly
newsletter is the 20th of each
month. Please submit the
news you want to share, to
Cynthia on or before the 20th
of each month at
• to all the singers who
visited Valley View on
November 10 for our
Veteran's Day patriotic
program! From our FPC
family Bobbie, Hanora,
Hal, Nancy P, LouAnne
and Flo with their therapy dogs Sammie
and Sweetie, Kevin (also representing BSA
Troop 416) and Kieran (also representing
Girl Scout Troop 493). From the Venture
Crew Mary and Catherine. From BSA Troop
416 Tommy, John and Christian. From Cub
Scout Pack 16 Danny. Also joining us were
the scout moms Christine, Theresa and
Sheila. You brought smiles to the faces in a
very appreciative audience!
Taste of Christmas
Mark your calendar to
attend, A Taste of
Christmas on Sunday,
December 15th
following the worship
service. Please bring a
finger food or sweet
treat to share. A sign-
up sheet is posted. Plan to stay for a time
of fellowship with your Church Family. Any
questions, please contact Debbie Erchick.
Anticipating the Vision
The marvelous vision of the peaceable
Kingdom, in which all violence has been
overcome and all men, women, and children
live in loving unity with nature, calls for its
realization in our day-to-day lives. Instead of
being an escapist dream, it challenges us to
anticipate what it promises. Every time we
forgive our neighbor, every time we make a
child smile, every time we show compassion to
a suffering person, every time we arrange a
bouquet of flowers, offer care to tame or wild
animals, prevent pollution, create beauty in
our homes and gardens, and work for peace
and justice among peoples and nations we are
making the vision come true.
We must remind one another constantly of the
vision. Whenever it comes alive in us we will
find new energy to live it out, right where we
are. Instead of making us escape real life, this
beautiful vision gets us involved.
-- Bread for the Journey:
A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith
by Henri Nouwen
The Nurture Ministry wishes everyone love,
peace and joy this holiday season and blessings
of the peaceable Kingdom becoming a reality
in your lives in 2014!
Bible Quiz
According to Scripture, what
does the name Jesus mean?
A. “God is with us.”
B. “Anointed One of God”
C. “[The Lord] will save his people from their sins.”
D. “Son of the Most High God”
Answer: C (See Matthew 1:21.) Poinsettias
This shrub, native to
Mexico, is at the
heart of legend about
a poor girl who
wanted to bring Baby
Jesus a gift one
Christmas Eve. As she
walked to church, she gathered a
bouquet of weeds — which Jesus
miraculously transformed into lovely red
flowers. Thus the poinsettia (named for
Joel Poinsett, the U.S. ambassador to
Mexico who first brought the plant to
America) is known in Mexico as la flor de
la Nochebuena (flower of the Holy
Night). The poinsettia is also an ideal
Christmas symbol because its leaves turn
red when deprived of sunlight and its
flowers (the red inner buds) bloom in
December.
Gifts for a King
Bring him thy precious things
And lay them at his feet;
The gold of love, the hope that springs
The unknown ways to meet.
Bring him thy lovely things;
The joy that conquers care,
The faith that trusts and sings,
The frankincense of prayer.
Bring him thy bitter things;
The myrrh of grief and fears,
The aching heart that stings
With pain of unshed tears.
These for thy gifts to him;
And for his gifts to thee,
The comfort of his steadfast love,
His tender sympathy.
- Annie Johnson Flint
Christmas Poinsettia
Order Form
One of the wonderful Christmas traditions we enjoy at the
Washingtonville church is honoring those people who are special to us
with donations of flowers to help beautify our sanctuary. This year is
certainly no exception! In just two (2) weeks, we will order brilliant red
poinsettia plants from Alders Wholesale Florist . If you would like to
purchase a poinsettia to be placed in the sanctuary at Christmas,
please use this order form. The deadline is December 11th. Your
floral tribute will be acknowledged in the worship guide of our
Christmas Eve worship service.
1. Circle the size/price for your poinsettia on the back of this form.
2. Print the details on the back of this form.
3. Make the check payable to First Presbyterian
Church and note “poinsettia” on the memo line.
4. Place form with check in the offering plate or in
Cynthia’s mailbox on her desk.
5. Please be sure to pick up your poinsettia(s) within the week after
Christmas otherwise the poinsettia will be donated to a nursing
home/shut-in.
7” = $11.00
8” = $16.00
10” = $24.00
Additional order forms are located on the table in the Denniston Room.
Any questions, please contact Bobbie Trager.
Board of Deacons
Food Pantry - The food pantry welcomes all donations. Needed for December and January
will be: glazed ham, hot chocolate, spaghetti sauce, pasta, powdered milk, rice, canned
vegetables and hot or cold cereal. Please add at least one of these items to your shopping
list. Donations can be placed in the wicker basket outside Hazekamp Hall.
Coffee Hour Needs - All kinds of cookies are welcome. Thank you all for helping the Deacons
keep the kitchen stocked!
Prayer Shawl - The Deacons are so happy to have this special ministry to help with their
shepherding.
E Prayer Circle - Please contact Lois Dunikowski at [email protected] if you have any
prayer requests.
Emergency Use of the Church Building - If any person in our church family is without power,
water, or heat, and needs to use the church as a safe haven, please contact your deacon
shepherd so he or she can direct your need to the appropriate ministry elder(s).
The Deacons are very happy to serve the members of this congregation. Please let your
deacon shepherd know if he or she can help you in any way. (There is a list posted on the
bulletin board in the Denniston Room if you are not sure who your deacon shepherd is.)
A reminder to all officers and
or committee leaders to
submit your 2013 annual
reports to Cynthia by January
1, 2014.
2014 Budget
A reminder to Elders -
please be sure your
budget information has
been given to Hanora
for your line items for
the 2014 Budget.
Call Cynthia at 496-3814 or send an e-mail to [email protected]
to share your news with our church family!
First Presbyterian Church
30 Goshen Avenue
Washingtonville NY 10992
Address Correction Requested
VISION STATEMENT
Together, we worship God through our
Study, Stewardship, Service, and Song.
Calendar of Prayer for our Congregations and Leadership
The endorsed calendar of prayer is a way for us to be united.
It’s an awesome responsibility and gift to pray for one
another. To make our offering on behalf of one another. Each
member congregation, staff member, elected servant leader,
ministry team, and mission commitment of our Presbytery is
represented:
Westminster PC Salt Point, First Church Pine Plains, The Rev.
Susan Andrews, General Presbyter, First Church Beacon, First
Church Ancramdale, Bethlehem PC New Windsor, First Church
Highland, Commissioned Lay Pastor Harriet Sandmeier, Stated
Clerk, Gilead PC Carmel, Elder Cathy Talbot, Manager of
Stewardship & Finance, United PC Amenia, Shirley Russell,
Secretary, First Church Kingston, First Church Milton, Elder
Tom Buchanan, Treasurer, Wassaic PC South Amenia, Bedford
PC, Commissioned Lay Pastor Margery Rossi, Moderator, First
Church Yorktown Heights, First Church Millerton, and The Rev.
William Crawford, Moderator-elect.
Newsletter articles
February 2013
issue are due before
January 20!
