COMMUNITY CHURCH OF DOUGLASTON
“ANCHOR”
Rev. Dr. Linden DeBie Rev. Adrienne Flipse Hausch
Senior Minister Minister of Congregational Care
October 2013
Dearly Beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ:
I just finished a wonderful Ph. Dissertation by Christopher Ganski. He wrote about how the
Holy Spirit works through Holy Communion. His conclusion was really quite thrilling. He
revealed that in the Holy Communion we have the offer of the most profound spiritual
awakening and quickening, all because of the work of the Holy Spirit as the Spirit binds us to
Christ.
That is an amazing promise. Still, I think many of us aren’t quite sure what Holy Communion is
all about. We see different practices of Holy Communion or Eucharist, as it is also called,
among the various churches. Some of us are aware of the different ways the churches go
about it. A few of us may even be aware of the disagreements among these bodies in their
communion practice. But what really happens at Holy Communion, as well as what might be
the proper effect of communion on a person, remains a mystery to many.
That ―mystery‖ surrounds the meal is only fitting. It is meant to be a mystery. But it is not meant
to be so impenetrable a mystery as to render it beyond our experience. Ganski’s point is
that, while some might disagree about what exactly takes place, the encounter with Christ
through the Holy Spirit can be transformational and awe inspiring. It might seem strange to
compare the results of a communion service with a rapturous altar call at the end of a
revival, or the dancing, weeping and crying drama of a Pentecostal service. But that is to
assume that some wild display of uncharacteristic emotion must accompany a true
encounter with the Holy Spirit. In fact, as Ganski points out, an uncharacteristic outward
emotional display is neither necessary nor is it common.
At times we in church are brought to quiet tears in the celebration of the Word or in our
music or in a moment of shared fellowship. This is by no means less profound than the more
conspicuous displays. For some of us, this happens quite often in church. Ganski writes that
that same visceral moment of spiritual excitement and perhaps even awakening is not only
available in the Eucharist, it is an essential aspect of it. Moreover, the result of that
emotionally powerful encounter with Christ in Holy Communion, is far more transformational
than most of the ordinary sources of inspiration typically associated with Protestant worship.
Union with Christ in the Holy Supper can indeed bring about the most profound feelings of
being in the presence of God and being utterly altered in body, mind and spirit by that
"Hope is like an anchor for our lives,
an anchor safe and sure" - Heb. 6:19
experience. But without access to that
overwhelming offer of grace, many miss
out on the power and effect of
communion with Christ.
In the weeks and months ahead, we are
going to offer several opportunities for
further study of Holy Communion and its
power and effect. Keep an eye on the
Anchor and the bulletin for events that you
can participate in and look for articles and
notices that you can read. This might go a
long way in helping us all better
understand the Church’s teaching on Holy
Communion. Ganski is right! There is no
better Pentecostal experience found
anywhere in the world, then in the full,
authentic celebration of Holy Communion:
His life in our life!
Yours in the Spirit,
Linden
MORE THAN
A CHURCH
WE 'RE A
COMMUNITY
WHAT WE BELIEVE
We believe enthusiastically in the centrality
of Christ as our Savior and Lord and in the
Bible as a solid guide for living in today’s
world. The Reformed perspective is
centered on the overwhelming Love of
God toward us. We believe that God is
three in one--God the Father, God the Son
in Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit.
We believe that we are saved by grace
alone through faith. Our good works don’t
earn our salvation, but they are a way for
us to thank God for that free gift He gave
through His Son.
The Reformed Church in America (RCA)
celebrates two Sacraments: Baptism, and
Holy Communion, celebrated the first
Sunday of each month. They remind us of
God’s promises to us and help us to claim
those promises as our own. We believe that
in worship and Sacraments, Christ is truly
present with us, guiding us on the way.
Special Worship Opportunities at CCD
Christmas Choral Vespers • Children’s
Christmas Pageant • Christmas Eve •
Christmas • Good Friday Choral Service •
Easter Sunrise Service • Easter Family
Festival Worship • Galilean Service at the
Dock • Healing Services
GOD WITH US
FOLLOWING JESUS DOES NOT MEAN
holding in our imagination the memory of
someone who lived 2,000 years ago and
trying to apply his teachings to our time.
No, following Jesus means following the
risen Lord, who is with us at this moment,
drawing us more fully home into
deepening communion with God.
―I am with you always; yes to the end of
time‖ (Matt. 28:20). That is the promise.
Who is God? What is God’s name? The first
time God reveals this name is in the
encounter with Moses at the burning bush.
The name of God is ―I AM‖ (Exodus 4:14).
God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob. When God is revealed to the
people, they know God as the God with
them. God is the one who comes to the
people – to us – the one who stays with us,
journeys with us through the desert, and
helps us find new life. In Jesus, we see how
serious God is about being with us. God
became one of us. There is nothing human
that God has not shared with us.
- Henri Nouwen John S. Mogabgab, Editor
A Spirituality of Homecoming
From pages 52-53 of A Spirituality of
Homecoming by Henri J. M. Nouwen,
edited by John S. Mogabgab. Copyright ©
2011 by The Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust. All
rights reserved. Submitted by Linda Mulé.
THE ELDERS’ CORNER
Pray Persistently
Although I like to think of myself as a realist,
when it comes to unexpected and
potentially threatening events, I’ve often
been a ―glass half-empty‖ person. It’s
embarrassing considering my professed
faith. Some elder I am.
Rather than to depend on God, I’ve often
defaulted to my producer’s mentality, and
tried to solve problems all by myself.
Whether it was health issues, career or
financial problems, family conflicts, or just
plain bad luck; I often tried to solve
everything on my own. This attitude has
never really worked, and it cost me lots of
unnecessary worry, stress, and sleepless
nights.
As you can see, I may not always practice
what I preach; however, when we really
understand God’s love for us (i.e.:
Surrender to Love) and His plan for us, only
then can we begin to realize the doors
that He wants to open for us. But we’ll only
realize these things when we’re constantly
talking to Him, listening to His voice, and
growing deeper in our relationship with
Him.
“Keep on asking and it will be given
you; keep on seeking and you will
find; keep on knocking (reverently)
and (the door) will be opened to
you.” Mathew 7:7
Mathew 7:7
So many times when we reach the end of
our rope, we turn to prayer; but when our
prayers are not instantly answered, we give
up. Today, I encourage you to not only
pray, but to pray persistently. Don’t stress
out trying to make things happen on your
own. Give it to God as you pray.
Remember, He promises when we seek
Him, we will find Him. Let’s pray and seek
Him with all our hearts. Here’s a prayer
starter:
God, remind me to bring my
problems to You. I’m tired of living in
my own strength. I need Your
guidance and Your direction. As I
seek You daily, I will put my trust in
You.
I wish you God’s blessings as you travel the
journey.
In His Service,
Ed Palafox
Joanne Iorio, LCSW-R
Psychotherapist
718-229-4269
Available Tuesdays
Afternoons and Evenings
at
Community Church of Douglaston
Affordable
INTER CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES OF JUNE 29, 2013
The Inter Church Council represents CCD
and the two other churches that worship
and serve their congregations at CCD
each week: All Nations Disciple Church of
New York and Grace Christian Church.
These June minutes were inadvertently
omitted from the September Anchor.
1. The first item of business was to
consider sharing information
together in our newsletters. It was
decided that each meeting we
would distribute the minutes to be
translated into each language and
made available to our
congregations.
2. Grace Christian Church will provide
CCD with a copy of the proof of
liability form to satisfy our insurance
company.
3. The council would like to see the
church consider a ramp or stairs for
the back of the parking lot. Linden
this will bring to the attention of the
Property Committee for
consideration.
4. The three churches would like to
celebrate Thanksgiving Eve together
on Wednesday, November 27, 2013.
The service would be at 6:30 and be
followed by dinner together in the
Parlor. The Council would prepare
the service at our November 16
Council meeting which is at 10 AM.
5. The Council asks its leaders to
consider also a shared Maundy
Thursday Communion Service on
April 17—also to be arranged for and
planned by the Council, along with
a meal afterwards.
6. Members of CCD, Grace Church
and All Nations were joyfully invited
to pledge toward the new sign for
our church. This sign will display all
the important news and services of
the churches that support the fund
drive. It was also clearly stated that
this will be the only permitted
signage on the property except for
the occasional banners that will be
used to highlight occasional key
activities.
7. The Council set its meeting dates for
2013-14. September 14, November
16, April 5 and June 28.
8. All Nations and Grace church are
cordially invited to attend and
participate in our annual Christmas
Vespers Service and our annual
Good Friday Service. Both are
musical services and will remain in
the great tradition of the ancient
Church.
JUNIOR/
YOUTH
CHOIR
Children from 4 to 14 are invited to join the
Junior/Youth Choir. The first rehearsal is
Sunday, October 6, beginning at 9:30 am
in the Chapel under the direction of Linda
Mulé. Future rehearsals begin at 9:45 am.
The children will again sing every Sunday
during worship, and will participate in the
Christmas Pageant under the musical
direction of Kimberly Iannuzzi Pidherny. No
prior musical training is required to
participate, just the ability to listen and
learn.
THOSE AMONG US
Anna was born in New York. She attended
Sacred Heart School in Brooklyn and P.S. 49
in Queens. She went to Newtown High
School and St. John’s University; one year
of which was spent in Aix en Provence
near Marseille. Then Anna attended Pace
University where she earned a Doctor of
Professional Studies degree in
Management Science, Behavioral
Psychology and International Business.
While in school, Anna Elaine spent summers
with her grandparents on their farm/ranch
where there were horses. To reach them
she traveled as an unaccompanied minor
to Rome where she was joined by cousins
who then went with her to Tunisia where
she learned French, Arabic, and Italian.
Today she is fluent in French, okay in
English, and can get along in Italian.
Anna’s first job was with TWA (Trans World
Airlines) for whom she worked in Paris, New
York, Bombay and Hong Kong. From there
she went to Union Carbide, and then to
Wall Street where she was Marketing
Director for Prudential Securities.
St. John’s University asked her to teach an
evening course in International Marketing,
because she is a woman, had experience
in the field, and was needed to fill a void
when professors were older men and
students were mostly women. After one
year at St. John’s and while in Hawaii, Dr
Anna Elaine received a 4 a.m. phone call
from St John’s offering her a full-time
position. Disillusioned with male dominance
and pressure as well as a lack of ethics, the
Doctor left business and became a
professor. Now she could share the positive
and negative realities of a career in
different industries.
Now Anna is a tenured faculty member at
St. John’s University and has created
educational curriculum programs and
effected the futures of many young
people.
As an undergraduate Anna took courses
at the Fashion Institute of Technology and
has always had a second job in the fashion
industry, i.e. theme marketing at F.I.T. or
Parsons School of Design.
Anna just returned from Sydney where on
TV, the radio, and in newspapers she
helped establish a fashion district for the
U.S. Study Center, U.S.S.C.
As a Fulbright Scholar, Anna was sent to
Spain to teach the use of game theory in
education. She has taught in East Europe
as well.
After she had established her career, Dr.
Anna Elaine Andrea Licari married a
widower who was not interested in
children. They bought a big house for
themselves and life took over and Edward
La Grassa changed his mind. Now they are
blessed with Alexandra, age 17 and
Hunter, age 14.
Andrea concludes, ―The world is not that
big a place. People are not all that
different. We all have the same aspirations,
hopes and dreams.‖
Joan Hoffman
CONGRATULATIONS
Rod O’Connell, a friend of CCD,
often in our prayers, was recently
presented with an award from the
Douglaston Civic Association. In
addition to being a DCA board
member and former treasurer, he
was recognized for his long time
dedication to civic activism.
PRAYER LIST
IMMEDIATE PRAYERS
FAMILY OF DR. HEIDI SUNG, JOHN
BLOCK JR., KATHLEEN KOENIG,
ANDY AND MARIE, EVELYN,
CHRISTINE, PATRICK
CONTINUED PRAYERS
FAMILY OF COLIN MASON, NELSON COLLINS AND
FAMILY, HELEN KAHN, CLIFF CROCOLL, KATHY,
BARNES FAMILY, KEITH, LAURA LEONE, VICKY, LYNDA,
MS. DISTANT, HEIDI SUNG, DANIEL BOYLE, LEA,
JULIA, THE H.T. FAMILY, WALTER GRILL, ROD
O’CONNELL, SUSAN ROSE TRUSSUX, MAIA
O’DONNELL, BILL ROSE, SALLY.
WANTED
FOR
LONG ISLAND COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
@
PASTOR ADRIENNE’S BENCH
Donations of school supplies, diapers,
canned meats, toiletries, personal care
items, small household goods, and
shopping bags are welcome.
Winter clothing for all age groups is
needed and sneakers in good condition.
Blankets, linens &towels are needed too.
LICC’s Riverhead pantry particularity
needs donations of peanut butter, jelly,
canned meats and canned fish.
Toiletries are always needed.
Pastor Adrienne will deliver any of these
items.
Items are desperately needed by
Long Island Council of Churches
for those who depend on donations
and our good will.
Please leave items on the inside bench
by the back Church door.
TO ALL OUR COFFEE HOUR HOSTS:
If you took the table cloth home
to wash it, please return it. It's the
one in your linen drawer that you
keep looking at and asking "Does
anyone know where this table
cloth came from?" We are
running short.
And if anyone has extras--104
inches long are the best but we'll
take anything--we can always use
them.
Pastor Adrienne
NEWS FROM THE INTER-CHURCH COUNCIL
September 2013 Meeting
At the September meeting of the Inter-
church Council we discussed several items,
the most important of which was our
shared services together with all three
churches participating.
We will have a shared Thanksgiving service
Wednesday night November 27. We still
need to finalize the time as we differed as
to the best time for this. It will be
announced well ahead. A second service
will be of a Maundy Thursday service.
We will also hold an evening study on
Reformed tradition in all three languages
with a fellowship meal to follow. The time
and date for this is being worked out.
Both Grace and All Nations are invited and
pleased to attend both our Christmas
Vespers Service and our Good Friday
Service.
Finally, we talked about items that effect
us both such as church signage and better
inter-church communications. To that end,
we committed ourselves to publishing
reports from our meetings in our respective
newsletters.
TUESDAY MORNING MUSIC CLUB
The Tuesday Morning Music Club invites
you to attend their monthly concerts in the
CCD Parlor followed by lunch. A donation
is appreciated for the meal. Enjoy a variety
of fine music works and performers
representing members and guest artists.
They meet the 4th Tuesday of the month
from 11am to 2pm, from October thru May,
except for December.
For more for information please call Carol
at 646 824-6446.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
Bring your beloved animals as we
bless the animals and celebrate
the Feast of St. Francis during our
10:30 am worship service on
October 20.
With no disrespect to St. Francis, the
the Blessing of the Animals was
moved to avoid conflict with the
Columbus Day weekend
so all our children and adults, and
their animals may participate.
JOYS
FOR
NEW GREAT GRANDPARENTS
Bill and Joan Rose welcomed
their first great grandchild in
September, Logan Rose.
WANT TO LIVE LONGER?
GO TO CHURCH!
Attending weekly religious services can
tack on an extra 1.8 to 3.1 years on to your
life expectancy, according to a review of
research published in 2006 in the Journal of
the American Board of Family Medicine.
This longevity benefit could lie in church's
stress-relieving benefits, though it's also
possible that "being in a religious
community helps you make meaning out
of your life," the researcher of that study,
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's
Daniel Hall, told LiveScience.
DEACONS REPORT
The Deacons continued our discussion
after the summer break about what
possible mission projects we could suggest
for the older Sunday School children to
participate in locally. We are looking
forward to the annual Brown Bag Sunday
food collection coming up in November
for Star of the Sea, the women’s shelter in
Jamaica. With the generous donation of
personalized CCD recyclable shopping
bags from the DeLuca family, the kids will
proudly distribute them in the
neighborhood for the collection of foods.
The Souper Bowl Sunday is another annual
project in January that collects monies for
children who are physically and mentally
challenged so that they can attend the
APEC Arts Center to learn about the
animals and their habitat. We are also
looking into a mission project during Lent,
possibly to help a family in need of re-
building. This project will likely be done in
conjunction with the Long Island Council of
Churches (LICC) where Pastor Adrienne
serves on the Board. The donations to
"Pastor Adrienne's Bench" go to the LICC
food and merchandise pantry.
On the global front, we have been given
mission updates through the RCA on Amos
Liang’or in Kenya and Bruce and Tamar
DeJong in rural South India. Amos, a
trained nurse, administers a clinic in a
remote part of western Kenya. He visits
villages near the clinic, finds opportunities
to share the gospel and teaches people
about the healthy practices and disease
prevention. Bruce is a physician in a village
in India where he treats poor villagers in an
outpatient clinic and Tamar a workshop to
help local women support themselves.
If you have any ideas of a worthwhile
organization or individual in need, that you
would like the deacons to consider, please
contact one of us: Michel Fiechter, Ed
Muccini, Annette Mohammed, and our
pastoral advisor, Pastor Adrienne Hausch
or, yours truly, Caroline Warshaw.
SANCTUARY FLOWERS
Help adorn the Church
Sanctuary and altar on
Sunday mornings with
fresh flowers!
Celebrate a person or
an occasion or
remember a loved
one. Please sign up on the Flower Sign-up
Sheet on the bulletin board in the hallway
opposite the Library or call the Church
Office during the week.
returns to
The Community Church of Douglaston Saturday, October 5, 2013
8:00 PM
~ Opera Night has been entertaining audiences across Long Island since July 2004 ~
Adults - $20 Students - $5
For ticket reservations, contact Kimberly at (516) 869-1410
www.harvestofsong.eventbrite.com or 156 627-3494
Warm your heart and inspire your soul!
All funds go to the CRC music ministry, which includes outreach and service in the Manhasset community.
Community Reformed Church At Manhasset 90 Plandome Road, Manhasset, NY 11030
CONTINUE - Pastor Adrienne’s BACK PAGE
had to spend eight hours each day just collecting potable water—that’s what WE do with
your dollars—make it better.
Do. Participate in charitable events. Bring in others. Instead of just attending a concert,
attend one where the proceeds will go to charity (the good ones—not the ones that have
85% administrative costs). Walk. Run and play for the good of others.
That should keep you busy until next month. --Pastor Adrienne
COMMUNITY CHURCH OF DOUGLASTON
39-50 Douglaston Parkway
Douglaston, New York 11363
(718)229-2169
www.communitychurchofdouglaston.org
Change Service Requested
PASTOR ADRIENNE’S BACK PAGE
I love autumn. It has always been my favorite season and although when I was a child I
always felt sorry for those who did not have a white Christmas, I could never imagine life
without fall; life without changing leaves; life without orange and red and gold everywhere. I
guess I was really lucky to be born and raised in the Northeastern United States. As you read
this I will be in New Hampshire proving my point!
Most people call Spring the time of renewals and new beginnings. For sure, we
celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord in the spring and our own rebirth through Him. But with
the end of summer and the beginning of school, the start of new ―program years‖, juries
coming back and my trials moving into high gear—yep: this is truly ―the beginning.‖
SO it is time to get a head start on those New Year’s Resolutions that the Gregorian
calendar calls for on January 1. I find if I don’t do it now, by December I have messed up so
much it hardly seems worth bothering. An oldie but goodie: do one nice thing for no reason
every day—one of those ―random acts of kindness.‖
Tithe. I get it—ten percent is rough these days. So, just pledge. Make a promise to give
to God—whether it be through CCD or wherever you worship (or SHOULD be worshipping).
Nothing that meets that description? Give to CCD and designate for benevolences—we
don’t ask for anyone’s membership card before we feed them or clothe them. God’s
children are God’s children. Hungry hurts. Homeless hurts more. And imagine if your mother
Continues 2 pages back, at the bottom
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