April 2019 Issue

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OPPC Staff Phone Email Address

The Rev. Dr. Richard Young, Pastor Ext. 304 dick@oppchurch.org The Rev. Allyn Foster, Pastoral Assistant Ext. 306 allyn@oppchurch.org Linda Babcock, Director of Education & Mission Ext. 307 lindab@oppchurch.org Gregory White, Director of Music Ext. 305 greg@oppchurch.org Sherry Pomeroy, Faith Community Nurse Ext. 309 sherry@oppchurch.org Bonnie Arnold, Director of Handbells & Children’s Music bonnie@oppchurch.org Deborah Babski, Office Manager Ext. 303 debbie@oppchurch.org Aimee McCann, Executive Assistant Ext. 301 aimee@oppchurch.org Deborah Galloway, Administrative Support Coordinator Ext. 302 deb@oppchurch.org Perry Babcock, Audio Visual Technician perry@oppchurch.org

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m. Phone: 716-662-9348 Visit us on-line at: www.oppchurch.org — or — e-mail us at: info@oppchurch.org

Worship Schedule: Sundays at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

April 2019

From the Pastor We all have it within us to make a difference in the world. I firmly believe this is true. I am regularly inspired by those who see opportunities, pursue them, and by their action make the world a

better place. I’m not talking about Nobel Prize winners, I’m talking about everyday women and men who are willing to do the thing that is right in front of them: those that have a heart for their neighbor, who have compassion for the poor, who know the power of forgiveness, who live each day as a gift of God expressed in loving service. When news reports regularly chronicle acts of hatred, bigotry, and violence, I think of all those people I know who quietly go about their lives loving God and doing good in the ways they can with what they have. It is this steady, quiet, understated work that often brings about the greatest change. One of the great things about being part of a faith community is when one part of the community (body) does something remarkable, we all get to participate in the success. So when Tuesdays with Tools constructs a new, expanded Blessing Box because Michele Pellette has

inspired us (see cover), we should all feel good about this vital outreach. And when our Mission Ministry Team sees pressing needs locally (Family Promise renovations), nationally (the tornado in Alabama), and internationally (Feed My Starving Children), and commits funding from our Mission Fund (see page 7), which is supported by our Legacy Fund, (thanks to the generosity of OPPC supporters) we can all celebrate. And when one of our own like Nate Houghton returns to OPPC to share with us news of the Congo Leadership Initiative (page 4), and how it is impacting the lives of thousands of young people in the DRC, we should utter a collective prayer of thanksgiving and recognize that the youth in our midst have the potential to be the leaders of tomorrow. By participating in and supporting OPPC you are making a difference in the world. And for that I give thanks to God. Blessings,

Pictured in cover photo: Michele Pellette and Tuesdays With Tools members: Perry Babcock, Mike Morrow, Al Sager, Jim Wilson, John Beyer and Roger Murphy.

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NEWSLETTER DEADLINE May edition of The Grapevine ~ Tuesday, April 16, at 9:00 a.m.

April 2019

Peace, Love & Food Community Meal is celebrating six months of offering a FREE meal to the community. So far we are averaging two dozen folks from the community plus some OPPC folks and volunteers who gather monthly and eat together like a family! Winter Break was a great opportunity for our youth to volunteer and one of our smallest blessings painted the "To Go Lunch" bags for those wishing to take food home. The next meal is April 18 and volunteers can sign up to bring food or help with all parts of the meal. If you'd rather not dine alone or are finding groceries more expensive, then please join us!

“Faithful Citizenship”

Lenten Supper Series 6:00 -7:30 p.m.

Wednesdays through April 10.

A light supper will be offered for $6 per person.

Sign–up sheets are at the Welcome Center.

Your mission dollars at work! March was "Mission Madness" as we hosted Family Promise guests; a Food Drive with other local churches; the Peace, Love & Food Community Meal; Congo Leadership Team meet and greet and a guest speaker from Feed My Starving Children. From our “Mission Fund,” the Mission Ministry Team allocated $5,000.00 to Family Promise for a renovation project to upgrade the Day Center; $1,000.00 to Auburn United Methodist Church in Alabama to help them assist friends and neighbors hit by the deadly tornado just a few miles from the church; $800.00 to Feed My Starving Children for the mobile pack event at Villa Maria in April and $300.00 to purchase organic soil for the seedling planting for GMNO which benefits Buffalo area folks. Please contact Andrew Brydges at brydgesandrew@gmail.com or Ryan Kilpatrick at Kilpatrick.32@outlook.com with questions or suggestions for future Mission involvement.

OPPC member, Jack Fischer, plays the vibraphone donated by the Orchard Park Foundation of

Academic Excellence during a meet and greet on March 4 at the OP Middle School.

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FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE will meet on Wednesday, April 3, at 10:00 a.m. in the Irene Irving Room. Lesson Seven of God’s Promise: I Am With You will be discussed. All women are welcome! For more information please contact Barbara Roberts or Sue Sager.

9 a.m.—Noon Bring your tools and come join the crew. If you have any questions,

please contact Jim Wilson.

One Party, Twice the Celebrating! At OPPC, we’re always up for a good celebration. Sunday, March 3rd’s return of our always-popular Mardi Gras Party once again demonstrated our commitment to fun. This year, our “Fat Tuesday”-inspired fete happily proved doubly festive by also offering us an excellent opportunity to celebrate another important event that took place the very same day: longtime OPPC Pastoral Assistant Allyn Foster’s 86th birthday. As bead-bedecked revelers feasted on Mardi-great munchies that included chili, mac and cheese, and delicious desserts, the holiday’s traditional King Cake provided the perfect place for our much-loved friend to wish upon and blow out his birthday candles.

The Congo Leadership Initiative (CLI) CLI was founded by OPPC member Nate Houghton while he was attending Cornell University. Recently Nate visited OPPC with Robert KUMKUM MUBIALA and Emmanuel BARAKA KANYONI, Co-Founders of CLI. Nate, Robert and Emmanuel gave a presentation between services on Sunday, March 17. They gave an update about "The State of the Congo Leadership Initiative," 10 years later and shared details of their Leadership Training Program, the Small Business Initiative they started, as well as the challenges of living and working in the Democratic Republic of Congo. OPPC is proud to be a supporter of CLI since its inception. (CLI website: www.congoleaders.org).

Photo by Doug Carpenter.

Photos by Doug Carpenter.

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Mission Workshop meets Wednesdays

10:00 a.m. to Noon The Meeting Place

Presbyterian Women Coordinating Team

will meet on Monday, April 1, at 1:00 p.m. in The Meeting Place.

RUMMAGE SALE Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13 The Rummage Sale is rapidly approaching. If you have any items for the sale, you may drop them off by Sunday, April 7, in the hallway behind the Fellowship Hall stage. The Clark Street entrance will be open Sunday (noon-6:00 p.m.), Monday – Friday (1:00-6:00 p.m.) and Saturday (9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.). Many volunteers are needed to set up tables, sort and price items, work at the sale and clean up after the sale. Please check the sign-up chart at the Welcome Center. The Rummage Sale will be held on Friday, April 12, from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. On Saturday, April 13, the Bag Sale will take place from 10:00 a.m. until noon. Admission is $1.00 for the Bag Sale and each filled bag costs $1.00. If you have any questions, please contact Sue Sager.

Many thanks to those who helped our guest family, Chrystal, Jesse, Melody and Harmony feel welcome at OPPC. Thanks be to God, they are now settled in permanent housing! It is a blessing to be able to provide safety, comfort and nourishment to families experiencing homelessness. We are grateful to those who gave of their time: Amanda and Trevor Lagoda, Jamie Owens, Dawn, John, Jack and Charlie Fischer, Jim and Meredith Wilson, Jan Robinson, Carol Savage and Victoria, John Beyer, Kathy Houghton, Denise and Danielle Day,

Jeff Somerville, Linda Babcock, Claudia and Michael Rodems, Marilyn Ballard, Mary Wolf, Melissa Wales, and Judy Williams. Family Promise is required to provide a number of training opportunities for volunteers. There will be a training session held at OPPC on April 4, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. All are welcome. Please notify a coordinator if you will be attending.

Our next hosting is May 31 - June 7. If you are interested, please contact one of the coordinators, Joan Holl or Donna Morrow at mikedonna63@gmail.com.

BREAKING NEWS - OPPC Presbyterian Women present… Another First Lady to visit Orchard Park! Last year Presbyterian Women had the honor of hosting Eleanor Roosevelt (portrayed by Denise Reichard). This year another former First Lady, Dolley Madison, will be coming to our community to tell us about her eventful life. A luncheon will be held on Saturday, May 18, at noon in the Reception Room. Tickets are $10.00 and will be available starting on Sunday, April 28.

CSA Fundraiser, Off to the Races Saturday, May 4, 4:30 - 9:00 p.m. at the Main House at Knox Farm State Park. Contact Michele Pellette at mpellette@gmail.com for tickets and information. Tickets also may be purchased at crossroadssprings.org.

Thursday Morning Men’s Study Group meets every other Thursday at Panera Breads in OP at 7:00 a.m. We will meet on

April 11 and 25. Contact Doug McMahon at mill1276@aol.com for more information.

SUNDAY MORNING EDUCATION FOR ALL AGES

Nursery care for infants through three years old: 9:15 - 11:45 a.m.

9:30 - 10:15 a.m. Classes for: Ages 4 years - 5th Grade

Middle/High School Class Adult Education

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Sunday Morning Adult Ed BS4BP Bible Study for Busy People Adult Education continues with BS4BP (Bible Study for Busy People) using the Disciple Bible, the "fast track" version. You may join the class already in progress for a refresher for what you may have learned earlier in life or if you are curious about the Bible and learning for the very first time. For more information or a book, please contact Laurie Patterson by email at Laurie@MonarchBroadcast.com.

Kids Sing at 10:30 a.m. worship

service on Sunday, April 7.

NO EDUCATION CLASSES on Easter Sunday, April 21 The Nursery WILL be staffed 10:15-11:45 a.m.

Youth Bells will ring at 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday,

March 31.

Jamie Owens & Trevor Lagoda setting up for Family Promise hosting.

The Confirmation Class of 2019 will be received into membership at the 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday, April 7. Join us as eight high school youth lead the worship service they have planned and stay for a reception hosted by the Membership Ministry Team.

Youth in grades 6-12 are invited to attend the Spring Craft & Chat with guests at Fox Run on Sunday, March 31 from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. The permission slip will be available in the weekly Constant Contact, on the OPPC website, at church, and at Fox Run. Please RSVP to Mrs. B at lindab@oppchurch.org .

Maddie Boeheim and Gerry Scofield volunteering at Bread of Life

Outreach Center.

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OPPC Book Club presents: The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn Tuesday, May 21, 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room

OPPC Book Club will not meet in April due to Easter. Our May 21 book is the bestselling fictional thriller, The Woman in the Window, by A.J. Finn. Anna Fox lives alone, an agoraphobic recluse in her New York City home, unable to venture outside. She spends her day drinking wine, watching old movies, and spying on her neighbors. Then the Russells move into the house across the way: a father, a mother, and their teenage son. But when Anna, gazing out her window one night, sees something she shouldn't, her world begins to crumble and shocking secrets are laid bare. What is real? What is imagined? In this twisty and powerful thriller, nothing is as it seems. Recalling the best of Hitchcock, this novel of psychological suspense will have you on the edge of your seat. Please join us - all are welcome! June 25: Leadership in Turbulent Times by Doris Kearns Goodwin No book club in July or August

departs and returns midweek this summer! The crew will depart Wednesday, June 26 to Erie, PA and return to OP on Wednesday, July 3.

Contact Linda Babcock at lindab@oppchurch.org for more information about this high school age mission opportunity.

Feed My Starving Children Once again OPPC and the Mission Ministry Team are working with Villa Maria College to pack meals for Feed My Starving Children. Many of you have generously donated to this in the past, and many have come to help with the packing. This is a wonderful outreach and a really fun ministry opportunity. There will be a sign-up sheet at the Welcome Center. The dates and times are: Friday, April 5, 6:00-8:00 p.m. & Saturday, April 6, 9:00 -11:00 a.m., noon-2:00 p.m., and 2:30-4:30 p.m. Families with kids of all ages are encouraged to sign up! If you would like more information, please contact Deborah Yeomans, Mission Ministry Team Member.

2019

April 14 ~ 9:30a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Please join our Earth Care Team, and our youth in transplanting vegetable seedlings for GMNO. GMNO gives organic vegetable plants to people in the inner city who have no access to healthy vegetables - teaching them to grow their own. This is a fun, community time. We transplant our seedlings to ready them to be given to people who have no access to healthy vegetables, and for food kitchens to grow fresh vegetables to use in their meals, as well as our own church garden which helps supply the Blessing Box and our Peace, Love & Food Community Meals. Please come to the Undercroft and help us transplant our seedlings to get them ready to be taken to our

distribution sites. No gardening experience necessary - just a willing heart! Last year we gave out over 1,000 organic vegetable plants. We need many hands to continue this ministry! Thank you, Earth Care Team

ECO PALMS The palms used to decorate the sanctuary and for people to take home with them on Palm Sunday are Eco Palms. These palms are harvested in a sustainable manner which is how we can play a part in the stewardship of God's creation. As we enjoy the palms we are also contributing an important role in protecting forests, local jobs and sustainable livelihoods in harvesting communities.

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Location Legend: SANCT –Sanctuary; RR—Reception Room; LB—Library; CR—Conference Room; IIR—Irene Irving Room; FH—Fellowship Hall UC—Undercroft; MDO—Nursery; MG—Memorial Garden

PW—Presbyterian Women

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HEALTH MINISTRY TEAM NEWS

Monday, April 15, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Orchard Park Presbyterian Church Health Ministry Team, along with AARP and DecideWNY, which includes organizations such as Center for Elder Law and Justice and Hospice Buffalo, is welcoming the public to a “Bring Your Proxy to Dinner” event. This event will include The Conversation Project presentation on advance care planning and advance directive forms, followed by an opportunity to start these difficult conversations with loved ones in a facilitated advance care planning workshop. Cost is $4.00 per person at the door (dinner and materials). Flyers and registration available at the Welcome Center. For more information and registration details, please call Orchard Park Presbyterian Church office at 716-662-9348 or e-mail sherry@oppchurch.org or visit www.DecideWNY.org/NHDD

Community Health Survey Are you interested in helping the health department and local hospitals with health planning efforts to improve the health and overall well-being of our community? You can take the Erie County Community Health Survey using one of the links below via Catholic Health or Kaleida Health. The survey is also available at the Welcome Center.

https://www.chsbuffalo.org/community-health-assessment-consumer-survey or https://www.kaleidahealth.org/kyi/news/?i=11477

OPEN DOOR @ OPPC: Memory Care Respite Program The second Tuesday of each month from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (next program is April 9). For more information, to register your loved one, or discuss volunteer opportunities please contact Sherry Pomeroy sherry@oppchurch.org or 662-9348 ext. 309.

Health Ministry Team Annual Evaluation and Planning Retreat Wednesday, April 24, 6:00-8:30 p.m. Dinner will be provided.

Blood Pressure Screening ~ Sunday, April 28, after both worship services in the Conference Room Area. Brought to you by Faith Community Nursing.

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will be on Thursday, April 11, at 11:30 a.m. with lunch and a program featuring Denise Reichart, historical impersonator. She is retiring her series at the end of year and we are happy to present her most popular, ELEANOR ROOSEVELT. The lunch will be pasta with broccoli and chicken, fruit salad, and Skippy cups. The cost is $10 per person. Please sign up at The Welcome Center or call the church at 662-9348. Reservations will be accepted through April 8. Our final program for Spring will be on May 9, featuring guests from Messinger Woods and their feathered friends.

Updating OPPC's Church Directory Photos Like all families, our congregation has grown and changed since we last printed our church directory in 2017. So to help us all keep up with and connected to OPPC’s extended family, we’ll be producing an updated directory later this year and are issuing an open invitation to anyone who’d like to have a new, more current photo taken of themselves or their family or who’ve simply never had their picture included in the directory before. Watch for sign-up sheets in the Welcome Center later in April for scheduled sittings that will begin in May. And if that should not be convenient for you, you’re welcome to e-mail an electronic image to deb@oppchurch.org along with any name and/or contact information changes. Thank you for participating in and supporting the spirit that makes OPPC so special.

Easter Flowers Please help decorate the

Sanctuary for Easter. To order foil-

wrapped plants in honor of, or in memory of,

loved ones, please complete an envelope and enclose $8.00 per plant

(lilies, pink hyacinths, or yellow tulips.)

Envelopes are located at the Welcome Center. Checks are

payable to Orchard Park Presbyterian Church and

marked Easter Flowers in the memo section.

Last day to order flowers is April 4.

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING is a denominational offering that is celebrating its 70th Anniversary! This offering has been a springboard for Presbyterians to share God's love with our neighbors in need around the world by providing relief to those affected by natural disasters (Presbyterian Disaster Assistance), food to the hungry (Presbyterian Hunger Program) and empowering the poor and oppressed (Self-Development of People). This is the single, largest way Presbyterians come together every year to work toward a better world. On Palm Sunday, April 14 we will receive this special offering as we "Open Doors, Open Hearts" to those hungering for hope!

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Week of April 7: Donna LaJoie The Kevin LeFauve Family Albert & Nancy Lesakowski The Richard Lester Family Week of April 14: Megan Linehan Jim & Pat Linehan The Sean Linehan Family Lou Long, Greg Long Week of April 21: Mike & Nancy Malachowski The Dan Mania Family Barbara Marino Brett Marino Week of April 28: Pam Martin Bob & Maureen Maskrey Amy May Doug & Pam May

Please join in keeping these church family members in prayer during the

week designated for them.

April 2019

Baptisms at OPPC

Gordon Jeffrey Bruzgul, son of Andrea (Somerville) and Jaron Bruzgul, on

February 24, 2019

Isla Harper Johnson, daughter of Kate (Linehan) and Eric Johnson on

March 10, 2019

Brooke Ridge Helwig daughter of

Laura (Ridge) and David Helwig on March 24, 2019

Prayer Families of the Week

The Thursday, April 18 Peace, Love & Food

Community Meal

will feature Chicken Tetrazzini,

tossed salad, bread & butter and

dessert. Please sign up at The Welcome Center to bring a food item or to help with the meal. We are growing our population of folks at our tables and can use some volunteers to assist in the kitchen! Volunteers are able to

join in for dinner as well! If you know of anyone who eats alone or whose grocery bill may exceed their income then please invite

them to attend with you! For more information contact Linda Babcock at

662-9348 x 307 or lindab@oppchurch.org.

Sympathy to ... Bonnie Smiszek and family on the

recent death of her mother, Dorothy Wood.

Congregational Meeting

Sunday, April 28 following 10:30 a.m. Worship

Service.

The church office will be closed on Monday,

April 22, in observance of Easter.

A thriving faith community engaged in compassionate service.

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Paid Postage PERMIT # 39

Orchard Park Presbyterian Church 4369 South Buffalo Street Orchard Park, NY 14127-2611

Forwarding Service Requested

Holy Week Worship Schedule

Palm Sunday, April 14 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. Worship

9:30 a.m. Seedling Planting - FH One Great Hour of Sharing Offering

Maundy Thursday, April 18 7:00 p.m. Worship

Good Friday April 19 ~ 7:00 p.m.

Community Worship at Nativity of Our Lord

R. C. Church Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday, April 20 ~ 10:00 a.m.

Easter Sunday, April 21 Worship

8:30 & 10:30 Babycare 10:15—11:45 a.m. No Education Classes