Cross & Comments - February 2012

8/3/2019 Cross & Comments - February 2012

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M e m b e r s f i n d S t r e n g t h , S u p p o r t ,

L a u g h t e r i n M e n ’ s S t u d y G r o u p

7 0 1 S a n d C r e e k R o a d , C

o l o n i e , N e w Y o r k 1 2 2 0 5 - 2 4 9 7 — B r u c e K . C o r n w e l l , P a s t o r — T e l e

p h o n e ( 5 1 8 ) 8 6 9 - 5 5 8 9 — w w w . c o

l o n i e r e f o r m e d . o r g

The words “Bible study”

turned him off, so it took

numerous invitations over a

long period to convince

Barry Bredice to attend the

Saturday morning men’sgroup. But once he got to

that first meeting, he

“couldn’t wait for the next

Saturday.” That was 15 years

ago and Barry is still as

enthusiastic as he was that

first meeting.

Formally named the Men’s

Ecumenical Scripture Study(M.E.S.S.), the group meets

at the church every Saturday

morning from 8-9:30 for

coffee, sweet rolls,

camaraderie and, yes, Bible

study, but not necessarily the

quiet, subdued kind.

“We disagree a lot,” Barry

said, remembering some of

the more spirited discussions

the members have had.

The group welcomes all

men. It presently consists of

13 members, though Cal

Francisco, who passed away

a couple years ago and is

responsible for bringing

several of the members into

the group, continues to have

a presence in the easy

mention of his name during

the meetings. Only Barry,Paul Belus, Dick Burt and

Ole Christensen Jr. are

current members of CRCC.

The others---Lou Theophilis,

Ole Christensen III, Steve

Smith, Val Tebbano, Joe

Basile, John Churchill and

Father Joe Girzone, author

of the Joshua books---come

from various Capital Region

churches. Two others, Bill

Davis and Chawon Koh used

to attend CRCC, but now

live out-of-state and attendvia Skype.

Chawon lives in South

Korea. His commitment to

the study group is an

inspiration to all the

members.

“There’s a 14 hour time

difference, but he never

misses a meeting,” Barry

said, “When we’re ending at

9:30 in the morning, our day

is just beginning. But it’s

11:30 at night for Chawon.

It’s been a long day and the

rest of his family is already

(Continued on page 2)

U p c o m i n g E v e n t s

Rest & Re-creation in the Spirit Feb 8

Ash Wednesday Feb 22

Serving at Schenectady City

Mission

Mar 1

Women’s Monthly Bible Study Feb 4

I n t h i s I s s u e :

Visions of Hope 3

Operation Christmas Child

Showboxes Delievered!

3

Christmas Worship Engages

Everyone in the Bethlehem

Experience

4

Sign up to be in our new church

Directory

2



2

asleep.”

The group is presently studying a

chapter in the book Ninety Percent of

Helping is Just Showing Up by James

R. Kok. Most of the discussion

centers on one of the questions at theend of the chapter. Why is there so

much suffering in the world?

The ideas flow: Free will, a violation

of boundaries, greed, the lack of love

and lack of caring about what happens

to other people.

“Without suffering and evil, would

we go to God?” one asks.

“When I think back on my own life, I

brought on a lot of suffering by

overriding my gut instincts of what

God was telling me to do,” another

says.

The question brings out a story about

a personal life-long struggle and years

of “non-stop pain” before the

realization that God “made me live

for a purpose and I think that purpose

is to tell people not to give up.”

Freely sharing personal stories and

feelings is something most of these

men never did prior to joining the

men’s group. But they have been

freed up by the rule that what is said

in the room, stays in the room.

“We can open our lives, warts andall,” Ole Christensen III said. “It’s

trust and humor and fellowship.”

One of the guiding principles of the

group is to focus on issues that bring

members together as Christians. Val

Tebbano, whose wife is in a nursing

home, finds that the group “re-

energizes” his batteries and is a source

of strength and learning.

(Continued from page 1)

IT WON’T BE THE SAME WITHOUT YOU!

Receive a complimentary 8”x10" portrait and a free church directory!And… Lifetouch has promised us that there will be no pressure toorder additional portraits!

PHOTOGRAPHY DATES

Friday, March 9, 2:30 to 9:00 PM

Saturday, March 10, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

March 20 will be added if needed.

HOW DO I SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT?

1) Sign up Online to receive a $10 coupon toward any purchases made at yourappointment. Just go to www.coloniereformed.organd click on the

button.

2) Sign Up in person after Worship on January 29, February 5 or February 12.

3) Can’t get to church? Will be out of town? Contact Kathy Jubert foralternative ways to be a part of your church family directory.

DON’T FORGET…TO BRING YOUR PET!

We encourage you to bring your well behaved pet with youfor your portrait session!

YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PERSONALLY!

Lifetouch encourages you to bring something that says who you are to yourportrait session. Perhaps a hat… pin… scarf… musical instrument… Bible…sports gear... whatever it is that’s important to you!

ARE YOU A GENERATIONAL FAMILY? If you are a generational family e.g. Grandparents, daughter, son-in-law,grandchildren, consider signing up together and having a generations picturetaken along with your individual family pictures.

GOT CHURCH PHOTOS?

If you have photos of any church activities/events from the last few years – Pleaselet us know. We may use them for the activity pages at the beginning of our newdirectory. Remember - we can’t promise to return them, so be sure to keep acopy!

FEED THE NEED

Families who bring a donation for the Food Pantry to their photo session

will receive a $5 coupon toward any purchases made at your appointment!

We want to make this a complete representation of ourchurch family

PLEASE be a part of it!

SIGN UP TO BE IN OUR NEW CH URCH DIRECTORY

“If I have to miss a meeting, I REALLY DO miss it,” Steve Smith says. For

Steve and the other members, the Saturday morning men’s group is, indeed,

much more than a Bible study group.



3

February Mission of the Month

VISIONS OF HOPE:

Helping Others through

Personal Experience

Susan Bredice

Ten years ago, Barry and I faced achallenge that we never faced before.One of our children began toexperience symptoms of PostTraumatic Stress Disorder – PTSD. Allof our children are adopted and camefrom troubled families; we didn’talways know the extent of theirtraumas. We did not realize what washappening to our child or what to do.Thankfully, we had a pediatrician who

knew us and our children and was ableto point us in the right direction. Wedid not know much about the mentalhealth system or how it worked. It wasa painful journey for us. I wished I hadsomeone to talk to or to explain to me

how things worked. I wished there wasan organization like Visions of Hope.

Visions of Hope is part of theVillage of Colonie Outreach Center.Visions of Hope provides peer-to-peersupport service to help families orindividuals navigate different servicesystems and to find the most

appropriate supports for themselves ortheir families. We go by differentnames – parent partners, servicenavigators, advocates - to name a few; but our goal is to help others withsupports that are strength based,attainable and community based. Weidentify barriers that prevent others insucceeding and try to find supports toovercome those barriers. The Visionsof Hope staff gives information, referraland advocacy to those seeking help.We’ve provided food, clothing, andtransportation to cover the basic needswhen needed. We make connectionsto social services, mental healthproviders, developmental assessments,

senior services and other health servicesto those reaching out to us. Weprovide educational advocacy in thespecial education system. We areparents who have faced our ownstruggles and use our experience tohelp others.

Visions of Hope is located in the

Village of Colonie Outreach Center at1639 Central Ave. Our doors areopened to all who need assistance. Werely on our community to help us inhelping others through donations of money, food, bus passes or gift cardsfor food/gas. All donations go topeople or programs in our localcommunity.

The goal of Visions of Hope is toensure that no one has to be alone infacing challenges. We can help eachother through our own experiences andthe connections we make with oneanother.

Our contact Number is 218-1030.

Ash Wednesday Worship

February 22

7:30 PM

Ash Wednesday begins the Lentenseason with prayer, confession andthe imposition of ashes.

Lent is marked by a time of prayerand preparation to celebrateEaster. Since Sundays celebrate theresurrection of Jesus, the sixSundays that occur during Lent arenot counted as part of the 40 daysof Lent, and are referred to as the

Sundays in Lent. The number 40 isconnected with many biblicalevents, but especially with theforty days Jesus spent in the

wilderness preparing for Hisministry by facing the temptationsthat could lead him to abandon hismission and calling. Christianstoday use this period of time forintrospection, self examination,and repentance.

Operation Christmas Child

Shoeboxes Delivered!!

The Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes that

were so generously filled and shipped by ourSunday school blessed children in 3 countries

this holiday season! We have received

confirmation that they were delivered to

Niger, Iraq and Ukraine. 28 children have

been blessed with the gifts in those boxes and

are now going to learn about the love God has

for them. “Thank you” to all of those who

were a part of this wonderful mission work!

Operation Christmas Child is the work of

Samartian’s Purse, “a non-denominational

evangelical Christian organization providing

spiritual and physical aid to hurting people

around the world.”



4

Christmas W orship Services Engage Everyone in the Bethlehem Experience

Christmas Season worship services at Community Reformed broke the mold of the

standard pastor-led service this year. A “living nativity” was presented on Christmas Day,

and a celebration of the Nativity Crèche highlighted the service on New Year’s Day. As

Christmas ended and Epiphany began, the Cantata, Emanuel, Celebrating Heaven’s Child, put

the experiences of those present at Christ’s birth into song.Members of the congregation who attended Christmas

Day worship were invited to participate in a spontaneous pageant entitled

“Voices of Bethlehem” by Mary Lou Williams. Each of the nineteen

“volunteers” was given a reading, a costume and a number corresponding

a location within the tableau. All read beautifully and looked

spectacular. Thank you to Sandy Cornwell for coordinating the costumes

On New Year’s Day, Rev. Cornwell shared the history of nativity scenes

surrounded by a variety of nativities brought in by members of the

congregation. Following the service the congregation was invited to try to

match each nativity scene with its owner. Congratulations to Alison

Courtwright for the only perfect score.

The sounds of the choir’s singing of the Christmas Cantata at the January 8 Epiphany service, l

by Kevin Bottini, left the beautiful and stirring music of Christmas ringing in our souls.

RCW S Ca lls for

Prayer for South

Sudan

Reformed Church WorldService (RCWS) is callingfor prayers for peace inSouth Sudan. A recentresurgence of inter-ethnicviolence there has leftthousands dead.

"This is sad news coming

out of the world's newestnation, South Sudan," saysDerrick Jones, supervisor of

RCA mission in Africa."Please pray for peace andreconciliation efforts amongthe Lou-Nuer and Murleethnic groups in SouthSudan."

RCWS will work with thePresbyterian Church of Sudan, an RCA mission

partner, to assist thedisplaced people with maizeseed, sorghum, ground

nuts, blankets, medicine,and cooking utensils. RCWSwill send $10,000 to thePresbyterian Relief andDevelopment Agency, anagency of the PresbyterianChurch of Sudan.

RCA Global Missioncontinues to support

RECONCILE, a missionpartner that promotes pea-building in South Sudan b

providing training in traumhealing, civic education, aconflict transformation.RECONCILE works inareas with high inter-tribatension. New RCAmissionaries Shelvis andNancy Smith-Mather are

(Continued on pa



5

Coin & Kingdom:

Would Jesus Toss Us Out Today?

Rev. Dr. Norman Tellier

What do we believe about money?

Can the Church be taxed?

How is our minister's money different?

Church finances are confusing and change

regularly. Find out what you and the people in

your church need to know as they manage the

church's money.

When: March 3, 2012; 9am - 3pm

Where: St. George's Episcopal Church

912 Route 146

Clifton Park, NY 12065

Registration Deadline: February 15, 2012

www.capitalrtc.org

Dear Friends,

With deep appreciation, we thank you all

for the gift you presented to us on

Christmas Eve.

As we begin our 24rd year at the

Community Reformed Church, we give

thanks to our Lord for the never-ending

support and encouragement this

congregation offers.

This has been a year of change at CRCC,

embraced with grace and hope.

We are truly blessed to be a part of this

amazing family in Christ.

Thank you.

Peace,

Bruce and Sandy



6

Befriend ing Your Inner Teacher

Biblical Foundations & Practices of

Discernment

featuring distinguished speaker and author

Rev. Marjorie Thompson

Come explore the key themes of discernment:

The Nature of Discernment: Gaining a Heart of Wisdom

The He lping Spirit: Leaning Into God's Will

Identity, Gifts & Fruits : Discovering Passion & Energy

Consolation & Desolation: Examining Consciousness

Comm unal Discernment: Exploring Patterns & Resources A must for all who seek a deeper understanding of themselves,

others, and Christ.

When : Thursday & Friday, March 8 & 9; 9 am - 4 pm

Where: First Reformed Church of Scotia

228 N. Ballston Avenue

Scotia, NY 12302

Registration Deadline: February 14, 2012

www.capitalrtc.org

currently raising support to joinRECONCILE and help address inter-ethnic conflict.

How You Can Help

Pray for an end to the conflict andfor reconciliation between the

people of both tribes. Pray for the

people who have lost loved ones,homes, and livelihoods. Pray for the

work of RECONCILE as its staff

and community workers promotehealing, reconciliation, and peace.

Pray that God will work through the

Presbyterian Church of Sudan as it

helps displaced people. Give to support immediate needs:Help RCWS respond immediately

by donating generously. Donate bycredit card online (U.S. only) or call

the RCA Michigan Regional Centerat (800) 968-3943. Send

contributions designated "RCWS

Sudan" to Reformed Church inAmerica, Attn: Finance Office, 4500

60th St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI

49512. Support long-term reconciliationwith a donation to RECONCILE.

Send contributions designated

"RECONCILE Training Center" to

Reformed Church in America, Attn:Finance Office, 4500 60th St. SE,

Grand Rapids, MI 49512. To donate

by credit card (U.S. only), visit theRECONCILE webpage or call the

RCA Michigan Regional Center at

(800) 968-3943.

(Continued from page 4)



7

A Table Grace for February

For the blessings you've bestowed upon this home and on this family,

For all the days we've had together and all the days to come,

For the joys and sorrows that bind us ever closer,

For the trials we've overcome,

And for teaching us that we can do no great things,

Only small things with great love,

Lord, we thank you.

Amen.

~~ Gerald Donnelly

HELP NEEDED AT PRATTSVILLE

REFORMED CHURCH –

FEBRUARY 4 TH

Message from Greg Town,Pastor of Prattsville ReformedChurch

If you have experience with dry-

walling (I know there are some of you out there!) or know of anyskilled folks whom you couldconvince to come, we hope youcan be here to give guidance tothose who don't have as muchexperience, since our generalcontractor can't be in every roomat once. We're hoping to get alarge enough group of people

together to get a small group of folks working together in eachpart of the house.

Please bring whatever tools youmight have to make the job easier- cordless drill, utility knives, jab-saw/keyhole-saw, 4ft T-square,quart size glue gun (we have theadhesive ordered), etc, etc. Ohand dress warm or in layers, b/c

there isn't any heat yet.

If you are not able bodied orcannot do heavy lifting, please donot plan on coming, this is a jobfor strong backs and arms andlegs.

Please let us know if you arecoming, because if the dateshould have to change, due to a

lack of materials or volunteers,or due to inclement weather,we'll be able to get a hold of you.Lunch will be provided.

If you are planning on going,please contact Sue Bredice so wecan connect with others whowould like to go. Sue 458-8601or [email protected]



8

701 Sand Creek Rd

Colonie, NY 12205-2497

Bruce K. Cornwell, Pastor

Community

Reformed

Church of

Colonie

Editor: Lou Ann Connelly

Layout Designer: Shawn Turner

Articles are due by the 15th of the month and may be submitted to

[email protected] or given to Lou Ann Connelly.

A special thank you to Bob Becker for his years of service in preparing this newsletter.

www.coloniereformed.org

701 Sand Creek Rd

Albany, NY 12205-2432

Carol Grasso, Director

Tel: (518) 869-0131

E-mail: [email protected]

Colonie

Community

Day Care

Center

Tel: (518) 869-5589

E-mail:

[email protected]

Bible Verse for February

In each issue of Cross and Comments we offer you a Bible verse

to contemplate, study and memorize. It is our hope that this will

be one more way you can connect with God‘s word.

Keeping in mind that February 20, is Presidents’ Day, this is the

verse used by President Dwight Eisenhower in taking the Oath of

Office of President in 1947, using the West Point Bible.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he

chose for his inheritance.” Psalm 33:12

Happy February Birthday to…

Bob Becker Debbie La Rose

Sue Bredice Danielle Lilkas

Missy Ebli Madison O’Connor

Marion Fuchs

Shaylee Kallner

If you would like to have family

birthdays published, please

contact Lou Ann Connelly.

February’s Caring for Creation: Honoring God’s creation through

Environmental Stewardship

Adjust Your Hea ting / Air Conditioner Settings

One thing you can do without causing yourself too much discomfort and which willactually save you money is to keep your house a little cooler in winter and a little warmerin summer. Just a couple of degrees can save almost 2000 pounds of carbon dioxide fromgoing into the air and can also save you around $100 a year in your heating or electric bill. When you think of it, 2 degrees warmer or colder really isn’t that much and will barely impact your comfort level.

Source: Greenologyspot (http://s.tt/13mw9)

Cross & Comments - February 2012

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Transcript of Cross & Comments - February 2012