July/August 2019

The First Presbyterian Church

of Washingtonville The Good News-Letter

First Presbyterian Church of Washingtonville

Invites you to a

(FREE)

VBS Camp

“Moose on the Loose”

Where: 30 Goshen Avenue

When: July 22 – July 26

Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 NOON

Come join us for crafts, music,

Bible lessons, snacks and games.

First Presbyterian Church

of Washingtonville

Session Moderator

Rev. Martha Carlson

Clerk of Session

Deborah Chedister

The Session

Deborah Chedister

Bill Cooke 2020

Nancy Popoloski 2020

Bobbie Trager 2020

Lois Dunikowski 2021

Board of Deacons

Sue Roosje 2019

Beth Cooke 2020

Hanora Sullivan 2020

Peggy Wright 2021

*indicates second term

Pastor

Rev. Martha Carlson

Organist

Bill Hooper

Office Manager

Cynthia Carey

30 Goshen Avenue

Washingtonville NY

845-496-3814

firstpres@frontiernet.net

Office Hours are:

Tuesday & Thursday

3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Rev. Martha Carlson

revmpc86@yahoo.com

First Presbyterian Church

www.fpcw.makeswebsites.com

Presbytery of Hudson River

www.hudrivpres.org

From The Pastor

Pastor Martha will send out her

letter upon her return.

She will be back in the office

on July 2nd

Summer is here! We will be joining with our brothers and sisters in Christ from the Bethlehem Presbyterian Church for worship beginning July 14 at 10:00. Summer worship schedule magnets are available on the table next to Cynthia's desk in the Denniston Room. Please help yourself to this very handy item to keep on track of where to find the joint services.

We will celebrate The Lord's Supper on July 7 at 9:30 and August 4 at 10:00. Both of these services are at FPC. We are most grateful to the Rev. Edd Carlson for preaching June 23 and 30 while Pastor Martha was away teaching Vacation Bible School on the Bahama Islands. Thank you Edd! Three of our Chancel Choir members Lois Dunikowski, Mo Moss and Nancy Popoloski will be participating in a choir festival at The Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove, NJ on July 14. They are looking forward to this very exciting event and the chance to join their voices in praise to God with over 100 singers!

Wishing everyone a safe and happy summer !

Blessings,

The Worship Ministry

Where’s the Pastor?

Martha ordinarily has office hours at Bethlehem 9-12:30 Tuesday, and at First Washingtonville Tuesday and Thursday 1:30-5:00. Anyone is wel-come to call or stop in at office hours of either church. Calls made on those phones during office hours will reach Martha; messages left on those answering machines will reach Judy at Bethlehem PC or Cynthia at FPCW. Martha’s home phone number is 845-614-0048; her cell number (its re-

ception is poor in the manse) is 717-953-2257.

Messages left on either of these numbers will reach Martha. You can also speak to her before worship at First, after worship at Bethlehem, be-fore or after choir practice or scheduled board meetings at either church (check the church bul-letin for dates), before or after Bible study on Thursday mornings at First, arrange to have lunch with her on a Thursday in Washingtonville, or make an appointment. Other things to know about Martha’s regular weekly schedule is that her Sabbath is ordinarily on Friday, unless there is a scheduled church event on Friday and then her Sabbath will be announced in church publica-tions, and that she spends as much time as possi-ble on Saturdays somewhere out of the way pre-

paring for worship.

July

2 John Imperato

6 Hayley Knips

9 Danielle Imperato

14 Sue Roosje

26 Katherin Downing

27 Hanora Sullivan

August

18 Bill Cooke

19 Daniel Grove

July 2019

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

7:00 PM Dr.

Bob’s Group

2

12:30 Session

3

8:00 PM A.A.

4

9:30 Bible

Study

7:00 PM N.A.

5 6

7:00 PM Dr.

Bob’s Group

7

Breakfast with

Martha

10 AM Worship

8:00 PM A.A.

8

7:00 PM Dr.

Bob’s Group

9

6:00 Congrega-

tional Dinner

and Meeting

10

8:00 PM A.A.

11

9:30 Bible

Study

7:00 PM N.A.

12 13

7:00 PM Dr.

Bob’s Group

14

10 AM Worship

Bethlehem

8:00 PM A.A.

15

7:00 PM Dr.

Bob’s Group

16 17

8:00 PM A.A.

18

9:30 Bible Study

6:00 PM Joint

Meeting at Manse

7:00 PM N.A.

19 20

7:00 PM Dr.

Bob’s Group

21

10 AM Worship

FPCW

8:00 PM A.A.

22

9:00 –12:00

VBS

7:00 PM Dr.

Bob’s Group

23

9:00 –12:00

VBS

24

9:00 –12:00

VBS

8:00 PM A.A.

25

9:00 –12:00

VBS

7:00 PM N.A.

26

9:00 –12:00

VBS

27

7:00 PM Dr.

Bob’s Group

28

10 AM Worship

Bethlehem

8:00 PM A.A.

29

7:00 PM Dr.

Bob’s Group

30 31

8:00 PM A.A.

August 2019

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

9:30 Bible

Study

7:00 PM N.A.

2 3

7:00 PM Dr.

Bob’s Group

4

10 AM Worship

FPCW, The

Lord’s Supper

8:00 PM A.A.

5

7:00 PM Dr.

Bob’s Group

6 7

8:00 PM A.A.

8

9:30 Bible

Study

7:00 PM N.A.

9 10

7:00 PM Dr.

Bob’s Group

11

10 AM Worship

Bethlehem

8:00 PM A.A.

12

7:00 PM Dr.

Bob’s Group

13 14

8:00 PM A.A.

15

9:30 Bible

Study

7:00 PM N.A.

16 17

7:00 PM Dr.

Bob’s Group

18

10 AM Worship

FPCW

8:00 PM A.A.

19

7:00 PM Dr.

Bob’s Group

20 21

8:00 PM A.A.

22

9:30 Bible

Study

7:00 PM N.A.

23 24

7:00 PM Dr.

Bob’s Group

25

10 AM Worship

Bethlehem

8:00 PM A.A.

26

7:00 PM Dr.

Bob’s Group

27 28

8:00 PM A.A.

29

9:30 Bible

Study

7:00 PM N.A.

30 31

7:00 PM Dr.

Bob’s Group

• To our wonderful choir director, Nancy Popoloski. You are thanked for all your hard work in helping us to be the best that we can be

as we lead our congregation in worship

and singing praises to our God.

The Savvy Soul Sisters of Syntax

Hiding in the Light:

Why I Risked Everything to Leave Islam and Follow Jesus

By Rifqu Bary

Leaving Islam for Christianity cost her more than she imagined but gave more than she could have dreamed.

Rifqa Bary grew up in a devout Muslim home, obediently following her parents’ orders to practice the rituals of Islam. But God was calling her to freedom and love. He was calling her to true faith. He was calling her to give up everything.

Hiding in the Light is the story of Rifqa’s remarkable spiritual journey from Islam to Christianity. It is also the untold story of how she ran from her father’s threats to find refuge with strangers in Florida, only to face a controversial court case that reached national headlines. Most of all, it is the story of a young girl who made life-changing sacrifices to follow Jesus—and who inspires us to do the same.

The Savvy Soul Sisters of Syntax are reading this book for our next meeting.

Location and date to be determined.

Washingtonville High School's National Honor So-

ciety hosts its annual themed "Senior Prom."

Shown with the students are: Helen, Mo, Lois,

Dolores, Peggy and Bobbie.

Our “Dancing Queen” Flo!

First Presbyterian Church (bold)

Bethlehem Presbyterian Church

July 2019

2-Session 12:30

7-Lord’s Supper, Breakfast with Martha

9-Congregational Dinner/Meeting 6:00

8-12 Vacation Bible School at Bethlehem

10-Community Movie Night at Bethlehem

10-Trustees at 7:00

14-Joint Summer Worship Begins

18-Joint Session at Manse 6:00

21-Worship-FPCW

22-26 Vacation Bible School

22-27 Fair Week Set Up

27-Church Fair & BBQ

29-Fair Clean-Up

TBA Session/Council, Deacons

Board of Deacons

Food Pantry — The saltine crackers, hot or cold cereal, canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned or bagged beans, macaroni and cheese, and rice. Please add at least one of these items to your shopping list. Donations

can be placed in the wicker basket outside Hazekamp Hall.

Angels on Call - We are creating a new list of volunteers who would like to do God’s work by bringing meals to members that are in need (post surgery, trauma, emergency, etc). or drive a member who need a ride to the

doctor. You can contact any of the deacons and/or sign up on the volunteer list which is posted.

Coffee Hour Needs = Currently coffee hour needs are styrofoam cups along with cookies - baked or store

bought. 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 lbd9999@hvc.rr.com 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).

Habitat Walk

Our team Presby-B u i l d F P C W (Martha and Lois) did the Habitat Walk for Housing on April 28th.

A big “thank you!” to all who spon-

sored us in support of this mission to provide affordable housing for qualified families in the city of Newburgh. We do-nated a total of $750 to the cause.

Are You There? Read: 1 Samuel 22-24, Luke 12:1-31

“I will be with you.”

Exodus 3:12

When his wife contracted a terminal illness, Michael longed for her to experience the peace he had through his relationship with God. He had shared his faith with her, but she wasn’t interested. One day, as he walked through a local bookstore, a title caught his eye: God, Are You There? Unsure how his wife would respond to the book, he walked in and out of the store several times before finally buying it. To his surprise, she accepted it. The book touched her, and she began to read the Bible too. Two weeks later, Mi-chael’s wife passed away—at peace with God and resting in the assurance that He would never leave or forsake her. When God called Moses to lead His people out of Egypt, He didn’t promise him power. Instead, He promised His presence: “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12). In Jesus’s last words to His disciples before His crucifixion, He also promised God’s eternal presence, which they would receive through the Holy Spirit (John 15:26). There are many things God could give us to help us through life’s challenges, such as material comfort, healing, or immediate solutions to our problems. Sometimes He does. But the best gift He gives is Himself. This is the greatest comfort we have: what-ever happens in life, He will be with us; He will never leave nor forsake us.

--Our Daily Bread

With blessings of love from the Nurture Ministry

Reflect & Pray

How can you draw on the power of God’s presence? How can you live differ-ently, knowing He’s there with you every step of the way? Lord, thank You for the wonderful promise that You’ll be with me always. In the midst of life’s crises and routines, may I learn to rely on Your presence, knowing You are walking with me.

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 mem-ber congregation, staff member, elected ser-vant leader, ministry team, and mission com-mitment of our Presbytery is represented:

Immigration Sunday, For Faith Parish Bethel, Irvington-on-Hudson PC, Youth Triennium, First Church Liberty, South PC Dobbs Ferry, Pleas-antville PC, First Church Congers, First Church Highland, PC(USA) Office of Public Witness, South Salem PC, Candidates and Inquirers for Ministry, Palisades PC, Presbyterian Women, For Faith Parish Lake Huntington, For Faith Parish Hortonville.

Newsletter articles for

September 2019

issue are due before

August 20!

VISION STATEMENT

Together, we worship God through our

Study, Stewardship, Service, and Song.

Call Cynthia at 496-3814 or send an e-mail to firstpres@frontiernet.net

to share your news with our church family!

First Presbyterian Church

30 Goshen Avenue

Washingtonville NY 10992