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March 2016
Ogden Presbyterian Church
2400 S. Union Street
Spencerport, NY 14559
(585) 352-6802
Oracle Volume XIX - Issue III
Thoughts during the Journey of Lent
As I sit here on this beautiful snow-covered day while most of my friends are tucked in their warm houses
until the storm dwindles, I remember that just 48 hours ago I was heading home from 75 degree weather in
sunny Florida. It was a good vacation, and we had a wonderful time visiting with friends, but it is the trip
home that is stuck in my mind. I was calmly reminiscing in the car while we were driving up through Georgia
when a billboard caught my eye. It simply said in large letters:
Reject Religion. Follow Jesus!
Ok, I imagine my reaction was the same as yours — “What in the world was that!?” So I thought about what
that might mean, and am still thinking about it. What exactly is my religion? And how can I follow Jesus and
be more like him if I reject religion? As we enter into our Lenten season preparing for Easter, what is it that
Jesus asks of us?
So of course, I googled the billboard words this morning, and the first thing that came up was: “I like your
Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ.” ~Gandhi. Okay; that cleared things up…
NOT!
Does our religion define what we do and who we are? Or does our willingness to follow the principles we
learn from Jesus, especially in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chs. 5, 6, & 7) define what our religion is?
I don’t have the answers for myself yet, and certainly none for you, but it did provoke quite a lot of deep
thinking from just four words. Must we reject what religion tells us in order to follow Jesus, or can we learn to
just follow the example of Jesus and not judge our fellow Christians when they do their best to follow in their
own way to be like Jesus?
Be nice, and enjoy the journey!
Pat Everett
More thought provoking reading:
1) 9 Things that Worked in the Church a Decade Ago That Don’t Today
http://careynieuwhof.com/2016/01/9-things-worked-church-decade-ago-no-longer-work-today/
2) Why Many Welcoming Churches are Dying Churches
http://www.ministrymatters.com/all/entry/6580/why-many-welcoming-churches-are-dying-churches
3) “God is not a Christian; God is not a Jew, or a Muslim, or a Hindu, or a Buddhist. All of those are systems
which human beings have created to help us walk into the mystery of God. I honor my tradition, I walk
through my tradition, but I don’t think my tradition defines God; I think it only points me to God.”
~John Shelby Spong
4) 4 Things Jesus Didn’t Die For
http://madeformore.co/4-things-jesus-didnt-die-for/#TaD0PkE5IPMsIUwy.01
PAGE 2 MARCH 2016
ORACLE DEADLINE
The April 2016 Oracle Deadline is Monday, March 14th.
UPCOMING PASTORS
All of March - John Goehle
April 3 - Rev. Encie Stevens
April 10 - Rev. Tedd Pullano
April 17 - Rev. Bob Kaiser
April 24 - Rev. David Seaburn
THANK YOU
It was a real pleasure playing flute with the choir on February 28th. I also want to thank you for the flowers, on
behalf of my family, as we mourn the passing of my uncle. As was shared, that particular anthem the choir
sang has very special meaning to me, as my congregation commissioned it to honor our choir director (Bob
Dean)’s more than 50 years of musical service to both our Parma Baptist choir, and to the Spencerport
Community Chorus. Did you know that Bob was actually the one who started the chorus? There was a minister
at Parma that wanted to do a production of Handel’s Messiah, and he contacted the local church choirs to help
out. It was the start of many years of collaborative music making that has enriched our community.
I also wanted to follow up a little bit on Rev. Kaiser’s sermon from that morning. Rev. Kaiser spoke on love,
using Scripture from 1 John and also the very popular “love chapter”,
1 Corinthians 13. He noted that there are several words in the Greek language for love:
1) philia (filia) FEE lee uh - this is a “brotherly” type of love; a love between friends. The city of
Philadelphia is known as the “City of Brotherly Love”… appropriately translated.
2) eros (eroV) AIR ose - this is the carnal, lustful type of love. Out of the different words for love, this
is the one in Greek that is not used in the Bible.
3) storge (storgh) STORE jay - this one is often overlooked, but it is the type of love that a mother
has for her own children; a nurturing love.
4) agape (agaph) uh GAH pay - this is the Godly form of love; the purest form or all-knowing, self-
sacrificial type of love.
When Paul is writing to the Corinthians, he is not using a form of love as in a physical or emotional attraction
toward someone; he is using the word agape. One of the more thought-provoking sermons I have heard on this
particular passage is to replace the word “love” with “God”… thus you start “God is patient. God is kind. [He]
is not envious or boastful…” As you see, the passage takes on an entirely different context. But when viewed
in this light, we recognize that God is at the center of a healthy relationship, whether it’s just as friends, or as a
significant other.
We need to have the agapic form of love be more prevalent in our lives. We need to tear down the walls of
hate, oppression, and injustice around us, whatever they be, and work to spread God’s love throughout our
world. It starts with our relationships with one another. Let the agape form of love shine through you.
Brandon
SPENCERPORT FOOD SHELF NEEDS…
Current needs: Toothpaste, Jams and Jellies, Peanut
Butter, Cleaning Supplies, Hamburger Helper and
Rice. Cash and/or gift cards are always
welcome. There are 120 families on the active list
that benefit from your donations. See Jean Schult or
Andy Resch if you wish to donate cash.
Thank you for your generosity!
PAGE 3 MARCH 2016
February Prayers of Concern
The Palmers’ great-grandson, Abraham, had a
head injury needing stitches at daycare. Prayers
as his family searches for another daycare
center, and that it will be safer.
Prayers for Sue and her family and employees after
the fire at Yianni’s restaurant
A Prayer of Joy as we celebrate Julia Ryhal’s
birthday (2/21)
Praises for Susan Azzolina’s birthday (also 2/21)
Prayers for John Caloritis’ mother, Cynthia, who
will be undergoing medical tests to diagnose
the cause of her trouble breathing
Prayers for Marlene Dyer’s sister-in-law, Donna,
who has bone cancer
Praises that Joyce Wheeler is now back at home
and that her son is living with her.
Prayers for safe travels for Elizabeth Osborn, who
leaves for Paris on business
Praises that Mary Saurini is doing well and will be
able to attend her daughter’s graduation in New
Orleans this March!
Sherry Tucker’s niece, Heather, had her surgery
and is cancer free, and will not need to go
through radiation!
Eileen Smith’s friend and co-worker, Kathy, is
battling Stage 4 cancer for the 2nd time. She
recently had surgery to replace a bone in her
neck that had been destroyed.
Jason Tucker’s father-in-law, Jim, was having his
thyroid out, and was being checked for cancer
Dan Halstead is so thankful for all the support,
cards, and prayers over the past year. He had
his prostate removed in January, which went
well, but his PSA number is climbing again.
Dan’s brother, Paul, continues battling cancer, and
the prognosis is not good. The family made the
hard decision to continue care but not to treat
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
Each Sunday in our PowerPoint announcement, we
announce the birthdays of members of our church for that
coming week. Sometimes we have the birthday correct,
sometimes we don’t, and sometimes it’s missing all
together. Help us fix this! We want to celebrate with you!
Please take a minute to either email or call the church
office with the birthdays and anniversaries, as well as the
correct spellings of the names of members in your
household.
Email: [email protected] or
Phone: 585-352-6802.
You do not need to give us the year, but by
having the dates, we can be sure to include
you in the birthday list. Thanks!
EAGLE STAR VETERAN’S HOME
The Men’s Bible Group needs your help.
Throughout the year, we will be collecting donations
on the “Veterans’ Wish List”. The complete list is
posted on the Mission Bulletin Board and on the
special box on the Mission Table. Extra copies of the
list will be on the table for you to take home. If you
have any questions, contact any member of the Bible
Group. Your help is greatly appreciated.
One trustee is assigned per month to take care of any
building issues that may arise. Work Order Request forms
can be found on the office window ledge. Please call the
designated Trustee if you have something that needs to be
addressed or drop off a Work Order Request in the office.
Trustee of the Month:
March — Eileen Smith — (585) 734-6505
GET RID OF YOUR LOOSE CHANGE
Once again, the Missions Committee will be
collecting loose change for the Spencerport
Human Needs Fund.
The coin jar will be on the Mission table.
Thank you for your help!
MEN’S BIBLE STUDY
The Men’s Bible study meets the 2nd and 4th
Mondays of each month, at Noon (bring
your lunch with you). New members are al-
ways welcome. Any questions, see Dick Malloy.
PAGE 4 MARCH 2016
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
On Monday, February 22nd, 2016, Session voted to
search for an Interim Minister who will join OPC on a
75% basis. We hope to have a Pastor in place this
summer. There will be an informational meeting after
worship on March 6th to review the 75% decision, and
for open dialogue with Session about our path going
forward. Rev. Bob Kaiser will moderate this meeting.
Please plan to attend if able.
Blessings, OPC Session 2016
2016 LENTEN SERIES
The Death and Resurrection of the Messiah by Ray Vander Laan
is the basis of this year’s Lenten study series. Mr. Vander Laan’s
acclaimed study guide is accompanied by real world video shot
in the Holy Land. These materials come highly recommended by
several members of OPC’s Women’s Bible Study who have used
them previously and who are excited to see them again.
Our study continues on Thursday, March 3 at 7pm at the
Matulls’ home. March 10th will be at the Wallaces’ home.
March 17th will be at Alice Brendel’s home, and March
24th will be at Lee Rueping’s home.
Please join your friends in the OPC family to celebrate this
holy season as we grow in our knowledge and faith.
MEN’S BIBLE STUDY — PASTA DINNER FUNDRAISER
On Saturday, March 5, 2016, the Men’s Bible Study group will
host a pasta dinner here at OPC. This will be a fundraising event.
We are expecting that we will serve between 4:30 and 6:30. During
February we will be asking OPC members to contribute funds to
offset the expenses. We hope we can make this event a profitable
venture and it will be fun as well. Dessert items like cookies,
brownies, and bar type cookies will be needed as well. AND we
would like OPC members to attend!
Please watch the bulletin for more emerging details.
THANK YOU!
On January 24th, the Cub Scouts assisted in the worship service.
On February 7th, the Boy Scouts assisted in the worship service.
Many thanks to our congregation for making the Scouts and their
families feel so welcome those two mornings! Thank you, too, for
supporting their Popcorn Sale after the worship services.
Deacon News
* Board of Deacons attended the annual Presbytery training in January.
* We have a Deacon and Session member who can now serve communion to anyone who wants it.
* Deacons are providing special bulletins for Easter Sunday.
* Easter flowers can be ordered beginning 2/28, and before 3/13 (see Cindy Caloritis).
* Anyone wishing to do so can provide flowers for special services. Contact the Deacons.
* Don’t forget to donate clothing to the Deacon closet in the front of the church.
* Please keep us informed of joys and concerns. We cannot put things through the prayer chain or alert the
congregation unless it comes directly from that person. Thank you for your understanding. We thank you
for being the eyes, ears, and caring hearts for those in need in our congregation, and for letting us know.
* FIND YOUR DEACON: To know who your Deacon is, go to the Bulletin Board by the Kitchen door.
Look through the Deacons Zone Pages, and you should see your name listed. Your Deacon will also be
sending out a letter to you confirming that you are in their zone.
Where love and caring are, there is God.
PAGE 5 MARCH 2016
From the DEACONS…
Our Shut-ins
Jane Snell at Kirkhaven — Deacon/Dawn Sheffet
Judy Pagel at St. Mary’s/Unity — Deacon/Michelle Rosipayla
Gene Brendel at The Hamlet @ Unity Villages — Deacon/Ruth Gaskill
Those in care facilities/shut-ins to be remembered
with prayers, cards, and visits!
Addresses/phone numbers for any of the above, or
best times to visit, may be obtained from the Deacons.
The Deacons would like to
acknowledge those familiar to our church
family who are currently serving in the
United States Military. We encourage the
congregation to remember and pray for
them in honor of their service to our
country.
Gary J. Mulford
7063A Han Circle
Ft Stewart, GA 31315
The work of the board of the Deacons is supported by your contributions to the Deacon offering, which is
taken on Communion Sunday. Offering envelopes are available in the pews for this collection. Thank you!
Be a lamp, a lifeboat, or a ladder
-Rumi
Mary
En
-
gelb
reit
Our Deacons for 2016
Dawn Sheffet — Moderator
Harry Pittman — Charity
Dennise Webster — Co-Moderator/Cards
Cindy Caloritis — Flowers
Diane Dupree — Membership
Sim Mulford—Communion Setup
Ruth Gaskill — Communion Servers
Michelle Rosipayla — Secretary
Ron Tucker — Treasurer
PAGE 6 MARCH 2016
Sunday, March 6th
6:30pm
Bring a Friend!
Don’t Miss It!!!
TRIENNIUM THANKS!
The Christian Education Committee and the families of our youth planning on going to the Triennium
Youth Conference this coming summer want to thank the congregation for all of their financial support
of the fundraisers: the Pancake Breakfast with Santa, the Rochester coupon books, the chili luncheon,
the Superbowl Sub sale, and the Valentine’s Day baked food sale! We appreciate your support so very
much! We also want to extend our gratitude to the Presbyterian Women, the Mission Committee, and
the Board of Deacons for their generous donations.
A HUGE THANK YOU!!!
The Mission Committee would like to thank everyone who
baked, bought, and donated Valentine goodies for OPC
shut-ins. Eight dessert trays were delivered to OPC shut-ins,
a large tray was delivered to the veterans at the Eagle Star
House in Spencerport, and another large tray was delivered
to the Open Door Mission. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Many people were able to feel the extra love you helped
provide this Valentines Day.
CHRISTIAN ED
MISSION PROJECT
Help buy animals for communities that need them!
Don’t forget to bring your offering each week!
The Mission Committee is once again filling backpacks for Fostering Hope. We’ll
be collecting in March and April. Some of the items are school supplies, journals,
toiletries, and small toys. Please take an Easter egg or two from our tree, then
purchase the items and put them in the special box on the Mission Table.
Complete copies of the list are on the Mission Table. Thank you!
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
One Great Hour of Sharing is one of four special
offerings taken yearly to promote Presbyterian
Mission and was started in 1949. We partner with
communities around the world to ensure that
children suffering from disease get treatment,
correct sanitation problems, provide tools and
training to provide income for themselves thereby
improving their world.
This year’s offering will be taken on Easter
Sunday, March 27th.
PARAMENT/LITURGICAL COLORS
There are four liturgical colors: white, purple,
red, and green. Do you know what they mean?
White is reserved for the two big Christian days:
Easter and Christmas. Purple is used to
symbolize penitence and preparation, and is
used during the seasons of Lent and Advent.
Red is used for Pentecost, which is the church’s
(as a whole) birthday. Finally, Green is used for
all other times of the year.
The Cross is draped in Purple for Lent, Black for
Good Friday, and White for Easter. Hopefully
this explains why there are changes to the
Parament colors throughout the year.
~Carol Quinn
Worship & Music Committee
PAGE 7 MARCH 2016
TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ? How can we effectively disciple others?
Christian bookstores are full of how-to manuals that try to answer these questions. The early
church had a discipling manual, too—the Gospel of Matthew.
Plan to join us on Tuesday, March 8th at 9:30 in the Oak Room as we begin our study of
this exciting and challenging gospel. Journey with us from the visit of the Magi in the
beginning of Matthew to the words of the Great Commission at its conclusion. Get ready for an
adventure! All OPC women and their friends are invited.
EASTER PLANTS
Orders are due in to
Cindy Caloritis (with
payment) by
Sunday, March 13th.
Order forms can be
found in the weekly
bulletins.
Any questions, call
Cindy at 455-5814.
OPC COOKBOOKS
Copies of “Feeding the
Flock” are still
available!
225 Recipes!
Professionally bound!
$12/copy!
See Judy Rynne to
purchase or with
any questions.
Thank you!
PAGE 8 MARCH 2016
Worship and Fellowship Assistants
GREETERS: March 6 Dawn, Alyssa, & Madison Hoadley
13 Ron Tucker
20 Nancy Holley
27 Jean Schult
USHERS:
March 6 Dennis Dupree & Al Webster
13 Bonnie Bush & Jean Schult
20 Jim & Sandy Frieday
27 Bob Hutchison & Evelyn Bentley
LITURGIST:
March 6 Sandy Frieday
13 Bill Everett
20 Elizabeth Osborn
27 John Caloritis
FELLOWSHIP HOSTS:
March 6 Cheri Hill
13 Suzie Ewell
20 Sandy & Jim Frieday
27 TBD
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS:
March 6 Sim Mulford & Pam Gonnoud
13 Scott Gaskill & Chelsea Metherell
20 Scott Gaskill & Chelsea Metherell
27 NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
NURSERY CARE:
March 6 TBD
13 TBD
20 TBD
27 TBD
COMMUNION SERVERS:
March 6 Bill & Pat Everett, Anne & Bob Wallace
BIRTHDAYS THIS MONTH
Name Day
Andrew Resch 3 / 2
Paul Glor 3 / 3
Linda Shelley 3 / 3
Jonathan Hinett 3 / 4
Ryan Gruendike 3 / 5
Elizabeth Gonnoud 3 / 12
Tracy Webster 3 / 13
Agnes McBride 3 / 13
Alan Webster 3 / 14
Gary Metz 3 / 18
Dawn Sheffet 3 / 19
Mary Jane Dyer 3 / 23
Jackson Hinett 3 / 27
Eric Webster 3 / 28
Brian Weigand 3 / 30
SPENCERPORT COMMUNITY
CHORUS CONCERTS
“Springing Forth with Sound”
Directed by: Darla Bair
Sat., March 12 @ 7pm
Sun., March 13 @ 3pm
Concerts are FREE and at OPC!
For more information, visit:
www.spencerportsingers.com
Come and hear what is sure to be a
wonderful program of music!
PAGE 9 MARCH 2016
Newsletter Deadline: Articles for the April 2016 issue of The Oracle are due in the Church Office no later than Monday, March 14th by 10:00 a.m. All contributions are subject to editing with regard to the subject matter and space requirements.
The Oracle is the newsletter of the Ogden Presbyterian Church of Spencerport, New York, a member congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The newsletter is sent to members and friends of the congregation to keep them informed of events, activities, and people in the life of the congregation. Sunday worship is at 10:00a.m. Church school is offered for all ages. Coffee Fellowship immediately follows worship. All guests are welcome!
Ogden Presbyterian Church
2400 S. Union Street
Spencerport, NY 14559
Telephone: (585) 352-6802
Office email: [email protected]
Sunday Worship: 10:00 a.m.
Website: http://www.ogdenpresbyterian.org
March 2016
**DATED MATERIAL**
OPC Mission Statement: Our purpose is to equip ourselves and others to be Disciples of Christ as we seek God’s will for our church and beyond.
March 2016
