THE COMMUNICATOR MARCH 2012

First Congregational UCC
43 Bridge Street
Phoenix, NY 13135

Phone Number 315-695-6262

PHOENIXNYUCC@WINDSTREAM.NET

Office Hours
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:30 to 1:30

Moderator -----------------Linda Ball
Vice Moderator/ ------------
Church Clerk --------------Nancy Fergerson
Treasurer/ -----------------
Financial Secretary ---------Barb Betts
Deacons-Chair -------------Nancy Sniffen
Trustee-Chair -------------Larry Rawson
Outreach/Dorcas. ----------Will Be Sunday
Christian Ed. --------------School Teachers
Memorial Fund -----------
Organist ------------------ Carolyn King
Secretary -----------------Amber Featherly
Custodian -----------------Allan Zellar

God made you alive together with Christ, when He forgave us all our trespasses, easing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the Cross.
Colossians 2:13-14
You have heard me say that we are called to “let our lives speak”. During these five Sundays of Lent my plan is to let the lives speak of five men from the Passion Story of Christ by doing a dramatic monolog of their lives. Judas appeared Sunday, Feb. 26. He will be followed by Caiaphas, Peter, Pilate, and Dismas in the four remaining Sundays. The goal of this “series of characters” is to let their lives speak to us, and for us to consider where we may be similar to them in our lives. It is an adventure that I ask you to participate in by you using your imagination.
During this Lenten Season, through Easter to Pentecost we will having weekly Communion Services. We have handouts for the Lenten Communion Service, and on the cover it asks you to leave them in the pew to be used the next week – to save a tree. Having had that printed on the cover, I would now tell you I encourage you to take a copy home with you, and to read through the Service when you can during the week. You can bring the copy back the next week, and if you forget, not to worry, there will be a copy for you available in the pew. Think about what we are saying when we celebrate Holy Communion, The Lord’s Supper, the Holy Eucharist (all names for the same thing). I would draw your attention to “the consecration of the elements”, meaning when the bread and wine are blessed as symbols of the Body and Blood of Christ. Usually those words, (“This is my Body, broken for you… This is my Blood shed for you…”) are spoken only by the “celebrant” – the “leader”- the Pastor. And you will notice that when we say them they are in Bold Italic Print meaning we all say them and consecrate the bread and wine together as the priesthood of all believers, the corporate body of Christ’s Church. That blessing is not the sole power of one person, but of all Christ’s ministers gathered; every baptized person present.
As we journey this Lent together, open your heart, mind, and soul to God’s love and guidance in your life. Listen to hear how Jesus wants you to continue and grow in your ministry.
The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God.
Psalm 14:2
Much love in Christ, Pastor Stan

Liturgist

Birthdays

3/1– Arika Richardson

3/4– Keith Caltabiano

3/8– Frieda Allen

3/8– Nicholas Root

3/12– Cameron Clarke

3/13 Lillian Waldron

3/15– Lisa Tappan

3/16– Larry Rawson

3/16– Phyllis Renfrew

3/17– Devan Mederios

3/18– Mary Katherine Crandall

3/21– Douglas Margrey, Sr.

3/21– Brittany Warner

3/22– Kathy Brown

3/22– Milton Candee

3/27– Carolyn Battreall

3/30 Shelbie Handville

3/30– Doug Tappan

1) Jello– regular & sugar free

2) Hot chocolate (individual packages)

3) Tooth brushes & Tooth paste

4) Bar soap

5) Feminine products

6) Deodorant

7) Instant potatoes

8) Razors

Don’t forget that lent will soon be here—a good time for all of us to help our fellow man.

Thank you

Peg Scheffler

Volunteer

Thursday March 1st 12-1 pm Lenten Lunch-First Congregational Church

Sunday March 4th 10:00 am Service Communion Sunday

Monday March 5th Dorcas @ Home of Peg Scheffler 7:00 pm

Thursday March 8th 12-1 pm Lenten Lunch– Phoenix Methodist Church

Sunday March 11th 10:00 am Service Communion Sunday

Thursday March 15th 12-1 pm Lenten Lunch– St. Stephens Church

Sunday March 18th 10:00 am Service Communion Sunday & Pot Luck Lunch

Monday March 19th Deacons and Trustee 6:30 pm, Cabinet Meeting 7:30 pm

Tuesday March 20th First Day of Spring

Thursday March 22nd 12-1 pm Lenten Lunch– Pennellville Methodist Church

Sunday March 25th 10:00 am Service Communion Sunday

Thursday March 29th 12-1 pm Lenten Lunch– First Congregational Church

The Dorcas women put together 20 boxes of Valentine cookies for college students and military. Thank you to everyone that baked and helped in any way. Our next meeting will be at Peg Scheffler’s on March 5th at 7:00. we will be talking about the next Trash & Treasure Sale,. Please DO NOT put items in room yet. Items must be clean and in working condition. No TV’s, computers, stereo's, ski's ice skates, bowling balls or exercise equipment.

CHURCH STAFF

Pastor Stan Bennett

Organist Carolyn King

Secretary Amber Featherly

Custodian Al Zellar

Bell Choir Dir. Beth Head

St. Pauly’s Box Kathy Featherly

CHURCH OFFICERS

Moderator Linda Ball 2012-2013

Vice Moderator/

Church Clerk Nancy Fergerson 2010-2013

Treasurer/

Financial Secretary 2010

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION & Nursery

Stacy Austin Root

Val Bomyea

Lenora Schuchert

Kathy Forio

Judy Austin

Julie Callard

OTHER APPOINTMENTS & ELECTED POSITIONS

Head Usher Gordan Tappan

Church Historian Sharon Candee & Fred Betts

Sunshine Ruth Hughes

Memorial Committee

Cabinet

TRUSTEES

Bruce Schuchert 2011-2014

Bill Battreall 2010-2013

Ron Brown 2010-2013

Chuck Burke 2011-2014

Earl LaFave 2012-2015

Larry Rawson 2010-2013

Jake Bomyea (youth)

Al Zellar 2012-2015

DEACONS

Nancy Sniffen-Chair 2010-2013

Lenora Schuchert 2010-2013

Liz Avery 2011-2014

Carolyn Battreall 2012-2015

Terry Zellar 2012-2015

Doug Wormer 2012-2015

Judy Austin-Sub. 2012-2015

ALTER GUILD

Barbara Betts

Ginny Morgan

Kathy Brown

BUILDING & GROUNDS

Mike Ball

Al Zellar

Carolyn King

Last month I presented here Squirrel Recipes for your edification. Our beloved Pastor Emeritus Dick Scheffler pointed out that the squirrel problem was not as bad as the problem of so many geese in the Village, and asked if I might not have any Goose Recipes. I have had a great deal of experience cooking my own goose and can help you cook your goose too. But I pointed out that the geese are not the same problem as the squirrels; these geese are in fact illegal aliens. These geese are Canadian Geese; they are not American. We can have them deported. I plan on eventually making a modest proposal to the Village Council to hire a fleet of Greyhound Buses to return them to their country of origin. I am looking into Federal Funding to help in this undertaking. I am not sure the legal standing of any goslings that are born on our side of the border, but a court can figure that out. I have the answer for everything, and the sooner you realize that, and do what I tell you, the happier you will be.

Let us remember that in the Narthex there is the “St. Francis Basket” in which weekly donations of cat food, litter, and dog food can be made to the Oswego County Humane Association. You bleeding heart liberals can even give squirrel and goose food and we will see that they get it. Pastor Stan

The Confirmation class continues to meet during Sunday School, every other week. Confirmation Sunday will be May 20, 2012 during church. The children will be working on a Lenten project; collecting food, blankets, toys etc. for animals. Bags will be given out for 30 pieces of silver. These items will be given to the Humane Society. If you would like to make a contribution please contact Val Bomyea. The children will be bringing in palms on palm Sunday and singing on Easter.

Thank You

A young couple moves into a new neighborhood. The next morning while they are eating breakfast in front of their new bay window, the young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside. “That laundry is not very clean”, she said. “She doesn’t know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap.”

Her husband looked on, but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hand her wash to dry, the young woman would make the same comments. About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean was on the line and said to her husband: “Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this?”

The husband said, “I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows.”

And so it is with life. What we see when watching others depends on the purity of the window through which we look!

From Pastor Steve Lewis – Peace United Church of Christ, Walnut, Iowa

Let’s take a break. On this Sunday, March 18, after Worship, let’s have a pot luck luncheon that has NO AGENDA, NO PROGRAM, NO NOTHING OTHER THAN THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE TABLE! Doug and I will bring – surprise! – mac & cheese. Let’s just be God’s people together having a good time at lunch. If you can, bring something to pass, but bring an appetite. Pastor Stan

On Saturday, May 19, 2012, the First Congregational United Church of Christ of Phoenix and the organization G.P.I.A. (Greater Phoenix Improvement Association) will host a show of old quilts and other textiles from Phoenix (owned or made in this area) at the church, 43 Bridge Street, Phoenix from 10 A.M. until 4 P.M. This show is one of the many events during this year to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the First Congregational UCC Church. G.P.I.A. held a quilt show 11 years ago at this church and has elected to help present this show.

We are looking for quilts and textiles (hooked rugs, blankets, etc.) that have been made in this area of Phoenix, N.Y. or quilts and textiles owned by Phoenix residents that have some special meaning to this area. The articles for the show should be taken to the church the week before (see dates and times below) the show and the same will be returned the afternoon of the show from 4-5 P.M. Any of your precious pieces will be carefully stored and locked up while away from you and in quilt show care.

For each quilt or textile piece, please fill out a separate form and answer the following questions.

__________________________________________

Owner’s name ___________Phone Number ________

Address____________________________________

Describe Quilt or Textile

________________________________________

________________________________________

(Color, size, name, history including age, what you would like others to know about your piece)

Dates and time for bringing quilts to church. May 14-16 (Mon.-Wednes) 3 to 5 PM. or call Peg Scheffler, 695-5982 to make other arrangements.

Thank you to Barb Betts for cleaning up the copy room.

Thank you to Donna Cooper for her years of service as a Deacon.

Thank you to Earl LaFave for his years of service as a Deacon.

Thank you to Halie Claycomb for offering to be a youth Deacon.

Thank you to everyone that has agreed to stay on there boards & committee’s.

We’d like to welcome Jake Bomyea for becoming a youth Trustee.

We’d like to welcome Earl LaFave and Al Zellar for becoming Trustee’s.

We’d like to welcome Carolyn Battreall, Terry Zellar, & Doug Wormer for becoming Deacons.

Please pray for the following people: Jean LaFave, Donna Franzck, Carol Cooper, Terry Zellar, Donna Hart, Ellis Walberger, Nurse Peggy, Sherry Dates, Mary Green, Jeremy Merritt, Charmaine Clear, Katrina Barns, Aunt Lorraine, Earl Hobbs, Autumn Rawson, Flo Kliphon, and Amber Featherly.

Please notify the Church Office and/or the Pastor when:

* You or a family member is sick or in the hospital.

* You are planning a meeting or scheduling an event, so it can be placed on the Church calendar.

* You want to arrange for a Baptism or Wedding.

* When a family member has passed away.

* Your telephone number, email, or address is changed or you planning to move, locally or out of town.

You want to add your birthday or anniversary date to our special dates on file.

* You feel the Church can help you in any way.

Pastor Stan (315) 452-9961 – email dougblueglass@yahoo.com

Church Phone (315) 695-6262



Church Directory Copies of the church directory are available in the church office. Please let us know if you would like one. Thank You.

Hard copies of the calendar are avaialbe in the Narthex.