THE COMMUNICATOR June 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

“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together, and a little child shall lead them.”

Isaiah 11:6

Yesterday, Sunday May 20, as a Church we confirmed five new ministers of Christ; Daniel Knowlton, Shania Meaker, Jenna Ashby, Autumn Rawson, Emily Allen. The Holy Spirit was present in the “Confirmation Blessing Huddle” that surrounded them made up of mentors, family and friends. No singular person confirmed their ministry; rather we all did as God’s People gathered. Whether we were one of the five being confirmed in the center, or one of all those surrounding them laying on a hand of blessing – we were all a wonderful “Something”. The presence of the Holy Spirit is never easily described, the best I can do is say it was a wonderful “Something”.

And the gifts of ministry flowed forth in the hymns, choir anthems… and the Children’s Bell Choir (I especially enjoyed the liturgical dance that accompanied the Bell Choir).

That tag line at the end of our weekly bulletins reminding us that “All baptized members of our Church are the ministers of our Church”, came to life as the “Confirmation 5” lead us in the celebration of Holy Communion. Confirmation is not a “done deal”, one of those mile stones in life that we pass and leave behind us. It is an ongoing, ever becoming direction of travel in our life journey with our Lord. We are ALL called to serve at the Table of the Lord; be it at 43 Bridge Street Phoenix, NY on a Sunday, or elsewhere at any time in our world and in so many various ways.

Lord Jesus, confirm us all in Your faith and teaching. Give to us joyful open hearts to You in our worship. Strengthen us and guide us to do Your will. +Amen+

Much love, God bless us all without exception, Pastor Stan

Liturgist for May

6/3– Georgie Walberger

6/10– Children’s Day

6/17– Donna Hart

6/24-

Ushers for May

6/3– Deacons

6/10– Jack & Nancy Fergerson

6/17- Gordon Tappan & Saralyn Vanauken

6/24– Ken & Georgie Walberger

1) Jello– regular & sugar free

2) Pudding– regular & sugar free

3) Toothpaste and tooth brushes

4) Bars of soap

5) Baby diapers—large sizes

6) Monetary gifts are welcome

Thank you

Peg Scheffler

Volunteer

The church Sunday school picnic is June 10th. at the town park after church. Fun, games, hot dogs, rolls, and drinks will be provided. You need only a dish to pass and lawn chairs.

Let us be together is a fun environment together. Showing our support to the children.

Sunday June 3rd 10:00 am Service Communion Sunday

Monday June 4th Women’s Dinner @ church

Sunday June 10th 10:00 am Service Children’s Day

Saturday June 16th Alumni Dinner

Sunday June 17th 10:00 am Service– Father’s Day

Monday June 18th Deacons and Trustee 6:30 pm, Cabinet Meeting 7:30 pm

Sunday June 24th 10:00 am Service

Wednesday June 20th First Day of Summer

o help celebrate our church's 175th Anniversary, the Syracuse Jazz Ensemble will hold vespers with us on October 14th at 5:00 PM. More will be forthcoming as the date approaches. This is an event you don't want to miss. It'll be Sunday at 5:00 October 14th, so mark your calendars.

Vacation Church School will be July 30th to August 3rd from 6:30 PM to 8:45 PM at Phoenix Methodist Church. We and the Methodists are combining talents. It's for children pre-K through 6th grade. Older children may sign up as helpers. Our theme this year is Operation Overboard. Come and dive in with us. Contact Lenora Schuchert for more information.

On September 23rd our church is proud to host Oneida Association's Fall Meeting. It will start at 3:00 PM. We need everyone to participate with their attendance, singing in the choir, participating in a play, doing registration of attendees and helping to prepare the meal. Please be ready to do your part when you are asked. This is an honor to host this event.

THEME BASKETS

Yes, it is that time of year again to start thinking of a theme for your Theme Basket. This is a wonderful fun raiser for the church. The Dorcas women will be sponsoring the Theme basket project again. The basket needs to be worth at least $25.00. When you come up with the items please let Judy Austin (695-2686) know. She would like to start putting them together. We would like them September 15th. We plan on showing them for the Association Meeting September 22nd. You could pair up with someone or get donations.

T-Shirts still available, cost between $12.00-$22.00. Please contact Judy Austin or Pastor Stan with sizes.

Walk Worthy

(J. Paul Williams and Joseph M. Martin)

Walk worthy of the Lord,

Come give your heart to Christ;

Live always bearing fruit for Him;

Live strengthened by His might.

Walk worthy of the Lord,

All power to His name,

Give Him glory, give Him honor,

Walk worthy of the Lord.

Blessed is the one,

The one who trusts in God

For he is like a tree

Planted by a stream.

Walk worthy of the Lord,

Come give your heart to Christ;

Live always bearing fruit for Him;

Live strengthened by His might.

Walk worthy of the Lord,

All power to His name,

Give Him glory, give Him honor,

Walk worthy of the Lord.

Copywritten by 1994 by TimeSpan Music, Inc.

Based on Colossians 1: 9-14

"In the "Good Old Summertime", it's time for "Special Music". There's no minimum or maximum age requirement. Just a desire to share your talents with us. All dates are open except for June l0 (Children's Day), August l9 and August 26. So, check your calendar and give me a call at: 592-7848. Also, if anyone has a favorite hymn (or two) let Pastor Stan or I know and we'll include it in a Sunday service. Thanks to all.....Carolyn King"

Sunday July 15^th Day of Remembrance - Our 10 am Service will be a memorial and celebration of the life of Florence Thornber, who along with her husband Ernest, were long time members of this Church. It is a bit unusual that the main Service of Sunday is a memorial service, but this is the weekend of the Candee family reunion which will be attended by many of Florence’s family. We wish to celebrate and remember on this Sunday many of the saints who have lived, worshipped, and given so much to bring us as a Church to where we are today. Saints are “ordinary people” who have worked to live the life of Christ on a day to day basis. We wish to include the names of those saints in the memory of this Church on the Bulletin that day. To do so, you are asked to print the names(s) of any of those saints on a slip of paper and put it in the collection plate by Sunday July 8^th so we can include them in the Program.

CHURCH IS A MOVING EXPERIENCE – in a number of different ways… Help! Over the summer I would like to: move the Pastor’s Office desk against the wall and bring the “Jesus Chair” down from the balcony for the Association Meeting play September 23. It would take about 4 able bodied people to do this. I have this magic furniture moving system (as seen on TV) to move the desk, but 4 of us as back-up in the event of “system” failure is a wise idea. Who and when might some hands be available? Pastor Stan

Opinion Ballot: Please answer this question and place it in the offertory plate. One Ballot per person please.

We have been having weekly Communion since the start of Lent. Remember whether or not to receive Communion is always an individual decision. The question is:

Do you feel we should continue weekly Communion or return to monthly Communion as a Church?

( ) Continue weekly Communion

OR

( ) Return to monthly Communion

I am: ( ) a Church member

( ) a non-member, regular attender

( ) I wish to join this Church

Name ______________________________

Five great young people made their confirmation on May 19th. We the church and Sunday School would like to say congratulations to Emily Allen, Daniel Knowlton, Autumn Rawson, Jenna Ashby, and Shania Meaker.

We would like to say congratulations to Winnona Gifford on celebrating her 90th Birthday.

How proud we are of DeeDee Burke for graduating from Niagara College, Tom Sniffen making the deans list at Syracuse University, and Emily Allen for receiving 101 on her interview of Bruce Schuchert bicycle adventure for Social Studies.

Please pray for the following people: Donna Franzck, Carol Cooper, Terry Zellar, Donna Hart, Ellis Walberger, Mary Green, Jeremy Merritt, Charmaine Clear, Katrina Barns, Bob Jarvis, Flo Kliphon, Amber Featherly, Paul Bomyea, Peg Scheffler, Rachel Terrance, Paul, Joyce, Kevin, and Nancy Sniffen.

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.