224 Main St. Penn
Yan, NY 14527
(315) 536-9821 e-mail: pyfbc@peoplepc.com
Rev. John R. Tharp,
Pastor
Jan. 4 The Shaping of Memory
Isaiah 51:1-6
Jan. 11 Profiles in Courage
I Corinthians 16:13-24
Jan. 18 The Gang of Jesus
Matthew 10:16-20
Jan. 25 Poetic Justice
Proverbs 25:11-13
Jan. 4 The Fullagar Family
Jan. 11 The Slocum Family
Jan. 18 Marylou Hainsworth & Charlie Taylor
Jan. 25 Beth DeLooza & Jennifer Slocum
January Birthdays
7 ~ Beth DeLooza 22 ~ Fran Morse
12 ~ Melvin Cornell 24 ~ John F.M. Tharp
20 ~ Paul Nelson 29
~ Elijah Clancy
THE END IS NEAR
This time it is not some religious fanatic proclaiming
the end. This time the US Congress has determined that the end will come on
February 17th. That is, the end of television as we know it. Analog
TV will give way to digital TV. To
stave off the disastrous result of not having Oprah or the GEICO lizard, you
will need to have a new TV or little converter box by that date.
As we move into 2009, we realize that many endings have
taken place in the past year and many more endings will happen this year. Like
our TV reception, endings make way for beginnings. A new administration will
govern our land. New people will attend our church. And, as we grow more
Christlike, we find that we have become fresh in spirit and new in our faith.
What does not have and end or beginning is the on going
need for the love of Christ in our homes, community, and world. According to
the scriptures, “there will be wars and rumors of wars,” “the poor will be with us always,” and there
will always be storms that test us to see if we have built our lives on the solid
rock of Jesus’ teaching or the sand of self pride. For the new year, we need to
remember that there are some things that do not have beginnings or endings. For
Christians the bottom line truth is that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday,
today, and forever.”
Pretty soon we will be having our Annual Meeting. The
shifting economy, loss of some old friends, and an always uncertain future
makes knowing the consistency of God’s presence all the more important to us.
As the annual survey forms are returned we gain a snapshot of our church. At
this writing, I don’t know the results of the tabulation but I offer some ideas
of how 2009 can be a stronger year for us.
1.
Our worship
services need to have more input from more people. Once a month worship team (2nd
Sunday) services have been very helpful and need to be expanded.
2.
We need to find a
better way of sharing the message of Christ with the many people who flow
through our church building. In many ways, we are a community center and we
have the opportunity to reach people. But we need ideas and fresh efforts to do
this.
3.
We need to plan
times of celebration and fellowship and learning which are inviting, helpful,
and where we eat lots of good food.
These are some of my
ideas - we need to hear some of yours. In the mean time, wonderful blessings
are waiting for all of us in the hand of our eternal Savior.
Pastor John
OFFICIAL CHURCH NOTICES
Advisory Council
On Thursday, January 8, at 7 pm the Advisory Council
will meet in the library to set the proposed budget for 2009. All officers and
board representatives must be in attendance.
Budget Hearing
On Thursday, January 15, at 7 pm there will be a
hearing on the proposed budget for 2009.
Annual Meeting & Potluck Luncheon
On Sunday, January 18, there will be a potluck
luncheon at noon. Bring a dish to share and your own table service. The annual
meeting will begin promptly at
12:45 pm.
Game Night!
Once again the annual game night at the Castillo’s is
planned. Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 10. We hope to see lots of
people there for games and snacks. The fun begins at 7 pm. See you there!
Mary & Martha Circle Fellowship
Class
Tuesday, January 13 Wednesday, January 21
10:30 am 12:00 Noon
Marge
Cornell will bring desserts and lead devotions for the meetings this month.
Note from the Board of Missions
Super Bowl Sunday is February 1, 2009. Once again your
Board of Missions will be selling “Super Bowl Subs” to support Yates County
Habitat for Humanity. The price will be$6.50 for a whole sub and $3.50 for a
half sub. We will be taking orders until Sunday, Jan. 25. You will have a
choice of roast beef, turkey or ham. Be sure to watch for order forms and more
information in January.
In March a new Parenting Class will begin. Led by
Eileen Modaffari,
this class will focus on the uniqueness that boys
bring, and is another
series by Dr. James Dobson. Don’t be misled though, if
you are a parent
of girls you can still join us, as there is a wealth
of general information
helpful for all. (Grandparents, babysitters, aunts and
uncles
are welcome too.) We are always looking to increase
our numbers, if
you know of a parent that could use the fellowship and
friendship of
other parents please invite them to join us. We will
meet Sundays at
11am. Watch for more information to come soon!
There are many “behind the scenes” ministries that
take place
here at FBC. One of them is staffing the nursery.
Volunteers
serve on a rotating basis to sit with children while
parents attend
service. Next month, a new rotation will be drawn up
and if you are
interested in
serving in this capacity please contact Eileen Modaffari
at 694-8267.
______________________________________________________________
Did you know that we
need to collect all pledge cards that were handed out? It is important that we
know your intentions so that we can prepare the budget for 2009. If you haven’t
turned your card in, please do so as soon as possible. If you can’t locate it,
would you please note your name and pledge on a paper. If you are unsure of
your abilities you may note that you “will give as able.”
Thank You,
Bd of Trustees
______________________________________________________________
·
We are finally in the
black and the insurance money is put aside in preparation for the February
bill.
·
A speaker system has
been purchased for the nursery. Wires will need to be installed before it will
work.
·
A fencing contractor
has looked at the area around the air conditioner and will be giving us an
estimate to enclose it.
·
Our Father’s Children
will be doing their Christmas Concert in the Sancturay on December 13.
·
A farewell was
extended to Richard Johnson in appreciation for his years served on the board.
·
The next Trustees
meeting will be held after the Annual Meeting on Jan. 18, 2009.
__________________________________________________________
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
that greeting will be
said and heard for at least the first few weeks as the new year gets under way.
But the day celebrated as New Year’s Day in modern America was not always
celebrated on January first.
ANCIENT NEW YEARS
The celebration of the
new year is the oldest of all holidays. It was first observed in ancient
Babylon about 4000 years ago.
THE CHURCHES VIEW OF NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS
Although in the first
centuries AD the Romans continued celebrating the New Year, the early Catholic
Church condemned the festivities as paganism. But as Christianity became more
widespread, the early church began having its own religious observances
concurrently with many of the pagan celebrations.
NEW YEAR TRADITIONS
Other traditions of the
new year include making of New Year’s resolutions. That tradition also dates
back to the early Babylonians. Popular modern resolutions might include the
promise to lose weight or quit smoking. The early Babylonian’s most popular
resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment.
AULD LANG SYNE
This song is sung at the
stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to
bring in the new year. An old Scotch tune “Auld Lang Syne” literally means “old
long ago,” or simply “the good old days.
Here are some tips for a happier life in 2009
·
Do not give in to anger
over the past or fear of the future. Don’t look backwards or forwards. Enjoy
the present.
·
Don’t waste your
energy on grudges, gossip, and negative thoughts. Life is too short to waste
time hating anyone.
·
Forgive everyone for
everything.
·
Envy is also a waste
of time. God will provide what you need.
·
Enjoy the simple
things.
·
Surround yourself
with what you love - family, pets, keepsakes, music, books, plants, hobbies,
sports.
·
Keep learning and
keep active. Learn hobbies, crafts, gardening, photography, the computer. “An
idle mind is the devil’s workshop.”
·
Cherish your health.
If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, work to improve it.
·
Remember: prevention
is also a life issue.
·
Take a 30-minute walk
every day, and while you walk, smile. It’s the ultimate antidepressant. God
made the body to be used. Use it.
·
Be enthusiastic about
all that you do, even menial work.
·
Listen to your Mom.
Eat more natural foods that grow on trees and plants, and eat less processed
foods. Include lots of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your diet.
·
Everything in
moderation.
·
Use medications
discreetly and only those prescribed by a competent doctor.
·
Take a short siesta
after lunch. Do not deprive yourself of sleep.
·
Sit in prayerful
silence for at least 15 minutes every day.
·
Play more games and
read more funny books.
·
Don’t take guilt
trips. Take a trip to the mall, to another city, even to a foreign country, but
not to where the guilt is.
·
Don’t take yourself
too seriously. Cultivate a sense of humor. Laugh a lot.
·
Try to make at least
two people smile or laugh each day.
·
Get rid of the
clutter in your life and anything that isn’t useful, beautiful, or joyful.
·
Tell the people you
love that you love them at every opportunity.
·
Focus less on
yourself and more on how you can be of service to others.
·
Count your blessings
and be thankful.
·
Try to live peaceable
with your family, your neighbors, and the people in your workplace.
(Compiled from the wisdom of various authors, known
and unknown including the writers of the Gospels.)