FREEDOM PLAINS PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH
Non-Profit Org.
Post Office Box Four
Hundred
LaGrangeville, New York 12540 U.S.
Postage
P A I D
“RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED” Newburgh, NY
Permit No.
4003
Freedom Plains Presbyterian
Church
Staff:
Rev. Paul Lent, Pastor
Rev. Heather Finck, Parish
Associate
Denise Bassen, Music
Director
Susan Walsh, Administrative
Assistant
Linda Jacobs & Maryanne
Russo, Co-Directors of Sunday School
Bonnie Biskup, Parish Nurse
Kevin Coyne, Sexton
Katherine DeFiglio, Junior Choir Director
Donna Logan & Em
Jorgenson, Bell Choir Directors
Office Hours: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Office Telephone: (845) 452-0684
Office Fax # (845) 452-7816
E-Mail Address: office@fppchurch.org
Website: fppchurch.org
THE
HERALD
Freedom Plains Presbyterian Church
Founded
1827 MAY,
2006
“The church is both catholic (universal) and particular”.
(Presbyterian Book of Order G-7.0100)
Dear Friends,
Have you every really
thought about what the Church is? I
have been thinking about it ever since I received word that Moriah-Olivet
Presbyterian Church in Utica, NY would be closing in a month or so. It was while serving this old inner-city
Welsh church 13 years ago, that I really knew in my heart that I was called to
be a minister.
It really should not be a
surprise. The word was Moriah-Olivet
would close sooner than later, and in truth it is later now. The statistics and demographics have been
against them for some time now.
I suppose the world will
look at this church and say it has failed, and yet, I don’t see that. They ministered to me; they ministered to a
group of Haitian immigrants, who became members, only to leave a few years
later because they could not get work in Utica. They ministered to their members, and they preached the gospel
and worshipped the Lord with the beautiful harmonies that the Welsh are known
for. (Although, it is also true they
could not clap on the off beats.) With
Easter eyes, sometimes what the world sees as failure and death, we Christians
see as life and faithfulness.
Thankfully,
the statistics and demographics say the exact opposite for Freedom Plains
Presbyterian Church. We should be
growing. We should be thriving. Yet, we are called to the same ministry as
Moriah-Olivet. We are called to be
faithful to our Risen Lord, here and now.
In a few weeks, I will have the opportunity to preach to the 30 or so
remaining members of Moriah-Olivet. I
will have the opportunity to say to them, well done, good and faithful
servants, well done. We can only hope
and pray and work so that the same will be said of us.
Peace,
If
you’ve ever wondered about the “unicorns” or the “giants” spoken of in the
Bible or struggled with the mysteries of Revelation, you may be particularly
interested in a section of the church library referred to as “Reference-Bible”
or “RB”. This section has a wealth of
resources from different versions of the Bible, such as the King James and the
more modern language translations, references on the Dead Sea Scrolls, the
Apocrypha and those elucidating individual books of the Bible, such as The Gospel of John and Revelation. We have assorted parallel Bibles, which help you to compare the
different versions with translations in columns side by side. Bible dictionaries, encyclopedias and
atlases can all be very helpful to understanding what we are reading and
setting the historical and cultural background for Biblical events. Some of the most beautifully illustrated
volumes of this kind can be found in our “Oversized” section which includes the
Illustrated Dictionary of Bible Life and
Times and Fascinating Bible Facts. A small sub-section labeled “RC” for
“Reference-Christ” may also be found here.
It includes such titles as Jesus
and His Times, One Hundred Portraits
of Christ and The Complete Idiot’s
Guide to the Life of Christ.
HEALTH
MINISTRY
Bonnie Biskup
Office
hours 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM–12:30 PM. For appointments call 724-5631.
B/P
Screening –Sunday mornings.
“The
Parish Health Nurse is part of the church’s ministry team that seeks
holistic health, well-being of body, spirit, mind and relationships”. The Parish Nurse promotes health and
prevents disease as
A -
One who integrates faith and health.
B
- A personal health counselor and
health advocate.
C –
Health Educator
D –
Referral Agent
E –
Provider of pastoral care
(Quoted from Pok. 1st Presbyterian Church)
The
Role of Parish Health Nurse depends upon the needs of a particular
congregation. Come see me about
programs you would like to have and issues you would like addressed. Bonnie
Biskup
Care Notes: In Fellowship Hall & Narthex on
Emotional and Spiritual well being.
Prayers for Comfort and Healing:
Jean Bernard, Mary Best, Lou Biskup, Joyce Coice, Jill
Edmonds, Emily & Ed Johnson, Tammy Maier, Ian Morrison, Diane Soyka, Ellice
Tobin, Jimmy Vaughn.
Prayers for Bereavement: The Phil Arnold Family
DORCAS BIBLE STUDY – Dorcas is a co-ed
Bible study that meets at the church each Wednesday from 1:00 - 2:30, September
thru June. If interested in joining us,
please contact Bonnie Biskup at 724-5631.
MEN’S BIBLE STUDY BREAFAST – The Men’s
Bible Study is held every Thursday at 7:30 AM at the church and is led by Ben
Sung and Rev. Paul Lent. Please check
the online calendar for ongoing study notes.
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY – The Women’s Bible
Study is held on the first and third Tuesday of the Month at Maureen Doherty’s
house. If you are interested in
attending, please contact Maureen at 454-6318.
APPALACHIAN SERVICE PROJECT – The next ASP
mtg. will be held at the church on May 21 at 7:00 PM. All volunteers and those who plan on joining us this summer
should attend this meeting.
Rev. Paul Lent
ASP MISSION TRIP FUNDRAISERS
A Tupperware fundraiser was held on 4/23, 4/30 and will be
held on 5/7 in Fellowship Hall. 40% of
all sales will go directly to ASP.
Please contact Debbie Armstrong at 226-4856 if you would like to
purchase Tupperware or have any questions.
The Annual Rummage Sale
will be held on May 13 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Proceeds will be used to support the ASP Mission Trip. Volunteers are needed throughout the day. Please
sign up at the bulletin board at the church.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE PLANT SALE –
There will be a plant sale held at the church on Saturday, May 13 from 9:00 AM
to 2:00 PM. Proceeds from the sale will
go to the Scholarship Fund.
CONFIRMATION CLASS – The confirmation
class has been working hard and doing a tremendous job. In addition to some wonderful discussions
about their faith and exploration of related topics, they have been actively
involved in many aspects of the church.
Each confirmand has been a lay reader and greeter, and many have led the
children’s message during the 9:00 service.
All 17 members of the class have committed to a minimum of 10 hours of community service, including, the
homeless shelter, Bright Nights, several charity walks, road clean up and some
project around the church building.
Every confirmand was assigned both a peer and adult mentor, which was a
valuable part of the experience. Thank
you to all the volunteer mentors. To
gain a better understanding and appreciation for different religions, we held a
multi-faith panel discussion with teenagers representing 5 different
faiths. We will be making a trip to NYC
to tour several churches and will be attending a Buddhist Monastery. For more information on our class, please
see our bulletin board in the main hallway.
The class will be confirmed on Sunday, June 4, in which they will plan
and lead the both services.
CONFIRMATION CLASS BBQ - There will be
a BBQ on Sunday, May 21 at 4:00 at the Fandls’ Home, for all confirmands and
their mentors. Mentors, please speak to
your confirmand for details or contact Kristen Fandl at
226-1327
for more information or directions.
DON’T MISS THE BOAT! - Vacation Bible
School will be touring the USA from June 26 to June 30. Our boat departs daily at 9:00 AM and
returns at 12:00 Noon. Come join us for
Bible stories, crafts, music and music more!
Registration forms in this May Herald.
RURAL & MIGRANT MINISTRY – The
Rural and Migrant Ministry Resource Team invites you to celebrate during the
month of May, which is Farmworker Solidarity Month. The Presbytery of Hudson River has been a covenanting partner
with Rural & Migrant Ministry since its founding 25 years ago. Please consider attending the “Sowing Seeds
for Justice Dinner” on Tuesday, May 16 from 6:00 – 9:30 PM at the Tribeca
Rooftop in New York City. Tickets are
$175 per person. For more information,
please call Nydia Medina at (845) 485-8627. or visit their website at www.ruralmigrantministry.org.
Let
us pray: In a world filled with
injustices, teach us Lord, never to speak for the silent, but to work to
empower them so that their voices will be heard. Help us to support their struggle and encourage our
solidarity. Bless the hands of the
people of the earth, the hands that till the soil, the hands that plant the
seed, the hands that bind the harvest, the hands that carry the burden of
life. Soften the hands of the oppressor
and strengthen the hands of the oppressed.
Bless the hands of the farm workers; bless the hands of those in power
above them that the measure they deal will be tempered with justice and
compassion. Amen.
PCUSA PENTECOST OFFERING – In the month of May, PSUSA asks for a special
offering to celebrate the successes of our youth confirmation, graduation,
scholarship and Sunday School pins.
This offering hopes to reach the at risk youth who do not have the
opportunity for these celebrations.
Forty percent of the money raised will be used to support FPPC’s ASP
Mission Trip this summer where our youth will directly impact the lives of
others in need. All one needs to do is
re-read Nick Taylor’s article from The Poughkeepsie Journal to be reminded of
that.
CHURCH WORLD SERVICE TOOLS & BLANKET
MINISTRY - This year we will help Don Budd “warm his head” with our Tool
& Blanket Gift Appeal. A $5.00
donation to CWS who in turn gives Tools & Blanket to people in need in 80
different countries. You will get
“hair” to glue to Don’s head. Come see
the picture and get a card for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or a general card
that you may give to a special person.
Thank you in advance for supporting the Tool & Blanket Appeal.
DCIC NEWS – Dutchess County Interfaith
Counsel has changed its email address to dcic@bestweb.net. They sponsor monthly story circles. A circle is composed of people of different faiths sharing the
richness of their story traditions. A
leader begins by telling a story or two based on the month’s theme; then the
circle is open for any who wish to tell a story. This can be a way into the heart for each other.
DCIC - On Tuesday, May 23 at 7:00 PM, DCIC will hold its monthly story circle
at Locust Grove Conference Center, Rt. 9, Poughkeepsie. The theme is “Stories of Courage &
Hope”. This event is free and all are
welcome.
The
Anne Frank Center USA’s traveling exhibit, “Anne Frank in the World:
“1929-1945”, will be at Locust Grove, Rt. 9 Poughkeepsie from May 9 to 31. Complementary events, films, and lectures
will be presented April through June at several venues throughout the
county. Please check the website: www.dutchessinterfaithcouncil.org
for details.
OFFERING OF LETTERS - If you could save
a life this week by spending fifteen minutes of your time – would you do
it? How about if you could save a life
in a year or so? We can all find 15
minutes somehow, if it means savings a life.
This year the Bread of the World’s Offering of Letters focuses on asking
Congress to make progress toward the Millennium Development Goals by
significantly increasing poverty-focused development assistance in Fiscal Year
2007 and to work toward devoting an additional 1 percent of the federal budget
to poverty-focused development assistance by 2010. The United States has joined other nations in a commitment to cut
global hunger and poverty in half by 2015.
If you join with others in this campaign by writing Senator Schumer,
Senator Clinton and
your
U.S. Representative (John Sweeney or Sue Kelly), we can convince Congress to
keep that promise. That would save
millions of lives! A few minutes of
your time to write a letter (or three) to save millions of God’s people from
poverty, hunger, illiteracy, disease and other evils of poverty, how can you
not find the time? The Mission
Committee will kick off the letter writing campaign April 30th. Please stop by our table in Fellowship Hall
to get supplies and to find out more about the Millennium Development
Goals. All letters brought back to the
church by Sunday, May 21 will be dedicated in the morning offering and mailed.
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING – Thank you to all who supported PCUSA’S One Great Hour
of Sharing during Lent. It is a
blessing to us because it reminds us of all we have that we can share with
others and as we share our sacrifice it reinforces the important role that Lent
can have in our lives. Let us remember
that preparing for disaster relief is an ongoing need as the recent “aftermath
of Katrina” documentaries have shown.
EARTH STEWARDS – Special thanks to those who helped Earth Stewards honor our church’s
commitment to clean up Todd Hill Road each year. This year we had enough volunteers to help with the cleaning of a
second road!
EASTER DINNER
– Thank you to the Hoffman, Barry, and Emmett families, and their many helpers
for creating such a delicious, festive and meaningful Easter Dinner for our
church and our community.
In
Memory of
Gail
Audrey (Ross) Arnold
November
10, 1934 – April 7, 2006
“He
brought me out to an open place:
He
rescued me because he delighted in me.”
Psalms 18:19
JUNE HERALD – Please
submit articles for the June Herald in writing or by email to Susan Walsh at
the church office by Friday, May 17.
The email address is office@fppchurch.org. Thank you in advance for your
cooperation.
NEW FREEDOM PLAINS CHURCH ONLINE CALENDAR!
– Please visit our website: www.fppchurch.org and click on “calendar” to view
our current events. If you would like
an event posted to the calendar, forms are located at the church office, or
submit the event in writing by email with any pertinent details regarding the
event to office@fppchurch.org.
FREEDOM RINGERS – The
Freedom Ringers are looking for additional adult players (post high school
males/females) for next session. Our
rehearsals are Thursday evenings, from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM and will begin in
mid-October. Prerequisites are the
ability to read music and a strong commitment to attending rehearsals. Training sessions will be held in the fall
for new players prior to the first rehearsal.
If you are interested in joining the group, please contact Em Jorgensen
at 471-2979.
KNOW SOMEONE WHO NEEDS A HUG? – Our
teddy bears in the sanctuary are just waiting to come home to someone’s house
and bring him or her a smile. Please
feel free to take a teddy bear while at church on Sunday to brighten someone’s
day!
A PERSONAL THANK YOU! – When Pastor
Paul preached on Easter Sunday about what it means to be part of a church
community filled with faith, hope and love, it reminded me of the role that my
church family has played in my recovery from my recent surgery. Thank you for the prayers, flowers, cards,
visits, gifts, food and the errands run.
I hope that I will have an opportunity to share those many kindnesses
with you. Sincerely, Jill Edmonds
ATTENTION!!
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS NEEDED!
There
are openings for Church School Teachers beginning September 2006. There are “full time” and “shared” positions
available. A new curriculum is in the
process of being chosen that will provide an outline, materials and ideas for
use that will be appropriate for each grade level. If you would like to participate in the Sunday school program,
please contact Gail Gemmell at 849-1917 or Christine Lent at 471-4146. We are both excited to be part of this new
venture and are looking forward to bringing fun and excitement into our
children’s Christian Education experience.
FREEDOM
PLAINS NURSERY SCHOOL 
Our
church-sponsored Freedom Plains Nursery School 2006-2007 School Year is
presently accepting registrations for the 4-year-old program. The 2 and 3-year-old programs are now
filled. The four-year-old class
schedule is as follows:
Tuesdays,
Wednesdays and Thursdays, 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM.
Mondays,
Tuesday, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Please
contact Call Valorie Parry, Nursery School Director, at 485-1145 to register
your child for this wonderful program.
DEACONS’ UPDATE
I would like to share with the congregation some of the things that are done with your
donations made to the Deacons’ Fund.
The Deacons’ fund is used in a variety of ways to help those in need. Generally, this
fund is used within our church family and/or within our local community.
The Deacons’ fund has been used in the past to help local fire victims and to purchase
home heating oil. We have also helped with rental assistance for several congregation
members who had fallen on hard times. The Deacons’ fund enabled us to assist
Devin Resler after his accident. We were able to pitch in and send emergency kits to
New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. We are able to provide children’s Bibles and
crosses to our newest members as a baptismal gift.
Moving forward, the Deacons’ would like to help even more than in the past. Since we
Have no administrative costs, nearly 100% of the donations received are used towards
these worthy causes.
Please help us to help more by locating your white and gold envelopes marked
“Deacons’ Fund” and donate what you can. It is our hope to help this world in need one
kind act at a time.
Sincerely,
Paul Schatz and The Deacons
