Commack United Methodist Church 486 Townline Road Commack, NY 11725-2026 - 631.499.7310

Web Site: http://www.commack-umc.org [email protected] Emails: [email protected]

226 YEARS OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE IN COMMACK 1783-2009 Rev. Lynda Bates-Stepe, Pastor 631.499.4770 Carolyn Gehlbach, Editor DECEMBER 2009-JANUARY 2010

Open Hearts

Open Minds

Open Doors

present it goes forth with as much beauty as a mastergiftwrapper. If you bake cookies or special treats for the season, as you bake be in prayer for those who will not have such pleasures and may not even have enough food. And with all those trips to the grocery store make sure each time you have something in your basket for our contribution to the food pantry. Put it in the box in the back of the sanctuary with a prayer for whoever will receive it.

A Word From the Pastor I’m listening to the children in the playground on this beautiful fall day and wondering, “Can Christmas really be just around the corner?” It is and I know if I’m not careful it will sneak up on me very quickly!

Traffic always seems so much more tense during the holidays and I often need to talk myself down from saying nasty things or expressing my frustrations in other ways (yes, I am human!). Maybe if I talk to God to express my annoyance and my concern for the people in the other cars, I would feel better. That’s a stretch but with God nothing is impossible!

I’m going to try to make this Advent and Christmas a season of prayer. Not by going off by myself to pray although I will work hard to still have my private time with God. But I’ll also seek to incorporate prayer into the usual, mundane, sometimes irritating activities of the season.

I save all my Christmas cards and at some point after Christmas (sometimes as late as February) I sit down with a cup of tea and slowly re-read each card, offering prayers for the sender.

I’m not much of a shopper especially when stores are crowded and lines are long. If I can be attentive to those around me and offer prayers for them it will make shopping more enjoyable and make me more pleasant. Even the more vague and general prayers we offer for strangers can make us feel connected to those around us. And to remember that for many of the cashiers and employees restocking the shelves this is often a second or third job brings me closer to their struggles, hopes and dreams. I’m not very artistic in my wrapping but if I pray for the individual or family as I wrap their

I’m sure there are other ways to incorporate prayer without the stress of finding more time to do so. Maybe you’d like to join me and fill these seasons of hope, joy and light with prayer. I believe it makes the world a better place. I know it makes me a better person. Thank God for such amazing miracles!  

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May your Advent be filled with divine hope and  anticipation. 

DECEMBER NEWS

 

May your Christmas  joy  fill the skies like  the stars. 

The Purpose of United Methodist Women The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.

 

May Epiphany shine  the light of Christ’s  love in  your life  ad  the lives of others.   

May your holidays be holy days filled  with the  mystery and awe of the Holy One.  Peace, Pastor Lynda

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December 10th at 7:30 pm, All members of the congregation are cordially invited to UMW's Christmas worship and fellowship hour. Ginny Eichenauer will lead the worship in the sanctuary, we will then proceed to a decorated parlor to enjoy refreshments and fellowship. Nancy Gamby & Ginny Eichenauer will host the evening, but UMW members are requested to bring a plate of finger foods. Punch and hot beverages will be served.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL

CHRISTMAS "COOKIES & MORE" SALE

THANKSGIVING BASKETS AND WORSHIP COMMITTEE

UMW annual "Christmas Cookies & More" sale will be held Sunday, December 13, in the fellowship hall, following morning service.

WORSHIP COMMITTEE Donations are requested to purchase fresh food for Thanksgiving. The fresh food will be used to decorate the altar and to donate to families in need. A basket will be placed on the table at the rear of the sanctuary for collections, in November. Thank you. Sobana Prasad

Donations of HOME BAKED cookies or cakes will be accepted on Saturday Dec. 12 between 9-10 am. Plating and packaging will commence at 10 am. All proceeds help support our mission projects.

HAPPY DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS Paula Titolo Dave Rysdyk James Sullivan, Lisa Rysdyk Evangeline Manjares, Mike Malgraff, Phyllis Faber, Maureen Kessler, John Muller Barbara Mondelli, Shawn Devine,Tom Mazzola Margie Zoltowsky, Jesus of Nazareth.

ANNUAL THANKSGIVING BASKETS Those wishing to donate a Turkey or Gift Card from the Super-Market towards our Annual Baskets are encouraged to do so. Please let the Church Office know if you plan to donate, as it is helpful to the committee to know what will be coming in ahead of time. Questions??? Please call Anne Tammaro -- cell:434.5627

We send many wishes,especially wrapped up for you, wanting you to have very happy times in all your celebrations .

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ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL DINNER: FEBRUARY 13, 2010 @ 6 PM

HAPPY JANUARY BIRTHDAYS Nancy Gamby, Kaylee Reddo, Carl Faber Matthew Colavito, Martha Lockhart, Betty Mascola, Karen Malgraff , Larry Sehringer, Art Wilson,Tracey Kopping, Birthday blessings to all.

It's time to dust off your heritage or family favorite recipes and practice your talents! Our International dinner is scheduled for Saturday, February 13 at 6PM in the fellowship hall. Each family is requested to bring enough of your favorite or heritage dish to serve your family, plus one, also a salad or dessert. There will be a sign up sheet on the bulletin board. There will be an additional sign-up for some of the essentials: coffee,tea, sugar, milk, cold drinks, bread etc.

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN OFFICERS FOR 2010 President: Vice President Secretary Treasurer Mission Coordinators: Spiritual Growth Publicity Education/Interpretation & Social Action: Membership/Nurture Hostess Sunshine

Nancy Gamby Deb Hervey Kathy Muller Margie Zoltowsky

Nominating Committee: Class of 2006 " 2007 " 2008 " 2009

Serves 4 years Cyndi Pinkham Dot Megna Betty Carson Doris Hoffman

It is most important that you list the number of family members who will or plan to attend, we need a viable count for table and chair set up as seating is limited.

Ginny Eichenauer Kathy Muller

WHY is seating limited in our large hall??? Well, folks, we need an open space for all our members and friends to entertain. We have many talented people in our congregation and we hope you will volunteer to perform for the most friendly and accepting audience you will ever meet!

Ann Aupperle Matilda Gollatz Cyndi Pinkham Joan Nehlsen

Authentic foreign dress is always an eyecatcher, and in the past we have had an impromptu fashion show of Korean, Indian, Chinese, Bavarian and Philippine outfits~ do not hesitate to dress according to your heritage~this is an INTERNATIONAL DINNER!

JANUARY NEWS UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

If you have souvenirs or items from your travels or treasures from "the old country", please bring them in for display. Inform John of this, and he will have space available for you. If you are concerned about safety, you may bring them in earlier in the day of just prior to dinner.

The meeting will be held on January 7, 2010 in the parlor. Kathy Muller will lead the program " A Call to Prayer & Self-Denial." Prayer and giving have long been vital to the women’s organizations in the church. The yearly offering for A Call to Prayer and Self-Denial, from all UMW local units, totals nearly one million dollars – with mission projects funded both nationally and internationally. The 2010 theme to be announced.

Everyone usually helps with setting, cleaningup and serving. We would be pleased to have you volunteer. Keep in mind that this is a fellowship event and there is no fee involved...just good food! John & Kathy Muller

An installation program will be led by Nancy Gamby for our 2010 officers. Hostess for the evening TBA

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BOY SCOUT TROOP 125 (COMMACK) TO HOLD HOLIDAY WREATH SALE

2. Shop through iGive.com OR just surf their stores Their online mall features over 680 online stores

Different Shapes, Sizes and Prices Available

3. Watch the $$ roll in for Commack United Methodist Church! Up to 26% of EACH purchase is donated, plus a bonus $5 donation if you shop within 45 days. Any questions? Call Mike Hervey

COMMACK, NY– Boy Scout Troop 125, which has been serving the youth of the Commack community for 40 continuous years, will hold their annual Holiday Wreath Sale in the parking lot in the King Kullen Plaza (on Vets Highway, in the Sports Authority Shopping Center, Commack, NY) on Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HAPPENINGS OCT 30 we enjoyed a Hallowe’en movie with popcorn in shiny orange bags and punch ----mysterious things floating in it! The kids who were there had a great time!

In addition to a variety of sizes of holiday wreaths, also on sale will be pine roping, crosses and candy cane shaped wreaths, holiday shrubs and “kissing balls.”

On NOV. 7 the ‘Golden Tones’ sang for us so many of our favorite songs... from the Andrews Sisters, Maguire Sisters, Sinatra, Carly Simon and so many others! We found we were singing along and enjoying these four personable women. The songs they chose as solos were exceptionally terrific. Afterward we visited with them and had coffee and cake together....A really nice evening that many said, on Sunday morning, they so much enjoyed.

Funds raised from this sale will be used to support the activities of the troop. For more information regarding the Holiday Wreath Sale, please call (631) 368-3602 or email [email protected]. __________________________________________

I GIVE SUPPORT

SATURDAY.. DECEMBER. 12,

CHRISTMAS CAROLING

Use Internet Shopping to Support Our Church If you shop on the internet then you might be interested in a new service that takes a part of the seller’s profits at certain stores and sends them to your favorite cause.IGive.com is a new way to give to your favorite cause, including Commack United Methodist Church. Once you register at http://www.iGive.com and follow the directions, certain internet purchases will go to your favorite cause, all without costing you any additional money. Sounds too good to be true? There’s more! You can designate that the donations are made in your name then if you're donating to an organization that qualifies under section 170 of the IRS code as a nonprofit, your donation may be considered taxdeductible.

We will be doing our annual caroling Please plan to come along.....with the children....it brings such joy to those we visit...Afterwards we have hot chocolate back at church, knowing that we have brought some of the Christmas spirit to those who most appreciate having the visit.......We gather outside their houses ...and they experience the warmth of the lovely traditional carols sung just for them............even if they are unable to come to church at the holiday time. The Happening Committee Pat, Karen, Mike, Margie and Lisa

HOW IT WORKS: 1. Join iGive.com to support Commack United Methodist Church It's free, safe, and easy to join. http://www.iGive.com/html/refer.cfm?memberid=540 4

BEEF DINNER A SUCCESS!! Mel Walker keeps track of the number of years this dinner has been served. Our Thanks to all those who worked to make the delicious Roast Beef Dinner on November 14th 2009 such a success. Especially to Patty and Gery Spory and Joe Megna in the kitchen and Boy Scout Troop #125 for set up of tables. Good Company, Great food and a good time was had by all.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

5:00 PM Christmas Pagaent in the Sanctuary

BOY SCOUT TROOP 125 (COMMACK) TO HOLD 40TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION AND DINNER Saturday, January 9, 2010. All Current and Former Members Invited

7:00 PM Candlelight Service in the 1789 Chapel 11:00 PM Candlelight Service in the Sanctuary

COMMACK, NY,– Boy Scout Troop 125, which has been serving the youth of the Commack community for 40 continuous years, will be holding a special reunion and dinner on Saturday, January 9, 2010. All previous members of Troop 125, including Boy Scouts, Eagle Scouts, adult scouting volunteers and all their family members are welcome to join the celebration. The reunion will be held in the Fellowship Hall at the Commack United Methodist Church, 486 Town Line Road, Commack, NY from 6:00pm-10:00pm. Tickets are $15 ages 11 years and older, $5 5-10 years and children under 5 are free if purchased by December 15, 2009. Tickets at the door will be $20/each. All checks should be payable to TROOP 125 and sent to: Troop 125 c/o Commack United Methodist Church 486 Town Line Road Commack, NY 11725 Attn: 40th Anniversary

THRIFT SHOPPE NEWS Now we are a TRI chairwomen. Harriet Neubert has agreed to join Anne T. and Patti S in the EVERYDAY operations of the shop. We are in such need of volunteers… If you can not commit to a specific time, just stop in anytime, we are open and your hands will be put to use. Call Marge Wright, at 5431873, to be assigned a particular time slot. If you have never visited the Thrift Shoppe, stop in. We have many seasonal items and great prices. There were 26 people at our Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, honoring our Super Volunteer, Joe Megna. Good Food and Fellowship was enjoyed by all.

For more information or questions regarding the 40 Anniversary Reunion, please contact Kathy Gazerro at (631) 368-3602 or email [email protected]. th

PR Contacts: Michele March (631) 543-0080 [email protected] Phyllis Stein [email protected]

ALL YOU CAN EAT HARVEST ROAST 5

agenda will be mailed after Christmas. Cost will be $70 per person. A $25 nonrefundable deposit is due by December 15th. Please drop by church office or give to Deb Hervey. Youth Group invites members of the congregation to join them on Sunday, December 6th to see the movie Blind Side at approx 2PM (exact movie time not available yet published).

Using the puppet theater borrowed from the Parish Resource Center as a guide, combined with decorations off the internet, the Youth Group completed our very own puppet theater that was started by the Sr. High Sunday School class a few weeks ago. Our children are having so-oo much fun with the Puppets activities we decided we definitely needed a stage of our own.

Tim Sampson helps hold the frame steady as Maggie Hervey and Tom Colavito finish the connections. All parts were cut on a previous Sunday by Maggie Hervey, Alex Kessler, Kim Clendenning and her friend Nicole.

Teenager Michael Oher is surviving on his own, virtually homeless, when he is spotted on the street by Leigh Anne Tuohy. Learning that the young man is one of her daughter's classmates, Leigh Anne insists that Michael -- wearing shorts and a t-shirt in the dead of winter -- come out of the cold. Without a moment's hesitation, she invites him to stay at the Tuohy home for the night. What starts out as a gesture of kindness turns into something more as Michael becomes part of the Tuohy family despite the differences in their backgrounds. Living in his new environment, the teen faces a completely different set of challenges to overcome. And, as the family helps Michael fulfill his potential, both on and off the football field, Michael's presence in the Tuohys' lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own.

Youth Winter Retreat scheduled for MLK Weekend

We hope by scheduling on a three day weekend, more of our youth will be able to join us. Our 2010 Winter Youth Retreat will be Jan. 15 – 18 at Camp Epworth. We will spend one afternoon at the PET workshop helping to assemble or paint Personal Energy Vehicles and learn about the countries they are delivered to. The rest of the weekend will be a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Theme and

Rated PG-13 for one scene involving brief violence, drug and sexual references. 6

game on the floor. I took a closer look it wasn’t hopscotch – it was plaguescotch. It was a great way for everyone to really remember all those plagues God had to send before Pharaoh finally relented to free the Israelites.

Theo the WORM reports from Sunday School! Wow, have you been over to the Religious Education (RE) Building to experience during Sunday School? If not, you’re missing some ama-a-zing activities.

During all the workshops there are shepherds to add helping hands and assist where needed. Maggie Hervey and the Theofields were our fall shepherds and were also helped by Rose Manchio and Barbara Devine.

For September-October the creation story took on a whole new meaning when the classes started in a darkened tent at the Bedouin Encampment Bible Story time, with each child being in charge of a a day of creation to build a wonderful tableau from darkness and nothing to a fully populated earth with sky, sea, trees, flowers, birds and animals.

And I’ve heard there’s going to be a real Seder to help us understand what how the Israelites felt after the last plague had passed over them. I took a peak at Miss Tricia’s schedule and see that Mrs. Muller is going to come and share all sorts of crèches and have some there that everyone will be able to not just look at, but also be able to touch!

In December, you’ll get to see their marvelous creation murals as pastor shares the creation story with the whole congregation.

It looks like there will be lessons and activities to learn what the animals were thinking in the stable that night and we’ll be learning about the other Wise Man.

Making puppets to share the story of Old Turtle, hearing how to take care the wonderful creation God made for us and then creating tasting treats of sunflower muffins, rye bread and fruit salad to learn and taste creation rounded out the classes.

Do these lessons sound fun to teach? Do you have an activity or skill you’d like to share? Please see Tricia Nehlsen or Deb Hervey. They’ll gladly schedule you for two Sundays to lead a workshop. (One Sunday the workshop is shared with 2nd graders and under and the other Sunday with 3rd grade – 7th grade). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

All these activities were led by several folks, who, by each volunteering a couple of weeks of their time, made all those sessions possible. Deb Hervey and Suzanne Litrel really made the creation story come alive. Artie Titolo once again made time in the kitchen special. Mike Malgraf and Tricia Nehlsen were also great storytellers and Penny White helped create terrific puppets and scenery we hope to share in the future. Next time you see them, please thank them for sharing their skills with our children.

A BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO

ALL

OF OUR

If you were in the library early in November, you may have spotted a baby hidden in the plants along the “river”. Or maybe you heard the chorus of O Pharoah, Pharoah, Oh, oh, let my people go…

MEMBERS AND FRIENDS AT

THE COMMACK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

And last week when I came out of my favorite book in the library, I spotted a special hopscotch 7