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 MAY 2009

Open Hearts

Open Minds

Open Doors

So what’s next? We continue to enjoy the Great 50 Days of Easter! What could be better? The joy remains and the real meaning of the events of these last six weeks continue to guide and direct our lives. It doesn’t go away or disappear; it is always with us. Thanks be to God! The following is a poem for you to use for enjoyment, reflection and prayer during this 50 day celebration of Easter. Enjoy!

A Word from the Pastor What an amazing six weeks! From From Ash Wednesday to The Day of Resurrection the worship services, soup dinners, fellowship times and sharing of Holy Communion were moving, provocative, uplifting, thoughtful and stirring. It was inspiring. I am grateful for everyone who helped make this such a meaningful time whether it was cooking soup, decorating the sanctuary, making music, reading scripture, preparing communion, handing out bulletins (and making extra at the last minute!), setting up the sound system, handing out palms, greeting worshipers, twisting pretzels, offering refreshments, praying as the sun rose, cleaning up the sanctuary, lighting candles… the list could go on and on. Our staff, including Dotty Arola, Music Director, Carolyn Gehlbach, Administrative Assistant and Alex Alvarado, Sexton, put in long hours of hard work. Deb Hervey and Jennifer Mallgraf guided our United Methodist Youth Fellowship in their leadership of a very thoughtful Sunrise Service. Let them know you appreciate all they did to make our Lenten journey and Easter celebrations so special.

Happy Easter! Peace, Rev. Lynda Buried under troubles, burned-out with duties, feeling nearly dead, I pleaded with God that what I needed was an easier life.

As I left my burdens at the empty tomb, death was no longer a threat; there was just life, And more.

God crossed out the “I” at the center of my world and offered me an Easter life.

And all the rest was better than the rest I had hoped for. William

M. Schwein

UNITED METHODIST 1

Spring has arrived and we no longer need to wear mittens and scarves! However Florence Critelli and Florence Schneckenburger have continued to crochet these items to be held in reserve for the fall and winter season. I understand that our mittens have been distributed from Roosevelt to Montauk along with the PB&J sandwiches for the past seven years. We do have a need for donations of worsted weight yarn to complete these projects. If you care to participate in this ministry with your knitting or crocheting talents, please let me know, I have several easy patterns available. Many thanks from the homeless, kept a bit warmer this past winter, to Florence C. and Florence S.

WOMEN

Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 14th at which time we will host guests from Pilgrim State Hospital for our annual food, fellowship and sing-a-long evening. Our guests usually arrive at 6:30 pm, sometimes earlier, so we ask members to arrive at 6:00 pm. Small sandwiches, cake, cookies and fruit is the usual fare,and UMW's are asked to bring along a plate of these finger foods. This will be held in the parlor, where Marge and her committee will have decorated the bridge tables with colorful tableware and flowers. Decaf coffee and tea will be served

Kathy Muller ____________________________________________

MAY BIRTHDAYS

Marge Wright has been our Pilgrim State liason for several years and will be our official hostess along with, Martha Lockhart and Ann Aupperle, of course all UMW's will be hosts as well.All members of the congregation are invited to attend, our guests especially delight in conversing with the men of our congregation.

Marsha Baron Johnny Reddo Al Fick Phyllis D'Amato Dolly Walker Tracy Donovan Judy Titolo John P. Kessler Marge Wright Tricia Nehlsen Sam D'Amato Bev Furey Richard Tammaro Tom Colavito

This has been our special community outreach for more years than we can count and is enjoyed by our guests, their attendants and the UMW as well.

May you enjoy special bouquets of all God's flowers filled with our prayers for the happiest of birthdays.

Candlelighting Ceremony on Mother's Day THANK YOU April was a busy month for me with Easter, birthday, and Frank’s and mine Anniversary. Thank you to all of my friends near and far, for all the lovely cards I received as well as phone calls and flower arrangements.

UMW plans new way of honoring and remembering mothers and other important women in our lives this year. Instead of purchasing an entry in a booklet, members are invited to make a donation and light a candle in honor or memory of their mother or other special woman in their lives. By making a donation of one dollar, a candle will be lit on Mother's Day morning. All women being recognized will be listed in a handout as well. Please see the insert in the bulletin or contact the church office for a Candle Lighting Request Form by Sunday, May 3rd. MITTEN MINISTRY

Your all the special things friends could ever be, and I hope you all know, how much your friendship has meant to me over the years. God Bless you always Florence Schneckenburger

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Rain Doesn’t Dampen Egg Hunt Enthusiasm A little over 60 people came out in the damp weather to enjoy the Easter games and crafts hosted by our Youth Group. Fellowship Hall was bursting with enthusiasm as children tried to balance the giant ostrich eggs on their heads, toss the eggs into buckets and pin the carrot in the bunnie’s paw. Our flower pot craft was also a hit. But the most enjoyable activity of the day was going on an Easter Egg Hunt in the sanctuary! With the rain pouring outside, our egg hiders, guided by Pastor Lynda, found all sorts of hiding places for the eggs. The event ended with a special visit from the Easter Bunny himself with photo opportunities for all. We are especially grateful for the opportunity to share our hospitality and love of the Jesus with several families in the community who found our event via our web page.

Youth Find Unique Way to Come Closer to God

On Sunday, March 15th the Youth Group headed off to the labyrinth at the top of the hill at Avalon Park in Stonybrook. A labyrinth is a bit like a maze; but with a major difference. Mazes have lots of “deadends”and are a puzzle to be solved. There is only one path in a labyrinth that leads from the beginning to the end. You cannot lose your way although you may lose worries, stresses, or problems along the way. In medieval times, many labyrinths were marked out on the floors of cathedrals. People use labyrinths for prayer and for “thinking time” - walking slowly and peacefully from the beginning toward a central point and then out again to the end. Sometimes people feel closer to God during and after walking a labyrinth.

Youth Lead Sunrise Worship Reflecting on Heroes on the scene when He Rose Did you ever think about how the nail maker whose nails the roman soldiers confiscated for the crucifixion felt? Or what about Simon of Cyrene - was his family with him when he was brusquely pulled into helping carry the cross? What did the servant in the upper room witness the night of the Last Supper? Our Youth shared with us the thoughts those ordinary heroes who played a role in an extraordinary event may have had. We were once again treated to a beautiful sunrise at the end of the service. The youth would like to thank everyone who joined them in the brisk, windy weather for this very meaningful service.

Pretzels –Fun Prayer Reminder Our Sunday School children offered the whole congregation a tasty reminder to pray during Lent. During the time for all ages, in morning worship, Peter Colavito helped Mrs. Hervey explain the legend of the pretzel. We learned that the pretzel is in the shape of two arms crossed in front over a person’s heart, which is the position monk’s used when they were in prayer. One monk thought it would be a great way to remind his fellow monks to be in prayer often during Lent. The entire Sunday School helped make tasty pretzels so our entire congregation could enjoy this tasty Lenten prayer reminder. A special thanks to our Sunday School staff and Artie Titolo for their assistance and mentoring of our Sunday School classes. Stop by the R.E. building to see photos of our bakers in action!

Sunday School Prepares for Year-End Program. This year, our Sunday School will end the year on Father’s Day, June 21st, by leading our Worship Service. The theme will be God Keeps Promises. Each class will present a lesson related to one of God’s wonderful promises. Our Pre-K and Elementary chorus will share wonderful music. 3

classes. This model takes a particular bible lesson and then presents the story in different ways over a month. This enables others who may not be gifted with teaching skills to share other gifts by presenting the lesson in a unique way. It also allows students who can’t be in class every Sunday to stay current with lessons, while offering new and different presentations of the lessons to those students who can come every Sunday.

COME to CAMP EDGE

Come and learn to Experience and Discover God Everywhere as this year’s VBS theme takes us to CAMP E.D.G.E. VBS is open to everyone ages 3 to 103 and is free to all participants. This year will feature a kick-off event on Saturday June 27th starting at 4PM with a special animal handler followed by an all church cookout and campfire. Those who wish to do so can camp overnight in the Pumpkin Patch play yard. VBS will continue to run Sunday night June 28th at 6:30 – to 8:30 PM each night thru Wednesday July 1

We will also be reviewing and updating the job description for Sunday School Superintendent. If anyone is interested in learning more about the Sunday School alternative or the superintendent position, you are welcome to join the workgroup. Please contact Deb Hervey or Rev.Lynda if interested. _______________________________________ MEMORIAL DAY SUNDAY MAY 24TH Worship Services at 9:00 AM in the 1789 Chapel Join us as we worship in this sacred and special Sanctuary ___________________________

Male story tellers are needed. We also need to have folks lend us their artificial Christmas trees so we can turn our sanctuary into a wooded mountain campsite! Please see Deb Hervey (5435522) if your tree is within easy reach in the attic or basement. Our youth will pick it up and return it to you. Male story tellers, craft leaders and general helpers are also needed.

ANNUAL LONG ISLAND DUCKS GAME NIGHT! July 2nd will be the night we go to enjoy the Ducks baseball team! Be sure to mark the date on your calendar!..... Tickets will be $11, same as last year, in our regular reserved section.... Kids 3 and under are free. Their schedule calls for FIREWORKS that night for us to oooh and aaah over! We will offer tickets first to the church family as we have a limited number. Those remaining can be sold as the date grows closer.

Education Workgroup to Explore Sunday School Alternatives Commack UMC is blessed with a small but dedicated Sunday School staff. As we struggle to meet the needs of our students and our teachers and their busy schedules, the Education Workgroup will explore the concept of the rotational model for Sunday School. At their next meeting, the group will learn more about this alternative to the traditional age-level

The Happening Committee Pat, Karen, Margie, Lisa and Mike

THRIFT SHOPPE The Thrift Shoppe will be open every Tuesday & Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. 1st & 3rd Saturday 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Come See the New Spring Fashions Special Prices Anne Tammaro & Patti Spory 4

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