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 April 2009

Open Hearts

Open Minds

Open Doors

find how much I experienced a sense of worship. I often define worship as opening up space for God and although I didn’t expect to sense the Holy that morning, I found I did. And from feedback and comments shared with me since Sunday, I believe others did, too. Which is confirmation of what I think we know but often lose sight of: worship happens when the people of God are open to the Spirit of the Divine in their midst. It’s not about any one person or one aspect of worship; it’s not about how dynamic the preacher is or how heavenly the choir sounds or how moving the prayers are. It is about how God works with and through us together that makes the worship experience so memorable. I was at my worst but I would say it was worship at it’s best, relying completely on the Holy Spirit to touch our hearts and move us closer to God and to each other. I’m glad I was there to be part of it.

A Word from the Pastor They’re calling it my virus sermon. . After describing my experience of worship last Sunday while in the midst of a stomach bug, that’s the nomenclature my colleagues have given my sermon. I think it refers more to the delivery than it does to the sermon itself! That was a very strange and unusual Sunday for me. The details are blurry but here’s what was great about it: I was at my worst; by many standards I shouldn’t have even been in church. The parts of the worship leadership that weren’t already being shared by others I gave away at the last minute. People stepped up and stepped in and I did as little as possible. I didn’t even process in with the choir and lay readers. I just slipped in the side, did what little I had to do, and left without greeting anyone. (Who would want to greet me in that state?)

I thank everyone for their help and support that morning and for their concern and well wishes. And I thank God for God’s never failing presence and love. It is amazing what God can do! Peace, Rev. Lynda

LENTEN FELLOWSHIP AND WORSHIP Wednesday, April 1st The final Lenten Worship Service will be at The Dix Hills UMC. Soup will be served at 6:00 PM followed by the 7:00 PM Service.

Given my minimal involvement and connection to what was going on, I was surprised to 1

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

CUMC Begins NCD “Natural Church Development Process” NCD Orientation, is an open meeting which is planned for April 2 All Members are invited to attend at 7:30 PM in the Parlor

Ann Aupperle will lead a program about APPALACHIA at the next regular meeting on THURSDAY, APRIL 16 at 7:30 pm

The Council on Ministries has taken on a long term project to re-evaluate the ministries of CUMC and to look at improvements that the congregation can make. We have decided to look at a process known as Natural Church Development (NCD). NCD grew out of what is probably the largest global study of church growth ever conducted. The initial research project involved over 1000 congregations of many denominations from 32 countries from every continent except Antarctica. NCD is a powerful process for assessing the health, strengths, and weaknesses of a church, then developing and implementing an action plan for improving church health by working on improving identified factors in the life of the congregation. Today more than 40,000 churches in 70 countries have used the NCD process.

Deb Hervey will be the hostess for the evening. All the women are invited to attend. If transportation is needed, please contact Nancy Gamby and she will make arrangements. We may not publish a Mother's Day booklet this year, as we are planning something a little different to honor and memorialize our beloved women. We welcome your opinion about this change for our Mother's Day fund raiser. Members of the UMW wish everyone a joyous Easter and hope to see you in Church ==================================== This prayer was prayed by the Thursday Lenten prayer group,and we would like to share it with you.

A PRAYER by St Anselm of Canterbury

The first step is an Orientation presentation by Ann Pearson, Director of Connectional Ministries for New York Annual Conference. If, as a congregation, we decide to make the commitment to continue forward with the process, we will administer a survey to 30 selected members. The survey is specifically designed to identify our strengths and weaknesses. As we progress with NCD, we will be assigned a trained NCD Coach who will help us to take a close look at our programs.

O my God, teach my heart where and how to seek You, Where and how to find You. You are my God and You are my all and I have never seen You. You have made and remade me, You have bestowed on me all the good things I possess, Still I do not know You. I have not yet done that for which I was made. Teach me to seek You. I cannot see you unless You teach me Or find You unless You show Yourself to me. Let me seek You in my desire, Let me desire You in my seeking. Let me find You by loving You, Let me love you when I find You. Amen

If you are interesting in how our congregation will develop over the next few years, would like to be active in the process, or would like to learn more about the process, then, please attend the Orientation. Members of administrative committees and ministry work areas are especially encouraged to attend. Mike Hervey

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

===================================== Family Retreat will be the weekend of April 17th.-18th- & -19th AT QUINIPET. Questions see Mike Mallgraf Youth Group 30 Hour Famine will be held in the Fellowship Hall on April 24 and 25. 2

Holy Week Services

A P R I L BIRTHDAYS Kimberly Clendenning - Tom Devine Jennifer Mallgraf - Sobana Prasad June Fick - Christine Amato Florence Schneckenburger - Maggie Hervey Sarah D'Amato - Reverend Dick Mills - Joan Fritz

April 9th, 7:30 PM

Maundy Thursday

Make a wish and give it wings, Dream of bright and beautiful things. Dance through all the fun filled hours, Don't forget to smell the flowers! Share some love and birthday cake, All life's joys are yours to take. And when evening comes into view, Thank our Lord, that you are YOU Happy Birthday =====================================

Communion Service of Worship April 10th 7:30 PM

Good Friday Tenebrae Service April 12th 6:00 AM

Sunrise Service

The Reverend Austin Armitstead, Commack Methodist pastor from 1956-58 passed away on February 27. He was instrumental in bringing many new members to our church and planned for an educational building. A sympathy card signed by many in the congregation was sent to his widow, Bianca Armitstead and family. We received a lovely thank you note from her. The obituary and note are located on the hall bulletin board. The family requested in lieu of flowers, contributions should be made to your local church, hospice, neighborhood food bank, the Salvation Army or Red Cross CUMC Memorial Committee welcomes any donations to his memory.

Sunken Meadow Park. Meet by the Concession Stand.

April 12th 9:00 AM

Easter Sunday Worship Service ===================================== For the Children

Easter Party & Egg Hunt April 11, 2009 11:00AM – 1:00PM Fellowship Hall and Playground! Free event for all families and friends Bring your children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors for children’s games and crafts celebrating Easter. Light lunch will be served followed by an Easter Egg Hunt and visit by a special Easter Guest.

===================================== PLEASE NOTE THIS DATE CHANGE: The fall fair date has been changed to SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24. The previous date would have fallen on the long Columbus Day weekend.

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Commack United Methodist Church ON LINE Directory MARCH 20th, 2009

CUMC Web Site at www.commack-umc.org The CUMC web site has become a popular tool in communicating what we as a congregation are about. Nearly 20 new web site visitors each day take time to come to our web site and learn something about our church. The site contains information for our members & friends. Two separate calendars, one for church activities and one for youth activities with showing up-to-date schedules. Users can click on activities in the calendars & down load them to their own personal calendars, church special days & special giving days are now listed. To visit the church calendar, on the web site,click the “Calendar” button on the left. Weekly sermons and excerpts from the worship service are available to listen to.on the web site, click on “Sermons,” You can listen on your home computer,I-Pod, MP3 player or web portal of your own; and also subscribe to the sermons to have them sent directly to you. Some of our homebound members are already using this service on a regular basis, and check on Church Activities. Any Questions or Suggestions, contact Mike Hervey in person or by email at [email protected]

Dear Members and Friends, The Olin Mills Directory is now available online. While it will take quite some time for the office to review and update all of the records, you may now add the web site to your tool bar favorites. You may also view the picture portion. To access this read-only on line directory please email the church office for further instructions on the password: [email protected] For Internal Use Only: It is the policy of this church that all information contained in this directory is solely for the personal use of the congregation and the church office You will always need the password to get into this protected site. Please do not share the password with people you do not know. It is strictly for church Use only. In Peace Carolyn

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