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CHURCH NEWS, APRIL 2008
CHURCH NEWS CONTENTS
Pastor's Study
April
Worship Schedule
Parish Health
Ministry
Outreach
Congregational
Life
RCWM
JOY
Display
Showcase
Youth Group
Property
Committee
CareNet
Kermit!
Thank You's
and Notes
Circle of
Life Garden
April Calendar
From the
Pastor's Study....
Dear members and friends of New Hackensack,
We just finished very inspirational and worshipful
Holy Week services. At our consistory meeting last night, I expressed
my thanks to all who make this church what it is. This church is very
blessed with capable leaders, and wonderful followers.
In this month's newsletter, I want to highlight a
couple of our 250th year celebrations. Our logo for this year is,
"Honoring the Past, Serving God in the Present, and Following Christ
into the Future." We are "Honoring the Past" by inviting all previous
pastors who have served New Hackensack, as well as Sons and Daughters
of New Hackensack Reformed Church who are in the ministry, to come back
to the pulpit, and preach on a Sunday of their choosing. In January, we
heard from the Rev. Scott Brown, Son of our church. During the Month of
April, we will hear from two previous pastors. On April 6, we will
celebrate Communion with our former Interim Senior Pastor, The Rev.
Richard Brihn. Rev. Brihn served New Hackensack from 2000 - 2002,
helping in the transition after the retirement of The Rev. Jim Neevel.
And then, on Sunday, April 13, one of our previous Associate Pastors,
The Rev. Michael Ploeger, will be with us. Rev. Ploeger was one of our
Associate Pastors during the years, 1998-2001.
On the last Sunday of this month, April 27, we will
have one service of worship at 10:00 a.m. This historic service, which
highlights our "Serving God in the Future", will be the ground breaking
service for our "Circle of Life Garden." At this service, we will
participate in the setting of the center stone, which will be inscribed
with our 250th logo. Please join us for the very special service. If
you have not participated in this project, and would like to do so,
there is more information on the last page of this newsletter. I look
forward to seeing you in worship!
In Christ's service,
Keith
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APRIL- 2008
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
April Worship
at 9:15 and 11:00 a.m. -- Sunday School, 9:15 a.m.
6
Communion Guest preacher,
Rev. Richard Brihn, Interim pastor 2000 - 2002
13
Guest Preacher, Rev. Michael Ploeger, Associate Pastor 1998 - 2001
20
Baptism/New Members/GEMS Sunday Rev. Tamlyn, Preacher
27
Dedication of Circle of Life Garden
Rev. Tamlyn, Preacher
One Service (No Sunday School), 10:00
a.m. - Ground breaking of "Circle of Life Garden"
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Parish
Health Ministry
Mary Lou Grott, R.N., 462-0810, Ext 105, Mon., Tues., Thurs.
Did You Know....that 250 years ago in Colonial America, when New
Hackensack Reformed Church was just getting started, a young person
faced a major struggle for survival? The average overall life
expectancy was under 25 years of age, with the average adult male
living 34 years and the average adult female living 36 years.
(Stratford) The colonist faced many diseases, such as smallpox,
malaria, tuberculosis, pneumonia, influenza, rickets, and fevers, which
caused many deaths in both children and adults. Wells for
drinking water were often contaminated by nearby privies and unpenned
animals, causing many illnesses. Their homes had no bathrooms,
septic systems, or running water. Most family illnesses were
treated at home, with the mistress of the household providing most of
the care. Various members of the community, including home
practitioners and/or midwives, apothecaries, physicians, and
barbers/surgeons practiced medicine. There were few schooled
physicians, and most were located in large towns, like Philadelphia or
New York. Keep watching bulletins and newsletters for more
information about what health care was like in the 18th and 19th
centuries.
(Websites: www.chaddsfordhistory.org
and www.stratfordhall.org)
Heartsaver AED Certification....Saturday, April 26th, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00
p.m in Fellowship Hall. Please bring a brown bag lunch.
Cost is $25/person. Sign up soon in the Gathering
Area. Our junior and senior high teens are
encouraged to attend! Make checks to NHRC, memoed CPR training.
Save the Date: Saturday, June 7, 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. Breakfast,
followed by Low Vision Program with Dr. Linda Kleinhenz, Optometrist,
and a representative from Eschenbach Optical Co. Watch bulletins
and the May newsletter for more details.
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OUTREACH
Outreach Celebrates our 250th....In honor of our 250th Birthday
Celebration, the Outreach Council has decided to collect 250 sets of
sheets for Dutchess County Coalition for the Homeless, to help sustain
the sheet supply for their sixty bed homeless shelter in Poughkeepsie.
The sheet sets (consisting of a fitted and flat
sheet as well as a pillowcase):
Must be twin size
Must be NEW
Solid colors only (no prints, please)
We request a thread count of no less than 280
because they will be washed every night.
The collection began in March and will run throughout the year or until
we meet our goal of 250 sets. They will be distributed to the
shelter on a monthly basis throughout the year. To keep the
congregation informed of our progress toward the goal, a paper
thermometer will be placed on the Outreach bulletin board located in
the hall by the kitchen. We hope to reach our goal by this
summer. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact
Joan Heller, Outreach Council Chair, at 896-8733. We thank you in
advance for your support!
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CONGREGATIONAL
LIFE
Snow in April? NO! Family Pizza Party is
a GO!
On Sunday, April 13th, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM, join with the Congregational
Life Council for a fun evening supporting our Furry Friends at the
Dutchess County SPCA. Meet and visit with some Furry Friends and bring
a photo(s) of your pet(s) which will be displayed in Fellowship Hall.
Please bring a donation of canned dog or cat food or biscuits and
treats. Cost is $6.00 per immediate family which will include: two
slices of pizza, soft drinks and dessert per person. Please sign up in
the Gathering Area no later than Sunday, April 6th. For information and
details, contact Al Summers at 845-297-1704.
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R.C.W.M.
On Saturday afternoon, May 3, our Reformed Church Women's Ministries
will be honoring the families at Hudson River Housing with a Mother's
Day Craft Party. These Moms receive little recognition as they struggle
to take care of their families. We will have craft projects for the
Moms, a Mothers Day project and games for the kids, and take family
portraits as a gift to them. Each Mom receives a festive bag filled
with personal size toiletries. We need your help donating small bottles
of shampoo, conditioner, hand cream, etc. to fill these bags. Donations
can be left in the basket in the gathering area. We will also need
bakers to bake fancy cookies for the party, volunteers to help at the
party, and to prepare for the party on Tues. evening , April 22, at
7p.m. All of our volunteers come away enriched by the good fellowship
shared at the party each year. See the sign-up sheet in the gathering
area to volunteer.
Our Annual Birthday Dessert and Fashion Show will be held on Wed.
evening, June 4. This lovely evening of beautifully decorated tables
and cool fashions supports the missions and programs of our R.C.W.
M. This year's event will be extra special as we celebrate the
250th anniversary of our church. Tickets are $10.00 each and may be
reserved by calling Ann Martin at 896-6915. The gentlemen of our church
graciously help out by serving beverages to our 400 guests. This year
Tom Soricelli will coordinate the servers and he needs lots of
volunteers to help. Please sign up in the gathering area, if you can
help. Many door prizes add to the fun of the evening. This year we hope
to have a door prize for each table, which means a lot of prizes.
Please call Rosemary Summers at 297-1704 to donate a prize. If you
would like to hostess a table, please call Robin Piggot at
(cell)914-474-7832 or(H)463-3787.
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JOY
JOY Spring Outing....JOY (Just Older Youth) has arranged a delightful
and informative excursion for Thursday, April 24. We will visit The
Fountains in Millbrook, for a complimentary lunch, and a tour of the
facility. The Fountains offers resort-style retirement living, and
provides a variety of distinctive services and amenities including a
full range of programs and events, and a flexible continuum of care. We
will meet in the church parking lot at 11:00 AM to carpool. There is no
charge or obligation for this event. Mark your calendar and plan to
join us by signing up at the Information Center by April 20. Questions?
Call Peggy Schwind-Buono - 471-9548, or Nancy Burger - 463-2283
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DISPLAY
SHOWCASE
A SPECIAL REQUEST TO ALL....
As you have noticed, our Gathering Area display showcase has been
featuring exhibits to go with our 250th Anniversary theme. For
our June display we plan to feature photos of everyone who was married
or baptized at NHRC - old or new church. There will be a box on
the Gathering Area desk to collect these photos. PLEASE label the
photo. Copies are OK and you can even write names on the front of
them. If you do not have a baptism photo, submit a current school
photo so none will be left out.
Check out the display case and see our original Pulpit Bible. The cover
is wood covered with leather and the language is Dutch. Check out
the history of the parsonage and our special costumed "lady" and read
the information from the Ladies Book of Etiquette Fashion and Manual of
Politeness from 1858.
Thank you to all who have given us material to use in our display.
Ellie Burch
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YOUTH GROUP
-- R.O.C.K.S
Lane Lorefice, Director
Thirty-one participants traveled to Snow Camp in the biggest snow storm
of the season on February 22nd. With prayers and faith, the snowy
journey became a spiritual journey of renewal and refreshment.
The students enjoyed their time bonding with other Christian students
from PA, NJ, NY, CT and DE. The message throughout the retreat
was that each of us are "Wounded and Wounders." Through Christ we
can be rescued and saved by His grace and unfailing love. NHRC
brought the largest group, and won 100% of the weekend's
competitions. Many thanks to the drivers and chaperones for
giving the students a safe and fun trip.
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PROPERTY
COMMITTEE
It is time to beautify our church grounds after the winter
months. Spring clean-up is scheduled for Saturday, April 12 (rain
date April 19), 8:30 a.m. Please bring your rakes, etc.
Questions? Please call Frank Darrow, 297-8307. Light refreshments
will be served.
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CARENET
Thank God for our Risen Lord and thank all of you who have supported
and continue to support CareNet with your prayers, donations and time.
CareNet continues to strive to support those who come seeking help in
unplanned pregnancies and parenting. The organization has a vast
network of extended services to which they can also connect their
clients to help treat the whole person. It is a caring and loving
Christian organization I am proud to support. Since it is a private
non-profit organization, Carenet depends on the generosity of people in
the community to keep it going. This year's annual fund raiser banquet
is being held at Villa Borghese on Friday, April 4th at 6:30 PM (doors
open at 6 PM). Our guest speaker will be Dr. John Diggs, a
board-certified internist dedicated to promoting sanctity of human life
and sexual abstinence. Sherry is hosting a table for 10 once again, so
that means in exchange for dinner and a great evening on her, your
generous donation will go 100% to CareNet services. Call Sherry at
845-297-8650 for availability.
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Greetings
from Kermit!
It's been a whole month, and I can't believe how the time has just
flown by. I've been so busy watching little green shoots pop out
on all sorts of plants, and even seeing an occasional froggy friend in
the sun (remember, THIS froggy stays in WARM places during the
winter!!) that I almost didn't notice it's time for yet another BIG
MOMENT in the Piggy Bank Bazaar year!!
The big news for April, of course, is that the Take-Home Kits will be
available on Sunday, the 13th, after both services in Fellowship
Hall. There are all sorts of kits, and one or more will most
certainly match up with your preferences and skills. Each kit comes
complete with a sample of the craft, directions showing how to make
more of the craft, and all the supplies you'll need to do it. There's
plenty of time to get your kit (or maybe two or three of them!)
finished, because they aren't due back until just before the
Bazaar. You could do this little frog a BIG favor by taking
something that involves glue - critters with big flippers just
shouldn't do things with glue!!
Mrs. Ray (my nice human friend who doesn't forget about Piggy Bank
Bazaar even when she's spending some time in the mountains) reminds me
that April's Wednesday Morning Workshops will be held on the 2nd, 9th,
23rd and 30th, in Room 15 at 9:30 a.m. (There's no meeting on April
16th, because that's Spring Vacation time for the young humans.) There
are LOTS of projects in the works, and some are just bound to be
perfect for YOU!! Please join in!!
Lots of our supplies have been used up getting the Take-Home Kits ready
for you wonderful humans to work on over the summer, so we're low on
some materials. We need felt, buttons, polyester stuffing, wiggly
eyes, pompoms, basket grass (like Easter grass), small and medium size
baskets, craft wire, floral foam, floral mosses, mugs, bells, paint
brushes, yardsticks, rulers, silk flowers, and other craft
supplies. All the Workshop folks REALLY love creating goodies
from the supplies in Piggy's Cupboard!!
Each year Piggy Bank Bazaar is happy to encourage our church's youth to
go to an overnight church sponsored camp, like Camp Warwick or Camp
Fowler, during the summer, and we make "Camperships" available, sort of
like scholarships for camp. If there's a young human in your
family who is going to camp this summer, be sure to let the church
office know!
It's time for me to go now - I have to limber up my flippers so I'm
ready to tackle one of those Take-Home Kits. You can be sure it will be
one that does not involve anything sticky! I hope to see YOU in
Fellowship Hall on the 13th, picking up your Kits to work on over the
summer!
Yours in Love,
Kermit
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Thank You's
and Notes
Dear New Hackensack Friends,
Thank you, one and all, for your deep concern, your steadfast prayer
support, your many cards and phone calls of well wishes leading up to
my surgery and during my recovery. I truly felt uplifted by the
strength of your prayers and your many acts of kindness.
A special thank you to Linda Martin who stayed by Peggy's side at the
hospital the day of surgery. Also, to Keith and Mary Lou who kept
close touch with us through the entire journey. I feel
well-blessed in many ways. Thank you for making me feel so much a
part of this church family.
Sincerely,
Ralph Buono
Dear NHRC Church Family,
Thank you for all your prayers for Joan's father, Rudy DiGregorio,
during his illness, to those of you who attended his wake and
funeral and for all the cards and kind expressions of sympathy that
we've received in the past two weeks. Special thanks to Keith and
Marie for their pastoral support, to Barbara Prete, the Outreach
Council and the Wellness Committee for organizing a luncheon for our
family and close friends to attend after the funeral and to those of
you who prepared food for it. We appreciate your kindness
and feel truly blessed to be part of such a caring Church family!
With heartfelt thanks,
Richard and Joan Heller
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CIRCLE OF
LIFE GARDEN
During March we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord on Easter
Sunday. The life of Christ comes full circle from his birth, to
his death, to his resurrection, offering us the hope of life
eternal. Our lives are meant to be full circles as well. We
are promised a life that is filled with abundance and hope, and we know
that this life is not the end after we die. We are promised life
again, because of what Jesus did for us.
Psalm 23:3 says "He gives me strength. He guides me in the right
paths as he has promised." A labyrinth is a spiritual walking
path that is circular. The path in.... is the path out....
and as such represents the wholeness in our lives. The Circle of
Life Garden is not only a place to honor, celebrate, or remember loved
ones, it is a place for people of all ages to go and contemplate God's
power and presence in our lives by walking the labyrinth.
The Circle of Life committee invites you to become a part of this
wonderful celebration of life. Contributions help to make this
garden of reflection, remembrance and celebration a reality. Want
to participate? Donations of $25 or more can be made as well as
participating as a volunteer for construction. The Circle of Life
committee thanks the many that have already contributed to this
exciting project.
Please mark your calendars! April 27th there will be one church
service at 10 a.m. during which everyone is invited to participate in
the groundbreaking of the Circle of Life Garden.
If you would like more information regarding any aspect of the Circle
of Life Garden, please visit the display in the gathering area or speak
with Steven & Bonnie Whalen, Chairpersons Jerry Carey, Barbara
Prete, Arlene Baressi and Betsy & Keith Tamlyn. More
information is also available through the church off at 462-0810.
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APRIL CALENDAR
1, Tuesday
10:30 a.m.
Strength and Balance Exercise
5:00 p.m.
Chime Time
6:00 p.m.
Klokken II
7:00 p.m.
Councils/Committees
2, Wednesday
6:45 a.m.
Men's Christ_Care
9:30 a.m.
Piggy Bank Workshop
10:30 a.m.
Moral Compass Study
7:00 p.m.
Boy Scout Troop 56
3, Thursday
9:30 a.m.
Bible Study at the Hoyt's
10:00 a.m.
Wellness Committee
4:45 p.m.
Strength and Balance Exercise
7:00 p.m.
CIA Youth Study
7:30 p.m.
Senior Choir
4, Friday
10:30 a.m.
Strength and Balance Exercise
5, Saturday
9:00 a.m.
Inquirers' Class
6,
Sunday Communion
8:00 a.m.
Adult Sunday School
9:15 a.m.
Worship, Sunday School
Jr. and Sr. High
10:30 a.m.
Cherub Choir
Celebration Choir
11:00 a.m.
Worship
5:15 p.m.
Confirmation Class
7, Monday
4:45 p.m.
Strength and Balance Exercise
8, Tuesday
10:30 a.m.
Strength and Balance Exercise
5:00 p.m.
Chime Time
6:00 p.m.
Klokken II
9, Wednesday
6:45 a.m.
Men's Christ_Care
9:30 a.m.
Piggy Bank Workshop
10:30 a.m.
Moral Compass Study
7:00 p.m.
Stephen Ministry
Boy Scout Troop 56
10, Thursday
9:30 a.m.
Bible Study at the Hoyt's
4:45 p.m.
Strength and Balance Exercise
7:00 p.m.
CIA Youth Study
7:30 p.m.
Senior Choir
11, Friday
10:30 a.m.
Strength and Balance Exrcise
6:30 p.m.
GEMS
12, Saturday
8:30 a.m.
Spring Clean-up
10:00 a.m.
Enquirers' Class/Elders
13, Sunday
8:00 a.m.
Adult Sunday School
9:15 a.m.
Worship, Sunday School
Jr. and Sr. High
10:30 a.m.
Cherub Choir
Celebration Choir
11:00 a.m.
Worship
5:00 p.m.
Family Spring Gathering
5:15 p.m.
Confirmation Class
14, Monday
4:45 p.m.
Strength and Balance Exercise
8:00 p.m.
Campanola Ringers
15, Tuesday
10:30 a.m.
Strength and Balance Exercise
16, Wednesday
6:45 a.m.
Men's Christ_Care
9:30 a.m.
Piggy Bank Workshop
10:30 a.m.
Kerygma Class/Job
7:00 p.m.
Kerygma Class/Job
Boy Scout Troop 56
7:30 p.m.
Nursery School Board
17, Thursday
9:30 a.m.
Bible Study at the Hoyt's
4:45 p.m.
Strength and Balance Exercise
7:00 p.m.
CIA Youth Study
7:30 p.m.
Senior Choir
18, Friday
10:30 a.m.
Strength and Balance Exercise
3:30 p.m.
May News Deadline
20,
Sunday Baptism/New Members
GEMS Sunday
8:00 a.m.
Adult Sunday School
9:15 a.m.
Worship, Sunday School
Jr. and Sr. High
10:00 a.m.
Blood Pressure Screening
10:30 a.m.
Cherub Choir
Celebration Choir
11:00 a.m.
Worship
5:15 p.m.
Confirmation Class
6:30 p.m.
Youth Group
21, Monday
4:45 p.m.
Strength and Balance Exercise
6:00 p.m.
Klokken I
8:00 p.m.
Campanola Ringers
22, Tuesday
10:30 a.m.
Strength and Balance Exercise
5:00 p.m.
Chime Time
6:00 p.m.
Klokken II
7:00 p.m.
Consistory
23, Wednesday
6:45 a.m.
Men's Christ_Care
9:30 a.m.
Piggy Bank Workshop
10:30 a.m.
Kerygma Class/Job
7:00 p.m.
Kerygma Class/Job
Stephen Ministry
Boy Scout Troop 56
24, Thursday
9:30 a.m.
Bible Study at the Hoyt's
11:00 a.m.
JOY Tour of Fountains/Lunch
4:45 p.m.
Strength and Balance Exercise
7:00 p.m.
CIA Youth Study
7:30 p.m.
Senior Choir
25, Friday
9:30 a.m.
Collate May News
10:30 a.m.
Strength and Balance Exercise
6:30 p.m.
GEMS
27,
Sunday Dedication Circle of Life Garden
8:00 a.m.
Adult Sunday School
10:00 a.m.
Worship (NO SUNDAY SCHOOL)
5:15 p.m.
Confirmation Class
8:30 p.m.
Dutchess Homeless Shelter Meal
28, Monday
4:45 p.m.
Strength and Balance Exercise
6:00 p.m.
Klokken I
8:00 p.m.
Campanola Ringers
29, Tuesday
10:30 a.m.
Strength and Balance Exercise
5:00 p.m
Chime Time
6:00 p.m.
Klokken II
30, Wednesday
6:45 a.m.
Men's Christ_Care
9:30 a.m.
Piggy Bank Workshop
10:30 a.m.
Kerygma Class/Job
7:00 p.m.
Kerygma Class/Job
Boy Scout Troop 56
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