The Church HeraldStony Brook Community Church (United Methodist), Stony Brook, New York

STONY BROOKCOMMUNITY CHURCH

216 Christian AvenueStony Brook, NY 11790

Chuck Van Houten, Pastor

Church Office Tel: (631) 751-0574

Church E-mail:stonybrookcommunitychurch@gmail.com

Pastor’s Study Tel: (631) 751-0659

Church Website:www.stonybrookcommunitychurch.org

NYAC VISION STATEMENTThe New York Annual Conference, through the grace of God, embodies a beloved

community of hope, building up a healthy Body of Christ, with heartwarmedUnited Methodists in mission for the transformation of the world.

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Newsletter Table of Contents

1......Pastor’s Letter2......Lectionary3......January/February Calendars5......Sanctuary at Christmas; Trustee’s Report6......Souper Bowl Sunday; Ash Wednesday7......Spring Musicale8......Dangerous Dreamers

Please send updates and information to Newsletter Editor, Bob Retnauer, at

bobretnauer@optimum.net

Good News to the "New Year’s Grouch!"

The “birth” of a new year is upon us. How do you usually experience this event? I guess it’s not much different from our morning attitudes. Some people have a hard time getting up in the morning. They wake up thinking: “Do I really have to get up? Not another day of the same old, same old.” Or they may think: “Not another day filled with pain or labor!” This type of person, whom I like to refer to as a morning grouch, usually need a couple of cups of hot java and a couple of hours into the day until they start to feel better about their day.

Then there is the morning-type person who can’t wait to get up because they are looking for new op-portunities the day may bring. Unlike the morning grouches, they wake up with a feeling of fresh hope. These are the people that whistle on their way to work. If you are a morning grouch, you will usually find yourself thoroughly annoyed at the morning-type person because they just spoil our pity party.

I found that these attitudes often carry over when it comes to the start of a new year. The morning grouch usually looks at a new year with skepticism, concern or even fear. What sticks out mostly to them is the negative and how it might get worse. The morning-type people usually also look at the dawn of the new year more optimistically. They are more likely to see the positive and the new op-portunities.

This year, as always, God is calling on all of us to be “new year-type” people and greet the new year as a gift from our God in heaven. Why? Because we have God on our side! If any book of the bible was written by a morning grouch, it would have to be Lamentations. But even this writer cannot help but acknowledge that there is hope for the future because of God’s faithfulness. He writes: “Yet, this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.” Lam. 3:22-23.

O.K. if Mr. Lamentations himself could see hope at the beginning of every new morning, so should we. A new year is like a new morning in many respects. So if you’re a morning grouch take comfort in the fact that God is already greeting us in the new year. God is the same, and God is and remains faithful and good! Take courage and give thanks to God for his faithfulness even in the new year and beyond!

New Year's greetings and best wishes.Pastor Chuck

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Lectionary

25 January - Third Sunday after the Epiphany"As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea--for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, 'Follow me and I will make you fish for people'" (Mark 1: 16-17, NRSV).Jonah 3:1-5, 10Psalm 62:5-12 (UMH 787)1 Corinthians 7:29-31Mark 1:14-20

01 February - Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany"Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congrega-tion" (Psalm 111:1, NRSV).Deuteronomy 18:15-20Psalm 111 (UMH 832)1 Corinthians 8:1-13Mark 1:21-28

08 February - Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany"If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boast-ing, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a com-mission" (1 Corinthians 9:16-17, NRSV).Isaiah 40:21-31Psalm 147:1-11, 20c (UMH 859)1 Corinthians 9:16-23Mark 1:29-39

18 February - Ash Wednesday"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me" (Psalm 51:1-3).Joel 2:1-2, 12-17Psalm 51:1-17 (UMH 785)2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

22 February - First Sunday in Lent"In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased’”(Mark 1:9-11. NRSV).Genesis 9:8-17Psalm 25:1-10 (UMH 756)1 Peter 3:18-22Mark 1:9-15

01 March - Second Sunday in Lent"Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them" (Mark 9:2-3, NRSV).Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16Psalm 22:23-31 (UMH 752)Romans 4:13-25Mark 8:31-38

15 February - Transfiguration Sunday“Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them” (Mark 9:2-3, NRSV).2 Kings 2:1-12Psalm 50:1-6 (UMH 783)2 Corinthians 4:3-6Mark 9:2-9

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Trustees Report:Trustees met on December 30th for a brief meeting. We spoke with a professional engineer to assess the heating system in our school building. He was asked to draw up a proposal on the cost of evaluating the system. No decision has been made as yet.

We reviewed the progress on the parsonage and were pleased with all the work that has been completed.

We discussed the time frame for renovating the Op-Shop. It will probably closed for several weeks this winter.

A contract was signed for snow removal.

Some plumbing repairs are needed on the sprinkler system to the Sullivan House. Work to begin soon.

Sound system in the church is operational. Name tags are now available for Sunday services.

No major problems with our two rental houses.

Respectfully submitted,Carolyn Martin

For unto us a child is born!The sanctuary looked glorious as we came together in joy to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.

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Ash Wednesday

This year Ash Wednesday will take place on February 18 and we will have two different obser-vances. Everyone is encouraged to join us at either or both.

During the day we will have our tradition Ash Wednesday Prayer Vigil. On February 1 a sign up sheet will be in the Community Room on which people may sign up to pray in the sanctuary (which will be open all day) or wherever they find themselves in their busy lives. You may sign up for a specific time or just indicate that you will observe the day with your prayers.

Then in the evening we will host the annual local Methodist interchurch soup and salad supper followed by a communion service. This will be a great opportunity for us to worship together on Ash Wednesday and focus our hearts and minds on the meaning of our Lenten journey, while fellowshipping and being in communion with area United Methodists. It truly will be a joy to be part of. Members who would like to bring simple foods (bread, salad, soup) to offer to our friends and guests or who would like to participate in the service by reading or ushering are asked to contact the office.

Thank you and God bless you.

Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday, February 1st!

Come Dressed In Your Favorite Sports Team Garb! 

That’s right! Souper Bowl Sunday is coming! February 1st is not only the day of the big game, but it is also the day when our

children and youth have a major drive for money and non-perishable food items for the Coram Ministries interfaith food pantry. Please come dressed in your favorite clothes and bring non-perishable food items (or make a financial donation with “Souper Bowl” on the check’s or envelope memo line). Let’s make it a Spirit filled day to remember!

Glenn Baldwin and Friends of JazzVocals, sax, piano, guitar, bass, and drums perform blues, jazz, bossa and American songbook standards from Cole Porter & Rich-ard Rodgers to Miles, Monk, and Jobim with original material as well, delighting Long Island library and community audiences since 2002.

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SPRING MUSICALE

Be sure to get Sunday, March 22nd on your calendar for the 2015 Spring Musicale. This year’s concert will feature the Friends of Jazz group, so popular when they played in 2013; a trio with the superb Phuc Phan on cello; and our own wonderful soprano, Valerie.

Phuc Phan on cello

Valerie Grehan, Soprano

January 2015 8

Yet I think the straw that broke the camel’s back and caused true division among the brothers was not simply the favoritism or the tattling, but Joseph’s dreams. Joseph dreams of sheaves bowing down to his sheaf, and the sun, moon, and stars bow-ing down to him. It is in the sharing of these dreams that “they hated him even more because of his dreams and his words” (37:8). Joseph’s dreams place him in a position of honor and authority, and neither his brothers nor his father respond well to this vision of the future. Yet, we know that these dreams are from God, and speak to the future of not only Joseph but also his family for generations to come.

My reflections on this passage have caused me to wonder about the hatred that Joseph’s brothers felt for him. Things come to a head rather quickly in the story after Joseph goes to find his brothers as they shepherd the flocks. “They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them, they conspired to kill him. They said to one another, ‘Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him’ ” (37:18-20). The dreams that Joseph articulates most threaten the brothers. When they hear Joseph share the vision of the future that God has given to him, they respond in violence and hatred. History proves that it is sometimes the dreamers in our world that we find most threatening.

I think about Martin Luther King, Jr., articulating a dream of unity. We remember his sermon on the Washington Mall, where he spoke of a day when people would be judged by their character and not the color of their skin. This was a dream from God about a future of hope and inclusiveness. The dreamer was a threat to the status quo, and, ultimately, those who resisted his words and his dream silenced him.

I think of Archbishop Oscar Romero, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church in San Salvador. Archbishop Romero was a pioneer in liberation theology, and he worked with the poor and oppressed. He spoke with a strong, clear voice about the need for basic human rights to be observed. He lived his life among those who had the least in terms of material possessions. Romero was a dreamer, and he was assassinated as he presided over worship.

Continued next page...

DANGEROUS DREAMERS - By Wendy Joyner Genesis 37:1-28The story of Jacob’s family would make a wonderful television miniseries. As we read the tale of the twelve sons of Jacob, we can see so many elements of the story that ring true to not only ancient times but our modern times as well. At the beginning of Genesis 37, we see clear signs of sibling rivalry and family dysfunction. We are told outright that Joseph is Jacob’s favorite son. Jacob “loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he had made him a long robe with sleeves” (Genesis 37:3). Jacob demonstrates his favoritism, and it causes resentment

among the brothers. Then, to make matters worse, Joseph is a tattletale. We are told that he was a helper to his brothers in their work and that he “brought a bad report of them to their father” (v. 2). All of these factors create animosity between the brothers, and “they hated [Joseph], and could not speak peaceably to him” (v. 4).

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I think of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German Lutheran pastor who fought against Nazism in World War II. He was a leader in the Confessing Church and became involved in the anti-Hitler resistance movement. He was arrested, charged, and found guilty of sedition in a plot to assassinate Hitler. He was hanged for his resistance to Nazism, but he continues to speak to us through his writings, as he encourages the church to live out its prophetic calling within community. Bonhoeffer was a dreamer who bravely lived out what his conscience dictated, even when it meant going against the powerful structure of Nazism and public sentiment.

These three individuals are just a few examples of those who have been spoken to by God, and who showed great courage in living out their convictions. They had a dream of what a just world would look like, and they spoke the truth of God to all who would listen. They were not embraced, however, and each paid the price with his life. Dreamers like Joseph sometimes end up in the bottom of a dark, deep pit.

The church today continues to need those who are open to the movement of God in their lives, and who will dream divine dreams of what the world might become through the power and grace of God. Yet we must realize that to be a dreamer can often be dangerous. Those around us are not always willing to hear words of challenge or confrontation. The community of faith is sometimes resistant to the very changes that are most needed. The world will not understand the way of Jesus Christ. Those around us may not embrace the ways of God.

Dreamers sound naive at best and crazy at worst. Dreamers proclaim that the meek are blessed. Dreamers demand that the outcasts be welcomed. Dreamers beat plowshares into pruning hooks. The world is in need of dreamers. Are we willing to risk our lives in proclaiming the truth? Are we willing to risk our lives to embrace the dreams of God?