the rev. craig j. hoffman the rev. jan l.hoffman the...

DECEMBER 2014 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH OF SCOTIA VOLUME 65, NUMBER 12

224 N. BALLSTON AVE, SCOTIA, NY 12302 !1

What sounds come to your mind when you think of Christmas? Mall music? Sacred music? Children? Laughter? Traffic? The writers of some of our most beloved Christmas carols understood that one of the most appropriate sounds of Christmas is silence. Austrian organist Franz Gruber wedded sacred birth to sacred silence when he wrote, "Silent Night, Holy Night.” American preacher Phillips Brooks, writer of “O Little Town of Bethlehem”, also understood: "How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven."

So God imparts to human hearts . . . "So" meaning "just so," or " in the same way." The blessings of heaven that come to us often come in the silent moments of our lives. Think of the silence after Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Think of the moment when you realized who you were going to marry. Or the time it really sunk in that you were going to be a parent. Or the moment when it seemed suddenly clear what you were called to do. Or the moment you saw the coming crisis, or the moment you knew in the depths of your being that one day all would be well.

Someone may ask, “Why do you have silent times in your worship?" This is the answer we teach our children: because someone might be talking to God or listening for God, and we wouldn't want to disturb them. Cheers, applause, toasts and slaps on the back are all appropriate responses for much that is good in human life. But our best response to the best that God offers is often our reverent, awe-filled silence.

I pray that you have times of outer silence this Advent and Christmas season, times of release from the noise and business of shopping and preparing, times of quiet reflection, times when you can be still and listen for God.

I pray that you have times of inner silence as well, times when the endless chatter we carry on in our minds grows still, if only briefly. I pray that you have times when you are aware of Christ’s presence, inviting you to a life that is truly a Life, and welcoming you into an eternal companionship and friendship. As the Advent hymn puts it:

Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand;

ponder nothing earthly-minded, for with blessing in his hand,

Christ our Lord to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand.

THE MESSENGERThe Rev. Craig J. Hoffman The Rev. Jan L.Hoffman

From Craig’s Desk:

SILENCE



Thank You’s: Since we published the last issue of The Messenger we received the following thank-you notes and letters. They are posted on the tack strip outside of Pastor Craig’s office.• From Eileen Quick at the Scotia Food Pantry: Thank you so much for the generous food donations during the

month of November. The Scotia Food Pantry appreciates all that you do to help us serve the many needy area families.

• From Mark Quant at Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York: Thank you do much for your generous donation to the Regional Food Bank raised through your Dutch Fair. Your support is meaningful and important to us.

Shout Outs: So many people do so much for our congregation, and we thank them all for it. This month we especially give a shout out to:• Heather Kramer for leading our Wednesday evening class on the Psalms.• The 31 people who helped on our Fall Work Day, especially Youth Leader Maggie White and the

members of our Youth Group.• Kristin Bodden for creative bulletin boards.• Pam Walsh, Chris Bodden, Russ Garrison, Karl Griffith and Mike Carpenter for service as Elders and

Deacons on Consistory.• Kristen and Bill Shave, and Steve Mathes for their work of taking photos for our online photo directory.• All those who wrote devotions for our Advent Devotional.• Pat Gibbons of Clark Myers Paving for patching the hole in our driveway.• Rob Clemons of Dairy Circus for his good service on our Consecration Sunday luncheon.

Christmas Eve Worship: We will worship twice in our sanctuary on Christmas Eve -- at 5:30 and at 9:30. The earlier service will include a Christmas pageant that lasts about 45 minutes so that little ones can get home before they get too tired. The Nursery room will be open for your use during each service, but it will not be staffed.

The liturgy of the second service begins at 10:00. But come early for a wonderful musical prologue starts promptly at 9:30. Both services are full of music and carols, and both feature candle lighting during the traditional singing of Silent Night.

Make worship a part of your Christmas Eve. Bring a friend with you. People are more receptive to an invitation to worship at Christmas than at any other time of the year. Inviting someone to a life of worship and faith could be the finest gift you give. The offerings received at each of these services are used this year for the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, which distributes food to several local food pantries at discount.

Children’s Offering Envelopes:

We offer our Sunday school children and youth their own special boxes of offering envelopes as a way to

encourage regular giving. Sunday school students select a mission to support with their giving each term of Sunday school. Parents: these boxes of offering envelopes are an opportunity for

you to teach your child the discipline of systematically giving to their church. These envelopes will soon be available.

Please speak with your child’s teacher or Coordinator of Christian Living Kristin Bodden, if you’d

like a box of these envelopes.



Mission Of The Month: December’s Mission of the Month is the Schenectady Salvation Army, located at 222 Lafayette Street. The Salvation Army is an international ministry that came to Schenectady in 1883. We also support the Salvation Army with new toys and gifts from our Mitten Tree.The Salvation Army has a variety of ministries, including breakfast and lunch served Monday through Friday at the Lafayette Street site. There is a food pantry available to the public five times a year. The clothing pantry is open Wednesday mornings. There is also an emergency homeless shelter, the Evangeline Booth house. Volunteers are always welcome; call 346-0222.Designate your Mission of the Month offering by using the specially marked yellow envelope in your box of offering envelopes. Need a box? Just call Kristen in the church office, 370-4751.

Youth Christmas Caroling: On Sunday December 14, the FROGs and Junior/Senior High Youth Group are invited to go Christmas Caroling to some of our shut-ins and senior citizens.

We’ll meet at the church at 3:30 to put together some gift bags for them, and then head out to spread some Christmas joy. After singing, we’ll go

to the Ackner home, 122 Swan St. in the village. The Ackners are graciously hosting our Christmas

celebration again. There’s a sign-up sheet on the youth group bulletin board for the party, and we’ll order pizza. It’s a family event, so we hope to see you all there!

Advent Table Talk: Table Talk is an after-worship time of adult education on Sundays from 11:20 to 12:15 in the Lakehill Room. Jan Hoffman is leading an Advent study using the resource book, The Uncluttered Heart, by Beth A. Richardson. Please get your own copy of the book. You can find them on Amazon for $11.70, or on Kindle for $6.70. Each week is separate from the previous week, so you can join anytime and miss without penalty.

Class is also offered on Wednesday evenings at 7:15 beginning December 3. Please sign up on the bulletin board outside Pastor Craig’s office.

December Food Pantry Needs: Every week our bulletin lists the food most needed for the Scotia Food Pantry. Below are the items for November. Please place your donations in the container in the narthex or in the one outside Brink Hall. What a great offering we would give if everyone brought the weekly item!

There is always a need for bags and for monetary donations. Donations are used to purchase milk certificates and other items available at the Regional Food Bank for just 16 cents a pound. Make out your check to the First Reformed Church of Scotia and put “Food Pantry” on the memo line. Here are this month’s food askings:

December 7:Crackers

December 14:Cocoa

December 21:Juice

December 28:Dry Mixes

Year End Giving: Attention all of you who itemize your church giving when you do your income tax: The Internal Revenue Service has clear regulations about the way churches must report your charitable giving. For us to report your gift to First Reformed Church as a charitable contribution for 2014, we must receive it in the church office no later than Thursday, December 31, or by mail in an envelope postmarked no later than December 31. Please plan your year-end giving accordingly. Thank you.



Congregational Meeting: A congregational meeting will be held in Brink Hall on Sunday morning, December 14 at 11:30 right after worship. At this meeting our Consistory will review our church’s life and ministry with you, and present a proposed 2015 General Fund budget to you for your counsel and advice.

We will also call four people to serve on our consistory as elders and deacons. The Consistory’s nominations committee will present a single slate of nominees to you. Additional nominations will be permitted from the floor, provided that any person so nominated is present to accept the nomination. We call people to serve three-year terms. Elders and deacons may serve another consecutive three-year term, but then must take a break and be replaced.

November Attendance: We report our monthly worship attendance to encourage you to faithfully gather on the Lord's Day, and invite others to join you.

2013 2014 November week #1 242 248 November week #2 234 182 November week #3 254 267 November week #4 228 246 November week #5 N/A 234 November Average 240 235

YTD Average 214 208

Family Finance: Each month we report our giving. Here’s how we gave in November.(Please note: 2014 had five giving weeks in November compared to four in 2013.)

GIVING 2014 2013 Change % Change

November $31,301 $25,139 $6,162 25%

Total for the Year $281,474 $274,415 $7,059 3%

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In November’s issue of The Messenger we reported that in 2013 the average gift to our church was $1,467. Here’s this month’s Family Finances Question-of-the-Month: What percent of our total giving is given by the top one-third of our givers?

Find the answer to this month’s Family Finances Question-of-the-Month elsewhere in this month’s issue of The Messenger.



Milestones: Here are some milestones in the lives of people in our congregation since the last issue of The Messenger.

• Congratulations to Dot Allen, who celebrated her 95th birthday on Thanksgiving.• Congratulations to Mike and Tanya Healy on the birth of their daughter, Victoria, on October 24.

New Address:• Gordon and Ann Wright, 304 Salt Marsh Lane, Groveland, FL 34736• Terry Griesche, Kingsway Manor, Room 131, 357 Kings Road, Schenectady, NY 12304

We express our sympathy to:• The family and friends of Eugenia Lane, who died on November 21.

Fowler Events: Camp Fowler isn’t just a summer camp for kids. It also offers retreats during the year for both kids and adults. Check out the following opportunities! Register online at campfowler.org, or call the camp office, 631-6789. Here some upcoming Fowler events:

• Adirondack Artists Retreat (formerly the Psalm Retreat), Sunday thru Tuesday, January 18-20. Held in the Chi Rho House, the cost is $150 for double occupancy, $250 for single occupancy. This includes meals and programming. Creativity abounds as we take time for our artistic endeavors in this beautiful winter setting. Scott Adams and Heather Moore Niver lead this loosely structured time together. On Monday evening we share our artistic endeavors.

• Winter Camp for kids in Grades 6-12, Sunday thru Tuesday, February 15- 17. Can’t wait for summer? Here you go – come to Camp in February. Youth live in Chi Rho Lodge along with returning summer staff and volunteers. The cost is $135.

• There are retreats offered during Lent and again following Easter in 2015. Go to Fowler’s website and click on “Contemplative Retreats.” Pastor Jan leads “Come to the Waters” in April – you are invited!

Speak to one of the Pastors, Youth Director Maggie White, or Coordinator of Christian Living Kristin Bodden to find out more or to learn about financial aid.

Matching Gifts: Matching gifts help us expand our ministry. People in our church regularly give money to agencies that qualify for matching gifts from area employers. If your employer has a matching gift program, here’s how you can expand the ministry of your church:

1. Select one of our missions you’d like to support that qualifies for a matching gift from your employer. For example, General Electric matches gifts made to the Samaritan Counseling Center, Schenectady Inner City Ministries, City Mission, and Habitat for Humanity.

2. Make out your check to the organization you’d like to support -- to the organization, not to the church. But bring or mail your check to the church.

3. We’ll forward your check to your designated organization, but include your donation in the mission giving that we track and report, thereby giving a truer view of our congregation’s mission outreach.

4. You will get confirmation of your gift for income tax purposes from the organization you supported rather than from the church.



Poinsettias: Each year on the fourth Sunday of Advent and on Christmas Eve we fill our sanctuary with lovely poinsettias. You can help us do so by making a donation to our Flower Fund. Your contribution to the Flower Fund not only helps provide Christmas poinsettias but also helps us provide fresh flowers in worship throughout the year. We invite you to make your donation in honor or in memory of a special person or event. We will print the names of those so honored or remembered in the Christmas Eve bulletins. Please call Kristen in the church office, 370-4751, before Monday, December 15 to arrange your donation and citation.

Financial Question Of The Month - ANSWER: Here’s the answer to this month’s Financial Question of the month: 71%. Learn what the question is in the Family Finances article found elsewhere in this issue of The Messenger.

The top 70 individuals or households gave $208,800, or 68% of our total giving. In other words, the top one-third of our givers gave a bit over two-thirds of our total giving. Church financial experts tell us that that is a healthy distribution of giving, and show that our church is broadly supported by our membership.

All together our 210 active individuals or households gave $306,573 to our church in regular giving. Regular giving is the sum of our weekly current expense giving; our special Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas offerings; and our Mission of the Month offerings. That does not include money we gave to our Expanding Our Vision capital fund drive, or for memorial gifts, music, or flowers.

Women’s Epiphany Retreat: The women of First Reformed Scotia will be experiencing fellowship together at Fowler on January 2-4, 2015. Laurie Cooper will lead us as we focus on the gifts we own, the connections we create and the joy we can share with others. This is an Epiphany retreat and we will be sharing our experience with you when we return. If you have 6 or 8 oz. jars to spare, we are collecting some for a luminarie craft.

Prayer Shawl Ministry: What’s a prayer shawl, you ask? A prayer shawl is knit first with prayer, and then with 3 knit stitches, 3 purl stitches. It is knit with soft yarn and made into a comforting shawl for people going through a life change. You, too, can be part of the prayer shawl ministry of this congregation. Several knitters are ready to teach you to knit. We will gather in Memorial Lounge on Sunday, January 11, following 10:00 worship, to teach and learn about knitting prayer shawls, and hear more about the prayer shawls we’ve already distributed.

If you’d like to suggest someone who would appreciate receiving a prayer shawl, please speak to one of the ministers or call the church office, 370-4751, or email [email protected].

Storytelling at Glen Sanders Mansion: Hear three tremendous storytellers on Sunday evening, January 25, at the Glen Sanders Mansion. Kent Busman, Harlan Ratmeyer, and Joe Doolittle are all Reformed Church buddies, tellers of tall tales, and part of the local Story Circle at Proctors. Story Sundays is a monthly gathering for dinner and stories at the Glen Sanders Mansion. The cost is $35 for a 3-course dinner and the storytelling entertainment. Make reservations by calling 384-1700. Proceeds from this evening will go to help support our theological students from Schenectady Classis: Heather Kramer, Jeremy Bork, Jason White, Jordan White and Ryan Cogswell. Come along!



New Members: On Sunday, October 16 we welcomed the following people into confessing membership of our church.

• Tom Falcon comes to us by reaffirmation of faith along with his wife, Liesl Falcon, and their children, Vika and Aleksey. Tom says that he first came to FRCS because his family invited him to come. Says Tom, “We realized we needed help in teaching our kids about God.” Tom is a staff analyst for the NY State Civil Service Commission.

• Nick and Libby Farone come to us along with their year-old daughter, Olivia. Libby made a reaffirmation of her faith, and Nick a confession of his. We were privileged to witness both Nick’s and Olivia’s baptisms. Ask them what first drew them to FRCS, and they will tell you: the recommendation of some friends who were members. That and the location. Both Nick and Libby are NY State Taxpayer Specialists. Nick enjoys outdoor activities, and Libby enjoys cooking, baking, gardening and family. She is also a massage therapist.

• Walt Pfuntner, Jr. made a reaffirmation of his faith after attending our church for many years. His family drew him here. He and wife Nancy were married here, and their children Maggie and Walter were raised here. Walt is an electrical engineer, currently working as a Senior Power System Operator Trainer. Walt loves to cook, and is developing a part time catering business, Chef Walt’s Catering, Inc.

We welcome all these new people, celebrate their presence among us, and rejoice in the way God’s Spirit works in the lives of his people.

Kids Hope USA: Does a person volunteer because personal happiness already exists, or does volunteering make one happier (and healthier)? Which comes first? A recent radio broadcast discussing a new book, A Path Appears by Nicholas Kristof, explores this and other interesting statistics regarding altruism. Guess what First Reformed Church of Scotia’s Kids Hope USA volunteers have already discovered? The most effective way to contribute positively and make significant change isn’t to give monetarily, but to give of oneself. This is especially true with impacting young people. The book cites other research with seniors specifically and of giving of oneself voluntarily: join a church and one’s mortality risk drops 29%, exercise regularly and one’s mortality risk drops 30%, volunteer regularly and one’s mortality risk drops a surprising 44%!

Kristof reminds readers that to make a difference we shouldn’t worry about solving the problem, even though most of us often feel compelled to try. What our church volunteers can (and are doing) is taking personal steps towards helping another. Kristof says that is what is truly transformative.

We have stories of transformation through our Kids Hope USA program and our congregation’s commitment to kids in the Scotia community! Ask one of our many volunteers or prayer partners to share their particular story with you. See the bulletin board outside our nursery room to see who volunteers with Kids Hope.

To all of First Reformed Church of Scotia’s volunteers—thank you.

Mission Trip:We are planning a mission trip for youth age 15 and older to go to help rehabilitate buildings damaged by Hurricane Sandy two years ago. We will work with the Mennonite Disaster Relief organization in Crisfield, MD, from April 4 – 10, during the schools’ Spring and Easter break. We will finalize plans and get commitments from participants on Sunday, December 7 at a meeting in Lakehill Room. Get more information about the Mennonite Disaster Relief organization by going online. To find out more about our participation, talk to Pastor Jan, 370-4751, or contact Youth Leader Maggie White, [email protected].

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



Stephen Ministry Moment: Stephen Minister Richard Doyle writes our December Stephen Ministry Moment.

PrayerWe all need is someone to pray for us. In fact, prayer makes us feel wanted and loved. Prayer is supposed to be matter-of-fact for Christians, taken for granted as part of our faith, but at times it is difficult to pray.

As Stephen Ministers we pray with you and for you. Prayer is a natural part of the relationship between the Stephen Minister and the care receiver. It is the time that we can ask in our own words for God’s help, for patience, for guidance, understanding and His presence in our life. Stephen Ministry is a ministry of one-on-one Christian caregiving in which a trained Stephen Minister confidentially comes alongside a person going through a life crisis or hard time in order to listen and be present for as long as necessary. For more information contact Stephen Ministry Leader Cheryl MacNeil, 382-8279, or speak with one of your pastors.

Christmas Pageant: This Christmas Eve our youth will be putting on a Christmas Pageant as we celebrate the birth of Christ. Come experience the Christmas story through the eyes of our youth. We will feature a one act play with narration and music. Join us Christmas Eve at 5:30. We will close the service with our traditional candle lighting song and prayer.

Pageant Practices will be on the following dates and times: December 7 at 11:30 in the sanctuary December 14 at 11:30 in the sanctuary December 21 at 11:30 in the sanctuary (dress rehersal) Parents, look for emails with further detail. See Kristin Bodden for more information. 703-1327

Labyrinth Link Now that our FRSC Labyrinth has been completed and dedicated, we are ready to share it with you! We had a wonderful dedication in Brink Hall this Fall as we came together to embark on our maiden voyage. We hope to use this spiritual and prayerful tool for congregational events, retreats, church groups, councils, ministry opportunities, outreach and more. There are borrowing opportunities to make this tool available for our community. The labyrinth committee has prepared appropriate process and procedure for this ministry. Also, we are currently part of the World Wide Labyrinth Locator, stating that our six circuit labyrinth is official a member of the labyrinth community! You can take a peek at http://labyrinthlocator.com/

Upcoming Events:Advent Facilitated Walk: December 7 at 11:30 in Room 8 upstairsAdvent Open Walks: Labyrinth will be open during church hours 8:30-3 for personal walksLent Facilitated Walk: March 22 at 11:30 Lent Open Walk: Labyrinth will be open during church hours 8:30-3 for personal walksWorld Labyrinth Day: May 2 at 1pm

Do you have an idea for using the labyrinth with our congregation? See Kristin Bodden or Pam Walsh for more information!

http://labyrinthlocator.com/

http://labyrinthlocator.com/



Operation Christmas Child: Thank you to all who participated in this great project! We are happy to announce that as a congregation we filled 48 boxes for children in need! With your compassion, generosity and kindness, we are able to spread the joy this Christmas to kids around the world. Filled boxes were dropped off at Open Arms Church in Schenectady, where they were picked up by Samaritans Purse for distribution. If you signed up online to “follow your box” please let us know any updates, so we can share them with the congregation! Many thanks to all!

Triads: At a recent Christian Education Council meeting, Diana Ackner was asked to lead devotions. When it came time in the Council’s agenda for devotions, Diana admitted that she forgot she had volunteered to do devotions. She quickly looked at us and said, “Here’s a piece of paper. Write what is the truest thing about yourself.” We wrote and then shared what we’d written. Pastor Jan asked her to write an article for the Messenger, based on that experience.

What is the truest thing about you? That is what my triad is discovering. What is a triad, you ask? A triad is a group of three people who meet on a regular basis. We read and study books and we make each other accountable for our faith. We walk together on our faith journey and share our triumphs, fears and struggles. We pray together and know that we will be there for each other, always. When my triad first started meeting I was not sure I would have the time to commit, but now I can't imagine not meeting. My triad meets every other week. We share a meal, read, study and pray. We also catch up on each other's lives, support each other in our struggles, and celebrate the good things. Want to know more? Talk to Pastor Jan or myself. We would be happy to get you started. By the way, the truest thing about you is that you were made in God’s image and are loved by God. Pretty awesome!

Advent Resources: This Advent season we are pleased to offer a very special collaborative devotional written by our very own congregation. We thank all of our authors this year and are so excited to come together this season and pray together as we prepare our hearts for Christmas. Children’s devotionals are available in Brink Hall and include an interactive paper advent wreath and devotional booklet. We also have calendars available and bookmarks. Along with our collaborative devotional being available electronically, there are many online offerings that will help you prepare your hearts this Advent. See Kristin Bodden with any questions.

Snow Closing Policy: What happens if it snows hard some Sunday morning? Our policy is to hold worship whenever possible. However, if the Scotia or Glenville Police Departments declare a Snow Emergency and ask citizens to keep off the streets, we will comply and cancel our Sunday morning schedule. If we do cancel our Sunday morning schedule, we will make every effort to announce our closing in the media. We will also try to put that message on the church’s answering machine. (If the phone service is out, this, of course, will be impossible.) Check the TV and radio stations, call the church, 370-4751, or call the Pastors, 399-3823, to find out if worship is canceled if you are unsure.

Advent Prayer Boxes: You may notice wrapped boxes hanging throughout the church. Our Sunday school children have prepared prayer boxes depicting the many names for the Christ Child. Each box you see holds special prayers and intentions written by our children for this Advent season.



Joe and Cathy Deamer 1 Wayne and Susan Penn 15 Bub and Janet Bekkering 21 Betsey and Joe Homer 25 Kirk and Linda Willoughby 30

ANNIVERSARIES!

Please note: We list the birthdays and anniversaries of our church’s local active members and friends.If we missed yours, please call the church office, 370-4751. Thank you.

Jim Light 1 Jane Corby 2 Bradford Faubion 5 Jacob Crisci 6 Jessica Crisci 6 Mary Lynne Davidson 6 Naomi Faulkner 6 Don Schermerhorn 7 Laura Wlilloughby 9 Heather Landry 10 Dorothy Kinch 12 Brittney Schaefer 12 Alexandra Bicknell 13 Connor Kilgallen 16 Sunny Baldwin 17 Karen Pirigyi 17 Todd Vaccaro 17 Tom Lansing 18 Benton North 18 Sue Pitts 18 David Gonyea 20 Dick Haight 20 Erv Grant 22 Lucy Trbovich 22 Carol Haight 24 Cindy Taft 25 Claudia Garrison 26 Duane VanPatten, Jr. 26 Tom Bodden 28 Jim Davidson 30

BIR

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Inside This Issue of the Messenger:

Christmas Eve Worship

Snow Closing Policy

Mission Trip

Storytelling at Glen Sanders

First Reformed Church of Scotia224 N. Ballston AvenueScotia, NY 12302(518) 370-4751

Non Profit Org.U.S. Postage Paid

Albany, NYPermit No. 744

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the rev. craig j. hoffman the rev. jan l.hoffman the...

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