Presbytery of Western New York
E-Newsletter December 1, 2009 Advent Begins! The Christmas Tree raising at Orchard Park. Photo from Chet Seymour. New Advent Hymns
It is not too late to include some new hymns for Advent. Written by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, the words are set to familiar Christmas carols. Click here for more information.
Faith United Offers “Child Care So You Can Shop”
ATTENTION PARENTS: You are invited to bring your children to Faith United Presbyterian Church, 3150 Elmwood Avenue in First, on Saturday, December 5 (1:00 - 4:00 PM; note change in time) for a child-oriented movie and fun activities. Treat yourself to an afternoon of carefree Christmas shopping! A movie for the entire family will be shown at 6:00 PM. This program, sponsored by the Fellowship Committee, is open to the community.
Oh! Those Wonderful Cookies!
Saturday, December 5th, 9:30 a.m. To 12:00 p.m.
Randolph Presbyterian Church
The annual cookie house will be held on Saturday, December 5, beginning at 9:30 AM. This event has become more and more well known, with shoppers coming from neighboring communities. For many, it is an important part of the holiday season.
Again this year, the price will be $4.75 per/lb. You may walk through and select home made cookies of your choice.
This is a MISSION project. We will also have door prizes and a SERRV table with hand made gift items for your holiday shopping. Please come to our Cookie House for a
fun-filled day where you will meet your friends and neighbors – all stocking up for the holiday season. Christmas Festival at Fredonia
Fredonia Presbyterian Church will hold its Christmas Festival on Sunday, December 6 from 12 noon to 3:00 p.m. Festivities will include a Nativity Display and an Alternative Christmas Market. The Market will include items from SERRV International, Christmas theme crafts kits and books, alternative gifts to Heifer International, Rural Ministries of Northern Chautauqua County, Medical Benevolence Foundation and Equal Exchange Food Items and Baskets. For more information call the church at 716-679-1501 or email fpcfred@netsync.net.
Holiday Cookies at University Presbyterian Church
3330 Main Street @ Niagara Falls Blvd. Buffalo, Saturday, December 12th, 2009
10am-2pm (or sold-out!) Reid Hall and Auditorium
Homemade Holiday Cookies: $7.00/ Pound. Choose your own assortment, or select one of our prewrapped plates. Great for parties or gifts.
Used Book Sale: Adult and Children’s books. Wide Variety to choose from.
Holiday Gift Tables- courtesy of El Buen Amigo, located at 114 Elmwood Ave. Fair Trade items from Mexico, Central America and South America will be available for some unique holiday gift shopping
For information call the Church Office at 836-7660
Cookies, Books and Gifts. Oh My!
Background of the Christmas Story at Silver Creek
Silver Creek United Church will have a Bible lecture Thursday nights 7:00 pm on December 3, 10 and 17. The topic is the “Historical and Cultural Background of the Christmas story” and will be led by Pastor Thomas Burian. All are welcome. All You Can Eat at Silver Creek
On December 5 the United Angels of Silver Creek are having an All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti and Meatballs or Chicken and Biscuits Dinner from 4 pm – 7 pm at the Church Hall. Dinner served with Salad, Homemade Desserts and Coffee. Tickets are $5.50 presale; call the church office for more information, 716-934-2018.
Blue Christmas in Randolph
Randolph United Presbyterian Church will co-sponsor a Blue Christmas Service, at 4:00 p.m., December 13 at Grace Episcopal Church, Randolph.
Kids Count Hosts Dinner at Youngstown First
Spaghetti Dinner and Concert - Kids Count Before and After School program will host a Spaghetti Dinner and Basket Auction at First Presbyterian Church, 100 Church Street, Youngstown, Saturday, December 12th from 4 - 7 PM. The price is $ 6 for adults, $4 for children under 12 years old, or $18 for a family of four. At 7 PM the Second Saturday Concert Series will present a Christmas Music Candlelight Concert featuring the vocal choirs, bell choirs, and guitar group of the church. The concert is free; however, a free will offering will be collected. Come on out to Youngstown and enjoy a relaxing evening of Christmas Joy.
Blue Christmas Service at Youngstown
On Tuesday, December 15th at 7:00 PM Youngstown First Presbyterian Church will hold a Blue Christmas Worship Service.
Joint Service of Peace, Hope and Light
Is the Christmas season a difficult time of year for you? Christmas is a time of anticipation and of memories, but it also can be a challenging time. It can be especially hard for those who are grieving the loss of loved ones, poor health, the loss of employment and other disappointments. Many people feel out of step with the festivities of the season and need a quieter time and place to reflect on the meaning of Advent and Christmas.
The Stephen Ministries of University Presbyterian Church, North Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Clarence are sponsoring a service of Peace, Hope and
Light. This will be a time to join together for prayer and scripture that acknowledge God’s presence even at times when we struggle. God’s Word comes to shine light into our darkness.
The service will be followed by light refreshment and fellowship. The doors are open to all so please feel free to invite others as well.
Service of Peace, Hope and Light
Wednesday, December 9, at 7 pm
North Presbyterian Church
300 North Forest Road
Williamsville, NY 14221
(716) 632-1330
Western New York Apologetics
Please join us as renowned Cornell University scientist, Dr. John Sanford on Saturday, December 5 at the University at Buffalo (North Campus), Student Union, room 145 from 3-5pm, as he presents scientific evidence supporting the claim that biological life is the product of intelligent design rather than blind evolution. Dr. Sanford's one-hour lecture will be followed by a Q&A session.
The event is free of charge and open to the public. All are welcome. Books on the topic will be available for sale and free refreshments will also be on hand. Visit www.wnyapologetics.com for a map of the UB campus.
For more information, call 716-957-6532, or email: tom@wnyapologetics.com.
“Capturing The Word” seeks to serve Hearing Impaired at Kenmore
In September of this year, Kenmore Presbyterian launched a pilot project called Capturing the Word. It is a modified captioning for the hearing impaired and deaf communities. Modified caption means that unlike closed-captioning, our projection will not have the video display normally provided with closed-captioning services. It will, however, be produced live from the spoken word. If we are able to move forward from the pilot project stage, we hope that someday we will be able to purchase the necessary equipment to present full captioning.
Most people do not realize that only about 10 percent of the hearing impaired and profoundly deaf know sign language. That leaves 90 percent of that community with no live access to the services many of us take for granted. Most of these times, we have someone available to answer questions and address concerns if needed.
The services for Capturing the Word are being provided currently by a local court reporter who is volunteering her time to help during this stage. This program could eventually provide a training opportunity for court reporters and court reporting students to work towards providing these services to others in the future.
Capturing the Word is provided the first Sunday of every month. Service begins at 10 a.m., Kenmore Presbyterian Church, 2771 Delaware Avenue (one block North of Kenmore Avenue), Kenmore, New York, 14217. Parking is available in the parking lot on the north side of the church or on the surrounding side streets. Through God's grace, we hope and pray that this will develop into a more frequent event.
Any questions can be directed to David Sisson through email at kenprescapture@aol.com or by calling 864-4203. If you leave a message on the answering service, please be sure to provide appropriate contact information. Help us spread the word for this valuable service. We look forward to seeing you on the first Sunday of every month. Join us for fellowship after service or join us in the front of the sanctuary and say hello, let us know who we're doing, and, if you're comfortable, give us your email or other contact information so that we can let you know about regularly planned services and special events you might be interested in as well. Kids Klub Outreach at Randolph
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A church, regardless of its size, wealth and numbers, will rise only from its outreach programs that go deep into its environs. During a recent coffee-clutch gathering around the round table at the Randolph Truck Stop restaurant, this groups discussion centered on the times their church reaches out to the community. The list was amazing and inspiring, to say the least. One such outreach was the recent appearance of a small group from the ecumenical Kids Klub, sparked by Catalyst team of parishioners Donna Chubon and Sue Johnson, which meets weekly in the church basement. Accompanied by their parents, these little people gave the RUPC congregation a great spiritual lift! From left, Lucy VanRensselaer and sisters Caitlin and Heather Park, with other Kids Klub members, are shown singing their hearts out, after which they received an overwhelming approval from parishioners. Photo and story by Jack Berger.
Life Line Health Screening at Faith United
LIFE LINE HEALTH SCREENING: Faith United Presbyterian Church will be hosting a preventive health screening event on Tuesday, December 22, 9:00 AM - 3:45 PM. Two packages are available. The first set includes carotid artery, abdominal aortic, PAD screening (peripheral artery disease), and atrial fibrillation tests. The cost is $129 (which includes a $10 discount). The second set adds a test for osteoporosis. Cost for all five tests is $139 (including a $10 discount). The tests take 60 - 90 minutes to complete. Appointments may be made by calling 1-888-653-6441. The Church Office can provide information sheets that answer frequently asked questions about the screenings (875-9550).
Biblical Interpretation for Christian Educators
Christian Educators who are working for certification can register for a course to take place March 15-19, 2010 at First Presbyterian Church, Pittsford. The course will be taught by Dr. Gay Byron, professor of New Testament and Christian Origins at Colgate Rochester Crozier Divinity School. Click here for flyer and registration form. New Issue of Presbyterian World
Click here to read about Presbyterian World, news about PCUSA international mission.
News from Camp Duffield
Camp Duffield is a non-profit corporation dedicated to bringing Christian Camping and Retreats to the Youth of Western New York. This ministry is looking for your support to reach over 300 children this summer. Please let your youth leaders know of the opportunities that abound at the revitalized camp. Outreach opportunities to the community are where we need the most help. Information on Camp Duffield is easy to obtain at www.CampDuffield.org .
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