Monday, December 27, 2010

This Week at Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Church Decoration Christmas 2010A Post Christmas Thank You
A thank you to Mark and Daryl and the Choir for the beautiful music of Christmas Eve, for the six readers (Nancy, Alan, Bill, Sean, Darcy and Linda) for telling the story of the birth of the Christ Child as recorded in the Gospels, for John and Richard for providing the delicious punch and the goodies, and to all who attended this service filling the sanctuary.  —Pastor Tom
Sunday, January 2 10:00 am Morning Worship with Holy Communion
Sermon: “Chronos and Kairos”
Lessons: Galatians 4: 4-7; Luke 2:22-40
(The Greek language has two different words for “time”: there is chronological time and then there is “the particular time”. In our Christmas Eve “Litany of Christmas” the phrase was repeated: ”when the time had fully come”. Sunday’s sermon speaks of that particular time and the particular time in which we live.)
A personal note from Pastor Tom
As I noted after the Service on Christmas Eve, my Brother Bill died earlier that day in Lindenhurst, Illinois. The snow storm of Sunday evening and Monday has kept me from flying immediately to Illinois. I hope to be able to fly out of NYC either Tuesday evening or Wednesday and conduct the funeral, with the assistance of my niece Rachel, on Thursday in Milwaukee where he will be buried. I expect to get a flight back to NYC and home on Friday evening. Thank you to all who have extended their condolences.
While this is a relatively slow week at Old South Haven Presbyterian Church, 50 years ago the church was very much on the move—quite literally.
On December 29, 1960, under the leadership of the Rev. Charles Kellogg, the historic South Haven Church building was moved from its original location at the "goin' over" of the Carman's River at South Haven, to its present location in Brookhaven.  As part of this move, the church also acquired and renovated the Post Carriage House (built about 1900) which became our Parish Hall, and built the "gallery" addition at the rear of the church.
The church building original stood on the south side of Montauk highway, a few hundred feet west of the Carman's River.  The old church grave yard is still located there.
The church was moved by Davis Brothers Engineering, the same building movers who raised the Carriage House as part of its recent renovation.
The route of travel was east on Montauk highway to Arthur avenue, to Beaver Dam road, to the present site.  There it sat for several months while the new foundation was built and allowed to cure.  The church was moved with the steeple and interior plaster intact.  The move necessitated the cooperation of the then Patchogue Lighting Company, the then New York Telephone Company, Western Union, the Long Island Rail Road and state, county and town highway departments.  The utilities dropped their wires, perhaps as many as 150, and ramps were laid, to permit the church to roll over them.  It was estimated that it took some 50 people to move the building the four miles.

Earliest known picture of the church in South Haven, thought to be about 1900.

Church ready to be moved.

Moving down Montauk Highway.

Overhead wires dropped and ramps put in place, at intersection of Montauk Highway and Arthur Avenue

Turning the corner from Arthur Avenue onto Beaver Dam Road

The church building at its new home.  Notice the Post Carriage House in the background
Photographs of the move courtesy of Catherine Kellogg.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church


December 24             11:00pm       Christmas Eve Service
                                                         Lessons and Carols

 Once again we welcome Christmas with this candlelight service:
 candles in our church windows and as luminaries lighting the front walk  and, of course, lighting our individual candles from the Christ Candle at the close of the service.

 The choir will be singing two anthems and we again welcome Daryl Jordan,  soprano soloist, who will sing “O Holy Night”, “Come with Me to  Bethlehem,” and conclude the service with “Sweet Little Jesus Boy”

There will be an opportunity to give to the Christmas Joy Offering of our denomination or to our church’ local ministry.

The Legend of the Christmas Poinsettia

In a certain village in Mexico, many years ago, it was customary on Christmas Eve to take gifts to the church and place then before the Crèche.

One evening there was a small boy standing outside the church door. How he wished he could enter the church and present a gift to Jesus, but he was poor. He had nothing to give.

“I can at least pray,” he thought to himself. He knelt silently outside the church window and listened to the voices raised in song. When he rose to his feet again, he was amazed at what he saw where he had knelt. It was a beautiful plant with scarlet leaves and a yellow flower in the center. He had never seen anything like it. Realizing it was a miracle he carefully plucked it and took in into the church. As he placed the beautiful flower before the manger, he whispered, “This is my gift to the Christ Child. My own precious gift.”

The Mexicans call the plant “The Flower of the Holy Night.” Our first ambassador to Mexico, Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, brought it to the United States and the flower became known as the “poinsettia.”


Sunday, December 26     Morning Worship
                                         Sermon:  “The Morning After”
                                         Lessons: Isaiah 61: 10 – 62:3   Luke 2: 22-49


An Update:
     Last Sunday it was announced that Alan Steven had a heart attack the previous night and was in Brookhaven Hospital Monday he was transferred to Winthrop Hospital in Mineola and there received three stints.  He returned home on Tuesday.  Darcy reports that both she and Alan will be at the Christmas Eve Service and serve as readers. With joy we celebrate.  

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church


Friday, Dec. 17          7:00pm         Christmas Party for Church Officers
                                                                         at the Manse

Sunday, Dec. 19       10:00am         Morning Worship: 4th Sunday of Advent
                                                         Sermon:  “Call His Name Emmanuel:
                                                                                   God with Us”
                                                        Lessons: Isaiah 7: 14-18; 9:6-7
                                                                       Matthew 1: 18-23

Monday, Dec, 20        7:00pm        Joint Session and Deacon Meeting

Friday, Dec. 24          11:00pm       Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
                                                                Lessons and Carols

Sunday, Dec. 26         10:00am       Morning Worship


The Christmas Joy Offering
       Three times during the year we receive a special offering: One Great Hour of Sharing; the Peace Offering; and the Christmas Joy Offering.
        For over seventy years, Presbyterians have given generously at Christmas to support the unmet needs of families who have devoted their lives to the mission of the Presbyterian Church USA. Today this Offering is shared equally by the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions, which provides critical assistance to Presbyterian Church workers and their families, and, secondly, to Presbyterian-affiliated racial ethnic schools and colleges, which enable students to develop their gifts and find their calling.
      There will be special envelopes available in the pews this Sunday and on Christmas Eve. Sunday’s bulletin will also contain an insert on individuals who have been helped by this Offering.

          A thank you to the Deacons for preparing Christmas stockings filled with appropriate items. These will be distributed to residents at the Nursing Home.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

“ It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” The Christmas tree is now up and decorated in the sanctuary. Slowly other items are added to make this a festive season. Thank you to all who participated in this event last Sunday.

Monday, Dec. 6 7:00pm Peace Network in the Gallery

Saturday, Dec. 11 5:00pm Wedding Ceremony
Kristopher Stuart Webster and Lynnsey Meagan Nichols
Sunday, Dec. 12 10:00m Morning Worship
Third Sunday of Advent
Sermon: “The Glory of the Lord Revealed”
Lessons: Isaiah 40:5; 42:8-13 Luke 2: 8-14

Wednesday, Dec. 15 12noon Mid Suffolk Parish: in the Gallery

Friday, Dec. 17 7:00pm Church Officers Party at the Manse

Sunday, Dec. 19 10:00am Morning Worship
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sermon: “Call his name Emmanuel:  God with us”
Receive Christmas Joy offering

Monday, Dec. 20 7:00pm Joint Session and Deacons Meeting

Friday, Dec. 24 11:00pm Christmas Eve
Lessons and Carols
Candlelight Service

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church



Wednesday, Nov. 179:30 pmClergy Book Study at Presbytery
Sunday, Nov. 2110:00 am
Morning Worship
Dedication of Pledges
Sermon:   “My Cup Overflows”
Lesson: Psalm 23   II Cor. 9:6-15
(You should have received pledge cards in the mail.  If not, cards will be available in the Narthex.)
7:00 pm
Community Thanksgiving Service Bellport United Methodist Church
Sermon: “Thanksgiving Begins With Hunger”
Lessons:  Lessons: Deut. 26:1-11;John 6:25-35
Pastor Tom preaching
Thursday, Nov. 25 THANKSGIVING
11:30am-1:30pm
Ecumenical Thanksgiving Dinner:
Hagerman Firehouse
Volunteers appreciated
Desserts appreciated

Call Deacons President, Kappy Tilney, to volunteer, 286-0024
Sunday, Nov. 28 10:00am
First Sunday of Advent
Pastor Tom begins an Advent Series based on Handel’s Messiah
5:00pm
Inter-Faith Thanksgiving Celebration for Religious Freedom in America Islamic Center of Long Island, 835 Brush Hollow Rd. Westbury honoring our religious diversity. (Pastor Tom will provide a ride)
Sunday, Nov 5.10:00 am2nd Sunday of Advent
After worship, Christmas tree will be set up and prepared for decoration.
6:00 pmFellowship Pot-Luck Supper
Followed by Christmas Hymn sing and Christmas tree decoration  in the church


                                       
Session Actions    11/15
1.Approved vacation time for Pastor Tom from Monday, January 31 toThursday, February 24. Pastor Tom will be traveling in Brazil and Peru.
2. Approved holding the Annual meeting on Sunday, January 30 after Morning Worship
3. Approved moving Celebration of Communion from Feb. 6 to Jan. 30
4. Approved time for Christmas Eve Service at 11:00 pm
5. Approved setting up Christmas Tree after Morning Worship on Sunday, December 5. Potluck supper Sunday evening, and then return to Sanctuary for decorating and singing.
6. Approved a joint Session/Deacon meeting for Monday, December 20.
7.  Approved scheduling Pastor Tom’s annual church officers party at the Manse for Friday, December 17 at 7:00pm
8. Received report on the progress on Caithness projects: windows, roof, front door threshold.
9. Announced the next book reading will be Thornton Wilder’s novel “The Bridge of San Luis Rey” during the month of January.
10. Report on progress of Nominating Committee
11. Received Financial Secretary’s Third Quarter  and Treasurer’s monthly reports. We are doing well!

A CHURCH WONDER
(Old South Haven Church's First Christmas Tree)
Brooklyn Eagle, Jan 9, 1879, p. 3

In 1827 there was a church erected in South Haven, L.I., in which there had never been a light nor an evening service, until last Christmas evening [1878], when the children were given a Christmas tree.

Friday, November 12, 2010

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Sunday, November 14 10:00 am Morning Worship
Sermon: “Are You a Martha? Are You a Mary?”
Lesson: Luke 10: 38-42
Elder Linda Majowka giving the morning message

Monday, November 15 7:00pm Session Meeting, Gallery

Watch for your “Stewardship” letter this week. Included in it will be a pledge card for recording your 2012 giving commitments. Did you know that 91% of individual giving to the general program of the church is by those who make a pledge? Pastor Tom’s stewardship sermon “Entrusted to Us” may be heard online—see below.

Wednesday, November 17 9:30am Presbyterian Clergy Study group

Sunday, November 21 10:00am Morning Worship
Dedication of Pledges
Sermon: “My Cup Overflows”
Lesson: Psalm 23 II Cor. 9: 6-15


7:00pm Community Thanksgiving Service
Bellport Methodist Church
Pastor Tom preaching

Look for the new issue of the NEWSletter being placed in the mail this weekend. The online version is already available at: http://oldsouthhavenchurch.org/Newsletters/Newsletters.htm

• Did you know that on our website are audio recordings of Pastor Tom’s sermons? —visit http://oldsouthhavenchurch.org/AudioLibrary/AudioCatalog.aspx. Also, at this site, are recordings of some of the choir’s anthems.

• And on our home page at http://oldsouthhavenchurch.org/ may be found an up-to-date calendar of church activities.

• Progress is being made on the projects under our grant from the Caithness Fund.  Repair and painting of the windows is nearly done (SBP Contracting of Mastic Beach); and other work is underway—new roof shingles (Cee & Gee General Contracting of Center Moriches) and a repair of the steeple tower foundation (Steven Gould of Brookhaven).

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Saturday, Oct. 23        9:30am – 3:30pm      Presbytery Meeting
                                                                      Southold

Sunday, Oct. 24          10:00am       Morning Worship
                                     Sermon:    “No Claim To Goodness”
                                      Lessons: Psalm 65     Luke 18: 9-14

Wednesday, Oct. 27  - Thursday, Oct. 28      12 noon to 12 noon
                                           Clergy Retreat  at Sag Harbor

Thursday, Oct. 28         6:00pm       “Two By Two” Benefit Dinner for
                                                      Holmes Camp and Conference Center
                                                      The Bronx Zoo  (Pastor Tom attending)

Sunday, Oct. 31              10:00am   Morning Worship
                                         Linda Scott leading worship
                                        (Pastor Tom is guest preacher at a special service
                                          First Presbyterian Church, Freeport)
Work on the Church:
We can soon expect to see the beginning of work at the Church and Carriage House.  Purchase orders have been issued by the Town of Brookhaven using Caithness Funds for reroofing the Church building and repairing the main the main church windows, and work should start within the next week.  New storm windows will soon be in place for windows of both the Carriage House and Gallery using church maintenance funds.  And we expect to see repairs to the steeple also start soon using proceeds from our insurance claim.  We have not yet heard from the Town on the repairs planned for the steeple foundation using Caithness funds.

Articles  For Next  Addition  of the NEWSletter       DUE OCT. 31


Looking Ahead
       Monday, Nov. 1          7:15pm    Peace Network meeting in Gallery
        Tuesday, Nov. 2                         ELECTION DAY
        Wednesday, Nov. 3   12:00noon     Mid Suffolk Parish  in Gallery
        Sunday, Nov. 7       10:00 am    Morning Worship: Stewardship Sunday
                                                               Daylight Saving Time Ends                      
        Thursday, Nov. 11       Long Island Council of Church Benefit Dinner
                                              Giorgio’s: Baiting Hollow
         Sunday, Nov. 14          10:00am     Morning Worship
                                                    Linda Majowka leading worship
                                                    (Pastor Tom preaching at Yaphank)
         Sunday, Nov. 21    10:00am   Morning Worship, Dedication of pledges
         Sunday, Nov.28     10:00am  Morning Worship First Sunday of Advent

Monday, October 11, 2010

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church


Tuesday, Oct. 12          1:00pm    Lunch Bunch at Betty Gardner’s

Wednesday, Oct. 13     10:00am    Finance and Property Committee at
                                                        Ann Wiswall’s

Thursday, Oct. 14  - Saturday, Oct. 16     Pastor Tom attending Union Days
                                                                   And Alumni Council, NYC

Sunday, Oct. 17         10:00am                     Morning Worship
                                                Sermon:    “Engraved On The Heart”
                                                Lessons: Jeremiah. 31: 27-34; II Tim. 3:14-4:5
                          
                                     6:00pm       Pot Luck Supper
                                     later     Gathering at Claudia Taylor’s (next to manse)
                                                    for singing: Pastor Tom at the piano

Monday, Oct. 18          7:00pm         Session meeting

Wednesday, Oct. 20      9:30am        Clergy Book Study, Presbytery Center

Saturday, Oct. 23           9:30am        Presbytery meeting at Southold


Looking Ahead
Wednesday, Oct. 27- Thurs,Oct.28    noon to noon  Clergy Retreat
                                                                                    Sag Harbor
Thursday, Oct. 28            6:00pm        “Two By Two”  Benefit Dinner for
                                                           Holmes Camp and Conference Center
                                                           The Bronx Zoo  (Pastor Tom attending)
Sunday, Oct. 31               10:00am      Morning Worship
                                                              Linda Scott, leading worship
                                              (Pastor Tom is guest preacher at special service,
                                                    First Presbyterian Church, Freeport)

Articles for next edition of the NEWSletter due October 31

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Saturday,    October 2                          6:00pm
                                   Memorial Service for The Rev. G.Shane Hibbs
                                   The Parkway Community Church
                                   95 Stewart Avenue, Hicksville
                     Shane in 2002 formed the Long Island Community Fellowship
                      to serve the GLBT community. He died in his sleep at age 36.
                     “Shane was a true leader in the Gay community and a colleague
                      in ministry.” (Pastor Tom)

Sunday,       October 3                        10:00am   
                                    WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY
                                             Theme:   “Celebrate Christ, Our Peace”
                                             Sermon:    “Called To Be Faithful”
                                             Lessons: Lamentations 1:1-6; 3:19-26
                                                            2 Timothy 1: 1-14
                On this Sunday we gather in unity with believers around the world
                to break the bread and drink from the cup. We gather in suffering,
                celebration, and hope, remembering that in a broken and war-torn
                world, God’s grand vision of peace and justice thrives and
                continues to course through the veins of the church body.
                          The Peacemaking Offering will be received and dedicated.

Monday,        October 4      7:15pm    Peace Network meeting in The Gallery

Wednesday,   October 6      6:45-8:45pm   “Take the Bully Out of the Pulpit:
                                                   How America’s Religious Leaders Can
                                                   Bring Healing to the Nation”
                                                   The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space
                                                   44 Charlton St.( at Varick St., NYC
                                                          (Pastor Tom attending)

Thursday, October 7              2:00pm    Planning Meeting for Second
                                                               Thanksgiving Day Dinner
                                                                Hagerman Firehouse

Saturday, October 9                        CHURCH YARD SALE


                                            

Thursday, September 16, 2010

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

  

Sunday, Sept. 19       10:00am Morning Worship
                                   Sermon       “The Anguish Of The Prophet”
                                   Lessons:       Jeremiah 8:18 – 9:1 and I Timothy 2: 1-7

                                     6:00pm       Pot Luck Supper followed by program
                                                        “After Katrina”. Joe Vione, a high school
                                                        senior speaks on his summer work project
                                                        in New Orleans

Monday, Sept. 20       7:00pm        Session Meeting: meeting with new
                                                        Members

Saturday, Sept. 25       9:30am-3:30pm       PRESBYTERY DAY
                                                                     Setauket Presbyterian Church
                                                                     Workshops, Worship with
                                                                      All-Presbytery Choir      $10.

Sunday, Sept. 26         10:00am        Morning Worship
                                                           We welcome four new members

Looking Ahead
     
Sunday, Oct. 3              !0:00am       WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY

Saturday, Oct. 9                                 Church Yard Sale


A Lesson in Perseverance (from the New York Times, Sept. 4, 2010)
       Cha Sa-soon is a 69 year old woman who lives alone in the mountain-ringed village of Sinchon, 112 miles south of Seoul, Korea. This diminutive woman, now known nationwide as “Grandma Cha Sa-soon”, has achieved a record that causes people there to first shake their heads with astonishment and then smile. She failed her drivers test hundreds of times but never gave up. Finally, she got her license – on her 960th try. For three years starting in April 2005, she took the test once a day, five days a week. After that her pace slowed to about twice a week. She never quit. “When she finally got her license, we all went out in cheers and hugged her, giving her flowers,” said Park Su-yeon, an instructor at the driving school Ms. Cha once attended. “It felt like a huge burden falling off our back. We didn’t have the guts to tell her to quit because she kept showing up.”  It was the written test that she failed so many times. When she finally passed an automotive group started an online campaign asking people to congratulate her. Thousands poured in. In early August, Hyundai presented Ms. Cha with a $16,88 car. Her name means “vehicle” in Korean. She now appears in a commercial for Hyundai. Her education was limited to the fourth grade and her problem with the test was she could read and write words phonetically but she could not understand most of the terminology.   YES, she passed the Driving Test on her fourth attempt. On her wall, next to photos of herself and he late husband she has posted a handwritten – and misspelled – sign that reads:
“Never give up!”

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church


                                    

Saturday, Sept 11             Anniversary of 9/11

                   1:00pm              9/11 Memorial Service and Dedication of “Peace Garden
                                                              in memory of the innocent victims
                                                                  Islamic Center of Long Island
                                                            835 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury, NY
                                                           Pastor Tom will provide transportation.

Sunday, Sept. 12     10:00am       Morning Worship
                                                     Sermon:   “God’s Judgment ….and ‘Yet’”
                                                     Lessons:    Jeremiah 4:5-8, 22-28
                                                                       I Timothy 1: 12-17

                                 1:30pm         Dedication of Community Center
                                                      Yaphank Presbyterian Church

                                  5:00 – 7:70pm         “Surf and Turf  Dinner”
                                                            St. James Episcopal Church, Brookhaven
                                                             Adults $25; children 5 to 10, $12; under 5 free.

Tuesday, Sept. 14      1;00pm               Lunch Bunch
                                                              Judi Bird’s Home, 1 Hawkins Lane, Brookhaven

Wednesday, Sept. 15  10:00am            Finance and Property Committee at Ann Wiswall’s

Thursday, Sept 16       12:00pm        Mid Suffolk Parish Clergy at Parish Resource Center

Sunday, Sept. 19          10:00am        Morning Worship

                                      6:00pm        Pot Luck Supper followed by program
                                                             “After Katrina”: High School Senior Joe Vione
                                                            speaks on his summer work project in New Orleans.

Monday, Sept, 20             7:00pm       Session Meeting: meeting with new members

Saturday, Sept. 25           9:30am- 3:00pm         PRESBYTERY DAY
                                                              Setauket Presbyterian Church
                                                      Workshops, Worship with All-Presbytery Choir  $10

Sunday, Sept. 26               10:00am   Morning Worship
                                                            Welcoming New Members