This Week Old South Haven Church

The earlier "This week ...." for Pentecost Sunday had the wrong attachments. This email has the correct bulletin and pastor's letter.

Dear Friends and Members of Old South Haven Church,

Again, I am writing to invite you to join us this coming Sunday for our Zoom Church Service.   This coming Sunday is Pentecost Sunday; and if you are able, try to wear something red. 

Information for joining the service is below.

God Bless,

Linda

*****

Pentecost Sunday…a time to celebrate

 "With the descent of the Holy Spirit on the followers of Jesus, a Judaic

harvest festival takes on new meaning" 

May 27, 2020

Dear Members and Friends of Old South Haven Presbyterian Church,

  

This week's letter is very Biblical. There is a reason for that in that we Christians often forget what we learned in Sunday School, myself included.  Christmas and Easter are the two big Holy Days of Christianity. There is a third festive Holy Day and that is Pentecost, celebrated this Sunday.  Just as Memorial Day in the United States has become more of a vacation/beach day than a day of prayer and remembrance, Pentecost is just another feast day between Mother's Day and Father's Day. 

 

However, if you are aware of Pentecost, you will probably know of it as the day when the Holy Spirit of God came down to indwell the followers of Jesus. This is the day that the church, the "called-out ones" of God, was born. It is recorded in Acts chapter 2. On that day, the Spirit of God descended on the 120 followers of Jesus and they started speaking out loud in languages from around the world. This created such a commotion that thousands who were in Jerusalem at the time came out to see what was happening and in front of the gathering crowd, Peter spoke the first gospel message and 'three thousand were added to their number that day' (Acts 2:41). The number of gospel followers has been growing continually ever since that Pentecost Sunday.

  

This happened 50 days after Jesus' resurrection. It was during this 'quiet' interval of 50 days that Jesus' disciples became convinced that Jesus had risen from the dead. On Pentecost Sunday they went public and history was changed. Whether you believe in the resurrection or not, your life has been affected by the events of that Pentecost Sunday.

 

In fact, 'Pentecost' was a regular Old Testament festival. In the time of Moses, several annual festivals were prescribed and celebrated throughout the year. The festival of Passover was the first to be celebrated in the Jewish year.   Exactly 50 days after Passover Sunday the Jews celebrated the Feast of Pentecost. And they had been doing so yearly for 1500 years by the time the events of Acts 2 happened. In fact, the reason that there were people from all languages who were in Jerusalem that day to hear Peter's message was precisely because they were there to celebrate the Old Testament Pentecost.

 

In the Jewish feast of Pentecost the Jews were to offer up a grain offering along with the regular burnt offerings. The grain was to be 'first fruits' of new grain harvested from the land. This was an allusion – the depth of which was unseen by the first Jews from the time of Moses – of the coming of the Holy Spirit on that more famous Pentecost Sunday in Acts 2.

 

This is significant on several counts. First of all, one of the reasons that the Gospel is 'good news' is that not only is it about a conquering of death, but it is also about living life differently. Life is now a union between God and people. And this union takes place through the indwelling of the Spirit of God – which began on the Pentecost Sunday of Acts 2. The Good News is that life can now be lived on a different level, in a relationship with God through His Spirit. This challenges us not only to preach the Gospel, but to live and share the fruits of the Gospel.  As I have stated before, walking in the steps of our Lord we are missionaries here on "the island".  In the midst of the Corona Virus pandemic we are challenged to share his love while supporting those in need and those who are fearful.  Despite the continued need for social distancing, let us reach out and express the Christian love Jesus taught us to have.

  

Once again we invite you to join us at church, via zoom and the internet, this Sunday, May 31st  to celebrate Pentecost Sunday.  And, if you can at home, have a special First Fruits Pentecost Festive meal.

  

Peace, and please share your concerns and prayer requests with all of us, including the pastor.

Pastor Ralph

Rev. Ralph B. Wright, Jr.

516-606-7671 (cell); 631-289-5761 (home) or rbwright1@aol.com

-

*****

:OSHC Sunday Worship Zoom Meeting

Time: May 31, 2020 09:45 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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*****

     

This Week Old South Haven Church

Dear Friends and Members of Old South Haven Church,

Again, I am writing to invite you to join us this coming Sunday for our Zoom Church Service.   This coming Sunday is Pentecost Sunday; and if you are able, try to wear something red. 

Information for joining the service is below.

God Bless,

Linda

*****

Pentecost Sunday…a time to celebrate

 "With the descent of the Holy Spirit on the followers of Jesus, a Judaic

harvest festival takes on new meaning" 

May 27, 2020

Dear Members and Friends of Old South Haven Presbyterian Church,

  

This week's letter is very Biblical. There is a reason for that in that we Christians often forget what we learned in Sunday School, myself included.  Christmas and Easter are the two big Holy Days of Christianity. There is a third festive Holy Day and that is Pentecost, celebrated this Sunday.  Just as Memorial Day in the United States has become more of a vacation/beach day than a day of prayer and remembrance, Pentecost is just another feast day between Mother's Day and Father's Day. 

 

However, if you are aware of Pentecost, you will probably know of it as the day when the Holy Spirit of God came down to indwell the followers of Jesus. This is the day that the church, the "called-out ones" of God, was born. It is recorded in Acts chapter 2. On that day, the Spirit of God descended on the 120 followers of Jesus and they started speaking out loud in languages from around the world. This created such a commotion that thousands who were in Jerusalem at the time came out to see what was happening and in front of the gathering crowd, Peter spoke the first gospel message and 'three thousand were added to their number that day' (Acts 2:41). The number of gospel followers has been growing continually ever since that Pentecost Sunday.

  

This happened 50 days after Jesus' resurrection. It was during this 'quiet' interval of 50 days that Jesus' disciples became convinced that Jesus had risen from the dead. On Pentecost Sunday they went public and history was changed. Whether you believe in the resurrection or not, your life has been affected by the events of that Pentecost Sunday.

 

In fact, 'Pentecost' was a regular Old Testament festival. In the time of Moses, several annual festivals were prescribed and celebrated throughout the year. The festival of Passover was the first to be celebrated in the Jewish year.   Exactly 50 days after Passover Sunday the Jews celebrated the Feast of Pentecost. And they had been doing so yearly for 1500 years by the time the events of Acts 2 happened. In fact, the reason that there were people from all languages who were in Jerusalem that day to hear Peter's message was precisely because they were there to celebrate the Old Testament Pentecost.

 

In the Jewish feast of Pentecost the Jews were to offer up a grain offering along with the regular burnt offerings. The grain was to be 'first fruits' of new grain harvested from the land. This was an allusion – the depth of which was unseen by the first Jews from the time of Moses – of the coming of the Holy Spirit on that more famous Pentecost Sunday in Acts 2.

 

This is significant on several counts. First of all, one of the reasons that the Gospel is 'good news' is that not only is it about a conquering of death, but it is also about living life differently. Life is now a union between God and people. And this union takes place through the indwelling of the Spirit of God – which began on the Pentecost Sunday of Acts 2. The Good News is that life can now be lived on a different level, in a relationship with God through His Spirit. This challenges us not only to preach the Gospel, but to live and share the fruits of the Gospel.  As I have stated before, walking in the steps of our Lord we are missionaries here on "the island".  In the midst of the Corona Virus pandemic we are challenged to share his love while supporting those in need and those who are fearful.  Despite the continued need for social distancing, let us reach out and express the Christian love Jesus taught us to have.

  

Once again we invite you to join us at church, via zoom and the internet, this Sunday, May 31st  to celebrate Pentecost Sunday.  And, if you can at home, have a special First Fruits Pentecost Festive meal.

  

Peace, and please share your concerns and prayer requests with all of us, including the pastor.

Pastor Ralph

Rev. Ralph B. Wright, Jr.

516-606-7671 (cell); 631-289-5761 (home) or rbwright1@aol.com

-

*****

:OSHC Sunday Worship Zoom Meeting

Time: May 31, 2020 09:45 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

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Meeting ID: 242 554 4200

Password: 092003

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*****

     

This Week Old South Haven Church

Linda Majowka is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic:   Sunday Church Zoom Meeting

Time: May 24, 2020 09:45 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

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Meeting ID: 242 554 4200

Password: 092003

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* * * * *

In the Service of the Lord

 "An American pilot, serving people in remote Indonesian villages, died

trying to bring them covid-19 tests." 

Washington Post 5/18/2020

May 20, 2020

Dear Members and Friends of Old South Haven Presbyterian Church,

There weren't any roads leading to the valley where Joyce Lin was headed.  So on the morning of May 12, on an Indonesian runway, the American missionary pilot climbed into the cockpit of a small Kodiak aircraft and prepared to set out over the jungle.  Carrying rapid covid-19 test kits and other  supplies she was bound for Mamit, a remote village in the Papuan highlands awaiting her help.

  Lin, a pilot for Mission Aviation Fellowship, an American-based Christian and humanitarian aid organization, had made the journey many times before   She was to take off at Lake Sentani, fly for dozens of miles over the thick, emerald jungle, climb over a pair of towering limestone mountain ridges, and then finally descend into the valley, landing on a runway that went up a hill.

  But Lin's flight never arrived as expected.  Two minutes after she ascended over Lake Sentani, she sent out an emergency distress call that she was in trouble.  The plane went down quickly into the water. Villagers who lived along the coast rushed into the lake in search of her, but it was too late. Lind died in the crash.  She was 40 years old. 

  Lin, the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, grew up in Colorado and Maryland and attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she earned two degrees in computer science and engineering.  She then worked as an IT specialist for the US Air Force and for a private cyber security firm until she felt pulled toward missionary work.  "She died doing what she loved, serving the people she loved in a place that she loved, that she felt deeply, deeply called to," said her close friend Christy Geaslen, whose husband Joel served with Lin.  300 people attended the beloved missionary's funeral.

  This weekend we observe Memorial Day and pay our respects to those who serve in the military.  Often times we forget those who also serve in, and along side of our military, to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need. "A lot of times when people think of a missionary, they don't think of what I do," Lin said.  They don't think of flying a plane or fixing a computer. They think of someone out there evangelizing, and that's just not what we do most of the time.  My prayer each morning is simply that I would be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and I would be a blessing somehow, to somebody, that day."

  We need to remember that we are all Christian soldiers.  Reaching out to those in need.  Jesus, quoting from Isaiah 61 says "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring the Good News to the poor.  He has sent me to announce release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind; to set at liberty those who have been oppressed; and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."   Walking in the steps of our Lord we too are missionaries here on "the island".  As we continue to struggle in the midst of the Corona Virus pandemic, let us continue to share his love while supporting those in need and those who are afraid.  Despite the continued need for social distancing, let us reach out and express the Christian love Jesus taught us to have.

  Once again we invite you to join us at church, via zoom and the Internet, this Sunday, May 24th to celebrate the seventh Sunday of Easter, Ascension Sunday and Memorial Day.  Elder Jason Neal will bring the message.

Peace, and please share your concerns and prayer requests with all of us, including the pastor.

Pastor Ralph

Rev. Ralph B. Wright, Jr.

516-606-7671 (cell); 631-289-5761 (home) or rbwright1@aol.com

Old South Haven Church Letter from the Session May 18, 2020

May 18, 2020

To the congregation of Old South Haven Presbyterian Church:

We know that many of you have been wondering what is happening with our pastor search. That is not surprising! On Monday at a Zoom session meeting we voted on a plan that we will present to the Presbytery's Committee on Ministry on June 2. As soon as they act on it, we will share it with you. We hope that you can be patient for a little longer.

In this pandemic, all parts of society are straining to cope, including Old South Haven. We miss worshipping together, singing together, sitting together in our beautiful sanctuary, seeing the kids, having coffee together. We miss the reassurance of our shared concern for one another. Not all of that comes across on Zoom. And so we, the members of the Session, want to convey across the "social distance" what might be more obvious if we were physically together: The plan that we will present to the Presbytery was made with careful thought and much prayer. We have considered our needs, our history, our future, and our finances. We believe this plan will energize our church and help us to experience God's love and share it in the world.

In Christ,

The Session

Old South Haven Church Worship Sunday May 17

Linda Majowka is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Sunday Church Service

Time: May 17, 2020 09:45  AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

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Meeting ID: 242 554 4200

Password: 092003

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         Patience is a Virtue

         "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love" 

                                                                                                                                  Ephesians 4:2

               

May 13, 2020

Dear Members and Friends of Old South Haven Presbyterian Church,

Once again we invite you to join us at church, via zoom and the internet, this Sunday, May 17th to celebrate the sixth Sunday of Easter.  We are coming to the end of Eastertide, with Ascension Sunday a week away and Pentecost at the end of the month of May.  I was taught in Sunday School that these are the extremely important Sundays of the church calendar that often are forgotten by those who religiously worship our Lord and God.

In that vein let me bluntly add that not everything my mother taught me came directly from the Bible.  The phrase "Patience is a Virtue" was used many times, and though it may reflect the teachings of our Lord, the phrase comes from a poem called Piers Plowman, created sometime between 1360 and 1387 AD. The original author is William Langland.  In retrospect I may state that patience may have been a virtue back in the 14th century, when there was no smartphones, internet, planes, e-mail etc.  But not so much today.  By experience we have been trained to jump when cellphones begin to buzz

However, we continue to believe in patience as a virtue.  We hope good things will happen to us.  We hope things will work out.  We hope we'll be successful.  We hope we'll get the job.  We hope things will get better.  However, we can be stuck on hope and just wait for things to happen.  But it is getting to that result that takes hard work, persistence, and dedication.  Hope and patience isn't enough. 

If patience is a virtue, action and perseverance is a duty.  I believe that is the basis of the Reformed/ Presbyterian tradition as we face adversity. That is why we have founded universities, hospitals, food pantries, and social service centers.  At one time all these services had ties to Christian believers and their various churches.  In the past century many of these services have become a part of our local and national governments.  In many situations that may be appropriate.  But as Christians we still have the challenge to reach out in love to help our neighbors that include our families as well as the greater world outside.  This is the challenge that we, as Christians, face today.

In Matthew 25: 38-40 we read these words:  "When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?  The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sister of mine, you did for me.'"   This has been the response of Christians in previous pandemics including the deadly viruses of the Roman Empire times, of the Middle Ages, and as recent as the end of World War I with the Spanish Flu and the more recent Ebola epidemic.

In the midst of the present Corona Virus pandemic, let us all continue to have patience with love while supporting those in need and those who are afraid.  Let us continue to provide support for those lacking food, or money for rent or masks, or fuel for the home or auto.  Let us provide help to those stressed and anxious and lonely.  Despite the continued need for social distancing let us reach out and express the Christian love Jesus taught us to have.

Peace, and please share your concerns and prayer requests with all of us, including the pastor.

Pastor Ralph

Rev. Ralph B. Wright, Jr.

516-606-7671 (cell); 631-289-5761 (home) or rbwright1@aol.com

FOOD DRIVE Drive-Thru - Drop OffSATURDAY, MAY 9 • 10AM TO 1PM

FOOD DRIVE Drive-Thru - Drop Off

SATURDAY, MAY 9 10AM TO 1PM

BROOKHAVEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

101 Fireplace Neck Road, Brookhaven

Rain or shine.

Desperately needed items include: pasta, sauce, mac & cheese, stuffing, rice, instant potatoes, microwave meals, mayonnaise, canned tuna & chicken, boxed milk, cereal, soups, water bottles, beans, peanut butter, jelly, bread, english muffins, noodles, crackers, oatmeal/grits, juice, snacks, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, diapers,

baby wipes, pet food, canned fruits & vegetables.

To benefit Lighthouse Mission, Angels of Long Island & the Episcopal Churches of the Great South Bay Deanery.

Sponsored by the Brookhaven Free Library & St. James Episcopal Church

Email stjamesbrookhaven@gmail.com for more information.

OSHC This Sunday May 10th - Fifth Sunday of Easter

Dear Members and Friends of Old South Haven Church:

I want to thank all of you, who have been joining our Zoom Church Sessions.  I hope that you are enjoying the services as much as I have.

Next Sunday, we will again be worshiping by Zoom.  The information to connect is at the bottom of Ralph's letter and the May 10th Bulletin is attached.  Again, if you have any prayer requests, please get in touch with Pastor Ralph or Nancy Best.  Her contact information is 631-2861659 or nancyeb40@gmail.com.

Please join us this coming Sunday,

Linda

Celebrate Our Mothers

                        "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue" 

                   Proverbs 31:26

                     "You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God."

             I Peter 3:4

May 6, 2020

Dear Members and Friends of Old South Haven Presbyterian Church,

We invite you to join us at church, via zoom and the internet, this Sunday, May 10th to celebrate Mother's Day.  Everyone has a mother, so it isn't surprising that throughout the world there are many ways of honoring and celebrating mothers.  Mother's Day is a time to think about the legacies, personal, societal, and faith wise, that mothers and grandmothers pass on.

The tradition of honoring mothers and motherhood, have existed for thousands of years.  The Hebrews, the Greeks, the Romans all had festivals honoring mothers.  In the early church there are records of Christian Mothering Sundays.  In Ethiopia Mother's Day is actually celebrated for three days after the end of the rainy season which is mid fall. 

The United Kingdom celebrates Mothering Sunday which falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent.  The day has evolved from the 16th century Christian practice of visiting one's mother church annually on this Lenten Sunday.  As a result of this tradition most mothers were reunited with their children on this day when young apprentices and young women in service were released by their masters for that weekend.

Many of us in the U.S. have been raised with the concept that Mother's Day began in 1908, when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother, Mrs. Jarvis, at St. Andrew's Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia.  Mrs. Jarvis during the Civil War cared for wounded soldiers on both sides of the conflict.  After the war she continued to address public health issues of both the north and the south of our country. Owing to the efforts of Anna Jarvis by 1911 all U.S. states observed the holiday. 

In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating Mother's Day, held on the second Sunday in May, as a nation holiday to honor mothers.  With the success of this day honoring mothers, there followed the commercialism which so often is a part of the economic history of the U.S. In reaction to selling of cards and flowers, etc., Anna Jarvis argued that people should appreciate and honor their mothers through handwritten letters expressing their love and gratitude, instead of buying gifts and pre-made cards.

It is appropriate for each one of us to worship together, with prayers and the singing of hymns, and in so doing make tributes to motherhood, to honor not only our own mother but all 

mothers.  In today's world it is often the role of mothers to stand up for peace and justice and love.  Let them be our guide.

Despite the Corona Virus pandemic, let us all act as mothers by gently touching those in our community that are hurting and alone. Let us provide support, as a mother would, for those in need of food, or money for rent or gasoline for the auto, or just a shoulder to cry on because of the stress and anxiety one may have. It may not always be possible to be social distancing the suggested six feet, but I am sure however we do it, we will express the Christian love Jesus taught us to have.

Peace, and please share your concerns and prayer requests with me.

Pastor Ralph

Rev. Ralph B. Wright, Jr.

516-606-7671 (cell); 631-289-5761 (home) or rbwright1@aol.com

Topic:   Old South Haven Sunday Church Service

Time:    May 10, 2020 09:45 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2425544200?pwd=M3JpbUVPMWplL3FHWjlGR1pmK0c2dz09

Meeting ID: 242 554 4200

Password: 092003

One tap mobile

+16468769923,,2425544200#,,1#,092003# US (New York)

+13017158592,,2425544200#,,1#,092003# US (Germantown)

Dial by your location

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