Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

KC and Reconciliation, a sermon by Alan Stevens

2012-02-06T08:00:00.001-08:00

On Sunday, February 5, 2011, Elder Alan Stevens delivered a sermon on reconciliation while Pastor Tom Philipp was on vacation. Since recording equipment was not available, the text of the sermon is printed below.

K. C. and Reconciliation

Elder Alan Stevens

Texts:

Genesis 45:1-15

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Many years ago, my first wife and I had a cat named K.C., kind of a non-descript gray and white so-called “American Shorthair.” K.C. was named after K.C. Jones, a guard on the Boston Celtics basketball team in the nineteen sixties, later coach, and now in basketball’s Hall of Fame. Most people, of course, assumed that K.C. stood for “Kitty Cat,” an impression that we did not bother to correct. K.C and I were estranged from one another for most of those years during which our lives overlapped. K.C. felt compelled to sharpen her claws on our furniture. Since my wife was adamantly against de-clawing, that option was out. I tried possible remedies various people would suggest, including strange chemicals and double sided tape placed on her favorite clawing spots, but found nothing that worked. In general, we would avoid each other, being in different rooms in the evening for example, and sometimes I would rush at her, yelling ‘BAD CAT’ when I would hear the familiar sound of ripping fabric. In my mind, K.C. had become the “Furniture Destroyer,” and in K.C.’s mind I think, I was the “Bad Guy Who Screams.”

But one day, a remarkable event occurred. I was in the habit of walking around outside our house to use a side entrance when I returned from work in the evening. And one evening, as I was doing this I encountered K.C. walking toward me in the opposite direction. We both saw each other at the same time and stopped. Obeying some impulse, whose origin still remains a mystery, I knelt down to the ground on one knee and spread my arms in a welcoming gesture. And to my amazement, K.C. trotted right up to me, purring loudly, and jumped into those welcoming arms. We were reconciled.

The Bible seems to be chock-full of stories about reconciliation. For Christians, the ultimate reconciliation story is Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son. I chose a different story for this service, the Old Testament story of the reconciliation of Joseph with his brothers. As a young man, Joseph was seemingly fairly obnoxious. The youngest son of Jacob, he was his father’s favorite, a fact that did not sit well with his brothers. Joseph had dreams wherein both his father and brothers were bowing down to him, and he told these dreams to his brothers with apparent relish. One day his brothers found a way to rid themselves of Joseph’s irksome presence and make a buck (actually 20 shekels of silver) at the same time – they sold Joseph to a passing caravan headed to Egypt. But once there, Joseph prospered. He had a remarkable ability to correctly interpret dreams, and when he correctly interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams, he rose rapidly to the point where he became Pharaoh’s right hand man – “in charge of all of Egypt.”

Many years after Joseph’s brothers had rid themselves of him, there was a great famine in the entire Middle East, and Joseph’s brothers journeyed to

Egypt

in search of grain. The story gets a bit complicated here, but at the end of the brother’s second trip to Egypt, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers in the passage we read today, which ends with Joseph embracing his brothers in a scene of reconciliation.

That reconciliation is similar in at least one respect to my reconciliation with K.C. Joseph, the person in a position of power, is the one who initiates the reconciliation. It is Joseph who, in a sense, gets down on one knee with outstretched arms.

Stories of reconciliation abound not only in the Bible, but also in our culture. There are many books and films whose theme is reconciliation. There are more books and films, or so it seems, about the lack of reconciliation – about the awful consequences in situations where reconciliation does not occur. My favorite of these (partly, I admit, because I am a big Clint Eastwood fan) is the movie “Unforgiven,” whose title says it all. Unforgiven, the best Western ever made in my opinion, won the Oscar for best picture in 1992. Set in a small town called Big Whisky, Wyoming in the late 1800’s, the plot begins when one of the prostitutes in the local saloon is severely cut by two customers who felt she insulted them. The local sheriff, “Little Bill,” played by Gene Hackman who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar, attempts reconciliation in a very strange way – by asking the cowboys to give some horses to the saloon keeper since, according to Little Bill’s logic, it is the saloon keeper who is the loser since no one will want the future services of the cut prostitute. This enrages the women who pool their resources and offer a thousand dollar reward for anyone who will kill the two cowboys. The remainder of the film is the story of people seeking to earn that reward; among them a triumvirate of William Munny (that’s M-u-n-n-y, played by Eastwood), his best friend Ned (played by Morgan Freeman) and a young man calling himself the Scofield Kid.

No one is ever forgiven in Unforgiven. The cowboys are not forgiven by the prostitutes. Those seeking the reward are not forgiven by Little Bill. It is in fact Little Bill who is the main character in the morality play taking place within Unforgiven. It is Little Bill who has the power, including the power to initiate reconciliation, but there is no forgiveness in Little Bill. And at the end, Little Bill is not forgiven by William Munny. In the climactic scene, Little Bill, lying wounded on the saloon floor, says that he doesn’t deserve to die. Munny (Eastwood), very much the Old Testament vengeful God in this scene, says “deserve’s got nothin to do with it;” then kills him. There is only death, loss; no forgiveness, no reconciliation, no one on bended knee with welcoming outstretched arms.

We need not look to films and books of course. I am sure all of us have some personal experience of reconciliation, or the lack of it. Children become estranged from parents and their siblings, friends from one another, partners divorce. When reconciliation does not occur, sometimes we think that it should have been possible, but sometimes we think that the separation is for the best – that some impediment stood in the way of reconciliation that was impossible to overcome. I am a child of divorce. My parents separated when I was 14. I remember praying that the divorce would not occur, but it did. In this case, the impediment was mental illness. My father was manic-depressive. In what we called his “highs,” the manic periods, he would quit his job, take what savings existed to fund his current get-rich scheme, and disappear for weeks on end. There were lots of attempts for cures, including electro-shock treatments, but nothing worked. And at some point, my mother could no longer stand living with the highs, and they were divorced.

In the film Unforgiven, the impediment was money. Little Bill believed in and perpetrated a mercantile system of justice that treated all people as objects. What makes Unforgiven a brilliant film are the many allusions to this. The climactic scene has a dual meaning. Those who live by money (m-o-n-e-y) die by Munny (M-u-n-n-y). Little Bill’s essential error is to assume that by distributing justice as if were merchandise, by assigning monetary values to people, that some sort of equitable system will result – that fairness will exist. But, as Eastwood says, “deserve’s got nothin to do with it;” fairness has nothing to do with Little Bill’s values.

Sometimes it seems that impediments to reconciliation could and should be overcome, and sometimes we are left little recourse other than praying for God’s grace. This brings me to today’s New Testament reading – the ultimate story of reconciliation, the reconciliation of God to the world.

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them….

This is heavy stuff, theologically speaking. Mankind, so goes the theology, estranged themselves from God by Original Sin. Oh, that apple! In order to be reconciled to the world, to mankind, a sacrifice is needed. That sacrifice is Jesus, by whose death the sins of mankind are forgiven. This is the theology of The Atonement.

Now I must admit that I have never understood the Atonement in any sense whatsoever. That’s because all I know about reconciliation is what K.C. taught me. I have a simple mind that does not go beyond an image, metaphorical at best, of God on bended knee with outstretched arms, telling me that I am forgiven.

When you look up the Atonement on the Internet, you find that there are, in fact, many versions of that doctrine. Two of the most popular are the “ransom” version and the “satisfaction” version. In the ransom version, Christ’s life was given as a ransom for mankind. Victory over Satan consists of swapping the life of the perfect Jesus for the lives of the imperfect mankind. In the “satisfaction” theory, the insult given to God by mankind’s original sin was so great that only a perfect sacrifice could satisfy the insult and Jesus, being both God and man, was this perfect sacrifice. And, of course, there are many other versions of the Atonement. One rather unfortunate version, in my opinion, is that of John Calvin, the founder of our denomination. Calvin claimed that Christ’s atonement was limited to those predestined for salvation.

But, as I said, I never understood the Atonement, in any version. Perhaps because there was no sacrifice involved when I knelt down on the ground with K.C. those many years ago. My offer was freely given; there were no strings attached. And, as I said, all I know about reconciliation is what K.C. taught me. It is surely simplistic, or even silly, to relate a theological concept to my relationship with a cat. But I cherish that image – God on bended knee, with outstretched arms, saying, “Come. It’s OK. Whatever “it” is. You are forgiven.” Simplistic, but enough I think. So I do not apologize for the fact that, for me, the concept of reconciliation, and my memory of K.C., will forever be intertwined.

[news] This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

2012-01-31T12:18:00.000-08:00

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

This weekly e mail will be brief as I finish up some loose ends and then pack for Brazil. If you need to reach me while I am gone just e mail me. I will check e mails on a regular basis (It saves dealing with the over 100 awaiting me when I got home from one of my previous vacation periods!)

Sunday, February 5 10:00am Morning Worship

Sermon: “K.C. and Reconciliation”

Alan Stevens, Preacher

Sunday, February 12 10:00am Morning Worship

Linda Majowka, Preacher

Sunday, February 19 10:00am Morning Worship

Transformation of the Lord Sunday

Sermon: “Jesus and His Support Community”

Lessons: II Kings 2: 1-12a; Mark 9:2-9

Tuesday, February 21 7:00pm Session Meeting

Wednesday, February 22 7:00pm ASH WEDNESDAY Service

Alan Stevens, leader

Dr. John E. Brandon, Pastor of Bellport United Methodist Church is available for pastoral needs during the period of Pastor Tom’s vacation. February 1-15. Church number is 286-0525

[news] This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

2012-01-25T08:57:00.000-08:00

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Saturday, January 28 9:30am Presbytery Meeting

Brentwood Presbyterian Church

Sunday, January 29 10:00am Morning Worship Holy Communion

Sermon: “How Do We Recognize The Word Of

The Lord When It Is Spoken?

Lessons: Deuteronomy 18: 15-22 Mark 1: 21-28

Ordination and Installation of New Officers

Elders Ordained and Installed: Shirley MacKay

Installed: Linda Scott and Nancy Best

Deacons: Ordained and Installed :

Kevin Barry, Jr. and Lorraine Gallo

Sunday, February 5 10:00am Morning Worship

Alan Stevens, Preacher

Sunday, February 12 10:00am Morning Worship

Linda Majowka, Preacher

Wednesday, February 1 – Thursday, February 15

Pastor Tom on Vacation in Brazil

Dr. John E. Brandon, Bellport United Methodist Church is

available for pastoral needs during this period: 286-0525

Sunday, February 19 10:00am Morning Worship

Transformation of the Lord Sunday

Sermon: “Jesus and His Support Community”

Lesson: II Kings 2:1-12a Mark 9:2-9

Tuesday, February 21 7:00pm Session Meeting

Wednesday, February 22 7:00pm Ash Wednesday Service

Alan Stevens, leader

[news] This_Week_At_Old_South_Haven_Presbyterian_Church

2012-01-20T07:30:00.000-08:00

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Saturday, Jan. 21 7:00-11pm Annual Baycrafters Brown Bag Ball

Parish Hall, Christ Episcopal Church, Bell[port

$10 ticket; a brown bag with food for food pantries

Sunday, Jan. 22 10:00 am Morning Worship

Sermon: “More Than A Fish Story”

Lessons: Jonah 1: 1-17; 3: 1-5, 10

Mark 1: 14-20

11:15 am Annual Congregational Meeting

Saturday, Jan. 28 9:30 am Presbytery Meeting

Brentwood Presbyterian Church

125 Second Street, Brentwood

Sunday, Jan. 29 10:00am Morning Worship

Sermon: “How Do We Recognize The Word

Of The Lord When It is Spoken?”

Lessons: Deuteronomy 18: 15-22

Mark 1: 21-28

Ordination and Installation of new officers

February 1-15 Pastor Tom on vacation in Brazil

NOTICE is hereby given for our Annual Meeting of the Congregation and Corporation called for Sunday, January 22, 2012 to be held at 11:15 am. Annual Reports will be reviewed. Elders and Deacons nominated and elected, and such business as has been properly presented before the meeting.

Sean Moran Rev, Thomas J. Philipp

Clerk of Session Moderator

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2012-01-13T09:06:00.000-08:00

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Thurs., Jan. 12 7:00pm Property and Finance Committee

at Ann Wiswall’s

Sun., Jan. 15 10:00am Morning Worship

Sermon: “Reluctant Nominees?”

Lessons: I Samuel 3: 1-20

John 1: 43-51

3:00-5:00pm Open House at the Manse

Mon., Jan.16 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Tues., Jan. 17 7:00pm Session meeting

Sun., Jan. 22 10:00am Morning Worship

11:30am Congregational Meeting

Sat., Jan. 28 9:30am Presbytery Meeting

Brentwood

Sun., Jan. 29 10:00am Morning Worship

Holy Communion

Installation of New Officers

February 1 – 15 Pastor Tom on vacation in Brazil

NOTICE is hereby given for our Annual Meeting of the Congregation and Corporation called for Sunday, January 22,2012, to be held at 11:30am. Annual Reports will be reviewed, Elders and Deacons nominated and elected, and such business as has been properly presented before the meeting.

Sean Moran, Clerk of Session Rev. Thomas J. Philipp, Moderator

During December, someone used offering envelope #21 to make a cash contribution, but did not provide a name. I do not have a record for this envelope. If you would like credit for this contribution, please let me know.

John Deitz, Financial Secretary, FS@oldsouthhavenchurch.org

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2012-01-07T09:13:00.000-08:00

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Sunday, Jan. 8 10:00am Morning Worship

Baptism of the Lord Sunday

Sermon: ”Some Issues Regarding Baptism”

Lessons: Mark 1: 4-11; Acts 19: 1-7

Special Music: J.S. Bach’s “Partita”

Guest soloist: Natasha Bertrand, flutist

The focus each year on the 2^nd Sunday of January is on the Baptism of the Lord taking place just prior to Jesus commencing his ministry. Pastor Tom this Sunday, however, will focus on the story in Acts when “certain disciples” received “the baptism of the Spirit” which for some today is a warrant for a second baptism. This has led to a controversy through the centuries over second baptisms.

The 12 Days of Christmas ended we will take down the Christmas tree and decorations after Morning Worship

Monday, Jan.9 7:00pm Property and Finance Committee

Ann Wiswall’s home

Tuesday, Jan. 10 1:00pm Lunch Bunch Group

Ann Wiswall’s home

Thursday, Jan. 12 10:00am Clergy Discussion Group

Presbytery Center, Commack

Sunday, Jan. 15 10:00am Morning Worship

3:00 -5:00pm Open House at the Manse

Monday, Jan. 16 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Tuesday, Jan. 17 7:00pm Session

Sunday, Jan. 22 10:00am Morning Worship

11:15am Congregational meeting

Saturday, Jan. 28 9:30am Presbytery Meeting

Brentwood

Sunday, Jan. 29 10:00am Morning Worship

Holy Communion

Installation of New Officers

Tues., Jan.31 – Thur., Feb. 15 Pastor Tom on Vacation in Brazil

[news] This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

2011-12-28T08:10:00.000-08:00

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Sun., Jan. 1, 2012 10:00am New Year’s Day

Morning Worship- Holy Communion

Sermon: “Looking Ahead”

Lessons: Deuteronomy 8: 1-10

Philippians 1:1-11; 2: 1-11: 3:12-16

Fri., Jan. 6 Epiphany The end of the 12 days of Christmas

(the traditional day for taking down the tree

and other decorations)

Sun., Jan. 8 10:00am Morning Worship

Guest: Natasha Bertrand, flutist

Thur., Jan. 12 10:00am Clergy Discussion Group

Presbytery Center: Commack

Sun., Jan. 15 10:00am Morning Worship

3:00-5:00pm Open House at the Manse

Mon., Jan. 16 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Tues., Jan. 17 7:00pm Session Meeting

Sun., Jan. 22 10:00am Morning Worship

11:15am Congregational Meeting

Sat., Jan. 28 9:30am Presbytery Meeting

Brentwood

Sun., Jan. 29 10:00am Morning Worship

Holy Communion

Installation of New Officers

Tues., Jan. 31 – Thur., Feb.15 Pastor Tom on vacation in Brazil

[news] This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Churc1.doc

2011-12-21T12:43:00.000-08:00

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Sat., Dec. 24 11:00pm CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE

Lessons and Carols

Guest: Joseph Porcelli, Trumpet/Flugelhorn

12:00am John’s traditional eggnog served in the Gallery

Sun. Dec. 25 10:00am CHRISTMAS DAY

Sermon: “Christmas Affirmation”

Lessons: Isaiah 52: 7-10; John 1:1-14

Special music: Brian Mullahy, guitar

Mark Quintana, piano

Sun., Jan.1 10:00am NEW YEAR’S DAY

Holy Communion

Sermon: “Looking Ahead”

Lessons; Deuteronomy 8:1-10;

Philippians 1:1-11; 2:1-11; 3:12-16

Sun., Jan.8 10:00am Morning Worship

Guest: Natasha Bertrand, flutist

Natasha is the granddaughter of Catherine Kellogg

Sun., Jan.15 3:00-5:00pm Open House at the Manse

Sun., Jan.22 11:15 am Congregational Meeting following

Morning Worship

Sun., Jan.29 10:00am Installation of New Officers during

Morning Worship

Special note: We are thankful to those who have made a pledge for the first time. We encourage those who have not yet made their pledge for 2012, and still plan to do so, to inform Nancy Best, Stewardship Chair, or John Deitz, Financial Secretary of their intentions. Thank you.

[news] This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

2011-12-13T07:14:00.000-08:00

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Friday, Dec. 16 7:00pm Pastor Tom’s Christmas Party for

Deacons, Elders, and Church Officers

at the Manse

Sunday, Dec. 18 10:00am Fourth Sunday of Advent

Sermon: “Surprising Announcement”

Lessons: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16;

Luke 1:26-38

Christmas Joy Offering received

Lighting Advent Candle of Love

11:15am Christmas Prose and Poetry

during Coffee Hour

Deborah Mayo and Pastor Tom

Monday, Dec.10 7:00pm Session meeting

Saturday, Dec. 24 11:00pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Lessons and Carols

Joseph Porcelli on trumpet and flugelhorn

Sunday, Dec. 25 10:00am CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE

Sermon: “Christmas Affirmation”

Lessons: Isaiah 52: 7-10; John 1:1-14

Looking Ahead

Sunday, January 15 3-5pm Open House at the Manse

(the Christmas decorations will be put away and we

are in the doldrums, so we throw another celebration)

Sunday, January 22 11:15am Congregational meeting

Sunday, January 29 10:00am Installation of new officers during

Morning Worship

Apportionment For 2012

The per capita apportionment for the Presbyterian Church (USA) for 2012 is $30.39 per active member. Presbytery receives $19.81; Synod receives $3.95.and the General Assembly receives $6.63. Many of our members submit a check for this in addition to their yearly pledge.

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2011-12-07T07:10:00.000-08:00

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Tues., Dec. 6 7:00pm Finance and Property at Ann Wiswall’s

Thur. Dec. 8 10:00am Clergy Study Group, Presbytery

Sat. Dec. 10 2:00pm Manse inspection

Sun. Dec. 11 10:00 am Third Sunday of Advent

Sermon: “The Light of the World”

Lessons: Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11

John 1: 6-8, 19-28

Candle of Joy: Kappy Tilney

11:15am Erecting Christmas Tree

4:00pm Decorate tree and stuff socks

5:00pm Soup, etc.

Mon, Dec. 12 7:00pm Follow up discussion ;

“The First Christmas”

Fri. Dec, 16 7:00pm Elders, Deacons, Church Officers

Christmas Party at the Manse

Sun. Dec, 18 10:00am Fourth Sunday of Advent

Sermon: “Surprising Announcement”

11:15am Christmas Prose and Poetry

during Coffee Hour

Deborah Mayo and Pastor Tom

Mon. Dec. 19 7:00pm Session Meeting

Sat. Dec. 24 11:00pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Lessons and Carols

Joseph Porcelli on trumpet and flugelhorn

Sun. Dec. 25 11:am CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE

The Christmas Joy Offering will be received on Dec. 18 and Christmas Day. It is equally distributed to the Board of Pensions’ Financial Assistance Program and to Presbyterian racial ethnic education

[news] Old South Haven Presbyterian Church Newsletter Now Available Online

2011-11-30T11:49:00.000-08:00

The "Winter" edition of the Old South Haven Presbyterian Church Newsletter is now available online. To view the newsletter visit http://OldSouthHavenChurch.org/Newsletters/Newsletters.htm

The print version will soon be in the mail.

[news] This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church.doc

2011-11-29T07:30:00.000-08:00

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Tuesday, Nov. 29 7:30pm Personnel Committee at the Manse

Annual Review of Pastor Tom

Sunday, Dec. 4 10:00am Second Sunday of Advent Holy Communion

Sermon: “God Meets Us As We Are”

Lessons: Isaiah 40: 1-11 Mark 1: 1-8

Light the Candle of Peace: Linda Scott

7:00pm Discussion of “The First Christmas:

What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus’ Birth”

The Gallery

Thursday, Dec. 8 10:00am Clergy Discussion at the Presbytery

Saturday, Dec. 10 2:00pm Annual Manse Inspection

Sunday, Dec. 11 10:00am Third Sunday of Advent

Sermon: “The Light of the World”

11:15am Erecting the Christmas Tree

Brian Mullahy and his elves

4:00pm Decorate the tree and stuff socks

for the Home

5:00pm Soup etc.

Monday, Dec. 12 7:00pm Follow up discussion:

“The First Christmas”

Friday, Dec. 16 7:00pm Pastor Tom’s Christmas Party for

Elders, Deacons, and Church Officers

Sunday, Dec. 18 10:00am Fourth Sunday of Advent

Sermon: “ A Surprising Announcement”

11:00am Christmas Poetry and Prose

at the Coffee Hour

Debbie Mayo and Pastor Tom

Monday, Dec. 19 7:00pm Session Meeting

Saturday, Dec. 24 11:00pm Christmas Eve Candle Light Service

Lessons and Carols

Sunday, Dec. 25 10:00am CHRISTMAS DAY

Sermon: “Christmas Affirmation”

[news] This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

2011-11-22T15:05:00.000-08:00

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Thursday HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Sunday, Nov. 28 10:00am First Sunday of Advent

Sermon: “Stay Ready and Keep Awake”

Lessons: Isa. 64:1-9 Mark 13: 24-37

The Candle of Hope - Nancy Best

Tuesday, Nov. 29 7:30pm Personnel Committee at the Manse

Sunday, Dec. 4 10:00am Second Sunday of Advent

Sermon: “God Meets Us As We Are”

7:00pm Discussion of “The First Christmas”

in the Gallery

Thursday, Dec. 10:00am Clergy Discussion, Presbytery

Sunday, Dec. 11 10:00 am Third Sunday of Advent

Sermon: “The Light of the World”

11:30 am Christmas tree erected

Brian Mullahy and helpers

4:00pm Decorating tree and sanctuary

Stuffing Socks for the Home

5:00pm Soup, cheese and crackers

Monday, Dec. 12 7:00pm Follow up discussion on

“The First Christmas”

Friday, Dec. 16 7:00pm Elders, Deacons, Church Officers

Party at the Manse

Sunday, Dec. 18 10:00am Fourth Sunday of Advent

Sermon: “A Surprising Announcement”

Saturday, Dec.2 11:00pm Christmas Eve Candle Light Service

Sunday, Dec. 25 10:00am CHRISTMAS DAY

Sermon: “Christmas Affirmation”

[news] This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

2011-11-16T10:08:00.000-08:00

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Sunday, Nov. 20 10:00am Morning Worship

Thanksgiving Sunday and Christ the King Sunday

Sermon: “Fruition”

Lessons: Ezekiel 34: 11-16,20-24

Matthew 25:31-46

7:00pm Community Thanksgiving Service

hosted by Old South Haven

Sermon: “Enter With Thanksgiving”

Rev. Dr. John Brandon, Preacher

Participants:

Father John Mellitt St. Joseph the Worker

Deacon Robert Lyon Mary Immaculate R.C.

Rev. Dr. John E. Brandon Bellport United Methodist

Rev, Thomas J .Philipp Old South Haven Presbyterian

Mark Quintana, Organist and Choir Director

Monday, Nov. 21 7:00pm Session Meeting

Thursday, Nov. 24 THANKSGIVING

Sunday, Nov. 27 10:00am Morning Worship

First Sunday of Advent

Sermon: “Stay Ready and Keep Awake”

Lessons: Isaiah 64: 1-9 Mark 13: 24-37

We have depleted our original order of the Advent study book “The First Christmas: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus’ Birth” A second order has been placed and books should be available this Sunday

[news] This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

2011-11-08T19:55:00.000-08:00

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Wednesday, Nov. 9 7:00pm Deacons Meeting

At the Manse

Thursday, Nov. 10 10:00am Clergy Book Study

Presbytery Center

5:20pm “Share the Harvest”

Long Island Council of Churches Fund Raiser

Giorgio’s, 11 Fox Hill Dr., Baiting Hollow

Sunday, Nov. 13 10:00am Morning Worship

Pledge Sunday

Sermon: “I Do, And With God’s Help, I Will”

Lessons: II Thess, 2:13- 3:5 Matt. 6: 19-34

Thursday, Nov. 17 7:30pm “Caring For Aging Relatives”

Presenters: Linda Costanza, L.C.S.W.

George Roach. Esq.

Brookhaven Town Hall Media Room, 2^nd Floor,

1 Independence Hill, Farmingville

Sunday. Nov. 20 10:00am Morning Worship

Christ the King Sunday

7:00pm Thanksgiving Ecumenical

Service at OSHPC

Rev. Dr. John E. Brandon.

Bellport Methodist, preaching

Monday, Nov. 21 7:00pm Session Meeting

Thursday. Nov. 24 THANKSGIVING

Sunday. Nov. 27 10:00am Morning Worship

First Sunday of Advent

The Book “The First Christmas: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus’ Birth” by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan is now available for $6. It is to be read during Advent, with discussion dates not yet set.

[news] This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

2011-10-31T16:38:00.000-07:00

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Sunday, Nov. 6 10:00am Morning Worship

Stewardship Sunday

Sermon: “Stewardship: A Tale of Two Tables”

Lessons: Psalm 92 Mark 14:12-16, 22-25

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS

Monday, Nov. 7 Stewardship Letter Sent Out

Tuesday, Nov. 8 1:00pm Lunch Bunch at the Manse

ELECTION DAY

Thursday, Nov.10 10:00am Clergy Book Study at Presbytery

5:30pm “Share the Harvest”

Long Island Council of Churches Fund Raiser

Giorgio’s 100 Fox Hill Drive, Baiting Hollow

Sunday, Nov. 13 10:00am Dedication of Pledges

Thursday, Nov. 17 7:30pm “Caring for Aging Relatives”

Presenters: Linda Costanza, L.C.S.W. and George Roach, Esq.

Brookhaven Town Hall Media Room, 2^nd Floor

1 Independence Hill, Farmingville

Looking Ahead

Monday, Nov. 21 7:00pm Session Meeting

Thursday, Nov. 24 THANKSGIVING

Sunday, Nov. 27 10:00am Morning Worship

First Sunday of Advent

Book Study: “The First Christmas: What the Gospels Really

Teach About Jesus’ Birth”: Marcus J. Borg & John Dominic Crossan. The book has been ordered at a cost of $6.00. It is to be read during Advent with discussion dates not yet set.

[news] This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

2011-10-25T07:32:00.000-07:00

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Wed., Oct.26 –Thurs. Oct.27 noon to noon Clergy Retreat

Cora Maria, Sag Harbor

Sat., Oct. 29 9:00am Church Yard Sale and Bake Sale

Sun., Oct. 30 10:00am Morning Worship – Reformation Sunday

Sermon: “What From The Past To Take With Us”

Text: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your

God being carried. .then you shall set out from your

place and follow it. Joshua 3:3

Lessons: Joshua 3: 1-17 Matthew 23: 1-12

Looking Ahead

Sun., Nov.6 10:00am Morning Worship Holy Communion

Stewardship Sunday

Sermon: “ Stewardship: A Tale of Two Tables”

Lessons: Psalm 92 Matthew 14: 12-16, 22-25

Tues., Nov. 8 1:00pm Lunch Bunch at the Manse

Thur., Nov. 10 5:30pm Long Island Council of Churches’

“Share the harvest” – fund raiser

Giorgio’s Baiting Hollow

Sun., Nov.13 10:00am Morning Worship Pledge Sunday

Continuing Improvements

The Property and Finance Committee has sent a proposal to the Town of Brookhaven to use remaining funds in the Caithness grant to pave the walk from the parking lot to the front ramp and for improving outdoor lighting.

We are thankful to this Committee’s hard work in documenting needs that meet the criteria for this grant as well as monitoring the proposals submitted.

[news] This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

2011-10-18T16:54:00.000-07:00

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Saturday, Oct. 22 9:30am Presbytery Meeting

Presbyterian Community Church, Massapequa

Pastor Tom and Sean Moran attending

Sunday, Oct.23 10:00am Morning Worship

Sermon: “Unfinished Business”

Lessons: Deut. 34:1-12 Matt. 22: 34-40

Wednesday, Oct. 26 12noon – Thursday, Oct. 27 12:00 noon

Clergy Retreat – Cora Maria, Sag Harbor

Saturday, Oct. 29 9:00am Church Yard Sale and Bake Sale

Sunday, Oct. 30 10:00am Morning Worship

Reformation Sunday

Sermon: “What From The Past To Take

With Us’

Lessons: Joshua 3:1-17 Matt. 23: 1-12

True Story (we are told)

A bar called Drummond’s, in Mt. Vernon, Texas, began construction on an expansion of their building, hoping to “grow” their business.

In response, the local Southern Baptist Church, started a campaign to block the bar from expanding – petitions, prayers, etc. About a week before the bar’s grand reopening, a bolt of lightning struck the bar and burned it to the ground!

Afterward, the church folks were rather smug – bragging about “the power of Prayer.” The angry bar owner eventually sued the church on grounds that the church…”Was ultimately responsible for the demise of his building, through direct actions or indirect means.”

Of course, the church vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection to the building’s demise.

The judge read carefully through the plaintiff’s complaint, and the defendants reply. He then opened the hearing by saying:

“ I don’t know how I’m going to decide this, but it appears from the paperwork that what we have here is a bar owner who now believes in the power of prayer, and an entire church congregation that does not.”

[news] This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

2011-10-12T07:27:00.000-07:00

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Thurs,, Oct. 13- Sat,, Oct.15 Pastor Tom in New York City

Union Days & UTS Alumni/ae Council

Union Theological Seminary, NYC.

Theme “1611-2011 KJV400:A Celebration of the

King James Bible’s 400^th Anniversary” followed by

meeting of Alumni/ae Council. Pastor Tom is a member

of the Executive Committee of the Council.

Sun., Oct. 16 10:00am Morning Worship

Sermon: “Conflicting Claims”

Lessons: I Thess 1:1-10 Matt. 22:15-22

Mon., Oct. 17 7:00pm Session Meeting

Thurs., Oct. 20 6:00pm Holmes Presbyterian Camp and

Conference Center

Fund Raiser, The Water Club, NYC

Sat., Oct. 22 9:30am Presbytery Meeting

Presbyterian Community Church

Massapequa

Sun., Oct. 23 10:00am Morning Worship

Sermon: “Unfinished Business”

Lessons: Deut. 34: 1-12 Matt. 22: 34-40

Wed., Oct.26 – Thurs., Oct. 27 Clergy Retreat Sag Harbor

Sat., Oct. 29 9:00am Church Yard Sale

Sun., Oct. 30 10:00am Morning Worship: Reformation Sunday

Sermon: “What From The Past To

Take With Us”

Lessons: Joshua 3: 1-17 Matt. 23: 1-12

[news] This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church.doc

2011-10-04T14:00:00.000-07:00

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Friday, October 7 5:30pm Corral/Arata Wedding Rehearsal

Saturday, October 8 10:30am Wedding Ceremony

John Hilton Corral and Kiersten Paige Arata

Sunday, October 9 10:00am Morning Worship

Sermon: “Dressing Up For The Wedding”

Lessons: Philippians 4:1-9 Matthew 22: 1-14

12:30pm A.A. Anniversary Party

Thursday, October 13 – Saturday, October 15 Union Days

Union Theological Seminary

Pastor Tom attending

Sunday, October 16 10:00am Morning Worship

Sermon: “Conflicting Claims”

Lessons: I Thessalonians 1:1-10,

Matthew 22: 15-22

Looking Ahead

Thursday, October 20 6:00pm “It’s About Water”

Holmes Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center

Fund Raiser: The Water Club, NYC

Saturday, October 22 9:00am Presbytery Meeting

Massapequa

Wednesday, October 26 – Thursday, October 27

Clergy Retreat, Sag Harbor

Saturday, October 29 9:00am Church Fair (rescheduled)

[news] This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

2011-09-29T16:54:00.000-07:00

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Saturday, October 1 900am CHURCH FAIR and BAKE SALE

This event needs workers and bake goods.

We always have a lot of fun enjoying one another while at

the same time taking in some money for the church

COME JOIN US

Sunday, October 2 10:00am Morning Worship

WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY

Dedication of Peacemaking Offering

Sermon: “It Ain’t Just Ours”

Lessons: Matthew 21: 33-46 Philippians 3: 4b-14

6:00pm Church Supper

Here is your chance to bring one of the recipes

you submitted for our church cookbook

Friday, October 7 5:30pm Corral/Arata Wedding Rehearsal

Saturday, October 8 10:30am Wedding Ceremony

John Hilton Corral and Kiersten Paige Arata

Our Congratulations to John and Kiersten

Sunday, October 9 10:00am Morning Worship

Thursday, October 13 – Saturday, October 15 Union Days

Union Theological Seminary. Pastor Tom attending

A littler boy in church for the first time watched as the offering plates were passed. When it came to his family, he said loudly, “Don’t pay for me, Dad. I’m under five.”

[news] This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church.doc

2011-09-21T07:02:00.000-07:00

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Saturday, Sept. 24 9:00 am CLEAN UP DAY

If you are available we need you. Beside general clean-up, we need to move furniture back into the Gallery. This past Tuesday the floor was sanded and a first of two coats was put on. Second coat should be well dry by Saturday and we can move stuff back.

Sunday, Sept. 25 10:00am Morning Worship

The denominational calendar indicates it is Evangelism Sunday

Sermon: “Old South Haven’s Witnesses”

this year’s theme: “Be my Witnesses” Acts 1: 8

Lessons: Exodus 17: 1-7 Matthew 21: 23-32.

(a sermon that asks the question: What do you experience

at OSHPC that is worth mentioning to others?)

Tuesday, Sept. 27 12noon – 3:00pm “Welcoming – Embracing- Reaching Out”

A presentation by Dr. Emad Ramzy Philobbos

Egyptian International Peacemaker

Presbytery Center, Commack. Lunch provided.

Dr. Philobbos is Professor of Geology at Assiut University in

Upper Egypt. He was General Secretary of the Protestant

Community in Egypt, and is now a board member of the

Presbyterian Seminary in Cairo. Pastor Tom will provide

transportation.

Saturday, Oct. 1 9:00am Church Fair and Bake Sale

Sunday, Oct. 2 10:00am Morning Worship

World Communion Sunday

Receive Peacemaking Offering

6:00pm Church Potluck Supper

you are encouraged to bring a dish from a recipe

you submitted for our Cookbook

[news] This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

2011-09-16T06:54:00.000-07:00

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Wed., Sept. 14 7:00pm “Not In Our Town” Patchogue Theatre. Free Admission. A documentary film focusing on acts of violence in various communities in the past few

years, including the killing of Marcello Lucero ion Patchogue and the response by churches and other community groups

Sun.Sept.18 10:00am Morning Worship

Sermon: “ Photos on the Wall”

Lessons: Matthew 20: 1-16; Philippians 1: 21-30

Mon. Sept. 19 7:00pm Session Meeting

Sat. Sept.. 24 9:00am Church Clean Up Day

10:00 am – 3:00pm Presbytery-wide Visioning Retreat

The Presbyterian Church in Garden City

1:00pm George Stony Film Screening and Reception

Brookhaven Library

Films: Autumn Flight (1967) and Painting from Nature (1972)

Sun., Sept 25 10:00am Morning Worship

Tues., Sept. 27 12:00noon -3pm “Welcoming – Embracing – Reaching Out”

A presentation by Dr. Emad Ramzy Philobbos

Egyptian International Peacemaker

Presbytery Center, Commack. Lunch provided

Emad is Professor of Geology at Assiut University in Upper Egypt.

He was the General Secretary of the Protestant Community in Egypt,

and is now a board member for the Presbyterian Seminary in Cairo.

Anyone wishing to attend contact Pastor Tom to make a reservation.

Transportation provided (This announcement was not in our

NEWSletter because of space restriction.)

Sun. Oct. 2 10:00am Morning Worship – World Communion Sunday

Receive Peacemaking Offering

6:00pm Church Potluck Supper

you are encouraged to bring a dish from a recipe

you submitted for our Cookbook.

[news] The Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

2011-09-08T16:40:00.000-07:00

The Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

I assume that you have received the latest copy of our NEWS letter. Once again we thank Linda Scott and John Deitz for their good work and getting this out on their timeline which was ‘right after Labor Day’. As I have indicated to you on many occasion, our NEWS letter is the envy of many of our sister churches not only for its content but for its pictures, sketches, and layout. We are also commended for our weekly e mails that keep our members and friends right up to date, and we are commended for our excellent web site and its wealth of information.

Pastor Tom

PS: The newsletter is available online at http://oldsouthhavenchurch.org/Newsletters/Newsletters.htm

Sunday, September 11 10:00am Morning Worship

“A Service of Hope and Remembrance”

On the 10^th anniversary of that event known simply as 9/11 we observe this anniversary in a manner designed for this occasion, dividing the service into the segments of Remembrance—Comfort—Hope. Prayers under each of these three segments were written by The Rev. Eileen Lindner and The Rev. Jon Brown, both Presbyterian ministers, for the National Council of Churches observance of this day. Each segment will end with the lighting of a symbolic candle and with Mark Quintana singing a stanza of the Prayer of St. Francis: “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace. Pastor Tom’s sermon is titled “Let Light Shine Out of Darkness” based on II Corinthians 4:6: “For it is God who said, ”Let light shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

We will sing a hymn written for the day by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette titled “O God, Our Hearts Were Shattered” and the hymn “Song of Peace” set to the powerful tune of Finlandia by Jean Sibelius.

May this service be both a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives and those greatly affected by the tragic event. May it also be a service of hope and rededication to the cause of peace.

Monday, Sept 12 7:00pm Finance and Property Committee

Ann Wiswall’s home

Tuesday, Sept. 13 1:00pm Lunch Bunch Group

Ann Wiswall’s home

[news] This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

2011-08-31T13:55:00.000-07:00

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

It was quite a weekend: Hurricane Irene. In our area problems were minor: loss of power, many branches and a few trees down, planned events cancelled. Last Sunday was the second time this year weather conditions made it necessary to cancel our Worship Service. (I had never needed to cancel services before in my long ministry). No Presbyterian church on Long Island had services, and, I believe that was true for New York City as well. I am told that some people in NYC were disappointed that it was not worse so they would have something to talk about in the years ahead: “remember that great storm we had back in August of 2011!!” However, there is still much to be done to return to ‘normalcy’.

I didn’t get a chance to preach the sermon I had prepared for last Sunday, so,

you get it warmed up this Sunday….of course with some revisions.

Sunday, September 4 10:00am Morning Worship

Sermon: “How Much Is It Worth To You?”

Lessons: Genesis 29: 15-28

Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52

Sunday, September 11 10:00 am Morning Worship

“A Service of Hope and Remembrance”

We will utilize worship material prepared by the Rev. Eileen Lindner, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Tenafly, NJ and the Rev. Jon Brown, a Presbyterian minister and Pastor of Old Bergen Church, Jersey City, NJ for the National Council of Churches observance of the 10^th Anniversary of 9/11. In addition we will sing a new hymn written by Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, co-pastor with her husband Bruce of Limestone Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, Del. for use in this service, titled “O God, Our Hearts Were Shattered.” A second hymn we will sing is “Song of Peace” (one of John Deitz’s favorites) set to the tune of “Finlandia.”

Lessons Psalm 46: 1-3, 9-11 and II Corinthians 4: 1, 5-10

Update: The plastering is completed, the walls and ceiling have been painted; painting the pews is underway.

[news] Sunday Service Cancelled

2011-08-26T15:38:00.000-07:00

Sunday Worship at the Old South Haven Presbyterian Church Cancelled

After receiving an update on the course of this weekend's storm, the projection is that it will hit Long Island late Saturday night and continue with intensity into Sunday morning.

I have check with a couple of churches and find they are cancelling services. I believe it is wise for us to do the same.. I would hope each of you has made whatever preparation is in order to ride out this storm. I will offer prayers on Sunday morning for all of you and others caught up in this hurricane.

Pastor Tom

[news] This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church.doc

2011-08-23T07:07:00.000-07:00

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Sunday, August 28 10:00am Morning Worship

Sermon: “How Much Is It Worth To You?”

Lessons: Gen, 29: 15-28

Matt. 13: 31-33, 44-52

Special Music: Annika Lorin Johnsen

Annika will be a freshman at Bellport High School this

fall. She is pianist and also plays the oboe. She is a

competitive volleyball player. Annika is the granddaughter

of Claudia Taylor. She will be playing “Solfeggietto” by

Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach

Tuesday, August 39 7:30pm South Country Peace Group

Looking Ahead

Sunday, September 11 10:00am Morning Worship

The service will observe the tenth anniversary of the

tragedy of 9/11 using materials prepared by the National

Council of Churches for this day.

We have received an invitation from the Mayor of Bellport to participate in a ceremony remembering 9/11 on that Sunday morning. Pastor Tom has responded to the invitation questioning its being scheduled during the worship hour of churches. He has also share this concern with local clergy encouraging them to question this scheduling also.

[news] This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Churc1.doc

2011-08-17T07:36:00.000-07:00

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Sunday, August 21 10:00 am Morning Worship

Sermon “The Power of Imagination”

Lessons Genesis 28: 10-17 Revelation 4

The third of three messages on the contribution

Of Celtic Spirituality

The liturgy for this Sunday will utilize worship materials from the Iona Community located on the Island of Iona off the western coast of Scotland. The founder of the Iona Community is George MacLeod.(1895-1991). Resource books used are “ A Wee Worship Book” produced by the Wild Goose Worship Group, “Celtic Prayers from Iona” by J. Phillip Newell, and “Listening for the Heartbeat of God: A Celtic Spirituality” also by J. Philip Newell. The Rev Dr. Newell is Warden of Spirituality for the Anglican diocese of Portsmouth. He is a Church of Scotland minister who has served at St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, and as Warden of Iona Abbey. The name Wild Goose Publications lifts up the wild goose which is a Celtic symbol for the Holy Spirit. We are used to using the dove as a symbol for the Holy Spirit but perhaps the wild goose is a more apt symbol. Wild geese are untamed, uncontrolled. They make a lot of noise, and have a habit of biting those who try to contain or capture them. That has been the Christian experience of the Holy Spirit through two thousand years. Time and again when theology and God have appeared to be firmly in the control of hierarchies and religious establishments, the Spirit of God has broken free – and has often bitten those who tried to prevent it happening. I believe that is happening once again in our day.

Some Highlights from Session Meeting of August 15:

Painting of the sanctuary ceiling should begin this week.
Motion passed to redo the Gallery floor after the painting is finished in the sanctuary.
Motion passed to reconstruct the saddle and rotted part of the door frame on the side door.
Motion passed to seed the area on the side of the church building.
Motion passed that we take no action on paying fees ordered by the Fire Marshall. We are awaiting a reply to our letter of inquiry and protest on these charges.
Motion that we incorporate a remembrance of 9/11 on the 10^th anniversary of this tragedy during our Sunday worship on that day.
Motion that we schedule our next Church Family Night Supper in September and encourage attendees to bring the dish of the recipe they submitted for our cook book.

[news] Old South Haven Presbyterian Church News

2011-08-10T06:32:00.000-07:00

This Week At Old South Haven Presbyterian Church

Sunday, August 14 10:00am Morning Worship

Sermon: “The Goodness of Nature

Lessons: Psalm 8 Acts 17: 22-31

(second in a series of three messages on the

contribution of Celtic Christianity)

Monday, August 15 7:00pm Session Meeting

At the home of Linda Majowka,

4 Chimney Court, Brookhaven

Sunday, August 21 10:00am Morning Worship

Sermon: “the Power of Imagination”

Lessons: Genesis 20: 10-17 Revelation 4

(third in a series of three messages on the

contribution of Celtic Christianity

In light of this series on Celtic Christianity I would draw your attention to John Philip Newel’s new book “ A New Harmony: The Spirit, the Earth, and the Human Soul” published last month. Newell – a Canadian born Presbyterian and former warden of Iona Abbey in the west of Scotland- provides a book of spiritual insights that point the way to rediscovering the connectedness of everything, from the similarities shared by the world’s faiths to the tight relationship between science and spirituality and spirituality and the natural world in what he describes as a “new Pentecost”

“If we are to listen for the One from whom we have come, it is not

away from creation that we are to turn our ears, it is not away

from the true depths of our being that we are to listen. It is rather

to the very hearts of all life that we are to turn our inner attention.

For then we will hear that the deepest sounds within us is the deepest

sound within one another and within everything that has being. We

will hear that the true harmony of our being belongs to the universe

and that the true harmony of the universe belongs to us”

-excerpt from chapter one

I have just ordered the book and will share it with interested readers…once I read it!

Pastor Tom

[news] BULLETIN: Concert Announcement - Dr. Daniel Corneliussen, Organ

2011-08-02T13:12:00.000-07:00

CONCERT ANNOUNCEMENT
Farewell, Long Island

Remembering Playing Music in this Area,
Relocating to Go Play in Another
performer: Dr. Daniel Corneliussen, Organ

Sunday August 7, 2011 3 o’clock in the afternoon
Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church in Islip, New York

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