Join Us!
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 Our congregation by Skaneateles Lake Worship is at 9:30 AM every Sunday at 97 East Genesee! As you approach the Church (sun, rain or snow - worship, weddings or memorials) the Pastor greets and welcomes the Village. He welcomes and receives those coming to worship God, as well as greeting and blessing those going past. In the words of our Pastor: "People have made an effort to come to the Church, it seems the least we can do, to go out and welcome one another inside." Several new members have commented, "The Pastor greeted us each Sunday as we went by, finally when we were looking for a Church, we knew we were welcome here." The Church has ample off-street parking, ramped access to the air-conditioned Sanctuary, an elevator to all classroom, meeting and fellowship spaces.
Entering the Sanctuary, you see an historic sacred space, beautiful in stained glass and wood, open, bright, with the centrality of pulpit, table and font. This is a dramatic inspiring space with a new 40 rank Cassavant pipe organ whose pipes seem to reach all the way to heaven, bell choirs reverberating in the trinitarian ceiling arches, chancel and children's choirs inspire and delight. Rebuilding this sacred space over the last 15 years, we were intentional to try to preserve the aura of what is sacred and beautiful, while correcting problems. This Sanctuary has no specific cross or icon, instead there are crosses embedded in the structure of ceiling and doors and wainscoting and windows; in order that when we go out into life, we will not identify the Cross as only being available here, but we will seek the Cross in life throughout the structures of our world.
This is a very real, open, community of faith, called TO BE The Church in this place at this time, where the worshiping body listen, enjoy laughter, share tears, and are surrounded by the Spirit of God. Children are an an important part of our weekly worship, and actively contribute to our spiritual growth as they purse their own.
Worship begins with the Chimes and Organ Prelude, as the Acolyte (a child representing The Light of God entering the world) and the Beadle (the Bearer of the Word of God) enter the worship space, followed by the Pastor and lay leader. When the music concludes, the preacher takes a Pitcher of Water from the Table to the Font. The written words in the Bulletin read: "We come overfilled with life, with need to pour out so as to be able to receive. Then to listen to the sound of silence, to know emptiness and searching. Then, in reverence to be replenished by God alone."
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This Week's Sermon
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Weekly Sermon Blog
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MISSION STUDY
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Our Session recognized that the historic identity of this Church as a Traditional Village Church was juxtaposed against another reality, that we are a growing 640 member Church, internationally known in Mission; a patron providing Arts and Music to CNY; and we are a dynamic space of faith and nurture. Our Session established "2010 as a year of learning the background and realities of the Church and Community, so as to be intentional in nurturing the blossoming and growth of fruit that has never before blossomed."
We began by using the Apostle Paul's metaphor of the Church being The Body of Christ. We recognized that bodies have births, and aging, and differing phases with differing abilities and wisdoms, and a death as identifiable stages of life. But as Christians, we also believe in resurrection to new life together. In the 1990s, this Church experienced the death of an era begun in the 1920s, which had thrived in the 1950s-1970s. Through an Intentional Interim, followed by an intentional period of Transformation, this Church has now been reborn. The process was not easy, and was costly, as we not only did Capital and Building Programs but were challenged to rebuild our Faith Commitments and Relationships, and struggle with Forgiveness and Redemption. We used the Church "building anew" as a resource for Music and the Arts and Education. We reached out into the community and world in mission, witnessing real miracles. We opened our hearts to make the resources of the Church available to others whenever they need the Church. There are new problems and the growing pains of a +210 year old body, that beginning the second decade of the 21st Century is now a resurrected congregation with the maturity of a 15 year old. There is also a new and vibrant faith and hope and conviction, all related to our trust of God and our trusting one another. Where this Mission Study will lead, no one knows, but the Church will be better aware of what we have done, what has gone undone, what might be possible, and how to have fun with one another, sharing the blessings of Jesus Christ.
At the completion of the first year of this Mission Study, the Session chose as The Church's Mission Statement what is said at every celebration of the Sacraments: "This is God's Work. All are welcome, invited and encouraged to take an active part. The leadership of the Church intentionally try to make the resources of the Church available to all seeking and wishing to receive."
Meeting with the Presbytery's Committee On Ministry, our Session intentionally hired the Rev. Debra Thomas, an experienced, creative, ordained Presbyterian minister, to serve as Christian Educator. Simultaneously, our Session approached three questions:
- In the past our congregation has often been divided, is there enough trust and unity of spirit for the Church to have a Senior Pastor and an Associate?
- Our Church has built success upon success, with 20 to 40 new members and 20-30 Baptisms per year. This is a very healthy and growing Church!
- Is there work for more than one minister?
- Our Pastor then identified averaging 75 hours per week each month. Further, that the hope of an Associate would be to further expand the ministry and programs of the Church.
- Can we afford an Associate?
- IF we did pursue this, the Calling of an Associate Pastor would replace having a hired Christian Educator, thereby offsetting some expenses. In addition, there is a reality that every pastor develops programs and personal relationships, expanding the Church's membership and potential for giving.
2012 our Session found a creative way forward, instead of pursuing a formal Call, our Session hired Rev. Debra Thomas to serve full-time as "Parish Associate for Spiritual Nurture". Dr. Lindsey continues to serve as Senior Pastor accountable for Session and Administration, Worship and Preaching, Pastoral care and Ministry of the church. Rev. Deb is directly accountable to the Pastor and Session for nurturing the faith development of the people of the church from Cradle to Grave. The era of Sunday School being for Primary education was fine for the late 20th century, but in the 21st Century the church needs to listen to the faith questions of individual believers and nurture each along their way. We hope that this will serve as an innovative model for ministry, as one is Called to serve as Pastor, and an associate is able to further extend the spiritual nurture of the people of God!
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Children @ 1st Pres
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Our active youth program involves students of all ages, pre-school through Senior High. Children participate in worship each Sunday - bringing the Bible forward, lighting the candles, learning the order of worship, leading as choirs, singing the service music, giving their offerings to God, sharing in the Lord's Prayer. (Nursery Care in our beautiful new facility is always available during worship for our littlest ones, birth through age 3.) After the Children's Sermon, young people may depart for Church School, where we offer interactive story-based instruction for Pre-school children, and follow the reformed curriculum, Walk With Me, for students in grades K-12; while others choose to remain in worship for the sermon. A conscious effort is made to include the children regularly in celebration of the Sacraments.
Additional discipleship and educational opportunities include our Confirmation Classes, Adult Education Forums, Bible Study, Family Fellowship Programs and Youth Choir. See the Spiritual Nurture page for more info.
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Announcements - Week of 5/26/13
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NEXT SUNDAY is celebration of Confirmation and the Sacrament of Communion! Please pray this week. Biblical passages will be I Kings 18:20-39 and Luke 7:1-10.
WEDNESDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY is weekly at 7pm. We are reading the Book of Daniel together, and are at Chapter 9. Everyone who comes is valued for their opinion and interpretation. Please join us.
SODERBERG SCHOLARSHIP application can be downloaded here: Mary H. Soderberg Scholarship Application It will be awarded for the first time this June. The award will be a minimum of $500 and no more than $1000. All applications must be in the church office on or before May 13.
OUR CHANCEL CHOIR welcomes all interested singers, both young and old. A trained voice is not required, and neither is church membership or the ability to read music. For more info, speak with any choir member or click on the Music link at left.
COLLECTING YARN - new and leftover! Our knitters will again be making hats and mittens for holiday giving; please don't forget them.
ATTN YOUTH - Each year P.W.C. gives Camperships to those attending Vanderkamp in the summer. Are you interested? Look for more info coming soon or ask the church office.
PRESBYTERIAN MANOR Rooms Available -2 recently redecorated rooms for rent, click link at left for more info. To make an appointment to view the rooms please contact Phyllis Clark, 685-5027.
THE MANOR will host the annual Mother’s day plant sale before and after church; there is always a large selection of beautiful baskets that will last the season.
COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Please call Molly Rhoads, 315-380-7041.
NURSERY VOLUNTEERS are needed; please see Lori Sheriff to sign up to help.
SIGN UP FOR FLOWERS on the chart in the Simms Room. Pick a date to honor or celebrate a loved one or occasion. Call the church office to let Peggy know what to put in the bulletin, call Anna's 497-2874 to order. Anna's will bill the Church, and the church office will bill you. Cost is normally $45.
FOOD PANTRY REQUESTS - The Skaneateles Ecumenical Food Pantry requests cereals, pancake mix, syrup crackers, jam & jelly. Thank You!
FOOD PANTRY NEWS - Volunteers to stock shelves, deliver dinner baskets, or help during open hours are always welcome. Please call the church office if you can help.
PRAYER CHAIN CONTACT: If you are interested in joining the prayer chain or have a concern you would like them to pray for, call Claudia Lambdin at 224-1880 or 253-3678.
FLOWER CANS NEEDED by the Deacons, V-8 Juice size.
THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS above the South entrance were re-installed recently. For 120 years, these jewels have refracted the light in this Sanctuary, while bearing the sun, winds and squalls off the lake, the soot of the world going by, and the damage of time. Our thanks to those who have established Memorials to restore and repair these treasures. Have you remembered the church in your estate planning?
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Publications
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Leadership 2013
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Our Session is:
Andy Biss, John Dau, Barbara Connor, Jill Marshall, Joyce Campbell, Donald Cross,Joan Tarolli, Dick Poppa, Tim Green, Larry Weiss, Peer Soderberg, Jon Soderberg, Allison Lambdin (Youth Elder) and the Rev. Craig Lindsey. Our Deacons are: Peggy Bennett, Atsje Biver, Joe Bernazzani, Steve Frackenpohl, Debra Covell, Kristen Bernazzani, Merrily Heyer, Diane Fellerman, Melanie Hensley, Kim Poppa, Julie Hartnett, Allison Hinman, Sandy Nichols, Kristen Pease, Chad Rogers, Mary Stevens, Carolyn Schwab, Donna Volz and Jonathan Hartnett (Youth Deacon).
Much more news...
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