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Presbyterian Church USA logoFirst Presbyterian Church of Potsdam, New York

A community gathering in Christ and ministering as God leads
42 Elm Street, Potsdam, NY 13676 • phone (315) 265-9434 • email p1presch@twcny.rr.com

Sundays and Weekly Events

Sunday School. During the school year there is Sunday School for children.  The younger children (up through grade 3) attend the beginning of the service with their family, then depart for Sunday School (in the Church Center) following the "Children's Message." Grades 4-8 will meet with the Pastor in the Conference Room after worship (and after getting a snack at coffee hour). On the first Sunday of every month, all the children are the "greeters" and they stay at the entire service to learn more about communion (and to partake of it, with their parents' permission).  (More...)

Sunday Worship

  • Our worship time is 10:00am on Sundays: VISITORS ARE WELCOME AND EXPECTED!  (Nursery provided)  NOTE: Worship Service is held in the Sanctuary during spring, summer and fall. During the cold of winter (i.e. after the Christmas Season), Worship Service is held in the Church Center (returning to the Sanctuary on Palm Sunday at the latest). Worship Service Hours: 10:00am (9:30am - beginning the first Sunday in July and returning to its 10:00am start time on the last Sunday in August.)   
  • Coffee Hour is held in the Church Center following the worship service.  ALL ARE INVITED!
  • For New-Comers to Our Church.  We welcome you and invite you to coffee hour after the service. We are strengthened by your presence, and hope that being here brings blessings to you. If you would like to become a member of the church, please speak to Pastor Tom, who will be happy to help you get the process started. There are three ways to become a member: profession of faith, reaffirmation of faith, or letter of transfer.


"Worship joyfully
the One who awaits your praise!"

This Week

Friday February 3  - Sunday February 5

  • BEAVER CAMP WEEKEND RETREAT

Sunday February 5 - Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time - (We celebrate the Sacrament of Holy today) - "SOUPER BOWL of CARING"

  • Westminster Choir Practice - 9:00am, Room 4, Church Center
  • Sunday School (for grades 4-6) - 9:00am, Conference Room, Church Center 

10:00AM - WORSHIP SERVICE (worship bulletin)

    • Worship Leader: Rev. Dr. Tom Ballard - Interim Pastor
    • Reader: Shirley Baylash
    • Pianist:  Laura Toland
    • Prelude: "Larghetto" - G. F. Handel
    • Introit: "On Eagles' Wings" - Michael Joncas
    • Anthem: "A Comnmunion Invitation" - Joseph Martin
    • Sermon: "" - The Rev. Dr. Tom Ballard
    • Offertory: "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" - arr. Ovid Young
    • Postlude: "Fugue in A. Minro" - J. S. Bach 
  • Greeters: Children of the Church
  • Coffee Hosts: TBA
  • Counters: Tom Longshore / TBA
  • Deacons on duty this week: Debbie Shipp / Radmila Zuman
  • Souper Bowl of Caring - special collection taken at the door at the end of morning's service (More...)
  • Zumba - 1:00pm, Church Center
  • Movie: "Shadowlands" (with a pizza snack afterwards) - 3:00, Conference Room
  • Bible Study  - 7:00pm, Conference Room, Church Center

Tuesday February 7  

  • Bible Study - 10:00am, Conference Room, Church Center
  • Knitting Group - 3:00pm, Church Center

Wednesday February 8   

  • "Who Are These People" - 6:00pm, Conference Room, Church CenterWestminster Choir - 7:00pm, Room 4, Church Center 
  • Westminster Choir Practice - (this week only) 6:30 - 7:15pm, Room 4, Church Center (so that those who want to go to the "Neglected Nationalism: An Evening of Negro Spirituals" concert  (7:30, Snell Hall - SUNY Potsdam), featuring Dr. Lonel Woods and Crane students - Julie Miller accompanist.

Thursday February 9

  • NOTE: no Bible Study class today

Upcoming Week

Sunday February 12 - Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time - "SOUPER BOWL of CARING" - repeat

  • Westminster Choir Practice - 9:00am, Room 4, Church Center  

10:00AM - WORSHIP SERVICE (worship bulletin)

    • Worship Leader: Rev. Dr. Tom Ballard - Interim Pastor
    • Reader:  TBA
    • Pianist:  Laura Toland
    • Introit: "
    • Prelude: "
    • Anthem: "
    • Sermon: "" - The Rev. Dr. Tom Ballard
    • Offertory: "
    • Postlude: " 
  • Greeters: Dick and JoAnne Partch
  • Coffee Hosts: Worship and Music Committee 
  • Counters: Dianne Morrison / TBA
  • Deacons on duty this week: Elisabeth Eno / Fran Shaw
  • Souper Bowl of Caring - special collection taken at the door at the end of morning's service (carried over from last week) (More...)
  • Zumba - 1:00pm, Church Center
  • Bible Study  - 7:00pm, Conference Room, Church Center

Tuesday February 14  

  • Bible Study - 10:00am, Conference Room, Church Center
  • Knitting Group - 3:00pm, Church Center

Wednesday February 15   

  • "Who Are These People" - 6:00pm, Conference Room, Church Center
    •
  • Westminster Choir Practice - 7:00pm, Room 4, Church Center 

Thursday February 16

Photo: First Presbyterian Church, Potsdam, NY
First Presbyterian Church, Potsdam
Two hundred years of faithful service

Welcome!

Whether you are looking for a church home, a place to explore your faith, or a place to volunteer your time and make a difference, the Potsdam Presbyterian Church welcomes you to join us in our mission in the community and in the world.

You are encouraged to participate in worship, to join any of our groups and to take part in all the activities of the church. Our church family welcomes new members and new friends.

(More...)

We will be looking for you!

The Rev. Dr. Thomas Ballard, Interim Pastor

Home Page Features

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

February 5 and 12 - Souper Bowl of Caring - Youth helpers will be stationed at the doorway after these two services. Toss your bills and change into the soup pot as you leave. All monies collected will be donated to a local charity. Help keep this more than twenty years tradition going. (Nationwide over $71 million has been collected this way!) (More...)

Starting February 8 (thru April 18) - "Who Are These Presbyterias?" 6:00-6:55pm. Conference Room, Church Center. This class is for potential new church members and other interested participants. (More - view topics...)

February  20 - Book Group - 10:00am, Church Center (Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austin)

March 2 - World Day of Prayer - 7:00am-6:00pm - Sanctuary open for prayer. (8:00am - Prayer Service and light breakfast in the Church Center)

March 31 - Easter Jubiliee - focusing on helping senior citizens in the community

LINK to Christmas Pageant photos

ANOUNCEMENTS

PASTOR'S NOTES

The class on "Who Are These People - Presbyterians" meets on Wednesdays at 6:00-6:55pm - Conference Room, Church Center. (More.- view topics..)

(Pastor's day off is Friday)

 

NOTE: Starting January 15 Sunday church services will be held in the Church Center (to conserve on the fuel bill)

ZUMBA has Resumed - Sundays 1:00pm, Church Center

Sundays, 7:00pm or Tuesdays - 10:00am - Bible Study on the Gospel of Matthew -  (choose the date / time that suits you best; come any time) (More...)

Pulpit Nominating Committee: Victor Caamaño, Don Borsh, A. George Davis, Sue Waters, Devon Shipp, Sharon Pickard, and (from the floor) Dianne Morrison.

LINK to "Cottage Group Meetings Report"

NEEDED:

ADULT VOLUNTEERS to provide nursery coverage during Sunday services. Sign-up sheet is posted on the door of classroom 1.

BOTTLE REFUNDS TO HELP FUND THE ROOFING PROJECT: Return your bottles to CJ's in the SeaComm Plaza on Market St - and tell them to send your refund to our ROOFING PROJECT.

HOSTS FOR COLLEGE DINNERS - If you would like to host a dinner in your home spring semester, 2012, contact Eleanor Hopke, Julie Miller or Terry de la Vega.

ROOF pledges needed for ongoing renovations. All additional donations also received with gratitude. (More...)

HP and Lexmark spent ink cartridges for recycling perks (More...)

The February Parish Paper is now online. (Articles for the March Parish Paper are due on or before Thursday, February 23 at noon)

BICENTENNIAL NOTES

IN 2011 WE CELEBRATED OUR 200th YEAR!
A BICENTENNIAL HISTORY OF POTSDAM FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
(excerpts from documents and photos in our archive)

Chapter One: Establishing Our Church, 1811-1820


LINK to some photos of our Bicentennial Banquet on Pentecost Sunday, June 12, 2011

VISIT THE BICENTENNIAL WEB PAGE

FOR SALE
(at the church office 1-4 M-F):
Bicentennial Cookbook - $8  

2 CD's - CHRISTMAS MUSIC - $15 
(recorded at our church over the years) (More...)

2 CD's - CHURCH MUSIC CD's - $10 each
"Praising the Lord with Our Music"
(featuring: "Westminster Choir," "Philhymnonic," "Handbell Choir," "Ring 'n Sing" children's choir, the youth "Chapel Choir," and various solo and ensemble groups)
 
1 CD "Bicentennial Music Celebration" $15
(recorded live on April 3, 2011)

MISSION

DEACONS' PROJECT for the Hopkinton Food Pantry: WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE (clean coats, hats, mittens, clothing, (More...)

MINC Emergency Funds Needed! Since January 1, 2012, $2250 has been spent, primarily on hearing fuel and utility bills. Support is needed so we can continue to support our neighbors in need. Send contributions to: Cynthia Coleman, 5 Grant St., Potsdam, NY 13676 or mail or hand deliver your check to the Church Office. Make checks payable to MINC, and write "Emergency Fund" on the memo line. (More...)

New Donation Methods for Helping Hands - fill up the shopping cart in the narthax.  (More...)

HELPING HANDS: FOOD Items needed in January: spaghetti sauce and canned fruit. In addition, a BLANKET DRIVE has been started, Household items (towels, sheets, pots/pans, etc, even gently-used furniture gratefully...