News for the Church, 11/12/21

Good Morning, Church!

It’s a soggy, wet morning today, but it comes at the end of a full week of sunshine. I hope you enjoyed the string of sunny days we had. I have to admit, every morning I woke up this week, I couldn’t believe that we had yet another day of blue skies to enjoy. It’s funny how our bodies grow accustomed to the usual rhythm of cloudiness. But I love it when the sunshine interrupts “business as usual!” 

This is going to be a busy week! Here’s what’s ahead: 

Thinking about Pledging

This Sunday, Dale Hobson will be talking to us about deciding what we are able to pledge to our church family for the coming year. Following that, pledge cards will be sent out to your home. Please be praying about what God might be calling you to give in this coming year. If you have means to give, we’re hoping that you can turn in your pledge card by Dec. 15th.

Men’s Lunch

This month, the men will be meeting at Jake’s in Hannawa Falls, this coming Wednesday, the 17th at 11:30am. If you plan to attend, please let Bob Pickard know so that he can make the reservation.

Women’s Lunch

The very next day, Thursday, Nov. 18th, at 11:30am, the women of the church are invited to meet up at Jake’s as well. If you plan to attend, please let Sharon Pickard know so that she can make the reservation. These lunches are a chance for us to visit and socialize together. 

*If you need a ride, please either email me back or get in touch with Sharon Pickard, so that we can arrange for someone to come pick you up. 

Learn to Sing Like a Professional

A one-hour online program featuringDr. Colleen Skull, assistant professor of voice at the Crane School of Music, sponsored by the Potsdam Interfaith Community.

Many faith traditions provide opportunities for congregational singing, but most congregations don’t sound like the Tabernacle Choir on Temple Square, or the Sistine Chapel Choir. For any individual who sings in a congregation or a choir, or for those who want to learn to sing, Dr. Colleen Skull, assistant professor of voice at the Crane School of Music, will provide you with the tools necessary to develop or improve your own singing voice.

Join Dr. Skull online on Thursday, November 18 at 7 p.m. for “Learn to Sing Like a Professional,” for a one-hour, interactive program that will be held via Zoom.

The program is sponsored by the Potsdam Interfaith Community as part of its online learning series. It is free and open to the public.

 ZOOM LINK: https://potsdam-edu.zoom.us/j/84183265650?pwd=V2o3d3VtZXh2NnRhaXFKL0JUSWJRQT09

Last Call for Books for Kenya

If you still planned to bring in a book to donate to Rev. Enoch’s children’s library at his church in Kenya, this is the Sunday to bring it in. We’ve got a nice cache of books to send, and Sue will be packaging them up next week to ship off. 

Looking Ahead: 

Our next Big Shift Conversation will take place after worship on Sunday, December 5th.We’ve been meeting on the third Sunday of the month, but since Thanksgiving is coming, Session decided to move it to after the holiday. 

PIC Game Night: We will be hosting a game night at the church on Thursday, Dec. 9th at 6:30pm. 

Care Packages for Nurses on the 3rd Floor Med Serg Unit: On Dec. 12th, following the worship service, we will be gathering to put together Christmas care packages for our nurses one more time. We will need to bring granola bars, dried fruits, nuts, candies, and crackers to put together these small gift bags. If you plan to donate items, please either let me or Sharon Pickard know. (Each bag has a $5 cap for goodies.) 

Praying for Each Other

Friends, there are many of us who are struggling right now– in our bodies, our minds, our relationships, and our circumstances. As a church family, we are called to care for one another, and that includes lifting each other up in prayer. Will you spend some time this week praying for someone you know? Will you take a moment to reach out to this person with a kind word or deed? (Our actions are as much a part of our prayers as our thoughts are.) 

Ecclesiastes tells us that:

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

~Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 

So let us care for one another this week! 

Holding You in the Light,
Pastor Katrina