First Presbyterian Church September 2023
“This is the Real Walter Stuber”
This is the REAL Walter Stuber, though you may have gotten a text message from a scammer pretending to be me. Please do not send me gift cards, or any other “discrete” monetary donations, as the fake message suggested. The church could definitely use financial assistance, but it should be sent there directly with just the church’s name on it. The text and/ or email you may have received from the scammer is not even associated with me or the church by the way. This can make it hard to stop such activities because we cannot control the fake messages which frequently target churches and other charitable organizations.
There was one small upside to the bogus communication that went out a few weeks ago. I was contacted by many people that I had lost touch with over the summer, and it was good to catch up a bit with folks that I had not seen in awhile. Summer days have a way of slipping by, and it is easy to prioritize travel, etc. when the weather is so nice. I also asked the deacons to call the people on their phone lists, so hopefully you were able to chat with one of them as well. If for some reason you were not contacted, please let us know so we can update our phone records.
This reminds me of another aspect of church life that usually happens over the summer. When the weather is cold and/or there are major holidays, people remember their financial donations more often. However, the day to day expenses of a 130+ year old building are more than just heating costs, and there have been quite a few large bills related to the heating system and the electronics of the fire alarms. These were not optional costs, and they had to be done during the warmer months, so the church budget is somewhat in the red at the moment. You can see the specifics of that in the finance report later in this newsletter, as I was on vacation during the last finance meeting.
I know that a church’s stewardship is usually thought of in terms of money, and that is certainly a concern at the moment. However, what is perhaps even more important is the “commodity” of time, particularly in terms of Sunday morning worship. We really want and need as much of the church family as possible to be there for worship. Hymns just do not sound the same during typical summer slump in attendance, for example. You do not even have to be a good singer or speaker to add to the spiritual quality of our worship and music. The power of God is not defined by or limited to weekly attendance, but when it comes to faith the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. I cannot articulate this in precise mathematical terms, yet I feel the movement of God’s Holy Spirit differently depending on who is there on a Sunday morning. For in Jesus we “live, move and have our being”, Acts 17:28.
Praise be to God!
Rev. Walter Stuber
First Presbyterian Church
11988 W. Main St., Wolcott, NY 14590
585-217-6030 stuberman1@yahoo.com
www.wolcottpresbyterian.com
Labor Day Ecumenical Worship Service
On Sunday, September 3rdh, the Labor Day Ecumenical Worship Service will be held in
the Northup Park at 10:00 a.m.; in case of rain, it will be held at the First Baptist Church.
Church Picnic
Andy DeMay has invited church members and friends to his home on Sunday, September 10th following worship service for a time of socialization. Please bring a dish to pass and a chair. His address is 8173 Hampton Avenue, Wolcott (Huron).
Choir
With a choir no longer regularly in place, the Worship Committee is trying something new on September 24. Anyone interested in participating in singing an anthem in the service (especially those who have been in choir) is invited to gather at 10:00 am in the
fellowship hall to practice an anthem that is familiar. Phyllis will lead with the piano.
- John Gingerich
Sunday School/Adult Bible Study
Children’s Sunday School will begin on September 17 at 9:30 a.m.
The Adult Class will begin meeting for the season on October 1 at 9:30 am in the library. We will begin a bible study “Dysfunction, Intrigue, and Faith: Jacob and Family” - Genesis 25:19-50:26. All who are interested in following this fascinating story are invited to attend!
Deacons’ Sale
The Deacons’ Sale in August made $2,172 with more coming in. Thank you to everyone who helped.
Fall Rummage Sale
October 5, 6, and 7 will be the Women's Assoc. Fall Rummage Sale. We will start accepting donations after Labor Day when someone is at the church. Thank you for your support of the church.
Times: Thursday: 9AM to 4PM
Friday: 9AM to 2PM and 5PM to 8PM
Saturday: 9AM to 12PM.
We have seasonal clothing, lots of housewares, small appliances, toys, furniture, and Holiday items. Please, come and support our Church and its missions.
Financial Report
As of July 31, 2023:Year to date income: $42, 393
Year to date expenses: $51,873
A difference of: $-9,480
September Anniversaries
Mark & Kelse Galek Eddy9/8
John & Dolores Gingerich9/18
Rich & JoAnn Steves9/27
Marvin & Val Tryon9/26
Noel & Jody Tyler9/26
September Birthdays
Elyse Stuber 9/26
Karen Blum 9/29
Susan Gateley 9/15
Randy Gillette 9/19
Dolores Gingerich 9/7
Mary Lou Lockwood 9/11
Jon Merrell 9/18
Charlotte Merrell 9/21
JoAnn Steves 9/4
Emmett VanFleet 9/14
Jennifer Younglove 9/4
From the Facebook group – “Remembering Wolcott and Vicinity”
From the Lake Shore News November 28, 1912
“FREE PEWS SUGGESTED”
“Matter to Be Voted at Next Sunday Morning Service”
“Rev. C. Clarence Baker, pastor of the Wolcott Presbyterian church, in place of the usual sermon last Sunday morning explained at length a proposition to have the pews free, raising the money necessary to support the church by weekly sums pledged by members of the congregation.
The matter will be brought to a vote of those present next Sunday morning, which is communion.
The proposition carries with it an increase of $200 in the salary of the pastor.”
From the Lake Shore News December 5, 1912
“VOTED FOR FREE PEWS”
“Ballot Taken Sunday at the Wolcott Presbyterian Church”
“The members of the Wolcott Presbyterian Church voted last Sunday morning, 115 to 14, in favor of free pews. As it was not an official meeting, the vote was taken simply to authorize the trustees to make a canvass of the congregation to see what they can get pledged in weekly offerings, and the final action, both as to free pews and the church budget, will be taken at the annual meeting at the close of the year. The vote Sunday was taken by ballot.”