First Presbyterian Church July/August 2024
Focus More on Pleasing God Then Getting Everything“Right”
In my June 23rd sermon I read the “Thomas Merton’s Prayer”, and some people asked for a copy of it. I am including it at the end of this newsletter article, and I hope that you find it as meaningful as I do. Thomas Merton was both a bestselling author and
Catholic monk, who passed away about sixty years ago. I might not have known much about him, except for the fact that I spent several days at a silent retreat at his old monastery, Gethsemane, in Kentucky.
He was not officially made a saint like Mother Teresa, but his dedication and humble nature were similar to hers. I do not even pretend to be a spiritual athlete like they were, yet they both expressed uncertainty and doubts in ways that I find relatable. Merton had been an accomplished author, who became a cloistered monk, which was a decision that did not come easily. He reexamined this vocational choice more than once in his writings. To make a long story shorter, doubt is not the opposite of faith, but rather its paradoxical complement in our walk with the Lord. This prayer helps me to focus more on pleasing God rather than trying to get everything “right”.
“Thomas Merton’s Prayer”
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does, in fact, please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore, I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
— Thomas Merton in Thoughts in Solitude
Rev. Walter Stuber
First Presbyterian Church
11988 W. Main St., Wolcott, NY 14590
585-217-6030 stuberman1@yahoo.com
www.wolcottpresbyterian.com
August 4 Outdoor Worship Service
Sunday, August 4 : 10:00 AM ARRIVAL; 10:30 AM Outdoor service & sermon by Pastor Walter at Andy DeMAY’s house, 8173 Hampton Ave. (Corner of Hampton and East Bay road) Huron at East Bay just above the old Elks Lodge. Dish to pass with BBQ by Andy. Bring your favorite chair. Hymns and possibly a solo by Chantel Lockwood! Camping and swimming available. Parking both sides of the road. Please keep driveway open for handicap access. Hope to see you there!
Deacons’ Yard Sale
The Deacons’ Sale will be Thursday, August 8 thru Saturday, August 10.
Times are: Thursday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Golf Tournament
The Golf Tournament will be on Saturday, August 24. For more information or questions, please contact Mike and Linda Douglass at 315-594-1284 or Mary Lou. Sign–up sheets will be on the table outside the sanctuary.
Congratulations to Our High School Graduates!
Congratulations and best wishes to Drew Smith, Jolee Stubbe, and Kaylee Stubbe on their high school graduations.
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School: The Wolcott Council of Churches has chosen the dates of Sunday, August 18 thru Thursday August 22 for the Wolcott area VBS. It will be in the evenings. They have chosen SCUBA – diving into friendship with God! as the theme. All kinds of help are necessary. Churches will be getting a list of helpful items to collect and other ways to support.
Labor Day Weekend Ecumenical Worship Service
On Sunday, September 1, the Labor Day Ecumenical Worship Service will be held in
Northup Park at 10:00 a.m.; in case of rain, it will be held at the First Baptist Church.
Financial Report
Contact Walter For Numbers
July Anniversaries
Bob and Terri Fitzmaurice7/11
Jon and Karen Merrell7/4
Allan and Sue Mitchell7/6
Bill and Daryl Rothaug7/10
July Birthdays
Don Bierer7/23
Pat Campbell7/5
Mabel Cahoon7/23
Mark Eddy7/14
Marti Ann Gillette7/30
Jim Halter7/15
Carol Kephart7/12
Eliana Lockwood7/12
Karen Merrell7/15
John Ray7/14
Sidney Thompson7/10
Michelle VanCuyck 7/23
August Anniversaries
Will & Tiffiny Cahoon8/12
Lisa Everett and John Cool8/27
Michael & Chantel Lockwood8/27
Daniel & Chrissie Smith8/27
Roger & Betty Smith8/29
Allen & Kim Youngman8/3
August Birthdays
Grace Cahoon8/11
Kiersten Gingerich8/22
Vaughn Gingerich8/7
Morris Gruver8/11
Sebastian Lockwood8/1
Chrissie Smith8/17
Drew Smith8/13
Judy Tatum8/4
Kathy Topping8/23
Phyllis Weber8/6
Rosemarie Wright8/16