First Presbyterian Church                      May 2024

      It’s Still Easter

Sometimes people ask me how I do my sermons without a word for word manuscript.  I do have a detailed outline of what I plan to say memorized on Saturday night, so that on Sunday morning my sermons are more conversational in nature.  The specificity of those outlines varies quite a bit, and I am sharing with you all one of the more “word for word” sermons that I preached.  Occasionally, I will put in a story or scripture commentary that is not written out, but only noted.  For example, I started off with a joke about squirrels that I added at the last minute, so I did not write it out.  Anyway, I hope you learned more about my sermonizing from this newsletter article, and were blessed by the sermon itself.  -Walter

4/7/24 Sermon: It’s Still Easter

Acts 4:32-35 (NT Page 122)

          1 John 1:1-2:2 (NT Pages 238-239)

          John 20:19-31 (NT Page 115)

Squirrels joke?

The first Sundays after Easter and Christmas usually have a lower attendance than most Sundays.  It is kind of human nature for people to think that they have done their “church obligations” after those big holidays.  I also experience a bit of a letdown after all the services and work that goes into Holy Week.  I saw funny Facebook quote on Easter from another minister that said “Christ is Risen, but this minister is taking a long nap”.  This week has also been a get back in gear time, when I am not all that productive.

What I like to remind people, including myself, about Easter is that it was not just a one day event of Jesus rising from the dead.  It is a 40 day season in our church calendar of Jesus ministering to his disciples before he ascends to heaven.  Most of his teachings, like the scripture readings today, help them to understand his resurrection and life, so that they may experience it, too.  

For example, (describe Thomas’ situation).  

Key verse is John 20:29 “Jesus said to him ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’”

My first sermon thoughts were about scientific types, engineers, etc. struggling with “empirical evidence” for God…

That is a bit of a continuation of my Easter Sunday and newsletter themes…

However, another preaching challenge presented itself this week that was rather unexpected.  I learned on Thursday that our old friend, Scott Kelly, had passed away, and his sister asked me to do his celebration of life service at the end of the month.  I could definitely use the congregation’s help with that because I do not know him or his family well.  

One thing I remember about him was that he would often say in church “I want to help”.  It was not always clear to me how this might happen because of his health problems, but he firmly believed that God wanted him to “help”.  He did some volunteer work around the church, though mostly he helped me be a better person.

Like the apostle Thomas, God wants proof of Christ’s resurrection and life in our lives.  Church services are certainly one way to do that, but faith also needs concrete actions for those in need.  Jesus said in Matthew 25:40 “as you did it unto one of the least of these my brothers, so you did it to me”.  A key element of this teaching is that people do not recognize Jesus in the people around them.  Whether they were good Samaritans or not they are surprised on Judgement Day by Jesus’ presence in those around them…

Rev. Walter Stuber 

First Presbyterian Church 

11988 W. Main St., Wolcott, NY   14590

585-217-6030  stuberman1@yahoo.com

www.wolcottpresbyterian.com   

  Spring Rummage Sale 

The Rummage Sale is Thursday, May 2nd – Saturday, May 4th  

Sale Hours: Thursday 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

        Friday 9 a.m.–2 p.m. and 5–8 p.m.

        Saturday 9 a.m.-12 noon

As in the past, the proceeds are used for local missions (example:  Food Pantry, Firemen, Ambulance, camperships, and other missions).  We also, when needed, contribute to the maintenance of the church.  We will need lots of help (female and male).  Please sign up even if it is only for an hour or two.  

            National Day of Prayer

National Day of Prayer PUBLIC PRAYER GATHERING will be held on Thursday,

May 2, 12:00 NOON, at the Bandstand in Wolcott.   ALL ARE WELCOME TO JOIN & PRAY.

  May Anniversaries

Mike and Linda Douglass       5/29

David and Terry VanFleet    5/12

    May Birthdays

Caleb Stuber5/6

Lee Bastian5/1

Gene Beavers5/2

Andrew DeMay5/29

Linda Douglass5/12

Gary Eygnor5/13

John Gingerich5/5

Tom Johnson5/10

Margaret Kasper5/31

Gary Lockwood5/27

Verne Mills5/31

Jean Shorts5/26

Don Sipes5/31

Cindy Stubbe5/11

Julie Thompson5/16

Tracy VanFleet5/8

Barbara Youngman5/20