First Presbyterian Church November 2024
Harvest Time
He also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.”
Mark 4:26-34
I like to go to the Forever Young Senior’s luncheon every first Thursday of the month because they are a great source of wisdom for me. For example, when I wanted to know how the apple crop was doing this year, I just asked some of the apple farmers who could authoritatively tell me all about it. I will spare you the details of how more rainfall has increased apple size, etc. but suffice it to say that it has been a good harvest this year overall. Of course, they also tell me that one cannot really say how a harvest was until the apples are in the barn. As with any kind of farming, there is always the possibility of a hail storm or some other problem happening before crops are harvested.
I find it interesting how a great deal of the life of a church reflects the natural world around it. The timing of Sunday morning worship was largely based on the needs of farmers to tend to their animals, e.g. milking a cow, even though most of us no longer have that kind of lifestyle. We have Stewardship Sunday the week before Thanksgiving probably because of its connection to harvest time. Speaking of which, the Stewardship Committee has asked me to remind people to get your pledge cards in by Sunday, November 17th, so we can plan the church budget for next year. That, too, is a way of giving thanks for the innumerable blessings in our lives when we dedicate the pledges that Sunday.
Last, but not least, Jesus’ teachings about the kingdom of God often had to do with harvest time, as well as agriculture in general. In the verse that I quoted, he talks about how God is at work in the world in much the same way a farmer grows a crop. Seeds of faith are planted, and they sprout and grow over time in ways that can be quite mysterious, even in this modern age. Yet God knows the movements of the seasons, and eventually a glorious harvest time does come. To quote Rev. Michael Ware, a far better Bible scholar than me, “These are times in our scatterings, like seeds on the ground, when we come together for growth. The aim is for us to mature and become fully ripened servants of our God in spreading the Good News. It is harvest time! Amen!”
Rev. Walter Stuber
Pastor’s Report: A Health Update
Good News! I am basically back to normal in terms of my health, though I have had to make some lifestyle changes like dieting and exercising. Ugh! Caleb has taken it upon himself to be my personal trainer by making me chase him around our house, lifting him into the bathtub, etc. He is also kind of spiritual inspiration to me, as kindergarteners are open to the world in fascinating ways. To quote Carolyn Haywood,
“Children are not only innocent and curious but also optimistic and joyful and essentially happy. They are, in short, everything adults wish they could be.”
Jesus said something similar in Luke 18:17, when the disciples tried to prevent some children from bothering him. “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Many words have been written to interpret this, but here is how I relate to it at the moment. I have a new lease on life after my open heart surgery, and I should take time to appreciate what I have been given. Unlike a child, I still have to do the laundry, drive to work, etc., yet I am trying to learn to do it with a sense of wonder like they do.
I enjoy seeing the fall colors more, knowing that this was an uncertain future a couple of months ago. I can even hug people again without fear of hurting the bones in my chest, and I am no longer eating saltless, “easy chew” hospital food. I got my IV line out of my arm recently, and I can shower again without worrying that I will accidentally break it somehow. I do not play with toys in the bathtub like Caleb does though, as there are limits to this being “like a child” metaphor.
Rev. Walter Stuber
First Presbyterian Church
11988 W. Main St., Wolcott, NY 14590
585-217-6030 stuberman1@yahoo.com
www.wolcottpresbyterian.com
2025 Stewardship Reminder
November 17, 2024 is Stewardship Sunday. If you have already sent your 2025 Pledge in, thank you. We would like to remind the rest that the committee would appreciate it if you would send your pledge into the Treasurer, Susan Lockwood, soon. This would help us create the budget for 2025. “No gift is too small.”
As you know, your giving along with our fundraisers help maintain the church and support the needs of the members and the community (example, Food Pantry).
Thank you in advance for your consideration in helping the church better serve God.
Women’s Association 2024 Fall Rummage Sale
Again a “HUGE THANK YOU” to all who contributed in any way to make our Fall Rummage Sale a success. Our profit was $2,348.20.
After the sale some clothing is set aside for the Spring Sale. The rest of the seasonal clothing, shoes, and boots are given to the Catholic Charities on Main Street.
Our Mission is to help support local and outside groups with the monies we earn. We give monetary donations to the local Ambulance, Fire Department, Food Pantry, Christmas boxes, and Camperships. Outside donations we give to Mustard Seed Mission, money for sewing machine thru Presbyterian Church USA Giving. Also, this summer we sent money to Lewis County Mennonite Disaster Service to help with flood relief. We had two of our youth at Beaver Camp in Lowville where the camp road washed out.
Our next Rummage Sale will be the first full weekend in May. Please save your seasonal clothing and other items until then.
We are considered the Women’s Association, but along with the hard working women, we are very fortunate to have several men helping. Thank you Ladies and Gentlemen!
Christmas Concert
The Christmas in Wolcott Concert sponsored by Lyons National Bank will be on Sunday, December 8that 3 p.m. at the Wolcott Presbyterian Church. Admission is free. All cash donations will benefit the regional food pantry. Refreshments will be served this year. We will need cookies so if you are able to help out, that would be great.
Community Thanksgiving Dinner
A community Thanksgiving Dinner will be held at the Faith United Methodist Church, 12223 Oswego Street, Wolcott, on Thursday, November 28 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. Take-outs will be available. All are welcome. Dinner is free!
For those interested in volunteering for this community event, please contact Faith UMC at 315-594-2755.
Looking Ahead
Sunday, November 3: Daylight Saving Time ends. Time to change your clocks back
1 hour before going to bed on Saturday night, November 2.
Sunday, November 17: Stewardship Sunday
Wednesday, November 27: 7 p.m. Council of Churches Thanksgiving Eve service at the Huron Presbyterian Church led by Pastor Walter
Thursday, November 28: 12 – 2 p.m. Community Thanksgiving dinner at the Faith United Methodist Church in Wolcott. Take-outs available – all are welcome! Dinner is free!
Sunday, December 1: First Sunday in Advent
Sunday, December 8: 3 p.m. Christmas Concert
November Anniversaries
Bob and Mary Lou Lockwood11/30/68
November Birthdays
John Cool11/8
Kelse Galek Eddy11/18
Lisa Everett11/7
Bob Fitzmaurice11/12
Bill Gilbert11/29
Cheryl Gilbert11/30
Dakota Hodge11/5
Laurie Johnson11/6
Brian Lockwood11/4
Harrison Lockwood11/14
Pam Lockwood 11/13
Daniel Merrell11/3
David Merrell11/3
Bob Strong11/14
Henrietta Trine11/4
Val Tryon11/12
Jody Tyler11/2
Misty Wadsworth11/16