Good News

The Monthly Newsletter of the People of H A M I LT O N U N I O N P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H G U I L D E R L A N D, N E W Y O R K Volume 23 No. 3

March 2013
Sunday Morning Worship Services are regularly held at 8:30 and 10:00 a.m.

Mission of the Month THE ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

SHARING BRINGS JOY TO OTHERS, TO GOD, AND TO US

Empowered by your giving, OGHS congregations across the USA are providing clean water to those with limited access. It has a direct impact on their health, their ability to grow crops and raise livestock. Giving to OGHS has helped families devastated by wildfires in Texas rebuild their homes and restore their lives; and housing and feeding volunteers who help in rebuilding. Warriors on Wheels in Detroit, focuses on empowering and advocating for disabled people. A grant from OGHS allowed them to repair and retrofit a 15 passenger bus, restoring independence to many lives. With joy you will draw water from the well of salvation. Isaiah 11:3 Thank you on behalf of all the lives touched by your gift to the OGHS.

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Volume 23 No. 3

Ah, Lent! That season of enforced focus on all that is wrong and deserving confession of sin! That season for giving up stuff. As if the season isnt dreary enough! Fortunately, there are those souls who actually do engage in Lenten disciplines. You inspire me. But then there many people, like me, who never developed the habit of doing without for this season and who feel vaguely guilty that we are not doing something sacrificial for the Lord. Its a kind of spiritual double whammy. No practiceno spiritual gain. Yet guilt because we think serious Christians should do something during this season. Yet I suspect we secretly resent a season that presents such wonderful opportunities for failure. I have many thoughts about this. Here are three: First, there is great wisdom and opportunity in the traditional understanding of Lenten disciplines. In our affluent culture which runs on instant gratification we have come to identify freedom as the right to have what we want when we want it without regard for economic or health consequences. In fact scripture teaches that true freedom comes from being able to say no. Real freedom of choice is the capacity be free from our urges and compulsions. It was this true freedom that allowed Jesus to give up his very life. There is something to be said for the practice of small renunciations to help pave the way for bigger ones. Why not begin with opening the door for someone? Letting someone who has fewer groceries than you ahead in line? Why not identify some item in your home that you could give to someone? Second: Since I believe the besetting sin of our time is despairthe belief that we and the world are going down the drain and there is nothing we can do about itwhy not adopt the practice of doing something! Challenge the hard cold world of so-called reality! It may seem hopeless, but in an act of rebellion do it anyway. Help out at a City Mission meal, the Food Cupboard, Meals on Wheels, Community Caregivers, Community Hospice or join Stewart when he leads worship at a nursing home. Have the joy of discovering that every act of faith matters and is frequently rewarded by joy in the eyes of another. Finally, the point of these practices is not to be a good doobie. It is to nourish the vital presence of Jesus that abides in each and every one of us. It is to nourish the experience of being in Christ. It is this sense of inner spiritual power that helps us to know that we are not helpless victims of circumstance. He have what Steven Covey calls in his, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, an inner circle of influence from which we can actually confront and overcome life circumstances over which we feel helpless. Thus as the light of the sun gradually grows in displacing the darkness, so our capacity to experience choice and overcome helplessness grows. Growing in light and the capacity to act and to freely choose the path of Jesus, this I propose is our journey to the Cross and beyond to Easter.

Stewart
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Volume 23 No. 3

Lay Readers, Greeters, and Ushers

Mar. 3 Lay Reader Bill Hasselbarth Serving Communion
Gerry Oakley* Dianna Newman Nancy Messersmith Margaret Gardam Fred Sirois

Greeter/Usher Ann McKinney Ushers Peter McKinney Chandra Reis Jon Reis Mar. 10 Lay Reader Greeter Ushers Mark Hutchinson Norma Hardenburg Hannah Hunter-Harris Gwyn Ramage Bill Ramage Melinda Reilly Mar. 17 Lay Reader Shelby Deere

Communion Preparation Nelda Polansky Margaret Gardam

* Denotes team leader. The team leader should call the other servers in advance to make sure they plan to attend church on the designated day. If not, the server should find a substitute and let the team leader know.

Greeter/Usher Irma Morris Ushers Bill Morris Dorothy Rice Joanne Wagner Mar. 24 Lay Reader Greeter Ushers Diane Irwin Dorothy Favitta Joy Harding Cindy Schultz Terry Nieman Nancy Snyder June Edick Mar. 31 9am Ushers Harold Armstrong Betty Deitz Nancy Messersmith Ron Messersmith 11am Ushers Al Deitz Bill Irwin Mickey Nieman Terry Nieman Page 3

WE ARE COUNTING ON YOU!

If you are unable to serve on your scheduled date, please
FIND A SUBSTITUTE

and
NOTIFY THE CHURCH SECRETARY.

The Deacon on Call for March is

a~~=k~=

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Volume 23 No. 3

Upcoming Schedule for Lay Readers, Greeters, and Ushers

Apr 7 lay leader: greeter/usher: other ushers: Ann McKinney Maureen Kimmerer Peter McKinney, Mickey Nieman, Terry Nieman, Ruth Ryf Michael Masley-Hannett Shirley Irwin Bill Irwin, Al Deitz, Katy Waggener Ron Messersmith Carolyn Sarbello Bill Sarbello, Betty Koban, Chuck Koban, Nancy Snyder Bill Morris Irma Morris June Edick, Dianna Newman, Sue Ferris, Margaret Gardam

Apr 14 lay leader: greeter/usher: other ushers:

Apr 21 lay leader: greeter: ushers:

Now let the heavens be joyful! Let earth her song begin! Let the round world keep triumph, And all that is therein; Invisible and visible, Their notes let all things blend, For Christ the Lord has risen, Our joy that hath no end. St. John of Damascus

Apr 28 lay leader: greeter/usher: other ushers:

Upcoming Schedule for Communion Servers

Apr 7 Susan Smith* Hannah Hunter-Harris Carl Hasselbarth Wayne Gannett Nelda Polansky May 5 Charlotte Hasselbarth* William Hasslbarth Betsy Bundy Nancy Snyder Bill Morris

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Volume 23 No. 3

Jerry and I would like to express our sincere thanks for the kindness and love expressed by the Hamilton Union family during the passing of my mother. Please know your phone calls, cards, and other expressions of compassion, love and sympathy were greatly appreciated. A special thanks to Gwyn Ramage for the delicious coffee cake. Blessings to each of you! Gail Ostrander

SAVE THE DATE!

Women and female friends of women of Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church, the women of St Boniface Episcopal Church invite you to join them for a spiritual retreat at the Christ the King Spiritual Life Center, 575 Burton Rd, Greenwich, NY 12834 (www.Ctkcenter.org) on Saturday, April 13, 2013 9 AM - 4 PM Gather at their parking lot at 7:45 AM; leave by 8 AM sharp. Morning activities: coffee and danish; a devotional talk; quiet time; music; a craft Lunch included Afternoon activities: a talk on Benedictine Spirituality for Lay Women; a tour of the convent (may include baby goats!); tea with the Sisters This is the same location where our youth participated in a very successful January retreat. With Pastor Stewart soon going to a silent retreat at the Abbey of the Genesee outside of Rochester, NY, this may give us some idea of what hell be going through. Let us take this opportunity to engage with our sisters in Christ and feed our souls. The cost is $20 for the day, and we need to give them a count by April 5. Please contact Mickey Nieman (356-1691) [email protected] if you are interested in participating.

To Editor Mark Hutchinson: When you attach an address sticker to a newsletter that's headed to Vermont, you may wonder if these people even read it or care about it. The answer is yes and yes! I do read it and enjoy each issue. I am impressed by the care members of the congregation have for each other and by their generosity, especially to those in need. Also their outreach and partnering with other organizations on worthy projects. They, including Stewart, are everything a church should be. It is good to see my brother's name (Al Deitz) included in the list of ushers again! Thank you for sending us Good News. Arlene and Jim Clark Essex Junction, VT

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RESULTS OF THE GUATEMALAN CRAFT SALE Thank you for your support of the Mayan Hands Craft Sale! Your support of this sale on November 25 and December 2, 2012 raised a total of $1362. Of that, $1134.75 went to Mayan Hands and the remainder to Hamilton Union. Your purchases enable mothers in Guatemala to develop self esteem, support their families and send their children to school. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

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Gift Enhances Music Directors Ministry

A gift of $500 from All Square Wealth Management has been given to enhance the ministry of our Music Director, Charlotte Palmeri. The gift is intended to be used at Charlottes discretion to support her ministry at Hamilton Union. Charlotte expresses surprise and gratitude for this gift and wants to take some time to decide how best to use it in Christs service.

Albany Presbytery Trip to Chituka Village

The Mission Fund of Albany Presbytery has approved a total of $3000 for the trip this July to Chituka Village in northern Malawi. The fund which is established to encourage congregations to engage in local and international mission will grant $1,000 each to Keni Banda, Carl Hasselbarth and Stewart Pattison to be applied to a total cost of $3,600. The balance of the cost will be met by personal solicitations and a grant from the Hamilton Union Mission Trip Fund.

Happy Birthday...
Nancy Messersmith (March 10) James Gade (March 12) Cindy Schultz (March 13) Fred Sirois (March 15) George Hannett (March 19) Laura Smith (March 27) Charlotte Hasselbarth (March 31)

Happy Anniversary...
Ruth & Robert Ryf (March 10)

If you would like your special occasion celebrated in the Good News newsletter, please contact Hannah Hunter Harris at: 518.371.3103 or [email protected]

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SAVE THE DATE

MAY 18, 2013

SAVE YOUR STUFF FOR THE 16th ANNUAL GRAND GARAGE SALE
Volunteers Needed Shirley Irwin, Co-Chair Vi McKaig, Co-Chair

Details to follow in April newsletter and Sunday bulletin announcements

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WOULD YOU LIKE TO LISTEN TO HAMILTON UNIONS WORSHIP SERVICES AT HOME?

Cant worship with us in person? You (or someone you know) might want to listen to our services over computer OR from a CD (compact disc) that can be mailed to you on a weekly basis. Mark Hutchinson edits our weekly services and makes them available on computer. 1) To listen from a computer: Go to our website (Hamiltonunionpresbyterianchurch.org). Click on GOOD NEWS....Welcome to Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church Click on WORSHIP SERVICE AUDIO and then Click on the date of the service of your choice. 2) To receive a CD recording: Please call Ann McKinney, 356-1934, and she will see that you receive a CD for each of our 10:00 services. If you do not have a CD player, the Deacons will provide one. The Hamilton Union church family wants YOU to be a part of worship!

Worship the Lord with gladness!

Editors Note:

There are several microphones used for recording the services placed in various places in the sanctuary, There are microphones at the pulpit, the lectern, over the choir loft, a hand-held, one worn by the pastor, and one in the front pew.

The recording devices normally record from about 15 minutes before Worship Service starts until a few minutes after the Postlude.

Some of the microphones are quite sensitive. If you do not want to share with the rest of the world the details of your latest gossip or of Aunt Mabel's latest operation, please don't stand next to the microphone.

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Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church:

Volume 23 No. 3

OUR CORE VALUES

We long To be caring about our church community. to be friendly with a spontaneous welcoming and acceptance to be actively concerned with one anothers well-being. understand Christian community as a long term commitment to the mission of Jesus Christ and to one another. To be people who accept ourselves and each other as who we are, imperfect children of God, who are open with our struggles and joys. because we ourselves know the Unconditional Love of Jesus Christ. we seek to forgive one another as we have been forgiven. To be a multi-generational community focused on spiritual growth for all ages. To foster a collaborative environment open to different gifts, different strengths, different points of view. working together without jealousy. To follow strong spiritual leadership willing to weather the difficulties of serving Christ in a broken world. To be mindful of mission beyond the congregation. to be personally as well as financially involved. To be open to what the Holy Spirit is doing, even when we are pushed beyond what is familiar and comfortable admitting that we are not in control, God is. We seek to avoid being Focused on survival Stuffy, phony or hypocritical Exclusive Driven by issues instead of by the leading of the holy Spirit and the guidance of the Scriptures. Anxious Inclined to marginalize people with whom we disagree Forming cliques Without a sense of humor about ourselves stagnant Developed by Discernment Team, June, 2009; modified by the congregation 2009, 2013.

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Easter Flowers 2013 I/We wish to donate _______to a flower fund to decorate the Sanctuary. Payment of $8.50 (for tulips or daffodils) or $9.50 (for lilies) must accompany your order. Please fill out this form and return to the Church Office as soon as possible. Your order must be received by Sunday, March 24. If you would like to retain your plant(s) or have the Deacons distribute to an appropriate person, please specify below: Name of Donor_________________________ In Memory of__________________________ In Honor of____________________________ Lilies_____
($9.50)

Volume 23 No. 3

Daffodils_____
($8.50)

Tulips_____
($8.50)

I/We will take my plant(s) after the 11:00 a.m. Worship Service_____

OR
I/We wish to have the Deacons share my plant(s) with an appropriate person______

OR
I/We wish to make a donation for flowers to be purchased as needed throughout the year_______ Checks should be made payable to: Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church 2291 Western Avenue Guilderland, New York 12084

In The Story of the Easter Robin (Zonderkidz), Dandi Daley Mackall retells an old Pennsylvania Dutch tale of the robins compassion as he witnessed Jesus death. On Good Friday, a plain brown robin flying over Jerusalem was curious about the nest atop Jesus head. When the bird realized it was a crown of thorns, he tried to dislodge it. As the robin pulled out a long thorn from Jesus forehead, a drop of blood landed on the birds breast, staining it red. Now the robins red breast is a symbol of Jesus loving sacrifice, and the robins earlyspring song is a reminder of Jesus joyful resurrection. Page 11

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Presbyterian Women Sponsor Easter Basket Project Again this year we are participating in the Easter basket project for New Faith Family Center at the Capital City Rescue Mission and the New Life Family program at the Schenectady City Mission by collecting items to fill baskets for the children of the residents. Items may be placed in a box at the rear of the sanctuary from February 17th through March 24th. The baskets will be assembled on Monday, March 25th at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship room. We welcome anyone who would like to come and help. This year will be putting together 20-25 baskets for children whose ages are: Girls: 10 mos., 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11 Boys: 3, 6, 9, 10, 15 Suggested Items: Chocolate rabbits, eggs Coloring books Jump ropes Bubbles Small books Sticker books Crayons/markers Jellybeans Marshmallow chicks Hershey Kisses Peanut butter eggs Foil covered chocolate eggs Cash to equalize baskets Cellophane basket bags

Dinner and Devotions - Cornerstone Protestant Campus Ministry People and Food Needed
Tues. Mar. 5, 6 pm: Dinner and Devotions at The Interfaith Center on the SUNYA campus for Cornerstone Protestant Campus Ministry. Donations of main dish, side dish and desert for 12 are needed, plus people to socialize with the students. Let Charlotte Hasselbarth know at [email protected] or 356-0637, if you can provide food or would like to come. There is a sign up sheet in the back of the church. Food needs to be brought to the kitchenette in the Christian Education Building, in a disposable container, labeled "Campus Ministry", by 5pm that night. A carpool will leave for the program at 5:15pm.

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NEWS OF PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Church Women Uniteds World Day of Prayer will be held Friday, March 1, at 11:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, State St. @ corner of Willett St. at end of Washington Park. Use church parking lot, located off State St. (even though it is striped for handicapped, that is for Sundays only). Use State St. entrance. We will meet in the Rose Room. Bring a bag lunch, beverages and dessert will be provided. Theme is I Was a Stranger and You Welcomed Me, written by the World Day of Prayer committee of France. The Coordinating Team for PW of HUPC will be held on Tuesday, March 12 @ 10:00 a.m. Plans for the next three months will be made. Tuesday, March 19 HUPC PW Circles will meet (this is a change from our regular 4th Tuesday, due to Holy Week) morning group at 10:30 a.m. (bring a bag lunch) coffee will be provided. Evening circle will meet at 7:30 p.m. for Bible study and dessert. Lesson 6 will be discussed. Monday, March 25, the Easter baskets will be assembled. Call Vi McKaig, 765-4064, if you would like to help. Please feel welcome to join HUPC Presbyterian Women at anytime.

The deadline for submissions to this newsletter continues to be midnight of the second Thursday of each month. If you are unsure of the date, it is printed on the back page of the newsletter and on the calendar page, in the weekly bulletin, and in Calendar of Events on the HUPC website.

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Hamilton Union Happenings

MARCH 2013
Tue
1 2

Sun

Mon

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

3
3:30pm Brownie Troop 1495 (M) 7pm Meet the Apostle Paul (S) 7pm Boy Scouts (D) 7pm Webelos Scouts (D) 7pm Poking Brook Dancers (M) 7pm Chess Club (L) 7:15pm Chancel Choir Practice (C)

Communion

8:30am Early Worship Service (S) 10am Worship Service (S) 11:30am Meet the Apostle Paul (L) 11:45am Handbell Choir Practice (S)

7pm Session Meeting (L)

10
3:30pm Brownie Troop 1779 (M) 7pm SCA Chorus (M) 7pm Meet the Apostle Paul (S) 7pm Boy Scouts (D) 7pm Webelos Scouts (D) 7pm Poking Brook Dancers (M) 7pm Chess Club (L)

11

12

13

14

Newsletter Deadline

15

16

8:30am Early Worship Service (S) 10am Worship Service (S) 11:30am Meet the Apostle Paul (L) 11:45am Handbell Choir Practice (S)

7:15pm Chancel Choir Practice (C)

17
3:30pm Brownie Troop 1495 (M) 7pm Boy Scouts (D) 7pm Webelos Scouts (D) 7pm Poking Brook Dancers (M) 7pm Chess Club (L)

18

19

20

21
7:15pm Chancel Choir Practice (C)

22

23

8:30am Early Worship Service (S) 10am Worship Service (S) 11:30am Meet the Apostle Paul (L) 11:45am Handbell Choir Practice (S) 5:30pm Making Disciples Class

24
10:30am PW Morning Circle (L) 3:30pm Brownie Troop 1779 (M) 7pm SCA Chorus (M) 7:30pm PW Evening Circle (L)

Palm Sunday

25

26

27
7pm Meet the Apostle Paul (S) 7pm Boy Scouts (D) 7pm Webelos Scouts (D) 7pm Poking Brook Dancers (M) 7pm Chess Club (L)

28

Maundy Thursday
7pm Communion (S)

29

Good Friday
7pm Tennebrae (S)

30

8:30am Early Worship Service (S) 10am Worship Service (S) 11:45am Handbell Choir Practice (S)

9:30am Easter Basket Project (M)

31

Easter Sunday

9am Early Worship Service (S) 11am Worship Service (S)

D = Downstairs

L = Lounge

S = Sanctuary

M = Multipurpose Room

C = Choir Corner

HAMILTON UNION PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

2291 Western Avenue Guilderland, New York 12084-9747

NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID GUILDERLAND, NY 12084 PERMIT #1

Change Service Requested Dated Material Please Deliver Promptly.

Church: (518) 456-5410 FAX: (518) 456-0002 Rev. Pattison (H) 456-1373 E-mail: [email protected] Website: HamiltonUnionPresbyterianChurch.org

Ministers: The People of Hamilton Union Our Staff: Rev. Stewart Pattison, Pastor Rev. Douglas Gray, Pastor Emeritus Rev. Mary Jo Pattison, Parish Associate Charlotte Palmeri, Director of Music Cheryl Cootware, Church Secretary

Newsletter deadline for the April issue is

Thursday, March 14

GOOD NEWS
Published monthly by the Session, and mailed to each church family household, students away from home, and others.

Mark Hutchinson, Editor Email Address: [email protected]