Since 1791

January 2009 Edited By George Hoag A Challenge For Us Worship in January We have been making the case that Jan. 4 (Epiphany of the Lord)—Isaiah 40:1-11, Philippians 4:4-7; “Joy to the the church is in serious financial condi- Lord” tion, and many church members have Jan. 11 (Baptism of the Lord)—Genesis 1:1-5, Mark 1:4-11 responded with extra commitments. —1 Samuel 3:1-10, John 1:43-51 Pledge amounts for 2009 are running Jan. 18 (2nd Sunday after the Epiphany) nearly 50% above 2008. Some of this “Follow Me” may be offset in reduced plate collec- Jan. 25 (3rd Sunday after the Epiphany)—Psalm 65:5-12, Mark 1:14-20 tions but we are grateful to all of those “Kingdom of God” who have made a commitment. We also received in December one time anonymous gifts of $5,000 and $1,000. In addition one congregation mem- ber has a challenge for us. Every extra gift to the church between now and Mar. 31 will be matched, dollar for dol- lar, up to $10,000. This is an opportu- nity for us to raise an extra $20,000 in the first quarter. The money is badly needed. We now have estimates for the overdue roof repair at the parsonage—about $8,000. In addition, we have a serious problem with our 5,000 gallon under- ground fuel oil tank which will require the tank’s removal, an expensive proposition. Costs could run much higher if any leaked fuel is discovered. We are also exploring conversion to a more efficient heating system. This year’s fuel oil bill totaled $27, 344. Please prayerfully consider an extra gift to help us meet our goal.

Relating People to Jesus Christ and God's Word Contributions Made Easy Save time, simplify your life, and For Guidance: support our church! We're keeping up Lisa D., Barbara McAllister, Joe Brentlink, David & Lori Purificato, Ray Gallo, with the times by offering our congre- Ray Clark, Maj. Don Cornwell stationed in South Korea, Cat Placement and gation a new way to help our ministry. Rescue, Brenda Bonfe D’Angelo, Christy Wood, Samantha, Michael Dellazizzi and Our new Electronic Giving program is family, Michael Amarati, Ernie Titus, Philip Demacos, Pat. an automated program that will allow These Who are Hospitalized: you to make contributions without Josh Boneventure, Christine Quinn’s cousin Frank, Jeff Burdett, Betty Braile, having to lift a pen to write a check or Nana Grace, Frank Barile, Nancy Marshall, Michael Abate, Howard Alt, Deborah reach into your wallet for cash! Belmonte, Joan Simpson, Baby Joseph. Here is how it works: These at Home: You authorize a specified amount of Betty Hanley, Cliff McClean, Joan Welsh, Joseph Weinzettle, Mark Hoffman, money to be electronically transferred Eric & Pat Carlson, Nancy Rogers, Elise Gavrock, Martha Campanile, Natalie directly from your checking or savings Burnett-Lynch, Kathleen Chodorski, Philip Crandall, Kyra McCarthy, Cheryl account to the church account. You Ward, Lucille Barthelme, Debi DelRossi, Belle Barile, Tom Furman, Lisa Lopez, also specify the frequency of the trans- Dorotea Sanchez, Mary Jones, Ruth Masem, Billy Lattazino, Shirley Scalice. fer. Contributions can also be automat- These who are in Rehab or Nursing Care Facilities: ically charged monthly to a Visa, George and Shirley Strauss; Alice Zahnd in Patchogue Nursing Center, 25 MasterCard or Discover card. Schoenfeld Blvd., Patchogue, NY; Anna Satterly in Brookhaven Health Care It is fast, safe and easy! In fact, it is Facility, 801 Gazzola Drive, East Patchogue, NY 11772; Lew and Kitty less risky than checks, as it cannot be Brunnemer in Cedar Lodge Nursing Home, 6 Frowein Road, Center Moriches, lost, stolen, or destroyed. The electron- NY 11934; Gerry Flood in St James Nursing Home (room 269) 273 Moriches ic transfer will cost you NOTHING Rd., St. James, NY 11780; Doris Shrimpton in Bellhaven Nursing Center, 110 and you save the cost of the check. Beaverdam Rd., Brookhaven; Hazel Nargi in McPeak’s Adult Home, 286 N. The church will issue you a donation Ocean Ave., Patchogue; Marian King in Sunrise Assisted Living, 2 Hills Rd., E. statement for your tax records, and Setauket, Rm. 2; Anna Bonfe, Rm. 201, Cunningham Bldg., Loretto Rest, 708 E. your bank or credit card statements will Brighton Ave., Syracuse, NY 13205; Toby Miller (Room 213B) in Affinity Skilled provide you with a record of transfer Living and Rehabilitation Center, 305 Locust Avenue, Oakdale, NY 11769. as additional proof of your contribu- Pray for our church and her future directions! tions. Donations via electronic transfer can be made to our general fund or for United Methodist Book Club a special gift. Of course you can cancel your The book club is open to all and authorization of transfer at any time by everyone is welcome to join. It usually notifying us in writing. But we believe meets once a month and this month that once you have enjoyed the con- we will meet on Sunday, Jan. 18, at venience and savings of this new pro- Selma Graham's house. The selection gram, you won't want to go back to the chosen is, The Lady and the Unicorn, by "old-fashioned" way of contributing to Tracy Chevalier. The book is fiction, your church! yet based on sensible suppositions con- cerning the Lady and the Unicorn tap- If you have already made your estries woven in late pledge, you can choose to switch to medieval/Renaissance France. electronic payments by calling the office. Lift up your church with your prayers, presence, gifts and service. Happy New Year! fering love. church office for information. Every pledge counts and will get our congre- Let’s give our special thanks to God In this New Year 2009, I want all of gation closer to being able to do for giving us a brand new year. you to put on these spiritual new dress- es. First review what kinds of dress we Christ’s work in the world. Let’s fill our lives with new happi- have now, and if we are missing any of A special thanks to all the callers ness and new joy in God’s love and these spiritual dresses, I want you to who contacted every member of the blessing. prepare them for the New Year. It is congregation by phone in the last few In the year 2009, I pray that our because we are all going to put on months. These good shepherds have church can be renewed in God’s way. these spiritual new dresses in 2009. In definitely caused an increase in atten- In the Text (Colossians 3:12-17), the the family, in your work place, in the dance. Our loyal callers include Betty Apostle Paul tells us that because we church, and everywhere and every Braile, Carol Berntsson, Jan Boyd, Ted are the chosen people of God, we have time, we all are going to wear these Davies, Jean & Al Eid, Dave Hollowell, to dress in a certain way. Of course, he clothes which are compassion, kind- Madge & Ernest Ipke, Carol Kirschner, is not talking about the outward cloth- ness, humility, gentleness, patience and Deborah Kolacki, Ed Klingel, June ing, but he is speaking about the cloth- above all “love.” Miller, Trudy Mansfield, Bob Prince, ing of our hearts and our spirits. May God Bless all of you. Dave Purificato, Bob Rogers, Betty and Steve Rice, Bob Smith and Gregory We are chosen ones, holy and In Christ, Davidowitch, Geri Sheridan, Helen beloved daughters and sons of our Pastor Chung Smith, Linda Stawecki, and Frank God. It is because of Jesus Christ our Whalen. Since the beginning of Lord, we now have new life in Christ, Stewardship November, we have had one hundred and we become new people in Christ. Your prayers, presence and tithing or more people in Church each Sunday. Now, as we are new people and have show a growth in our Church in the The light of Christ is shining within us new life, we also have to put on new last few months. Now two good shep- again. clothes. We have to take off our old herds have come forth in our time of We will continue to contact the con- clothes and we have to wear new need. One dedicated parishioner donat- gregation with important information. clothes. ed $5000 toward our heat fund. The If you have not been contacted and What are those new clothes? second good shepherd came forth would like a pastoral call or to be called New clothes are Compassion, bearing a substantial matching grant. with important Church news, please Kindness, Humility, Gentleness, and With our present oil tank and financial contact the office (475-0381) and pro- Patience. problems, these gifts are God sent. At vide us with your phone number this dark hour the light of Christ has The Apostle Paul tells us in verse 14 and/or e-mail address. come and shown around us giving us that “love binds them all together in —Dave Hollowell & Jan Boyd hope for the future. perfect unity.” The thread that ties compassion and kindness and humility As of December l4, 2008, we have and gentleness and patience together is fifty-seven families pledging an amount love. of more then $74,000. Thirteen more families have pledged this year. The
Compassion is to love others need goes on, for we need $83,000 in when they do not deserve it. pledges to sustain ourselves in 2009.
Kindness is to love in action. Please, if you can pledge, do so. Don’t
Humility is to love others before forget, you can do so electronically if yourself. that is more convenient. You can
Gentleness is treating others with choose to have a contribution, each love. month, withdrawn from your bank account or charged to a Visa,
Patience is enduring and long-suf- MasterCard or Discover card. Call the Prayer for Strength and Wisdom Grant me the strength from day to day To bear what burdens come my way. Grant me throughout this bright New Year More to endure and less to fear. Help me live that I may be For Everything A Season From spite and petty malice For everything there is a sea- —Courtesy Beliefnet.com free. son, and a time for every mat- The Future Is Full of Promise ter under heaven: Let me not bitterly complain The future is full of promise, When cherished hopes of mine A time to be born, and a time to Holy Mystery, prove vain, die; if only because we discern your Or spoil with deeds of hate and A time to plant, and a time to forces of evolution at work rage pluck up what is planted; everywhere. Some fair tomorrow's spotless A time to kill, and a time to page. heal; Every opening daffodil, every Lord, as the days shall come A time to break down, and a growing child, and go time to build up; every glimmer of human In courage let me stronger A time to weep, and a time to enlightenment, every bodily grow. laugh; process of healing--tells us the ... A time to mourn, and a time to future is not fearsome but is full Lord, as the New Year dawns dance; of promise. today A time to throw away stones, Help me to put my faults away. and a time to gather stones Your face is hidden, your name Let me be big in little things; together; unknown: Grant me the joy which friend- A time to embrace, and a time still we turn to you in faith and ship brings. to refrain from embracing; confidence. Keep me from selfishness and A time to seek, and a time to spite; lose; Creating Spirit, we hear your Let me be wise in what is right. A time to keep, and a time to comforting voice throw away; in the steady music of the A happy New Year! Grant that I A time to tear, and a time to unfolding of creation. May bring no tear to any eye. sew; When this New Year in time A time to keep silence, and a We give thanks to exist, shall end time to speak; and to be the joy of your heart. Let it be said I've played the A time to love, and a time to Amen. friend, hate; --William Cleary Source: From Have lived and loved and A time for war, "Prayers to an Evolutionary God" c labored here, And a time for peace. 2004 William Cleary. Reprinted with And made of it a happy year. --Ecclesiastes 3 permission of the author. --Edgar A. Guest

Celebrate your life! Witness for your faith! United Methodist Church of Patchogue January 2009

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4 5 6 7 8 9 10 10 a.m.²Church 7 p.m.²AA 10 a.m.±Noon² School /Communion Food Pantry Worship 7:00 p.m.²AA Take down the 7:30 p.m.² Greens. Recovery

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 10 a.m.²Church 7 p.m.²AA 10 a.m.±Noon² 9:30 a.m.²UMW School /Worship Food Pantry 8 a.m.±3:00 p.m.² 7:00 p.m.²AA Defensive Driving 7:30 p.m.² Course Recovery

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 10 a.m.²Church 7 p.m.²AA 10 a.m.±Noon² School /Worship/ Food Pantry 11:30 a.m.²Finance 7:00 p.m.²AA 7:30 p.m.² Recovery

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 10 a.m.²Church 7 p.m.²AA 10 a.m.±Noon² School /Worship Food Pantry 11:30 a.m.² 7:00 p.m.²AA Trustees 7:30 p.m.² 2:00 p.m.±7:00 p.m. Recovery ²Hispanic AA Tax Preparation by Bill Loris

Reasonable Rates Home Service One Half of the Fee You Pay is Donated to the Church 286-2695 E-mail: [email protected] UMC.Org Reviews: Bolt Toy Story and A Bug’s Life, has brought delightful and often touching, as to Bolt a potent team whose credits Mittens, the voice of reason, tries to Director: Chris Williams, Byron include Cars, Mulan and last year’s Meet convince Bolt that he is just a regular Howard; Production Company: Disney the Robinsons, which like Bolt, was cre- dog, while Rhino insists that Bolt, his Pixar; Cast: John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, ated for theatres equipped with 3D. idol, really is the super hero he’s always Susie Essman, Mark Walton; Rating: believed and is being neutralized by PG for some mild action and peril. Bolt’s days are filled with danger and excitement, and he wouldn’t want it any some form of canine Kryptonite. By By Gregg Tubbs other way. As a genetically enhanced defending Bolt’s “awesomeness,” Rhino UMC.org—With its new animated super-dog, Bolt’s mission in life is to also defends his own belief in Bolt. feature, Bolt, protect his human Penny from the evil The theme of belief plays a central Disney/Pixar Dr. Calico, who has already captured role in Bolt. In particular, the film has once Penny’s brilliant scientist dad. Bolt’s life explores how the main characters again served is one adrenalin rush after another. respond when their deeply-held beliefs up a sumptu- Each perilous predicament is neatly are challenged. Bolt finds himself ous two- wrapped up by day’s end with the help rocked by a double-whammy: the real- course movie of his amazing powers—super speed ization that he is not a superhero and meal. If and strength, heat vision and a devastat- the resulting feeling that he is incapable Wall-E was ing super bark. of saving Penny whom he believes is in the soulful, Little does Bolt know that when he danger. Walt Disney believed that for satisfying and Penny retire to their house trailer every laugh there should be a tear. In main course, after their latest adventure, a small army other words, a memorable film has to Bolt is a sweet and frothy dessert. is scurrying about outside, preparing for have heart, and Bolt has plenty. Lasseter That’s not to say Bolt is slight or sim- Bolt’s next adventure. Bolt is actually a says, “The heart in ‘Bolt’ comes from plistic. Wrapped up in tons of humor, TV star, but doesn’t know it. Much like the emotional journey and the change heart and pure fun are questions of the Jim Carrey film The Truman Show, that happens along the way.” Bolt learns almost existential nature. What is reality Bolt’s entire life—from the time he was to overcome the emotional shock and and what is fantasy? What if everything picked out by Penny (an actress) as a crisis of faith, while learning to believe you believe has been a sham? Does puppy—has been an elaborately staged in the abilities he does have. He also belief alone make it true? Heavy reality show, with everyone in on the learns that you don’t need to be “super” thoughts for anyone, but especially for a ruse but the star. The key to the success to be a hero and discovers that the vic- dog who, since he was a puppy, has of “Bolt” the show is the incredible tories won through grit, courage and believed that he was a superhero named performance of Bolt the star, and the sweat are always the sweetest. Bolt. key to the performance is Bolt’s belief Much of Bolt’s heart also centers on Disney’s Bolt sports an impressive that it’s all real. Yet, the only thing that the idea of devotion. Bolt’s fearless, pedigree. John Travolta provides the is real is the bond between Penny and protective devotion to Penny is both jaunty voice of super-dog Bolt, and Bolt. bracing and heartwarming, and it’s dou- Miley Cyrus voices his faithful human Bolt’s greatest challenge comes when bly touching to see Penny's equal devo- Penny. The film marks an important he accidentally finds himself outside the tion to Bolt. She pines to have him animation milestone as the first animat- TV studio and in the real world—a back, not as co-star, but as her beloved ed Disney feature to be conceived and world where his super powers are gone, dog. By Walt Disney’s definition, Bolt is produced under the supervision of Penny is missing and his only help a memorable film with laughs and heart John Lasseter, who is now chief cre- comes from Mittens, a cynical, scraggly to spare, and a sweet, inspiring message ative officer for Walt Disney and Pixar alley cat, and Rhino, a hamster and about devotion and the belief that Animation Studios. Lasseter, the manically devoted “Bolt” fan. The inter- everyone possesses untapped greatness. Academy Award winning director of action between the three characters is Celebrate your life! Witness for your faith! The United Methodist Church of Non Profit Organization Patchogue U.S. Postage 10 Church Street PAID Patchogue, NY 11772 Permit #7 Rev. In Koo Chung, Pastoral Minister Christine Saas, Office Assistant Office Phone: 631-475-0381 | Fax: 631-363-2163

Sunday Worship—10 A.M. — Sunday School—10 A.M. Fellowship Coffee Hour—11 A.M. Supervised Nursery during worship.

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01/03 Colby 01/21 Kyle Smith Schwartz 01/23 Michael Falcon 01/03 01/24 Kenneth Divico Madison 01/24 Analiese Wood DesRoches 01/26 Keith Champlin 01/04 Gabriella 01/29 Courtney Weiss Heiss 01/30 Vincent Aurigemma 01/05 Shannyn Torbert The deadline for the February 01/09 Alexandra Schechner edition of The Link is Jan. 16. 01/09 Sean Randall Please e-mail your copy to [email protected]. 01/11 Juliette Pampalone Golf Tournament 01/12 Samantha Towle Our Golf Classic 2009 will be held We would like to include you on our Monday, May 4 at Bellport Country 01/13 Matthew MacDonald e-mail list so that you can be timely Club. We will have full details soon but 01/15 Ben Spera updated on events. If you have not it’s not too early to start thinking about 01/20 Thomas Mansfield been receiving e-mail from us, please friends and associates who play golf. send your e-mail address to 01/21 Garrett Smith We will need 72 golfers. [email protected].