Deacons Corner - July 2025

 

July is a magical month in the minds of many, especially to us as Americans. It is the end of the school year for our youngsters and the beginning of the mixed emotions of graduation excitement and angst over facing life choices for our seniors. Families are readying for vacations. Our farmers are busy planting, the hay fields already sheared for first cut and, that magical, patriotic, picnic, barbecue, parade and fireworks day is upon us once again.

In June's edition we told you that APC was entering a float into Argyle's annual fourth of July parade to promote VBS. Mary Ellen Bain took the lead on this project and in her words… “Our VBS 4th of July float will be a preview of, and an invitation to, a week of learning to trust Jesus. The scene will be a ranger camp at the base of a mountain range in the Northern Arctic… complete with fish, log cabin, eagles and perhaps a caribou or two. Coordinating with the parade's theme of everyday heroes ‘True North’ leads us to seek His direction, and His love, strength and wisdom as exemplified by the actions of everyday heroes, like soldiers, firemen, rangers, and EMTs”. This message is vivid and powerful and will offer the children who attend a perspective tying Jesus to real life as they know it. Thanks to those who helped!                 

           “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” –

                                                               2 Corinthians 3:17

Thanks to the efforts of Kelsey Tuttle, the Deacons' “Hawaiian Shirt Day” held last month was a resounding success. So much so that we were able to not only fund Bibles for VBS attendees who don't have one, but were also able to donate funds towards helping our Young Life Campers pay for their bus. So, how well was well? There was a total of $851.57 raised in shirt donations. In addition, funds raised by one of the women's Bible studies was donated in a lump sum and added to that total (you guys–and gals– are AMAZING!). Because VBS has a more than adequate budget we were able to use $500 of the grand total and give it to WashCo YL. Thank you for your support of our children. Your actions enhance our ability to teach them about Christ's story, and the scripture that tells it, and fosters our commitment to “Making Disciples Who Make A Difference”!

As in other aspects of life, summer is a relatively slow period for the Deacons. We will still be vigilant to those in our realm who are in need and might require some sort of assistance and we encourage you to notify one of us or call the office if you are aware of someone who might need some assistance like a ride to the doctor’s or a meal or two because of illness or accident or any other situation that we can assist with.

One final note, if you are or have been a volunteer at the Open Door Mission and haven't signed up to their web site you may want to consider that option. They will send you regular emails informing you of volunteer openings in all areas of their operation.

You can log on at https://opendoor-ny.org/volunteer/. Should you have a problem please contact one of the Deacons for assistance.

"Freedom is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God and nature." – Benjamin Franklin

Tom Genovese for the Deacons

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