DEACONS CORNER
I always look forward to penning the October installment of this column. The gradual but insistent seasonal change from lush to bare, balmy to chilly, bright to cloudy is a cyclical transition that I find fascinating. But this environmental change is also a metaphor for and a spiritual heads up that our lives may also experience seasons of change...just not as predictable nor as relatively benign as the climate version. Rather, we as humans may experience changes to our otherwise orderly lives that can present difficulty, challenge, disorder and stress.
It is
during these times that we, as Christians, need to remain acutely aware that
God is controlling and orchestrating these changes and expects us to trust that
he has a plan and a purpose for every aspect of our lives. Remaining faithful,
and aware of His divine providence, will allow us to let go of the old and
embrace new opportunities and growth.
“Weeping
may last for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:5
After a brief summer hiatus, we Deacons are humbly
basking in a successful string of fund raisers, and hitting the road running
going into fall. Final fundraising totals included $1,654 from sales of APC tee
shirts and $852 from Hawaiian shirt day. With these funds we were able to help
Young Life campers pay for their bus transportation and, along with the
contribution of one of our women's Bible studies, we were able to purchase and
distribute over 40 bibles to VBS youngsters in elementary and junior high.
Thank you, APC, for your generosity and loyalty to these projects! Engaging our
children with the Lord is an investment in the future!
We
are updating our address lists for our college students and our military youth.
Please be sure that we have current and accurate information on your student or
military member. You may email any new or corrected information to Brooke
Burnham at lbbw1999ollieowen@yahoo.com.
As
you may or may not recall, we have changed our spare change coin jar program
from individual jars to one large 5-gallon water jug that members are
encouraged to drop their coins into each Sunday or whatever other times you may
be in the building. Dubbed “Coins for Care” this new approach has already
proved to be helpful. We recently distributed $341.55 between two members who
were in immediate need of temporary assistance. This help was a direct result
of your faithfulness to giving and it is greatly appreciated. Bless you!
On
the subject of giving, please keep in mind that the APC Food Pantry in the
yellow house can always use a few extra hands either to help shelve new
merchandise when it is delivered or through the donation of food items in lieu
of volunteering. If this interests you, please contact Lisa White at 518-812-5557.
For a
second year the Deacons had a major presence at the annual Argyle Thistle Day
celebration, presenting APC to the community by once again hosting a booth for
the youngsters where they painted “blessing stones”, were treated to face
painting and sampled chocolate chip scones. In addition, there were various
games and a prayer tree where folks could stick a post-it note with their
specific prayer. Once again, the booth drew steady numbers of young children
and presented a positive message to the community.
Later
this month, the 16th to be exact, the Deacons will attend a joint
meeting with the Session and the Trustees. Also, watch for a fall bake sale
announcement...I'm thinking that will be a large sale!
“Each of you should use
whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s
grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10
For the Deacons, Tom Genovese
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