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THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF PITTSFORD 4340 S. Pittsford Rd. P.O. Box 207 Pittsford, MI 49271 Terry Bobzien, Pastor A Church Home for You and Your Family! |
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Join us in Faith, Freedom and Fellowship! Worship Services and Sunday School are held at 11:00a.m. every Sunday Join us for Vacation Bible School July 13-17, 5:30-8:30 p.m. PowerLab VBS starts with dinner for the family! |
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The Congregational Messenger The First Congregational Church of Pittsford 4340 S. Pittsford Rd. P.O. Box 207 Pittsford, MI 49271
Issue: 18 – Spring/Summer June 2005 Pastor Terry Bobzien 517-629-7381 (Albion Home) 517-499-5470 (Cell) 517-523-2765 (Parsonage)
Pastor’s Letter
I recently found a file on my computer that I’d forgotten about. It’s from the Rodale Institute, a sustainable agriculture and environmental foundation, and discusses briefly the marks of regeneration in plant and soil systems, paralleled with regeneration in individual human lives and with the strengthening of communities. It’s titled “Seven Tendencies Towards Regeneration in Agriculture, Communities, and Plural Spirit.” Those seven tendencies are: Pluralism, Protection, Purity, Permanence, Peace, Potential, and Progress. The author, Bob Rodale, offers a one-sentence description in each of the seven categories for how the principle applies to plants, humans and communities. The statements about the last four as they relate to individuals struck me: Permanence “New, more positive, personal spiritual behaviors take root and provide a deeper meaning to life.” Peace “Negative emotions such as anger, fear and hate lessen in intensity and are replaced by tolerance, compassion and understanding.” Potential “The positive qualities and resources in yourself and your environment become easier to access and affect more people around you.” Progress “Capacity of well-being and enjoyment increases.” Can’t you just imagine those statements coming from the mouth of Jesus as he taught his disciples? The statement about permanence is mirrored by our Lord in Matthew 6:33, “…strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” On peace, I thought of Jesus teaching, also in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:7, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” The gospel of John quotes Jesus in 13:34-35, “…love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Jesus addressed the topic of potential in Matthew 5:14, 16, “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.” “…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Progress is portrayed in John 4:14, “…those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” Our spiritual development is something like being cultivated in God’s garden. We become established, either in childhood or “transplanted” later in life, in the faith of Jesus Christ. We are tended by others of the faith, operating in the Spirit of fellowship. We mature in the faith as we are nurtured by the water and nutrients of worship, prayer, meditation, study of the Word and Christian fellowship. Finally, we bear fruit for the Kingdom as we enable the faith to be sown in others and tend the garden in keeping with God’s will. In this spring and summer season, may you be blessed with the light of the SONshine, the waters of the Spirit, firmly rooted in God’s Word and lovingly tended by your fellow Pilgrims. God’s Peace, Pastor Terry P.S.: If you’d like a copy of the Rodale Institute webpage and its web address, let me know.
Congratulations Joshua Moore – Doctor of Jurisprudence degree (Magna cum laude) from the University of Detroit Vern Moore – Bachelor’s Degree in Biosystems Engineering from Michigan State University Joshua and Vern are the sons of Sue Moore Watson and grandsons of Bob and Betsy Jones. Derek Knueve – Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing from Michigan State University Anthony Marshall – Pittsford High School Graduate Adam Clark – Hillsdale College Academy High School Graduate Adam will be pursuing an Engineering Degree from Tri-State University Aaron Clark and Michelle Reed will be wed on June 18th. 2005 Adam and Aaron are the sons of Kevin and Darlene Clark and the grandsons of George and Marian Gier.
Speaking of food……………………………
Ice Cream! This years Ice Cream Social will be held on Saturday, August 20th, 2005 from 4:30-7:30pm. A volunteer sign-up sheet will be posted later in the summer for those who would be willing to help with the event. We will be making the ice cream the Sunday before the event, August 14th, 6p.m. at the home of Brian and Lynette Brocht. This will be a Fellowship Night and everyone is invited to attend! “CHOCOLATE SINGS” One day I had a date for lunch with friends. Mae, a little old "blue hair" about 80 years old, came along with them---all in all, a pleasant bunch. When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Mae who said, "Ice Cream, please. Two scoops, chocolate." I wasn't sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast. "Along with heated apple pie," Mae added, completely unabashed. We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time. But when our orders were brought out, I didn't enjoy mine. I couldn't take my eyes off Mae as her pie a-la-mode went down. The other ladies showed dismay. They ate their lunches silently and frowned. The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Mae. I lunched on white meat tuna. She ordered a parfait. I smiled. She asked if she amused me. I answered, "Yes, you do, but also you confuse me. How come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible?” She laughed and said, with wanton mirth, "I'm tasting all that's possible. I try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should. But life's so short, my friend, I hate missing out on something good. This year I realized how old I was. (She grinned) I haven't been this old before." "So, before I die, I've got to try those things that for years I had ignored. I haven't smelled all the flowers yet. There are too many books I haven't read. There are more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown overhead. There are many malls I haven't shopped. I've not laughed at all the jokes. I've missed a lot of Broadway hits and potato chips and cokes. I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face. I want to sit in a country church once more and thank God for His grace. I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast. I want UN-timed long distance calls to the folks I love the most. I haven't cried at all the movies yet, or walked in the morning rain. I need to feel wind in my hair. I want to fall in love again. So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner, then should I die before night fall, I'd say I died a winner, because I missed out on nothing. I filled my heart's desire. I had that final chocolate mousse before my life expired." With that, I called the waitress over. "I've changed my mind," I said. "I want what she is having; only add some more whipped cream!" Be mindful that happiness isn't based on possessions, power, or prestige, but on relationships with people we love and respect. Remember that while money talks, CHOCOLATE SINGS!!!!!!! Contributed via internet...author unknown.
Women’s Breakfast A big thank-you to Terry and Loretta Bobzien and all the men of the church who helped prepare and serve the women’s breakfast on Mother’s Day! What a treat to sit back, relax, and have breakfast served to us at our tables. Great job and great food! Women’s Retreat The second annual Women’s Retreat for the Central Michigan Association of Congregational Christian Churches was held on February 18th. and 19th. in the lodge at Somerset Campground in Somerset, MI. We enjoyed a wonderful two days of fellowship, with many fun activities along with lots of prayer, singing, hymns and worship. We had 23 women attending, and we had six churches represented including Somerset Congregational, First Congregational Church of Portland, Onondaga Congregational, Litchfield Congregational, First Congregational Church of Pittsford, and Horton Congregational. The title of our retreat was “Count Your Blessings”. Margery Briggs presented two informational sessions on the topic, and we had small group discussions and activities related to “blessings”. We sang many, many hymns and enjoyed the time together with other Christian Women. We ranged in age from 22 to 87 years old, and we learned from each other at all levels. It was a memorable experience. We are in the planning stages of our third annual Women’s Retreat, and would like you to consider attending. We plan to hold the event at Somerset Campground again, since it is a fantastic facility. The date is set for Feb. 24th. and 25th. 2006. We are planning to decrease the registration cost per person by having the food donated. We will send along more information as we get closer to the date in 2006. We hope you will join us for a fun weekend with Christian women learning together and enjoying the common bond we share: Our belief that Jesus Christ is our Savior and our salvation. Respectfully submitted by the Retreat Committee, Rev. Marilyn Danielson, Sharon Muller, Vicky Mann and Chris Murphy Note: If you are interested in attending the 2006 retreat, Cinda Walton will have additional information as it becomes available. |
Visit our website at www.fccpittsford.org Thank-you for continuing to bring food items for the Kings Kupboard basket! Calendar of Events
June 5th. Noon, Deacon’s Meeting
June 9th. (a Thursday) 7p.m., Trustee Meeting
June 12th. Noon, Annual Meeting
June 19th. 9:30a.m. Men’s Breakfast
August 14th. 6p.m., Ice Cream Making at the Brocht’s
August 20th. 4:30-7:30p.m., Annual Ice Cream Social
September 11th. Church Picnic at McLouth Park Unique Women 2005-2006 Schedule
June 19th. 2005 – 9:30am, Men’s Breakfast in the Fellowship Hall – whether you are a father, son, grandpa or a combination of all three, you are invited to attend. Marilyn Fansler, Chairwoman
August 14th. – Church Fellowship Night, 6pm – at the home of Brian and Lynette Brocht Ice Cream Making!
August 20th. – Annual Ice Cream Social, 4:30-7:30pm Pat Shough, Chairwoman
September 4th. – First date to order your pecans (to be delivered in early November). Cinda Walton, Chairwoman
October 2nd. – Last date to order pecans
October 19th. – Mystery Dinner – everyone in the church is welcome to make reservations and join in the fun of a Mystery Dinner. Evelyn Monroe and Cinda Walton, Co-Chairpersons
November or December 2005 – meeting or event to be planned and announced at a later date.
February 2006 – Friendship Boxes will be prepared and delivered.
May 2006 – We plan to reintroduce a Mother/Daughter Tea with a theme of “Count Your Blessings” In Sympathy Our church family was deeply saddened by the recent passing of Dorothy Armstrong. Dorothy was a long time member of First Congregational and held many positions and offices over the years, most recently serving as Financial Secretary and as a member of the Missions Committee. Our condolences to Dorothy’s family; she will be greatly missed.
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Office Telephone 517-523-2765. Church Telephone 517-523-2385. Terry Bobzien, Pastor, Cell Phone 517-499-5470.
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