Yaphank Presbyterian Church

65 Main Street

Yaphank, NY 11980

 (631) 924-3723

                                                                                                            Pastor Ralph Wright

Office: (631) 475-3322

Home:   (631) 289-5761

20 November 2009

“The Holidays: Let us be thankful for what God has given us!” 

The Annual Community & Family Thanksgiving Eve Dinner will be served in the Fellowship Hall (5 to 7 p.m.) on Wednesday, November 25^th for all those who would enjoy a good meal with friends and neighbors of the church.  Take-home meals will be delivered to shut-ins.  If you would like to help or need a take-home dinner, call the church office at 475-3322.  A Thanksgiving Worship Service will be held following the dinner at 7:30 p.m.

How we celebrate the Christmas season varies from family to family.  Our concern as a church is that we celebrate it in a Christ like manner.  Sunday, November 29^th is the first Sunday of Advent.    Church families are urged to take the time to plan for a Christ-Centered Holiday.  Advent calendars will be given to all the church school children and additional copies are available at the church

Two holiday requests for aid – 1) With the beginning of cold and freezing weather the deacons distribute blankets and warm coats to those in need.  Please check your closets for good quality coats and blankets that can be given to the deacons.  2) Each holiday season the Deacons distribute food, toys and other items to needy families in the area.  They are requesting drivers to help distribute the food, as well as the contribution of toys, turkeys, hams, gift certificates, blankets and warm coats (men, women and children).  Please look at the Holiday Gift Board in the Fellowship Hall and adopt a child or family for Christmas.  To all who have given a thank you.  To the good friends of the community we offer special thanks for their food and fundraising assistance.

A short note from the pastor:

With the financial meltdown our nation and Long Island has experienced over the past two years, please give a helping hand not only to those we traditionally help at this time of year, but reach out to members of our parish and the community who are self-employed and may not be earning very much, or to those who have lost their jobs, or to those who are having problems with their mortgages, and to those who aren’t able to properly heat their homes.  This is a time to remember Jesus’ challenge to love your neighbor.  Also please let the pastor or a deacon know if you, or someone you know, is in one of the above categories and would benefit from some aid.   Jesus cares and we care too.

Sincerely yours,

Ralph Wright

Pastor

P.S. During the four Sundays of Advent, as well as Christmas Eve, families together light the advent wreath during the worship service.  If your family would like to participate please give me a call.

Let us remember in our prayers Ann Barlow who continues to have various ailments that keeps her housebound, Gene Thomas who continues his battle with Emphysema, Ed Merriam who is recuperating down in Florida, Kelly Ralph’s niece Megan (not her daughter of the same name)  who is struggling with a brain tumor, and Judith Foley, sister of Irene Powell who is in ICU at Brookhaven.

Birthdays

Construction Note

The Town of Brookhaven Board has approved two grants for the construction of an extension to the Community Services Building.  Contracts are presently being drawn up by the Town and the three construction firms that have won the bids for the building, heating and A/C and the electrical.  Given the time necessary for the signing and approval of the contracts, as well as the winter weather conditions, it is difficult to predict the beginning of construction.  Your support of the Building Fund is needed to complete this project.  We thank the men and women of the Yaphank Fire Department for their donation of $1,000 to the Building Fund.

The Church Calendar

(Note – Sunday Church Services are at 10 a.m. each Sunday.  Church School follows the Sunday  Service.  Church School Pageant rehearsals began Sunday, November 29^th and are a part of Church School.

November

25 – (5-7 p.m.)                  Thanksgiving Dinner – Invite a friend to share a meal at the church

25 – (7:30 p.m.)                 Thanksgiving Eve Service – Bring a can of food for the hungry

29 – (10 a.m.)                    First Sunday of Advent

December

1-3 – (9 a.m. to ? p.m.)      Christmas Decorations Work Party at the Church (contact Pastor Ralph)

5 – (10 a.m.-3 p.m.)           Holiday Bazaar & Luncheon (11-2)

5 –  (9 a.m. to ?)                Work Party –Electrical/Buildings & Grounds/Outdoor Christmas Decorations

5 –  (5:00 to 8:30 p.m.)      Yaphank Christmas Parade & Lighting of the Christmas Tree at Gazebo

6 –  (10 a.m.)                     Second Sunday of Advent & Holy Communion

15 –  (10 a.m.)                   Third Sunday of Advent

17 –  (7 p.m.)                     Little Angels Pre School Nursery Christmas Pageant

20 -  (9 & 10:45 a.m.)        Fourth Sunday of Advent

20 -  (11:30 a.m.)               Church School Christmas Pageant and Refreshments

24 -  (4:30 p.m.)                Children’s Christmas Eve Service

         (7:30 p.m.)               Family Christmas Eve Service

         (11 p.m.)                   Traditional Candlelight Christmas Eve Service

25 –                                   Christmas Day (time with the family & friends)

28 or 29 –  (TBA)             Youth Group Day Trip to New York City

DATE TBA – All Church Christmas Caroling

COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DINNER

Wednesday Evening, November 25^th

5 to 7 p.m.

Just COME AND share SOME time, food, AND FELLOWSHIP

Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service at 7:30 p.m.

Yaphank Presbyterian Church, 65 Main Street, Yaphank, New York 11980

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CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

 Saturday, December 5^th

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 Christmas Crafts and Gifts

Luncheon  (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

Christmas Wreaths

Baked Goods

Yaphank Presbyterian Church, 65 Main Street, Yaphank, New York 11980