Yaphank Presbyterian Church

65 Main Street

Yaphank, NY 11980

 (631) 924-3723

Pastor Ralph Wright

Office: (631) 475-3322

Home:   (631) 289-5761 

 

                                                                                               

                                                                                                7 June, 2005

 

Dear Friends:

 

    Summer is finally here.  The weather is warmer if not just hot.  I personally believe that the Scriptures teach us not only to be religious but also to live life abundantly.  So this is the time to enjoy the many summer activities of the church.  The first event is the annual Strawberry Festival, Yard Sale and Family Fun Fair….all held at the same time this Saturday, June 11th.  See the attached flyer for additional information and come and support the work of the various groups of our church.

 

    A special Father’s Day Service is planned for Sunday, June 19th and the graduation of the students of the church school with a picnic following is planned for Sunday, June 26th. 

 

    Members of the church and community are car/van pooling to attend the Greater New York Billy Graham Crusade scheduled for June 24,25 & 26th at the Flushing Meadows Corona Park (World’s Fair Grounds).  One van pool will leave on Saturday, June 25th at 3 p.m. in order to attend the Concert of Hope which begins at 6 p.m.  Another van pool will leave at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 26th to attend the closing rally at 3:30 p.m.  The 1500 voice choir under the leadership of Cliff Barrows and with George Beverly Shea will sing at the Friday evening and Sunday afternoon rallies.  The Saturday concert feature contemporary Christian musical groups including Tree 63, Nicole C Mullen and Jars of Clay.  Call the pastor’s office at 475-3322 to sign up or for further information.

 

    With the Fourth of July Sunday (July 3) the summer schedule for church services commence.  Instead of a traditional service at 9:00 a.m. and family worship at 10:30 a.m. there will be one service at 10:00 a.m.  This will continue through Labor Day Sunday, September 4th.  The July 3rd service will have a special patriotic theme reflecting on the noble ideals of our founding fathers and will be a communion service.  Depending on the weather we will be worshiping out of doors for the July 10th, July 24th  and August 14th services.  In case you can’t get to a National or State Park for an outdoor Sunday Worship Service come by Yaphank Church and enjoy the Cathedral of the Great Out of Doors.  

 

    Good News -  We have received a letter from State Senator Caesar Trunzo indicating that we will receive in the next NYS budget year a $10,000 grant for the Yaphank Day Camp and a $20,000 grant for Phase III construction of the Community Service Building (a large one room addition to the present building - Architectural drawings are on the wall in the church basement).  You will hear more of this in the future, for we really need more space.

 

    Good News Two -  Elder Rick Ufford Chase, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) will be visiting our church on Friday, July 8th .  He will see our Day Camp in preparation mode, visit the LYTE program, enjoy a Bar-B-Que meal at noon time and meet with folks from other Presbyterian Churches in the afternoon.  (see the attached flyer)  If you can help cook or serve the meal or man the registration table you can get in for free.  Call Joan Moreland (924-6919) to volunteer.  If you are attending and sending in a registration please let the pastor know as well.

 

 

 

 

 

There will be a Presbyterian sponsored Transformation and Multi-Cultural Conference at Columbia University July 14 through 17.  (please see the attached flyer)  Members of the church will be participating in the conference.  If you would like to volunteer or attend speak to the pastor.

 

You may also notice as you walk around the church campus this summer there are a number of small construction projects taking place.  Let me encourage you to give a hand and help the volunteers who working these projects by either contributing physical labor or financial support for the supplies and equipment needed.

 

Let me end this letter with pleasant wishes for great summer and as you may travel on a family vacation for a safe journey.  Our prayers are always with you.

 

Sincerely yours,

 

 

 

 

Ralph Wright                           

Pastor 

 

 

 

 

Church Notes

 

·        Please remember in your prayers these members and friends:                      

               Ann Barlow who is awaiting another knee surgery.

               John Knapp who is recovering from another stay at Mather Hospital.

               Bill Berninger who is undergoing chemotherapy.

               John Fisher who is also undergoing chemotherapy.

               Gene Thomas who continues to live with his oxygen bottle and heart condition.

               Ruth Monaco who is suffering from vertigo.

 

·        Happy Birthdays go to Kelly Ralph (13), Gary Powell (7), Grace Wright (7), Gregory Garcia (15),  all with July birthdays and coming up in August Diane Reeves (2), Joan Moreland (19) and Robyn Harders (25).  If your name is not on this list or you know someone we missed please let the pastor know.

 

·        Congratulations to this year’s Confirmation Class:  Eric Berninger, Terrance Berninger, Ryan Bihn, Raymond Souci, and Ben Trusnovec. As part of their community service they erected the basketball hoops, cleaned the grounds and dug the trenches for the new outdoor electric system.  Thanks for all your help.

 

And please remember to bring food for the Deacon’s Food Pantry.  Special thanks go to this area’s Girl Scout Council for their assistance.

 

Check out the church’s website at www.yaphankpc.org. 


Summer Projects/Events

Summer is also a time for light entertainment.  The Yaphank Players will be presenting  “How to Succeed in Business with out really trying”  Cast practices and Pit Bulls rehearsals will be held at the Longwood Junior High School this year due to a shortage of practice space at the church facilities.  See the show at the Longwood Jr. High School Auditorium on August 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, . See Paul Story for tickets or call Gail and Frank Bailey at 732-4529.  Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and juniors.

 

LYTE Program  Beginning July 5th the church sponsored LYTE program will meet Monday to Friday during July.  They will be presenting “Godspell, July 22, (7 p.m.)  and July 23 (1 p.m.) at Longwood Jr. High auditorium.  On Friday, the 29th of July there will be a special benefit show (7 p.m.) to be held outdoors on the church’s recreation field.  All the proceeds from this show will go to the church for its support of these theatrical productions.  Tickets ($5 for general admission ) are available through Paul Story or call the church office for more information.

 

Lighthouse Entertainment –  Kevin Story and friends will be presenting “Moon Over Buffalo” at Longwood Junior High School on July 28, 29 & 30 at 7:30 p.m.  Cost - $10.  Contact Kevin Story at 775-6612 or look up on website www.lyte.us.

 

Summer Day Camp is a great opportunity for young people (ages 6 to 14) to enjoy the out of doors this summer. The Camp emphasizes nature, crafts, music and recreation.  It runs for four weeks (July 11 to August 5; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.).  With the help of a grant through the auspices of State Senator Caesar Trunzo, the hard work of the church community at the June10th Strawberry Festival and Yard Sale, and with contributions from concerned parents and friends, camp costs will be only $75 per week with a onetime $15 registration fee.  With no advertising, just word of mouth from those who attended last year, we expect over 100 young people to sign   up for camp and all new registrants have to be placed on a waiting list.  This will make for the largest (and probably best) camp yet.  (see the attached registration form).

 

Totally Kids, the pre-school nursery program at the church is also offering a four week summer program.  Children must be between the ages of 2-1/2 and 5 years old to eligible.  (see the attached registration form).  Registration is also taking place for next fall.  For further information and a schedule of open houses please contact the school at 924-4456.

 

Following Summer Camp at the end of summer is the church’s annual Daily Vacation Church School.  DVCS blends the out of doors with basic Bible and church teachings.  The final session includes a cook-out to which all members of the church and community are invited.  Specific date and times will be announced shortly.

 

We have a great tradition of meals and bar-b-ques at Yaphank.  Don’t forget to put on your calendar the annual Bar-B-Que which is Saturday, August 6th (2-6 p.m.).  The committee has been working overtime this year on making sure this year’s event will be the biggest and best.  With music, food, and fellowship, it has got to be a great time.  If you can, we are looking for volunteers for the cooking and the serving….so give Joan Moreland (924-6919) a call. 

 

A Night in New York City is planned for a Friday evening in July.  This is not a youth activity but a time for parents and friends to enjoy fellowship in Chinatown and Little Italy.  For more information call Grace Wright (289-5761).

 

QUOTE

 .   “Small congregations excel in many areas…small churches are especially good at helping people grow spiritually,…participate in congregational life….and encourage a sense of belonging.”  Or as one of our members recently said, “A small church like Yaphank is really an extended family.  In today’s world many people have lost track of their own family and the church in turn becomes their extended family.”  We invite you to be a part of our family.