20 Non Profit Org. U.S POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 146 Old First Presbyterian Church 125 Main St, Huntington, NY 11743-6960 631-427-2101 www.oldfirstchurchhuntington.org Rev. Anne Stewart Miller, Interim Pastor Return service requested T he Weathervane December 2015 Old First Presbyterian Church Worship Services: Sundays at 10:00 a.m.
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T he Weathervane December 2015
Old First Presbyterian Church Worship Services: Sundays at 10:00 a.m.
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From the Interim Pastor’s Study
My, oh my, what a busy month we’ve had here at Old First—busy and exhilarating!
Here’s a brief news clip of all our Old First events in chronological order:
Transition News:
First, your session and the congregation have met to complete the visionary piece of our
Mission Study. We received 89 Questionnaires from the congregation—and approxi-
mately 65-70 attended the Congregational Gathering on November 1. Take it from
someone who used to do market research for a living—those numbers are remarkable—
and at least twice what researchers normally expect to receive. (I’d say there are some
very interested members out there!) We discovered that we are a “people church” with
strengths in hospitality and strong fellowship. We are proud of our church and the tradi-
tions and history it carries. What’s more, we received almost 50 adjectives to describe
the behavioral characteristics you’re seeking in your new pastor. Talk about a super he-
ro! I’m also happy to report that we are moving right along to complete the Mission
Study to get to the next stage in our process of calling your next minister.
Presbyterian Women’s Fall Fair: I was told when I arrived in Huntington that the annual
“Fair” is one of the signature events in the life of Old First. Someone sent me pictures of
last year’s Fair, but they did not do justice to what I saw and experienced on November
14. I observed and participated in a microcosm of our congregation—members and
friends who all came together for fellowship, some very hard work—but most of all to
serve Christ in our community and world. What an outpouring of love, grit and determi-
nation! I’m still on my “Fall Fair” high as I write this article.
2016 Stewardship Campaign
We celebrated an ambitious campaign on Sunday, November 15 as we prepare to enter
our 358th year of ministry in Huntington! Many thanks to all of you who have submitted
their pledge! If you weren’t able to be in worship on the 15th, the Stewardship & Budget
Committee would appreciate receiving your pledge card as soon as possible so budget
information can be prepared--and we prepare to launch our church for another year of
faithful ministry in our town.
Thanksgiving Baskets
Ken and I did arrive last fall in time for Thanksgiving Baskets, another of the signature
events of our congregation. More pictures would have belied what we saw as we entered
Parish Hall to pack baskets. Good thing there were two of us putting in cans of vegeta-
bles (we were only “two short”, once!) Things are abuzz this week as the stage fills
with empty boxes, chairs and packing stations are set up and attention is given to last
minute details. And we can hardly wait to see the expectant smiles on the families we
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If you haven’t already submitted the dates for your birthday and anniversary, please let the church office know as soon as possible so we can list them in the Weathervane for the appropriate months. Please note that since there is no Weathervane for the months of January, July, and August, these special days will be listed in the previous months’ issues.
Birthdays
Sing a song of Birthdays Full of fun and cheer
And may you keep on having them For many a happy year.
(Anonymous)
Anniversaries
Love begins in a moment, grows over time, and lasts for eternity.
(Anonymous)
Love never ends... (1 Corinthians 13:8)
2 Ken Lewis
13 Heather Adams
19 Pete Feterolf
28 Cynthia Stewart
May you be showered with all God’s best blessings today and always.
Special Days to Celebrate January
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Birthdays
Sing a song of Birthdays Full of fun and cheer
And may you keep on having them For many a happy year.
(Anonymous)
Anniversaries
Love begins in a moment,
grows over time, and lasts for eternity. (Anonymous)
Love never ends... (1 Corinthians 13:8)
23 Martha Tibbetts 19 Peter & Lucy Feterolf
26 Heather Tucker
31 Else Haddock
Lief Andresen
Special Days to Celebrate December
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Family Service
10:30 p.m. Special Christmas Music
serve!
Advent and Christmas
It’s a good thing the holidays fall just after our two November events—it would be awful
to have to come down so fast! For on Sunday, November 29th, we will begin our celebration
of Advent, four weeks before Christmas Day. The word Advent, comes from Latin, adventus,
which means coming. And during the beautiful time leading up to the birth of our Savior, we
prepare for the coming of our Lord on Christmas Day. Plan to join your church family during
Advent!
Pick up an Advent Calendar available outside Parish Hall for adults beginning Nov. 29.
(Children will receive their own special Advent Calendar in Sunday School.)
Join your church family for two Christmas videos in the Fiske Room:
Friday, December 4 at 7:00 pm, “A Christmas Story” (Very funny, for families)
Sunday, December 6 at 3:00 pm, “The Nativity Story” (Engaging, also for families)
Worship with us every Sunday at Old First as families light the Advent candles, special
music is offered and we hear the story of the coming of our Savior.
The Children’s and Youth Christmas Pageant will be held on December 20, the 4th
Sunday of Advent during worship. Come to watch and listen as they enact the story of
the first Christmas in Bethlehem.
Join us on Christmas Eve—the holiest and most beautiful evening of the year:
Children’s Christmas Concert at 5:00 p.m.
Family Christmas Eve Service at 5:30 p.m
Christmas Concert at 10:30 p.m.
Traditional Christmas Eve Service at 11:00 p.m.
Service of Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 27 at 10:00 a.m.
Thanks to all of you, my husband Ken and I have had the privilege of ministering with and
among you for an entire year. Wishing you all a blessed Advent and joyous Christmas! See
you in church!
Faithfully,
Rev. Anne
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Prayer List Requests
If you would like to place someone on the Prayer List, please fill out forms located in the Narthex, and return to the Church Office. Additional forms are located in the hallway between
Parish Hall and the Sanctuary and in the office.
In Our Prayers
Ashley Andresen (Katie’s daughter), Kevin Behrens (Brian’s son),
Charla Bolton (former member and friend of OFC), Paul Burgess (member),
Paige Burkeholder and family (Melissa Terc’s sister and family),
Regina Conzelmann (member),
Ellen Correll and Family (OFC Financial Secretary), Kerry Degnan (member),
Joy Eipel (Mark Mandrakos’ mom), Lee & Gail Forker (Melissa Terc’s parents),
Patricia and Ed Gunthner (Mark’s parents),
Dave and Else Haddock (members), Betty Hasteadt (member),
Janet and Bill Higby (former OFC members), Pat Horner (member),
Weathervane assembly will be the last Wednesday of each month. Anyone who is available
and would like to help out, please let the church office know. Thank you.
If you do not want to receive a paper copy of the Weathervane so we can reduce postage
cost, please let the office or me know. Thanks.
WEATHERVANE DEADLINE
Keep in Touch …
...When going to Huntington Hospital, be sure you list “Old First Presbyterian Church” as your church. Hospital workers provide lists of Protestants and Presbyterians, but often do not know what “Old First’s” affiliation may be.
...If you are aware of a member in the hospital, please let us know. Many people are admitted through emergency and will not appear on any church lists. Your minister is there often and wants to call on you. Please help by informing the church. We care.
PHONE NUMBERS IN THE DIRECTORY: We are making a major update to our
church directory. Many people have changed phone numbers or use their cell phone
numbers to the exclusion of their land lines. In order to facilitate better communica-
tions within the congregation we would like to enter the phone number which you
One of the highlights of this coming Christmas season is the floral decorations within our sanctuary. Christmas flowers have a two-fold purpose - to decorate our sanctu-ary and to enable the sick and homebound to receive the flowers as a token of love and Christmas spirit from the church family. If you would like to provide flowers for these purposes, please fill out the form below and send it to:
Heather Tucker, Presbyterian Women Old First Church 125 Main Street
Huntington, NY 11743 The cost of a flower donation is $15 per plant. Please indicate how many plants you want to donate, and indicate whether you would care to bring your flowers home with you or would like to donate it to the church for distribution to our infirm church mem-bers. All requests must be in by Sunday December 13th. No late orders, please. We would like to thank all those who contribute to making our sanctuary a place of beauty and spiritual warmth during this Christmas season.
Number of Plants: __________________ Total Cost: __________________
□ Would like to take home. □ Would like to donate
Presented in loving memory of or in honor of:_____________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ By: ______________________________________________________________ (Please make checks payable to Presbyterian Women, Old First Church. To ensure correctness, please double check forms and be sure they are received by Heather Tucker by December 13th)
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December Worship Schedule
Sunday, December 6 - 2nd Sunday of Advent 10:00 am: Worship with Communion
Sunday, December 13 - 3rd Sunday of Advent 10:00 am: Worship w/Kids’ & Youth Choirs
Sunday, December 20 - 4rd Sunday of Advent 10:00 am: Worship with Pageant
Wednesday, December 24 - Christmas Eve 5:00 pm music by Kids’ and Youth Choirs
5:30 pm Family Worship Service
10:30 pm music by the Sanctuary Choir
11:00 pm Candlelight Worship Service
Sunday, December 27 - 1st Sunday after Christmas Day 10:00 am: Worship Service of Lessons and Carols
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Stewardship and Budget Committee
As the Holidays approach, we would like to thank the generosity of our congre-
gation for their efforts in this year’s Stewardship campaign. There are many
changes going on at Old First now. We are in between installed pastors, but
have been blessed with the Rev. Anne Stewart Miller as our interim minister.
We are in flux, as major renovations are happening in the interior of our church
and shortly to the outside. But the one constant is our congregation. We are al-
ways steadfast in our beliefs and in the missions and programs of our church. It
shouldn’t surprise me (being a member for 33 years) but it always does. Your
generosity and commitment to our church is amazing and it is my honor to be
the one to say “Thank you” for sharing your blessings once again.
The Stewardship Committee
Jim Colbert Chair
Community Food Council
The Community Food Council is in need of donations of non-perishable food items, canned goods and items such as toilet paper (always needed) which are not covered by food stamps.
Please bring in your donations on Communion Sunday
Canned tuna or chicken and soup Thank you for your generous donations.
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OFC Holiday Monthly Movie Presentations
Come celebrate the season and kick off our new Monthly Movies at OFC program
by joining us for these upcoming movies in our newly renovated Fiske room shown
on our new, large flat-screen T.V! Refreshments included.
Friday, Dec. 4th 7 pm “A Christmas Story”: A young boy in 1940’s Indiana,
dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift—a genuine Red Ryder Carbon Action Air Ri-
fle. In this comedy Christmas classic, Ralphie will do anything (including mounting
a full-scale hint-dropping, Santa-begging campaign) to achieve his goal!
Sunday, Dec. 6th 3 pm “The Nativity Story”: A beautiful telling of one of the
world’s most familiar stories. Join Mary and Joseph on an incredible journey of hope
and discovery. The film is epic in its scope, yet intimate in its portrayal of this his-
torical biblical family. (Note: This film will serve as our congregational gathering
celebrating the Nativity in lieu of the Living Nativity this year).
Please contact Leslie Schult or Anne Gunthner with any questions.
Offer of rides to those with no transportation would be greatly appreciated!
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Old First Church Mission Thrift Store
The Clothesline Thrift Store is looking for a volunteer for Thursdays and
Fridays — the 11:00am -1:30pm shift.. If you think you are interested in help-
ing — even for an occasional Thursday or Friday, please contact Cynthia at
We accept clothing donations during hours of operation.
A special thank you to everyone who contributed to our Annual Fall Fair - those who continue to chair the booths and those who have joined our force this year, those who dedicate endless hours to setting up the fair, and those who donate the thousands of "no longer wanted items which someone else really needs." It has been my pleasure to work with all of you again this year on this most important charitable event. Rest a little - and get ready for next year!
Thank You,
Kathy Porter, Fall Fair Chairperson
Many of you already know that Cynthia may be moving away from Huntington…
If you think that “managing” our Thrift shop is something you would like to do
(by yourself or with a committee), please contact Cynthia Stewart (text or call)
516-780-2185
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Youth Ministry Update
I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Youth Club and
TUXIS continues to grow and thrive. Thank you to everyone at
OFC who have continued to support all of the youth programs and
activities. Some of the activities over the past year include: ski trip,
bake sale, car wash, Hi-Hi, Operation Sweet Tooth, Toys for Tots,