The Church of the Messiah

This year the Rhinebeck Reformed Church was the host for our community VBS which is held each year in partnership with Third Lutheran Church and Church of the Messiah. This ecumenical event, welcoming all, was held July 28th – August 1st from 8:45 AM – 12:15 PM with lunch provided. The program was
“Power Lab – Discovering the Miraculous Power of Jesus!” with roughly 50 kids participating.

The stations were:
Sonic Sing and Play: lead by Kim Kahan. We started each day at this station. Here we learned fun songs and learned hand motions praising God. Each day we focused on a Bible point; Jesus gives us the power to be thankful, Jesus gives us the power to help others, Jesus gives us the power to be brave, Jesus gives us the power to live forever and Jesus gives us the power to tell others about God.

Cinema Science: At this station we watched a daily exciting cliffhanger video segment. Chadder Chipmunk explains the daily Bible point, and then kids do exciting, memorable activities to help them apply what they’ve learned about Jesus power in their daily lives.

Bible Blast: lead by Lewella Jane and Laurie Craft. Each day’s Bible story was experienced in a hands on way because it was acted out with children participating followed by a discussion. Stories included Jesus healing 10 lepers, Jesus gives sight to a blind man, Jesus gives Peter the courage to walk on water, Jesus dies and comes back to life, and the Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost.

Hyperspeed Games: lead by Joanne Plass. This station involved playing games and doing science experiments that connect to the daily Bible point. This was a really fun station!

Test Tube Treats: lead by Cara Silvernail and her crew. Lunch!!! Lunches were great…. mac and cheese, sliders, pigs in a blanket, and ziti, all complimented with zucchini from Pastor Ness’ garden, celery and carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, applesauce, chips, juice and milk. On the last day we had the special treat of cupcakes!

Wacky Works Crafts and Missions: lead by Tammy Del Giudice. Here kids made a Bible point craft to remind them of the day’s Bible story and point. They made a Buddy beaker (filled with sparkles and goo) to hang on a cord around their neck also to hold their name tag and Bible buddies (which they received each day with that days lesson). Other crafts were a Gotcha Guy, Incredi-ball, Oozy Slime, Brainybopper, Prayer Wristband and a Wacky Hacky.

Every year there is a Kid-to-Kid Mission project. The project this year lets our kids send soccer balls to children who are deep in poverty. They are called “GO Balls” (Gospel Outreach ball) because they have special colors that are related to sharing the Gospel. Our kids touched, prayed over and personalized the GO Balls. This year the Reformed Church teens are going on a mission trip (August 12th) to set up a sports camp in the Dominican Republic. They will deliver eight GO Balls from our VBS kids. Kids helping kids!

We appreciate all the volunteers who helped out. We’d like to thank Janeth Thoron for helping with registration and Father Jerry stopped to share the fun.

We’re already talking about next year. It will be our turn to host VBS! We will begin planning early in ’09 and hope to have lots of support from church members. This is certainly a community event and it is very special to have the opportunity share VBS itself, our faith, and our kids with other churches. Our kids learn to experience God’s love in many places, not just your own church.

Hope to see you at VBS next year!
Laurie Craft

Friday: Food Pantry Donegan Hall 10:00 am-2:00 pm

Cuddle Blanket Donegan Hall 10:00 am-2:00 pm

Please go to http://www.dioceseny.org/index.cfm?Action=News.ViewAnnouncementDetails&NewsID=2242A64604BA15024A766B0619C9133A&returnURL=index.cfm%3FAction%3DNews.Announcements for updates from Bishop Roskam, about the 2008 Lambeth Conference.  You can read updates from other bishops at http://episcopalchurch.typepad.com/lambethjournal/ .

We need your assistance:

• Please bring in empty clean 1 gallon water jugs for us to fill for our water stops. Leave them in the Parish Hall anytime.
• If anyone wishes to help offset the cost of the food for the after race snacks please leave your donation in the Sunday collection marked Mad Dash Food or give to Liz Schembri directly. The less we put out in expenses the more we can give to our Outreach programs.
• A always we are asking for donation of brownies. Please bring these to the kitchen the Sunday before race day, August 31, 2008.
• If you would like to volunteer on race day please call me (Leslie Weichsel - 266-4105). We have plenty of jobs for you to do and a free Mad Dash tee shirt too!
• We are still in need of a volunteer or two or three to help with the mini-dashes. Please call me (Leslie Weichsel - 266-4105) if you are interested. I do not want to have to cancel this important part of the race that the kids enjoy so much. Everyone is a winner in the mini-dash!
• Thanks so much - we can’t put on this race without everyone helping out in some way!

Thanks so much - we can’t put on this race without everyone helping out in some way!

The Liturgy Committee is looking for new members to work on some interesting and prayerful projects for the fall. If you would like to volunteer, find out more or if you have ideas for activities, please call Pam Wright at 266-4381.

The next meeting of the MAD DASH committee will be on Tuesday, August 12, at 7:00 pm. in Donegan Hall.

Church of the Messiah Garden Party Picnic

July 20, 2008, 5:00 PM

Potluck—Bring your favorite picnic food to share such as:

Fried Chicken

Potato Salad

Sandwiches

Green Salad Pasta Salad

Veggies & Dip Cheese & Crackers Salsa & Chips

Any food you love to bring to a picnic!

Please Bring Your Own Beverages.

Come and celebrate God’s Gardeners and enjoy the beautiful garden they have created for us at Messiah!

We’ll be outside in the garden so dress appropriately.

There are many dates available this summer to donate Altar flowers in memory of or in honor of someone. Please call the office if you would like to donate. The suggested donation is $20.00.

And since it’s summer, and things are growing, we would also welcome flowers brought in from your own garden– if you have any you’d like to share, please call the church office, or contact Leah Miller.

Are you going on vacation this summer? If you are, we hope you have a wonderful time and a safe trip. Please keep in mind that the church’s financial obligations don’t take a vacation and the bills keep coming in. Please keep your pledge up-to-date by prepaying it before you go or mailing it in while you’re away. Thank you!

The office will be closed from noon on 7/18 until 8:15 am 8/4. Father Jerry will be here, but call before stopping by to be sure he is in the office that morning.

The 6-hour NY State defensive driving course will once again be offered to Messiah parishioners. This course will be held on Saturday, July 26^th from 9AM-3PM in the parish hall. Completion of the course entitles participants to a 10% discount off their automobile insurance premium and/or up to 4 points off their license. If interested, call Su in the office to sign up 876-3533. The company will donate $20 of the cost of the course, which is $50 per participant, to Messiah.

Sign up your children from K-5 for Vacation Bible School, held at the Reformed Church this year from July 28-Aug. 1. The program runs from 8:45 am-12:15 pm and lunch is served each day. Cost is $20 for one child; $35 for 2 children; $50 for 3 or more. Registration forms are available in Donegan Hall or you can register online at https://www.groupvbs.com/webtoybox/myvbs/rhinebeckvbs. If you have questions, speak with Abby at 876-3727.

We had a very successful year, raising over $3500 for local charities. It is now time to begin planning for the Fall. Please think about a local charity/organization that you would like considered for next season’s program. The purpose of the organization must be to benefit local groups—children, elderly, infirm, etc. (preferably from our immediate area and cannot duplicate aid given by the MAD DASH proceeds). The recipients from this past season were: Hospice, SPCA, Homeless Shelter, River Haven (teen shelter), Grace Smith House, Rehab Program for Children, Rhinebeck Neighborhood Community Center (a day program for special needs adults), and Catherine Street (after-school program in Poughkeepsie). Please speak with Christina Hirsch or call Su in the office if you would like to offer a suggestion.

1st - 5K run/walk and 10 K run - start time 8:30am
This is the premier fund raiser to support the Church of the Messiah’s Outreach Charities.
**Needed a volunteer or two to coordinate the MiniDash. These are the races for the kids age 2 through 10. They start at 10am on race day September 1st. Everyone has fun and wins a ribbon! Please contact Leslie or Jeff at 266-4105 if you are interested.
**Also if you are interested in sponsoring the Mad Dash please contact Robby Long at 876-6680

There are many dates available this summer to donate Altar flowers in memory of or in honor of someone. Please call the office if you would like to donate flowers this spring or summer. The suggested donation is $20.00.

The Reverend Cannon Thomas Orso, Canon for Deployment from the Episcopal Diocese of New York will be at the vestry meeting this Tuesday evening (July 8 ) in Donegan Hall at 7:00 pm to discuss and begin the process of transition for Fr. Jerry’s retirement. Vestry meetings are open to anyone who would like to attend.

Everyone is invited to the dedication of the building for Jayne & Bob Brooks at Ramapo for Children on July 8th. There will be tours of the campus before the dedication, which will be at 12 noon, followed by a luncheon to honor the work that Jayne & Bob have done for the camp over the past ten years. If you have already RSVP’d to Su in the office, you need not call the camp. However, if you have not yet responded and would like to attend, please RSVP by tomorrow to Camp Ramapo (876-8403).

The 6-hour NY State defensive driving course will once again be offered to Messiah parishioners. This course will be held on Saturday, July 26th from 9AM-3PM in the parish hall. Completion of the course entitles participants to a 10% discount off their automobile insurance premium and/or up to 4 points off their license. If interested, call Su in the office to sign up 876-3533. The company will donate $20 of the cost of the course, which is $50 per participant, to Messiah.

We have received to date 121 pledges totaling $138, 140.

Are you going on vacation this summer? If you are, we hope you have a wonderful time and a safe trip. Please keep in mind that the church’s financial obligations don’t take a vacation and the bills keep coming in. Please keep your pledge up-to-date by prepaying it before you go or mailing it in while you’re away. Thank you!

Sunday Forums & Bible study are on hiatus for the summer and will resume in the Fall.

There are many dates available to donate Altar flowers in memory of or in honor of someone. Please call the office if you would like to donate flowers this spring or summer. The suggested donation is $20.00.

The 6-hour NY State defensive driving course will once again be offered to Messiah parishioners. This course will be held on Saturday, July 26^th from 9AM-3PM in the parish hall. Completion of the course entitles participants to a 10% discount off their automobile insurance premium and/or up to 4 points off their license. If interested, call Su in the office to sign up 876-3533. The company will donate $20 of the cost of the course, which is $50 per participant, to Messiah.

This is the premier fund raiser to support the Church of the Messiah’s Outreach Charities.

**Needed: a volunteer or two to coordinate the MiniDash. These are the races for the kids age 2 through 10. They start at 10am on race day September 1st. Everyone has fun and wins a ribbon! Please contact Leslie or Jeff at 266-4105 if you are interested.

**Also if you are interested in sponsoring the Mad Dash please contact Robby Long at 876-6680

Complete information about the Mad Dash, including registration (online or download mail-in form), maps

Have an extra pot of flowers? Yes? Drop it by the back steps of the church (along the driveway). We’re looking for a cascade of colors to brighten the day.

Everyone is invited to the dedication of the building for Jayne & Bob Brooks at Ramapo for Children on July 8. There will be tours of the campus before the dedication, which will be at 12 noon, followed by a luncheon to honor the work that Jayne & Bob have done for the camp over the past ten years. Please RSVP to Camp Ramapo (876-8403) or the church office by Thurs., July 3.