May 2024 Good Stuff
There’s so much good stuff happening at WFPC!
Please continue to let us know of any “News” you have to share.
News from your Session:
If you need to contact Rev. Brian Copeland: rev.briancopeland@gmail.com, 850-524-4884.
Office hours Thursdays 1 pm – 5 pm.
You may have noticed that the forest between the church and Dollar
General is down!
200-year Celebration!! In 2025 Weedsport First Presbyterian Church will be celebrating our 200th year! Planning is in the works!
Christian Education:
Last day of children’s Sunday school will be Sunday, May 19th.
We have begun planning for VBS 2024. It will be held at our church. It will be extremely important for us to have as many volunteers as possible to make this a successful and safe program. If you can help, even for one day, it will be very helpful. Dates: July 15th - 19th, 9 am-noon. Please let Cyndy Rooker know if you think you may be able to help.
Missions:
Pentecost, Sunday, May 19 – There will be flyers and Pentecost offering envelopes handed out in church.
“Pentecost is such a special time in the life of our faith. We generally refer to it as the birthday of the church. Wearing red on that Sunday symbolizes the work of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost celebrates the renewal of the relationship between God and the community of faith. Our gifts to the Pentecost Offering helps build a foundation of faith in our youth which will last a lifetime.” 40% of the offering stays with our congregation, 25% supports YAV (Young Adult Volunteers), 25% supports Ministries with Youth, and 10% is devoted to children at youth. (Flyer attached.)
Red Cross Blood Drive:
The May blood drive netted 27 productive units. That translates to up to 85 hospital patients receiving lifesaving blood products! The next blood drive will be Friday, July 5th, 2024. Be sure to sign up online at redcrossblood.org! If you can volunteer let Cyndy Rooker know.
Worship:
Pentecost will be Sunday, May 19. We encourage you to WEAR RED that Sunday!
For Sunday, May 5th, several women of the congregation donned hats in honor of the 150th Run for the Roses, Kentucky Derby! Donna’s hat was her grandmother’s and Marcia’s umbrella was from her own wedding!!
Nominating Committee:
The nominating committee is working on replacing Jean Saroodis after her retirement as our treasurer. Please prayerfully consider if this is an area where you could be of assistance to your church. Sandi Kreplin is willing to be the treasurer if someone else is willing to take over as Clerk of Session.
Catherine Johnson, daughter of Linda Fey, was married to Tristian Tanael on May 2 in a beach ceremony in Florida. The couple resides in Orlando, FL.
The Marcellus First Presbyterian Church is planning a dish-to-pass picnic in the park on June 20, 6 pm. Rev. Brian’s birthday will also be celebrated (actual birthday 6/22). There will be a concert in the park at 7 pm. More information to follow.
Our Doug’s to Go Fundraiser held Friday, May 3rd, netted $87 from the donation jar. The profit of approximately $398 from this event plus the donation jar will go toward lawn mowing fees.
Fast & Fusion: New food truck in Weedsport is now located in our back parking lot on Thursdays, weather permitting. If you are interested in Lebanese or Mexican cuisines give them a try. (Menu attached.)
Young Life presents a comedy show. May 17th, 7 pm at Grace Chapel, Skaneateles, NY. All proceeds benefit Young Life. Young Life is a mission devoted to introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith. (Flyer attached)
THANK YOU!
To The Praise Band/Choir for the beautiful music they provide on Sundays.
To all who volunteer at the Clothes Closet.
Thank you to Dan Thomas for continuing to share the worship link weekly so those that are not able to attend may enjoy listening to the service.
Please pray for…
Ukraine, Israel, Gaza and the innocent people caught up in the crossfire. Pray for peace.
Jo-Ann Griffith. She went Upstate Community Hospital after a fall on Tuesday night. She has two broken hips and possible pneumonia.
The family of Rick Cathy, father of Deb Dennis. Rick passed away peacefully with his family present on Friday, May 3.
Denny Ware as he undergoes another procedure Wednesday, May 8th.
Donna Scanlon is at Francis House with hospice care.
Ted O’Hara was in the hospital for surgery on his Achilles. He is now home.
Nancy Sweet as she recovers from surgery for a carcinoid cancer tumor on her lung. Praying for Nancy, her family, and the medical staff.
Lisa McClure, Bev Clark’s neighbor, who has heart disease.
Rev. Brian Copeland’s brother, Larry, who is undergoing treatment for kidney cancer.
Elaine Ozolins as she continues to treat her cancer.
Eileen Derevenko as her cancer has returned.
Mat Grudzien. Send positive thoughts for healing.
Ranny Peacock, a friend of Laura Granger, who is battling health concerns.
Upcoming Dates:
May 12 – Mother’s Day
May 19 – Pentecost – WEAR RED!
May 27th – Memorial Day
June 1st – Village garage sale
June 6-8 – Fireman’s Field Days
June 9 – Session and Committee meetings following the worship service
June 18th – Doug’s to Go to benefit WFD Auxiliary
June 20th – Picnic in the Park with MFPC, dinner 6 pm, also celebrate Pastor Brian’s birthday
June 30th – Tom O’Neil will give a tour of the Sleep in Heavenly Peace warehouse
July 5th – FRIDAY, Blood drive (day of week changed due to 4th of July being Thursday)
July 15th-19th – VBS at our church, 9 am-noon
INFORMATION WORTH REPEATING:
(This information will have been in previous newsletters but it is felt it is worth reprinting.)
2024 Per Capita:
Each church in the Presbyterian Church (USA) is apportioned a per capita that is used to help fund the missions of the Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly. Per capita also funds functions that are best accomplished collectively, such as counseling individual churches, world-wide missions, and publishing instructional materials. Per capita for 2024 is $40. This means WFPC is responsible to pay this for each active member. Please help in defraying this expense by individually paying this apportioned per capita if you are able. Thank you.
Joanne Slauson has developed our new church website. We are very thankful to have her talents and skills being used for this project. If you haven’t checked out the new site, visit: weedsportpresbyterian.com.
The church continues to accept donations of clothes for the FREE Clothes Closet. It is set up in the former preschool room and has expanded to the Koinonia Room. Since we have expanded there is a great need for volunteers. If you have clothes to donate you can drop them off at church on Sunday or during open hours. The closet is open Tuesdays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and Thursdays, 4 – 6:30 pm.
Hangers, especially pants/skirt hangers are needed. (Prefer no wire hangers, thank you!)
If you can volunteer to man the closet during its hours, there is a calendar in the Narthex for sign-ups.
***Since the expansion we are in need of garment racks. If you have any you are able to donate, they would be put to good use***.
**Looking for a window air conditioner. Do you have one you no longer need?
If you are interested in being a greeter, please let the deacons know. (Anyone can be a greeter.) There is a calendar in the Narthex for you to sign up.
If you would like to offer to make refreshments for a Sunday, please check the calendar in the Narthex and let the Deacon for that Sunday know. It is a great way to help out our deacons.
If you have missed a Sunday Sermon, you can listen to the service thanks to Dan Thomas. The recorded services are available on YouTube.com.
Simply search, for example: “Weedsport Presbyterian Worship, April 14, 2024.”
Now that the church service starts at 11:15 a.m., Adult Sunday School starts at 9:45 a.m. This may make it easier for you to join us in the upstairs Koinonia Room Sunday mornings before church to get some very interesting background of the day’s scripture. Dan Thomas has a wealth of knowledge to share!
Weedsport Good Samaritan Fund reminder:
Do you know someone that might need our help?
We would like to offer this reminder. The Weedsport Good Samaritan Fund is available to assist with emergency medical, utility, and other needs that may arise. Please contact Cyndy Rooker if you have any questions or know of someone who could use assistance. (Must be a resident of WCSD, Weedsport, Cato.)
IMPORTANT REMINDER! &
Please be sure to turn off the lights and lock the doors to the church whenever you leave the building.
What’s Going on at Church?
Sunday:
9:45 a.m. Adult Sunday School with Dan Thomas
11:15 a.m. In-person worship
1-3 p.m. Square Dancers in dining room
Tuesday:
10-noon All Things Creative meets in the former first floor office.
10-1 p.m. Free Clothes Closet open
7-9 p.m. Square Dancers in dining room
Wednesday:
9 a.m. Join Rev. Brian at Finally Ours Restaurant for coffee hour.
Thursday:
1-5 p.m. Rev. Copeland’s office hours
4-6:30 p.m. Free Clothes Closet open
6:30-7:30 p.m. Bible Study (Rev. Copeland) TBA
1 p.m.-6 p.m. Red Cross Blood Drive at UMC, First Thursday of every odd month (Jan., March, May…)
Birthdays:
May 8 – Bev Clark June 8 – Roger Willis
May 10 – Sophia Gwinn June 10 – Wilda Marshall
May 18 – Ryan Fatcheric June 11 – Michael Anna
May 27 – Rick Horr June 14 – Paxton Rooker
June 3 – Matt Leubner June 22 – Burt Ward
June 6 – Nancy Sweet June 22 – Rev. Brian Copeland
June 6 – Brandy Grudzien June 25 – Pat Conley
June 7 – Dan Sperduti June 26 – Jean Saroodis
June 7 – Brett Leonard June 30 – Joanne Slauson
*If you would like to have someone added to the birthday list, please let us know, thanks.
Thank you, Connie Horr, for being the best proofreader! She makes sure our newsletters are easier to read and understand!
