Church Life Weekly Newsletter
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Mission statement: Grace United Methodist Church is a family of faith striving to share God’s love with all people.
January 20, 2025
WORDS FROM THE PASTOR
“Endow the king with your justice O God, the royal son with your righteousness. May he judge your people in righteousness and your afflicted ones with justice.” – Psalm 72:1-2
Psalm 72 is titled “a Psalm of Solomon” and it is written by King David as a supplication that God would grant his son Solomon the ability to rule with justice and righteousness. But as is the case with so much of scripture, Psalm 72 is also a prophetic psalm about the coming Messiah, whose reign of justice and righteousness would endure forever.
This Monday morning, as I write this reflection, it is Martin Luther King Jr. Day as well as Inauguration Day. In a few hours, we will swear in the 47th President of the United States. My thoughts go back to the lasting legacy and spirit of MLK, who sacrificed his life for the ideals of liberty and justice for all. But my thoughts also travel forward as I pray that our country will be governed with justice and righteousness in the days ahead. Now more than ever before, we live in a world that is polarized and divided. We live in a world where it is easy to hate and difficult to love. We live in a world where the rich grow richer and the poor grow poorer. It is a time where leadership is desperately needed.
In David’s psalm about the impending rule of his son Solomon, he asks that God would grant Solomon the ability to rule with justice and righteousness. In other parts of scripture, King Solomon asks that God would grant him the ability to rule with wisdom. The virtues of wisdom, righteousness, justice, love, and mercy flow from the hand of God. They are not innate qualities that we possess but virtues that God bestows.
God granted Martin Luther King Jr. the virtues of courage, vision, faith, and justice. He was a pioneer and a prophet, a voice of hope for the oppressed. On the cusp of the inauguration of our 47th president, may God grant President Trump the ability to govern with wisdom, justice, and righteousness. May God return the hearts of all God’s people back to Him, and grant us the ability to live in love, peace, and unity. May God’s grace be on this great land and may God Bless America.
Pastor Kim
Prayer List
♥Diane Vitacco, ♥Jerry Noble (father of Thomas Noble), ♥SofiaRose Curry (relative of Sing Larson), ♥Yeari Kim, ♥Jasmin Whittaker, ♥Families dealing with the California Wild Fires, ♥Edie Zipperlen, ♥Mary Flynn (mom) and Maureen Andersen (daughter), ♥Priscilla Caparelli (friend of Kim Neri), ♥Manny Kurz, ♥Cecil and Carol Walker (friends of Barbara Woodford), ♥Ricky Barnette (friend of Debbielee Thomsen), ♥Veronica Stone (friend of Margo Morrison), ♥Everol Palmer (son of Enid Simpson), ♥Carol Whyte, ♥Winston Scarlett (brother-in-law of Maudlyn Scarlett), ♥Jennifer LaRochelle (friend of Kim Neri), ♥David Biegler, ♥Michael Kurz, ♥Vin Dowling, ♥Juliana Bonds (sister of Eleanor Phillip), ♥Garvin Phillip (nephew of Eleanor Phillip), ♥Elaine Treske, ♥Marilyn Eller (sister of Elaine Treske), ♥Jim Poch, ♥All our Military men and women, ♥Barbara Siegl, ♥All UMW in Rehabilitation and Nursing Homes, ♥Castells Family (family of Elaine Treske, ♥Evelyn Neber (friend of Elaine Treske), ♥ Missionaries.
Note: Prayer List names will continue to be listed for two weeks. After that period of time, the names will be removed unless you call us with current information. † – Death in family, ♦ – New entry
Sad news. Our long-time friend and member, Charles Zipperlen passed away on November 28th. A private service was held December 2 followed by burial at Pinelawn. A service at GUMC will be held at a future date.
Sunday School
CHURCH SCHOOL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 8TH. It’s never too late to join us. My name is Janet Stone and I am writing to invite your child to join us for Church School each Sunday. Church School is where students will learn about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and how to live a Christian life. We learn Bible stories and we learn how to use those stories to help us be better people. All rising PreK-8th Grade students are welcome. Children start out in Church at 10:00 with their families and are sent to Church School following the Children’s Sermon. Please note that on the first Sunday of the month, children are directed to the Education Building first and then return to the church building in order to be with their family for communion. I am looking forward to a wonderful Church School year! Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns at mom2springers@gmail.com ~Janet Stone
January 12, 2025
Today’s lesson featured Matthew 3:13-17. Elizabeth and Zechariah’s son, John, was preaching in the desert of Judea. John announced to the people, “Change your hearts and lives! Here comes the kingdom of heaven!” (Matthew 3:3). Crowds of people came out to hear John and be baptized in the Jordan River. Like the prophet Isaiah had said many years before, John was the voice in the wilderness shouting, “Clear the Lord’s way in the desert!” (Isaiah 40:3). Many people wondered if John was the Promised One, but John told them, “I baptize with water those of you who have changed your hearts and lives. The one who is coming after me is stronger than I am. I’m not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Matthew 3:11). When Jesus was about thirty years old, he came to the Jordan River and asked John to baptize him. John recognized Jesus as the Promised One. He felt unworthy to baptize Jesus, so he said, “I need to be baptized by you, yet you come to me?” (Matthew 3:14). Jesus answered him, “Allow me to be baptized now. This is necessary to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). As the people showed their commitment to God, so Jesus’ baptism would mark his allegiance to God’s righteousness. John honored Jesus’ request and baptized him. As John brought Jesus up out of the water, heaven opened and God’s Spirit came down like a dove and landed on Jesus. Then God spoke from heaven so everyone could hear. “This is my Son whom I dearly love; I find happiness in him” (Matthew 3:17). God showed God’s approval and delight in Jesus, God’s Son. The triune God was revealed in glory from heaven. Jesus’ baptism marked the beginning of his public ministry. From the very beginning, Jesus demonstrated he was the Promised Messiah.
New Confirmation Class
Pastor Prumeh will be starting a new confirmation class in 2025 for youth. At the end of the class, there will be a special for the participants. If a child was baptized as an infant, they will “confirm” their faith during the service. If a child was not baptized, they will receive their baptism. Everyone becomes a full member of the congregation. Please email Pastor Prumeh at prumeh.lee@nyac-umc.com to let her know you are interested in registering. Include the child’s name, grade, and email address as well.
Looking for Volunteers for Youth Ministry
We are looking for volunteers who are interested in helping with youth ministry. We would love volunteers of all generations – seniors, adults, and young adults (Pastor Prumeh loves intergenerational ministry.) However, everyone will have a background check completed for the safety of our youth. Email Pastor Prumeh if you are interested, either as a volunteer or if you have youth in your family: prumeh.lee@nyac-umc.com
1) Hospitality
We are looking for volunteers to help cook on rotation (either an entree, salad or dessert) for our upcoming Youth Dinner Church that will start in January.
2) Chaperone
We also need chaperones willing to be a warm and welcome presence either at the Youth Dinner Church, other youth programs, or Confirmation.
3) Committed to a youth ministry team.
-Considering committing to be a part of the team to help plan, organize, and lead youth programs.
-If you are a youth, you may also consider becoming part of this leadership team! We need your voice!
We (Pastor Kim, Everett, Carol, and Eileen) were so very happy to see Richard (Dick) Tiedge and his daughter Jeanne. Dick looks great and Jeanne says his health is good. We were in the BKR and reminisced, told funny stories, heard stories of involvement in the war, and had a lot of laughs. Jeanne told us that her Dad was sweeping up leaves at his home in Malverne! Dick will be remaining at his home in Malverne and will be celebrating his 102nd Birthday – May 2025! What a Super Man!!
A Sincere Welcome to our new Music Director, Drew Banzhoff. Feel free to say hello!!!
Chancel Choir rehearsals are on Thursday evenings at 8:00pm in the church. All adults and teens who like to sing are welcome to join!!
We thank Kimberly Neri for leading the group while we searched for a new music director.
Book of Remembrance/Music Ministry. A gift has been given in loving memory of Charles Zipperlen from Jeanne and George Simmons.
We also received a very generous gift for the Book of Remembrance in loving memory of Pastor Robert W. Howard from his wife Barbara and Family.
The UWF this year adopted a family through the Mary Brennan INN Adopt-a Family program. We supported a family with five children. Each child was able to receive toys and clothing items that they desired. We are happy to report that the entire shopping list was taken care of and we were able to provide all the gifts that the family wanted as well as $300 in cash and a $50 gift card! We are very grateful that we are able to support a family in need, particularly at this time of the year. Thank you to all who have contributed. You have done much to bring the Christmas spirit to the lives of others! Janet Stone
Please sign up for Coffee Hour, now known as FELLOWSHIP HOUR. Please use the sign-up sheet in the BKR or call the Church Office.
Thank you to United Women in Faith for hosting January 19. Allison and Liam LaVoie will be hosting this Sunday, January 26th. Thank you.
MISSIONS
Give to Disaster Relief through United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). We encourage you to give to UMCOR for Disaster Relief following the fires in California. The link to the UMCOR giving page for disaster relief is https://advance.umcmission.org/p-620-umcor-us-disaster-response-and-recovery.aspx. That link takes you right to giving for Advance #901670. When you type in your information, you will be able to choose Grace Valley Stream as your local church.
Pray for missionaries during their birthday week. This week’s names are Asheia Hayden-Ahaghotu • Courtney Michel Randall • Elizabeth Toups • Emeline Joyce Ngaha Dingue • Eric Angel • Erie Stuckett • Eun Mi Cho • Gaston Ntambo •
Niven Sellars • Praveena Balasundaram • Sue Wolfe
Meet missionaries on Zoom. The link to Register to meet missionaries on the Still In Mission monthly Zoom is https://umcmission.org/stillinmission/. The next episode is Thursday, February 6 at 8:00 PM.
Giving. You can give to Missions any time. Just write Missions on the notation line on your check or Zelle, or write Missions on the outside of the envelope you drop in the plate. Your giving through Missions goes to Far Rockaway Mission, Anchor House, Methodist City Society, Brooklyn United Methodist Church Home, and El Porvenir (clean drinking water projects in Nicaragua). Thank you!
Far Rockaway Mission: On November 19 we delivered yams to Far Rockaway Mission for their Thanksgiving feast. In December we delivered gently used coats, jackets, hats, sweaters, and gloves.
Do you remember this day from 2017? We are assembling flood buckets for UMCOR again!
Our assembly date will be Sunday, February 2 after church service in the gym. Everyone is invited to help with the assembly. Our last date for collecting the items was Sunday, January 12. We will continue to accept money designated for the flood buckets or checks made out to Grace Methodist Church with “flood buckets” on the memo line. A big thank you to Lenore and Michael Kurz for donating 25 buckets and lids from Home Depot! Thank you to Kim Neri’s students for giving us a big start on the items needed to fill the buckets! Please look for the EMail from Eileen that lists the remaining items we need to fill the buckets. If you have any questions, you may reach out to Bob DiSalvo, Prumeh Lee, Kim Neri, or Katherine Perkins. Find a video demonstrating how to assemble an UMCOR cleaning kit here: https://umcmission.org/umcor-cleaning-kit/
Fall Food Drive- Thank You
Thank you to everyone who contributed to our Fall Food Drive benefiting Long Island Cares, Valley Stream. We were able to deliver two carloads of food. It was most appreciated by those working at LI Cares. How nice to know that we have, in some small way, helped to make things a bit easier for our neighbors! Janet Stone
We gave another 59 pounds of food to LI Cares in December. Thank you!
Long Island Cares – This past spring, Long Island Cares opened the West Nassau Center for Food Assistance & Community Support at 241 Rockaway Avenue in Valley Stream. We have reached out to them and they are available to support any church and community members who may be in need of help. They are also willing to receive donations from Grace Church so our Fall Food Drive collections will be going there. If you are in need of food, personal or household care items or even pet food items, please know that you are welcome there. Families can also be assessed for additional support beyond food including referrals for SNAP, WIC, health insurance, emergency housing, utility assistance (HEAP) and other related programs. Flyers, in both English and Spanish will be on the table in the narthex and emailed out to all church members. If you need more information about Long Island Cares in Valley Stream you can call 516-980-9100 or email www.licares.org. Help is available if you need it.
THRIFT SHOP NEWS. The Thrift Shop sales for November were $1,671 and for December $1,325. For the year 2024 Thrift Shop sales were $14,795. We were able to double our selling space and create a Christmas Market that was enjoyed by the community. Special thanks to Diane Panzarino for supporting our expansion effort and to Anthony’s boys for their continued assistance. With the help of the Lord we are looking forward to serving the community in 2025 and to improve outreach. Our team of volunteers worked tirelessly to provide a welcoming place to shop and as a result we have many returning customers. We are grateful to all those who have donated items and time to help us continue this ministry. If you would like to volunteer on either Thursday or Saturday please contact Eileen in the Church office.
SPECIAL SUNDAY OFFERINGS – 2025
MISSIONS – January/April/July/October 2025
HUMAN RELATIONS DAY – January 19, 2025
UMCOR SUNDAY – March 30, 2025
EASTER – April 20, 2025
NATIVE AMERICAN MINISTRY – May 4, 2025
PEACE WITH JUSTICE SUNDAY – June 15, 2025
WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY – October 05, 2025
UNITED METHODIST STUDENT DAY – November 30, 2025
CHRISTMAS EVE – December 24, 2025 (Wednesday)
CHRISTMAS DAY – December 25, 2025
CALENDAR – If you have any dates that you would like to have on our calendar, please send them to me (Eileen) at GraceVSNY@aol.com. The meetings could be weekly, monthly or just a special meeting or event. Thank you.
COUNTING TEAM SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY 2025
January 05 – Debbie Nicosia
January 12 – Marisa Pershad (Team 1)
January 19 – Marisa Pershad
January 26 – Debbie Nicosia
COUNTING TEAM SCHEDULE FOR FEBRUARY 2025
February 02 – Everett Fitch
February 09 – Debbie Nicosia
February 16 – Marisa Pershad (Team 1)
February 23 – Marisa Pershad
Record of Contributions. I started sending out the RoC last week and will continue sending them out this week.
PLEASE put your envelope number on any of your donations (check/Venmo/Zelle). This will help our Counting Teams, It also helps the Church Office to input your donation to the correct account.
Where You Can Volunteer
Liturgist or Reader – Contact Pat Eshun
Sunday School – Contact Janet Stone
Evangelism – Contact Andrea Owen-Boyd
Thrift Shop – Contact Andrea Owen-Boyd or Maudlyn Scarlett
Music – Leave a message for the Music Ministry Office (516/825-1940)
Missions – Contact Katherine Perkins
Worship – Contact Kim Neri or Carol Provenzano
Acolytes – Contact Tim Neri or or Mike Provenzano
Ushers – Contact Mike Provenzano or Carol Provenzano
Counting Team – Contact Marisa Pershad or Eileen Robertson
Hospitality – Contact Bob DiSalvo
Greeters – Contact Naomi Brown or Carol Provenzano
(Please call Eileen if you need contact information – 516/825-1182)
Weekly Meetings and Rehearsals
Please note whether meetings are in-person at the church or via Zoom. Thank you.
*Every Sunday – Church School 10AM/start in Church (except 1st Sunday of the month start 10AM/Education Building)
*Every Second Sunday of the month – Healing Prayer Service after Church/Chapel (Starting October 13, 2024)
*Fourth Sunday of every month – United Women in Faith (no UWF meeting in July and August)
*Every Wednesday – Bible Study 7:30PM-8:30PM/Zoom (Same Zoom Link every week)
*Every Thursday – Westminster Ringers 7PM
*Every Thursday – Chancel Choir 8PM/Church
*Every Saturday – Prayer Meeting 8AM/Zoom (Same Zoom Link every week)
*Every Saturday – Thrift Shop 10AM-2PM
Upcoming Events
*Saturday, January 25, 2025 – 10th Annual Evangelism Prayer Breakfast 9:45AM/Gym
*Sunday, February 2, 2025 – UMCOR Cleaning Kit assembly after 10AM Service/Gym
*Sunday, February 9, 2025 – Scouting Ministries Sunday
* Wednesday, March 5, 2025 – Ash Wednesday
*Sunday, April 13, 2025 – Palm Sunday
*Sunday, March 9, 2025 – Daylight Savings Time begins
*Thursday, April 17, 2025 – Holy Thursday
*Friday, April 18, 2025 – Good Friday
Upcoming Meetings
