www.waverlypres.org

A Message From Pastor Cynthia …

As I write this, I am sitting at my sister Patti's kitchen table, enjoying a hot mug of coffee and watching the snow fall. The meteorologists are saying that there will be 8-14 inches of snow blanketing much of the northeast before it's all over. I'm wondering whether William and his girlfriend, will even make it up to NJ in this storm. I'm also wondering if I will make it back to Waverly in one piece. I'm tired of winter. I miss the sun. My heart is yearning for spring, but it certainly seems as though the groundhog was correct. Winter isn't about to end any time soon. There is a beautiful and haunting song, by Sister Miriam Theresa Winter that has been running through my mind this morning: "Long is our winter, dark is our night. O come set us free O Saving Light. Come dwell among us, O Saving Light." The song, speaks to those "winter" or desert times in our lives, where we feel lost and alone.

Wilderness times often begin with words like, "I'm so sorry to tell you", or "Please sit down. The news isn't good", or "Brace yourself", or "This isn't easy to say, but." Wilderness times often come out of the blue and leave us feeling blue.  We often wonder, "Why is this happening to me?" Wilderness times can make us feel sad, angry, tired, and numb. We sometimes wonder how God could let this thing happen to us. We often wonder how we will get through the difficult times and if we will have the strength to carry on. We wish the problems, the challenges would vanish or that we could take a detour around the pain. But the reality is that we can't go around the wilderness times. We can only go through them.

Lent is the season in the liturgical year, when we remember Jesus' time in the wilderness: 40 days and 40 nights. Lent, reminds us that everyone has wilderness times – even Jesus. Jesus prayed in the wilderness. He was tempted in the wilderness. He was ministered to in the wilderness. These are good lessons for us to remember – because we too, need to pray and to ask God for help dealing with our temptations. We need to remember that God often sends angels to minister to us: People who show up, when we need a shoulder to cry on, when we need someone to share our pain. Our times in the wilderness can be easier to bear – if we remember that we are not alone. God is with us (Emmanuel! That's what it means: God-with-us) and God is at work. Don't give up when the going gets rough. Don't throw in the towel. Hold on to the promise of resurrection: That out of the ashes will come new life. Spring is coming. God will never forsake us and God loves us more than we can imagine. That is the message of Easter.

With Love, Pastor Cynthia

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TIME AWAY …Pastor Cynthia will be on vacation from Tuesday, April 6^th through Thursday, April 15^th. She is traveling to Buenos Aires, Argentina with her son William. (She is making arrangements for pastoral care in her absence.)

HOLY WEEK SERVICES …

Sunday, March 28^th is Palm Sunday. The Men’s Palm Sunday Communion Service and Breakfast will be held at the Sayre Presbyterian Church at 7:00 a.m.

Thursday, April 1^st is the Maundy Thursday Service at 7:00 p.m. in the Social Hall. Drama, contemplative music, prayer and The Lord’s Supper as we remember Jesus’ last supper.

Friday, April 2^nd is Good Friday. 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. there will be a Good Friday Ecumenical Service at the Sayre Church of the Redeemer.

(201 South Wilbur Avenue, Sayre.)

Good Friday Evening Service – 7:00 p.m. at the Waverly United Methodist Church. (We are joining with friends at the Waverly Methodist Church for a service of scripture, music, prayer and drama.)

Sunday, April 4^th is Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday Sunrise Service at 6:15 a.m. at the Porter’s. (See directions below)

Contemporary Easter Sunday Service – 9:00 a.m. at Porter’s (See directions below)

Easter Sunday Service – 11:00 a.m. at WPC

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Everyone is invited to Easter Sunday Sunrise Service at 6:15 a.m. at Porter’s Simmental Lake, Waverly …

(*Directions to Porter’s – from Waverly – take Chemung Street (turns into 17C) heading toward State Line Auto Auction. Follow Rte. 17C past Auto Auction approximately two miles. Turn right onto Shepard Road. Take first left onto Porter’s Simmental Lane. Follow the white cow fence. Go straight past the field stone office building, turn left onto Beverly Lane.)

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Another earthquake, this time in Chile, shakes the earth and shatters the infrastrucure with 500 times the force of the Haitian earthquake. Mercifully, the casualties are in much smaller numbers than in Haiti. Still, many lives have been lost, and the destruction is massive. In the meantime, people all around us are suffering their own personal “earthquakes”, whether it be life threatening disease, sudden death of loved ones, a betrayal of trust, or a myriad of other crises. The foundations of our life threaten to crack and fall when those 8.8 magnitude shockwaves hit us. The why’s are beyond our answering. We may be out of our heads and not know what to do. But one thing we can do. Like a man overboard in the rapids, get to the rock and cling to it. Hold on tooth and nail. The Rock will hold; it will hold.

“God is our Refuge and Strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” Psalm 146. Build your foundation on the Rock, and teach your children the same. The church can help.

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CHILDREN and YOUTH …

Family Faith and Fun Night was cancelled in February because of the snow. It will resume in March. FFFN is normally on Wednesday, but because of Lent it will be on Thursday, MARCH 25^TH, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Family Faith and Fun night is for all ages of school kids and their families. The Five Habits of Healthy Families will continue with more on Resolving Conflict within families. Invite another family to come with you!

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SOMETHING NEW! … An Easter visit to Elderwood. The children and youth will make colorful Easter crosses to distribute to the residents. March 28^th is the tentative date!

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ADULT EDUCATION … JOHN – a close look at his gospel account. Through Lent and Beyond! An open group for all interested. Men and women of the church, you are invited, even challenged, to come and learn from this man of God. Sunday Mornings, 9:45 a.m., in the Chapel.

• The Gospel of John will be the "food". The class will chew, swallow, and digest the Word God gave through John.

• Learn and try different methods of studying Scripture.

• Come, share, and learn from God's word and each other.

• Time will also be spent in prayer for the needs of others. Facilitated by Marion Dabroski.

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Coming Up! April 11^th and April 18^th, from Crown Financial Ministries: “How to Manage Your Finances, Budget Your Income, and Live Debt Free”. Presented by Fraser Williams from Susquehanna Valley Presbytery. 9:45 a.m. All welcome. Please feel free to invite anyone who might benefit.

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NIGHT COURSE: The Seven Pillars of Health will be run again in the evening, starting Tuesday, April 27^th at 6:30 p.m., here at Waverly First Pres, if you missed it the first time, catch it this time. Invite your friends! Please notify Stephanie or any CE committee member if you would like to buy the 50-day journal that accompanies the course.

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Save the Date and Save Your Stuff!!! We are having a HUGE Rummage Sale at our church on Saturday, April 24^th. This is a fundraising event and it will be a lot of FUN. Begin to go through your closets, basement, attic, and garage for "Stuff" you no longer need - or want. This is YOUR big chance to DE-CLUTTER your home or apartment and help the church.

Can you help? We need:

• Publicity person(s)- for publicity starting April 1^st.

• A few good men to carry up racks from basement – before April 19^th.

• Sorters- April 19^th – 23^rd.

• Sign-makers - for rummage sale departments and pricing - before April 19^th

• Sellers, greeters, lifters, loaders - April 24^th – Sale Day.

• Helen Allen and Hazel Anthony have volunteered to be organizers for the sale. Thank you Helen and Hazel!

AND … we need good clean rummage.

• Clothes in good condition- no rips, stains or holes, please (nicer shirts, blouses and dresses brought on hangers would be a big help)

• No encyclopedias or school text books

• Any appliances, or anything with working parts must be in working condition

• Other than that, bring everything you’ve got!

STARTING Thursday, APRIL 1^st – RUMMAGE CAN BE DROPPED OFF AT CHURCH. Please contact Stephanie Maslin or Pastor Cynthia as soon as possible if you are available to help on the sale. Thank you.

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Will be held on Palm Sunday, March 28^th at the First Presbyterian Church, Sayre. Worship is at 7:00 a.m. and breakfast will follow at 8:00 a.m. Please call Margo Eike at 565-4034 by Wednesday, March 17^th if you plan to attend. Please join men from the Sayre, Athens and Nichols Presbyterian Churches for worship and breakfast.

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Easter Lilies

Easter Sunday this year
is APRIL 4^TH …

It is time to consider our Easter Lilies that traditionally decorate our Sanctuary. We will be accepting donations toward the Flower Fund, which would cover the cost of your Remembrance Lily. Jayne’s Flower Shop will be supplying the lilies at cost from their grower. Any extra money from donations will go into the Flower Fund, allowing the Sanctuary to have fresh floral arrangements throughout the year. Once again each family with a Lily will have a plant to take home after the Easter Service.

If you prefer to supply your own Lily Plant from another source you are more than welcome to do so. Please contact Margo Eike (565-4034) or Linda Jayne (565-9469) with how you would like your dedicationl to read or leave your dedication in the secretary’s mailbox. You may wish to get a lily in memory of a loved one, to celebrate a special occasion, or honor a dear one.

Please have your Lily in the Church Sanctuary by 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 3^rd. In the past donations have ranged from $15 to $25, however, any donation that you feel you would like to give is acceptable. Please make checks payable to: “First Presbyterian Church.”

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AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY TOWN MEETING … “The Official Sponsor of Birthdays” … You are invited to a meeting to learn about the free programs the American Cancer Society can provide for you and your family, Sunday, March 7^th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Social Hall. For more information, please call Louise at 607-734-1553, ext. 2 or e-mail louise.mcintosh@cancer.org.

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LENTEN DINNER AND STUDY 2010 –
(Wednesdays, March 10^th, 17^th and 24^th)

6:00 P.M. Soup and Sharing: A simple meal of soup and bread as we continue on our Lenten journey.

6:30 p.m. Prayer 101 – Come learn about prayer and deepen your prayer life.

Please RSVP for the “soup and sharing” so we can plan appropriately by calling the church at 607-565-4034 or e-mailing the church at wavpres@stny.rr.com

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OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO:

Family and friends of Marlene Ruddle, who passed away in February. She is Hazel Anthony’s sister.

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SHARING SUNDAY – Sharing Sunday is March 28^th. Please bring a non-perishable food item to the church for the Waverly Food Pantry. (Sharing Sunday falls on the last Sunday of the month)

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MOBILE FOOD PANTRY … The Free Food Give-A-Way is the third Wednesday of the month from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Please contact Don Jayne at 607-565-9469 or Joe Dabroski at 570-888-0594 if you can help.

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What is prayer? If the Bible is our food, then prayer is our air. It’s the way by which we draw in the atmosphere of God.

Prayer is rich and varied. Sometimes we confess our sins in a prayer of penitence. Sometimes we praise God in worship and thanksgiving. Sometimes we ask God for help and grace to meet whatever comes our way. Sometimes we pray for other people. Sometimes we’re quiet, knowing that when we stop clamoring and pleading our case, there comes a sense of God’s reply, some intimation of his will, some message from him to us.

Remember that nothing God can ever give is comparable to himself. It is God we seek in prayer. Everything else is secondary.

Submitted by Helen Allen

(Newsletter Presbyterian Church – Harlingen, Texas)

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ALL COMMITTEE DAY …“Planning our Future Together”

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FRESH, GIANT CINNAMON BUN SALE …

Tentative Dates – Friday, March 19^th, Saturday, March 20^th …

To pre-order please call Colleen at 607-565-4805 by Thursday, March 18^th.

Pick-up from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon

($1.50 per bun – any quantities are available)

We need your help, all skill levels needed,
please call Colleen at 565-4805.

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“DID YOU KNOW” … (Stewardship Committee)

We were blessed by an “Off Broadway” production of “Pickin and Grinnin” on
February 12^th, 13^th and 14^th. Our own Terry McNeal and her staff brought this delightful production to our church and the public. In doing so, they gathered a number of exceptionally talented performers from the area to present this highly sophisticated Variety Show.

The music was of the highest quality and the dialog was well presented. In short, it is not often that a production of this quality reaches our area. It was obvious too that the cast was having as much fun giving the performance as the audience had in viewing it.

For her efforts, Ms. McNeal realized a gross income of over $900 which she kindly donated to the General Fund of the church. (However, perhaps some of the funds should have been used to buy shoes for one member of the cast who could not afford any.) We thank all of you for your efforts, your talents, your generosity, and the delight you afforded us.

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Did You Know? It costs $3,000 per week to operate our Church. Thank you for your contributions in helping us meet our financial obligations.

The Stewardship Committee

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL
WHO CELEBRATE THEIR ANNIVERSARY

HOSPICE FOUNDATION OF AMERICA PRESENTING …

You are invited to attend Hospice Foundation of America’s 17^th annual Living with Grief Teleconference on Wednesday, March 24^th, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. This year’s topic is Cancer and End-of-Life Care. The program will focus on cancer at its end stage and how we communicate with and care for cancer patients at the end-of-life as well as with their families.

The teleconference is free and open to the public. It will be at the School of Nursing Building in Classroom A on Guthrie’s Sayre Campus. The moderated discussion will be presented live via webcast, and include a distinguished panel of doctors, bereavement counselors and hospice experts. For more information or to register for this teleconference, please contact Rev. Jeffrey Wilkinson, Chaplain, Bereavement Coordinator, Guthrie Hospice, 570-265-8615.

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SUMMER WORSHIP – YOUR THOUGHTS …

The Worship Committee is thinking ahead to summer and summer worship. If you have any thoughts regarding this, please pass on to Martha Close, Chair of the Worship Committee. (Martha can be contacted at either tclose@stny.rr.com or 570-888-5041.)

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