Super Subs
A common question I receive on vacation is, "Who fills in for you when you are away?" The assumption being that there must be another minister who leads worship while I am gone. The questioner is usually surprised when I respond, "Our church members."
In a practice that predates my tenure at The Congregational Church of Huntington, our church committees take over worship leadership while the pastor is on vacation. Ideally each of the major committees commits to lead worship one Sunday each summer. In reality, it is a little messier with some horse-trading and numerous fill-ins, but it always seems to work. The most important, and sometimes most difficult, task is to find the preachers among us. As much as I may say that we all have at least one sermon in us, there is also a great reluctance to share that sermon with others.
I want to give a huge hug of appreciation to all members who provided creative and meaningful worship experiences this past month, in spite of their own internal trepidations. And a special thank you to our preachers–Pat Bausch, Irene Schmidt, and Bonnie Dawkins. I have heard great reviews and everyone appreciates the sharing of your faith journey and those people who have influenced you.
When I am asked who takes over when I am gone it usually leads to a discussion of the kind of church that we have–a congregation of loving, committed and faithful individuals. I always end these discussions by saying, "I am blessed."
Peace,
Pastor Mark
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Fall Church Events
Welcome Back Breakfast–September 8, 8:45 AM
Talking about Immigration Discussion–September 18, 7:30 PM
St. John the Divine Evensong Field Trip–September 29, 2:30 PM
Sip and Paint night–October 4, evening
Cloisters Field Trip–October 20, noon
Progressive Dinner–November 2, evening
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Gardeners Needed
Each summer our church grows vegetables to donate to the Northport Food Pantry. The church school does much of the planting, but we need volunteer gardeners to weed and harvest each week. It only requires an hour or two and it a great way to introduce children to vegetable gardens. We ask members to sign up for a week in the summer. The sign-up sheet in on the church bulletin board.
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Upcoming Events
Sunday, August 25
Worship Service at 10:00 AM
Fellowship Hour at 11:00 AM: Jeanne & Bruce Miller
Sunday, September 1
Worship Service at 10:00 AM
Fellowship Hour at 11:00 AM
Sunday, September 8
Welcome Back Breakfast at 8:30 AM
Monday, September 9
Trustees Meeting at 7:30 PM
Tuesday, September 10
Council Meeting at 7:30 PM
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Summer Pledges
From Our Trustees: Don't forget that our bills don't go on vacation when you do. Please try to keep your pledges current during the summer to help our treasurer with our cash flow. Thank you and have a great summer!
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Bring Deposit Bottles and Cans to Church
Riley Fitzsimmons is collecting deposit bottles and cans at the church as part of her Girl Scout silver project. Please bring clean deposit recyclables and place them in the garbage can behind the curtain in the Fellowship Hall. This fundraiser is part of her effort to raise enough money to replace the Peace and Plenty refrigerator in the church pantry.
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A yoga class is being offered to all adult church members on Tuesdays from 4:00-5:00 pm in the Sanctuary. Bonnie and Kristin bring their long-standing love of yoga and their instructor Marie Cruz to the CCH community. Yoga offers many positive benefits to the body, mind and spirit through the practice of meditation and mindfulness. As another busy holiday season approaches, yoga can help us find the balance we all seek. The class is $20.00 per session. For more details call Bonnie or Kristin at 516.922.9525 or Sue at the Church office.
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Welcome Back Breakfast
and Worship on the Lawn
Sunday, September 8, 2019
8:45 AM–Potluck Breakfast in Fellowship Hall
Please bring a dish to share
10:00 AM–Worship in the Front Lawn of the Church
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Worship Calendar
August 25: Summer Sundays Wrap-up
Pastor Mark is back in the pulpit and reflecting on our summer of spiritual mentors and how we may continue to share our stories.
September 1: Communion Sunday
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Joys and Concerns
We hold Pat Frankemolle in our prayers as she recovers from broken ribs.
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Volunteers Needed
Special Need for Peace and Plenty: Delivery helpers needed on Tuesdays for Peace & Plenty food outreach. Our regulars are on vacation for the rest of the summer. Volunteers are needed to deliver food to the Tri-CYA and Manor Field Family Center, in Huntington Station on Tuesdays— any time between 9 am and 5 pm.
New Hours for Peace and Plenty: They will meet each Monday at 6:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall to prepare food for youth programs in Huntington. We have a urgent need for volunteers in August–please consider helping out!
Northport Food Pantry
We collect food for the Northport Food pantry each week at our church. Please place donations in the box by the church office.
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Pastor's Book Group
I hope you all have a good list of books for summer reading. I have a backlog of mystery stories and a good biography to indulge my summer quiet times. And, now I add an exciting adventure story as our book club selection. “Beneath a Scarlet Sky,” by Mark Sullivan promises to enliven your beach times.
From the Publisher: “Based on the true story of a forgotten hero, the USA Today and #1 Amazon Charts bestseller Beneath a Scarlet Sky is the triumphant, epic tale of one young man’s incredible courage and resilience during one of history’s darkest hours.
Pino Lella wants nothing to do with the war or the Nazis. He’s a normal Italian teenager—obsessed with music, food, and girls—but his days of innocence are numbered. When his family home in Milan is destroyed by Allied bombs, Pino joins an underground railroad helping Jews escape over the Alps, and falls for Anna, a beautiful widow six years his senior.
In an attempt to protect him, Pino’s parents force him to enlist as a German soldier—a move they think will keep him out of combat. But after Pino is injured, he is recruited at the tender age of eighteen to become the personal driver for Adolf Hitler’s left hand in Italy, General Hans Leyers, one of the Third Reich’s most mysterious and powerful commanders.
Now, with the opportunity to spy for the Allies inside the German High Command, Pino endures the horrors of the war and the Nazi occupation by fighting in secret, his courage bolstered by his love for Anna and for the life he dreams they will one day share.”
We will return to our monthly discussion sessions in September. One questions that has arisen is about our locations—do you like going to different homes for the group, or would you rather just meet at the church? Let Pastor Mark know of your preference.
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