THE  LIGHT

Volume L (51) 

February 5, 2019

                     Number 3         

This issue of
THE LIGHT 
  is given by   
                                              Carolyn S. Young  

PHOTO OF OUR ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING 
 
Our faith tradition gives us tremendous freedom to do such things as elect our Minister; choose our bylaws; decide when and how often to celebrate communion; operate the Sunday School the way we see fit; and many others. But with such freedom comes the responsibility to show up; to share our resources (financial and others); and to serve the church, each other, and the community as we believe God would have us do.
 
This coming Sunday, February 10th, immediately after a short service, we will hold our 226th annual meeting. After that, all are welcome to our annual meatloaf luncheon. A prospective member told me a few years ago, "I always go to the annual meeting when I am considering membership in a church because ~ as wonderful as the worship service, music and building may be ~ it is the meetings where the true character of the church is revealed. I want to see who shows up and who doesn't; and how people treat each other while discussing important topics." After 226 consecutive years of annual meetings, it is once again our turn to shine! Pray God we will do our part; every hand, every heart. See you in church this Sunday at 10:00!
 
Bless,
Pastor Dwight 
   
IT IS THE SEEMINGLY SMALL THINGS...
    
IT IS THE SEEMINGLY SMALL THINGS, LIKE THE SUNDAY SCHOOL SNOW FLAKE CROSS made of simple sheets of paper in the hallway of the Congregational Church of Patchogue that remind me of the beautiful things done by us for each other in the name of God on a daily basis. Thanks for the smile and the extra heart beat. Thank you, Sunday School Trifecta of Co-Directors!
 
Peace,
Pastor Dwight 
Rev. Dwight Lee Wolter
Pastor
 
Jennifer McCarrick 
Administrative Assistant  
 
Craig Coyle
Coordinator of Music 
 
Chrissy Blair
Ann Carey  
Lisa LaGrandier 
Sunday School Co-Direc tors  
 
 
 



 
 
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS 
 
 
2- Tanya Torino
3- Shirley Werner
8- Jeffrey Porter
9- Tyler Lynch
13- Lennon Sempere
18- Rich Bartolotta
19- Melissa Coyle
19- Phyllis Deedy
20- Aiden Holmes
20- Tobias Lewis
21- Cameron Eten
23- Patricia Yalden
27-William Underwood Jr.
28- Robin Roe 
      
 
 
 
 
Our supply of donors for "The Light" is nearly depleted. Your donation of $50.00 is appreciated!  
 
 
 
   

Thank you for remembering

the church in your will.

  

 
PRAYER LIST
praying hands
Bear Bonner
Peter Esser 
Alex Sabosto
Barbara Sabosto





PUBLICATION

 
"The Light" is published and prepared by
The Congregational Church  
of Patchogue,  
95 East Main Street,  
Patchogue, NY 11772. 
Submit news to:
Jennifer McCarrick
by Sunday evening to:
office@churchonmainstreet.org 





Website: 
www.churchonmainstreet.org
phone: 631-475-1235
fax:  631-207-9470

 

 

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

This past Sunday our lesson was titled- "Jesus Heals Ten Men" (Luke 17:11-19). We learned how important it is to say thank you, and how it is good to live with an attitude of gratitude. We made gratitude fortune tellers and the children had a blast making and playing with them.
 
The children are enjoying volunteering to greet the congregation with Pastor Dwight on Sunday mornings. Our greeters for the last month have been- Samantha, Madison, Aiden and Jake.    

-The Sunday School Teachers

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS 
 
NOTICE OF THE 226TH ANNUAL MEETING
Sunday, February 10, 2019 at 11:00 am
The 226th Annual meeting of the Congregational Church of Patchogue will be held immediately following the worship service for the purpose of: 
 
1.  Receiving the 2018 Annual Reports of the     
     Minister, the church boards and the church
     officers
2.  Adopting the Annual Budget for 2019
3.  Receiving the report of the Nominating
     Committee and election of board members and 
     officers to replace those whose terms have
     expired
4.  Receiving the reports of the affiliated church-
     sponsored organizations
5.  To transact such other business as may properly
     come before said meeting  
 
Shirley Werner, Church Clerk
 
ANNUAL MEETING CHILDCARE
Sunday, February 10, 2019 from 11:00-12:00
Agnes Riker is available for childcare in the nursery for those with little ones who would like to attend the Annual Meeting.
 
MEATLOAF LUNCHEON
Sunday, February 10, 2019 immediately following the Annual Meeting. Please sign up for a delicious meatloaf lunch via the sheet on the table in the Reception Room or contact the church office. 
 
INTERFAITH BLOOD DRIVE
Monday, March 25, 2019 from 3:30-9:30 pm
Our neighbors at Temple Beth El (45 Oak Street), have been planning the Patchogue Community Interfaith Blood Drive for months! Thank you to those who have already signed up to donate. If you would like to donate, please contact Robin Stern via email at drstern@optonline.net or contact the church office.


COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We all enjoy that warm cup of coffee and a little treat after each service. Accepting volunteers to setup, clean up, and provide refreshments. Please sign up via the sheet on the table in the Reception Room. If you enjoy our fellowship time, please drop something in the basket to help offset costs. $1.00 suggested donation per person.

    WHAT'S GOING ON?
        *         *         *
 
                       MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4
10:30 AM      Women's AA Meeting, Deedy Room
  7:00 PM       Gathering of the Deacons        
           WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6 
3:30 PM         Free Mobile Shower Unit
5:00 PM         Soup Kitchen 
                       THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7
9:00 AM         Food Pantry Distribution until 11:00 AM 
9:30 AM         Chair Yoga, Deedy Room
                        For more information, call
                        Kristen Orsini at (631) 807-4050
7:30 PM          Choir Rehearsal 
                         SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10  
10:00 AM       Worship Service
                        Sunday School
                        Nursery Care  
11:00 AM        Annual Meeting to be followed by  
                        Meatloaf Luncheon  
                        MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11  
10:30 AM       Women's AA Meeting, Deedy Room
  7:30 PM        Board of Trustees Meeting  
           WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13
3:30 PM         Free Mobile Shower Unit
5:00 PM         Soup Kitchen 
                       THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14
9:00 AM         Food Pantry Distribution until 11:00 AM 
9:30 AM         Chair Yoga, Deedy Room
                        For more information, call
                        Kristen Orsini at (631) 807-4050
7:30 PM          Choir Rehearsal 
                         SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17   
10:00 AM       Worship Service
                        Sunday School
                        Nursery Care  
 
ALTAR FLOWERS

 
   
February 3- Bob & Shirley Werner
February 10- Pamela Barr 
 
Help decorate the sanctuary by sponsoring altar flowers. Flowers may be taken home after Sunday Worship, please return vase the next week. Sign-up sheet is in the Reception Room. Flowers are $25 and your dedication will be printed in the bulletin.
 
 


FROM THE HISTORIAN
 
For the first 38 years of the existence of the Congregational Church of Patchogue each of the 2 church buildings were shared with the Methodists. Agreement to the use of the building was a simple problem so long as the only activity of each organization was a preaching service held once a week. But with the development of the mid-week meetings, the Sunday Schools, the Missionary societies, and other branches of church work, there was an increasing need that the control and use of all the physical property of the Congregational church be vested in the board of trustees. This was accomplished in accordance with a State Law, "To provide for the incorporation of religious societies," passed April 15, 1813.
 
The Articles of Incorporation of the Patchogue Church are recorded with the Clerk of Suffolk County on June 4, 1828 in Liber A, Certificates of Incorporation, Page 44.
 
It soon became evident that the one-room church building could not be adapted to the needs of two growing religious bodies. The trustees of the Congregational Church therefore circulated the following subscription paper in 1831:
 
WE, the undersigned do hereby agree to pay unto the Trustees of the Congregational Church and Parish of Patchogue by or before the 18th day of May, 1832 the several sums fixed to our respective names for the purpose of paying off the Methodist Society for their right in the parish property.
 
Purchase of the rights of the Methodists in the church property by the Congregationalists was happily accomplished as is shown by the following memorandum found among the papers of the congregational Church, dated January 16, 1830.
 
WE, the undersigned being parishioners of Patchogue and who have heretofore been opposed to the proceedings of the Congregational Church and Parish, do hereby certify that in consideration of said Church and Parish having paid to the Methodist Society and Parish of that place the sum of four hundred Dollars for their right in the Meeting House and all the parish property (except the Burying Ground), we are satisfied and content that the old compact or plan of building be disannulled; and that said House and Property be regulated and Governed by the Trustees of the Incorporation and their Successors of said Act.
No names are attached to the copy of the statement.
 
An excerpt from the forward by the Pastor Rev. Arthur H. Cooke for a pamphlet entitled: "The Congregational Church of Patchogue, N. Y., A History by Frank Overton, M. D., Clerk of the Church, Prepared for the 150th Anniversary of the Founding of the Church on January 14 1793"
 
Shirley Werner, Historian   
    
      OFFICE HOURS       
 
The church office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
     
In the event of inclement weather, please refer to our Facebook page and watch your email for alerts pertaining to services and events. 
 

Contact:
Jennifer McCarrick  631-475-1235 
office@churchonmainstreet.org