Holland Presbyterian Church
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November 2008

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."          Ephesians 3:12-15

    The last few days of October have reminded us that we're entering the cold time of the year. The frost has been on the pumpkin, the leaves have created a colorful layer on yards and sidewalks; for some gardeners, a few forlorn tomatoes hang drooping from their stakes.

November is a month when our attentions are drawn indoors. Our diets comprise heavier, warmer foods and our bodies are covered in heavier, warmer clothing; the lights come on earlier, the heating bill starts to spiral upward and thoughts of holiday celebrations occupy our plans. Of course, with our confinement to the indoors, the sniffles become a part of the mix also. Stay healthy!

For many, November's a sad month. It's the beginning of a long, bleak and cold season for some. The trees are bare, colorful flowers are gone, days are short and frequently dark, and it's a nuisance bundling up to go outside. Holiday celebrations, for many, are filled with memories of loved ones no longer with us.

On the other hand, football fanatics are in their glory, glued to the television or cheering in the stands. Good smells emanate from the kitchen. Holiday shops tempt us to check out store displays, and maybe buy something nice for someone. And, even if someone is missing, family reunions are a time of fun and catching up.

Perhaps November accentuates the bittersweet of the year, but this is a microcosm of life itself. There will be times of despair, times of pleasure, and times of drudgery. It's the formula that keeps us coping, interested and moving forward.

As human beings, it's difficult to endure grief, trials and sometimes even other human beings. We can get overwhelmed, discouraged and angry. It's a part of human nature, and we're born with varying degrees of coping. However, once we've totally turned our lives over to Christ, we add a new and powerful coping mechanism: His Peace. Note, we still have to cope. Troubles don't evaporate when we accept Christ as our savior. What's more, our old nature is never far from the surface. We can still get angry or discouraged -- if we allow. As Christians, truly trusting and secure in God's love, however, our whole attitude is different. the things of this world, whether we're simply irritated by the weather or overwhelmed by difficulties, are filtered by the cloak of Peace that surrounds us, and by the warmth of a matchless love that holds us up.

So, in all things be thankful.

 

 

Our Church Family

 

   As the weather gets definitely cooler, it's nice that the oven gets hotter as we celebrate throughout the month. We hope each of you has a lovely late fall party to mark the passage of another year.

2- Bob Kulp birthday.

4 -Andrew Hooper birthday.

8 -Hannah Collett birthday.

11 -Bob and Marilyn Trippeda wedding anniversary.

15 -Jill Woodring birthday.

17 -Bob and Arlene Wedderman wedding anniversary.

Nicole Martinson birthday.

Jeff Wedderman birthday.

19 -Nettie Rainey birthday.

20 -Joann Gulaberti birthday.

Three of those mentioned above are recipients of our Holland Church Scholarships: Hannah, Nicole and Andrew. We wishthem and all of you happiness and blessings on your special day.

Alas, we missed a couple of birthdays in October in the family of our newleweds, William and Jill Woodring. On October 8th, Cheyenne was 4 years old, and on the 13th, Billy was 9 years old. Belated happy birthdays to both. 

Dolores Kuphal spent some scary days in the hospital in October, first with a blood clot, and then with a diagnosis of lung cancer. Pray that she will feel God's presence giving her courage and strength and that treatment decisions will be made with His guidance.

Diana Cashman's son, Brandon, experienced a sudden, horrifying liver failure during October, which led to an emergency liver transplant in Philadelphia. Praise the Lord that all seems to be going well and Brandon is home with Diana and Eric and his brothers. Keep praying that his recovery will be complete.

It seems as if teeth went bad during October. Frank McCollick, Marilyn Trippeda, Grace McCollick and more had teeth removed or other dental work. Pray for healing and freedom from further trouble for all.

Keep in prayer all those suffering from cancer.  We especially pray for Donna Donelon, Harvey Search and Dawn Degnan's brother, Russell, as they go through the rugged treatments against this disease.

The Rev. John W. Potter will graduate from Chaplain School on November 20.  Our pastor John and wife, Mary, will journey up for the graduation and Susanna will join them for this proud moment. Keep all of them in prayer for safe travel.

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;                                      Count your gain instead of your losses.  

Count your joys instead of your woes;                                                   Count your friends instead of your foes.

Count your smiles instead of your tears;                                               Count your courage instead of your fears.

Count your health instead of your wealth;                                            Count on God instead of yourself. 

Count your full years instead of your lean;                                           Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.

Prayer Concerns

God Hears and Answers Prayer

 

 Some of the troubles for which we pray are, hopefully, transient, but for some they are more long-term.  Keep all of the members of our church family in your daily prayers, but especially remember our shut-ins and those with ongoing struggles:

Frank and Grace McCollick

Dan and Martha Fitzpatrick

Lois Kline

Eleanor Hooper

Marge Laubach

Joann Gualberti

Lyla Pursell

Madeline Templeton

Sandy Nauman

Marcelle Figlo

Donna Donelon

Harvey Search

Keep our church mission, its outreach, and our Sunday School in prayer as we minister to our neighborhood and beyond.   Pray for Pastor John and Mary as they minister to us and to others in this neighborhood and beyond.  Give thanks for those who provide music, visit the sick, support the church and keep the facilities clean and in good repair.  We are blessed.

Pray for Peace and pray for protection for those in our military who serve in dangerous places as they try to bring peace to a world filled with warfare.

Pray for those who are having financial or employment difficulties in the present economic environment. Then give thanks for the faith that enables you to put all your worries, problems and desires into God's hands and await His plan to unfold.

Keep our scholarship recipients and all students in prayer as they cope with much to be learned and many temptations outside the classroom.

 

Email us with your prayer requests

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William Moore, Sr.
 
Our friend, Bill Moore, Sr. passed away at the age of 98 years on September 24 in Honesdale after a brief hospitalization.  He had been living with his daughter, Shirley, for the last four years.  Previously, he had lived in the family homestead just up Church Road, including almost 73 years of marriage to our beloved Pearl.  He worked for many years at Riegel Paper mill while farming and selling fresh eggs and produce from their home.
Services were held on October 1, in the Holland Church and burial was in the Holland Church Cemetery.  The sympathy of the church family to Shirley, Bill and Chub.
 
Mary Vanselous Search Christiansen
 
Long-time member and worker in the church, Mary Christiansen, died on October 4 at the age of 99 after a few weeks in the Brakely Care Center.  Mary served the church on the Board of Deacons and as Treasurer and as an active member of the Women's Association.  She was married to Arthur Search, who served as an elder in this church, but passed away suddenly in 1969.  She later married the Rev. Fred W. Christiansen, pastor emeritus of Holland Church, who passed away in 1995.  She was a quiet and gentle person, who cared very much about her church.  
   Services were held in the Johnson-Walton Funeral Home with burial at the Frenchtown Cemetery.
 
Keep the families and friends of these loved ones in your prayers as they go through these days of memories and as they cope with the details of the coming days.
 
Wedding Bells
 
A lovely wedding took place on a perfect October day in the Holland Church.  On the 18th, Jill Cashman was wedded to William R. Woodring Jr.  Their three children attended them in the ceremony, along with other bridal attendants, lovely in pastel colors and the groom's party in black suits with dark lavendar shirts.
   A reception was held in the Christian Education Center prepared by the deacons of the church.
   The best wishes of the church family to Jill and William.  The bride and groom live in Hanover Township, Pennsylvania.
 
 
Veterans Day
 
   Pastor Potter will have a brief rededication of the veterans' Honor Roll on Sunday, November 9, as a part of the morning worship service.  Michael Perrone, the Eagle Scout candidate, has been invited to the service.  Michael is the one who rediscovered the Honor Roll in our cemetery shed.
 
   There will also be a public Veterans Day program at the Holland Township Municipal Building on November 11.  The project Michael started, called Operation Holland Gratitude, is progressing with the laying of bricks surrounding the memorial that was erected last year.  Ultimately, the bricks will bear the names of Holland Township veterans.