Please click here to access our entire newsletter known as "The Courier". If you would like to receive a hard copy by mail, please contact the church office at 607-746-2155 or email us at fpcdelhi@delhitel.net.  Join us in our mission as we celebrate God's love in our lives!

***Newsletter Deadline***
Newsletter articles are due in the office no later than Wednesday, June 22 in order to be placed in the July/August Courier.

If you have an item or announcement to be placed in the Church Life section of the bulletin, it must be in the office by 9:00 on Thursday morning.

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WORSHIP SERVICES

Mission Emphasis

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 If you know of anyone who is in the hospital or in need of pastoral care, please call the church office. We would rather be notified ten times than not be aware of the needs of the church family!

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MISSION REPORT 

In the 2010 calendar year, the First Presbyterian Church of Delhi gave a total of $24,419.55 to missions ($16,353.00 in local mission and $4,010.00 in validated mission and $4,056.00 in other mission). These amounts are calculated from the 2010 annual report and include committees and organizations of the church. These figures DO NOT include apportionment which is paid to the Presbytery each year. In 2010, $7,680.00 was paid in apportionment. 2010 Annual Reports are still available in the church office. If you have any questions, please contact the church office.

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Mile of Pennies

**Remember to find your roaming pennies and bring them to church next Sunday so we fill our penny jug this month!***

Please look through your pockets, purses, drawers and car floors and bring your coins in to the “Mile of Pennies” jar in the narthex. The money collected from this jar now goes toward the “Fellowship of the Least Coin” supporting our extra-mile mission giving with our brothers and sisters around the globe. Brochures on this mission are available in the literature rack in the Memorial Hospitality Room.

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SPARKS!

We have several SPARKS groups currently meeting. Our Session approved this program last fall to encourage members and friends of our congregation to participate in one of a number of small groups. There is ample evidence that growth in our Christian faith occurs best in small group settings in which people share their faith journey together. 

Each group that forms agrees to five principles that will guide their group in its activities together. The first letter of each of these principles put together spell “SPARKs.” Each group will Study, Pray, Act, and Reflect on their experience and the result will be Koinonia (the New Testament word for fellowship.) Each group determines their own course of study. Resources and suggestions for the groups are available in the church office. The objective is to engage in study and reflection that will deepen our faith.

Each group spends some time in prayer. This can be very simple, straight-forward and non-threatening. Each group decides for itself on some action it will take to serve the church or community. Again, this can be as simple as hosting a coffee fellowship on Sunday morning. And each group takes some time to reflect on their group process and how the experience together is going. These activities taken together produce a deep experience of fellowship (Koinonia) that has the potential to enhance our experience of being the Church of Jesus Christ. 

Several groups have already formed. If you would like to start a group or are interested in joining a group, please contact the church office or talk to any Elder. Groups may be composed of individuals or couples who would like to be together for this kind of Christian experience. Folks with a common interest may form a group. Or … individuals may sign up for a group and will be placed with others who are interested. Groups  determine their own meeting schedule, their own course of study and their own meeting place. Rooms in the church will be available or groups may choose to meet in the homes of their members.

Leadership for the groups is determined as the groups are formed. In some cases particular individuals have emerged as the natural leaders in their groups. In other cases, leadership is shared. Pastor Allen will be available to help new groups get started and assist with decisions about leadership.

SPARKs is intended to be a flexible approach to encouraging small group fellowship and a deepening of our Christian faith. It requires some commitment on the part of participants to their group and a willingness to go deeper into their relationship with God. It is a real blessing!

History Information Needed

The First Presbyterian Church History and Archive Committee is diligently working to collect, document, organize and conserve any important historical data, documents, records of gifts, letters, minutes of church boards etc. that form a part of the very rich tapestry of the history of our church. You can be a part of this ministry of conservation; if you have pertinent information or artifacts that may be of historical significance please contact a member of the committee or Clara Stewart, Director of Archives and Collections. At present, the committee would like to invite your assistance in locating some important documents which are missing. The minutes of the Board of Trustees Meetings from 1945-1983 are missing. As you go about your activities in the church rooms and storage areas, you might come across these "wanted" reports; or perhaps you know a trustee from that time period who might know something of their location...please join the investigation! Consider yourself "sworn in." 
John Nealis, Chair

Bulletin Board

CHURCH BULLETIN BOARD

The 10th, 11th and 12th grade Sunday School class, has placed on a table in the Narthex, a basket for prayer requests. Please write your request on a piece of paper, at any time through out the week. We will gather the papers each Sunday and pray for the requests at the beginning of our class. 

WORSHIP WARRIORS will be recognized during worship on February 27th.

EXERCISE CLASS

Exercise Class has ended for the summer. We thank Shirley Wood for her dedication in making the trip each week from Walton to lead the group. 

Watch for information this fall when the Mission Committee hopes to resume the class.

Do you have a college student? 

Please contact the church office by phone, fax, email or post with your students address for the coming school year or their new permanent address if they have just graduated.

Anyone interested in membership here at First Presbyterian Church, please call the church office at 746-2155. 

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Church on Facebook

First Presbyterian Church of Delhi, NY is now on Facebook. Please join us by entering First Presbyterian Church of Delhi, NY in Search and click on “Like”. (Tip: be sure to include NY in your search) You will receive periodic updates on special events at our church and other important information regarding worship, mission, etc. Please be sure to “Share” with your Facebook friends to help spread this message.

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VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED for Flowers throughout the summer. You may sign up on the list in the Fellowship Hall or by calling the office. Thanks you for blessing our Worship with your gift of flowers. 

Coffee Hour is not scheduled from July 3 through September 11. However, if you would like to provide a coffee hour on a given Sunday simply let the Church Office know or sign up on the list in the Fellowship Hall. We will have Coffee Hour during the summer whenever anyone signs up. There is nobody assigned to make coffee during July and August so please find someone to make coffee if you sign up. Janet Maxwell will NOT be making calls for the summer. Regular Coffee Hour will resume on September 18. Thanks to all who make this time of Fellowship possible and for signing up so it can continue! 

Anyone wishing to participate in the Worship Service as Liturgist should contact the church office. 

Anyone wishing to greet members and guests as they arrive at church should contact Vicki Noble or the church office.

OFFICE HOURS
The church office is open Monday – Thursday from 8:45 am to 2:30 pm. The office is closed on Fridays. 

Upper Room Devotionals for May and June are now available on the information racks in the Memorial Hospitality Room and outside the church office. If you wish to make a contribution to defray the cost, there is a wooden box in the narthex.

Please be sure to notify the church office if you have any changes in your address,  telephone number, or email address. 

Shop the WEB with igive and benefit FPC 

Sign Up for iGive.com Yet?
Shopping online Saves Gas & Time! 

 Now you can earn $$ for our Church while you shop at over 700 websites with iGive.com! It’s safe, private and very easy! Go to our link: 
http://www.iGive.com/1stPresDelhiNY

It Does Not Cost You or Our Church Anything! And With Special Deals offered, It May Cost You Less!!

Join today following the directions on the link (ask Nancy at the Church Office if you need help) and earn up to 26 % of your purchases for our Church.

(The Session has voted to donate any $$ received from iGive.com directly to the Youth Group to help with their summer mission trip.)

Please contact Nancy at 746-3131 or e-mail nthom@delhitel.net 

Choir News

Chancel Bells rehearses each Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm. The group will ring in church on June 12, Pentecost Sunday and will then break for the summer. Watch for information in the fall when rehearsals and workshops will begin again.

Chancel Choir and Campanile Choir are now rehearsing after worship. New voices and ringers are always needed and welcome so please come and join our ministry of music! If you have any questions, please contact the church office or talk to music director Gayle Olsen at church on Sunday. 

CALLING ALL YOUNG FOLKS:

Chapel Choir, Rainbow Bells and Chapel Bells concluded on June 5th for the summer. Come to Vacation Bible School and sing praises July 24 - July 28! 

Special Music Events !

MUSIC APPRECIATION SUNDAY

JUNE 19, 2011 at 11:00 AM

Come, Celebrate God's love through the 

music ministry!

Food Bank

FOOD BANK DONATIONS 
Let’s all make a renewed effort and make this an everyday project.

All donations of food, cleaning supplies, and paper products may be placed in the food box located in the narthex. Cash donations may be given to Charles Eustis or left in the church office. Please make checks out to “The Delaware County Food Bank”. Thank you for your support of this everyday mission project!

FIRST SUNDAY - canned vegetables - all kinds, soups, canned or dehydrated, powdered milk, dehydrated Idaho potatoes, rice and Stove Top stuffing. Cash donations are welcome.

SECOND SUNDAY - canned fruit - all kinds; jelly; salad dressing; mayonnaise; peanut butter; catsup; salt; flour; sugar; etc. Cash donations are always welcome.

THIRD SUNDAY - canned meat products; tuna fish; sardines; salmon; etc. Cash donations are welcome.

FOURTH SUNDAY - potatoes and onions, breakfast foods of all kinds (no baby cereals); crackers, cookies, powdered milk - plain & chocolate; juices; cake mixes; biscuit mix; Bisquick; syrup; molasses; Jello; pudding; dehydrated foods; rice; macaroni; spaghetti; noodles; canned broth, etc. Cash donations are welcome.

FIFTH SUNDAY - potatoes and onions, all kinds of paper products - napkins, paper towels, toilet tissue; all kinds of cleaning products, face soap & laundry detergent. Cash donations are welcome. 

Wednesday Morning Men's Breakfast and Bible Study

The Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study continues to meet each Wednesday morning at 6:30 am. Following their hot breakfast, the group reads a section from the Bible and discusses it. Any men interested are encouraged to join at any time.  If you have any questions concerning the group, please contact George Thompson or the church office.

 PW Reminders

Presbyterian Women

Congratulations to our 2011-2012 PW Officers.  

Moderator - Kathy Sullivan 

Secretary - Karen LaFever
Treasurer - Kathy Beveridge
Assistant Treasurer - Janet Maxwell
Coordinator of Mission - Carol Presby
Secretary of Shut-ins - Bonnie Fleming
Coordinators of Local Church Work Leslie McKeegan, Chairperson
                       Bonnie Fleming
                       Barb Geywits
                       Toni Weaver
Esther Circle - Betty Bell

2011 stockings were mailed in the January Courier. If you do not plan to use your stocking, please return to the church office or the basket in the Memorial Hospitality Room. We need volunteers to make some stockings for 2012. Please give Janet Maxwell a ring at 746-2502 if you are willing to make or cut out some stockings for this PW Mission. Fabric and patterns are available in the church office. Thank You!


The Presbyterian Women of First Presbyterian Church are interested in hearing from women of the church on their ideas for this organization. We are interested in hearing about mission interest and faith development topics of interest. Please contact Kathy Sullivan or Karen LaFever with any input you may have.

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Committee Meetings and Church Board Meetings

Upcoming Board meetings include:

CHURCH BOARDS
June 9 – 7:00 p.m. – Session** 
June 20 – 7:00 p.m. – Deacons 
June 15 – 7:00 p.m. – Trustees
**Note the change to Thursday for regular meetings

Remember if you have a comment or concern, please contact an ACTING ELDER or the Clerk of Session. Letters to the Session should be addressed to the Clerk of Session at the church office or home address. Our current list of officers appears in each newsletter and may also be found on the following link.

Ministry Boards

The Committees of the church welcome your input and are also looking for interested people to become involved in the work of the church. Please feel free to attend any of the committee meetings or talk to any committee member with comments or concerns. If you have any questions regarding committee structures or committee chairs, please contact the Nancy Althaus, Clerk of Session. 

Human Services Committee
The Human Services Committee was formed with money left from the Estate of Leona McDowell. There are bank stocks that have over the years supplied this fund. According to the Will, money is to be used to help First Presbyterian Church Members who are in need.
 The definition of “in need” is varied. In the past, the items on the following list have been covered. 
 Medical bills
 Fuel Bills
 Transportation costs (funerals, hospital stays, medical treatment)
 Electric bills 
 Nursing home costs
 Funeral costs
 General expenses after illness or accident
 Dental bills
 Rent
This committee is asking that everyone keep other members in their hearts and prayers. If you see someone in need, please call the church office. 


The Child Care room needs volunteers. If you are willing to volunteer during church service, there is a signup sheet on the bulletin board outside the Nursery. If you volunteer for the Child Care room, please make sure you are in the room after Pastor Allan has dismissed the children from the Children's Sermon. 

Chancel Guild 2011 schedule: 
Jan/Feb - Joyce Goff 
March/Apr - Bonnie Fleming 
May/June - Gail Dibble 
July/Aug - Bea Mooney 
Sept/Oct - Gerry Pilgrim & Kevin Lee 
Nov/Dec - Heather Rosa

Senior Meals and Angel Food Ministry

JOIN US FOR SENIOR MEALS
CALL (607) 746-2250 for Reservations
Lunch served Monday—Friday
11:30 a.m.— 12:15 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church
Conference Room

(Anyone 60 years of age or older can participate, including younger spouses & guests.)

ANGEL FOOD BOXES 
Orders for Angel Food boxes will be taken at The United Ministry of Delhi. For more information go to:
http://unitedministryofdelhi.webs.com/ and follow the Angel Food Ministries links. 


Statements, Envelopes and Apportionment

If you would like a statement of your giving for 2010, please feel free to contact our Financial Secretary, Nancy Lee by calling her home phone (746- 6946). Leave a message if there is no answer and she will return your call. 

Envelopes for 2011 are available in the church office. If you have not picked up envelopes, please stop by the office. If you have not used envelopes in the past and would like a box this year, please contact the church office.

APPORTIONMENT
The Per Capita amount for 2011 has been set at $31.23 per member. Per Capita apportionment is based on membership as of December 31, 2009. 
Our apportionment is based on 232 members giving a total of $7,245.36. The membership number is based on the 2009 Statistical Report. The money is paid by our church to cover our share of basic operation costs of our Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly. Each member is invited to contribute $31.23 to help pay this obligation.

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Weight Watchers

Weight Watchers meets here at FPC Delhi!

Weight Watchers meets here each Tuesday evening at 5:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall of First Presbyterian Church of Delhi. Weigh-in begins 30 minutes prior to the meeting time. You may contact Weight Watchers at WeightWatchers.com or by calling 1-800-379-5757.

Items to Save that Lend a Hand

With a little effort, you can contribute to a cause without spending any extra money! Just save your cancelled stamps following the instructions below.

Cancelled Postage Stamps – cut ¼ inch beyond stamp. These are used to buy Bibles and Religious Education material both in the United States and around the world.
The method for preparing stamps helps to determine their value. Follow these steps: 
• Stamps should be carefully trimmed with a ¼-inch margin around the entire stamp or set of stamps. Please do not cut the stamp. 
• Stamps damaged during trimming are of no value and should be discarded. 
• Do not tear or peel stamps from the envelope or leave a large ragged piece of paper around the stamp. Metered imprints are of no value and should not be saved. 
• Discard stamps with extremely heavy canceled markings, those with pen or pencil marks and those with obvious defects such as staple holes, held on with tape, etc. Stamps cut by letter openers and machines cannot be marketed and should be discarded. 
• Leave stamps attached to very old post cards (pre-1950) as the entire post cards are worth much more intact. 
• Do not fasten stamps together with tape, rubber bands, thread, paper clips or staples. Stamps need not be counted since they are sold by weight, not number of pieces. 
We also collect Box tops for education – found on many General Mills products. These are given to Delaware Academy to help pay for educational supplies not in the budget. 

Pull tabs from beverage, soups, cat and dog food, etc. (any aluminum pull tab). These are used to purchase medical and non-medical items for Shriner's Hospitals for Children.