Madison Avenue
Presbyterian Church
The Pastors’ Letter – September 4, 2008
A Look at This Week’s Events
Thursday, September 4 – Psalm 26; John 9:1-17
Overnight Shelter, 6 pm, Shelter Space
Recovery Group, 6:30 pm, Library
Shelter Dinner, 6:30 pm, Parish Hall
Church Choir Rehearsal, 7 pm, Choir RoomFriday, September 5 – Psalm 25; John 9:18-41
Overnight Shelter, 6 pm, Shelter SpaceSaturday, September 6 – Psalm 125; John 10:1-18
Al Anon, 6 pm, 5th Floor
AA, 7 pm, Gym
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Presbyterian Response to Conflict in Georgia
MAPC will continue to provide an opportunity for congregants to give towards a special denominational offering through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance that responds to the refugee crisis as a result of the armed conflict between Georgia and Russia. Blue envelopes for the special offering will be included in Sunday's worship bulletin. For those unable to attend worship this Sunday, checks may be sent to MAPC. (Please make your check out to Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church and indicate “Georgia Offering” in the memo section of your check.)
Special Offering for MAPC Shelter Dinner
MAPC will take a special offering this Sunday, September 7, to support MAPC's Shelter Dinner for persons who are homeless or on limited income. Special yellow envelopes marked “MAPC Food Programs” will be included in Sunday's worship bulletin. The offering supports the rising food costs that MAPC is experiencing. The MAPC Shelter Dinner continued record numbers in August and our congregation remains over-budget for our food programs. The MAPC Shelter Dinner is an essential program that serves needy guests on Thursday evenings and works in collaboration with other neighborhood congregations that serve meals on the other remaining nights. Please consider supporting this critical MAPC Outreach program!
Future Events and Other Concerns
Bob Louer Has Arrived in Zambia
Bob Louer, our 2008-2010 Global Ministry Fellow, arrived in Kitwe, Zambia last Monday to take up his work at TEEZ (Theological Education by Extension, Zambia). Our current “GMF,” Carmen Goetschius, greeted him and is helping him settle into life in Kitwe and work at TEEZ before leaving for the travel component of the fellowship next week. Bob was commissioned by the congregation during the 10:30 am worship service on August 24, and within that commissioning liturgy the congregation promised to support him in this ministry. So please look for information in the coming weeks on how to follow Bob’s work, and please keep him and Carmen in your daily prayers.
Church Choir Resumes
Rehearsals begin tonight (Thursday, September 4) at 7 pm! Choral music has always played an important role in MAPC’s services of worship. The repertoire that the Church Choir will be singing from September through May, along with a description of the entire choral program at MAPC, can be found online at: http://www.mapc.com/html/06_life/2008-2009-ChoralMusic-webversion.pdf, or please pick up a copy of the Choral Music brochure in the Narthex. If you are interested in singing in one of our choirs, please contact Andrew Henderson by email at aeh@mapc.com, or by phone at 212-288-8920.
Parents Prayer Group
Wednesday, September 10, 8 – 8:30 am, Phillips Lounge
Parents of teens and young adults are invited to join this group of parents for a time of brief Bible Study and prayer. The first meeting of the fall is this coming Wednesday, September 10. The schedule thereafter will be the second and third Wednesdays of the month, and fifth Wednesdays, when there is one. Please note that this is a change in schedule from what was announced in the most recent issue of the Update. This member-led group has become a valuable source of support for those who are parenting their children through these challenging stages of life. All members with young adult children are welcome.
Seniors Unlimited Gathering: Islamic Art
Wednesday, September 10, 3 pm in the Parish Hall; and Wednesday, September 17, 2 pm at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
We have a special treat for our first Seniors Unlimited gathering of the fall–a double-header program from the Metropolitan Museum of Art! On Wednesday, September 10 at 3 pm, Ms. Natalie DeVoe will present a lecture on Islamic Art in the Parish Hall. The Met says, “The breadth, beauty, and mastery of Islamic art will be revealed during this slide lecture with works that range from the purely abstract to the naturalistic. Drawing upon the collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, we will explore the diversity and range of Islamic culture through its religious and secular art. In addition, art as a reflection of society and the influence of Islamic art on Western society will be among the themes discussed.”
The following Wednesday, September 17, we will have a free group tour at the Met to look at some of the Islamic art from the collection. Please note that the group tour is limited to 25 people and will only be open to those who attended the program on September 10. You will need to arrive at the ground level 81st Street entrance by 1:45 for the 2 pm tour.
A time of refreshments and fellowship will follow the program on September 10. Please join us for this wonderful opportunity to expand our horizons and learn about Islamic artwork and culture. RSVP to Lissette Perez at the church offices, 212-288-8920 x241, or lgp@mapc.com.
Families with Young Children
Our first gathering of the fall will be on Saturday, September 13, from 10 am to noon on the Roof Garden. If you have children ages 5 and under, please come join in this time of play and fellowship. Older siblings are welcome, too! We’ll have coffee, tea, juice, bagels, fruit, conversation and fun. This is a wonderful way to get to know other families in the church! It’s helpful to know you’re coming so we can plan for enough food–but we welcome last minute additions as well! RSVP to Soraida Maldonado at the church offices, sam@mapc.com, or 212-288-8920 x271.
The date for the remaining fall Families with Young Children gatherings are: October 18, November 8, and December 13.
Next Inquirers Seminar: 4 Sundays @ 10 am starting Sept. 14
Have you been thinking about making MAPC your church home? Are you interested in learning more about the Christian faith in general, the Presbyterian Church, or MAPC in particular? These are all good reasons for attending our next Inquirers Seminar, which begins on Sunday, September 14, when we will address all those questions and more. This Seminar will meet for four 1-hour sessions during the Adult Education Hour on September 14, 21, 28, and October 5; each session begins promptly at 10 am so that we can finish by 11 am. Please ensure that you can attend all sessions. Professional childcare is available in the Church Nursery on the Fourth Floor, but please allow time for you to drop your child off before the seminar begins.
If you have questions or concerns in general, please contact the Rev. J.C. Austin at the church office (212-288-8920 x242 or jca@mapc.com). He will be pleased to speak with you about the seminars, childcare, or other questions you might have about membership or the church. We hope you will join us!
20s/30s Group, Summer’s Sunset, September 20
The 20s/30s Group has had a break for the summer and is looking forward to a fresh start this fall. We’ll kick off the program year with a special Summer’s Sunset wine and cheese evening, Saturday, September 20, from 6 to 9 pm in the Roof Garden. We’re also planning a few brunch dates after the 11:15 am service on Sundays and other fall events, so watch for future announcements! If you have questions about our group, please contact Megan Wiltfong at mapc.20s30s@gmail.com.
Parents’ Breakfast, September 21 at 10 am
Exciting changes are in store for our children’s programs this fall. In order to explain these changes and acquaint new families to our Children’s Ministries offerings, we invite all parents of MAPC children and youth to a breakfast during our Church School Hour, on Sunday, September 21, 2008. At this event you will meet Millie Shin, our new Interim Director of Education, and learn about the Children’s Ministries at MAPC. It will be a great opportunity to ask questions and get to know other parents in our congregation as well. Childcare will be available for infants and toddlers in our nursery, and older children can be sent up to the Roof Garden for supervised play and recreation.
Saint Andrew Music Society: Announcing Our 44th Season!
If you are on MAPC’s mailing list, you’ve received the 2008-2009 season brochure! We hope that you can join us for some of the 19 concerts we will be offering on Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings, ranging from choral masterworks with the Saint Andrew Chorale & Orchestra, a series featuring all of Beethoven’s violin sonatas, plus talented pianists, chamber musicians, and our 4th Annual Carol Sing–one of our most popular annual events. Brochures are available in the Narthex and in the Church House lobby, so please consider picking up a few extras to give to friends and family. The brochure is also available online: http://www.mapc.com/html/06_life/SAMS_2008-09Season.pdf. Since 1965 MAPC has been opening up our Sanctuary doors to our neighbors and to music lovers in the tri-state area. Please support this form of “musical outreach” to our surrounding community!
The Hood Library
We have been busy this summer getting new books ready for you. We have removed dated books and replaced them with new purchases and gifts. We are most grateful for all who have donated books over the summer. You will see them in circulation, at the book sale or on the cart.
The major book sale will be November 18. This is all good! Some of the new books are:
- Ladies of Liberty: The Women Who Shaped Our Nation by Cokie Roberts
- Good Mourning: Getting Through Your Grief by Allan Hugh Cole, Jr.
- The Age of Turbulence: Adventures in a New World by Alan Greenspan
- My Mistress’s Sparrow is Dead: Great Love Stories from Chekhov to Munro by Jeffrey Eugenides
- Mugabe: Power, Plunder and the Struggle for Zimbabwe’s Future by Martin Meredith
- The New Faces of Christianity: Believing the Bible in the Global South by Philip Jenkins
- Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood by Alexandra Fuller
What a variety! We can’t wait for you to come in and read!
Yorkville Common Pantry
The Yorkville Common Pantry would like canned soup, canned chunky soup, canned stew, canned fruits and vegetables, and boxed low-fat/shelf stable milk in the month of September. Please drop these items off in the Narthex or at the Front Desk. They can always use assistance to help pack food for distribution on Saturday mornings and at certain other times each week. For details, please call YCP at 917-720-9710 and speak with Gladys at x110. Thanks everyone!
Program Calendar for Next Week
Monday, September 8 – Psalm 29; John 10:19-30
Daily Prayer, 12 pm, Dana Chapel
Overnight Shelter, 6 pm, Shelter Space
MAPC Women’s Bible Study, 6 pm, Phillips Lounge
Strategic Planning Committee, 7 pm, Library
Evangelism Committee, 7 pm, 5th Floor (Rm 503)Tuesday, September 9 – Psalm 133; John 10:31-42
Building & Grounds Committee, 8:30 am, Library
Daily Prayer, 12 pm, Dana Chapel
Library Committee, 5:30 pm, Hood Library
Overnight Shelter, 6 pm, Shelter Space
MAPC Evening Knitters, 6:30 pm, Hood Library
Worship & Music Committee, 6:30 pm, Pastor’s Study
Christian Education Committee, 7 pm, 5th Floor (Rm 503)
Outreach Committee, 7 pm, Community Services Room
Stewardship Committee, 7:30 pm, Phillips LoungeWednesday, September 10 – Psalm 33; John 11:1-16
Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study, 7:30 am, Parish Hall
Parents Prayer Group, 8 am, Phillips Lounge
Bible Study Fellowship, 9:30 am, Sanctuary, Dana Chapel, Parish Hall, 5th Floor
Daily Prayer, 12 pm, Dana Chapel
Seniors Unlimited, 3 pm, Parish Hall
Overnight Shelter, 6 pm, Shelter Space
Cocaine Anonymous, 6 pm, 5th Floor
Deacons Meeting, 7 pm, 8th FloorThursday, September 11 – Psalm 62; John 11:17-29
Daily Prayer, 12 pm, Dana Chapel
Overnight Shelter, 6 pm, Shelter Space
Recovery Group, 6:30 pm, Library
Shelter Dinner, 6:30 pm, Parish Hall
Choir Party, 6:30 pm, The Manse
See You in Church!
FRA, BAB, JCA
Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church
921 Madison Avenue (at East 73rd Street)
New York, NY 10021
212-288-8920
www.mapc.com
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