Current News
As we start this new year, we have hope in many area of our congregational life. We are small in number, but continue to endure through stressful economic times. We want to do better than just “endure”, and our commission from the Lord is much more – bear fruit, or in modern parlance, “make a difference”. We’re doing what we can, but we can do better in many ways. One of those ways is better communication. We already have a modest web site, and a new Facebook page that is growing in reach, with nearly 100 followers. To these tools we now add this, a seasonal printed newsletter. We hope this will keep everyone connected with New Prospect informed and more involved ; that we may steadily become a fruitful community, equipped to do God’s work on into the future.
If you would like to contribute material for future issues of Community News, please let me know.
Pastor Paul
FALL 2014
NEW WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY
Will we start a new women's bible study on Thursday September 4th , 2014. 9:30am -10:30am
Like in the past it will be held as a so called "transformational bible study", meaning that only the bible passage itself will be read, no study book will be used, and even though there is a facilitator who guides the study along, the teacher in the room is the Holy Spirit.
No prior knowledge of the bible is necessary - everyone is welcome.
How it works: The facilitator starts with prayer. We read a short passage (usually about 10-15 Verses), after that everybody gets a chance to pick and name the verse that particularly struck them for whatever reason, (be it that it really deeply spoke to them, that it was hard to understand or that it was even downright strange to them.) Once everybody got the chance to name their verse we will go into our second round and verse by verse discuss the content; with the person who picked the verse going first. This usually starts a lively interaction. But we are not there to convince others of our viewpoint, preach at - or judge each other. There are no wrong questions and nobody needs to feel incompetent or forced to pick a verse or even speak at all. We all need to leave room for God to speak to our heart. The study ends with prayers offered around the table as the spirit leads. The facilitator will bring the study to a close after one hour.
SPRING 2012
FELLOWSHIP HALL PROJECT
On January 2oth we had a congregational discussion of the vision for sprucing up Fellowship hall. It was agreed that some aspects of the project need to be done independently, while the restoration of all the surfaces must be done in a coordinated way. Different folks agreed to help in different areas, and this it what we have so far:
· Jen Northrip is heading up the painting of the floors and walls, assisted by Stacey Cosper, Cliff Rosenberg, Judy Goldberg, and Jim Cartica
· Jim Cartica will investigate replacing or repairing the ceiling tiles
· Brian Northrip and Dave Lewis will head up repairs of the damages entryway
· Barb Howland, Peggy mallard, and Wenche Widmark will reorganize the kitchen
· Elaine Gillespie and Doschi Rosa will tidy up the storeroom
· Todd Widmark and Larry Green are addressing the mold problem in the corner
As various groups make plans and take steps they will keep everyone informed. There is a calendar just posted in Fellowship Hall, by the kitchen which can be used to note dates and projects.
ORANGE CLASSIS MEETING, February 28th
RCA congregations are organized into various representative assemblies, and the most basic of these is the Classis. “Classis” is a Latin term referring to a fleet of ships, with the metaphor showing that while we are each independent, we are yet connected and responsible to one another. Our Orange Classis contains 21 churches, and meets three times per year. That means that every 7 years, each church will take a turn hosting the meeting. Our turn comes up again on Thursday, February 28th. As hosts, we are expected to provide a decent dinner for the delegates, usually numbering between 40-50 persons. This is in about 3 weeks, so we should get organized as to menu, staffing, etc.
As we need to re-open the Sanctuary for the meeting, we will move back upstairs for worship on the Sunday following, March 3.
75TH WALLKILL VALLEY LENTEN SERIES
Lent and Easter are very early this year, with Ash Wednesday on February 13, and Easter Sunday on March 31. Our Series continues as usual with each church hosting a soup & sandwich meal at 5 pm, followed by worship at 6 pm. The Series begins at Wallkill Reformed on Ash Wednesday at 7:30. At New Prospect, it is our turn to host the Easter Sunrise Service at 6:30 am, with a light breakfast following. We will then hold our usual 10 am service.
Congregational Meeting:
Potluck Luncheon and Restoration Project meeting
Sunday 1/20 after Worship
CHRISTMAS EVE Candlelight Service / Dec. 24th 7:30pm - Everyone Welcome!
CHRISTMAS COLLECTION/Month of Dec. 2012
We are currently collecting money and toy items for a family in need at EJR Elementary School.
If you would like to donate please email to [email protected].
NEW MEMBERS 11/25/2012
Seven new members were received and one adult baptism. Praise God for growth.
As we start this new year, we have hope in many area of our congregational life. We are small in number, but continue to endure through stressful economic times. We want to do better than just “endure”, and our commission from the Lord is much more – bear fruit, or in modern parlance, “make a difference”. We’re doing what we can, but we can do better in many ways. One of those ways is better communication. We already have a modest web site, and a new Facebook page that is growing in reach, with nearly 100 followers. To these tools we now add this, a seasonal printed newsletter. We hope this will keep everyone connected with New Prospect informed and more involved ; that we may steadily become a fruitful community, equipped to do God’s work on into the future.
If you would like to contribute material for future issues of Community News, please let me know.
Pastor Paul
FALL 2014
NEW WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY
Will we start a new women's bible study on Thursday September 4th , 2014. 9:30am -10:30am
Like in the past it will be held as a so called "transformational bible study", meaning that only the bible passage itself will be read, no study book will be used, and even though there is a facilitator who guides the study along, the teacher in the room is the Holy Spirit.
No prior knowledge of the bible is necessary - everyone is welcome.
How it works: The facilitator starts with prayer. We read a short passage (usually about 10-15 Verses), after that everybody gets a chance to pick and name the verse that particularly struck them for whatever reason, (be it that it really deeply spoke to them, that it was hard to understand or that it was even downright strange to them.) Once everybody got the chance to name their verse we will go into our second round and verse by verse discuss the content; with the person who picked the verse going first. This usually starts a lively interaction. But we are not there to convince others of our viewpoint, preach at - or judge each other. There are no wrong questions and nobody needs to feel incompetent or forced to pick a verse or even speak at all. We all need to leave room for God to speak to our heart. The study ends with prayers offered around the table as the spirit leads. The facilitator will bring the study to a close after one hour.
SPRING 2012
FELLOWSHIP HALL PROJECT
On January 2oth we had a congregational discussion of the vision for sprucing up Fellowship hall. It was agreed that some aspects of the project need to be done independently, while the restoration of all the surfaces must be done in a coordinated way. Different folks agreed to help in different areas, and this it what we have so far:
· Jen Northrip is heading up the painting of the floors and walls, assisted by Stacey Cosper, Cliff Rosenberg, Judy Goldberg, and Jim Cartica
· Jim Cartica will investigate replacing or repairing the ceiling tiles
· Brian Northrip and Dave Lewis will head up repairs of the damages entryway
· Barb Howland, Peggy mallard, and Wenche Widmark will reorganize the kitchen
· Elaine Gillespie and Doschi Rosa will tidy up the storeroom
· Todd Widmark and Larry Green are addressing the mold problem in the corner
As various groups make plans and take steps they will keep everyone informed. There is a calendar just posted in Fellowship Hall, by the kitchen which can be used to note dates and projects.
ORANGE CLASSIS MEETING, February 28th
RCA congregations are organized into various representative assemblies, and the most basic of these is the Classis. “Classis” is a Latin term referring to a fleet of ships, with the metaphor showing that while we are each independent, we are yet connected and responsible to one another. Our Orange Classis contains 21 churches, and meets three times per year. That means that every 7 years, each church will take a turn hosting the meeting. Our turn comes up again on Thursday, February 28th. As hosts, we are expected to provide a decent dinner for the delegates, usually numbering between 40-50 persons. This is in about 3 weeks, so we should get organized as to menu, staffing, etc.
As we need to re-open the Sanctuary for the meeting, we will move back upstairs for worship on the Sunday following, March 3.
75TH WALLKILL VALLEY LENTEN SERIES
Lent and Easter are very early this year, with Ash Wednesday on February 13, and Easter Sunday on March 31. Our Series continues as usual with each church hosting a soup & sandwich meal at 5 pm, followed by worship at 6 pm. The Series begins at Wallkill Reformed on Ash Wednesday at 7:30. At New Prospect, it is our turn to host the Easter Sunrise Service at 6:30 am, with a light breakfast following. We will then hold our usual 10 am service.
Congregational Meeting:
Potluck Luncheon and Restoration Project meeting
Sunday 1/20 after Worship
CHRISTMAS EVE Candlelight Service / Dec. 24th 7:30pm - Everyone Welcome!
CHRISTMAS COLLECTION/Month of Dec. 2012
We are currently collecting money and toy items for a family in need at EJR Elementary School.
If you would like to donate please email to [email protected].
NEW MEMBERS 11/25/2012
Seven new members were received and one adult baptism. Praise God for growth.
Receiving of new members 11/2012