The Patriot. From Pastor Bailey. Dear Friends and Members of Fort

The Patriot February 2013 From Pastor Bailey Dear Friends and Members of Fort Miller Reformed Church: February 2013 Our hearts go out to all the fami...
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The Patriot February 2013

From Pastor Bailey Dear Friends and Members of Fort Miller Reformed Church: February 2013 Our hearts go out to all the families in Newtown, CT in their loss of 20 children and 7 adults. We pray that God will somehow begin to heal their broken hearts. On a lighter note, we congratulate Walter and Monique on the renewal of their vows on their 50th wedding anniversary (Jan. 20)!

Contents From Pastor Bailey Events Choir NewsFrom the Pew Vereenigheit Circle News Consistory News Women’s Sunday School Sunday School News Remember in Prayer

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Events Bible Study Group resumes – March 7, 7 p.m Palm Sunday – March 24 Easter Sunday – March 31 Annual Congregational Meeting – April 28, after church SAFER FOOD PANTRY is back to old hours Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. We seem to go through food in no time, so your donations are appreciated and needed. Thank you for your support!

It is with great gratitude that Debbie and I look back over our 4 decades at Fort Miller, and we wish to thank all those who planned, attended, and contributed to the joyful success of the grand party on the banks of the Battenkill River, Saturday, July 28. Yes, it rained, but God also showered upon us a multitude of happy memories as we held sweet fellowship with our many Christian brothers and sisters from far and wide. We appreciate the many cards, gifts, and other expressions of love, especially the kind words inscribed in the Memory Book. Anytime any of you want to go tubing down the Battenkill, just come on over and enjoy yourselves. We will be glad to provide some cool lemonade, floating tubes, and fresh towels. I can remember, as though it was yesterday, the two miracles that brought us to this area and this Church. It was June, 1972, and I was sitting on my front lawn at our parsonage near Charlottesville, VA where I was still in graduate school. I was contemplating the 50 rejection notices I had received from various area colleges in which I had hoped to land a history position. Feeling rather rejected, I started praying earnestly. All of a sudden the phone rang. A voice said, "Hello, this is Dr. Charles Eisenhart, President of Adirondack Community College in Glens Falls, NY.

Fort Miller Reformed Church

Would you be interested in flying up and interviewing for a teaching position?” The head of ACC’s history department had a friend on the faculty of the University of Virginia, and he had given the President my name. I flew up for an interview, and out of four candidates, the College offered me the job. Wow! Was I overjoyed! Debbie and I then came up together in August to look for a house to rent. At first, I had thought that I would wait for 6-8 months before looking for a church, in order to get settled first in the teaching position. So, after 3-4 days of a fruitless search for a suitable rental, our realtor asked, “Why don’t you go ahead and buy a house?” I replied that I was a minister and would shortly be looking for a church, which might just have a parsonage, and that I did not want a house on my hands to have to sell after living in it for less than a year. “Oh,” she said, “I just happen to know of a little church in Fort Miller that is looking for a parttime pastor; would you want to talk to the Deacons?” So, a hasty meeting of the Consistory was arranged. It was agreed that we could temporarily move into the parsonage for one month, while the Church listened to other candidates throughout September. At the end of the month, I would preach, and then they would choose. If they did not choose me, Debbie and I would pay for one month’s rent and move out. Thankfully, the Church chose this newly married couple, who had no idea at the time, that they would remain here for 40 years, raise their 3 sons, and take their 7 grandchildren swimming in the Hudson River.

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From the Pew Many of Pastor Bailey’s messages are memorable, but one of his recent sermons was so uplifting, I felt my spirits soar going home after church that day. It was his message on Sanctuary, which the choir illuminated with beautiful hymns: “Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true,” and “I’ve got peace: peace with God, peace of God, social peace, and international peace.” In his message, he described how the peace of Jesus will stabilize your heart during times of tribulation. Paul says it is a peace which is above all intellectual grasping. He admonishes us in Philippians 4: “Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything…Then you will experience God’s peace which exceeds anything we can understand.” The sermon was spiced with Pastor Bailey’s now famous literary devices – GRACE as an acronym for God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense,” and Justified = just as if I died.” In this 40th year of Pastor Bailey’s stewardship in our congregation, we have reason to give thanks for the spiritual scholarship and weekly counsel with which we have been so richly blessed.

The Patriot The truth is, God, in his sovereign wisdom and grace, clearly opened 2 doors in which I was completely unaware. For me, who usually likes to take over the reins of control, this is a constant reminder of my need for humility. It holds true for all of us. We need to allow Him to guide us in these huge decisions. In the next couple of years, as Debbie and I plan for retirement, we all need to pray that God will provide another miracle by bringing just the right person here to Fort Miller to carry on this ministry. As usual, we had a productive spring and summer. A busy crew renovated the parsonage, and our new family moved in June 1. And with 9 children and 9 teachers, we had a cheerful VBS in July. We know of larger churches who would like to have a summer program but cannot put together a teaching staff; so, we are so very proud of the sacrifice of time and effort given by our 9. Also, thanks to those who put together the exhibits for the Washington Co. Fair and won blue and red ribbons; to those who helped on our annual Work Day in June; to those who have visited and provided food , or brought Communion to our shut-ins; for those who assist in worship at Pleasant Valley Nursing Home; for those who write to our 5 campers at Camps Fowler and Peniel; for those writing to and praying for our college students; for those who have helped our Members who have lost loved ones, undergone surgery, or are still struggling with marital and family difficulties. The wonderful thing about our Church is that we are a family--a caring family. One positive sign I see of that is on Sunday mornings. It takes a long time for us to greet one another. I usually end up saying, “and now for our call to worship.”

We are grateful for the new version of our Church history, THE PHOENIX OF THE NORTH, the refurbishing of our sanctuary clock, the donation of a television, DVD player, and new wall clock for our Sunday School, a new set of door locks, repair to our snow blower, and your faithful financial support week after week. (I have decided, lest I forget someone, not to name names. But, you all know who you are, and thanks so very much. A HUGE THANKS to all who gave money, food, and other supplies so generously to help the team that went down to New York City (Nov. 47) to help members of my nephew’s church in Queens. The team (Debbie, Chris, Peter, and others) was there 4 days, with 4 generators, 100 gallons of gasoline, sump pumps, blankets, and other supplies which they distributed to anyone who was in need at Rockaway and Breezy Point. Also, thanks to many Members of the Argyle Presbyterian Church for their assistance in this project. We ask your prayers for Warren Farr in the loss of his mother, Jean Farr; and, for all those recuperating from surgery: Nancy Crosby, Carol Call, Margie Shostak, and Idalee Sanders. Also progress: we have a new church directory coming out shortly under the supervision of Bea Sanders, and Melody White. We thank our Women’s Circle for leading us in morning worship on Sun. Nov. 18. The Adult Bible Study group, who met on Thurs. nights, completed the reading of the mysterious Book of Revelation this fall. We hope to see many of you at 9:30 a.m. Sunday School, if possible, and worship at 10:30 a.m. Yours in Christian Service, Pastor Charles Jan. 28, 2013

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Pictures from the Bailey’s Anniversary party

VBS Pictures

Church History The Reverend Millard Gifford published the PHOENIX OF THE NORTH, the history of our church from its beginning in 1822 through his pastorate in 1971. In 2011, this history was updated to include the ministry of Reverend and Mrs. Bailey through June of 2011 and some historical tidbits regarding the church and the community. The PHOENIX, with the updated material, has been saved electronically and will be incorporated into the 200th anniversary edition of the church history to be published in 2022. Mac Sanders, our Church Archivist, has copies of this updated church history available for distribution at no charge. If interested, his tel. no. is 518-587-3783, and his e-mail address is [email protected]. JP

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Consistory News

On Feb. 13, LENT began with Ash Wednesday at the Old Saratoga Reformed Church. We hosted the Lenten Service on Feb. 20. We on Consistory are saying goodbye to Elders Mary Lou Squires and Mac Sanders as well as Deacon Paul Flanders. We thank them for ALL their input and dedication during their tenures. We will miss them. At our business meeting in April, we will elect their replacements. The Nominating Committee is in the midst of working on this now. It is with great sadness that we will say goodbye to Pastor Charles as he retires next year. We will begin the process of going through resumes and asking prospective pastors to lead a service. We will also sit down and ask them questions to see if the way they view religion, the Bible, etc. are aligned with our own. We need to all pray that someone comes into our lives that will be a good mesh with us. Jan Peterson Faithfully,

Women’s Sunday School and Thursday Jan Night Bible Study News Peterson, Clerk “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching, and to teaching.” In this verse, Paul is admonishing Timothy to continue to present the Gospel. However, this verse could also be Christ’s instruction to us. And this is what we strive to do in Sunday School and Bible Study. In the women’s Sunday School class, we just finished a study of the book of Galatians, and now we are studying “The Knowledge of God.” This study teaches us more about our God. Our classroom door is open to all women as we study God’s Word and share our life experiences. Please join us! In Bible Study on Thursday nights, we just finished a study of the Book of Revelation, which is very interesting. Many people find this book intimidating, confusing, and/or frightening. However, once we delved into it, we discovered that, for the Christian, it reminds us of the majesty, power, and awesomeness of God and the joy that will one day be ours when we spend eternity with Christ, leaving behind the trials of this life. On March 7, at 7 p.m., we will begin a 12-week study on the book of Proverbs. Everyone is welcome! Melody White

Vereenigheit Circle News In March, the Vereenigheit Circle will have a roast beef dinner fundraiser and in early May their plant sale with books and baked goods for sale as well. We just had elections. Elizabeth O’Leary is our President; Barb Larson, Vice President; Mary Ellen Peek, Treasurer; and, Wendy Bittel, Secretary. Melody White will do Floral, Brenda Babson will do Publicity, and Marge Shostak will be our Chaplain. Looking forward, we will be raising money to replace the carpet in the Sanctuary. Maybe you have noticed that it is getting quite discolored. JP

Sunday School News Cindy Blanchard does a great job of keeping the kids busy with projects. She just finished doing the chili cook-off when I talked to her. As a participant, it was so much fun with 16 different chili recipes to taste. Wendy Bittel was the winner. Lonnie Farr came in second. Gary Squires came in third, and Jennifer Blanchard’s mother came in fourth. Thanks to all who participated and gave money for the cause--Project Pencil. The Sunday School youth, in implementing Project Pencil, will raise money to provide school supplies for those in need for next Fall. (FYI , Chris Bittel came up with this great idea!) Note: The Pastor announced that he knew who was going to win the chili cook-off. He said EDOM will win. The answer to the riddle was revealed today – EDOM means red stuff. So there you have it. JP

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HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF During the week following Hurricane Sandy’s devastation of areas around New York City, Long Island, and New Jersey, Chuck and I began receiving first-hand accounts from our nephew, Danny Shafer, who pastors a church in Queens. One of his members, Larry Holcomb, who works with an inner city ministry that has a house in Rockaway, alerted our nephew to the devastation impacting that area. Just days after the storm, Danny’s wife, sent us a moving video of the plight of many residents there and their needs. In two days, a bus and a trailer full of supplies and a cash donation of more than $2,000 was on the way to them from here to help in the cleanup. I was really blessed to be able to go with the team: Peter and Chris Bailey, Ed Von Seggern (Christopher’s father-in-law), as well as others from the Argyle Presbyterian and Durkeetown Baptist Churches (12 in all). Of all of us, I had the least experience in disaster relief. My original goal was to provide meals for the workers. To that end, I made up soups and easy-to-heat meals. Many of our Members from Fort Miller donated food and money on a moment’s notice. We left Sunday after church, just days after the storm had hit. Christopher drove a red school bus, Ed had his pickup, and Scott Lufkin from Argyle, pulled his trailer, all of which were filled with blankets, diapers, food, generators and 20 containers of gas. The trip down went quickly as there was little traffic moving in NYC. We passed long lines of cars waiting for gas which I was later told took hours. We stayed at the Church in Queens that first night which was the only warm place we stayed the whole trip. Driving to Rockaway Beach the next day was something I will never forget. There were traffic police at each intersection, because there was no power which meant the traffic lights did not work. Boats and cars were piled up in front yards where the sea surge had deposited them. When we crossed the bridge into Rockaway itself, the sight was apocalyptic. It was a shock - barely five hours from the relative tranquility and orderliness of this area, was the devastated look of a war zone! In the 3 days that followed, I did whatever was the most urgent. This included distributing supplies to patient people waiting in line, feeding others from my Coleman camp stove I had brought, organizing and reorganizing over and over the huge amounts of food, clothing, and cleaning supplies that was donated. The tiny house that became the “Beach Mission” and our headquarters was crammed full with provisions. We had a generator during the day but not at night. Thanks to the Bittels and the deJongs, we had warm sleeping bags. We also helped people apply online for FEMA assistance using Peter and Chris’ laptops. What I have learned from this trip is that it is the churches and other grass roots organizations who are able to respond the quickest in a crisis situation like this one. We do not have the red tape in which government groups have to contend. When we were there, there was no sign of FEMA, and I saw the Red Cross once when they gave us blankets to distribute. On a return trip I made, FEMA was up and running, the chaos had lessened, but not the need. Even though I went down there feeling out of my element, I quickly realized one does not need to be skilled to help, just FAT – flexible, adaptable, and teachable! The best workers see a need and try to fix it the best they can. If you would like to see pictures of the red bus and the van distributing goods as well as the video that inspired us to go down to Rockaway, go to twitter.com/AllNationsBaptist and scroll way down to Nov. 3 for the video and Nov. 5 for the photos. Debbie Bailey

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Congratulations to: Church Organist Debbie Anderson and Choir Members Mark Anderson and David Flynn in the birth of their Granddaughter/Grandniece Cora Elizabeth. Congratulations to the parents as well – Joan and Reed Anderson. Our church is thankful to: Our thanks go out to Mary and Paul Major for repairing the wooden dial and rim of our historic clock hanging from the east side of our balcony in the sanctuary. The wooden dial had cracked and pieces of wood forming the rim had separated. The dial and rim have now been repaired, and the clock is back in its place. Paul provided some history of this type of clock and its manufacturer, Brewster and Ingraham. It is probably from around 1845 and originally had an 8-day movement. (Note: It now has an electronic movement.) Twenty-inch original clocks, like ours, had an auction value estimated at $600-700 in 2002. While we do not know the history of our particular clock, we do know that it has been hanging from its current location for generations. Mac Sanders Prayers of concern:

2nd Reformed Church of Claverack as they begin to rebuild after a fire Our men and women in the armed forces The work of Gideons International, Project Joshua, Upstate Jail Ministries, Young Life at SUNY-Adirondack, Inter-varsity Christian Fellowships on college campuses Those with medical needs: Billie McFarlen, Mary Larmon, Cathleen Humiston, Bud and Dee Morrison, Adam Shostak, Jean Gaylord, Doris Fethke, Janet Ranck, Nancy Crosby, Carol Call, Harriet Moore, Leneta Gamache, and Sylvia O’Dell

UPSTATE JAIL MINISTRY Debbie reported in church that the Upstate Jail Ministry has been asked to go into the Saratoga County jail to bring the word of God to the incarcerated. Their volunteers are in the Washington and Warren County those jails as well. JP

Fort Miller Reformed Church 1239 Fort Miller Road Fort Edward, NY 12828