United Methodist Church of Islip
350 Main Street
Islip, New York 11751

Rev. Douglas Madlon, Pastor

Office Hours: Tues. & Thurs. 9 - 2, Wed. 9-1, Fri. 9-11.

Worship Service Sunday 10:00AM

A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR DOUG 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

     It is May and spring is finally here. Easter was so early this year, I did not get the opportunity to thank our church family for a wonderful, God-filled 40 days of Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. So, I thought I would share some of my Easter 2008 memories with everyone.

      Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah! After overcoming our dilemma of locked gates at the Islip Town Beach, how great it was for 80 of us Methodists and Presbyterians to gather on Easter morning in the pavilion to celebrate our risen and living Lord Jesus. In short, our Easter sunrise service was spectacular with the moon lighting the waters of the Great South Bay and the sun rising in the eastern sky. It was quite appropriate for those of us gathered to sing the hymn “Morning has Broken”. Our flute accompanists, Pat Crevoiserat, Lisa Smigiel and Demi Velasquez, were heavenly. Thank you to the Islip Presbyterian Church for preparing our wonderful Easter breakfast.

      I thank Paoulina Rubinson, the choir members and the members of our orchestra for the joyous Easter music. A special thank you to Dee Williams and our Youth Choir for singing on Easter Sunday and throughout the year. Thank you so much! Also much praise goes to our ushers and worship assistant team. Many thanks for all the donations of Easter flowers. They enhanced our sanctuary greatly.

      Looking ahead on Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate what has been referred to as the birth of the church. It is also the time of the year when we celebrate Confirmation, where our young men and women are invited to join the church. Our confirmands, Jonathan Claudio, Kendall Grant, Rebecca Scelzi, Derek Stein and Brandon Vuolo,  will also be invited to share in the light of Jesus just as he invited his disciples to accept the gift of the Holy Spirit, thus fulfilling the promise of John at Jesus’ baptism.

      As the apostles went out that day of Pentecost, they gave the newly baptized the gift of the Holy Spirit by laying on of hands. This completed the grace of baptism and continues today as a central part of our confirmation service.

      In this Easter Season, we will continue to celebrate our resurrected Lord and Savior. As I thank God for the Easter message of new life, I thank God also, for all who are a part of our wonderful church family. How blessed I am to serve as your Pastor. How blessed we are to have a personal relationship with Jesus.

      Finally, springtime in New York is lovely and springtime on Long Island is even lovelier! As trees, flowers and grass grow and blossom, how wonderful it is to take in the beauty all around us. How appropriate it is for us to thank God for the splendors of God’s creation. Earth Day was celebrated on April 20^th. We are becoming more conscious these days as to how we, as stewards of God’s creation, may take better care of the earth.

      Christ is Risen!  He is Risen Indeed! Hallelujah!               

Yours in the Love of Christ,

Douglas Madlon

Pastor Douglas Madlon

P.S. Thank you once again to Joan and Peter Palagonia for their wonderful, sweet, precious Easter chocolate bunnies, eggs, crosses, etc. as a fundraiser for our church. Thank you for your ongoing “Sweet Productions”.