The

Messenger

The Newsletter of the Saugerties United Methodist Church

Church Office # 845-246-7802 Dr. Buddle’s Cell Phone # 1-845-706-0418

“The tongue is a fire...it stains the whole body.” James 3: 6

“Calling Names”

November is the time of elections and we make decisions as to who will represent us in the various levels of government. We have heard one candidate call the other names pointing out how terrible is their opponent. This kind of name calling goes on continuously as one party or individual is scorned for what it does or doesn’t do, or is believed to have done or is doing. In fact so much time is expended that parties/government cannot function as defensive positions are undertaken and alliances are formed to block the opposing legislation.

Before we become too self-righteous and judgmental it is important to recognize that we are not immune to the destructive power of the tongue. This happens whenever human beings are found in relationship to one another. It might be at work, it might be at school, it might be at church, it might be in community groups and in our own families.

Nations make war and call each other names. The Pope of the Roman Catholic Church quotes someone who wrote several centuries ago regarding Islam and Muslims are deeply offended, riots take place and even a Roman Catholic sister is slain as a result. People fight at work, families are torn apart all because of the power of the tongue to destroy. When I was a kid we used to say “sticks and stones may hurt my bones, but names will never hurt me.” The reality is not only does name calling hurt us, but name calling often leads to stick and stones being thrown. Just watch the TV news any night for this playing out in real life.

<> James, in the New Testament, knew the destructive power of what people say. However, he recognized that the tongue has also the immense power to bring healing and wholeness to people. At the very heart of the destructive nature of our words, I believe, is our propensity to judge others. In verse 12 of the 4th chapter (James) we read, “so who, then, are you to judge your neighbor?” In addition, Jesus warns us not to judge others or we will be judged ourselves. We still have, as a part of our very being, the need...the desire...the compulsion to judge others (perhaps to lift ourselves up by putting others down) and the Church of Jesus Christ suffers, our nation, our world suffers. Somehow we have a need to be RIGHT and that need leads to believing that others are just plain wrong.

James urges the early Church and the Church of today (I believe) to “confess your sins to one another; and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.”

Duane D. Buddle, Pastor

❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀

Sermon Snapshot

Nov. 19^th - “Thanking God By Helping Others”

Matthew 25: 31-46

“Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.” These are the words of Jesus, what did he mean by these words?

Jesus taught that there are two sustaining powers in the world, one, the power of God, as a person reaches deep for his strength; the other, the power of other people, that company of concerned people who love you and help to hold you up.

Jesus taught us that God intended human beings to be cooperative creatures, living not only to survive, but to help others to survive.

Nov. 26^th - “Healing and Holiness”

Mark 9: 38-43; 45: 47-48

In this scripture reading the disciples were really upset that the person who was healing in Jesus’ name was not a Christian. He was not one of the disciples. They wanted to stop him from healing because he wasn’t one of them. Jesus spoke out against the exclusivism among his disciples. The disciples tried to define who can work with God in getting His will done and who cannot. They built a narrow fence around those who can do God’s work. We see this attitude today. In contemporary society, we often take the narrow view in defining who God can work with. However, God works through different denominations and different churches. He works through different style and through vastly different people.

Roast Beef Dinner Results

We had a very successful roast beef dinner on September 30. We were so busy that we stopped taking reservations for the second setting. (We had 120 reservations.) The large number of you that helped was great; we also set a record on how fast we peeled carrots on Thursday evening – one hour. A special thanks to our Youth Group for waiting on tables and helping with clean up. Our profit was about $1450, a record amount for us. Thank you all for a job well done.

Joan Robinson

3 - Dorothy Faulkner
4 - Matt Bazzani
8 - Jacob Gilmore
18 - Melissa Schupp
21 - Erin (Travis) Kozlowsky

27 - Lana Machione

Member Care

We will hold an organizing meeting on Saturday, November 4, at 10:00 in the lounge. Anyone can join this group. We will be planning visitations and contacts with shut-ins, those in nursing homes and others who need our care. Louise Wipper will be 100 in December and we would like to help her celebrate. Last year we did visitations in January to several members in nursing homes or at home and unable to attend church. Come join us on November 4 or contact Joan Robinson if you would like to help and are unable to attend.

Stewardship Campaign

<>Our stewardship campaign will start on Nov. 5. Please stop by our table before church on Nov. 5 and pick up your offering card packet. Then complete and turn in your pledge card during the service, when Rev. Buddle will give a prayer of dedication.

On Nov. 12, David Houston, former District Superintendent of Hudson North, will deliver the sermon. We will have a covered dish lucheon
following the service, to celebrate our stewardship campaign. We hope everyone will attend.

In keeping with our theme of "Imagine" we would like to ask the congregation to bring in pictures of what you imagine your church being for our bulletin board. You
may bring them in any time before Nov. 12.<>

Thank you
Kim Heuvel
Stewardship Committee

"Holiday in the Village "
Church Fair

I've had a peek at some the wonderful new crafts for the fair. Recycled Treasures is filled with wonderful treasures this year. I can almost smell the yummy items for the bake table! I can't wait for the Fair! But I'll have to wait until:

Friday, Nov. 17^th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday Nov. 18^th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

This year there will again be a Bag Sale on Saturday from 12:00 to 2:00 for the Trash and Treasures and used books departments.
We will have:

Baked table and homemade food items
New books
Recycled treasures (we are not able to handle large, heavy items, such as couches and exercise equipment)
Recycled books
Recycled jewelry
Recycled toys
Pecans
SERRV gifts from around the world (many new items this year)
Chili dogs on Friday evening and again a luncheon on Saturday.
Crafts
Used electronics

There will be fun things for the kids to do. It's not too late to volunteer to help! It's a lot of fun and we can always use more help!
If any of our members need a ride to the fair you can contact:
Marilyn Bucher, Diane McDowell or Joan Robinson

Kindermusik at the Church Fair

There is a special addition this year to the 2006 Holiday in the Village Church Fair. On Saturday, November 18 at 11:30, a free Kindermusik Program will be offered by an experienced instructor. All instruments will be provided, so stop by with the children to enjoy this special opportunity.

PARENTS! MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

The MYF Babysitting Service is Coming!
December 9^th, 2006; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Call Alisa Jones, 247-0958,
for more information

Adult Membership Class

At least three people have spoken to the pastor regarding becoming a member of the church. Thus he would like to either have 3 one hour classes or one three hour class. This could be done on a Sunday afternoon, if that is convenient. Others are certainly invited to attend. Please see the pastor if interested.

All Saints Day

All Saints Day is November 5^th, 2006 when we remember those who have died since last year’s All Saints Day. If you would like to have a name included in the remembrance and a candle representing that person, please let the office know by November 1^st.