YEAR IN REVIEW - 2009

 DURING THE YEAR THE CONGREGATION ENJOYED OUR CHILDRENS CHOIR AND ALSO THE CIRCLE OF HOPE SINGERS ALONG WITH OUR ADULT CHOIR, EACH SUNDAY,  WHO ADD SO MUCH TO OUR  PRAISE OF THE LORD AT   10:30 WORSHIP SERVICE. 

THERE WERE COVERED DISH LUNCHEONS AND DINNERS WITH GREAT ENTERTAINMENT.  BOTH SEATINGS OF THE ITALIAN NIGHT DINNER (C’MON A MY HOUSE”) WERE A SOLD OUT PERFORMANCE COMPLETE WITH ENJOYMENT OF THE TARANTELLA , PROFESSIONAL VOCALS,A STAND UP COMEDIAN FROM NYC AND DELICIOUS FOOD.  THIS WAS OUR FIRST ANNUAL ETHNIC DINNER NIGHT. ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR 2010?

A NEW VENTURE OF ‘TAKE OUT’ FINGER LICKING GOOD CHICKEN BBQ AND LIVE BAND MUSIC WAS A WAY TO MAKE  ENTERTAINING AT YOUR HOME AS EASY AS PIE. DID I SAY IT ALSO WAS SOLD OUT!

LOCAL VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES WERE INVITED TO ATTEND A NOVEMBER SUNDAY SERVICE IN THEIR HONOR. THE SERVICE WAS  TO SHOW OUR APPRECIATION TO THEM FOR THEIR SACRIFICE IN PROTECTING THE FREEDOM OF OUR COUNTRY. THANK YOU!!

AN ECUMENICAL “UNDER THE STARS” PEACE SERVICE WAS HELD IN CANTINE FIELD IN SEPTEMBER.. ELEVEN AREA CHURCHES INCLUDING 6 DENOMINATIONS PARTICIPATED. THERE WAS A GOOD TURNOUT FOR THE FIRST EVENT AND WE

HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US NEXT YEAR!

IN OCTOBER WE HAD THE 7TH ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL WITH A HUGE INDOOR/OUTDOOR YARD SALE  - EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z! ALSO DELICIOUS CHILI HOT DOGS, -  BOWLS OF CHILI AND HOMEMADE SOUP WERE AVAILABLE TO TAKE HOME.

OUR WOMENS GROUP CREATED MANY LOVELY CRAFT IEMS FOR THEIR SUCCESSFUL ANNUAL FAIR TO MAKE YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING ‘ONE STOP SHOPPING’.  DELECTABLE HOME BAKED GOODS BY OUR CONGREGATION WERE ALSO AVAILABLE.

OVER 150 ATTENDED THE FIRST ANNUAL COMMUNITY WIDE

HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARTY FOR CHILDREN, FROM KINDERGARTEN TO 6TH GRADE, ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT. IT WAS A LOT OF FUN WITH MANY GAMES, INSTRUCTOR FOR CREATING CRAFTS, COSTUME PARADE, REFRESHMENTS AND DOOR PRIZE.

HOLY WEEK SERVICES INCLUDED ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE,

WEEKLY EVENING LENT SERVICES AT AREA CHURCHES, PALM SUNDAY SERVICE (OUR CHILDREN DISTRIBUTED PALMS TO ALL IN ATTENDENCE,) MAUNDY THURSDAY TENNEBRAE SERVICE, AND OUR BEAUTIFUL ANNUAL EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE AT SEAMON PARK. IT WAS A LITTLE COOL AT THE PARK BUT FOLLOWING THE SERVICE WE SERVED HOT BEVERAGES AND HOT CROSS BUNS BACK AT PARISH HALL FOR ALL WHO ATTENDED. “I FOUND ONE” COULD BE HEARD BY THE CHILDREN AS THEY WERE HAPPY TO HAVE AN EASTER EGG HUNT DOWNSTAIRS IN THE CHURCH AFTER THEIR HOT CHOCOLATE.

GAME NIGHT FOR THE CHILDREN AND TABLE GAMES FOR THE ADULTS ARE HELD THE LAST FRIDAY EVENING OF EVERY MONTH . COME AND HAVE SOME FUN!

 SUNDAY AFTERNOON BEFORE CHRISTMAS A LIVE DRAMA ENTITLED ”A CHILD IS BORN” WAS PROFESSIONALLY PERFORMED IN OUR SANCTUARY BY THE SAUGERTIES AREA CHILDREN. AN AUDIENCE OF ABOUT 200 ATTENDED AND WERE

 THRILLED AT THE AMAZING SHOWMANSHIIP SKILLS THE CHILDREN HAD DEVELOPED.  THIS WAS A GREAT PRESENTATION! IT WAS PRODUCED AND DIRECTED BY JEANNE

JONES O”BRIEN WHO IS A FORMER BROADWAY ACTRESS.  THE CHILDREN  DID A GREAT JOB AND ALL KNEW THEIR LINES! THE BABY LAMBS IN A PETTING AREA ALSO ADDED ENJOYMENT TO THE DAY. FOLLOWING THE DRAMA A BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR JESUS WAS HELD IN PARISH HALLWITH REFRESHMENTS AND OUR INSTRUCTOR WAS THERE TO HELP THE CHILDREN  MAKE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS.

ON DECEMBER 24TH, THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS WAS IN THE AIR AND WAS SHARED BY MANY AT OUR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE  HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US NEXT YEAR.

WE HAD MANY MORE EVENTS FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY DURING 2009. WE  INVITE YOU TO JOIN US. DURING THE YEAR WE HAVE CLASSES FOR ANYONE DESIRING TO BECOME A MEMBER OF OUR FRIENDLY PEOPLE. WE ARE GROWING IN MEMBERS AND “SPIRIT”. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE REFORMED CHURCH OF SAUGERTIES PLEASE GIVE PASTOR TERRY O’BRIEN A CALL AT 845-246-2867.

JOAN B. GRANT

     173 Main Street Saugerties, NY 12477                                                                                                         Phone - 845-246-2867