A Pastor's Perspective... A Breath of Fresh Air - Massapequa ...

April 2012 Volume 13, Issue 4
Dear Friends,
A Pastor’s
Perspective...
Thank God, "Spring has sprung" and we are entering my
favorite season of the year! I know "Spring has sprung"
because recently Carla had me observe two of our
family's "Spring Traditions.”
The first tradition, as I told the kids last Sunday in my
junior sermon was going up to our attic and
digging out our two boxes of Easter
Decorations so that as we begin our Holy
Week Observances, the Giordano home can be
properly prepared to celebrate the joy and
renewal that Easter brings!
The second tradition, and I am sure this one is familiar to
many of you, is Carla's request that we get outside on one
of those beautiful Spring days so that: "We can get a
breath of fresh air"! And isn't it true that going out into
God's beautiful creation on a glorious Spring day and
taking a deep breath of fresh air is a wonderful
experience? As I write these words, I am already getting
excited about our April 22nd CROP WALK which will be
held on the Boardwalk of Jones Beach!
Yes, a “breath of fresh air" is a wonderful thing and as I
was thinking about that truth, two thoughts came to mind.
First, I think it is fair to say that there is some level of
anxiety that we and the entire church family feels about
our retirement as the "Pastoral Team" for MRC. Now
that the consistory has established September 9, 2012 as
our actual "final Sunday" it has become more real and the
thought of all the changes that we all will be facing is a
little overwhelming. However, it is also true that the
blessing within all of these changes is the opportunity
for "a spiritual breath of fresh air"! I am confident that
the Consistory of MRC will fill all of the "ministry gaps"
in the interim period and that the Search Committee will
find an outstanding pastor to work with the congregation
in a wonderful new chapter of ministry here at the church
we all love!
The second thought that came to mind was that in
addition to the wonderfully renewing experience of
A Breath of
Fresh Air
taking in a breath of fresh Spring air, there is also a
wonderful sense of renewal we experience when we
are wise enough at times of business and stress to offer
our own "Breath Prayer.”
In defining what a "Breath Prayer" is, Rick Warren in
his book "The Purpose Driven Life", writes: "The
Bible tells us 'pray all of the time'. How is it possible
to do this? One way is to use 'breath prayers'
throughout the day, as many Christians have done for
centuries. You choose a brief sentence or a simple
phrase that can be repeated to Jesus in one breath, such
as 'You are with me'." If that suggested
"breath prayer" sounds familiar to us that
is no wonder. For isn't the essence of our
Lord's "breath prayer" from the
cross:"Father into your hands I commit my spirit" a
confident expression that even on the cross our Lord
knew that His Father was with him?
Warren also wrote in this same book: "That 'breath
prayers' and practicing the presence of God is a skill or
a habit that must be developed. Just as a musician
practices scales every day in order to develop their
musical gift, so we must train our minds and spirits to
remember God is present with us. 'Praying without
ceasing' means conversing with God while shopping,
driving, working, or performing any other ordinary,
everyday tasks."
Imagine the joy and the peace that we can have and
maintain when we 'pray without ceasing'? And could
there be a better week in the church year then Holy
Week to begin or renew our personal commitment to
use "breath prayers" and any and all other spiritual
disciplines to develop our awareness of the presence
and peace of God in our daily lives?
I think not, so let us use this Holy Week as an
inspiration to breathe in deeply the Spring air and the
power of "breath prayers" in our individual and
collective lives, so that with our Lord, in all
circumstances we too can live with the confidence
expressed in the words: "Father, into your hands I
commit my spirit"!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Steve

CROP WALK 2012
April 22nd
12:00-2 PM
“Back to the Beach”
In these difficult
economic times,
our annual
CROP Walk
will raise funds for
those in need locally
and globally.
We will start with a
Pizza Lunch at noon
and then head to
Field 6 at Jones Beach.
Walkers and donors
are asked to
sign up at the
Church Action Table.
News & Views “Staff”
Rev. Dr. Stephen Giordano
Pastor
Barbara Kohler, Secretary
Dot Doxey, Editor
page 2
Holy Week Schedule
April 1st Palm Sunday (Palms distributed)
Worship Service and
Sunday School at 9:30 AM
Adult Ed at 11:00 AM
All Easter Lily orders are due by April 1st
Please call 516-799-5158 if you need more details.
April 5th Maundy Thursday
Holy Thursday Agape Potluck and
Communion Service at 6:30 PM
For this service, each individual family is asked to
bring an entrée to create our delicious international
potluck buffet. Coffee and dessert will be provided
by our Church and our Youth Group will provide
an inspirational message.
April 6th Good Friday - 8 PM
Joint service with the Presbyterian
Church at 8:00 PM at our Church.
Easter Sunday - April 8th
Sunrise Service 6:30 AM
Easter Breakfast 7:00 AM
Worship Service 9:30 AM
Fellowship and refreshments to follow.
Sunday School and Adult Ed will not meet.
Regular schedule resumes on April 15th.
The Bible From Scratch
To follow up our Through The Bible Series,
you are invited to join us on
April 9th and 23rd when
Doug Bove and Leanore McKinley will lead a
Bible Study and conversation that is entitled,
“The Bible From Scratch”

This month we remember our Lord’s sacrifice during Holy week
and His resurrection on Easter Sunday.
On Palm Sunday both our Handbell Choir and our Senior
Choir will be featured as we remember Christ’s triumphant entry into
Jerusalem.
On Maundy Thursday of Holy Week we remember our Lord’s
last supper with His disciples with special music by our Senior Choir
and a special soloist. On Good Friday we will share our traditional
Good Friday service at our church which will feature the combined
choirs with the Massapequa Presbyterian Community Church.
On Easter Sunday we celebrate Christ’s resurrection and His
victory over death. Our music too will reflect this joyful celebration
from the starting peals of our Handbell Choir to the powerful anthems
by our Senior Choir and concluding with the glorious strains of the
Hallelujah Chorus!
At this Easter season, as we remember our Lord’s sacrifice and
celebrate His resurrection let us be renewed in His resurrection Spirit!
Easter blessings!
John Mayhew
Director of Music & Organist
CONSISTORY HIGHLIGHTS
MARCH 21, 2012
The focus of our March Consistory Meeting was forming our
Search Committee for our new pastor and developing a plan to see
that pastoral and church matters are covered.
… Pastor Steve’s final Sunday will be September 9th, 2012
… Doug Bove will be the chair of the Search Committee
Don Spruck and Lois Schmitt will be the Consistory representatives to
the Search Committee. The other members are: Candee Auletta, Dick
Boyd, Margaret Brooks, Charlie Coles, Nancy Farrell, Ted Grant, Rachel
Lobaccaro, Gary Spero and Randall Wong.
Please speak to Doug or any Committee Member
if you have any questions or suggestions.
page 3
Mission of the Month
One Great Hour of Sharing
Because RCA congregations
participated in One Great Hour of
Sharing in past years, Reformed
Church World Service was able to:
- Support 56 food pantries in a year
that has seen a nearly 30 percent
increase in need in many areas of the
country.
- Respond to immediate needs of
Christians in Myanmar after their
homes were burned down.
- Contribute to the response by our
partner Church World Service in 2010
to the floods in Pakistan and
earthquake in Haiti.
These are but a few of the specific
ways in which One Great Hour of
Sharing offerings were used to bring
life and hope to God's children across
the globe. Please use the envelope
included in this Newsletter and
return your offering on April 1st.
On Palm Sunday, April 1st, our
offerings for One Great Hour of
Sharing will be dedicated. The
opportunity to respond to Christ's
direct call to service by making a
sacrificial gift during the Season of
Lent will again deepen our
congregation's understanding of what it
means to be a Christ follower. Our
Sunday School children have made
banks and are encouraged to set aside
their own offerings through the Lenten
season.

Food Pantry
Did you know that...
there are Waldbaum’s
vouchers, which are used just
like cash, in the food pantry?
Did you know that...
you can donate money
specifically for that
community out-reach?
All you do is contact...
Judy Boyd (798-6033), Daphne
Blount (909-4197)
or
Maureen Kours (631-691-6369)
and they will take care of the
details.
Please donate the
following items for
our pantry:
children’s cereal & snacks
macaroni & cheese,
juice, coffee, tea
pasta and sauce,
tuna, canned vegetables, soup
and the like.
Please
check
expiration dates.
Our Food Pantry requests
are at an all time high!
The following are upcoming events for the
Fireproof Youth Group:
April 1 (Sunday) Fireproof Youth - 6-8 PM
April 7 (Saturday) Bible Study - 7 PM
April 8 (Easter Sunday) NO Fireproof Youth
April 10-11
(Tuesday-Wednesday) Rock & Roller Skating
Bethlehem, PA
Event Cost: $20 (Bring money
for two food stops.)
April 13 (Friday) Fireproof Youth - 6-9 PM
April 14 (Saturday) NO Bible Study
April 15 (Sunday) NO Fireproof Youth
April 21 (Saturday) NO Bible Study
April 22 (Sunday) Noon - Pizza and CROP Walk
April 27-28 Lock-In - Drop off: 7 PM;
(Friday-Saturday) Pick up: 8 AM
April 28 (Saturday) Bible Study - 7PM
April 29 (Sunday) Fireproof Youth - 6-8 PM
page 4
Women’s Bible Study
Come join us every Tuesday morning
for
Women’s Bible Study.
Refreshments are served at 9:00 AM
Bible Study begins at 9:30 AM
Men’s Fellowship Breakfast
Saturday, April 14th 8:00 – 9:30 AM
at the East Bay Diner

The Women’s Guild
invites all women of the
Massapequa Reformed Church
to join us at our next general
meeting on
Monday, April 2nd
at 7:45 PM.
Flower Sale Reminder
Pick-up dates for your
WOMEN’S GUILD PLANT SALE
orders will be as follows:
Wednesday, May 2nd 1:00 - 3:00 PM and 7:00-8:00 PM
Thursday, May 3rd 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM and 12PM-1:00 PM
Friday, May 4th 9:00 AM-10:00 AM
Call 516 799-5158 if you need an Order Form
ORDERS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN TUESDAY, APRIL 3rd
Children at the Lord’s Table
page 5
Mark Your Calendars!
Come to our Women’s Guild
“END OF YEAR”
dinner on
Monday, June 4th at
Piccolo Ristorante
2770 Sunrise Highway, Bellmore
More information will follow.
On Sunday, May 20th at 11 AM, we will have our Luncheon Program
and on June 3rd, we will welcome this year’s Children at the Lord’s
Table class to the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Parents who want
their 2nd grade or older students to participate in this program should
call Pastor Steve right away to register for the program.

The Spring Rummage Sale
is right around the Corner!
Friday and Saturday,
April 20th and 21st
here at MRC
As you are cleaning out your closets and garage and getting ready
for a Fresh Start for Spring,
why not donate some of those
“good but tired of looking at” items to our MRC Rummage Sale!
Bring us your unwanted clothing, books, toys,
knickknacks, and jewelry.
Donations will be accepted from Sunday, April 15th
through Wednesday, April 18th.
Baked Goods will be accepted
no earlier than Thursday, April 19th.
Volunteers are needed before, during and
after the sale. Ask Rowan Brooks how your
skills can best be employed.
WOMEN’S SPRING RETREAT
We welcome Kathleen Casserly back to lead our retreat
For a time of
emembering
econnecting
eflecting
Friday, May 11, 2012 arrival at approximately 4:00 pm
Saturday, May 12, 2012 departing at approximately 4:00 pm
To be held in Little Portion Friary Guesthouse
Mt. Sinai, New York Exit 63 LIE; 48 Old Post Road, NY
All women are invited to this special time of fellowship and spiritual growth.
Please see Susan Fluhr or Kaaren Hajohn if you are planning
to attend the retreat.
The cost of $80 includes meals and your room.
Please bring your Bible and journal.
page 6
New Members
Class
If you have been
worshipping with us
and would like
to consider
membership at MRC,
please speak with
Pastor Steve

USHERS
1 - Laura and Alec Duncan,
Kathy and Clint Goodwin
5 & 6 - Youth Group
8 - Carol and Joe Garbarino (Easter 9:30 AM)
Vickie and Gary Spero
15 - Charlie Coles, Donald Clark,
Dennis Hill, Al Brecht
22 - Judith Harvey, Kaaren Hajohn,
Lori and Ted Grant
29 - Norma and Doug Bove,
Heide and John Hoblin
May 6
Edwina and Bill Henderson,
COFFEE HOUR
1 - The Fluhr Family
8 - The Spruck and Auletta
families
15 - The Hoblin Family
22 - The Blount Family
29 - Marilyn and Owen Brooks
May
6 - The Spero Family
If any of the dates for
Sunday assignments are bad for
you, please arrange for a
substitute and call the
Church office.
Please note:
Child Care begins at 9:00 AM.
CHILD CARE
1- 9:00 AM
Jason and Wendy Saar
8 - 9:00 AM
Marcelle Terner
15 - 9:00 AM
Lou Pianese
22 - 9:00 AM
Joan McCool
29 - 9:00 AM
Jason and Wendy Saar
May 6 -
Jack Lobaccaro
COMMUNION PREPARATION
1 - Candee Auletta and family
5 - Joan McCool (Maundy Thurs.)
May 6
Maureen Kours, Lois Schmitt
COMMUNION SERVERS
1 - Art Armstrong, Lois Schmitt,
Maike Marschhausen, John Smits, Gary Spero
5- Jones Wong, Don Spruck (Maundy
Thurs.)
May 6
John Hoblin, Alec Duncan,
Richard Boyd, Judy Boyd, Chris Schachter
COUNTERS
1 - Alec Duncan, Johanna Cassidy
5 - Jones Wong, Lois Schmitt (Maundy Thurs.)
6 - John Hoblin, Joan McCool (Good Friday)
8 - Art Armstrong, Laurie Baach (Easter Sun.)
15 - Don Spruck, Daphne Blount
22 - Owen Brooks, Lou Pianese
29 - Alec Duncan, Johanna Cassidy
May 6
“The Canons of What?”
Back in 1618 the Reformed Church in Holland was on the verge of a huge split! There
were divisions and controversy that presented a great obstacle to church unity. Then, at the
height of this tension a gathering was held that led to the creation of what we now know as
“The Canons of Dort.” What does this near 400 year old controversy mean for us today?
Come to our 11 AM Adult Ed Forums on Sundays in April as we explore this and other
important topics! PLEASE NOTE: There will be no Adult Ed on Easter Sunday.
page 7
SCHEDULES

The Massapequa Reformed Church
302 Ocean Avenue
Massapequa, NY 11758
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Church Office: (516)799-5158 Fax: (516)799-4725
Website: www.massreformedchurch.org
Email: pastorsteve@massreformedchurch.org
May News & Views Deadline: April 15, 2012
April 2012
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit No.11
Massapequa, N.Y. 11758
T H E M A S S A P E Q U A R E F O R M E D C H U R C H
S T A T E M E N T O F M I S S I O N :
The Massapequa Reformed Church is a diverse and welcoming
family of faith where the worship of God in Jesus Christ is the
center of our life and purpose. We aim in these challenging
times to affirm God’s love for the world by the power of the
Holy Spirit and strive to embody the grace, love, and hope of
Jesus Christ through opportunities for spiritual growth and
faithful service.