THE NEW WIND
The Little Church With The Big Heart
January 2016
Pastor: Rev. Ronald Allen
www.middleislandunitedchurchofchrist.org
www.facebook.com/middleislanducc
Church Telephone Number: (631) 924-6201
Worship 10 AM
Sunday School 10:00 AM
Fellowship Coffee Hour 11:15 AM
Choir Practice 11:30 AM
Bible Study Thursday 7 PM
Food Pantry Every Wednesday 4-5 PM
Soup Kitchen Wednesday and Thursday 5-6 PM
Pastors Column
Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
There are times when the Lord Jesus tells His church his Love thoughts. He knows it’s not enough
to say it behind her back, but in her very presence He says, “Thou art all fair, my love.” While it
is true that this is not his ordinary method; He is a wise lover, and knows when to keep back
indication of love and when to let it out. But there are times when He will make no secrets of it;
times when He will let it be known beyond all dispute in the souls of His people, and The Holy
Spirit often takes the things of Christ and makes them known unto us. We then have a testimony
that is surer than any of these. We can ask those of the Lord’s people who have lived in the closest
of relationships with Him, and they will testify to you that they have had seasons when the love of
Christ towards them has been a fact so clear and sure, that they could no more doubt it than they
could question their own existence. Indeed, beloved believers, you and I have had times of being
inspired and uplifted as a result of being in His presence, and then our faith has mounted to the
uppermost heights of assurance. Therefore we can make this declaration as the scriptures say,
“Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or
famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors
through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any
other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our
Lord.” (Romans 8: 35, 37-39)
In The Master’s Service, Reverend Ronald Allen, Sr
Join the Church with a Big Heart
Would you like to become a member of our church? We will be taking in new members on
January 10. A meeting with all those interested in joining will be held at 9 AM before the
worship service on January 3. Rev. Allen and some members of MIUCC will be present to answer
questions. New congregants were given documentation of the congregation history and the
extensive restoration work performed on the historic building. All who have been baptized are
encouraged to join and be part of the important ministry of MIUCC.
Men’s Ministry Breakfast
All men are invited to the next breakfast and Bible study on January 16 at 9:30 AM. Thanks to
Dave Austin for providing videos on the Bible for viewing and discussion.
Thursday Bible Study
Rev. Allen leads the Bible study, How Do I Get Closer To God?, from 7 to 8 PM on the following
dates: January 7 and 21, February 11 and 24, March 10 and 24. The pastor leads the study and includes
some singing and prayers. The study is based on the book, “The Prayer That Changes Everything” by
Stormie Omartian. See Sue about obtaining a copy of the book.
Committee Reports Are Due January 17
All officer and committee reports are due January 17 to Sue who will integrate them into the MIUCC
Annual Report. The Annual Report will be presented and voted on in the Congregational Meeting.
Congregational Meeting January 24
Members and friends of MIUCC are encouraged to attend the annual congregational meeting following
worship on January 31. A lunch will be served in the Friendship Cottage prior to the meeting. A church
budget for 2016 will be presented and voted on by the members. The following positions for officers,
committee chairs, and trustees have to be filled by a vote of members at the Congregational Meeting:
moderator, secretary, buildings and grounds chair, worship and ministry chair, trustee, and nominating
committee. If you have an interest in filling a leadership position, contact the nominating committee,
Tom Gaidry, Bob Wider, Barbara Bosshard, and Nervin Anderson.
Work on the Property
Repairs were made to the crying room wall. Thanks to all who helped decorate the church for
Advent. There is much work to do to preserve and improve the church building, so volunteers
and contributions to the Building Restoration Fund are needed. For only $110, you can
memorialize someone on a Tree of Life leaf in the church sanctuary. Call Sue at 698-6761 or
pick up Tree of Life brochure in church.
About Middle Island United Church of Christ
The people interested in joining MIUCC have requested information about the church. The Constitution
of MIUCC was adopted in January 1983. It includes articles describing church membership, the church
council and its officers and standing committees, trustees, nominating committee, congregational
meetings, and calling of the minister. All are encouraged to read the Constitution which is the legal
document upon which the church maintains its non-profit status.
The Constitution also includes the Faith and Covenant of MIUCC, which are the following:
Faith: This Church acknowledges as its sole Head, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our Savior. It
acknowledges as brothers as sisters in Christ all who share in this confession. It looks to the Word of
God in the Scriptures, and to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, to prosper its creative and
redemptive work in the world. It claims as its own the faith of the historic Church expressed in the
ancient creeds and reclaimed in the basic insight of the Protestant Reformers. It affirms the
responsibility of the Church in the teaching of our Lord and the practice prevailing among Protestants; it
recognizes two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Covenant: We the people of the Middle Island United Church of Christ, each called in special way and
with unique gifts, solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and of one another covenant to be the
Church of Jesus Christ. To this purpose we will strive: To worship as an enthusiastic community with all
people of all ages from all backgrounds. To grow as persons, increasing knowledge and faith. To share
our lives in the caring, trusting atmosphere of an extended family. To reach out to others to join us in the
local and world-wide mission of this Church.
Seal Sightseeing Walk Jan 9 at 11 AM
Dress warm and meet at the church at 11 AM to carpool to Cupsoque Beach County Park. A short walk
at the park will take us to the bay beach to view the seals sun bathing on a sand bar. Bring binoculars.
Happy Birthday to the following:
Jan.
7 Athena Tuleja
18 Hanna Amed
30 Betsy Gaidry
30 Marge Miloski
Birthdays are celebrated after a service each month. The congregation is blessed with new people. If you let
Sue know your birthday, your name will be added to the church birthday list.
Middle Island Congregational
United Church of Christ
P.O. Box 90
Middle Island, New York 11953
"The Little Church with the Big Heart"