From Pastors’ desk:   

As I was thinking about the Advent Bible Study series, I decided to have the first topic

of the series as “Romance.”  Surprisingly many parts of the Bible describes our relationship

with God in terms of romance, while surprisingly many people do not see our relationship with

God as “romantic.”  But from the Old Testament to the New Testament, we hear romantic language

repeatedly.  Every husband knows what a grave mistake he just made when he forgets the wedding

 anniversary.    And this story tells us the importance of remembering significant days. 

When Jeff was on the way to work, his wife Jane asked him a casual question.  “Jeff, honey,

do you know what day is today?”  And Jeff answered, “Uh … Of course, I do honey.  How can I forget?” 

 All day long, Jeff tried to figure out what day it was.  More accurately, he tried so hard what day

he has forgotten.  After the day’s work, as Jane opened the door, Jeff presented a big bouquet of

roses with a box of chocolate.  “Surprise!  You thought I forgot about it, didn’t you, Jane?” cried out

 Jeff.  With a big smile, Jane exclaimed, “Oh my!  Honey, this is the best Groundhog Day I have ever had!” 

Remembering important days are foundational in romantic relationship, but why?  Because it reminds

your loved one that you still cherish the passion and excitement you had for her/him when you met

 and dated so many years ago.  It also tells her that she is as essential part of your life as she was

 10 years ago.  Every Advent season, we are reminded of what God has done to bring us together as

His own children.  It sad for me to watch some people completely missing the point of Christmas. 

It is sad to hear more about Santa Claus and Rudolph than the love story of our Savior who traveled

 so far away to be with us. 

We belong to the Reformed Church.  I wonder how many of us know what being Reformed

(among many other denominations and religions) means.  It can mean several things.  It means that

 our theology and worship is deeply rooted in the Scripture and the Apostolic tradition, rather than

human made traditions.  It means that we are confessional church.  It also means that “Divine Providence”

 is the most important foundation of our theology.  Moreover, it means the we as Christ’s church takes

the responsibility of the justice and peace for God’s world, and so on.  Among those characters of

 Reformed Church, I believe the easiest catchy phrase for Reformed Church is “We are Reformed and reforming.” 

 I believe Advent is a wonderful season for us to carry on the “reforming” of who we are.  Christmas story,

 for us, is not a fairy tale.  It is not a legend.  It is reviving of the very act that God has chosen to renew

and rebuild His relationship with us.  And God’s great effort for our renewal is still at work.  That is why

this season is wonder-ful.  In the midst of our seasonal greeting our family, friends and neighbors; in the

midst of wonderful Christmas dinner with visiting children; in the midst of surprises as we open up the

gift boxes; let us not forget that God surprises us yet again with His love and His presence.  It is the

season of renewal.  Let us carry on.

December’s Session News

The Sacrament of Holy Communion was observed on November 4, 2007 at BRPC.

Elders Carol Bayle and Pat Engwer brought communion to  Bill and Florence Siebert 

and Bobbie Allen in their homes in Queensbury; Pauline Sexton  at her home in Glens Falls

and Ruth Smith at her home in Lake George. Frankie Waite and Charlie Bridenbaker

received communion at the Stanton Nursing Home. Cliff Seeley received it at Cronin

 High Rise in Glens Falls.

We thank the Elders for their time involved in this ministry throughout the year. 

The next session meeting will be December 11, 2007 with dinner at 6:00pm

and the business meeting beginning at 6:30pm. Items for the docket need

to be to Heather by 9:00 am on December 6, 2007. 

Christmas is often a time of year when many can feel alone. The season

appears to be a time when everyone is together and having great parties.

 As I  read In Search Of The Real Spirit of Christmas  by Dan Schaeffer, I’m

reminded by  Dietrich Bonhoeffer,  “We  are no longer alone; God  is with us.

We are no longer homeless; a bit of the eternal home itself has moved into us.

 Therefore we adults can rejoice deeply within our hearts under the

Christmas tree, perhaps more than the children are able. We know that God’s goodness

 will once  again draw near.”2   

Remember what Immanuel means?  God with us. 

We pray that each one of us  can keep this wonderful thought of God with us

through out the Christmas season and pass it on during this busy time of year to

all those around us.

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year from your session.

DEACONS CORNER    

The Board of Deacons met November 13, 2007 at Janice

Kingsley’s  home.

The meeting opened with prayer and review of last month’s minutes

              Treasurer reported $1,723.55 on hand as of 11/09/07

Communion elements were prepared for Nov. 4, 2007

Cards were sent to members and friends of the church

Flowers were sent to a church member

Hospital visits to one member and two friends of the church

Deacons arranged transportation for member to visit

her husband at Stanton

Telephone visit with one member and e mail visit with

one member

Meals taken to friend of the church

One thank-you card received

Love gifts totaling $2,423.91,  to two members

and one friend of the church.

Deacons provided a cake for New Members Sunday

Deacons will sponsor Angel Tree gift giving for Catholic

Charities Domestic Violence Program

Deacons will order 25 poinsettias to decorate the church for

Christmas.  Church members will purchase the plants

in honor or in memory of loved ones.

Deacons meeting ended at 8:15 p.m. with prayer

Next Deacon’s meeting will be Dec. 11, 2007, 7 p.m. at Janice Kingsley’s home. 

Trustee’s Newsletter

December 2007

      The mowers have been stored with visions of Spring and the snow blower is ready, hoping

 we don’t need the thing.  The hoses are empty, put in the shed and the sand barrels are out,

colored blue, not red.  The driveway is marked so we know where it can be found in case snow

comes this Winter with a bound.  Snow shovels and salt are placed by the entrances with care

 in hopes that they won’t be needed, but a few times there.

      Many, many thanks to all who helped with the Fall cleanup around the church property. 

The work goes so much faster when we have a good turn-out.    

BAY ROAD TO THE BAYOU 2008

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if a man claims to have faith, but has no deeds? 

 Can such faith save him?  Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 

If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing

about his physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not

accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2: 14-17

In March 2008 the congregation at Bay Road will send a third mission team to the Gulf Coast

to help rebuild homes and lives devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  It has been over

2 years since the storms hit, yet less than 10% of the area has been rebuilt thus far.  Thousands

of people are still living in FEMA trailers, despite the fact that the materials used to build them

may be hazardous to their health.

This year our vision is to send 60 volunteers, 20 each week for three consecutive weeks.

The team will be serving in Pearlington, MS through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. 

We currently have 32 volunteers signed on, and many others considering serving one of the weeks

(March 8-15, March 15-22 or March 22-29).  Volunteers with building skills are especially needed,

but training is available for anyone with a heart for serving.  Each team member will pay for their

own transportation to New Orleans, and their room and board ($140) while living in the volunteer

village.  Anyone interested in going should contact Marcia Etu (798-8821; marciametu@excite.com).

The first goal of our mission is to raise funds to provide ground transportation for the team, and to

 buy building materials.  Last year we spent $4500 for building materials while working in Houma, LA,

and sent another $3500 to Gulfport, MS.  Multiple families were able to move back into their homes

with this assistance.

In 2007 our Cajun dinner and silent auction was a very successful fundraiser, and we will repeat this

event in January.  There will be lots of ways people can help:  requesting donations of food, 

shopping, cooking, waiting tables, washing dishes, donating auction items, accepting donations,

working on publicity, setting up the silent auction, bringing family and friends to the event,

counting proceeds, etc.  Janice Holding is chairing the event, and would love to have people offer to help (793-1271; JaniceHolding@aol.com).

Let’s work together to put into action the mission of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance,

“Out of Chaos, Hope”, and share the love of Christ with our brothers and sisters who

continue to suffer in Mississippi.

Sunday School Christmas Pageant

The children of both Bay Road Church and the Oneida Church unite together

to present this year’s Christmas pageant, “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. 

The following is the rehearsal schedule:

December 8th @ Oneida Church  11 - 12:30

December 15th @ Bay Road Church  11 - 12:30

December 22nd @ Oneida Church  11 - 12:30

Opening night for the Christmas pageant will be held at the Oneida Church

on December 22nd at 7:00 pm.  An encore performance will be preformed the

following night, December 23rd at 7:00 pm. at Bay Road Church.

Small Church with a Big Heart

Nathan Etu will serve as the manager of the Gautier, MS volunteer village beginning

in January 2008.  This is the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance camp where our Gulf Coast mission

 team stayed in 2006.  Nate will be the 3rd young person from Bay Road to manage a PDA village.

 Andrea Mitchell was the manager in Houma, LA for six months and Becky Seifried served in

Gautier for 3 months in 2006.

Christmas Tree Angels

This year we will again be providing presents to families in the Domestic

 Violence Project of Catholic Charities in Glens Falls.  We have asked for

25 children - and we will be providing one toy and one clothing item to each. 

If you would like to participate, please pick up your angels from Anderson Hall. 

Presents will need to be returned (wrapped and with the angel attached for identification)

 by December 16th so they can be delivered before Christmas.  Any questions? 

 Please see Janice Holding (793-1271) or any Deacon.

-Save The Date-

A Baby Shower Party For Esther And Pastor Sung!

Please Join Us As We Celebrate Together To Welcome New Baby Lee

Date:  Sunday, January 13, 2008

Time:  Following service 11:30am - 12:30 pm

Place:  Anderson Hall, Bay Road Church

Light Lunch And Refreshments!       

Thank you to all who submitted recipes!  We are now in the process of pre-sales

of the cookbook.  The cost is $10.00  Please see Denise LaRose in the fellowship

 hall after church to purchase your cookbook.  Please make checks payable to

 "Bay Road Church Women's Association".  Make sure you get your copies today!

Christmas Tea

On Sunday, December 9th, the Women’s Association will be hosting a

Christmas Tea at Bay Road Church starting at 4 pm.  Ladies are invited

to come and enjoy tea, punch, cookies and fellowship.

Women’s Association Christmas Dinner and Service

All BR women are invited to this Christmas event on Thursday,

December 13^th hosted by the Women’s Association. There will be

 a pot trust dinner at 6 PM followed by a 7 PM service.  We greatly

encourage all you ladies to come and bring a friend!

Church Member Professions Page

Welcome to our  Church Member Professions Page!  This page is available to church

members who would like to share their business/store/profession information.  This is a

great resource for utilizing our church members’ professions.  Everyone is welcome to participate,

 send your information, business cards, etc. to the church office by email at bayroadchurch@adelphia.net

 or drop off in the church office. If you have any questions please call the church office, 793-8541.

Melissa Bramlage                                                                                                                                             

SaraBear ™Company

   Keeping Them Within Reach™

diaper caddies . baby gift solutions

www.SaraBearBaskets.com

George S. Knapp, DO

McGregor Medical

520 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs

(Rt. 9 Town of Wilton, 1 m. North of Saratoga Springs)

583-4268

Janice Holding

Explore!

Learn *  Play  * Discover

Touch tank w/sea creatures, four-story climbing loft, 16 ft. water table,

birthday parties, ball coaster, story times, arts & crafts, toddler area, pirate ship, castle...and more!

103 Warren St., Glens Falls

ExploreInGlensFalls.com

Open M-F 9-5  Sat 10-5  (starting this month—Sun 12-5)

John & Sharon Meinrenken

New Horizon’s Rubber Stamp Co.

15 Thomas Street

Queensbury, NY 12804

E-Mail: johnmein@verizon.net

Our Company is a manufacturing company, we actually produce the stamp, not just buy and resell it with a markup.

We make all kinds of stamps, such self inking, regular, notary, signature, and of course Daters.  Please pass

 this information onto the person that orders office supplies for your company, and if they are interested in

buying locally at very competitive prices, hopefully they will contact me.

SUNDAY MORNING MINISTRIES/ December  2007

Greeters

2     Kathy O’Day

9     Veronica Russell

16   Colleen Russell

23 John Murphy

30    N/A

Ushers

2     Lou & Colleen, Rodger & Chris

9     Rodger & Chris, Ed & Emily

16   Ed & Emily, Doug K.

23 Doug & LouAnn, Lou & Colleen

30    Lou & Colleen, Rodger & Chris

Coffee Hour                       Tithe Counters

2      Janet Murphy                                    2     Chip Collin, Diana Berrigan

9      Volunteers needed                           9      Janice Holding, Pat Hart

16    Volunteers needed                         16    LouAnn Holt, Skip LaRose

23    Etu’s                                                  23    Sharon Meinrenken, John Murphy

30    Sue McDowell                                30    Denise LaRose, Cathy Reed

OPEN DOOR MINISTRY   (Wed.,   December  12th  at 4:30 pm)

The Open Door Ministry is located on South Street in Glens Falls. 

BRC serves the 2nd Wednesday of each month. The sign up sheet is posted in Anderson Hall on the bulletin board if you are interested in serving. 

 Remember to bring 3 gallons of milk (one each).  Thank you to those who volunteered last month:

                              Wil & Faith Wiesner

God Bless You on Your Special Day...

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

1        Joyce Compson

6              Gary Linindoll

6               Guthrie Collin

8               Lisie Carr

10             Pauline Sexton

11             Mark Meinrenken 

12          Bobbi Allen

12          Ed Benway

12             Melanie Swinton

14 Tim Engwer

15 Wes Carr

16 Elsa Paszek

16 Sandy Bird

19         Ray Barber

DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

24 Jeff & Vickie Guy

26   Pastor Sung & Esther Lee

BIRTHDAY & ANNIVERSARY LIST 

 If you have a birthday or anniversary to add to our list please call the church office or leave a note in

the newsletter editor’s mailbox in the church office. 

    Deadline for the

January issue of the “Highlights” newsletter is

 Sunday,

December 30th.

For our church events go to page 1 of our website and click on

Calendar of Events, then Church Calendar.

Thank you for viewing the Bay Road Church website today!