"Through the Study Window"
The Newsletter of Peru Community Church |
| Welcome Pastor Phil & Pastor Leigh! |
| Click HERE In case the link isn't working, use the information below. |
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| | Meeting ID: 884 4689 4229 |
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The Great Presbytery Staff Tour!
Tara Atherton, Mary Woodman, and myself were selected for the leadership roles under the Presbytery’s new staffing model. Which no doubt left many of you thinking “okay, but who are these people, and why do I care?”
Those are excellent questions, and ones we are hoping to answer as quickly as we can. Which is why the three of us are hitting the road. Over the summer and fall months, we will be holding a series of town hall style gatherings at various host church locations around the Presbytery of Northern New York, to which all members of the Presbytery are invited.
The purpose of these gatherings will be threefold:
1) For you to get to know the three of us.
2) For the three of us to get to know you.
3) For all of us to have open dialogue about the current and future disposition of the Presbytery.
Dates and locations will be forthcoming in the days to come. It is our hope that everybody will have an option that is within a reasonable driving distance to facilitate your joining us. We hope to see you there, and look forward to our journey together!
Rev. Dr. Shea Zellweger
Pastor to the Councils
More Information
As you read in Rev Shea Zellweger's post, The Presbytery Tour will be starting on July 12th at The First Presbyterian Church in Plattsburgh from 10am-12pm and then July 19th at the Saranac Lake First Presbyterian Church from 10am-12pm. An invitation email will be sent out to all Pastors and Clerks of Session to be shared with your church. Keep your eyes peeled for more Tour dates near you. Anyone who is interested can attend.
Peace be with you all,
RE Tara Atherton
Statedclerktara@gmail.com
Lead Presbyter/Stated Clerk
To read the June Newsletter from the Presbytery, click here. |
Granny's Attic will return in Fall 2025!
We are currently deciding what Saturday will work the best for the most available helpers. Connect with Barb B. or any Church Council member if you want to be involved! |
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| SUMMER CONCERT AT PERU COMMUNITY CHURCH
On Tuesday, July 15th at 7:00 pm, the Strawhatters Community Band will be holding an outdoor (weather permitting) concert at Peru Community Church Fellowship Hall. Bring your own chairs or blankets for outdoor seating. There is no charge, although the band will be "passing the hat" if you would like to make a donation. If the weather doesn't allow an outdoor event, the concert will be held inside the Fellowship Hall. |
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An Invitation from Pastor Phil & Pastor Leigh - Come Get to Know Us! |
Greetings Friends,
Pastor Leigh and I are incredibly excited to begin ministry with you on July 6th.
As we begin this new journey together, we would like to invite all in the congregation and community to "Getting to Know Us / Visioning" Sessions on either Thursday, July 17th or Thursday, July 31st at 6 p.m. Our hope is that you can attend one of these meetings.
We will meet outside by the gazebo in the town park behind the Fellowship Center. (Bring outdoor chairs.) If it rains, the plan will be to meet in the Chapel in the Fellowship Center.
At these gatherings, Leigh and I will share a little bit about ourselves, ask some questions about your dreams and visions for this congregation, and help each of us get to know you better.
We will finish our gatherings at 7:30 p.m.
Blessings, Pastor Phil Richards |
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PRAYER LIST
Debbie & Howard Bell; Carly Boyea; Dan Ferris; Denise; Rosemary Gaulin; Suzanne & Eukie Jones;
Barb & Roy Perry; Sarah
Pray for those struggling with addiction and physical, mental and spiritual health.
Pray for our military, law enforcement, first responders and medical personnel.
Pray for our church, our members, and our pastors.
Please contact the office if you would like to add a name to the prayer list. Thank you! |
| Bible Readings for July 2025 - Lectionary Year C |
4th Sunday Pentecost 7/6/25
2 Kings 5:1-14
Psalm 30
Galatians 6:(1-6), 7-16
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
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| 5th Sunday Pentecost 7/13/25
Amos 7:7-17
Psalm 82
Colossians 1:1-14
Luke 10:25-37
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| 6th Sunday Pentecost 7/20/25
Amos 8:1-12
Psalm 52
Colossians 1:15-28
Luke 10:38-42
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| 7th Sunday Pentecost 7/27/25
Hosea 1:2-10
Psalm 85
Colossians 2:6-15, (16-19)
Luke 11:1-13
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| REQUESTED JULY DONATIONS FOR PERU JCEO
Good News! Peru JCEO Outreach location has hired a new manager and they are once again open! Here are the suggested items for donation for July. A Donation basket will be on the altar in the church and beside the Church Office door. Thank you! |
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Actual YTD Total Income includes $27,913 received in November 2024 and February 2025 from the US Treasury for Employee Retention Tax Credit (2020 and 2021) due to Covid-19. Also $8,306 was received in March from TD Bank Affinity Program. |
| Welcome to Amplify Media! |
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Our congregation has access to “Amplify Media” - a service that provides a wealth of material for everyone. Take advantage of this opportunity to enrich your relationship with God. The UMC Conference pays the subscription fee - so it’s free for you to use. There are many studies by favorite authors and about favorite topics (Old and New Testament, Women, Men, Children and Teens). There are also “live” videos running so you are able to get a taste of the different programs and studies available that you may not be initially drawn to. Here is the information needed to log in and create your account:
URL: https://my.amplifymedia.com/amplify/home
Access Code: CGPNKF |
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| Congregational Vote on Budget and Inactive Members on 7/20/25 |
Note: The individuals on this list will be placed on inactive status. They will not be removed from the rolls at this time.
If any member is moved to inactive or removed from the rolls, they are always welcome to return.
This process will be conducted annually to ensure the accuracy and maintenance of the rolls. Please note that this task has not been performed since 1996. |
| Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 The Church Council has carefully prepared the above proposed budget. This budget has been developed with the goal of meeting our financial needs without drawing from the Endowment Fund. (Subject to change prior to the vote based on further discussion with District Superintendent, Pastor Phil, Pastor Leigh and the Church Council.) |
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| | The individuals on this list will be removed from the rolls. They were moved to inactive in 1996. |
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| Helpers Needed for Church Grounds Work |
You've seen it, I've seen it—and so has the community. Some have even shared concerns about the condition of our church grounds and buildings.
Over the years, the Trustees, Church Council, and others have noted the need for a clean-up day. While a few kind souls have stepped in to tidy gardens and take on small repairs (thank you!), it’s clear we need more helpers and someone to lead the charge! Anyone can help at any time.
Tasks we hope to complete include:
- Weeding the Fellowship Center and church gardens
- Clearing scrub brush and weeds from the west side of the Fellowship Center (near the dumpsters)
- Power washing the Fellowship Center and the front kerosene tank by the pastor’s office
- Cleaning out gutters
- Trimming saplings growing into shrubbery
- Scraping and repainting the front fence (and checking with the Town about repairs to the broken section)
- Repainting the kerosene tank
- Pruning shrubs and removing invasive plants from garden beds
- Cleaning, repairing, or painting any small (or not-so-small) exterior areas
- Tidying the basement entrance and the area beneath the back deck
Unless you’re tackling a major project, feel free to stop by and lend a hand. If you have 3 hours and a group of 5—great, just show up! If you have 30 minutes and notice litter or weeds, take a moment to make a difference. Every bit blesses our church and community.
Come when you can, bring your gloves and tools if you have them, and let’s show some love to our church home. |
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Visit the Calendar page on our website to see what is happening in the coming month.
Visit our Giving page to support the missions and operations of Peru Community Church. |
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