"Through the Study Window"
The Newsletter of Peru Community Church |
The Pastor's Pen Transitions |
As many of you know, pastors in the United Methodist Church serve in a system of appointment. This year, Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez has appointed me to serve as Senior Pastor at Norwich Broad St. United Methodist Church. My last Sunday here at Peru Community Church will be June 15, 2025. My appointment in Norwich will begin on July 1, 2025. During this time of transition, the Church Council will be working with both the United Methodist District Superintendent and the Northern New York Presbytery to find a new pastor. The Church Council has assigned Margaret Edwards, Jon Ruff and Lynda Guest to the pastoral transition team.
For a church that has not often experienced pastoral transition, this time might be unsettling. But it is an opportunity to come together as a church community to see what God is doing and how the church envisions positioning itself for the future. While a bit daunting, this can be a time of hope as you work together to navigate this transition. Trust that through your prayers for God’s guidance, PCC will continue to serve this community and those beyond it.
You should understand that each one of you plays a vital role in the congregation. Your prayers, time, talents, and dedication are what make this church what it is. Yet, there are difficult decisions ahead for the church. I pray that each of you will embrace this time as an opportunity to deepen your faith, connect with and support one another while continuing to participate in the vital ministries of the church.
I encourage you to stay united in spirit and engaged in writing the next chapter of this 225 year history of ministry in Peru.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Peggi |
| 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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Are you a TD Bank customer? Are you a member of their Affinity Program?
This program provides you with an opportunity to give to the church by simply being a TD customer. A percentage of the amount of all customer accounts designated to Peru Community Church are given annually to the church. Stop by your local branch today and make sure you are enrolled in the program. Be sure to mention you would like to support Peru Community Church.
The Finance Team |
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| hLast week Peru Community Church received a check from TD Bank for $8,306 for last year's Affinity Program. That's an extra $159 a week - basically free money for the church! It pays to sign up for the Affinity Program, it's free and secure. |
| SPARK: 'Who Is Your Generosity Mentor?' By Ken Sloane |
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“Who is your generosity mentor? That question was posed at a continuing education event I attended. Our instructor got our attention with the question, then followed with this statement: “Before we attempt to teach you how to grow generosity in others, it’s important to reflect on who helped grow generosity in you.”
Let me pause before I share my answer and ask you, “Who is your generosity mentor?”
I could have named a lot of people: my dad and many people who were members of churches I served as pastor. There are famous people who are very generous and some whose generosity is kept secret. There are people who have very little but are still incredibly generous. I tell a story in some of my workshops about orphan children from Liberia who collected an offering for children in the U.S. affected by Hurricane Katrina.
When the instructor at the continuing education event directed us to turn to the person next to us and share the story of our generosity mentor, one name came out without a moment’s hesitation: Clayton Miller.
Clayton was my pastor when I was growing up. That United Methodist church was lucky enough to have his pastoral leadership for eighteen amazing years, through my school years and into college. When I described him to my neighbor, I was conscious that the generosity I described had nothing to do with money or financial support. He is such a generous person who shares his time, guidance, affirmation, joy, and so much more. He has a generous soul and a generous spirit, and there is no way I could believe he was anything but generous with money.
So, how would you answer the question: “Who is your generosity mentor?”
Philanthropy is born not from a fat financial portfolio but from a generous spirit and a heart of gratitude. Sometimes, the greatest impact we make in our giving comes not from the place that receives our donation but from our influence on others who follow our lead. So, the final question is this: “How will you mentor generosity to someone else?”
Ken Sloane is the Director of Stewardship & Generosity for Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church.
https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/ |
TEXT MESSAGES
Are you interested in receiving Text Messages from Peru Community Church? You'll be sent worship information, cancellations, and reminders about upcoming events.
If you would like to be included, please text your name to:
518-339-1536 |
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HOLY WEEK WORSHIP
Good Friday Service will be at 6pm in the Sanctuary on April 18th.
Easter Sunrise will be at the Peru Dock (Route 9) at 6:30am - communion will be served.
Dress according to the weather. This is an outdoor event so bring blankets, umbrellas, chairs, etc.
Easter Worship will be in the Sanctuary at 9:00am. |
PRAYER LIST
Debbie & Howard Bell; David & Gretchen Comfort; Sarah Connelly; Dan Ferris; Rosemary Gaulin; the Godfrey Family; Suzanne Hand, and her daughter, Jennifer; Christopher Hutchison; JoAnn; Suzanne & Eukie Jones; Mary Mathieson; Barb & Roy Perry; Connie Webber
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 the teachers, students and support staff in our schools.
Please contact the office if you would like to add a name to the prayer list. Thank you! |
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UPCOMING SPECIAL MISSIONAL OFFERINGS
Bags will be available in the pews for these offerings during the following seasons. On-line giving options are also available.
Lenten Offering: Disaster assistance for flood, fire & other natural disasters via PDA and UMCOR
Easter Offering: Youth Engage Fund nurturing youth participation in church life. Collecting on Palm Sunday & Easter.
Great 50 Days Offering: Women of Grace Widow’s Fund supporting widow’s in need. Collecting April 27 through May 11.
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Easter Offering - Engage Youth Fund |
We often say, “youth are the future of the church.” Yet we know, for this to be true, we must support our youth today with opportunities to grow and develop their faith beyond the local church. We can do this through the Engage Fund, a new initiative investing in both the present and future of our youth.
The Engage Fund supports:
• Buffalo 10 Scholarship- a scholarship that honors the ten victims killed in a racially motivated shooting at the Jefferson Avenue Tops Supermarket in Buffalo on May14, 2022. This scholarship is designed to help youth in the greater Buffalo-area complete their college education. |
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• Mission of Peace - an annual journey of discovery and Shalom to nations in our global community. The goal is to send up to four young people annually to share this experience with other youth from around the country and the world. Past recipients have traveled to South Africa, Nicaragua, India, China and Cuba.
• National and International Initiatives to help youth attendees deepen their faith experience through National and International Youth Gatherings.
Other initiatives include resourcing leaders and congregations for ministries with children, youth, and young adults, leadership development for youth and young adults, while amplifying our capacity to send young people to connectional spiritual and leadership development gatherings.
How you can help: Look for the white bags marked “Engage Fund” at the end of the pews each Sunday, mail a check to the office or donate on-line through our website or PayPal.
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| Bible Readings for April 2025 - Lectionary Year C |
5th Sunday in Lent - 4/6
Isaiah 43:16-21
Psalm 126
Philippians 3:4b-14
John 12:1-8
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Palm Sunday - 4/13
Liturgy of the Palms
Psalm 118:1-2,19-29Luke 19:28-40 |
| Easter Sunday - 4/20
Acts 10:34-43
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
1 Corinthians 15:19-26
Luke 24:1-12
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| 2nd Sunday of Easter - 4/27
Acts 5:27-32
Psalm 150
Revelation 1:4-8
John 20:19-31
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Final Sale will be held on Saturday, May 24th from 10am to 2pm. |
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Collection items for JCEO
this month! |
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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. (See "TD Bank" above.) |
In early April you will receive a mailing from the church for the 2025 -2026 Pledge Campaign. We ask that you prayerfully consider your response to this request. Financial giving, as well as commitment of your time, wisdom, experience, passion and witness are important to continue the ministries and outreach of Peru Community Church. It is vital to the church's mission to know what we will have to plan for the coming year.
As always, if your circumstances change you can adjust your pledge amount, giving a little less – or perhaps more if things improve. |
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| Peru Community Church
Mailing Address: PO Box 38, Peru, NY 12972
(Church) 12 Elm Street, Peru, NY 12972
(Fellowship Hall) 13 Elm Street, Peru, NY 12972
Phone Number: (518) 643-8641
Office Email: office@perucommunitychurch.com
Website: www.perucommunitychurch.com
Office Hours: Monday/Wednesday/Friday
9 am - Noon & 1 pm - 3 pm |
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