We apologize for the sporadic posting of PODCASTS over the past few months. The good news is that we have been updating the podcast library with our most recent sermons. If you have missed a Sunday sermon or wish to hear it again, visit us today.
FOR FELLOWSHIP AND EXERCISE!
There is a group of people that meet at the rail trail (by Daddy O’s – In Hopewell Junction) every Saturday morning at 10:30 AM to walk, run or bike.
All are welcome to join us! CONTACT: Warren Jee
“Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!” (Numbers 11:29)
Two Sundays ago Katlin Geysen was raising funds for her internship summer at J-Life in South Africa; Shannon Herrmann’s ChristCare group was gathering support for Read more »
Forms are at the kiosk. VBS is August 20-24, 2012.
Classes are for children entering Kindergarten through 6th grade. Space is limited, so sign up TODAY!
VBS 2012 Registration Form or Contact Sheryle Silvern for more information
JOIN US on Sunday May 20th! A blessing ceremony for the repaired parsonage and chapel of Prattsville Reformed (damaged by the floods) is Sunday, May 20th at 3pm.
Contact to carpool with Ron Ruvo or Kevin/Sarah Phillips
| Juice | Broth | Mac & cheese |
| Canned chicken/tuna/spam | Canned fruit | Canned vegetables |
| Bath tissue | Chili mix | Potatoes – boxed/canned/fresh |
| Dry pet food |
Missionary Nannys is looking for mature women who can care short term for children of missionaries while they serve. Check out this opportunity at http://missionnannys.org or contact Kevin Phillips.
The 4th & 5th graders are collecting food for the Fishkill Food Pantry through May 20th. On that day, they will be delivering our donations to the pantry during Sunday School and will have the opportunity to see how the Food Pantry operates. Thank you for supporting this mission project! Contact: Sheryle Silvern.
Many contributors have expressed interest in the convenience of having their offerings automatically debited from their bank accounts. Working with M&T bank, we are now able to do this, and plan to begin making auto-debits on June 1st. If you would like to make your Read more »
The Healthy Living ChristCare Group is planning the 2nd annual HRC FAMILY FUN RUN/WALK for Saturday, June 2nd at 8:00 a.m. on the Dutchess County Rail Trail.
There will be a
During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” (Acts 16:9)
That Macedonian vision changed the shape of Christianity forever as the Gospel entered into Europe and moved toward the heart of the Roman Empire. Our “Dominican Vision” seems to be changing our church in similar ways. We will be sending Rachel Snider down to the Dominican Republic Read more »
Our knitting and crocheting group will have its next meeting on Monday, May 7, 2012 at 10:30 A.M. in the Youth House. Please bring all completed lap blankets. Our last project before the summer break will be the 7″ X 9″ patches for Warm Up America. Many thanks to the Saints who, during the past year, have completed items and/or who have left donated yarn in the Youth House storage areas. Contact :Barby Richardson
Odyssey has a van-load of folks who need a ride each week to worship. We are looking for 12 people to commit to driving the church van (training included) once a quarter. Talk to Pastor Mark if interested
Family Promise needs the following supplies: Twin Sheets (used is o.k.), Blankets (used is o.k.); Non-perishable breakfast and lunch items (keeping it simple), and PRAYER, PRAYER, PRAYER! Please leave donations in the Family Promise box in the fellowship hall. Our week to host is coming up fast – April 30 – May 6. What is Family Promise at HRC?
Within the next few weeks, renovations will begin on the Merillat residence. We are looking for skilled and unskilled labor to help. If you are a plumber, carpenter, electrician, landscaper, concrete/masonry, roofer, or painter, and can donate some time to this project, please e-mail Kurt Tegtmeier and put your skill in the subject line. If you don’t have any particular skills but still want to help, email Kurt and put in the subject line “I can help”. Please let him know your availability as well. He will be putting all this information together and contact you regarding the schedule.
SonRise National Park – VBS 2012
Save the week of August 20th-24th for SonRise National Park VBS!! Our next VBS work meeting will be after Easter on Wednesday, April 11th at 10:15 in Room H. We’d love your help. If you’d like to help prepare for VBS or serve during VBS please email me. Registration starts on May 1st. No Registrations accepted prior to that date. Thank you!
Join HRC as we serve and learn together at Heifer Project’s Overlook Farm. Overlook Farm is a demonstration farm complete with gardens and animals including water buffalo, yaks and traditional farm animals such as pigs, goats and more. Our weekend will include projects such as farm chores, and special projects, as well as educational times as we learn about alleviating hunger. One night we will stay in the global village at the farm which gives us a unique, first-hand look at the challenges surrounding hunger and poverty by experiencing a developing country! Read more »
“Serving in Response to His Love”
Join HRC as we help Sacandaga Bible Conference prepare for another summer of ministry! Our weekend will include projects such as painting, cleaning, repairs, gardening, wiring, roofing, special projects – and fun including campfires on the beach, worship, mini golf – something for everyone! Read more »
Homelessness can seem like an overwhelming problem. Many people wonder what one person or congregation can do to truly make a difference.
FAMILY PROMISE provides a way for churches and synagogues to work together to help homeless families.Each congregation participating in the Network provides overnight lodging and
With the Odyssey Worship service now moving to every week, there is an even greater need for help in planning, organizing and carrying out both fellowship activities and projects that are done as part of the Odyssey experience. Our friends at Odyssey LOVE to make things to away as part of their Missional outreach. Read more »
Free Basic Reading Training will be offered on
2 Saturdays, April 14th & 21st
9:30 to 4:00
Learn more about this organization at http://www.literacyconnections.org/
2011 Winter Hopewelll Happenings - PDF version
On Sunday, November 20, Rachel Snider spoke to the congregation at Hopewell Reformed Church, Beekman Road, about her to become a missionary in the Dominican Republic. Rachel has been a member here since April of 2002. She was active in our Youth Group and helps with our Odyssey service. She is a Physician’s Assistant and is excited to work as a missionary for Student’s International. Rachel is looking for supporters to partner with her in prayer and financial support. Her financial needs are $17000 in up front costs and $3470 in monthly support. If you are feeling led to partner with Rachel in her ministry, please see her after church in the fellowship hall to obtain information packets or you can contact her. She also has a blog you can follow.
Rachel Snider spoke to the congregation on Sunday November 20, 2011 and met with them during the Fellowship time following each service.
Every one of these points I am about to make has a story behind it, that I would love to share, but don’t have time here. So I’m going to give you the highlights. But, if any of this peaks your interest, let’s grab coffee!When I was a little girl I believed I could change the world. I believed that I could do anything. I grew up in a nurturing environment with parents who supported and encouraged me in my dreams, regardless of what they were. I truly believed the world was at my feet. I had a wonderful Christian foundation with Sunday school and Youth Group, but am not sure I really, truly did “get it.” Read more »
It’s time to mark your calendars for the Family Promise Coordinator Preparation Workshop! If you are part of the coordinator team for your congregation, are the Volunteer Coordinator, or are interested in the position, this workshop is for you! Read more »
On Sunday 10/23/2011, span style=”text-decoration: underline;”The Bells of Praise,/span the handbell choir of The Hopewell Reformed Church, played at the ODYSSEY worship service. See the slideshow below and a title=”Video on YOUTube – Bells of Praise at ODYSSEY” href=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_DGTskpmUU”view this video/a.
The ODYSSEY community is comprised of men and women with special needs. They reside in group homes throughout Dutchess and Ulster counties.
The service is currently held twice per month at a title=”Tymor Park – Google Maps” href=”http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Tymor+Park,+Duncan+Road,+Lagrangeville,+NYamp;hl=enamp;sll=37.0625,-95.677068amp;sspn=38.41771,86.572266amp;vpsrc=0amp;hq=Tymor+Park,+Duncan+Road,+Lagrangeville,+NYamp;radius=15000amp;t=hamp;z=11″TYMOR PARK in LaGrangeville, NY./a ODYSSEY, led by Pastor Mark Mast and Paster Steve Dambra, is a church plant of HRC.
Read about this outreach in the a title=”RCA TODAY” href=”http://www.rca.org/Page.aspx?pid=6474″RCA TODAY/a magazine
On July 1, 2011, there were 11 of us who got up early to venture down to Paterson, NJ to help refurbish an older church in Paterson. We were going to spend 1 day to help with an ongoing mission effort put on through the auspices of the Reformed Church of America. Laurie and Bruce Hawley, RCA domestic missionaries, led the 6 week effort actually visited Hopewell the following Sunday July 3. Their comments were that missions is really about building relationships. Read more »
The World Missions Team will have their first meeting on Wednesday, October 26 at 7 PM in the Consistory Room. If you are interested in becoming part of this team, please sign up on your Connection Card or CONTACT Michelle Baer by completing…
We are collecting children’s closed toed shoes for ages 3-7 for Lidia’s kids in the Dominican Republic. Please drop them off in the box at the church by October 23. Any questions CONTACT Susan Nieves by completing… Read more »
We will return to Prattsville on October 29. At this time we are not able to bring youth under the age of 18. Please dress in clothes appropriate for mucking (boots, throw away clothes, work gloves, masks etc.). If you have flat shovels, wheelbarrows, or crow bars, please bring them. Everyone should bring his/her own bagged lunch as well. Updated tetanus and DPT are highly recommended. Please CONTACT Michele Ryan, KC Schuster, or Ron Ruvo for more information by completing… Read more »
h3The following is a report from our head deacon, Gary Cassaro, about the mission trip to help the Prattsville Reformed Church deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Irene:/h3
Dear Consistory
I participated in a very quickly put together, one day mission trip to Prattsville on Labor Day, to help out the Prattsville Reformed Church which was devastated by flooding from Hurricane Irene. I thought I would give you my view of what I saw that day.!–more–
This trip was initiated in Rick Rieland’s CC group last Friday night. Bruce Pearson, who is part of the group, brought this up and most of the group agreed to participate in a one day trip on Labor Day. I announced this trip and the need for continuing assistance at both HRC services at Beekman Road on Sunday.
At 6:15 AM Monday morning, we had approximately 30 people, including about 4 from New Hackensack RC, gathered in the HRC parking lot. We loaded up our cars and vans with tools and supplies.We arrived at Prattsville around 9:30 AM, after going thru several National Guard checkpoints. The Guard is doing security due to most power being out in the area and many roads and bridges being damaged or closed. We had made advanced arrangements and were expected. We met with the Pastor of the Prattsville RC, Gregg , who was very grateful for the help. He showed us the church and it was very damaged, with a large portion of the fellowship hall having collapsed into a sink hole.
We had arranged ourselves into six teams of 5 people each, with a leader for each team While we originally came to help remove all the sanctuary pews and clean out the church, there was another volunteer group there already who were working on this. The pews had apparently been removed the previous day and were a total loss. By the end of this day, the volunteers had the sanctuary mud cleaned out and the bottom 4 feet of walls torn out so the place could dry out, prior to rebuilding.Since this team of volunteers was already in place in the sanctuary, some HRC groups were dispersed to help at the parsonage. Others were assigned to help at the homes of congregation members or were assigned as general volunteers to help as needed throughout the town.We were told by Pastor Gregg that they had 200 volunteers in town on Sunday and were expecting about 300 the day we were there. We saw many volunteers doing just what we were doing- shoveling mud out of homes, basements and businesses; removing water soaked furniture and belongings; ripping out the bottom 4 feet of walls that were flooded, and generally trying to help the residents to feel that they had help getting through this very trying time when they lost most of what they had. There were many homes that were totally destroyed and were to be condemned for demolition. Some house foundations failed and the houses were tipped into sink holes.
Make no mistake- this area is truly a DISASTER AREA. The streets were busy with utility vehicles trying to erect new poles and repair or install new power cables, road crews repairing damaged roads amp; drainage, National Guard hummvees moving equipment, people and supplies, FEMA and EPA teams assessing damage, dump truck carting debris continuously being piled streetside or on front lawns, etc. Our group came very well prepared with several generators, power washers, shovels etc.and FOOD, so we were very self sufficient.
One thing was clear- this was an event for this area similar to Hurricane Katrina was for the Gulf region. These people had 4 feet of muddy water from the Schoharie Creek running down the main street in town and into homes. But despite the devastation, a number of the people I spoke with had tremendous spirit and were working at rebuilding what they lost. They also expressed their gratitude for the huge response by volunteers, government and relief organizations. We were told that Home Depot donated several truckloads of generators to be given out to residents.
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Toward the end of the day when we loaded up our tools and equipment, we met again with Pastor Gregg and one of the deacons outside the church, and I had the priviledge of presenting them with $2000 in Home Depot gift cards to use as they needed for supplies to rebuild. This was provided by the HRC Judea Mission Team. As we headed home, we were all mud splattered, sweaty and bone tired, but I think we and all the other volunteers helped strengthen the spirit of this community knowing that while they are bearing the burden of lost homes, disrupted lives and rebuilding, they are not alone or forgotten through this trial.
For us, as we headed to our dry and comfortable homes, I think we felt humbled by the burdens this community must endure before things get better, but also grateful that we could be the hands and feet of Jesus in lending some degree of help and comfort.
I hope that HRC will develop a long term assistance plan with several mission trips and support to help this church and community get back on its feet.
Respectfully in Christ
Gary Cassaro.
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There will be no sing-a-long in September. Our monthly sing-a-longs at local nursing homes will start in October.
Friday, April 29 at 7:00 pm you are invited to participate in a comical interactive mystery, “Gift Wrapped for Murder”. This fundraiser is presented by the July 2011 Ecuador Mission Trip Team and offers a typical, scrumptious HRC selection of desserts as well as 3 prizes awarded to our best and worst amateur sleuths. Please come help support our efforts; tickets available in the fellowship hall after each service through April 24th or until sold out or CONTACT: Leslie MacConnell.
Saturday April 9, 2011 from 7:30AM – llAM. Tickets are $8/Adult and $6/Seniors & kids under 12. Tickets will be on sale in the Fellowship Hall beginning on March l3 in between services. CONTACT person: Toni Viau.
Kevin Phillips is heading to India in two weeks. He has been asked to bring the following items with him: computers, blood sugar testing machines and 10 microscopes to be used for the students to teach a medical course. Items will be picked up at HRC on March 20 at noon. Please CONTACT Kevin with any questions you might have.
I have often struggled with a balance between “my job” and “my passion.” I often would say if 40% of my work can be “job” and 60% “passion” I was having a good balanced working life. The problem was defining these things. If I didn’t like what I was doing I would say I was “paying the bills” and leaving room for “ministry.” The problem with this approach is that some of those things I was doing to “pay the bills” were very important to letting me “do ministry.” So I thought I would get religious and start asking where Jesus would put his time and energy. Unfortunately, Jesus had some options I don’t have living 2,000 years ago and being God. So what does one do to keep a balanced life AND get the job done? Read more »
It has been a while since I have written to you. I wish I could blame not having the time, but the truth is I have not had the inspiration. The last Bridge I wrote was so bad and confusing, I refused to send it and then nothing struck me as pressing in our missional movement. Then something happened this last weekend at Odyssey. Read more »
