Mother’s Day Services May 13, 2012

 Mother’s Day 2012 was a beautiful celebration of Mother’s and Women all over the world.  The church sanctuary was standing room only with lots of Mothers and Grandmothers and Great-Grandmothers visiting their children.  Many wore corsages given to them by their children.  The Children’s Sunday School Group played their colorful bell choir accompanied a song.  Andrea Wells spoke of how all women are mothers to their children, church, community, and the world.  Presentation plaques with the poem “Footprints” were given out to the attending mothers:

Youngest Mother at 20 – Jenifer Murwin

Mother with the Newest Baby – Jenifer Murwin

Oldest Mother at 93 (I’m sorry that I did not get the lady’s name)

Mother with Most Children – Mary Baird with 8

Mother with the Most Family in Attendance – Sandy Futch

WE WISH ALL MOTHERS ALL OVER THE WORLD A HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Presbyterian Women’s Yard Sale May 9 to May 12, 2012

The Presbyterian Women of San Mateo Presbyterian Church held their Annual Yard Sale May 9th to May 12th.  A lot of work, time and effort went into putting this together and working the sale.  Thank you to all the women (and men) of the church that volunteered their time and worked the sale so that it was such a great success.  I could try to name everyone that helped, but I am sure I would forget someone.  The church is so fortunate to have so many members that step up to the plate and get things done around the church for the good of the church and the good of the community.

The funds they raise go right back into the church and helping the surrounding community.  One purchase that was made thanks to the proceeds of the Yard Sale was a bistro table and chairs to be used in the snack room of the new Youth Center in Anderson Hall.  The Youth Center and Christian Education Committees thank the Presbyterian Women for their generous donation.

THE YARD SALE WAS A GREAT SUCCESS AS THEY RAISED OVER $1,200!  YAHOO AND CONGRATULATIONS!

Fellowship Luncheon After Communion Services May 6, 2012

We had another beautiful 1st Sunday of the month Communion Service followed by our monthly fellowship luncheon.  There was a great variety of delicious foods and desserts (as always) and everyone enjoyed visiting with their old friends and new friends alike.  This is a good time for visitors to meet with our church congregation and find out about all the activities that our “little” church is involved in and the wonderful fellowship.

R. T. “Tommy” Clay Marks 60 Years of Service for Rodeheaver Boys Ranch

Our member Tommy Clay’s father and mother were recently honored by the Rodeheaver Boys Ranch for their 60 years of service to the organization and the community.  Featured on the front page of the Palatka Daily News and later commented on by the columnist Jody Delzell.  Mr. & Mrs. Clay have been long time supporters of the Ranch as well as many other community projects in and around Putnam County.  Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Tommy Clay!

Pastor Noel and Betty Jane White Retirement Announcement

Flowers of the Church, Spring is in Bloom!

CAN YOU SPOT THE BLACK AND BLUE BUTTERFLY IN THESE PHOTOS OF THE BOTTLE BRUSH TREE?

Spring is in the air, and if have taken a walk around the church, you will see the gardens in new bloom for the spring:  Yellow Daisies, Passion Flower Vine, Purple Heather, Blue Daze, Irises, Red Bottle Brush Tree, Azaleas, Boston Ferns, Cape Honeysuckle, and more!  We will soon be adding 2 new Camellias in the front of the church to replace the ones that have gone to “Flower Heaven” and adding dwarf Gardenias around their bases.  This will finish out all the gardens around the Church Sanctuary building, and we will be adding to and enhancing the other gardens around the property as time goes on.  We thank everyone who has donated extra funds to cover the costs of the new plants, and you will be seeing them soon!  Enjoy!

Annual Women of the Church Yard Sale Coming May 10-12, 2012

It’s that time of year again…the Annual Women of the Church Yard Sale is just around the corner.  Look through your closets, cabinets, sheds, attics, garages, and anywhere you might have “stuff” for cast offs that you could donate.  You know what they say about junk…it’s always another man’s treasure!  And also, the trend today is to go “thrifting”.  The sale will be held on May 10-12.  More details will be announced as we get closer to the Sale date.  Please bring your donations to the church and/or The Potter’s House before the sale date so that we can price and organize your “treasures”.  Every little bit helps.  And if you would like to volunteer, please see Gloria Bailey for all the details.  We look forward to seeing everyone at the Sale, you never know what “treasure” you might find to take home and make it your own!  SEE YOU THERE!

Special Music and Solo at Church Services April 15 & 22, 2012

San Mateo Presbyterian Church is blessed to have a wonderful choir lead by Choir Director Lulu Gail Griffis.  Along with our regular choir, the children of the congregation are directed by Lulu Gail and Andrea Wells.  It is always a pleasure to hear the young angelic voices of the children.  Some of the children, as you can see in these photos, really put their heart and soul into their singing for the Lord and can really belt it out.  Is that American Idol calling?

From time to time a guest soloist visits, and this was the case at Sunday Service April 22, 2010 with a special solo preformed by Ms. Dale Evans.  The song Dale performed was “He Wants It All” and she certainly filled the sanctuarey with her beautiful voice.  Dale is a friend and co-worker of Lisa Siprell’s, and she is a member of the church she attends in Palm Coast.  Thank you so much, Dale, for traveling from Palm Coast and for sharing your talents with us at our Sunday Service and please join us for worship again.

Here the children sing a special song later in the service.  It’s simply amazing how well they sing the song facing the congregation, and the words to the song are on the wall behind them!  They have really learned their hymns well.  I know I need to always read along with the words on the wall.  Great singing, children!

Thank you Lulu Gail and Andrea for all the work you do coordinating the choir, the children’s songs, guest soloists, and the special music and hymns that we are so fortunate to enjoy at Sunday Services!

Fried Chicken Fundraiser Dinner April 19, 2012

Another great success with our monthly fundraiser dinners at The Potter’s House.  We sold 275 chicken dinners and sold out of every last piece of chicken, beans, rolls, desserts, everything.  This meant that we were able to lower the mortgage principal another $1,600.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU GOES OUT TO MARY BAIRD WHO PERSONALLY CUT UP, CLEANED, WASHED, AND PREPARED 80 CHICKENS.  YES THAT’S RIGHT – 80 CHICKENS!!!!  I have never seen anyone cut up a chicken faster, more expertly, and more efficient than Mary Baird.  Many of you are unaware that Mary and Charlie Baird do so much of the prep and cooking of these monthly dinners, and we send out our THANKS and APPRECIATION for all their help and hard work to make these monthly dinners a success!

GREAT JOB TO ALL THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE PREPARING, COOKING, SERVING, CLEAN UP, AND ANY OTHER WAY THAT THE VOLUNTEERS PARTICIPATED!  A JOB WELL DONE!!!

Easter Sunday Services April 8, 2012

Easter Sunday services were a beautiful expression of the Love that God has for his children, for all people on Earth.  The Sanctuary was filled with beautiful Easter Lilies donated by members of the congreation in honor or in memory of a loved one.  The children sang wonderfully in the spirit of Love.  Pastor Noel gave a wonderful service and sermon and the whole congregation sang several Praise Hymns.  HAPPY EASTER!

Be sure and see more photos of the beautiful Church Sanctury adorned with Easter lilies and some of the members in their Easter Sunday outfits on the PHOTO GALLERY PAGE.