July/August 2025 Good Stuff
There’s so much good stuff happening at WFPC!
Please continue to let us know of any “News” you have to share.
News from your Session:
If you need to contact Rev. Brian Copeland: rev.briancopeland@gmail.com, 850-524-4884. Office hours Thursdays 1 pm – 5 pm. Be sure to stop in and visit while he is in the office.
August Note from your pastor:
Sometimes it is a good idea to remind ourselves of these 10 basic fundamental rules handed down to Israel through Moses by God. The first 4 are about our relationship with God while the remaining 6 are focused on living in community with each other. So, give this a read and I will continue my thoughts below…
The Ten Commandments as Adapted from Ex. 20 (The Message):
1 No other gods, only me.
2 No carved gods of any size, shape, or form of anything whatever, whether of things that fly or walk or swim. Don’t bow down to them and don’t serve them because I am God, your God, and I’m a most jealous God, punishing the children for any sins their parents pass on to them to the third, and yes, even to the fourth generation of those who hate me. But I’m unswervingly loyal to the thousands who love me and keep my commandments.
3 No using the name of God, your God, in curses or silly banter; God won’t put up with the irreverent use of his name.
4 Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Work six days and do everything you need to do. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to God, your God. Don’t do any work—not you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your servant, nor your maid, nor your animals, not even the foreign guest visiting in your town. For in six days God made Heaven, Earth, and sea, and everything in them; he rested on the seventh day. Therefore, God blessed the Sabbath day; he set it apart as a holy day.
5 Honor your father and mother so that you’ll live a long time in the land that God, your God, is giving you.
6 No murder.
7 No adultery.
8 No stealing.
9 No lies about your neighbor.
10 No lusting after your neighbor’s house—or wife or servant or maid or ox or donkey. Don’t set your heart on anything that is your neighbor’s.
I feel like these are pretty straightforward, but we still mess them up and/or allow others to confuse us about what they mean. While 1-4 are vital regarding our relationship with God I will save those for another day, I would like to consider the intentionality behind 5-10. Our relationship with others and how some people are disregarded. They become a thing to be used and manipulated for the pleasure of others. This is never acceptable. This is wrong on every level. Each and every person is a child of God, right?! We are to revere God and God’s creation! Yes, I admit recent news has sparked this topic, this anger, this realization that such evil exists in the world. Following these commandments is not simply following some law that keeps us in the good graces of God, it’s about the love and compassion of God we know and experience through Christ! Human trafficking, enslavement of others, dehumanizing of anyone who is creating in the image of God (which is ALL people) cannot be tolerated. And so, people of God, what will we do to protect the least of these? (See Matt. 25:45)
God be with you,
Pastor Brian
You may view our worship service on the church Facebook page. (Weedsport First Presbyterian Church) **If you “like” the worship service, it will be shared via Facebook to others!!
Christian Education:
Children’s Sunday School will start Sunday, September 7.
Remember, the children leave our worship service following the Children’s Time.
VBS 2025: Theme: Road Trip! This year’s VBS was held at Sennett-Federated Church, with Weedsport First Presbyterian Church, Weedsport United Methodist Church, and the Weedsport Baptist Church participating. About 40 children attended and numerous adult and teen volunteers made this a smooth, enjoyable, faith-filled event. The mission this year was Meals on Wheels.
A pair of baby goats joined us during snack time!
Worship:
We are worshipping in the Fellowship Hall for the months of July and August. We will return to the sanctuary in September.
We will be hosting our friends from Marcellus First Presbyterian Church on Sunday, August 31st.
Marcellus First Presbyterian Church held their annual Picnic in the Park. This was also a celebration of Pastor Brian’s birthday. It was a beautiful evening to be outside and enjoy the fellowship.
Mission:
School Supply Collection:
The Weedsport Good Samaritan Fund is collecting school supplies for the Weedsport Central School. We have a list of needed supplies for the Jr./Sr. High School and elementary school. Lists attached. There is a collection box on the table in the fellowship hall where summer worship is being held. Thank you to all who have already donated.
Peace & Global Witness Special Offering – accepted September 7 – October 5, World Communion Sunday.
Our Peace and Global Witness Offering enables the church to promote the peace of Christ by addressing systems of injustice in our own communities and across the world. 25% stays with our congregation to support peacemaking and reconciliation in our own community, 50% goes to our mid-council to join with other congregations to support peacemaking work in our region. Envelopes will be available in church, or you may use your own envelope indicating the offering is for Peace & Global Witness Offering.
The next blood drive will be held Thursday, Sept. 4th, 1-6 pm at the Methodist Church,
hosted by WFPC. If you have time to volunteer, please contact Cyndy Rooker. You can also make an appointment to donate blood at redcrossblood.org.
Loose Change Offerings: Loose Change from the first quarter of 2025 (Jan.- March) has
been split ½ to One Great Hour of Sharing and ½ to Meals on Wheels.
Quarter 2 (April-June) will go to the book fair, quarter 3 will go to the Salvation Army Angel program, and quarter 4 will go to the Honor Flight program.
From the 200th Anniversary Committee: “We Love Our Church”
The committee will be sharing historic tidbits on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month. They will also be sharing fun facts in our newsletter for you to enjoy. If anyone has a fun fact to share, please feel free to contact Deb Dennis (dadennis59@gmail.com) and include your phone number. Thank you.
Fun Fact: In 1899 the Women’s Home Missionary society was organized with 34 women members. Mrs. A.R. Hewitt (the most famous of the pastors’ wives) organized the society. It was a program built on projects for missions. In 1952 it became part of the Women’s Christian league. At that time the church membership was 264 and Sunday school 150 children.
Sunday, June 29th, following worship, the committee shared a historical presentation on the stained-glass windows. It was well attended and very informative. I know I look at the beautiful windows with a new appreciation.
On Sunday, June 29th, the choir sang a very special song dedicated to Corporal Kyle Schneider, “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” June 30 was the 14th anniversary of Kyle’s passing. The picture is Carole Ozark’s sister, Dianne (Kyle’s grandmother) on the left; Carole’s niece, Lorie (Kyle’s mother) center; and Carole on the right.
Upcoming Dates:
Aug. 17 – No adult Sunday School
Aug. 31 – MFPC joins us for worship
Sept. 14 – Session and committee meetings following worship
Oct. 12 – Session and committee meetings following worship
Oct. 22 – Doug’s to Go to benefit the Lion’s Club
Christie, Stephanie Baker’s sister, has breast cancer. She is doing well, still getting treatments, which are doing their job.
Mat Grudzien is CANCER FREE! Praise God!
Dale Sweet is improving every day from his second hip replacement.
Nancy Sweet had eye surgery and is doing well.
Rev. Brian’s brother, Larry had the rest of his left kidney removed. After much recovery and recuperation, he is doing great!
Meagan Fatcheric, daughter of Amie and Greg Fatcheric, and Eli Jarebek are new homeowners. Such an exciting milestone! Their new address is: 102 Stonehenge Drive, Weedsport, NY 13166.
Cover Girl! Michelle Stoecker, daughter of Marti and John Stoecker, is on the cover of Spirit magazine. She is front and center!
Sam Anderson, son of Pastor Mary and Pastor Garrett Anderson, graduated from Liverpool High School. Sam will be attending Syracuse University.
Sophia Gwinn, daughter of Jessica and Jason Gwinn, graduated from Auburn High School. Sophia will attend SUNY Oswego.
Adam Sweet, son of Nancy and Dale Sweet, is engaged to Marley Kiren. Engagement photo taken in Fayetteville, Georgia.
Laura Sweet, wife of Andrew Sweet (son of Nancy and Dale Sweet), has graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice. Picture: Stella, Andrew, and Laura Sweet, and Ava Newhart.
Stella Sweet’s preschool graduation. Photo #1: Andrew, Laura, Stella Photo #2: Andrew, Nancy, Stella, Adam
Andrew Sweet, son of Nancy and Dale Sweet, is in Colorado at Nova University studying in the program Assistant Anesthesia Practice. Andrew is also a National Guard Medic.
Our July Doug’s to Go Fundraiser netted $130 from donation jar and an estimate of $510 from our profit.
THANK YOU!
The Rome First Presbyterian Church sent us a lovely thank you letter or our donation of $230 from our Doug’s fundraiser. Letter attached.
To all who baked for the reception held after the historical presentation of the church’s stained-glass windows.
To The Praise Band/Choir for the beautiful music they provide on Sundays. We especially enjoy the addition of the flute (Joanne Slauson), guitar (Dan Thomas), and percussion (James Marshall). Of course, we always enjoy the weekly organ and piano (Laura Granger and Marian Smith).
To all who volunteer at the Clothes Closet and to those who donate clothes.
Thank you to Dan Thomas for continuing to share the worship link weekly so those that are not able to attend may enjoy listening to the service, to Joanne Slauson for keeping the website up-to-date, and Rev. Copeland for recording and posting the church service on Facebook.
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Please pray for…
Jo-Ann Griffith. Jo-Ann was admitted to the hospital July 30. They discovered that she had a broken hip and fractures in her spine. She is now at home recovering. Please pray for strength and comfort.
Laura Granger’s sister-in-law, Jenny, has cancer. Prayers for Steve (Laura’s brother), Jenny, and the medical staff involved in her medical care.
Max Appleby Sr. passed away July 20th. Prayers for his family as they grieve this loss. (Obituary attached).
Sharon Marshall, wife of Ernest “Bud” Marshall, passed away July 6th. Prayers for her family during this difficult time. (Obituary attached.)
Evelyn Sweet, Dale’s mother, continues to need prayers for her health.
Jean Saroodis and Bill Smith, both dealing with health issues. Bill was recently in the hospital but is home now.
Denny Ware is slowly improving but has a long road ahead.
Elaine Ozolins as she continues to treat her cancer.
Mat Grudzien. Send positive thoughts for health.
INFORMATION WORTH REPEATING:
(This information will have been in previous newsletters, but it is worth reprinting.)
If you are interested in being a greeter, please let the deacons know. (Anyone can be a greeter.) There is a calendar in the Narthex for you to sign up.
If you would like to offer to make refreshments for a Sunday, please check the calendar in the Narthex and let the Deacon for that Sunday know. It is a great way to help our deacons.
The “Weedsport Presbyterian Church” has a Facebook page. Feel free to follow. There is a link to the webpage in the “Welcome” for an easy way to link back and forth. Feel free to contact Joanne Slauson (joanneslauson@gmail.com) for any changes and additions on the Facebook page.
Now that the church service starts at 11:15 a.m., Adult Sunday School starts at 9:45 a.m. This may make it easier for you to join us in the upstairs Koinonia Room Sunday mornings before church to get some very interesting background of the day’s scripture. Dan Thomas has a wealth of knowledge to share!
Weedsport Good Samaritan Fund reminder: Do you know someone that might need our help? We would like to offer this reminder. The Weedsport Good Samaritan Fund is available to assist with emergency medical, utility, and other needs that may arise. Please contact Cyndy Rooker if you have any questions or know of someone who could use assistance. (Must be a resident of WCSD, Weedsport, Cato.)
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Birthdays: |
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Aug. 21 – Jo-Ann Griffith Sept. 4 – Ruth Ann Greer Oct. 1 – Weston Braun
Aug. 21 – Jessica Gwinn Sept. 14 – James Baker Oct. 5 – Evan McEnelly
Aug. 22 – Meagan Fatcheric Sept. 20 – Donna Glowacki Oct. 6 – Jeanette Bates
Aug. 22 – Jacob Hickok Sept. 24 – Denny Ware Oct. 6 – Matt Slauson
Aug. 24 – Madison Leonard Sept. 27 – Jim Granger Oct. 14 – Martha Mills
Aug. 26 – Bill Smith Sept. 29 – Sandi Kreplin Oct. 14 – Andrew Sweet
Aug. 26 – Nancy Marshall Oct. 24 – Rev. Deb Thomas
Oct. 27 – Charlie Grudzien
Oct. 29 – Liam McEnelly
Oct. 29 – Seth McEnelly
*If you would like to have someone added to the birthday list, please let us know, thanks.
IMPORTANT REMINDER! 
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Please be sure to turn off the lights and lock the doors to the church whenever you leave the building.
What’s Going on at Church?
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Sunday: |
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9:45 a.m. |
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Adult Sunday School with Dan Thomas |
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11:15 a.m. |
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In-person worship |
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1-3 p.m. Tuesday: |
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Square Dancers in dining room |
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10-noon |
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All Things Creative meets in the former first floor office. |
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10-1 p.m. |
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Free Clothes Closet open |
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7-9 p.m. Wednesday: |
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Square Dancers in dining room |
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9 a.m. Thursday: |
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Join Rev. Brian at Finally Ours Restaurant for coffee hour. |
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1-5 p.m. |
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Rev. Copeland’s office hours |
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3-5:30 p.m. |
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Free Clothes Closet open |
11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Dog training classes
6 - 7 p.m. Bible Study (Rev. Copeland) Topic TBA
1 p.m.-6 p.m. Red Cross Blood Drive at UMC, First Thursday of every odd month (Jan., March, May…)
REMINDER: We have several fire doors within the church. For safety
reasons, please be sure they are shut whenever possible.
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Thank you, Connie Horr, for being the best proofreader! She makes sure our newsletters are easier to read and understand!
