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NEWS |
A
Newsletter for the Congregation of
The Saratoga Chapel, Rt. 9, Malta, NY |
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LETTER
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Vol. 1
No. 3
Summer 2001
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With
the beginning of summer, we thought having a garden theme for our
newsletter would be fitting. Look inside for recipes, articles and
stories from the folks at Saratoga Chapel. Have a wonderful summer!
Index:
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Very early this morning I awoke to the steady sound of
water drumming on my bedroom roof. Thank you Lord I silently prayed. My
wife, farmer friends and dry lawn associates have all been bemoaning the
lack of rain. We just put in our vegetable garden three days ago. The soil
was so parched and dusty that I wondered if the seeds had any chance at
all to germinate. Then at 6:45 A.M. today as I stood looking at the grass,
now a vibrant green and the water falling upon it a thought came to me
about spiritual life.
It's possible to spend a lot of time cultivating the
soil of our hearts to receive the seed of God's word. Read, listen,
meditate, make good choices are all ways we work at getting the word of
God into our hearts.
But if there’s no water the seed of the word doesn't
grow. Our hearts stay dry, dusty and unfruitful. For growth to occur, for
fruit to bud, for the fragrance of Christ's beauty to bloom in our souls
there is the need for the Spirit's work Isaiah likens Him to rain.
"For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry
ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants and my blessing on your
offspring; They will spring up among the grass Like willows by the
watercourses." Isaiah 44: 3,4. When the Holy Spirit comes upon the
word in our hearts He causes life to spring up, renewed zeal, and a
passion for Our Lord Jesus’ glory.
Do you pray for the Spirit's work in your life? Do you
pray for His work in the life of our church?. Jesus said "If you
then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much
more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask
Him!" (Luke 11:13) The fact that the Spirit indwells every believer
does not preclude this need of constant conscious dependence upon the
Spirit Himself. Will you this day begin to pray in faith for His renewing,
cleansing, presence to come among us.
Pray for the garden of our hearts.
In Christ's love
Jim
by Hazel Snyder
(Deb’s grandmother)
My neighbor’s garden is a lovely
place
And covers quite a considerable space.
There are dear little pansies with
sweet little faces,
And huge shiny tulips so straight in their places.
By the white picket fence, with the
gate left ajar,
Giving a welcome to whoever you are.
There are roses of red and of yellow
and white,
The poppies and lilies are a beautiful sight.
And regal delphinium of heavenly blue,
I don’t know which flower I like best, do you?
There are many birds and flowers there,
Some are special, some are rare.
When you are in that garden with the
sky so blue above,
You feel the very presence of GOD,
The wonder of his love.
Opposition to Christian Group at
Public School
by Mary Schoenstedt
After addressing the School Board, the Burnt Hills Ballston Lake High
School has been allowed to form a Christian Youth Bible study. Similar
groups have met after school in the past; however, this year has proven to
be a struggle for Christians to gather at school. The group "180 turn
your life around," has faced opposition from the start. Out of
protest, some students have torn down advertisements for the group and
replaced them with messages stating that the group is unwelcome.
During one of the Turn 180 meetings, a high school newspaper reporter
attended a meeting and interviewed several members. The reporter assured
the members that the group would not be portrayed negatively in the
article. However,he said he wanted to include other students’ reaction
to the youth group. Here are excerpts from that article:
"Since the creation of Turn 180 nearly six months ago, a debate
has swept the school. Club members and supporters say that the club is
simply a place for Christians to go ‘for fellowship and to learn’ to
grow in faith,’ as member Matthew Kiehl described it, "but it’s
also for the unity of Christians in the school." Meanwhile, critics
believe that the club is unethical, pushing one religions’ views on
others, while others claim that the club violates laws stating that
religion and school must be separate.
When asked what the groups’ goals were, co-leader, Jennifer Eliseo,
... stated "We want unity for Christians in the school and we want
some place for them to go."
The group, which starts each meeting with prayer, such as that
conducted by Rachel Bodenstab at one of the early meetings, has also set
up a charter for group members to follow. "Thank you, Lord for making
this group strong. I just hope you’ll make it stronger and help us reach
others, ‘cause that’s the total point, "Bodenstab prayed, her
eyes turned partially closed and her hands held together. The charter
states that members of the group should follow these guidelines:
1. Develop unity as we follow Jesus in order to be encouraged and have
fellowship with those who love Him. (Romans 15:5)
2) Serve others with the love and humility of Jesus Christ.
(Philippians 2:2-4)
3) Show the light He has given us, which will shine before men so they
may be saved by His grace. (Matthew 5:16)
"Basically, our statement covers it," said Mary Schoenstedt
on what the group means to her. "It is to build a body in Christ, in
fellowship, and to strengthen the ties between our group, and to set an
example for others to follow."
"The school is our land," Eliseo said after an early
discussion on Deuteronomy 1: 6-8, "and we’ve gotten to the point
where we can have this club. It’s our job not just to go out but to be
Christ-like. We need to be setting the example. People need to know we’re
Christians and what we stand for."
"That’s a recruting line," says Roman Catholic John Staines,
a critic of the group. "It basically says, ‘We’re here, we’re
Christian, we’re recruiting.’ They’re recruiting and school is not
the place to do it."
Michael Hayes, a Jewish student in the high school, is another of the
groups critics. "From what I know, the school was coerced into
allowing the group. The Supreme Court heard [the Milford case] and I hope
their decision reverses the school’s. It’s not that I’m not a
religious person but my religiosity has nothing to do with anyone else
and, if your religiosity does involve others, then there are eight hours
during school where you limit it."
Despite critics, the group’s original goals, described by members as
"loving others and building a better community while spreading the
word of God and how Jesus dies on the cross to save mankind, appeal to
many in the community. The group’s final status is, as of yet, unknown,
pending the June-based Milford decision.
"My speculation," Van Vranken adds, "is that the federal
court will hold up with other decisions and the club will be closed
down."
Group members are saddened by this opposition. That we stand in unity
as Christians during this time is crucial. It could be a time that our
group is strengthened. Instead, our adult leaders and supporters have
stopped attending meetings and attendance is down. Please pray that the
group is strengthened and that attendance would increase. Pray that God
would provide the group with a passionate, dedicated leader. Above all,
please pray that the Lord’s will be done.
 One of the regular features in
our newsletter will be a short biographical sketch of one of our members.
If you would like to be featured in an upcoming issue, send a photo and a
short bio including your hobbies, special interests and volunteer
activities to Sue Mead.
Dennis Kaups
Dennis Kaups was born in the country of Estonia, where his father was a
pastor, author, and parliamentary representative. When the communists took
over, the family fled the country and moved to the borough of Staten
Island, in New York City.
Dennis met his wife Claire at a church in Bayonne, N. J., and they married
in 1973. Their son, Dennis William, was born in 1977; and daughter Marika
Allen-Lee, was born in 1980, and adopted in 1981.
The family moved to the Albany area a few years later, living in various
places in the Capital District, before ending up in Glenville. The East
Glenville Community Church became their home church, until Claire was
asked to fill in at the keyboard for Carol Hale during the time that
Carol's youngest was born. At that time, Saratoga Chapel was meeting at
the Round Lake Fire House. From that time on, the Kaups became regular
attendees, and then members of Saratoga Chapel.
To say Dennis has a heart for missions is putting it mildly, as he keeps
us informed about the events in our missionaries lives, and the dangers
and joys they experience in spreading God's Word. Dennis can be found
teaching Sunday School, and has sat in for the pastor on some Sunday
mornings. He is an Elder, and is a member of the Saratoga Chapel Mission's
Board.
Dennis is a financial technician, working at banks, brokerage firms, and
other financial analysis positions. He enjoys woodworking as a hobby,
especially building furniture -- such as the wooden stand built to hold
the
church's electronic piano.
by Celia Petronis
"Wonderful is the
influence of a few Christian men, fresh from a scene of revival, on
visiting a place where a revival has been much prayed for, and where God’s
people are in an expectant attitude. A visit from such men to such a place
is like the application of a torch to combustible materials, or the
ignition of a train that is already laid and fit for an explosion."*
Reading this book has made me very
jealous to see such a work of the Holy Spirit in my lifetime. I know God
is able to send revival and spiritual awakening to us, but is there
anything we can be doing to be ready? Yes, we can ‘set our sails to
receive the winds of revival!" A sailboat has to be ready to receive
the wind when it comes. The jib and mainsail need to be in a position and
reefed for light winds or heavy winds. The purpose of the smaller jib sail
is to direct the wind into the mainsail. You watch the surface of the
water in the distance to see if wind might be coming your way. If wind
comes and your sails are not up, it will pass you by with no benefit from
it.
So how can we ‘set our sails to
receive the winds of revival?" The answer is in the pages o this book
which I have already quoted from. We must know that ‘the work originates
in, and is carried on by, prayer and the Word of God." We have to
pray for it, and God has to give us the desire to pray for it! If God
gives us the desire to pray for it, we know we are praying in His will and
we know we have that which we are praying for! And praying the Word of God
- for example, praying that God’s Holy Spirit would come and convict
souls in Malta of sin, righteousness and judgement (John 16:8) and
that He would grant a spirit of repentance leading to the knowledge of the
truth (2 Tim 2:25) in Malta.
We can request that a hymn of
revival be selected for congregational singing during the worship
services, we can speak of it to the assembly during the sharing and prayer
time, we can have a ‘revival and spiritual awakening moment’ once a
month where one reads an excerpt of something God is doing somewhere else
in the world at this time. We could even have a movie night at church and
rent a big screen TV and show the Jesus film that so affected other parts
of the world for Christ during the last decade. These are all things we
can do to create interest and enthusiasm for prayer. We can ask ones who
have been involved with and seen God do a work of revival in other places
come to our church and talk to us and spread the flame!
In the revival of Ireland,
Scotland, Wales and England, there were churches that did not have any
movement of God within them - they did not have their sails set and the
wind just passed them by. Maybe they were like the painting I saw titled
"Boat at Rest." That boat was tied up to a dock with its sails
down. Even worse, maybe they were like another painting I saw titled
"Boat for sale." That boat was beached, in disrepair and totally
inoperable. The owner had obviously lost interest. I don’t want to be a
church at rest or a church disinterested when the Spirit of God blows in
bringing revival and spiritual awakening. Do you? *Excerpts
from Authentic Records of Revival, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England
1858-1860, Published in 1860 by James Nisbet & Co. of London
by Carol Hale
Have you ever held seeds in your
hands and thought, "How could these ugly, dry and shriveled seeds
ever amount to anything, much less yield something delicious to eat?"
I must admit that my initial
motivation for gardening each year is never based on anything that can
actually be seen or tasted right then and there. Those unattractive seeds
are definitely not the inspiration for all the hard work and hours I will
put into rows of dirt over the next months.
Rather, I am pulled along by a vision of something greater, but also
something that gives me great pleasure even in the process.
In Isaiah 58:11 God gave a promise
to Israel of what he would accomplish in their lives if they would follow
His instructions for living and relating to others. "The Lord will
guide you always, He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and
will strengthen your frame. You will be like
a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." This
verse encourages me to press ahead, not to get stuck looking at the dry
and shriveled conditions of the present as if it was the end result. It
challenges me to do all I can to follow His lead,cooperating with his
Spirit as He tends to the weeds and pests in my life that hamper my
growth. The process is slow and sometimes hard but the goal is to become a
woman who brings pleasure to, and bears fruit for the Master Gardener.
It is as I daily submit myself
under His purposeful hand that He turns my handful of shriveled seeds into
a "well-watered garden".
To
everyone, everywhere,
by Peg Mulyca
Jesus, my Lord has given to me this
message to share with you'all. I Peter 4:9 -k.j.v. " Use hospitality
one to another without grudging."
Live expectantly, for Christ is
coming. Get ready to meet him, means to continually grow in love for God
and for others. It is very important to pray regularly,and to reach out to
needy people. Our possessions, status, and power will mean nothing in
God's Kingdom, but we will spend eternity with other people. He wants us
to invest our time and talents where they will make an eternal difference.
-- Romans 12:13 - k.j.v. "Distributing to the necessity of saints:
given to hospitality." Christian hospitality is different from social
entertaining. Entertaining focuses on the host - the home must be
spotless, and the food must be well prepared and abundant; the host must
appear relaxed and good natured. Hospitality ,by contrast, focuses on the
guests. To their needs -- whether a place to stay, nourishing food; a
listening ear, or acceptance -- are of first importance. Hospitalitycan
happen in a messy home. It can happen around a dinner table where the main
dish is canned soup. It can even happen while the host and the guest are
doing chores together. Don't ever be afraid to offer hospitality just
because you are too tired, too busy, or not wealthy enough to entertain.
-- God wants a thankfull, willing -to -please- Him heart. He is looking
for both You and I to do all without complaint, or murmurs.
As we show honor to, and focus on
their needs, let us do it with God honoring intentions -- not with
ulterior motives. ( We honor our bosses so they will reward us, our
employees so they will work harder, the wealthy so they will contribute to
our cause, the powerful so they will use their power for us and not
against us. God's way has to do with love. As Christians we honor people
because they have been created in God's image, because they are our
brothers and sisters in Christ, because they have a unique contribution to
Christ's church. Does God's way of honoring others sound too difficult for
your competitive nature? Why not try to outdo one another in showing
honor? Put others first !
I pray for God's help to each and
every one of us. Amen !
For His Honor -- Peg Mulyca
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Since we’re in
the middle of beautiful weather, we decided to focus most of this
issue on a Garden Theme. We were looking for delicious recipes that
might be served at a garden party or an English garden tea party. |
Christine McCormick
has graciously agreed to share some of
her wonderful recipes with us.
Shortbread
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1/4
c. sugar |
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½
c margarine |
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1
½ c flour |
Mix sugar and flour in large bowl.
Cut margarine into flour and sugar with pastry blender. Squeeze together
with hands until the mixture holds together in bowl. Flatten in a 9"
square pan. Prick with a fork all over entire area. Bake
20" at 350E until edges are slightly brown. Cut into squared while
still hot. Sprinkle with sugar and cool. Leave in pan to serve.
Malt
Bread
|
1
cup All Bran cereal |
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1
cup brown sugar |
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1
cup raisins |
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1
cup milk |
Mix all ingredients in bowl and
soak for 1 hour. All 1 cup flour. Pour into greased loaf pan and bake for
1 hr. at 350E.
Welsh
Cakes
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2
cups flour |
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½
cup raisins |
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1
egg |
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½
cup sugar |
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6
tbsp shortening |
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pinch
salt |
Seive flour and salt in mixing
bowl. Rub shortening into flour with fingertips. Add sugar, raisins and
lightly beaten egg to make firm dough. Roll out on a floured sheet to
1/4" thickness. Cut with 2 ½" fluted cutter. Place on preheated
greased griddle. Cook one side for about 4 min. Turn off heat and turn
cake and cook other side for about 3 min. Serve warm, dusted with fine
sugar or can be stored in container
for a day or two.
English
Trifle
(love to hear
Christine pronounce this - sounds like "tri full")
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1
jelly roll sliced or lady fingers, or pound cake, or angel food cake
spread with jelly |
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1
pkg. Jello |
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1
pudding mix (not instant |
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2
c milk |
|
fruit
(oranges, raspberries, strawberries or fruit cocktail whipped
cream or cool whip |
Prepare Jello and allow to
partially set. Arrange jelly roll in glass disk covering bottom and sides.
Cover bottom with drained fruit. Pour partially set Jello over fruit and
jelly roll and allow to set fully. Make pudding and allow to cool, then
pour over completely set Jello. When cold, cover with cream or cool whip
and sprinkle with colored sprinkles.
For festive occasions, sherry to
taste can be poured over jelly roll before adding fruit.
by Bev Trewhella
"Senior Solutions of Saratoga,
what is that?" "What do you do?" I posed the questions to
Jan Howell, owner and founder in December 1998. On October 1st, 1999
Senior Solutions of Schenectady opened its doors on upper Union street and
I got the answers to my questions, and then some.
Senior Solutions has truly found
its niche. We receive referrals every week, from hospitals and other
agencies in Schenectady County. We have over forty clients, nineteen
companions and housekeepers, two handymen, a director of marketing, a
receptionist and me. This spring we surpassed our goal of two hundred plus
hours per week. There is no doubt non-medical services to the senior
population is a much needed service and its an honor to serve these
people, but little did I realize when I started that some hard spiritual
lessons were about to begin.
Since my first two drafts of this
article would have taken up all the Chapel Talk space, I will
briefly testify to a few new lessons, and old ones relearned. When I
started Senior Solutions, I knew I was clueless about business. Jan tried
to be helpful, but she had an 80-hour per week business to run. I asked
(begged) God for a Christian receptionist and an organization I could join
that would give me pointers on how a Christian stays Christ-like in the
secular world of business. The answer was ‘no’. My husband supported
me, and I have a wonderful prayer partner, but as I reread my journal
during this time, I can see how I immediately clung to the Lord. My time
with Him was like the eye of a storm, His Word came alive and I learned
how needy, self-deceived, and self-sufficient I had become.
# I used to have to figure out all
the why’s and wherefore’s, now I’ve learned to rest in the Lord.
(Psalm 119:105, Psalm 46:10)
# I used to be an elaborate
planner, now I plan loosely, expecting the Lord to intervene during my
day. His interventions always work out better than my original plans.
# I used to only trust myself; I
had a problem trusting others, including God. Now I don’t trust myself
at all; I only trust the Lord. (Jeremiah 17:9, Psalm 51:10)
# I used
to work for God, doing this or that at church, para church, etc. Now I
just work at staying close to Him, He will do the rest. (John 14:21,
Philippians 1:6)
# I used to desire to be happy
(something was wrong if I wasn’t). Now I ask God to help me be content.
(Philippians 4, 11-12)
# I used to believe God was stern,
sort of like a marine officer that smiles occasionally. Now I know He
loves to give good things, comfort, and encouragement to His children.. He
is so kind. (Psalm 16:5-7)
# I used to believe I could please
God and myself at the same time. Now I know my will must always be
subservient to His will. I don’t want it any other way. (Philippians
2:13, Isaiah 30:21)
# I used to think strength and the
"I can do this" attitude was paramount. Now it’s such a relief
to rely on Truth and His strength instead of my own. (2 Corinthians 12:9,
Proverbs 3:5-7)
# I used to think when God was
disciplining me, He was mad at me, Now I know He is displeased, but loves
me. (Hebrews 12:10-11)
# I used to grit my teeth and
endure trials, always looking for the "light at the end of the
tunnel". Now I know endurance and long-suffering do not include
resignation, anger, self-pity, or gritted teeth. (James 12:4)
I praise God He didn’t give me
anyone but Him to rely on through this new venture. I do have some
trepidation that I’ll wander off on my own, in my own strength, doing
things my way again, but He has mercifully held me fast. My constant
prayer is "Lord, don’t let me get away again!: (Nahum 1:7)
Although all of my employees are
wonderful, caring angels in my eyes, I thank the Lord this May 2001 for
the six professing Christians on my staff, including my receptionist.
 by
Chris Lambertsen
The men of Saratoga Chapel meet on
Wednesday mornings at 7:00 am at the Malta dinner for fellowship and all
men are welcome to come.
There were questionnaires handed
out and if anyone did not get one please see me, those still out please
turn them in. The Questionnaires that have been turned in show a good
positive will toward the Lord and the church.
Aims of the men's fellowship are to
bring the men together. By Activities
-prayer meetings -- Devotions- Training Classes- services for the Lord and
the body of believers. To have men find their talents and how to develop
them and develop leadership and responsibilities at home and in the
church. Any and all ideas of the men are welcome and should be shared with
me when ever possible.
Please pray for the fellowship God
bless you all.
In His service
Chris L.
P.S. The men of the church got
together on a recent Saturday morning at 8 a.m. for a brainstorming
session to see what their activities would be. Lots of possibilities were
discussed over donuts and juice. Finally, it was decided that on Sat.,
July 15th, at 8 a.m., the guys would meet at Sieg Ludke’s
camp in Cropseyville, N.Y., to help cut down a tree and have a good time
of fellowship. Deb has promised to "get lost."
The camp is located on Blue Factory
Road just off Rt. 2 just before the town of Grafton. See Sieg or Chris for
directions. A car-pool will leave from the church.
Ed
The Saratoga Chapel has an
opportunity to purchase land for a new church home! Located on the corner
of Eastline and Lake Roads is 6.7 acres of beautiful, undeveloped
farmland. This piece of property is almost directly across the street from
a new town park and is near one of Malta’s newest developments. It is a
route many take on their way to Ballston Spa or the Northway.
We are preparing to sign a contract
for $50,000 and must also pay an estimated additional $5000 for well
drilling and soil testing. We have $10,000 in our building fund now.
Before signing this contract we are working to get the finances in place
by July 1st. If friends of the chapel or congregation members
were able to contribute from their own assets or loan the church money
toward this project we would not have to take out a bank loan. If you wish
to help with this important step, please contact Mr. David Kautzman
Please pray for the Lord’s hand
to be upon us during the days ahead. Thanks so much. Jim Hale
Calling
All Women !!!
The Fall Retreat for Women
for Saratoga Chapel is scheduled on the weekend of Sept. 28-30 at Silver
Bay on Lake George, NY. We extend an invitation to all women on the
mailing list for Chapel Talk to consider joining us this year for a
wonderful, restful weekend.
Karen Caldwell is our scheduled speaker. Karen and her family are
missionaries who are involved in a ministry of camps for children in
Mexico. Karen has chosen a topic "Who we are, Who God is, and Who we
are not." This retreat, traditionally, has been a wonderful time for
us and we invite you to consider joining us.
We are housed in housekeeping cabins on Oneida Bay, right on the water. We
have singing at campfires, wonderful meals all provided for us by Silver
Bay, crafts, free time for hikes and photography, sitting on the
wonderful, Victorian porch on rockers looking at the beautiful lake and
scheduled Bible study and sessions with our speaker.
The cost for the entire weekend, including all meals from Friday night to
Sunday lunch is an incredible bargain at just $90. Please take a few
minutes to tear off the slip on the bottom of this page and mail or give
it to Elaine to get your registration in place. We have room for 25 women.
If you don’t know anyone
and you feel shy, feel free to bring a friend. We’d love to have you
join us.!!!
Don’t forget Vacation
Bible School - August 13-17, 9 - 11:30 a.m. daily at the Chapel
with the closing program on Friday, Aug. 17th. The theme this
year is "The Race is on". Cost is
$5 with an additional $5 for 4th and 5th
graders who want to make a rocket. For registration information, contact
Janet Kautzman.
All children who will be 4 years old as of
Aug. 13th through 5th grade are eligible and invited
to attend. Do it !
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