PASTOR’S PONDERINGS…. Rev. Laura Norris-Buisch

Peace be with You!

Wow! It has been a month since I wrote the last

newsletter article. I cannot believe where we have

been & cannot even imagine where we are going

from here. Eventually we will be face to face again.

I have seen many of you on Facebook for worship

or prayer service. I see your faces in my mind.

Everyone of you have been in my heart & prayers

during this season. As we think about returning to

a less restrictive place, let us continue to care for

one another both emotionally & spiritually.

Life will be different as a result of this COVID time.

But it is up to each of us to decide what will be dif-

ferent. Do we choose simply to go back to what

was? Or do we choose another path? Not taking

things for granted! Not being so busy that we for-

get to live and actually feeling what life is all about.

Choosing to be gracious & compassionate because

someone we love is afraid & struggling. Taking

time to read a children’s story. Taking time to be

involved in a prayer service. Taking time to simply

enjoy the earth that God has given us. Taking time

to share a cup of coffee!

Spend time reflecting on what you have learned

from this season. Truly consider what is the most

important experience you have missed. Is it essen-

tial or is it life giving? What will you change be-

cause of COVID-19?

Peace,

Laura Please call me anytime to talk or to have a prayer. (716)713-6365.

If you are struggling and in need of groceries or a gift card for groceries, please contact me.

Riverside Presbyterian Church 815 84th at Lindbergh Avenue Niagara Falls, NY 14304

Phone 716-283-9752

Visit us at www.riversidepc.org E-mail: riversidepres@msn.com

RIVERSIDE REPORTER

May 3, 2020 4th Sunday of Easter

Acts 2:42-47 Psalm 23: 1 Peter 2:19-25 John 10:1-10

May 10, 2020 5th Sunday of Easter

Acts 7:55-60 Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 1 Peter 2:2-10 John 14:1-14

May 24, 2020 7th Sunday of Easter

Acts 1:6-14 Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 John 17:1-11

Lectionary Scripture Readings … May

May 17, 2020 6th Sunday of Easter

Acts 17:22-31 Psalm 66:8-20 1 Peter 3:13-22 John 14:15-21

During this time

the Building is Closed, however

Rev. Laura (713-6365)

& Lynda Grozio (283-9752)

are at the church on Mondays,

Wednesdays & Fridays.

Feel free to call

if you are in need of anything!

CHURCH

OFFICE

HOURS

There are multiple ways to stay connected with Sunday Worship

Visit any of these sites…

www.riversidepc.org (click on ‘Sermon’ to watch)

You Tube (type in ‘Riverside Presbyterian Niagara Falls”’)

Riverside’s Facebook Page

May 31, 2020 Day of Pentecost

Acts 1:6-14 Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 John 17:1-11

Thank You… ...to Diane Holt for delivering Easter Palms to my house for my mom and me. It was a beautiful gesture! To Rev. Laura, Barbara Vollick, C J Tripi and Liz Sanderson for bringing church service into our home every Sunday. This has been something to look forward too and greatly appreciated. Finally, Margaret Smith says a big thank you for the Easter Flower! It’s almost as tall as her!! Well wishes to the entire congre-gation. All of you are in my prayers.

Heather Stackpole

...to Debbie Hansen & Cheryl Toth for their tal-ents & sending out homemade cards & brighten-ing our member’s day on behalf of Riverside dur-ing this pandemic.

New Address... Dorothy Westhafer Brookdale Niagara 6751 Nash Road North Tonawanda 14120

Prayer List: Jack (Kathy Kalita’s student with brain tumor), the Westmoore family, Paige (Carol Norris’ friend), Ashley (Julie Kalita’s friend from NYC), Alice Odin, Mike Emmick, James Weatherston (currently on aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt), Bailey Yung, Tatia-na (friend of Laura), Elisa Carrig on the death of her great uncle, Eric Kalita, Michael Guariglia, Nick Emmick, (all working the front lines), Christine & Lucia (Patty Geist’s friends), Paul Soos & family on the loss of his cousin Janet Sides, Elmer Jelen, Jean Hansen & family on the death of her brother in law Chester, Marge Abray Shut-Ins: George Allen, Wade Bowen, Ron Cattrall, Aurelanne Clarkson, Marian Grosenbaugh, Frances Hann, Henrietta Hill, Les Horne, Elaine & Elmer Jelen, Betty Lewis, Flora O’Toole, Mary Scouten, Margaret Smith, Dorothy Swick

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Thank you to those who continue to send

their Weekly Offering to the church office.

June 30 is fast approaching, marking the end of Riverside's budget year & our efforts to meet

our per capita obligations. PLEASE remember your $34 Per Capita

Thank you

MONTHLY MISSION REMINDER: If you do not have mission envelopes,

but would like to contribute to

please mark your own ... “May Mission ~ Heart Love & Soul”

May Birthdays...

May 4th Joanne Bodman,

Rob Stevenson, Maddy Wells May 8th Dominic Putaski May 9th Diane Holt May 10th C J Tripi May 13th Karyn Kalita May 14th Dave Spagnolo May 15th Kristi Muraski, Ken Raymond May 17th Tom Merante, John Weatherston May 18th Cheree Copelin, Joyce O’Donnell May 24th Bettie LaMacchia May 29th Jean Westmoore

May Anniversarys...

May 1st Tina & Ray Jackson 11yrs

May 2nd Revs. Laura & Stuart Buisch 22yrs

May 4th Shirley & James Jones 57yrs

May 7th Tammy & Paul Irving 32yrs

May 14th Elaine & Elmer Jelen

May 15th Linda & Bob Johnson 38 yrs

May 17th Marge & Cliff Abray 62yrs

Dawn & Tom Jelen 17yrs

May 21st Lynda & Mark Grozio 37 yrs

May 25th Susan & Craig Boyce 36 yrs

May 28th Barbara & Dave Cook

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For the next few months we will continue to

publish excerpts from ‘Our Heritage’

Riverside’s first pastor was Rev. Charles S.

Owen, who served until November 1932. Rev.

Elton C. Schwinger served the church as a stated

supply pastor until August 1937, when Riverside

was sufficiently strong to employ a fulltime resi-

dent minister. They called Rev. J. Melwin Keys

who stayed until 1942. He was followed by Rev.

Wesley Baker, who retired in 1949. It was during

the tenure of Rev. Charles B. Smith that the mem-

bers of Riverside dedicated their new Sanctuary.

They built the Educational Wing under the guid-

ance of their fifth pastor, Rev. Alan J Perrine who

served the church from 1953 until his death in

1967. Rev. Arthur Clark was with Riverside as an

interim minister for a year. At that time, Rev.

Hans H. Klee accepted the call and served until

1975. At that time, Presbytery offered Riverside

the half-time services of an experienced interim

minister, the other half to be devoted to Bacon

Memorial, LaSalle’s other Presbyterian Church,

which was also without a pastor. The two

churches were urged to combine, but because

the interim pastor, Rev. Wallace Easter not only

held the church together but built it up vigorous-

ly, Riverside continued. When A. Allen Brindisi

accepted Riverside’s call in October 1976, he as-

sumed leadership of a full church. In March of

1988, Rev. Gregory W. Hall became our eighth

pastor. Under his leadership the addition was

dedicated in 1996.

Stay tuned for more next month!

FROM THE RIVERSIDE WORKERS…

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The Riverside Workers Scholarships for 2020 will be awarded at a time to be determined. We will keep our appli-cants informed as our church calendar evolves. A Snowflake Bazaar planning meeting for all chairpersons involved will also be held as our church availability chang-es. We are greatly anticipating a wonderful November ba-zaar! Chris Soos, Chair

At this time, the originally planned Spring Luncheon for June 9th, for all the ladies of Riverside Church, has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 virus. We will reschedule the luncheon at a later time that will be designated safe for us to hold this event. Be safe and keep your spirits up, as we will get through this with God's help.

With Peace, Love & Faith, Maggie Pollock, Chair

Do YOU have a memory? While isolating, jot it down and send it to the church.

We’ll be happy to add it to our publication!

PRAYER SERVICE

12:00PM

Every Monday thru Saturday

CHILDREN’S BOOK READING

9:00AM Every Friday

TGIF COFFEE

10:00AM - 10:40AM

Every Friday on ZOOM

Meeting ID # 984 977 2100 Password: Laura

SUNDAY WORSHIP

10:00AM

Visit any of these sites…

www.riversidepc.org (click on ‘Sermon’ to watch)

You Tube (type in ‘Riverside Presbyterian Niagara Falls”’)

Riverside’s Facebook Page

Spiritual Booklets are available for pick up. Please call before you come to the church!

Indoor Scavenger Hunt participants...

Jocelyn & Jace (with some help of their parents

Carley & Michael Antonelli)

Addyson & Hayden (with some help of their parents

Taylor & Jimmy Grady)

Les Horne had a Happy Birthday!

AND Banana Cream Pie! with the help of

our new member, Jaquelyn Szocki

Rev. Laura & Friends! T G I F Coffee on ZOOM

EVERY Friday from 10:00AM - 10:40AM

Meeting ID # 984 977 2100

Password: Laura

Do you have a (creative social distancing) photo? We’ll be happy to share!

Dominic Burke lost his tooth!

Enzo Spagnolo is HOW old?

Ava Josephine Maggi is ALREADY 1 year old!

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Jocelyn Stevenson

Happy Birthday

Dominic Putaski Happy 6th Birthday!

Happy 100th Birthday ...to the lovely

Joanne Bodman!

We wish you 100 more!!!