Welcome to the Pastor’s Corner, and welcome to the website of the First Presbyterian Church of Greenlawn! We hope that you will find here helpful resources for your spiritual journey.
That early Christians were called the “people of the way” is a reminder to us that we have not yet reached our destination, but continue to make our way along the path of discipleship. What is true of our lives as Christians is also true of this page and site. It, like us, is “a work in progress.”

And “may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all”
(2 Cor. 3:14)

A Message from
Pastor
Ann Van Cleef,
May - June 2024

My Beloved Church Family,

     We have certainly had a lot going on at church this past spring, starting with our wonderful St. Patrick’s Day celebration: a delicious dinner and entertainment by Irish step-dancers.  Then there was the solemnity of Holy Week and the joy of Easter.  We observed Earth Day with a churchyard cleanup, celebrated the important women in our lives on Mother’s Day, and instituted a recycling program for plastic bags.  We had a wonderful Pentecost Sunday with our choir and other musicians celebrating with a musical Service.  On Memorial Day Sunday, we thanked God for those who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our freedoms.

     Meanwhile, our Organ Committee has been planning the first concert of our three-concert series to raise funds for a new organ. Committee member Marian Adams wrote a wonderful essay about music in the church and gave me permission to share it with you.  I would like to devote the rest of this space to Marian’s words.  

     I praise and thank God for all of you and the gifts you bring to our church family.

With love and blessings,

Pastor Ann

Essay
Elder Marian Adams

     This church has a history of praising God through the glory of sacred music.  I knew Donald Studholme, who was the organist in this church.  His wife, Audrey Melrose Studholme, also a talented musician, was a dear friend.  I know the caliber of music they performed, so I know that this Sanctuary resounded through music to the glory of God, and can again.

     Martin Luther said of sacred music, “Die Noten machen den Text lebendig,” z
“The notes make the words live.”

     When I was a child and started to study music, I quickly discovered the darker a page became with all those little black notes, the more difficult the music was going to be.  Last year, when we attempted to start a bell choir, I found in the space behind the Chancel a large file cabinet filled with music for bell choir alone.  Some of that music had very dark pages.  The sounds must have been glorious.

     We have been given an opportunity to have the Sanctuary filled again with that glorious sound.  Are we going to let that opportunity pass by because of doubt?

     The church in which I grew up had a stained-glass window depicting the Lord Jesus knocking on a door.  The door was very rustic, and it was different from other doors in a particular way.  It had no keyhole, latch, or knob.  It could not be opened from Jesus’ perspective.  Only the people on the other side of that door could open it to let the Lord in.

     I truly believe that this opportunity is knocking on our door.  Are we going to open it, or keep it closed and say, “That could never happen here.”

     We have a chance to make a miracle happen and once more have organ music fill this Sanctuary.

Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to Him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly
for more than all we can ask or imagine, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus,
to all generations for ever and ever.  Amen.

Pastor Rev. Dr. Ann VanCleef

Sunday Worship –
Questions and Answers
By Pastor Ann

Zoom Worship

How are we going to worship on Sundays?    
     We will be continuing our Sunday worship using a video conferencing system called Zoom.  You may log on as early as 10:00 a.m. for coffee and conversation.  Worship begins promptly at 10:30, followed by a virtual coffee hour until noon.  The easiest way to do Zoom is to download the Zoom App from the App Store.  Zoom will work on a computer, a laptop, an I-Pad, or a Smartphone.  

What are the Meeting IDs?
     Please check your weekly email for ID's and Passcodes for each service.

Will I get a reminder about logging on to these services?
     If you are on the church e-mail list, you will get a weekly e-mail with the Zoom link.

I don’t have a camera on my computer, but I do have a Smartphone.
Zoom will work on your Smartphone. 

I don’t have a computer or a Smartphone.  What can I do?
     You may telephone the following number: 
1-646-558-8656
     You will be asked for a meeting ID.  The meeting IDs are outlined in paragraph 2.
     You won’t be able to see us, but you can still hear what’s going on.

Please note:
     Out here on the North Fork, where I live, the Internet has been a bit “iffy” lately.  There is a chance that I will suddenly “disappear” from your screen.  If that happens, just hang in there. 
I will log back on with my iPhone.