Prepare the Way

January / February 2011
Thirteenth Year, Issue Seventy Two
A family, a team, an army
Higbie Drive, Smithtown, NY 11787 • 631-265-2485
www.smithtowngospeltabernacle.org
PASTORAL STAFF
Gary A. Zarlengo
Senior Pastor
Derek Prezzano
Executive Pastor
T.C. Bichsel
Counseling & Marrieds Pastor
Richard Collingridge
Missions & Evangelism Pastor
Scott Fowler
Assimilation and Discipleship Pastor
David Harff
Children’s Pastor
Kevin Mahaffy
Youth Pastor
Todd Marshall
Music Pastor
Roger Erdvig
SCS Superintendent
ELDERS
Bob Davis
Ben Gebbia
Ken Metzler
Richard Morrison
Skip Scrivano
Nick Tricarico
PRAYER LINE
265-NEED
HOSPITAL VISITATION
265-2485 EXT. 146
SGT HAPPENINGS STAFF
Carol Corbett
Kit Farrell
Pastor Scott Fowler
Kelly Andersen
“Not by might nor by
power, but by My Spirit,
says the Lord.”
Zechariah 4:6
Prepare the Way
As we enter this New Year, God has
prepared our hearts to walk in a new
level of obedience that declares: We will
know, accept and do His will. We will
know God’s will more clearly, accept it
more graciously and do it more
passionately. The prophet Isaiah
proclaimed,
“Prepare the way
of the Lord; make
straight in the
desert a highway
for our God…the
crooked places
shall be made
straight.” (Isaiah
40:3, 4) We live
in a crooked
culture, a culture
of relativism – an
eclectic society
with no straight
ethical or moral
lines. Like a
desert at night,
the moral
climate is cold
and desolate.
Darkness and
deception have descended upon the
earth, and “every man does that which
is right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6)
But God is calling us to prepare the way
and to shine like the star over
Bethlehem – “let your light so shine
before men.” (Matt. 5:16) Prayer
empowers us to shine brighter and
brighter and to walk stronger in the
Lord. We are called to prepare and
travel upon a highway of righteousness
in this desert of moral decay and
relativism. A highway of holiness leads
us to the Promised Land.
Therefore, in the month of January,
we will participate
with hundreds of
other churches in
a 21 day fast. We
will obey God even
when it is
inconvenient and
uncomfortable.
Also, our week of
prayer in January
will raise the banner
and declare the
theme, “Prepare
the Way!” We will
experience what
God has promised
to those who stand
with Him in
obedience - “the
glory of the Lord
shall be revealed.”
(Isaiah 40:5) Let us firmly grip God’s
promise to us as His children. When we
stand with the Lord in holiness, He will
stand with us in power – as we move
closer to His holy heart, He will touch us
with His healing hands!
With all our love, Pastor & Diane
Ministry Leaders: Please send news about upcoming events to be included in the
March / April 2011 issue in time for the Febaruary 1 deadline via email to
[email protected] or mail to Carol Corbett, c/o: Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle.
If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to call Carol at 631.661.6385.
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Prepare the Way
We as a church family are coming together corporately during the week of Jan. 9-15 to pray
and seek the Lord. He is calling us as His Body and Bride to prepare the way for the Lord’s
Spirit and His glorious presence to freely flow into our lives and our church family. As we
respond to His Spirit - surrendering our heart to His heart, letting “every valley be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low, and letting the rough ground become a plain, and
the rugged terrain a broad valley-
“THEN the glory of the Lord will be revealed and all flesh will see it together”
Isaiah 40:4-5, NAS
WEEK OF PRAYER - Jan. 9 - 15, 2011
For All Adults & Youth:
SUNDAY, JANUARY 9 8:30 am, 10:15 am & 12:15 pm Sunday Morning Services 6:30 pm Evening Prayer Service / Adult & Youth
MONDAY, JANUARY 10 8:30 am – 9:30 am 9:30 am -11:30 am 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm TUESDAY, JANUARY 11 9:00 am - 12:00 noon 7:30 pm WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12 6:00 am 10:00 am 12:15 pm 7:30 pm Moms-in-Touch prayer meeting for Smithtown Christian School
Special Prayer time for Long Island children and schools hosted by Moms-in-Touch Int’l
Workshops
Healing Moments / Open Prayer Room
Evening Prayer Service / Adult & Youth
Intercessory Prayer Meeting
Intercessory Prayer Meeting
Workshop
Evening Prayer Service / Adult: Prayer Service
Youth: Prayer Expression/ Prayer Stations
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13 10:00 am – 12:00 am 7:30 pm Workshops
Evening Healing Prayer Service / Adult & Youth
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14 6:00 am 10:00 am - 12:00 am 7:30 pm Intercessory Prayer Meeting
Workshops
Communion Prayer Service / Adult & Youth
SATURDAY, JANUARY 15
9:00 am Strategic Prayer Meeting for our local communities
As a church family, the growth of our children’s personal faith and relationship with the Lord
is very important to us. So, we have developed a wonderful program to encourage them and
deepen their relationship with the Lord through prayer during the Week of Prayer.
Bring your children … and watch them grow!
For Children:
SUNDAY, JANUARY 9 Sunday Morning Services 6:30 pm Family Sunday: Services in Sanctuary
Evening Prayer Service “Prayer Walking”
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11 7:30 pm Evening Prayer Service “Learning How to Pray”
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12 7:30 pm THURSDAY, JANUARY 13 7:30 pm FRIDAY, JANUARY 14
7:30 pm Evening Prayer Service “Praying for Our Schools”
Evening Prayer Service “Praying for Our Missionaries”
Evening Prayer Service “Praying for Our Nation
and Communities”
Nursery care will be provided for children up to age 4 on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings.
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SGT HAPPENINGS
January / February 2011
ARE YOU:
Available during the day?
Compassionate for those who are hurting?
Concerned for those who are alone?
Desiring to be part of a Ministry Team?
Wanting to touch lives for eternity?
Then you are who we are looking for to serve
on our Nursing Home Team!
Join us on Tuesday and/or Friday mornings as we reach into four
local Nursing homes with a Gospel Service.
See life breathed into many as we minister to their hearts and
touch their lives for Christ.
Questions? Ideas? Availability? Call Joan at 631.543.5377
ANCIENT PATH SEMINAR I will be held Feb. 24-26, 2011 at
SGT. Contact Joyce Troyer at 265-2485 x117 for more information.
PLANNING TO BE MARRIED AT SGT? You must attend PreCovenant classes. Call Joyce Troyer at 265-2485 x117 to register
for the Jan. 7th session.
MARRIAGE MOMENT Clean-up
One of the greatest side benefits of holiday decorations is the clean up. You heard me correctly - I did say “clean up.”
Once everything is down and the celebration is over, all you have left to do is the clean-up. There is something about putting things back where they belong that feels secure. As the year unfolds take a look at where you are and what you need
to clean up in your relationship with each other. Maybe some communication habits have slipped. Maybe your attitude has
regressed. Maybe you have just gotten lazy and need to start fresh again. As you put your house in order, prayerfully let the
Holy Spirit direct you with His healing and His grace. Let the Word be your lamp and your light as the Lord makes a pathway
of vision for you, your marriage and His purpose for your lives. Keeping Covenant, Pastor Ted Bichsel
www.sgtmarriages.com
A ministry to help married
couples discover the power
of two becoming one! Dead,
dull marriages are awakened,
hurting marriages are healed
and good marriages receive new life and vision.
• “The class has been a real blessing in our lives as a newlywed couple. The lessons and the structure of the class
pointed us to God’s truth about marriage. We have learned
that our enemy is Satan and that our spouse is not. We now
have a road map to follow. Despite some hard times, our
love has grown and we know that God brought us together.”
Venu & Erin
• “The 2=1 ministry has truly blessed our family and marriage. Grace and I pray together more frequently and we
4 have seen immediate answers to prayer. It has been great
having a weekly date night. No matter where you are in
your marriage, you will grow closer to God and each other.”
Terry and Grace
Ask yourself the following questions:
• Is your marriage a covenant or a contract? What’s the difference?
• How do two become one?
• What is your role in your marriage? (The answers may
surprise you!)
• Is it really possible to forgive?
• What’s the foundation on which your marriage is built?
Plan to attend the Outreach Night on Feb. 18th at 7:30 pm
in Conference Room 2. Your questions will be answered,
refreshments will be served, and it will be a great time of fellowship. The 12-week series will begin in March.
Craig & Joan Rogers, Long Island Team Leaders
631.828.6737 • [email protected]
SGT HAPPENINGS
January / February 2011
SGT was blessed to have a visit from KELLY & VICKI HOODIKOFF, YWAM
missionaries living in the Ukraine. The Hoodikoffs will be spending the next few
months visiting churches, family and friends in the US.
ROB AND MICHELLE FRANCO have accepted a position on the pastoral staff of the Freedom Alliance
Church, in Medford, New Jersey. The Francos begin
their new ministry January 1. We pray God’s blessings on Rob and Michelle in their new post.
MICK & MARY HAEGELAND are leaving Colorado, to go to the
land of their “first love,” Nepal. The Haegelands recently visited
us here on Long Island and are filled with enthusiasm as they
head out to Asia.
SGT was blessed to have JES LA BLEU AND
MICHELLE GILLEY with us for fourteen weeks as
they were preparing to go to Bihar India to work
with noted Doctor Alex Philip. Jes and Michelle are
trained midwives. They plan to assist in 40 villages,
ministering with prenatal and pregnancy care, as well
as helping in the deliveries. These two young women
stayed in the home of Jeff and Lisa Eichenlaub.
ANDREW & OLIVIA SCHMALFUSS - Have you ever wondered what “Jihad”
really means, or who Muhammad really was? The Inside the Crescent Moon
seminar is designed just for you! It involves some basic information and will
foster a heart for the salvation of Muslims on Long Island. This seminar will
be happening at Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle on February 18 at 7:00 pm and
Feb. 19 at 9:00 am
Walmart - Pastor Rich participated in a
dedication of the Walmart in Islandia, along
with Richard & Geraldine Gorgone.
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SGT HAPPENINGS
January / February 2011
“Call to Me and I will show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”
(Jeremiah 33:3) God continues to bless Smithtown Christian School in ways that were
not envisioned as we began the school year. A team of reviewers from the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) visited the school for a site evaluation
as part of a process required in order to maintain the accredited status of Smithtown
Christian School. The school emerged from this evaluation with rave reviews from the
ACSI team, which even suggested that the work and excellence of Smithtown Christian
School in this area could be a model for other schools.
Our girls varsity soccer team posted an undefeated regular season and made it all the way to the
state finals for the first time in the history of the school, bowing in the New York State Public High
School Class D championship game by a score of 3-1. Our MSG Varsity academic Challenge Team
was victorious in the opening round of competition under the leadership of Coach Stephen Monteiro. These matches will be aired on News Channel 12 at a later date. SCS students Nicholas and
Michael Fenimore recently performed in a recital at the Steinway Piano store. You can view their
stellar performances on the Facebook page of Smithtown Christian
School.
The Second Annual Accelerate Banquet was held on November 5, 2010
and the school was blessed with $72,000 in donations and pledges as
a result of this wonderful evening. Plans are already underway for next
year’s banquet with a theme that will highlight the endeavors and accomplishments of our alumni.
As far as what God has in store for SCS during 2011, be sure to be with
us on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 for Homecoming. Events will include
the season opener for the SCS Varsity Wrestling Team as they take on
Hampton Bays High School starting at 4:30 pm in the Fellowship Center.
An expanded food menu will be available at the concession stand for that
event. Later that evening, Brad and Rebekah Bichsel will conclude the
day’s activities with a concert.
Later that month, members of the SCS School Board along with Superintendent Pastor Roger Erdvig will travel to Lancaster,
Pennsylvania for the ACSI Board/Administrator Conference. The month concludes on Sunday, January 30, 2011, when
Christian Education will be the focus of church services at SGT. We know that all of you will be thrilled to see how God is
working to nurture and develop tomorrow’s Christian leaders by providing a Christ-centered education at Smithtown Christian School.
ANGEL TREE 2010
This year’s Angel Tree outreach was such a blessing to all! Over sixty volunteers shared the good news of Jesus with many.
We visited thirty-one families delivering food baskets and 225 gifts. The gifts were so generously purchased and food baskets beautifully prepared by our church family. Pictured below are those who had the awesome task of being the hands and
feet of Jesus. We thank all who played a part in this wonderful ministry!
Joe and Maureen Sticco
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SGT HAPPENINGS
January / February 2011
CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES
Fall Fun Fest 2010
On Sunday October 31, we enjoyed a day full of
carnival games, bouncy rides, face painting, God’s
Little Princess, candy apples, popcorn, cotton candy and other great treats. Children were rewarded
with candy and great giveaways donated from
various pizza restaurants such as Monte’s, Nick’s
Clam Bar, and Villa Napoli. Other donors included
Smithtown Bowl AMF, Carvel, Johnnie’s SubSide,
Chuck E Cheese, Fun 4 All, and Lazer Land. The
winners of the Bible Character Costume contest were God’s Full Armor Warrior and His Angel.
The program closed with SLIME TIME LIVE where children were asked questions about the story of Noah’s ark and the winners were slimed.
KFC THANKSGIVING SERVICE
On November 21 during both the 8:30 am & 12:15 pm services of Kidz For
Christ we celebrated Thanksgiving. We made magnets and played Bible Land,
a huge board game where the children are the game pieces. Children learned
how we should give thanks to God for everything based on I Thessalonians
5:18 and how to have an attitude of gratitude.
K.I.M. GRADUATION
Congratulations to all Kids in Missions 2010 graduates. On November
21, we celebrated with great honor
the students from Year One, Year
Two, and Leaders in Training, as they
move to the next step of experiencing what it means to be in missions.
There are many evangelistic outreaches planed for next year such
as Lighthouse Mission and Ocean
Grove, SGT Picnic and many others.
Classes start March 20 and go until June 5 for grades 5-7. We meet at 10:15 am
on Sundays.
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS
Middlers for grades 2 and 3, and Bridge 45 for grades 4 and 5 have been a great
success. Both groups tried a new curriculum this year that includes age appropriate games and lessons. As we have fun and build closer relationships, we are able
to worship and fellowship in our small groups. Stop in and join our family every
Wednesday at 7:30 pm in the Fellowship Center.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Prayer Week- January 9, 11-14
Super Sunday- February 6
Check out our website (www.sgtkids.org)! It is full of pictures
and information about upcoming events and registrations. Call
Amarisa (Children’s Assistant) at x126 for more information.
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SGT HAPPENINGS
January / February 2011
WOMEN’S MINISTRIES MID-WINTER
CONFERENCE will be on Saturday, February
5th from 10 am until 3 pm with a catered
luncheon and time to fellowship and get
to know other ladies. We are very pleased
to have Alice Ewart as our special guest
speaker. Alice served as a deaconess at SGT
and was responsible for Women’s Fellowship being formed several years ago. She
is a true example of a godly woman who
listens as He speaks. When God told her to
step down from her various responsibilities
at SGT and wait on Him, she obeyed. After
a time, God began to open doors for her to
speak at various retreats and conferences.
We are very excited and anticipate hearing
from God during this time together.
ELEMENTARY SUNDAY SCHOOL
Our Sunday School classes are growing! We
are in need of adult assistant teachers and
teenage helpers, please call
Ken Willis at 631.277.6462.
SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN’S SUNDAY
SCHOOL PROGRAM
We have students who are currently
matched with mentors in the classroom and
their spiritual growth is exciting! If you are a
parent of a child with special needs or if you
have been called by God to work with these
children, please call
Ken Willis at 631.277.6462.
THE NEW YEAR IS UPON US!
It is a time of joy and reflection. Hope is everywhere.
Now is the time to make new
plans. Stop procrastinating.
Resolve this year to get out of
debt, tithe, save, enroll in your
company’s 401k, 403b plan
or profit-sharing retirement plan. Purchase the
proper amount of insurance, eat healthier, get
your Will done and go for that health exam. Start
a budget - and stay on it. Read your Bible, join a
small Bible study, and take an Adult Life Development class. Strive for improvement - never
stay satisfied where you are spiritually, career
wise, financially and physically. Have a happy
new year! Keep your eye on the bulletin for the
next Crown Financial classes.
Thomas P. Flanagan
MEN’S MINISTRY
The Lord has been moving mightily in the lives of men and their families in 2010 and we expect an even greater outpouring and presence
of the Holy Spirit as we enter 2011. Men, come join us as we gather in
prayer and fellowship this New Year.
On January 29, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, there will be a special
combined Men and Women’s Breakfast in the Fellowship Center. Please
bring your wife or fiancé. Pastor Gary & Diane Zarlengo will be sharing
what God has placed on their hearts.
Join us on the following Monday nights from 7:00 to 9:00 pm in the
Choral Room upstairs on the 2 floor for Men’s Prayer and Fellowship
and grow in your spiritual walk: January 3 and 24 and February 7 and
28.
Men, Please remember the following dates: January 9-15 Week of
Prayer; January 24 March for Life, Washington DC; February 11-12
Marriage Seminar; February 12 Valentines Banquet. Come and be
blessed!
Joseph Bryant, Men’s Ministry Team
SGT HAPPENINGS
January / February 2011
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SGT HAPPENINGS
January / February 2011
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