In The Know

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The Rhinebeck Reformed Church is looking forward to 2026!

We have plans for replacing the Church roof and the Cordes Hall roof and have launched a fundraising campaign to accomplish this goal. Your help and donations are greatly needed! If you have any questions please see Nancy, Grace, or Dr. Sabia.

Please consider donating to this special project using the following link:

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Special Announcement: Fellow congregant Colleen Dierze, an Elder in the Reformed tradition, will be commissioned in an official ceremony recognizing the completion of her courses and her standing within our denomination.

The Classis of the Hudson Valley will meet in special session this Sunday, at 3:00 p.m. at the Reformed Church of Rhinebeck to commission Preaching Elder Colleen Dierze.

All are warmly invited to attend and support Colleen as she marks this important milestone.

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Shrove Tuesday was an enjoyable evening of delicious pancakes! Thank you to all who helped put on such a yummy event, and all who devoured the pancakes and sweet maple syrup!

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We are safer together!

Please join us in Cordes Hall on Thursday, February 26th at 7pm for a free community wide safety training.

Please Register at JEWISHDUTCHESS.ORG/EVENTS

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A Celebration of Life will be held for our dear friend Bill Masterson on March 21st time is TBD.

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Food Pantry

During the month of January 2026, Rhinebeck Reformed Church Food Pantry earned $98.00 in the Hannaford Fight Hunger Bag Program.

Please consider donating to this Food Pantry using the following link:

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Sermon Series: Jesus and the Poor

Throughout his three-year earthly ministry, Jesus consistently revealed a deep concern for the poor—through both his teachings and his personal example. Over the next five weeks, we will explore how Jesus understood poverty, how he challenged cultural attitudes toward the poor, and how he responded to human need in tangible ways.

As followers of Christ, we will be invited to reflect honestly: Are we approaching poverty as Jesus did?
Guest speakers may be invited to address specialized topics during this series.

February 22 – First Sunday of Lent
Jesus Preaches About the Poor
Luke 4:18–23

March 1 – Second Sunday of Lent
Jesus and Housing
Matthew 8:20

March 8 – Third Sunday of Lent
Spiritual Poverty: The Parable of the Rich man and Lazarus
Luke 16:19–31

March 15 – Fourth Sunday of Lent
Feeding the Hungry
Luke 9:10–17

March 22 – Fifth Sunday of Lent
The Poor’s Reward
Luke 6:20–21, 24–25

March 29 – Palm Sunday

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Adult Bible Study Program

Resumes on Thursday, February 26th.

Bible Study meets in the church library every Thursday from 7-8 through Lent. We will be continuing our study of Moses and Exodus using Adam Hamilton’s book “Moses, in the footsteps of the Reluctant Prophet”. For questions about the book or the program check with Jane Ferguson. janehf@aol.com

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CHILDREN’S WORSHIP

Additional pairs of loving hands are needed for Children’s Worship. Helping out as an occasional assistant, or sharing a talent, craft, or area of expertise would be fabulous!

Special Note: There will be no Children’s time This Sunday, February 22 and next Sunday, March 8th as Ros is out of town. (There are activity bags in the foyer in a blue bin that might entertain wiggly-little-ones during the service; play materials are also set up in the first classroom upstairs.

Please read below the letter from Ros:

February 2026

Dear Friends,

New for 2026:

Due to my family obligations in especially North Carolina for the foreseeable future, I will be absent several weeks this year. This creates staffing challenges.

Starting on Easter Sunday, 5 April, the first Sunday of each month will be a “Family Sunday”.

Children will remain in the sanctuary with their parents for the service.

We all know “sitting still” is never easy for children and their parents, so we plan to involve our youth in different ways during the service.

Your understanding and patience are appreciated during this transition and challenge for children (and their parents!). Worship Activity Kits and an Activity area in an upstairs classroom will be available for families with young children.

Regarding Communion: Pastor Luis offers a communion class to 7th/8th grade youth before their first communion. Meanwhile the Church leaves it up to parent’s prerogative and theological convictions if they’d like for their younger children to participate in this sacrament.

★ HELPERS NEEDED

Moving forward, at least one additional pair of adult hands are needed weekly to assist our leader and help maintain class and child safety.

Please consider devoting one or two Sundays per year to help us upstairs.

No experience or planning required! Just patience and a love of children and our ministry.

~ Interested in learning more? Please add your name to the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions, concerns, or suggestions.

As always: thank you for your prayers and support.

Blessings,

Ros Geuss 845.663.4308

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Consistory Update:

Our Consistory recently voted to appoint Nancy Katrulya as Vice President, Grace Kachigian as Treasurer, and Debi Palastra as Clerk. Please join me in congratulating them and giving thanks for their willingness to serve.

At a macro level, here is how their roles support our shared ministry:

· Vice President works alongside the pastor to provide spiritual leadership and guidance for our ministries and shared work, and serves as Classis Elder delegate.

· Treasurer ensures the church follows best practices in accounting, helps track income and expenses, and provides oversight of our memorial funds.

· Clerk helps ensure that meeting agendas are structured and orderly and that accurate minutes are recorded for our meetings.

We are grateful for their leadership and commitment to our church!

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CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

Bill Nieves Urgently Needs

Additional Members

To Join the Livestream / Video Team

PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING-

BILL WILL TEACH YOU!

See Bill before or after worship

on any Sunday he's able to be in attendance

and or at the camera...

or connect with him directly:

muchovideo@gmail.com

845-876-7032

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THE SUICIDE SUPPORT GROUP...

...led by Lisa Murray continues to meet

the fourth Tuesday of every month

at 7pm in the Library. Please contact Lisa if you have any questions (845)389-6175.

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Community News:

Upcoming news, events, and happenings in our local community

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Six-Monday Lecture Series with Dr. Bruce Chilton

Dr. Bruce Chilton—congregational friend and Director of the Institute of Advanced Theology at Bard College—invites us to a six-lecture series exploring one of the most intriguing figures of the ancient world.

Topic: Rome’s Jewish Queen: The Story of Berenice

When (Mondays): February 23; March 9; March 23; April 6; April 20, and May 4

Where: Bard Hall

Synopsis: Berenice (born ca. 28 CE) was the most notorious Jewish woman in the Roman Empire of her time. Multiple marriages, rumors of incest with her brother Agrippa II of the Herodian dynasty, and her scandalous liaison with Titus—the Roman general and emperor-to-be—guaranteed her celebrity.

Yet this reputation does not tell the whole story. Berenice was a politically astute and influential figure whose effectiveness became legendary. The great-granddaughter of Herod the Great and daughter of King Agrippa I, she promoted her family’s distinctive form of Judaism alongside its expansive political ambitions. Berenice played a pivotal role in Agrippa II’s rise in imperial favor, was deeply involved during the Jewish-Roman War, and, as consort to Titus, supported his father Vespasian in his accession as Roman emperor.