April 27, 2023
by David Ellis
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Category:
Update
As you probably know, I recently announced my decision to transition out of my role as pastor of Astoria Community Church and accept a position as Assistant Pastor at another church. You can read about that decision here.
A question some of you are asking is, "How do we find a new pastor for our church?"
In our denominational tradition, an important principle is that loc...
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April 13, 2023
by David Ellis
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Category:
Update
Dear friends and members of ACC.
I am writing to inform you of a personal decision I have reached that will have an impact on our church.
A couple of years ago, I began to pray about how and when I should transition out of my role as pastor of ACC and pass the baton to a younger leader. As I approach the age of retirement, the eventual need to take this step is inevitabl...
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December 5, 2022
by David Ellis
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Category:
Update
The elders of ACC have decided to make some changes to the online presentation of our Sunday worship services. I would like to outline these changes and explain our reasons for making them.
But first I want to express my gratitude to the valiant group of ACC members who have worked so hard to live-stream our worship services for the last two years. When we returned to in-...
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December 9, 2021
by David Ellis
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Category:
Update
December 9, 2021
Dear Friend of ACC:
As we approach the end of another challenging year, I am grateful for the faithfulness of God.
Do you remember what life was like a year ago? The COVID-19 vaccine was not yet available. Most NYC students attended school from home. Our city was a few days away from closing indoor dining again, after a failed attempt to get restaurants...
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November 8, 2021
by David Ellis
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Category:
Update, Update
Throughout Scripture, God reveals himself as one who protects those who are vulnerable and who shows compassion for people who have been hurt. He is the defender of widows, the father to the fatherless, a refuge for the foreigner, and the champion of the poor. (See, for example, Psalm 146:7-9.) Scripture also reveals that God expects the leaders of his people to protect vu...
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November 8, 2021
by David Ellis
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Category:
Update, Update
Throughout Scripture, God reveals himself as one who protects those who are vulnerable and who shows compassion for people who have been hurt. He is the defender of widows, the father to the fatherless, a refuge for the foreigner, and the champion of the poor. (See, for example, Psalm 146:7-9.) Scripture also reveals that God expects the leaders of his people to protect vu...
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September 9, 2021
by David Ellis
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Category:
Update
I am pleased to announce the addition of two part-time staff members to the ACC ministry team.
Annette Scattoni will be serving in a newly created position as Children's Ministry Coordinator. In this role, Annette will be recruiting, training, and overseeing volunteers to work with our children's programs from infancy through 5th grade. Annette and her family (Gianluca, S...
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September 6, 2021
by David Ellis
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Category:
Reflections, Update
Several years ago, the elders of ACC began praying about and discussing the mission of our church. Over time we included other church leaders in the discussion, asking for their feedback and prayers. We embarked on this endeavor, not because we wanted to lead the church in a radically new direction, but because we felt that ACC needed a fresh understanding of why God has p...
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August 16, 2021
by David Ellis
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Category:
Update
Dear Friends of ACC,
We have all learned how difficult it can be to make plans during a pandemic. From businesses, to schools, to local governments and individual families, we all know what it is like to make plans and then be forced to revise them because of changes in the public health situation. Because of this reality, it is difficult to say exactly what the coming se...
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June 22, 2021
by David Ellis
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Category:
Update
On June 15, Governor Cuomo announced the lifting of many of the COVID-19 restrictions that had been in place in New York State. Social distancing, capacity restrictions, and mask-wearing are no longer required in stores, restaurants, offices, gyms, and other places. Unvaccinated individuals are still responsible to wear masks, as suggested by the CDC.
As public health con...
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