December - Clinton Presbyterian Church

December 2015
Clinton
Presbyterian
Church
From the Pastor
Dear friends,
Our Mission
Clinton Presbyterian Church
is a welcoming congregation
called to share Christ’s love.
Vision
We will live out this
mission through:
Inspiring Worship,
as we praise and glorify God,
Engaged Discipleship,
as we grow deeper in our faith,
Nurturing Relationships,
as we love and care for
one another,
Transforming Mission,
as we embody God’s love in
service to the world,
Faithful Stewardship,
as we express our gratitude
to God.
As we move swiftly from Thanksgiving celebrations to the busy-ness of
December, all around us are books and magazines that promote how to
have a stress free Christmas, how to make this the perfect celebration.
Perhaps those attest to the pressure we feel to make Christmas a joyful
time; we want to sweep the less desirable things of life under the carpet
and hide certain parts of our lives away in closets. So it is that as we
prepare for Christmas, setting the space to create memories with family,
seeking for a moment of joy, remembering times past, we also hear the
call of the prophets: prepare the way, God is coming. It can feel daunting
and a little judgmental, but it is also a chance to say to God, we’ve tried
hard, but we messed up again. We don’t always get it right, and we need
you in our midst to show us how to live, and how to love. We need you to
remind us that you are there in the messiness of life as well as in the good
times. That, after all is one of the enduring messages of Christmas. God
has entered, and continues to enter into our midst.
This message is so important that we celebrate it yearly: God enters into
the chaos and busy-ness of our everyday lives. God came in the form of
Jesus who was born in a barn, surrounded by the messiness of life. I doubt
it was the birth Mary anticipated or wanted for her sweet baby boy, it’s
certainly not the birth we would expect for God, but it was how it came
about nonetheless. The love and wonder of God can be found in the
perfect family celebrations as well as in the in the more chaotic moments.
My prayer for you is that no matter what is happening for you this season,
you might experience the wonder, grace, and intense love that came in the
form of a little baby boy, born in a stable in Bethlehem so many years ago.
May we always remember that God comes into the messiness of our lives,
and loves us.
See you in church,
Tracey
Clinton Presbyterian Church 91 Center Street, Clinton, NJ 08809
908.735.5029 ● www.clintonpresbyterian.net
December 2015 | 1
A huge thank you to all that came to shop
at the Alternative Gift and Fair Trade Holiday
Bazaar. It was such a wonderful time to put
our faith into action by supporting
our brothers and sisters near and far.
What an awesome experience of
generosity and fellowship.
Thanks to everyone who helped with our Thanksgiving basket project this year –
those of you who donated food and cash for groceries,
those of you who helped pack boxes on November 15,
our Sunday School kids who made wonderful cards for all the boxes,
those of you who made soup for lunch on the 15,
those of you who went to ShopRite on the 21,
those of you who donated turkeys, and all of you who helped deliver the baskets.
Thanks also to Joe Collalillo at ShopRite who gives us an annual discount
on the purchase of food for our baskets.
We delivered to about 50 families here in Hunterdon County and thanks to the generosity of this
congregation; we have helped to make a happy Thanksgiving for many of our neighbors.
This is a huge project that takes many hands and drivers to get it done!
Many thanks to you all for stepping up to help in so many ways.
With heartfelt thanks from your Mission Ministry.
December 2015 | 2
Ins
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Fait
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Advent Vespers
Join us on Wednesday evenings
(December 2, 9 & 16) during Advent for a
service of prayer and reflection.
Take some time apart to refresh your soul.
7:00 pm in the Sanctuary
Sermon series: Christmas at the Movies
Join us on Sundays throughout Advent as we take a
look at the meaning and message of Christmas
through the lens of Scriptures and some popular
Christmas movies. It promises to be a lot of fun!
Why not watch the movies ahead of time
with friends or family and bowl of popcorn?
December 6 A Charlie Brown Christmas
December 13 How the Grinch Stole Christmas
December 20 Elf
Breakfast & DIY Nativity
This year the Nativity will be presented during a
church-wide Advent breakfast after service on
December 20th. Children will be volunteering to fill
various roles. Emails will go out to the parents to
make sure their children can be there that day.
December 20 at 5:00 pm
The holiday season can be difficult for many
reasons. It can be hard to come and worship
God joyfully because of the loss of a family
member or a friend, the end of a marriage,
illness, loss of work or other trying change.
This year we will offer a quiet meditative
worship service that makes time for
remembering, time for sharing our hurting
places with God, and time for preparing our
hearts for the coming of Christ.
All are welcome.
See the next page for a DIY Pageant Mad-Libs!
Our Children’s Choir
will be helping to
lead worship at the
5:00 pm Family Service
on Christmas Eve.
5pm Family Service
As a congregation we will retell the story of Christ’s
birth with the angels, the shepherds and the sheep.
11pm Candlelight Communion Service
Come and be lifted in joy through Word
and Song as we welcome the Christ child and usher
in Christmas Day at this candlelight service.
Children from preschool through 5th grade who
love to sing are welcome to join the choir. The
children will begin learning the songs during
Sunday School, but there will likely be one
additional rehearsal, time & date TBA. Please
let Gary Ross know if your child would like to
participate – [email protected].
December 2015 | 3
Do-it-Yourself Announcement for CPC's Do-It-Yourself Christmas Pageant!
In preparation for our Do-It-Yourself Christmas Pageant on December 20, we have a Do-It-Yourself
Announcement! Just fill in the blanks below, transfer your answers into the announcement below and read
aloud! Enjoy...and see you on the 20th!
2 Nouns: __________________________________________________________
Exclamation: ________________
Holiday: ____________________
Adjective: ___________________
Name: ______________________
Noun: _______________________
Name: _______________________
Plural Noun: ___________________
Names of 2 people from CPC: ____________________________________________
Adjective: __________________________
Noun: ______________________________
An Elder or a Deacon: __________________________________________________
Noun: ______________________________
Plural Noun: _________________________
Exclamation: ________________________
Tis the Season! From mistletoe and _________________ to ________________
and our Christmas Eve service...we’re so ________________ for the ________________ season!
This year we’ll be having a DIY (do it yourself) Christmas Pageant and you are invited to attend!
It’s such a _______________ time of the year. We can’t wait to see ________________
dressed up as a _______________. And maybe this year ________________ will be an angel!
So put your ________________ on and join ____________________________on December 20th
in Fellowship Hall. Enjoy some ________________ breakfast casseroles and ________________.
If we’re lucky, maybe _______________ will make their delicious _______________.
Don’t miss out on THE event of the season.
Mark your __________________ and see you on the 20th!
It’s going to be ________________!
December 2015 | 4
Enga ge d Disci ples hi p
Sunday School Schedule for December
December 6
Normal class schedule
December 13
Normal class schedule
December 20
DIY Nativity & Breakfast –
No Sunday School
December 27
No Sunday School
January 3
No Sunday School
January 10
Sunday School resumes
High School Retreat to Lake Champion
“I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.”
Matthew 25:35
Wagon JAM Challenge
November brought the Pre K-5th grade classes a
mission challenge – the Wagon Challenge! The
children exceeded their goal of collecting 50 items
of food in the wagon. The food was used to fill the
Thanksgiving baskets for families in need. The
children not only helped pack the boxes with food,
but also made a Thanksgiving card for every box!
They worked very hard but had a lot of fun at the
same time.
Nothing cures the winter blues like a weekend at
Lake Champion. This retreat is always a highlight
among our high school students, and this year
promises plenty of fun. Our youth will enjoy
ziplining and other fun activities by day, while they
enjoy comfortable warm cabins by night. The
retreat is held from Friday, January 22 - Sunday,
January 24 and the cost is $135 per person, which
includes transportation, meals, and all activities.
Sign up information will be distributed soon at
youth group meetings and Sunday School
classrooms, or contact Paul Morrissette at
[email protected] for more information.
The Clinton Christmas Parade will be held
on Friday, December 4th at 7 pm
All children grades Pre-K to 5th are invited to ride in CPC’s parade float.
Please arrive at CPC by 6 pm as Center St. will close at 6 pm.
Pizza will be served to the children and their families at 6:15 pm.
If you have a Santa hat, wear it! As always, please join us after the parade for
Cookies and Cocoa. See page 7 for more information.
Please RSVP to Joanne at [email protected] to let us know
if you and your children plan on coming.
We need a head count so we can order enough pizza.
December 2015 | 5
Enga ge d D isci ples hi p
“Friends come and go like the
waves of the ocean, but the
true ones stay, like an
octopus on your face.”
What friendship and fellowship we developed
through CHAOS in November! We had a great
month full of Wolverton Wednesday’s and Sunday
nights. On Wednesdays we do manage to get
(a little) homework done – but who needs
homework when there’s fun and conversation to
be had! Pop by and join us every Wednesday
from 3:30 – 6:30! Last Wolverton Wednesday of
2015 is December 16.
Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study
Come enjoy breakfast and get a jump start on
Sunday’s sermon! We are using the preaching
text for the following day for the basis of our study.
Join us when you can. No preparation needed.
Upcoming dates – December 5 and 19 at
7:30 am in Fellowship Hall
Sunday night CHAOS is always SO. MUCH. FUN!
Our first November CHAOS we had our Totally
Tube(sock)ular Flannel Fest Outdoor Movie Night!
Winter came early with our indoor sock snowball
fight to benefit The Relief Bus. Our middle and
high schoolers donated 120+ pairs of socks to
help those we serve in Newark and New York
City!! WAY TO GO, everyone!!
Afterwards, we bundled up and watch Disney &
Pixar’s “Inside Out” on the big screen – lots of
popcorn, apple cider and laughs !
Women’s Morning Bible Study
Tuesday mornings in Fellowship Hall
9:30 – 11:30 am
Next study starts January 2016
Women’s Evening Bible Study
Meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday evenings
in the Wolverton building. All are welcome to
join us. See the newsletter for more details.
Get in touch with Tracey if you would like more
information. [email protected].
Upcoming dates – December 2 & 16 @ 7:30
pm after Vespers Service
It’s the time of year to serve and help others – and
our CHAOS Crew is always willing to do that. We
were His hands and feet the weekend before
Thanksgiving, delivering baskets to those in need.
How fun is it to serve our God together!!
Stay tuned for an AWESOME night…
December 13 CHAOS &
Sunday Funday Christmas Party!!
Watch your email and social media for details!
Make sure to follow us on Instagram (We changed
our name!): @cpc_chaos
See you ‘round the church, Maggie 
December 2015 | 6
N urt uri ng Rela tions hi ps
Deacon Notes
Advent is a season of waiting, expecting and
hoping. We are reminded to slow down and
remember God’s greatest gift: Jesus. It’s not easy
to take time to wait during the hustle and bustle of
the holiday. We pray you can find comfort ,joy and
peace in remembering the beauty in waiting this
Christmas.
Thank you to all that came to shop at the
Alternative Gift and Fair Trade Bazaar. It was
such a wonderful time to put our faith into action
by supporting our brothers and sisters near and
far. It was an awesome experience of generosity
and fellowship. We hope to make this an annual
event and look forward to more wonderful gifts to
buy next year.
Family Promise participants were welcomed at
Bethlehem Presbyterian Church on November 8
for the last time of the year. Thank you to all that
came to help provide meals and company to the
homeless. If you are interested in being a part of
this important ministry, please contact Ino Sowder
or Sharon Rosenberg.
Please come to the Table of Well Wishes in
Fellowship Hall after worship to sign cards for our
church family members to offer encouragement,
sympathy and celebration. This is a wonderful way
for others to know we are praying and caring for
each other.
We are always ready to assist others with prayers,
meals,or rides when needed. If you are willing to
help Jack Sherrerd with a ride to church or
Fernando Perez with a ride to PT, please contact
Jeri Twigg (735-4182). If you are interested in
making a meal for Doris Cramer, please contact
Martha Roth (730-9408). If you know of anyone in
need of assistance, please let any deacon know.
Help Needed for the Float
The Connections Team is working hard preparing
for this year's Christmas float. We are looking for
help putting the float together on Friday,
December 4 at 4:30 pm in CPC’s Parking Lot.
No experience necessary! We will also need help
disassembling the float after the parade 8:30 pm.
ALL are welcome to join in this fun project to
reach out to our community!
Please contact Jill Prakopcyk at 908-310-4765
or [email protected] for more details.
Wanted: Cookies for Cookies & Cocoa
after the Parade
We will also need many hands for setting up
Fellowship Hall, making & serving of the cocoa and
clean up afterwards. If you would like to contribute a
batch of your favorite cookies please bring in to the
kitchen anytime between 9 am and 3 pm on
Wednesday, December 2, 9 am and 3 pm on
Thursday, December 3 and any time after 4 pm on
Friday, December 4.
If you would like to help in the kitchen on December 4,
contact Sharon Rosenberg at [email protected] or
Ino Sowder at [email protected].
We will be having Santa and Mrs. Claus in
Fellowship Hall after the parade for pictures
AND a fun photo booth with props!
Receive the great love and perfect peace of Jesus
this Advent season.
Steve Battaglia, Bill Harclerode, Laurel Kelly, Jan
Kreutel, Linda Pustai, Lonnie Little, Wendy
Morrissette, Sharon Rosenberg, Martha Roth, and
Jeri Twigg
Deacon of the Month for December
Linda Schipmann-Pustai
December 2015 | 7
Omar, Vicki and Madelyn Ahmed
Both Omar and Vicki were born and raised in Hunterdon County,
in fact they are high school sweethearts. They are excited to
raise their daughter, Madelyn here. After college they got
married and bought a house in Clinton. Even though they didn’t
land far from home, Omar and Vicki are enjoying traveling and
being outdoors, especially when their dog, Shelby, can tag
along. The Ahmed’s are looking forward to spending more time
with the growing family at CPC.
Chris and Deirdre Blaus
Chris is native to New Jersey and has lived in Hunterdon County
since he was 11 years old. Deirdre grew up in South Carolina and
has lived in Hunterdon County for the past 4 1/2 years. They
have been married for 3 1/2 years and have a 4 month old
daughter, Margaret Mary. She brings them more joy than they
could have ever imagined possible. When not spending time with
their family, Chris is a machinist working as the 4th generation in
his family business. Deirdre works in hospital administration for
the Robert Wood Johnson health system. In their free time, Chris
and Deirdre enjoy hiking, biking, yard work/gardening, cooking,
and any outdoors activity.
Andrew and Megan Kvarta
The Kvartas recently moved to Pittstown from Pennsylvania in
July. It was a very busy month for them as their second child,
Jack, was also born. Big sister, Ava, loves her new little brother,
but isn't so happy about sharing her toys. Andrew works for the
state of New Jersey and Megan is a special education teacher in
Pennsylvania. They have really enjoyed getting to know everyone
at the church. “CPC has really welcomed us with open arms and
made us feel like part of the family.”
John Roth
John is the proud father of daughters, Rebecca and Phoebe, and
husband of Martha. He currently works at The Medicines Company
in drug development. He is an avid cyclist and lover of playing
guitars.
December 2015 | 8
Annual Congregational Meeting
January 10 immediately following worship
Please plan on joining us for this important gathering as we begin
the New Year together as a church family.
Team Chairs are asked to submit their Annual Reports
to the church office no later than December 13.
This year the Christian Education and Worship Ministry teams will be making
Advent Devotionals available for both families and adults.
We’ll have these booklets available for you by the last Sunday in November.
December 2015 | 9
Tra nsf ormi ng Missi on
Christmas in Philly
On Sunday, December 6, we will be escorting Santa
to North Philly as he visits the kids from the June
Mission Trip Bible Clubs. The jolly guy will be
spreading Christmas cheer and handing out candy
canes, mittens and gloves. Since Santa usually has
a busy December, he could help from CPC students
and parents. We will leave the church at 12 noon
and return late in the afternoon.
There will be a box in the back of the Sanctuary for
donations of candy canes, mittens and gloves…
Santa is on a tight budget this year. Please let Dave
Kelly or Jill Prakopcyk know if you can join us.
Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Help us make the season
joyful for those who serve
us in ministry.
We will be collecting
donations for the Christmas
Joy offering at the
Christmas Eve services.
The funds raised go directly to the Presbytery
which distributes them to retired people in ministry
and to Presbyterian colleges. Students who plan
to enter ministry or become missionaries will
benefit. You will find special envelopes for the
Christmas Joy donation in the pews, or you can
simply write "Christmas Joy" in the memo on your
check. Please put your envelope/check in the
collection plate during the service.
Your Mission Ministry team thanks you for helping
those who help spread the good news of Jesus
Christ to our world.
Mission Volunteer Opportunities
The Relief Bus on Saturday, December 12
Over the years, CPC has served with the Relief
Bus. The Relief Bus outreach consists of two
former school buses that have been converted to
mobile resource centers that go out to the poor and
homeless in NYC and Newark. Volunteers serve
food, pass out clothing and befriend the poor and
homeless in these cities. Relief Bus staff also
provide social services referrals and spiritual
support.
We will be serving with the Relief Bus on Saturday
evening, December 12 at Port Authority. We need
eight volunteers to join us that evening. Please
contact Dave Kelly if you have any questions or
you’d like to volunteer. (908) 391-6372 or
[email protected])
Thank you for supporting the Relief Bus!
December 2015 | 10
Fait hf ul Ste wa rds hi p
Session Round-Up
Children
Adrienne Hodulik reported that the ministry discussed VBS and volunteers. They also reviewed the “Keeping
Our Children Safe” Policy which is in draft form.
Connections
Mark Holmsborg reported there was progress being made on the float for the Christmas parade.
Finance
Pledges looked good; we are almost at $200K as reported by Bill Kreutel.
Mission
Dave Kelly said that the Thanksgiving Basket assembly was completed and the baskets would be delivered on
Saturday, November 21. He reminded everyone that the Giving Tree was up and people were already taking
down the gift tags.
On Saturday November 28, there will be a group of people going to Safe Harbor in Easton, PA. They will be
making and serving lunch to the homeless in that area. Dave urged anyone interested to see him.
Finally there will be a group of people going to Philadelphia to hand out mittens, gloves and candy canes to the
same area that CPC services in June of every year.
New Business
Tom Brankner and Bill Kreutel each made presentations to the elders on the 2016 Capital Budget. Some
material was handed out and the elders were urged to read it and be prepared to develop a final capital budget
for 2016 at the December meeting.
Pastor
Tracey urged the session to be mindful of participation in Sunday service when they are in town. She also
reminded them of the ornaments on the giving tree and asked them to take some ornaments.
Personnel
Rich Prakopcyk said the ministry was developing a plan for pulpit supply and pastoral coverage when Tracey is
gone for maternity leave next year. The ministry has developed a “Keeping Our Children Safe” Policy which is
currently being reviewed by the Youth & Children’s Ministries. This policy will then be reviewed by Session.
Session
The session approved Rich Maslanka to join the Property Ministry. They approved taking Mary Kayler off the
rolls. Session also approved the baptism of Margaret Mary Blaus on December 13. She is the daughter of
Christopher and Deirdre Blaus. Finally they approved the use of Fellowship Hall by the All Children’s Theatre
for two weeks in late August, 2016.
Worship
Judy Beck reminded everyone that the Hanging of the Greens would be after service on November 22. The
same day the outdoor nativity scene will go up.
December 2015 | 11
December Birthdays
3
4
5
6
7
9
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
22
24
25
26
29
30
31
Ryan Twigg, Bill Warner
Fran O'Reilly
Mary Kayler
Sarah Klepper
Gregory Cocchiola, Lora Pelose
Dennis Kotopoulis
Gillian McCaffrey
Christopher Bittenmaster, Link Heffner
Alvin Peterson, Gail Saltvedt
Tanner Dugan, Mollie Little, George Milligan, Hilary Vogel
Thea Henry, Jason Krushinski, Karen Kursar
Eric Madurki
Victoria Ahmed
Rich Jackle, Sandy Kotter
Jessalyn Peters
Evie Lebron, Gianna Madurki
Holly Giordano
Kim Perez, Bill Sowder
Tanner Heffner
Keely Marsh
Melissa Bieksha, Marisa LaValette
26
27
28
31
Steve and Nancy Hovey
Ralph and Gwili Marsh
Scott and Sandie Lundeen
Colin and Jessica Bruno
Our Boy Scout
Troop 121
November Theme:
Communication
The Troop will be taking
over the care of the church
grounds and lawn.
The Troop hosted a hike for
Webelos to Tripod Rock
Faithful Stewardship
December Anniversaries
Poinsettia Order Form
The annual camping trip
was held; the troop went to
Washington D.C.
Questions - contact Lisa
Miller, Charter
Representative
[email protected] or
730-8004
Deadline for ordering is December 17
If you would like to order a Poinsettia Plant in memory or in honor of someone, use the form below. Your
plant will be used to decorate the sanctuary during the Christmas Season. Complete the order form below
and return it to the church office. Orders will not be filled unless a check is included with the form. Check
should be made out to Clinton Presbyterian Church, 91 Center Street, Clinton, NJ 08809 ($15.00 for each
plant). Please do not place it in the offering plate on Sunday morning.
I would like to order ______ plant(s) at $15.00 per plant for a total of $_________.
________ pink
________ red
________ white
Name ______________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________
Phone ________________________________ Email ________________________

In honor of

In memory of
_____________________________________
The Property Ministry requests that when possible, congregation members avoid using the
outside steps by Fellowship Hall (near the lift) until they can be repaired in spring/ early summer
2016. Cold weather prevents us from executing the awarded contract during below 32OF days.
When using these steps, please proceed with care and do not enter the cordoned off areas.
December 2015 | 12