A Joyful Noise - Atco United Presbyterian Church
Transcription
A Joyful Noise - Atco United Presbyterian Church
Atco Presbyterian Church A Joyful Noise VOLUME 7 NUMBER 3 MAY/JUNE 2016 L Pastor’s Page ove is in the air this summer at Atco Presbyterian Church, plus a lot of other exciting opportunities. You’ll find lots of exciting opportunities in this newsletter—VBS, Missions Yard Sale, and missions opportunities to serve—but I want to focus on Love. In the next two months, three very special couples are going to be married: Jessica Gameron to Pat Czar, Maria DiSciullo to Joe Melchiore, and Sarah Beggs to Todd Dillon. I’ve known Jessica since she was young and coming to Sunday School and Youth Group. We have all laughed with her and cried with her over the years. She always brings a brightness to the room, even when she is hurting. She has impressed us with her ability to overcome as she graduated from college then pursued her masters. Now we get to rejoice with her as she is married. Maria has led us in worship for what must be close to 20 years. Her angelic voice, genuine love for Christ, and commitment to praise and worship have raised us all to our feet to thank God for His amazing gift. This June we will celebrate with her a new gift Christ has brought into her life as she and Joe begin a new road together as one. Then there is my Sarah. As pastor here for over 30 years, you all have celebrated with me as Sarah has grown up. I wrote in these pages about her birth, I’ve used her as a sermon illustration on more occasions than she would care to remember. You held her, babysat her, put up with her at meetings. You prayed for her as she went off to college and kept her in prayer as she graduated. Now I get to celebrate with you again as she is married to a wonderful man this Memorial Day weekend. What a gift it is to be part of this wonderful Church family where we can share together these special moments. Keep these couples in your prayers. Encourage them as they walk together and with Jesus and become one. Pastor Joe The United Presbyterian Church 2259 Atco Avenue Atco, NJ 08004 856-767-5602 [email protected] www.atcopres.org Pastor Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Beggs Church Secretary Kaye Abbamondi Editor Karyn Crislip Mission Knowing Christ and making Him known. Inside This Issue: Pastor’s Page 1 Preaching Calendar 2 Message From the President 2 Deacons’ Helping Hands 3 Session Reports 4 Calendar of Events 7 Koinonia Groups 8 Birthdays and Anniversaries 9 Missions Directory 10 Children’s Activity 11 A JOYFUL NOISE Page 2 Preaching Calendar May 8 – Mother’s Day: Celebrate here with Mom May 15 – Pentecost Birthday Party May 22 – The Family of God May 29 – Memorial Day Remembrance June 5 – God and Politics June 12 – Youth Sunday. One service at 10 am June 16 (Thurs) – 7:30 pm: Lord, Teach Us to Pray June 19 (Sun) – 9:00 am: Father’s Day: “Our Father” June 23 (Thurs) – 7:30 pm June 26 (Sun) – 9:00 am: Who art in heaven June 30 (Thurs) – 7:30 pm July 3 (Sun) – 9:00 am: Hallowed be Your Name A Message From the Corporation President You must be a Christian before you need to be a Christian. Think about the atheist and the bear.... An atheist was taking a walk through the woods. “What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!,” he said to himself. As he continued walking alongside the river, he heard a rustling in the bushes. Turning to look, he saw a 7 -foot grizzly bear charging toward him. He ran as fast as he could up the path. Looking over his shoulder, he saw that the bear was closing in on him. His heart was pumping frantically and he tried to run even faster. He tripped and fell on the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up, but he saw the bear raise his paw to take a swipe at him. At that instant the atheist cried out, “Oh my God!” Time stopped. The bear froze. The forest was silent. It was then that a bright light shone upon the man and a voice came out of the sky saying, “'You deny my existence for all of these years, you teach others that I don't exist, and you even credit creation to a cosmic acci- dent. Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?” The atheist looked directly into the light. “It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask you to treat me as a Christian now, but perhaps, could you make the BEAR a Christian?” “Very well,” said the voice. The light went out, and the sounds of the forest resumed. And then the bear lowered his paw, bowed his head and spoke, “Lord, bless this food which I am about to receive and for which I am truly thankful. Amen.” Verify that you are a Christian and THEN enjoy your summer!!! May God continue to bless you. Tony Clark VOLUME 7 NUMBER 3 Page 3 Prayer Shawl Ministry I am so thankful to the ladies who are knitting or crocheting those beautiful shawls. I have received such loving and sincere letters of gratitude for the peace and hope that they give the recipients. We have given at least 225 shawls away to various people. If you know of anyone who could use a little bit of comfort prayers and support, please take a shawl. They are located in the small study room behind the sound system in the church. If you know anyone who would like to join our ministry, please let me know. We only meet every 3rd month to pray over the new shawls and then wrap them in special bags. Paula Wojciechowki Contemporary Worship Service: 8:15 am Traditional Worship Service: 11:00 am Sunday School: 9:45 am _________ Summer Schedule Contemporary Worship Service: Thursday, 7:30 pm Traditional Worship Service: Sunday, 10:00 am Second Chapter (A Gathering of Merry Widows) On March 19th, members of Second Chapter and their families and friends traveled to the Fountains of Life Center in Burlington to enjoy the presentation of “He Is Alive.” The show portrayed the last week of Jesus’ life and His crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. If you didn’t go with us this year, make a note to yourselves to go next year. It is a breath-taking portrayal, and it brings us so much closer to what Easter is really about. On Saturday, May 7th, the day before Mother’s Day, we will meet at Victory Restaurant on Route 73 at 12:00 pm for lunch. There is usually a surprise gift for all ladies who attend. Contact Sandy Russell at 856-7674444 to tell her you will be there. Ideas for additional outings are encouraged. Please contact Sandy if you have a friend who is a recent widow, as we would like to get to know her. Sandy Russell A JOYFUL NOISE Page 4 Board of Deacons Report Session Reports Deacons’ Helping Hands Christian Education We have had a busy spring! In March, the Food Bank fed 7 families, the Food Bus fed 26 families at Calvary Baptist Church, and Easter Food Baskets were given to 5 families, along with Easter baskets for the children. The Visitation continues to meet with the ill and the shut-ins. Nineteen families were visited. We delivered prayer shawls to those needing them. Comfort meals of soup or dinners were delivered to 30 families. Twenty-nine greeting cards were sent to those who were sick or bereaved. The Bereavement committee was privileged to serve a luncheon for 100 guests and to deliver fruit baskets to 2 families. Currently, we are in the midst of a drive to assist Choices of the Heart with their mission to be there for pregnant mothers, giving them options other than abortion. Bottles to be filled with coins and plastic bags to be filled with thrift shop items were distributed on April 17th. The date to return them is May 8th, Mother’s Day. We continue to look for ways to serve our Master by helping you or someone you know. Please call the church office at 856-767-5602 with requests for help. Denise Sachs, Moderator I’d like to introduce myself again. My name is Sue Edmondson and I am returning as the Christian Education Elder. I feel blessed and honored to be leading this important and special program in our church. If you have any questions or concerns regarding Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, or Koinonia groups, please contact me at [email protected] or 609-605-6770. Sunday School Promotion Sunday will be held on June 5th. This is a wonderful event held between the two services. The children receive their pins or attendance certificates for the year. Come show your support for our smallest members and all the work our Sunday School teachers do throughout the year. Vacation Bible School is scheduled for the week of July 18th to the 22nd. This year’s theme is a spin off the theme of Star Wars……”ScarForce.” It’s a FREE event for children ages 2-13. Please look for information regarding sign ups and meetings. We can use help in small and large ways. The Koinonia groups are continuing their small study groups. They have been very active this year with different mission activities such as the Food Bus. These groups are listed in the back of the bulletin each week if you are interested in joining one. Contact Jeff Erbig or one of the group leaders if you have questions or ideas. Sue Edmondson VOLUME 7 NUMBER 3 Page 5 Koinonia News Buildings and Grounds We are looking to start a brand new Koinonia group to meet on Thursday Evenings at the church. It would run from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. The first 30 minutes would tie in directly with our weekly Thursday evening prayer meeting and then the Koinonia group would break off at7:30 pm into their own meeting and study time. The frequency (weekly, bi-weekly, twice a month, etc.) would be determined by those who sign up. The initial study is still yet to be determined. We would first like to see if we have enough interest to form a group. We are also be looking for someone to lead the group. I, personally, will train/teach you how to run a small group. If you are interested in either being a part of or leading a Thursday evening Koinonia group, please contact me at 856-5660377 (email: [email protected]). Joshua's Tree will be starting a new study on Proverbs from the Life Change Series starting Friday, May 13th, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the home of Jeff and Karen Erbig. Here is a summary of what to expect from this study: The book of Proverbs contains a wealth of practical wisdom for everyday living. Its teachings are timeless, and they provide helpful guidelines on almost every aspect of personal conduct imaginable, including goodness, folly, sin, wealth and poverty, the tongue, pride and humility, justice, vengeance, strife, gluttony, love, lust, laziness, friendships, the family, and life and death. Christians have a lifelong goal: to become like Christ. This involves change, and change isn't always easy. But the more you know of God's purposes for you, the more you can experience His joy and participate in His plan. Jeff Erbig April showers bring May flowers, and grass. Thanks to those who came out for the spring cleanup day on March 19th. We were able to clean up the grounds for Palm Sunday and the Easter egg hunt. The bushes are trimmed and mulch should be down by the time this is printed. If you would like to help with lawn care or any other B&G projects, just call, text (609-241-4221) or email ([email protected]) me. Russ Ranck The Youth Group has been having a ton of fun at our meetings! We certainly have a lively group of kids this year. We learned several new stories from the Bible, and we are now working on memorizing all of the books of the Bible! It is a busy time of year for our youth. Not only do a lot of sports start up for the spring season, but the annual testing in school takes place as well. Please keep our youth in your prayers with everything going on in their lives. We pray that they will be able to focus on what plans God has in store for them and not stray from His path. Please be sure to save the date for Youth Sunday: June 12th at 10 am! You definitely don't want to miss this! We will have fun games for the congregation. As the summer months draw close, we will be wrapping up for the season, and on Youth Sunday we will go out with a bang! But don't worry! We will be back for VBS! Thanks to our congregation for supporting the youth and for the parents who drive them to our meetings! Amy Troendle A JOYFUL NOISE Page 6 Stewardship Committee Missions Ministry News Hello there, church family! I’d like to thank you all for your continued support of our church with your pledges and other contributions. If you haven’t done so, yet, be sure to pay your per capita before heading out to the beach this summer. Please take a moment to look over the short reports that Tony Clark has been adding to our bulletin every month, showing where we stand with budget versus expenses. Remember that you can be a great steward in more ways than one. Give your time and talents! We have the Food Bus, youth groups, and many community events coming up. Find out how you can get involved. Jessica Milner The Missions team has been very busy organizing some exciting opportunities for you to get involved and share the Lord’s love with those less fortunate. Our Seniors Ministry has really taken off with Marge Reagan and Tony Clark handing out birthday goodie bags each month to our seniors in the church and bringing them some Christian birthday cheer. Marge Reagan recently joined the War Memorial Committee and she will be sharing with us ways in which the Missions ministry can get involved with our veterans. We are planning a Missions Yard Sale at the church on May 14th. The money raised will help fund a future Missions trip. Please support the Missions ministry by reserving a table (or more!) for $10.00 per table, or you may donate items to the “Missions Table” and we will sell them for you. Please drop your Missions Table items off on the Manse porch and label them “Missions Yard Sale.” Come out and browse the many treasures that will be for sale. On Thursday, June 2nd, we have a very special guest coming to visit us—our missionary, Brenda Johnston from Children of Promise Ministries in Namibia! We will welcome Brenda with a special dinner that you all will be invited to attend, and Brenda will be our guest speaker. So, please mark your calendars and plan to attend the dinner and meet Brenda. Last, but not least, we will be going back to Camden with Seeds of Hope Ministries on Saturday, June 4th, to help prepare and serve breakfast to the residents in the neighborhood This is an awesome Christian ministry that will leave everyone involved feeling blessed and uplifted. We need 12 people to help, so please let Karyn Crislip know if you’d like to attend. She will send out more information about the breakfast shortly. If you’re looking for ways to volunteer, please see one of the Missions Team members (posted on the Missions bulletin board in the stairwell). This ministry is growing quickly, but so are the needs. We’d love to have you on our team to help us share the love of Jesus! Karyn Crislip and Cheryl Nduati VOLUME 7 NUMBER 3 Page 7 Calendar of Events Ongoing Events/Ministries Please see the Ministries Directory for contact information for each group. All meetings are at the church unless otherwise indicated: Missions Yard Sale! Please help support the Missions Ministry! We’re raising money for a future Missions trip. th When: Saturday, May 14 , 8 am – 12 noon (Rain date: May 21st) Where: The church parking lot. Cost: Tables are $10.00 each. Cheryl Nduati and Karyn Crislip will be collecting the money for the tables on the day of the yard sale. Sign up! There’s a signup sheet in the Narthex. Missions Table: We will have a “Missions” table where we will sell items. All proceeds from items sold from the Missions table will go into a fund for Missions trips. Donated items may be dropped off on the Manse porch. We are also asking that everyone who will have a table at the yard sale donate 1 item to the Missions table. Contact: For more information: Cheryl Nduati, tel: 609725-2926; email: [email protected]; Karyn Crislip, tel: 856-725-0689; email: [email protected] Bluebirds, last Thurs of every month, 1:00 pm. Chancel Choir, Thurs, 7:00 pm. Handbell Choir, Tues, 7:00 pm. Junior Choir, Mon, 6:30 to 7:10 pm. Koinonia Groups, see Koinonia page. Prayer Meeting, Thurs, 7:00 pm. Praise Dancers, Tues, 6:00 pm. Youth Group, every 1st and 3rd Tues, 6:30 pm. Solid Grounds Coffeehouse, 1st Fri, 7:30—8:30 pm Women’s Circle of Friends, 4th Tues of each month, 12 noon at Ocean’s Restaurant in West Berlin. Church Softball Game When: June 5th, 1:30 pm Where: Ritter Field, Atco Who: Jr. high and older, male and female Sign up: In the sign up area in the Narthex A JOYFUL NOISE Page 8 Koinonia Groups KOINONIA GROUPS….Our Koinonia (which means “fellowship”) ministry is designed to help us grow, no matter where we are in our walk with the Lord. It is in small groups like these where we can experience tremendous growth in our faith, trust and knowledge of the Lord. Make it a point this month to earnestly set out to seek the Lord, to grow in the knowledge of His word and deepen your relationship with Him and with others in our church. Jeremiah 29:13 says: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart”. Below is a list of groups with the location, day and time they meet. TIME GROUP MONDAY (Every ) 7:00 PM GOD’S AWESOME PEOPLE “HEBREWS” CHRIS TROENDLE (609) 707-6109 KRISTI CLARK (609) 519-7665 CHRIS & SARA TROENDLE (MARLTON) (Child care provided) WEDNESDAY (Every) 9:30 AM WED. A.M. BIBLE STUDY “THE TEN COMMANDMENTS PASTOR JOE (856) 767-5602 WEDNESDAY (2nd & 3rd) 7:00 PM THE GOD SQUAD “I NEVER THOUGHT I’D SEE THE DAY” (NEW) DON & MARY HARBERT (856) 767-5807 DOWNSTAIRS IN THE YOUTH ROOM DAVE & BEV THOMPSON (MARLTON LAKES) WEDNESDAY (Every) 7:00 PM SISTERS IN CHRIST “BECOMING MORE THAN A BIBLE STUDY GIRL” PAULA WOJCIECHOWSKI (856) 767-4799 IRENE BORELLI (856) 340-9331 VARIOUS HOMES WEDNESDAY (2nd & 4th) 7:00 PM KINDRED SPIRITS “HOPE” SUE SINELNIK (856) 768-3697 RON WEBB (856) 728-9777 ROB CAVALLARO (ATCO) BARBARA VEILLEUX (ATCO) FRIDAY (2nd & 4th) 6:30 PM JOSHUA’S TREE “PROVERBS” JEFF & KAREN ERBIG (856) 566--0377 JEFF & KAREN ERBIG (PINE HILL) SATURDAY (Every) 11:00 AM GOD’S WORD “THE JOURNEY NUMBERS” ANN MARIE DICROCE (856) 767-5525 ANN MARIE DICROCE (ATCO) (Children Friendly) SUNDAY (Every) 9:45 A.M. WISDOM SEEKERS “1 PETER” (WILL RESUME 5/22) PASTOR JOE (856) 767-5602 DOWNSTAIRS IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL DAY STUDY LEADERS HOSTS Please call any one of the leaders to find out more information about their particular group. If you would like to start a new group or host a group in your home, please call Jeff Erbig, our Koinonia director at 856-566-0377 or e-mail him at [email protected]. VOLUME 7 NUMBER 3 Page 9 Megan Reynolds Gary Rushton Ruben Meyer Julian Ciocco Wende Nachman Jane Shinkarow Lisa Lysinger Dottie Latrella Lee Ann Gallaher Denise Hackett Alexandria Fallon Alex Robinson Alyssa Robinson Haniel Nduati Cooper Schipske Gail DelMonte Laurel Muhs Sarah Crump Adam Harbert Marlyn Messina Nicolas Stoudt Irene Jones Jackie Evans Noelle DeAntonellis Andrea Zahoroiko Katie Franzen Charlie Regn Lorelei Campbell Colin Rucci Mimi Tyler Bonnie Miller Tracey Holbrook Alicia Regn Donna Christy Debbie Hegeman McKenna Stoudt Russ Ranck Steve Sorge Fran Webb Luke Walkwitz Gracie Campbell Richard Bowman 5/2/2001 5/5/1954 5/5/1983 5/5/1993 5/6/1977 5/7/1957 5/7/1976 5/8/1983 5/9/1952 5/9/1972 5/9/1990 5/9/1990 5/9/1990 5/9/1964 5/11/2000 5/11/1955 5/11/1963 5/11/1988 5/13/2006 5/14/1923 5/14/2005 5/16/1945 5/18/1952 5/19/2010 5/20/2005 5/21/1997 5/23/2012 5/25/2002 5/25/2002 5/26/1949 5/26/1950 5/26/1963 5/27/1980 5/28/1948 5/28/1958 5/28/2003 5/29/1947 5/29/1951 5/30/1947 5/30/1997 5/31/1999 5/31/1929 Anthony Franzen Megan Sorge Tammy Crump Kevin Edmondson Grace McGuckin Geheem Keller Alyssa Sebazco Christopher Sebazco 6/1/1994 6/3/1985 6/4/1965 6/4/1993 6/4/2004 6/5/2000 6/5/2009 6/5/2009 Cooper Lysinger John Sachs Sean Farlow Hunter Miller Cooper Schipske Ann Marie DiCroce Rebecca Crislip Mark Edmondson Nancy Beggs Christina Beggs Rick Iles Kathy Hamilton Monica Batastini Peter Pellegrino Nicoline Chi Nkam Joe Beggs Sue Sinelnik Doreen McClintock Emma Carson Dolly Liccese Greg Schipske Bob Iles Susan Weingartner Colleen Rucci Andrew Nduati Diane Chapline Beata Schuckle 6/6/2006 6/7/1959 6/10/1985 6/10/2003 6/11/2000 6/13/1955 6/14/1991 6/14/1988 6/15/1960 6/15/2005 6/15/1953 6/16/1951 6/17/1983 6/18/1961 6/19/1980 6/20/1958 6/21/1951 6/21/1959 6/22/2011 6/22/1959 6/22/1969 6/24/1944 6/26/1947 6/26/1973 6/27/1996 6/28/1941 6/28/1980 Mike & Donna McCallion Ken & Kaye Abbamondi Brian & Joanne Sebazco Don & Norma Cook Tracey & Jill Emmons Ed & Mary Nachman Greg & Laurel Muhs Jeff & Jackie Chapline 5/4/1985 5/18/1980 5/19/2001 5/20/1950 5/22/1993 5/24/2003 5/26/1984 5/30/1998 George & Tracey Holbrook Mario & Martha DeAntonellis Stan & Kathy Banes Roger & Lori Weikle Hal & Peggy Farlow Sherie & Rick Troendle Dave & Charlene Campbell Ray & Vera Rushton Gary & Lisa Robinson Todd & Tammy Crump Joan & Bob Mahorter George & Donna Brimfield Dan & Judy DeAntonellis Tony & Toni Clark Pete & Tammy Pellegrino 6/2/1983 6/6/1962 6/9/1962 6/10/1995 6/14/1975 6/19/1976 6/20/1998 6/21/1953 6/21/1986 6/22/1985 6/22/1957 6/27/1970 6/29/2009 6/29/1974 6/29/1985 Ministries Directory Bluebirds Chrissy Vant 856-768-0564 [email protected] Bowling League Patrick Riley 609-481-7948 [email protected] Chancel Choir Patrick Riley 609-481-7948 [email protected] Christ Chimers Handbell Choir Patrick Riley 609-481-7948 [email protected] Junior Choir Gail DelMonte 856-767-2623 [email protected] Kononia Groups Jeff Erbig (Director) 856-566-0377 [email protected] Men’s Fellowship Pastor Joe 856-767-5602 [email protected] Praise Dancers Karen Erbig 856-566-0377 [email protected] Carol Ranck 856-767-5251 [email protected] Prayer Shawl Ministry Paula Wojciechowki 856-767-4799 [email protected] Second Chapter Sandy Russell 856-767-4444 [email protected] Vacation Bible School (VBS) Gail Del Monte 767-2623 [email protected] BOARD OF DEACONS: Moderator Denise Sachs 856-582-7764 [email protected] Bereavement Sandy Russell (Secretary) 856-767-4444 Patrick Riley 609-481-7948 [email protected] Food Bank Denise Sachs 856-582-7764 [email protected] Kaye Abbamondi 856-767-4332 [email protected] Budget and Finance Tony Clark 856-768-1486 [email protected] Buildings & Grounds Russ Ranck H: 856-767-5251 C: 609-241-4221 [email protected] Christian Education Sue Edmondson 609-605-6770 [email protected] Church Life & Fellowship Chrissy Vant 856-768-0564 [email protected] Holiday Baskets Honey Brogden 856-767-9274 [email protected] Brenda Rushton 856-782-0766 [email protected] Evangelism Gary Rushton 856-782-0766 [email protected] Tammy Crump 856-753-7004 [email protected] LAY Ministry Jean McDowell 856-767-0438 Missions Cheryl Nduati 609-725-2926 [email protected] Special Projects (Position Open) Transportation Donna Christy 856-753-9558 [email protected] Treasurer Sara Troendle 609-417-5098 [email protected] Visitation Joan Mahorter 856-767-3367 SESSION OF ELDERS: Clerk Fran Webb 856-728-9777 [email protected] Nurture Jeff Erbig 856-566-0377 [email protected] Stewardship Jessica Milner 856-210-6187 [email protected] Sunday School Superintendent (Position Open) Worship (Position Open) Youth Group (Grades 3 and up) Greg Schipske, Elder and Leader 856-768-2545 [email protected] Assistant Leaders: Children’s Activity Page NONPROFIT ORG. The Atco United Presbyterian Church 2259 Atco Avenue Atco, NJ 08004 U.S. POSTAGE PAID CHERRY HILL NJ PERMIT NO. 84 Current Resident or