Gathering Sunday - Hightstownpres.org
Transcription
Gathering Sunday - Hightstownpres.org
First Presbyterian Church Hightstown, NJ 08520 Volume 22, Number 7 July/August 2016 MISSION STATEMENT: Bringing Faith to Life by Loving God and Serving Others Adopted by Session, August 2013 IT’S TIME FOR 2016 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL! August 1 – 5 Children, preschool through 7th grade, are invited to join us in August for this year’s Vacation Bible School program. Registration forms are available from the church office or online at the church website www.hightstownpres.org. We will meet Monday – Friday, August 1-5 — 9 AM – 12 Noon On Friday evening, August 5 at 7 PM, there will be a program for families, AND the children will lead worship on Sunday, August 7th at our summer community service. We hope to see you there!!! Gathering Sunday Sunday, September 11, 2016 Worship returns to 10:30 a.m. with choir singing. Sunday school for all ages starts up at 9:15. We’ll mark the 15th Anniversary of 9-11 with a litany of remembrance. Following worship, please plan to bring a dish to share (serving 8-10), and we’ll enjoy hot dogs and hamburgers prepared by the Fellowship Committee. From the Pastor This summer in worship we’ll be following two themes for preaching. We’ll reflect on stories from the life of Jesus as depicted in the banners our Art Ministry has installed for us. See if you can spot which one is featured each week. A second theme is Creation—connected to the three Genesis-Creation field trips that have been organized this summer. The last Saturday of each month involves an exploration of some facet of God’s good creation – suitable for folks of any age. In June, the stars were explored. On July 30, the wonders of the garden will be explored in a day trip to Longwood Gardens. The sea will be our destination on August 27 th. Each outing includes an opportunity to reflect on scripture and to contribute offerings – poetry, musings, photography or other art work, which will be incorporated into a later worship service focusing on the theme. Even if you are unable to join the field trips, I invite you to take some time this summer to slow down, notice and give thanks to the God who made summer and winter, and who made you. Consider meditating on Genesis 1 and 2, and Psalm 104, a beautiful song to the Creator. Have you noticed that recreation includes creation in it? The gift of Sabbath, and the gift some among us receive of a slower pace in the summer gives us time to connect with God our Creator and Sustainer in a new way. This summer, let God’s creation be the inspiration for your prayers. Take some time if you are at the shore to allow the rhythm of the waves to guide your meditations. Count your blessings with each incoming wave and release your cares to the God who set the boundary of the sea with each outgoing wave. If you are in the mountains, give thanks to the God who is our rock and our refuge. If you are at home, let the luminescence of the fireflies help you sing praises to God who lights up the darkness, to Jesus who is the light of the world. Join the birds in the morning in singing alleluias to God whose mercies are as sure as the sunrise each morning. Let the stars at night give you reason to give thanks to the God whose love is more infinite than the stretched out universe. Take the time to marvel, wonder and give thanks. Eternal God, your touch makes this world holy. Open our eyes to see your hand at work in the splendor of creation, and in the beauty of human life. Help us to cherish the gifts that surround us, to share your blessings with our sisters and brothers, and to experience the joy of life in your presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. May you experience this joy of life in the presence of our Triune God these summer months, and always; and may that joy overflow into acts of loving generosity toward your neighbors wherever you may find them. Grace and gratitude, Lisa Guest Preachers We’re so pleased to have some old and new voices leading us in worship this summer. Please extend a warm welcome to these guest preachers this summer while Pastor Lisa is away on study leave and vacation. On July 10, our own Tom Walton, new graduate from New Brunswick Theological Seminary, will be preaching. On July 17, Chaplain Ted Taylor, Director of Pastoral Care & Training at RWJ University Hospital Hamilton will join us. Ted, an active member of WHAM – the Windsor-Hightstown Area Ministerium, provides both pastoral care as well as directing the Clinical Pastoral Education Program at the hospital – helping to train seminarians. On July 24, Leslie Virnelson will be our preacher. Leslie comes from Cleveland (and may still be celebrating the Cavaliers victory in July), and is entering her senior year as an M. Div student at Princeton Theological Seminary. This summer she is working in Piscataway at the Beth Mardutho Syriac Institute cataloging their library. Her interests include literature, news, gardening, and listening to organ music. Pastoral Care while Pastor Lisa is away Pastoral Care coverage will be well-provided while Pastor Lisa is away on study leave and vacation from July 8 to July 24. If you have a pastoral care emergency during her absence, please call the Church Office (609.448.0055) or, when the office is closed, the On-Call Elders: Cathy Anzuini (609.516.8210) or Dilys Henninger (609.947.4064). They can put you in touch with our pastoral care back up provider. Pastor Lisa wants to Spoil Your Dinner! Join Pastor Lisa to celebrate the closing days of summer for her third annual Spoil Your Dinner outing. Pastor Lisa will be hanging out at Gil and Bert’s Ice Cream at 69 North Main Street in Cranbury between 4 and 5 pm on August 31st. Bring a friend by for a kid cone. The Pastor will treat both the young and young at heart. Looking Back and Stepping Forward! There are so many to thank before we step into summer. The first thank you is to all parents. The attendance in Sunday school has become consistent. This is a huge gift that you give weekly, not only to your children, but to the teachers that prepare for each Sunday morning. Faith begins at home and it is a privilege to partner with you on this journey. KIDS CLUB was a popular midweek event already, but in January we saw a growth spurt that made it necessary to buy 2 new tables! We had 58 children registered and most weeks had a minimum of 50 children attending. This shows that KIDS CLUB has become a priority to families. We once again thank parents. When we know the number attending we can plan meals, activities, and classes! Together we can grow as a community of faith. The fact that those attending Sunday school were also present on Wednesday from 5 pm to 7pm is worth mentioning. This means families made a commitment twice a week! This year the Youth Group was blessed by the addition of Zack Marcus to the leadership team. Zack’s energy and ability to plan games is second to none! Well maybe his mother, Ginger, who is always ready to challenge the youth with a new game or activity. Last, but not least a thank you to the children and youth that attended and helped out! The enthusiasm that they brought each time we gathered for the Lord made a difference for all each week! The list of volunteers that help with these programs is long! For every program that CE sponsors, dedicated volunteers have had to make a 10-month weekly commitment. As the saying goes “The show must go on!” This summer I ask you to lift up our volunteers in prayer, that they may be renewed and ready to serve when the programs start up in September... Cathy Anziuni, Sandy Anziuni, Donna Bevensee, Berty Cass, Madeline Christie, Natasha Darko, Amanda Devlin, Danielle Devlin, Sheri Devlin, Lauren Diaz, Christian Flagg, Kristina Flagg, Krystal Flagg, Melissa Florke, Dilys Henninger, Brian Kokal, Nancy Laudenberger, Jillian Marcus, Ron Niebo, Rennie Palmer, Will Palmer, Brain Porter, Maggie Rider, Abi Rivenburgh, Heather Sargent, Ben Schachter, Donna Scheifele, Jeannette Schneider, Samantha Sheehan, Jane Silverman, Chris Stults, Anne Willis, Matthew Yunga, Kathy Zaiser Church Office – Summer Schedule From July 1 through September 2, the church office will be open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 10:00am-3pm. The office will be closed on Monday and Friday. Though the front office will not be staffed, Pastor Lisa ([email protected]) and Mary Maleski ([email protected]) are working full time through the summer (when not away on scheduled vacation or study leave). Please call or email them directly at times when the office is closed. Is God Calling YOU to Be Part of One of the CE Programs? As we lean into plans for the upcoming year we recognize with growth there is a need for more volunteers in all programs. I ask that you prayerfully consider whether you might hear God calling you to be a volunteer in one or more of the programs sponsored at FPCH. Even if you can’t participate on a weekly basis consider committing to the role of substitute. SUNDAY SCHOOL Preschool Teacher K-4th Grade Teacher—(September-November and April-May) Middle School Teacher KIDS CLUB Shepherds Table Parents (Come eat Dinner! This commitment is from 5:15-6:15) Aides in Art/Games/Music/Kitchen Someone to arrive at 4:30 to wipe down tables and prepare Fellowship Hall for dinner Drivers—Some attendees need transportation on a regular basis or in bad weather YOUTH GROUP CLOSETS Leaders for both Junior High and Senior High Get the closets ready for Fall (this is a one time activity that is greatly needed!) Consider each of the areas and see if there is a way that you can participate. Is this where God is calling you to serve? Prayerfully consider saying YES. Sharing Our Stories All women! You are invited to join for a time of fellowship and conversation When? 3rd Thursday of every month Where? Youth Lounge When? 7-8:30 pm Conversation? The conversation is scripture based, sometimes with a supporting story or DVD Do I need to bring anything? Nothing—just yourself and your Bible We will meet July 21 and August 18 Contact Mary ([email protected]) for more info KAYAK? Looking for an adventure? Susan Matson is looking to set up a Kayak trip this summer and would love to know who is interested. If you don’t have your own but want to join in the fun, contact Susan and let her know. The sooner you are in touch with her, the sooner a date can be set. Contact Susan Matson: [email protected] Summer Series Genesis: Creation! Genesis – everyone, believer or not, knows the story: God created the universe in six days, out of nothing, merely by speaking. Creating form out of chaos, separating light from darkness, dry land from water, the sky from the sea. Creating plants, animals, and in His own image, us. This three part series looks at key scripture passages that we are all familiar with, but takes us to some unfamiliar places. We gathered for stargazing, and will also visit a botanical garden, and the ocean where creation’s mysteries can be seen, felt, touched. We will reflect on these experiences and use photography and writing as tools to reveal what these things mean to us. The fruits of our reflections will be part of services following each workshop on July 31, August 21, and September 11. This is an intergenerational activity and all ages are welcome. All workshops take place on the last Saturday of the month. Workshop dates, times and places: "Let there be lights in the dome of the sky" – Genesis 1:14 Stargazing June 25th We gathered at the church at 7:00pm for some activities that focused on the mysteries of the universe's creation, led by Reneé Naden, who showed us some fun and enlightening ways to experience God’s creative power. Then at 9:00pm we traveled a short distance (6 miles) to the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area for stargazing. Telescopes were provided, as well as some other interesting celestial observation equipment. Let the earth put forth vegetation" – Genesis 1:12 Longwood Botanical Gradens July 30th Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA, are a living expression of garden design to inspire and enlighten visitors. Inspiring, meaningful, beautiful and awe-inspiring discoveries await at every turn. We will gather at the church at 8:00amand will carpool to the gardens to explore the beauty of God's creation. Admission is $20 for adults, $17 for seniors, and $10 for 5-18 year olds; free for 4 years old and under. The drive each way is approximately 1 ½ hours. "Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place" – Genesis 1:9 Jersey shore – location to be decided – August 27th It is believed that life on earth first started in the oceans. There are nearly 3,000 public beach, bay, and river access points at the Jersey Shore. We will be seeking out one of the lesser-visited shore points where we can enjoy, contemplate and be inspired by the vast expanse of ocean, take pictures and break bread together. This workshop will take place rain or shine. For more information or to register, contact the church office at 609-448-0055, or email Dave Teich [email protected] SUMMER BIRTHDAYS AUGUST JULY Jonathan Abazia Berty Cass Grace Lozito Tommy Burgess Philip Kramer Myla Arumugam Jane Cox Kyle Bini Maggie Monney-Diallo Kate Borsuk Chris Stults Mackenzie Hutchinson Wendy Reiss Ceci Laudenberger Jack Olsen Bobbie Rodriguez Cappy Stults Katie Burgess Dylan Richmond Carol Duryea Ethan Sagbo Vincent Bibens Emily Gosnell Trevor Niebo Shelby Wallace July 3 July 3 July 6 July 7 July 7 July 8 July 9 July 15 July 18 July 20 July 20 July 21 July 21 July 22 July 22 July 22 July 22 July 24 July 24 July 25 July 26 July 28 July 28 July 30 July 30 Jackie Hart Reid Borsuk Dave Bini Andrew White Julia Langfeld Zach Marcus Joanne Bini Jeannette Schneider Adrienne Carroll Peter Klapsogeorge Jr Lindsay Woods Sherri Foran Courtney Dahlinger Anna Godbold Stephanie Kozak Hannah Sargent Maggie Rider Robert Herrick Warren Wilson Peter Vroom Christye Wham Bob Darko August 1 August 4 August 8 August 9 August 10 August 10 August 13 August 13 August 14 August 15 August 16 August 17 August 19 August 20 August 20 August 20 August 22 August 23 August 24 August 27 August 28 August 30 AUGUST JULY CHURCH CALENDAR July 1/4 Independence Day July 2 8 AM 10 AM July 4 3:30 PM 7 PM July 11 3:30 PM 7 PM July 14 7 PM July 16 7 PM July 18 3:30 PM 7 PM July 20 5:30 PM July 21 7 PM July 25 3:30 PM 7 PM July 30 12:00PM Church Office Closed Men’s Breakfast Building & Grounds Work Day NO Community Dinner Art Ministry Community Dinner Art Ministry, BIC Trenton Thunder Conversations with The Word Community Dinner Art Ministry Family Movie Night Sharing Our Stories Community Dinner Art Ministry Latino Festival, Rocky Brook Park August 1-5 August 1 Vacation Bible School Community Dinner Art Ministry Vacation Bible School Family Night Men’s Breakfast Building & Grounds Work Day Community Service @ FPCH Community Dinner Art Ministry, BIC Community Dinner Art Ministry NEWSLETTER DEADLINE Sharing Our Stories Conversations with The Word Community Dinner Art Ministry Community Dinner Art Ministry August 5 August 6 August 7 August 8 August 15 August August August August 16 18 20 22 August 29 9 AM 3:30 PM 7 PM 7 PM 8 AM 10 AM 10 AM 3:30 PM 7 PM 3:30 PM 7 PM 7 7 3:30 7 3:30 7 PM PM PM PM PM PM DEACONS PAGE Care Ministry leaders: Who to Contact When… If you have a particular need, joy or concern in one of these areas please let these Deacons know. If you prefer Pastor Lisa Day, Deacon Moderator Catherine Vincent or Church Office Manager Sheri Devlin can pass along your information: Birth, Adoption, Baptism Sherri Foran, Sam Sheenan Card Ministry Milly K Brown Meals/Rides/Practical Assistance Emily Gosnell Illness & Hospitalization Donna Scheifele Prayer Ministry Catherine Vincent Homebound Visitation/ Long Term Illness Dolores Cleary Mearmon Davis, Kathy Zaiser Young Adults Home Communion The Pastor and Deacons will bring home communion to anyone unable to attend worship on the first Sunday of the month. Please let Pastor Lisa Day, Deacon Moderator, Catherine Vincent or any Deacon or Elder know that you or a family member desire communion at home or in the hospital. Help us visit the homebound! If you know of someone who is unable to come to church or get out and about, help us make contact by passing along their names, or by volunteering to visit them yourself. If mobility or lack of transportation makes participating in the full life of the church difficult, the Deacons are here to help. Questions about anything on these pages? Contact Deacon Moderator Catherine Vincent at 609-443-5751 or [email protected] DEACON The Deacons collect non-perishable food items EVERY Sunday! You can place your food FOOD donation in the Food Box at any time. The Food is located in the narthex. All donations are BOX Box collected for the Rise's food bank. THANKS! MIDNIGHT RUN SCHEDULED FOR FALL This fall members of our church will be going into New York City to pass out bagged meals and clothing to the homeless. You can learn more about this wonderful ministry by visiting their website midnightrun.org. It is our hope that we will make a difference in many lives, and we could use your help too! Summer Time is the perfect time to begin to slowly donate to the MIDNIGHT RUN! Check the list for items that are needed. There will be other items as we get closer to the date. Gift Cards should be given to Dilys Henninger—other items may be put in the Narthex in the MIDNIGHT RUN Offering Bin. Remember us as you are putting away or taking out your winter items. Please make sure items are clean before donating. GIFT CARDS: To Dilys Henninger ————- BEVERAGES/ BOTTLES OF: Beginning with the October 2016 issue, the Presby Press will no longer be mailed unless you specifically request to opt in. You will still have easy access to hard copies in the narthex on Sundays, and to the full color electronic version anytime online via the website or the link on the left hand side of each week’s issue of Connections. Your choice to stop having it mailed will save many valuable resources, from paper, toner, and mailing costs, to the great amount of staff time spent each month on production, labeling and mailing of the hard copy. If you have questions, or would like to continue to receive a mailed copy, please be in touch with the church office. Also, we’re glad to sign you up to receive the beautiful, brief and informative weekly Connections email. Gatorade or Powerade Ice Tea Water ———— INDIVIDUAL PACKAGES OF: Granola Bars Snacks Chips Pretzels Trail Mix Peanuts Apple Sauce (individual) ———————— TOILETRIES: (Trial Size) Toothbrushes Toothpaste Soap Hand Lotion Deodorant (Regular Size) Shampoo/Conditioner Shavers (Mens & Womens) Individual Tissues Chapstick DONATE! PRESBY PRESS Going Green (and saving some green)… Shop Rite Walmart Target ———— CLOTHING: For both Men & Women, Gently Used & Washed: Shirts (not orange) - long & short sleeve Button down shirts (Flannel & Regular) Sweatshirts Pants Sweat Pants —NEW Undershirts (Black) Underwear (For Men & Women) Socks Sports Bras for Women! ————- MISC: Combs/Hair brushes Wash Clothes (NEW) Hand Towels Blankets—Preferably not white Gloves Hats Summer Special Music Our summer special music began this year on Sunday, June 19, with Lauren Diaz singing a solo, followed on June 26 with Trevor Niebo on the guitar. We will continue our special music through July and August with the following members and guests joining us to share time and talent and inspire us as we worship our Lord. The schedule is as follows: July 3 July 10 July 17 July 24 July 31 August 7 August 14 August 21 August 28 Christianne Bessières Lane, Guest Pianist Tom Walton Sanctuary Choir Bell Choir Jillian Schneider Vacation Bible School Singers Randy Shuler, Hand Bells TBD Lily Rivenburgh, Piano Sanctuary Flowers Did you know that you can order flowers to decorate our Sanctuary on any Sunday? You can order flowers in celebration or memory of someone or something important in your life. When you order flowers for the Sanctuary for a Sunday morning worship service, let Joan Newell know if you plan to keep the flowers or if the Deacons may deliver them to someone who is ill. Also, it is important that you contact Joan AT LEAST 10 DAYS before the date you want the flowers for. If you would be interested in doing this, please contact Joan Newell at 448-0915 or [email protected]. Thank you! Gift Card Fundraiser Scrip/Gift cards for over 700 retailers are available for order, and 18 local and online popular retailers are in stock for immediate delivery. We surely have scrip/ gift cards for retailers you use on a regular basis; why not help out the Adult Mission Trip Program while you shop for items you use every day and for gift-giving occasions! Going out to eat, planning home or yard projects, downloading or ordering online, shopping for groceries, household or drugstore items? We have scrip/gift cards in stock just for you, and you can let your credit cards rest safely at home. Contact Carol Duryea at 609-448-5316 or visit the scrip/gift card table in Fellowship Hall during Sunday coffee hour. Thank you for your continued support. JUNE SESSION UPDATE Session met for the June Stated meeting on Tuesday June 21 in Kendall Lounge. Following our Dwelling in the Word devotional practice, we dove into the business of the meeting. The Clerk read a letter from Tom Walton thanking the group for their gift for his Seminary graduation. The leaders of the Stephen Ministry attended the meeting and spoke about the status of the ministry and discussed the intentions of the group regarding the program. More discussion will be held on this subject at the Leaders’ Retreat in September. Membership reinstatement was approved for Shirley Smith (Croshaw) who is living in Florida. Decision was made to place a small rainbow flag at the front and back of the church to show support of the victims of the Orlando massacre. The signboard on Main Street will be changed to say “All are welcome. Praying for Orlando”. Recommendation from Worship Committee to hold “Gathering Sunday” on September 11, 2016. Dilys Henninger and Catherine Anzuini were designated as On Call Elders for the period of July 8 - 24 during Pastor Lisa’s vacation. Results of the Mutual Ministry survey were presented. These will be the focus of the Leaders’ Retreat in September. Session looked to the Calendar Planning meeting on June 27, planning for a Leader’s Retreat with the Deacons on September 17, Location will be decided at a later date. August 23 will be the next meeting of Session. The Session of First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown consists of 12 Ruling Elders elected by the congregation and the Moderator, Teaching Elder Lisa Day, the Pastor, gathering for its stated meeting on the third Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM in the Kendall Lounge. All members are invited to attend the meeting; if there are any questions, please contact Pastor Day or Walt Vincent, the Clerk of Session. Church Family Please remember our church family, who have been ill, hospitalized or recuperating during the past month, in your prayers. Please continue to share your prayers of joy and concern with us over the summer via the church office. We will also share these prayers via the email prayer chain. If you would like to be included on the email prayer chain, please email Debbie Warfield ([email protected]) and ask her to add you to the list. Your Church Officers ELDERS (Along with Pastor Lisa, Elders make up the Session, the governing body of the Church.) Class of 2017 Catherine Anzuini, Personnel Chair Madelyn Christie, Fellowship Chair Joan Newell, Worship Chair, Buildings and Grounds Committee Tom Walton, Nominating Co-chair, Outreach Committee Class of 2018 Mark Dahlinger, Finance Chair (on temporary leave from this position) John Grover, Buildings and Grounds Chair Ginger Marcus, Christian Education and Finance Committees Abi Rivenburgh, Christian Education Chair Class of 2019 Maggie Monney Diallo, Outreach Chair Dilys Henninger, Mission Chair David Kichula, Nominating Co-chair, Outreach Committee Walt Vincent, Clerk of Session, Finance Acting Chair, Mission Committee DEACONS Class of 2017 Milly Brown Sherri Foran Donna Scheifele, Secretary Catherine Vincent, Moderator Class of 2018 Mearmon Davis Emily Gosnell Class of 2019 Dolores Cleary Samantha Sheenan Kathy Zaiser, Treasurer CHURCH STAFF Rev. Lisa Day, Pastor [email protected] Sheri Devlin, Office Manager [email protected] Lauren Diaz, Director of Children’s Music [email protected] (Off for the Summer) Connor Fluharty, Director of Music [email protected] Mary Maleski, Director of Christian Education [email protected] Office Phone: 609-448-0055 Contact information can be found in your Church Directory. If you need a directory, please be in touch with Office Manager, Sheri Devlin. PRESBY PRESS The First Presbyterian Church 320 North Main Street Hightstown, NJ 08520 609 448-0055 The Presby Press, USPS (196-260), is published monthly except combined July-August by the First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown, 320 North Main Street, Hightstown, NJ 08520. Periodical postage paid at Hightstown, NJ and additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Presby Press, 320 North Main Street, Hightstown, NJ 08520. Inside This Issue… Ice Cream Creation Christian Education Midnight Run Going Green Deacons Special Music Officers SUMMER UNION SERVICES We are planning to have two community services this summer. We will host on August 7th with communion here. This will be a service that includes and features the Vacation Bible School children as worship leaders. The First United Methodist Church will be our hosts on September 4th with communion served there. All summer worship times are 10:00 a.m. NEWSLETTER DEADLINE The deadline for the September monthly newsletter is Tuesday, AUGUST 16. Please submit all articles to Sheri Devlin by that morning. Church Office Closed… The office will be closed for the Independence Day holiday Friday, July 1 thru Monday, July 4.