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Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church
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Weekly News for
Sunday,
June 16, 2013
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10:00 A.M. SUMMER WORSHIP
SCHEDULE BEGINS THIS WEEK
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Dear Friends, There are powerful associations between naming and baptism. Today, newborns generally receive their names before leaving the hospital, but in times past a child was just "the baby" until the parents brought him or her into the church to receive the sacrament. Something similar was practiced in ancient Israel. In the story of the circumcision of John the Baptist in Luke 1:59, it's not until his parents Zechariah and Elizabeth bring their child into the Temple on the eighth day that he receives the name of John. There's beautiful symbolism in that. Acts 17:28 refers to God as the one in whom "we live and move and have our being." Seeing our names as deriving from God is a way of witnessing to this powerful truth: that our very lives find their dwelling-place in God's all-encompassing love. Our scripture lesson from 1 Kings 21 contains a stern reprimand from Elijah to King Ahab: "you have sold yourself to do what is evil." That phrase, "selling yourself," has varied meanings. Applied to a young woman on a street corner, it has terrible connotations. Yet, that same young woman, going for a job interview, may hear the very same phrase as encouragement to speak well of her office skills. You can't sell what you don't own. If we see ourselves as belonging to God, body and soul, it's kind of hard to imagine selling ourselves in any sense. It becomes, rather, a matter of using our talents and abilities to bear witness to God's love. This Sunday, it's our first summer worship service at the 10:00 hour. Come and worship: as we celebrate a baptism, welcome new members, explore the meaning of this ancient story of a prophet and his wayward king, and then share fellowship at coffee hour. See you then!
Pastor Carl
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"As a father has compassion
on his children, so the Lord has
compassion on those who fear him." Psalm 103:13
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Baptism
Christopher John Castronova
son of
Christopher Castronova
and Lindsay Bucsek
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Welcome New Members
Being received into church membership this morning are:
Lindsay Bucsek, Profession of Faith
Chris Castronuova, Profession of Faith
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Prayerfully Consider
"Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God's people." - Ephesians 6:18 (CEV)
The Prayer family for the week of June 16 is the Panuska family. Let us be prayerfully aware of Ron and Joan as well as all our members and friends.
Please pray for our Volunteer Village work group for this week, Lend A Hand from Carlisle Presbytery, PA
Other prayer concerns: Susan Robbins; Eugene Marshall (friend of Bill Williams); Heidi Steinert; Bill Geisler (Elaine Conheeney's father); Alan Harvey; Hank Honeywell; Barbara Viebrock; Ralph Smith; Steven Budrick; Eric Erlandsen; Monmouth Presbytery Moderator Thelma Sessions; all those in the military, as well as those struggling with addictions and mental illness.
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COME JOIN THE STEWARDSHIP TEAM - The Stewardship team will be meeting Thursday, June 20 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the new campaign. The meeting will be in the Chittick Lounge and refreshments will be provided. If you are unable to attend but would still like to participate on Stewardship please speak with Jim McGuire.
JUNE DEACONS MEETING - The Deacon's meeting and dinner has been rescheduled to this Monday, June 17, at 6:00 p.m. in the Chittick Lounge. This dinner and meeting is for incoming and outgoing Deacons.
THESE DAYS DAILY DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETS for July, August and September are now available in the Narthex and Church office. Suggested donation is $3 each.
 HAND UP GRANTS - Our church has been blessed with a generous gift of money from the wonderful people of Lend A Hand. This gift is to be used to help both those who have sustained significant losses, as well as local businesses, some of whom were also damaged by the storm. We are calling our helping program Hand Up Grants. We are working with local companies in helping to replace "big ticket" items. If you are still in need to purchase appliances, cabinets, flooring and fencing, please contact the Church office or speak with Linda Chase for more information. The Board of Deacons is overseeing this program.
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Summer at Camp Johnsonburg
 For over 50 years parents, guardians, pastors, and friends have placed their trust in us by sending their children to our summer camp programs. That trust is something we value and work hard to maintain. We are confident our philosophy of small group camping, combined with our carefully crafted programs and commitment to your child's best interests, will ensure your child has an experience that will help them not only have fun, but gain independence, forge new relationships, and grow in their faith.
We understand the thought of having your child away from home can be daunting, so we want to assure you that your child's well-being (physical, emotional, and spiritual) is our primary concern and focus. Not only do we carefully screen and rigorously train our staff, but Camp Johnsonburg also follows all New Jersey state guidelines regarding summer camps. What's more, we voluntarily subject ourselves to the stringent standards of the American Camp Association, and have been accredited by that organization for over 20 years. Our leadership team, with over 50 years of summer camp and childcare experience, is committed to making each child's stay at Johnsonburg a special one.
Feel free to contact us with any questions, or to set up a time to visit the site. We thank you for trusting us and look forward to seeing you this summer!
In Christ,
Rev. Karen Brostrom-O'Brien
Interim Executive Director
Kurt Oelschlager
Associate Executive Director
Harry Zweckbronner
Program Director
The Camp Johnsonburg brochures and registration can be found in the narthex and online at http://www.campjburg.org/summer |
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"Dining for Dollars" To Help Belmar Presbyterians
 The only church in Monmouth Presbytery to suffer serious damage to their building from Hurricane Sandy was First Presbyterian, Belmar. Their basement - which contains their church hall and kitchen, as well as the machinery for an elevator installed several years ago - was completely flooded during the storm. Damage to the building is substantial, and it appears that the church will need to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to complete repairs that were not covered by insurance (because the damage was due to flooding).
Our friends at Brick Presbyterian are planning a fun - and delicious - way to raise a little money to help our fellow Presbyterians in Belmar, and have invited us to join in with them. They have arranged with Simko's Restaurants (both locations, in Brick and Brielle) for several "Dining for Dollars" days, June 18, 19 and 20. If you eat lunch or dinner at Simko's on any one of those days - and BRING THE SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL FLYER with you - Simko's will donate 20% of your check to this cause. You MUST bring a copy of the flyer with you in order to participate. Copies will not be available at the restaurant, but you may click on the link, above, to download a copy. Thank you!
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Banish Giver's Guilt!
 Do you give to the church on some basis other than weekly - such as electronic giving, writing a monthly check, or even making an annual gift in the form of a stock distribution or an annual check mailed to the church office? If the answer is yes, and if you pass the offering plate along without putting anything in it, do you feel self-conscious, embarrassed that others may get the wrong idea about your Christian commitment?
If so, you may be suffering from...
Giver's Guilt!
You're not alone. It's a very common ailment.
The good news is, Giver's Guilt is highly preventable and 100% curable!
There are three cures for this common condition, all of them easy and effective.
CURE #1 - Make use of one of the alternative-offering cards that are in the pew rack. When it's time for the offering, just take out one of these cards and place it in the offering plate. That's what the cards are there for!
CURE #2 - Place an empty envelope in the plate (either your own, numbered envelope or a generic Pew Envelope). We only ask that you write "I give electronically" or "I give annually" on the envelope, so our counters won't think a check has somehow gone missing).
CURE #3 - Follow the advice of George Bullard, a church planning consultant, who described in a recent article how he manages his own Giver's Guilt:
 Nothing has changed in recent decades about my foundational commitment to tithing my gross income through my congregation. That is set, non-negotiable, and solid.... [After my wife and I started using online giving], the offering time was tough as I avoided eye contact with the usher as he or she came down the aisle with the offering plate during worship....
Something has to stop this foolishness!
It finally occurred to me that the needed action was within my power. I would simply start giving an offering every Sunday because deep in my soul I know it is an essential act of worship as we express our respect, devotion, love, and thankfulness to God. I recalled this and other thoughts as I recommitted to a weekly offering during worship.
I realized that I am not going to stop singing in worship. I am not going to stop praying in worship. I am not going to stop reading Scripture in worship - although in this case I do read it on my smart phone. I am not going to stop listening for the still voice of God in worship. Why should I stop giving an offering in worship? I am not really giving it to my congregation. I am engaging in an act of worship. The often cited adage is right: neither God nor my church need my offering. I need to give an offering.
Here is the plan. We are going to continue giving our tithe online. It is quick, simple, less hassle for the church administrator, but does cost the congregation a small fee. Then each Sunday in worship I take a pew offering envelope and slip a dollar or two in it and place it in the offering plate as it is passed as an act of worship. These extra dollars more than cover the small fee it costs for my online giving.
Giving as an act of worship does not have to die. We just have to see it as an essential part of worship, and then act on that commitment.(Want to set up an online giving arrangement? It's easy, secure and there's no cost to you. Just visit the church webpage and scroll down to the "Make Donation" button on the bottom. Questions? Call Kim or Donna in the church office at 732-899-0587. They will be happy to help you.) |
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HOLD THE DATES: Vacation Bible School, July 15-19
From July 15-19, a volunteer work group from the Central Presbyterian Church of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania will be staying in the Education Annex. Members of that church's mission team will be traveling here with the group, and have proposed that they lead a Vacation Bible School in the Education Annex from 7:00 pm to 8:15 pm. This program for children in Grades K-6 would be open not only to our church but to the entire community.
"SonWorld Adventure Park" is the proposed theme. Based on Joshua 24:15, SonWorld helps kids learn to make right choices in a world of competing options. The goal is for children to discover that choosing Jesus is the ticket to the best ride of their lives.
The Session will consider this proposal at their upcoming meeting, but until the event is officially approved, please save the dates!
More information will follow.
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We're Looking for a Head Teacher
 Point Beach Prep Preschool is seeking a Head Teacher for our new Nursery Program that will be opening this September. A B.A. in Education is required, or a B.A. in another field related to child growth and development, with a minimum of six Education credits and two years' experience. Resumes may be emailed to Point Beach Prep Director Devlin House. Please spread the word! |
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HURRICANE SANDY RECOVERY NEWS
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We Need a Deep Thanker
 No, not a Thinker. A Thanker!
After volunteer work group members give up a week of their time to help our neighbors rebuild after Sandy, it means a lot if they receive a handwritten thank-you note from our church, expressing our gratitude for what they've done to help restore the Shore.
We need a volunteer (or volunteers) to write out some thank-you notes to each worker who has been here. We'll supply the note cards, the addresses and the postage. All you need to do is write the notes and drop them in the mail!
This is something you can do from home. You don't need to know how to wield a hammer, a saw or a saucepan in order to help out with Sandy relief.
Please call the church office to find out more. Thank YOU!
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Sandy Recovery Volunteer Hosting in the CE Annex
The following is the latest schedule of groups who will be staying in the CE Annex. This list will be changing as more groups are added. Watch for an up-to-date list, to include cooking teams to posted on the bulletin board in the kitchen upstairs in the Annex.
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June 16-21 Lend A Hand, Carlisle Presbytery, PA
June 23-29 Westminster Presbyterian, Lakeland, FL and Chartiers Crossroads, Washington, PA
June 30-July 5 Lend A Hand, Carlisle Presbytery, PA
July 7-13 Central Presbyterian, Chambersburg, PA and Fairfield and Timber Ridge Presbyterian, Fairfield, VA
July 14-20 Capitol Hill Presbyterian, Washington DC
July 21-27 Presbytery of Eastern Virginia, Portsmouth, VA
July 28-Aug 4 Presbyterian Church of Morristown, NJ
Aug 4-10 Woodbury Presbyterian Church, Woodbury, NJ and Ark and
Dove Presbyterian Church, Odenton, MD
Aug 11-16 Lend A Hand, Carlisle Presbytery, PA
Aug 18-24 Highland Presbyterian Church, Lancaster, PA
 | Pittsford Presbyterian,
Pittsford, NY |
Sept 8-14 Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, Severna Park, MD
Sept 15-21
Lend A Hand,
Carlisle Presbytery, PA
Sept 22-28 Presbytery of Detroit, Detroit, MI
Sept 29-Oct 5 Pass A Grille Beach Community Church, St. Pete Beach, FL and Presbytery of Genesee Valley, Rochester, NY
Oct 6-12 Westminster Presbyterian Church, Ann Arbor, MI and Helping Hands, Allentown, PA
Oct 13-18 Lend A Hand, Carlisle Presbytery, PA
Oct 20-27 IHN
Oct 27-Nov 2 Scioto Valley Presbytery, Columbus, OH
Nov 3-9 - First Presbyterian Church, Pittsford, NY
Nov 10-15 Lend A Hand
Dec 1-6 Lend A Hand
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(908-675-7287)
is serving as our church's Hurricane Recovery Coordinator. (732) 580-1857 is coordinating the Volunteer Village. (732) 978-0940 is coordinating job assignments for the work teams.
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Calendar For The Week
 The latest edition of the church calendar is available online, on the church's website.
Sunday, June 16 - Happy Father's Day
ONE SERVICE ONLY
10:00 a.m - Worship/Chancel Choir/Baptism
Monday, June 17
6:00 p.m. - Deacons Meeting, Chittick Lounge
7:00 p.m. - AA, Beginners and Step, Sanctuary
8:30 p.m. - AA Open Meeting, Sanctuary
Tuesday, June 18
7:00 p.m. - Session Meeting
Wednesday, June 19
9:00 a.m. - Women's Breakfast, Rainbow Diner, all women welcome
7:00 p.m. - Sandy Recovery Team, Fellowship Room
Thursday, June 20
7:30 a.m. - Men's Breakfast
7:00 p.m. - Stewardship Team, Chittick Lounge
Friday, June 21
Saturday, June 22
Sunday, June 23
10:00 a.m - Worship/Chancel Choir
12:00 p.m. - Chancel Choir End of Year Party at the home of Sara Hoey
2:30 p.m. - Claremont Care Center Service
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 Birthday Blessings
June 14 Cecilia Collins
June 15 Ian Ackerman
June 16 Cameron Durante
June 17
June 18
June 19 Ashley Januszeski
June 20 Brian Cottrell, Glen Culos, Meggie Jinks, James McKay,
Trudy Pedersen, Brooke Pennypacker, Jack Satterlee, Donna Wittmann
June 21 Nicholas Jalowski, Jake Norby, Lacey Rogers
June 22 Julianna Colantuoni, Michael Colantuoni, Vincent Colantuoni,
Thurston Cooper, Mary McSweeney, Andrea Purtell, Eva Welch
June 23 Kathleen Bixby, Barbara Disbrow, Kelly Friedrich,
Alexandra Stierli
June 24 Christie Rampone
June 25 Loren Donley, Gayle Ferry
June 26 Tracey Ackerman, Bryan Smith
June 27 Gage Bongiovi, Caitlyn Cook, Claire Wacha
June 28 Jaclyn Johnson, Ethan Landry
June 29
June 30
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Upcoming Events - Mark Your Calendar
July 15-19 - SonWorld Adventure Park VBS
August 18 - All-Church Picnic at Camp Zehnder
August 25 - Ministerium Community Fest, Community Park, Point Boro
Additional information will follow
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Pastors
The Rev. Carl Wilton, Ph.D., Pastor
The Rev. Linda Chase, Associate Pastor
Office Staff
Kim Gaydos, Church Secretary
Donna Ferry, Financial Secretary
Nancy Stout, Treasurer
Music Staff
Sara Hoey, Organist
William Shoppell, Chancel Choir and Choral Bells Director
Rebecca Muraglia, Acting Dove Choir Director
Christian Education Staff
Courtney Norton, Youth Connection Coordinator
Tracey Ackerman and Amanda O'Neill, Church School Co-Coordinators
Devlin House, Point Beach Prep Preschool Director
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Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church
701 Forman Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
(Corner of Bay and Forman Avenues)
Church Office: 732-899-0587 Fax: 732-899-2946
Visit us at http://www.pointpresbyterian.org
Church Office: mail@pointpresbyterian.org |
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