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Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church
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Weekly News for
Sunday,
February 16, 2014
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Dear Friends,
This Sunday, our guest preacher, The Rev. George McDonald, will be preaching  on choosing life based on the Old Testament lesson from Deuteronomy 30:15-20.
Everyday you and I make a choice to choose life or choose death in how we relate to our earth, to one another, ourselves and to God. We make that choice in the words we speak, or do not speak, as well as the deeds we do or do not do.
It is far too easy to take the path of choosing death - being insensitive to others and their needs; lacking compassion and not hearing or seeing the marginal; ceasing to have a sense of wonder and awe of all life; and taking God's blessings, love and mercy for granted with an attitude of ingratitude.
In his book Living the Heart of Christianity, Marcus Borg speaks of an open heart and a closed heart. I hear this as another way of speaking of choosing life or choosing death in how we live and relate to the world. Borg writes of our hearts being open (choosing life) when we see and hear the invisible people of the world; we move from the shadows into the light; we are alive to wonder, mystery and awe; we feel and express profound gratitude; and we are compassionate as God is compassionate.
Join us this Sunday for worship. Worshiping together as a faith community is a way of choosing life and keeping our hearts open.
Peace and Blessings,
Linda
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This Sunday
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The. Rev. George McDonald preaching:
"CHOOSE LIFE"
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
9:00 a.m. - Youth Connection
10:00 a.m - Worship/Chancel Choir
10:00 a.m. - Church School begins in Worship
11:15 a.m. - Confirmation Class, Chittick Lounge
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Sandwich Sunday Cancelled
Sandwich Sunday is cancelled this Sunday due to the weather. Please join us for Coffee Hour instead.
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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 February 16 is the Reinhold family. Let us be prayerfully aware of Tom, Regina, Patricia and Payton and all our members and friends.
Other prayer concerns: The family of Mel Carlough; The family of Francis Duddy; Valerie Napolitano; Lauren Conrad; Patrick Henry; Debi H (friend of Lynn Donley); George Grifiiths (cousin of Heidi Steinert); Karin (niece of Linda Smith); Katherine Feldman (sister of Bill Shoppell); Lincoln (Grandson of Joan Kocur); Colin Wykoff; Nicholas Hudnut; Brad Mogenson; Carl Wilton; Ralph Smith; all those in the military, as well as those struggling with addictions and mental illness.
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 CHECK FOR SNOW CANCELLATIONS - In case of snow, please watch for an email or the voice mail message about worship service times (732-899-0587) for the latest information about cancellations of church activities.
ST. GREGORY'S PANTRY - Pantry items are running low. Donations are always appreciated. WOMEN'S BEAN PROJECT - The Judith-Rachel circle will continue selling bean soup mixes from the Women's Bean Project each Sunday. The Women's Bean project employs chronically impoverished and unemployed women through a transitional job in gourmet food and handcrafted jewelry manufacturing so they are able to receive immediate income. These soup mixes were quite popular at the Mission Fair. The Judith-Rachel circle is happy to continue offering them. Look for them this Sunday. BELL FESTIVAL - The Choral Bells, along with other handbell choirs from the area, will be ringing at the 15th Annual Handbell Festival on Sunday, February 23. The festival will take place at the Presbyterian Church of Toms River at 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:45 p.m). NO TICKETS are needed this year - just come! Free admission, free-will offering. The two anthems played last Sunday will be part of the mass ringing at the festival. Please come and support our Choral Bells.
BIBLE STUDY - Living the Heart of Christianity Bible Study will not be meeting this Monday. We will meet again February 24 in the Fellowship room in the Church at 10:30 a.m. We will continue on Session 10.
LOST AND FOUND - There is a basket in the North Hall that contains items that have been found around the church. Please stop by and see if there is anything you might have misplaced. Items include a girl's coat, gloves, reading glasses |
 Inquirers Group Exploring Church Membership An Inquirers Group, for those exploring membership in the church, will take place on Sunday, March 2, 2014. A light lunch will be served in the Fellowship Room begining around 11:30 p.m. and will continue until 2:30 p.m. Child care can be made available upon prior request. New members will be received in worship on March 9. Please call the Church Office to sign up, or to find out more! |
 What is Per Capita???? What??? What a weird name! What is it anyway???
Here's the short answer to "What is it?" It's an opportunity for all confirmed Presbyterian members (aged 13 and above) to provide financial support on an annual basis for our Presbyterian form of government. Our government consists of the Presbytery of Monmouth that Point Presbyterian belongs to, the Synod of the Northeast that our Presbytery belongs to, and the General Assembly that all 16 Synods around the country belong to. This year the cost to fund those branches of government is $35 per person. The money is broken down as $7.02 for General Assembly, $3.95 for the Synod and $24.23 for Presbytery.
Why??? Why should we pay Per Capita???
Here's the short answer to "Why should we pay?" If we don't, Point Presbyterian has to. This year, Point Presbyterian's obligation to fund the Presbytery, the Synod, and the General Assembly is $17,987.20 or 511 members times $35.20. The reason our Church has to pay whether we pay or not stems from the fact that the Presbytery, the Synod, and the General Assembly have no congregation of their own to collect from.
How??? How can we personally contribute???
Here's the short answer to "How can we personally contribute?" Use the Blue envelope in your box of envelopes marked Per Capita $35 per person. Next, multiple the number of confirmed members in your household (aged 13 and above) by $35, write a check for that amount, place your check in your envelope, and place the envelope in the collection plate, mail it to the Church office, or make your contribution on-line. If you do not have a box of envelopes and would like to contribute anyway, simply use a regular envelope, mark it Per Capita, and place it in the collection plate, mail it to the Church office or make the contribution on-line. Point Presbyterian will be glad for your contribution in full or in part, to help reduce our deficit and offset the $17,987.20 cost!!!
This article was written by Frank Scarpone in response to a question at the Congregational Meeting. |
 A More Meaningful Lent Lent, the period of 40 days leading up to Palm Sunday and Easter, is to be a time of preparation, reflection and renewal. I invite you to begin your Lenten journey by joining with others from the church for the annual Ash Wednesday Soup Supper and Service.
We will gather on Wednesday, March 5 in the CE Annex with a soup supper at 6:00 p.m. Please plan to bring a pot of soup or a loaf of unsliced bread to share. If needed, runners will bring your soup upstairs to the annex before you park. Sign-up sheets for soup donations are located by the Soup Pot on top of the Piano in the Sanctuary; or send an e-mail to Kim in the church office.
Please join us as we enter the 40 days of Lent together. Come together as a family; bring your friends. |
 To Register please provide your Name, Contact Number and email address along with $15 to the Church office by March 16. Please make checks payable to PW with "retreat" in the memo line. |
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Church World Service - Hygiene and School Kits
Once again the Presbyterian Women will be collecting Hygiene Kits AND School Kits for Church World Service.
Hygiene Kits - In the face of natural disasters, violence, or grinding poverty, Hygiene Kits can mean the difference between sickness and health for struggling families. To assemble a Hygiene Kit you will need:
 One hand towel measuring approximately 16" x 28" (no fingertip or bath towels)
One washcloth
One wide-tooth comb
One nail clipper
One bar of soap (bath size in wrapper)
One toothbrush (in original packaging)
Six standard size Band-AidsŪ
Place all items in a one-gallon plastic bag with a zipper closure, remove excess air from bag, and seal. Please do not add toothpaste to the Hygiene Kit. Cartons of toothpaste that have an extended expiration date will be added to Hygiene Kit shipments just prior to shipment.
 School Kits - give children in impoverished schools, refugee camps, or other difficult settings some of the basic tools for learning.
To assemble a School Kit you will need:
One pair of blunt metal scissors (rounded tip)
Three 70-count spiral notebooks or notebooks totaling 200-210 pages (no loose-leaf or filler paper)
One 30-centimeter ruler (12")
One hand-held pencil sharpener
One large eraser
Six new pencils with erasers
One box of 24 crayons (only 24)
One 12" x 14" to 14" x 17" finished size cotton or lightweight canvas bag with cloth handles. (Please, no reusable shopping bags or backpacks.)
Pack all items inside one of the cloth bags the Busy Hands for Mission group has made. Please stop by the office to pick up your bag.
Kits can be placed in the bin, in the North Hall under the East Window. Please include $2.00 for shipping or put a separate envelope marked "CWS Kits" in the PW mailbox in the church office. Checks for shipping should be made out to "Presbyterian Women".
These kits are for disaster relief. Please do not add to or exchange listed items. Kits are due by March 23, 2014.
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Sunday School
All children 3 to 12 years old are invited to come to Sunday School after the Time for Children part of the service. We meet in the Christian Education Building.
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Italian Dinner
On Saturday, February 22, from 4:30-6:30 pm, the Youth Connection is again offering its traditional Italian Dinner. The menu will be delizioso!
Seating is restaurant-style with Youth Connection members taking orders and serving. No reservations required. Take outs will be offered again this year. Call ahead to 732-581-1554 to place your order.
The free-will offering, after costs of the meal are covered, will be used to fund Youth Connection events.
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February 16 - Meeting: Italian Dinner Prep
February 22 - Italian Dinner! Meet at 2:30, serve from 4:30 - 6:30, and clean up shortly after. Parents are encouraged to help set-up and break down.
February 23 - No meeting
March 2 - Meeting: Topic talk is teen suicide, signs and prevention
March 9 - Meeting: Youth Sunday Prep
March 14 - Bowling Night!
March 16 - Meeting: Youth Sunday Prep
March 23 - Meeting: Youth Sunday finalized with Service project vote
March 30 - Youth Sunday!
April 6 - Meeting: Service project
April 11 - Movie Night!
April 13 - Meeting: Service project
April 20 - No meeting Happy Easter!
April 27 - Meeting: Service project wrap- up
May 4 - Meeting: Group Games
May 11 - Meeting: Topic talk is how to be a Christian in school
May 18 - End of year celebration! Messy Game Night - Meet at 6pm
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Fall Registration
 Please recommend us to any interested friends with children ages 2 1/2 - 6 years old. Our hours are 8:30 am - 12 pm with Lunch Bunch from 12 - 1 pm.
Church members receive a 15% tuition discount. Siblings receive a 10% discounted rate. Our Open House last week was very successful with several families signing up. An additional Open House is planned for March 1, 2014 from 10 am to 12 pm. Don't delay and miss out.
The children practiced writing the letter R with watercolors.
Mason is proud to display the letters he wrote in his handwriting book.
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Groups Staying in the Volunteer Village
Groups have been arriving and staying once again at our Volunteer Village. The following is our latest list of groups scheduled.
Feb 16-21 Lend A Hand
March 9-15 Helping Hands, Allentown, PA
March 16-21 Lend A Hand
Apr 6-12 Helping Hands, Allentown, PA and Red Stone Presbytery, Export, PA
Apr 13-19 Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church, MD
Apr 27-May 1 Lend A Hand
May 4-10 Lakeside Presbyterian Church, Storm Lake, IA
May 18-23 Lend A Hand, and First Presbyterian Church, Portville, NY June 1-7 Reserved
June 8-14 Trinity United Presbyterian Church, Modesto, CA
June 15-20 Lend A Hand
June 22-28 Presbytery of Western Kentucky, Henderson, KY
July 6-12 First Presbyterian Church OKC, Oklahoma
July 7-12 York United Presbyterian Church, York, NY
July 13-19 First Presbyterian Church, Cartersville, GA
July 20-26 Presbyterian Church Morristown, Morristown, NJ
July 27-Aug 1 Lend A Hand
Sep 7-13 Pass A Grille Beach Community Church, St. Pete Beach, FL
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Ocean Plunge
Last week, the volunteer village hosted a group from Iowa. These hardy Iowans drove across the country in the snow to get here. After working on homes all week they ended their trip on Friday with a dip in the ocean, which some had never seen before. That day the temperature was 20 degrees and the water temperature was 39.
So as these winter days continue remember
"I can do all things in him who strengthens me."
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Volunteer Village Work To Date
 The Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund is collecting data on the impact the Fund has had since the storm through its grantee partnerships. For Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church, Peter Farwell recently reported that 725 volunteers have been housed and have worked 19,550 hours. The number of homes worked on/families helped since the storm through the Volunteer Village is over 125.
From Peter, "Kudos and thanks to everyone in this past year plus that has made this awesome effort to help in the Jersey Shore recovery possible. Nearly 20,000 hours of work from volunteers housed in our Annex, welcomed by our orientation team, fed by our cooking and shopping teams, doing work coordinated by our construction team, and with efforts by many more behind the scenes. ... See where the Lord has taken us."
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Calendar For The Week
 The latest edition of the church calendar is available online, on the church's website.
Sunday, February 16
9:00 a.m. - Youth Connection
10:00 a.m - Worship/Chancel Choir
10:00 a.m. - Church School begins in Worship
11:00 a.m. - Sandwich Sunday, CE Annex
11:15 a.m. - Confirmation Class, Chittick Lounge
Monday, February 17
Office Closed for President's Day
Point Beach Prep Closed
11:30 a.m. - EliSabeth Verdella Circle, Fellowship Room
6:15 p.m. - Choral Bells, Fellowship Room
Tuesday, February 18
6:45 p.m. - Scouts
7:00 p.m. - Session Meeting. Fellowship Room
Wednesday, February 19
9:00 a.m. - Women's Breakfast at the Rainbow Diner
12:30 p.m. - Staff Meeting
5:00 p.m. - Dove Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, February 20
7:30 a.m. - Men's Breakfast
4:30 Daisy Girl Scouts
7:30 p.m. - Chancel Choir
Friday, February 21
Saturday, February 22
4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Italian Dinner, CE Annex
Sunday, February 23
10:00 a.m - Worship/Dove Choir
10:00 a.m. - Church School begins in Worship
11:00 a.m. - Sarah Hope Circle
2:30 p.m. - Claremont Care Center
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 February Birthday Blessings
Feb 16 Julie Budrick, Ryan Lees, Emma Scarpone, Virginia Zimmerman
Feb 17 Sue Hankins, Nicole Kirk, Henry Kirk, Morgan Sarbello, Ryan Wittmann
Feb 18 Grace Gravino, Kylee Kells, Mary Wade
Feb 19 David Ackerman, Harvey Mendelsohn, Timothy O'Neill
Feb 20 Jennifer Culos, Erica Thieleman
Feb 21
Feb 22 Muriel Carlson-Simon
Feb 23 Terri Satterlee, Bill Williams
Feb 24 Jamie McGuire, Heidi Steinert
Feb 25 Scott Nelson
Feb 26 Tyler Barbieri, Allan Novick,
Feb 27 Thomas D'Amore, Acacia Evans
Feb 28 Emily Birdsong, Ellen Hank
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Upcoming Events - Mark Your Calendar  February 22 - Youth Connection Italian Dinner
February 23 - Bell Festival Toms River
March 1 - Point Beach Prep Open House
March 5 - Ash Wednesday
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
Dee D'Amore, Volunteer Village Bookkeeper
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
Sarah Morrison, Church School Coordinator
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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