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Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church
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Weekly News for
Sunday,
May 18, 2014
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 Dear Friends, When I was a kid, it sometimes happened that one of the neighborhood kids got into a wrestling match with another. When the jig was up, and one contender had been pinned, we all knew the code to end the thing. "Say uncle!" the victor commanded. "Uncle!" said the loser. All right, then. It was over. The two would dust themselves off and get back to whatever it was they'd been doing together. The "say uncle" routine is a childhood version of a plea for mercy. Mercy is a concept we don't typically think of all that often. "Lord, have mercy" is a common line in traditional worship prayers, but in everyday speech we're more likely to choose another, closely-related word like "forgiveness," "kindness" or "grace." Mercy is a familiar concept in both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. It's literally all over the Bible. Mercy is also slightly different in meaning from those other words. Yet, the scriptures are clear on one point: God is merciful. And that's good news. We're going to explore those nuances in this Sunday's message. Hope to see you in church! Pastor Carl
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This Sunday
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Fifth Sunday of Easter
1 Peter 2:1-10
Dr Wilton preaching: "LORD, HAVE MERCY"
10:00 a.m. - Worship/Chancel Choir/Anniversary Sunday
10:00 a.m. Sunday School Begins in Worship
11:00 a.m. - Sandwich Sunday
11:15 a.m. - Confirmation Class
6:00 p.m. - Youth Connection Messy Games
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Anniversary Sunday
 This Sunday we will be recognizing those celebrating a milestone wedding anniversary as well as a membership milestone. The names of those being recognized can also be found online.
"Happy Anniversary" from Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church!
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Sandwich Sunday
It's Sandwich Sunday!
Come to the Education Annex at 11:00 a.m., following worship, for great food prepared by the Kitchen Team! Free-will offering, with any money exceeding expenses going to support mission.
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"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 May 18, is the Williams family. Let us be prayerfully aware of Don and Lorraine, as well as all our members and friends.
Other prayer concerns: Nicholas Hudnut; Diane Sikora's brother Walter; Ralph Smith; all those in the military, as well as those struggling with addictions and mental illness.
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SUMMER BOOK STUDY FINAL CALL - This Summer, Linda Chase will be doing a study on a book called The Courage to Grow Old, written by the Rev. Barbara Crafton. Ms. Crafton is an Episcopal priest of 33 years who is a wonderful teacher, writer, preacher and retreat leader. Linda has known her for several years and has done workshops and retreats with her. This is her newest book, about which she says, "I think growing older is both funny and sad, but mostly it just makes me grateful to be alive and able to reflect....I hate it when people are ashamed of being old. We should be proud!" If you would like to be part of a class using this book, please let Linda know right away. A sign-up sheet is found in the Narthex. We were able to get the book at a discount and they are $8 (not the $10 previously advertised). The class will begin on Monday, June 9 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The class will run weekly until July 14, either at that time or at another time of the group's choosing. Please see Linda right away to sign up. Books can be picked up from Linda.
 GERANIUMS FOR PENTECOST - Pentecost will be celebrated on Sunday, June 8, 2014. Once again we will decorate the Sanctuary with geraniums on Pentecost. Afterwards we will be planting them around the Church. We invite you to purchase a geranium as a way to celebrate someone whose faithful Christian witness has been an inspiration to you. Geraniums come in 6" pots and cost $10.00 each. Please fill out the order form in the bulletin or online. Payment must be included with this order form. Checks should be made payable to PPPC, and please be sure to indicate "Pentecost Flowers" on the memo line! Order form and payment may be placed in the offering plate or mailed/delivered to the church office.
"MOSES" AT SIGHT AND SOUND St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Brick is sponsoring a trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania to see "Moses" at the Sight and Sound Theatre on Friday, October 3, 2014. The trip includes bus, shopping at Kitchen Kettle and lunch at Shady Maple Smorgasbord. The bus will leave St. Thomas at 7:30 a.m. and return by 8:15 p.m. Price is $122 per person. Please call St. Thomas at 732 477-5533 or Carol McClain at 732-451-0909 for tickets.
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Seeking a Sunday School Coordinator
 We've been very pleased to have Sarah Morrison on the church staff this year, leading our Sunday School program. Sarah has recently informed us that she is going to be resigning her position as of the end of June, in order to move to the Houston, Texas area, where she will be pursuing some employment leads for full-time public-school teaching.
Sarah has made a great impression on everyone connected with the Sunday School, and she will be missed!
We are now searching for someone to fill this part-time, paid position. A tentative revised job description is available (pending Session approval). If you are aware of anyone who is interested in applying, please contact the Church Office. |
Smartphone Giving is Here!
 Are you someone who prefers to manage your financial transactions online - or even by mobile phone? The online giving page from the PPPC website is now optimized for smartphones. When you bring the page up on your smartphone screen, it's easily readable, with buttons you can press to make a contribution to the church via direct debit from your bank account. You can use this process to make a one-time contribution, or to set up recurring automatic contributions at whatever interval (such as weekly or monthly) you prefer. Giving by credit card is also available through this same method, for those who prefer that means of giving over direct bank-account withdrawals. If you haven't made an online contribution to the church before, you'll need to go through a brief, one-time set-up process. You'll need to enter the routing number and account number printed at the bottom of your checks. The instructions on the screen will talk you through it. After that, the system remembers your account information: you just log on with the username and password you've created, enter the contribution amount and whether you're designating it for a special purpose, and you're good to go! It's just like using any other online bill-paying service. When you contribute in this way, the church does not have access to your account numbers or personal bank account information. A payment issued by our third-party provider, Vanco Services, arrives in the church office a little later, accompanied by a report indicating the name of the donor and whether the gift is designated for any special purpose. Donna Ferry, the church's Financial Secretary, will confidentially log your contribution as she does any other, so it will be included in your quarterly giving statement. Vanco, a leading provider of online financial services for churches and other non-profits, has state-of the art security protocols in place to make sure transactions are safe and reliable.  An even more convenient way to find your way to the online contributions web page is by using this QR code. Just open up any barcode-scanning app on your smartphone (any shopping barcode-scanner app ought to do it), scan this image, and you'll be taken directly to the contributions page of the church website. We're now including the QR code in the church bulletin. If you're so inclined, you can even make an electronic contribution in real time, as the ushers are passing the offering plate! Why not give it a try right now, to see how easy it is? Open your smartphone's barcode-scanning app, hold the camera lens up to the computer screen, click the scan button, and a few moments later you'll be taken directly to the smartphone-enhanced version of the PPPC online contributions webpage. (In case this seems weird or overly geeky to you, just consider this: there was a time when putting a check - rather than cash - into the offering plate was the new technology. That probably seemed just as strange to people of that era. Some of today's "digital natives" and "digital immigrants" don't even OWN a checkbook!) |
Camp Johnsonburg: Now Registering!
June 29th.
That's when the first week of summer sleepaway camp begins at Presbyterian Camp Johnsonburg, located just 2 hours' drive from Point Pleasant, at a beautiful woodland site in Warren County, New Jersey. Johnsonburg is collectively owned and operated by all the presbyteries in New Jersey. A variety of fun activities awaits campers from grades 1 through 12, in age-appropriate groups under the guidance of trained, experienced counselors. New this year: Grands Camp, when grandparents not only bring their grandkids to summer camp, but stay at camp along with them and join in the fun! For Junior/Senior High campers, there are specialty weeks, like "Ropes and Rocks," "MAD Camp (Music/Art/Drama)" and "Delaware River Canoe Adventure." Point Pleasant Presbyterian, through our Sisko Endowment, has some limited funds available to help offset the cost of summer camp for church members. Please inquire through the church office.
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What's New In Glory to God?
 The new Glory to God Presbyterian hymnal we'll introduce later this spring includes all the familiar hymns we're used to singing, but offers a whole range of new hymns as well. Each week in this space, we'll share a video highlighting one of the great new songs from Glory to God. This week's selection is "Will You Come and Follow Me (The Summons)." Click on the image below to have a listen!  | | Lord, Prepare Me (To Be a Sanctuary) |
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This week in Sunday School we will be learning about the story of Doubting Thomas (John 20:24-29). In this story Thomas does not believe in Jesus' resurrection. He says that until he sees the marks from the nails in his hands and touches Jesus he will not believe. Later, that week Jesus appears to Thomas and the other disciples and shows Thomas he has risen. Jesus does not condemn Thomas for doubting but instead offers him peace. This same peace is given to all of us. At Sunday School we will dive deeper into this story with fun activities that will help us learn about Thomas and Jesus.
I would like to end this year of Sunday School with some fun events. On June 6th we will be having another Friday Fun Night from 6-8 upstairs in the Christian Education Building. I invite all families to come out for this event. Parents you are welcome to stay and help or drop off your child and take a few hours to yourself. We will be having face painting, pizza, games and crafts. This event is open to the whole community; please feel free to bring your friends. The cost will be the same ($2).
The last day of Sunday School will be June 8th we will be having an end of the year Sunday School BBQ starting during Sunday School and ending at about 12:30. We will have games, crafts and delicious food. If you are interested in volunteering or donating to either event please contact me at (Sarah 732-575-4180 or at smorrison108@yahoo.com).
This year, I have worked as your Sunday School Coordinator. I have loved every minute of it. I have felt welcome and part of something wonderful from the first day I started and I owe that to the children, my teachers and all of you. I believe I was called to Point Pleasant and now I am being called to move to Houston to continue my teaching career. Thank you, so much for always making me feel like one of the gang. This church has a great community of people and children I am so happy that I got to be a part of it. I could not have done it without your help and support. I know your Sunday School and Youth Groups will continue to grow and love Jesus. I will always call Point Pleasant my church and hope to come back and visit when I am in the area. I do not view this as the end but rather another chapter in my life and the life of the church. I will be moving at the beginning of July. Houston, TX is the town I grew up in. I am excited to move back to a town I am familiar with and love. If there are any further questions please feel free to ask. It really has been a great year, Thank you! |
Kudos to Jordan!
 Congratulations to Dove Choir member and Sunday School student Jordan Muraglia, who recently had a starring role as Tootie in Point Boro High School's musical, Meet Me In St. Louis!
Jordan is the daughter of Becky and Chris Muraglia. Becky directs our Dove Choir.
Well done, Jordan!
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Messy Game Night
 Sunday May 18th - 6pm to 8pm in the CE annex upstairs.
Get ready to be messy! Our annual Messy game night is this Sunday night! Open to all Youth grades 6th - 12th. Please bring a towel and wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty (t-shirts and shorts). We are going way beyond egg tosses and water balloons.... Think glitter, donuts, and wiffle-ball bats!
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 This week the Pre-K and Nursery classes explored the Element of Art, TEXTURE, with Karen Norby.
We explored various words to describe a texture (rough, sandy, bumpy, smooth.) The children described how their hair felt and how the bottom of their shoes felt. Bags filled with textures were given to the children to describe with "no peeking." They examined leaves, looking for the side with the veins and feeling the texture of the leaves. They created texture rubbings of the leaves using crayons.
We observed how artist Vincent Van Gogh used thick paint to create his "Starry Night." Our art reproduction is a photograph of his painting that is printed on paper and is smooth, giving the illusion of texture.
Thank you to Karen for visiting Point Beach Prep this week!
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Groups Staying in the Volunteer Village
 | Lend A Hand,
Carlisle Presbytery, PA |
Groups have been arriving and staying once again at our Volunteer Village. The following is our latest list of groups scheduled.
May 18-23 Lend A Hand, and Presbytery of Western New York, Portville, NY
May 26-31 Presbytery of Detroit
June 8-14 Trinity United Presbyterian Church, Modesto, CA
June 15-20 Lend A Hand
June 18-22 Faith Presbyterian Church, Emmaus, PA
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 20-26 Presbyterian Church Morristown, Morristown, NJ
July 27-Aug 1 Canfield Presbyterian Church
Aug 3-9 Fairfield and Timber Ridge Presbyterian Churches, VA
Aug 10-16 The Presbyerian Church of Woodbury, Woodbury, NJ
Aug 17-21 Lend A Hand
Sep 7-13 Pass A Grille Beach Community Church, St. Pete Beach, FL
Sep 14-20 Crossroads Community Presbyterian Church, Leechburg, PA
Sept 28-Oct 4 Presbytery of Iowa
October 12-17 Lend A Hand
Oct 19-25 Scioto Valley Presbytery, Columbus, OH
Nov 9-14 Lend A Hand
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Calendar For The Week
 The latest edition of the church calendar is available online, on the church's website.
Sunday, May 18
10:00 a.m. - Worship/Chancel Choir/Anniversary Sunday
10:00 a.m. Sunday School Begins in Worship
11:00 a.m. - Sandwich Sunday
11:15 a.m. - Confirmation Class
6:00 p.m. - Youth Connection Messy Games
Monday, May 19
9:15 a.m. - PW Coordinating Team Meeting
6:15 p.m. - Choral Bells Rehearsal, Fellowship Room
Tuesday, May 20
6:45 p.m. - Scouts
7:00 p.m. - Session Meeting
Wednesday, May 21
9:00 a.m. - Women's Breakfast at the Rainbow Diner
5:00 p.m. - Dove Choir Rehearsal
7:00 p.m. - Sandy Team
Thursday, May 22
7:30 a.m. - Men's Breakfast
7:30 p.m. - Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Friday, May 23
5:00 p.m. Bucci/Yankowski Wedding Rehearsal
Saturday, May 24
11:00 a.m. Bucci/Yankowski Wedding
Sunday, May 25
10:00 a.m. - Worship/Special Music/Baptism
10:00 a.m. Sunday School Begins in Worship
11:15 a.m. - Confirmation Class
11:30 a.m. - Sarah Hope Circle, Chittick Lounge
2:30 p.m. - Claremont Care Center
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 Birthday Blessings
May 18 Andrea Crate, Frank Jones, Naomi Lappke, Celishia Scarpone
May 19
May 20 Kimberlee Trainor
May 21 Peggy Bierach, Lois Jean Geene
May 22 Gerard Jalowski, Calvin Rice, Daniel Scarpone Jr.
May 23 Jacob Freer Balko, James Sahadi, Catherine Walker, Jack Whitman
May 24 James Hudnut, Andrew Hudson
May 25 Deirdre D'Amore, Diane Legreide, Hannah Ploskonka
May 26 Jane Lambie, Matthew Savage
May 27 Alexander Grebel, Rylan Parrott
May 28 Jo Anne Adamo, Diane Manzo
May 29 Bernard Fiorentino III, Ryan Pasola
May 30 Ryan Grebel, Jeffrey Johnson
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Upcoming Events - Mark Your Calendar 
June 1 - Congregational Meeting to Elect Officers
June 8 - Pentecost/Confirmation
June 15 - Chancel Choir Recognition
August 17 - All-Church Picnic
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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