|
|
Point Pleasant
Presbyterian Church
|
Weekly News for
Sunday,
December 7, 2014
| |
Craft Fair for Mission THIS WEEKEND!
Saturday, December 6th, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and
Sunday, December 7th from 11 a.m. to 2 pm.
See article below for more information
|
Dear Friends,
You've heard of the "War on Christmas"? Sorry, but I don't buy it. Is the celebration of our Savior's birth really threatened by a smiling store clerk saying "Happy Holidays?"
What worries me far more is the War on Advent. Every year, it seems like the great Christmas covet-and-spend machine grows meaner and stronger. This year, we've seen Black Friday pushed backwards on the calendar, engulfing Thanksgiving (at least for retail employees forced to forgo their family celebrations). How can Advent - that quiet, gentle season of hope - stand a chance against all that commercial hype? How can a few candles on a wreath in a church sanctuary outshine the gaudy electric light displays down on Main Street and at the Mall? Ah, but they do. We just need the spiritual eyes to see it. If, as the hymn insists, "Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer than all the angels heaven can boast," then surely he outshines any seasonal lighting display. If we Christians truly get what Advent is all about, we won't be so insistent on pushing back the darkness with human artifice. We already know the world can be a dark place. Our Advent candles don't push back the darkness. They shine in the midst of it. We know those candles are all about hope and promise. They remind us that the Light of the World has come, and will one day come again!  The spiritual challenge, in Advent, is to reclaim our time that seems so over-committed, and to refocus our attention on things that really matter.
No need to worry overmuch about the War on Advent, by the way. The war's already been won. We just need to make a leap of imagination, glimpsing in a candle's glow the promise of light invincible and everlasting. If we truly understand that bright truth, then we're free to enjoy the secular holiday celebrations for the innocent diversions they are, knowing they can never deliver salvation.
Come to worship this Sunday, as we sing those lovely Advent carols and celebrate the Lord's Supper!
|
|
|
This Sunday
Sunday, December 7th - Second Sunday of Advent
Dr. Wilton preaching: "THE WAR ON ADVENT"
9:00 a.m. - Youth Connection
10:00 a.m. Worship/Communion/Dove and Chancel Choir
10:00 a.m. - Sunday School begins in Worship
11:00 a.m. - Communion Brunch
11:00 - 2:00 p.m. - Craft Fair For Mission
11:15 a.m. - Christmas Pageant Parents Meeting, CE Annex downstairs
4:00 p.m. - Webelos, Basement
|
|
Please join us in the C.E. Annex for our monthly Communion Brunch, in lieu of coffee hour. You can also visit the Craft Fair for Mission at the same time. A free will offering helps to defray the expense of the brunch.
|
|
|
We who serve on he Board of Deacons are ever grateful for our congregation's continued monetary support so we may fill the requests for assistance we receive. At this time we are experiencing several requests for help during the holiday season and we would appreciate it if you would kindly put a few dollars in the Deacons envelope this Communion Sunday so we may fill all these requests.
Thank you.
The Board of Deacons
|
|
|
|
Healing Prayers will be offered this Sunday (a week earlier than usual, due to the Chancel Choir's singing of selections from Handel's "Messiah" next week). We invite you to come forward for prayers of Healing, Wholeness and Thanksgiving during the final hymn.
|
"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 December 7 is the Pula family. Let us be prayerfully aware of Eva, Elizabeth and Cory, as well as all our members and friends.
Other prayer concerns: The family of Jenny Jensen (mother of Adrian Jensen); Diana (Linda Lee Smith's daughter); Judy Leonardis; Agnes Skowronek (Bill Hoey's sister); Jean Meklin; Nancy Smith; Bill Blauvelt (Jacque Thornton's Brother In Law); Michael Limpantsis; Jim McGuire; Margaret Olsavsky; Kathryn Feldman; Trudy Pedersen; Karen Larsen; all those in the military, as well as those struggling with addictions and mental illness.
|
BLOOD DRIVE UPDATE- We had a very successful blood drive in November. A total of 27 units were donated which is very good for a small blood drive. We will do it again next year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
CHRISTMAS EVE USHERS NEEDED - We are in need of 2 additional ushers at the 4:00 p.m Service and 4 ushers at the 11:00 p.m Service. The 7:00 p.m. service is covered. Please call Scott Smith at 732-840-0279 if you are available to usher at the 4 or 11:00 p.m. service.
 STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN - Thank you to everyone who has submitted prayerful resolutions concerning their 2015 giving through our New Year's In November (NYIN) stewardship campaign. To date, 75 households have pledged with a total of $162,876. If you have not yet had an opportunity to submit your card, please use the insert in the pews or the NYIN card found online. Cards can be placed in the offering plate or can be mailed into the church office. These cards and pledges are now needed for us to plan for our 2015 operating budget which will be presented in January.
ST. GREGORY'S PANTRY CHRISTMAS DISTRIBUTION - The Pantry is now accepting unwrapped NEW toys for the Christmas clients. Through your generosity, 2-3 gifts per child are given to needy families. Teenage gifts are especially needed - CDs, gift cards, sweaters, hats, nail polish, etc. Please leave them - clearly marked for St Gregory's - or deliver them to St. Mary's By-the-Sea, 804 Bay Ave, Pt Pleasant Beach. Cash donations will be used for purchases.
Important Pantry Dates:
December 14-15 - Toyland Setup in CE Annex
December 16 - Distribution
December 17 - Deliveries and Clean-up
CHRISTMAS BULLETIN PREPARATION - Volunteers are needed again this year to come in on Tuesday, December 23 to help fold bulletins in preparation for our Christmas Eve Services. We will be folding in the Fellowship Room beginning at 1:00 p.m.
|
Craft Fair for Mission THIS WEEKEND!
December 6 and 7
Once again, unique and handcrafted fair trade items from around the world will be available for purchase at our very own Mission Fair. The Mission Fair will take place in the CE Annex on Saturday, December 6th, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday, December 7th from 11 a.m. to 2 pm.
Fill your home and kitchen with authentic décor, handmade dishware, and stunning handcrafted baskets. Adorn yourself with gorgeous fair trade jewelry, scarves, and handbags. Give special fair trade gifts that improve the lives of artisans and farmers worldwide.
Fair trade retailers this year include
Rahab's Rope
The Womens' Bean Project
Ten Thousand Villages .
Tibetan Women's Football (Soccer) Team
Through Fair Trade, those in developing countries are able to earn income by selling their products. All proceeds go directly to the artisans and farmers. Visit each of the above websites to learn more about their mission and products.
Many of the items make wonderful gifts for the upcoming holidays.
|
|
Hanging of the Greens Photos
 Here are some photos of church members at the Hanging of the Greens last Sunday...
|
|
Nursery Attendant Needed
 The Church is looking to hire an additional nursery attendant on Sunday mornings from 9:45 to 11:15 am. For safety purposes, we must have at least two adults working in the Nursery at all times.
This is a paid position at $10 per hour. The successful applicant must consent to a criminal background check, for child-protection purposes.
This is a very special ministry that is a blessing to children, parents and those who serve. If you are interested, please call the Church office.
|
|
Handel's Messiah Next Week
On December 14, the Chancel Choir, under the direction of William Shoppell and organist Sara Hoey, will present selections from Handel's Messiah, Part I. The choir, in addition to the organ, will be accompanied by a string quartet. Vocal solos will be sung.
We are happy to announce that we have met our need for the funds needed to help pay for the string quartet. Thank you to everyone who has made a donation.
Your Chancel Choir is pleased to offer Messiah as thanks to the congregation during the holiday season. Be sure to invite your friends that Sunday!
|
|
Christmas Poinsettia Orders Now Being Taken
Poinsettia donations in honor or in memory of loved ones are $15 each, and payment must be included with the order form. Please be sure to indicate "Christmas Plants" on the memo line of your check! Order form and payment may be placed in the offering plate or mailed to the church office. Once the quantity of flowers needed for sanctuary decorations has been reached, additional gifts will be used for purchase of sanctuary paraments and banners.
Deadline: December 14, 2014. Thank You!
|
During December, EliSabeth-Verdella Circle will present two ways to send Christmas greetings to your church family members. This annual project raises money for local mission. You may place cards for individuals in the box, to be sorted alphabetically for easy pick-up. We ask that you donate the money you would have spent on postage by placing it in the donation box on the table in the Narthex.
There will also be a decorated poster board in the Narthex for you to write a brief message to all your Church family and friends. If you choose this option, we would appreciate a small donation to our mission project placed in the donation box on the table. The circle members thank you for your participation in our mission project. |
|
Christmas Day Dinner
Once again we will be offering a Christmas dinner in the CE Annex, from 12:00-2:00 p.m on Christmas Day for those who, for whatever reason, have no place to go for Christmas and would like to enjoy an old-fashioned holiday feast with congenial company. In order to make this dinner a continual success, we need the following:
Cookie Bakers - Christmas cookies are once again needed for dessert at our annual Christmas dinner. In baking your own cookies, please plan on baking a little extra for our Christmas dinner guests. Cookies can be dropped off at the Church starting December 21st.
Christmas Morning Volunteers - There are various times to help on Christmas day. We need volunteers to help from 8:30-10:30 a.m to bring the food up to the kitchen; 10:30 a.m - 12:00 p.m to make local home deliveries; and finally cleanup beginning at 1:30 p.m.
Donna Wittmann is coordinator of this event, please call her at 7329655637 if you have would like to volunteer.
|
Are You Facing Year-End Financial Dilemmas?
 As the year draws to a close, you may be facing some dilemmas... Dilemma #1
How do I deal with those pesky capital-gains taxes?
Are you holding onto shares of stock you haven't cashed in because you don't want to incur accumulated capital-gains taxes? There's an easy way for Christian givers to avoid these taxes in many circumstances: simply transfer some of those shares directly to the church as charitable gifts. Please contact Donna Ferry in the church office for more information about how to make direct gifts of stock to the church.
Dilemma #2
How do I increase my retirement income?
One way to do this is through a Charitable Remainder Trust, by which you make an irrevocable gift to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Foundation, naming the Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church as the beneficiary. You receive income from your gift as long as you live, with the principal of your gift going to the church upon your death. There are often significant tax advantages to this kind of deferred gift. For more information about this and other deferred-giving options, please call our Presbyterian Foundation regional representative, Ellie Johns-Kelly, at (855) 251-8212. As with any gift of this sort, please speak with an accountant or professional investment advisor for the last word about tax implications.
|
|
Joan Valentine House Giving Tree
Once again this year, we'll be collecting gifts for our neighbors at the Joan Valentine House, to make their Christmas a little brighter. The Valentine House is a non-profit residential home for adults living with mental illness.
Look for the Giving Tree in the Narthex this Sunday; it will include envelopes with the names of Valentine House residents, and what gifts they've asked for.
IMPORTANT: Please don't just take an envelope, but also write your name on the clipboard that's near the tree, so we know which person you'll be shopping for.
Although some of the lists may contain quite a number of items, please choose no more than TWO items from the list to purchase. This is important to preserve a sense of equality among all the residents.
Please bring your wrapped gifts into the Sanctuary no later than Christmas Eve, and place them under the Christmas Tree, with a gift tag indicating who the gift is for. Gifts will be handed out at an Epiphany Party early in January.
Thank you for bringing some extra Christmas cheer into someone's life!
|
EVERYONE'S Invited to Youth Connection Christmas Caroling!
 Next Sunday On December 13 meet us at the Manse at 3 p.m. ready to Carol! We'll travel to the homes of various home bound members of the congregation and/or to local nursing homes. All members of the congregation are invited to join us as we go caroling.
We will be having a pizza party afterwards. Please bring a food item to share with the group (either appetizer, bag of snacks or desserts). Pizza and drinks will be provided. Feel free to wear a Holiday Hat and dress for the weather! In case of snow, watch for an email and Facebook announcement.
Youth Connection Alumni - as well as members and friends of the congregation t large - are welcome to join us. We would love to see you and catch up with you!
|
CALLING ALL CHRISTMAS CHILDREN
Ages 4-18!
 We're seeking performers for the pageant that's part of the kids-and-family-oriented 4:00 pm Christmas Eve service. Several small speaking roles are available for those who register by December 7 and attend our rehearsals.
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
December 7:
Registration and short meeting with participants and parents at 11:15 downstairs in the Annex. (This will take place after Sunday School). Those who cannot make the meeting and registration, please email Tricia Stoffers or call the church office.
December 14: Rehearsal in the Annex from 11:15-12:30.
December 21: Rehearsal in the Church Sanctuary from 11:15-12:30
December 24: Meet at Sanctuary at 3 p.m. for the service that begins at 4 p.m.
|
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
Last week -
We discussed what Advent is and what it means to the Christian community. Each Sunday in Advent has a dedicated theme, Week 1 was Hope. We talked about what hope means to us and how Jesus gives us hope for our future. We made our Advent wreaths and talked about the importance of them. A lot of information, but it was a great week!
This week, the Advent theme is Love. We will be discussing love in all shapes and forms, as well as the importance of God's love. I realize that the group last week was smaller than usual, due largely to the Thanksgiving holiday. Not to worry, I will be reviewing what we talked about last week for all of those that missed Sunday School.
Make sure you take note of the important dates above for the Christmas Pageant.
Peace and Blessings,
Tricia Stoffers
Sunday School Coordinator
|
Point Beach Prep News For the Week
 | Blast from the (recent) past!
Halloween parade. |
December is here already and we are moving along to the letter J! We met our letter doll friends "J the Jester" and "Mr. J with his jeans." We learned sign language for "J" and "jump." We sang Jingle Bells, and the children loved jingling our bell instruments! Our students enjoyed an interactive song called "Walking in the Jungle." We read many books that start with J. One of our favorites in the Pre-K class was
The Jolly Postman , a book that had mail inside it! We also began reading Christmas stories. Some of our activities included making jellyfish, making J's with jewels, jelly painting, telling jokes, and playing a jumping jack game! Additionally, we made Christmas projects at our art table, including a candy cane (an upside down J) and a letter to a jolly man named Santa Claus! At Circle Time, we shared the story of Jesus being born on Christmas. It was a jam packed week of fun!
|
Light for Lima Prayer Vigil
Our friends at St. Mary's By-the-Sea Episcopal Church are inviting Christians from all the churches of the community to attend a Light for Lima Prayer Vigil, supporting the international climate talks now going on in Lima, Peru. The vigil will take place this Sunday, December 7, from 4:00-5:00 pm at St. Mary's. Please bring a solar lamp or flashlight (cellphone flashlights are fine).  The Lima talks involve diplomatic representatives of leading nations from around the world. Their goal is to hammer out a climate agreement that can be signed by participating nations, in preparation for the Paris 2015 Climate Summit. Faith communities are demonstrating their deep concern about climate change and are prayerfully supporting world leaders to reach a strong agreement. The power of religion and spirituality is needed to show our leaders that the climate crisis can be solved, and to urge those leaders to act with courage to get the job done. For the freshness of this new day
thanks be to you, O God.
For morning's gift of clarity
its light like the first day's dawn
thanks be to you.
In this newborn light
let us see afresh.
In this gateway onto what has never been before
let our soul breathe hope
for the earth
for the creatures
for the human family.
Let our soul breathe hope.
- John Philip Newell, Praying with the Earth
|
|
New Jersey Chamber Singers
Winter Program
New Jersey Chamber Singers is proud to present a winter program entitled "A Spotless Rose." This concert will transport audiences into a magical winter landscape through a concert experience that heightens the senses, soothes the spirit and awakens the imagination. In addition to traditional carols, the program will feature Morten Lauridsen's Les Chansons des Roses.
Remaining concert dates are as follows:
Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, 4 p.m. - United Methodist Church, 247 Broad Street, Red Bank, N.J. Click here for tickets.
Friday, Dec. 12, 2014, 8 p.m. - Laurita Winery, 85 Archertown Road, New Egypt, N.J. Click here for more information and tickets.
Want to hear a sample of the Chamber Singers' music? Click on the image below:
 | | The New Jersey Chamber Singers (NJCS) Performs Hear My Prayer |
|
|
The latest edition of the church calendar is available online, on the church's website. 
Sunday, December 7 - Second Sunday of Advent
9:00 a.m. - Youth Connection
10:00 a.m. Worship/Communion/Dove and Chancel Choir
10:00 a.m. - Sunday School begins in Worship
11:00 a.m. - Communion Brunch
11:00 - 2:00 p.m. - Craft Fair For Mission
11:15 a.m. - Christmas Pageant Parents Meeting, CE Annex downstairs
4:00 p.m. - Webelos, Basement
Monday, December 8
12:00 - EliSabeth-Verdella Christmas Lunch at the Shrimp Box
6:15 p.m. - Choral Bells, Fellowship Room
7:00 p.m. - Deacons Meeting, Chittick Lounge
Tuesday, December 9
1:00 p.m. - Lydia Day Circle
5:30 p.m. - Tiger Den
6:30 p.m. - Wolf and Bear Den
7:00 p.m. - Lydia Evening Circle
7:00 p.m. - Sarah Hope Circle
Wednesday, December 10
9:00 a.m. - Women's Breakfast at the Rainbow Diner
5:00 p.m. - Dove Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room
6:30 p.m. - Tabitha Dorcas Circle
7:00 p.m. - Sandy Team Meeting
Thursday, December 11
7:00 p.m. - Judith Rachel Circle
7:30 p.m. - Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Friday, December 12
6:30 p.m. Webelos Den, Basement
6:30 p.m. - Troop 6
Saturday, December 13
Sunday, December 14 - Third Sunday of Advent
9:00 a.m. - Youth Connection
10:00 a.m. Worship/Handel's "Messiah" presented by Chancel Choir
10:00 a.m. - Sunday School begins in Worship
11:15 a.m. - Christmas Pageant Rehearsal
3:00 p.m. - Youth Connection Christmas Caroling
4:00 p.m. - Webelos, Basement
|
|
 Birthday Blessings
Dec 7
Dec 8
Dec 9 Brian Potter, Barbara Reid, Nancy Ritota, Michael Weber
Dec 10 Abigail Davis, Lynn Donley, Christine Duane, Jack Muraglia
Dec 11 Frankie Kunz, Richard Vadimski
Dec 12 Tara Oquendo
Dec 13 Elise Durrof, Lauren Durrof
Dec 14 Jason Borkowski, Michael Dunham, Travis Dunham, Kristen Jensen, Liam Murphy
Dec 15 Peyton Viggiano
Dec 16 Laurie Pearce, Ruth Werner
Dec 17 Linda Cottrell, Dawn Holton
Dec 18
Dec 19 Jeffrey Kells, Joan Panuska, David Rogers
Dec 20 Stanley Davis
Dec 21 Corina Collins
Dec 22 Craig Lambie
Dec 23
Dec 24 Jennifer Nase, Dorothy Tolley
Dec 25 Mary Ann Miller
Dec 26 Anna Landre
Dec 27 Christopher Cook, John Curtis
Dec 28 Dustin Cottrell
Dec 29 Kenneth King
Dec 30 Magda Giase, Dale Leasure, Thomas Millar, Christopher Shekon
Dec 31
|
Upcoming Events - Mark Your Calendar
Sunday, December 14, 2014 
10:00 a.m. Worship, Handel's Messiah, Part I
with the Chancel Choir, Organ and String Quartet.
Sunday, December 21, 2014
10:00 a.m. Worship with the Choral Bells
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
4:00 p.m. Family Christmas Eve Service
7:00 p.m. Candlelight Service with Special Music
11:00 p.m. Candlelight Service with the Chancel Choir.
Thursday, December 25, 2014
12:00 - 2:00 p.m. - Christmas Community Dinner, CE Annex
Sunday, December 28, 2014
10:00 a.m. Worship with Carol Sing
|
|
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
Music Staff
Sara Hoey, Organist
William Shoppell, Chancel Choir and Choral Bells Director
Rebecca Muraglia, Acting Dove Choir Director
Christian Education Staff
Courtney Rzeplinski, Youth Connection Coordinator
Tricia Stoffers, Sunday School Coordinator
Devlin House, Point Beach Prep Preschool Director
|
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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
