Point Pleasant
Presbyterian Church

Weekly News for

Sunday,

February 22, 2015 

Friday, February 20, 2015

6 p.m. in the C.E. Annex

 

Please join us for a night of fellowship and family fun!

All ages are welcome. There will be crafts and activities for the kids before the movie, as well as dinner foods available for purchase. Kids are encouraged to wear their pjs or their favorite Frozen outfits! They can also bring sleeping bags or blankets to curl up on to watch the movie!

Please feel free to contact Tricia Stoffers with any questions: [email protected] 

 Dear Friends,

Well, last Sunday was an adventure. Most church activities were canceled, and morning worship took place right after the blizzard and before lots of folks were shoveled out. So, we were a small but mighty gathering of about 10 souls.

I was planning to preach on the story of Jesus' Transfiguration - which comes up in the lectionary each year on the Sunday before Lent begins - but, under the circumstances, decided to go in another direction. Because the Transfiguration functions as the hinge between the period of Jesus' ministry and his journey towards Jerusalem and the cross, it makes sense for us to get the view from the mountaintop on this first Sunday in Lent, so that's what we'll be doing.

On the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter, James and John see Jesus as he really is.

But what about other people? What does it mean to see others as they really are, as God created them to be? Do you suppose that - from God's viewpoint - they, too, glow like the sun?

More important, how would such a vision affect our relationships? If we could truly see those dearest to us as God sees them, would we treat them differently - and they us?

Join us in worship this Sunday as we explore our lives, our loves and our relationships!

Pastor Carl
This Sunday
 

Sunday, February 22 - First Sunday in Lent

Mark 9:2-9 

 

The Rev. Dr. Carl Wilton preaching: "SEEING ONE ANOTHER AS WE REALLY ARE" 

 

9:00 a.m. - Youth Connection

10:00 a.m. - Sunday School Begins in Worship

10:00 a.m - Worship/Chancel Choir/Noisy Offering

11:00 a.m. - Confirmation Parents Meeting

2:30 p.m. - Claremont Care Center

4:00 p.m. - Webelos

6:30 p.m. - Ecumenical Handbell Festival, Presbyterian Church of Toms River

Handbell Festival Sunday Evening 

Handbells

The Choral Bells, along with other handbell choirs from the area, will once again be ringing at the 16th Annual Handbell Festival this Sunday. 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 for this concert - just come! Free admission, free-will offering. Please come out and support your Choral Bells.
Noisy Offering
 
Coin jar
A "Noisy Offering" for Monmouth Presbytery's Cents-Ability program will be received this Sunday to support ministries to relieve hunger locally, regionally, and globally. Make a joyful noise to the Lord! 
 
"Blue Out" on Blue Shirt Day, February 22 

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has declared this Sunday, February 22 - the First Sunday in Lent - as "Blue Shirt Day." All over the country, Presbyterians will be wearing their blue PDA t-shirts to church.

If you have a PDA blue shirt, then please wear it to worship this  Sunday, the 22nd. If you don't have a shirt, then please wear something else that's blue.

Let's make the Sanctuary as sea of blue, as we celebrate and renew our commitment to Sandy recovery!
Confirmation Dove, animated CONFIRMATION CLASS - Our organizational meeting for the Confirmation Class is this Sunday, February 22, after worship. Parents and youth alike are encouraged to attend this first meeting. 

Confirmation is for young people, grade 7 or above. The Class will meet on 8 different Sunday evenings from 5:00-6:00 pm, with Pastor Wilton and Dale Leasure as leaders. Confirmation class participants will be welcomed into membership on the Day of Pentecost, May 24th.  More information on the Confirmation program, including the complete schedule, may be found on a special Confirmation page on the church website.
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 22 is the Gilbert family. Let us be prayerfully aware of Howard and Betty, as well as all our members and friends.

Prayer concerns: The family of Judith Leonardis; Alexa Wright (daughter of Jennifer Tarrell and Dale Wright) Ron Kiss; Mary McSweeney.

Long term concerns: Kathryn Feldman (Bill Shoppell's sister); Linda Bissey Small (Bob and Jessie's niece); Jean Collins; Cherisse Petruzzi; Michelle Avary and Chris Loeffler (family of Andrea Purtell); Bill Blauvelt (Jacque Thornton's brother in law); Nicholas Hudnut; Fred Johnson; Karen Larsen; those struggling with addictions and mental illness.

Military: Michael Limpantsis; all those in the military
         PPPC NEWS


News and Notes

CHECK FOR SNOW CANCELLATIONS - In case of snow, please check the main page of the church website or the voicemail message about worship service times (732-899-0587) for the latest information about cancellations of church activities.

  
welcome_mat INQUIRERS GROUP, EXPLORING CHURCH MEMBERSHIP - An Inquirers Group, for those exploring membership in the church, will take place on Sunday, March 1, 2015. The meeting will start at 11:30 a.m. (just after the Communion Brunch) 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 8. Please call the Church Office to sign up, or to find out more!

MESSIAH SELECTIONS - On Sundays in Lent when the Chancel Choir is singing, they'll be treating us to selections from Handel's Messiah, one of the best-known and best-loved of sacred choral compositions.  This Sunday it's going to be "Behold the Lamb of God" (John 1:29) and "He Was Despised" (Isaiah 53:3-6; alto solo by Sandy Grebel). 
PPPC Women's Retreat - Celebrate the Gifts of Women

Calling all women of the church to join us on ----March 21st ---- to CELEBRATE THE GIFTS OF WOMEN!  Come and lift up the bond between young and old, strangers and friends of all colors and creeds in God's household. 

Some of the most beautiful and memorable words in the Bible are spoken by women to women, and passed from generation to generation.  When the words and actions of our best selves are passed on,  devotion and love bloom!  We're grateful to the Brick Presbyterian Church for allowing us to use their new fellowship hall for the retreat, which will take place on March 21st from 8:30 - 3:00. Come for a day of relaxation, exaltation and celebration of the gifts we share!

Registration forms are available online and in the bulletin.  A sign up sheet is also available in the Narthex to let us know you are interested.  
Good News for College Students!

caf_-laptop-people.jpg
Applications for the National Presbyterian College Scholarships
are due March 1. The program provides students attending PC(USA)-related colleges with a $1,500 scholarship for up to four years. Read a story about one recipient, and visit the Financial Aid for Service website for complete information and to learn about other programs.

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sunday School Recap 

Sunday School Difference
Last Week:  Snow Day

This Week:  We will be learning the basics of Lent. It was so wonderful to see so many kids at the Ash Wednesday service, and the Doves sang beautifully! Don't forget about our Frozen Family Fun Night, tonight!
 
 See you on SundayPeace and Blessings.
Tricia Stoffers
POINT BEACH PREP

This Week at Point Beach Prep

The Nursery and Pre-K classes explored SHAPE, an Element of Art with Mrs. Karen Norby.

A review of human-made lines (straight) and lines in nature (curved) was an introduction to "LINES MAKE SHAPES."
 
The children explored curved shapes in nature and found human-made shapes in their classroom.  They created curved shapes with string and human-made shapes with popsicle sticks.
 
We observed how artist Joan Miro used curved shapes to show nature in his painting "Figures and Dog in Front of Sun" and how Piet Mondrian used human-made shapes in his most famous painting "Broadway Boogie Woogie."

Mrs. Norby is a certified K-12 art educator who taught High School and Elementary School Art in the Manasquan school district for 29 years. Thank you, Mrs. Norby!

Point Beach Prep will be having an Open House February 28th from 10am-12pm.  The registration fee will be half price ($50) for anyone who registers at the Open House.   There is still limited space in our Nursery class for the 2015/2016 school year - if you are interested, please check us out!

Point Beach Preschool makes learning fun, while building self-esteem and a positive attitude toward learning!  We promote kindergarten readiness and provide the tools to prepare the children for school and life.

We are open Monday-Friday 8:30am-12pm, with an optional lunch bunch 12pm-1pm.  Call us today 732-701-9900 or visit us on the web: www.pointbeachprep.com
YOUTH CONNECTION

Youth Connection Italian Dinner 
 

It's getting to be that time of year again!  On Saturday, February 28, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm, the Youth Connection is offering its traditional Italian Dinner. We'll be serving our traditional spaghetti and meatballs as well as penne with vodka sauce.

Seating is restaurant-style with Youth Connection members taking orders and serving. No reservations required. Take-outs will be available. 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.  Please plan to spend a great evening out and support the Youth Connection. 
Fundraiser for Youth Connection 
Youth Group News

 

Attention church business owners! Do you want to find an inexpensive way to advertise your business, while also helping support mission work? On Sunday February 15th, after the church service, the Youth Connection will be collecting business cards to put on placemats for our Italian dinner. For a donation of $25 per business card, the youth connection will put your business card on the placemats that will be used during the Italian dinner and other future fundraisers. 

 

Each card is guaranteed to be on at least 150 placemats. There are only 28 spots available and the cards will be taken on a first come, first served basis. Any questions? Call Courtney Rzeplinski at 732-552-6737.

      VOLUNTEER VILLAGE

BLUE OUT in Worship this Sunday! 
 



As we said above, this Sunday is PDA BLUE SHIRT DAY! Please wear a blue PDA t-shirt if you have one, or something else blue if you don't.

We're less than a month away from welcoming the first of many volunteer work
groups who will be staying in our Volunteer Village this spring and summer.

Here are the bookings  so far:

2015 Scheduled Groups
Sunday, March 15 - Lend A Hand, Carlisle, PA and Rutgers University Work Team
Sunday, March 29 - Webster Presbyterian, Webster, NY
Sunday April 12 - Presbytery of Detroit, MI
Sunday, April 19 - Lend A Hand & Presbytery of Western NY
Sunday, May 17 - Lend A Hand, Carlisle, PA
Sunday, June 14 - Macalester Plymouth United Church, St. Paul, MN
Sunday, June 21 - Langhorne Presbyterian Church, Langhorne, PA
Sunday, July 12 - St. Giles Presbyterian Church, Orange Park, FL
Sunday, July 19 - First Presbyterian Church Yorktown, Yorktown, NY
Sunday, July 26 - Pine Run Presbyterian Church, Apollo, PA
Sunday, August 2 - Presbyterian Church of Morristown, NJ
Sunday, August 16 - Lend A Hand, Carlisle, PA
Sunday, Sept 20 - Lend A Hand, Carlisle, PA
Sunday, Oct 4 - Presbytery of Detroit, MI
Sunday, Oct 11 - Lend A Hand, Carlisle, PA


Have You Signed the OCLTRG's Petition Yet?

OCLTRG logo
From our partners at the Ocean County Long Term Recovery Group...

We urgently need your help to convey to our elected officials that the Ocean County Long Term Recovery Group is a SOLUTION for NJ families rebuilding from Superstorm Sandy.  If you value the DISASTER CASE MANAGEMENT, RREM EDUCATION & WORKSHOPS and the FINANCIAL RESOURCES that OCLTRG and its partners bring to the table to help households recover, our elected officials need to hear your voice.  Over the next week, we ask for your help to make sure that our elected officials know that funding for the Ocean County Long Term Recovery and its partners is not discretionary but a NECESSITY for families recovering.

* WE URGE YOU TO FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW WHO HAS BEEN IMPACTED OR HELPING IN RECOVERY EFFORTS.

Please take a moment and sign our online petition. Thank you!

 

Is Shopping a Spiritual Gift? 
 
shopping-cart-woman2.jpg In 1 Corinthians 2:7, Paul says "To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." Then, he proceeds to list all manner of spiritual gifts that are useful in advancing Christ's mission.

Shopping is not on that list - but maybe it should be!

The Volunteer Village has continued to be successful in its efforts due to the many wonderful volunteers from our congregation.  There are many ways to be involved with the Volunteer Village. Opportunities to help include shopping, cooking, welcoming, construction coordination as well as overall hosting responsibilities. 

We are especially in need of grocery shoppers for the village.  Shopping can be done at a time convenient for you.  There is a guideline/list available for the shoppers.  The church also has a Costco card for shoppers to use and reimbursements are  promptly made.  Shopping teams of 2 or 3 people are ideal. We could use two more teams.  For more information, please speak with Linda Chase.
                                        MISSION

Help Jaime Get to 100%!

Church member Jaime Williams, a student at the University of Alabama and the daughter of Bill and Terri Williams, plans to travel to Uganda from March 13-22 on  a mission trip. She will be working with
Sozo Children, a Christian mission organization that houses 81 orphans in four different homes. While there, she will be helping to care for the children and will share the love of Jesus Christ with them.
 
In order to make her trip possible, Jaime must raise at least $2,000 in pledges from friends, family and fellow church members. Pledges so far total $1,385, or 69% of her goal. Check on her further progress on the special web page she's set up to receive donations - and please consider making a pledge yourself. Thank you! 
Coming Next Month...IHN 
IHN Trailer
On March 8 we will once again host families from IHN.  Sign up sheets are now in the Narthex.  

Help is need with Meals, Set-up, Evening Fellowship and Overnight Hosting. Please indicate where you can help. 

Questions? Please contact Dorothy Tolley at 732-892-9306.  Thank you!
 
Church World Service Kits - Hygiene and School Kits 
Church World Service faces

  

Members of Presbyterian Women are 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.  For Hygiene Kits, please use a gallon-sized Ziploc plastic bag.  

   

School Kits - give children in impoverished schools, refugee camps, or other difficult settings some of the basic tools for learning. For School Kits, please pack all items inside one of the cloth bags the Busy Hands for Mission group has made.  Please stop by the church office to pick up your bag.

 

Girl with hygiene kit Detailed instructions on what to put in the bags can be found on the Church World Service website. Please do not add to or exchange listed items. 

 

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 costs should be made out to "Presbyterian Women."


Kits will be due and dedicated in the Sunday worship service on March 22.

      THIS WEEK'S CALENDAR

 

The latest edition of the church calendar is available online, on the church's website. 

 

Sunday, February 22

9:00 a.m. - Youth Connection

10:00 a.m. - Sunday School Begins in Worship

10:00 a.m - Worship/Chancel Choir

11:00 a.m. - Confirmation Parents Meeting

2:30 p.m. - Claremont Care Center

4:00 p.m. - Webelos

6:30 p.m. - Ecumenical Handbell Festivial, Presbyterian Church Toms River

 

Monday, February 23

 

Tuesday, February 24

 

Wednesday, February 25

9:00 a.m. - Women's Breakfast at the Rainbow Diner

 

Thursday, February 26

7:30 a.m. - Men's Breakfast at US Subs

7:30 p.m. - Chancel Choir Rehearsal

 

Friday, February 27

7:00 p.m. - Troop 6 Lock In, Fellowship and CE Annex

 

Saturday, February 28

 

Sunday, March 1

9:00 a.m. - Youth Connection

10:00 a.m. - Sunday School Begins in Worship

10:00 a.m - Worship/Communion/Chancel Choir

Birthday Blessings

  

Feb 22 Muriel Carlson-Simon
Feb 23 Joshua Duffield, Terri Satterlee, Bill Williams
Feb 24 Jamie McGuire, Heidi Steinert
Feb 25 Scott Nelson
Feb 26 Gerald Almazan, Tyler Barbieri, Allan Novick
Feb 27 Thomas D'Amore, Acacia Evans
Feb 28 Emily Birdsong, Ellen Hank, Eva Pula

      COMING UP


 
Saturday, February 28, 2015
4:30 pm - Youth Connection Italian Dinner 
 
Friday March 6-8, 2015
Confirmation Retreat at Camp Johnsonburg

Sunday, March 29, 2015
10: 00 am - Palm Sunday worship

Thursday, April 2, 2015
7:00 pm - Maundy Thursday Communion with Tenebrae

Friday, April 3, 2015
7:00 pm - Good Friday service

Sunday, April 5, 2015
9:00 am - Easter worship, Communion
11:00 am - Easter worship, Communion

       CONTACT US

 

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

Quick Links 

Full Calendar of Events

Make a Safe, Online Contribution

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: [email protected]