Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church 
Weekly News For
Sunday, Oct 18, 2015
Friends,

Anyone who's ever gone fishing knows it's not enough to simply plunk a hook into the water. You need to attach something to the end of your line to attract the fish: either bait or a lure.

There are all types of fishing lures. Some are carefully crafted to look like something fish like to eat: a smaller fish, a wriggly worm or some kind of water bug. Others don't look like much of anything at all: they rely on the sun glinting off their shiny surface to tempt the fish to look their way and bite.

We're not fish, but even so, we know the lure of shiny things. Some of these bright objects - as we well know - conceal their own hidden barbs.

When it comes to shiny things, there's nothing so shiny as the lure that captivates James and John in Mark 10:37. When Jesus asks them what they want him to do for them, they leap at the opportunity to get their order in: "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory."

Glory. Look the word up in a dictionary, and you'll see it means fame or renown - but it's also associated with brightly-beaming light, the light of heaven. In the Bible, "glory" recalls the transfigured Jesus standing upon the mountain flanked by Moses and Elijah, or the light surrounding the choir of angels hovering over Bethlehem.

James and John crave a piece of that glory.

Honestly, glory of one kind or another is a potent attractant for all of us. Our wildest and most winsome fantasies include the fawning admiration of others. Who among us hasn't daydreamed about becoming famous, drinking in the adulation of the masses?

Jesus has other ideas, for those who would be his disciples. Can James and John truly drink the cup that he will drink?

Can we?

Come to worship Sunday: where it's not about us.

Pastor Carl
This Sunday
Sunday, October 18, 2015
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dr. Wilton preaching:  "THE SHINY LURE"

10:00 a.m. - Worship/
10:00 a.m. - Sunday School begins in Worship


This Sunday We Will Walk for CROP!

Yes, we are walking this Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015 for hunger relief, supporting CROP (Church World Service). We will start at the Presbyterian Church located at 1017 Hooper Avenue in Toms River. Registration is at 1:30 pm and we will walk at 2:00 pm.

Please download and bring your registration form. Remember "Be a walker and bring a walker".  Please bring a nonperishable food item for the House of Hope Food Pantry.

See you all on Sunday!

Alan Reifenheiser
Ocean County CHW - Coordinator
732-349-0665
[email protected] 
Prayerfully Consider
 
"Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."  Philippians 4:6
 
The Prayer Family for the week of October 18 is the Curtis family. Let us be prayerfully aware of Connie, John and Min, as well as all our members and friends.

Prayer concerns: Jean and Vincent DeMartino; John Leddy; Rebecca Nickerson (Linda Chase's daughter); Courtney Norton Rzeplinski; Les Thornton; Dawson Wittmann; Bill Williams.

Long term concerns: Bill Blauvelt (Jacque Thornton's brother in law); Kathryn Feldman (Bill Shoppell's sister); George Griffiths (Cousin of Heidi Steinert); Ethel Lemke (mother in law of Scott Smith); Margie McGhee; Erna Meyerle (friend of Susan Robbins); Scott and Jim Millar; Gerda Mooney; Cherisse Petruzzi; Edith Pula; Gemma Roberts; Mary Steinert; Stan Thornton; those struggling with addictions and mental illness.

Military: Michael Fahey III; Matthew Warren; all those in our nation's service.

         PPPC NEWS



EYE OPENERS SEEKING A TREASURER - Anyone looking to volunteer as a helper for this organization for the visually impaired should contact Alyse Simon at 732-477-5635.  The little amount of time needed to volunteer each month is flexible.

SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE - NOVEMBER 1 - We will be offering prayers of thanksgiving in loving memory of members and friends of our church who have departed this life in the past year. Please call the church office or send us an email with the names of people to be remembered in the service.

LADIES NIGHT OUT - Interfaith Hospitality Network of Ocean County Invites all women to join us in our fourth annual "Ladies Night Out". The event will be held on November 6 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Presbyterian Church of Toms River located on Hooper Avenue. The tickets are $15.00 which will include your entry in the fabulous door prize drawing as well as admission to the vendor expo where you will find 25 or more vendors with unique, upscale affordable gift ideas. There will be a gift auction at the end of the evening; winners need not be present. While you are shopping and socializing, please enjoy the complimentary edibles provided by the Olive Garden. Please come out and support this very worthy cause. Susan Robbins will be in the Narthex this Sunday with tickets.  If you are unable to see Susan this Sunday you can call the IHNOC office 732-736-1550 "Come help us help others"

HELP FOR THE WILLIAMS FAMILY CONTINUES - Many of you have been praying and have asked about Bill Williams.  The GoFund me page, established to help the family, is still seeking donations.  For more information or to donate, please visit  Fighting Cancer for the Third Time.  Any help is appreciated!

SAVE THE WEEK - IHN will be arriving for the week on Sunday November 15.  Please see the IHN display in the Narthex to sign up.  
Strengthening Families
   Sowing Friendships
       Serving Community
 
 
Greetings!
 
The story of our church, as we journey on the path of Christian discipleship, is recorded from the rich collection of the individual stories of our members. During our journey together, each of us experiences facets of church that are especially significant to us (aspects of worship, music, education, fellowship, service, times of hardship, etc.)
 
Would you kindly share your "point of special enthusiasm" regarding your life at PPPC?  Is there one part of your church experience in which you delight?
 
The Outreach Committee has set out to gather these "points of special enthusiasm" and then share them with our church members in the coming days. Kindly describe your "point of special enthusiasm" on the form online, and place it in the basket in the narthex. Or, you may prefer to email your thoughts to Frank Perkowski at [email protected].
 
Perhaps you will act right away, so we may begin our display quickly. That would be great! We hope to receive all responses by Tuesday, October 20.
 
Thank you for taking a moment to share with us!
 
The Outreach Committee
 
Thank You From Linda Chase

Dear members of Busy Hands,

Words cannot express how touched I am at the gift of the beautiful banner you made. Little did I know when I suggested that you make a banner using Jesus' words, "I am the vine and you are the branches" that you would do so honoring me and my ministry with all of you at PPPC. 

It is SO BEAUTIFUL. The hours you all spent on it touches me and I know I am truly blessed. If ever I feel down I will just come into the sanctuary and look at the banner and feel your love. 

Peace and Blessings to each of you, 
Linda
This Sunday We Will Welcome the Following New Members

Diana (Colabella) Obser
Diana  grew up in Brielle and her family owned Hoffman Marina.  She went to college at East Stroudsburg University and started her career working at the Hershey Hotel in Hershey, PA.  In 2002 her and her husband Brian moved to New Jersey and are now residents of Point Pleasant.  Diana is a stay-at-home Mom to her children Colin and Sarah and volunteers at Ocean Road School.    


Melissa and Marjorie Meklin
Many know Margie (to the right in this photo) as the daughter of church member Marilyn Rice. Margie was born in Tacoma, Washington and has lived in Montana, Nevada, Arizona, Florida and New Jersey.  She graduated from Neptune High School and went on for training in  Medical/Dental Assisting.  She has her CPR certification and is a Registered Dental Assistant. Marjorie loves the outdoors and taking pictures.

Also joining this morning is Melissa Meklin, who is Marjorie's daughter.  Melissa has attended college in Orlando, Florida, earning a BS degree in Digital Arts and Design.  Melissa currently lives in Toms River with her family, Tim and their two children Connor and Mackenzie.  She is working as a manager at Carters retail outlet.  Melissa loves going to the beach and enjoys outdoor activities such as biking, long walks and spending time with her family.

Note:  Our next Inquirers Class will be January 3, 2016.  Please call the Church office or speak with one of the Pastors if you would like to join.  
Help Determine "The Way Forward" for the PC(USA)

What does it mean to be Presbyterian? Who is the church called to be in this current day and time? How should the denomination serve into the future?

Such questions are being discussed in nooks and crannies throughout the church. General Assembly Moderator Heath Rada is inviting the entire denomination into a churchwide conversation.
YOU can be a part of this. Responses are needed not only from ministers, not only from ruling elders and deacons, but from ALL PRESBYTERIANS. Those who are conducting this conversation are especially eager to hear from those whose voices not often heard, particularly younger Presbyterians.

A set of simple questions for reflection and response will soon be sent out by email. You can submit your email address to receive one of these by visiting a special web page that's been set up for that purpose.
                               SUNDAY SCHOOL



Hello everyone!

Last week we continued on our unit on prayer. The Pre-K and Kindergarten made a craft reinforcing Psalm 23! The older kids started watching Sister Act and learning about how prayer through song is a very powerful thing.

This week we will wrap up our unit on prayer as we explore prayer through music. We will continue watching Sister Act, seeing how singing can be a great way to offer our praise and thanks to God, and how it can bring people together.

Don't forget to read the next part of Psalm 23 so we can be prepared for Pastor Linda's time for children!

Our annual Sunday School Halloween party will be 10/25. Wear your costumes to church!

 Peace and Blessings
Tricia Stoffers
                         YOUTH CONNECTION

Come Find Out About Youth Triennium!

CALLING ALL
SENIOR HIGH YOUTH!


Are you interested in finding out more about the greatest national Christian youth conference ever, the 2016 Presbyterian Youth Triennium at Purdue University in Indiana?

If so, then please plan to come to an informational meeting on:

Sunday, October 25th
6:00-8:00 pm
Trinity Presbyterian Church
367 Cranbury Road, East
East Brunswick, NJ


All eligible youth, leaders and parents are invited!


FOOD, GAMES, FELLOWSHIP!

The Triennium takes place from July 19-23, 2016. Senior High Youth, from rising freshmen to 2016 graduating seniors, are eligible to attend.

This informational meeting is sponsored by Monmouth Presbytery, which is now seeking youth and advisors to join the Presbytery's Triennium delegation. All youth participants will travel to Indiana as a group, with their adult advisors, and stay together in dorms at the University.

If you're interested in going to the informational meeting, please contact the Church Office so we can send in your RSVP.

Just as the name implies, the Triennium happens only every 3 years. Don't miss it - it's an event you'll always remember!
 
POINT BEACH PREP

Nursery School Red Building
This week we met Mr. D and his dog! We thought of lots of other animals that start with D such as duck, donkey, deer, dragon and dinosaur. Our sight word is "do" and our ASL word is "Daddy." We read The Donut Chef, Daniel's Dinosaurs (book on tape), Puff the Magic Dragon (on CD) and No, David. At our project table we made ducks, doctor kits, dinosaurs and Dd dots. 

For Music and Movement we sang a special song called Ding Dong. We also did a dragon dance. We pretended to dig in dirt, dunk donuts, act like ducks and dinosaurs, be dancing dolls, and play a drum. We played Farmer in the Dell and Duck Duck Goose. We put dimes in a bank, rolled dice, played with ducks, and dressed dolls.

Our Nursery class met the puppet D the dinosaur. They hatched baby dinosaurs from eggs, made dinosaur footprints, made dinosaur hats, did a dinosaur boogie and went on a dinosaur hunt! They read How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?, One Duck Stuck, If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur and How Do Dinosaurs Count to Ten? At the project table they made dots and painted doughnuts. Miss Abby made Dirt Pudding for snack! It was delightful!

We all had our picture taken by Teddy Bear Portraits this week. It is amazing to see how big our classes have grown!
 
MISSION

Save the Date...

NEXT Saturday
October 24
7:00 pm
in the CE Annex

FREE Screening 
of the documentary
film, "Heartbreak
and Healing after
Sandy"

We'll be privileged to have the filmmaker, Sandra Levine,
present with us, to introduce the film and answer questions.
It's a fitting way to remember the 3-year anniversary
of Superstorm Sandy: viewing this moving film that was
shot entirely in Ocean County.
You can view a trailer online. 
PDA Issues Appeal for Help for South Carolina

The rivers have crested and the floodwaters have washed out to sea, but the hard work of cleaning up is just beginning in South Carolina. The state was hit with a so-called 1,000 year flood, dumping record-setting rainfall totaling more than 20 inches in some locations. At least 17 people were killed; at the height of the flooding, more than 400 roads, 150 bridges and two major interstates (I-20 and I-95) were closed.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has been working with mid councils to provide support, issuing an appeal to congregations and the general public. Gifts from the One Great Hour of Sharing offering are helping Presbyterian congregations to provide emergency items. Read more here...
      VOLUNTEER VILLAGE

Here are the upcoming volunteer groups who will be staying in the Volunteer Village this fall:

Sunday, Oct 18 - Scioto Valley Presbytery, Columbus, OH
Sunday, Oct 25 - Kiskiminetas Presbytery (previously listed as Crossroads Presbyterian Church), PA
Sunday, Nov 1 - First Presbyterian Church, Warren, PA (rescheduled from October)
Sunday, Nov 8 - Lend A Hand, Carlisle, PA
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Westminster College
Westminister College offering Two Different Scholarships for High School Seniors

$74,000 Young Presbyterian Scholarship for a PC(USA) Congregation
 
OR newly created
 
$70,000 Presbyterian Heritage Scholarship for
a Presbyterian Heritage Congregation non PC(USA)
High School Senior to attend
Westminster College
 
 
THE YOUNG PRESBYTERIAN SCHOLARSHIP
was established in 2002 to encourage and provide an opportunity for outstanding PC(USA) students to apply to Westminster College, one of the nation's best liberal arts colleges.  The scholarship of $74,000 for four years ($18,500 per year) is for qualified high school seniors entering college the Fall of 2016.
 
THE PRESBYTERIAN HERITAGE SCHOLARSHIP
was established this year 2015 to encourage and provide an opportunity for outstanding Presbyterian Heritage students to apply to Westminster College, one of the nation's best liberal arts colleges.  The scholarship of $70,000 for four years ($17,500 per year) is for qualified high school seniors entering college the Fall of 2016.

The scholarships are available to members of all PC(USA) churches. Each congregation can select two students who meet the following qualifications:
PC(USA) membership or a member of Presbyterian Heritage Congregation
3.5 cumulative high school GPA (through junior year)
Nomination by Pastor/Congregation
Scholarship Deadlines are
December 1 - Pastor/Congregation Nomination

Please see the attached flyer, read more online, or contact Dr. Wilton for more details.  
                     PPPC IMAGE OF THE WEEK



Another Rally Day photo - smiles all around!
 

      THIS WEEK'S CALENDAR

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

Sunday, October 18
10:00 a.m. - Worship/Chancel Choir/New Members
10:00 a.m. - Sunday School begins in Worship
1:00 p.m. - CROP Walk, Toms River
 
Monday, October 19
10:00 a.m. - Embracing Forgiveness Bible Study, Chittick Lounge
6:15 p.m. Choral Bells

Tuesday, October 20
7:00 p.m. - Session Committee Meetings
8:00 p.m. - Session Meeting

Wednesday, October 21
9:00 a.m. - Women's Breakfast at the Rainbow Diner
5:00 p.m. - Dove Choir Rehearsal 
6:00 p.m. - Bear Den, Basement

Thursday, October 22
8:00 a.m. - Men's Breakfast at US Subs  
5:30 p.m. - Wolf Den
7:00 p.m. - Webelos Den
7:30 p.m. - Chancel Choir Rehearsal 

Friday, October 23
6:00 p.m. - Youth Connection 
 
Saturday, October 24
7:00 p.m. - Heartbreak and Hope Documentary Film Screening

Sunday, October 25 - Reformation Sunday
10:00 a.m. - Worship/Dove Choir/Noisy Offering
10:00 a.m. - Sunday School begins in Worship
2:30 p.m. - Claremont Care Center Worship Service 

Birthday Blessings 
 
Oct 18 Jessica Holloway, Zachary Paulus
Oct 19 Jamie Jaekels, Marjorie McGhee
Oct 20 Phyllis King, Carol Reid
Oct 21
Oct 22 Michael Aiello, William Smykowski
Oct 23
Oct 24 W N Smith
Oct 25 Riley Fiorentino, Adrian Jensen
Oct 26 Cailey Hudnut
Oct 27 Joan Reitmeyer
Oct 28 Sydney Hurley, Cynthia Kells, Rosanna Maimone, Carl Wilton
Oct 29
Oct 30 Claude Hurley, John Pasola, Frank Perkowski, Lisa Simpson
Oct 31
      COMING UP


                   Coming Soon
 
October 24, 7:00 - Heartbreak and Healing After Sandy film screening
October 25, 11:00 a.m. Youth Connection Pancake Breakfast 
November 1 - Daylight Savings Ends
November 15 - IHN Arrives
 

       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]