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Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church
| Weekly News For
Sunday, Nov 15, 2015 | |
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Please take our quick survey
about Christmas Eve Worship services.
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(We understand there were some technical issues in the survey that was sent on Thursday. These issues have been corrected with in the Survey above. We are sorry for the inconvenience.)
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 Friends, When parents raise children, they raise them to excel. Most of us internalize that success message early. Whether it's grades in school, victories on the athletic field, getting and keeping that dream job, or some other goal, we feel driven at times by the desire to excel.
Encouraging excellence is a good thing, most would affirm. Yet, here's an area of excellence that doesn't make so many people's lists of life-goals: generosity.
Yes, generosity. There are some who don't rush to pursue that ideal. Generosity seems, to them, the antithesis of success. How can excellence in generosity be a worthy goal, they ask themselves, if it's all about giving away some of those hard-earned simoleons, the very symbol of what makes us worthy human beings? Doesn't generosity undermine our most cherished personal goals?
The Bible has a very different view. The Bible affirms generosity as a virtue, even a spiritual gift.
Wouldn't the world be a better place if there were more generosity in it? Wouldn't this church be a better place - and a more faithful community of Christ-followers - if there were more generosity among us as well? Come to worship this Sunday as we explore this vital topic and present our estimates of giving for 2016!
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Sunday, November 15, 2015
Thirty Third Sunday of Ordinary Time
Dr. Wilton preaching: "WE HAVE A STORY, 4: GENEROSITY"
10:00 a.m. - Worship/Baptism/ Generosity Sunday/Chancel Choir/Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Dedication 10:00 a.m. - Sunday School begins in Worship
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Thank you to everyone who is volunteering this week. Please speak with Dorothy Tolley (732-892-9306) if you have any questions.
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All Shoe Boxes are due this Sunday and will be dedicated during our Service.
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Parents are James and
Kyle (Ridge) LaForge
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"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 November 15 is the Brzyski family. Let us be prayerfully aware of John, Julie, Jake, Jarod, as well as all our members and friends.
Prayer concerns: Jean DeMartino; Susan Larsen; Jacob Mendelsohn; Courtney Norton Rzeplinski; Brandon Shoppell; Les Thornton; Dawson Wittmann; Bill Williams.
Long term concerns: Bill Blauvelt (Jacque Thornton's brother in law); Cliff Brendler; Kathryn Feldman (Bill Shoppell's sister); George Griffiths (Cousin of Heidi Steinert); Kim Kearns (Sister in Law Rusty and Mindy Gilbert); Ethel Lemke (mother in law of Scott Smith); Margie McGhee; Erna Meyerle (friend of Susan Robbins); 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.
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 NEXT SUNDAY DEACON BLOOD DRIVE - Please join us for our Annual Blood Drive here at Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church on Sunday, November 22, 2015 from 9:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m. There is a sign up sheet in the Narthex. For questions and to schedule your donation please contact Joseph Maimone at 732-608-4286 or Robin DeRosa 732-604-1340. We welcome our "walk in" donors too!
 CHURCH DIRECTORY - R ecent family photo (within the last year) can still be submitted to pppcdirectory@gmail.com. All photos must be either jpg, bmp or png files only. When sending your picture through the email please include your name, address, phone number and email address. If you would like to schedule a picture to be taken, please speak with Diane Legriede.
CAN YOU HELP US WITH THE PW COOKBOOK? The PW are looking for someone to type recipes in Microsoft Word for our new "Shore Delights of Jersey" Cookbook. We have a few recipes digitally and some that need to be re-typed. Do you have some time at home that you can help with this task? If so please contact Karen Norby at 732-295-8174, or email her at ptpresbypwcookbook@gmail.com.
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Tis the Season!
The PW are Baking for Mission
They are perfect for gifts or to share over your Christmas celebrations! First come, first served baked goods are limited!
We are selling:
9 inch Apple Pies Ready for Oven for $12
1 doz. assorted cookies in Christmas tins for $5
 Your money must be submitted with your form, you can use cash or a check made out to Presbyterian Woman.
You may drop off you order to Kim in front office or place it in your tithes and offerings plate during service.
All orders must be submitted by Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015. Pick up will be Dec 6, 2015 in Fellowship Hall following Sunday Service.
Any further questions please contact Heidi Steinert 732-779-3680 or Kerry Jones 732-312-6747
Thank you for all your support |
Ways To Be Generous this Christmas
We are fortunate to have so many ministries that serve a variety of people. These ministries could not operate on their own without the support of the congregation. Please consider some of the ways you can help.
Deacons' Blood Drive - Sunday, November 22 is the day for qualified donors to offer a pint of blood through the Central Jersey Blood Center. Please sign up if you're able!
Deacons' Assistance - Tough economic times continue to affect everyone. The Deacons' ministry assists people with utility bills and rent as well as providing gift and gas cards for those in need. A donation to the Deacons can be made in the Deacons envelope that is in the pews every Communion Sunday. Envelopes for the Deacons' fund will be in the pews on December 6.
IHN Christmas Families - Interfaith Hospitality Network continues to give hope to homeless families in our area. We are grateful to the many volunteers of this church who have continually volunteered during our hosting weeks. Over the years, you have made a meaningful impact in the lives of many struggling families. This Christmas we will be buying gifts for the families in the program. If you would like to help us in providing a donation to assist us in purchasing these gifts, please indicate "IHN Christmas" on the memo line of your check.
Joan Valentine House Giving Tree - The Valentine House is a non-profit residential home for adults living with mental illness. Starting in December there will be a Giving Tree in the Narthex that will include envelopes with the names of Valentine House residents with their Christmas list. Members are asked to purchase only TWO items from the list in order to preserve a sense of equality among all the residents. Wrapped gifts with a gift tag indicating who the gift is for, can be put under the tree in the Sanctuary no later than Christmas Eve. Gifts are handed out at an Epiphany Party early in January.
Music Ministry - Donations are needed for the string quartet of professional musicians who will be presenting Handel's Messiah during our worship service on December 13. In order to keep the music line of the church budget down, we depend on individual donations to cover this expense. If you would like to make a donation, please indicate "Messiah" on the memo line of your check.
St. Gregory's Pantry Christmas Distribution -The Pantry accepts unwrapped NEW toys for the Christmas clients. Through your generosity, 2-3 gifts per child are given to needy families. Gifts for teenagers are especially needed - CDs, gift cards, sweaters, hats, nail polish, etc. After Thanksgiving, 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 can also be given for gift card purchases.
Give of yourself on Christmas Day - Once again we will be hosting 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 Cookie Bakers and Christmas Day Volunteers for set-up, deliveries and clean-up. Cookies can be dropped off at the church during the week of Christmas. More information on volunteering will soon follow. |
Hello everyone!
 This week, we will be finishing up out unit on the Disciples. Last week we had a lot of fun making our craft that reminded us of the names of the Disciples. They came out great! Next week, in annual tradition, we will be making our ornaments for the tree in the sanctuary. Please make sure to send in a photo of your child- those wallet sized ones we get a ton of with our school pictures would be perfect!See you on Sunday! Peace and Blessings,
Tricia Stoffers
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CALLING ALL CHRISTMAS CHILDREN
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 6 and attend our rehearsals.
Rehearsal Schedule:
December 6: 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 20: 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.
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This week we had Retired Army Specialist Christopher Cook come to visit our school. Specialist Cook talked to us about when he was a soldier. He showed us the canteen he carried, the boots he wore, and some medals he received. The children enjoyed hearing his stories. We are thankful for Mr. Cook and all Veterans who have served our country.
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A Retrospective & Celebration
 As our last mission team of 2015 leaves the Volunteer Village this week, we celebrate with wonder the generosity of the Lord in bringing over 1,400 volunteers to Point Pleasant since SuperStorm Sandy blew ashore in 2012. Volunteers from all over the country have worked 44,500 hours helping over 225 families in their journey home. I am pleased to report that, after commenting on how rewarding it is to help those affected by Sandy, one of the most common remarks we hear from volunteers is how comfortable and welcoming our hosting site is, especially compared with the tents, cots, and cold showers they describe from mission trips to other disasters. As a result, many groups have returned for 2nd and 3rd trips, and wonderful friendships have developed between these "mission trippers" and members of our church and community.
In reflecting on Lend-A-Hand's expression of gratitude in the above article, we celebrate Christ's presence in all who have made the Volunteer Village such a welcoming mission destination and in those who will step up into new roles as others step down and we move into next year's hosting season. We celebrate Frank Jones, Howard Gilbert, and Bill Williams who have worked directly with the volunteer teams to manage their trip and work logistics, and we celebrate Nancy and Henry Stout who step into these roles. We celebrate Mandy Rauffer and her seminarian intern predecessors who have welcomed the volunteers and Robin DeRosa who steps into this role. We celebrate the cooking and shopping teams who prepare delicious meals and make sure the volunteers have plenty of breakfast and lunch food for the week. And we celebrate those who have worked behind the scenes keeping the Volunteer Villager running. This includes Bob Norton who has collected the statistical data that demonstrates the Village's impact and Carol Bonebrake who steps into this role. It includes Kim Gaydos, Donna Ferry, and Dee D'Amore who handle the Village paperwork and maintain the finances. And it includes the "Sandy Team" committee who meet monthly to keep everything on track. And finally, we celebrate everyone who has stepped up to help with special tasks or to provide moral support.
 The PPPC Volunteer Village continues as a wonderful and vital outreach mission to help those so badly affected by SuperStorm Sandy. For those still struggling in their Sandy recovery journey, every volunteer hour is a blessing that brings them a step closer to being home. And we too are blessed by those volunteers and by the opportunity to welcome and host them.
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This past week all 11 volunteers from Lend-A-Hand carefully removed a ceramic tub from a Sandy home located in the Beach.
We especially want to acknowledge one group that has been particularly dedicated in their support for Sandy recovery and for our hosting site. This, of course, is the Lend-A-Hand team from central Pennsylvania whose efforts and leadership back in 2012 helped us get the Volunteer Village started and whose mission teams have come to Point Pleasant 25 times, working 15,500 hours. This past Thursday, November 12, 2015, we presented Lend-A-Hand with a certificate of our appreciation for their support and efforts. In receiving the certificate, they asked that we express their gratitude to the entire church for all of the hospitality we have offered to provide them a welcoming home away from home and for all of the effort we have put into finding meaningful recovery work for them to do while they are here.
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CHURCH CALENDAR - The latest edition of the church calendar is available online, on the church's website. 
10:00 a.m. - Worship/Baptism/Stewardship Sunday/Chancel Choir/Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Dedication
10:00 a.m. - Sunday School begins in Worship
6:15 p.m. Choral Bells
Tuesday, November 17
7:00 p.m. - Committee Meetings
8:00 p.m. - Session Meeting, Fellowship Room
Wednesday, November 18
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
6:30 p.m. - Youth Connection, Chittick Lounge
Thursday, November 19
8:00 a.m. - Men's Breakfast at US Subs
6:30 p.m. - Tiger Den
7:00 p.m. - Webelos Den
7:30 p.m. - Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Friday, November 20
Saturday, November 21
Sunday, November 22
9:00 a.m. - Deacons' Blood Drive
10:00 a.m. - Worship/Choral Bells/Noisy Offering
10:00 a.m. - Sunday School begins in Worship
2:30 p.m. - Claremont Care Center
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BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS
Nov 18 Michael Lappke, Patricia Schroeder Nov 19 Linda Krayl Nov 20 Matthew Pasola Nov 21 Heather Bamburak, James McGuire, Amanda Shahady Nov 22 Linda Chase, Sherri Hall, Zachary Snyder Nov 23 Kieran Hughes, Tommy Reinstadler, Jennifer Quimby Nov 24 Nov 25 Nov 26 Jane Jensen, Jacque Miscavage, Scott Whitman Nov 27 Mandy Rauffer Nov 28 Nikolas Marsala Nov 29 Diane Cerveny, Holly Najdzinowicz Nov 30 Ronald Panuska, Sandi Shekon |
November 22 - Deacon Blood Drive
November 29 - Hanging of the Greens
December 2 - PW Christmas Service
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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
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
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