Friends,

George Frideric Handel's oratorio, Messiah, is one of the best-loved musical compositions of all time.  This Sunday in worship, the Chancel Choir, under the direction of William R. Shoppell, Jr., will present Part 1 of Messiah - better known as the Christmas portion - as well as the famed Hallelujah  Chorus. The choir will be accompanied by organist Sara B. Hoey as well as a string quartet.

Although Messiah was written to be enjoyed as a single work, the first portion - dealing with the advent and birth of Jesus - is often performed in the season of Advent.

Handel wrote the music for Messiah in 1741 in an incredible surge of creativity: he completed the work in just 24 days. We don't know the reason for his rapid work - some have suggested he was urgently in need of money, and others that he was simply carried away by the majesty and wonder of the scriptures.

A legend often told about the work's composition, that may or may not be true, is that Handel's servant walked into the room as his employer had just finished writing the Hallelujah Chorus. He noticed the composer had tears streaming down his cheeks. Handel turned to him and said, "I think I did see all heaven before me, and the great God himself!" Whatever the case, countless listeners have experienced a similar thrill of awe as they have heard choir members and soloists sing those immortal words.



The words to Messiah all come from scripture. The scripture texts were selected and assembled by Charles Jennens, a wealthy English landowner and patron of the arts. Jennens may have had a way with words, but he was obviously not much of a musician, because he was unimpressed by Handel's work. After hearing the piece performed, he wrote to a friend: "His Messiah has disappointed me, being set in great haste, tho' he said he would be about a year about it, and make it the best of all his Compositions. I shall put no more Sacred Works into his hands, to be thus abus'd..."

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE NEXT INQUIRERS GROUP for those exploring membership in the church, will take place on Sunday, January 10, 2016. A light lunch (Communion Brunch has been moved from January 6th to the 10th) will be served in the Annex beginning around 11:15 p.m. and will continue until 2:00 p.m. Child care can be made available upon prior request. New members will be received in worship on January 24. Please call the Church Office to sign up, or to find out more!

BAPTISMS - Baptisms will take place on Sunday, January 10, 2016 and on March 13 at the 10:00 a.m. worship services. Ordinarily, at least one parent must be a member of PPPC. For more information, please call the Church Office. 

CHRISTMAS USHERS - We are in need of 4 ushers for the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service.  Thank you to everyone who has volunteered for the 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. services.  Please call Scott Smith 732-840-0279 if you are available to usher at the 4 pm service. 

THANK YOU FROM THE DEACONS - Thank you for your generosity and your willingness to support our Deacon ministry. Through your generosity, the Deacons collected $915 last Sunday for the Deacons Fund.  We are honored by the trust your gift demonstrates, and we are grateful for your commitment to assist others in need.