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Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church
| Weekly News For
Sunday, March 20, 2016 | |
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 Dear Friends, "Where are we going?""I don't know - just follow the crowd!"Following the crowd is a common-enough thing to do. How many of us have judged the quality of a restaurant by the number of cars in the parking lot? Or choose a movie based on the buzz we've heard about it? Sometimes such methods of choosing work out just fine. Other times, not so well. Crowds don't always make the best decisions. They're notoriously fickle. There's a herd instinct that takes over after a while. People follow along just for the sake of following along. It was no different with the Jerusalem crowd, as Jesus entered the city. One day, the crowd was falling over each other to to hail Jesus as Messiah. Just a few days later, they were shouting, "Crucify him!" We are entering the most important week of the Christian year. How will each of us do that? Will we simply allow ourselves to be swept along? Or will we find some moments to step aside, reflect, read scripture, pray? Here are some daily scripture selections you may wish to read this week, traveling with our Lord on his journey through the streets of Jerusalem:
We hope you will come not only to Sunday worship on Palm Sunday and Easter, but that you will join us in worship on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday as well (details below). A blessed Holy Week to all of you!
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Sunday, March 20, 2016
Palm Sunday
Dr. Wilton preaching: "THE HERO WE NEED"
10:00 a.m. - Palm Sunday Worship with One Great Hour of Sharing/Dove and Chancel Choirs 10:00 a.m. - Sunday School begins in Worship 11:15 a.m. - Parent Confirmation Meeting
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Confirmation Class Parents Meeting
Our organizational meeting for the Confirmation Class will take place THIS Sunday, March 20, at 11:20 am. Parents and youth alike are encouraged to attend this first meeting, which will take place in the Fellowship Room just after the coffee hour.
Confirmation is for young people, grade 7 or above. The Class is tenatively slated to meet for 6 Sundays, beginning April 3, at 11:15 a.m. Pastor Carl and Ruling Elder Dale Leasure will be the leaders. Confirmation class participants will be welcomed into membership on the Day of Pentecost, May 15th.
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One Great Hour of Sharing To Be Received this Sunday
One of the major purposes of the One Great Hour of Sharing offering, to be received this Sunday, is refugee resettlement and relief. Here's a little video from our ecumenical partners, the United Church of Christ, that highlights this vital area of mission outreach.
Your gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing make a real difference in the lives of desperate children of God, the world over. Please give from the heart.
Gifts may be made through the Sunday offering, or online through PPPC's electronic giving link. (Just indicate the amount under "Special Giving" and key in "OGHS" on the memo line next to it.)
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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 March 20 is the Callari family. Let us be prayerfully aware of Shirley and Joseph, as well as all our members and friends.
Prayer Concerns: The family of Virginia Adamo; The family of Chet Petersen; Donald Hand; Don Williams Kathy Blaunt; Ron Claeys.
Long term concerns: Jacob Basilotto; Cliff Brendler; Elsie Cason; Trey Childers; George Griffiths (Cousin of Heidi Steinert); Maryanne Leach; Ethel Lemke (mother-in-law of Scott Smith); Margie McGhee; Jim Millar; Gerda Mooney; Edith Pula; Gemma Roberts; Les Thornton; Stan Thornton; Bill Williams; those struggling with addictions and mental illness.
Military: Morgan Daniels; Michael Fahey III; Matthew Warren; all those in our nation's service.
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HELP NEEDED IN THE VILLAGE THIS SUNDAY- Once again the Sandy Team is getting ready to strip the mattress covers from the beds in the Volunteer Village and would like a little help doing so. Can you stick around for a few minutes after the service this Sunday and lend a hand?
 EASTER DISTRIBUTION AT ST. GREGORY'S PANTRY The pantry is now collecting filled Easter baskets until March 20 for their Easter Distribution on March 22. Baskets may be filled with candy, games, books or any age-appropriate items for children ages 1-15. It is also helpful to attach a label stating the age and gender of the child receiving the basket. Baskets can be received at the pantry during their hours of 10:00 a.m to noon, Monday thru Friday
The pantry is also in need of volunteers on the day of distribution, March 22. Adults are needed for as much time as possible for distribution of food to clients from 8:45 a.m to 2:00 pm. Any amount of time you can give is appreciated.
FLOWERS FOR EASTER - This Sunday is the last day to put your Easter flower order in. Order forms are found in Sunday's bulletin and can be placed in the offering plate.
A NEW HEART FOR JACOB - From Jacob's Mom. "Thank you to everyone that came out tonight to support Jacob at the pasta dinner. We had a great turn out! It is wonderful to see so many family,friends and community supporting our brave warrior. Thank you to Troop 6,Crew 66,and our fundraising team,for a wonderful event." Donations can be still sent to "A New Heart for Jacob" 442 Shore Line Place, Brick NJ 08723
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 A Prayer During Holy Week
For this Holy Week, prayers can be found as a bulletin insert or can be downloaded.
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This Week: Maundy Thursday and Good Friday Services
 This year we are doing something different for our Holy Week services. The Maundy Thursday service will be held in the CE annex on March 24. We will begin with a family-style served supper reminding us this was the last night Jesus had with his disciples, when they shared a meal together. The supper will be at 7:00 pm followed by worship at 7:30 p.m. The worship service that evening will include both foot/hand washing (for those who wish to participate) and communion. There is no pressure to participate in the handwashing/footwashing. It will be a meaningful service regardless of what you choose to do.
 On March 25, Good Friday, we will share in a Service of Shadows beginning at 7:30 pm in the sanctuary. This is a choral Tenebrae meditation on the passion and is a service of choral anthems and readings from scripture. Candles will be extinguished and the sanctuary will be increasingly darkened throughout the service, ending in total darkness reminding us of the darkness of the world when Jesus died.
We invite you to join us for both these special services during Holy Week.
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Presbyterian Women?
Don't they Knit baby blankets and roll bandages?
(Answer Below)
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PPPC's "ROCK OF LIFE" Alternative Worship Service Series
Commencing Saturday, April 9, 2016
Psalm 18:2: "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn my salvation, my stronghold."
Series One: "KEYS FOR LIVING A RESURRECTED LIFE" (Seven Weeks Duration)
Week One (April 9, 2016): "Grace Without Boundaries" (John 20:19-30)
At Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church, we understand that we are all uniquely formed by God, and that each of us desires intimacy with God that is further enhanced through alternative worship styles, bringing together diversified individuals, while also upholding all of our Presbyterian (USA) traditional values and beliefs.
We have listened to our congregation's desire for exploring this understanding further, and we believe, in hearing God's voice, to further explore an alternative worship service at PPPC. What better time to start "a new thing" following our Easter celebration and witnessing the resurrected Christ?
Come join us for the commencement of an "alternative worship service" series lasting seven weeks, as we assemble for worship with contemporary music, active participation from our youth, and a collection of seven messages for daily applications entitled "Keys For Living a Resurrected Life." Our first service of the series will be entitled "Grace Without Boundaries." Fearing life without the physical living Jesus, the church's earliest disciples chose to remain behind locked doors. However, Jesus Christ presented himself unexpectedly to teach a new way of thinking; i.e., grace without boundaries...
Our first alternative worship service series will commence on April 9, 2016, Saturday, from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Church's main building. The service will be led by Anthony Maimone, a recent graduate of New Brunswick Theological Seminary, who was also a student of Rev. Carl, and who recently met all of his written examination requirements for the Presbyterian (USA) Church, and will be coming before the Monmouth Presbytery this Spring to move forward with his final requirements to able to accept a call for ordination. Anthony has also been one of the Youth Connection leaders under Courtney's leadership this past year. PPPC's Youth Connection teens and advisers will also be participating and leading the service.
We ask that you prayerfully contemplate your participation in this alternative worship service series as the Holy Spirit may lead you. You may also want to extend an invitation to your friends and neighbors who are seeking to draw closer to God in worship.
"Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth!" (Isaiah 43:19; NKJV).
For further information, you can also contact Anthony directly at antjmaimone@aol.com or 732-722-8006. Peace and Blessings. |
Last week, the 1st through 5th graders tackled the discussion of when Jesus was nailed to the cross. I was so impressed by the maturity in which they handled the discussion. I really am so proud of these kids. Their questions were insightful and I believe we came out with a better understanding of the love God truly has for us. After our discussion, we combined classes and enjoyed some Saint Patrick's Day treats while reviewing the song we are singing this week.
This week is Palm Sunday. As per our annual tradition, the kids will participate in the waving of the palms. If your child is NOT in Dove choir, please bring them directly to the Chittick Lounge upon arrival at the church. If possible, we would like the kids to be a few minutes early so we can review the song for those who missed it last week and to make sure everyone knows what to do. As a side note, I am asking the parents and guardians to please refrain from picking up the kids prior to our 11:20 ending time on Sundays. We only have 1 hour for Sunday School every week and it is sometimes difficult to squeeze in all of the material we want to cover. Things like our closing prayer often are affected due to early pick ups. I understand this time of year brings more things to do on the weekends and I can assure you, I will do my best to be all wrapped up by 11:20. If there is some reason you absolutely need an early dismissal, I just ask that you let me know prior to pick up, whether it be via a quick email, or if you run over with them when it comes time to walk the kids over from church to Sunday School. Thank you, so much, for your continued support and cooperation. Peace and Blessings
Tricia Stoffers
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Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday
Come join us on Easter Sunday after Sunday School for our annual PPPC Easter Egg Hunt! There will be two egg hunts, one for our Pre-K and Kindergarten friends and then another for 1st-5th graders.
 The fun starts at 10:15!
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This Week at Point Beach Prep
This St. Patrick's Day we enjoyed the talents of Kerry the Irish Step Dancer from The Devrin Academy of Irish Dance. She showed us soft shoe and hard shoe traditional jigs. She then taught us some steps and we all enjoyed dancing!
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Monmouth PW Spring Gathering
Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of Monmouth Spring Gathering
FAMILY PROMISE: CARING FOR THE HOMELESS
Saturday, April 9, 2016
Presbyterian Church of Toms River
9 AM - Registration and Coffee And
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Walter Hrycenko,
Vice President, Board of Trustees, Interfaith Hospitality Network of Ocean County
HORIZONS BIBLE STUDY INTRO: The Rev. Philip Olson, Oak Grove Presbyterian Church "Who is Jesus? What a Difference a Lens Makes."
Communion
Dedication of Birthday Offering
Business Meeting
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Attention Business Owners and Professionals
 "Shore Delights of Jersey," Presbyterian Women's new cookbook, will be having a business card directory as part of their book.
Space is now available for $25 per card. This high quality cookbook will be sold throughout the Shore area. You will not want to miss out on this great opportunity to be a part of this up and coming great cookbook.
Business cards and checks made payable to "Presbyterian Women" can be dropped off in the office or given to Karen Norby by March 31.
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Groups Scheduled for our Volunteer Village in 2016
March 27-April 2 - Summerville Church, Rochester NY
April 10-14 - Neshaminy-Warwick Presbyterian Church, Warminster, PA
April 17-April 23 - Webster Presbyterian, Webster, NY
June 19-25 - Trinity United Presbyterian Church, Modesto, CA
August 21-27 - Lend A Hand, Carlisle, PA
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The Rzeplinski Family
On the occasion of Lillian's baptism last Sunday
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CHURCH CALENDAR - The latest edition of the church calendar is available online, on the church's website. 
Sunday, March 20
10:00 a.m. - Palm Sunday Worship with One Great Hour of Sharing/Dove and Chancel Choirs
10:00 a.m. - Sunday School begins in Worship
11:15 a.m. - Parent Confirmation Meeting
11:00 a.m. - Bread and Broth Lenten Bible Study, Chittick Lounge
6:15 p.m Choral Bells
Tuesday, March 22
10:00 a.m. - Busy Hands
7:00 p.m. - Sarah Hope
Wednesday, March 23
9:00 a.m. - Women's Breakfast at the Rainbow Diner
5:00 p.m. - Dove Choir, Sanctuary
6:30 p.m. - Youth Connection
7:00 p.m. - Bear Den
7:30 p.m. - Troop 6
Thursday, March 24 - Maundy Thursday
8:00 a.m. - Men's Breakfast at US Subs
7:00 p.m. - Maundy Thursday Dinner
7:30 p.m. - Maundy Thursday Service, CE Annex
8:00 p.m. - Webelos Den
Friday, March 25 - Good Friday
7:30 p.m. - Good Friday Tenebrae Service , Sanctuary
Saturday, March 26
Sunday, March 27 - Easter 6:00 a.m. - Sunrise Easter Service, Jenkinson's Pavillion 9:00 a.m. - Easter Worship with the Chancel Choir 10:15 a.m. - Easter Egg Hunt, Outside CE Annex 11:00 a.m. - Easter Worship with the Chancel Choir 2:30 p.m - Claremont Care Center |
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BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS
Mar 20 Dana Freeman, Stephanie Smith, Alexa Wright
Mar 21 Carole Adamo, Christina Hudson, Brian McCrossan, Shane Smith
Mar 22
Mar 23 Kris Bongiovi, Cynthia Popiel
Mar 24 Nancy Smith
Mar 25 Kathryn Ebner, Christopher Hank
Mar26 Carl Lappke, Weston Johnson
Mar 27 Addison Reinwald, Brian Satterlee
Mar 28 Brittany Almazan; Karen Dunham Luicci
Mar 29 Susan Hess
Mar 30 Kenneth King, Jordan Muraglia, Alissa Pazienza
Mar 31 Gail Birdsong, Elizabeth McGuire, Kim Schaefer
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Thursday, March 24, 2016 7:00 pm - Maundy Thursday supper
7:30 pm - Maundy Thursday worship
Friday, March 25, 2016 7:30 pm - Good Friday Tenebrae service
Sunday, March 27 - Easter 6:00 a.m. - Sunrise Service
9:00 and 11:00 a.m - Easter Worship
Friday, April 8
4:00 p.m. - PPPC Paint Party Fundraiser, CE Annex
Saturday, April 23
8:00 to 12:00 p.m. - PW Clothing Drive
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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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