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Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church
| Weekly News For
Sunday, Sept 4, 2016 | |
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Dear Friends,
In the medieval burgh of St. Andrews, Scotland, where I earned my Ph.D., there's a stretch of cobblestone sidewalk that displays the monogram "PH." A centuries-old student legend warns undergraduates to avoid stepping on those initials at all costs. If they do, the legend goes, they won't receive their degree!
You can still see university students, to this day, giving the "PH" on the sidewalk a wide berth.
There's a story behind it. "PH" stands for Patrick Hamilton. He was a lecturer at the University. In the year 1528, he was burned at the stake on that very spot. The charge? Teaching heresy.
Seems a bit harsh, doesn't it? Couldn't they just have denied him tenure?
Those were different times. Hamilton, a priest, had become convinced by the teachings of Martin Luther. The University, at the time, was under the thumb of the powerful Roman Catholic Archbishop, James Beaton. The Protestant Reformation was still in its infancy, and Cardinal Beaton wanted to squash the new movement like a bug.
He didn't succeed, of course. There's an old saying, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church." Hamilton wasn't the last martyr to be burned at the stake in St. Andrews, but there weren't too many more of such atrocities before the movement led by John Knox proved an irresistible force, and Presbyterianism came to Scotland.
1 Corinthians 13:3 says, "...if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing." Paul's speaking, here, of martyrdom. There were plenty of examples - well-known to the Corinthians - of persecuted believers who had remained faithful to Christ even at the cost of their own lives.
 The church has long honored its martyrs with the utmost respect. Once the printing press was invented, some of the earliest books ever published were "martyrologies" - collections of stories of these courageous men and women who had given their lives for their faith.
The Greek word "martyr" literally means "witness." These people gave their all to bear witness to Christ.
You'd think Paul would hold their stories up as the ultimate examples of faithfulness. But he doesn't. There's something even greater than martyrdom - a virtue that, should the martyrs lack it, would blunt the intensity of their witness.
That virtue is love. You could even march to the stake for Christ, Paul is saying, and allow your persecutors to light the dry branches under your feet, but if you do it without love, you gain nothing on his behalf.
That's how highly Paul thinks of love. If you brave the winds and the rains this weekend and make your way to worship this Sunday, we'll talk about that together.
Grace and peace.
Pastor Carl
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Sunday, September 4, 2016
Dr. Wilton preaching: "THE EXCELLENT WAY, 4: PURE GIVING"
10:00 a.m. - Worship/Special Music/Communion
11:00 a.m. - Sundae Sunday
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After Worship, Stay for Sundae Sunday!
 Stay and make your own Sundae in the Fellowship Room, after church!
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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 Person for the week of September 4 is Barbara Viebrock. Let us be prayerfully aware of Barbara, as well as all our members and friends.
Prayer Concerns: Courtney Rzeplinski; Jessie Bissey; Ralph Smith; Anne Stich (friend of Susan Robbins); Jan Swingle (friend of Robin DeRosa); Heather Boiland; Dennis Ivany, Sr.; Sue Williams.
Long term concerns: Jacob Basilotto; Cliff Brendler; Elsie Cason; Doug Chase, Sr.; Trey Childers; Gayle Ferry; George Griffiths (Cousin of Heidi Steinert); KC Lanagan; Maryanne Leach; Ethel Lemke (mother-in-law of Scott Smith); Margie McGhee; Jim Millar; Gerda Mooney; Edith Pula; Craig Recca (Brother of Heidi Steinert); Bob Ryan (Nancy Cook's brother); Nancy Smith; Les Thornton; Stan Thornton; Gwen Whitworth; Bill Williams; Karen Winter; Lillian Winters; those struggling with addictions and mental illness.
Military: Kyle Barker; Morgan Daniels; Michael Fahey III; Matthew Warren; all those in our nation's service.
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LAST CALL FOR PHOTO DIRECTORY SUBMISSION - There are still quite a few families who have not submitted a photo for our church directory. Please submit your photo to pppcdirectory@gmail.com as soon as possible. All photos must be in by September 11. We are no longer taking photos ourselves but we will be calling members who have not had a picture taken or submitted a photo. Do you have a photo you like in a frame? Bring it into the church office and we can scan it for you. We are planning a late Fall directory.  THE BREAD TEAM is a mission to welcome visitors to our church. If a visitor has signed the pew pad, a cloth bag (provided by Donna Whitman, thank you Donna) is filled with a loaf of fresh baked bread and brochures about our church and all of its activities. How welcoming it must be to arrive home after a busy day and find the bag hanging on your door, or share a welcoming word with one of our visitors who's dropping off the bread!
If you are interested in joining our small band of missionaries - currently there are four of us - we would love to have you. We each sign up for a month for bread and delivering it. It is not a lot of work and very rewarding. Please contact Karen Norby 732-295-8174 or e-mail hueforyou@gmail.com
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Are You Grateful?
 The Presbyterian Foundation has over two centuries of expertise in enabling Presbyterians to express their gratitude to God through special means of giving to their congregations. Throughout its more than 200-year history, the Foundation has encouraged giving for the benefit of others in the example of Christ and in responsible stewardship of all God's gifts. The Foundation staff is especially knowledgeable in matters of deferred giving: wills, bequests, life-income trusts. To discuss gift plans that are best suited for your situation, please contact our regional Foundation representative, Ellie Johns-Kelly, at 412-694-3226 (cell) or 855-251-8212 (toll free). You can e-mail Ellie at :
ellie.johns-kelley@presbyterianfoundation.org
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Deacons' Doings
The Board of Deacons stayed very busy over the summer.
The Deacon of the Month (a different Deacon each month) took the flowers from Sunday worship to a person who was home bound, ill or just needed cheering up. Deacons also take home communion to those who are no longer able to come to the church for worship. If you know of someone who would like to receive communion at home, please contact either Linda Chase or Dee D'Amore who is Moderator of the Board. The deacons also approved requests for financial assistance from four families in the month of August. The help went to pay for rent, utility bills and to purchase an appliance. The deacons are able to offer this assistance only because, YOU, the MEMBERS OF PPPC, give so generously on Communion Sundays through the Deacons' Fund special envelopes. Thank you for your continued support which enables the Deacons to help those in need. If you are in a position to help the Deacons, please consider making a donation this Sunday. Thank You. |
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Sunday School Registration Now Beginning
 Hello PPPC families!!
Forgive me, I'm still in a tiny bit of shock that it is actually September already. I hope you all had a fantastic summer! With "Back to School" comes "Back to Sunday School" as well. I wanted to give you all a little info on the registration process for this year.
We have had a few very helpful planning meetings and have decided to do away with "Rally Day" as we have traditionally known it. This year, we are doing more of a Sunday School Open House.
The Open House will take place on:
Sunday, September 11
This is a great opportunity for new families to see how Sunday School goes. We will all go up for the Children's Sermon, as usual. However, afterwards we will be doing a dry run of the process for how and when we go over to Sunday School. This may ease any sort or nervousness new students (or new parents) may be feeling. At this time, we will walk over to the Sunday School. Please note that, on that particular day, ALL STUDENTS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT! This is so important because once we get over to the Sunday School building, I will be busy speaking with parents and answering questions, so I will not be able to keep an eye on unattended children. This is an informational session only.
 At this time, you may register your child for Sunday School, as well as to take a look around and check out our program and facility. "But Tricia, (you say), we have been in the PPPCSS program for a few years now- we are vets! We want to register our children, but we don't want to have to leave church and miss the sermon in order to do this!"
Fear not! For parents who are already familiar with our program, there is a registration form attached. There are also hard copies waiting for you in the Narthex that will be available to you this week (9/4) and next weekend (9/11). I ask that you please fill them out and drop them off in the box. I am so so excited for the year to come, and I hope your children are as well! We've got a lot of fun things planned. I can't wait to see everyone.
Also, please make sure you tell your friends about our informational session on the 11th. If they are looking to possibly join up, I'd love to talk to them.
See you all soon!Peace and BlessingsTricia Stoffers
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Will You Help Our Sunday School?
 Very shortly our Sunday School will begin another exciting year. Our Sunday school director, Tricia Stoffers, could use some help. Listed below or some simple jobs that are most important: 1. People willing to decorate the large bulletin board at the bottom of the steps in the annex. This is the first thing people see when entering the annex. It can be decorated with a seasonal theme or a Biblical theme. Currently we have the decorating of this bulletin board covered September through December. Will you take a month or a season beginning in 2017? 2. A person to keep track of the children's attendance. The teachers will take the attendance each week and send the information to our church secretary, Kim Gaydos. We need one or two people who are willing to go through these records. If a child is absent for a couple of weeks, a "We Miss You" card could be sent. If the absence continues, a follow up phone call could be make to find out if something has happened that is keeping the child away. This is an important pastoral role of tending our flock of children. Is this the job for you?  3. We have a small A-frame sign that can be put out each week to let people know that Sunday school is taking place in the Annex. It is a sign with slide-in letters to advertise what is going on each week in the Sunday School. This job means changing the letters, putting the sign out before Sunday School and making sure it is taken in after Sunday School. Maybe this job has your name on it. 4. There is always the need of volunteers to help teach and assist in the class rooms. Perhaps you might be willing to help with a unit or for a month. The children will be studying Esther, Samuel and the meaning of Advent/Immanuel in the fall semester. All of these are important jobs. Please speak to Linda Chase or Tricia Stoffers if you are willing to help in the Sunday school in any way. |
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Begins Wednesday September 14
From 6:30-8:15 in the Chittick Lounge
We will having an ice cream social to talk about our summer adventures and discuss the upcoming year!
Please bring your registration form if you received one
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A Rugged Road to Forgiveness
For the past couple of years we've been praying for Presbyterian mission co-workers Gwen and John Haspels, who in 2014 were ambushed and shot on an Ethiopian back-county road. After some extraordinary medical treatment, both survived. John lost an eye and Gwen had extensive surgery to rebuild her shattered jaw. Here's John Haspels, baptizing a young Ethiopian boy:  In the recent issue of Presbyterians Today magazine, Gwen writes about the experience, and in particular about their spiritual journey toward forgiving their assailant. It's powerful reading. |
Compassion Fatigue Training
 Are you a caregiver? Or are you engaged in any work helping others, that makes you feel weary and run-down at times?
Leaders of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance have long been familiar with these symptoms, and have developed a workshop to help those who help others identify what's wrong, and devise personal coping strategies.
PDA is offering their one-day Compassion Fatigue training not once, but TWICE in the coming weeks - right here in Ocean County! The dates are Monday, September 19 at Visitation Roman Catholic Church in Brick, or Wednesday, September 21 at Morning Star Presbyterian Church in Bayville.
You can find out more by clicking here. Both events are free (with lunch provided), but you must pre-register. All are welcome! |
The Rainbow Ladies Each Wednesday morning members and friends gather at the Rainbow Diner in Brick at 9:00 a.m. for some breakfast and fellowship with one another. All ladies are welcome to stop in any week and join them.
"Gray hair is a mark of distinction,
the award for a God-loyal life." Proverbs 16:11 (The Message)
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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/Communion/Special Music
11:00 a.m. - Sundae Sunday
Labor Day - Office Closed
Tuesday, September 6
10:00 a.m. - Busy Hands
Wednesday, September 7
9:00 a.m. - Women's Breakfast at the Rainbow Diner
Thursday, September 8 8:00 a.m. - Men's Breakfast at US Subs 7:00 p.m. - Judith Rachel Circle 7:300 p.m. - Chancel Choir Rehearsal Friday, September 9 9:00 a.m. - Point Beach Prep Orientation
Saturday, September 10
Sunday, September 11 10:00 a.m. - Worship/Chancel Choir 10:15 a.m. - Sunday School Orientation (Parents and Children) 11:00 a.m. - Sunday School Kick-off BBQ - for the whole congregation!
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 Birthday Blessings
Sept 6 Connie Curtis, Charles Vitale, Jack Vitale
Sept 7 Glenavie Gauer, Connor Kells, Mark McDermitt
Sept 8 Claire Meany, Susan Findlay
Sept 9 Elaine Conheeney, Karissa Leek-Clayton, Shirley Young-Callari
Sept 10 Tyler Johnson, Lois Lang, Evelyn Leach, Louis Pazienza
Sept 11 Kiera King
Sept 12 Virginia Claeys, Melissa Erb, Todd Ferry, Christine Hamilton
Sept 13 Thomas Crawley, James Scott
Sept 14 Suzanne Perkowski
Sept 15 Heather Rice
Sept 16 Susan Reilly
Sept 17 Dane Bongiovi, Jacklyn Cutting, Donald Williams
Sept 18 Kevin Conheeney, Jack Tolley
Sept 19 Chase Lovgren, Joan Whitman
Sept 20 Kaitlyn McKay, Paula Pennypacker
Sept 21
Sept 22
Sept 23 Kate Norby, Logan Milancewich, Jessica Pazienza
Sept 24
Sept 25
Sept 26 John Brzyski Jr., Katherine Durante, Robin Fiorentino
Sept 27
Sept 28 Quintessa Baker
Sept 29 Rylie Rampone, Leigh Reinwald
Sept 30 Donna Fahey, Taylor Van Wagenen
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Sunday, September 11
10:00 a.m. Sunday School Orientation
11:00 a.m. Sunday School Kick-off Barbecue - all are invited!
Monday, September 12 6:15 p.m. - Choral Bells Begins
Tuesday, September 13 7:00 p.m. - Committee Meetings 8:00 p.m. - Session Meeting
Wednesday, September 14 4:45 p.m. - Dove Choir Begins 6:30 p.m. - Youth Connection grades 6-12 Begins
Sunday, September 18 10:00 a.m. - Sunday School Begins in Worship
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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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