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"Now to Him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish far more abundantly than all we can ask or imagine, to Him be glory in the church.... Amen."
Ephesians 3:20-21
What are you able to imagine? Can you picture a church that makes a difference in the world? Is it a church that really does feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and those in prison? Is it a place where the Spirit of God is palpable and brings hope and joy to people's lives? Is it a community where the love of Christ is not just talked about, but felt? Can you imagine all those things?
If you can, then the good news is that Christ can do even more through us! He is the One who gives us the power within us to "accomplish far more abundantly than all we can ask or imagine."
This is incredibly exciting! Whatever our dreams are of the church, they can become reality. Of course, it is also a bit scary because of how Christ does it. He does it by empowering us. He give us the strength and the desire to give glory to Him through the work we do in the church.
I have two questions for all of us to consider. Why is the church we dream of not a reality right now? Do you think it is because Jesus is withholding His power? I doubt it. It is much more likely that we aren't using that power consistently to glorify Him.
- God has given us voices. Do we sing His praise every day?
- God has given us minds. Do we use them to learn and grow in faith?
- God has given us hearts. Do we love others the way God loves us?
- God has given us strength. Do we use that power to serve God?
- God has given us resources. Do we invest them in His kingdom?
This is our month to focus on stewardship in anticipation of Stewardship Dedication Sunday, Oct. 27, when we will present an offering of our pledges to the 2014 Annual Budget. If we want to be part of the kind of church we dream of, the fulfillment of that dream begins with presenting ourselves, as Paul puts it, "as a living sacrifice" (Rom. 12:1). I ask you to seek God's guidance as you consider the opportunities God gives you every day to glorify Him and contribute to the work of the church. May He fill you with dreams, and the power to make them come true.
In Christ,
Pastor Jean
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On Tuesday, September 17, 2013, the Session took the following actions:
- Approved the use of Bertolet Lounge by the Kenosis Prison Ministry team for training events on Sept 21 and 28, and Oct. 5 and 19.
- Received notification that the United Presbyterian Church will be the recipient of a $10,000 bequest by the estate of Marjorie MacQuaide.
- Learned that the construction in the Narthex will begin in mid-October, sometime after the Columbus Day holiday.
- Approved the Survivor's October outing and the Youth Group's fall events and fundraisers.
- Noted with thanks the redesign of our website, www.upcnj.org, by Megan Gadsby and a rise in traffic on the site by over 1,200% in the first week since the change.
- Approved Stephen Costello's Eagle Award Project to renovate the Choir room with a new closet for robes, shelving for music, repair of water damage, and painting.
- Approved the request by A.A. to hold its annual "Alcothon" from 6 p.m. New Year's Eve to 6 a.m. New Year's Day in Mount Hall.
- Noted with gratitude the work of the new Garden Club that has nicely spruced up the church grounds.
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 The Deacons Need Your Help
A year ago, the Deacons knew of families in our congregation who were struggling financially due to illnesses, lay-offs, or unexpected deaths. In light of these pressing needs the Deacons set up a "Caring Hearts" Fund so that we may be able to respond to such needs as they arise.
Unfortunately, right now there are families we know of who are in difficult circumstances and need our support. If you have a desire to give a gift that will make an immediate, positive impact in the life of a neighbor in need, please contribute to our Caring Hearts Fund. Make your check out to United Presbyterian Church and put "Caring Hearts" in the memo. You just may be the answer to someone's prayer. |
October's Mission Focus
The Rescue Mission of Trenton is the agency in the City of Trenton that serves the truly needy men and women who have no place to turn for shelter, food, and clothing. The Mission provides a safe, clean, warm, refuge for the homeless, the hungry, the transient and the addicted.
The Mission provides services and counseling to encourage individuals to reach their greatest potential. The Rescue Mission creates an environment where one can live with dignity, build self-esteem, and experience love, responsibility, and hope. Services include:
Vince's Place
Licensed by the State of New Jersey Department of Human Services as a Residential Addictions Treatment Facility, Vince's Place provides long term, halfway house, and extended care level of service with a full range of addictions treatment and life skills treatment.
Outpatient Program
A Licensed substance abuse treatment for men and women, the Outpatient Program provides individual assessment, group counseling sessions, and addiction education.
Permanent Housing The Mission operates two specialty supportive housing units - Robinson Place, a licensed Rooming and Boarding House, and Brimmer House, a free standing 2-unit house.
Weekend Soup Kitchen
Emergency Shelter A Shelter for single men and women, licensed by the State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
Work Readiness Individuals are provided training in GED preparation, basic literacy, writing skills, job seeking skills, and computer and word processing skills.
Industrial Salvage
Donated materials are collected by route trucks and processed and sold through the Carroll Street Store and warehouse.
Give generously to the Mission Budget this month, and your dollars will reach the "least of these," Christ's brothers in sisters in need.
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United Presbyterian Women
The United Presbyterian Women will meet for their monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 1st at 10:00 AM in the new Fellowship Hall. We will begin with our coffee and fellowship time followed by our Bible study. This month we will be studying Mary Magdalene. Pastor Jean will be on vacation so one of our members, Jean Malloy will be leading the Bible study. We will have a business meeting after the Bible study and then all who want to will be going out for lunch. All women of the church are invited to join us. We hope to see you there!
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Christmas Cantata Rehearsals to Begin Thurs., Oct. 3rd
A new Christmas cantata was recently purchased using memorial funds in  memory of Jennibelle Marion. The new cantata will be presented during 11 a.m. worship on Sunday, December 15th and is titled "A Night for Rejoicing." This cantata tells the age-old story of Jesus' coming to earth, which culminates in that glorious "night for rejoicing." The cantata consists of eight choral movements replete with familiar carols as well as newly composed music and there is also a narration. Rehearsals for the cantata will begin Thursday, October 3rd at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. There will be one Saturday dress rehearsal, on Dec. 7th from 10 a.m. to noon, also in the sanctuary. The cantata is open to all, and listening CD's are also available for each participant. If interested in singing with the choir, please notify choir director Marilyn Machmer so that a cantata book and listening CD will be set aside for you.
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Make a Difference Day will be on October 5 this year. If you would like to volunteer to pair up with someone please sign the sheet in the Narthex. We try once a year to visit members who cannot get out as often as they used to. This is a good way to serve God by caring for others. If you have a question please call Kathy Thewes at 609-291-0477.
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The Stewardship Ministry Team-Finances is hosting the October coffee hour at 10:15 am, October 6th. Come enjoy refreshments and fellowship before the 11:00 am service or after the 9:30 am service.
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SURVIVORS
The Survivors Senior Group will be meeting in the church parking lot on Wed., Oct. 9th at 10:00 a.m. to carpool to the Schenck Farmstead in West Windsor, NJ. We will be given a tour of this homestead that dates back to the 1750's. Included in our tour will be a barn, carriage house, school house and farm house. Following the tour we will enjoy lunch at Perkins Restaurant in East Windsor. If you plan to attend please make your reservation with Rita Peterson 259-7256 or email [email protected]. All seniors of the church and their friends are welcomed to join the Survivors for a great tour, lunch and wonderful fellowship.
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 United Presbyterian Men's Breakfast
The UPM Group will have a Breakfast Meeting at theGOLDEN DAWN DINER, WHITEHORSE/MERCERVILLE RD, HAMILTON TWP. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19th at 9:00 A.M. This will be a DUTCH TREAT EVENT. Come join us for the fellowship and spiritual up-lifting as we continue to share ways of socializing and serving our church. A sign-up sheet is in the Narthex and must be completed by Sunday, October 13, 2013. If you have any questions, contact Jim Dixon at 609-298-3398 or e-mail [email protected].
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The Women's Book Club will meet Tuesday, October 29th (the last Tuesday of the month) in the Bertolet Lounge at 7:00 pm to discuss MRS. LINCOLN'S DRESSMAKER by Jennifer Chiaverini. The novel is an historical fiction based on the extraordinary friendship between Mary Todd Lincoln and her seamstress, Elizabeth Keckley, who won her freedom by the skill of her needle. We invite all women of the church and their friends who enjoy reading and fellowship to join us. Our November selection is: SAVING CEE CEE HONEYCUTT by Beth Hoffman.
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 On World Communion Sunday, October 6, we will receive the Peacemaking Offering. Jesus has called us to be peacemakers by standing up to injustice and violence with the power of love. The Peacemaking offering allows us to do this on many levels. Internationally, the Peacemaking Offering supports initiatives to bring Arabs, Jews, and Christians together in Palestine to seek alternatives to violence and oppression to resolve differences. On the national level, the offering funds programs to increase awareness of the problem of gun violence and seek to reduce its tragic consequences. Our Presbytery has given grants to Womenspace and other organizations promoting peace. One fourth of the receipts will be used by our Outreach Ministry Team in their peacemaking efforts. Peace-making envelopes will be available in the pews between now and Oct. 6.
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Birthday greetings to the members and friends whose birthdays are in October:
2 Lynne Rentner
4 Ann Castor, Nancy Zelazny
5 Melissa McAnlis
7 Pete Heberling
9 Kendra DePew, Julianna Morolda
10 Karen Ashe, Leigh Miller, Gracie Spreat
11 Christie Sheppard, Joyce Walker
12 Noah Pinto
13 Thomas Lanning
17 Stephen Anderson
18 Lydia Patterson
20 Logan Hafitz, Sharon Halko, Camille Nami
21 Laura Thibodeau
22 Karen Rogers
23 Charles Cruser
26 Joseph Casole, Isabella Kaiser
27 Michael Bernhard
28 Nicholas Glazewski
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We pray forHealing for Ron (cancer of the esophagus); John (back pain following back surgery); Cyndy and Angela (breast cancer); Anne (spot on liver); Mark Hobson; George Adelmann (heart attack); John Mulhern (continued recovery from cancer); Guy Descaro (colon and liver cancer); Virginia Benck's daughter, Kristina (seizures); Gary Weaver (surgery on leg); Dolores Yili (recovering from cancer surgery); Sandy Dombrowski (back surgery); Ron Brown; Vince DiPierro (cancer); Grace Bickeel (cancer); Bryan Mucha (critical after accident); Jean Pinto's sister, Anne Benefield (neurological tests); Terry Fouse's brother, Bob Fouse (health issues in addition to grief); Sue Lanning; Dan Rose; Carol and Al D'Amico (cancer); Gail R; Dick Van Camp; Bill Carpenter; Lori Galvin (rare blood disease, facing chemo); Tara (stage 4 colon cancer); and Peggy Ayres (knee problems).
Prayers of concern for Bill Darnell (St. Francis Compassionate Care); for Bryan (awaiting a kidney transplant); for all the victims of terrorism; for strength and peace for Spencer Smith in his battle with addiction; those in Seaside Park who lost businesses in the fire; for the family on Elmer Street who lost their home in a fire; for Coloradans still stranded by floods; and prayers for peace around the world.
Comfort for the bereaved family of Joe Blum (killed in a vehicle accident); for Terry Fouse's brother, Bob Fouse and family upon the death of his wife, Deb Fouse; for Beth Maxwell and family upon the death of her mother; for the family of Frank DiPierro; the bereaved family of Mike Long; for Mary Chichester and family on the death of her husband; and for Jake and Lindsay upon the loss of their baby daughter. Blessings on the marriage of Jillian Dickey and Carlos Alonso. Traveling mercies for Jamie Conover as she goes to South America as a volunteer nurse for a year; and prayers for her safety. Thanksgiving for safe evacuation of Don LaCrosse's son Jon's family; for traveling mercies for Jean and Bob Schmidt; for safe travel during Blythe (Pinto) and Daniel Borders-Ashe's honeymoon.
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United Presbyterian Church - Making a Difference
I have always had a somewhat strange relationship with church. When I was young, my mother had taken time off to raise the kids, so when she returned to work, I was confused by her absences. What was she doing? Didn't she know church was only once a week? Why did she have all these meetings?
And as time went on I wondered, why even go to church? After all, my mother always taught me that God was everywhere. So why do I have to go to a building to worship him? And since she was a reverend, if I wanted spiritual guidance, couldn't I get that at home?
But by taking a more active role as a member of the church, I have realized that it is more than just meeting in a room to pray. It is about forming a community and using that community to serve God's creation. And by choosing to accept the call to be a deacon, I have been able to be a part of that.
Seeing firsthand the good that our church's community accomplishes, and helping in the effort, is truly a rewarding experience. The highlight for me is that I have recently become a leader of the church's youth group. The chance to work with the next generation and teach them (what little I know!) is a lot of fun and a great responsibility. I honestly wonder why I hadn't done so years ago.
There still may be too many meetings, but at least they are with good people that help to make a difference in people's lives!
Noah Pinto
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Click on the link below to view the October calendar:
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Join our Lord at His Table This Sunday!
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Sincerely,
Jean Pinto
609-585-5770
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