This Week at a Glance - February 25, 2015

This year during the season of Lent, Pastor Karyn will lead a new series of Bible studies at 10:00am on Wednesday mornings beginning February 25 and running through the end of June. Throughout that time, three separate studies will be offered as follows:

The Book of Jonah uses the character of an outrageous excuse of a prophet to show the leaders and people of Judah just how foolish they looked with their insistence on isolationism and the exclusion of "the other." It asks the question, "If God loves the outsider, shouldn't we?"

4 1-hour sessions on February 25; March 4, 18 and 25 (none on March 11)

The Book of Ruth is an idealized story of what life would look like if God's people treated each other with His loving-kindness-insiders and outsiders alike. A key understanding in Ruth is that God uses these acts of the loving-kindness of people to demonstrate that which God gives to all, whether they realize it or not.

5 1-hour sessions on April 8, 15, 22, 29; May 6.

Your Bible: The Study Begins This Bible study offers an introduction to the library of books (which we call the Bible) that is the foundation of our faith. It provides a refreshing orientation to the Scriptures and opens a door of understanding to all other Bible study. During the 7 sessions, participants will explore basic issues, such as: What Is the Bible? How Did the Bible Come to Be? What Is the Old Testament About? What Is the New Testament About? How Has the Bible Been Preserved and Handed On? How Shall We Study the Bible? What Is the Place of the Bible in Our Lives?

7 1-hour sessions: May 13, 20, 27; June 3, 10, 17 and 24.

Click here for Flyer.

Be a Part of Our New Engraved Paver Walkway

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Did you know that our nursery school (PCNS) is 65 years old! To celebrate, it is time to "retire" some of the playground equipment. In order to raise money to do this, the PCC and PCNS will be holding a dual fundraiser. The walkway from the parking lot to the breezeway doors in front of the nursery school, will be replaced (and widened) with engraved pavers. You are invited to purchase a paver (or two) at a cost of $50, which will include 3 lines of text with 13 characters each, or you can have your business logo engraved (at a cost TBD by engraver). What a great way to memorialize and financially support our church and nursery school. Please download the form, or pick one up from the office. Make checks payable to PCNS and mail/drop off at the church. The deadline is March 15. Thank you!

Click here for Paver Order Form.

Mission Opportunities - Prom Dress Give Away and Family Promise Fundraiser

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Family Promise Dine and Donate at Thatcher McGhee's
Dine at Thatcher McGhee's Irish Pub & Eatery between March 23 and March 26, and 20% of the sales will be donated to Family Promise of Passaic County. Thatcher McGhee's is located on the corner of Ringwood Avenue and Wanaque Avenue in Pompton Lakes. For more info, go to www.thatchermcghees.com. You must present THIS FLYER for the donation to be made.

Prom Dress Giveaway for Teen Girls in Paterson

PCC, in support of Women's Hands In Mission and Girl Scouts, is collecting formal dresses from proms, 8th grade dances and wedding parties to bless girls from Paterson for their Prom Night. Donations of dresses, purses, and jewelry will be accepted during the month of March. Do you have a gently used dress to donate? Bring it to Simmons Hall before March 31. The collection will be distributed Saturday, April 11 at the Center City Mall in Paterson. For more info, see Barbara Kalavik. Click here for flyer.

"Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of Our Lives" Film Screening, Friday, February 27, 7:30pm

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This 85-minute award-winning film by Jeffrey M. Smith explores the hot-button issue of genetically-engineered foods (GMOs) and the impact they have on our health and the environment. Never-before-seen evidence points to genetically-engineered foods as a major contributor to rising disease rates in the US population, especially among children.

The screening is a Service Fair offering, which means that a $5 per person fee will be charged and donated to the church. The film will be shown in Simmons Hall at 7:30pm and followed by commentary, discussion and Q&A. For more info or to RSVP, contact Lauri Masur ([email protected]).

Please Use Our New Prayer Cards

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The Board of Deacons have started a new mission for our beloved church. It is in the form Prayer Cards which have been placed in the Narthex. The purpose is to forward these Prayer Cards by those requesting prayers for someone they wish to remember during our worship on Sunday mornings. The card will simply state the name of the prayer recipient, date of worship service and the name of the requester. Envelopes will be provided so that the card may be placed inside for your convenience for mailing. The beautiful picture on the front is highly recognizable as that of a portion of the stained glass window behind our altar. We encourage everyone to participate so that we may let those we pray for know they are important to us as individuals and by a caring congregation.

Please Provide Flowers for the Communion Table

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Volunteers are needed to provide flowers for the communion table on the following Sundays: April 19 and 26; May 10, 17 and 24; June 21 and 28; July 12 and 26; October 25.

If you would like to sign up, please contact our Office Manager, Kerry Ficker, at [email protected] or 973-694-0608.

Thank you.

Please Provide Easter Flowers

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Easter Lily Each year for Easter, the Sanctuary is decorated with beautiful spring flowers that have been donated by members of the congregation who want to remember their loved ones at this special time of year.

If you would like to contribute to the Easter flower fund, please click here, print the form, and return it to the church office or drop it in the offering plate on or before April 1.

Your dedication will appear in the worship bulletin on Easter Sunday.

Thank you for your contributions.

Youth Group News - Welcome Kathleen Aiellos

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The Search Committee is very excited to announce that Kathleen Aiellos has been hired as our Interim Youth Director. Kathleen has previously served in this position from 2007-2012, before taking time off to give birth to her daughter, Willow. She has graciously offered to step in and help out during this critical time of transition. Thank you, Kathleen, for setting aside your own family time in order to care for our children.

February Youth Group Meetings:

Both middle school and high school youth will meet together for games and activities and then split into two groups for discussion. We meet on Sunday nights from 5:30pm - 7:00pm.

The youth group will meet in March on the following dates: March 1, 8 and 15.

Spring Youth Retreat

March 20-22, 2015

for ALL middle and high school youth

Aspen Lodge at Spruce Lake Retreat, Canadensis, PA

$125 includes zip line, meals, 2-nights lodging and program. Join us as we explore what it takes to be a disciple of Christ, cook our own meals in our private lodge, hike, play games, try out the high ropes and enjoy the beauty of spring in the Catskill mountains.

Rotation Model Sunday School: The Exodus and the Plagues

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Rotation #3 continues the theme of God's Covenant Promises with the stories of...

The Exodus: The Plagues

Exodus 7:8-11:10, 12:24-28

Each Sunday through March 29

Parent Participation: Help to bring the story home by re-reading it with your child. A good children's Bible with colorful pictures is a great way to enjoy some story time together! After reading the story try asking some open-ended questions to get the conversation going, like...

"Why do you think that is?" or "How does that make you feel?"

TriBoard Retreat, Sunday, March 1, 1:30pm

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On Sunday, March 1, the Church Council will convene a TriBoard Retreat at 1:30pm.

All members of the Church Council, Board of Deacons, Board of Trustees and Christian Education Committee are encouraged to attend. We will meet with David Popham from the UCC to discuss his recent report and plans for moving forward. Your participation is important so we can consider the full life of our ministry as we make decisions about the future.

When you have a chance, please RSVP to [email protected]. Thank you!

Members of Leisure, Monday, March 2, 11:45am

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The Members of Leisure's monthly luncheon meeting will be held on the first Monday, March 2, 2015 at 11:45 A.M. in Simmons Hall. All members are encouraged to bring friends who might benefit by joining and socializing with our group.

The program will be a presentation by a specialist from AAA on driving safety, who will speak about, "Seniors & Driving". It should be a very interesting discussion, especially since some legislators have talked about having all seniors retested for their licence.

Men's Breakfast at the Monarch Diner, Saturday, March 7, 8:00am

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Join the men of our congregation as they share coffee and conversation together during this monthly opportunity for fellowship and faith. The group meets at 8:00am at the Monarch Diner, Rt. 23 South, Wayne, on the first Saturday of every month. All men are invited!

8:00 AM Saturday, March 7

Monarch Diner

Rt. 23 South in Wayne

For information, contact Dominick Colotta at [email protected].

Service of Healing and Visitation Sunday, March 22, 10:00am

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Join us at 10:00am for this meaningful service of music and prayer on behalf of those who are sick, injured, depressed, or suffering in other ways. During the service, anyone who would like to be anointed with oil for spiritual or physical healing will be invited to come forward. Your anointing is between you and God - no questions will be asked. Those who prefer not to come forward are welcome to spend some time in meditative reflection.

On that same day, the flowers on the communion table will be dedicated to our congregation's ongoing ministry of care - through loving thoughts, concerned prayers and friendly visits - of our fellow church members, neighbors and friends who may be home-bound, hospitalized or simply in need of knowing that they are loved.

Following the service, you are invited to take a flower and deliver it to someone who couldn't be in church that day as an extension of our ministry. If you are interested in joining our Pastoral Visitation Team, please contact Dominick Colotta at [email protected]. Thank you!

Moms and Tots, Monday, March 23, 10:00am

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Join us for playtime and fellowship. Chat with other moms while your child plays in our safe and fun nursery together. Coffee provided! A play and support group for moms with little ones ages 4 and under, all are welcome!

Moms and Tots will be at 10:00am on the following dates:

March 23, April 30 and May 18

Hosted by: Jessica Miano at PCC

Questions? Contact: [email protected]

Family Potluck Dinner, Sunday, March 29, 5:30 - 7:00pm

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Bring your best entree, side dish or dessert to share.

We will end the evening with a group game.

RSVP to Kathleen, [email protected] and let her know what you will be bringing.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Support Group for Caregivers of Special Needs Children, Tuesday, March 31, 7:00pm

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Uniquely Made and Beautifully Designed

A Support Group for Caregivers of Children with Special Needs

*Brought to you by Family Ministries of Packanack Community Church

Are you a parent or other caregiver of a special needs child? (ADHD, Autism, Down Syndrome, Tourettes, Asperger's, emotional issues, etc.)
Do you have questions about how to best navigate the world of IEP's, school counselors, and others?
Would you like to be in contact with other parents of children of special needs for support, encouragement and questions? THEN THIS GROUP IS FOR YOU!

Facilitated by mother/daughter team Susan and Melinda DeBell, (private practice counselor and art teacher/certified teacher, personal trainer, life coach and counselor in training - respectively) this small group support community is just beginning.

This group meets the last Tuesday of each month and is FREE.
The next meeting will be held on March 31 at 7:00pm in Simmons Hall.
For more information, contact Kim Depetris at [email protected].

24-Hour Prayer Vigil, Thursday - Friday, April 2-3

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Once again, the congregation is invited to participate in a 24-hour Prayer Vigil starting immediately following worship on Maundy Thursday, April 2, through the start of Good Friday worship on April 3.

Volunteers are needed to pray in the Sanctuary overnight and throughout the day (Thursday into Friday) for the life, health and mission of our church. Individuals or couples are asked to sign up for a 30 minute, 1-hour, or 2-hour time slot. If you are unable to attend, you can maintain a prayer vigil at work/home/school. Through the prayers of many, we will be strengthened as a congregation in Christ's mission to the world.

To sign up, contact Lauri Masur ([email protected]) or sign-up after worship in Simmons Hall.

Spring Women's Retreat: "Detoxing the Soul," Friday - Saturday, May 8-9

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The women of the church are invited to give themselves a Mother's Day gift during this overnight retreat.

The retreat will be held at The Liebenzell Retreat Center just outside Hackettstown, NJ. Carpooling will be available, and we can check in any time after 2:00pm. Early bird arrivals will have an optional activity scheduled.

The focus of the retreat will be on "Detoxing the Soul." It will officially begin with a "circle of grace" and dinner at 5:30pm, and conclude with closing worship and dinner on Saturday. We should be home by 7:30pm.

The cost is $125. Click here for the retreat flyer. Click here for the registration form. Forms and flyers are also available in from the church office, and on the table in the narthex. Plan to join us for this spiritually-enriching time of fellowship, worship and rest.

Information about the Liebenzell Center can be found at http://retreat.liebenzellusa.org/retreat-center.

Angels Calling Charitable Gift Program

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Be part of our efforts to celebrate Spring and the Resurrection!! Throughout the year, support can be provided to our Wayne Families with donations of gift cards for food stores, Walmart, Target, Kohls, Kmart and Costco, as well as pantry items that address specific needs of the Wayne families.

Items needed include the following: manufacturer's coupons, baby wipes, diapers size 4, paper towels, toilet paper, napkins, paper plates/bowls, plastic forks, knives and spoons, Playtex sport super tampons, Panty liners, dishwasher detergent, fabric softener, laundry detergent, shampoo for children and adults, crock pot liners, aluminum foil, kitchen garbage bags, Juicey Juice juice boxes (any flavor), any gummy snacks, cheese and crackers with the little red stick, pretzels, Gold Fish, popcorn, any type of cookies (chocolate chip, Oreos, etc.), chips (assortment that comes in the box).

Donated items can be dropped off on the stage in Simmons Hall. Cash contributions can be mailed to the church office or mailed directly to Leslie Mozulay at 8 Old Fourth Drive, Oak Ridge, NJ 07438. Checks made payable to "Packanack Community Church" with a MEMO indicating Angels Calling, always make a difference!

Thank you to all of you supporting Angels Calling, a caring community outreach program.

Free Bibles

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If you do not have a Bible and would like one, call the Packanack Community Church of Wayne at 973-694-0608 or send an e-mail to [email protected]. The Bibles are FREE.

In this season of Epiphany, we want to make the good news available to those who would want to read it. Get yours while the supply lasts.

Sign Up for "Still Speaking" Daily Devotionals

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Add a description

Join the growing number of people in our congregation who start their day off with a word from the Lord. The StillSpeaking daily devotionals published by the United Church of Christ are a valuable source of spiritual formation, and can be automatically delivered to your email in-box every morning.

To sign up, go to www.ucc.org and click on "Nourish your soul" (in red letters) under "Feed Your Spirit" in the middle of the page. Then click on "StillSpeaking Weekly" and "Sign up here" (in red letters.)

The text of previous daily devotionals can also be found on this page.

2015 Offering Boxes - PLEASE use the 2015 envelopes

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Message from our Financial Secretary, Jen Nemetz.

2015 Offering Envelopes: Please make sure to use the 2015 Stewardship envelopes and throw your 2014 box away to ensure that your contribution is properly recorded.

2015 Offering envelope boxes: Pledge envelopes have been given out. If you have not received a box for 2015 and you would like one, please contact Jen Nemetz.

2014 Tax Letters: Tax Letters detailing your 2014 contributions to Packanack Community Church will be sent out mid- February. If you prefer to have your letter emailed and receive it quicker, please contact Jen Nemetz via email.

Jen Nemetz can be reached at [email protected].

Liturgist and Coffee Host Schedule

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Lectern Bible in Sanctuary Thank you to everyone who has signed up to serve our congregation as a Liturgist or Coffee Host & Greeter on Sunday mornings. This is a valuable ministry of our church and your participation as a worship leader is greatly-appreciated. The schedule has been distributed via e-mail. However, if you would like a paper copy, please contact the church office at [email protected].

The Liturgist and Greeter schedule for the next several weeks will be posted in this e-mail each week. If you have volunteered, please check the list to make sure the information is accurate. If there are any errors, please contact Kerry Ficker at [email protected].

Thank you for being a part of the life of our congregation!

Liturgists:

March 1: Lynne Lefelar

March 8: Michele Forrest

March 15: Jill Tiger

March 22: Tim Cantwell

March 29: Lisa Seela

Coffee Hosts & Greeters:

March 1: Melissa Kaus and Angel Cabella
March 8: Priscila Vasquez and Michelle Legemaat
March 15: Girl Scouts
March 22: David and Leslie Little
March 29: Joan and Wes Riley

Bell Helpout Date: Wednesday, March 18, 10:00am

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Each month, a group of volunteers is needed to assist the office staff with collating the Bell newsletter, stuffing the envelopes, and getting it in the mail. It's a great opportunity to do a little work for the church, make some new friends, and have some fun at the same time.

The next Bell Helpout Date is Wednesday, March 18, at 10:00am in Room 10.

If you can join us, please contact Kerry at [email protected] to let her know you are coming. Thank you for your assistance.

Plan Ahead for the Bell Deadline

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Please note that, due to administrative changes in the church office and delivery delays at the post office, the monthly Bell newsletter has a firm deadline for any announcements that the congregation may wish to place in it. Announcements and flyers received after that date will not be included until the following month. If you would like to let the congregation know about an upcoming event, please plan ahead and make sure that you submit the announcement on time.

The deadline for the April Bell is Tuesday, March 3.

Quick Links...

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Our Website

Contact Information

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phone: 973-694-0608
e-mail: [email protected]

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