December, 2015
United Pres
Advent Edition

We are entering into the time of Advent, when we recall the amazing story of Christ's birth, which has become even more meaningful and poignant in light of recent events.
Thousands upon thousands of people are fleeing the violence in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Many commentators have made the sad connection between the doors slammed in Mary and Joseph's faces when they were looking for shelter and the countries that are closing their borders out of fear of terrorism.

But I don't think that is the part of the story that speaks directly to today's refugee crisis. After all, Joseph and Mary were traveling within their country and they were simply met with the problem of supply and demand, an overabundance of travelers and an under supply of rooms.

However, there is a part of the Christmas story that sheds light directly on the issues we face today, and that is the Holy Family's flight into Egypt found in Matthew 2:13-14. The Holy Spirit warns Joseph in a dream that Herod is determined to kill their son and that they should flee to Egypt. Joseph, Mary, and Jesus immediately set out for the foreign land and their journey saves the baby's life.

We worship a God whose Son was a refugee as an infant, who sought political asylum in a foreign land because he was threatened with persecution and death. Is there any more compelling reason to help with the resettlement of refugees than Jesus' own teaching, "Just as you did it to the least of these my brothers and sisters you did it to me"?

Are there risks to resettling refugees? Yes, certainly. My own family was involved in hosting a family from Bosnia, whose children were the age of our children. The Bosnian children were raised in a chaotic environment filled with violence and lacking in food. They had learned that to survive you take whatever you can whenever you can.  The result was that things in our home began disappearing. Our reward for helping these refugees was being burgled!

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. We had an opportunity to teach a family - who happened to be Muslim - a different approach to life. I sat down with the children and told them, if you need something you don't have to steal it. All you need to do is ask and we will figure out a way for you to get it. We got the son a bicycle and he paid for it by doing chores. The daughter got new clothes the same way.

At some point next year I am sure our church will be asked to help the refugee effort. We don't yet know how, but I am certain it will happen. I can't think of a more appropriate way to celebrate the birth of Christ than to resolve to help refugees fleeing the scourge of terrorism.
 
May we be agents of the Prince of Peace this Christmas and throughout the New Year!

Yours in Christ,
Pastor Jean


Join the Deacons Saturday, November 28th at 10 a.m. to decorate the church for the Advent Season.  We especially need a few good men to put up the tree in the sanctuary.  Thanks in advance for your help! 



CoffeeHour

December Coffee Hour
There will be a Coffee Hour on Sunday, December 6th at 10:15 am in Fellowship Hall, hosted by the Deacons.  Come by for coffee, fellowship and refreshments.


 


UPW CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON
 
The United Presbyterian Women are having a Christmas Luncheon on Sunday, December 6th, at 1:00 pm at Tessara Restaurant, 812 Route 33, Hamilton. The luncheon will include a House Salad, a choice of Chicken Marsala; Grilled Sirloin; or Broiled Tilapia; Vanilla Ice Cream and Coffee, Tea or a Soft Drink.  The price will be $24.00 per person.  Please register on the form below and give your form and payment to either Gloria Hanewald or Lois Dixon.
 
All women are cordially invited to come to the Christmas Luncheon.  We are purposely having it on a Sunday so those women who work outside the home and aren't usually able to join us at the monthly circle meetings might be able to join us for this Christmas event.  Please come and start the Christmas season off with good food, fun and fellowship!
  
Name:  _________________________________Phone number:__________________
 
Choice of Entrée: 
 
Chicken Marsala _____              Grilled Sirloin______               Broiled Tilapia _____ 
Breast of chicken sautéed           8oz charcoal broiled NY          Served with potato
with fresh mushrooms                 Strip Steak,  served with          and green beans
and pimentos in a marsala           potato and green beans
wine sauce, served with
rice and green beans
 
Amount enclosed:  ________________
 
Please make checks payable to UPW.  The last day to sign up for the luncheon will be Sunday, November 29th.


Survivors
The Survivors Senior Group will meet in the church parking lot on Wed., Dec. 9, 2015 at 9:45 am to carpool to Hunterdon Hills Playhouse for lunch and The Christmas Show in Hampton, NJ 08827.  The cost is $62.00 per person which includes full course meal, show, desserts, tax & 
gratuity.  Unfortunately all the tickets are sold at this time but if you would like to be put on a waiting list should there be a cancellation I will be happy to do so.  Please contact Rita Peterson 259-7256 or email ritapete@optonline.net.




Advent Hymn Sing
The Season of Advent will begin on Sunday, November 29th.  Please plan to come to church by 10:45 am to join in the UPC tradition of the singing of favorite Christmas hymns and carols each Sunday in Advent.



Christmas Cantata
The choir will present their Christmas cantata "Touched By a Child, Touched By a King" on Sunday, December 13th during the 11 a.m. worship service.  The theme of this cantata is being touched in a life-changing way by the Christ child.  The cantata follows the experiences of Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men, and finally all those who believe today all touched by a child, touched by a king.  This new cantata was made possible through donations to the memorial fund in memory of Dorothy E. Payne.


poinsettia 

Order your poinsettias from Camille Nami by December 13th.  As in the past, the poinsettias are from the Yardville Florist.  Cost is $6.75 each, payable with your order. Forms are in the Sunday worship bulletins and on the table in the Narthex.


gift card 
Gift Card Orders
If you would like to order gift cards for Christmas, please have your order into the church office by December 7th.  Forms are available on the table in the Narthex.


 

Birthday greetings to the members and friends whose birthdays are in December.
 
            3 Shauna Guld
            5 Tom Kelley
            6 Peg Stoeckel
            8 Jessica Bateham, Paige Bates, Ronald Castor
          10 Faith Yost
          11 Justin Gazzillo
          12 Jules Dolci
          14 Sydney Worek
          15 Caroline Germond   
          17 Robert Machin, Irene Mason      
          18 Justin Clark-Weston, Jeremy Martino
          20 Marilyn Machmer
          21 Shaila Gomez, Gabriel Onderdonk          
          22 Evan Clark   
          24 Noelle Carpenter, Kristin King                      
          27 Kelly Bernhard, Addie Smith
          30 Kristie Casole, Weston Scully


December Birthdays 
Days had grown cold, snow lay deep in December, 
Except for the evergreen, trees lost their splendor, 
When into this world a long time ago, 
Came a baby named Jesus to make our hearts glow.

And centuries later at the end of the year, 
Arrived other babies this cold world to cheer, 
Future talents unknown, worth that no one could measure, 
But their parents perceived them as their greatest treasure.

So to all of our members born in December, 
We wish you a birthday you'll always remember, 
A warm home, many gifts and companions to cheer, 
With good health to last you throughout the New Year.

by Margaret Archibald   


 
Click on the link below to see what's happening at UPC during December:

http://upcnj.view.events.com


Womanspace
Make a Child's Christmas Dream Come True
Christmas is coming, and once again we will be collecting presents for children at the Womanspace Shelter.
Cultural sensitivity is greatly appreciated when purchasing toys, personal care & hair products, and clothing items since we serve  children of all races.

UNWRAPPED New Items for Infants to 10-year-olds:

American Girl Dolls
Clothes-Jeans All Sizes
Remote control cars
Lego sets for older children
Playschool toys for newborn - age 3
Trucks, cars, trains
Bikes/Riding Toys/Skateboards
Jewelry/Special things boxes
No Puzzles
Playdough & accessories
Interactive games & board games
Etch-A-Sketch
Basketballs & Soccer Balls
Dolls (especially African-American and Latina)
Journals, pens & pencils
Craft & paint kits
*Snow boots, Slippers - all sizes
*New sneakers
*Sleepwear (especially size 4T-5)
*All clothing -(sizes 4T-16)
*Underwear -all sizes
UNWRAPPED New Items for Boys and Girls age 11-16

*Sleepwear, Slippers
*Underwear -all sizes, Gloves, hats & scarves
iPods, MP3's, Nintendo DS
*All clothing -(sizes 4T-16)
*New sneakers -all sizes
*Snow boots - all sizes
Cameras/Watches
Hand held video games & cartridges
*Sweat suits and jeans
*Winter & Spring coats
Play Station 3/Play Station 3 Games
Electronic games
Basketballs & Soccer Balls
Dolls (especially African-American and Latina)
Journals, pens & pencils
Modeling clay, Model Kits
Non-violent theme games only please
Ribstick Skate Boards
Earphones, Tablet PC,
Board games, Interactive games, X-Box & Wii
Drawing paper & kits

* These items are our greatest needs at this time.     ** Wrapping paper, scotch tape, gift
bags, ribbon and gift tags are also needed. Please do not gift wrap presents. Bring your presents to the church by Sunday, December 13.

Womanspace will also be the recipient of our Mission Donations for the month of December, so please give generously! 


congregational meeting
Sunday, December 13, 2015 Following the Cantata
The Session has called a Congregational Meeting on Sunday, December 13, at noon for the purpose of electing Elders, Deacons, and members of the 2016 Nominating Committee as well as approving changes in the terms of call for Pastor Jean Pinto.  ON THAT DAY THERE WILL BE NO E3 SERVICE AT 9:30 SO THAT EVERYONE CAN ATTEND THE CANTATA AND THE CONGREGATIONAL MEETING THAT FOLLOWS.


Session Notes
On Tuesday, December 17, 2015, Session met and took the following actions:
  • Elected Chris Neuman to be Commissioner to Presbytery at their meeting at Jamesburg on Saturday, Nov. 21.
  • Approved the request by Carolyn and Andrew Katz to have their daughter, Samantha Marie Katz baptized at the 9:30 service on January 17, 2016
  • Set the date for the 2016 Budget Meeting of the Administration Ministry Team for Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at 7 p.m.
  • Learned that Pastor Pinto participated with the Monmouth Presbytery delegation in the Synod's "A Way Forward" talks last weekend to help shape the reorganization of the Synod of the Northeast and the Presbyteries in its midst.
  • Learned that the proof copy of the picture directory will be done December 4, 2015, but that it will probably be January before the new directory will be available.
  • Received a report from the Financial Secretary that giving is nearly at the same level as last year and pledges for next year are also coming in at a similar rate.
  • Approved a call for a Congregational Meeting on Sunday, December 13, 2015.


We Pray:
For Healing for Ron Brown, Earl, Kenny Reimer, Judy (cancer); Judy (ALS); Bill Carpenter; Jessica Tuccillo; Judy (recovery from double mastectomy); young adults with a recurrence of cancer; Frank Weston; Bob Machin, now home on hospice care; Maria, Melissa, Louise and Dottie (cancer); Mrs. Grace; Angela Gerds, Charlie Pae, and Sharon Colquhoun (cancer treatments); Karl Franzoni (continued healing following completion of chemo); Nick LaBella (spine surgery); Susan (surgery); Kathy (foot surgery); Charles (Skip) Cunningham (open heart surgery); Jean Schmidt (Alzheimer's disease); Richard Flynn (lung cancer); Linda Tadlock (complications from MS); Robert Neuman (in RWJ with lung cancer and a kidney infection); Tom Larkin; Debbie Muoyo; Joseph Scharnitz (in St. Lawrence Rehab following a slight stroke); Pete Hoyle (Parkinsonson's disease, a blood clot, and return of cancer); and Michele (24 hour bug).

With Concern: that Gerri will have good results from upcoming PET scan; for baby Nicholas learning to eat on his own; for the victims of the Paris attacks and their families; for strength and courage for Karen Machin and sons, David, Danny, and Matt, as they deal with the end stage of Bob's illness.

For traveling mercies: for Tom; all those traveling during the Thanksgiving Holiday, for those visiting families and those on business trips.

For comfort: for Cody and Rachael who lost a child; for the bereaved families of Tom Jenkins, and Jimmy Costello; for Rev. Lester Guilfoyle and family in their loss; for the family of Lewis K. Thorn, Jr., especially his widow, Doris, daughters, Nancy Giordano and Betty Lou Miccio, and granddaughters, Amanda and Lindsay Giordano.

With Thanksgiving: for the birth of Reagan Olivia Bloodgood, daughter of Katie and Jason Bloodgood and granddaughter of Karen and Steven Ashe; for successful surgeries for Colton Thibodeau and Dawn Fiore.


  Celebrate Christmas Eve with Your Church Family!

The E3 Family-Friendly Service will begin at 4 p.m. on Thursday, December 24.
The story of Christmas will be told in poetic form according to the style
of Clement Moore's famous poem interspersed with Christmas carols.
We will close with a candle lighting service and
each family will be given a special Christmas gift.
Everyone is welcomed, especially the youngest among us!

Our Traditional Service Celebrating Christmas and Communion
will be at 8:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, 2015.
Traditional carols and candlelight glow will light up the night
as we partake in the Lord's Supper and rejoice in Christ's birth.
The choir will provide special Christmas music.

We hope to see you at one or both of these holiday services!
Merry Christmas! 



Thanks to everyone who worked at the Holiday Boutique and those who helped  set up and clean up.   A special thanks to Betty Lou Dolci and her  family for the "Precious Moments" donation, which added so much joy to  our bazaar---even those who couldn't buy just enjoyed looking at the  collection.   We ended up with $1,825 overall----so THANK YOU again.   
--Gloria Hanewald, Rose Wales and the Stewardship Ministry Finance Committee 


caroling

The Youth Group and anyone else who loves to sing will meet at the church on Sunday, December 20th at 4 p.m. to go caroling.  We will bring a dash of good cheer with our voices singing favorite Christmas carols to those who appreciate it the most, our shut-in members.  We should be back at the church by about 6 p.m., though the time is approximate, so it's best for the youth to bring their cell phones to call their parents for pick up.  Be sure to dress warmly!  

WARNING......WARNING: ADVENT VIRUS
Be on the alert for symptoms of inner Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. The hearts of a great many have already been exposed to this virus and it is possible that people everywhere could come down with it in epidemic proportions. This could pose a serious threat to what has, up to now, been a fairly stable condition of conflict in the world.
Some signs and symptoms of The Advent Virus:
  • A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences.
  • An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
  • A loss of interest in judging other people.
  • A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
  • A loss of interest in conflict.
  • A loss of the ability to worry. (This is a very serious symptom.)
  • Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
  • Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
  • Frequent attacks of smiling.
  • An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.
  • An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.
Please send this warning out to all your friends.  
 
Wishing You a Blessed Advent,
 

Jean Pinto
609-585-5770
Message Header
A personal, thoughtful message can provide a compelling contrast to a promotional pitch or factual exposition. Use personal stories, first-person narratives, and meaningful quotes from other writers to evoke a comfortable, introspective tone. Add a "Find out more..." link to additional information on your website.