Newsletter

United Pres June, 2016

We Left the Building and Made a Difference!

Thanks to everyone who participated in The Church Has Left the Building on May 22, 2016. It was a great day to join with your church family and brighten the lives of neighbors in need. As you can see from the picture above, people of all ages helped "Send Hunger Packing," by putting together 4 meals in a gallon zip lock baggie to put in children's backpacks for the weekend. To the left are Shaila, Navin, and Cindy Gomez and in center is the project coordinator, Benita Rommel.

Members of the Youth Group are working hard in the picture at left to spruce up the yard of our member and former Sexton, Jack Hoff. Jack has been living with glioblastoma (a malignant brain tumor) for over a year which has made him lose his sight. His wife, Kim, has also had surgery recently, so this project by the Youth Group was truly a Godsend to a family in need. For many years, Jack kept our church building spic and span and this gave us a chance to return the favor. Thanks also to those who made food for Bob and Kim, especially Pat Anthony and Joyce Vaughn.

At right you can see church members and residents of the Visitation Home on Yardville-Allentown Road led by "Banjo Bob" in a sing-along. After a delicious picnic of hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, chips, pretzels, veggies, fruit, desserts and beverages, the home's residents belted out show tunes with Banjo Bob accompanying them. Too bad we didn't take a video, because the joy in their faces and voices was palpable. Thanks to Pat Anthony, Jim and Lois Dixon, Bob and Lynn Lasser, Curly Rentner, and Tom Zeyack for bringing food and spending quality time with their new friends.

In addition to these projects we collected clothing for HomeFront under the direction of Irene Mason and held a clean up of Highway 156 led by Tom Zeyack. Thank you to all who participated and/or financially supported this year's The Church Has Left the Building. We look forward to another opportunity to reach out and serve our community next spring!

Welcome to Our Newly Confirmed Members!

Kaitlyn Bernhard (right) and Julianna Gazzillo (left) joined United Presbyterian Church on Trinity Sunday, May 22, 2016 after having completed six months of Confirmation Class with Rev. Pinto. Kaitlyn is the daughter of Gideon and Kelly Bernhard and granddaughter of Marge Bernhard. Julianna is the daughter of Linda Vandegrift-Smyth and Michael Gazzillo and granddaughter of Richard and Heide Vandegrift. Be sure to make our newest members feel right at home!

Session Notes

On Tuesday, May 17, 2016 Session met and took the following actions:

Received Kaitlyn Bernhard and Julliana Gazzillo into active membership.
Approved a New Member Class on June 12, 2016 after each worship service.
Approved Vacation Bible School 7/11/16-7/15/16 from 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Approved Pastor Pinto's request for one week study leave 8/10/16-8/17/16 and one week vacation 8/18/16-8/24/16.
Learned from the Financial Secretary that giving is on pace with pledges and the annual budget.
Learned that the profit from the Iccarra Fundraiser was $225.
Approved the annual contract for Termite and Pest Control by Abalene.
Learned that the architectural plans for the chairlift have been completed and the electrical outlet installed. Deacons are awaiting state elevator permit approval before the chair can be installed.
Made plans to invite more members of the congregation to join committees by reaching out with minutes for mission that explain what the committees do and how to get involved.
Decided to look into waterproofing the basement before dealing with moldy drywall so that the mold problem will be permanently solved.

The Marian Major Carey Scholarship Fund

Any actively participating member of the congregation or youth group is eligible to apply for a scholarship from the Marian Major Carey Scholarship Fund, with the exception of those who have already been awarded the scholarship twice.

If you are a high school senior, full or part-time college student, or technical or trade school student and are interested in obtaining financial help with the cost of continuing your education, then perhaps we can help. Applications can be found in the Narthex or the rear of the Sanctuary. Just pick one up, fill it out and return it to the church office between now and July 1st. The Christian Education Ministry Team will choose the number of recipients and amount of the scholarships based on how many successfully applicants there are. The criteria for the awards are service, scholarship, and most importantly a vibrant, active faith. The recipients will be announced in August and presented their scholarships as part of worship.

June Mission Spotlight: Mobile Meals of Hamilton

Our Mission Focus for June

Mobile Meals of Hamilton Township, Inc., organized in 1975, delivers hot, nutritious meals to Hamilton residents whose physical, mental or social conditions require a home-delivered meal service. Qualified individuals are homebound, chronically ill, handicapped or convalescing. Age or financial ability is not a factor. There is no limit on length of service although it varies with each individual client. The objective of Mobile Meals of Hamilton Township, Inc. is to aid in providing adequate nutrition for the elderly and handicapped. This service enables them to maintain health and independence in their home for a longer period of time. Daily meal delivery also decreases the feeling of isolation often experienced by the homebound. Hot afternoon meals are professionally planned and prepared by Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton dietary staff. Meals are delivered five days a week by a group of caring and dedicated volunteers.

New Member Classes will be held on Sunday, June 12, 2016

Would you like to know more about what it means to be Presbyterian? Would you like to join with others in worship and service, learning to be a disciple of Christ with "on the job" training? Then come to our New Member Class. There will be one after each of the worship services on June 12 (at 10:15 p.m. following the E3 Service and at noon after the 11 a.m. service). Those who would like to join the church will meet briefly with the Session at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21, and will be welcomed in worship on Sunday, June 26. Join us!

Vacation Bible School Will Be July 11-15 from 6 to 7:30 pm

United Presbyterian Church invites all children to Find the True Power of Jesus' Promises at

SonRise National Park VBS

Get ready for exciting wilderness thrills as you head out to beautiful SonRise National Park! As kids explore SonRise National Park, they'll learn the most important survival skill of all: they can always depend on Jesus and His promises of true peace, true riches, true power, true love and true hope! At SonRise National Park, kids will learn to trust Jesus as their all-powerful guide and Savior!

This year UPC will be traveling to SonRise National Park, where all trails lead to Jesus.

The fun begins

Monday, July 11th to Friday, July 15th

6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

at United Presbyterian

Each year during Vacation Bible School we participate in a Mission.
This year we will be supporting

TASK

Between July 10th and July 17th we will try to fill a tent with food for the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. Bring in some camping snacks like trail mix, granola bars or any nonperishable canned/ boxed food. Interested in learning more about the TASK mission, check out their website,

www.trentonsoupkitchen.org

www.upcnj.org

WE PRAY FOR:

Healing for Jack Hoff (in ICU at Helene Fuld following a seizure and fall) Jeffrey Cooper; Melissa (brain surgery); Patty (relief from severe sciatic back pain); Maria, Dottie, Louise, Ron Augustyn, Amber Best, Pat Reed, Kyle Johnson, Mike Menschner, Steven Malkiewicz, Bill Carpenter and Billy (all battling cancer); Kim Hoff's father (hospitalized with broken hip); Karen Machin (hip replacement); Nancy Plummer; Linda Gilbert (surgery); Doris Baker; Dr. A.; Bob D'Angelo; Rose; Alan; Joe Mason (recovering from triple bypass surgery) and Joe Mason, IV (newborn transferred to CHOP); Dot Bracoloni; Joe Davies (pneumonia, now home); Kevin Bridges (bone cancer, with possibility of losing leg); Michelle (swollen heel of her left hand); Dawn Lynch (breast cancer); Patti (surgery on May 31); Mary Palmer; Terri (gall bladder surgery); Doreen Galway; Mrs. Jessie Timm; Kathy Kish.

Prayers of Concern for James, now allergic to eggs; Edith Owens getting her strength in rehab; Steve French, battling demons; Bryce, concern about his future and finding his way; Jack Hoff, as he contemplates moving to hospice care; Jean Schmidt, worsening Alzheimer's; safe travel for all those visiting families and attending graduations; traveling mercies for Danny and Emily Machin traveling back to Utah.

Comfort for the bereaved family and friends of Mike Tucker, Adrienne Pinto (Rick and Jean Pinto's sister-in-law), Catherine Hewell; Christopher Ohler; Don Slabicki; Lou Russo; Nancy Plummer; Jim Drayton (Virginia Benck's neighbor); also for Bill Winder and family upon the death of beloved wife, Ginger; and Nick LaBella on the loss of his mother.

Prayers of Thanksgiving for Gracie Spreat's completion of the year's studies and safe travel home from Dublin; for Karen Machin's successful hip replacement surgery on May 11; for the baptism of Charles Robert; for safe travels for Sandeep Singh, Blythe and Daniel Borders-Ashe; for Chris McHugh's graduation and job performing this summer in Hershey; that Jeff Cooper's treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma is working; and that no new lesions were found on Chrysti Neuman's MRI.

Coffee Hour

The coffee hour on

Sunday, June 5th will be hosted by the Outreach Ministry Team. Come to Fellowship Hall at 10:15 am and enjoy refreshments and fellowship.

United Presbyterian Women's Breakfast

The United Presbyterian Women are doing somet hin g di fferent this

year for their final gathering before the summer break. Instead of the usual June luncheon, we are having a breakfast at Mastoris Diner/Restaurant on Tuesday, June 7th at 9:30 am. This will take the place of our usual monthly circle meeting. The breakfast will be served family style and will consist of orange juice, fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, ham, bacon, sausage, pancakes, French toast, home fries, cinnamon and cheese breads, coffee, tea or milk. The price will be $15.00 per person and will include the tax and gratuity. All women are cordially invited to attend. If you would like to come, please see or call either Gloria Hanewald (528-0511) or Lois Dixon (298-3398) to register and pay. The last day to register will be Sunday, June 5th. We hope to see you there!

Survivors

The Survivors Senior Group will meet in the church parking lot on Wed., June 8, 2016 at 10:45 a.m. to carpool to The Crab's Claw Inn, Lavallette, NJ for lunch. We will enjoy lunch at the shore and be entertained by "Johnny" the piano player. 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 welcome to join the Survivors for a great lunch and wonderful
fellowship.

Women's Book Club

The Women's Book Club will be having our annual Dinne r - Out meeting on Tuesday, June 21st at 6:30 pm at Tessara's Restaurant on Rt. 33. After dinner, we will be discussing Agatha Christie's bone chilling mystery DEATH ON THE NILE. Linnet and Simon Doyle are on a cruise when tragedy strikes. Fortunately, Hercule Poirot is there to investigate. If you are able to join us for dinner, please call Gail Fouse (585-3248).

September selection: THE NAMESAKE by Jhumpa Lahiri.

Memorial Service for James Michael "Mike" Tucker

On Saturday, June 11, at 1 p.m. a memorial service will be held for James Michael "Mike" Tucker. Mike served as a deacon and as a member of the Worship Committee before he passed away in April. He taught history at Ewing High School and was an active Mason. Following the service there will be light refreshments. If you can bring some finger food, please let Rose Wales know.

Remember this summer...

Wherever you may be this summer we hope you will take time to worship and you will keep your pledge to the church current. Just because we go away, doesn't mean the church's bills do. We are grateful for your support. Have a wonderful summer!

Summer music

If you would be interested (or if you know of someone who would be interested) in sharing their gift (vocal / instrumental / expressive worship dance) during the 11 a.m. worship service this summer, please contact Choir Director Marilyn Machmer. June 5th is the choir's last Sunday before taking a break for the summer.