United Pres                                         April, 2015
Holy Week Services 
Maundy Thursday Commemoration of the Last Supper 7:30 p.m. 
Hamilton Ecumenical Fellowship Good Friday Service 7 p.m.  
at Hamilton Square Baptist Church 
E3 Easter Communion Service, 9:30 a.m.
Coffee Hour 10:15-11 a.m.  
Traditional Easter Communion Service, 11 a.m.

 
We are in the midst of Holy Week.  Next Sunday we will be celebrating Easter!  Easter is the central event which defines Christianity.  Christ's resurrection is what gives the cross so much meaning and power, for if Christ had not risen from the dead it would mean that sin and death are stronger than God.  But Jesus did rise from the grave and conquered sin and death for all time. I hope all of you will come and celebrate communion at one of our Easter Services, the E3 Worship at 9:30 a.m. or the Traditional Worship at 11 a.m.

We are Easter people.  Our lives are shaped by Easter so that we can bring the hope of Christ to the world.  This Eastertide, we will be participating in a special program led by our Outreach Ministry Team.  It is called, "The Church Has Left the Building."  The idea behind the program is to prepare ourselves during the season of Eastertide to go out into the community to do a day of mission.  We would like you to sign up in the Narthex to help with one of the 6 distinct mission projects described below.  Meanwhile, for the next six weeks, we will be collecting food for hungry children for the Mercer Street Friends Backpack project and clothes for the HomeFront FreeStore for homeless families. No matter which project you want to volunteer for on May 17, 2015 (the day the church will leave the building), we hope you will consider bringing items to church for these worthy causes.

Beginning on Monday, April 5, each day we will send out an e-mail with a devotional based on the Gospel of John until May 17. The devotional is designed for us to be inspired by the love we have received from God to "Love the World" as God loves the world.  For those of you who are not on our e-mail list, there will be copies of the devotional in the narthex on Easter for you to take home. We hope that each day you will read the devotional, take the action step suggested, and pray.  In this manner we will be preparing our hearts for service.

Finally, please read the descriptions of the six projects below.  Some enable us to care for creation in the great outdoors.  Some help us to respond to the needs of the homeless and the hungry.  And some give us the chance to brighten the day of the lives of those who daily struggle with physical and mental challenges.  We hope there is something for everyone.  It is our prayer that one of these projects will touch you and inspire you to leave the church building to minister to others.

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Jean
 
Care for Creation
Pastor Emeritus, John Milne, will direct a group of "The Church Has Left the Building" volunteers to spruce up hiking trails, remove invasive plants, and install native gardens at the Audubon Preserve at Plainsboro so that it can remain a sanctuary for a variety of birds and animals.  Megan Gadsby and Noah Pinto will lead the Youth Group and anyone else who would like to volunteer.  Following church at noon on May 17, we will have lunch and carpool to the Plainsboro Preserve, 80 Scotts Corner Rd., Cranbury, NJ 08512.  Volunteers are asked to bring their own garden gloves and equipment.  We will return to the church by 3 p.m. Sign up in the Narthex or call Noah Pinto at 647-4120 for more information.
 
Send Hunger Packing
In partnership with 15 local schools, the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank provides over 500 children identified as at-risk for hunger with nutritious kid friendly food that they take home Friday afternoons during the school year. The food packs ensure that the children have meals to eat over the weekend and return to school nourished and ready to learn. Between now and May 10 we will be collecting food and drinks to fill backpacks and then on May 17th following the 11 a.m. worship service those who sign up for this project will put together backpacks to be distributed by the MSF Food Bank.  In the narthex you will find a list of all the items necessary to fill a backpack along with a comparison shopping guide so you can get the best price for what you buy.  Bring your donation and put it in the specially marked boxes by Mother's Day.  If you have questions, please call Benita Rommel at 585-1583.

 

Be a Beacon of Joy
Do you love a party?  If so, this is the mission project for you! We will be organizing a picnic with musical entertainment for The Visitation Home, a shared living residence for people with developmental disabilities on Yardville-Allentown Road. Our own Deacon David Geijer is a resident at the home.  Volunteers who sign up for this project will be asked to bring something for the picnic, set up the food at the group home, and enjoy the company of the residents during the entertainment.  For more information, contact Jean Pinto at the church office (585-5770).

 

Clean Out Your Closets
The HomeFront FreeStore provides working poor families with donated clothing items so that the limited money they have may be spent on other essentials. Between April 5 and May 10 we will be collecting clothes to donate to HomeFront.  Especially needed are children's clothing and work clothes.  If you would like to help or need more information, call Irene Mason at 585-2941.

 

Make Their Day
If you have a sick or severely developmentally disabled child, your entire life is wrapped up in caring for that child.  There is little or no time to take care of yourself, let alone enjoy the simple pleasures of going out to eat or watching a movie.  The "Make Their Day" team will bring a great meal and a movie to the homes of two families who are facing the challenges of caring for a child with special needs.  To sign up for this mission or to learn more about it, call Curly Rentner at 259-7785.
 
Adopt a Highway
Highway Clean Up
United Presbyterian Church has adopted Route 156 and twice a year picks up the litter that ends up on the side of the road.  Our Spring 2015 Highway Clean Up Day will be part of "The Church Has Left the Building" on May 17.  The church has safety signs, gloves, garbage bags, neon vests, and trash pokers.  All we need is you and before you know it Rt. 156 will be spic and span.  Sign up in the Narthex, and be sure to dress casually on May 17. Contact Irene Worek at 499-5823 if you would like to know more.
  
 

On Tuesday, March 10, 2015, Session met and took action on the following:
  • Voted to receive Chrysti Neuman, Sandy Neuman and Pierre Williams into membership.
  • Approved the request of Patrick Steward and fiancee Jennifer to have their wedding in the sanctuary on Sunday, March 29, 2015 at 1 p.m.
  • Approved the request by Phillip Drum and Jennifer Wysock to have their wedding in the sanctuary on August 8, 2015 at 2:30 p.m.
  • Approved the request of the Trenton Kenosis Prison Ministry to meet from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Bertolet Lounge on Thursdays March 12 and 26, and April 2 and 9.
  • Learned that the Facilities Ministry Team has hired Mack Industries to upgrade the boilers so that they might pass state inspection.
  • Approved a motion by Elder Chris Neuman that the church hold an outing to the Music Man at the Kelsey Theatre on Saturday, May 9, at 2 p.m. 
Coffee Hour
COFFEE HOUR

You are invited to coffee and fellowship on Easter Sunday at 10:15 am in Fellowship Hall.
  
Come to the Pancake Breakfast, Sat., April 18, from 8 a.m. to Noon
Pancake Breakfast Delicious pancakes with butter and syrup, sausage, orange juice, coffee, tea, or milk - all can be yours if you attend our Pancake Breakfast on April 18.  Tickets are only $7, $4 for children, and you can get them at church from Rose Wales or Gloria Hanewald. Tickets will also be available at the door.
  
April Mission Spotlight
Habitat for Humanity Logo Seeking to put God's love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. Their vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Founded in 1986, Habitat for Humanity of Trenton has been helping low-income working families defy incredible odds and become homeowners. As an ecumenical Christian housing ministry, Habitat for Humanity of Trenton is founded upon the principle that people of all faiths should be provided an opportunity to live in a decent and affordable home.  Habitat welcomes people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need.  From these partnerships, a network of lasting friendships and a sense of community is created. All donations marked for mission this month will go to Habitat for Humanity to further their work to house the homeless.
Join Us for an Outing to Kelsey Theatre on Saturday, May 9.
This five-time Tony Award-winning musical theatre classic, The Music Man, has become an all-American institution. The Yardley Players take you back to River City, Iowa circa 1912, in their horseless carriage . The lovable, fast-talking con man Harold Hill, played by our own Chris Neuman, arrives in town to pull a big swindle, but falling in love with the town's librarian throws a definite wrench in the works. With classic tunes that include Ya Got Trouble, Goodnight My Someone, Til There Was You and the show-stopping Seventy-Six Trombones, this classic is perfect for the whole family. The church has a block of twenty tickets for the matinee performance on Saturday, May 9, 2015 at 2:00. Tickets will be $16 each.  Get your tickets in the narthex on Sunday or call the office at 585-5770 to reserve your spot.

 

Survivors
The Survivor Senior Group will meet on April 15th (the third Wed. in Apr.) at 11:30 am at the Homewood Suites by Hilton, 960 Rt. 130 South, Hamilton, NJ 08690 (former location of Harley Davidson) for a tour of their new facility, and following the tour we will enjoy lunch at Long Horn Steak House in the Hamilton Marketplace.  Please make your reservation with Rita Peterson at 259-7256 or email ritapete@optonline.net .
  
UPW Meeting
The Uwomenscirclenited Presbyterian Women will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 7th at 10:00 am in Fellowship Hall.  We will have our fellowship/coffee time followed by our Bible study.  This month we will be studying Delilah from the book, Women of the Bible.  We will have our business meeting after the Bible study and then whoever wants to will be going to a local restaurant for lunch.  Please come join us for a time of fellowship, study and planning .
  
Church Directory Photos

Photography Dates:  Friday, April 24, 2 - 9 PM
 Saturday, April 25, 10 AM - 5 PM
Sign Up:  In person after worship, or
  On line at www.upcnj.org
  
We Pray For

Healing of Michael Butler (esophageal cancer); Bill Porter; Louise (mastectomy); Dottie, Marianne, Maria, Anita and Melissa (all coping with cancer); Paul (in ICU with heart issues and bleeding from diverticulitis); John (hospitalized); Karen Machin's niece, Jenn and her preemies James and Thomas; Dennis (stroke); Sue Milstead; Kara; Bill C.; Bill B.; Jean Principato (cancer treatments); Bill Frantz (back problems); Carol Stahl; Steve Mucha (a good outcome for his surgery); Carolyn LaCrosse's Mom (recuperation from heart failure and pneumonia @ 93 years old!); Jodi Adelmann (breast cancer surgery); Shirley Lewis; Jean Schmidt; Nando Avila; Mrs. Masetti, Beth Cass (chest pain); Michelle (allergies); Stella Quigley (home from RWJ Hospital); Howard Stoeckel (also home from RWJ Hospital); Dennis (stroke); Bob (kidney failure); Lois (macular degeneration); Ed; Nancy Lu; Linda; Nick Pagodin's mother, Carol (heart problems); Scott Brubaker; Robert Neuman (lung cancer); Rita Peterson (shingles); Karen Casole (recuperating from appendix surgery); Beverly Tabor (lupus); and Susan.   

 

Comfort for the bereaved family and friends of Carole Wagg (Joyce Vaughn's cousin); Gus Miller; Bill Berger; Lou Toth (Karl and Rita Peterson's brother-in-law); Patricia Ashe; Chick Kelk; and Bob Hobson (Karen Ashe's father). 

 

Traveling mercies for Sharon and her granddaughter flying to London and then traveling to Paris; for Tom Kelley driving to Florida and back; for Sara going to Canada to be with her fiance recovering from brain surgery; and for Mr. Ross and Justin going to and returning from New Orleans.  Prayers for the people of typhoon ravaged Vanuatu, especially for Maeve Pinto's former roommate, Daisy; for a bone marrow match for Wendi Lyons; and for Barbara and Ed selling their house. Concern about tests for Laurie Kozlowski. Prayers for David Geijer about his job at Target improving or being able to find another job. 

 

Thanksgiving for good results for Jennie Efaw's surgery; and for Michelle's cat, Serenity's great health; and for the marriage of Bob D'Angelo and Lois Clark. 

 
Women's Book Club
The Women's B ook Club will be meeting  on Tuesday, April  28th at 7:00 pm in the  Bertolet Lounge.  We will be discussing ORDINARY GRACE by William Krueger. The story is told by 13 yr. old Frank Drum. His summer started out in an ordinary way, but life falls apart and Frank discovers the terrible price of wisdom and the enduring grace of God.  We invite all women of the church and their friends who enjoy good books and fellowship to join  us . May selection: THE
DOVEKEEPER by Alice Hoffman.


Birthday greetings to the members and friends whose birthdays are in April:

 

  1 Jonathan Carvalho, Jacquelyn Hendriksen

  2 Bob Anderson, Ruth Arnwine, Adeline Galvin, Gregory Stec

  3 Jennifer Halko

  6 Dana Roberts

  7 Betty Lou Dolci

  8 William Porter

  9 Jonathan Malloy

10 Michael Mraz

11 Holly Cardinale, Helen Carle

12 Colleen Latham, Shanna Latham

13 Linda Gravatt, Lynn Lasser, Mia Pingicer, Blythe Borders-Ashe

16 William Malloy

17 Bob Clendening, Alicia Wagner

20 Sharon Neuman

24 Maeve Pinto

25 Breta Malpas

26 Christopher McHugh

27 Sophia Grace Catana, Paul Minore, Jr., Michael Rentner

28 Kathy Thewes

30 Nicole Anderson, Sean Matthew Luna, Ed Yost

 

For April Birthday Members

What a wonderful month to appear on this earth,

When all of the trees and flowers are in bloom,

Remembering in loveliness nature's rebirth,

And triumph over death as Christ rose from the tomb.

 

Though frequent, light showers replace violent storms,

That have plagued us through winter so long,

Each helps in the growth of all nature's bright forms,

While we listen to a robin's sweet song.

 

Easter Sunday, a day of renewal and hope,

Comes in triumph and beauty at this time of year,

Enabling all Christians with sorrow to cope,

Through Christ's resurrection death is nothing to fear.

 

Birthday members, may peace and good will ever bless you,

May pain or depression never oppress you.

But should skies turn gray, they'll change soon to blue.

Your faith in life's goodness will carry you through. 

 

Written by Margaret Archibald 

 

  
Calendar
calendarofevents

Click on the link below to view our April calendar of events:

Trenton Thunder
Thunder
Save the Date:  Our church has scheduled an outing to see the Trenton Thunder play on Friday, July 10th, game time is 7:00 p.m.  The Thunder will be playing the Richmond Flying Squirrels (the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants).  We will be attending on an evening where there will be a giveaway and fireworks:  the first 2,000 age 6 and over to arrive at the ball park that evening will receive sunglasses; there will be a fireworks presentation following the game.  Cost of a ticket will be $8.00, to sign up please see Tony Nami.  We are forming a choir to sing "God Bless America" during the 7th inning stretch.  If interested in singing "God Bless America", please see Marilyn Machmer; brief rehearsals will be held after the 11:00 a.m. worship services on June 21st, June 28th, and July 5th.

MOTHER'S DAY REMEMBRANCES

United Presbyterian Women are receiving donations for Mothers. If you would like to donate a monetary gift in honor or in memory of your mother, please fill out and return this form along with your donation. Forms and donations should be given to Gloria Hanewald or Lois Dixon. Checks should be made payable to "United Presbyterian Women".

All donations will go to Mission projects.   Donations have to be in no later than Sunday, May 3rd. The list of remembrances will be posted in the Bulletin on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 10th.

 

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DONATED IN HONOR OF:___________________________________________

                                                                                                                        

GIVEN BY:                                                                                                

 

AMOUNT: $_______________________________________________________                            

 

 

DONATED IN MEMORY OF: _________________________________________

 

GIVEN BY:                                                                                                

 

AMOUNT: $______________________________________________________

  
Presbyterian Church USA Takes New Stand on Marriage
Many people have asked me about the decision of the General Assembly about gay marriage that was recently ratified by a super majority of presbyteries. In short, pastors in the Presbyterian Church now are allowed to perform gay weddings.  At the same time, no pastor nor session will be required to have gay weddings. What does this mean for our congregation?  At this point, session has never been asked by a gay couple to be married in the sanctuary.  Should it come up, the session would have the authority to approve or disapprove.  I would not presume to know how they would vote.
I do know that our congregation has people who feel strongly on both sides of this issue.  Our congregation is not unique in this regard. We have members who are openly gay. We also have members whose interpretation of the bible leads them to the conclusion that God intended marriage to be between a man and a woman. 
One of the beautiful things about the Presbyterian Church is that church policies are made by majority vote.  Virtually no policies are passed unanimously.  This means that good Presbyterians can be on opposite sides of any particular issue, and there is room for all of us. As our constitution says, "God alone is Lord of the conscience." If you have any questions or concerns about this latest decision, please feel free to contact me at (609) 585-5770.

 
Sincerely,
 
Jean Pinto
United Presbyterian Church
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