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Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church
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Weekly News For
Sunday Jan 7, 2018 |
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Dear Friends,
Many of us have been enjoying the Netflix TV series, The Crown, starring Claire Foy as the young Queen Elizabeth II. Growing up, Elizabeth never expected to be Queen. It was only the abdication of her Uncle, King Edward VIII, that put her first in line for the throne.
The death of Elizabeth's father, King George VI, in 1952, led to her coronation the next year. Suddenly she had to take on responsibilities unimaginable for any other young wife and mother.
The title of the series is significant, reflecting the fact that, besides Elizabeth and Philip, there is a third principal character in the drama: the Crown itself. By all accounts, Queen Elizabeth is a devout Christian, and considers her royal responsibilities a sacred trust. In those early years it wasn't always easy for Elizabeth and Philip to make room for the Crown in their marriage, but by trial and error they found a way.
There was another young couple who experienced the coming of a crown into their family: Mary and Joseph. When Mary held the newborn Jesus in her arms, she knew he was no ordinary child. One day this son of hers would wear a crown: but not the sort of crown any earthly king had ever worn. Soon after Jesus' birth, this young family had to flee for their lives: the first of many implications of saying "yes" to the Crown.
 This Sunday is the day after Epiphany, the Christian celebration of the coming of the three wise men from the East. "Where is this child who has been born king of the Jews?" they asked.
Surely those wise men were seeking another sort of king than the infant they found. Eventually they realized the mystery and the wonder of God's choice of the peasant girl, Mary, to bear the holy child.
We've all had a rough time with the heavy snow this week, but by Sunday I hope you'll have a clear way out of your home and will be able to join your church community in worship, as we ponder these holy mysteries.
Afterwards, at 11:00, there will be a brief Congregational Meeting moderated by the Rev. David Cotton, our church's liaison from the Presbytery's Committee on Ministry. As you surely all know by now, I've accepted a call to become pastor of the Lamington Presbyterian Church in Bedminster, New Jersey, beginning February 1. Our Presbyterian polity requires the congregation to take a formal vote to ask the Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relationship, so that's what will be on the agenda. David will share some insights about what lies ahead, as the Session makes arrangements for a mission study, and as the congregation, further down the road, elects a Pastor Nominating Committee to take the results of that mission study and begin their search for a new pastor.
May you all continue to enjoy the blessings of this new year, a year of many changes for this congregation.
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Baptism of the Lord
Dr Wilton preaching:
"THE CROWN"
9:00 a.m. - Christian Education Meeting, Fellowship Room
10:00 a.m. -Worship/Communion/
Chancel Choir
10:00 a.m. Sunday School begins in Worship
11:00 a.m. - Special Congregational Meeting
Communion Brunch will be moved to next Sunday,
January 14.
See you then!
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Epiphany
Party at the Valentine House this Saturday
 Thank you to everyone who participated in our Giving Tree this year.
The party is this Saturday and the gifts will be brought over to the Valentine House at 1:00 p.m. Please make sure your gift is in or bring it directly over to the Valentine House by Saturday.
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Special Congregational Meeting this Sunday
 A special meeting of the Congregation will take place this Sunday at 11:00 am in the Sanctuary, for the purpose of acting on a request from the Rev. Dr. Carlos Wilton that the pastoral relationship be dissolved, effective January 31, 2018.
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Please Consider Helping Us Undecorate this Sunday
 Following the service and the Congregational Meeting, we plan on taking down the Christmas decorations in the Sanctuary. Please consider staying a little bit longer to help.
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Check for Snow Cancellations
 In case of snow, please check the main page of the church website or the voice mail message about worship service times (732-899-0587) for the latest information about cancellations of church activities.
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"Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6
The Prayer Family for the week is the Welch family. Let us be prayerfully aware of Eva and Michael, as well as all our members and friends.
Prayer Concerns: Ron Claeys, Mary McSweeney, Ginny Santoso
Long term concerns: Jacob Basilotto; Bill Birdsong; George and Diantha Mathews Brown; Elsie Cason; Kevin Conheeney; Jean DeMartino; Don Destestafano; Audrey Kerber; Despina Koch; Bruce Larsen; Cody MacPhearson; Gerda Mooney; Jim Millar; Edith Pula; Jared Robbins; Susan Robbins; Zach Russo; Sarah Sarbello; Nancy and Ralph Smith; Jim Tabor; Grace Philhower; Tim Vilardi; those struggling with addictions and mental illness.
Military: Kyle Barker; Sarah Davis Brown; Morgan Daniels Colberg; Michael Fahey III; Jeffrey Hanrahan, Matthew Warren; all those in our nation's service.
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REMINDER: SESSION MEETING THIS WEEK - The Session meeting has been moved up to this Tuesday, January 9 at 6:30 p.m. Session members, please make every attempt to attend.
SPECIAL COFFEE HOUR - Join us on Sunday, January 21 for a coffee hour reception in the Chittick Lounge as we give thanks to the Rev. Dr. Carlos Wilton for his faithful ministry here at Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church. Come and join us in saying goodbye to both Carl and Claire and thanking them for the significant role they have played in our lives.
 FLOWER CHART - A new flower chart is posted outside the church office. Please consider signing up to donate money for fresh flowers to mark a special occasion or "just because." The flower prices for 2018 remain the same, $20 per vase or $25 for a bowl of flowers. An order form next to the chart can be filled out and sent into the office along with your payment. Future events such as Anniversaries and Birthdays can be reserved on the flower chart and payment can be submitted closer to the date. Flowers are God's gift to us all!
 COFFEE HOUR HOSTS FOR THE NEXT MONTH -
Please call Marge Meklin at 908-433-3957 for questions or concerns. Sign up sheet is in the Church Kitchen.
December 31 - Ron and Ginny Claeys
January 4 - Communion Brunch
January 14 - Donna Wittman
January 21 - Special Coffee Hour in honor of Dr. Wilton and the Rev. Claire Pula
 NEW OFFERING ENVELOPES ARE NOW IN THE NARTHEX - 2018 offering envelope boxes may be picked up in the Narthex. Please feel free to pick up a friend's box if you know they won't make it to church to pick it up. If you cannot find your envelopes, please write your name on the pad provided. Using your numbered envelopes makes the counters' jobs easier and ensures proper contribution credit. Thank you for helping us by using them. Please note, your assigned envelope number may have changed.
 CHURCH ORGANIZATION LEADERS: Information for the Annual Reports is due by Friday, January 12, 2018. One paragraph highlighting events in the past year is sufficient length for most reports. Also, if your organization maintains a separate treasury or bank account, these reports must include a financial reporting. Reports can be emailed directly to Kim Gaydos at mail@pointpresbyterian.org. Call or email the Church office if you would like a digital version of the 2016 report. Reports will be ready for the congregation on Sunday, January 21, 2018.
IHN ARRIVING JANUARY 28 - Families from the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Ocean County will be staying with us in the new year. Families will arrive on Sunday, January 28 and stay for the week. We are in need of people to help in all areas. Please sign up to help with a
dinner, evening fellowship or overnight hosts from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. throughout the week. Sign-up sheets are in the Narthex for those who can provide help. Please indicate where you can help. Thank you!
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The Big Cover Up
Yes a picture is worth a thousand words , that is an actual hole in our roof! We need to
COVER IT UP.
 Our Sanctuary roof has outlived its useful life and it is overdue for replacement. This glorious structure has been in our community since 1882 and we are entrusted with its care. This is a major project and there is evidence of leaks in a number of interior ceilings in the building.
We have done our due diligence by selecting all the proper materials that are needed and working with several bids, to select the best roofer for the job.
The cost of this project is approximately $75,000. We need to pay a deposit of about $20,000 at the end of January.
How do you contribute? We have ordered gold envelopes which will be available in the pews. A check made out to PPPC with a note "Roof", sent or placed in the offering plate.
If you prefer electronic giving click HERE. If you prefer to spread out your
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Through your generosity we are off to a good start |
giving over 3 months that is great. The campaign will run January, February and March!!
These are tax deductible charitable contributions. Check with your financial adviser, but we understand that contributions from a qualified retirement account directly to the church are not considered taxable income.
We will be providing weekly updates and there will be messages delivered from congregation members with long histories under this roof.
We ask you to prayerfully consider making a contribution and think how good you will feel sitting under this NEW ROOF!! Look for updates and watch our "roof thermometer" grow.
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New Beginnings Leader Training Postponed
Last month we had a visit from Peter Wells, our New Beginnings Assessor, who spent a day touring the church and community and meeting with congregational leaders. He will soon present us with a thorough report on our congregation, its strengths and weaknesses, with an eye to charting our course into the future.
Central to the New Beginnings process - but also to the Mission Study that will lead to the choice of a new pastor - is a series of four small-group meetings that will take place beginning in March. The small groups - which the Session hopes will involve as many church members as possible - will examine key insights from the New Beginnings Assessment. There will be an opportunity for everyone to express their views and ideas about the sort of Christian community our church should become.
Previously we had announced a Friday evening and Saturday training for New Beginnings small group leaders, but the Synod New Beginnings Network has asked us to postpone that. The new leader-training event will take place on:
Friday evening, February 23 and Saturday, February 24
We are looking to have the small-group leaders attend both the Friday evening and Saturday sessions. Please contact Jim McGuire, (908) 783-7193, if you are interested in either leading a small group or in hosting a small group in your home (leading and hosting are not the same thing: the leader facilitates the small-group discussion, while the host provides coffee and dessert and a comfortable place to meet). Some small groups will meet at the church and others in members' homes.
Take a look at this brief video that describes the work of Hope Partnership through the New Beginnings process:
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This Week in Sunday School
Hello everyone! Happy new year wishes to you all!
I've been thinking a lot lately about how blessed I am. I have a wonderful
 family, amazing friends, I have the honor of teaching our PPPC youth and helping them explore and expand their relationship with God, I have a warm home, plenty of food to eat, and the list goes on and on. This got me to thinking of those who don't have those same blessings.
I have decided to have our Sunday School friends start their new year off right and start 2018 with a mission project. Some of you may recall a program called Project Linus. Project Linus receives donations of homemade blankets. These blankets are sent to children in need of some comfort. A simple blanket can provide warmth, comfort, and security to a child who is lacking these things. This week we will be working on blankets to donate to Project Linus. We will be making the simple tie-blankets again, so no special skills are necessary. We will also be discussing the importance of giving to others and what "missions" in the church are all about.
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday break. See you this weekend!
Peace and Blessings,
Tricia Stoffers
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This Week at Point Beach Prep
Happy New Year!
 This week we met Mr. L and the Llama puppet. The American Sign Language we learned was "love." We read The Very Grouchy Ladybug, Lola at the Library, and Llama Llama Red Pajama. We Sang Mary Had a Little Lamb, London Bridge and Here We Go Looby Loo. We love learning!
Point Beach Prep will be having their Open House on
Saturday, January 27, 10am-12pm. Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church Members may register for school on
Friday January 26 during school hours,
8:30 -1 pm. Please contact Director Devlin House at
732-701-9900 for more information.
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Blanket Sunday Next Week
Contributions to CWS Blankets mean Church World Service will be ready to help families around the world recover from disasters and displacement, and build viable, sustainable lives and communities.
CWS helps to provide primary health care for displaced and other families in need. In such far-flung places as Sudan, Pakistan and Nicaragua, CWS gives comfort and care to moms and babies, and helps children get the nutrition they need to grow up strong and healthy.
And here in the U.S., CWS Blankets provide comfort in many communities hit by disaster, and in shelters or agencies assisting those experiencing hard times.
Here's a short video that profiles a woman displaced by Superstorm Sandy who benefited from a CWS blanket:
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Sara Hoey and Bob Ierley practice this week in preparation for Special Music on January 14th
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Visit our Church website for a complete and up-to-date calendar
Sunday, January 7
9:00 a.m. - Christian Ed Committee, Fellowship Room
10:00 a.m. - Worship/Communion/Chancel Choir
10:00 a.m. Sunday School begins in Worship
11:00 a.m. - Special Congregational Meeting
6:15 p.m. - Choral Bells, Fellowship Room
7:00 p.m. - Deacon's Meeting, Chittick Lounge
Tuesday, January 9
10:00 a.m. Eye Openers, Chittick Lounge
1:00 p.m. - Lydia Daytime Circle
6:00 p.m. - Bear/Tiger Den, CE
6:00 p.m. - Session Meeting
7:00 p.m. - Lydia Evening Circle
Wednesday, January 10
Pinewood Derby in Annex
9:00 a.m. - Women's Breakfast at the Rainbow Diner
4:30 p.m. - Webelos
5:00 p.m. - Dove Choir
6:30 p.m. - Wolf Pack
7:30 p.m. - Boy Scouts
Thursday, January 11
Pinewood Derby in Annex
4:00 p.m. - Brownie Troop 360, Fellowship Room
5:00 p.m. - Daisy Troop 443, Fellowship Room
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir
Friday, January 12
Pinewood Derby in Annex
6:30 p.m. -
GS Troop 906
Saturday, January 13
11:00 a.m. - Pinewood Derby
Sunday, January 14
9:00 a.m. - Sunday School Staff Meeting
10:00 a.m. - Worship/Chancel Choir
10:00 a.m. Sunday School begins in Worship
11:00 a.m. - Church Breakfast/Brunch
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BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS
Jan 7
Jan 8
Jan 9 Christopher Garner
Jan 10 Ami Gallagher
Jan 11
Jan 12 Madeline Iadarola, Pat Shoppell
Jan 13 Judy Antonucci, Jason Krayl, Rod Smith
Jan 14
Jan 15 Stephen Ferguson, Nicholas O'Hara, Calvin Potter
Jan 16 Chris Nelson
Jan 17
Jan 18 Patricia Hewitt
Jan 19 Ann Lappke
Jan 20 Lauren Braaten, Mary Beth Schroeder
Jan 21
Jan 22 Michele Cleveland, Trevor Sellman, Londa Scarpone
Jan 23
Jan 24
Jan 25 Jason Braaten, Christopher Muraglia
Jan 26
Jan 27 Samantha Trainor
Jan 28 Connor Durante
Jan 29 Blake Birdsong
Jan 30 Michael Fanizzo
Jan 31 Donna Ferry
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Upcoming
January 19-20
New Beginning Leader Training at PPPC - Postponed.
New date to be announced
January 28 - Interfaith Hospitality Network Arrives
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| Pastors The Rev. Carl Wilton, Ph.D., Pastor The Rev. Linda Chase, Associate Pastor Office Staff Kim Gaydos, Church Secretary Donna Ferry, Financial Secretary Music Staff Sara Hoey, Organist William Shoppell, Chancel Choir and Choral Bells Director Rebecca Muraglia, Acting Dove Choir Director Christian Education Staff Tricia Stoffers, Sunday School Coordinator Devlin House, Point Beach Prep Preschool Director |
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