|
Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church
|
Weekly News For
Sunday Jan 14, 2018 |
|
|
 Dear Friends,
My time at Point Pleasant is rapidly drawing to a close. Claire and I have just two Sunday services to go - this Sunday and next Sunday - before we pack up and move to our new call in Bedminster, New Jersey (well, we've actually started packing already). It's a bittersweet time for us, as I know it is for many of you.
As I look back over our 27 years here, my overwhelming emotion is gratitude. There are so many memories: of church members, both those still with us and those who have entered the Church Triumphant; of projects we have undertaken together; of challenges by which the Lord has stretched us beyond our comfort zone; of good work we have done together, to God's glory. Most of all, Sunday after Sunday, there have been our worship services: as we've blessed one another and our God through music, word and sacrament.
In my sermon this Sunday, focusing on Paul's opening words to the Christians at Philippi, I intend to sound that note of gratitude. Next Sunday, the 28th - the day of the congregation's annual general meeting - I plan to share some dreams I have of where this congregation could go in future years, as the Lord continues to guide the saints here in Point Pleasant.
Claire and I are honored that, following this Sunday's worship service, the Session and other church leaders are planning a special coffee hour reception for us. We hope to see many of you there.
Let us be grateful for God's guidance through it all!
|
|
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dr. Wilton preaching:
"A PASTOR'S GRATITUDE"
9:00 a.m. - Session Meeting, Fellowship Room
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. - Special Coffee Hour for Carl and Claire
|
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.
|
|
|
Special Coffee Hour
Join us on Sunday, 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. Their last Sunday in Point Pleasant will be the following Sunday, January 28 (which is also the date of our annual congregational meeting.) 
|
|
|
"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 Person for the week is Frankie Kunz. Let us be prayerfully aware of Frankie, as well as all our members and friends.
Prayer Concerns: Les Thornton; Agnes Skowronek (Sister in law of Sara Hoey); Tom Thorsen (Grandson of Jean DeMartino); Robert Hankins; Connie Curtis
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.
|
|
LUNCH AT THE RAINBOW DINER - Winter blues making it hard this season? Come and experience the warmth of fellowship this Monday, January 22 as members and friends meet for lunch at the Rainbow Diner in Brick. All are welcome. Lunch begins at 12 noon. Stop in, you will be glad you did!
 2018 CHURCH DIRECTORIES NOW AVAILABLE - Directories can be found in the Narthex. Please call the church office if you would like a digital copy or with any updates to your information.
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.
January 21 - Coffee Hour in honor of Dr. Wilton and the Rev. Claire Pula
January 28 - Bette Hughes
February 4 - Communion Breakfast
February 11 - Frank and Kerry Jones
February 18 - The McGuires
 THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION AND CORPORATION of the Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church will take place on Sunday, January 28 at 11:00 a.m. (Snow date: February 4). The Congregation will elect officers, elect the Nominating Committee (for the election of officers), and conduct any other business that may properly come before the Congregation.
The 2017 Annual Report is now available online and in the Narthex. An extended program for Church School children will be available in the Education Annex, so parents may attend the Annual Meeting.
|
Books in the Library Now Available
This Sunday be sure to stop by the Church Library and grab a few books. A  small gallery is being planned for the space. Artist Karen Norby has been researching and developing the new space that would give the congregation, friends and community, the ability to exhibit and interact with the works of art throughout the year. A 2018 Eagle Scout project to convert the library space into a gallery is in the design stages.
A book giveaway to clear the space is continuing throughout January. Please help yourself to any of the books that are in the library. You will find a myriad of categories and genres something for everyone. Stop in and take a look and feel free to take as many as you would like. Books are available for the taking at any time. All unclaimed volumes will be donated to charity.
It is fitting that the first call for art will be the exhibit "Altered Books."
We invite you to get creative and alter or transform a book. An altered book is a form of mixed media artwork that changes a book from its original form into a different form, altering its appearance/meaning. Altered Books use all or part of a book as the starting point for a new work of art. Final pieces can take many different forms including sculpture, collage, assemblage or jewelry as long as the book features heavily in its final appearance.
If you are looking for ideas we recommend you speak with Karen Norby or Celishia Scarpone for some examples of creative book art or take a
look at some easy ideas online. Submissions will be on display starting at Palm Sunday, March 25. Both students and adults are encourage to participate.
Exhibition Conditions 
* Register by downloading and completing the submission form (blue cards also found in the narthex) and return to the office
* Artists must be 12 and older
* All artwork must be an original creation by artist or artists in collaboration
* Artwork may be declined if criteria is not met
* Work must be quality presentation and ready to install
* Exhibit will be non juried
* 2D work will be displayed on easels
* Only 3 pieces per artist may be submitted
* Drop off date for artwork is Monday, March 19, 2018 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Church
* Artwork must be displayed throughout exhibition (March 25-May 20, 2018)
* Pickup date is Sunday, May 20, 2018 after worship
So stop by the library, grab a few different types of books and have some fun whether reading or creating.
|
Webelos Arrow of Light Pinewood Derby
 Last weekend in the Annex was another successful Pinewood Derby. The Webelos Arrow of Light scouts were happy to participate. The Pinewood Derby incorporates fun and learning together.
Join us on
Sunday, February 4th for Scout Sunday. Our own Troop 6 will be assisting in our worship service.
Troop 6 does it all...all-weather camping, Pumpkin' Chunkin', dodgeball, canoeing, kayaking, fresh water, deep sea and surf fishing, backpacking, night hikes, summer camps, winter hikes, ultimate frisbee, skeet shooting, climbing, rappelling, geocaching, high adventure trips and much, much more
The life lessons learned in Scouting form a foundation to embrace opportunity and overcome obstacles in life. Scouting is for all ages. There are many different Cub and Boy Scouts who meet here at the church and they have activities planned year round. If you would like your child to participate in Scouting or would like to learn more, please call the office or Scoutmaster Jim McGuire at 908-783-7193.
|
|
The Big Cover Up
-
UPDATED WEEKLY
With two weeks into our campaign we are able to pay the deposit for the new roof and close to hitting our entire goal we set for the month of January. The cost of the project is approximately $75,000.
Many groups and ministries were affected last week by the roof leaks we experienced in
 |
|
|
With only a few working lights in the Fellowship Room due to the water leaks, the counters made due this week.
|
both the Fellowship Room and Chittick Lounge. This then prompted some of you to ask when will the roof be fixed.
Our initial deposit is due January 31st. The projected start will be weather dependent and hopefully will be at the end of February or the beginning of March. At that time another one third will be due and the balance will be due upon completion.
Your contribution is crucial in furthering the work to be done here at Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church.
Gold envelopes are available in the pews. A check made out to PPPC with a note "Roof" may be sent or placed in the offering plate. If you prefer electronic giving click
HERE. If you prefer to spread out your giving over 3 months that is great. The campaign will run through the months of 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.
Please prayerfully consider making a contribution and think how good it will feel not letting the roof affect our ministries. Thank you to Karen Norby for the "roof thermometer" posted in the Narthex.
|
A reminder.... it's
Per Capita time again. Your contribution of $37 covers the annual assessment our church pays to
Monmouth Presbytery, the
Synod of the Northeast and the
General Assembly to cover their administrative costs. (Please note that Point Pleasant Presbyterian must pay $37 for each active member, so please take into account how many active members there are in your household.) When you contribute your own per capita, that frees up money the church might otherwise have to pay for this purpose.
 As Point Pleasant Presbyterian moves into a time of pastoral vacancy and eventually calls a new pastor, we are coming to appreciate as never before the resources offered to us by Monmouth Presbytery (whose Committee on Ministry will advise our Pastor Nominating Committee). The Synod's New Beginnings Program (see below) is offering valuable insights to inform our mission study process. The General Assembly maintains the Church Leadership Connection by which pastor candidates are matched with congregations. None of this help could be offered without the support of per capita giving!
Now is an excellent time to renew your commitment as a Presbyterian by contributing to this special offering.
Please indicate "per capita" on the memo line of your check, and/or use the special per capita envelope located toward the front of your offering envelope box. Or, use PPPC's convenient
online giving option.
Thank you!
|
New Beginnings Leader Training
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.
|
This Week in Sunday School
Hello everyone!
Last week, we talked about baptisms. We talked about what baptisms are, when they are performed, and why. We talked about baptisms that we have witnessed. Most of us had seen babies baptized. We also talked about why some people wait until adulthood to be baptized. Some of our friends were surprised to learn that Jesus was baptized as a grown up! We reviewed the story from Mark 1:1-15 about when John baptized Jesus.
We had a big change at Sunday School last week too! Our Pre K and Kindergarten friends carried on business as usual, but out 1st through 5th grade friends did something a little bit different. We started our session as we normally do, but then we split into two groups. The first through third graders came with me and Ms. Marian, and our fourth through sixth grade friends went with Mr. Ryan and the newest addition to our Sunday School team, Mrs. Joann McGuire! We are working towards extending the scope of Sunday School from Age 3 to Grade 8. We are structuring the program to grow with our students. We are very excited to begin on this new path!
This week we will start exploring some of the miracles of Jesus. This week we will begin with the time Jesus calmed the storm. This story can be found in Mark 4:35-41.
Also, don't forget to mark your calendars: January 28 is our annual Sunday School Pajama Party! We will all wear our pj's to church and then enjoy hot chocolate and a movie over at the Sunday School building! Students are more than welcome to bring treats to share, we just ask that the ingredients are labeled for homemade treats as we do have some friends with allergies.
Peace and Blessings,
Tricia Stoffers
|
This Week at Point Beach Prep
 Point Beach Prep will be having their Open House on
Saturday, January 27, 10am-12pm. Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church members may take advantage of a special early registration on
Friday January 26 during school hours,
8:30am-1 pm.
We anticipate a waiting list again this year: so please take advantage of the early registration! Please contact Director Devlin House at
732-701-9900 for more information.
If the Open House is canceled due to inclement weather,
it will be held on February 3rd 10am-12pm.
|
|
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.
Thank you to those who have already signed up!
The following are still needed:
5 Hospitality Hosts (from 7 to 9 p.m)
4 Dinner Meals (dinners to arrive by 5:45 p.m.)
2 Overnight Hosts for one night
Over the past year, our church hosted sixteen families. There were forty-one guests, with twenty-one children and twenty adults. The need for services to help shelter homeless families continues. Even making a dinner for a night allows you to put your faith into action.
Sign-up sheets are in the Narthex for those who can provide help. Please indicate where you can help. Thank you!
|
"There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind
that the God who started this great work in you
would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish
on the very day Christ Jesus appears."
Philippians 1:6 (The Message)
|
Visit our Church website for a complete and up-to-date calendar
Sunday, January 21
9:00 a.m. - Session Meeting, Fellowship Room
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. - Special Coffee Hour for Carl and Claire
9:15 a.m. - PW Coordinating Meeting, Fellowship Room
12:00 p.m. - Lunch at the Rainbow Diner, All Welcome
6:15 p.m. - Choral Bells, Fellowship Room
Tuesday, January 23
10:00 a.m. - Busy Hands, Fellowship Room
Wednesday, January 24
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 25
6:00 p.m. - Webelos
7:30 p.m. - Chancel Choir
Friday, January 26
Saturday, January 27
10:00 a.m. - Point Beach Prep Open House
Sunday, January 28
10:00 a.m. - Worship/Noisy Offering/Chancel Choir
10:00 a.m. Sunday School begins in Worship
11:00 a.m. - Congregational Meeting
|
BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS
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
|
Upcoming
Sunday, February 4
Scout Sunday
Wednesday, February 14
Ash Wedneday
6:30 p.m. Supper and 7:00 p.m. Service
|
| 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 |
|
| |
| |
|
