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Submit your article for the March edition of the Messenger no later than February 26

Rick's Ramblings
Greetings from Rev. Rick


Rick's Ramblings...

  "Consider yourself at home, consider yourself one of the family..." If you were in church a few weeks ago, you joined in as we sang a rousing revised version of this classic from the musical Oliver to the four new members we welcomed that day. It was so much fun!
 


One of the things I so
love about our UPC church family is that we have fun. We enjoy what we do here. We enjoy being together. And every now and then we enjoy trying something new (like singing a welcome song in church).

I'm a fun-loving kind of guy, so I'm glad we're like that. If we weren't I wouldn't still be here after ten years. When ministry stops being fun, it will be time to retire and become a LYFT driver! Of course that doesn't mean that everything we do or everything I do as a pastor is always "fun". As the saying goes, Life is Good. But life is also challenging at times, for all of us. A few weeks ago we held a service of remembrance and celebration for Allen Kishpaugh, who had been part of the church family since 1992. Allen leaving us to the church triumphant (at age 90!), and then welcoming new members reflects the life cycle that churches, like all living things, go through.

In churches people and pastors come and go. But the church remains. New ideas come and old ideas go, but the church remains, following Christ together with God's help.

Just around the corner the annual community Ash Wednesday service kicks off another Lenten season. As we journey through this more somber church season we are invited to take stock of our spiritual lives, to 'give up' or 'take up' something for Lent that could make a lasting difference in the way we live. Lent invites us to ask ourselves how we're doing in our Christ-following and what we might do with the Spirit's help to better fulfill our calling to love God, neighbor and self. Or as the prophet Micah puts it, to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with our God. If we let it, Lent will lead us by the hand to that 'closer walk with Thee' our spirits long for.

In her collection of Lenten poetry, the late Presbyterian poet Ann Weems, offers this invitation to us as we prepare for Lent:

Lent is a time to take the time/to let the power of our faith story take hold of us/a time to let the events get up and walk around in us/a time to intensify our living unto Christ/a time to hover over the thoughts of our hearts/a time to placed our feet in the streets of Jerusalem or to walk along the sea and listen to his word/a time to touch his robe and feel the healing surge through us/ a time to ponder and a time to wonder.
Lent is a time to allow a fresh new taste of God!
May that be Lent's gift to us!


Grace and peace,
Rev. Rick

 
 
Welcome New Members!
 
Consider Yourself Part of the Furniture...
    
 
What better way to begin a new year than to welcome new friends into the UPC, Flanders family. And that's just what we did on January 21.

Gerry and Carole Rose come to us from a long experience in Presbyterian churches, both in NJ and other places. They have both held leadership positions and have been involved in many church activities, such as men's and women's ministries. Gerry and Carole found their way to us last summer in the midst of looking for a new church. And they've been here ever since!

Jennifer DiDino also comes to us with a strong church background, even with pastors in her immediate family. She has already gotten involved in several of our musical endeavors and helped shepherd this year's Christmas Pageant to success!

Patty Carroll also has the church in her blood. And if you recognize the name, yes, she is Shirley Carroll's daughter. So she's no stranger to UPC, but we're glad she's now official.

We welcome these fine four folks as their faith journeys join with God has been doing here. They will be part of what God is yet to do in the UPC, Flanders family!

 
 
Grow With Us...
   
Churches grow when members invite others to church.

Help UPC grow by inviting some you know to worship
or a church event in 2018!
 
 
 
ASH WEDNESDAY
 
 
 
"Remember that you are dust
and to dust you shall return..." 

This year's annual Community Ash Wednesday Service will be
held in the beautiful sanctuary of Christ Episcopal Church on Sandshore Rd. in Budd Lake at 7:30 pm. A joint choir of 
participating churches will provide special music, as will our own harpist Linda Broder.

Another Lenten journey begins. 
Join us! 
 
 
 
Jesus Cafe Lenten Video Series
 
  
 
Another Lenten season in the church is on the near horizon when it begins with Ash Wednesday on February 14 (yes, Valentine's Day!). During Lent Rev. Rick will lead a Jesus Café video series on the life of St. Paul, entitled "The Call". The series will meet after church in the library for five weeks beginning February 11. This is the latest video series by Rev. Adam Hamilton, whose videos we have used in the past. Hamilton pastors the largest Methodist church in the U.S. in the Kansas City area. Join us for this Lenten opportunity for conversation and reflection.

 
 
Youth Group Sub Sale THIS SUNDAY
 
If you pre-ordered, please pick up your subs after service this Sunday.    
We have some, but not many, extras for those who did not order.
 
 
TACKLE HUNGER


MORE THAN 25 YEARS AGO, the Souper Bowl of Caring began with a simple prayer from a single youth group:
 
"Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those without a bowl of soup to eat."
 
Since that day, more than $125 million has been raised for local charities across the country through Souper Bowl of Caring. It has become a powerful movement that is transforming the time around the Big Game into the nation's largest celebration of giving and serving.
 
Through this mission, young people learn what it's like to make a positive difference in the world - as they collect food, raise money and volunteer to work in charities that provide shelter to the homeless, food to the hungry and compassion to those in need.
 
On Super Bowl Sunday, February 4, 2018, the UPC Youth Group will be a part of this movement that is sharing God's love with those in need. Please prayerfully consider giving generously!
 
Thank you!!  
  
 
Deacon's Desserts and Dips Sale
SUPERBOWL DESSERTS AND DIPS SALE 
THIS SUNDAY 
 
 
 
February 4th 
Proceeds will benefit the work of our Deacons 
 

Second Sunday Fellowship Luncheon  
MA C N C H E E S E L U N C H E O N

Second Sunday fellowship lunch is February 11th after service.  Please bring your favorite mac n cheese to share. Sign up in the hallway!
 
ASP FUNDRAISER 
 
ASP Fundraiser February 11th  
we will be selling jars of homemade soup / chili.  ALL proceeds support our ASP for 2018.  We will sell during the February Second Sunday Fellowship Luncheon.   
 
 
 
Sunday School
   
 
We are in need of Teachers for the new Sunday School Rotation "Trial and Crucifixion".
The session begins Sunday February 11th.

Email Bev by clicking here

 
   

Got Uke??
 
U ke PC is Coming!! 
   
 
Interest is trickling in for a new 'Ukulele group Rev. Rick would like to start this year. The 'uke is one of the most user-friendly instruments and is tons of fun to play, especially in a group. All you need is a cheap ukulele. No musical experience or knowledge is necessary. We will take it at a pace everyone is comfortable with. We will begin by learning a handful of basic chords and a few strumming patterns, which will enable us to play everything from Hey Jude, to Jesus Loves Me to Amazing Grace and a few contemporary pop tunes as well.

If you've always wanted to learn a musical instrument but never got around to it, or maybe tried one and it didn't 'take', this is your perfect opportunity. Consider it something new to do for Lent this year! Our first meeting will be sometime in mid-February. If you have not yet expressed interest or would like more information, you can speak to Rev. Rick or to Bruce Donald.

Everyone is musical - some just don't know it yet!

 
 
Women's Retreat


You are invited to join a Women's Retreat at the Union Hill Presbyterian Church for a day of fellowship and spiritual renewal. Together we will reflect upon the individual and collective stories that have shaped us as children of God.  We will explore how the experience of sharing stories can guide us in the present and can play an important role in reshaping the world around us.

 Saturday, March 10, 2018; 9 am  - 3:30 pm
Union Hill Presbyterian Church
427 Franklin Road Denville, NJ. 

Retreat leaders:  Lorelei Oelschlager and Amy Clarkson. 

To reserve a space, please email Amy at cultivatingthesacred@gmail.com

Suggested donation:  $35.
   
 
YOUTH GROUP ESCAPE ROOM
TWO MISSIONS
TWO CIA YOUTH GROUPS
  ONLY ONE HOUR

MISSION #1 - pow
er surge
Can the confirmation class locate thomas edison's secret work before it gets in the wrong hands?

Mission #2 - boardwalk blast
Can the high school C.I.A. save the boardwalk arcade from a dangerous threat before times runs out?
  
 
TIME WILL TELL ..........tick, tock
 
 
DATE:                     march 4, 2018
location:            ESCAPE GARDEN STATE - FAIRFIELD, NJ INSTRUCTIONS:   RSVP TO MRS BOUVIER 201-738-5104
                                $10/PER YOUTH GROUP MEMBER
 



 
Click here for more Youth Group Happenings

 
 
 
 
ALTAR FLOWERS

 

CHOOSE A SUNDAY TO CELEBRATE A SPECIAL OCCASION

OR

IN MEMORY OF A LOVED ONE

 
 

 

COST $40

Sign up on the bulletin board in church hallway  

 

 

 

 

Registration is OPEN for 2018/2019 School Year
 
Fun-N-Friends Nursery School
   
Registration is now open
For the 2018-2019 School Year
Come Tour the School and Meet the Staff!
 
www.funnfriends.com
"Like" us on Facebook!
 
The United Presbyterian Church
58 Drakesdale Road, Flanders NJ
 
(973)-584-0365
funnfriendsupc@yahoo.com
 
 

 
United Presbyterian Church, Flanders | (973) 584-8195 | office@unitedpcf.com|
58 Drakesdale Road
Flanders, NJ 07836