If you had a million dollars and could spend it however you like, what would you do with it? Would you finally get that house at the shore you always wanted or the really impractical sports car that has enough horsepower to win the Indy 500? Would you hop on a luxury liner for a round-the-world cruise? Would you hire a maid, a gardener, and a gourmet chef so you could live in the lap of luxury?

It really is a moot point, isn't it? Very few of us end up with a surplus of a million dollars free from encumbrances. I always find it amusing when people in the church assure me that if they win the lottery, the church's problems will be over! It is a sweet thought, that the church would be high on their charity list should their ship come in, but God doesn't ask what we would do if we were millionaires. God wants to see what we do with what He's already given us.

One of the greatest gifts of all that God has granted to us is freedom. We are free to make choices, and that is the hallmark of life. God has a purpose in giving us freedom. He wants us to choose to love Him, serve Him, and love our neighbor as ourselves. Love is something that cannot be coerced. For it to be genuine, it must be freely given.

A loving life is one that is poured out in service to others. It is compassionate, kind, patient, gentle, and generous. My father taught me what true Christian freedom looks like: it is a person who freely chooses to follow Christ. Dad's favorite verse from the bible was Romans 12:1 - "I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." The passage goes on to talk about the gifts each of us has been given according to the grace given to us: "prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity....The list goes on, but I stop there because that is where my father would stop and declare, "That is my gift. I have been given generosity." (Only in the King James Translation that was his favorite it said, "liberality.")

I am blessed to have inherited my father's generosity. When we understand everything we have ever owned is a gift directly from God's hand, it is natural to want to share our bounty with others, so that the love of God can be more fully felt by all. It is a privilege to be in a position in which can we live without fear of deprivation. Moreover, we have the ability to give so that we might help others and support the ministry of Christ through the church.

The beauty of opening your hands and letting go of the grasp money has on you is that you are open to the greater things God has in store. We trade the treasure we have on earth, for the far superior treasure of heaven.

This month is our Annual Stewardship Campaign. I hope during the campaign you are inspired by the blessing it is to give. You will shortly receive a pledge card for 2018 in the mail. I hope that you will give it serious thought and prayer and that you choose to give freely and generously. For as we do so, as Paul wrote to TImothy, we "take hold of the life that really is life!"

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Jean

Come to Little Wolf Players' Super Show! 

You are in for a treat if you come to United Presbyterian Church's sanctuary on Friday, Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m. That is when the Little Wolf Players' next production, the "Cosplay Cabaret," will debut. The show is a parody featuring superheroes and villains from a variety of pop culture sources. Cosplay Cabaret is an original work by Patricia Curley and Chris Neuman with characters from Batman to Dr. Who. "It is kind of funny and surreal to see these characters interact with each other," says Chris Neuman. All ages will enjoy this evening of comedy and music and recognize their favorite comic book personalities. Tickets are only $5 and will be available at the door. Donations for the non-profit Little Wolf Players are also gladly accepted. 

For the month of October, our mission dollars will be given to the Rescue Mission of Trenton. The history of the Rescue Mission is filled with examples of tough times and small victories. Since its humble beginnings, the Mission has always reached out to those least equipped to cope with the hardships of life. The City Rescue Mission was founded in 1915 by Mr. and Mrs. William Anderson at a time when rescue missions were springing up in urban areas throughout the United States as Evangelical Christians sought to bring the Gospel to growing urban centers. While ministering to the spiritual needs of the homeless, it became painfully clear that there were also many material needs the Mission had to address. In response, the Board decided to purchase beds and provide more meal accommodations so that these men could be housed for weeks at a time until they were able to get back on their feet. It is recorded that as early as 1918, the Rescue

Mission was a place of "refuge" for over 100 people per night.

Today, the residential substance abuse treatment program has been greatly expanded with substance abuse counseling and qualified nursing. While the Rescue Mission of Trenton has undergone many changes during the past nine decades, its focus has always been to help those in need to help themselves. The belief in the intrinsic worth of each individual continues to motivate the Rescue Mission of Trenton to provide the highest quality care and to offer support, encouragement, and a sense of dignity to all who enter through its doors.

W e received a thank you

Dear Partners in God's Mission,

Thank you for your support of Presbyterian Mission! Your generous and faithful giving allows all of us who work together in God's mission to bring the gospel of Christ to all corners of the world. It provides the funds to help bear the burdens of those in times of crisis, those in poverty, those who are in need. Thank you for partnering with us in that call. The generosity of your congregation has provided the following support: On 9/5/2017, we received $1,500.00 for Disaster Relief -- US Hurricane Response - Harvey. You have our deepest gratitude for your faithful and continuing support. Your partnership with us is a blessing and an outward sign of your love for God's people.

Although Session did not meet in September, an E-vote was taken on the following items:

Socks+October= Socktober

Did you know that socks are the least donated items to most homeless shelters?

Every night in the United States, an estimated 600,000 people live on the streets. This October, we want to show that even a small act of love, such as donating a pair of socks, can make big difference in the lives of our neighbors who are homeless.

The UPC Youth Group will be collecting socks during October that will be given to the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK). Please help us in our efforts to keep the feet of our neighbors warm by donating new socks. There will be a box in the narthex. Thanks!

Also, need a pie or cake for Thanksgiving? We have you covered. The youth group will start taking orders for our annual Thanksgiving pie sale on 10/22 and pies can be picked up at the church on 11/22 from 5-6pm. Look for pie order forms in future bulletins and next month's United Pres.

U.P.  Women will have their monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 3rd at 10:00 am in Fellowship Hall. We will have our fellowship time, Bible study and business meeting.   The Bible study will be "According to the Other Abrahamic Faiths" with a Thank Offering Dedication (Least of Coin Collection).  Following the business meeting, all the women who want to will be going to a local restaurant for lunch. All women are invited to join us!

The Women's Book Club will meet on Tuesday,

September 26th at 7:00 pm in the Bertolet Lounge. Our book that we will discuss is MURDER AT THE BOOK GROUP by Maggie King. It is a sassy, cozy mystery where one woman must untangle a web of secrets. (Please don't let our book scare you away!) All women of the church and their friends are invited to join us for good discussion, fellowship, and refreshments.  Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 24th at 7:00 pm in the Bertolet Lounge.   The fun book that we will discuss is THE READERS of BROKEN WHEEL RECOMMEND By Katrina Bivald. It is a story that reminds us why we are booklovers and how books find us, change us, and connect us. We invite all women of the church and their friends who enjoy books, fellowship, and good desserts to join us.  November selection: SMALL, GREAT THINGS By Jodi Picoult.

Survivors - The Survivors Senior Group will meet in the church parking lot on Wed., Oct. 11, 2017 at 9:45 a.m. to carpool to Paulsdale (home of Alice Stokes Paul (1885-1977) in Mt. Laurel, NJ. Alice Paul dedicated her life to securing equal rights for all women.  She was an American suffragist and equal rights activist.  The cost is $7.00 pp for the tour.  Following our tour we will enjoy lunch at Prospectors Grille & Saloon, Mt. Laurel, NJ.  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 an interesting tour and wonderful lunch and fellowship..  A monthly calendar of events is available through the Church Office.

Order your gift cards soon!    The order will go in November 14th.  Please have your orders in the church office by November 13th.  Next and final order is December 12th.  Forms are on the table in the Narthex .

U.P. Men will be meeting Saturday, October 21st at the Golden Dawn Diner 9 am 2090 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road- where breakfast fellowship is always the best!

October Birthdays

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

 

  2 Lynne Rentner, Michael     Hopper

  4 Ann Castor, Julie          Plummer, Nancy Zelazny

  5 Melissa McAnlis

  7 Pete Heberling

  9 Kendra DePew, Julianna Morolda

 10 Karen Ashe, Leigh Miller, Gracie Spreat

 11 David Geijer, Christie Sheppard, Joyce Walker

 12 Noah Pinto         

 13 Thomas Lanning

 17 Stephen Anderson

 18 Alicia Cardinale, Lydia Patterson

 20 Reagan Bloodgood, Logan Hafitz, Sharon Halko,

   Camille Nami

 21 Laura Thibodeau, Katie King

 23 Charles Cruser

 26 Joseph Casole

 28 Nicholas Glazewski

Monthly Calendar

Maria, Angela Accardi, Pam, Peggy Reilly, Paige, Wayne, John Borek (surgery), Jodi - recurring cancer; Pam and Dan Rose; Ron, Bill, Kyle, Lenny, Pat, Cathy, Sally, Carolyn McPhee, Pat Anthony (continued healing after lung surgery), Connie Davis and Andrea Pinto all undergoing treatment for cancer; Leo Clement (quadruple heart bypass surgery); Dot Bracaloni; Susan Anthony; Al & Carol D'Amico; Scott Rose; Bob D'Angelo; Val Zamborsky; Stefan Revesz (39-year-old suffered a stroke); Marianne McCloy (healing from fall from her horse); Nikki (healing from car accident); a member of the LaCrosse family (suffering from cancer); Ali (healing brain surgery for a tumor and ensuing treatment); Helen Fisher (suffering from Alzheimers); Frank Kostar (heart issues); Marilyn Kostar (health issues and coping with Frank); Girja Singh (strength for lung operation now scheduled for Oct. 23); Healing for Mike McHugh (improved health, successful testing and subsequent procedures to improve kidney function); Mrs. Walter (recovering from broken hip and

broken rib); Paige Inman (healing, comfort, and support following vicious attack); Ed (ongoing heart rehab); Tony, Matt, Jane; Brian; Pete Heberling (that doctors successfully treat ongoing headaches and dizziness); Liz Rabstein (open heart surgery); Michael Butler (feeding tube due to recurrence of cancer); and Jody Endebrock (surgery Tuesday).

Concern: Control of seizures for James Bade and wisdom for the doctors to successfully treat his seizures; an overwhelmed LaCrosse family member (strength to cope with caregiving); the extended Fisher family (support as they care for Helen); Nancy McHugh (strength for dealing with Mike's illness and her aging dad; Debbie Furchak, (in need of peace and strength while supervising the care for both her parents, the Walters who are in a living/memory care unit); Barbara (strength, comfort, and support while dealing with husband Ed's illness); Laura Mraz for finding a new job; ALL people affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria in Texas, Florida, the Carribean; the monsoons in India and Southeast Asia; the forest fires in the Western States; and the deadly earthquakes in Mexico; James Shedrick (personal problems); Captain Holkt (deployed from DeCou Station 15 Firehouse); ALL caregivers; stumbling blocks; and a co-worker in distress.

Comfort: for the families of Lorenza and Elizabeth; for Jane and her family on the loss of her mother; for the family and friends of Justin (a former student of Karen Machin); and the family of Edwin Brewster.

Traveling Mercies: Amanda & Lindsay Giordano going to Barcelona, Spain; Jerry and Dawn DePew

Best Wishes: for Alison beginning her Freshman year at Rowan University.

Thanksgiving: for Michelle's 50th Birthday on Tuesday 9/5; for Pat's results; for safe travels for Terri, Kara, Owen and those traveling over the Holiday weekend; for newly acquired jobs for Laura Mraz and Christopher Bade; Tom & Sue Lanning's 50th wedding anniversary; Paige Inman's remarkable healing progress; for Chrysti Neuman's engagement and promotion at work.

Michael Gomez Completed His Eagle Award Project 

You may have noticed the two large raised vegetable beds recently built and installed in the church yard adjacent to the walkway to the office. The garden was designed and built by Michael Gomez and the Scouts of Troop 91 as his Eagle Award Project. What is marvelous about this garden is that someone confined to a wheelchair will have access to the raised bed. If you or your neighbors, friends or family members are wheelchair bound and would like a chance to garden, you are most welcome to try your hand at it here.