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Packanack Community
Church
February 2020
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Your February e-Bell is here!
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Christianity Rocks!
For this coming Sunday’s Bible reading, Jesus says that we Christians are to be the
salt
of the earth and a
light
to the world, a city set on a hill for all to see.
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Being salty is sometimes misunderstood. If we look in the Urban Dictionary being salty is defined as – to be angry, infuriated, or annoyed. Is Jesus asking us to be angry? We have on occasion experienced someone being “salty” in this way but that is not what Jesus meant. Salt in Jesus’ day was a valuable product that was used to add flavor to food and to help preserve it. So, what he meant is that we are to bring very good news (the literal meaning of Gospel) not angry news to the dinner table. God in the Genesis story is decisive in pronouncing every aspect of the creation not just good but very good!
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According to God, it is very good news that the darkness does not overcome the light, God is light and Jesus is God’s light for the world, our world.
See how biblical scholar Eugene Peterson translated Jesus’ talk of salt and light in his Message Version of the Bible.
Salt and Light (Matthew 5: 13-16 MSG)
13
“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
14-16
“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”
Jesus is not calling us not to be commonplace but astonishing…astonishing in how we pray, how we worship, how we celebrate, how we behave, how we live, and how we love.
Pascal once wrote "Philosophers startle ordinary people. Christians astonish the philosophers."
Wow! Christianity rocks and as salty followers of Jesus, we don’t walk in darkness but have the light of life…perpetual life and light to share. ~Pastor B
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On January 22, members of PCC rode along with Bridges Outreach to feed the homeless in New York City. Soup, hot cocoa, bagged meals, socks and toiletry kits were distributed to those in need. The clients were most appreciative of the items with words of thanks and “God Bless You.” The PCC Community Outreach Team is actively working to begin a program of feeding the homeless on a regular basis in our own Passaic County.
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A Word About Year-End Tax Donation Letters - PLEASE READ
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Tax donation letters have been sent BY EMAIL to the congregation.
If you do not receive your 2019 Year-End Tax Donation letter by email by Saturday, February 8, please contact our Financial Secretary, Jennifer Nemetz, a
t
packanackccfinancialsecretary@gmail.com
.
(Kindly check your spam folder before emailing.)
If you do not have email, please contact the Packanack Community Church main office at 973-694-0608 to arrange for a hard copy of your letter to be sent via mail. Thank you!
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Joy! Although the groundhog has signaled winter is almost over, we should continue to be cautious about the flu…According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Flu activity is currently high in the U.S. and expected to continue for a few more weeks. It usually peaks in December and February and trails off by March. Speaking with one of our members with professional medical experience, who says
“stopping the virus
is easier than you think!” here are some tips:
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1) Get vaccinated.
The CDC is recommending that in addition to high risk groups such as elderly, diabetics and other already suffering from certain other illnesses, children should get vaccinated. If you feel more comfortable, consult with your physician before getting vaccinated. Please note that you can only be vaccinated for the flu that has been, as there is no way to develop a vaccine for what has not yet occurred.
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2) Wash hands frequently.
Especially upon entering your home after shopping or any other outdoor activities. Do not put new mail on surfaces where you will be preparing food. Washing hands is the very simple way of stopping the spread of germs. Viruses are easily spread on hands. Use hand sanitizers in and out of the home. There are a variety of containers making it easy to place in pocketbooks or in a pocket. Hand sanitizers also come in individually wrapped sheets.
3) Disinfect
common surface areas with antibacterial wipes such as: door handles, TV remote controls, flushing handle on toilets, telephones before and after use, computer keyboards, grimy plastic toys, dirty desks, touch screens, restaurant menus.
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4) Drink lots of water.
Water helps strengthen the immune system to help keep flu and other illnesses at bay. The CDC recommends 8, 8oz glasses of water per day. Please note that if your urine is clear, it means that you are drinking enough. If your urine is deep yellow, it means you need to drink more water.
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Ash Wednesday - February 26
Day of Atonement, Imposition of Ashes, and the Sounding of the Shofar
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Ash Wednesday service followed by Soup Supper.
Come for ashes - stay for soup.
Service begins at
6:30 pm
for imposition of ashes. Stay for soup supper following the service.
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A Depiction of Jesus We’ve Not Seen Before
We’ll journey with Dr. John Dominic Crossan as he pinpoints the history and circumstances that helped Jesus’ message of nonviolent resistance to evil have such a powerful impact against Imperial Rome.
Wednesdays: February 26, March 4,11,18,25
Time: 12:00pm
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Liturgists, Hosts and Greeters
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Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to serve our congregation as a Liturgist or Host & Greeter on Sunday mornings. This is a valuable ministry of our church and your participation as a worship leader is greatly appreciated.
The schedule for 2019-2020 dates is
here.
The schedule for the upcoming weeks is shown below. Please check the list to make sure the information is accurate.
Liturgists needed March 8 and 22. Hosts and Greeters needed for March 8.
If there are any errors (or if you would like to volunteer), please contact the Office Manager, Kathy Swede, at
office@packanack.com
.
Liturgists:
February 9 - Carey Lochridge
February 16 - Tim Cantwell
February 23 - Ned Forrest
March 1 - Jill Tiger
March 8 -
OPEN
March 15 - Lauri Masur
March 22 -
OPEN
March 29 - Tim Cantwell
Hosts and Greeters
February 9 - Elfriede Schneider and Rosemarie Gala
February 16 - Melissa Kaus and Angel Cabello
February 23 - Martha Edgar and Barbara Nebeling
March 1 - Claire Butler and Gunnel Ruffler
March 8 -
OPEN
March 15 - Jill & Shay Tiger
March 22 - Tim and Sandy Cantwell
March 29 - Michele and Ned Forrest
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Flowers for the Communion Table
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The 2020 Flower Chart is posted on the bulletin board in the narthex. Please sign up for a Sunday to provide flowers for the communion table.
You can bring your own flower arrangement or Bosland's Flower Shop in Wayne will give a 50% discount for your order and will deliver the flowers to the church.
Flower dedications should be emailed to
office@packanack.com
at least one week in advance in order to appear on the Sunday announcement sheet.
Upcoming flower signups:
February 9 - Ada Liggett
February 16 - Carey Lochridge
February 23 -
OPEN
March 8 -
OPEN
March 15 - Sue Maxon and Peggy Doyle
March 22 -
OPEN
March 29 -
OPEN
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Sunday, February 9
Worship in the Sanctuary, 10:00 AM
Sunday,February 16
Worship in the Sanctuary, 10:00 AM
Sunday, February 23
Worship in the Sanctuary, 10:00 AM
Wednesday, February 26
Ash Wednesday, 6:30pm
Day of Atonement, Imposition of Ashes, and the Sounding of the Shofar
Soup Supper following service
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A look ahead - Holy Week schedule
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Palm Sunday -
April 5 at 10:00am
Maundy Thursday
- April 9 at 6:30pm
Good Friday
- April 10 at 7:00pm
Easter Sunday Sunrise Service
- April 12 at 6:30am
Easter Sunday Service of Resurrection
- April 12 at 10:00am
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We are grateful for the following gift made in memory of Stella Almroth, Judy Corvino, and Bill Leonhardt:
- Sandra and Dominick Colotta
We are also grateful for the following gift made in memory of Pat Washburn:
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Please send cards to Church Members Who Have Moved Away
Several church members have moved from our area to be closer to family members. The following individuals would greatly appreciate receiving cards and staying in touch with our congregation:
973-694-8993
Alva Breithaupt
,
1275 Turnpike Street, Unit 203, North Andover, MA 01845
A letter from her family expressed how much she appreciates our cards and phone calls. Her phone number is 978-258-0604. She can best be reached in her apartment at the following times: 11am - 12noon, 3-5pm, and after 7pm.
Betty Fenyo
,
Bickford of Suffolk, 6860 Harbour View Blvd. #405, Suffolk, VA 23435
Jessie Goehner,
132 Warwick Road, Apt. 1-C, Haddonfield, NJ 08033
The Rev. Dick Batchelder
,
9115 Warrens Way, Wanaque, NJ 07465
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Cindy Clarke
Wilma Nydam
Jim Klein
Bob Butler, Claire Butler's son
William and Claire Butler
Patrick Bosma, Ray and Diane Bosma’s grandson
Helen Barton, Claire Butler’s sister
James Gould, Virginia Gould's
Bridget Davis
Dusty Peters
Wendy Simon, Barbara Nebeling's daughter
Nicholas Serenkov-Son of Eugeniy and Marina Serenkov, Manse Tenants
Nicole Fini, friend of Joan Riley
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Packanack Community Church Putting God's Love in Motion
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Sign Up for " This Week at a Glance"
To receive a copy of "This Week at a Glance", our weekly email detailing all of our upcoming events, send a request to office@packanack.com.
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