This Sunday
Dear Friends,
It has been gratifying to see people continuing to come to worship during this interim  time. Too often when a pastor leaves and the pulpit is filled with a different preacher each week, worship attendance drops. Thanks to all of you and your faithfulness, that has not been the case at PPPC.
This coming Sunday I expect there will be a good crowd at worship and lots of energy. The Doves will be singing along with the Chancel Choir. When the children sing in church the energy level always goes up.
It is also appropriate that there be a crowd at church this Palm Sunday, just as there was that day long ago when Jesus rode into Jerusalem. It was Passover and the city was full of pilgrims who had come to worship at the temple. Jesus rode into the city on the back of a donkey. We will have our own donkey and rider in worship too. People threw down their cloaks and waved palm branches hailing Jesus as the long awaited Messiah. We too will have palm branches and we too welcome Jesus into our worship and into our lives.
When you leave worship this Sunday, you will have the opportunity to take with you a palm frond that has been twisted into a cross. It is a good reminder of what happened to Jesus after his "Triumphal" entry. The cheers turned all too soon to jeers. The crowds disappeared and even Jesus' disciples deserted him.
Let us not be among those who desert Jesus this Holy Week. Come to worship this Palm/Passion Sunday. Come to our special communion/Tenebrae service on Good Friday. Then let us shout our joy on Easter Sunday with God's victory over death when Christ was raised to new life. Come and worship. Come
Blessings,
Linda
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Prayer Concerns This Week
The Prayer Person for the week is Virginia Waldie. Let us be prayerfully aware of Virginia as well as all our members and friends.
Prayer Concerns: Maryanne Leach, Bill Shoppell; Mary McSweeney
Long term concerns: Jacob Basilotto; Bill Birdsong; Despina Koch; Bruce Larsen; Cody MacPhearson; Jim Millar; Edith Pula; Susan Robbins; Agnes Skowronek; Nancy and Ralph Smith; Grace Philhower; 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.
For our Church: Wisdom, guidance and patience during this transitional time.
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One Great Hour of Sharing
This week on Palm Sunday March 25, we will be receiving the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering. A gift to One Great Hour of Sharing enables the church to share God's love with our neighbors-in-need around the world by providing relief to those affected by natural disasters, provide food to the hungry, and helping to empower the poor and oppressed.
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How do Organics and Seeds aid Recovery?
Watch the video and find out how. |
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Congregational Meeting March 25 - Postponed
The Congregation Meeting that was scheduled for this Sunday has been postponed. It will be rescheduled after the Easter Season in later April.
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Easter Flowers - Last Sunday for Orders
Donations are $15 each.
Payment must be included with
the order form.
Checks should be made payable to Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church, and please be sure to indicate "Easter Flowers" on the memo line of your check! Order form and payment may be placed in the offering plate or mailed/delivered to the church office.
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Volunteers Needed This Week at St. Gregory's Pantry
On Sunday
March 25 Youth are needed to carry food from
2 - 4 p.m.
Then on
Tuesday March 27, adults are need for as much time as possible to help with  Distribution from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 PM. (Volunteer arrival at 8:45). A
ny amount of time that y
ou can give is appreciated.
In addition filled Easter baskets
will be accepted until March 22. They may be filled with candy, games, books or any age appropriate items for children ages 1-15.
Please note it would be helpful to attach a label stating the age and gender of the child receiving the basket.
T
hank you for your previous generosity with these baskets. This year it is especially important to carry on the tradition for the children. The pantry is open
daily Monday thru Friday from 10 AM - Noon for receiving.
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New in the Pew
In the pews you will see a card that is new. This card offers specific ways of how you can
 financially support Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church.
Our electronic giving services are now being provided through the Presbyterian Foundation. The card in the pew also includes a barcode that will directly link your giving to our church. As you know, online giving can also be done through your bank or our website. We are thankful for your faithful generosity.
This new card also replaces the electronic giving card we previously had in the pews. Please feel free to place the card in the offering plate to signify your financial support of the mission of this church.
If you are not already making your gifts online, please consider doing so. Did you know you can setup a recurring donation? Recurring gifts make it easy for you to contribute to our ministry, even when you cannot attend service.
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Staff Hours
 Regular office hours are Monday - Friday from 9 to 4 p.m. and closed for lunch between noon and 1 p.m.
If pastoral care is needed, please contact the church office or the Rev. Linda Chase during her hours on
Sunday mornings, Mondays from 9 to 1:30 p.m. and Wednesday from 9:45 am until 1:30 p.m. Linda can also be typically found at the Wednesday Women's breakfast at the Rainbow Diner. For emergencies after hours Linda Chase can be reached at home.
Donna Ferry the Financial Secretary can answer all your financial questions Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between the hours of 8:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Unexpected office hour changes will be posted on facebook.
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PW Prayer Retreat Last Week
Last Saturday close to 25 women met at Brick Presbyterian Church for a day retreat on Prayer as our Rock. The day was filled with faith, fellowship, singing and of course prayer. The retreat, lead by Amy Clarkson, was organized by the PW of our church and included many women from surrounding churches. Thank you to all who organized and participated. A special thanks goes out to Amy Clarkson, Linda Chase, Lynn Hahm, Pat Shoppell, Karen Norby, Susan Robbins, Carol Bonebrake and Ginger Decker.
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The Big Cover Up Weekly Update
THANK YOU, we are making great progress toward our goal. 
We have currently raised $63,000. This includes the $9,000 check we received from our insurance company for the interior ceiling and insulation damage.
We are currently collecting estimates for these repairs and plan on completing them in the summer months when the church facilities are not in constant use.
The external roof cost is $65,000. Our hurdle has been the weather again. We are only a few thousand dollars short of this cost and at $12,000 short of what we project the full job, both interior and interior to cost.
We have decided to delay the Congregational Meeting and the discussion of how to finish this project until we have a firm estimate for the interior repairs and have concluded our collections and fundraisers, like Kyle's "Sign the Roof" and Easter flowers Memorial Donations.
If you had plans to spread out your donations or want to make a donation please follow your heart, right to the roof!
Kyle Jones has raised about $450 so far with his Sign the Roof. He will continue this campaign just a few more weeks at the coffee hour. For a $20 donation you can join the others who wrote a message.
Also thank you to everyone who dined at Simkos last week. We were able to raise an additional $443 towards our roof campaign!
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Coffee Hour Hosts For The Month
This Church sure has the gift of hospitality. We have coffee hosts from now until the end of June!!! Sincerely Thank you. Please call Marge Meklin at 908-433-3957 for questions or concerns. Sign-up sheet is in the Church Kitchen.
March 25 - Lynn Hahm/Diane Legreide
April 1 - Marjorie Meklin
April 8 - Communion Breakfast
April 15 - The Lorentzens
April 22 - PW
April 29 - Deb Brendler
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Before You Make Those Summer Vacation Plans...
Parents, please save the date.
Vacation Bible School is in the works!
Monday, August 13 - Friday, August 17
Half Day morning program this year.
Stay tuned for more information!
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This Week At Point Beach Prep
V is for violin! Our students enjoyed the talents of JoDee Anderson playing her violin this week. She taught the children about variation and vibrato. She played music by composer Antonio Vivaldi. She also played a Disney song called Cruella DeVille. The Pre-K children each took turns using the bow and playing the violin.
The Child Development class came and read The Very Hungry Caterpillar. They used the felt pieces to help tell the story. After they read the book, they used sequence pictures to help retell the story. In order to find out "how many caterpillars tall" each student was, they all measured their height using pictures of caterpillars.
A Soccer Shots coach came on Friday to teach us soccer skills. We ran, kicked the ball and learned how to trap.
We did science experiments in class. We simulated a volcanic eruption. We made a volcano using play dough. We poured vinegar over baking soda and food coloring and it reacted by fizzing up and out our volcano. Science is fun!
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Quiet Ministry
There is a ministry here at PPPC that many people don't know about. You won't see it announced in the bulletin, calendar or even mentioned in the Annual Report. Most everyone knows we here at our church work in conjunction with St. Gregory's Pantry. Many of you have volunteered at both the Easter and Christmas Distribution.On any given Sunday you will see food in the St. Gregory's Pantry box in the Narthex which our members continually fill throughout the year. What many don't see are the weekly people in need that come into the office to get a referral to the pantry.
Many people who come for a referral come from a local rooming house and the local hotels.They walk in weekly since they only have a microwave/fridge combination and no stove, as well as no car. They are allowed to go to the pantry weekly since they can't carry much back to their homes.Those with full cooking and cars are typically given one referral a month.
Over the years, the office staff has built relationships with those seeking referrals.The reason why the food box in the Narthex does not overflow is because of one man, who a few times a week walks from a rooming house, on the ocean side of Route 35, to our church for a referral or simply just to stop in from the cold to warm up for a little while. He will be 75 years old in 3 weeks and is currently fighting cancer.He has faithfully taken the items donated over to St. Gregory's for us for years.
 The majority of those we refer to the pantry have some type of disability.One woman recently shared that she used to live with her father at an Adult Community in Bergen County.Her father passed away two years ago and she was under the community's age requirement. Social services moved her to Point Beach because of its walkability since she doesn't drive. She had to leave everyone she knew growing up and doesn't get to see them since she doesn't drive. She is one of three women in a rooming house filled with men.There is also Mike* who collects carts at a local grocery store. His parents died and neither of his siblings will offer him any help. Mike was very proud to tell me he saved up $700 and bought a "Big Old Buick."
On any given week this church averages almost 10 referrals a week. We have learned many of their stories and they all are not an easy life.
Their stories matter because they matter. Given the amount of information they share, one would conclude that they too believe they matter to us when they come in through the doors. They are more than a referral from this church. New referrals are often escorted through the sanctuary to exit through the church doors.That is done so they can see this church it is not some "Holy" untouchable place! It is here that many comment how the walls just may cave in, to which the standard response is "You can't be that bad since we are still standing." They are told that if they ever do decide to go to church they would be welcome here. Some have visited.
How can you be a part of this ministry? If you see someone in the office who looks as
 if they are going to the pantry, first and foremost be welcoming. They must fill out paperwork on the reception desk for a referral. Please keep your space to a minimum when they come in. But more importantly engage them with a smile, and a hello. A simple question like "How are you doing? followed by waiting for an answer would help. Or ask "I've seen you here before haven't I? Good to see you again."
Many are unclean or look different but you would be surprised how different someone can be behind his or her unkempt appearance. Some are recovering alcoholics and their bodies crave sweets. Why not offer them a candy on the reception desk or donate an item to the pantry you think they may enjoy as a special treat.
It is the simple kind things that you can do for this unseen ministry that touches lives Monday through Friday from 10 to 12 p.m., the hours the pantry is open.
*Name has been changed for privacy.
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Church World Service - Hygiene and School Kits 
Once again the Presbyterian Women will be collecting Hygiene Kits AND School Kits for Church World Service.
Hygiene Kits - In the face of natural disasters, violence, or grinding poverty, Hygiene Kits can mean the difference between sickness and health for struggling families. To assemble a Hygiene Kit you will need:
- One hand towel measuring approximately 15x 28 to 16 x 2 inch (no fingertip, bath, dish towel or micro-fiber)
- One washcloth
- One wide-tooth comb removed from the package
- One fingernail or toenail clipper removed from the package
- One bath-size bar of soap in the wrapper
- One toothbrush in the package
- Ten standard size Band-Aids
All items need to fit inside a one-gallon plastic zipper closure bag. Remove the excess air from the bag and seal before boxing.
Do NOT add any extra items or toothpaste. A tube of extended expiration date toothpaste will be added to each hygiene kit just prior to its final journey.
School Kits - give children in impoverished schools, refugee camps, or other difficult settings some of the basic tools for learning.
To assemble a School Kit you will need:
- One pair of blunt scissors removed from the package (rounded tip, only)
- Three 70-count bound notebooks or notebooks totaling 200-210 pages (no loose-leaf or filler paper)
- One 30-centimeter / 12" ruler
- One hand-held pencil sharpener removed from the package
- One large eraser (no pencil cap erasers)
- Six new, unsharpened pencils with erasers, removed from the package
- One box of 24 crayons (only 24)
- One 12"x14" to 14"x17" finished size cotton or lightweight canvas bag (solid color or kid-friendly fabric) with cloth handles (no reusable shopping bags, backpacks, or bags with logos)
All items must be packed inside of the cloth bag.
Kits can be placed in the bin, in the North Hall under the East Window. Please include $2.00 for shipping or put a separate envelope marked "CWS Kits" in the PW mailbox in the church office. Checks for shipping should be made out to "Presbyterian Women".
Kits are due by April 8 - when they will be dedicated.
These kits are for disaster relief. Please do not add to or exchange listed items.
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PW Clothing Drive
Mark your calendar for the PW Clothing Drive coming up April 21 from 8:00
 -12:00 noon. Gently used clothing (no children's toys nor pots & pans) will be picked up and resold or re-donated. None of the clothing will be shredded. Shoes should be wrapped in pairs in separate bags.
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Happy Birthday To Our Members And Friends
March 25 Kathryn Ebner
March 26 Lauren Hums, Weston Johnson, Carl Lappke, Dana Perry
March 27 Addison Reinwald, Brian Satterlee
March 28 Karen Dunham Luicci
March 29 Susan Hess
March 30 Jordan Muraglia
March 31 Gail Birdsong, Elizabeth McGuire
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Up Coming Events
Tuesday, March 27 - Rescheduled Session Meeting at 6:30 p.m
Saturday, April 21
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PW Clothing Drive 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Sunday, April 22 - Wilton Hall Dedication at 3:00 p.m
Friday, June 15 - Family Night at the Blue Claws
August 13-17 - Amped Vacation Bible School
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Church Calendar For The Week
Sunday, March 25 Palm Sunday - One Great Hour of Sharing
9:00 a.m. - Dove Rehearsal, Choir Room
10:00 a.m. - Worship/Dove and Chancel/Noisy Offering
10:00 a.m. Sunday School begins in Worship
11:30 a.m. - Schroeder New Beginning Small Group, CE Annex
2:30 p.m. - Claremont Care Center
5:30 p.m. - Rauffer New Beginning Small Group, Chittick Lounge
Monday, March 26
9:15 a.m. - PW Coordinating Team, Fellowship Room
12:00 p.m. - Lunch at the Rainbow Diner, all welcome
6:15 p.m. - Choral Bells
6:30 p.m. - Meklin/Hahm New Beginning Small Group, Brick
Tuesday, March 27
10:00 a.m. - Busy Hands, Fellowship Room
10:00 a.m. - Eye Openers, Chittick Lounge
6:30 p.m. - Rescheduled Session Meeting, Fellowship Room
Wednesday, March 28
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
6:30 p.m - Wittmann/H. Stout New Beginning Small Group, Point Pleasant
6:30 p.m. - Lorentzen New Beginning Small Group, Mantoloking
7:00 p.m - Perkowski New Beginning Small Group, Toms River
7:30 p.m. - Boy Scouts, CE Annex
Thursday, March 29 - Maundy Thursday
8:00 a.m. - Men's Breakfast, US Subs
4:00 p.m. - Brownie Troop 360
5:00 p.m.- Daisy Troop 443
6:00 p.m. - Webelos
7:30 p.m. - Chancel Choir
Friday, March 30 - Good Friday
7:00 a.m. Communion and the Passion Service
Saturday, March 31
Sunday, April 1 - Easter Sunday
6:00 a.m. - Sunrise Service, Jenkinson's Boardwalk
9:00 a.m. - Easter Worship Service with the Chancel Choir
9:00 a.m. - Sunday School
10:15 a.m. - Children's Egg Hunt
11:00 a.m. Easter Worship Service with the Chancel Choir
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Photo of the Week
New Beginning Small Group
The Sunday Night New Beginning Meeting had some great discussions in their first New Beginning meeting. Small Groups, like this multi generational group, are vital to the long term success and future mission of our church.
Most of the New Beginning meetings have met only once out of the four sessions scheduled. Due to the weather this past week, the Wednesday night meeting at the Jones' house has to be rescheduled. For anyone looking to get in on a meeting from the beginning this is the small group for you. Why not jump in on a meeting for sessions 2-4. Speak with Jim McGuire or stop in the office to find the right group for you.
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