The Prayer family for the week is the Lappke family. Let us be prayerfully aware of Carl and Ann, as well as all our members and friends.

Prayer Concerns: Bob McSweeney, Jacob Mooney

Long term concerns: Katie Abrams; Jacob Bassalotto; Ed Jung; Jay Hiatt; Karen Liebhauser; Despina Koch; Gwen McFaddan; Leigh Millar; Melissa Millar; Dale Norby; Marilyn Powell; Geoff Reilly; Bill Shoppell; Millage Youenger; Ginny Zimmerman; Laura Zylinski those struggling with addictions and mental illness.

Military: Sarah Davis Brown; Morgan Sensing; Michael Fahey III; Robin Fiorentino; all those in our nation's service.

“From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him”  Isaiah 64:4

Advent begins on Sunday. Latin for “coming”, Advent signals the beginning of the liturgical year. The beginning of the story of Jesus, Advent is a time of waiting in expectation and hope. How good that sounds this year- expectation and hope! It seems since March we have been waiting-waiting for COVID to go away, waiting for a vaccine to be available, waiting to go back to school and work, waiting for life to go back to normal. Now, in this season, our waiting finds new focus-waiting for the inbreaking of God into human history in the birth of the One who will be called Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace.

Like everything else in its path, the coronavirus will alter the shape of Advent this year. Less in-person gathering, more Zooming, less communal events like tree lightings, parades and more shopping by mail. Even our Advent Bible study will take place virtually. And yet, we adapt our ways and explore new ways to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of the Christ child.

My prayer is that we will find, in these days, time to prepare our hearts and minds to hear anew the story of the God who comes to those who wait for him. The late poet and Presbyterian Elder Ann Weems, captures the spirit of this season in a portion of her poem, Peace on Earth:

Yes, we are among those who will light candles, hold hope and listen for angel songs in the night - we are they who wait upon the Lord!

Yours for the Advent journey,

Every Tuesday in Advent plan to join us in our Bible Study via Zoom at 9:30 am. This year we will take up the topic of "Anticipation and Adaptation", a dominant theme in the lives and longings of ancient Judaism and contemporary Christianity. Join us as we explore the ways in which the Christmas story is a tale of anticipation and adaptation for those longing for the Messiah, for Mary, for Joseph, for the Magi, for you and me. Pastor Eileen will facilitate the classes. All are welcome.

If you know of someone who is not on our email list and would like to join in on this Seasonal study, please call the church office with their email and we will add them for the study only. As with all our worship links please feel free to forward them to anyone who would enjoy joining us remotely.

Each Christmas Season our congregation supports many different ministries that serve a variety of people. This year is no different. Below are some of the ministries that will once again be supported here at PPPC. Even though we have changed our procedures from years past, compassion and generosity towards others still remains at the heart of all we do.

Build a Shoebox - Operation Christmas Child - Friday, November 27 is the last day to pack a shoebox online. Please consider helping us in this mission.

Gift Cards Only for the Deacon Food Drive - Thank you to everyone who brought in a lot of holiday food items. It was a very successful collection. At this point the pantry is seeking gift cards for food items. These gift cards will be used for food purchases for those in need. All gift cards will be given to St. Gregory's Pantry to distribute. Donated cards can be dropped off at the church or left in the breezeway when the church office is not open.

Deacons' Assistance - Deacons' ministry assists people with utility bills and rent as well as providing gift and gas cards for those in need. A donation to the Deacons can be made in the Deacons envelope found in your box or can be designated on the memo line of your check or online notes. Communion envelopes for the Deacons' fund are in your box for December 6.

IHN Christmas Families - Once again gifts will be bought for the families in the program. If you would like to help us in providing a donation to assist us in purchasing these gifts, please indicate "IHN Christmas" on the memo line of your check.

**UPDATED** Joan Valentine House Giving Tree - The Valentine House is a non-profit residential home for adults living with mental illness. Starting on Monday, the Giving Tree has been turned into a Giving Basket found in the church office. If you call the Church office you will be able to select your envelope over the phone. We will let you know the contents of the envelope for you to shop. As in years past, members are asked to purchase only TWO items from the list in order to preserve a sense of equality among all the residents. For those who prefer not to choose remotely, you can stop in the church office on Monday, Wednesday or Friday to pick up your envelope.

St. Gregory's Pantry Christmas Distribution - There will be no big toy distribution in the CE Annex this year. Instead of purchasing toys, please consider purchasing gift cards for children and teens. Gift cards are now being accepted through December 18th and will be given to the parents/families of those we serve in our community. This will enable them to purchase gifts for their children. Some suggestions are: Amazon, Target, Walmart, McDonalds, Wendy’s and local businesses in Point Pleasant and Point Pleasant Beach. Gift cards can be dropped off of at the Church office or brought to St. Gregory's Pantry directly.

Christmas Day Dinner - A pandemic could not stop the Christmas Dinner from occurring. The dinner will be all pre-packaged meals for pickup under the direction of Donna Wittmann. Only a limited amount of volunteers are needed this year. To learn more please speak with Donna.

I have just three things to teach:

simplicity, patience, compassion.

These are your greatest treasures.

Compassionate toward yourself,

you reconcile all beings in the world.

                          -Lao-Tzu

You’ve heard me write often of the need for compassion toward yourself during these trying times. As we sit in gratitude this Thanksgiving season I thought this was a concept to expand on.

Compassion for ourselves is a gift to everyone. To understand this gift, think of a spoked wheel where each spoke is unique and separate but they all meet in the center at a common hub. All of our lives are the same, we are each unique and separate yet when we tend to our deepest center, we care for all people.

When we realize this, we realize that we must embrace the health and well being of our neighbors if we are to care for our own health. A society is only as healthy as its individual souls. When we love our neighbors, we love ourselves.

As you enjoy this different Thanksgiving and holiday season, consider taking good care of yourself. The more compassion you hold for yourself, the more you have for all individuals. We all sorely need this. Sending love and compassion your way this season. Stay well, wear a mask and wash your hands!

Elder Lynn 

Lynn O’Hara, MS, RD, LPC, Licensed Psychotherapist and Registered Dietitian

WAIT! Need a little gratitude “pick-me-up” right now? WATCH THIS FIRST!

Paul writes, “Give thanks no matter what happens. God wants you to thank him because you believe in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIRV) In November we consider everything God has done for us: the world He made, the promises He’s kept, and the new life He offers through Jesus. When we remember all of that, we can always be thankful even when things don’t go our way! 

And we'll remember:

This was a review week so we revisited all of our sign language words and letters. We made homemade butter and ate it with some bread. We recorded our Pre-k Thanksgiving Shows to be sent to the parents. A special thank you to Marilyn Rice and Sue Hankins for making our Pilgrim and turkey hats for the children to wear for their performances. We wish everyone a happy, healthy Thanksgiving!

November 29 - Youth Discussion Group begins 6:30 p.m.

November 29 - First Sunday of Advent

December 13 - Church Wide Christmas Party

Every Wednesday - 9:00 a.m. Women's Breakfast at the Rainbow Diner

To view the church calendar online please visit our website or click on the link.

Nov 26 Jacque Mendelsohn

Nov 27 Mandy Rauffer

Nov 28 Kathryn Nicholson

Nov 29

Nov 30 Ron Panuska

The Rev. Dr. Eileen Lindner, Stated Supply Pastor - Email

Kim Gaydos, Church Secretary - Email

Donna Ferry, Financial Secretary -Email

Sara Hoey, Organist - Email

Melanie Chambers, Chancel Choir Director - Email

Morgan Sarbello, Choral Bell Director - Email

Devlin House, Point Beach Prep Preschool Director - Email

Frank Perkowski, Sunday School Coordinator - Email

Church Office: mail@pointpresbyterian.org