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Packanack Community
Church
November 2019
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Your November e-Bell is here!
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From the Pastor's Desk
Role Models
I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
-
John 13:15
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I don't know
what prompted me to think of this, but I thought about the role models in my life. Maybe it was because I had mentioned during conversation with someone that I was fascinated by the lives of three people in history whom I have studied: Jesus, Elvis and Mohammed Ali.
For my role models, I thought of a list of influential people: political leaders, writers, philosophers, scientists, religious leaders, even entertainers whose music or “shtick” I enjoyed. On deeper examination it occurred to me that none of them had a direct impact on my life. I didn’t know them, didn’t spend time with them, never worked side by side with them, never learned from them directly, and didn’t even have an opportunity to meet or speak with them in any meaningful way.
Yes, they were movers and shakers and influenced our world in one way or another but to what extent were they “my” role models. Actually, I had to be honest with myself and admit that mostly they weren’t, with the exception of Jesus of course, who is much more than a role model.
I wondered who could be my role models then? So, I thought of people I have known in my life: family, friends, relatives, teachers, professors, co-workers, and members of churches- essentially all people in my social network, some living some not. And I began to realize that this is the wellspring of my role models, people with whom I have had direct encounters or who had directly influenced those who influenced me.
Family, friends, church members, et.al, are my role models. Of course, not everything said or done by this motley group was model behavior. However, the behaviors that most impressed me were pro-social service behaviors-serving or doing something on behalf of others. This is counter-intuitive because servanthood is seldom exalted in our culture, where success, power, leadership, and prestige are more often elevated as key values and signs of achievement.
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Christianity in this sense is counter-cultural. In Disney’s
Beauty and the Beast
, Lumiere laments that “life is so un-nerving for a servant who’s not serving” as he invites Belle to accept their exuberant hospitality with a festive dinner celebration.
Many church members have inspired me over the years with their love and passion for serving and caring for others. How do we find our role model? We simply look to those who serve joyously! Look to the servants in literature or film who find fulfillment and satisfaction in their roles of service for others. Look to the teachings and examples of Jesus, and discover the mind of the servant. For as we embrace the mind of the servant, we not only live into the mind of Christ (growing in humility, service, and love), we also begin building the mysterious kingdom-realm of God with each act of humble service and generous love. And BTW, my dear friends at PCC you all rocked this weekend with an amazing Worship and Ziti Bake to benefit others…I am very proud to be your interim pastor!
~Pastor b
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Golf Outing Fund-Raiser A Success!
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Sunset Valley Golf Course is one of the four Morris County-owned courses and is considered its toughest. Nestled in the wooded foothills of the Watchung Mountain range in Pompton Plains, its topography is considered to be both challenging as well as scenic—that is except when tropical storms are threatening a golf fund-raiser for the Packanack Community Church.
On Wednesday, two days before the scheduled October 18
th
event, the weather was ominous. Heavy rains and a flash flood warning happened as predicted with gale-force winds occurring the next day.
But, as the Friday event dawned, the skies had cleared, the gale force winds became little more than intermittent breezes, the foliage was spectacular, and the registered golfers were treated to an exceptionally enjoyable experience.
The event began with a continental breakfast followed by a shotgun start, special contests, a fifty-fifty raffle and concluded with a barbecue buffet lunch.
And when it was over, $6,700.00 had been raised for the church.
The PCC Golf Fund-Raiser Committee is especially grateful for the support of so many generous sponsors, and as well, to all those golfers who came out and were a part of this event.
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Thank you to Darlene & Dean Wade who represented PCC at the Packanack Coop Nursery School’s Trunk or Treat. Due to the inclement weather on Halloween, the Coop decided to hold a Trunk or Treat in the upper parking lot on Friday, Nov. 1. The kids had a great time going from car to car and Dean’s T-Rex skeleton was a huge hit! Thanks Darlene and Dean!
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Last Sunday the children of Packanack Community Church decorated pumpkins after learning the Christian Pumpkin Prayer. The Christian Pumpkin prayer asks that we remember to open our eyes to all of God’s blessings, open our mouths to share the love God has for each one of us and to open our hearts to let God’s love shine within us.
The month of November we will begin to learn about Communion during our sessions so we can attend World Communion Sunday in December.
Peace and Blessings,
Darlene Wade
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Children are invited to attend the 10am worship service, which includes a weekly children's sermon. Following the children's sermon, they are dismissed to Sunday school. Parents are asked to pick up their children at 11:15am.
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The 2020 Stewardship Campaign
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The Stewardship Mailing has been sent to the congregation asking for your support of the 2020 Operating Budget. Please return a pledge card to our church office or drop it in the offering plate so the Trustees can prepare a budget for next year. This is a lengthy process and requires that we know how much revenue to expect. Extra pledge cards are available on the table in the narthex.
Note about pledge envelopes:
The use of weekly pledge envelopes is very helpful to the counters so they can properly record donations received. However, if you received pledge envelopes last year and did not use them, or if you do not want to receive a box for 2020, please let our Financial Secretary, Jen Nemetz know. Also, if you did not receive a box in 2019 and would like one, please contact her so she can assign one.
Thank you for your support!
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Security Shredding-Saturday, November 9
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Start getting together your paperwork for our upcoming secure document shredding on
Saturday, November 9th from 9 am to 12 noon, rain or shine
. The truck from Security Shredding, of Morris Plains , will be set up in the church parking lot, 120 Lake Drive East, Wayne to safely shred and recycle old tax returns, business papers, receipts and other personal papers.
No waiting and no lines. Church volunteers will be on hand to help unload your papers. For $8 per standard size box or $40 for all the papers you have, you can drive up and, if you like, stand by and watch on the truck's closed circuit video screen as your documents are safely disposed of.
All proceeds go to support the church and its programs. Tell your friends and neighbors!
For further information contact Jim Ritter, 973-694-6648 or email:
jritter41@aol.com
.
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BALCO performance at our Sunday, November 10 Worship Service
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The Broadway Arts Lab Company (BALCO) will be performing a glimpse of their current production, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT at our worship service this Sunday, November 10. Please join us to see this exciting performance!
Founded in 2015, The Broadway Arts Lab Company (BALCO) is a nonprofit educational theatre program specializing in elite level musical theatre productions featuring the talents of young artists starting at age 6 years old and up. Tony Mansker and Eddie Pendergraft, Producing Artistic Director and Artistic Director respectively, are both seasoned Broadway performers (MARY POPPINS and WICKED) who passionately share their knowledge of the professional world of theatre and Broadway with artists from all over the country. Dedicated to bringing the highest levels of artistry and integrity to their work, they invest a great deal of time and energy into each individual production, seeing to it that each student is able to don a beautiful custom costume, perform on an amazing set with professional-level lighting and sound, all the while making sure that students are having fun and discovering their individuality and uniqueness through the medium of theatre. BALCO students develop self-esteem, self-awareness and confidence easily through the invaluable process of creating an original piece of theatre. It is a magical process that BALCO strives to offer to any student interested in being on stage, despite outstanding financial challenges.
Our current production of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT will perform November 15th, 16th and 17th, 2019 at the Rosen Performing Arts Center inside the Wayne YMCA. For tickets, please visit:
www.broadwayartslab.com/tickets
Students, Seniors and Children tickets available at discounted rates.
For more information about Broadway Arts Lab, visit our website:
To sponsor a student. support our programming and to make a tax-deductible donation to our program, please visit:
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Bagel Breakfast and WIN Thanksgiving Collection, November 24
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On
Sunday, November 24
, the annual Bagel Breakfast will be held during coffee hour. Join us as we give thanks to God for all of our blessings. Thanks to Pat De Haan, Karen Rusiniak and Bob Seela for organizing this annual tradition.
On that same day, carrots, celery & frozen turkeys will be collected for our annual donation to the Wayne Interfaith Network. They can be deposited in Simmons Hall or in the vehicle in the parking lot. Thank you for your donations!
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Interfaith Thanksgiving Service- Tuesday, November 26
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Gather with thanks on
Tuesday, November 26, at 7:00 p.m.
Enjoy the music, prayers, and fellowship of an interfaith service at Our Lady of Consolation Church at 1799 Hamburg Turnpike.
This year’s interfaith service continues our community’s 30+-year tradition of giving thanks together. All people in our community are welcome to join our interfaith celebration.
Please bring with you a non-perishable item for the Wayne Interfaith Network Food Pantry.
It is sponsored by the Wayne Clergy Fellowship, of which Packanack Community Church is a member. Questions may be addressed to
olcgen@optonline.net
or 973-839-3444.
The interfaith service is a great way for you and your family to share the joy of Thanksgiving with your neighbors, friends, and visitors.
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ANGELS CALLING CHRISTMAS GIFT GIVING
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Angels Calling will once again provide Christmas gifts for several Wayne families in need and children of Paterson through the Salvation Army Angel Tree program.
Information and distribution of gift tags will be available after Sunday Worship Services November 17 and 24th.
If you will not be attending worship on one of those dates but would like to participate, please contact Melissa Kaus (973-513-2650 or
m_kaus@yahoo.com
)
and she will pair you up with a gift tag.
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Poinsettia Fund Donations
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Each year during Advent, the Sanctuary is decorated with beautiful poinsettias that are donated by members of the congregation who want to honor or remember loved ones on Christmas Eve. Dedications will appear in the worship bulletin on Christmas Eve and in the e-Bell newsletter.
If you would like to contribute to the Poinsettia Fund, please complete the Flower Form, which can be found on the table in the narthex or
click here
for the flower donation form. Return it to the church office or drop it in the offering plate by Sunday, December 8. Plants may be picked up after worship on Christmas Eve.
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Deacons Cookie Ministry- Monday December 9
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On
Monday, December 9
, the Board of Deacons invites everyone to join us at 7:00pm in Simmons Hall as we share in the joy of cookie-giving.
Bake a batch (or 2) of your favorite holiday cookies and bring them with you to the church (or drop them off beforehand). We will mix and match the cookies into tins to be delivered to shut-ins. Then take the name of a shut-in and a tin full of cookies, and deliver some holiday cheer.
If you don't have time to bake, store-bought cookies are fine. The important thing is that we gather together in the spirit of Christmas to do something for those who need it.
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Annual Christmas Concert, Sunday, December 15
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This year's Annual Christmas Concert will be held on
Sunday, December 15, at 3:00pm
in the Sanctuary, followed by a cookie reception.
Christmas carols, choral music, hand bells and special guests will help us connect with the Spirit of the Season. A free-will offering will be taken. Feel free to invite a guest.
This is always a meaningful event and we hope you and yours will be a part of it.
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Unwrap the Cash 50/50
Please support the PCNS Raffle
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PCNS will be having their "Unwrap the Cash 50/50" again this year. Tickets are on sale now through December 18.The cost is $25 per ticket.
This raffle is open to the public. If you are interested in purchasing a ticket to support the school, please email
alissaofmani@gmail.com
.
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Liturgists, Hosts and Greeters
Hosts and Greeters needed on November 10 and November 24
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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.
If there are any errors (or if you would like to volunteer), please contact the Office Manager, Kathy Swede, at
office@Packanack.com
.
Liturgists:
November 3-Melissa Kaus
November 10-Kathy Schneider
November 17-Lisa Seela
November 24-Martha Edgar
December 1- Carey Lochridge
December 8-
OPEN
December 15- Connor Godek
December 22- Sandie Colotta
December 29- Tim Cantwell
Hosts and Greeters:
November 3- Jody, Tyler, and Brady Smith
November 10-
OPEN
November 17- Jill and Shay Tiger
November 24-
OPEN
December 1- Claire Butler and Gunnel Ruffler
December 8- Brenda Kurtyka and Elfriede Schneider
December 15- David and Leslie Little
December 22- Bob and Linda Heimburg
December 29- Michele and Ned Forrest
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Flowers for the Communion Table
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The 2019 Flower Chart is posted on the bulletin board in the narthex.
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:
November 10-Cecilia Hempstead
November 17-Harvest Flowers
November 24-Harvest Flowers
December 8- Joan Riley
December 15- Christmas Flowers
December 22- Christmas Flowers
December 29- Joanne Curry
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Sunday, November 10
Worship in the Sanctuary, 10:00 AM
BALCO Performance
Sunday, November 17
Worship in the Sanctuary, 10:00 AM
Sunday, November 24
Worship in the Sanctuary, 10:00 AM
Thanksgiving Sunday
Bagel Breakfast and WIN Donations
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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
Laura Lefelar, Lynne Lefelar's daughter
Bob Butler, Claire Butler's son
Family of John Keenan, friends of the DeHaan family
William and Claire Butler
Patrick Bosma, Ray and Diane Bosma’s grandson
Diane Wilson,Regina Erwood's niece
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
The Family of Giancarlo Putignano Sorrenti
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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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