Weekly News For
Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church
December 1, 2019
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The Church office will be closed on Thursday and Friday
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Prayer Concerns This Week
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions,
and thanksgiving be made for everyone, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity." 1 Timothy 2:1-2
The Prayer family
for the week is the Kells family. Let us be prayerfully aware of Jeff, Cindy, Kylee and Connor as well as all our members and friends.
Prayer Concerns:
Karyn Smykowski; Joe Friedrich; Bill Williams; Ginny Claeys
Long term concerns
: Joan Auge; Jacob Basilotto; Emma Burden; Tim Carroll; Jonathan Hofstetter; Ed Jung; Brett Lambie; Mary Ann Leach; Despina Koch; D'Etta Merkle; Michael McGuire; Mary McSweeney; Jacob Mendelsohn; Leigh Millar; Melissa Millar; Donna Monica; Dale Norby; Geoff Reilly; Bill Shoppell; Ed Shrum; Linda Lee Smith; Ralph Smith; Ginny Zimmerman; those struggling with addictions and mental illness.
Military:
Sarah Davis Brown; Morgan Daniels Colberg; Michael Fahey III; Robin Fiorentino; all those in our nation's service.
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I don’t think I could choose a favorite between the Advent/Christmas/Epiphany cycle and the Lent/Easter/Pentecost one. Both seasons invite preparation, but Advent and Lent are very different in character and mood.
Both Christmas and Easter have God’s spectacular action at their center, and both seasons end with a concluding joyful festival (Epiphany and Pentecost). But the A/C/E season is a lot shorter in every respect, so we really need to be intentional about entering it quickly, because it will move faster than you think. Four weeks of preparation instead of 40 days; 12 days of celebration instead of 50. Blink and it’s gone!
Given where our congregation finds itself in its life cycle, Advent offers a special significance by calling us to prepare to welcome the ‘new thing’ that God has promised. Advent anticipates a new beginning, something we have been discussing for some time. It is also a time to get our spiritual house in order; a time to pay attention; a time to look ahead; and a time to reflect and marvel at the providence of God. We get to do all that in preparation for all that this new church year will bring. I invite you to embrace the spirit of hopefulness and to be fully engaged in an active, patient, and prayerful anticipation.
Peace!
Pastor Osy
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Communion Brunch on Sunday
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While the weather is still pleasant - please join us in the C.E. Annex for our monthly Communion Brunch, in lieu of coffee hour. A free will offering helps to defray the expense of the brunch.
Thank you to
Rich Bavier who will be preparing "Rotisserie Roast Beef"
for this month's Christmas brunch.
We would love to see everyone there!
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Families from the Interfaith Hospitality Network will be staying with us starting this Sunday.
Thank you to everyone who signed up. We still need a few evening hosts from 7 to 9 p.m.
Two families for a total of nine people are currently expected but this may change at any time.
Please call Dot Tolley if you have any questions during the week 732-892-9306.
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Everyone is welcome to join us on Wednesday, December 4th at 7:00 pm. for the PW Christmas program. The program this year is “Christmas is a Good Time to Meditate on the Great Gift - Jesus”
Enjoy an inspirational program of meditation, prayer and a play. Stay for delicious treats.
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Poinsettia Orders Now Being Taken
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This year poinsettias are $17.50 each, and payment must be included with this order form. Please be sure to indicate "Christmas Plants" on the memo line of your check!
Order form
and payment may be placed in the offering plate or mailed to the church office.
Orders must be received by December 15.
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Valentine House Holiday Store
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On Thursday, December 5th from 6pm to 8pm the House will host the annual Holiday Store. This gives the residents a chance to use house credits (Valentine Bucks!) to purchase gifts for their family and friends. This is the favorite event of the year among the residents.
The House is seeking donations of new items that the residents can purchase as gifts.
All the gifts come from donations from local businesses and individuals. It's a great opportunity to re-gift items that are new or items never used. Examples of items for the store are candles, costume jewelry, books, perfume or cologne, clothing items, household items that are unused, games and toys and Christmas decorations.
The staff and volunteers staff the store and help residents pick out gifts and wrap them. There is also a need for gift bags, tags and ribbon. They have plenty of wrapping paper from last year. (
This is different from the Valentine House giving tree we have each year, by which we choose individual Valentine House residents and buy a gift or two they've specifically asked for. The giving tree is back again this Advent.
)
Any items you may have to donate to the holiday store can be dropped off at the Valentine House or in the church office by Tuesday, December 3.
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Sunday School in December
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We’ll begin the Christmas story by looking at the prophecies found in Isaiah and Micah. Then, we’ll move to the New Testament for the accounts in Luke and Matthew.
We’ll try to follow Paul’s advice all this season and beyond:
“Always be joyful because you belong to the Lord.
I will say it again. Be joyful!”
Phillipians 4:4 NIrV
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We want to remember that you can have joy because:
- God keeps his promises.
- Anything is possible with God.
- God is with you.
- God sent his Son.
- You search for God.
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We are grateful that Mrs. Becky Muraglia has, again, volunteered to prepare us for the
Christmas Pageant
at the 4:00 p.m. worship service on Christmas Eve. That is one way we can express our joy and share it with others.
We will adjust our December Sunday School sessions and rehearse
each Sunday from
11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Additionally, we invite any of our youth, who normally remain in worship with their family, to depart from the service
with
Mrs. Muraglia in time to join us for the 11:00 a.m. rehearsal in the Christian Education Annex.
Parents/guardians
, we thank you for your help in allowing these extra minutes for pageant rehearsal. It is important for your children to be prepared and comfortable for a most joyful Christmas Eve!
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Calling All Christmas Children!
(in
Sunday School to Middle School)
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Calling all SUNDAY SCHOOL (preschool through 5th grade)
and
older children of faith
who wish to deliver the beautiful celebration of our Savior's birth this
Christmas EVE!
We are seeking actors, singers, and readers.
Our rehearsals will be conducted
every Sunday in December at 11:00 a.m.
immediately after the regular (and slightly abbreviated) Sunday School session.
SIGN UP!
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
Sunday, Dec. 1, 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Roles will be distributed
Sunday, December 8, 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Rehearsal
Sunday, December 15, 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Rehearsal
Sunday, December 22, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ALL MUST ATTEND! FULL REHEARSAL IN THE SANCTUARY
Tuesday, December 24,
2:30 p.m. arrival
for 4 p.m. Christmas Eve Service
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Point Beach Prep This Week
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We performed at our Thanksgiving Shows on Monday and Tuesday. Our students have been practicing singing and dancing for weeks. We had a packed house as we sang songs such as "Oh, What a Miracle Am I", and our rockin' and rollin' "Peanut Butter and Jelly"! Thank you to Busy Hands for making the hats our students wore. Thank you to Pastor Osy for our opening prayer.
On Wednesday, our classes made homemade butter to go with bread and also made applesauce in school. It was great to see the team effort that went into making the food.
We wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
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Help Needed for Christmas Eve
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Help us to create a warm, friendly atmosphere by serving at one of our Christmas Eve services!
Scott Smith is once again organizing Ushers for Christmas Eve. There is a need of four ushers for the 4 p.m. service (our most attended service of the day) and two ushers for the 11:00 p.m.
As an usher, you will be the first friendly face people see when they walk in. Some tasks on Christmas Eve include handing out bulletins, helping people find seats, as well as assisting with the Christmas Eve Candles. If you are willing to usher, please call Scott at 732-840-0279.
In addition, Diane Manzo is in need of elders or deacons to serve Communion at the 7 and 11 p.m. services. Servers need not be currently serving on either Session or the Board of Deacons. Please contact Diane directly if you can help on Christmas Eve. 732-581-1882
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This season when friends and family are visiting or when you are visiting, a plate of homemade Christmas cookies would be the perfect treat needed. Let the ladies of the PW spoil you. They will be selling a variety of plated homemade Christmas cookies on December 15 following the service. Cookies will be $10 for two dozen. Come and fill a cookie box! We will try to keep to around 4-5 of the same cookie so everyone gets their fair share.
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Each Christmas Season our congregation supports many ministries that serve a variety of people. Below are some of the ministries that will once again be supported here at PPPC. More information on volunteering for the Christmas Toy Distribution and Christmas Day will soon be announced.
This Sunday
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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 this Sunday/Communion Sunday can be made in the Deacon envelope that is in the pews.
Joan Valentine House Giving Tree
- The Valentine House is a non-profit residential home for adults living with mental illness. Starting this Sunday, the Giving Tree will be in the Narthex and will include envelopes with the names of Valentine House residents with their Christmas list. Members are asked to purchase only TWO items from the list in order to preserve a sense of equality among all the residents. Wrapped gifts, with a gift tag indicating who the gift is for, can be put under the tree in the Sanctuary by the end of December. Gifts are handed out at an Epiphany Party early in January.
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.
St. Gregory's Pantry Christmas Distribution
- The Pantry accepts unwrapped NEW toys for the Christmas clients. Through your generosity, 2-3 gifts per child are given to needy families. Gifts for teenagers are especially needed - CDs, gift cards, sweaters, hats, nail polish, etc. Items can be delivered to St. Mary's By-the-Sea, 804 Bay Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach. Cash donations can also be given for gift card purchases. Distribution is December 17.
Give of yourself on Christmas Day
- Once again we will be hosting Christmas Dinner in the CE Annex, from 12:00-2:00 pm on Christmas Day for those who, for whatever reason, have no place to go for Christmas and would like to enjoy an old-fashioned holiday feast with congenial company.
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The Coffee Host Schedule is posted in the Church Kitchen if you would like to sign up to host coffee hour. Thank you.
Latest Coffee Hour Hosts
December 1 - Communion Brunch
December 8 - Karen Luicci
December 15 - Donna and Ryan Wittmann
December 22 - ** Host Needed **
December 29 - Members' Christmas Cookies/Goodies
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Upcoming Birthdays This Month
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Dec 1
Dec 2
Dec 3
Dec 4 Karen McDermitt, Paul Steinert
Dec 5
Dec 6
Dec 7
Dec 8 Rob Rauffer
Dec 9 Barbara Reid, Brian Potter
Dec 10 Abigail Davis, Jack Muraglia
Dec 11 Frances Kunz, Anders Forsberg
Dec 12
Dec 13 Karen Larsen, Lauren Durrof, Elise Durrof
Dec 14 Travis Dunham , Michael Dunham
Dec 15
Dec 16 Laurie Pearce
Dec 17
Dec 18 Benjamin Paradise
Dec 19 Joan Panuska, Jeffrey Kells
Dec 20 Stanley Davis
Dec 21 Corina Collins
Dec 22 Craig Lambie
Dec 23
Dec 24 Carol Ketchersid, Dorothy Tolley
Dec 25 Jesus of Nazareth
Dec 26 Anna Landre
Dec 27 John Curtis, Christopher Cook, Mackenzie Philipps
Dec 28
Dec 29 Peter Dunne, Ken King
Dec 30 Dale Leasure, Magda Giase, Jeff Pearce
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Church Calendar For The Week
Visit our full Church Calendar on our website for a complete and up-to-date
calendar.
Sunday, December 1
10:00 a.m. - Worship/Communion/Chancel Choir
10:00 a.m. - Sunday School Begins in Worship
11:10 a.m. - Communion Brunch
11:00 a.m. - Christmas Pageant Rehearsal, CE Annex
IHN Arrives
Monday, December 2 - IHN
6:00 p.m. - Choral Bells Rehearsal, Fellowship Room
7:15 p.m. - Deacon's Meeting, Chittick Lounge
Tuesday, December 3 - IHN
10:00 a.m. - Busy Hands, Fellowship Room
1:30 p.m. - Health Steps Class, Wilton Hall
6:30 p.m. - PNC, Chittick Lounge
7:00 p.m. - NA, Wilton Hall
Wednesday, December 4 - IHN
9:00 a.m. - Women's Breakfast, Rainbow Diner
6:00 p.m. - PW Christmas Program Rehearsal
7:00 p.m. - PW Christmas Program - all welcome
7:30 p.m. - Troop 6, CE Annex
8:15 p.m. - Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room (makeup rehearsal from Thanksgiving)
Thursday, December 5 - IHN
8:00 a.m. - Men's Breakfast, US Subs, Point Pleasant
10:00 a.m. - Point Beach Prep Board Meeting, Wilton Hall
4:00 p.m. - Brownie Troop, Fellowship Room
5:00 p.m. - Junior Troop, Fellowship Room
7:30 p.m. - Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room
Friday, December 6 - IHN
Saturday, December 7- IHN
10:00 a.m. - Service of Witness to the Resurrection for Fred Lochenmeyer
Sunday, December 8 - IHN
8:30 a.m. - CE Committee
10:00 a.m. - Worship/Conrad Herwig, Guest Trombonist
10:00 a.m. - Sunday School Begins in Worship
11:00 a.m. - Coffee Hour
11:00 a.m. - Christmas Pageant Rehearsal, CE Annex
12:00 p.m. - Court of Honor, Sanctuary
1:00 p.m. - Court of Honor Reception, Wilton Hall
Upcoming Events
December 15 - Chancel Choir Christmas Music Program
December 18 - Restaurant Fundraiser at Kitchen @ 35, Manasquan
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Contact Us
Pastor
The Rev. Osvaldo Nuesch, Interim Pastor -
Email
Office Staff
Kim Gaydos, Church Secretary -
Email
Donna Ferry, Financial Secretary -
Email
Music Staff
Sara Hoey, Organist -
Email
Melanie Chambers, Chancel Choir Director -
Email
Morgan Sarbello, Choral Bell Director -
Email
William R. Shoppell, Jr., Music Director, Emeritus
Christian Education Staff
Devlin House, Point Beach Prep Preschool Director -
Email
Frank Perkowski, Sunday School Coordinator -
Email
701 Forman Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
(Corner of Bay and Forman Avenues)
Church Office: 732-899-0587 Fax: 732-899-2946
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