The Prayer family for the week is the Brzyski family. Let us be prayerfully aware of Joh, Julie, Jake and Jarod, as well as all our members and friends.

Prayer Concerns: Michael Berry

Long term concerns: Katie Abrams; Katie Hoffmaster Barberi; Pete Cowie; Ed Jung; Jay Hiatt; Despina Koch; Gwen McFaddan; Jacob Mendelsohn; Josephine McKeon; Leigh Millar; Melissa Millar; Dale Norby; Marilyn Powell; Geoff Reilly; Bill Shoppell; Linda Lee Smith; Millage Youenger; Ginny Zimmerman; those struggling with addictions and mental illness.

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

The coming of September each year signals the beginning of the program year. The vacationers leave the beaches, children return to school, clubs and organizations which have had a summer hiatus in their meetings resume their calendar of activities. And so it has been for as long as we remember; Labor Day concludes the summer season and redirects us on a trajectory toward autumn and the holidays to come.

At least, that is what we remember. In what has so far been the unprecedented year of 2020, it seems all bets are off. Some of the vacationers never came, the children are in some cases returning to school and in other instances returning to their computers for online education. The college students are returning to school, only to return home again in response to a campus outbreak of COVID 19.

Like so many things in 2020, we move forward not so much relying on what is normal, but seek the “new normal” in the midst of a pandemic. In all times of transition, it is essential to finding a guiding principle for setting priorities. We, in the church, have set worship as a priority and developed a means to gather virtually and in person each week to praise God, seek solace and re-connect to one another. This month we will resume our Sunday School beginning on September 13, via Zoom. Too, we will discover new ways to undertake the other activities that are important for the life of the congregation, the pastoral care of all its members, and an expression of hope through mission to the wider community.

There is much to be done as we and many will find that there is a certain familiar and welcome engagement in the activities that characterized autumn in the church. Presbyterian Women will ponder the opportunities for restoring their fellowship and activities relying upon God’s grace to “make a way” even in pandemic. The Nominations Committee will work to recruit persons to fill the offices on Session and Deacons. The Stewardship Committee will be helping all of us to reflect on our financial commitment to the church as we begin to prepare a 2021 budget. We will soon announce the meeting dates for a Fall Bible Study, via Zoom, “Scripture Without Soup”. While we cannot gather for a lunch discussion we can surely continue to explore the Bible and its meaning for us. We will plan for a Congregational Meeting immediately following worship on September 27, (via Zoom and on site) to take actions necessary to continue the long legacy of the Christian witness of this congregation. Details about all of these events and activities will be furnished in the days ahead.

I bring these matters to your attention today, not to overwhelm or discourage us, but rather to suggest that we hold the capacity to create a “new normal” in company with the Holy Spirit to meet the spiritual, educational and material needs of these times. For more than 2000 years the church has done precisely that work, in fair weather and foul, to continue to follow the Lordship of Christ. This year, as we prepare for welcoming a new pastor, we may find that the resumption of these activities repays us with a new sense of the meaning and purpose of life. Our own battle with the coronavirus may require as much creativity as it does caution. As scripture teaches us, “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary” (Galatians 6:9) Let us then, together, shrug off our “pandemic pathos” and find new energies for the future to which we are called!

Yours for the journey,

Sunday School Online Zoom Sessions for families of children in grades preschool (age 3+) through grade 5 continue in the new school year starting Sunday, September 13 at 9 a.m. Sessions will last approximately 35-40 minutes. Participating families will receive Zoom meeting login credentials directly.

Kindly fill in the 2020-2021 Online Sunday School Registration, so that we will know to send you weekly invitations with Zoom ID and password. Then, please scan the form, or snap a photo with your cell phone, and email it to pppcsundayschool@gmail.com.

Hope to see you soon!

Elder Lynn 

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

During this pandemic, our Deacons have reached out to many of our church members to check on them. We ask that our church family also continues to check in with each other as a way of showing care and concern and also as a way of staying connected.

Please call the church if you know of someone from our congregation that may be in need. We would love to have the opportunity to help, pray for or support our members and friends. We can't bear one another's burdens if we don't share our burdens with others. Private concerns can remain confidential.

Point Beach Prep is urgently seeking part time Preschool Teachers and Substitutes to begin our new school year in September. We are looking for caring individuals who love children and have a positive attitude. If you are interested , please email your resume to pointbeachprep@hotmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Sunday, September 13 - 9:00 to 9:40 am Virtual Sunday School Begins

Sunday, September 27 - 11:00 a.m. Virtual Congregational Meeting

Please be in prayer for all the families who will return back to school this September. Transitioning back into the school year is never easy for families and teachers. This year they can especially use our prayers for peace and protection.

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