Weekly News For
Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church
December 16
Third Sunday of Advent
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 Steinert family. Let us be prayerfully aware of Paul, Heidi, Luke and Noah, as well as all our members and friends.

Prayer Concerns: Deb Brendler; William Kappler (Father of Liz Ploskonka), Michael Monica.

Long term concerns: Jacob Basilotto; Bill Birdsong; Irene Cash; Gerard Cosimo; Despina Koch; Jim Millar; Melissa Millar; Dale Norby; Susan Robbins; Geoff Reilly; Bill Shoppell; Jean Stoll; Chad Suhoskey; Ralph Smith; Jim Tabor and Baby Christian; Bill Williams; those struggling with addictions and mental illness.

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

Notice:  Please keep the office updated on any prayer concerns 
you may have, including ones previous submitted.
Special Music Presentation This Sunday
Gloria in Excelsis Deo

On this Third Sunday of Advent the Chancel Choir will be presenting Mark Hayes' "Gloria."  Ms. Melanie Chambers  is the choral conductor and Sara Hoey is the organist. A professional string quartet will provide further accompaniment.

"Gloria in excelsis Deo" (Latin for "Glory to God in the highest") is a liturgical text that begins with the words that the angels said when the birth of Christ was announced to shepherds, as recorded in Luke 2:14.  

With a unique and distinctive blending of contemporary rhythms and harmonies with more traditional elements, Hayes' arrangement will be presented, by the choir, soloists and string quartet, in three movements.  Come and experience the wonder and excitement of that day.

We are most thankful to everyone who made a financial donation towards this special program.  
Sunday School 
 
We began this Christmas season with one of the most famous Bible verses of them all:

"God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son. Anyone who believes in Him will not die but will have eternal life."  John 3:16 NIrV

Acknowledging God's great gift in sending his Son Jesus into the world, our emphasis is on COMPASSION - Caring enough to do something about someone else's need.

We've been exploring how:
  • God did something about our greatest need.
  • God can use anyone to meet others' needs.
  • God gave us the greatest gift.
  • To share the good news about Jesus.
Mrs. Becky Muraglia is preparing us for the Christmas Pageant at the 4:00 p.m. worship service on Christmas Eve. That is one way we can point others to Jesus. We have a few more rehearsals, and there is always room for new participants. We are excited!

During our large group opener we build enthusiasm for the day's session through an entertaining activity. Below are images from "The Great Wrap-It-Up Race"! 

 
Cookie Sale - December 16

Once again the Presbyterian Women will be having their cookie sale this Sunday.  Following the service, t hey will be selling a variety of plated homemade Christmas cookies in the Chittick Lounge. 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.

Christmas Chimes

Our Choral Bell Director, Morgan Sarbello, invites teenagers who can read musical notation to attend this Sunday's rehearsal after worship so we can perform at the 4 pm service on Christmas Eve (December 24). Text Morgan if interested at 732-948-9205


Coming Up This Advent Season

A simple text to a friend, or a warm invitation to a neighbor, or in casual conversation to a coworker, it really can be that easy to invite someone to one of our services this season. We really do have some wonderful things happening this Season.

Third Sunday of Advent:  Joy
December 16, 2018, 10 a.m.
Worship Service with special musical presentation by the Chancel Choir
Advent Candle Lighting:  The Wittmann family

Fourth Sunday of Advent:  Love
December 23, 2018, 10:00 a.m.
Worship Service with guest vocalist Molly Mason
Advent Candle Lighting:  The Rauffer family
Pageant Dress Rehearsal

Christmas Eve Services - December 24, 2018
4:00 p.m. Service for Families with Young Children
Advent Candle Lighting:  The Hall family
7:00 p.m. Candlelight Service with a variety of musical soloists 
Advent Candle Lighting:  The Sarbello family
11:00 p.m. Candlelight Service with Communion and music by  Chancel Choir
Advent Candle Lighting:  The Nuesch family

First Sunday after Christmas Day
December 30, 2018
Traditional Service of Lessons and Carols
No Sunday School, Christmas Story by Pastor Osy
Communion preparation for children after worship

envelopes
2019 Offering Envelopes

The 2019 offering envelope boxes with your name on them are now available in the Narthex to pick up.  Please feel free to pick up a friend's box if you know they won't make it to church to pick it up.  Also, if you do not find a box and wish to receive one, write your name on the pad or contact Donna in the office at donna@pointpresbyterian.org.  

Using your numbered envelopes makes the counters' jobs easier and ensures proper contribution credit.  Please note, your assigned envelope number may have changed.  Please submit your 2018 donations by December 30th (the last Sunday in December), as we will be printing the 2018 statements after that date.  Anything received after December 31st will be posted to your 2019 statement.  Thank you for your faithful giving!   

flowerchart
2019 Flower Chart

A new flower chart is posted outside the church office. Please consider signing up to donate money for fresh flowers to mark a special occasion or "just because." 

The flower prices for 2019 remain the same, $20 per vase or $25 for a bowl of flowers. An order form next to the chart can be filled out and sent into the office along with your payment. Future events such as Anniversaries and Birthdays can be reserved on the flower chart and payment can be submitted closer to the date. Flowers are God's gift to us all!



Parents and Youth:  Confirmation Classes to Start 
in the New Year

Confirmation Classes for youth 7th grade and older will begin in mid February.  This year's course of study will consist of 12 class meetings between February and mid-June (Confirmation Sunday), a weekend retreat at Johnsonburg Camp, and a final meeting with Session members. The full schedule will be determined when leaders, parents and interested youth get together on February 10 after worship . Our classes are a time to learn different aspects of our Christian faith while giving you a chance to ask questions (no question is off-limits), and have a good time in the process. Watch for registration details in upcoming newsletters and Sunday bulletins.   
Poinsettia Orders Now Being Taken Poinsettia

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 18.
Christmas Eve Ushers Update

We are in need of one more usher for the 11:00 p.m. Christmas Eve services.  The 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. services have enough ushers. We can also use more regular ushers throughout the year.   If you can help please call Head Usher Scott Smith at 732-840-0279.

Attention All Christmas Eve Ushers:   Pastor Osy would like to meet, with all the Ushers scheduled for Christmas Eve, after worship on Sunday December 23.  It will be a very brief meeting.  
Challenged and Sustained by Faith Update

As of this week, our 2019 stewardship campaign, has risen to 76, bringing the total of anticipated contributions to $ 172,926. The number of those who pledged to contribute last year but have not done so as of yet is down to 21. Our goal is to be able to count on 90 pledges and $200,000 is the number needed to cover all the projected expenses. We are the people who can make it happen.  Pledge cards can still be found in the pews. 

Sanctuary Furnaces Financial Update
PPPC Sanctuary

Thank you to everyone who has contributed towards the cost of replacing the Church Sanctuary furnaces.  To date, $5475 has been collected towards the total replacement cost of $8880. We are trying to minimize any use of our emergency fund or line of credit. 

There is still time if you would like to make a year end contribution towards this unexpected expense.  P lease write "Furnace" in the memo line if you send a check. 
We Have Reached our Goal
Giving Tree

Once again this congregation has displayed its kindness and generosity.  We are pleased to announce that all 48 Giving Tree envelopes in the Narthex have been taken.  

Remember to please 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 December 30th. Gifts are handed out at an Epiphany Party early in January.

Christmas Toyland Distribution 

There is a lot of work to be done getting ready for St. Gregory's Pantry Christmas Distribution Tuesday, December 18th from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  All toy donations should have been into the Pantry by December 14th.  Any amount of time you can give over the next few days is greatly appreciated.  

This Sunday, December 16 between 12 and 4 p.m volunteers are needed to bring items over from the Pantry to the Annex.  In addition, student volunteers, 12 years old through high school, are needed to move food at the Pantry. Students under 12 years old are welcome to come with an adult.

Setup volunteers will also be needed December 17th in the Annex between the hours of 9:00 and 3:00 p.m. 

On the day of distribution, December 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. volunteers are needed to help our clients shop and receive food throughout the day. Volunteers are welcome to help for part of the time or the whole time - any amount of time is appreciated!

Anyone available to help on December 19th with Annex Cleanup beginning at 9:00 am and continuing until completion would also be appreciated. Thank you for taking time out of your busy week to make this year's distribution a success. Please call or email the office if you are able to help.
Christmas Bulletin Preparation

Volunteers are needed again this year to come in on Friday, December 21 to help fold bulletins in preparation for our Christmas Eve Services. We will be folding in the Fellowship Room beginning at 1:00 p.m.
Christmas Day Dinner

Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church will again 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. 
We need:
Cookie Bakers - In baking your own cookies, please plan on baking a little extra for our Christmas dinner guests. Cookies can be dropped off at the Church starting December 15.

Christmas Morning Volunteers - We need volunteers to help from 8:30-10:30 a.m to bring the food up to the kitchen, slice bread, etc.; 10:30 a.m - 12:00 noon to make local home deliveries; noon - 2 p.m. to serve desserts, hand out gifts, visit with our guests, etc., and finally, cleanup beginning at 1:30 p.m.
Donna Wittmann is coordinating this event. Please call her at 732-948- 8934 if you would like to volunteer. You can also email her at tossboss@comcast.net
Christmas Card Project

Throughout the month of December, EliSabeth-Verdella Circle will present two ways to send Christmas greetings to your church family members. This annual project raises money for local mission. You may place cards for individuals in the box, to be sorted alphabetically for easy pick-up. The circle asks that you donate the money you would have spent on postage by placing it in the donation box on the table in the Narthex.

There will also be a decorated poster board in the Narthex for you to write a brief message to all your Church family and friends. If you choose this option, the circle would appreciate a small donation to their mission project, placed in the donation box on the table. The circle members thank you for your participation in their mission project, which is purchasing Christmas gifts for residents at Claremont Care Center.
This Week at Point Beach Prep

This week we learned letter K. The Pre-K met Ms. K and her kite. They made kites of their own too. They learned about kittens, kingdoms, and the 3 kings from the Christmas story. They read Kitten's First Moon, Llama Llama Holiday Drama, and The Magic of Christmas. They talked a lot about being kind to each other! Our Nursery class learned sign language for "kite". They read Kitty Cat Kitty Cat, Kisses, and King Bidgood's in the Bathtub. They made koalas and kites. Everyone made Christmas cards and gifts for their parents. They also sang Christmas carols. 

We are excited for our upcoming Aquarium Field Trips and Christmas sing-a-longs next week!

Plan Ahead CE Annex Access

We will be having the CE Annex floors waxed right after Christmas. 

There will be no access to the building beginning on Thursday, December 27. Activities in the Annex may resume on Saturday, December 29.  Please plan accordingly.
Attention Parents:  Important Upcoming Dates 

Dec 19,  5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Christmas Pageant rehearsal in the Sanctuary.

Dec 23,  10:15 a.m.  Sunday School is ON! We will be having regular Sunday School 

Dec 23, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Pageant dress rehearsal. This rehearsal will be held in the Sanctuary.

Parents: We ask that you do NOT stay to watch. We really really want to make this performance a surprise! This will be the final practice and it is imperative that all children participating in the pageant attend this rehearsal.

Dec 24,  3:00 p.m. Please have all children participating in the Christmas Pageant in the Chittick Lounge by 3 p.m. so we can get them costumed and ready. Kids are welcome to bring water and "clean snacks" ie: pretzels, goldfish- anything non greasy that will not stain costumes. The pageant will start promptly at 4 p.m. After the service, we will need several volunteers to help take down the prop and platforms.  
 
Dec 30, No Sunday School. 

Coffee Hour Hosts For The Month

Please call Marge Meklin at 908-433-3957 for questions

December 16 - The Wittmann Family
December 23 - The Rauffer Family
December 30 - The Paradise Family


birthday blessing
Happy Birthday To Our Members And Friends

Dec 16
Dec 17
Dec 18
Dec 19 Joan Panuska, Jeffrey Kells
Dec 20 Stanley Davis
Dec 21 Corina Collins
Dec 22 Craig Lambie
Dec 23 Lillian Rzeplinski
Dec 24 Dorothy Tolley
Dec 26 Anna Landre
Dec 27 John Curtis, Christopher Cook, Mackenzie Philipps
Dec 28 Dustin Cottrell
Dec 29 Peter Dunne
Dec 30 Dale Leasure, Magda Giase

Up Coming Events

December 18 - 6:30 p.m. Session Meeting
January 6 - New Beginnings Coaching Session
January 20 - Interfaith Hospitality Network Arriving
                         


More information to follow on these events
Church Calendar For The Week

Visit our full Church Calendar on our website for a complete and up-to-date  calendar.

Sunday, December 16 - Third Sunday of Advent
10:00 a.m. - Worship/Chancel Choir
10:00 a.m. - Sunday School begins in worship
11:00 a.m. - PW Cookie Sale, Fellowship Room
11:00 a.m. - Coffee Hour, Chittick Lounge
11:30 a.m. - Chimes Rehearsal, Choir Room
12:00 p.m. - St. Gregory's Pantry Toy Land Setup, Wilton Hall

Monday,   December 17
9:00 a.m.- St. Gregory's Pantry Toy Land Setup, Wilton Hall

Tuesday,   December 18
8:30 a.m. - St. Gregory's Toyland Distribution, Wilton Hall
6:00 p.m. - Weblos, Basement
6:30 p.m. - Session Meeting, Fellowship Room
7:00 p.m. - NA, Wilton Hall

Wednesday, December 19
9:00 a.m. - Women's Breakfast, Rainbow Diner
5:00 p.m. - Christmas Pageant Rehearsal, Sanctuary
6:00 p.m. - Bear Den, Basement
6:00 p.m. - Lion Cub Scouts, CE Annex
6:45 p.m. - Tiger Den Cub Scouts, CE Annex

Thursday, December 20
8:00 a.m. - Men's Breakfast, US Subs, Point Pleasant
4:00 p.m. - Brownie Troop 360
5:00 p.m. - Daisy Troop 1443
7:30 p.m. - Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Friday, December 21

Saturday, December 22
7:00 p.m. - NA, Wilton Hall

Sunday, December 23 - Fourth Sunday of Advent
10:00 a.m. - Worship/Special Music
10:00 a.m. - Sunday School begins in worship
11:00 a.m. - Coffee Hour, Chittick Lounge
11:15 a.m. - Christmas Eve Usher Meeting, Sanctuary
11:30 a.m. - Christmas Pageant Dress Rehearsal, Sanctuary
11:30 a.m. - Chimes Rehearsal, Choir Room
2:30 p.m. - Claremont Care Center Worship Service
Image of the Week


Caroling at the Manse Last Sunday


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

 
Christian Education Staff
Devlin House, Point Beach Prep Preschool Director -  Email
Frank Perkowski, Church 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