RCHP September Newsletter |
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Dear Church Family,
I love September. September is when the whole church family is back together and there is energy and excitement about everything. I remember as a kid just loving September, as I went back to school, met a new teacher, got reacquainted with old friends and met new kids that moved in over the summer. Church has allowed me to continue having that sort of an experience throughout my life. September rocks. You can, of course, get involved in church at any point during the year, but it’s nice to start classes with everyone else and to join in the excitement of the start of something new.
September 2021 is particularly important. Though I’m super proud of everything we did, together, to wade through the waters of Covid-19 life for the past year and a half, I am just so glad to have kids back in the church classrooms, in Youth Group meetings and events, and to have us back worshiping in our sanctuary! Yes, there are still valid concerns about variants from the pandemic, but we have managed well and safely and there is no reason to expect a change there.
Starting September 12th we’ll be back in full swing. I hope you’ll come and be with us for worship at 9am or 11:15, and that you’ll come to Sunday School (for all ages) at 10:15. We’ll have coffee and bagels going after each service for those who want to spend time visiting.
God speaks when God’s people are together. Every good thing that’s ever grown out of this place has come when we’ve gathered for adoration, confession, a fresh word of hope and then shared in faithful responses. That’s what I miss most—the crucible of creativity that includes all of our voices. Come and be part of the flourish—it starts in full in September!
The Peace of Christ to you,
Pastor Seth
P.S. Check out the photo gallery at the end of this email for church family highlights!
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Upcoming September Events & Happenings |
20th Anniversary Celebration - September 12
September 2021 marks twenty years of ministry at RCHP for Pastors Stephanie and Seth. We as a church are immeasurably grateful and proud of their leadership over the past two decades, and we are excited to commemorate this milestone with a worship service and fellowship time on September 12. An indoor worship service will begin at 4:00 pm, followed by a time of food and fellowship in the social hall and outside. Please register for either or both events, so planners can make appropriate accommodations. An offering will be collected for some identified repairs and improvements to the parsonage.
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Meet & Greet (monthly every 2nd Saturday) - Saturday, Sept. 11th at 11 a.m. in the parlor. Come on out for this informal gathering to catch up on what’s happening in the lives of your church family. All are welcome!
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Fishing Derby at Johnson Park Pond on September 11th (in place of monthly nature hike)
Pastor Seth loves to fish…and it’s biblical, right? On September 11th anyone who wants to join him at 9am at RCHP can head down to Johnson Park pond to try our luck in the pond. Remember it is called FISHING (not CATCHING). Sometimes that pond produces, and other times, not at all. But if kids want to learn to cast and to have a really great time trying, join us!
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Saturday Morning Brunch for Families with Young Children
On the second Saturday of each month, Pastor Amos and Sarah will be hosting a "Parents Brunch" at their home, from 9am to 11am, for all families with young children. This is a fellowship opportunity, with the chance to support and encourage one another through these early parenting years. Free food and childcare will be provided, but please RSVP with Pastor Amos so they can plan accordingly to serve all who attend. The first Parents' Brunch will be held on September 11, at 9:00am. amoscaley@gmail.com
Wednesday Night Church Night at Global Grace Cafe
Up until the pandemic Wednesday nights had become something very special at RCHP. We are resuming that immediately!!! Starting on September 15th you can get a delicious dinner from 5:30pm-7:30pm while you and your families enjoy any of the musical or educational programs offered on Wednesdays. Dinners are $6 pp and $3 for a small plate for young kids.
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An RCHP Morning at Global Grace Farm
On September 25th join your church family for a morning at Global Grace Farm. We’ll meet at church at 9am and carpool over. Or, if you know how to get there, you can meet us there!
Accompany Now!
Lots of people want to know how best to help unaccompanied children coming to New Jersey from the southern border. Come at 2pm, on September 28th, to the parlor, to learn more.
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Hurricane Ida Relief
Over the coming days we will discern the best way to aid those in need who have been affected by the hurricane/tropical storm. Stay tuned for details!
Save the Date! Annual Bazaar
Annual Bazaar on Saturday, October 23rd from 10-3. Event will be outdoors, rain or shine. Church members who would like to have a spot, contact Illona.
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Worship and Education Opportunities |
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Resuming Two-Service Worship Schedule
Beginning September 12, we will resume our regular two-service worship schedule, with education hour between the services. First service will begin at 9:00am, with second service starting at 11:15am. Education hour for all ages begins at 10:15. All services will be held in the sanctuary, and we are asking participants to take appropriate safety measures, including refraining from worship if feeling unwell or recently exposed to someone COVID-positive, wearing masks while indoors, and practicing safe hygiene practices. All worship leaders are fully vaccinated, and we encourage all in the community to get vaccinated.
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"Creation Care" Adult Education Series
Adult education hour begins again on September 12 in the parlor. For the whole month of September, we will be revisiting the theme of Creation Care, and Tosin Kolawale will be leading a three-week series spanning September 12, 19, and 26. Education hour begins each Sunday at 10:15am and ends at 11:05am.
Adult Choirs Resume THIS WEEK
We are shifting the choir rehearsal schedule this season due to scheduling changes, but we are thrilled to resume adult choir rehearsals beginning the week after Labor Day. Gospel Choir will now be rehearsing on Tuesday evenings, from 7:00 to 8:15pm, in the sanctuary. Chancel Choir will be rehearsing on Wednesday evenings, from 7:00 to 8:15pm, in the parlor. Children's choirs will also be resuming in the coming weeks, with the details for those choirs coming soon.
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‘The Table’ on Sunday Night
I’m feeling very inspired for The Table to really take off this year. We have a couple of great leaders who I think can make this program shine. 5:30pm is dinner, but you can come earlier to help cook and to ‘hang out’ with the team of preparers. After dinner there will be a bible study & prayer in the sanctuary.
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Sunday School Message from Wendy Jager
Welcome back everyone! Sunday school starts on September 12 at 10:15 a.m. for pre-school age kids - adults. Nursery will be available for our youngest ones. Parents of 2s and 3s are welcome to attend Sunday school with their child. Pre-school - 5th graders will gather on the stage in the social hall to begin. September is the month of Creation Celebration in our liturgical calendar, so weather permitting we will spend most of Sunday school outdoors in September. Join us for stories of God's love, games, activities and songs. We have a wonderful group of teachers and are looking forward to having you with us. As a way to keep all our kids as safe as possible, whenever we are inside, we will be wearing masks 100% of the time. If you have moved in the last year or are new to our Sunday school program, please register your children by calling the church office or emailing me their contact information and grades. wendyjager3@gmail.com
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Youth Groups: The week of September 12th is the start up to High School and Middle School Youth Group. Please note, we have reversed the schedule, so that High School is on Wednesday and Middle School on Sundays.
On Sunday, September 12th, at 7pm, Middle Schoolers should plan on joining Pastor Terry in the church yard, for games and hanging out. That day will have been a busy day, with a church program celebrating Seth and Stephanie’s 20 years of service at RCHP, so we’ll have a low-key social event for YG that night. It would be great for you to invite friends!
On Wednesday, September 15th, at 7pm, High Schoolers are invited to join Pastor Terry for Youth Group. Youth group will be outside in the Kaper-Dales' backyard if weather permits, and in The Cave otherwise.
On Sunday, September 19th, at 5pm, 4th and 5th graders are invited for the first Kids in the Cave Youth Group event of the year. Pastor Terry will be heading up this youth group as well this year!
For all questions Youth Group related please reach out to Pastor Terry at terryjon.stokes@gmail.com Parents will be given basic information that includes a tentative youth group calendar and permission forms first thing this fall.
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Confirmation Class
Pastor Terry and Pastors Seth and Stephanie are starting to get organized for the 2021-2022 Confirmation Class. In our tradition we baptize babies, recognizing that God says “yes” to us before we can say yes or no to God. However, in that tradition there is a hope that we will all grow into the ‘yes’ and come to know, in our hearts and minds and souls, that God has been with us throughout our lives and that God will guide us into the future. Confirmation is a time to ‘Confirm’ that we have come to understand something of the God who graciously poured out love for us from the beginning. While there is no exact age for Confirmation we like to ask youth who are approximately 7th grader or older to consider Confirmation class. This year we’ll start in mid October, with weekly classes on Sunday night at 6pm. The class will end in time for Middle School Youth Group at 7pm—so Confirmands can participate in both.
Youth Leadership Opportunities - All youth 7th grade and up who desire to help lead worship in church or in youth group are invited to talk to Pastor Amos or Pastor Terry about how they might participate in choirs, praise teams or other special musical opportunities.
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Wednesday morning Bible Study: The Wed. morning bible study, meeting at 7:45am, in the parlor, is cruising through the book of Exodus. Join us for rich and relevant conversations each Wednesday morning.
Wednesday night Bible Study: We are working to bring together a Wednesday Night Bible Study again this fall. Join the group at 5:30pm for an hour and then stick around for dinner at Global Grace!
Morning Prayer, Mon.-Sat. @ 9 am on zoom
A great gift to RCHP that came through the pandemic has been the birth of a morning prayer group on Zoom. For almost 500 days now RCHP has started the morning together, in prayer and fellowship. A steady group shares prayers of thanksgiving and petition and makes a point to really pray for this church each morning. You are invited to join by going to the link at rchighlandpark.org on our website.
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Connecting With One Another |
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Global Grace Cafe is Open for Food and Fellowship Every Day of the Week
Each weekday, from 11:30am-2pm, you can get lunch at church for $5. An entree is $6, but if you let Sidra know you are a ‘member’ of RCHP you can get a $1 discount! Please bring friends and make Global Grace Cafe a regular part of your week. The food is delicious and it is just priceless to spend time in our church building for food and fellowship.
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"LitLovers" Reading & Culture Group
If you love talking about media and arts, and would like a lightly structured format for sharing, give LitLovers a try on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 1:30pm. Each week, participants are welcome to share about books, movies, TV shows, music and culinary delights. Contact our co-hosts, Deb Convery at deborah.convery@gmail.com or Carol Turner at cjteddpc@mac.com for more information and for a Zoom link. FOR SEPTEMBER, we'll explore the topic of Gender Identify. All are welcome!
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Weekly Virtual "Drop-In"
All are welcome (including your companion pets!) to drop-in for an hour of friendly, free-wheeling conversation on Thursdays from 12:30 to 1:30pm. Contact our host, Carol Perry caca98@aol.com for more information and for a Zoom link.
Thursday Sewing Circle
Each Thursday, from 10am-Noon, there is a wonderful opportunity to gather folks together for crafts and conversation, as the group prepares for our Annual Bazaar and shares in the creation of beautiful handmade items. Please come to the Quilt Rm on Thursdays and check this out!
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Serving and Working For Justice & the Beloved Community
All church members are encouraged to see our “Justice Collaboration Newsletter” (sent on September 1st) for more details on engagement each month. Here’s a short list of happenings associated with the life of the church and beyond.
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Ways To Serve
Global Grace Farm contact Ashar if you’d like to help with things like planting, weeding, shutting down some beds for the winter, etc… GGFarms@interfaithrise.org
Thrift Shop speak to Carmen Hertzog, lots of opportunities at the shop (reach out to Lisa in the church office for Carmen’s contact info)
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HP Food Pantry
During COVID our community is in need of the food pantry more than ever. The HP Food Pantry is collecting donations via an Amazon Wishlist. To donate badly needed items, click on https://tinyurl.com/s7pxpzn Contact Kathi Lombardi with questions: foxyrox18@gmail.com The items needed most this month are:
Urgent Needs:
Cereal
Oats
Soup
Milk
They also need
Feminine Hygiene products
Diapers- All Sizes
Adult Diapers
Pasta
Canned Salmon
Canned Chicken
In addition to the Amazon wish list, items may be purchased from big box stores like Costco or Sam's Club; contact Kathi for further details.
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Supporting Each Other During Difficult Times |
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RCHP Holiday Grief Support Group
The holidays are times spent with our loved ones. This has been imprinted on our souls from a young age. Holidays mark the passage of time in our lives. But since holidays are for being with those we love the most, how can anyone be expected to cope with them when a loved one has died? For many people, this is the hardest part of grieving, when we miss our loved ones even more than usual. The sadness deepens and the loneliness can feel isolating. The need for support may be the greatest during the holidays. But you can – and will – get through the holidays. Rather than avoiding the feelings of grief, lean into them with us.
If interested please contact Pastor Stephanie at stephanie.kaperdale@gmail.com Our first group will meet Monday October 4th followed by additional dates of November 8th, December 10th, and our final group on January 10th.
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The Self-Help Support Group
Join co-leaders Jess Munger and Terry Horyn for nurturing support for the body, mind and spirit every Monday and Thursday from 4-5 p.m. in the parlor. Seating is socially distant and masks are required. Topics addressed can be anything from Covid fears to physical ailments to emotional challenges. All are welcome! For more info, contact Jess at jessmsn409@gmail.com
Church Based Mental Health
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Bereavement Calendar
RCHP remembers all those who died in September and all those who still mourn
The following names have been offered for remembrance in September 2021:
Robert Board, Beloved Great-Uncle of Jess Munger
Ann and Fred Caterson, Beloved Parents of Mary Caterson
Tim Downey, Beloved Husband of Luanne Downey,
and Beloved Brother-in-Law of Illona Faust and Susanne Kucsma
Michael Faust, Beloved Husband of Andrea Faust,
Beloved Father to Meghan, Ryan, Sean, Michael, Alexis, and Madison,
and Beloved Brother-in-Law of Illona Faust
Helen and Joe Haluko, Beloved Aunt and Uncle of Illona Faust, Susanne Kucsma,
and Luanne Downey
Maria Sia Sui Hong, Beloved Mother of Yana Sunarto,
and Beloved Grandmother of the Pangemanan family
Carol Spargo House, Beloved Cousin of Carrie and Paul Hudak
Melinda Knowlton, Beloved Daughter of Roberta Knowlton
Gladys McLean, Beloved Friend of Rose Maselli
Brittany Novak, Beloved Niece of Cathy Laycock and Cousin of Anna Laycock
If it would be a comfort to include your loved ones in a monthly memory calendar, call Lisa at the RCHP office at 732-249-7349.
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AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS AND MILESTONES |
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VBS Success!
Turtle and People Power were on display as the RCHP kids sang their way to resiliency. We give thanks for all who played a role in this production from start to finish!
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VBS Mission Collection for Bridge That Gap river cleanup in Nigeria
Over $1280 raised!
Couch cushions were upended and family vehicle change holders were raided in search of coins for a good cause. Thanks to Tosin Kolawole for leading a lesson on the River Kaduna to raise awareness about good stewardship.
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Proud Papa of Quintuplet Watermelons!
Ashar gives thanks to Creator God and Mother Earth for birthing a healthy harvest at Global Grace Farms. Each watermelon is about 20 pounds and 24 inches long.
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And Speaking of Creation…..
This Season of Creation calendar makes it super easy for you and your family to pick and choose activities that best meet your schedule and budget. Once the Season is over, consider carrying these suggestions and activities onward throughout the year. For more info., go to https://seasonofcreation.org/
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