Weekly News For
Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church
December 22, 2019
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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
Prayer Concerns:
Kim Gaydos
Long term concerns:
Joan Auge; Jacob Basilotto; Emma Burden; Tim Carroll; Jonathan Hofstetter; Ed Jung; Brett Lambie; Mary Ann Leach; Despina Koch; Mary McSweeney; Jacob Mendelsohn; Leigh Millar; Melissa Millar; Donna Monica; Dale Norby; Geoff Reilly; Bill Shoppell; Ed Shrum; Linda Lee Smith; Ralph Smith; Bill Williams; 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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Christmas Day is just a few days away and I don’t know anyone who feels ready. My mind keeps bouncing between what I will say in the next eight days in my Sunday sermon, the Christmas Eve meditation, and the two wedding homilies the next 2 Saturdays. There are bulletins to proofread, prayers to compose, letters to write, and the dog needs a bath, the manse needs to be presentable for Sunday evening, family is coming on Monday and I still don’t have a present for my wife. But, I’m sure my to-do list is not all that different from yours. We should be used to it by now – Christmas always finds us not-quite-ready.
We should take comfort in knowing that God has already been exposed to the unpreparedness of humanity highlighted in the birth narratives we read each year. The good news is that at the right time “when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son” (Gal. 4:4). God’s timing is always good, even when ours may not be. So be patient with yourself these days. Remember that our job is to cheer and celebrate what God has done, is doing, and promises to do through Jesus Christ. Ready or not.
Don’t miss the wonderful services planned for these meaningful days.
Peace!
Pastor Osy
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Pageant Rehearsal Schedule
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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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Pastor Osy and Juli are once again extending you an inviation to stop by the manse (704 Forman Ave.) on Sunday, December 22 for some caroling. Caroling will take place twice at 5:30 and 7:00 pm on the porch and will include a brass ensemble. Light refreshments will be served inside.
It will be a joyous festive time that makes the season bright!
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Thanks to All the Helpers at PPPC
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Another St. Gregory's Toy Distribution has passed into history. Many, many children will find gifts under their tree and in their stockings due to the generosity of individuals and businesses of Point Pleasant and surrounding areas. It is so heart warming to experience this annual event. It would not happen without the efforts of countless individuals.
A special thank you goes to members of PPPC who:
- Gave a toy, gift card or money
- Helped to set up Wilton Hall after church on December 15th with a special thank you going to Will Smykowski and Justin Hurley, two of our youth, for hauling tables and bags of toys
- All who carried and set up tables, carried and unpacked bags of gifts
- Those who welcomed clients into our sanctuary on distribution day
- People who acted as shoppers and accompanied clients as they selected gifts for their children
- Our kitchen worker who made much needed coffee and who helped with the food for the volunteers
- All who helped clean up and bag up extra toys
- Everyone who offered prayers for the clients and the success of distribution.
Thank you one and all.
Christmas Peace,
Linda Chase
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Offering Envelopes for the New Year
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2020 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. Also, if you do not find a box and wish to receive one, please 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 have your 2019 donations into the office no later than Tuesday, December 31.
Anything received after that will be posted to your 2020 statement. Thank you for your faithful giving!
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Christmas Bulletin Folding on Monday
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Volunteers are needed again this year to come in on Monday, December 23 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.
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Volunteering for Christmas Day Dinner
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Once again this year our church has the privilege of hosting the Community Christmas Dinner. A lot of volunteers are needed to make the dinner an enjoyable occasion for our Ocean County neighbors.
The Christmas Dinner is staffed by volunteers, the majority of which are members or friends of the congregation. There are two ways YOU can volunteer.
The first is to provide a dessert item. Suggestions include small fresh fruit items such as small apples or tangerines (for non-bakers) or a homemade dessert such as cookies, cupcakes, brownies, etc.
The second way YOU can volunteer is to donate some of your time on Dec. 24 or Dec. 25. Below, you will find a list of openings we have.
Please call the church office if you can fill any of the openings.
Christmas Eve
5:30 PM - 6:30 pm - Carry food trays upstairs at annex (3 people needed)
Christmas Day
9:00 AM - 10:30 am Help slice bread and get serving stations ready (3 people needed)
10:30 AM - 11:30 am Prepare to-go meals (2 people needed)
11:30 AM - 12:30 pm Deliver meals to homebound (10 people needed)
10:00 AM - 2:00 pm Cook in kitchen (4 people needed)
11:45 AM - 2:00 pm Food servers (10 people needed)
11:45 AM - 2:00 pm Food runner (1 person needed)
11:45 AM - 2:00 pm Dessert server (1 person needed)
12:30 PM - 2:00 pm Trash removal ( 1 person needed)
2:00 PM - 3:30 pm Clean up (5 people needed)
12:00 PM - 2:00 pm Visit with guests ( unlimited people needed)
Thank you in advance to all who help make our guests feel welcome on this most
glorious day.
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- PPPC will be one of the designated sites for Monmouth Presbytery’s Sessional Book Review on May 9, 2020, starting at 9:00 AM.
- There will be a Stated Congregational Meeting after Worship on Sunday, January 26, 2020 to elect a Nominating Committee that will present future Deacons and Elders.
- Point Beach Prep Preschool will host an Open House in Wilton Hall on January 25th starting at 7:00 AM. Volunteers are welcome.
- Youth Bible Discussion will begin on January 12th, with participants meeting in the Fellowship Office after the sermon.
- Sunday School classes will not be held on 12/29/19 or 1/5/20; they will resume on January 12th.
- Finance Committee reported that PPPC may yet finish the 2019 Fiscal Year close to budget, planning to pay Presbytery our promised Per Capita and Benevolence commitments. Work has begun on a 2020 budget including Pastor Nominating Committee expenses.
- The kitchen in the Annex was professionally cleaned in mid-December.
- The Pastor Nominating Committee has met three times and is working on the Ministry Information Form. After Session approval, it will be sent to Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry for approval and then it will be uploaded for prospective candidates to review.
- Personnel Committee is planning an inter-generational event on Friday night, January 31st from 6:30—8:30 pm. You are invited to share food, fun, and fellowship!
- Christmas Day Dinner plans, under the leadership of Nancy Stout, are well underway. Kim Gaydos is fielding volunteer calls and Bette Hughes is compiling a volunteers roster.
- The newly formed Social Justice Committee, chaired by Lynn O’Hara, will be sponsoring a book club to share reactions to White Fragility beginning in January.
- A Children’s Art Exhibit is scheduled for January 10th through 31st in the North Hall Gallery.
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From the Personnel Committee
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The New Beginnings process revealed to us that as a community of faith, Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church identifies Ministry to Youth as a high priority.
The Personnel Committee is seeking to fill a part-time position to coordinate our youth activities. This person would seek to keep our young people involved in our mission while helping to deepen their walk with their Lord. We would love to talk and share ideas with anyone who may feel God calling them to be part of the “village it takes to raise a child” in the faith. Please talk to anyone on the Personnel team if you can help make this vision a reality.
Personnel Committee: Jim McGuire, Marge Meklin, Lynn Hahm,
Dee D’Amore, Diane Sikora, Jonathan Yount, Joe DeRosa
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Point Beach Prep This Week
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This week we had educational and fun field trips to Jenkinson's Aquarium! We saw sharks, parrots, seals and so much more! We especially enjoyed the focus room where we received a private lesson and got up close with a penguin and reptiles!
We also enjoyed our Christmas singalongs at the end of the week. Parents, grandparents and siblings were invited to sing Christmas carols with teachers and students. It was a festive way to kick off the holidays!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at Point Beach Prep Preschool!
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Thank you to everyone who ordered Poinsettias this year. Our Sanctuary is filled with their beauty. A list of donors can be found
online
and in the Christmas Eve bulletins.
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The Chancel Choir is taking a short break following the Christmas Eve services. The Chancel Choir will resume rehearsals on January 9 and the Choral Bells will begin again on January 13. We are always grateful to all our choirs for their dedication and hardwork throughout the year but especially each December we are reminded of what a blessing they are to our congregation!
If you have been considering joining one of these groups, January would be the perfect time!
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Be sure to post your Christmas message and/or drop off your Christmas cards in the Narthex in support of the EliSabeth-Verdella circle's mission outreach.
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.
You may write a brief message to all your Church family and friends on the poster board. 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 Creste Point Care Center.
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The Church office will have limited hours between Christmas and New Years. It is best to call before coming over. The office will be closed on
December 25
December 26
January 1
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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 22 - Liz Ploskonka
December 29 - Robin Cook and Peyton
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Upcoming Birthdays This Month
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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 22
10:00 a.m. - Worship/Choral Bell Choir
10:00 a.m. - Sunday School Begins in Worship
11:00 a.m. - Coffee Hour
11:00 a.m. - Mandatory Full Pageant Rehearsal, Sanctuary
2:30 p.m. - Creste Point Worship Service
5:30 p.m. - Caroling at the Manse, Part I
7:00 p.m. - Caroling at the Manse, Part 2
Monday, December 23
12:00 p.m. - Lunch at the Rainbow Diner, all welcome
1:00 p.m. - Christmas Bulletin Folding, Fellowship Room
Tuesday, December 24
2:30 p.m. - Christmas Pageant Dress Rehearsal
4:00 p.m. - Christmas Eve Service for Families
7:00 p.m. - Candlelight Christmas Eve Service with Communion and Music Soloists
11:00 p.m. - Candlelight Christmas Eve Service with Communion and Chancel Choir
Wednesday, December 25
12:00 p.m. - Christmas Dinner, Wilton Hall
Thursday, December 26
8:00 a.m. - Men's Breakfast, US Subs, Point Pleasant
Friday, December 27
Saturday, December 28
Sunday, December 29
10:00 a.m. - Worship with Lessons and Carols - No Sunday School
11:00 a.m. - Coffee Hour
Upcoming Events
Confirmation for those in grades 7 and above will begin in mid February
More information to come.
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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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