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Packanack Community
Church
January 2020
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Your January e-Bell is here!
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Follow that star, follow that star,
Uncover the mystery of Who You are
I've searched for a lifetime
I've come from afar
Discovered my destiny
is to follow that star
What joy, what hope, what good news
He brings to me and you
~Baloche Rita Gannon
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The two words
theophany
and
epiphany
have similar meanings, they both suggest a divine appearance or manifestation, but that is where the similarity ends.
Theophany
is a temporary showing or appearance of God to a particular people. Epiphany is the continual presence of God to benefit all the earth. Here are a couple of examples of theophany.
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Moses was climbing Mount Horeb when he saw a burning bush. Out of curiosity, Moses approaches the bush and it speaks to him. He is stunned and discovers that the voice is God’s voice telling him that he will soon deliver his fellow Israelites from slavery out of Egypt. Great deal!
In another example, Jacob is awakened from a great dream to find a man standing next to him challenging him to a wrestling match. The match goes all night until daybreak and it’s then that Jacob realizes he was wrestling with God. Jacob gets a new name “Israel” and a new identity out of the deal, not too shabby!
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Epiphany
, on the other hand is the divine and permanent living presence of God in the person of Jesus who walked and talked, ate and drank, taught and preached for the benefit of everyone for all time.
Our Christian celebration of the epiphany (a Greek word most nearly meaning divine appearance) is January 6, and that is the date marking Christ’s presence announced to the world by way of the special visitation of the Magi from the East.
Epiphany is a special time, it brings newness, mystery and possibility to the world. Unlike theophany, epiphany is the continual-ongoing presence for the entire world to share in.
In Gospel of John we read: “The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.” (John 3:35)
We could only guess at what John meant by “everything,” but to take this literally it might possibly mean that Jesus would do the great “cosmic” work of God’s plan of restoration and renewal for the entire creation. That is how I like to understand what is meant by “everything.”
So here we are in a New Year 2020 with a new decade ahead of us, anticipating new experiences, with a new hope looking forward to experiencing the ongoing epiphany that God has in store for us individually, our families, our friends, our work, our communities, our church and our world.
Indeed, as we watch and wait for God to enchant our lives, our world, our everything, let us respond and partake by singing a new song this year, planning a new decade for our lives, our own personal beatitude of gratitude and praise for what God has done and will do in and through Christ Jesus for all.
For in Christ Jesus, God has announced and declared the great and beautiful work of new things for everyone, and “everything”…everywhere!
“Carpe Decennium,”
Pastor B
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The elves were busy decorating our church for Christmas on Mon, Nov 25. Thank you to all those who helped to bring the Christmas spirit to PCC!
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Some precious moments from the 5pm Christmas Eve Service
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On behalf of the Deacons and the entire congregation, I would like to thank all those who made the Christmas concert as huge success! It was such a joy to share in the beautiful music of the season and to have so many participants and such a large audience! Thank you to our amazing Music Director, Daniel Mullens for putting together such a glorious celebration. Thank you to those who shared their talents including The Chancel Choir, The Agape Handbell Ensemble, Pastor Bernie, Peter Candela, Jillian Rovere, Michele Forrest, Sydney Perry, and The Anderson Family. Glory to God in the Highest and Peace on Earth!
Lauri Masur, Chair, Deacons
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Angels Calling Christmas Gift Ministry
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Thank you to everyone that purchased gifts or contributed money to support our annual gift giving ministry. Through your generosity we were able to supply gifts for 30 children in Paterson and 5 families within the Wayne community.
The following texts were received from members of the Wayne families that we assisted.
‘Thank you so much – The children loved everything.’
‘OMG – the children are so happy with the gifts’
‘You guys always get us things we like or need. Thanks so much for always thinking of us. Your Christmas gifts always cheer us up.’
The church also received letters of thanks from Mayor Vergano, Rosemary Acampora at Wayne Social Services and Welfare office and the Salvation Army of Paterson. Copies of the letters are posted on the bulletin board at the church.
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On December 9
th
a group gathered in Simmons Hall to put together tins of cookies for shut-ins and those who needed some extra Christmas cheer this year. Cookies came from all over – some were home-baked, some were store bought and some came courtesy of the Packanack Garden Club who donated all of the leftover cookies from wreathmaking to PCC! We put together 35 tins of cookies and all signed up to deliver them to a list of those who we thought needed them. It is such a heart-warming experience to visit with those in need, cookies in hand, and to know that others are doing the same. All those who received visits were very appreciative!
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Christmas Eve Poinsettia Dedications
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Thank you to everyone who helped us provide poinsettias for Christmas Eve.
In loving memory of Robert Nebeling, from Barbara and all the family.
Given by Fred and Elfriede Schneider in appreciation for family and friends.
Best wishes to all our family and friends in this time of happiness, love and joy,
from Dick and Becky Yates.
To celebrate my family, especially my sweet nephews and niece, Ian, Matthew, and Mia,
from Kristin Jarger.
In memory of my grandparents, Willis and Ruby Sare, from Linda Baker.
In honor of our loved ones who are no longer with us,from The Golam and Jauch families.
In honor of friends, church family, and family present and those who have left us,
from Dominick and Sandra Colotta.
In loving memory of our parents, Samuel & Josephine Matino & David & Anna Marie Ober,
from Dave and Joanne Ober.
With love and gratitude for family, friends and our church, from Hans and Gunnel Ruffler.
Remembering loved ones, from Phil and Lenore Ochs.
In memory of my beloved husband, Hon. Amos C. Saunders, from Janet Saunders.
In honor of Christmas joy for all of our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren,
from Dusty and Lou Peters.
In celebration of our family far and near, from the Tiger family.
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PCNS OPEN HOUSE AND REGISTRATION
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PCNS annual Open House and Registration will take place on January 22-23. Church members who wish to enroll their children in PCNS for the 2020-2021 school year can pick up registration forms in the church office.
Church members receive priority registration at PCNS but must return registration forms before the deadline of January 21, 2020
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"Spread the Love" A Family Valentine's Celebration - Friday, February 7
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Packanack Community Faith Formation Program is excited to invite all preschool and elementary school students and their families to a Valentine's Celebration on Friday, February 7, 2020 at 7:00pm.
This family celebration will include a brief prayer service, music, games, and refreshments.
Click here
for more information on the event.
Please RSVP by February 1.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 22
GRAINS OF HOPE MEAL-PACKING EVENT
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Last year, volunteers from PCC attended this annual event held at Pequannock MS. There were 175,000 meals packed in one day. These are specially fortified mac and cheese packages that actually feed an entire family of four. Half of the meals go to NJ and the other half go to Haiti. Volunteers are given a time slot and work for only about 1.5 hours. Participants from PCC must be registered. This is OK for children probably age 10+.
If interested or have questions, please call Lisa Seela at 908-337-8061 by Wednesday, January 15.
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Liturgists, Hosts and Greeters
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Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to serve our congregation as a Liturgist or Host & Greeter on Sunday mornings. This is a valuable ministry of our church and your participation as a worship leader is greatly appreciated.
The schedule for 2019-2020 dates is
here.
The schedule for the upcoming weeks is shown below. Please check the list to make sure the information is accurate.
If there are any errors (or if you would like to volunteer), please contact the Office Manager, Kathy Swede, at
office@packanack.com
.
Liturgists:
January 19- Linda Baker
January 26- Lauri Masur
February 2- Bobby Seela
February 9- Carey Lochridge
February 16- Tim Cantwell
February 23- Ned Forrest
Hosts and Greeters
January 19- Steve and Karen Rusiniak
January 26-Bobby and Lisa Seela
February 2- Ada and Tish Liggett
February 9- Elfriede Schneider and Brenda Kurtyka
February 16- Melissa Kaus and Angel Cabello
February 23- Martha Edgar and Barbara Nebeling
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Flowers for the Communion Table
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The 2020 Flower Chart is posted on the bulletin board in the narthex. Please sign up for a Sunday to provide flowers for the communion table.
You can bring your own flower arrangement or Bosland's Flower Shop in Wayne will give a 50% discount for your order and will deliver the flowers to the church.
Flower dedications should be emailed to
office@packanack.com
at least one week in advance in order to appear on the Sunday announcement sheet.
Upcoming flower signups:
January 19- Cantwell
January 26-
OPEN
February 2-
OPEN
February 9-
OPEN
February 16- Lochridge
February 23-
OPEN
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Sunday, January 19
Worship in the Sanctuary, 10:00 AM
Sunday, January 26
Worship in the Sanctuary, 10:00 AM
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Please send cards to Church Members Who Have Moved Away
Several church members have moved from our area to be closer to family members. The following individuals would greatly appreciate receiving cards and staying in touch with our congregation:
973-694-8993
Alva Breithaupt
,
1275 Turnpike Street, Unit 203, North Andover, MA 01845
A letter from her family expressed how much she appreciates our cards and phone calls. Her phone number is 978-258-0604. She can best be reached in her apartment at the following times: 11am - 12noon, 3-5pm, and after 7pm.
Betty Fenyo
,
Bickford of Suffolk, 6860 Harbour View Blvd. #405, Suffolk, VA 23435
Jessie Goehner,
132 Warwick Road, Apt. 1-C, Haddonfield, NJ 08033
The Rev. Dick Batchelder
,
9115 Warrens Way, Wanaque, NJ 07465
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Cindy Clarke
Wilma Nydam
Jim Klein
Bob Butler, Claire Butler's son
William and Claire Butler
Patrick Bosma, Ray and Diane Bosma’s grandson
Helen Barton, Claire Butler’s sister
James Gould, Virginia Gould's
Bridget Davis
Dusty Peters
Wendy Simon, Barbara Nebeling's daughter
Nicholas Serenkov-Son of Eugeniy and Marina Serenkov, Manse Tenants
Nicole Fini, friend of Joan Riley
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Packanack Community Church Putting God's Love in Motion
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Sign Up for " This Week at a Glance"
To receive a copy of "This Week at a Glance", our weekly email detailing all of our upcoming events, send a request to office@packanack.com.
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