Weekly News For
Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church
May 24, 2020
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Please note: The Sunday Worship Invitation email is sent out separately on Saturday mornings. Feel free to forward the invitation along to family and friends.
Call the office if you have any questions
or need help joining.
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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
The Prayer Family
for the week is the Smith family. Let us be prayerfully aware of Rod and Janet as well as all our members and friends.
Prayer Concerns
: Katie Hoffmaster Barberi, the family of Eva Welch in England.
Long term concerns
: Stephen Bardsley; Jacob Basilotto; Ed Jung; Despina Koch; Gwen McFaddan; Jacob Mendelsohn; Leigh Millar; Melissa Millar; Dale Norby; Marilyn Powell; Tom Ploskonka; Owen Provencer, Geoff Reilly; Susan Robbins, Bill Shoppell; Linda Lee Smith; Millage Youenger; Lorraine 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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Not being able to hold services last Sunday due to technical difficulties beyond our control was disappointing. But the hidden blessing for me was that we were able to gather for worship on a Thursday evening and celebrate the Ascension of our Lord on the 40th day of Easter, which is something I haven’t experienced in my 30+ years of ministry.
That became one more reason for gratitude found during these ‘in-between’ times. That was just one of the suggestions I shared in my meditation at the service. Below you will find the others, which I hope will become sources of blessings to you as well.
Peace ,
Pastor Osy
Here is a partial “to do” list from the 13th chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews:
“Let mutual love continue
Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them
Remember those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured
Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have
Remember your leaders – pray for us!”
And here are a few that may resonate with you:
pray for the sick and watch out for the vulnerable
be advocates for justice, equality, and fairness
find reasons for gratitude
help us reshape our vision of what the church can and should be
feed the hungry
house the homeless
read your Bible, pray and learn to worship from home
nurture and teach our children
support health professionals, first respondents, and essential personnel
support our High School and college students whose summer jobs disappeared
keep our facilities ready for when other groups, troops and clubs can meet again.
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Session Highlights
From the May 19, 2020 Meeting
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This week was PPPC’s Host Week for Interfaith Hospitality Network families. We celebrate with the family of four who this week moved into their own housing. Until they moved, volunteers from our church provided meals, snacks, and toilet paper and paper towels for the family in the IHN Day Center in Toms River. Thanks to the PPPC chefs who delivered their meals and snacks and to the donors of items for their new home. Special thanks go to St. Gregory’s Pantry which shared their supply of paper towels and toilet paper with IHN. Let us continue to pray for this family who are so excited about their new home.
Session unanimously approved to proceed with the Baptism of Daniel and Everett Nuesch, sons of Christopher and Erin Nuesch, grandsons of Osy and Juli Nuesch, in our Sanctuary on Trinity Sunday, June 7th, if the way be clear. Pastor Osy will officiate and all will comply with required social distancing at a gathering of fewer than ten people. Those viewing the service via Zoom will represent the Church at large as we welcome these children into the body of Christ.
A motion was approved to move our phone/internet account from Verizon to Xfinity for the C.E. Annex. The new contract will give expanded services at a cost savings. The contract with Xfinity with the Church will also be renewed.
The Food Drive held on Saturday morning with Sunday afternoon pick-ups collected almost a truckload (Frank’s pickup was ¾ full) of food supplies that were delivered to St. Gregory’s Pantry. Thank you to all who donated and those who picked up and delivered food.
Personnel Committee has been meeting with all staff members, thanking them for their efforts and reassuring them during these unusual days. The Committee is still hopeful that a Director of Youth Ministries will be identified by the fall.
The Christian Education Committee reminds us that applications for the Griggs Scholarship should be submitted by May 22nd. Confirmation Class is receiving lessons by e-mail and doing activities during a Zoom class meeting. No date has been set yet for Confirmation. Sunday School Zoom classes were offered May 3, 10, and 17th under the enthusiastic leadership of our Sunday School Coordinator. There will be no Vacation Bible School this year due to COVID-19. Boy Scouts are meeting by Zoom and doing challenges while camping in their own back yards.
The offerings for April and the first half of May, although slightly lower than last year at this time, have allowed us to meet all our expenses, since these were also lower than last year’s. The Session, on behalf of the Church, is grateful to the members and friends who are in a position to maintain their faithful support.
Pastor Nominating Committee reported that they are meeting weekly. They have reviewed about 50 Personal Information Forms and have selected a few candidates for further contact. After formulating interview questions, they practiced mock interviews with feedback from Pastor Osy. The PNC asks for your continued prayers as they begin first round of interviews with potential candidates in June.
Elder Barbara Reusch, Clerk of Session
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I have lost count of how many weeks we’ve all been social distancing. We have lost the in-person support of fellowship and connecting with friends and family. This is no small thing.
All the checking-in that happens on Sundays and during the week may now be waving hands across the Zoom screen and hurried hello’s so I take this time to ask, how are you doing? Do you know how you are doing?
It’s not a silly question although for all intents it sounds like it is. Let me explain. I’m not asking if you know whether or not you have COVID-19. I am asking if you’ve taken the time to check in with yourself to see how you actually are doing with everything.
In times of stress we can react in many ways. We can go into fight or flight mode, we can shut down, we can get busy doing things, we can cope using food, alcohol or drugs. The list goes on and on in the ways we can react in times of stress. What makes this time so difficult for many is that we are being told to stay home and not do anything. We are used to handling times of stress by jumping in and “taking care of business.” This time the taking care is to stay home and not do. Many of us are facing enormous financial concerns, some are facing safety issues, some are having to go to the front lines either in a hospital or grocery store and many are having to become the sole source of entertainment and education for their children. The point is, I can’t think of anyone who is not affected in some way by the corona virus. So back to my question, how are you doing?
It is easy to forget that this will end. It’s easy to get caught up in our own swirling minds full of fears and concerns. This is all the more reason to really check in and see how you are doing. Are you sleeping? Are you eating the best you can? Are you getting exercise? All these things are so very important in times of stress to keep us as healthy as can be. But I also want you to notice how you’re feeling. Are you constantly stressed? Depressed? Are you feeling hopeless? Maybe you’re noticing a constant state of vigilance? This is just a sampling of all normal responses to what is going on but the important piece is for you to take the time to notice it. Asking yourself the questions, “how am I being impacted and what do I need”, can go a long way to help soothe your jangled nervous system. Just noticing the state of your inner world can be helpful. Validate for yourself how you feel. Please, please do not compare your own situation to anyone else. That is a waste of time and energy and triggers feelings of shame to pile on top of everything else. Your own experience in this time is what is important.
Think of this time as similar to the instructions you’re given on an airplane if the oxygen masks are put in use. Put your own mask on first and then tend to the others who need help. If you do not tend to your own health and well-being during this chaotic and unprecedented time you won’t have the resources to be there for the ones around you. Until next time, stay physically distant, eat healthy, be healthy and wash your hands!
Elder Lynn
Lynn O’Hara, MS, RD, LPC, Licensed Psychotherapist and Registered Dietitian
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It is with both sadness and resurrection hope that we report the death of Elder Diantha Matthews-Brown,
who was called to God's nearer presence on May 9, 2020.
Diantha was an active, dedicated and enthusiastic member of Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church since joining in 1988.
Funeral services were handled privately through Colonial Funeral Home. Diantha's obituary can be viewed
online.
Please keep her family and her widower George Brown in your prayers. George is legally blind and is in a local nursing home. With libraries currently closed, George is unable to get any audio books on CD. If you have any audio books on CD that you are willing to lend to him, please contact Susan Robbins or the office.
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Our church grounds have always enhanced the neighborhood in which it is located. Those who pass by could witness the life, hope and joy our gardens display. Unfortunately now in our time away, the garden beds are showing a lack of energy and activity on our property.
We are need of volunteers who would like to stop over and do a little weeding. Areas that particularly need attention are the beds along the Forman Avenue entrance and the front of the Annex. Mulch will soon be delivered towards the end of the month so we would like to have the beds weeded by the time we take delivery. This is a great project for someone looking to get out in the fresh air for a little bit. If practicing social distancing this would be a great way to catch up with a friend as you weed together. A family might even consider coming over and weeding as an activity to share outside together. Gardening is therapeutic –and this may be the type of self care you need. Experience is not needed, but plants respond well to a smile. No need to sign up or call first. Drop in anytime.
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Wedding Anniversaries 50 years or More
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Those with an anniversary 50 years or more should have received an email requesting a wedding picture.
We will gladly coordinate stopping by and taking a quick digital picture of your wedding picture if need be. This can be done with social distancing and pictures can remain in albums. If you would like to learn more, please call the office. We are working on a special project for Anniversary Sunday next month. You do not have to have been married at PPPC for this project.
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PPPC Sunday School Online: It Works!
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Our last Sunday School session was again held as a Zoom gathering. Luckily, we were able to squeeze in our meeting just before Zoom crashed around the world!
It’s impressive to see how the participant families set up for the online sessions. Happily, the children are native born to the technology and respond very well during our time together. We enjoy the graphics, dance clips, and Bible Story videos that help us deliver the curriculum in a vivid manner online. We can talk together, pray together, and even dance! Adaptable follow-up activities arrive in homes via email.
The Sunday School curriculum draws from scripture to provide
guidance for all of us especially at this unique time.
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Thank you to everyone who contributed to the PW Clothing Drive. A big thank you to Diane Manzo who coordinated this effort in difficult circumstances and to those who helped.
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Calling the Class of 2020
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PPPC would like to recognize High School and College Graduates for the Class of 2020. If someone in your family will be graduating this year, please let us know.
For High School Graduates please send us their name, the school where they are graduating from and their plans for next year.
For our College Graduates please email us the degree/major and the name of the school. Emails can be sent to mail@pointpresbyterian.org. Our graduates will be recognized in the newsletter on May 31, 2020.
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Point Beach Prep Preschool
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Point Beach Prep has Pre-k availability for September. If you are interested in finding out more information, please contact Devlin House at 732-701-9900 or email
pointbeachprep@hotmail.com
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Check out our Facebook page to see some of the things we are learning online. Point Beach Prep is learning and fun, all in one!
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Monday, May 25 - Memorial Day
Virtual Office Closed
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Monday, June 1- Deacon's Meeting
Tuesday, June 2 - PNC
Wednesday, June 3 - Re-opening Strategy Meeting
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Upcoming Birthdays This Month
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May 22 Gerard Jalowski, Daniel Scarpone Jr.
May 23 Catherine Walker
May 24 Hannah Davison
May 25 Deirdre D'Amore, Diane Legreide,
Hannah Ploskonka
May 26 Jane Lambie
May 27
May 28 Diane Manzo
May 29 Karen Baron
May 30
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All of God's Grace in one Little Face
Osy and Juli Nuesch proudly announce the birth of their fifth grandchild
Anastasia Elizabeth Self
Born on May 19th, Anastasia was 7 lbs. 15 oz. and 20 inches.
She joins sister Johannah and brother John Mark.
Parents Jeremy and Carolyn Self are doing well.
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Contact Us
Pastoral Staff
The Rev. Mr. Osvaldo Nuesch, Interim Pastor -
Email
The Rev. Dr. Eileen Lindner, Parish Associate -
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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