First Presbyterian Church of Bordentown Church Address: 420 Farnsworth Avenue

Office Address: 435 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown, NJ 08505

Office Phone: 609-298-1243

www.bordentownpresbyterian.org bordentownpresbyterian@gmail.com

August 2016 From the pastor

Summer Crosses With their long, warm days, the summer months are (hopefully) a me for us to slow down and relax a li le more. In the na onal and interna onal news, however, this past month has been anything but relaxing. We’ve witnessed an onslaught of reports about gun violence, hate crimes, and mass murder. Grief, fear, and anger pervade our atmosphere, and many of our poli cians are only making it more toxic. No wonder if the spirit of summer feels a bit heavier than usual. How do we, as people of faith, posture ourselves in this social and poli cal climate? One op on is simply to remove ourselves from the foray: turn off the TV, put down the newspaper, avoid any las ng thoughts and feelings about any tragedy or difficulty that does not touch us personally. It’s an understandably temp ng op on. But if our God is truly one of infinite compassion, who willingly and unfailingly suffers and rejoices with all of crea on, then this op on is not for us. As Chris ans, we believe that God entered into the world through the person of Jesus Christ; so, as disciples of Jesus, we can’t stay at a distance (physical or mental) from the world and its suffering. Another op on is to throw ourselves into the foray: keep our TVs on constantly, mu er or shout at the journalists, immerse our minds and hearts in the tragedies and the issues behind them. This op on is temp ng for its own reasons. Perhaps we love to feel connected to what’s going on in the world, or perhaps we feel a need to be indignant at something. Regardless of our reasons, this op on brings great risk of emo onal burn‐out. As Chris ans, we strive to imitate the God of infinite compassion, but we ourselves were made to be finite. The full weight of today’s na onal and interna onal crises is too much for any of us to carry, and God knows that. It’s not our cross to bear. We’re trying to walk a tough line here: prac cing compassion while receiving Christ’s peace, a ending to our neighbor’s pain while enjoying God’s gi s to us, being ac ve ci zens of this crazy world while regarding the realm of God as our ul mate home. How do we find this balance? It’s an open ques on and an ongoing challenge for us all. “Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). We are called to share in the joys and sorrows of others — whether they’re coming to us through a news story from the other side of the world, or whether they’re coming from down the street or even our own household. As we con nue to follow the na onal and interna onal news, and as we par cipate in ac vi es that foster a be er future, let us not neglect the joys and sorrows that are right in front of us. They are certainly a part of our cross to bear. Peace, William 

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We are planning to start a senior group (Ages 55+) in the fall! Our first gathering will be a picnic sometime in September. We will discuss a name for the group and different kinds of activities to plan. Some possible ideas might include trips to historical spots, museums, shows, guest speakers, restaurants, etc. If you have any ideas or questions, please see Kathie Ackerman, Gail Fouse, or Marion Stoneback.

August 3 — Michael Burke Tina Vilic August 5 — John Robertshaw August 8 — Jonathan Andrus August 9 — Ed Dallas August 10— Karen Chamberlin Kevin Pa erson August 11— Patricia Tassi August 16— Alyssa Marche August 20— Anne Chidley Robert Horton August 22— Terry Fouse August 23— Amy Dallas August 26— Zachary Lyszczak August 30— Elke McAteer August 31— Cassie Bolinger Clare Anna Burke

August 4

Winston & Victoria Taylor

August 18 George & Sandra Carmichael

August 21

Terry & Gail Fouse

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAY-ERS

Marie Katona; Vincene Palmonari; Evelyn Seyebe; Edith Van Arsdale; Paul Sootkoos; Mae Hamilton; Jean Allegre . Please contact the office or the Deacon on call if you wish to add someone to this long-term pray-er list.

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WHO’S IN CHARGE FOR AUGUST

Pastoral Care—Pastor William Stell PastorWilliam@bordentownpresbyterian.org Church Office: (609) 298‐1243 Cell: (609) 316‐7165 Deacon‐on‐Call or the Deacon moderator (Pat Andrus, 499‐1038) Director of Music — Gwendolyn Huber Accompanist — Dr. Bob Lowden Secretary — Donna Valeri, Office 298‐1243

Office Hours: Wed, Thurs, Fri 10‐2 bordentownpresbyterian@gmail.com

Sunday Mornings To volunteer:  to be a Worship Reader, or for Fellowship Hour, please contact Kathie Ackerman.

Worship Readers 8/07— Marlene Lyszczak 8/14 — Kathie Ackerman 8/21 — Pat Terry 8/28— Donna Po s Fellowship Hour Fellowship will con nue all summer in the air condi oned Fellowship Hall. All are encouraged to come as a way to get to know our new Pastor. Simple refreshments will be available with no sign‐ups necessary. If you have something you would like to share, bring it along. Lemonade and iced tea will always be on the table. Thanks to everyone who has signed up for refreshments throughout the year. Your efforts have been greatly appreciated. Communion Servers — August Kerri Pell, Melonie Newton, Nancy Grim, Amy Dallas Communion Servers — September Deb Branson, Lisa Van Pelt, Kathie Seaman, John Burke

Deacons’ Corner

Deacons’ Mee ng August 14 following Worship

THE LATEST: Helping Hands forms are in a basket on the counter at the back of the sanctuary. Please take me to fill out a form and return it to the same basket or mail it to the church office. The deacons will use this informa on to contact volunteers for meal prepara on, transporta on, prayer chain, visita on to the home bound, etc. FOOD PANTRY: Ongoing dona ons of non‐perishable food are collected in the yellow plas c bucket at the rear of the sanctuary. A deacon delivers these to St. Mary’s Food Pantry. Current needs of the Food Pantry include: canned peas; potatoes; beets; peanut bu er; jelly; macaroni and cheese; cereal; bo led water; tea bags; cat and dog food (for the new Pet Pantry, sponsored by Bordentown Cats and Bordentown Dog Lovers). MEDICAL SUPPLY CLOSET: Please contact the Deacon on Call if you are in need of med‐ical supplies (i.e. walkers, canes, portable toilets). We are not collec ng addi onal supplies at this me. Deacon on call: Pat Andrus 499-1038 Your Deacons, Pat Andrus, Karen Chamberlin, Amy Dallas, Simmee Darpino, Jane Erickson, Marlene Lyszczak, Guy Tassi, Lisa VanPelt

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Our next Bread of Life Mission Meals: Sunday, August 28, 2016 (immediately following worship) If you would like to donate to this worthwhile mission in our church, write a check to The First Presbyterian Church in Bordentown and write “Mission” or “Bread of Life Meals” in the memo section. Next Grocery Bag Mission due date: Week of August 21-27, deliver items to the First Baptist Church in Bordentown. Our church provides 50 microwaveable meals for the homeless each month. Our donation is combined with donations from other churches to provide 20-30 grocery bags to homeless families living in local area motels. Some examples are pop-top soup cans, Chef-Boyardee pasta meals, or cans of stew. Donna Potts has left a pot in the back of the church with soup can labels for your reference. If you can donate some items for this monthly collection, please place them in this pot. Remember—the need is greater when school is out! Ready to distribute Mission Meals: The Mission Team has been making up paper bags containing non-perishable food that can be stored and are ready to be distributed. The bags consist of bottles of water, juice, cereal, soups, microwaveable meals, fruit cups, puddings and anything else that stores well and doesn’t need refrigeration. Please help us continue this important mission in our church by making up a bag now and then that can be stored at the church. Give your donated bag to anyone on the Mission Team and we will put it in storage. Grace and Peace to all! The Mission Team, Karen Chamberlin, Jane Erickson, Nancy Foster, Bobbi Maiuro, Donna Potts, Karin Venezia

NEEDED!! Sunday School Teachers!

Our Sunday School Program is a one-room, rotation program. Two teachers spend 45 minutes with the students once a week (usually about 7-8 students), working on arts and crafts, activities and watching movies that help teach God's word and Bible lessons to our Sunday School students. If you are interested please let Dana Maiuro know! These programs run on volunteers just like you! All you need is a love for kids and some Sunday morning availability. It's so much easier for teachers to be teachers when they're allowed to go on a vacation every once in a while or heaven forbid, catch a cold on a Sunday! If we have enough volunteers you'd be on the schedule once or twice a month at the most. Please consider volunteering and keeping our Sunday School Program alive!

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

7:30 pm

Women’s AA

2

3

4

7:30 pm AA

5 6 Church

Picnic

1 pm

7 9:30 Worship

Communion

Picnic rain date

8 VBS 6-8pm

7:30 pm

Women’s AA

9 VBS 6-8pm

7 pm Session

10 VBS 6-8pm

11 VBS 6-8pm

7:30 pm AA

12 VBS 6-8pm

13

14 9:30 Worship

Deacons mtg

15

7:30 pm

Women’s AA

16 17 7 pm B&G

18 8 am Men’s Breakfast 7:30 pm AA

19 20

21 9:30 Worship

22

7:30 pm

Women’s AA

23 24

25 7:30 pm AA

26 27

28 9:30 Worship

Mission Meal

29 7:30 pm

Women’s AA

30 31

OFFICE HOURS: Wed, Thurs, Fri 10am-2pm SUNDAY MORNINGS: Worship 9:30 am

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Many thanks to the various committee members and the many others from the congregation at large for their efforts in making the numerous manse repairs and upgrades in preparation for our new Pastor. This experience reminds us that there are many ways that each of us can participate in our property upkeep. These vary from one-time simple tasks like work on clean up days, to rou-

tine tasks like landscape care, to larger projects that require special funding. A couple examples of project work currently on our list are replacing the ceiling tiles in the third floor classroom of Play and Learn, and secondly, to repair the painting on the bell tower inside the sanctuary (several church members have volunteered to develop this project). Several projects that require special funding and are high in priority include: painting the P&L windows and all exterior wood-work, painting of the interior of the sanctuary, and repairs and painting of the woodwork on both towers. Work plans have begun for the P&L window painting and storm window repair, which we hope to complete this summer while P&L is closed. If you wish to volunteer for any of the Buildings & Grounds Committee's activities/projects, please see any member. You may also assist with the projects that require special funding at any time by marking a special contribution to the Building Fund or Evergreen Fund. Thank you, Buildings & Grounds Committee

Vacation Bible School Kids Caring for Community

Kindergarten - 5th Grade August 8th - 12th 6-8 pm

Vacation Bible School – Kids Caring for the Com-

munity will be held here at First Presbyterian Church from August 8th-12th for kids in Kindergarten through 5th grade, from 6-8 pm. Please see Da-na Maiuro. Registration forms are on the church counter.

A big thank you from the Youth Group to Mr. Burke and the Kohnke Family for their donation of a brand new projector !! For years we've relied (usually on Mr. Burke) for access to his work projector. Now we have our own! New mission trip slideshows and Youth Sunday videos are coming soon!

Thank you all so much for my gift and for Simmee's thank you in worship a few weeks ago. Aside from when I'm with my family, this is one of the few other places where I always feel at home when I walk in. It's because of this amazing community of people and my funny, lovable groups of kids that I can be so successful!! So thank you all for being you and giving me the opportunity to do what I love to do! Love, Dana

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Music Notes Choir rehearsals are expected to begin on Thursday, September 15th and Handbell rehearsals on September 29th at the usual mes. Stay tuned to your emails for any changes. In the mean me please check your calendars and let me know if you will be present on the 15th. Handbells: please consult your calendars for your Sundays away and let me know. 3rd Sundays through December and 1st Sundays therea er? Or??? Cafe 420/Concert Series This October we will forgo Cafe 420 on the second Friday for a Piano Concert in the Sanctuary by Bob Lowden at 12:30 on Sunday, October 16. Please add this to your calendars. If you haven't heard Bob play the piano outside a church service, you'll want to hear his "other side".

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First Presbyterian Church of Bordentown 435 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown, New Jersey 08505

www.bordentownpresbyterian.org bordentownpresbyterian@gmail.com

GREETERS Greeters are needed for every Sunday in August.

Please contact Kathie Ackerman at AckermanKathie10@gmail.com or (609) 298-0661

AUGUST CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS! Bring canned/packaged meals for Bordentown Motel Ministry 

On the THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH (August 21) EVERY WEEK — Bring non‐perishables for the Food Pantry 

  

August 7 — Communion August 8-12 from 6-8 pm Vaca on Bible School (Kids Caring for Community) August 14 —Deacons’ Mee ng August 21 —Bring food for Bordentown Motel Ministry August 28 — Mission Meal following Worship