1

EXPECTATIONS

Emmanuel is a growing,

welcoming, caring

community, celebrating the

rich diversity of God’s

Creation, treasuring our

common humanity and

following the way of Christ’s

love, justice and mercy in

today’s world..

The Ministry at Emmanuel

Ministers

All Who Love & Serve God

Senior Minister

Pastor Kenneth Gill

IN THIS ISSUE

Table of Contents

Welcome……….………………1

Pastor Judy’s Message…..…2

Church Ministries…….........3-6

News/Celebration..…...…..7-17 Calendar...……...……...…......18 Sunday Worship 10:30 am All are Welcome!

www.emmanuelridgewood.org https://facebook.com/emmanuelridgewood Twitter.com/emmanuel07450

Monthly Newsletter December

A WELCOMING CHURCH

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Advent Reflections

The Advent Season has come again when we are invited to make our journey to Bethlehem to see the loving kindness of the Lord revealed in the baby Jesus in the manger.

This season we rejoice, for Jesus’ coming brings us “good news of great joy.” It brings us peace and hope and light in our darkness.

We can hardly believe that God would be this humble, this self-giving, this vulnerable, in order to be Emmanuel, God-with-us! But such is the depth of God’s love for us. Seeing Jesus in the manger changes our understanding of God completely, for now we see God’s tender mercy, pure compassion, and loving presence as never before.

God has come to dwell with us and in us!

Let us respond with this prayer, in the words of Phillips Brooks who wrote the carol, “O Little Town of Bethlehem”:

“O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;

cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;

O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel!”

Thoughts from Pastor Judy

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Two frozen turkeys and 10 bags of requested food items and a truckload of potatoes,

onions, and carrots were delivered to the Center for Food Action last week for Thanksgiving

baskets. Thanks to everyone who helped with this project.

As of Nov. 18th, $575 had been contributed for The World Mission Offering to help ABCUSA

missionaries abroad. There is one Sunday left for this offering. Perhaps we can exceed our goal!

Explanatory brochures and offering envelopes will be in the worship bulletins on Nov. 25th.

Looking ahead to December, Christmas gifts of clothes and toiletries will be collected for

Covenant House which houses homeless young people. A box under the Mission Bulletin Board

will be provided along with a list of suggested gifts . Hurrah for our mission-minded Church! We

will also be offering opportunities for people to purchase alternative gifts for Christmas presents

such as chickens, goats, and food items for needy persons in under- developed countries. These

lists will be available on December 2nd at fellowship hour.

We must remember to fulfill our $10,000 pledge to Baptist Camp Lebanon by the end of

2019. So far we have contributed about $7000. If you made a pledge, remember to pay it

off. Food for December will go to the Ridgewood Board of Social Services.

MISSIONS …………..at home and around the world

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Sundays at 9:15 in the Library Advent Readings and Reflections

All are invited to join in the Biblical readings from The Prophets and

The Gospels and share reflections during this Advent Season.

The SHARE luncheon will take place

at the Cottage Place residence on

Tuesday, Dec. 11 at noon.

Women of Emmanuel are doing a Journal/Program

for the All Seasons Concert in March. To date $2000

has been sold and received in ads.

THE MITTEN TREE will be up the beginning of

November to receive unwrapped new clothing, toys,

and books for children between birth and 13 years of

age. The gifts will be delivered December 10th to the

Bergen County Office for Children in Hackensack

where they will be sorted and distributed

to over 1800 children of needy families.

Dec. 3, 2018 , 7:30-9 PM

Join us in praying for mutual concerns and

reflection on Step 11 of the Twelve-Step Program:

“An Alternative Mind”

“It is work to learn how to pray, largely the work of emptying the mind and filling the heart… Prayer is not about changing God, but being willing to let God change us… Peoples’ willingness to find God in their own struggle with life— and let it change them— is their deepest and truest obedience to God’s eternal will.”

-Richard Rohr-

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CULTURES AND FRIENSHIP INTERNATIONAL

This international friendship group will have its Christmas Luncheon at noon on Dec. 12. See Pastor Judy for details.

WOMEN’S REFLECTION GROUP Join us on Dec. 16 at 7 for our monthly gathering for mutual support and Biblical reflection on Advent readings from Sacred Space.

COMMUNITY PASTA DINNER There will be no Pasta Dinner in December due to Christmas. Enjoy the holidays.

Readers’ Choice Will meet at the home of Kathleen Gaul on Friday, Jan. 25 at 6:30 to discuss

The Gentlemen in Moscow by Amor Towles. Please contact Kathleen,

201 651-1213, to tell her you are attending and what you will bring. All are

welcome.

MEN’S FELLOWSHIP The men will decorate the sanctuary for the Christmas season on WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, BEGINNING AT 2 PM.

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Congregants’ Corner

“Positive thinking is not about expecting the best to happen every time, but accepting that whatever happens is the best for the moment.” Lori Schneider Submitted by Pat Walden Do you have an idea, thought or topic that you would like to share in our monthly newsletter? If so please send your submissions for Expectations to the church office@ office@emmanuelridgewood.org

If you have glasses that you have outgrown your prescription, please consider donating them.

Box is located in Library.

ESL COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM Our Thursday evening class for English language learners meets at 7:30. Students practice reading and speaking skills, using an ESL newspaper. Our multicultural circle of learning includes students from China, Costa Rica, Colombia and Peru.

Monday Brown Bag Discussion Group at Noon

We will be discussing “Half Earth: Our Planets Fight for Life.

Edward O. Wilson

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From the Communications Director December 2018

Please see several projects, events, publicity, and social media underway at Emmanuel.

Important Highlights:

The Community Peace and Justice Forums and Community Pasta Dinners have been advertised for Emmanuel.

The live stream Sunday Sermons have been promoted on Emmanuel's Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.

The Uncoupling Support Group has 374 members in the group on Meetup.com. There are 303 followers on Instagram.

Social Media Statistics**:

**Please note that this data is of 11.21.18

Follow Emmanuel on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmmanuelRidgewood/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmanuelr idgewood/

Twitter: https://twitter .com/Emmanuel07450

Uncoupling Support Group on Meetup.com:

https://www.meetup.com/Uncoupling-Support-Group-in-Ridgewood-NJ/

YouTube: Follow the church on Emmanuel' s Worship and Music YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/channel/

UCOj2Z_9lvRFalQmYo6vM8VQ

Church's Live Stream: www.TinyURL.com/EmmanuelStream

Publicized Events (October -November 2018):

** Please note that each event requires pre-event and post-event publicity depending on event needs. Publicity includes but is not limited to internal

communication, press release, website slider and updates, Facebook event and posts, social media updates, program, flyers, and media outreach.

Monthly Peace and Justice Forums- October 16th, November 27th

Monthly Community Pasta Dinners- October 16th, November 27th

Uncoupling Support Group- Ongoing twice a month

Worship Schedule at Emmanuel

Sunday Sermons

Friends and Family Day

Oktoberfest on October 20th

CROP Walk October 21st

Emmanuel featured in Ridgewood Walking Tour October 23rd

Emmanuel Events Featured in the News (October -November 2018):

Monthly Community Pasta Dinners- October 16th, November 27th

Monthly Peace and Justice Forums- October 16th, November 27th

Uncoupling Support Group

Emmanuel press releases have been featured on the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce website or in the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce email

newsletters (Note: See Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce website).

Website: Website (www.emmanuelr idgewood.org) has been updated as needed. Members Only Section as well as several pages throughout

the website have Church Facility Rental Forms and Wedding Forms. New email addresses for office staff have been established. New online prayer

request form available on website.

Business Cards: Business cards with church logo and contact information were designed, created, and ordered for the church. The purpose of this church business card is so that congregation members can invite friends, acquaintances, and anyone that they know to visit or attend events at the church.

Church Social Media Account Likes, Followers, Members, or Subscribers of the Church

Emmanuel Facebook Page 163 Likes

Emmanuel Facebook Profile 284 Friends

Uncoupling Support Group on Meetup.com 374 Members

Emmanuel Instagram 303 Followers

Emmanuel Twitter 27 Followers

Emmanuel's Worship and Music YouTube page 25 Subscribers

COMMUNICATIONS O R N E R

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THE UNCOUPLING GROUP CONTINUES

The "Uncoupling" group will continue on the second and fourth Thursday of the month from 7:30- 9:00 pm. The purpose of the group is to create a supportive environment for anyone who is going through a relationship breakup, a separation or divorce, Persons can RSVP by calling the church office at 201 444-7300 or by registering on line through the “Meet Up” website. The next date is Dec. 20, when we will have our Holiday Potluck. Comments from group members… “Having been shocked by a breakup, this group has been so helpful and so positive. I have met so many friends! “A warm welcoming group that shows me that there is life after the pro-cess.”

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CHRISTMAS CAROLING All are invited to join our Christmas carolers to bring Christmas cheer to our shut-ins.

Meet in the church parking lot on December 16 at 3:00. See Pastor Judy for details.

Calling everyone who “Believes”…….

Santa Claus is coming to

Emmanuel on Dec. 16th!!

YOUR INVITED!

Pastor Ken and Connie invite you to the Parsonage at 209 Hope St., Ridgewood, for some Holiday Cheer on December 23rd. Immediately following service till 3pm.

All are welcome.

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A Welcoming Church

Christmas Eve

Candlelight Carol Service

Tracing Christmas story through Music & Reading

Featuring

-Special Guest Musicians

-Holiday Reception to Follow

December 24, Monday, 6:00 pm

14 Hope Street

Ridgewood, NJ 07450

201 444-7300

Office@emmanuelridgewood.org

Emmanuelridgewood.org

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INVITATION TO JOIN PASTOR GILL USING A DAILY MEDITATION

NEW ANNOUNCMENT: DAILY DEVOTION GUIDES: AN INVITATION

We are all invited to develop the practice of “daily devotions” in your own home using Richard Rohr’s, A Spring Within You- Daily Meditations.

NEW OPPORTUNITY: You have a new opportunity begin “daily devotions” for one year from October 1:

If you do the readings in sequence daily from the beginning, you can receive a powerful, comprehensive perspective

on the spiritual life from experience of one of the spiritual masters of our era. If you want to try it out, please speak

to one of us. We would be glad to discuss your experience or questions about what you are reading. Pastor Ken,

Pastor Judy or Don Wheeler. *Copies are available from Jo Marie in the church office or one of us!

Paper copies will be available Sunday on the first chapter. Books can be purchase on Amazon.

Pictured above: Water Lily Pond at the Blue Cliff Monastery, Pine Bush, NY

Always look forward to seeing the next month display and Sami

never disappoints! Thank you for your time always making the

entrance from the parking lot so beautiful!

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Heidi Ehman and Hope light the First Advent Candle!

December 2, 2018

Jamier and Jernell serve as ushers as Pastor Gill prays the Offertory Blessing

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USHERS : OLHA AND XAVIER

The Chief Executive Officers of the YMCAs of Ridgewood and Paterson, and a special education teacher from Paterson attended the Men’s Breakfast in November. They were treated, not only to delicious blueberry pancakes, but also a memorable Thanksgiving Devotional led by Pastor Arturo Lewis. You can find it under Sermons, then Pastor Ken’s Blog on emmanuelridgewood.org. Click on this link or copy and paste it in your web browser: http://emmanuelridgewood.org/thankfulness-a-devotion-by-pastor-arturo-lewis/. The Ridgewood YMCA CEO is Ernest Lamour and Pastor Lewis serves on the YMCA Board of Directors. The Paterson YMCA Director is Gerard Gilliam. They both attended worship at Emmanuel the next day!

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Michael Tozzoli, MSW, LCSW. CEO West Bergen Mental Healthcare & President, Rotary Club of Ridgewood AM with l-r, Sami Belford, Brent Sjaardema, Bea O'Rourke

Presenters l-r, Senior Minister, Rev. Dr. Ken Gill, Catherine Brienza, President, J.O.L.T., Clara Licata, Esq, J.O.L.T., Dr. Clifford Peterson, Emeritus Professor, International Politics, Ramapo College, Rev. Lemuel Brown, Minister, Mt Bethel Baptist Church, Michael Tozzoli, MSW, LCSW, CEO, West Bergen Mental Healthcare and President, Rotary Club of Ridgewood AM, Rev. Arturo Lewis, Associate Minister, Emmanuel

Rev. Arturo Lewis' Diversity Class at Passaic County Community College Participates in Community Peace and Justice Forum on Nov. 27, 2018

Rev. Lemuel Brown, Minister, Mt. Bethel Baptist Church

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IN MEMORIAM

Edith Elfers, who joined Emmanuel with her husband, Robert, in 1956, died on November 16, 2018, at Pennswood Village in Pennsylvania. We remember with gratitude Edith’s long years of dedicated service. Obituary : Edith Mae Lloyd Elfers

Elfers, Edith Mae Lloyd (Edie), Newtown PA, passed peacefully on

Friday, November 16, 2018 in Pennswood Village, Newtown, PA. A much-loved wife, mother

and grandmother. She graduated from Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, with a B.S. in Nursing

and worked at Hackensack Medical Center, Hackensack NJ for over 25 years. Active member of

Emmanuel Baptist Church (Ridgewood, NJ) and talented singer in the church and Pennswood

Village choirs. Survived by Joan and Mickey Ray, Susan Elfers, Lisa and Phil Caton and Robert

and Missy Elfers. Also, grandchildren Christopher Culberson, Tyler, Spencer and Bryce Caton,

and Ian and Andrea Elfers.

Services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Fellowship Fund at Pennswood Village, Newtown PA, (215) 968-9110.

FRANZ MEMORIAL SERVICE The Memorial Service for Ken and Edna Franz will be held at Emmanuel at 2:00 on Dec. 1, with a reception following in the Peace Lounge. Ken and Edna were members of Radburn Church and Emmanuel for a total of 66 years.

To the wonderful & caring people at Emmanuel.

Thank you so much for the cards, soup and support you

gave me during my recent illness.

I am blessed to belong to such a loving church.

Sami

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Remembering Dr. Richard Lee Swarm, Member: 1968-2018

Dr. Swarm’s family has provided us with these words of remembrance:

Richard Lee Swarm (6/9/1927- 6/21/2018) was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He decided to get some college courses in before potential military service and went to Washington University instead of his senior year of high school. He was then accepted into medical school there. There he met Pauline Alexander and they married in December, 1950 when he was training in pathology and Pauline in pediatrics. He served as a conscientious objector and did alternative service in the public health service.

Highlights of his professional career include cancer research at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, and the University of Cincinnati, Department of Pathology. During those years, he was a national leader in research in the carcinogenic effects of radiation exposure. A move to be the Director of Pathology and Toxicology at Hoffman La-Roche brought him and his family to New Jersey in 1968. They, with their children, Lee Ann and Bob, joined the Emmanuel Baptist Church. He later worked as the Medical Director of Clinical Labs at Helen Hayes Hospital, NY. He resigned his position at Helen Hayes to care for Pauline during her prolonged illness.

He remained a long-time member of Emmanuel Baptist Church. Even when severity of back pain and illness precluded direct participation, he always wanted to listen to the Sunday morning service through the telephone dial-in connection.

As was his long-standing desire, he remained in his own home in Ridgewood until just a few days before his death when he suffered a severe stroke. He was buried during a small family grave-side service at Pauline’s family cemetery in Mulberry, Arkansas.

He is survived by daughter, Lee Ann, an attorney with Legal Aid in Knoxville, Tennessee; his son Bob, a pain management physician with Washington University in St. Louis, daughter-in-law, Sharon Parker, and granddaughters, Alyson, an elementary school teacher in New Haven Connecticut, and Rebecca, an attorney in New York City.

We give thanks to God for Dick’s life and dedication and 50-year membership at Emmanuel.

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1-Tina Hayes 11– Rev. Dorcas Diaz-Shaner 13 - Irene Campbell 14 - Florence Degelman 15 - Pastor Kelly Grimsley 18 - Sami Belford 20 - Fay Reid 30 - Hope Ehman-Osborne

A Birthday is a new beginning - A birthday is the first day of another lovely year, A year of new tomorrows that is shining, bright and clear, A year of possibilities as endless as the sky, and a chance to meet the challenges in everything you try.

Happy Birthday

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2 pm Franz

Memorial

2 Communion Monthly food col-lection Mitten Tree Covenant House collection 10:30 Worship-Pastor Gill preach-ing

3

7:30 pm Prayer Group

4 5

8:30 pm AA

6

7:30 pm ESL

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10 am

C&BL meeting

6:30 pm & 8 pm

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9 Mitten Tree ends Covenant House collection 10:30 Worship-Pastor Gill preaching

10 11

Noon Share

luncheon

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Noon CFI Luncheon 2 pm Hanging of the Greens 8:30 pm AA

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7:30 pm ESL

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6:30 pm & 8 pm

AA

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16 Santa visits Covenant House 10:30 Worship-Pastor Gill preach-ing Youth Ministry

3pm Caroling 7 pm Women’s Reflection Grp

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8:30 pm AA

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7:30 pm ESL

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6:30 pm & 8 pm

AA

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23 Holiday Open House @ Parsonage 10:30 Worship-Pastor Gill Preaching Young Adult Ministry

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6 pm Christmas Eve service

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26

8:30 pm AA

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7:30 pm “Uncoupling/

ESL

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6:30 pm & 8 pm

AA

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30

10:30 Worship-Pastor Gill-preaching

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DECEMBER