first press...dec 03, 2017 · hand-delivered checks, received prior to january 1, 2017 will be...
TRANSCRIPT
DECEMBER 18, 2016
GREETERS THIS MORNING ARE:
10:00AM
Westville Ave - Mike Bruchac
Bloomfield Ave - Chris Flanagan
DEACON ON DUTY THIS WEEK Andre Massop - 973-262-1874
AFTER THE 10:00AM SERVICE
Join Andre Massop for Coffee Hour in Room 120
FIRST PRESS WELCOME VISITORS!
We are glad you have chosen
to worship here today! Please come again!
Nursery care is provided for children
up to 24 months in our Cradle Room during the
10:00AM Worship Service. There is Christian Education during the 10:00AM Worship Service.
The Cradle Room and Rest Rooms are located
through the door to the left of the pulpit then left down the hallway.
For more information about our church, please visit our website:
www.firstprescaldwell.org. An information
packet is available at the rear of the sanctuary and an Usher or one of the Greeters that you met
as you came in will be glad to provide you with
more information.
You are respectfully requested to turn
off all pagers and cell phones. Our church is
equipped with a hearing assistance system.
Please ask the usher for a receiver.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW
CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SERVICES
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18th
5:00 PM - Family Worship Service
Angels, Lambs, Ladybugs & Fireflies
Chapel Handbell Choir
Cherub & Blaze Choirs
Followed by the Live Nativity
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24th
8:00PM - Candlelight Worship Service
First Church Ringers
Pilgrim Choir
Westminster Choir
Brass Ensemble
10:30PM - Candlelight Worship Service
Chancel Handbell Choir
Chancel Choir
Brass Ensemble
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25th
10:00AM - Family Worship Service
IS THE CHRISTMAS SEASON
A DIFFICULT TIME FOR YOU?
Join us on Tuesday, December 20th
from 7:00-8:00PM for a Blue Christmas
Service. The Holiday Season is hard for those
whose hearts are hurting. You are not alone. Blue
Christmas is a quiet, contemplative service for
those who are carrying pain or loss during this
season of celebration. This service will be held in
the chapel.
THE LIVE NATIVITY IS TONIGHT!!!! Be a part of this great tradition at First Pres! Our
annual Live Nativity is from 6:00-8:00PM TONIGHT
immediately following the Family Worship Service. All are
invited to stop by to see the animals, have a cup of cocoa and
some cookies, and share in the Christmas joy!
SANDWICH NIGHT IS COMING On Tuesday, December 20th we are gathering in Fellowship
Hall at 6:00PM to make sandwiches for St. John's Soup Kitchen in
Newark. This Sandwich Night will be hosted by Shelly May and her
friends and family. This group of volunteers has been joining us for
several years now and we invite all family and friends from our
congregation to come a join in the fun. Come out and join us as we
prepare 400 to 450 bagged lunches for St. John's Soup Kitchen in Newark.
We look forward to seeing all of you as we continue to serve others,
especially during this Christmas Season. Any questions?? Please call Dave
Johnson (973-464-9121) or Joyce McGrath (201-738-6531).
See You on the 20th.
YEAR END CONTRIBUTIONS This is a review of the IRS rules concerning year end
contributions of cash and securities. In general, the delivery date
determines the year in which the contribution can be claimed as
a deduction. If gifts of cash are mailed, the date of mailing is the
delivery date. If gifts are delivered by any other means, the date
the gifts are received by the charity is the delivery date. More specifically, checks
mailed with a postmark of December 31, 2016 will be credited as a
contribution in 2016. Hand-delivered checks, received prior to January 1,
2017 will be credited as 2016 contributions.
2017 OFFERING ENVELOPES Everyone who
used offering envelopes
during 2016 has been
issued envelopes for 2017.
If you make your
contributions electronically, please be sure to
check your offering envelope number with your
bank for 2017. In an effort to save the cost of
postage to mail your envelopes (about $2.30 per
person), please pick them up at the rear of the
sanctuary. They are in alphabetical order for
your convenience. If you have a family member,
friend or neighbor who cannot be here to pick up
their offering envelopes, please take them and
deliver them. If you did not use offering
envelopes in 2016, but would like them for 2017,
please call Nancy Felter in the church office
during the week.
WERE YOU AT THE ADVENT FESTIVAL FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED - Snapshots from the Advent Festival are posted
on the walls in Room 120, and you are invited to help yourself. Enjoy Coffee Hour
and if you see a picture of yourself or a family member, please take it. Thanks to
Photographer John Lanza for these beautiful pictures!
OUR STAFF Dr. Richard N. Sommers, Pastor/Head of Staff
Rev. Don Brown, Associate Pastor
Rev. Barbara Jo Piercy, Minister of Music
Rev. Todd Shumpert, Pastor of Spiritual & Missional Engagement
Jaime Staehle, Director of Y outh & Children’s Ministries Nancy Felter, Office Manager
Karen Pouy, Secretary/Receptionist
Chris White, Building Manager/Head Sexton
Noel Piercy, Associate Director of Music Michael Diercksen, Youth Intern
Brittany Heun, Sunday Morning Receptionist
Kaitlyn Heun, Sunday Morning Sexton
Kathleen Carlson, Director Weekday Nursery School - 973-226-6674
http://www.firstpresnurseryschool.com
David Hicock
Superintendent, Prospect Hill Cemetery - 973-228-4410 [email protected]
Dr. Robert R. McGruther, Pastor Emeritus
Rev. Robert Pryor, Parish Associate
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NOTES
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY NEWS
KIDS KART - We hope you will check out our Kids Kart at the back of the
sanctuary. The Kids Kart has activity books, crayons, and books for children to
enjoy during the worship service. Please take what you would like, but remember
to return the crayons at the end of the service!
CABIN FEVER DAY - All children in Kindergarten through 5th grade are invited
to join us on Wednesday, December 28th from 9:00AM-3:00PM for a fun day at
church. We will be playing games, doing crafts, watching a movie and spending
time with friends. Bring a snack and a sack lunch. Sign up with Jaime Staehle to
participate.
YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS
JR. HIGH FELLOWSHIP (6th-8th Grade) - Join us today for the Family
Christmas Service and Live Nativity beginning at 5:00PM!
SR. HIGH FELLOWSHIP - All 9th-12th Graders are invited to join us TODAY for
lunch and coloring our new Advent Posters! We will meet in the youth room at
11:30AM and we will order food from there.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
AT CALDWELL 326 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, NJ 07006
Office Hours: M-Th 9:00AM - 5:00PM
F 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Office Phone: 973-228-0310 * Fax: 973-228-0629
e-mail address: [email protected] webpage: www.firstprescaldwell.org
facebook: The First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell
Stephen Ministry - 973-228-0310 ext. 235
CHURCH CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK
SUNDAY, December 18
8:30 AM Worship Service with Communion,
at Pleasantdale Campus
10:00 AM Worship Service / Sunday School
11:15 AM Pilgrim & Westminster Choir Rehearsal
11:30 AM Confirmation Mentor Lunch, Fellowship Hall
11:30 AM Stephen Ministry Training, Rm 118
11:30 AM Sr. High Fellowship, Youth Room
11:30 AM Card Ministry Luncheon, Heritage Gallery
5:00 PM Family Christmas Worship Service
6:00 PM Live Nativity on Church Lawn
7:45 PM First Church Ringers (Grades 9-12)
MONDAY, December 19
7:00 PM Yoga & Meditation, Rm 120
7:00 PM Venture Scouts, Youth Room
7:30 PM Messiah Sing-Along, Sanctuary
TUESDAY, December 20
9:30 AM Staff Meeting
11:00 AM Advent Study, Parlor
6:00 PM Sandwich Night, Fellowship Hall
7:00 PM Blue Christmas, Chapel
8:00 PM God Squad, Sr. High Girls Group
WEDNESDAY, December 21
9:30 AM Crafting Group, Parlor
7:00 PM Women’s Bible Study, Parlor
7:00 PM Advent Vespers, Sanctuary
7:30 PM Young Adult Group Christmas Party at the Pace Home
181 Park Ave, West Caldwell
THURSDAY, December 22
7:00 AM Men’s Fellowship Breakfast, Caldwell Diner
6:30 PM Chancel Handbells
8:00 PM Chancel Choir
FRIDAY, December 23 5:30 PM AA Meeting, Fellowship Hall
SATURDAY, December 24
8:00 AM Dads With a Mission, Inc., Rockn’ Joe Café
8:30 AM Soup Kitchen Crew leaves First Pres
9:30 AM First Church Ringers (Grades 9-12)
11:00 AM Youth Choir Dress Rehearsal
8:00 PM Candlelight Worship Service
First Church Ringers
Pilgrim Choir
Westminster Choir Brass Quartet
10:30 PM Candlelight Worship Service
Chancel Handbell Choir
Chancel Choir
Brass Quartet
SUNDAY, December 25
10:00 AM Christmas Family Worship
MONDAY, December 26
MERRY CHRISTMAS
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED
SOUP KITCHEN NEWS THE PANS ARE OUT and we will be heading to Our Lady of
the Valley Soup Kitchen on Christmas Eve. Pick up a pan and
prepare a portion of the meal to brighten someone’s day. We are
excited that the Jacobsen Family will be joining us to serve in person.
If you wish to volunteer, please phone Joyce McGrath at 201-738-
6531. We can use your help at the December 31st Soup Kitchen. Adults, teens,
families are all invited to join us. This is a great way to share the joy of the
season for all ages.
Just quick reminder, we have 2 Soup Kitchens this month, the 24th
pans will be in the normal location, the 31st will be on the Christian Ed Desk.
Any questions, call Joyce McGrath
CARD-WRITING MINISTRY:
HAVE LUNCH AND FIND OUT MORE In this season of sharing time and talent, think about
joining the caring friends who send monthly messages to our
homebound members. Each volunteer takes one month of the
year and sends “thinking of you” cards with some personal
words. You can sign up to write to the full list (about 30), or
share the month with another volunteer and write half the list. We
can help you with sample messages, and if you don’t want to buy stationery, we
can provide church note cards. This is a simple mission, but for those who are
confined and for whom the day is long, getting a piece of personal mail from a
church member is a highlight.
If you would like to know more, please drop by the Heritage Room
TODAY, immediately after the 10:00AM service. It’s a casual brunch/lunch
in appreciation of our current volunteers, but anyone else who is interested in
participating is invited to come and find out more. So plan to drop by for a few
bites and ask a few questions. If you want to be plugged into the 2017 schedule
without further ado, email Jack and Lynne Stoddard at [email protected].
Call or text us at 973-896-8216 for any more information.
LOOKING FOR A GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT? Join us as the Church Life Committee sponsors a night out at the NJ Devils.
When: Sunday, March 19, 2017 at 1:00 PM
Where: Prudential Center
Cost: $54 per ticket (section 130 & 131)
If we sell over 50 tickets, we will qualify for a group
photo on the ice following the game! We encourage everyone
to carpool to this event.
JOIN US FOR AN ADVENT STUDY We will meet on Tuesday mornings at 11:00AM
through December 20th. Join Rev. Todd Shumpert as we study the book Names for the Messiah
- An Advent Study by Walter Brueggemann. Isaiah 9:6 pronounces four titles for
the coming Messiah: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and
Prince of Peace. Brueggemann, one of our most admired Old Testament
scholars, reconstructs the first-century Jewish expectations for a deliverer, then
evaluated how Jesus did and did not fulfill them. This four week study, suitable
for individuals or groups, considers biblical passages and historical contexts to
answer the Messianic claims for the Messiah and offers questions and prayers
for each week.
STEWARDSHIP UPDATE As of Thursday, December 15th we have received 181 pledges totaling
$514,852. If you have not yet returned your pledge card, please do so as soon as
possible. Once all the pledge cards have been received, the Finance Committee
can begin working on the 2017 church budget. The total amount pledged for 2016
was $568,592.
Also you can assist us by keeping your 2016 giving current and adding
to that amount if possible.
Thank you,
The Finance Committee --
Chuck McGrath, Chair
Bob Hicock, Treasurer
PLEASE RECYCLE
YOUR USED BULLETINS In our continuing effort to
become a “Green” congregation,
please recycle your used bulletins
in the containers at the back of the
sanctuary.
CALDWELL FOOD PANTRY
NEEDS YOUR HELP Did you know that the Caldwell
Food Pantry now serves 80 families with
children each week? Due to increased need,
The Caldwell Food Pantry is experiencing a
shortage of staples important for each needy
family. In December we will be collecting non-
perishable food (i.e. pasta and sauce, canned
meat and fish, vegetables, peanut butter, etc.),
but any donations are always welcome. If
you can help please drop off the items in the
shopping carts in the church entrances.
Hint: Take advantage of store sale items and
manufactures coupons that will help make your
contribution donation dollars go even further!
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE CHURCH STAFF
The church office will be closed
on Monday, December 26th and Monday, January 2nd
Tuesday, December 27th through Friday, December 30th
church office hours will be 9:00AM – 2:00PM
Normal office hours will resume on Tuesday, January 3, 2017
STEPHEN MINISTRY Stephen Ministers are available to all who seek comfort
and support through Christian caring. It is confidential, effective,
and free.
To find out more call the confidential line at 973-228-0310
ext 235, speak to one of our pastors, or send an email:
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.