From Pastor Amy’s Desk….

For it was you who formed my inward parts: you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. (Psalm 139:13-14 – NRSV)

The first month of so working at Starbucks there was a customer who thanked me using my first name. I was taken aback by being called by my first name, but I had another customer waiting so it wasn’t until later that I was able to process why I was so uncomfortable with this person using my name. Like most people, I am touched when someone remembers my name, so what made this situation different. It was different because I didn’t know the customer’s name. He knew my name because of the name tag which company policy required me to wear, not because we introduced ourselves to each other. There is an implied relationship and intimacy when we call someone by their name.

Names are important. Our name is what our personality traits, talents, skills, personal values, and life experiences hang on. When my brother and sister were in the “what do we call our baby” stage, I intentionally did not inquire about names they had picked out. Partly, I was afraid they would say a name I really didn’t like, and I don’t have a poker face. The larger reason was because I know whatever name my brother and sister gave their child would not change who God had made that child to be. God knew us before we were given our names. Our name, given to us or chosen by us, is the frame that hangs all the ways God has wonderfully made us.

Starting this month, name tags will be hanging on the doors leading to the sanctuary. Please make every effort to wear your name tag. The name tags are a way to welcome and make visitors and new friends and members more comfortable. Imagine how intimidating it can be for a new person to learn and remember everyone’s name. God, who fearfully and wonderfully made us, knows our name. May we show God’s love by learning and using each other’s name.

Your Partner in Christ’s Service,

Pastor Amy

21 Unionville Avenue, Sussex, NJ 07461 Summer 2017

F i r s t P r e s b y t e r i a n C h u r c h o f S u s s e x

presbyterian

p r e s s

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Summer Worship Schedule

For the summer, our worship service starts at 9:30 a.m. through August 27th.

Please mark your calendar so you won’t miss it!!

Mark Your Calendars

The next Deacons meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 8th, 7:00 p.m., at the church; the next Session meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 15th, 6:30 p.m., at the church.

New Member Class

New member classes will be held on Sundays, July 16th and July 30th, at 10:45 a.m. If you are interested in joining our church family, please see Pastor Amy.

Take Me Out to the Ball Park

Saturday, July 29th, is Faith and Family Night at the Sussex County Miners. The game starts at 7:05 p.m., with fireworks after. Contact Pastor Amy to reserve your tickets—the number of people attending determines the price. All are welcome! Bring your friends and neighbors!

For as the rain and the snow come

down from heaven, and do not return there until they

have watered the earth,

making it bring forth and sprout,

giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, - Isaiah 55:10

Session Highlights

The Session met on June 20th. Following are highlights of the meeting:

1) Information regarding the cost of solar panels being placed on the church roof was provided to each session member for review. Following Jason Touw’s summary of it, and upon his recommendation, the Session will wait for anticipated Grant announcements for solar projects before any action is taken.

2) Special thanks to Ashley Ziccardi for her coordination of the Sunday School End-of-the-Year Program and the excellent video collage that was shown to the attendees.

3) The current status of the finances for the Boiler/Chimney Project was discussed. After discussion, it was agreed that a Campaign Fund would be established and information provided for the newsletter.

4) The Pentecost Offering for 2017 was reported at $236. It was also recommended that a line item in the Mission Budget be created in support of the missionaries who visited us in the amount of $250.

5) Pastor Amy informed the Session that she would like to begin using name tags, since we are getting an influx of visitors and new member candidates.

6) The next Session Meeting will be on Tuesday, August 15th, at 6:30 p.m.

so shall my word be that goes out from

my mouth;

it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I

purpose,

and succeed in the thing for which I

sent it. – Isaiah 55:11

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The Boiler/Chimney Project: The Final Chapter

On the first day of summer while I was sitting on the beach at the shore, thoughts of freezing temps, snow, and no heat were the farthest things from my mind. However, at June’s Session

Meeting, I felt like we were hit with a snowball! Here are the final figures from the project: Total Cost for Boiler/Chimney Project $31,053 Insurance for Boiler $19,232 (nothing for chimney) Balance Remaining $11,821 (church’s responsibility) Individual Donations $ 2,600 Balance Remaining $ 9,221 (church’s responsibility) For some reason, I just thought the insurance covered everything, and we were in great shape. Not really! The euphoria of the unanticipated coverage overshadowed the reality of the impending final balance. The final chapter is the Boiler/Chimney Fund. While enjoying the warmth of the beautiful summer ahead of us, please think cold, ice, and snow, and consider contributing as much as you can to help defray the balance that remains. The goal is to not dip into Memorials and Reserves, which we may need for our Operating Budget. The hope is that incoming donations to the Boiler/Chimney Fund will bring $9,221 to a zero balance due. Please prayerfully consider giving to this special cause. The Boiler/Chimney Fund drive will end on Labor Day, September 4, 2017. God bless you and the success of this Fund Drive. On Behalf of the Session, Richard L. Hayzler, Clerk of Session

Sunday School News

Our new Sunday School year will start on September 10, 2017, from 9:15 – 10:15 a.m., for Pre-K through Adult. Please complete one registration form per child (form is on the church

website or on the table in the narthex), and return it to the church office. Please see Ashley Ziccardi if you have any questions.

Summer Fun

Join us for summer fun at The Castles Fun Center in Chester, NY, and white water rafting in PA, or canoeing down the Delaware River! The details are still being worked on. If you ar interested in anoy of these events, please contact Jason Touw.

From Pastor Amy

Please reach out to me with your spiritual and pastoral concerns. My cell number is 973-534-7479, and my email address is

pastoramy@embarqmail.com. I will be working Sunday-Wednesday, but, as always, will be available for pastoral emergencies.

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Sarah Fairweather graduated Sussex County Community College in May. She received a scholarship from RoNetco Supermarkets. Sarah will be attending Centenary University in the fall.

Adam Vanderwiele graduated from Wallkill Valley Regional High School on June 19th. He received the following scholarships and awards: The Robert Zimmer Memorial Scholarship, the Betty Van Tassel Memorial Scholarship, and the Physical Education Excellence and Achievement Award. He will be attending Albright College in PA this fall, where he will be playing football. He received two academic scholarships from Albright as well.

Amanda Dwornikoski graduated High Point Regional High School on June 20th.

Jacob Henry Sives graduated from High Point Regional High School on June 20th. He will be attending Monmouth University this fall.

Will Smisko graduated with High Honors from High Point Regional High School on June 20th. He received the German Language Award and a scholarship from the Sussex-Wantage P.T.O. Will is a member of the National Honor Society, Foreign Language National Honor Society, and the Science National Honor Society. He will be attending Binghamton University SUNY in the fall.

Brandon Del Sardo, grandson of Frank & Sue Del Sardo, graduated from High Point Regional High School on June 20th. He will be going to Sussex County Community College in the fall.

Andrew Foster, grandson of Gerry VanderHart, graduated from Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, MI, on June 8th.

Alexander Gibson, grandson of Bob & Donna Gibson, graduated with honors from the Watkins Glen High School in Watkins Glen, NY, on June 24th. He was the recipient of many awards. Alex will be attending Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA, in the fall where he will be majoring in Engineering.

Dylan Wingerter, grandson of Wilma & Ernie Elder, graduated 8th grade from East Cary Year Round Middle School in Cary, NC, on June 7th. He will be attending Green Hope High School.

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Let’s Do Brunch

Our brunch outing is on the second Sunday of each month. Sometimes brunch will be a potluck or perhaps a meal at a local restaurant. Maybe we’ll grab a sandwich from Food Barn and meet

at the park if the weather permits. Our next get-together will be on Sunday, August 13thth, so mark your calendars, and plan to join us!

Happy Anniversary

Frank & Sue Del Sardo celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on June 4th!

New Address

Sheryl Dekmar has a new address: P.O. Box 486, Sparta, NJ 07871. Please make the change in your church directory.

Buildings & Grounds

Please sign up for lawn mowing. There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex. Thank you to all who have already mowed and to those who will mow during the coming months. Your helpfulness is greatly appreciated! - Jason Touw, Chair

God’s Love

The astonishing fact of God’s love is the boldest theological assertion in history: a God of tenderness and mercy … a God with whom healing and reconciliation, not harm and destruction, finally prevail. - Abraham Heschel

Congratulations To…

Adam Vanderwiele for making Honor Roll at Wallkill Valley Regional High School for the 2nd Marking Period. Amanda Dwornikoski and William Smisko made Honor Roll at High Point Regional High School for the 3rd Marking Period. Amanda also received a distinguished artist award at the High Point Regional High School’s annual spring art show. Sarah Fairweather was named to the Deans’ List at Sussex County Community College all four semesters. Abigail Higgins was named to the Deans’ List at Roger Williams Universisty for the Spring 2017 semester. Natalie Alheidt was named Vernon Township High School’s top athlete for Week 9 of the Spring 2017 season for her softball skills.

How Are We Doing???

For the Month of May Average Weekly Attendance: 55

(includes Worship & Sunday School)

Monthly Offering: $8,345

Remember the Church

Summer and vacations are here. Please remember to keep up with your contribution. If you pay your bills using online banking, consider scheduling your weekly or monthly giving like other regular payments.

This will greatly assist with our cash flow, which is historically an issue during the summer.

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Come and Go Christianity is a “Come and go affair.” We

come up to the mountain, but we must go back

down again. We come to worship, but we must go to

serve. - Zan W. Holmes

Why Per Capita?

Per Capita exists as a way for all Presbyterians to share costs that belong to the whole church and to give meaning to the interdependent nature of Presbyterian polity. For 2017,

each member’s contribution is $35.00. The special blue envelope in your offering envelopes box may be used for this contribution. Please make checks payable to “First Presbyterian Church of Sussex” and put “Per Capita” on the memo line. You may mail it to the Depositing Treasurer, Janet Hayzler, 96 Holland Road, Wantage, NJ 07461, or place it in the offering plate on any Sunday.

Clothing Collection Box

Please remember to use the clothing collection box located in the back of our parking lot. The company we use empties the box on a weekly basis, maintains insurance and permits, and cleans up any dumping that may occur. They send the church a flat fee of $150.00 a month. This is a great idea for continued monthly revenue. Also, please tell your friends about it!

Summer Music

Summer music opportunities are available. Please sign up to share your gifts this summer. A sign-up

sheet will be on the piano, or speak with Linda.

Donate To Your Church By Shopping At Smile.Amazon

If you shop online using Amazon, help support us when you shop for items on their site. Shop

at http://smile.amazon.com/ch/22-2422961 and Amazon donates to us!! They will donate 0.5% of every purchase you make to our church. IT IS EASY. Your selection of items will not be limited by using smile.amazon when you shop. Thank you for considering this simple way to help our church. Every little bit helps.

Ink Cartridge Recycling

We are now accepting laser cartridges as well as inkjet cartridges. Ink cartridges that you throw away still have many poisonous chemicals inside them. Recycle your ink cartridges and help the church and the environment! Thank you to those who have brought in your ink/laser cartridges. Keep them coming! The recycling company will send the church a check, which will be used toward church expenses. To date, we have received $145.60! A list of qualifying cartridges can be found on tonerbuyer.com and empties4cash.

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Recipe Corner

Here is a great recipe when you’re wondering what to do with all those zucchini!!!

Death by Chocolate Zucchini Bread ½ cup melted butter, plus more for brushing pan ½ cup cocoa powder, plus more for dusting pan 1¼ cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. cinnamon ¼ tsp. kosher salt 1 cup sugar 1 egg plus 1 egg yolk 1 tsp. vanilla extract 2 cups grated zucchini (1 large or 2-3 small) 2/3 cups chocolate chips Flaky sea salt, for garnish

Preheat oven to 350°. Butter and dust a loaf pan with cocoa powder. In large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. In another bowl, stir together sugar and egg and egg yolk until smooth, about 1 minute. Add melted butter and vanilla extract and mix until smooth. Add zucchini, then add flour mixture in 3 additions. Fold in chocolate chips. Transfer batter to prepared pan, and bake 50 minutes. Let cool slightly in pan, then transfer to a cooling rack. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and serve.

Have a recipe you’d like to share? Drop it off, mail it in, or e-mail it to the church office at sussexpresbyterian@embarqmail.com

A Book of Joy

William Barclay says that “the New Testament is the book of joy.” He makes his point by some statistics. The Greek word for joy, chara, appears 60 times in the New Testament, and the verb, rejoice, chairein, occurs 72 times. No wonder, then, that Barclay says that “the object of all Christian preaching is to bring people joy.” - J. Ellsworth Kalas

Afternoon Women’s Group

Please mark your calendars for our upcoming Indoor Yard Sale scheduled for Friday, October 20th, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Saturday,

October 21st, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Help Needed

The Afternoon Women’s Group is looking for one (or more) people to coordinate an Open Air Flea Market to be held in our church parking lot. This event would take place on Saturday, October 21st, at the same time as we are running our Indoor Yard Sale. This would be an event where spaces in our church parking lot could be purchased by people from our church or outside of our church to sell new or used items. If you are interested, please see or call Pastor Amy or Lois Wright.

From the Deacons

If anyone knows of a person in need of rides to church or elsewhere, please contact Phil Hardin at 201-602-5445. Also, volunteers to

help with transportation needs would be appreciated! The Deacons are visiting with members of the church! We are offering our time and company to anyone interested. At your request, we will contact you to arrange a time and place (typically your home ☺). We also encourage you to let us know of people who would appreciate a visit. We look forward to a friendly visit with you! Contact Phil Hardin at (201) 602-5445 for further information.

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In Our Thoughts & Prayers

Please pray for Phillip Capobianco (Lois Capobianco’s husband), Charlene & Rosemary Paula Houck’s

sisters), Irene Dunn Clark, Bill Davis (John Davis’ brother), Greg (Paula Houck’s son), Suzanne Hunt, Johanna Kacmar, Rose Kantenwein, Sharon Kotowicz, Hilda Mann (Donna Gibson’s mom), James Mathis (Gibsons’ son-in-law), Bob Pluymers, Steve Radler (Art & Carolyn’s brother-in-law), Trish Ross (Natalie Lewis’ mom), Dick Touw, Carolyn Van Houten, & Rodney Vanden Heuvel. Please let the Deacons or the office know who to add and who to remove. Thank you!

Prayers of the People E-mail

Each week, the Deacons generate an e-mail which lists the prayers lifted up in worship. Please let Pastor Amy know if you would like to receive this weekly e-mail, so that you can include these prayers in your personal discipline of prayer.

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.

Deacons’ Fund Offering

A part of the Deacons’ ministry is our monthly Deacons’ Fund Offering, which assists charitable, nonprofit organizations. The Board of Deacons would like to thank everyone who donated to our June Deacons’ Fund recipient, Camp Johnsonburg. The money that was donated will be used to provide summer camp funds for children in need and to support other programs at Camp Johnsonburg, such as youth retreats and adult spiritual sanctuary events held year-round.

Our Deacons’ Fund for July will go to Father John’s Animal House in Lafayette. Father John’s is a nonprofit 501c(3) organization, which is supported entirely by donations, grants, and fundraising events. This special place provides love, companionship, shelter, food, socialization, and medical care for many homeless animals waiting for a permanent, loving home. It is a no-kill center, ensuring that the animals housed there will continue to receive the best of care for as long as it is needed.

For August, our Deacons’ Fund will go to Literacy NJ (formerly Literacy Volunteers of Sussex County), which provides free student-centered volunteer teaching to aid low-literate and non-English speaking adults in the Sussex County area. The adults who are served are helped to develop skills needed for success, such as learning English, filling out job applications, and daily tasks like reading to children or reading food labels. Literacy NJ trains all the tutors and provides the material needed to effectively teach the students. Please give generously! Please give generously!

Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. - Romans 12:9-18

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Just Plain Change Ministry

I give you a new commandment: Love one another; as I have loved you, so you are to love one another. If there is love among you, then all will know that you are my disciples. John 13:34-35

Please remember to empty your pockets/ purses to help our neighbors in need. Listen to your neighbor, your co-workers, your friends, cashiers at the places where you eat or shop and/or the waitresses where you eat. If you find a need to cheer or support, write down your suggestion on a slip of paper. Put it in the jar in the back of the sanctuary, give it to Pastor Amy, or contact any Deacon.

Yes, your quarters, dimes, and pennies do make a difference in the lives of those around us!

Small Change Suggestion (The suggested amount limit is $50.)

Recipient/situation: ________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Contact information (name, address, phone #):

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Your name (optional): _____________________

How do you want to have the “gift” delivered? (By yourself or by a member of the committee? Or other suggestion?): ______________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________

Please continue to listen to your neighbor, classmate, and community members, as each has a story to tell. If we at the First Presbyterian Church of Sussex can help, let someone on the Board of Deacons or Sharon Bove or Pastor Amy know. There are also papers on the back table in the sanctuary that can be filled out and placed in the glass jar.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Our Prayer Shawl Ministry has been sending prayers and love in the form of beautiful knitted, crocheted, or quilted shawls to people in need of physical, emotional, or spiritual comfort. The shawl maker begins with prayers and blessings for the recipient, and keeps these thoughts in mind throughout the creative process. Our shawls are delivered with a message expressing the feelings of love and comfort with which they were made. If you know anyone who could benefit from a prayer shawl, please call Nancy (973-875-9156) or see her after worship. If you would like to create these beautiful shawls, a 20 x 60-inch rectangular shawl requires five skeins of yarn. If you don’t knit, crochet, or sew, or don’t have the time, you can purchase yarn or donate funds for materials.

Faith Community Health Partnership

In the event you are hospitalized in a hospital that is part of the Atlantic Health Care System (Newton, Morristown, Hackettstown, Chilton in

Pompton Plains, or Overlook in Summit), one of the first questions asked is whether you would like your faith community to be notified. If your answer would be yes, you can expedite the process by filling out a registration form that will be put into the Atlantic Health Care Database. Thus, if you are hospitalized, the system would already be in place. Pastor Amy or a deacon would be visiting or contacting you to render support to you and your family. If you wish to participate in this optional program, please fill out the form provided on our website and on the table in the narthex, and return it to Phil Hardin or the church office.

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July Birthdays (2) Eric Sives

(4) Casey Carbone

(9) Thomas Clark

(10) Natalie Alheidt

(11) Veronica Pluymers

Jason Touw

(13) Jim Hardin

Keira Lewis

(17) Michelle Litrenta

(18) Emelline Demeter

(19) Brooke Hayzler

(21) August Ziccardi

(24) Donna Gibson

Adam Hardin

Janet Hayzler

(26) Lori Davis

(27) Frank Dwornikoski

(28) Philip Hardin

August Birthdays (4) David Tomasula

(5) Judy Clark

(7) Natalie Lewis

Baylie Touw

(8) Jane Clark

(10) Trevor Gruber

Elizabeth Meloskie

Adam Vanderwiele

(11) Ed Sives

(13) Barbara Young

(14) Susan Vanden Heuvel

(23) Charles Nagy

(24) Samantha Fairweather

(25) Robert Demeter, Jr.

(28) Robert Pluymers

(29) Sally Burns

Michele Higgins

Earth Angels

Chris Sarno’s third grade class from Frankford Township School recently visited their Earth Angels at the Homestead Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Frankford. The students have been writing letters to the senior citizens at the Homestead since September, with the seniors writing back to them.

Sussex Help Center

The Sussex Help Center needs peanut butter and jelly, canned white potatoes, any size diapers and wipes, and canned or dry dog or cat food. If you know of a family in need, please let Walter Houck know. Thank you for your continued help!

Ham Dinner

The Beemerville Presbyterian Church is hosting their annual Harvest Home Dinner on Tuesday, July 25th, from 5-7 p.m., at the Beemerville

Firehouse. Tickets ($14/adults, $8/children) are available at the door.

Veritas Hiring

Veritas Christian Academy, a Christian high school in Sparta, has immediate job openings for part-time Spanish and Business teachers and full-time Math and Science teachers. They are also seeking a part-time instructional aide. For all inquiries, please contact the school office at 973-579-6333 or vcaoffice@veritasnj.org .

It is not the business of the

church to adapt Christ to people,

but people to Christ.

- Dorothy Sayers

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If you cannot volunteer on your scheduled date, please “swap” a date with someone else and notify Sharon Bove at 875-4760. Thank you!

Schedule of Liturgists

July 23rd Richard L. Hayzler July 30th Mike Kosco August 6th Richard L. Hayzler August 13th Everett Burns August 20th ________________ August 27th Betty Martin September 3rd Jason Touw September 10th Phil Hardin

Schedule of Ushers

July 23rd -- Dwornikoski Family July 30th -- Joanne Cosh & Katie Vanderwiele August 6th -- Betty Martin & Pat Walker August 13th -- John & Giselle Smisko August 20th -- Ken & Beth-Ann Enhoffer September 3rd -- _____________ & ____________ September 10th -- Linda Carbone & ____________

Communion Preparers & Servers

Preparers August 6th Joanne Cosh

September 4th Ivy Diorio

Servers August 6th Linda Carbone

September 4th Tom & Sharon Alheidt, Everett & Sally Burns

The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in

steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made. - Psalm 145:8-9

July 23rd -- Betty Pluymers July 30th -- Joanne Cosh August 6th -- Betty Pluymers August 13th -- Frank Del Sardo August 20th -- Betty Martin August 27th -- Kathy Carey September 3rd -- Betty Pluymers September 10th -- Barbara Young

Refreshments After Worship Service

Please keep this list as a reminder. A list is also on the bulletin board in the narthex. If there is a problem with the date, please call Sheila Stormes (973-702-1548) or Lois Wright (973-875-3555) or see them after worship.

July 23rd -- Nancy Barta & Melanie Litrenta July 30th -- Marion Kopec & Linda Carbone August 6th -- Sharon Alheidt & Betsy Sives August 13th -- Sheila Stormes & Pat Walker August 20th -- Giselle Smisko & Barbara Young August 27th -- Keri Demeter & Natalie Lewis