You are on my mind…I am sitting inmy study at home, the sun is intent on

rapidly setting… and I keep “chair-jump-ing” (moving my desk chair to the left) tokeep the sun in my sight. It’s [only] 4:20 inthe afternoon. But then it is November…Nov 19th, to be exact. As I write, I keepleaning forward toward the window frommy desk, checking the sun’s agenda. Iknow in my head that the sun sets dailyand will rise again the next day but some-thing about sunsets in the late fall make mefeel…forlorn.

In the summer, on the weekends (anddaily on vacation), I not only relish thesunsets, I often plan my whole after-noon/evening around them, usually mak-ing elaborate plans with friends to enjoyand honor the daily sunset with the bestviewing spot available paired with appro-priate vittles. Not everyone does this, I’mtold. I’ve also heard many a sunset hashappened without much notice or fanfareat all, even in the summer “when the livin’is easy”.

So I have asked myself: “Why so muchenergy and joy around the late summersunsets and so much desperation andscarcity about sunsets at this time ofyear?” Well, scientifically, we literallyhave 50% less light and heat this time ofyear. Biologically, nature actually needs arest and fallow time after an ardent,

prolific, three-act play. Theologically too,we also might need some time/permissionto be mellow or even wallow in the dark-ness. Why? Well without darkness, human-ity might have a hard time believing (andexperiencing) that God is with us in ourdarkness as well as in the joy, sunlightand celebrations.

Shorter days also give us a chance tohunker down, to stop running at afrenetic pace, to find comfortin warmth of blankets,cozy dinners, goodfriends, long naps, hotchocolate, and still-ness.

It’s now 17 minuteslater. The sun is nowdown and the afterglowis dull but still apparent.I move my chair furtherto the east to catch every lastmoment, of every last sun-drop. Thesquirrels (of course!) are scrambling likemad. The birds are already MIA and theherd of deer are gathering gently butexponentially for the last forage before themoon tells them it’s time for bed.

Nature tells us a lot about how we mightfunction at this time of year if we are will-ing to listen. No plant, tree or animal ormammal (that I am aware of) grows,blooms, produces, reproduces or re-rootsconstantly. All living things need a fallowtime to rest and watch and wait for a newthing.

We are now in Advent, a season ofwaiting and watching and hoping. We arewaiting for the days to get longer. We arewatching to see what God may do in ourlives to bring us more hope, and perhapsmore freedom and joy than where we areright now. It may not be what we want orexpect, but I guarantee you, whateverGod has in store for us, it will be arenewal; better than we could ever ask or

imagine. Some of us dread the latefall and winter for its

increasingly short days andcold nights and for facinginto the holidays which areoften a mix of joy andgrief.

Why not come, wait,watch, hope and experi-

ence some of what God hasin store at the “Coming of

the Light” experience on theWinter Solstice December 21st at

7 PM in our sanctuary.

We will are hosting a rich, meaningfuland increasingly joyous celebration of the“Coming of the Light” and the Coming ofthe “SON”-light with music and readingsand poetry and drama and joy. This is anopportunity to be inspired and moved andpart of the light, the hope and the joy as weawait the celebration of the Christ-Child, alight that no darkness can ever overcome.

Actively waiting with you for Christ,

♥ Jen

First Presbyterian Church of BoontonDECEMBER 2014DECEMBER 2014

TheThe SSppiirreeSSppiirree

Dear Saints,

2

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FFAAMMIILLYYFFAAMMIILLYYSSeerrvviicceeSSeerrvviiccee

December 247 PM

YOU’RE INVITED

PW COOKIEWALK

December 14 11 am

Select anANGEL TAG

Donate Giftsby Dec 12

10 AM

ChristmasPoinsettias

Decorate the Sanctuary$10 per plantORDER BY DEC 14

Christmas EveCandlelight Service

& CommunionDecember 24

11 pm

Children’sChristmasPageant

DEC 21 •10am

9:30AM

Dec 13 HANGING

OF THE GREENS

BELL ChoirPerformance

December 7 atWorship Service

Choir CANTATA“Darkness Into Light”

December 14at 1000 Worship

PWChristmasLuncheon

December 17 • Noon

AdventCandle Lighting

SundaysNovember 30 –December 21

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

CCCCOOOOMMMMIIIINNNNGGGG OOOOFFFFTTTTHHHHEEEE LLLLIIIIGGGGHHHHTTTTSSSSEEEERRRRVVVVIIIICCCCEEEE

December 21 7:00 pm

3

NOTES from The Choir DirectorDECEMBER 2014

HHeeaarr YYee,, HHeeaarr YYee!!Music Ministry at First Church is

in full swing and singers andringers alike are diligently rehearsingfor the Advent and Christmas seasons.

Rehearsal schedules are as follows:

Chancel ChoirThursday evenings 7:30–9pm

Hand Bell Choir Thursday evenings 6:15–7:30pm

(Hand Bells: December 4th & 6th

The Hand Bell Choir will be ringing during morning worship on

Sunday, December 7. Come hear thejoyful ringing of the holiday season!

A Christmas Choir Cantata will be presented during morning worship on Sunday, December 14,entitled “Darkness Into Light” byMary McDonald. It will feature theChancel Choir and narrators from thecongregation. Come one and all tocelebrate the season and to enjoy thisenriching musical experience.

AAtttteennttiioonn CChhooiirrss:: There will be norehearsals on Thursdays December25th and January 1st. Enjoy this timeoff to celebrate the Christmas and New Year’s season! See you in 2015!

2015 REHEARSAL SCHEDULESARE AS FOLLOWS:

Chancel ChoirThursday evenings 7:30–9pmResume in 2015: Thursday, Jan 15th

Hand Bell Choir Thursday evenings 6:15–7:30pmResume in 2015: Thursday, Feb 5th

If you are interested in becoming amember of any of the above-men-tioned choirs, please call or e-mail theorganist/choir director, Sarah Berta

(570-947-6330 babbleon247@yahoo.com). Hope tosee you at the next rehearsal! ♥

REHEARSALS for CHRISTMAS PAGEANT at

First Church are commencing!

ALL INTERESTED CHILD(REN) AND PARENTS ARE REQUESTED TO ATTEND.

There are speaking, dramatic roles andlearning traditional carols for children/youth.Parental assistance is also needed tocoordinate costumes and props, as well aschaperoning the rehearsals.

Rehearsals are being held on the following Sundays:

Sunday, Dec 7 – 11:30 am –12:15 pm

Sunday, Dec 14 –11:30 am –12:30 pm

Sunday, Dec 21 is the Pageant

Please contact Sarah Berta, organist/choir director, with any

questions(babbleon247@yahoo.com

570-947-6330).♥

http://www.fpcboonton.org

Mark you r Ca l endar s…First Presbyterian Church Boonton presentsThe Metropolitan Saxophone Quartet

SUNDAY • JANUARY 25, 2015 • 7PMThe Metropolitan Saxophone Quartet is setting new standards for saxophone performance. With their excellent precision of classical saxophone techniques aswell as their “Burning” jazz and big band charts, the Metropolitan SaxophoneQuartet achieves a high level of performance in a variety of settings, while captivat-ing their audience of all ages. With their excellent and enthusiastic love of musiccombined with their light sense of humor, the M.S.Q. brings joy and fun into eachperformance and has audiences wanting more.The M.S.Q. has been playing in New Jersey and New York since 2004 with perform-ances held at Nyack College in Nyack, New York and throughout churches and community facilities throughout NJ. The M.S.Q. has a unique understanding ofmusic which is evident in their arrangements of many classical and jazz selections,touched with humorous movement and excitement in their performance.The program will be held on Sunday, January 25, in the church sanctuary at 7pm,directly following the Soup and Chili Cook-off. Admission is free and a free will offering will be taken at the conclusion of the concert. ♥

“O come, O come, Emmanuel,And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile hereUntil the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice!Emmanuel shall come to thee,

O Israel”

4

GGIIFFTTSS In Memory of Loved Ones

The Memorials Committee encourages all tocontinue their generous gifts/ contributionsto the Memorials Fund which cares for manyspecial projects including Music, Organ andthe Scholarship Fund.

1 William Stoll2 James Cargilo3 Jeff Wiswall4 Don Kearney6 Paul Werner II7 Clyde Mascenik-Lobb8 LuAnne Rothrock9 Avery Maida10 Sophey Freed12 Kathy Pizar12 Jeanna Spezzacatena13 Trey Edwards16 Bruce Middleton Jr.

16 John Vida17 Rick Reed19 Erika Cowan19 Daniel Arena19 Patti Reed19 Ellen Stevenson22 Latty Ryerson (Lobb)23 Paul Werner Sr.25 JESUS27 Jeffrey Bingham29 Fred Faehner30 Jack Thoele31 John Crozier

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Frank Wiswall Rev. Harold JohnsonAldrich & Mildred Nix Donald NixKenneth Allerman Nancy M. AllermanLaberta Lewis Nancy & Gordon NicholsonGeorge Livingston Tuttle Ruth V. Ackerman

(Tuttle-Riley)Abigail T. O’Keeffe &Kevin T. O’Keeffe

PW Cookie WalkDecember 14thSunday, December 14th, is our “Cookie Walk” held im-mediately after church in Reighart Hall. WE NEEDBAKERS! There will be a sign up sheet on the PW bulletin board, on the bridge door. Cookies may bedropped off before church on the morning of December14th - or earlier if you put them in the kitchen freezer -but please let us know. If you have any questions, pleasecall Marisa Crozier. Thank you for your support!!

PW LuncheonDecember 17thWednesday, December 17th is the Presbyterian Women’sChristmas Luncheon at Marilyn Ward’s home, 108 ElyStreet, Boonton. Please sign up on the bridge door.

Please Note:CHECKS PAYABLE TO…

“First Presbyterian Church of Boonton”

Our bank is not accepting checks made payableto any other entity. Please write checks PayableTo:

“First Presbyterian Church Boonton” on all checks for deposit into the church account.Thank you!

CONTRIBUTION ENVELOPES: Are placed in the church bridge. Please pick up your box. If you cannot find yourbox, please contact the church office.

HappyBirthday!

FOR: GIVEN BY:

SUNDAY

First Sunday of Advent10:00 Worship11:15 Coffee Hr.11:15 Men’s Fellowship

Gathering7:00 A.A.

Second Sunday of Advent10:00 Worship–CommunionChildren’s Worship Svc.Deacon’s-Fireman’s HomeBELL CHOIR Performs11:15 Coffee Hr.11:15 Men’s Fellowship11:15 ROCK Meeting11:30 Pageant Rehearsal

7:00 A.A.Third Sunday of Advent10:00 WorshipChoir Cantata (see pg 2-3)

11:15 Men’s Fellowship11:15 Coffee Hr–COOKIE Walk11:30 Pageant Rehearsal

7:00 A.A.Fourth Sunday of Advent

10:00 Worship &CHILDREN’S PAGEANT

11:15 Coffee Hr.

7:00 A.A.

10:00 WorshipNO Sunday SchoolRev. Jen Vacation11:15 Coffee Hr.

7:00 A.A.

MONDAY

4:00 Conservatory

4:00 Conservatory

7:30SESSION&DEACONS

4:00 Conservatory

6:00 Mission Co-op Mtg.

4:00 Conservatory

4:00 Conservatory

TUESDAY

3:00 Conservatory

7:00 Cub Scouts

3:00 Conservatory

7:00 A.A

3:00 Conservatory

6:30 Cub Scouts

3:00 Conservatory

3:00 Conservatory

WEDNESDAY

3:00 Conservatory

3:00 Conservatory

3:00 Conservatory

7 pm – Christmas Family Service

11pm CandlelightService &

Communion

Office ClosedTomorrow Jan 1

THURSDAY5:30 Conservatory6:15 Hand Bell Choir7:30 Chancel Choir

5:30 Conservatory6:00 Girl Scouts7:00 Cub Scouts

7:30 Chancel Choir

5:30 Conservatory

7:30 Chancel Choir

CChhrriissttmmaass DDaayy

7

14

21

28

1

8

15

22

29

2

9

16

23

30

3

10

17

24

31

4

11

18

25

FRIDAY

7:00 Cub Scouts Pack 201

Office ClosedOffice Administrator

Vacation Day

SATURDAY

Hand Bell ChoirRehearsal

5

12

19

26

6

13

20

27

December2014

9:30 amHanging

of theGreens

NoonPW Christmas

Luncheonat Marilyn

Wards

Angel TreeGifts due at

church

Rev. Jen Vacation December 28 – January 4

7 pmComing of theLight Service

NOVEMBER 30

Don’t forget to order your Poinsettias by Dec 14

6

PTG - Dec 2014God of hope, who brought love into this world,be the love that dwells between us.God of hope, who brought peace into this world,be the peace that dwells between us.God of hope, who brought joy into this world,be the joy that dwells between us.God of hope, the rock we stand upon,be the center,

the focus of our lives always, and particularly this Advent time.

The Thanksgiving Food Drive was agreat success! Thanks to all who

donated and helped distribute thebags to those in need.

7

BRYAN BERTA — Sarah’shusband, had complete spinal

fusion surgery. Please continue topray for Bryan and Sarah. Bryan hasapproximately 4 months of recovery.

LISA — friend of the Roberts, hashigh blood pressure complica-

tions. Prayers are asked for healing.

NEIGHBOR OF ROBIN GERSHAW — is going through diffi-

cult health issues. Prayers are askedfor successful medical treatments.

FRED DE MAURO — Betty Tilli’sfriend, is battling multiple system

atrophy. Prayers are asked forstrength for Fred, and for his wifeJamey and for his caregiver.

ROBERT NOLL — Diane Kearny’scousin’s son, has started chemo.

Please pray that he is able to toler-ate the treatment. Robert is blind andlives in a group home.

MASON — friend of the Roberts,had surgery recently. Prayers

are asked for healing & full recovery.

CARTER — grandson of BruceMiddleton’s co-worker, has been

diagnosed with leukemia. Carter is 2and will have chemo treatments.

MAGED MEHANI — friend ofBetty Tilli, is awaiting a kidney

transplant. Prayers are asked for adonor to be found and for strengthfor Maged and his wife.

JOHN LIVESEY — Gayle Coe’sfriend, is recovering from knee

replacement surgery. John willcontinue dialysis since kidneytransplant is no longer viable.

MARY DIXON WITKE — friendof Marilyn Ward, has ocular

melanoma metastasized to the liver.Mary has been accepted into anexperimental drug program and isdoing well.

STANLEY HARVEY — friend ofDoris & Juan Yanez, has reoc-

currence of cancer. Prayers areasked for healing and strength.

OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM — Let our prayers

still be with all soldiers as theydefend the freedoms that we hold sodear. We are truly grateful for theirservice to our nation. We pray thatwe can WELCOME them home soonand will continue to hold all ourservice personnel in our prayersuntil they ALL come home. Thankyou for your faithful service. ♥

KATHY PIZAR — is thankful for allyour prayers. Her gallbladder

surgery was successful, and Kathy is athome recovering.

GLEN GERSHAW — Robin’shusband, has completed chemo

treatment and test results show thatcancer is in remission again. PraiseGod!

JOHN MOLACEK — has begun hisministry at the Presbyterian Church

of Jesup, Iowa! He will be ordained onJanuary 4, 2015.

VIVIAN LOWTHER — celebratedher 100th birthday! Praise God for

her life and her life of service to God andin the world!!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Please continue tocontribute your

changeto the

“Drop-in-the-Bucket”Font.

JJOOYYSSAANNDD GGOODD SSHHAALLLL GGRRIIEEVVEE WWIITTHH ......

THE FAMILY OF MARCIA REITZ Marcia passed away suddenly inlate November, leaving behind her husband Frank and children

Scott, Steven and Kathryn. Please pray for peace and strength for theentire family as they mourn their loss.

IINN OOUURR PPRRAAYYEERRSS:: CCoonncceerrnnss

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

First Presbyterian Church513 Birch St • PO Box 157Boonton, New Jersey 07005973-334-3535 • FAX 973-334-3549Website: www.fpcboonton.org

Rev. Jennifer M. Van Zandt, MinisterSarah Berta, Music DirectorNorma Moreno, Administrator

DEACON’S DOIN’SPlease continueto use the green

envelopesprovided.

ATTENTION:OngoingNEEDS

For Your Support

Boonton Food Pantry

When doing your grocery shopping, pleaseremember those less fortunate (especiallyduring the holiday season). The pantry is currently in need of non-perishable items. Please keep in mind thatfood stamps do not allow for the purchase ofhealth and beauty items. Items such asshampoo, soap, cleansers, paper goods anddiapers must all be paid for with cash. Sothese items are always much needed as wellas food. The shelves are located downstairs,just outside Reighart Hall. Your continuedsupport of the pantry is very important andvery much appreciated.

For Your Information !! (also see pages 1, 2 & 5)

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First Presbyterian ChurchBoonton

December 21 • 7 pm

a service full of music,drama, joy, and

poetry, to celebrate thecoming of the LIGHT