CONTACT. From the Pastor... South Branch Reformed Church

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1 Newsletter of the South Branch Reformed Church South Branch Reformed Church 870 River Road Hillsborough, NJ Office: (908) Fax: (908) Web: Inside this issue: Treasurer s Notes Assessment 2 Lectionary Readings for February Women s Group 3 Youth Group 3 Birthdays & Anniversaries Monthly Calendar From the Pastor... As you begin to read this edition of the Newsletter, I will be making my way to Newark Liberty International Airport to take a plane to Miami, FL where I will then board Royal Caribbean s Navigator of the Seas for a five night cruise with stops at Nassau, Bahamas and Cozumel, Mexico. Normally, I don t schedule time off following the Christmas Season, but I found myself perusing vacation websites after what seemed to be a very long and busy December at SBRC. Needless to say, I am very excited to get a break from the action and to get the opportunity to re-charge before the Lenten/Easter Season is upon us. Hopefully, the Lenten/ Easter Season will be much less dramatic for the church than the Christmas Season!! In January s Newsletter, I shared some of the end of year concerns that were facing SBRC when it came to an emergency roof repair, but I didn t share that the Carillon System (the bells which ring from our steeple) stopped working after 22 years of faithful pealing & tolling. The system has been replaced and the bells are ringing at SBRC again! I do want to take this space to thank each and every one of you who were able to help SBRC meet the surprising financial concerns as we bid 2016 farewell. The cost of the roof was met and the Carillon was replaced with no added concern to our 2016 budget! How was this done? Because of you!! So, I extend my deepest thanks to each of you for your continued support & dedication to SBRC and our ministry! On a different note, I am planning on beginning a new Bible Study format. So, as plans come together, please be sure to pay attention to the Sunday bulletin for more information. Also, you all will be receiving the annual Denominational Assessment letter in the coming days. As always, should you have any questions, please feel free to speak with me. Finally, end of year statements for your taxes have been distributed, if you have not received yours, please speak with Robyn Friedlander as soon as possible so that we can correct the issue. SBRC remains a busy place and I pray that you all find time to worship & fellowship with us. In Christ s Service, February, 2017

2 PAGE 2 Treasurer s Notes... December 2016 The offering donations for December were $13,545 (five Sundays- $2,709 average). We started the month $1,651 in the red in current expenses and ended $955 in the red. Throughout the year I have stated we need to average $2,303 to make budget, however, our average weekly has been $2,139. Despite Advent and Christmas offerings being slightly down from previous years, we almost made budget. On a more positive note, I want to thank the congregation for their help to get a job done. In December, we were hit with 3 unexpected expenses; repairs to the Sanctuary stairwell and Church roof and the replacement of the Carillon system. Thanks to the generous donations made to the roof fund, we were able to replace the roof and still have some money left over. Monies in the building fund covered the stairwell repairs. And finally, unexpected donations allowed us to replace the Carillon system. What a great way to end Comparison Jan-Dec 2016 Offering Receipts: $111,231 ($2,139 weekly average) Jan-Dec 2015 Offering Receipts: $110,184 ($2,119 weekly average) -Robyn Friedlander Attention Singles of SBRC! Pastor Steve is pleased to announce that he will be hosting a Valentine s Day Dinner at 5:30pm on Tuesday, February 14th for those who are single in SBRC! A sign-up sheet has been posted on the Church News bulletin board. Please sign-up so that he knows the number planning to attend. Last day to sign-up will be Ash Wednesday Service! Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 1st for our Annual Ash Wednesday Service at 8:00pm in the Sanctuary. Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Season of Lent and what better way to begin the time of reflection and repentance than joining together for worship Denominational Assessment The 2017 Denominational Assessment is $83.50 per member and the total for SBRC is $8, All active members should have received a letter from Pastor Steve defining the Assessment along with an envelope. Additional envelopes are located at the hallway entrance to the Sanctuary. As always, if you have any questions about the Assessment, please speak with Pastor Steve.

3 Women s Group The Women's Group continues to be thankful for the generosity of the congregation. We sent another 26 pairs of warm socks to The Apostle's House in Newark for homeless veterans, bringing our total for November and December to more than 100 pairs of socks. We also were able to deposit another $18 from the coin change bucket outside the sanctuary to help prevent River Blindness. Our next meeting will be February 12 to clip used stamps to provide Sunday School materials in Spanish both in the United States, as well as Latin America and Spain. ~Lynne Diehl Youth Group Birthday Bag Bingo will be the main attraction on February 12th it s game time! The youth group will be meeting at 7pm in the Parlor to play Bingo for a cause to provide birthday party supplies to the Hillsborough Food Pantry. Youth group members will be accepting your donations right to until game time so please be sure to catch your favorite members and give them your support. Our second meeting for February will be held on February 26th beginning at 7:00pm. Details are still being worked out for a fun evening please stay tuned for the latest plans! If you are in grades 5 through 8 and haven t been to a Youth Group meeting yet don t hesitate to come out. We d love to see you! and we have a LOT of exciting plans for Lectionary Readings for February Feb. 5th- Isaiah 58:1-9 Psalm 112;1-9 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 Matthew 5:13-20 Feb. 12th -Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Psalm 119:1-8 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 Matthew 5:21-37 Feb. 19th - Leviticus 19:1-2,9-18 Psalm 119: Corinthians 3:10-11, Matthew 5:38-48 Feb. 26th - Exodus 24:12-18 Psalm 2 2 Peter 1:16-21 Matthew 17:1-9 Food Bank PAGE 3 Remember that the first Sunday of each month is Food Bank Sunday. Items can be left in the boxes at the Sanctuary entrance and the hallway entrance.

4 PAGE 4 Birthdays and Anniversaries A very Happy Birthday and a blessed year ahead to those who are celebrating a birthday in February: 3 - Kyle Ammerlaan and Debbie Sheldon 6 - Brianna LiBrizzi & Frank Eckert 8 - Dick Coates & James Nunn 12 - Jack Sarles 13 - Collin DePace 14 - Tom Bernard, Valerie Franco & Ashley LiBrizzi 15 - Matthew Burt, Blair DeRoner and Amanda Simon 16 - Joan Kane 17 - Steve Eckert & Megan Sheridan 20 - Kristen Kletz 21 Susan Rohner 24 - Jim Ruocco & Elyssa Ofray 25 - Kay McCray 26 - Katelyn Woodruf 27 - Jacob Simon Also, congratulations and Happy Anniversary to: 14 - Charles & Jane Huck 17 - Anthony & Dana DePace 20 - Tom & Patti Kletz Brent & Holly Kowalenko SBRC Choirs Our Choirs always welcome new members! If you love to sing, we would love to have you join us! Adult Choir rehearses Thursdays at 7:30pm in the Parlor. No experience necessary! The Adult Choir sings most Sundays from Sept. through May. Angel Choir is for preschoolers through 1st graders, and Junior Choir is for 2nd graders thru 7th graders. Both children s choirs rehearse after worship on Sundays and sing in church about once a month from Oct. through May. Please see John Colaiacovo or Emily Windus with any questions.

5 February 2017 Information for March s Newsletter is due on Feb. 16th! Leave your info. in the Church Office or e- mail to the Church at newsletter@sbrchurch.org with Newsletter in the subject line. Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 5 Communion No Confirmation 12 Women s Group in Dining Room following worship Youth Group at 7pm 19 Confirmation Class 26 Book Club at 7pm at the Parsonage Youth Group at 7pm Valentine s Day Dinner at 5:30pm at the Parsonage Preschool Mgmt. Team at Consistory at 7:30pm Newsletter Items Due! 3 Family Fun Night at 7pm in Dining Room Preschool Open House 9:30am to 12pm Martial Arts at 4pm in Marital Arts at 4pm in Martial Arts at 4pm in Martial Arts at 4pm in PAGE 5

6 South Branch Reformed Church 870 River Road Hillsborough, NJ Church Dinners The following dates were set for the 2017 SBRC Dinners! Please be sure to mark your calendar so that you do not miss a wonderful meal and fellowship! Jan. 28th - Roast Pork Dinner Live and Love Like Jesus! Rev. Stephen Eckert ~ Pastor Mr. John Colaiacovo ~ Music Director Mrs. Erica Lenzo ~ Church Secretary Mrs. Maureen DeMarco ~ Preschool Director Mrs. Maritza Acosta ~ Sexton Mar. 11th - Corned Beef Dinner Apr. 29th - Roast Beef Dinner Sept. 16th - Ham Dinner Oct. 14th - Chicken Francaise/Marsala Nov. 4th Roast Beef Dec. 2nd - Breakfast with Santa