EXPECTATIONS. Monthly Newsletter. welcoming, caring Pastor Lewis Message...2. Church Ministries rich diversity of God s

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1 EXPECTATIONS A WELCOMING CHURCH Monthly Newsletter February IN THIS ISSUE Table of Contents Emmanuel is a growing, Welcome. 1 welcoming, caring Pastor Lewis Message...2 community, celebrating the Church Ministries rich diversity of God s News/Celebration Creation, treasuring our Calendar common humanity and Sunday Worship 10:30 am All are Welcome! following the way of Christ s love, justice and mercy in Twitter.com/emmanuel07450 today s world.. The Ministry at Emmanuel Ministers All Who Love & Serve God Senior Minister 1 Pastor Kenneth Gill

2 Thoughts from Rev. Arturo P. Lewis Becoming New Matthew 9:16, 17 NIV 16 No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. 17 Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved. We change into something new when we trust that Jesus is able to help us. Trust that together we can do what Jesus teaches, what he calls us to be. Jesus teaches us to put new wine into new wine skins. We are the wine skins and our acceptance of Jesus is the new wine. We can become new. A good place to start is by deepening our intimacy and our dependency on Jesus teachings. As our faith grows and we join this with our intellect, and activities, we will find ourselves developing a capacity and abilities to be that new wine skin, that new Christian, that new church. We can help make a wonderful difference in the lives of others. Jesus calls us to be the light in a dark world. This is part of our responsibility as Believers. It is our duty to be new wine skins. When we become new wine skins, we pour our new wine into other new wine skins. We can bring new people into our lives because now we will be able to bring them closer to the Lord. We can bring new people into our church because now that we are the new wine skins with new wine. We will be able to hold them and nurture them just as we ve been cared for. Our faith, our stories, love and hospitality inform others that they are welcomed and needed right where we are. We can do it because Jesus helps us all to become new. 2

3 MISSIONS..at home and around the world On Jan. 15th, Nancy and Dave Shaver delivered over 100 pairs of shoes, several pairs of socks, several hooded sweatshirts, and several tubes of toothpaste to the Homeless Shelter in Hackensack. These items were purchased with the $ that was contributed at the Christmas Eve service at Emmanuel for the homeless. The Shelter cannot accept monetary contributions. They were very appreciative for these items that they requested. (See pic below). "Hammering for Habitat" will continue this Sunday, February 3rd. A total of $551 was donated for this cause last week and hopefully this will increase. There will be boards available for the congregation to sign and if desired give a donation to Paterson Habitat. The children will be asked to sign the boards also. "Souper" Bowl Sunday ends on this Sunday February 3rd, the Missions Committee will be collecting cans of soup for those who come for food to the Center for Food Action. Please place soup in the box under the Mission Bulletin Board. This will be part of the monthly food drive. For the month of February, the Mission emphasis will be " America for Christ". An offering will be taken each Sunday to support our American Baptist Missionaries in this country and in Puerto Rico. More information will be in Sunday bulletins during February. 3

4 Sundays at 9:15 in the Library Feb. 4, 7:30-9:00 Join us in praying for mutual concerns and reflection on Step 12 of the 12-Step Program. Jesus said, Simon, Simon, you must Be sifted like wheat, and once you have recovered, you in your turn must strengthen your brothers. (Luke 22:31-32) All are invited to join the discussion as we focus on The Gospel of Luke s account of Jesus ministry and discern how we might more faithfully follow the way of Jesus. GOSPEL CONCERT AT MT. BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH All are invited to this concert at 4 pm on Feb. 17 as we celebrate Black History Month with our sister church and the wider community. 4

5 CULTURES AND FRIENSHIP INTERNATIONAL This international friendship group will have a joint meeting with the Women of Emmanuel on February 6 at 10:30 in the Peace Lounge. MEN S FELLOWSHIP The men of Emmanuel will meet for breakfast and a time of fellowship on Saturday, Feb.9 at 9 AM. WOMEN S REFLECTION GROUP Join us on Feb. 17 at 7 pm for our monthly gathering for mutual support and Biblical reflection. We are using the devotional book, Sacred Space. WOMEN OF EMMANUEL The next meeting of Women of Emmanuel will be Wednesday, February 6. At 10:30 we will meet with Cultures and Friendship International, followed by our Executive Committee meeting. 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. If you would like to participate in the Journal, a listing sheet is included in Expectations. Readers Choice met at the home of Marilyn Clark on Friday, January 25th at 6:30 to discuss The Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. Our book for March 22 is Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly at the home of Nancy Shaver. All are welcome. 5

6 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. Congregants Corner There is something that happens when you are grateful: You continue to receive blessings. So I will always be grateful. 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. Monday Brown Bag Discussion Group at Noon We will be discussing Half Earth: Our Planets Fight for Life. Edward O. Wilson 6

7 COMMUNICATIONS O R N E R From the Communications Director February 2019 Expectations- Please see several projects, events, publicity, and social media underway at Emmanuel. Important Highlights: The Christmas Eve Service was advertised on Emmanuel's Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages as well as the event calendars on NorthJersey.com. A color advertisement for the Christmas Eve service was taken out in the newspaper, the Pascack Press. The All Seasons Chamber Players Concert and Reception was advertised on Emmanuel's Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages as well as the event calendars on NorthJersey.com. The NRPP Gun Violence: Myths, Realities, and Solutions Forum Flyer and the MLK Weekend Events Flyer requested by Donald Wheeler was posted on Emmanuel's social media pages. The live stream Sunday Sermons have been promoted on Emmanuel's Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. The Uncoupling Support Group has 404 members in the group on Meetup.com. There are 328 followers on Instagram. Social Media Statistics**: Church Social Media Account Emmanuel Facebook Page Emmanuel Facebook Profile Uncoupling Support Group on Meetup.com Emmanuel Instagram Emmanuel Twitter Emmanuel's Worship and Music YouTube page Likes, Followers, Members, or Subscribers of the Church 166 Likes 318 Friends 404 Members 328 Followers 26 Followers 27 Subscribers **Please note that this data is of Follow Emmanuel on Social Media: Facebook: Instagram: Twitter: Uncoupling Support Group on Meetup.com: YouTube: Follow the chur ch on Emmanuel' s Wor ship and Music YouTube page at UCOj2Z_9lvRFalQmYo6vM8VQ Church's Live Stream: Publicized Events and Featured in the News (December January 2019): ** 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. Christmas Eve Service- December 24th Uncoupling Support Group's Holiday Party- December 20th Church Christmas Decorations Uncoupling Support Group- Ongoing twice a month Worship Schedule at Emmanuel Sunday Sermons All Seasons Chamber Players Concert and Reception- March 17, 2019 NRPP Gun Violence: Myths, Realities, and Solutions Forum (requested by Donald Wheeler) MLK Weekend Events Flyer (requested by Donald Wheeler) Emmanuel press releases have been featured on the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce website or in the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce newsletters (Note: See Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce website). Website: Website ( 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 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. 7

8 Council Highlights January 26, 2019 Council Meeting As always, full council minutes are on the bulletin board outside the Pastor s Office. All are welcome to attend meetings. If you have an agenda item see the Moderator 3 days in advance of the meeting please. The Council confirmed closing church when a State of Emergency is called. Five Sunday worship format to be explored. Trustees reported Marek Jura will be retiring June 15, Plans will be made to celebrate Marek s service to Emmanuel Blood drive held at Emmanuel is being explored 100 pairs sneakers delivered to Homeless Shelter in Hackensack. This was funded with the Christmas plate offering CE planning special church event on Saturday, February 16, from 6 to 9. Peace and Justice Forum planned for February 26 th, presented by Pastor Ken Community Pasta Dinner on hold until new chairman comes forward Exploring putting all hymns on the big screens Looking for some tech savvy young people to help with technology Possibility of a Spanish Festival discussed Women of Emmanuel to do program for All Seasons Concert, with ads in program. The next Council meeting will be Sunday, February 24, following the coffee hour. 8

9 WOMEN OF EMMANUEL 14 HOPE STREET RIDGEWOOD, NJ JOURNAL LISTING SHEET ALL SEASONS SPRING CONCERT Sunday, March 17, 2019 at Emmanuel, 14 Hope Street, Ridgewood, NJ CENTERFOLD (7 ½ x 10)......$1000(SOLD) FRONT INSIDE COVER.....(4 ½ x 7 ½).....$ 500 (SOLD) BACK OUTSIDE COVER.... (4 ½ x 7 ½)......$ 500 (SOLD) BACK INSIDE COVER (4 ½ x 7 ½)..... $ 300 (SOLD) FULL PAGE (4 ½ x 7 ½)..... $ 175 HALF PAGE (4 ½ x 3 ¾)..... $ 100 QUARTER PAGE (business card).. $ 75 PATRON (one line of type)......,... $ 25 Please send copy and check payable to Women of Emmanuel and send to: Marilyn Clark 232 Glen Road Woodcliff Lake, NJ

10 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 or by registering on line through the Meet Up website. The next dates are Feb. 7 & 28. 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 process. 10

11 DO POLITICS BELONG IN THE CONGREGATION? Peace & Justice Forum Tuesday Feb. 26 7pm A panel discussion with Ridgewood s Inter-Faith leaders Emmanuel Ridgewood 14 Hope Street, Ridgewood NJ (corner of Hope & Ridgewood Ave) 11

12 The Men of Emmanuel invite everyone to our annual Italian Festival on April 13. Save the date and bring your friends. Thank you to Joan Massler for her generosity and caring and for donating the activity book and crayon for the kids. 12

13 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 13

14 BABY SHOWER FOR MIA VICTORIA! Wally Krzeminski Speaks at Remembrance Service for Emmanuelites, their Families and Friends Who Died This Year 14

15 Happy Birthday 2-Agnes Hyun 4-Stephen Wheeler 6-Nancy Doyle 21-Sandy Frischknecht Happy Anniversary 14-Joan & Martin Massler 23-Fay & Michael Reid 15

16 February 2019 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 6:30 pm & 8 pm 3 America for Christ offering Communion Monthly food collection 10:30 Worship- Pastor Gill Preaching Youth Ministry 11:45 am Deacon Mtg 4 7:30 pm Prayer Group 5 6 9;30 am WOE 10:30 am CFI 8:30 pm AA 7 7:30 pm Uncoupling 7:30 pm ESL 8 6:30 pm & 8 pm AA 9 9 am Men s Fellowship breakfast 10 America for Christ offering 10:30 Worship- Pastor Gill Preaching :30 pm AA 14 7:30pm Vigil Against Gun Violence 15 6:30 pm & 8 pm AA 16 6 pm Intergenerational Music Fest 17 America for Christ offering 10:30 Worship- Pastor Lewis Preaching HS Ministry 18 President s Day office closed :30 pm AA 7:30 pm ESL 6:30 pm & 8 pm AA 24 America for Christ offering 10:30 Worship- Pastor Gill Preaching Young Adult ministry Council Mtg pm Peace & Justice Forum 27 8:30 pm AA :30 pm Uncoupling ESL