The Presbyterian Church

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1 The Presbyterian Church BASKING RIDGE, NEW JERSEY FOUNDED CIRCA 1717 November 21 and 22, 2015 Jesus today has many who love his heavenly kingdom, but few who carry his cross; many who yearn for comfort, few who long for distress. Plenty of people he finds to share his banquet, few to share his fast. Everyone desires to take part in his rejoicing, but few are willing to suffer anything for his sake. There are many that follow Jesus as far as the breaking of bread, few as far as drinking the cup of suffering; many that revere his miracles, few that follow him in the indignity of the cross. ~Thomas à Kempis

2 Welcome We warmly welcome you to worship at The Presbyterian Church in Basking Ridge. We pray that you will be encouraged in your journey of faith and drawn closer to God by your experience with us. Children and Families Childcare for infants and children ages 2 and younger is available in the church nursery during our Sunday morning services. Pagers are used to contact parents during the worship services when necessary. Oak Table Service We believe that worship nurtures children and that children enrich our worship life together. If your children become restless in worship, please feel free to quietly move around with them or join them on the carpet for young children behind the seating area. Sunday Worship Service 9:00 am Nursery care is available for children age 2 years and younger. 10:15 am Nursery care is available for children age 2 yrs. and under. Children in preschool through grade 5 will be invited to leave for Sunday School following the Message for Children. Middle School Bibles and Bagels for students in grades 6-8 meets in the church house library following the Message for Children, except the first Sunday of the month when the students will remain in worship. Online Sermons Recorded audio sermons from most Sundays are available on the church website at To access, click on the Sermons link under Worship and Music on the main menu. Amplification Headsets So that all may enjoy the worship service, sound amplification headsets are available from the ushers for those who need assistance with hearing. Who Does God Call Us to Be? We are a vibrant, warm and welcoming community of faith. Those who worship here come from a diverse range of backgrounds and would describe themselves in a rich variety of ways. We acknowledge our doubt, our struggles, and that we are all quite human and imperfect and that we are each at a unique place on our faith journey. We find our unity, our common identity, in Jesus Christ and together we seek to joyfully worship God and energetically minister to the needs of the world on God s behalf. We gather in anticipation of being transformed by the power, purpose and presence of God among us, and go forth equipped to love God and neighbor more deeply and more wholeheartedly. We believe that faithful leadership of a church requires being open to new possibilities, taking risks and learning from mistakes as we try again. Honoring the past, we are convinced that God calls us to a new future. ~The Opening Paragraph of Vision 2017 of the Presbyterian Church in Basking Ridge

3 November 21, 2015 Order of Worship Saturday Evening 5:00 p.m. - Westminster Hall (Please prepare prayerfully for worship and be sure all cell phones are turned off.) oak table service PRELUDE GREETING AND CALL TO WORSHIP *GATHERING SONGS You Are Worthy of My Praise By David Ruis All Creatures of Our God and King arr. David Crowder OPENING PRAYER SCRIPTURE John 18: MESSAGE OFFERING Dr. Maureen Paterson SPECIAL MUSIC Stay and Wait by Joel Houston PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE THE LORD S PRAYER (unison) Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen. *CLOSING SONG You Are My King by Billy James Foote CHARGE AND BENEDICTION *Those who are able are invited to stand. If your children become restless in worship, please feel free to quietly move around with them or join them on the carpet for young children behind the seating area.

4 November 22, 2015 PRELUDE Order of Worship 9:00 a.m. ~ Chapel, 10:15 a.m. ~ Sanctuary Christ the King Sunday (As the prelude begins, please prepare prayerfully for worship and be sure all cell phones are turned off.) INTROIT (10:15) Come into God s Presence Traditional (Choir Grades 1-5) CALL TO WORSHIP (10:15) Rev. Dennis W. Jones Leader: Grace and peace to you from the One who is, who always was, and who is still to come People: the Alpha and the Omega the beginning and the end. Leader: This is our God People: the One who loves us, and who gave himself for us; who gathers us together in this place and bids us seek his face. All: Let s all worship God together! *OPENING HYMN Come, Thou Almighty King HYMN 2 PRAYER OF ADORATION PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison) Sovereign God, we confess that although we willingly say that Jesus is King, we often fail to bow our knees before him. Instead, we grant our allegiances to the relationships and material goods of this world. In your mercy, hear our prayer of confession. Grant us the humility to bow before you, the Ruler of all nations, so that we may be loyal servants in your kingdom. Through your son, the King of kings and Lord of lords, Amen. SILENT REFLECTION AND CONFESSION OF SIN ASSURANCE OF PARDON *RESPONSE OF PRAISE We Are Forgiven HYMN 447 We are forgiven. We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God. We are forgiven. We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God.

5 *THE PEACE Leader: Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: I invite you to turn and greet one another with a sign of Christ s peace. WORDS OF WELCOME PASSING OF THE WELCOME PADS MINUTE FOR MISSION Ecuador 2016 Ted and Rose Nelson CHILDREN S ANTHEMS (10:15) Lord, We Give Thanks by Mark Patterson (Choir Grades 1-5) Thank You God for Ears by Mark Burrow (Choirs Little Spirit and Grades 1-2) (Children ages 3 years through grade 8 may go to Sunday School) *HYMN (10:15) This Is My Father s World HYMN 370 SCRIPTURE LESSON Psalm 132: 1-5 (10:15) Jessica Creedon John 18: Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. SERMON Kings and Kingdoms Dr. Maureen Paterson PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERING OFFERTORY (10:15) O Clap Your Hands by Ralph Vaughan Williams Sanctuary Choir *DOXOLOGY HYMN 606 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. *PRAYER OF DEDICATION PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION THE LORD S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen. *CLOSING HYMN Rejoice, the Lord Is King HYMN 363 *BENEDICTION *POSTLUDE (10:15) Lead On, O King Eternal By Robert W. Thygerson

Church Family The Flowers on the Piers this morning are given to the glory of God. ~ In loving memory of Chip Landis, by his father and sisters. ~ In loving memory of Jack Kinney, by his family.

There are two pier openings on December 13 and 27. If you would like to donate an arrangement, please contact Debbie Schaub at 908-507-3844; e-mail address, debbie.schaub@verizon.net.

6 Church Family The Flowers on the Piers this morning are given to the glory of God. ~ In loving memory of Chip Landis, by his father and sisters. ~ In loving memory of Jack Kinney, by his family. The flowers that grace our sanctuary each week are gifts from members flowers of the congregation. Flowers may be given in memory or in honor of someone or to celebrate an occasion. There are two pier openings on December 13 and 27. If you would like to donate an arrangement, please contact Debbie Schaub at ; address, debbie.schaub@verizon.net. Our Greeters today are Betty Mills and Koert and Cindy VanderVoort. Join us for fellowship and coffee hour in Westminster Hall after the 9 a.m. service, hosted by Gerry Shamey and after the 10:15 a.m. service hosted by Maggie Wald and Jean Aurnhammer. The Rosebud on the Communion table is in celebration of the birth of Willa May Hanson on November 16, daughter of Jimmy and Tessa Hanson, granddaughter of Jimmy and Barb Hanson. Fellowship The Appy Christmas Party is Coming! Date: Saturday, December 12 Time: 5-8 p.m.. Place: The Home of Jeff and Patty Haines Cost: $20 per person Sign up after all Worship Services or online at brpc.org. If you need a ride, please notify the person at the sign-up table and arrangements will be made. We hope you will join the party! Stewardship 2016 We are Grateful for the Generosity of the Congregation! Thank you to the 128 families and individuals who have made pledge commitments for 2016 totaling $500,941. In response to prayerful consideration of what God is calling them to do, many in our congregation have increased their pledges from last year. We are excited and encouraged by the 10 new pledges totaling $21,189 so far this year. Those of you still in thought and prayer about your commitment to the mission and ministry of our church are encouraged to return a pledge card as soon as possible so we can complete our plans for the coming year.

7 Youth Ministries Middle School Bibles & Bagels We welcome all Middle School Students to Bibles & Bagels today at 10:30 a.m. in the library. The subject for the Bible study is Missing the Mark, reading from Romans 1: Hope to see you there! Senior High Fellowship 6:00 p.m. today! New time! After last week s success with having fellowship in the evening we will continue this. We will meet at the Youth Center tonight from 6-7:30 p.m. where there will be pizza, fellowship and discussion. Everyone is warmly welcomed! Middle School Fellowship Due to Thanksgiving there will be no Fellowship this week. We will see you next week! Spiritual Formation Deborah Felmeth to Speak on Syria Today at 4 p.m. Church House Parlor Deborah Felmeth, daughter of Rev. Bill and Kay Felmeth and native of Basking Ridge, will join us today to share her experience living in Syria. Deborah s book Syria - Remember Me bears witness in words and images to the strong, dignified, and complex lives of the Syrian people from the fertile Euphrates River Valley to the expanse of the Syrian Desert, from the maze of overflowing markets to the spacious interiors of gold-domed mosques. The photographs in this collection were taken over two decades ( ) and precede the war that now sweeps this beleaguered land. Please join us for this informative presentation! We will provide coffee and dessert. Sermon Partner Bible Study Reverend Dennis Jones will be leading a four week Bible study during the four weeks of advent everyone is welcome! Each week we will reflect on the Scripture passage that will be preached on the following Sunday. Our approach will be similar to lectio divina, and allow plenty of time for prayer and sharing. Join us Wednesday mornings in the Church House Parlor beginning November 25. We will begin with a time of intercessory prayer at 9:30 a.m. or you may come just to attend the study from a.m. Call Dennis with any questions. Children and Family Ministries Sunday School Update Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no Sunday School on Sunday, November 29. Advent Festival Sunday, December 13 following the 10:15 a.m. Worship Service Westminster Hall Join us for festive fellowship and fun at our annual Advent Festival! Enjoy a continental breakfast and merry-making with seasonal crafts. Contact Jackie Obregon for more information at jobregon@brpc.org.

Opportunities to Give and Serve Give a little Extra on Thanksgiving As we have done the past few years volunteers from BRPC and Elizabethport Presbyterian Center will be delivering meals to seniors

We will be working out of two kitchens this year to increase our efficiency. It is a great chance to do some good before you enjoy your own Thanksgiving feast.

Alternative Gift Giving Opportunity Sunday, November 29 in Westminster Hall following both worship services Following the worship services next Sunday, there will still be opportunities to support

8 Opportunities to Give and Serve Give a little Extra on Thanksgiving As we have done the past few years volunteers from BRPC and Elizabethport Presbyterian Center will be delivering meals to seniors and shut-ins in Elizabeth on Thanksgiving morning. For the second year in a row we will be assembling at the Center at 184 First Street, Elizabeth NJ at 10 a.m. and should be done by noon or so. We will be working out of two kitchens this year to increase our efficiency. It is a great chance to do some good before you enjoy your own Thanksgiving feast. Please Tom Eicher at eicherfam@optonline.net if you are able to attend and note how many will be coming. Alternative Gift Giving Opportunity Sunday, November 29 in Westminster Hall following both worship services Following the worship services next Sunday, there will still be opportunities to support some of our mission partners: Interfaith Hospitality Network, Homeless Solutions, God's Co-op Food Pantry, Village2Village and our Haiti Mission. You can make a gift in honor of someone and cards will be available for you to give to loved ones to acknowledge these gifts. Please support these and other mission causes and get a headstart on your Christmas Shopping. To find out more, please contact Carol Skidmore or Ellen Greenhorn. Giving Tree Ornaments Available Today Beat the Rush! The tree in Westminster Hall is decorated with gifts from the wish list of Homeless Solutions, God's Co-op Pantry, women from the Bo Robinson Transitional facility and families in need this Christmas. Please stop by today to pick an ornament. All gifts should be returned to Westminster Hall by December 13, unwrapped in gift bags. Thank You for sharing God's love and peace with those in need this Christmas. Interfaith Hospitality Network Thanksgiving Service All are invited to attend this annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, sponsored by North Branch Reformed Church, St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church and Temple Beth-El, on Tuesday, November 24, 7 pm, at North Branch Reformed Church, Rt. 28 in Bridgewater. Donations will be accepted for the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Somerset County and nonperishable food items will also be collected for the Somerset County Food Bank. BRPC will be hosting the IHN guests from Dec 6 th 13 th. Those interested in volunteering can sign up online, before or after worship services or by calling Joan Eichhorn. As always, all help is greatly appreciated. 28th Annual Women s Christmas Service Sunday, December 6 at 3 p.m. Peapack Reformed Church, 224 Main Street, Gladstone This is a special service of music, prayers and readings to begin the holiday season with the love, joy, hope and peace of Christmas in your heart. Worship will be held in the Sanctuary followed by Afternoon Tea in Fellowship Hall. A collection will be taken to benefit God s Co-Op Pantry. All women are invited!

9 More Opportunities to Give and Serve Collection of Gently-Used and New Women's Clothing Here is an opportunity to help women transitioning from prison to the community at the Bo Robinson Transitional Center in Trenton. Some women do not have family support and need clothing to begin their new life. The women need seasonal gently-used or new clothing of all sizes especially jeans, slacks, tops, sweaters, and sweat suits (pants and top). New bras and underwear, any sizes, are also very much needed. Please leave donations in the box in Westminster Hall, or in the coat rack near the parlor in the church house by Dec. 15. Thank you from Mission Council! Easy Way to Donate to BRPC Do you like to shop on Amazon? Here is a unique way to have some of your purchases help your church! To place an order with Amazon, go to smile.amazon.com and type in The Presbyterian Church Basking Ridge and.5% of your eligible purchases will be donated to BRPC. Thank you for your generosity! Happy shopping! Mission Mission Update from former SCEEP Scholarship Recipient Chuck Miller received an from one of our former SCEEP scholarship recipients, Taquinza Berryman, with the following update. I graduated with a BA in Psychology and am currently working for Newark Public Schools as a per diem teacher. I am trying to figure out which grade I would like to teach and which school I would like to work at. I am very close to several school psychologists and they have been mentoring me. I know for sure that I want to be in the educational field. BRPC SCEEP scholarships supported Taquinza through high school and college and we are so thankful that we have helped her onto a wonderful path! A Note of Thanks... Dear Friends, Thank you to everyone who came to the Deacon Cluster Brunch last Sunday and who brought such wonderful food. We loved seeing so many of you there. It would not have been such an amazing gathering of friendship and love without your participation. Please remember the Deacons are here should you need a bit of help or when you have joys to share. We love hearing from you. Love, Your Deacons Nov. 29 Dec. 6 Dec. 12 Mark Your Calendars and Join Us! First Sunday of Advent Dec. 13 Advent Festival Oratorio Services at 4 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 20 Walk to Bethlehem- 4 p.m. (Saturday) Appy Christmas Social Jan. 24 Exploring Membership Class

Church Staff Peter O Connor Retires on November 30! After more than 32 years of dedicated service, Peter retires on November 30, 2015.

During his tenure, Peter has used his considerable skills to handle many emergencies and repairs and has done a superb job of maintaining our buildings, grounds, historic sanctuary and cemetery.

Retirement means Peter will be able to spend more time with his wife, Ally and his beloved dogs. He will continue to work at his landscaping business, For Pete s Sake to keep busy.

11 Church Staff Peter O Connor Retires on November 30! After more than 32 years of dedicated service, Peter retires on November 30, Peter followed in his father s footsteps when he joined the BRPC sexton staff in February During his tenure, Peter has used his considerable skills to handle many emergencies and repairs and has done a superb job of maintaining our buildings, grounds, historic sanctuary and cemetery. Peter is known affectionately by the staff as Mr. Snow because of the outstanding job he does at snow removal, keeping our grounds and members safe even in the worst of conditions. Retirement means Peter will be able to spend more time with his wife, Ally and his beloved dogs. He will continue to work at his landscaping business, For Pete s Sake to keep busy. We commend Peter for a job well done and wish him all God s blessings as he moves on to the next phase of his life. Pete WE WILL MISS YOU! Christmas Season Order Your Poinsettias Poinsettias will grace our sanctuary again this Christmas season. If you wish to contribute to the fund for these flowers, in memory or in honor of a loved one, please call the church house by Monday, December 14. The cost is $15. We will list the honored names in the bulletin on the 4th Sunday of Advent, December 20. Walk to Bethlehem Join the annual walk to Bethlehem on Sunday, December 20 beginning at 4 p.m. A candlelight procession will make its way to four churches in town. Carols will be sung at each church and the Christmas Story will be told. The walk will begin at St. James Roman Catholic Church and will end here at BRPC. All are welcome to join in this special community event. Christmas 2015 Worship Schedule Christmas Eve, December 24 Christmas Day, December 25 4:30 p.m. Young Children s Service 11:00 a.m. Come As You Are Informal Worship 7:35 p.m. Family Service Dr. Maureen Paterson, preaching Spirit Choir 10:00 p.m. Candlelight Service Rev. Dennis Jones, preaching Sanctuary, Alumni and Knox Bell Choirs

12 Weekly Calendar SUNDAY NOVEMBER 22 Early Bird Study, 8:00 am... Library Worship, 9:00 am... Chapel Small Group, 9:00 am... Parlor Fellowship Time, 9:45 am... Westminster Hall Worship, 10:15 am... Sanctuary Sunday School, 10:15 am... Ed. Bldg. Bibles & Bagels, 10:15 am... Library Fellowship Time, 11:15 am... Westminster Hall Welcome Team, 11;30 am... Agape Room Syria Lecture, 4:00 pm... Parlor Senior High Fellowship, 6:00 pm... Youth Center MONDAY NOVEMBER 23 Adult Ed. Comm., 7:00 pm... Geneva Rm. Deacons, 7:00 pm... Parlor Tree House Board, 7:30 pm... Library TUESDAY NOVEMBER 24 Walk and Talk, 8:00 am... Off-site Oak Tree Quilters, 9:00 am... Geneva Room Spirit Program, 4:00 pm... Westminster Hall Alpha Bell Choir, 6:15 pm,... Knox Room Interfaith Service, 7:00 pm... Off-Site Knox Bell Choir, 7:30pm... Knox Room Small Group, 7:30 pm... Taylor s Home WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 25 Sermon Partner Bible Study, 9:30 am Parlor THANKSGIVING NOVEMBER 26 Church Office Closed for Holiday E Port Thanksgiving, 10:00 am... Off-site FRIDAY NOVEMBER 27 Church Office Closed for Holiday SATURDAY NOVEMBER 28 Oak Table Service, 5:00 pm... Westminster Hall The Presbyterian Church One East Oak St., Basking Ridge NJ FAX: info@brpc.org - Pastor & Head of Staff Rev. Dennis W. Jones... ext. 15 Associate Pastor Dr. Maureen Paterson... ext. 11 Parish Associate Rev. Bruce E. Schundler Interim Director of Ministries to Youth, Young Adults and their Families Andy Holvik... ext. 17 Director of Ministries to Children Jacqueline Obregon.... ext. 14 Tree House Director Jennifer Nowack Director of Music Ministry Chris Fortin Director of Children s Music Ministry Beth Donley Church Administrator & Treasurer Janet Bentley... ext. 18 Assistant Treasurers Liz Messineo... ext. 21 Nancy Kuhn... ext. 21 Pastoral Administrative Asst. Cara Burchett... ext. 19 Church Administrative Asst. Pam Smith... ext. 12 Receptionist Michelle Berger... ext. 10 Communications Coordinator Gary Ingram... ext. 13 Sexton Staff Peter O Connor... ext. 16 David Brownlee Ministers All the People Clerk of Session Tina Bramel President of Trustees Tom Fitzsimons Moderator of Deacons Addie Gundlach

The Presbyterian Church BASKING RIDGE, NEW JERSEY FOUNDED CIRCA 1717 October 27 and 28, 2018

The Presbyterian Church BASKING RIDGE, NEW JERSEY FOUNDED CIRCA 1717 October 27 and 28, 2018 "The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision." ~Helen Keller Welcome We warmly welcome