BEVERLY PRESS GRACE AND PEACE TO YOU, NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2017 AND JANUARY 2018

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1 NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2017 AND JANUARY 2018 Beverly Presbyterian Church 121 Warren Street, Edgewater Park, NJ GRACE AND PEACE TO YOU, Devastating hurricanes in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean, Earthquakes in Mexico and Japan, Wildfires in Northern California, uncertainty in North Korea, unrest and divisions in many areas of our nation have caused anxiety, uncertainty, and even despair in many people I ve talked with recently. Adding to that uncertainty, we face a new season in the life of our church as we say good-bye to Craig and Julie and wait for what God has next for us. I find myself asking several questions. How do we find peace in the middle of all this? How do we trust God when things around us seem so scary? There is a concern with charitable organizations that are involved in disaster relief about a condition call donor fatigue. There has been so much devastation that we can feel overwhelmed and believe that whatever little we can do or give can t begin to really matter. I ve realized that this phenomenon does not just refer to our monetary giving and donation of our time, but it affects the way we pray. It s so easy to feel like our prayers can t possibly make a difference in the middle of world events and natural disasters. At times like this, it is really important to remind ourselves of what prayer really is. In 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Paul has these words for his friend, Timothy. I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. Paul obviously believes that our prayers make a difference. Notice too that he says first of all. So often we use prayer like the last dollar in our wallet, when we ve used up all our other options. When we act first and pray second or not at all it is like going to battle and leaving our best weapon at home. Scripture is full of stories of how someone s prayer changed the course of events. Elijah prayed and the rains stopped, Hezekiah was given a death sentence from his illness and as he prayed, God gave him 15 more years of life. Time and time again the nation of Israel was headed for disaster and as the people turned to God and prayed and fasted, calamity relented. Prayer changes circumstances and changes us. Prayer brings us into intimate communion with God our Father and lines our wills up with His. As we cry out, sometimes with tears and often with frustration and worry, God reminds us of who He is. He is the Great I Am, the Lord of angel armies, the Lord who provides. His arm is never too short to save and nothing is too hard for him. We are a forgetful people and as we come into His presence in prayer, He reminds us again and again, reveals His character to us, and gives us hope and faith. I love how Eugene Peterson paraphrases the verses from 1 Timothy 2 in The Message. The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live. He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we ve learned: that there s one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us Jesus, who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free. Eventually the news is going to get out. This and this only has been my appointed work: getting this news to those who have never heard of God, and explaining how it works by simple faith and plain truth. Since prayer is at the bottom of all this, what I want mostly is for men to pray not shaking angry fists at enemies but raising holy hands to God. And I want women to get in there with the men in humility before God, not primping before a mirror or chasing the latest fashions but doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it. What if every time we are tempted to shake our fists figuratively if not literally in anger or throw up our hands in despair, we lifted them instead in prayer? What if, as we prayed, we believed God s promise that He is able to do exceedingly above what we ask or even imagine according to His power at work in us? Let s do it by praying alone and praying with each other. Let s learn how to really pray by just doing it. May we be a people who don t just talk about prayer, but a people who pray at all times, in all places for all people with all kinds of prayers and petitions with thanksgiving. May we see God move in power as we do. Soli Deo Gloria to God alone be the glory! Joanne Dileo 1

2 NOVEMBER & DE CEMBER A ND JA NUARY SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS The school year is going well, but we could use the support of a substitute teacher for classes. If you are interested in helping out please contact Sue Hill in person or at (856) It is possible that a Young Adult Bible study will be started in the coming months. If you are interested in participating in this group please contact Sean Yacona for more information. In the past year, we have gotten dehumidifiers for the all of the classrooms in the basement. We are still in the process of getting a new dehumidifier for the library. It is hoped that soon we will have enough dehumidifiers to combat the dampness in the community rooms for the coming fall season. Sunday School Department Teachers Pre-K: Early Primary Department: 4th-6th Grade: 7th-8th Grade: 9th-12th Grade: Adult Class: Music: Youth Group: Kelly Oulton Sue Hill Jennifer Yacona Sean Yacona Don Arter Debbie Bertino Gwen Reed Sean and Jennifer Yacona The Christmas program this year will have two theatrical performances. The young children will be performing the Little Lost Angel play, and the older children will be performing a Superhero Christmas Story. The program will also include some of our children performing a sign language presentation. Practices for the program will start soon. Sunday School meets every Sunday at 9:00 AM. The Adult Sunday School meets at 8:45 AM in the Conference Room. Sunday School will be held on December 24th, but it will not be held on December 31st. 2

3 IMPORTANT DATES All Saint s Day: Daylight-Saving Time ends: NJ Election Day: Veterans Day: Christ the King Sunday: Thanksgiving: Wednesday, November 1st Sunday, November 5th Tuesday, November 7th Saturday, November 11th Sunday, November 26th Thursday, November 23rd Women s Soup Luncheon In Fellowship Hall On Tuesday Nov. 14th at Noon All women of the church are invited to attend, and any men who wish to attend can come as well. Contact Sue Hill or Joy Dodimead. West Jersey Presbyterian Women s Meeting In The Conference Room On Saturday, Nov. 18th at 9:30AM-Noon Contact Pat Kelly. Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service St. Stephen s Episcopal Church (Warren St.) On Nov 19th at 7PM Bring your craft to the Presbyterian Women Craft Sessions. They are held on Wednesdays, twice a month, from 12PM-1PM in the Conference Room. Craft Days: November 1st November 15th December 6th Office Closed November 17th through November 24th 3

4 NOVEMBER & DE CEMBER A ND JA NUARY rd Sue Murphy 5th Frank Van Gelder 11th Olivia Sadowski 22nd Joe Reed 26th David Hill 29th - Jaime Schellhardt 2nd Charles & Betty Kreischer [60 years] 3rd Craig & Amanda Eutsy [10 years] 13th Doug & Alice Mike [69 years] Jennifer Yacona is collecting the Shoeboxes and will deliver them to the next stop along their amazing journey to children around the world. More information will be provided in the Sunday Worship bulletin. 4

5 IMPORTANT DATES Second Sunday of Advent: Sunday, December 10th Third Sunday of Advent: Sunday, December 17th First Day of Winter: Thursday, December 21st Fourth Sunday of Advent: Sunday, December 24th Christmas Eve: Sunday, December 24th Christmas Day: Monday, December 25th New Year s Eve/Watch Night: Sunday, December 31st Beverly Presbyterian Women s Christmas Brunch In Fellowship Hall On Saturday Dec. 9th at 9:30AM Contact Pat Dougherty Choir Christmas Cantata Night of the Father s Love By Pepper Choplin On December 17th During the 10AM Worship Service One of our most loved Christmas traditions. Invite your friends and family or someone you haven't seen in church for a while. Children s Christmas Program Fellowship Hall On Sunday, Dec. 17 at 6PM A Superhero Christmas Story & The Little Lost Angel Candle-Lighting Christmas Eve Service On December 24th at 7PM This year Christmas is on a Monday so we will be having Pastor Jim Barber preach for our evening service. We hope to see you in the sanctuary for worship at 10AM as well as 7PM for the special Christmas Eve Service. Office Closed December 25 through January 1 5

6 NOVEMBER & DE CEMBER A ND JA NUARY st 2nd 6th 8th Emily Buckley Morgan Jones Gail Eutsy Rebecca Belliveau Jon Campbell Jordyn Cosden Victoria Franklin 12th 13th 15th - 18th 21st 22nd Paula Marcus Tracy Sarnoski Peggy Marter Amadu Mansaray Angie Palombi Norma Stanton Jeanne Buffarini Hunter Cosden 25th JESUS CHRIST Frank Nikolet Noel Rainey 26th Lauren Buckley 30th Doug Milke Pulpit Flowers 5th Dan & Jaime Schellhardt Each Worship Service, live floral arrangements are placed at the pulpit, dedicated in memory of ones who have passed on. We appreciate everyone who made dedications this year and continue the tradition every year. This helps to cut the cost from the church s revenue. Soon, letters will be sent out, indicating the date(s) in 2018 that are reserved for you if you dedicated in The cost is still $12 per urn. If you didn t dedicate flowers in 2017 but would like to start, contact Karen Reed (kreed@trcsolutions.com or ). The dates available for 2018 are 1/7, 1/21, 2/18, 4/15, 6/3, 10/7 and 10/21. Karen will collect the payment in the form of cash or check made out to the Beverly Presbyterian Church (write flower in the memo section). At end of the service you may take your dedicated flowers home to enjoy. Stewardship Report (for the period of January 1 st through September 30 th, 2017) Revenue needed to make budget: $ 141,163 *Actual revenue received for period: $ 105,741 Revenue under budget: $ -35,422 Total expenditures: $ 137,388 *Actual revenue received for period: $ 105,741 Revenue under expenditures: $ - 31,647 *This number reflects all incoming revenue INCLUDING the Balance the Budget donations. It DOES NOT INCLUDE donations to the Food Pantry, 2 Cents a Meal, or Missions. 6

7 The Beverly Ministerium is planning a service to honor Martin Luther King Jr. on Sunday, January 14th. There will be more information in the coming church bulletins. Annual Congregation Meeting Sunday, January 28th Immediately following the morning service. All end of the Year reports from Moderators, Treasures and Committee Chair people are due in the Church Office no later than Sunday, January 14th. IMPORTANT DATES National Youth Day: Friday, January 12th Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 15th National Voters Day: Thursday, January 25th S U B M I T YO U R N EWS This newsletter can be used to share information not just about the Beverly Presbyterian Church s upcoming events but also to reflect and share. 2nd Doug Allen 7th Tessa Sheets 8th Kirsten Thatcher 12th Jimmy Hoffman 15th Brian Murphy 20th Elena Abriola 21st Jim Hoffman Kathy Franklin 26th Craig Eutsey 31st Mikayla Franklin What is your favorite Bible passage and who has it affected your life? What s going on in your church group whether Sunday School, Praise Service, Presbyterian Women, Men s Breakfast, Youth Group, Food Pantry, Choir, etc.? How can we pray for you? Who s just gotten engaged, expecting a baby, met a goal, was promoted, went on an trip or journey? Give tips, tricks, secrets for cleaning, crafting, woodworking, car maintenance, home improvements, etc. Share your favorite recipe, restaurant, store or activity. 17th James and Kathleen Spencer (48 years) Submit your inclusions for the newsletter to Hannah Reed no later than January 21st. to deepseablue16@gmail.com or drop off in the church office. 7