The Herald. The First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood. From our Pastor. February Dear Friends,

Transcription

1 February 2012 The First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood From our Pastor Dear Friends, The Herald Last Sunday, I talked about the reality of where the church stands today overall. In my sermon, I quoted an article by David Lose, Professor of Preaching at Luther Seminary in Minnesota where he stated, Attending church isn t a cultural given anymore and there are a whole lot more options on how you might profitably spend your Sunday morning. 1 Then, I shared with you some of the challenges that churches in our Presbytery are facing. It was not my intent to scare anyone into thinking that our congregation is in trouble. We have been so blessed by God with the resources and the people who have been wonderful stewards of those resources. However, in order to sustain our congregation for the next generations to come, we must face the reality that is in our world. We must begin to discuss how we can continue to do what we are doing how we can keep reaching out to this community how we can continue to maintain our building and grounds how we can keep proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ in the framework of What is our church s vision? How can we sustain and continue to grow despite the fact that church attendance is no longer a given? What are our church s hopes and dreams and goals? What are we doing in ministry here that we should stop doing? What are we NOT doing that we should be? What is God calling the First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood to be and to do? I want to hear your ideas. I want you to pray about where our church is headed. I want you to think about where our passions for ministry are. I want to see you on Sunday and bring a friend. My love and prayers in Christ, Pastor Mike The Rev. Michael F. Atzert, Pastor 1 From Internet. 01/17/12 21 East Church Street Blackwood, NJ

2 Trustees Notes Janice Long, President The Trustees meet on the third Monday of each month at 7pm. The Board of Trustees wants to wish everyone a Healthy and Blessed New Year! Please plan to attend the Corporation Meeting on Sunday February 5th. The meeting will follow a Potluck Luncheon. Let s start 2012 off celebrating in fellowship together. Just a reminder that cemetery plots are available. The Board is always looking for fundraising ideas from our congregation. If you have ideas please share them with any Board members! If you would be interested in serving on the Board of Trustees or just as a volunteer please see Janice Long. Session s Notes The Session meets on the second Monday of each month at 7pm. Choir Cemetery Lots are available in Section 4. See Janice Long or call the office for information. Charles Miller, Clerk Nancy Quigley, Organist & Choir Director Bell Choir rehearsals are Thursdays at 6:30pm in the Board Room, and Choir Rehearsals are on Thursdays at 7pm in the Sanctuary. Regular rehearsals are from 7:00-7:45. New voices are always welcome! Deacons Notes Kathy Hilbert, Moderator The Deacons meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 7pm. Pantry--The pantry is bare!--it got wiped out putting together the Christmas baskets--any donations would be greatly appreciated! Care Packages for College Students--The Deacons will be putting together care packages for our college students--if your child is a college student, please make sure the Deacons have his/her current address. Easter Baskets--The Deacons will again be donating Easter baskets to those in need in Gloucester Township--any canned goods or nonperishable food items would be a big help-- HAMS are also needed. History--We are requesting any old pictures of the church or church members because we are trying to put something historical together-- if you have something, please see a Deacon. ShopRite Gift Cards Shop Rite Gift Cards are available for purchase each and every Sunday. Thank you for your support all proceeds benefit our Building Vision Fund. Herald If you would like to receive an electronic copy, please give Karen Clifford your address. Contributions and suggestions are always appreciated! Contact Karen. The deadline for the March newsletter is February 22nd Thank you. 2

3 Sunday School Susan Woodward, Christian Education Chair Happy New Year from the Christian Ed. Committee! We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. A big thank you to all who helped with the Happy Birthday Party for Jesus. The committee would also like to thank Diane DeSantis for all her help and participation with Christian Ed. Activities. She is still serving on the Board of Session, but has transferred to another committee so we will miss her but wish her the best of luck with her new mission! We are sending out a big welcome to our new Christian Ed. Elder, Mr. Bill McLeester. Bill is one of the wonderful youth group leaders and has faithfully served as an elder before. The Christian Education Committee is very excited to have Bill as part of their team! The February Sunday School Challenge is Memory Verse Madness! The SS students have been challenged to recite verses they have learned in their classes. The class & the individual who recites the most will win a prize! February will be Bring A Friend month in Sunday School. The class who brings the most friends during the month will win a prize (and Pastor Mike may be convinced to do something crazy again!). Just want to let everyone know about some upcoming events. We will host a Family Movie Night on Friday, March 2 nd at 7pm. Bring your pillows and blankets to comfortably stretch out and relax in your comfy clothes, (yes, pajamas are welcome!) to watch a specially chosen family film on our big screen! Sorry, we can t reveal the title of the movie because that would ruin the surprise! We will supply the popcorn and drinks. All are welcome, so bring a friend! Our Annual Church Picnic will be held at James G. Atkinson Memorial Park on Youth Sunday, May 20 th at 3pm. This is the park formerly known as Bethel Mill Park and it is located on Delsea Drive in Gloucester County, NJ. We have rented the entire pavilion for three hours and are planning some fun filled activities. All Secret Spiritual Sponsors for our youth group will be revealed. We will supply the hot dogs and hamburgers and we ask everyone to bring their own drinks and a side dish to share. We are asking for some volunteers to help with this popular family event. Please see Sue Woodward or Bill McLeester with any suggestions or comments. Look for more information about Youth Retreat (March 23 rd -25 th ), RiverSharks and Church Pool Party coming soon! Prayer Chain Our prayer chain members are available to receive requests by and telephone at any time. Each prayer request is very important and is passed along the chain promptly. If you re interested in helping with the prayer chain, or if you have a prayer request, please contact either Pastor Mike or Kathy Hilbert. Prayer Concerns Kathy Hilbert, Coordinator Midweek Bible Study is held on Wednesdays, from 7-8:15 pm in the Board Room. Please join us for a time of learning, praying, and fellowship. February s schedule is: Feb 1 The Doctrine of Providence & the Problem of Evil Feb 8 The Doctrine of Human Beings Feb 15 The Doctrine of Sin Feb 22 No Study Ash Wednesday Feb 29 The Doctrine of the Incarnation Men s Bible Study meets every Thursday morning at 6:00 in the Board Room. We are studying the book of Hebrews. All men of the church are invited! Please let the church office know of updates to people on the prayer list. Generally, prayer requests stay on the list for 1 month unless word is given to Pastor Mike or Karen, the secretary, to leave on longer. We believe in the power of prayer! Thanks for your help! 3

4 Upcoming Events and Announcements The Annual Meeting of the Congregation & Corporation will be held on Sunday, February 5 th immediately following worship in Fellowship Hall. There will be a potluck luncheon, followed by the meeting where we will review the annual report. Please plan to join us as we celebrate another year of ministry together Lenten Devotional - After a break last year, the Spiritual Life & Worship Committee is attempting to compile a Lenten Devotional for this year. Sign up sheet with Scriptures is on the Board Room table. We need to fill all the days or we won t be able to complete the devotional! Devotions are due by Sunday, February 12 th. Ash Wednesday is Wednesday, February 22 nd. There will be a worship service with the Methodist Church (time & location TBA). More details to follow New Member Classes will be held on Sundays, February 12, 19, & 26 at 9:45am in Pastor Mike s office. If you have been worshipping with us and are interested in finding out more about joining the church, please let Pastor Mike know. The Youth Group is sponsoring Souper Bowl of Caring on Sunday, February 5 th. Please bring canned goods (for the Deacons pantry) and dollar bills (designated for our Camden Outreach ministry) in support of fighting hunger around the world. 30-Hour Famine On February 24 & 25, members of our Youth Group will be traveling to the Presbyterian Church of Woodbury to participate in the World Vision s Annual 30-Hour Famine. They will go without food for 30 hours and participate in activities which raise awareness and help end hunger. Please consider sponsoring a youth by making a donation to their effort. And thank you to the adult leaders Jodi Logan, Joanne Hazzard & Nancy Martellio Summer Youth Mission Trip Looking for a way to support our youth this summer? How about prayerfully considering being a sponsor? Sign up in the Narthex to help with their financial obligation and pray for them in preparation for our trip to New Haven, CT this summer. Any questions, please see Pastor Mike. Your Building Vision Team has placed a box on the narthex table. Your questions, comments or suggestions are welcome! Just a reminder that the Church Office is open Monday through Thursday from 9am-12pm. The Office is closed on Fridays. Also, Pastor Mike s days off are Fridays and Saturdays. Please try to honor his time off, but he is available in an emergency. 4

5 If you see coupons you don t need for cat food, litter, etc., please clip them and give them to Karen Clifford. Don t throw out those Lowe s coupons! Your Trustees can use them. Please save them and give them to Rich Hojnowski, Jr. or put them in the Trustees box outside Pastor Mike s office. Thank you for all your help!! Thank you! Shirley Shreiner s Collecting! Secret Spiritual Sponsors Remember to continue to pray for your youth and send them an anonymous note. What, you ask? Outdated coupons ~ the armed forces/service people and their families can use them even if they re outdated. And screw tops from products (shampoos, orange juice, etc.) for parents of children who need dialysis ~ they help to pay for the dialysis. They may be just trash to some, but they re much-needed help to others. Here s one more easy way for you to help! A Preliminary Planning Meeting will be held on Saturday, February 18 th, at 1:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. The purpose of this meeting is to decide what day and time would best for the meetings based on the availability of those attending and what everyone would like to see accomplished at the meetings. Ladies, if you are interested in joining the Women s Guild, please come to the meeting on February 18 th with your ideas and suggestions. Any questions, please see Anne Rapp. 5

6 The Annual Meeting of the Congregation & Corporation will be held on Sunday, February 5 th immediately following worship in Fellowship Hall. There will be a potluck luncheon, followed by the meeting where we will review the Annual Report. Please plan to join us as we celebrate another year of ministry together. 6

7 Love If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place but have not love I am a housekeeper, not a homemaker. If I have time for waxing, polishing and decorative achievements but have not love My children learn of cleanliness not godliness. Love leaves the dust in search of a child s laugh. Love smiles at tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window. Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk. Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys. Love is present through trials. Love reprimands, reproves and is responsive. As a mother, there is much I must teach my child But the greatest of these is love. Grasp eternal values firmly, and you will hold loosely this world s treasures. A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him. Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump. "Reverend," said the young man, "I'm so sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip." The minister chuckled, "I know what you mean. It's the same in my business." Contributed by Rich Hojnowski M inistry is giving when you feel like keeping, praying for others when you need to be prayed for, feeding others when your own soul is hungry, living truth before people even when you can t see results, hurting with others when your own hurt can t be spoken, keeping your word when it is not convenient, it is being faithful when your flesh wants to run away. 7

8 God is like ALLSTATE. You re in good hands with Him. February 16th Nylon was Patented by Du- Pont in February 20th John Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962 in the Friendship 7 space capsule. Seems like only yesterday. Anagram: PRESBYTERIAN, when you rearrange the letters, is BEST IN PRAYER 8

9 I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5, stuck in traffic, and the car started to choke and splutter and die - I barely managed to coast, cursing, into a gas station, glad only that I would not be blocking traffic and would have a somewhat warm spot to wait for the tow truck. It wouldn t even turn over. Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the quickie mart building, and it looked like she slipped on some ice and fell into a gas pump, so I got out to see if she was ok. When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs than that she had fallen; she was a young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it up to give it to her. It was a nickel. At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff with 3 kids in the back (1 in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95. I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept saying I don t want my kids to see me crying! So we stood on the other side of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California and that things were very hard for her right now. So I asked, And you were praying? That made her back away from me a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person and said, He heard you, and He sent me. I took out my card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump so she could fill up her car completely, and while it was fueling, walked to the McDonald s next door and bought 2 big bags of food, some gift certificates for more, and a big cup of coffee. She gave the food to the kids in the car, who attacked it like wolves, and we stood by the pump eating fries and talking a little. She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas City. Her boyfriend left 2 months ago and she had not been able to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn't have money to pay rent Jan. 1, and finally, in desperation, had called her parents, with whom she had not spoken in about 5 years. They lived in California and said she could come live with them and try to get on her feet there. So she packed up everything she owned in the car. She told the kids they were going to California for Christmas, but not that they were going to live there. I gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer with her for safety on the road. As I was walking over to my car, she said, So, are you like an angel or something? This definitely made me cry. I said, Sweetie, at this time of year angels are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people. It was so incredible to be a part of someone else s miracle. And of course, you guessed it, when I got in my car it started right away and got me home with no problem. I ll put it in the shop tomorrow to check, but I suspect the mechanic won t find anything wrong. Psalm 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. 9

10 In Days Gone By