TOWER CHIMES. From Pastor Erin... Per Capita: $39. Lenten Bible Study FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 7pm Church Library. Feb. 21-Mar.

Transcription

1 Special points of interest: Church Community News - pg. 3 Prayer Requests - pg. 8 Church Calendar Inside this issue: Easter Memorials Pg. 2 OGHS Pg. 4 Thank You / Upcoming Events 2018 Session, Deacons, Corp. Officers Crucifixion Word Search Pg. 5 Pg. 6 Pg. 7 Per Capita: $39 Editor: CAB Lenten Bible Study on 7pm Church Library Feb. 21-Mar. 21 Volume 9 Issue 3 March 2018 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH From Pastor Erin... We began our Lenten journey on Ash Wednesday, which happened to be Valentine s day. Those who gathered that night began with the story of God s love in 1 John. With cut-out hearts we wrote down where God s heart breaks and where our heart breaks. Offering it to God ushered us into the invitation to the communion table. As we shared the cup and bread with each other, the words of God s love in Jesus Christ held us. How might the love of God usher us into the remainder of this Lenten season? Jesus death and resurrection is not just a story. It is the center of our Christian faith. The amazing story is of Jesus, who gave himself over to the powers that be so that we might know what love looks like. Sounds like a foolish story to most, that the all-powerful God would suffer through death on the cross. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate. Where is the person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. I Corinthians 1:18-25 As we continue our journey through Lent, I encourage you to find a way to engage the story of Jesus death and resurrection. We believe in Jesus who used what others would consider foolish to confound the wise. His love for us so great, a message so powerful, that it changes lives every day. No matter how long we ve known Jesus the message of the cross can reshape how we live. How might you know the living Christ who comes to teach us what love and sacrifice look like? I look forward to seeing you over the remainder of the Lenten season. Join us for the Maundy Thursday service on March 29 to hear the story again. And on Good Friday join us for the seven last words of Jesus at Friendship Baptist in Rahway.

2 Page 2 As we gather to rejoice in the risen Christ, we will fill the Sanctuary with a beautiful display of Easter lilies, daffodils, and tulips in memory of our beloved family and friends. If you would like to order a memorial plant, please complete the form below. We would appreciate having your order form into the church office by Thursday, March 22nd; payment must accompany your order. Checks should be made payable to First Presbyterian Church. Please, do not put the check in the offering plate. Extra copies of the order form are available in the narthex and Davis Hall. If you prefer, you may make a donation to a special fund by placing a check mark on the appropriate line below. The deadline of Thursday, March 22nd, applies to these gifts as well CUT HERE CUT HERE CUT HERE CUT HERE Please print: Donor s Name Phone Please order the following plant(s): Easter $10.00 ea. $6.50 ea. $6.50 ea. In memory of Given by I will pickup my plant after Easter Sunday worship on April 1st. Please deliver my plant to a special concerns person of the church. I wish to give a memorial to: Building Maintenance Fund Music Fund Book of Remembrance Christian Education Needs Outreach Fund Piano Fund 2nd Pres Mission Fund History Committee Board of Deacons Youth Fund Organ / Handbell Fund

3 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 3 Page 3 April PM Items for the April flea market can be dropped off from 9:30am-3:00pm, Monday through Thursday. No used clothing, computers, VCRs, encyclopedias, TVs, printers, or books, please. If you need a pick up, call the office at Sign-up sheets for helpers for Saturday, 4-14 & Sunday, 4-15, will be in Davis Hall starting March 25th. Sign-up sheets for workers for the day of the sale will also be available at that time. We hope to start setting the tables up on Saturday, April 14, and bring the rest of the items up on Sunday, April 15. Many hands are needed, as we have a lot of items to be brought up from the downstairs area. This is a tremendous job and it requires a lot of help. Setting up will continue during the week from approximately 10:00am to 2:00pm. Items can be dropped off at the Davis Hall door up until Thursday of that week, this will give our workers time to set everything up. The tents will also be put up during the week. Each year this event has grown and it has become a much needed fundraiser, which helps our church maintain its programs and outreach work. We need our church family to volunteer as much time as possible. We are counting on our youth to help as well. Please plan on donating as much time as possible on the day of the sale. Fortunately we had many workers at 7:00am in the fall to help setup the outside sale area. All went much faster and was a lot easier for everyone. Again, Fortunately we had many workers at 7:00am in the fall to help setup the outside sale area. All went much faster and was a lot easier for everyone. Again, if we don t have enough help, we may have to cancel the outside sale. if we don t have enough help, we may have to cancel the outside sale. This is a major fundraising contribution for our church, it helps us in all aspects. Whatever time you can donate is always so very much appreciated. Food will be provided. 3-Dorothy C. 7-Jennifer S. 13-Doris K. 14-Jon-Paul D. 16-Russell G. 18-Brian N. 19-Debby R. 28-Elizabeth O. 28-Robert B. 29-Marisa E. 29-William M. 29-Leslie F. 30-Jean M. 30-Lilliann Queenie S. 31-Victoria G. 9-Rosa Velarde & Nestor 19-Uchechi & Ukoha 21-Patricia & Robert Please remember that the 1st Sunday of the month the downstairs area will be open for anyone who wants to look and shop.

4 Page 4 One Great Hour of Sharing Offering Around the world, millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity. Each gift to One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) helps to improve the lives of people in these challenging situations. The Offering provides us a way to share God s love with our neighbors in need. In fact, OGHS is the single, largest way that Presbyterians come together every year to work for a better world. The One Great Hour of Sharing Offering that will be received on Palm Sunday, April 9, makes a difference in the world through three impactful programs: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) Works alongside communities as they recover and find hope after the devastation of natural or humancaused disasters. PDA receives 32% of funds raised. Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP) Takes action to alleviate hunger and the systemic causes of poverty so all may be fed. PHP receives 36% of funds raised. Self-Development of People (SDOP) Invests in communities responding to their experiences of racism, oppression, poverty and injustice, and educates Presbyterians about the impact of these social ills. SDOP receives 32% of funds raised. Envelopes will be placed in the bulletins on Sunday, March 18 and on Palm Sunday for your offering. If you choose to mail your donation, please make your check payable to First Presbyterian Church and make the notation One Great Hour. Thank you for your support of this life-changing offering!

5 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 3 Page 5 A Special Thank You to the Building and Grounds Committee and all of those who so graciously cooked, served, or helped in any way preparing the Valentine Family Dinner on February 10th! Everything was delicious from the appetizers to dessert, and we should be very grateful to have such thoughtful members in our church family. Prayerfully, Flo O. Palm Sunday, March 25 10:30am Worship Service Maundy Thursday, March 29 Re-enactment of the Last Supper* Good Friday, March 30 Last 7 Words Service* *More details to follow on Facebook and our weekly s Come join us for a delicious corned beef and cabbage dinner Friday, March 16 6:00-8:00pm Davis Hall Church family fellowship save the date and come on down to 1st Pres.

6 Page Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Class of 2020 Aleya Daye (6) Sue Krivenko (6) Ilanda Kerobo (6) Al Shipley (3) John Ludington (3) Carlos Allende (3) Joanne Noblitt (3) Kennedy Nyambi (3) Erwin Altona (3) JoAnn Roesch (1) Jennifer Sola (3) Cheryl Martin (3) John Ludington, President Jennifer Sola, Sue Krivenko, Vice-President Secretary Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Class of 2020 Marisa Ebbe (3) Helene Haith (3) Tracie Wiebush (6) Anna Marie Gilman (3) Richard McCarthy (3) Cheryl Cammann (4) Gail Anderson (2) Allison Russell (2) Agnes Nwosu (3) Jean Kuc (2) Sara Thode (3)

7 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 3 Page 7 Annas Barabbas Betrayal Blood Calvary Centurion Cross Crown of Thorns Crucify Darkness Denial Gethsemane Hebrew Herod I Thirst It is finished Jesus Jews Judas Mary Magdalene Mockery Nails Ninth Hour Paradise Peter Pilate Scarlet Robe Simon Sixth Hour Slain Soldiers Spear Three Days Trial Veil Water

8 Page 8 Please consider either calling or sending a card to church family who are homebound; call the church office ( ) if you need phone numbers and/or addresses. Prayer Requests April A., Candie A., Eva B., Florence B., Bill & Sue, Billy, Claudia Browne, Alyne Borst, Bob C., Kevin Castelluccio, Cathy, Charlie & Betsy, Diane Clark, Anthony D., Jack D., Darlene, Dave, Ryan Diskin, Donald, Dyan, Fred, Joan Fogerty, Anna Marie G., Gail, Susan Gillette, Carol Gould, Bruce H., Burt H., Matt H., Brian Hartlaub, Helene H., Ian, Ismael, Barbara J., Jason, Jesse G., John-Philip, Ilanda K., Katey, Kenneth, Kevin, Edna Lanuto, Lillian, Lily, Lina, Barbara M., David M., Joe M., Stanley M., Mary Ellen, Tim Marsh, Dan Martin, Dotti Meyer, Mirla, Nick, Sylvia Nixon, Richard O., Shane O Donnell, James O Leary, Kevin O Neil, Olga, Olivia, Christine P., Harry P., Paul, Phil, Joanne Picarella, Pierre, Preston, Sally R., Roger, Allen S., Eunice S., Laurie S., Savannah, Sherry S., Bob Schmidt, Seymour, Jeanie Spera, Linda T., Steve Thode, Terry, Janet Tobias, Toni, Dan V., Dorothy W., Tracie W., Wanda, Patrick Weaver, Christina Weaver, Philip Weaver & Family, Leslie White, William, Elaine Z. Those that are homebound: Caroline Balla, Margaret Guile, Doris Kapus, Ida Lau, Sallie Tyler, Beverly Woolley Audrey Kowlaski and family on the passing of Chester Arnold, who entered eternal peace on February 15, He was a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time. MARCH Mar. 4th - Ilanda K. Mar. 11th - Andrew J. R. Mar. 18th - Ida L. Mar. 25th - Candace K. APRIL Apr. 1st - Christine J. Apr. 8th - Gail W. Apr. 15th - Robert P. Apr. 22nd - Chloe T. Apr. 29th - Mykelti T.

9 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION 1731 CHURCH STREET U.S. POSTAGE PAID RAHWAY, NJ RAHWAY, NJ PERMIT NO. 111 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED DATED MATERIAL Worship with us Each Sunday at 10:30AM in the sanctuary Office: Pastor: 1stpresrahway.org