Dear Pompton Friends and Family, POMPTON REFORMED CHURCH NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2010 59 Hamburg Turnpike Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442 973-835-0541 prc59@aol.com www.pomptonreformed.org What October Holds As you read this, details are underway for a very special event in the life of our church. On Sunday October 24 at 4:00 pm, Debbie Rundecker will be ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Reformed Church of America, and installed as Associate Pastor of the Pompton Reformed Church. This has come about through a great deal of prayer and conversations and listening and seeking God's guidance. It is an exciting faith venture that I truly believe holds good things in store for our growth in Christ. Debbie is already well-known to many of you, but not all. She will share her journey in an upcoming issue of our newsletter. But now that she is hanging her hat here, please know of her grand desire to get to know you much better. Debbie will be leading worship on October 10, and again in November. She has been meeting with the weekly worship planning team since graduating from New Brunswick Theological Seminary earlier this spring. That is one of October's highlights...as is the Autumnfest, on the first Saturday of the month. So much time and planning has gone into the venture, and hats off to Jo-Ann Sisco for being the guiding and inspiring force. PRC youth have a hayride this month, the Beth Moore women's study launches. There is the blood drive and the Sight and Sound trip. Plus, our elders will meet on October 20 to discuss the learnings gained from their conversations with you over recent months. This has been a significant venture, for we genuinely want to know better the ideas and joys and concerns you hold for Pompton Reformed. Your voice matters. If you are reading this now, your voice matters! One backward glance: September's Ministry Fair was one swell event!! Thanks to all the committees and groups who took time to display what you are about. The snacks were a much-appreciated bonus amid all the ministries of caring and outreach and serving. One forward glance: Pompton's 200th Anniversary Committee has been formed! Volunteers Valerie and Cindy Petrides, and Roben Roon, Donna DeBlock, Jo- Ann Sisco and Jill Laux will be seeking your input and involvement as we look to this 2012 milestone! Much more to come in months ahead. Thanks for all the ways you strive to live out your love for Jesus, touching so many lives along the way. Serving our Savior with you, Tom Bartha 1
From our members AUTUMN IN NEW JERSEY By Elaine Peacock I am the first person to admit that when autumn arrives I immediately think of New England, I start checking the Leaf Peeper hotline to see where the best color happens to be during a particular time in late September Mid October. In all fairness New Jersey has some spectacular color in autumn too. Take a ride up Route 23 North past the reservoir and the color reflected in the water on a beautiful fall day is breath taking. Or take ride toward Ringwood Manor and the views near Monk s Dam and Greenwood Lake are also beautiful. Wander down main street Warwick, NY to check out the shops, or have a bite to eat and you feel like you are miles from the suburbs as we know them when in fact it is only about an hour s ride from home. Ringwood Manor and Skylands Manor also rank right up there for a peaceful autumn spots. So when GOD starts to paint the trees and bushes from green to red, yellow and orange take a ride some of the best color to be found is right here in New Jersey. Calling all Junior and Senior High Students! Mark your calendars: Wednesday October 13, 2010 is the first of our monthly YOUTH GROUP MEETINGS. We'll meet from 6:45 pm to 8:45 pm here at the church. Join us for food and fun, make new friends and deepen existing friendships. WE NEED YOU! This group won't be complete without you. Bring friends! If you are in 6th grade through 12th grade, this is for you. Second Wednesday of each month, October through June. Any questions, contact Debbie Pierce 973-271-6528 or debb_74@yahoo.com. Can't wait to see you there! Dear PRC Family: Thanks to Pastor Tom, Nancy Anders, all who called, sent get well cards, food, extended caring notes and E-Mails. For the past few months I have been unable to attend church due to a knee replacement operation and other health issues. I hope to be able to drive soon and be back with you. I am so grateful to everyone who took the time to wish me well. Love to all. Helen Wisbauer 2
Dreams and Visions In less than two years we will celebrate 200 years of ministry here at Pompton Reformed Church. Two hundred years of faithfully seeking God s way for our lives! Amazing isn t it? On Pentecost a board was placed in the sanctuary. The congregation was asked to write their dreams and visions for Pompton Reformed Church on the board. The board stayed in the sanctuary for about six weeks. During that time a number of people took the time to write down their dreams, visions and hopes. These notes were take down and shared with consistory during the August meeting and have been referred to the appropriated standing committees for their consideration and possible action. Below you will find the full list of dreams and visions as they were written on the board. Each suggestion has been prayed over and continues to be bathed in prayer. For all those who took the time to write out their dreams and visions, thank you. Whether you are someone who wrote something on the board or not please read the list here with the following question in mind, Where do I see myself involved in the process? and pray to hear God s answer. May God guide and guard us as we seek ways to follow Him into the next two hundred years of ministry. - A place where people can feel safe, know others and know God - That we love all those that Christ loves and no longer be the white church on the corner - Sunday School for adults and children then church for all. Hear, hear!! - Bring again the young youth bulletins involved with activities corresponding with the lesson - Weekly small group sermon of the week - Celebrating our senior members - Bible buddies teens and kids - Contemporary something. Yes, very much - Health support group for wellness-weight loss, exercise, etc -water -yoga -Healthy Recipes -Walking - Let s pray to remove the politics and private agendas from dealing with other members of the church. Don t think Christ would approve - New sound system! (ours is over 20 years old now!) with more automation. Yes. Yes - Let us all pray for the United States of America each and every Sunday - Small groups-that everyone may have this experience of bonding with our church family and grow in Christ together - Candlelight Christmas Carol Vesper Service in December (on a Sunday @ 4 pm) - Jesus Christ the great physician - Weekly email newsletter - Joint activities with other Reformed churches - Pray for other churches, pastors - Pray for the Spanish church each Sunday as they pray for us - More combined choirs with other churches - Bible study during weekday. Going to write same thing - A youth led worship service 3
Reminder! There will be a faith formation group informational meeting will be October 10 th following worship. Have you ever wondered what faith formation groups are? What the big fuss is over small groups? If so then grab a cup of coffee or tea and join us following worship on October 10 th in room 108 for a short 45 minute presentation on faith formation groups. Questions? Contact Debbie Rundecker Round Table of Thanks **Associate Pastor Task Force: Jim Laux, Lucas Spann, Sue Uhlendorf, Ed Van Schaack, Sherri Dunitz, Jack Tice, Bruce Davis, Donna DeBlock, Jeff Anders, Diane Barrett, Terri Terhune (chair) for all the time, effort and prayer which went into the process of assessing the need and defining the position. **Russell Cockefair for being the summer acolyte and reminding us that it is indeed the light of Christ which calls both into worship on Sunday and out into the world to serve. **Wanda Sachse for coordinating the acolytes for worship. Her efforts have helped and continue to help enhance our worship experience. Given By In Memory Of Designation Eleanor Finke Arthur Poulsen Music Marian & Ronald Schultz Dot & Jack Branford Undesignated Wilma McKechnie Dot & Jack Branford Scholarship Betty & Jo Ann Sisco Dot & Jack Branford Undesignated Margaret Sisco Dot & Jack Branford Undesignated Allan & Blenda Dot & Jack Branford Deacon s Mae Schmid Dot & Jack Branford Undesignated Doris Ball Dot Branford Undesignated Kenneth & Dorothy Powley Dot Branford Undesignated Dot Ploch Dot Branford Undesignated Jan Pellington Dot Branford Undesignated Jeanette Poulsen Dot Branford Undesignated Helen & Chuck Gioia Jack Branford Deacon s Fund Eleanor Finke Jack Branford Deacon s Fund 4
Spaghetti Sauce, Pasta, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Baked Beans, Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables, Canned Soup, Canned Tuna Fish, Mac & Cheese, Jell-O/Pudding mix and Cereal. NOVEMBER newsletter deadline is October 15 th. Please send submissions to Samoa214@yahoo.com with PRC in the subject line or leave them in the newsletter mailbox. Make sure all submissions are signed in case of questions. Thanks, Liz Hanisch 5