Pompton Reformed Church 59 Hamburg Tpk. Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442 (973)835-0541 February 2015 Newsletter Twenty-four days before the forty days Dear PRC Family, Sunday, January 25 Two hours ago our church Fellowship Hall was filled with friends enjoying a winter picnic of hot dogs, hamburgers, and delicious salads and conversation. It is a brilliant blue-sky day, with forecasters warning of an entirely different picture Monday evening, with a brutal storm on the way. (As you read, you can determine how accurate they were!) Thinking of another storm brewing several centuries back with Roman authorities and Jewish leaders conniving on ways to get Jesus out of the picture. He is causing far too much unrest with his radical teaching and his acceptance of unacceptables, his apparent disregard for iron-bound tradition, and mention of a personal God, who knows and loves His people. On the day we call Good Friday, they thought they had gotten Jesus out of the way once and for all. God had a much different ending. Ash Wednesday marks our entry into the forty-day period (Sundays are not counted) leading to Easter. "Lent" is derived from the English word for springtime, or lengthening of days. For followers of Jesus, Lent is a season of reflection and selfexamination. Some choose to add a new discipline--times of fasting or servanthood, or deepened devotional time. Others give up something they enjoy during the forty days, in order to identify in some small way with the self-denial and sacrifice of our Lord. We offer Ash Wednesday worship at 6:30 p.m. on February 18 a day quickly racing our way. Sermon themes for the season are taking shape (but not before this article is due). Along the way, we will offer a Sunday similar to what we did in Advent--with several Lenten messengers bringing God's Word. Shortly after you read this, further invitation will come your way via bulletin. Is God tapping you on the shoulder to share a story or reflection on scripture with the people of PRC? We had four wonderful speakers in Advent. Here is the opportunity for four more, very likely on Sunday, March 22--one week prior to Palm Sunday and our entry into Holy Week. If you feel the Lord nudging you to be a speaker, say a word to Worship Chair Pat Gordon. The gift of your words will help make Lent an even richer time! With many blessings, Pastor Tom Bartha
Love Isn t Love Until You Give It Away By Elaine Peacock Do you remember the title of this piece? It was a catch phase back in the late 60 s early 70 s when we were all trying to be gentler people and get rid of our it s all about me image. Hopefully we have succeeded in turning ourselves outward instead of inward. Every time I hear about a group of people feeding the homeless, neighbors pitching in to help each other after Super Storm Sandy, a clothing drive or donating school supplies to kids who would normally not have any I feel we are sincerely trying to reach out to others. Love comes in many forms. There is romantic love for that special person, love for a child or grandchild, love for a special friend, love of country, and the chance to love and change the life of someone we don t even know. I think that is probably the most special kind of love. We are sure to receive love back from that special person, our children and grandchildren and our special friends, but when we love and help change the life or lives of someone we don t even know and probably will never know that is something that makes God happy. Helping others when you never know what a difference you made is really putting yourself out there. Remember God gives us chances to make a difference every day we just have to keep our eyes and ears open for that still small voice. When you do that it s not just a catch phase but a new way to live your life and not only does it make you smile it makes God smile too. Memorials and Birthday gifts Birthdays In Memory of Albert Peacock on his birthday Dick Christie Meredith Davis Connor Conklin Memorials From In Memory of Designation Lynn Heimall Shirley & Alfred Lockwood Undesignated The Warner Family Joan Anna Braunlin Media Fund Susan Christie Jean Anne Christie Scholarship Marge & Bert Brosius Dot Ploch Scholarship Corinne Tyndall Connie Gaston Music Kay Bergin Connie Gaston Music Lorna & Kevin Carroll Connie Gaston Undesignated John & Nancy Nelson Connie Gaston Undesignated Pequannock Township Library Staff Connie Gaston Undesignated Gregory & Linda Stockinger Connie Gaston Undesignated W.T. Sandin & Jane Jannoni Connie Gaston Undesignated Meghan Owens Connie Gaston Undesignated Sue Williams & Wayne Gunder Connie Gaston Undesignated Paul & Judith Schantz Connie Gaston Undesignated Richard & Anna Boggio Connie Gaston Undesignated Eleanor Haling remembering all her friends at Pompton Reformed Church
Round Table of Thanks (from January Consistory) >>John Nelson, as he retires from faithfully serving as usher for 25+ years! >>Organizer Sue Kuebler and the Sunday School teaching crew and cast for the delightful "Bethlehem Bound" pageant of Dec. 21. >>All who assisted in the nativity scene set up and take down on the church lawn, and for the team who did such a wonderful job decorating the sanctuary for the season of Advent and Christmas. Deep gratitude to all! Elder Care Teams One of the ways we strive for ongoing care of the body of Christ is by dividing our membership alphabetically among the elders, Each elder has particular care and oversight for a portion of the church family, to supplement the care and prayer of the pastor. In the pastor's absence (or even in Tom's presence),, feel free to contact your elder as special concerns or matters for prayer arise. Their contact info (and photo!) is posted on the hallway bulletin board. A - C Charles Quant L - O Pat Gordon D - F Gerry Mamalis P - S Ken Waibel G - K Joanie Warner T - Z Jim Laux Classis Assessment In your offering envelope box in mid-february is a Classis Assessment envelope. All congregations of the Reformed Church in America are assessed a certain amount per active member per year. This amount covers administrative costs, missionary support, funding for new church starts, assistance to struggling congregations, denomination staff and more. For our area, the assessment is $82. If you are able to cover all or a portion (there is a similar envelope in October), this is greatly appreciated, and assists our church budget. Online Giving On Sunday morning, Jan. 25, one of our members spoke of the advantage of online giving. Drew Altorfer used our web page to set up a weekly deduction from his checking account to cover his gift to PRC. If Drew is away, or unable to attend, his gift for the Lord's work is still received. Our web page--pomptonreformed.org--contains easy-tofollow guidance for secure online giving through Vanco. There are presently about a dozen PRC households who choose online giving. Desire more info?? Speak to Drew, or to Treasure Jack Tice, or to PRC's Membership and Finance Secretary, Lorna Carroll.
Just curious...from the pastor We normally print about 100 newsletters each month. Several are mailed out to homebound or distant members. Others read each month's issue online (where past year's issues are also available). But I'm curious how many of our youth scan the pages. If you are in high school or below----without parental prompting!!!---and you see this paragraph, notify me via tmbartha@aol.com, or leave word on the church voice mail--973.835-0541, ext. 13. I'd be grateful to know if this reaches your eyes...and if not, what can we do to correct this situation. If you are a student reading this, and you wish to submit an article, please do so!!! We'd value hearing your thoughts, stories, poems, or whatever you wish to say. Thank-you. Planning Ahead *Opportunity to Serve- Family Promise, February 22-29 Many volunteer opportunities during the week that Family Promise families visit with us. If you would like to help out or have questions, please contact Elyse Kascik, Family Promise coordinator for PRC. *Bible Study/discussion 5 weeks -Every Tuesday in March, starting March 3 @ 7:15 A study on Angels- What do the scriptures say about Angels? Are angels among us? Are they Heavenly messengers? Do they protect us? No books needed. Signup sheet in fellowship hall. Open to both men and women. Leader-Gerry Mamalis 973-454-6284 *Annual Ladies Breakfast, April 18 @9AM, at the Brownstone- The Holland Christian Home Foundation presents Janet Pfeiffer, author and internationally known speaker. Limited tickets available-cost $45. For tickets, call 973-427- 4087 *February 1- Pick Up of Hoagies and Salads for Super Bowl Sunday. (Deacon Fundraiser) *March 14- Applebee's Breakfast- 8:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M. (Deacon Fundraiser) *March 21- PRC Community Breakfast (Missions Event) *April 19- Fish N' Chips Dinner- 5:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M. (Deacon Fundraiser) *August 30- Begin taking orders for Mums and Pumpkins. (Deacon Fundraiserpart of Autumnfest) *September 27- Pick Up day for Mums. *October 17- Autumnfest (Fellowship Fundraiser) 259 days until Autumnfest!
PARISH HEALTH MINISTRY PAGE WOMEN S HEART HEALTH FEBRUARY -- MORE THAN VALENTINE HEARTS!! Submitted by Carol O Neil, Parish Nurse at Old Paramus During the month of February we celebrate Go Red for Women s Heart Health, the American Heart Association s national movement to end heart disease and stroke in women. It s time to shout louder, stand stronger and demand swift action on women s heart health. Time for mothers, daughters, sisters and friends to pool our collective power to save one another s lives. One way of calling attention to our goal is to wear RED on February 6th, National Wear Red Day or any other day during the month, light the exterior of your building RED, decorate the lobby with RED dresses, hang RED streamers and tie RED ribbons around the trees on Church and home property. We are encouraging everyone to GO RED for women by wearing red on Sunday February 1st. Why the emphasis on women? it is not just a man s disease! One in three women dies of heart disease or stroke. Sweating. Pressure. Nausea. Jaw pain. Believe it or not, these are all symptoms of a heart attack in women. They are also symptoms that women often brush off as the flu, stress or simply feeling under the weather which could put their lives in jeopardy. Whether it is disbelief, lack of awareness or misdiagnosis, dismissing the symptoms of a heart attack can delay critical, life-saving actions. Being able to recognize the warning signs and act quickly, however, can save a life. Causes of a heart attack in women: Heart attacks occur when the flow of blood to the heart is blocked by a buildup of plaque in coronary arteries. While the initial causation can often be pinned on the usual suspects heavy smokers, people with high-stress lifestyles, or those who are excessively overweight the not-so-usual suspects can also be at high risk for heart attack. Redisha Harris, a heart attack survivor, says I think we all get used to doing too much and learning to ignore minor ailments or fatigue because that is what women are programmed to do. Because heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, it is imperative that women learn the warning signs and symptoms, see a doctor regularly, and learn their family history. Symptoms of a heart attack: * Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. * Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. * Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort. * Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
What to do during a heart attack if you experience any of these signs or symptoms: * DO NOT wait to call for help. Dial 9-1-1, make sure to follow the operator s instructions and get to a hospital right away. * DO NOT drive yourself or have someone drive you to the hospital unless you have no other choice. * Try to stay as calm as possible and take deep, slow breaths while you wait for the emergency responders. Making a change: Go Red for Women is about much more than wearing RED on National Wear Red Day. It s about making a change by being aware of your numbers, living a heart healthy lifestyle, and being aware of the risk factors of heart disease. To learn more go to the website www.goredforwomen.org and be as informed as possible. Submitted by Helen Gioia- I lost my Precious pet, Baby, to cancer on Jan. 2, 2015 & a dear friend sent this poem to me. All Pets Go To Heaven Author unknown They say memories are golden, well maybe that is true. I never wanted memories, I only wanted you. A million times I needed you, a million times I cried. If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died. In life I loved you dearly, in death I love you still. In my heart you hold a place no one could ever fill. If tears could build a stairway and heartache make a lane, I'd walk the path to Heaven and bring you back again. Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same. But, as we are called one by one, the chain will link again.
Getting to know YOU! Are you a brand new member, an old timer or someone that visits often? We would love to know more about YOU! Please consider submitting a little information about yourself that we might not know. Information can be emailed or placed in the newsletter mailbox. Please include an email or phone number you can be reached at and a good time, in case I need to fill in some blanks. Questions to consider- how you came to PRC, hobbies, passions, what you do with your day (work/volunteer/stay at home mom, etc) and anything else that makes you the person you are. Many thanks to the folks that have already shared parts of themselves with us! Volunteers Always Welcomed- Nursery, Coffee Hosts, Ushers, Food Pantry, Choir, Bells, Sunday School Leaders, Liturgists Community Breakfast servers - many opportunities are available to be the hands and feet of Christ. From Gail Stocks- I received word from a food pantry guest who was at the Christmas dinner. She wanted to thank everyone for the wonderful meal and fellowship that she enjoyed. It was just what the doctor had ordered: that she get out and socialize more. She thought it was very special that so many people were involved with the dinner preparation, the baked cookies, and those that gave up a Saturday afternoon and evening to put this all together. And she was delighted to see that young people even volunteered. She said that the Pompton Reformed Church is very caring about the people in the community. Not only did she have a wonderful evening but it put her in the Christmas spirit. And she in turn was able to spread the goodwill by sharing the leftover macaroni and cheese and the Christmas cookies with a couple of other people. We can make a difference in people s lives and give them hope and joy!
For God so LOVED the world That he gave his only SON, So that everyone who believes in HIM May not perish but may have Eternal life. John 3:16 Deadline for March Newsletter submissions is Sunday, February 22, 2015. Please email to khuysers@msn.com or leave in the newsletter mailbox.