Homecoming Sunday S ept ember 11th Pastor Ron de Groot September 2016 ast year I wrote the following; L Hospitality means primarily the creation of free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place. It is not to bring men and women over to our side, but to offer freedom not disturbed by dividing lines. Henri J.M. Nouwen, Reaching Out In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? John 14 Romans 12:9&13 Let love be genuine.. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. I recently enjoyed a conversation with a neighbor who provides advertising for what he calls the hospitality industry. And it is as he says, a lucrative industry. I checked and it is currently the world s fastest growing industry, earning 3.4 trillion dollars annually. It is also the largest private employer in the United States. Faith communities have been in the hospitality business for centuries and it has not often been very lucrative. Israel and the followers of Jesus were called to welcome the stranger because they were at one time strangers to the house of God. In all of the struggles of vulnerable and threatened communities they had learned to be dependent on the hospitality of each other and others. The Greek word used in the New Testament for hospitality ( phileoxenia) is literally love of the stranger related to our English word xenophobia meaning fear of the stranger or fear of the other. There is much xenophobia around the world today given the challenge of the explosion of refugees and immigrants. Xenophobia will not open the doors of our homes because we fear we do not have room for strangers and that they will consume our scarce resources. Hospitality adds another chair(s) to the table and graciously shares what we have with the stranger. Jesus tells his disciples not to fear the stranger because he has made a place for us in the father s house. If we have found a home through Jesus we are among those who believe that there is room for others. It seems to me that we are so creative in providing hospitality for our family and friends and yet lacking in imagination for creating spaces at the table for strangers (who really are friends we haven t met yet). Perhaps the place to change this is to develop a deep appreciation of our home (faith community) at Calvary. Most of us were at one time strangers to this congregation until someone found a chair and set another place at the table saying, come eat with us!. We need to engage our imagination in such a way that we take hospitality to the streets of our surrounding communities. This year we are going to do exactly that. Our Homecoming Festival is being transformed into a hospitality event for our neighbors. We are having a Block Party on the Deerfield Avenue Extension our church recently built. Our neighbors have been invited (see invitation on page 2) and I encourage every member of our fellowship to help (see Golden Ticket) make this event a truly welcoming experience for all who attend. CALVARY PRESBYTERIAN MAKING DISCIPLES DISCIPLES IN THE MAKING
Page 2 A BLOCK PARTY INVITATION Connecting Neighbors with Neighbors We Would Like You to Come! SUNDAY, SEPT 11, 2016 12noon to 2:00pm At the Deerfield Drive Extension & Calvary Church s Back Field WHY A BLOCK PARTY? We are hosting this informal gathering to neighbors so you can say hello to those you know as well as those you haven t met yet. Whether you have lived in the neighborhood for decades or just weeks, our goal is to give you an opportunity to meet, greet, and connect with each other. This event is sponsored and paid for by Calvary Church. There will be no costs, solicitations, or hidden agendas. Our only motive is to reach out to those living within a couple blocks of each other to foster friendships and a deeper sense of community. FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT We will have Food for All including Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Chicken Kabobs, Refreshments, and more. If you would like to bring something to share, that would be great - but it s absolutely not necessary. Children can meet new friends and enjoy unstructured playtime with a bounce house, face painting, playground time, sidewalk chalk, etc. Live Music provided by Matt Mattheiss & Rob Bertus (Soft Rock/ Country) INSPIRATION for this BLOCK PARTY came from a short paragraph we recently came across: All holiday parades, picnics, and ceremonies started somewhere, with someone who wanted to give back to the community in which they lived. It s not too late to propose and execute a new tradition in your own community, whether it s a block party or an annual picnic. Your particular vision, gifts, and strengths are part of what makes your community unique, so as you recognize them in yourself, feel free to offer them to those who live in your vicinity. Whether your offerings are visionary or practical, they are the very essence of community.
Page 3 G O L D E N T I C K E T Congratulations You ve Won an opportunity to be a Mover and Shaper in the September 11 Calvary Backyard Block Party Call the office with your name and number indicating your willingness to help with one of the activities listed below. Hospitality Greeter, Grill Master, Saturday/Sunday Set Up, Tear Down, Sno-Cone Scooper, Cotton Candy Twirler, Bounce House Bouncer, Tattoo Artist. We need your participation to make this event a great experience for our neighbors. Redeem your ticket today! Call 973-377-4837. Email: yogamudra.jen@gmail.com Children s Participation In Communion n the first Sunday of each O month the children of the congregation (4 & 5 yr. olds, older and younger elementary) worship with the congregation at the morning worship service. You are invited to attend the "Table Talk" session that is designed to orient parents and their children to meaningful participation in the Communion service. Preparing young people to receive the Communion may be done by children/parents/ guardians attending the "Table Talk" session, led by our Pastor on October 2 at 9:30 am. Sessions provide interactive instruction regarding the meaning and manner of participating in the sacrament. At Calvary Presbyterian Church, we worship as a community. Our community includes young people, and we welcome and include them all in worship. We encourage young people to worship with families or with caring adults who will help them worship as full members of our community. The Presbyterian Church recognizes how important it is for young people to worship through the sacrament of the Lord s Supper. Our constitution states Baptized children who are being nurtured and instructed in the significance of the invitation to the Table and the meaning of their response are invited to receive the Lord s Supper, recognizing that their understanding of participation will vary according to their maturity. Contact the Church Office to register your child for this event. New Member Orientation: September 17 Have you been considering becoming a member of our fellowship and ministry? We are offering a Saturday morning membership orientation on Saturday, September 17 at 9 am in the sanctuary library area. It is an opportunity to explore the meaning of membership in the Body of Christ and Calvary Presbyterian in particular. You will have an opportunity to meet with the leadership and become familiar with our ministry structure and the many ways the blessings of membership can enhance and nourish your spiritual journey. If you would like to attend contact the office and register. Further questions can be directed to Pastor de Groot at truenorthrdg@verizon.net.
Deacon s Mission Statement I count that day as wisely spent In which I do some good For someone who is far away Or shares my neighborhood. A day devoted to the deed That lends a helping hand And demonstrates a willingness To care and understand. I long to be of usefulness In little ways and large Without a selfish motive And without the slightest charge. Because in my philosophy There never is a doubt That all of us here on earth Must help each other out. I feel that day is fruitful And the time is worth the while When I promote the happiness Of one enduring smile.
Page 5 Briefly Noted Worship Time Change A reminder that the worship service starting time returns to 10:30 a.m. beginning on Sunday, September 11, 2016. Homecoming Block Party The Worship Team would like to invite you to attend the 1st annual Calvary Backyard Block Party to be held at Noon following the worship hour on Sunday, September 11th. Volunteers are needed to donate salads (potato, pasta, fruit) for the event. Please let Jeannette Howard know what type of salad you are planning to bring. Playground Fencing You may have noticed the fencing around the playground on our property. The fencing is a compliance with a State of New Jersey regulation for Calvary Nursery School. It is not meant to restrict access to the playground for our members and neighbors. Feel free to allow your children to enjoy this fun space! Fellowship Hour Hosts Preparing a place for people to gather for food and conversation is an offering and we would like to thank The Chancel Choir, Janet Johannessen, Chet Lloyd, Ann Ritzer, Cheryl Jewell, Esther Benson, Michael Loeuis, Krystie Loeuis, Bob Newhouse, Michele Newhouse, The Bell Choir, Jeannette Howard, Kevin Howard, The Just Us Book Club, The Young Moms Group and The Deacons for hosting fellowship hour during the months of July and August. Thank You I would like to thank everyone for their prayers, cards and support given my family during Tim s passing. I am truly blessed to have friends like you and are thankful for all you have done. Special thank you to Pastor Ron. I felt the service he performed offered inspiration and comfort to all who were present. Thanks to Olga and Al for the music they performed. Shirley Stoll Just Us Book Club The Just Us Book Club will meet on Wednesday, September 7th at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Marie White. The book for September is A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler. The discussion will be led by Rayanne Hammoud. Please call Marie at 377-0107 or Ann Ritzer at 377-1840. Calvary Dinner Club The Calvary Dinner Club would like to thank Sam and Gus Moussa for a great pool-picnic at their home on Sunday, August 14th. Everyone had a good time and enjoyed the food and fellowship. Martha Circle Martha Circle will meet on Monday, September 19th at 6:00 p.m. at the home of Marie White for a covered dish supper. Each member will be asked to bring a food item to share. Any questions, please call Marie at 377-0107. September Birthdays Ibtissam Moussa 4 Christopher Plummer 6 Janet Johannessen 7 Eleanor Ackerman 8 Robert Atchison 10 Laura Romanski 10 Richard Himics 16 Jene Hopping 17 Melissa Merkel 17 Timothy Stevens 19 Barbara Garing 9 Paula Romanski 24 Akkad Moussa 26 Carolyn Rose Allen 29 Thomas John Allen 29 Dorothy Reutlinger 30 September Anniversaries Gus & Sam Moussa 9 Matt & Carol Allen 16 Barry & Nancy Lack 22 Tom & Patricia Nash 27 John & Sandy Wright 27 LECTIONARY FOR SEPTEMBER 2016 SEPT 4 (23 rd Sunday in Ordinary Time) Jeremiah 18:1-11 Psalm 139: 1-6, 13-18 Philemon 1-21 Luke 14:25-33 SEPT 11 (24 th Sunday in Ordinary Time) Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 Psalm 14 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Luke 15:1-10 SEPT 18 (25 th Sunday in Ordinary Time) Jeremiah 8:18 9:1 Psalm 79:1-9 1 Timothy 2:1-7 Luke 16:1-13 SEPT 25 (26 th Sunday in Ordinary Time) Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 1 Timothy 6:6-19 Luke 16:19-31
Calvary Presbyterian Church 144 Ridgedale Avenue Florham Park, New Jersey 07932 Phone: 973-377-4837 Fax: 973-377-3204 E-mail: calpresfp@verizon.net Website: calvarytodaylive.org A BLOCK PARTY INVITATION SUNDAY, SEPT 11, 2016 12noon to 2:00pm Connecting Neighbors with Neighbors Location: Deerfield Drive Extension & Calvary Church s Back Field No charge FOOD REFRESHMENTS LIVE MUSIC Calvary Presbyterian Church, 144 Ridgedale Avenue, Florham Park, New Jersey 07932 Pastor Ronald J. de Groot Website: calvarytodaylive.org Director of Music: Olga Koutcherova Church Office phone: 973-377-4837 ; fax: 973-377-3204