July 3, 2013 Pennington Presbyterian FAITH COMMUNITY SERVICE PASTOR S THOUGHTS It s official! New Jersey has just come through the wettest June in history or at least as long as they ve been collecting such information. Our state recorded over nine inches of rain in June. Some parts of Mercer County received over 12 inches! We are very, very wet! While I m longing for the sun to shine, it s not a bad thing to live our spiritual lives wet. At the foundation of Christianity is the sacrament of baptism. In this sacrament we are drenched in God s grace, being named and claimed as God s own children, being washed of our sins, and being commissioned to live as Christ s disciples in the world. Growing up in our faith calls us to remember who we are and whose we are. It calls us to think carefully about our relationship with God, and to choose wisely the way we live in this world. The latest issue of the award winning magazine, Presbyterians Today, is all about water. Patrick Heery wrote in his editorial, While several of the articles in this issue identify dire water needs and important relief efforts across the globe, other articles turn their gaze homeward: to a polluted watershed in South Carolina, to water contamination in Wisconsin due to fracking, to American efforts to conserve water and more fully integrate it in our worship life. These are not separate realities; they are interconnected through climate patterns, extractive industries, globalized economics, public policies, and human culture. For us, as Christians, these many stories converge in that singular and radical act of baptism. (Presbyterians Today. June 2013, page 2) On July 6, a group from our church will journey to Mexico, to build a clean water filtration system with our partner congregation in Kaua. Their work on our behalf, and on behalf of Jesus Christ, heightens our awareness of how precious water is and how important it is to help others have clean water. Our thanks go to all who are giving to our Open Door campaign because a portion of those gifts are supporting this water project. INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Our Church Family 3 Calendar of Events 2 Worship, Church School 2 Kids, Family, Seasonal 3 Group Efforts 4 Next issue: 8/7 Deadline Monday 8/5 9:00 AM Focus is issued the first Wednesday of each month. Throughout July, our services of worship will focus on The Apostles Creed. This creed was developed by early Christians as a tool to teach adults the continued next page OF SPECIAL INTEREST IN THIS EDITION: Summer Fun! (pg. 3) Congrats Graduates (pg. 3) Softball (pg. 3) Summer Worship Extension for Children (pg. 3) Thank You! (pg. 4) Summer Mission Trips (pg.4) HomeFront (pg. 4) Prayer Request Journal (pg. 4) Page 1 of 4
basics of Christianity before they came forward for baptism. It was used in the baptismal service itself, with the one being baptized being asked, Do you believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth? After saying I do, the new Christian would either be dunked under the water, or have water poured on his or her head. This continued with questions about belief in God the Son, (more water) and in God the Holy Spirit (water once more). Come, join us in worship, as we remember our baptism, raise our questions, declare our faith, and seek God s help with our unbelief. It s all part of living wet. ~ Nancy CALENDAR REGULAR WEEKLY SCHEDULE Sunday 9:30 AM Worship Service followed by coffee hour WORSHIP BEGINS AT 9:30 AM DURING THE SUMMER ~ HELD IN OUR AIR-CONDITIONED SANCTUARY LOOKING AHEAD July 6 Sr. Highs return from Mission Trip July 6 to July 14 Mission group in Mexico with Living Waters for the World July 10 Summer Fun! July 18 HomeFront meals July 24 Summer Fun! July 29 to August 2 Vacation Bible School August 7 Summer Fun! Please note: Keeping current on your Stewardship pledge is appreciated! WORSHIP SCHEDULE Sundays CHURCH STAFF/CONTACT Pastor: Nancy Mikoski Associate Pastor: David Hallgren Office Administrator & FOCUS Editor: Mary Coleman Music Director: William Alford Office phone: 609-737-1221 Fax: 609-730-9665 E-mail: office@pennpres.org Web: www.pennpres.org 13 S Main Street Pennington, NJ 08534 Page 2 of 4 Sunday, July 7, 9:30 AM Sermon: Rev. Nancy Mikoski Sunday, July 14, 9:30 AM Sermon: Rev. Nancy Mikoski Sunday, July 24, 9:30 AM Sermon: Rev. Nancy Mikoski Sunday, July 28, 9:30 AM Sermon: Rev. David Hallgren CHILDREN/ YOUTH CHURCH SCHOOL summer break Please note: We look forward to our new program year beginning in September! ADULT CHURCH SCHOOL summer break PLEASE NOTE: During our regular program year, which resumes in the fall, we offer the following classes: FORUM (topics include current events, community concerns, theology, the Bible and Mission) MAKING FAITH REAL (group-led open discussion of faith and Spirit in our daily lives). BIBLICAL LITERATURE AND FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH (explorations of each of the main types of literature in the Bible)
KIDS, FAMILY, AND SEASONAL DOINGS JR. HIGHS (6-8 GRADE) & SR. HIGHS (9-12 GRADE) Groups resume in the fall. SUMMER SUNDAY WORSHIP EXTENSTION FOR CHILDREN For the weeks of summer, while Cherub Choir is on hiatus, we will be offering children ages 4-7 a special worship extension to enrich their experience of being in the worship service. Following the Time with Children, all are invited to the balcony classroom to watch an episode of the highly entertaining and informative new video series, What s in the Bible? The children will return to the sanctuary for the Doxology and Joys and Concerns. We will need two adult volunteers to be with the children each week, so request parents and anyone interested to sign up and enjoy the video with the children a time or two. Contact Alison Young (alisonyoung31@mac.com) to volunteer! SOFTBALL Games are Monday nights at 6 pm. Last scheduled game is July 8. For field locations and directions go to: http://www.fbcchurch.org/softballdirections.aspx#_5 If you have any questions please contact Chris Larthey at 560-5167 or chrislarthey@gmail.com All members are encouraged to come out and enjoy the games! Special note: Many thanks to Chris for heading up the PPC team! GRADUATES High school: Claire Batchelder, Derek Bell, Nicholas Beyer, Alec Bruns, Murph Butler, Frank Cassavell, Emily Cocco, Emma Compton, Alexandra Hoffmann, Charissa Mikoski, Virginia Rockey College: Katie Cassavell, Leah Cocco, Michael Mills Master s Degree: Brian White. Many blessings to them all as they continue on their life journey! Let us know if we have inadvertently missed someone so we can include them in our next issue of Focus. MUSICAL OFFERINGS AT PRINCETON SEMINARY Organ Concert: Sunday, July 21,4:00 PM, Miller Chapel at Princeton Theological Seminary Organist: Michael Bauer Hymn Festival: Singing of Wisdom Wednesday, July 24, 7:00 PM, Miller Chapel at Princeton Theological Seminary. This festival will introduce hymns from the forthcoming hymnal Glory to God (Fall 2013). Both the Organ Concert and Hymn Festival are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Seminary Chapel Office at 497-7890 OPENINGS FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHING-TEAM MEMBERS God has provided openings for just a few new folk to join one of the dedicated and dynamic teams of Sunday School teachers at Pennington church. We work in teams of three, providing encouragement, support and flexibility for busy lives. Opportunities are available with Preschool, JAM (Kindergarten-Grade 5) and Middle School (Grades 6-8) children. Is God calling you to share in growing in faith with our children? Contact Alison Young (alisonyoung31@mac.com) or David Hallgren (dhallgren@pennpres.org) The Sunday School year begins September 8. FROM THE FACILITIES COMMITTEE During these warm months we are so fortunate to have an air-conditioned sanctuary! We ask that on Sunday mornings you do not open the windows. The air-conditioning is programmed to come on at a certain temperature and opening the windows will complicate matters. Thanks! THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Heavenly Father, in all that we say and do, may we reflect Christ s love for all people everywhere. Help us all to look beyond our differences and concentrate on the commonalities we share as your children. Amen. Mission Yearbook 2013, PCUSA OUR CHURCH FAMILY Please keep Kevin Swaim and Jon Harkness in your prayers. We extend our sympathy to the family of Hester Farmer. Hester died on June 6. A Memorial Service was held for Bill & Hester Farmer in our sanctuary on June 22. Congratulations to Stephen Bruestle and Dina Gau who were married at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville, VA on June 7th. Stella Stewart is in Merwick recovering from surgery on her leg following a fall. We extend our sympathy to family & friends of Barbara Sell. Barbara died June 30. A Memorial Service will be held in our sanctuary on July 16, 11 AM. SUMMER FUN! WEDNESDAYS July 10, 24 & August 7 6:00 PM Please see this week s insert for details on our summer fun gatherings. Join us! July 10 Celebration of Song Bill Alford will lead us in a hymn sing, covering favorites old and new. July 24 Monday Blues Band The Big Band that John Bruestle plays in will present an evening of Swing and Big Band music. August 7 David Hallgren will lead us in favorite camp songs around a campfire, complete with s mores. Page 3 of 4
GROUP EFFORTS PLEASE KEEP REV. DAVID HALLGREN, OUR SENIOR HIGHS AND THEIR ADULT LEADERS IN YOUR PRAYERS. They are on their summer Mission Trip in Boston with Youthworks this week. They return July 6. PLEASE KEEP OUR MISSION GROUP GOING TO MEXICO IN YOUR PRAYERS. They are installing a water system through Living Waters for the World and will be gone July 6 14. A THANK YOU NOTE FROM The daughters of Bill & Hester Farmer would like to thank the entire church family for all their help throughout the past year. The meals, cards, calls and friendship were such a blessing to two people who really needed your support during a very difficult time. God Bless and thank you. PRAYER REQUEST JOURNAL As a continuation of our Lenten prayer journey, the Worship & Music Committee has placed a prayer request journal by the stained glass window in the South entry hallway (near the basement stairs). In this beautiful and quiet place, please lift up your prayers and concerns in writing to the Lord knowing and believing they will be heard. COFFEE HOUR SNACKS Just a reminder! We need people to sign up to bring snacks for coffee hour. People are really enjoying this addition to our fellowship time. So take your turn and sign up this Sunday. There is a sign up sheet on the coffee hour table in Upper Titus Hall. Please help us to keep this tradition going. Call Barbara Rockel (737-2476) if you have questions. It's really a simple and easy way to serve your church! THANK YOU! Your continuing support for the current Mission and Ministry of Pennington Presbyterian Church is greatly appreciated. Your gifts insure divine worship and Christian education every Sunday morning, even through the summer. Additional summer activities include Vacation Bible School, Stephen Ministry, nursery school camp, the softball team, and mission trips to Boston and Mexico. The mission interests of the church are year-round and extend well beyond just keeping the building open and providing staff salaries and benefits. If you are not able to attend worship because of out-of-town activities, simply mail your offerings to the church and they will be welcomed additions to the many blessings enjoyed by our church this summer. For more information on stewardship and giving to the church contact: Eric Shields, Chairperson of the Stewardship Committee. HOMEFRONT MEALS PREP & DELIVERY The next time we make meals for HomeFront s Family Preservation Center is Thursday, July 18. If you can provide cookies or want to help, please contact Amalie Leano at 462-0267. PENNINGTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 13 S. Main Street Pennington NJ 08534 Return Service Requested Page 4 of 4
Summer Fun! Wednesdays July 10, 24 & August 7 at 6:00 PM Come grill, share, and enjoy a program on a midweek summer evening. Bring family and friends and relax! The grill will be ready at 6:00 p.m. Bring your own meat or other items to grill and a salad or dessert to share. We'll have hot dogs for guests or just in case you can't bring meat from work. We'll also provide beverages and utensils. If the weather allows, we'll be outdoors. Following dinner, the program will begin. July 10 - Celebration of Song - Bill Alford will lead us in a hymn sing, covering favorites old and new. July 24 - Monday Blues Band - The Big Band that John Bruestle plays in will present an evening of Swing and Big Band music. August 7 - David Hallgren will lead us in favorite camp songs around a campfire, complete with s mores.