First Press - Clover Sitesstorage.cloversites.com...be Isabella Bonapace, Rachel Kumor, Camillia...
8
Inside this Issue: News for the Congregation 3 FPC Family Ministries 4 FPC Mission: Help Build God’s World 5 Care Ministries 5 From the Choir Room 6 People You Know 6 March Calendar 7 Church Contact Information back cover Courage As we proceed through Lent and approach Easter, we remember the determination of Jesus to fulfill his mission and get to Jerusalem, where he will be crucified and be raised. Because of this, a recurring theme of the Scripture lessons for Lent is whether we have the determination to proceed toward our God-given, Christ- centered purpose in life. The Apostle Paul exhorted believers to “Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13) When we think about our “faith life”, too often we think about the time we spend in contemplative activity – praying, reading the Bible, etc. But that is not the sum total of a “faith life”; that is the foundation of a faith life. A true “faith life” finds expression in every aspect of how we live. Do we stand up for what is right? Do we pursue the good we were meant to accomplish? Living a life of faith requires courage. There will always be voices – external voices as well as our inner voice – telling us that we should be focused on the things that ought to matter less: career advancement, social acceptance, personal comfort. To defy those social norms and instead choose to set about the work of building God’s world requires us to be courageous and live boldly. Think about the four things the Apostle Paul mentions, and the order in which he mentions them. Keep alert – be mindful of seeing the needs of the world. Stand firm in your faith – don’t let the world’s values supersede the values of Jesus. Be courageous – choose to stand up for what is right. Be strong – persevere in doing good. Jesus pursued what was right, all the way to the cross. He lost his earthly life, and gained resurrection. May we choose the same path, knowing that beyond anything life can do to us, there is resurrection. Peace and blessings, March 2016 First Press A publication of the First Presbyterian Church of Englewood, NJ From the Pastor K stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.” -1 Corinthians 16:13 eep alert,
Transcript of First Press - Clover Sitesstorage.cloversites.com...be Isabella Bonapace, Rachel Kumor, Camillia...
Inside this Issue:
News for the Congregation
3
FPC Family Ministries 4
FPC Mission: Help Build God’s World
5
Care Ministries 5
From the Choir Room 6
People You Know 6
March Calendar 7
Church Contact Information
back cover
Courage
As we proceed through Lent and approach Easter, we remember the determination of Jesus to fulfill his mission and get to Jerusalem, where he will be crucified and be raised. Because of this, a recurring theme of the Scripture lessons for Lent is whether we have the determination to proceed toward our God-given, Christ-centered purpose in life. The Apostle Paul exhorted believers to “Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13)
When we think about our “faith life”, too often we think about the time we spend in contemplative activity – praying, reading the Bible, etc. But that is not the sum total of a “faith life”; that is the foundation of a faith life. A true “faith life” finds expression in every aspect of how we live. Do we stand up for what is right? Do we pursue the good we were meant to accomplish?
Living a life of faith requires courage. There will always be voices – external voices as well as our inner voice – telling us that we should be focused on the things that ought to matter less: career advancement, social acceptance, personal comfort. To defy those social norms and instead choose to set about the work of building God’s world requires us to be courageous and live boldly.
Think about the four things the Apostle Paul mentions, and the order in which he mentions them. Keep alert – be mindful of seeing the needs of the world. Stand firm in your faith – don’t let the world’s values supersede the values of Jesus. Be courageous – choose to stand up for what is right. Be strong – persevere in doing good.
Jesus pursued what was right, all the way to the cross. He lost his earthly life, and gained resurrection. May we choose the same path, knowing that beyond anything life can do to us, there is resurrection.
Peace and blessings,
March 2016 First Press A publication of the First Presbyterian Church of Englewood, NJ
From the Pastor
K stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.” -1 Corinthians 16:13
eep alert,
Page 2 March 2016
SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. in the East Room.
Try the Sunday Morning Bible Study at 10:00 a.m. in the East Room each Sunday. We illuminate issues of history, context, and translation that affect the interpretation of the story that undergirds the sermon for the day.
News for the Congregation
BREATHING ROOM: A FOUR-WEEK LENTEN DISCIPLINE
Wednesdays, March 9 & 16 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in the East Room
Too often we find ourselves struggling with schedules, budgets, and relationships that leave us with no margin – no room to breathe. “Breathing room” challenges you to specifically consider what needs to be cut from your life. Join Pastors Rich and Kellie for the continuation of this four-week discussion that will help encourage you to reconfigure your life and breathe. If you need to catch up on the first two weeks, email Rich ([email protected]) and he will point you to how you can watch the videos online.
JOIN FPC ON PALM SUNDAY, MARCH 20
At the 11 a.m. Worship Service, there will be a procession with palms, and special music by the Englewood Tower Brass Ensemble and the Chancel Choir.
LENTEN WORSHIP AND SOUP LUNCH Wednesday, March 2 through March 16 at 12 p.m.
We continue our LENTEN WORSHIP AND SOUP LUNCH series each Wednesday at noon in the Chapel from Wednesday, March 2 through March 16. Each week we will have a brief worship followed by fellowship around a simple meal of hearty soups and bread. Soup makers are needed!
CHURCH SCHOOL THEMES FOR MARCH
Pre-School's First Look tells the Easter week story and encourages the children to see that they "can follow Jesus" and to know that Jesus wants to be their friend forever. The Elementary's 252 leads up to Easter, emphasizing the theme "Night Light"--the hope that Jesus brings that helps us "see through the dark" times in our lives, as he shows his disciples and us with his resurrection. The middle/high school theme is "Close" figuring out how do we connect to our awesome God.
EASTER IS COMING
We have TWO identical celebrations of Easter on Sunday, March 27, at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. (Crossroads does not meet on Easter.) Also remember that our deeply moving Service of Tenebrae is on Good Friday, March 25, at 8:00 p.m. The Chancel Choir, soloists and instrumental ensemble will perform music of Rutter, Bach, Dvorak, Albinoni and Horvat.
Page 3 First Press
ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCE There are two entrances which are barrier-free into the building. There is one into Elmore Hall from the Dwight Place side of the
building near the Memorial Garden and the other is through the Playground down the sidewalk to the entrance door which leads into the long hall between Elmore Hall and the Sanctuary.
GRIEFSHARE Wednesdays, starting March 30, 7 p.m. in the East Room.
GriefShare returns to FPC March 30. Have you or a friend suffered a loss? GriefShare is a faith-based, friendly, caring meeting with a group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. Griefshare will be holding a spring 2016 session on March 30 – June 1. Email Pastor Kellie Anderson-Picallo at [email protected] to register.
COFFEE & CONVERSATION
We are looking for volunteers on April 10 and 17 and welcome your help! Email Pastor Kellie to sign up for a Sunday in March: [email protected].
ST. PATRICKS DAY DINNER
Saturday, March 19, 6 p.m.
A favorite FPC tradition returns with a delicious corned beef and cabbage dinner to help celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Because March 17 falls on a Thursday this year, Charlene and Debbie are cooking up that storm for you on Saturday, March 19 at 6 p.m. in Elmore Hall. Everyone is invited, and this fun dinner is a great opportunity to invite family or friends. Tickets are $8.00 each and $20 per family; children under the age of 5 are free. Tickets will be sold during Coffee & Conversation on March 6 and March 13 – grab them then as there will be no tickets sold at the door. Table res-ervations can also be taken during ticket sales. Eve-ryone is encouraged to wear GREEN, bring along their biggest smile and best voice for some singing and share in this event!
GET THE FPC APP!
Watch the 90 Second Sermons, listen to past messages, check the church calendar, find out about Connect Groups – even give online! Parents receive notifications with suggestions for faith-based family discussions. For Android or iPhone – just search “Englewood Presbyterian” in your app store.
ADULTS PLAY BASKETBALL ON THURSDAYS
Come, enjoy good friends and a fun game on March 3, 10, 24, & 31, (but not on March 17), from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. in Elmore Hall. Philip Soo is the coordinator, [email protected].
COME, WALK THE LABYRINTH IN THE CHAPEL DURING LENT
The Labyrinth and Prayer Centers in the East Room are open on Friday, March 18 from 4 – 7 p.m. and on Palm Sunday, March 20 from 12 – 4 p.m. as a discipline to begin Holy Week. Take time to walk the winding path which is a metaphor for life, to pray, to prepare our hearts and minds for Good Friday and the joy of Resurrection Day.
BE A GREETER ON EASTER!
Could you be a Greeter before either the 9 or 11 a.m. Easter Service? With a larger crowd for the 11 a.m. Service, Greeters are also needed to direct parking in our parking lot. You can register to serve by calling or e-mailing the Church Office. Thanks for offering hospitality on this special day!
March 2016 Page 4
FPC Family Ministries
SOUPER BOWL OF CARING
Thanks to the FPC Youth for raising $450 for last week's
SOUPER BOWL OF CARING and thanks to our generous congregation! This money will be directed to the FPC Youth Fund to End Homelessness to support our Family Promise mission work. MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH
GROUP
Thanks to all the great FPC middle schoolers who served meals to the homeless on February 9. It was a great evening that fed more than 100 and our FPC middle schoolers served the food, cleaned up and even scrubbed down the tables. Great work everyone!
Grow in faith and play with heart. A place for families to build God’s world.
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP Save the Dates for our next High School MeetUp on 3/20 (2 - 4 p.m.). We’ll be preparing candy Easter bags for the homeless ministry at our partner church Jan Hus Presbyterian Church in NYC. EASTER TREASURE &
EGG HUNT
Saturday March 19, 10:30 a.m.
Children will help open the special treasure eggs so Pastor Rich can share the Easter story. Then kids will hunt for candy-filled eggs and gather to share a pizza lunch together. Bring a friend!
PALM SUNDAY FAMILY MEETUP Sunday March 20, 10:15 a.m., Elmore Hall Families, join us for a light breakfast of bagels and donuts as we gather as families to talk about the meaning of those palms we wave – and you’ll receive your palm for 11 a.m. Palm Sunday worship as we process down the aisle!
CONFIRMATION CLASS
We welcome our Confirmation Class of 2016 who will be Isabella Bonapace, Rachel Kumor, Camillia Polack, and Chloe Rees. They will be attending classes with Pastors Rich and Kellie, discussing topics with their parents, and meeting with mentors from the church to talk about faith. Our Confirmation class will also lead One Great Hour of Sharing on Palm Sunday. They will encourage all to give out of thankfulness to provide relief to those affected by natural disasters, food to the hungry, and empower the poor and oppressed.
First Press Page 5
FOOD TO FIRST ON THE FIRST FPC Mission collects food and non-perishable food items on the ‘first
Sunday’ of every month. Bring in your food on Sunday March 6 to support the Center for Food Action!
FPC Mobilize for Mission: Help Build God’s World The FPC Mission Commi ee works to create opportuni es for FPC to be the hands and feet of Jesus. From Center for Food Ac on to Bergen County’s Habitat for Humanity to strategic partnerships such as NYC’s Food and Homeless ministry at Jan Hus Presbyterian Church, thank you for all you do to build God’s World.
NEW FOR FPC MISSION! Starting in April we will post volunteer activities for our FPC ‘Mission 5’ organizations. Look for ways that you can help build God’s world!
WORKSHOP ON LIFE REVIEW IN APRIL
Are you 55 years or older? If so, you are invited to a workshop on Life Review led by Ruth A. Levy, PhD, LMFT. It is an opportunity to explore this very important and natural reminiscence in a non-judgmental, semi-structured group setting. The workshops will be held on Thursdays, April 14 and April 21, starting at 10 a.m. Of course, if you can only attend one meeting, you are still welcome. Please register at the church or by email to [email protected]. Registration is free, but limited. If you have questions, call Dorothy V. at 201-568-7373, ext. 307.
Care Ministries
DEACONS REACH OUT WITH LOVE AND CONCERN
Paul Kang and Cary Schweizer were elected Moderators of the Deacons for 2016.
Linda Heitner elected Secretary. She sends CARE NOTES assisted by Paul Kang and Emily Kahn.
Jeff Spady continues the PRAYER CHAIN each week by e-mail or regular mail.
Rosetta Forshee, Kate Matsuda, and Beverly Rhinehart are in charge of the FLOWER MINISTRY to celebrate a joy or bring cheer and say that “we care”.
Alan Aluska is coordinating Home Communions and visiting at-home members.
TAKE TIME FOR PRAYER & MEDITATION DURING LENT
The Labyrinth Committee has prepared several Prayer Centers in the East Room so take time before Easter to: Pray for Others, Pray with Crosses from around the world, Pray the Lord’s Prayer, Pray with Art by coloring a mandala, or stop to learn about Sabbath-time. Enter into a time of meditation and prayer by also visiting the Prayer Loft upstairs.
Spiritually Growing, Crea vely Living, and Generously Caring
DEACONS SPONSOR BLOOD DRIVE & PARISH BRUNCH
A BLOOD DRIVE will be held here on Sunday, May 1 from 12 - 3:30 p.m. The Deacons will also host a PARISH BRUNCH at 12 p.m. on May 1.
EAST BERGEN CROP WALK: SAVE THE DATE
The East Bergen Crop Walk for Hunger will be on Sunday, April 24, 2 p.m. from Elmore Hall. We walk to raise funds for Church World Service and for the Center for Food Action to address theissue of hunger in our world and in our community. Walk Sponsor forms will be available at the church.
Page 6 March 2016
PEOPLE YOU KNOW
Love and Sympathy to: Bea Barbieri and her family on the death of her son, John Boyd Hammalian on February 7, 2016. Rev. Hong officiated at a Memorial Service at Barrett Funeral Home on February 12, 2016.
Sympathy and Love to: Diane Macdonald and her family on the death of her husband, Dr. James Macdonald, on February 9, 2016. Dr. Macdonald was a long-time member of the church. Rev. Hong officiated at a Memorial Service held at the church on February 13, 2016.
Best Wishes and Love to: Kathy Stevens who is recuperating at home.
Baptism Blessings to: Jacob Falcon, son of Willman and Susanna Falcon, who was baptized on January 17, 2016.
Best Wishes to: Ruth Ye, senior at Boston University, who is serving on a medical trip in Dominican Republic to help run a clinic, assisted by a scholarship from our church.
Congratulations to: Anderson and Jennifer Eloy on the birth of their baby, Savannah Jennifer Eloy on January 6, 2016.
Congratulations to: Moon and Young Han on the birth of their grandchild, Matthew Liu.
Congratulations to: Dr. Alan Van Poznak, who was honored recently by the Van Poznak Research Scholarship of the Department of Anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medical College where he has been a long-time member of the faculty and pioneer in modern anesthesiology.
Congratulations to: Nora Neus who is now an on-air reporter for NBC29 in Charlottesville, VA and finishing her Master’s degree in Public Policy.
In the News was: Bill Roesch of Impact Paterson who spoke recently at a conference led by HOPE for Ex-Offenders, an organization we have supported with our mission dollars. It was held at Mount Olive Church in Hackensack for inmates re-entering society. Bill urged the audience to create their own work through entrepreneurship and enroll in a program that teaches those skills at Impact Paterson.
Thank you to: Lois Strauss who knitted more than a dozen winter scarves and donated them to Family Promise families.
WELL DONE!
Thank you to the children from our Summer Family Bible Camp who helped knot together a beautiful blanket which was presented to Elena Sepulveda for her mother as a gift on 2/21/16. We hope the blanket reminds her of the love of her church family.
Thanks to our February C & C hosts for their great help and ministry! Sheila Chen | Hun-en Sung | Paul Katz | Sophie Katz | Paul B. Hyun | Moon Han | Young Han | Pearl Lau | Kyung Lee | Janice Lee | Liki DeMaria | Sora Baek | Akira Fujitsuka | Nicole Fujitsuka | Debbie Alvarez | Alan Aluska
EASTER ORCHESTRA FUND
The Holy Week services of Good Friday and Easter at FPC are recognized throughout the county for their inspired preaching
and beautiful choral and organ music. One of the most impressive features commented on by the large crowds of members and visitors is the appearance of professional musicians to make up the Easter brass quartet and the Good Friday flute, oboe and cello ensemble. If you want the joyous sounds of trumpets to ring out the message of Resurrection, it is not too late to contact David Macfarlane at [email protected] or after services. General contributions are welcome, and sponsorships of individual instruments are also available.
From the Choir Room
EASTER CHOIR
It’s not too late to join in preparations for our beautiful Holy Week and Easter services. Anyone who is interested in joining the choir for the
Lent/Easter season is invited to join us every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. for rehearsal in the choir room. Light refreshments are provided. Consider singing in the choir as your Lenten service offering. All are welcome!
First Press Page 7
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Saturday, March 19 | Easter Treasure & Egg Hunt Sunday, March 20 | Palm Sunday with palm procession and special music at 11 a.m. Worship. Friday, March 25 | Good Friday Service of Tenebrae at 8:00 p.m. Child care provided. Sunday, March 27 | Easter Festival Services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Child care provided. The Lord is Risen!
CALENDAR
9:30 am
Chancel Choir Rehearsal
10:00 am Bible Study
11:00 am Worship Service
12 noon Coffee & Conversation
Nursery/child care available from
10:30 am-12:30 pm
5:30 pm Crossroads Contemporary
Worship
Every Sunday
Mar
ch 2
016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29
Tuesday 1 10:00 AM Scribble Art Art Loft
11:00 AM Sensory Open Play Art Loft
Wednesday 2 12:00 PM Lenten Lunch Chapel
Thursday 3 7:30 PM Basketball pick-up game Elmore Hall
Saturday 5 6:00 PM Boy Scout Troop 28 Basement
Sunday 6 12:15 PM Special Needs Parent Group Meeting Room
7:00 PM FPU Spring Session East Room
Tuesday 8 10:00 AM Scribble Art Art Loft
11:00 AM Sensory Open Play Art Loft
7:00 PM Stewardship Meeting Room
Wednesday 9 12:00 PM Lenten Lunch Chapel
7:00 PM Lenten Bible Study East Room
Thursday 10 7:30 PM Worship & Music Meeting Room
7:30 PM Basketball pick-up game Elmore Hall
Saturday 12 6:00 PM Boy Scout Troop 28 Basement
Sunday 13 7:00 PM FPU Spring Session East Room
Tuesday 15 10:00 AM Scribble Art Art Loft
11:00 AM Sensory Open Play Art Loft
1:00 PM Staff Meeting Meeting Room
Wednesday 16 12:00 PM Lenten Lunch Chapel
7:00 PM Lenten Bible Study East Room
7:30 PM Session Meeting Room
Friday 18 4:00 PM Labyrinth Chapel
Saturday 19 10:30 AM Easter Treasure & Egg Hunt Elmore Hall
6:00 PM Boy Scout Troop 28 Basement
6:00 PM St. Patrick's Day Dinner Elmore Hall
Sunday 20 9:30 AM Deacon Meeting Meeting Room
10:15 AM Family Meet-Up Elmore Hall
12:00 PM Labyrinth Chapel
2:00 PM Senior H.S. Meet-Up Center for Learning
7:00 PM FPU Spring Session East Room
Tuesday 22 10:00 AM Scribble Art Art Loft
11:00 AM Sensory Open Play Art Loft
Thursday 24 7:30 PM Basketball pick-up game Elmore Hall
Friday 25 8:00 PM Tenebrae Sanctuary
Saturday 26 10:00 AM Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary
6:00 PM Boy Scout Troop 28 Basement
Sunday 27 9:00 AM Easter Festival Services Sanctuary
11:00 AM Easter Festival Services Sanctuary
Wednesday 30 7:00 PM GriefShare East Room
Thursday 31 7:30 PM Basketball pick-up game Elmore Hall
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ENGLEWOOD
150 East Palisade Avenue Englewood, NJ 07631 Phone: 201-568-7373 Fax: 201-568-7376
www.englewoodpres.org
Happy Easter
April 5, 2015
A publication of the First Presbyterian Church
of Englewood, NJ
150 East Palisade Avenue Englewood, NJ 07631 Voice: 201‐568‐7373 Fax: 201‐568‐7376
www.englewoodpres.org
Rev. Richard S. Hong x306 Cell: 973‐769‐0199
Parish Associate, Kellie Anderson‐Picallo x301
Director of Care Ministries, Dorothy VanderWerf x307
Music Director, David Macfarlane x310 [email protected]
Office Manager, Danielle De Laurentis x304 [email protected]
Office Assistant, Liz Girvin‐Marcus x304 [email protected]
Bookkeeper, Mary Stevens x308 [email protected]
Staff Extensions and E‐mail Addresses
First Press
