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August 2, 2017

Page 1 of 10

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Worship Schedules 2

Fall Music Schedules 2

Fall CE & Childcare

Schedule 2

Book Group in Aug. &

Sept. 2

Church Family in Prayer &

Thanks 4

Adult Meeting & Events 7

Praying for Our World 7

2017 Summer Fun Sched-

ule 10

FOCUS is available the first

Wednesday of each month.

Next issue: 9/6/17

Deadline: Monday, 8/24//17

PASTOR’S THOUGHTS

August has always felt like a transition month to me. As a child, Au-

gust was when we went school shopping to buy new clothes and to

stock up on folders, pens, and pencils. It was the time for fall sports

practices to begin. As a young pastor, August was the time after Va-

cation Bible School, youth mission trips, and a day at the amusement

park for us to take a family vacation. Returning late in August meant

a quick turn-around before the church program year began. For sev-

eral years now, as a parent of young adults, August has been a transi-

tion time as we dropped kids off for college and returned home to an

emptier house.

August can be a transition time for other reasons, too. This may be a

season when you are preparing to move from a house where you have

lived for many years into a smaller and more senior friendly place,

perhaps nearer family in another part of the country. Some may be

experiencing a transition due to the changing needs of a loved one.

Which care facility is right for Mom or Dad? Or you may be wonder-

ing, “When will my days be marked by something other than physical

therapy appointments or chemotherapy treatments?” Perhaps the

transition is off of a substance that has crippled your life into a new

time of sobriety and renewed health. Some in our church family are

transitioning from working full time to retirement. Others may be ex-

periencing a relationship transition; time to open yourself to new

love, time to welcome a new person into the family, time to say “God

bless you ‘til we meet again.”

Transitions can be both exhilarating and frightening. For Christians,

our transitions are always experienced with a faithful partner, Jesus

Christ. We never go it alone. God chooses to accompany us, to be

with us as we encounter new possibilities, new opportunities,

(continued on page 8)

OF SPECIAL INTEREST IN THIS EDITION

■ Community Events (3) ■ Memorial Garden Preview (3)

■ Mexico Mission Photo (5) ■ Preview of Adult Education Classes (5) & (8)

■ August Clothing Drive (6) ■ September Yard Sale (6)

■Third Article about “Thoughtful Christians” (7) & cont’d (6)

■ Fruits of the Spirit Schedule and Biblical Text (8)

Pennington Presbyterian

F A I T H C O M M U N I T Y S E R V I C E

Hemming a skirt for a neighbor

Inviting the new student to sit

with you at lunch

Cheering at the soccer game

Talking around the dinner table

Forgiving unkind words or ac-

tions

May God’s love flow in and

through us, wherever we go and

REGULAR WEEKLY

SCHEDULE Sunday – 10:15 AM

FOLLOWED BY FELLOWSHIP HOUR

Childcare Available

from 10:00 am

In Room 102

Please sign up to provide refresh-

ments for Fellowship Hour. Sign-

up after church in Upper Titus.

Please keep current on your stew-

ardship pledge & Per Capita pay-

ments ($32.98) Staying current

supports PPC cash flow and is

greatly appreciated.

CHURCH STAFF/CONTACT

Pastor:

Nancy Mikoski

Associate Pastor:

David Hallgren

Music Director:

William Alford

Office Administrator &

FOCUS Editor: Eva Szakal

Financial Administrator

Pam Paluzzi

Office phone: 609-737-1221

Fax: 609-730-9665

E-mail: office@pennpres.org

Web: www.pennpres.org

www.Facebook.com/pennpres

13 S Main Street

Pennington, NJ 08534

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WORSHIP SCHEDULE SUMMER THEME:

THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT

8/6 Rev. David Hallgren

(Goodness/Generosity)

8/13 Rev. David Hallgren

(Faithfulness)

8/20 Rev. Nancy Mikoski

(Gentleness)

8/27 Rev. Nancy Mikoski

(Self-control)

9/3 Rev. David Hallgren

SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

)

Children, Adult and

Youth Christian Educa-

tion Classes

And Youth Programs

Begin on September 10.

Childcare is available at

8:45 am starting on

September 10 also.

SPECIAL FEATURE:

LOOKING AHEAD TO FALL MUSICAL PROGRAMS

LOOKING AHEAD TO FALL BOOK GROUP

The August meeting on the 21st will discuss 2 or 3 short stories read

during the meeting. The meeting is in the Upper Room at 7 pm.

On September 18, at 7 pm, the group will discuss Hillbilly Elegy by

JD Vance. New members are welcome. Contact Karin McAnlis if

you’d like to join (karin117@comcast.net.)

▪ Bell Choir –Thursdays, 6:45 pm (All ability levels welcome. If

you’re interested, contact Laura McMillan at lmcmillan@law-

renceville.org.) – First rehearsal: September 14.

▪ Adult Choir - Thursday, 8:00 p.m. - – First rehearsal: Septem-

ber 7.

▪ Gloria Deo Choir (grades 6-12) – Thursdays, 6:45 PM – First

rehearsal: September 7.

▪ Cherub Ensemble (pre-K-1st grade) during worship after Time

with Children – First rehearsal to be announced.

▪ Genesis Ensemble (grades 2-5) after worship (during fellowship

hour.) – First rehearsal: September 10.

▪ If you are interested or have questions, please contact our Director

of Music, Bill Alford, at pennpresmusic@gmail.com.

Community Events

RSVP by August 9 to the Concierge at 609.730.9922.

Lunch will be provided. Learn more here. Or look for

postcards on the literature tables.

Invites you to an event featuring our Laura Casavell and other

experts in the field of aging and senior living as a speaker.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, IS PEACH FESTIVAL DAY IN PENNINGTON. ENJOY THE 2ND

ANNUAL PEACH

FESTIVAL AT THE PENNINGTON

FARMERS MARKET

• SAMPLE PEACH-FLAVORED

WARES

• FUN AND GAMES FOR KIDS

• BAKE-OFF CONTEST (submissions

dropped off from 9-10:30 am, and judging

at 10:30 am)

ANNUAL PEACH FESTIVAL AT

PENNINGTON UNITED METHODIST

CHURCH

5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

(PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE AFRICAN CEMETERY

ASSOCIATION OF PENNINGTON)

BUY

HOT DOGS ($3) AND DESSERT ($2)

BEVERAGES ARE FREE

MEMORIAL GARDEN DEDICATION PLANNED FOR SEPTEMBER 17

Have any of you noticed the new monument (pictured) in

our cemetery as you enter the Memorial Garden on the

right side of the driveway? Or maybe you did not know

there are benches where a person can sit and perhaps feel

closer to God, or to a loved one who is buried in our cem-

etery. Yes! The marker is brand new and designates a

new way the Memorial Garden can be used - as a place to

scatter the ashes of a loved one as an alternative to a

more traditional burial with a casket. The dedication will

be on Sunday, September 17, after worship. Watch for

more information about the dedication in the next FO-

CUS.

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PRAYER CHAIN

Did you know that our church offers the

services of phone or email prayer chain

for those with a need or for those who

wish to lift up a joy?

We welcome all to be a part of this mean-

ingful program. If you are interested, you

may contact Nancy Lehman at nancy.leh-

man@gmail.com, or Barbara and Dick

Pratt at 609-737-2767.

KEEP OUR CHURCH FAMILY IN YOUR

PRAYERS FOR HEALING AND COMFORT

Healing & Comfort: Charles and Elsa Koczan; The

McAvoy Family; Frank Mason; Maggie Roberts' Fam-

ily; Lynda Matthei; Annie Hunter and Family; Lynne

Stives; Bill Schluter; Grace Scheetz; the Berkowitz

Family; Beth Hutton; Ben Cranston; Wayne Fuller;

Charles Bryan; Richard Coleman; Margy Coats

Almighty God, we pray that our brothers and sisters may be comforted in their suffering

and made whole. When they feel afraid, give them courage; when they feel afflicted, afford

them patience; when they are lost, offer them hope; when they are alone, move us to their

side. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen. (From April 23, 2017 Healing Service @ PPC)

PRAYER FOR ALL SEASONS

AYERS FOR JULY

Holy God, the earth is full of your creation; in wisdom, you have made us all and you have deliv-

ered us into one another’s care, asking that we love one another as you first loved us. But we have

fostered discord rather than unity, contempt rather than respect, ignorance rather than love.

Communities, peoples, creatures, lands, and seas have been set apart, torn apart, or driven apart

by conflicting claims and thoughtless ambitions. You know our thoughts, O Lord, and so we

humbly ask that you forgive and renew us. Help us walk in your way of love and reconcile us in

your spirit of peace, that all may truly know your gift of life. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Victoria G. Curtiss

Associate Pastor

Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, IL

Page 4 of 10

(

MISSION @ PPC

Another Successful Trip to Mexico to Work with Local Partners in the Yucatan

Nancy Russell, Chris LaCasse and Hope Anderson met with our partners in Tahdziu, Yucatan, with

whom the PPC team worked in 2017 to install a water purification system, conduct health education,

and lead Vacation Bible School for over 100 children. Our partners are now providing safe water to

most people in their community and expanding their Christian ministry at the same time. Thank you

to everyone from Pennington for supporting our Living Waters for the World projects!

THURSDAY EVENING SMALL GROUP

This fall, Rev. Nancy Mikoski will facilitate a

small group at the church on Thursday evenings

from 6:55-7:55 pm. beginning September 14

and concluding October 26. The focus will be

on prayer, using Henri Nouwen’s classic With

Open Hands (2006 Deluxe edition) “Prayer is a

way of life which allows you to find a stillness

in the midst of the world where you open your

hands to God’s promises and find hope for

yourself, your neighbor, and your world.” With

Open Hands offers gentle simplicity and chal-

lenging insights with words, photographs, po-

etry, and questions over which to ponder and

pray. To sign up, contact Nancy in person or by

email nancy@pennpres.org. Each participant

should purchase a book from our local Barnes

and Nobel or through Amazon.com. No prepa-

ration is needed for the first Thursday night

gathering.

Note, Thursday evening Kerygma will resume

in January with a 15-week study of Romans led

by Rev. David Hallgren.

A NEW ADULT CLASS FOR PARENTS

A new adult education class for parents is join-

ing the line up in September during the 9:00 am

education hour. Allison Larthey will facilitate

the group using Kathleen Long Bostrom’s 99

Ways to Raise Spiritually Healthy Children.

Each of the 99 ways has a page and a half re-

flection by the author, followed by a scripture

on the topic, and then a question for discussion.

No preparation is required! No need to pur-

chase the book! Just come for a time of learn-

ing, encouragement, Christian fellowship and

prayer with other parents.

(Find the description of the third class on

page 8.)

PREVIEW OF THREE ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FOR 2017-2018

Page 5 of 10

A clothing drive for the Rescue Mission of Tren-

ton is planned for August 6 through August 27.

Time to clean closets?

Caution: No room @ PPC to accept donations

prior to August 6. This drive is limited to

good condition clothing for the whole family.

No shoes.

AUGUST CLOTHING DRIVE SPECIAL “THOUGHTFUL CHRISTIAN”

FEATURE (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7)

YARD SALE FUNDRAISER

PLANNED FOR SEPTEMBER TO

BENEFIT YOUTH MISSIONS

ways to have that peace that passes all under-

standing, in spite of .... whatever. Following

will be two Sundays to broaden our understand-

ing of other faiths with discussions about Abra-

hamic Holidays. October is our own 500th An-

niversary of the start of the Reformation by

Martin Luther, so of course we will explore

some of the issues of the reformation and life as

a Christian in 1517. The month of November

takes us again to the issues of happiness, or joy,

or "living simply so that others may simply

live". Concluding the fall series, we will have

an opportunity to learn about Handel's Mes-

siah. Leading these discussions along with Da-

vid Hallgren and myself will be Carol Meyer

and Ted Borer.

We hope many of you will come with your

questions, your faith and even your skepticism.

Just come! I also hope that you still have some

of that summer leisure-time way of thinking as

August begins so you might read a book that is

sturdier than some of the "beach nov-

els"......"Martin Luther: A Visionary Reformer"

by Scott Hendrix. It not only tells the theologi-

cal story of the Reformation, but it presents a

human side to Luther's life, family and cultural

setting. The author was a colleague of Gordon

Mikoski's, and Gordon will be leading a series

on "The Works of Martin Luther" for the entire

fall session; our discussion for Thoughtful

Christians will be a simpler, much briefer ver-

sion. The book is definitely a good read.

Books! Books for summer reading! Almost al-

ways good. So, I read “Up North at the Cabin”

by Marsha Wilson Chall to my two-year old

visitor and these words struck me as an expres-

sion of what summer reading can do:

"So when I am far away from summer

When frosted windows cloud the sky

I close my eyes and once again

I am up north at the cabin."

Happy....and joyous.... summer reading! May

they continue to be a blessing all year. Please

come and share with other thoughtful Christians

this fall.

ON SEPTEMBER 16, SATURDAY, 9 A.M. TO 2

P.M., THERE WILL BE A YARD SALE. IT WILL

BE RAIN OR SHINE. Donations may be dropped

off starting 8/7 through 9/14 in The PIT.

Please, no clothing, shoes or electronics. (Do-

nation hours in August: 9:30 to 11 am (during

summer office hours); and September: 9:30 am

to 11 am, and then 1 pm to 4 pm. to avoid

parking lot jams.) Please let your neighbors

and family know to contribute and buy.

Marilyn and Morris Fabian shared the

happy news that their granddaughter

CONGRATULATIONS TO

2017 COLLEGE GRADUATES

Diana Marie Fabian grad-

uated this spring with a

BA in English from

Kutztown University. Page 6 of 10

SUMMER MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Aug. 4 11:30

am

Closing program in the sanctuary for Vacation

Bible School (Theme: Barn yard)

Aug. 10 12:00 m

Lunch & Learn at Brandywine (RSVP by 8/9):

“Practical Issues to consider with our Aging

Parents”

Aug. 12 various Peach Festivals (See page 3.)

Aug. 14 7:00 pm Worship and Music, Christian Education meet

Aug. 15 7:30 pm Stewardship meets

Aug. 16 6:00 pm Summer Fun: Movie and Luau (See page 8.)

Aug. 17 11:30

am After worship, Memorial Garden dedication

Aug. 21 7:00 pm Book Group meets in Upper Room: Short Sto-

ries (no prior reading)

Aug. 23 7:30 pm Mission meets

Aug. 27 7:00 pm Session meets

Aug. 30 7:00 pm Dash Away meeting

Aug. 31 7:00 pm Personnel meets

Our world needs peace.

Add your prayers for the peoples of the

world - one country at a time.

Aug. 6 Indonesia

Aug. 13 Iran

Aug. 20 Iraq

Aug. 27 Ireland

Sept. 3 Israel

Information about all the countries we have

prayed for is at http://pennpres.org/pray-for-

our-world/.

Thoughtful Christians Discuss Ways to Find God’s Peace and Learn from Each Other

to Expand Their Practices: You are Invited to Join in This Fall.

In June and July respectively, Carol Meyer and Ted Borer, shared with you some thoughts based on the

final series of meetings of the “Thoughtful Christian” program for 2016-2017. The goal was to give you a

flavor of this offering in adult Christian education at Pennington Presbyterian. In the article that follows,

Rev. Dr. Nancy Schluter looks ahead to the fall program to get you to consider adding 9:00 am on Sunday

mornings to your regular schedule to meet with other thoughtful Christians to discuss important topics and

to learn from each other. No preparation required!

Ah...h...h...h! Summertime! Balmy, longer eve-

nings and energizing cool mornings. No school

schedules and even not many meetings. Time to

watch gardens grow, grandchildren too, or a project

with hammer and nails expand.... slow days and

slower eves. At the beach, or in the woods, or just

in our own backyards. Time to read, and yes, even

time to think slower, or maybe at a deeper level.

Time! Time seeming to stand still. So, I have had

the time and the happiness ....and yes, the joy .... of

sharing a book about the woods with a visit-

ing great grandchild, and as many of you know, our

family spends a lot of time every summer in the

Adirondacks in New York State; I have gone since

being a small girl. Here is the place where I best

find peace. I hope that each one of us knows such a

place. And, words from that story with my great

grandchild;

"Up there in the woods, I am always brave,

even in the dark woods, even in the dark

woods,

When blood thumps through my head like

old Ojibway drums"

But first, Thoughtful Christians IS just that kind of

place.... come fall.... with a program available right

here every Sunday morning before worship. We

gather to discuss....and perhaps learn about other

ways to find God's peace, or ways to share or ex-

pand our own practices. Current issues may erupt

in our country, or our world. How do we as faithful

Christians respond? How do we live critically yet

faithfully in this modern world? What tools does

the Bible give us? Or the traditional church? This

past year we have been exploring ways to live

simply in a complex world. Or as “the slow

church". Or as Carol Meyer said, "how the fast life

threatens to short-circuit a real and meaningful

presence with God and with one another."

This Fall, David Hallgren will set the

foundation with an opening series of

and about devotional readings, about

SPECIAL “THOUGHTFUL CHRISTIAN” FEATURE

Article continued on page 6.

Page 7 of 10

Preview of 2017-2018 Adult

PASTOR’S THOUGHTS (CONT’D) CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CLASSES (CONT’D FROM PAGE 5)

new seasons of life. Some of our transitions are

bitter-sweet, both happy and sad all at the same

time.

Years ago, I went rock climbing in the wild for

the first time. I was safely harnessed with ropes

and had experienced climbers on the ground

below and at the top of the mountain (more like

a hill that felt like a mountain) and yet I was

very scared. I had to be taught to let go of a toe

hold or a hand hold in order to move a step up

the mountain, quickly searching for a new

place to grab hold. My instructors told me the

truth. You can’t climb a mountain if you don’t

let go of your safe spot and find a new place to

hold onto. For me, this is what transitions are

all about, whether they are transitions we have

planned for and look to with excitement, or

transitions that are thrust upon us and are ac-

companied by anxiety. We grow as children of

God as we learn to let go and to trust the Holy

One who is watching and guiding and encour-

aging us every step of the way.

For all who are in a time of transition I com-

mend the hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness.”

Sing it. Pray it. Let these words of assurance

give you hope and peace.

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;

there is no shadow of turning with thee. Thou

changest not; thy compassions they fail not. As

thou hast been thou forever wilt be. Great is thy

faithfulness. Great is thy faithfulness. Morning

by morning new mercies I see. All I have

needed thy hand hath provided. Great is thy

faithfulness Lord unto me!

The third class this fall is the Bible and

Theology Class offering Basic Writing of

Martin Luther. Fall Bible and Theology

Class: Basic Writing of Martin Luther

October 31, 2017 marks the 500th anniversary

of the Protestant Reformation. What better

way to celebrate this great occasion than by

exploring the basic writings of the German

monk who started a revolution? Over the

course of the fall, participants in this class will

read and discuss several of Luther’s famous

95 theses and other writings that turned the

Christian world upside down. The book used

in the class The Annotated Luther: The Roots

of Reform (Vol. 1) costs $27.57 on Amazon.

Sign up for the class in the coffee hour after

church or send an email to the church office

(office@pennpres.org.)

Look for more details on both children,

youth and adult Christian Education classes

and programs. Fall CE Classes begin at 9

am on Sunday, September 10.

Page 8 of 10

A Prayer for Travelers

Heavenly Father,

You hold us in the palm of your hand.

You watch over us wherever we go.

You are our shepherd, and protector.

You are behind us and before us.

You journey with us.

Today we put our trust in you as we travel.

Amen.

Fun at Vacation Bible School

The Barnyard is Very Busy!!

Special page 9 of 10

Don’t you wish you were able to participate?

You can come watch the final performance to

wrap up VBS 2017 on Friday morning. (Contact

the church office for the time: office@penn-

pres.org or 609-7371221, x-10.)

One More Slot Left!

Story telling has been enriching the worship ex-

perience during the “Fruits of the Spirit” series

this summer, continuing through August. This

worship theme is based on Galatians 5:22-26.

We are grateful for the volunteers sharing their

stories about they experienced a gift of the

Spirit from one of these Fruits in their life or in

the life of someone they know.

July 2: Love (Sr.

High Mission Team)

July 9: Joy

July 16: Peace (the

Pratts)

July 23: Patience (Ka-

cie Rypisi Walton)

July 30: Kindness (Barbara Rockel)

Aug. 6: Goodness/Gen-

erosity (Madeleine Man-

sier) Aug. 13: Faithfulness (Don Wright) Aug. 20: Gentleness (Hope Anderson) Aug. 27: Self-control (Jo Williams)

IN AUGUST AUGUST 16

WEDNESDAY, 6 PM

Galatians 5:22-26 22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,

peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithful-

ness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no

law against such things. 24 And those who

belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh

with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the

Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. 26 Let

us not become conceited, competing against

one another, envying one another.

Family Movie “Moana” by Disney and a Luau

in the Courtyard (Burgers & hotdogs provided;

bring a salad, side dish, or dessert to share.)

“Fruits of the Spirit” Thank You to the VOLUNTEERS

BIBLE VERSES FOR “FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT”

STORY TELLING

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